My Sims of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

On an unnamed earthen slope west of Siwu County.

Deng Jing reined in his warhorse, and ahead lay the low silhouette of Siwu County at the edge of the plain.

Although the banners on the city wall were not bright, the guards were densely packed, and the outlines of powerful crossbows could be vaguely seen behind the city wall. The city gates were tightly closed, and the drawbridge was high in the air, so it was by no means an undefended empty city.

At this moment, Murong Yan arrived with more than a dozen Xianbei light cavalrymen and scattered on the flanks.

Looking at the situation before him, Murong Yan hurriedly unfolded a leather map, his gaze quickly sweeping along the line of Siwu and Qu County, his brows furrowing more and more tightly.

"How strange..."

"Why did the Jin army divide its forces to defend this remote county? This place is not a major thoroughfare; neither Pengcheng to the west nor the coast to the east is a necessary route. What is the Jin army's purpose in deploying its troops here?"

But Deng Jing, who was standing to the side, quickly realized something: the Jin army had already learned that the Xianbei cavalry led by Murong De had come from Qingzhou.

This place is the north gate of Sikou. If it is not fortified, cavalry will be able to bypass it and launch a pincer attack from the east side of Sikou.

Murong Yan rolled up the map and stuffed it back into his horse's saddlebag.

"General Deng, Siwu is well-prepared, and a direct assault may not be able to take it quickly. Our army is lightly armed and has not brought heavy siege weapons. If we are bogged down under the walls of a fortified city and delay for a long time, we cannot bear the blame if the Duke of Gaoyang finds fault with us."

Deng Jing looked displeased upon hearing this.

"Then what is your opinion, General?"

"Go around it."

Murong Yan was resolute.

"Go around it?"

Deng Jing almost laughed in anger. He raised his hand and pointed to the terrain on both sides of Siwu County.

"General, do you think the Jin army is blind and deaf? This county, though small, is strategically located at a crossroads. To the left is a swamp, and to the right a dense forest; it's impossible for a large force to bypass it. Even if we manage to go through the mountains and swamps, how will we conceal our movements? If the city's defenders discover us, they can send troops out to follow and harass us, or set up an ambush in a dangerous spot ahead. Our army will be caught in a dilemma, like turtles in a jar!"

"you--!"

Murong Yan's face flushed red, and he pointed his riding whip at Deng Jing.

But the thought that he would lose his head if he failed to take over the salt fields in the East China Sea made him give up.

"General Deng! We've come this far on light cavalry, are we just going to turn back like this? If the Duke of Gaoyang asks about it, can you bear the consequences?"

He once again used Fu Fang to pressure Deng Jing, but his eyes darted around, knowing that this man must have a way.

Deng Jing scoffed. He had already sent people to investigate this person before. He had suffered a defeat in the battle of Liucheng but had concealed important information and almost got beheaded.

He was only able to escape death if his father, Murong De, had not pleaded for him before Fu Fang.

As for his trip to the East China Sea, it is estimated that he is trying to atone for his crimes, but the purpose is unknown.

Fu Fang's decision to have him travel with this person must have been due to an irresistible temptation he couldn't resist.

Now that the road is blocked, the only way to get there is to continue north and detour through Tanxian.

Deng Jing didn't want to say anything more to him, so he turned his horse around and led his troops north, wanting to complete the mission as soon as possible.

Seeing that they continued north, Murong Yan seemed to have thought of something and ordered the army to continue marching north.

Tanxian County, night.

On Xiao Heng's desk lay an exquisite invitation from the Wang family of Qu County.

"Zongwen, what do you think?"

Xu Xianzhi turned his gaze away from the map and pondered.

"We've been trying to keep our movements discreet, including those of Chen Jiao and the others, but the fact that Wang sent this invitation suggests that one of those three groups already has spies among them. They might not be unaware of our true nature!"

"Eyes and ears?"

Xiao Heng chuckled and looked up at Xu Xianzhi.

"That's natural. Chen Jiao might be determined, Lu Da is a fence-sitter, and Zhou Laosi... is the most cunning. It would be strange if the Wang family hadn't planted some spies among them."

Xu Xianzhi nodded in response.

"Is the Supervisor going?"

"No rush, it's not us who are in a hurry right now!"

Just then, the tent flap was suddenly flung open, and Han Yong strode into the tent, his face solemn, and clasped his hands in a fist to report.

"Commander! A scout from the southwest of the city has urgently reported that enemy forces, numbering several thousand cavalry, have been spotted ten miles away and have already set up camp! Judging from their armor and the arrangement of their campfires, they are undoubtedly Xianbei light cavalry!"

Xiao Heng's pupils contracted slightly, and Xu Xianzhi immediately raised his head as well.

"Xianbei light cavalry?"

Xiao Heng stood up, walked quickly to the simple map of the area hanging on the tent wall, and pointed to the northwest.

"This direction... comes from Pengcheng?"

"Exactly."

Han Yong nodded.

"The hoofprints are fresh, extending from southwest to northeast, stopping and setting up camp on a dry riverbed ten miles away. They are very cautious, sending out scouts far away. Our scouts only discovered them by chance and did not dare to get too close, so it is difficult to identify the specific flags and commander. But the Xianbei people are definitely not mistaken."

Xu Xianzhi had already stood beside Xiao Heng and whispered.

"Supervisor, the Wang family's invitation arrived shortly after, and the Hu cavalry followed closely behind. Could such a coincidence be...?"

Xiao Heng stared at the imaginary marker on the map representing the enemy camp, then looked at the area representing the salt fields along the southeast coast and the Wang family's influence.

He had to admire Xu Xianzhi's keen sense, but colluding with the Xianbei was a serious crime.

As a member of the Wang family by marriage, she wouldn't dig her own grave, but she still had to be wary.

"They arrived quickly!"

"Investigate further. I need to know the exact size of their camp, the pattern of their nighttime guard rotations, and... whether there are any signs of them continuing to send scouts eastward. Double the number of sentries, close the city gates, and detain any suspicious individuals attempting to enter, leave, or pass messages!"

"promise!"

Han Yong accepted the order and turned to leave.

"besides!"

Xiao Heng called out to him.

"Have Chen Da take his men to the city wall to strengthen nighttime defenses, but instruct the soldiers not to make any noise without cause, and to extinguish the lights on the city wall, maintaining a relaxed exterior but a tense interior."

Han Yong responded again and quickly left.

Xiao Heng did not immediately check the simulator.

Points are precious. Although the situation is tense, the enemy situation is clear, and we are defending the city.

The situation hasn't deteriorated to the point of being out of control.

His gaze fell on Xu Xianzhi across from him.

Within just a few days, the boy adapted remarkably quickly.

He displayed a level of understanding in military affairs, maps, and human psychology far exceeding that of his peers. His occasionally overly perceptive nature made him somewhat naive and caused two embarrassing blunders. In other aspects, however, he was far beyond the average person.

Loyalty has steadily grown to 63 points, which is a rare level of trust in oneself.

If things continue to develop in this way, he may truly break free from the trajectory of a politically astute minister in history and grow into a more well-rounded commander-in-chief, even capable of leading independently.

Tomorrow, the Xianbei cavalry outside the city will not remain stationary; probing contacts or raids are very likely to occur.

Inside the city, even the spies planted by the Wang family and the three newly subjugated leaders would be eager to act upon the arrival of this enemy army.

"Is the Commander-in-Chief considering what to do with the three commanders in Qu County? If our army engages the Hu cavalry tomorrow, should we send them to Tan County to assist in the battle?"

Xu Xianzhi was thinking far ahead, which didn't surprise Xiao Heng.

He had no intention of having those three come to his aid now; his presence here was not a long-term solution, and he would have to leave sooner or later.

Making contact with these people in advance was also for the sake of what would happen after the Northern Army withdrew.

At this point, the waterways are crisscrossed, and one can retreat into this complex network of waterways at any time.

"If we were to order Chen Jiao, Lu Da, and Zhou Laosi to bring their elite troops to Tanxian at the fastest speed to await orders for defense or attack, how would they react? Would they rush there overnight to show their loyalty, or would they make excuses to avoid it, or perhaps... have other plans?"

Xu Xianzhi did not answer immediately, but frowned slightly, as if he was quickly deducing the personalities, situations and interests of the three people in his mind.

After a moment, he slowly shook his head.

"Supervisor, I believe that hastily summoning them here at this moment is not the best course of action and may even lead to unforeseen complications."

"Oh? Tell me more!"

Xiao Heng leaned forward slightly.

"Without fulfilling our promises, our foundation is unstable. We promised to secure official positions in the Northern Prefecture for them and properly settle their families; this is the foundation for winning their hearts. However, this is only the beginning. The fleet for their families' southward migration is still being prepared, and the Northern Prefecture's recommendation letter is still a long way off. To suddenly order them to abandon their base at this time will inevitably cause them to weigh their options!"

Xiao Heng nodded. This was one of the reasons he was considering it, but not the main one.

Seeing Xiao Heng's reaction, Xu Xianzhi knew that there was probably something wrong with what he said.

Xiao Heng stopped being mysterious and sat up straight.

"Zongwen, your concern about the failure to keep promises is a reason for their hesitation. But what I'm concerned about is the root cause of their inevitable failure to comply."

Xu Xianzhe's expression hardened: "What does the Supervisor mean?"

"Who do you think these displaced people leaders who have been entrenched in the Huai and Si regions for so many years are? From Zu Ti to Xi Jian, and now to the Northern Army, these people are all ruthless heroes who have carved their own path in this chaotic world!"

"The recommendations and arrangements we offer are merely icing on the cake. The prerequisite for them to obey our orders is that we must possess sufficient power to make them wary!"

Xiao Heng said this not to make Xu Xianzhi wary of these people, but because he couldn't guarantee them anything.

"Get a good rest tonight."

"Tomorrow, let's see what those Xianbei people outside the city are up to. We should also think about how to give the Wang family a clearer answer."

"..."