activa-t Chapter 119 Where Does the Road Lead?
Chapter 119 Where Does the Road Lead?
Li Sheng, of course, had no time to explain the answer he wanted.
……
After the gathering ended, Xiapi County gradually returned to its usual tranquility.
The people returned to their villages, construction sites, and homes with satisfaction and hope, while the spies who had been taken to the canal began their new life of "labor reform." Li Sheng did not kill them, but simply made them exchange their labor for food.
His actions caused quite a stir in Xiapi, with people praising Li Tianwang for his unparalleled benevolence and righteousness, even turning a blind eye to those who slandered him.
Li Sheng paid no attention to these discussions. He was standing in front of the map in the back hall of the county government office, and had been standing there for nearly half an hour.
The map was newly drawn and more detailed than the previous one. Besides the three counties of Xiapi, Xiaxiang, and Siwu, it also marked the cities, waterways, mountains, and major roads of the surrounding prefectures and kingdoms. The Si River, like a winding dragon, ran from west to east through the entire Xiapi kingdom before turning southeast to join the Huai River. Li Sheng's three counties were situated precisely in the middle of the Si River, like a wedge driven into the heart of Xuzhou.
"General, it's time to eat."
Li Feng carried in a bowl of millet porridge and gently placed it on the table.
Li Sheng did not move, his eyes still fixed on the map.
"Ah Feng, what do you think we should do next?"
Li Sheng felt this was an important issue they needed to consider. They needed to be diligent tactically (referring to the distribution of land and the management of the three counties of Xiapi), but they also couldn't be lazy strategically.
They will have to face the whole world sooner or later.
Upon hearing Li Sheng's question, Li Feng paused for a moment, walked to the map, and examined it carefully for a while.
"General, I believe we should attack to the east and north. The capital is in the north; if we take the capital, the entire Xiapi Kingdom will be ours. Then we'll be connected to the East China Sea in the north and the Si River in the south, allowing us to advance or retreat as we please, thus securing our foundation."
Li Sheng nodded, neither denying nor affirming.
"Going east or north... tell me, what are the advantages and disadvantages?"
Seeing that the general was asking seriously, Li Feng thought carefully for a moment before speaking.
"The advantage is that it's close. The capital of Xiapi is only about a hundred li away from us, and our army can reach it in three days. Moreover, that area is a plain with no natural defenses, so the government troops can't hold it even if they wanted to. Once we take it, half of Xuzhou will fall into your hands, General."
He paused, his voice lowering slightly.
"The difficulty is... Chen Gui is in the capital. The Chen family is deeply rooted in Xuzhou, and their disciples and former officials are all over the prefectures and kingdoms. If we touch the capital, we are touching the foundation of the Chen family, and they will definitely fight to the death. Moreover, Ba Zhi, the governor of Xuzhou, will not sit idly by. Even if the court transfers troops from Jizhou, we will not be able to handle it."
After listening, Li Sheng made no comment, but instead drew a line westward on the map.
"What about westward?"
"Westward?"
Li Feng was stunned.
To the west of the map is Pei State, further west is Yu Province, and further west is Luoyang.
"Does the general intend to attack westward?"
Li Sheng's gaze fell on the vast land to the west of the map, his voice steady.
"To the west lies Pei State and Yu Province, where a fierce battle is currently raging. The Yellow Turban leader Bo Cai has decisively defeated Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, and the government troops are retreating in disarray. The court is furious, and martial law has been declared in Luoyang. The entire Yu Province is in turmoil, which is the perfect opportunity for us to fish in troubled waters."
Li Feng's Adam's apple bobbed.
"But General... we only have seven thousand men. Wouldn't it be too risky to attack westward?"
"adventure?"
Li Sheng's lips curled up slightly.
"What war doesn't involve risks? The key is whether it's worth it. If we fight westward, we'll seize the people and food that neither the government troops nor the Yellow Turbans are concerned about. By the time they've decided their victories in the Central Plains, we'll have eaten and drunk our fill. At that time, whether the government troops or the Yellow Turbans win, we'll have the confidence to negotiate with them."
"General, you are brilliant."
Li Feng sighed sincerely.
"Whether it's a brilliant strategy or not depends on whether it can be executed. Advancing westward is easier said than done. We know too little about the situation in Pei State. How many Yellow Turbans are there? How many government troops are there? Which cities along the way can be attacked and which cannot? We need intelligence on all of this."
He paused.
"This matter isn't urgent; let me think about it some more. You go ahead and get busy. Keep a close eye on the irrigation works outside the city; they must be completed before the autumn harvest."
"promise!"
Li Feng clasped his hands in farewell and took his leave.
Li Sheng sat back down at his desk, his gaze falling on the vast land to the west of the map.
Actually, there was another reason he didn't mention.
Bo Cai defeated Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun...
He knew this history.
In the original timeline, Bo Cai did indeed hold the upper hand for a time, besieging Huangfu Song at Changshe. However, Huangfu Song used fire to attack, taking advantage of a strong wind, burning down the Yellow Turban camp and inflicting a major defeat on Bo Cai. After that battle, the main force of the Yellow Turbans was severely weakened and never recovered.
This turning point has not yet arrived.
If he could enter Yuzhou before Bo Cai's defeat and death, he might be able to take over his tens of thousands of troops.
But the problem is, he is too far from the Central Plains.
From Xiapi to Yuzhou, there are the states of Pei and Chen, a distance of hundreds of miles. For a large army to march, provisions and supplies along the way would be major problems. Moreover, what would happen to Xiapi if he left? That charlatan Que Xuan was still eyeing the south covetously, and Chen Gui was sharpening his sword in the north; if he were to launch a full-scale attack, his rear would be left vulnerable.
Li Sheng rubbed his temples, feeling a wave of fatigue.
This is the dilemma faced by smaller forces.
They want to expand, but fear instability at home; they want to maintain the status quo, but fear missing opportunities.
He needs to find a balance.
He stood up and paced back and forth in front of the map.
Just as he was pondering his next move, a loud shout came from outside.
"General! Urgent report from the east!"
Li Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly went to greet them. The people who came were Li Feng, who had gone out earlier, and a messenger soldier.
"What happened? Tell me quickly."
"General, urgent news from the Prime Minister! The powerful clans and local gentry within the city have joined forces with the government troops in the southeast to launch a night attack on the city gates! Liu Wu has led his troops in a fierce battle, holding out for a whole day! He has sent several groups of men to break through the siege and seek reinforcements, but the first few groups were intercepted and killed. This is the last one that has fought its way out!"
Li Feng's voice was clearly filled with anxiety.
"General, Liu Wu said we can hold out for at most two more days. If reinforcements don't arrive, Xiaxiang might..."
He didn't finish speaking, but the meaning was already quite clear.
Li Sheng suddenly stood up, his gaze sharp as a knife.
"Lower profile..."
He took a deep breath, his mind racing.
He said that things had been going too smoothly for him lately, first taking Pi, and then quickly taking Xiang and Siwu counties, as if he had divine help.
It turns out that everything comes at a price.
In their haste to achieve quick results, they inevitably leave loopholes for their opponents to exploit.
Unlike Xiapi and Siwu counties, Xiaxiang County did not stay long after it gained control of the city, and the treatment of the local strongmen and soldiers was far less severe than in Xiapi. Now it seems that the hidden troubles have immediately erupted.
It seems my hands are still too soft.
"Pass on the order!"
Li Sheng's voice suddenly rose in pitch.
"Gather two thousand elite troops and depart in half an hour to reinforce Xiaxiang!"
"promise!"