gnovel Chapter 1493 Half-year appointment
Chapter 1493 Half-year appointment
Chapter 1493 Half-year appointment
Late August of the sixteenth year of Yanxi.
The complete withdrawal of the State of Wei from Qing and Xu also meant its withdrawal from the struggle for the unification of the Central Plains.
Wu's General of Chariots and Cavalry, Lü Ju, was ordered to garrison Shouchun. He learned that the Wei army in Guangling had all retreated and abandoned countless fine weapons.
Immediately dispatch troops northward to seize the weapons.
More importantly, he personally led his troops to occupy the Guangling region south of the Huai River.
In September, Liu Chen, the crown prince of the Han state, led his army to the north bank of the Huai River, where they faced the Wu army across the water.
Lu Ju stood on the watchtower, looking at the continuous camps of the Han army on the north bank, where the red Han flags fluttered in the wind.
In autumn, the Huai River is as wide as a belt.
Behind him, his deputy Zhu Yi and others stood solemnly.
“General,” Zhu Yi said in a low voice, “the Han army reinforced its troops by another 3,000 yesterday, and now there are more than 10,000 on the north bank.”
"Judging from the banners, the main force of the Wuwei Army, one of the eight armies of the Han State in Guanzhong, has arrived."
Someone else added a reminder:
"General, the Grand General (Sun Jun) has ordered us to hold the Huai River and not to provoke any border conflicts."
"Now that the Crown Prince of Han has come in person, if we forcibly occupy the south bank of Guangling and do not retreat, I fear... I fear we will anger Han."
Lü Ju did not turn around.
His hand rested on the cold wooden railing.
He recalled what Sun Jun had said to him in court before he left Jianye:
"General, you are the pillar of the nation. The responsibility of defending the Huai River cannot be fulfilled without you."
Gancheng?
Lu Ju sneered inwardly.
He naturally understood what Sun Jun and Princess Quan behind him were calculating.
"You all think," Lü Ju began slowly, "that I didn't know this was a trap?"
"Is Sun Jun and Princess Quan waiting for me to clash with the Han army so they can use this as an opportunity to punish me?"
Everyone was silent.
Lu Ju turned around and his gaze swept over the crowd:
"But have you ever considered that if we do not occupy Guangling now and secure the Huai River defenses, we will have to wait for the Han state to digest Qing and Xu and reorganize its navy?"
"At that time, the northern border of my Great Wu will be wide open!"
He pointed to the north bank, "Why isn't Liu Chen crossing the river now? Because he just took over Qing and Xu, and Sima Zhao left behind only scorched earth!"
"He needs time to appease the refugees and restore production; at least... for the next six months, he will be unable to look south!"
Zhu Yi said anxiously, "But what about six months later? What if the Han Kingdom sends troops to punish us..."
"Then let's fight!" Lü Ju slammed his fist on the railing and roared, "I have taken Guangling today and secured the Huai River defenses, all to buy the Great Wu these six months!"
"Within six months, my navy can build more warships, and my infantry can strengthen the city's defenses. At that time, even if the Han army attacks, I will have the natural barrier of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers to defend!"
He descended the watchtower, his armor clanging loudly.
"As for Sun Jun's intention to punish me..."
Lu Ju smiled bitterly, "If my head can be exchanged for peace in the northern border of Great Wu, I... will accept it."
Zhu Yi was moved: "General's loyalty and righteousness are as clear as the sun and moon. However..."
“There is no ‘natural’,” Lü Ju interrupted him, taking out a scroll of silk from his robes:
"This is a will I wrote last night. If I die in battle or am framed, please present it to His Majesty."
"I am willing to die for Your Majesty. I only wish that Your Majesty would secure the Jianghuai region and strengthen the navy. Then, even if I die, I will live on."
He handed the silk scroll to Teng Yin, turned and looked north, his gaze resolute, as if facing death.
"Order all camps to strengthen the defenses of Guangling City, set up more beacon towers, and deploy iron chains and hidden stakes along the Huai River."
"Tell the soldiers again—" Lü Ju raised his voice, "What we are doing today is not for personal fame or glory, but for the fate of the Great Wu!"
"Even if a thousand people point fingers, I will bear the blame!"
Sun Jun, Princess Quan hastily sent him to Shouchun, and Lü Ju was not unaware of this.
However, if he were to take the remaining Huainan territory, he would most likely anger the Han state.
If the Han state questions him, he will throw himself out—like Zhuge Yuanxun—to appease the Han state's anger.
If they do not take any action, they will most likely ask them later why they did not take the land south of the Huai River in Guangling.
Being labeled as cowardly and retreating can also be used to punish oneself.
Lu Ju looked up at the sky and murmured:
"Since the late emperor appointed me as regent, how could I not do my best? If I were to exchange my life for the natural defenses of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers of Great Wu, it would not be a failure to live up to His Majesty's expectations."
-
at the same time.
The Han army camp on the north bank of the Huai River.
Liu Chen was also standing on a makeshift wooden platform, looking at the Wu army on the opposite bank through binoculars.
He could see very clearly that Wu Jun was constantly reinforcing the city walls, adding arrow towers, and even... setting up obstacles on the river.
“Your Highness,” Zhang Yi pointed to the opposite bank, “that old scoundrel Lü Ju really intends to stay put; he’s even put up the iron chains that block the river.”
Liu Chen remained silent.
He looked south, where the Huai River shimmered with a cold light under the autumn sun.
On the opposite bank, Wu's battle flags fluttered atop the city walls, and the banner bearing the character "Lü" was particularly glaring.
"Military Advisor Feng," Liu Chen suddenly spoke up, "what do you think?"
Feng Ying, standing beside him in full military uniform, replied, "Your Highness, I believe that Lü Ju is gambling."
"What are you gambling?"
“I bet Your Highness wouldn’t dare to fight.” Feng Ying’s voice was clear. “Qingxu is scorched earth, refugees are waiting to be fed, and the rear is not stable. Crossing the Huai River at this time is indeed a major taboo for military strategists.”
"He bets that His Highness will be patient, will wait, and will first pacify the internal situation before dealing with external threats."
Liu Chen smiled, a knowing smile on his face: "He made the right bet."
The generals were stunned.
"I certainly dare not fight, at least not now."
Liu Chen put down his binoculars. "The lives of a million people in Qingxu are more important than the city of Guangling; the fate of the Han state is more important than momentary sentimentality."
"But not daring to fight... does not mean that we cannot fight."
He reached behind him and commanded, "Bring me a pen."
Soon, soldiers brought over a table and presented writing brush and ink.
Liu Chen held the brush, the tip touching the silk, leaving trails of ink:
-
"General Lü, your wisdom is evident in your retreat from the minor skirmish in Huaibei the other day."
However, Guangling is the homeland of the Han people. I request that the general withdraw his troops immediately to avoid damaging the harmony between our two families.
The Wei weapon I picked up the other day is hereby given to the general to play with; there is no need to return it.
-
The tone was very polite: Since you've taken my old furniture, you can keep it, but please leave through my living room.
Lü Ju replied as quickly as possible; the letter was written in a gentle tone, but the words were firm:
"Your Highness, I am here to guard this territory. The south bank of Guangling has always been part of the Wu territory. If Your Highness insists on pressing this matter, I fear it will damage the old friendship between Wu and Han."
Liu Chen showed the reply to the generals.
Zhang Yi flew into a rage: "These Jiangdong rats are indeed all petty thieves!"
"Your Highness, in my opinion, that Wu dog has not yet established a firm foothold on the south bank. Why not send out the vanguard to attempt to cross the river and see if that Wu dog dares to obstruct us!"
Unexpectedly, Liu Chen shook his head: "No need."
Then he wrote another reply: —
General Lü, regarding your previous letter concerning Guangling, since you have already mentioned "Wu territory," I will not insist further.
However, the Huai River serves as the boundary, a divinely ordained agreement. I hope the general will carefully abide by it and not cross it.
Now that Qing and Xu have just been pacified, the refugees are waiting to be fed, and I have no time to look south. However, if the Wu flag is still flying over Guangling City in half a year, then the Han army will surely cross the Huai River.
At that time, it will not be about fighting for land, but about fulfilling the agreement!
-
After writing, Liu Chen threw down his pen and said to Zhang Yi, "General, send this letter over. Also, issue an order to the entire army—"
The generals stood at attention.
"Deploy all light cavalry to patrol the north bank of the Huai River in shifts every day, so that the Wu army on the opposite bank can see the Han army's iron cavalry every day."
"The resettlement of displaced people, autumn planting, and city defense repair should be accelerated, and initial results should be seen within three months."
He looked again at the opposite bank, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
“When Lü Ju bet that I dared not fight, I told him that it was not that I dared not fight, but that I was not in a hurry.”
"He wants six months to solidify his defenses? Fine, I'll grant him that."
Liu Chen's lips curled slightly, "But six months later... I want him to see what the thunder of the Han Dynasty is all about."
When Lü Ju received the reply and read the words "six months later," his hand trembled slightly.
Zhu Yi asked urgently, "General, what do you mean?"
Lu Ju circulated the letter among the people, his face showing a solemn expression: "Liu Chen... is smarter than I thought."
"This is an open strategy of his, making it clear to me that he needs six months to reorganize Qing and Xu. There will be no war during these six months, but there will definitely be a war after six months."
Zhu Yi's expression changed drastically after reading the reply.
He looked at Lü Ju and asked hesitantly:
"General, do you think Liu Chen is a threat, or does he really dare to fight?"
It should be noted that the alliance between Han and Wu has not yet been dissolved.
Liu Chen, do you really dare to risk the reputation of breaking the alliance and start a war against Great Wu?
Lü Ju walked outside the tent and looked towards the north bank.
Under the clear autumn sky, Han cavalry galloped along the river, raising clouds of dust.
“I don’t know if he dares to do it, but he gave me six months…” Lu Ju murmured, “I will use these six months to turn Guangling into an impregnable city.”
He turned around and said sternly:
"Order that the defenses of Guangling be reinforced to the highest standards! Double the number of beacon towers along the Huai River! The navy must patrol the river day and night without slackening!"
"General," Zhu Yi hesitated, "should we report this to the imperial court first...?"
"The imperial court has appointed me to hold the imperial insignia and control Huainan. I can make the decision on this matter with a single word!"
Lu Ju's eyes were bloodshot, yet they gleamed with a resolute light:
"In the next six months, I will build three lines of defense: the Huai River as the first line, Guangling City as the second line, and the forts north of the river as the third line."
"Six months from now, even if the Han army attacks, I will make them pay a bloody price for every step they take!"
-
News of events occurring on both sides of the Huai River was sent to Jianye as quickly as possible.
After reading the secret report, Sun Jun didn't dare to linger for a moment and immediately went to the palace to find Princess Quan.
“Aunt!” Sun Jun’s voice trembled as he waved his hand to dismiss those around him.
After the palace doors closed, he hurried forward and pulled a scroll of silk from his robes. "The Huai River... an urgent report from the Huai River!"
Princess Quan took the silk scroll and read the line, "However, if the Wu flag still flies atop Guangling City six months later, the Han army will surely cross the Huai River." A glint of light flashed in her eyes.
"What a clever man Liu Chen is..." she murmured to herself, "So young, yet he knows how to advance by retreating."
"Aunt!" Sun Jun paced anxiously in the hall.
"That old scoundrel Lü Ju has occupied Guangling, and now the Crown Prince of Han has issued a challenge six months in advance. What are we going to do?!"
Princess Quan looked up at him: "Ziyuan, why are you panicking? Isn't this exactly the situation we wanted?"
Sun Jun stopped in his tracks: "Yes, I wanted to use the Han Kingdom to get rid of Lü Ju, but... but I didn't really intend to go to war with the Han Kingdom!"
He walked up to Princess Quan and lowered his voice:
“Aunt, as you said last time, we have no chance of winning a war against the Han Kingdom. If they really cross the Huai River to attack, our Great Wu…”
Princess Quan sneered: "So you're scared?"
“It’s not that I’m afraid!” Sun Jun stepped forward, but his voice lacked confidence. “It’s just… I just feel that it’s time to stop.”
"If we capture Lü Ju now and then write a letter to the Han state to apologize, we may be able to quell this matter."
A flash of anger crossed Princess Quan's eyes: "And then what? Hand over Guangling back? Let the efforts of my Wu soldiers over the past half month go to waste?"
"But if you don't pay it back, what will happen in six months..."
"Let's discuss this again in six months. Ziyuan, think about it. When Lü Ju occupied Guangling, he used the pretext of 'pursuing and suppressing the defeated troops'."
"What does this matter have to do with you and me from beginning to end?"
Sun Jun was taken aback.
"It is true that he was sent to Shouchun by you, but what you said was 'to guard the Huai River strictly and not to provoke border conflicts.'"
Princess Quan said slowly and deliberately:
"Lu Ju has crossed the border without authorization and seized the city, which constitutes disobeying military orders and provoking border conflicts. According to the law, he should be executed. Since that is the case, why don't you just go along with it?"
A flash of understanding crossed Sun Jun's eyes, but he hesitated again: "Auntie means... not to capture Lü Ju?"
"Not only will we not take it, but we will also secretly help him." Princess Quan's lips curled into a cold smile. "We will increase the amount of grain and allocate military equipment."
"Let him defend Guangling until it is impregnable. To the outside world, say that Lü Ju disobeyed orders and the court is discussing his crime, but considering his defense of the country, the punishment will be postponed for the time being."
"Isn't this a contradiction?"
"That's exactly the kind of conflict I want." Princess Quan walked up to Sun Jun:
"If the Han state wants to punish someone, you should say that it is investigating; if Lü Ju wants support, you should allocate funds accordingly."
“If we drag this out for three or five months... until the defenses of Guangling are complete, the Han Kingdom will have to pay a price if it wants to take it again.”
She paused, her voice turning cold:
"As for Lü Ju, since he is willing to die for his country, you should grant his wish."
"If we let the Han army come and attack the city, and let him die in battle at Guangling, wouldn't that fulfill both loyalty and righteousness?"
"Then you can submit a memorial to the court, requesting posthumous honors and generous rewards. This will not only get rid of a thorn in your side but also earn you a good reputation."
Sun Jun gasped: "But what if the Han Kingdom attacks before half a year is up..."
“So you must write letters.” Princess Quan walked back to the table, spread out a piece of plain silk, and wrote two letters in your name as General and Prime Minister.
"Two letters?"
"The first letter is for Liu Shan, the Emperor of Han." Princess Quan picked up her brush and dipped it in ink:
“The words should be extremely respectful, such as ‘My lord was furious upon hearing about the Huai River incident and has already issued an order for a thorough investigation.’”
"Lu Ju disobeyed orders and acted without authorization, a crime deserving no pardon. The court is currently deliberating on his punishment. However, considering his many years of service on the frontier, we request a few months' grace. Once the facts are verified, he will be severely punished without exception."
She kept writing: "Remember to emphasize 'under investigation' and 'an explanation will be given,' but do not set a deadline."
"And the second one?"
“The second letter,” Princess Quan put down her pen, a sly glint in her eyes, “is for Feng Yong.”
Sun Jun was taken aback: "Give it to Feng Yong? Shouldn't it be given to the Crown Prince of Han..."
"Liu Chen is young and impetuous, while Feng Yongcai is the one who should be at the helm."
Princess Quan took another piece of silk and said, "The letter to Feng Yong should be written in more private."
"Jun Shen understands the Grand Marshal's good intentions, but the situation in Wu is complicated. Lü Ju is a veteran general who has served three dynasties and has many followers. If he is suddenly executed, it may cause internal strife."
"I beg the Grand Marshal to grant me more time, so that I may proceed with my plans at my own pace."
She looked up at Sun Jun:
"You need to make Feng Yong feel that you don't want to deal with Lü Ju, but that you can't do it for the time being. Make him understand that pushing him too hard might cause internal strife in Wu, which would be of no benefit to Han."
Sun Jun nodded repeatedly, but then worried, "What if the Han Kingdom doesn't believe me..."
"Whether you believe it or not is not important." Princess Quan pushed two silk scrolls in front of him:
"The important thing is that by sending out these two letters, the Han Kingdom has a way out."
“They can say that Wu has admitted its mistake and is dealing with it, and will hold back for the time being. As for you and me, we have time.”
She walked to the window and looked north:
"Liu Chen spoke confidently about the six-month agreement, but he knew in his heart that the scorched earth of Qing and Xu had not yet been recovered, and starting a war at this time would be disadvantageous to the Han state."
"He wants six months, so we'll give him six months, but..."
"Just what?"
Princess Quan turned around: "In the next six months, Guangling City will become more and more fortified, and the Jianghuai defense line will become more and more complete."
"Even if the Han army comes in six months, they will pay the price."
She walked back to Sun Jun, reached out and straightened his disheveled collar, her movements as gentle as a wife caring for her husband.
"Ziyuan, in chaotic times, territory is not won through negotiation, but through fighting, and even more so through dragging things out."
"The longer it drags on, the more variables there will be. Today, Han is strong and Wu is weak; who knows what unexpected surprises might occur six months from now?"
Sun Jun grasped her hand, his palm damp and trembling slightly: "Aunt, sometimes I feel... that you understand this world better than all the civil and military officials in the court."
"Because I am a woman."
Princess Quan chuckled and touched his chest. "Women know best when to be firm, when to be soft, and when... to play dumb."