gnovel Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's expression shifted: "What does the Ming court mean...?"
"The battle between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao has reached a critical moment." Li Zhao's eyes gleamed with wisdom.
"As far as I know, Yuan Shao has a great general named Qu Yi. He has been in Liangzhou for a long time and is skilled in using crossbowmen, who are particularly effective against cavalry. Gongsun Zan is most proud of his 'White Horse Cavalry'."
Li Zhao, well-versed in history, knew that the famous Battle of Jieqiao was about to break out. This battle marked the turning point from Gongsun Zan's rise to power to his decline, and it was also the foundational battle for Yuan Shao's dominance in Hebei.
And this is a golden opportunity for Li Zhao to rise to power!
"Zilong".
"exist."
"Come closer and listen to me."
Li Zhao whispered a few words in Zhao Yun's ear. After listening, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhao Yun's eyes, and he then clasped his hands in acceptance of the order.
"Sun Fu".
"I am here."
"Go to the warehouse and fetch 20,000 shi of refined grain, then load it onto the carts and prepare it."
"promise!"
Summer in Pingyuan County is more bustling than in previous years.
Dust billowed in the air on the drill ground outside the city. Three thousand new soldiers practiced their formations again and again amidst the shouts and curses of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
These men had eaten their fill for months, gained weight, and become strong. Although their spears were not of high quality, the sheer force of thousands thrusting together was enough to instill fear in anyone.
In the back hall of the county temple, Li Zhao looked at the latest system panel.
[Li Zhao, Magistrate of Pingyuan]
[Registered population within the jurisdiction (including migrants): 45600]
Daily rice production: 45600 liters
Current grain reserves: 412000 shi (a unit of dry measure).
410,000 shi (a unit of dry measure).
This number is enough to support a major battle involving 100,000 people for six months.
"The Ming Dynasty."
Liu Bei strode in, holding a scroll of bamboo slips that had just been delivered, his face solemn.
"Urgent report from Ji County. General Gongsun has mobilized the entire nation's army and marched south, claiming to have 30,000 infantry and cavalry, intending to engage Yuan Shao in a decisive battle at Jieqiao."
Li Zhao took the bamboo slip, glanced at it, and casually tossed it onto the table.
"It's finally starting."
Looking at Li Zhao's calm profile, Liu Bei felt a mix of emotions.
Although he chose to stay in Pingyuan, he still felt a sense of gratitude towards Gongsun Zan. After all, Gongsun Zan had been his classmate and had helped him in his time of need.
"Ming Court, General Gongsun's southward campaign is a formidable force. His 'White Horse Cavalry' are all battle-hardened elites; Yuan Shao may not be able to withstand them. If General Gongsun wins, he can turn back..."
Liu Bei didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. If Gongsun Zan won, Pingyuan County would be the next target.
"He can't win."
Li Zhao walked to the map and pointed heavily at the words "Boundary Bridge".
"Gongsun Zan was too arrogant. He thought he could conquer the world with just a few thousand cavalry. Little did he know that Yuan Shao had already prepared a powerful weapon to restrain him."
"Lord Xuande, how are the provisions being prepared?"
Liu Bei composed himself and said solemnly, "We have prepared 50,000 shi of fine grain and 100,000 bundles of dried hay, which can be transported at any time."
"it is good."
Li Zhao turned around, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.
"Pass on my orders."
"Issue Zhao Yun as the vanguard, leading a thousand elite cavalry ahead."
"Order Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to lead two thousand infantrymen to follow."
"Lord Xuande is stationed in Pingyuan, overseeing the rear."
"Tomorrow at dawn, the army will set off, target—Jieqiao!"
Liu Bei was greatly alarmed: "Is the Ming court going to aid General Gongsun?"
A cold smile curled at the corner of Li Zhao's lips.
"No, we're going to 'collect the bodies'."
……
June of the third year of the Chuping era.
Twenty li south of Jieqiao.
Yuan Shao's camp stretched for miles, its banners obscuring the sun.
Inside the central command tent, Yuan Shao, clad in magnificent armor, sat in the main seat, discussing military matters with his advisors.
"Report—"
A scout galloped into the tent.
"My lord, a force of about three thousand men has been spotted in the direction of Pingyuan. They are bearing the banner of 'Li, the magistrate of Pingyuan,' and are marching rapidly towards Jieqiao!"
Yuan Shao frowned slightly and looked at Xu You, the strategist sitting below him.
"Li Zhao? That Pingyuan magistrate who killed Fan Fang? What's he doing here? Could he be here to help that scoundrel Gongsun Zan?"
Xu You stroked his beard, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
"According to reports from spies, Li Zhao and Gongsun Zan have long been at odds. Fan Fang was defeated and killed a few days ago, and Gongsun Zan even threatened to massacre the entire city of Pingyuan. Li Zhao's dispatch of troops at this time is highly suspicious."
"Could it be that they want to take advantage of the chaos?" another strategist, Guo Tu, guessed.
Yuan Shao sneered, "What waves can a mere three thousand soldiers make? Order Yan Liang to divide his forces and send five thousand to keep an eye on this army. If they dare to approach the battlefield, kill them without mercy!"
"promise!"
Just then, the tent flap was lifted, and a general strode in.
This man was burly, with a dark complexion, and exuded a strong aura of menace. He was none other than Qu Yi, Yuan Shao's top general.
"My lord!" Qu Yi clasped his hands in a salute, his voice rough.
"In my humble opinion, Li Zhao may not necessarily be an enemy."
Yuan Shao was taken aback: "General Qu, what makes you say that?"
Qu Yi took out a brocade handkerchief from his bosom and handed it to Yuan Shao.
"This is a secret message that someone shot into my camp last night."
Yuan Shao took the handkerchief and unfolded it, only to find a few words written on it:
"The millet from the plains is plump and full. I would give five thousand bushels in exchange for the general's one moment of 'turning a blind eye' on the battlefield."
The signature was a neat "Li" character.
Yuan Shao's expression turned strange after reading it.
Five thousand shi of grain was a considerable windfall for Yuan's army, which was suffering from severe food shortages.
"Whom does he want you to turn a blind eye to?" Yuan Shao asked.
Qu Yi grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth.
"It's obviously for himself. The letter didn't say it explicitly, but the meaning is clear. He brought troops not to fight, but to gain benefits."
"As long as I don't stop him from getting rich, these five thousand bushels of grain are mine."
Yuan Shao pondered for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"That Li Zhao! He's truly a scoundrel who only cares about profit! Since that's the case, then so be it. General Qu, you only need to focus on dealing with Gongsun Zan's White Horse Cavalry. As for that Li Zhao, let him do whatever he wants."
"As long as he doesn't get in my way, it's fine to let him pick up some leftovers."
In Yuan Shao's view, Li Zhao was nothing more than an opportunist trying to survive between two powerful warlords, and not worth worrying about. The most important thing at the moment was to completely defeat Gongsun Zan.
"Your subordinate obeys!" Qu Yi clasped his hands and stepped back, a hint of barely perceptible mockery flashing in his eyes.
Having spent a long time in Liangzhou, he couldn't stand the arrogance of aristocratic scions like Yuan Shao.
However, he had seen the grain samples sent by Li Zhao from Pingyuan, and they were indeed rare and of excellent quality.
This deal is a good one.
……
The Battle of Jieqiao broke out as scheduled.
Gongsun Zan led his army to the north bank of Jieqiao Bridge. Seeing that Yuan Shao's army was already arrayed on the south bank, he immediately ordered an attack.
He had absolute confidence in the thousands of "White Horse Cavalry" under his command. These cavalrymen all rode white horses, were skilled in riding and archery, and had once struck fear into the hearts of the Hu people on the northern border.
"kill!"
Gongsun Zan drew his sword and roared.
Thousands of white horse cavalrymen, like a white torrent, roared across the boundary bridge and rushed towards Yuan Shao's army formation.
At the front of Yuan Shao's army were rows of infantrymen carrying large shields. Behind them, eight hundred elite crossbowmen, under the command of Qu Yi, were already ready to fire.
"Hold your ground! Don't move!"
Qu Yi lay hidden behind his shield, coldly watching the approaching cavalry.
One hundred steps.
Eighty steps.
Fifty steps.
The ferocious faces of the white horse cavalrymen were clearly visible, and the thunderous sound of their hooves shook the earth.
"put!"
Qu Yi let out a loud shout.
Eight hundred crossbows were fired simultaneously.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
A dense barrage of crossbow bolts swarmed towards the charging cavalry like locusts.