My Sims of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

When Xiao Heng returned to the camp, the torches along the shore had formed a winding fire dragon, reflecting on the shimmering water.

Chen Da had already been waiting at the camp entrance with two personal guards. When he saw Xiao Heng and his guards approaching, he quickly stepped forward to greet them.

He stood ramrod straight, but his voice was very low, tinged with nervousness.

"My lord, you're finally back! Just now, Liu's personal guards came to borrow arrows, saying that the losses during tomorrow's siege were too great and they wanted to borrow some of the Northern Army's standard arrows from us for emergency use."

Chen Da's gaze swept over the guards behind Xiao Heng, then glanced around to make sure no one else was present before continuing.

"As you instructed, I claimed that most of the arrows were taken by Han Yong and Lu Da to the north to support General Sun, and that only a small number were left for personal use, amounting to only twenty sets. However, that personal guard had a shifty look in his eyes, his gaze lingering on the quivers on our warships, and before leaving, he even touched the arrow shafts we had discarded!"

Xiao Heng paused, raised his hand to unsheathe the sword from his waist and handed it to the guard beside him, his eyes darkening.

"I haven't given up yet!"

He should have anticipated this situation. Liu Laozhi came from a military family and had been a vanguard general since Xie Xuan formed the Northern Army. He had always been arrogant and haughty.

Fortunately, the Northern Army's arrows were all similar in design, consisting of a hard bow and a three-edged arrowhead, with only slight differences in the branding on the arrow shaft.

"It's alright."

Xiao Heng waved his hand and strode towards the main tent.

"If he wants to investigate, let him investigate. Twenty sets of arrows won't cause any trouble; on the contrary, they'll put his mind at ease. Go and arrange for the night watch immediately. Tomorrow, we need to be extra careful when blocking the western waterway. Ju Nan is no easy opponent."

"promise!"

Chen Da responded and left, his footsteps quickly blending into the night. The camp immediately echoed with low shouts to mobilize the soldiers.

Xiao Heng walked into the main tent alone. An oil lamp was already lit inside, and the map of Huai and Si rivers was spread out on the table.

He turned the oil lamp up a little brighter and focused his gaze on the markers of Xuyi City, repeatedly observing the waterway patterns along the city's perimeter.

Xuyi is built along the Huai River, with tributaries crisscrossing the west bank and numerous shoals. If it were an ordinary enemy force, they would surely choose to break through to the north. However, as Deng Jing had said before, none of them were people who were afraid of death.

"Zhou Laosi!"

Xiao Heng called out, and immediately steady footsteps came from outside the tent. Zhou Laosi, dressed in a black outfit, bowed and entered.

After he followed Xiao Heng, Zhou Laosi no longer led troops. This was mainly because he had some old grudges with Han Yong and Lu Da, and it wouldn't be unreasonable for Xiao Heng to kill him.

However, Xu Xianzhi had a high opinion of this person. In Qu County, even the Wang family was under his control, and Lu Da and Chen Jiao were completely manipulated by him.

The Cui clan of Qinghe was considered a top-tier aristocratic family in the north. Their ability to even interfere in the appointment of Qin army generals was a testament to their power.

"What are your orders, Lord Prefect?"

Zhou Laosi stood with his hands at his sides in front of the table, his gaze fixed on the map, his tone respectful but not obsequious.

Xiao Heng gestured for him to sit down, then pointed to the Yangtze River basin on the map and said in a deep voice.

"How much do you know about this person, Ju Nan?"

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Laosi spoke awkwardly.

"This person should be from Jincheng. Although he is not as noble as the Xianbei nobles such as the Murong and Tuoba clans, his family has produced many talented people. In his early years, he was appointed as a general due to his military achievements. He fought against Qingzhou for many years. In the Battle of Taoshan, he attacked Zhang Minzi, the prefect of Lanling. Later, he was defeated by Grand Marshal Huan Wen. After that, the Qin army attacked Dai..."

After Zhou Laosi finished speaking, he glanced at Xiao Heng, who had no expression, with some doubt. Finally, after seeing the map on the table, he spoke again.

"My lord surmises that if Ju Nan truly wanted to escape, he would not flee west, and lacking boats to cross south, his only option would be eastward, heading straight for Guangling from Xuyi!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Heng abruptly looked up and stared at Zhou Laosi. He had just conducted a simulation, and this guy in front of him actually...

"Your guess alone is enough to surpass that of ordinary people!"

Zhou Laosi was somewhat dazed, and immediately went to bow down, but was stopped by Xiao Heng.

"I will handle your clan's southward migration matter again. After this battle, there will be no more war in Huainan. You shall set off tomorrow, leading your people south to find Wen Yuan first!"

Xiao Heng then took out a letter that he had prepared in advance and handed it over.

Zhou Laosi could hardly believe it. His hands trembled as he took the letter and carefully put it away.

"Your Excellency, this..."

"Contact with the Wang family has been severed. I will explain this to Governor Xie after the war!"

These words made Zhou Laosi's heart tighten, but he no longer had any scruples. After so many years of forbearance, he finally reaped the rewards. Before dawn, he bid farewell to Xiao Heng that very night and rushed to Qu County.

After Zhou Laosi left, the tent returned to silence.

Xiao Heng checked the results of the simulation that had just cost 100 points.

There is only a 10% chance that they will head north back to Pengcheng, a 30% chance that they will directly attack Guangling, and a 50% chance that they will head south.

Guabu (Taoyeshan, Pukou District, Nanjing) is the address given on the simulator. Jiankang is on the other side of the river. If he could bring his troops to the gates of Jiankang, even if he could not capture the city, he would still shake the Eastern Jin court and the public. For him, that would be an unparalleled achievement.

Xiao Heng's heart clenched. It seemed that Deng Jing was indeed farsighted. This man wanted to imitate Deng Ai's sneak crossing of Yinping, relying on surprise. If Ju Nan really wanted to drink from the Yangtze River, he would have to replicate this strategy of seeking victory in danger. However, the Yangtze River was a natural barrier stretching from north to south. It was not the Chengdu Plain. He had neither warships nor reinforcements. Such a rush was undoubtedly a desperate gamble. Only a madman would dare to make such a decision, and Ju Nan was precisely such a madman.

As Xiao Heng gazed at the route on the map that stretched from Xuyi to Guabu, a chill ran through him.

He raised his hand and touched the brocade pouch close to his body. The jade seal there reminded him of the secret behind Peng Chao's death, and it also made him more and more clear-headed.

If Ju Nan truly advances eastward, this war will no longer be a simple encirclement and suppression, but will concern the face of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

Xiao Heng got up and walked outside the tent. The night wind, carrying moisture, hit his face, making him even more unable to sleep.

The soldiers in the camp had returned to their posts, and the warships were moored on the shore.

He looked up toward the direction of Xuyi City. In the darkness of the night, the outline of that lonely city was faintly visible, with sparse lights inside.

"My lord, it is late. You should go back to your tent and rest."

Chen Da appeared behind him without him noticing and whispered words of advice.

Xiao Heng slowly shook his head. He was not sleepy at all, and his gaze fell on the night on the east bank.

"I'm not sleepy. Go and fetch some dry food and water, as well as my fishing rod. I'll be on guard the flagship tonight."

Chen Da didn't try to persuade him any further and turned to prepare.

Xiao Heng stepped onto the flagship, walked to the bow, leaned against the ship's side, and gazed at the reflection of the torches on the water, repeatedly considering his countermeasures.

If it is difficult for them to advance eastward, although the navy's warships are fast, they will eventually be unable to catch up with the cavalry rushing at full speed. Only by predicting their route in advance can we set up an interception line before they reach Guabu.

But he only had two thousand naval troops at his disposal. Even if he told Xie Xuan, he couldn't explain it, and even if he stopped him, he probably couldn't defeat him...

Xiao Heng sighed deeply and swung the stick forcefully.

"Very well, it's time to wake up the gentlemen in Jiankang!"

As the night wind grew stronger, Xiao Heng closed his eyes, repeatedly rehearsing the arduous marching route.

Only when the sky began to lighten did he slowly open his eyes, the confusion gone from them.

......