Chapter 35: Advancing the Army, Seizing the Entire Territory of Jiangxia

Jiangxia Commandery.

The seat of governance was at Xiling.

At this moment, the banners of Cao’s army had been hoisted throughout Xiling city, from the highest towers to the lowest alleys. Even the naval vessels at the Xiling ferry now bore the great character for “Cao,” fluttering in the wind.

Su Ming issued orders for proclamations to reassure the people, posting notices throughout the city. He also delivered a strict military edict: any soldier who disturbed the common folk would be executed without mercy.

Within the government office, Su Ming stood before the military map, his eyes shining as he studied the territory of Jiangxia.

Jiangxia comprised thirteen counties; for now, Su Ming had secured only Xiling, while the remaining counties awaited reconquest.

Huang Zu commanded a total of thirty thousand troops, both land and naval forces. Of these, over ten thousand were stationed at Xiling; the rest were scattered across the other counties.

Now that Huang Zu had been captured and his main forces absorbed, victory seemed within reach—so long as Jingzhou did not send reinforcements, taking all thirteen counties of Jiangxia would not be a great challenge.

After capturing Xiling, Su Ming was in no hurry to dispatch his troops further. Instead, he focused on organizing the newly acquired forces and stabilizing the situation in the city.

In truth, Su Ming was waiting to see the attitude of Liu Biao in Jingzhou.

Drawing upon his knowledge of history, Su Ming reasoned that in his later years, Liu Biao had lost his ambition and become a mere caretaker of his domain.

Still, until word arrived from Jingzhou, Su Ming dared not act rashly. The Battle of Guandu was imminent, and the troops under Lord Cao’s command were already stretched thin.

Once Xiling was secured, Cao Hong and Xu Chu led two thousand Leopard Cavalry to the Guandu frontlines.

Now, Su Ming’s available forces consisted of five thousand new recruits under Qin Qi, as well as the soldiers formerly under Huang Zu’s command.

Altogether, just over ten thousand troops—a number that would not suffice if Liu Biao were to send an army. In that case, Su Ming would be forced to defend Xiling and abandon his designs for all of Jiangxia.

He had already sent agents to monitor Jingzhou closely; if Liu Biao moved to attack, Su Ming would stand his ground. If Liu Biao refrained, Su Ming would march on to conquer the entire commandery.

For now, his days were spent drilling the troops—especially the surrendered soldiers from Huang Zu’s ranks, who needed rigorous training to prevent desertion in battle.

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A further half month passed.

The troops were nearly fully trained. The five thousand under Qin Qi, having fought at Xiling, now showed signs of becoming elite.

Under the diligent instruction of Su Fei and Gan Ning, the surrendered soldiers had also become capable of fighting.

Su Ming believed in trusting those he employed and never doubted his chosen men. As he had decided to rely heavily on Su Fei and Gan Ning, he gave them full authority, placing all surrendered soldiers under their command.

At this time, Su Ming commanded a total of over twelve thousand troops: five thousand naval, five thousand infantry, and two thousand cavalry.

The soldiers were ready; now all that remained was word from Liu Biao in Jingzhou.

In Jingzhou, troop movements were also underway—but not toward Jiangxia.

Liu Biao, following Zhang Yun’s counsel, chose to wait and watch, hoping to see the outcome of the Battle of Guandu before deciding whether to strike at Jiangxia.

He began transferring troops to Nan Commandery and Nanyang Commandery.

Huang Zhong, with twenty thousand troops by land and water, was stationed in Nanyang, with Wei Yan as his deputy.

The veteran Li Yan led another twenty thousand to Nan Commandery, with Wen Pin as his lieutenant.

But the forces given to Huang Zhong and Li Yan by Cai Mao and Zhang Yun were mostly old, weak, or sickly—true elite troops remained under Cai Mao’s personal control.

Liu Biao’s deployments followed the advice of Cai Mao and Zhang Yun.

His illness worsened by the day, his health declining rapidly. At any moment, Liu Biao might draw his last breath.

Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, conspiring together, decided it was best to send all of Prince Liu Qi’s external allies away. When the emperor was far and the heavens high, and if Liu Biao finally passed, they would support Liu Cong’s succession directly.

By then, Li Yan and Huang Zhong would be too far away to help Liu Qi, unable to offer timely assistance.

Huang Zhong and Li Yan were straightforward men eager to win glory by conquering Jiangxia. Thus, even if they sensed deceit, they followed orders and moved their forces.

The most unfortunate was Liu Qi, helpless and unable to act.

It must be said that whatever small measure of cleverness Cai Mao and Zhang Yun possessed, they used it only against their own allies.

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When Su Ming took Xiling, he sent spies to Jingzhou to gather intelligence on troop movements.

Once the spies confirmed the situation, they rushed back to Xiling, exhausting two horses along the way, eager to deliver the latest news.

“Report!” The spy, dusty from the road, arrived in Xiling.

“Reporting to Governor Su: Jingzhou has dispatched Huang Zhong to guard Nanyang, Li Yan to guard Nan Commandery, with no plans to send troops against Jiangxia.”

Upon hearing this, Su Ming’s face lit up with joy.

“Liu Jingsheng! Liu Jingsheng! You truly have not disappointed me; you are nothing more than a caretaker dog!”

He slapped his thigh, murmuring excitedly.

Everything was unfolding as planned. Liu Biao, just as anticipated, only wished to defend his own territory in Jingzhou, reluctant to clash directly with Cao Cao.

Even though Jiangxia was one of the nine counties of Jingxiang, and even though he could seize it with a single campaign, Liu Biao would wait for the outcome at Guandu before daring to act.

After days of waiting, everything was ready but the east wind.

Now, the east wind had arrived!

“Summon the officers and sound the drums,” Su Ming commanded his soldiers.

Soon, the rolling beat of three military drums echoed; Su Ming gathered his generals for council.

After about half an hour, the generals arrived at the government office.

At the forefront were Qin Qi, Su Fei, and Gan Ning. Behind them came the surrendered generals Zhang Hu, Chen Jiu, Chen Sheng, Lü Gong, and others.

Seeing everyone assembled, Su Ming went straight to the point: “Generals, are the troops fully trained?”

No sooner had Su Ming finished speaking than the fiery-tempered Gan Ning stepped forward, cupping his hands: “Master, the troops have long been ready.”

“Is it time to conquer all of Jiangxia? It should have been done sooner—these days have left me restless!”

Since the capture of Xiling, Su Fei and Gan Ning had been highly valued, their authority equal to that of Qin Qi under Su Ming’s command.

As surrendered generals, they had never enjoyed such trust under Huang Zu’s banner, though they had yet to earn merit.

Gan Ning felt uneasy about this, and so he was eager to prove himself.

In recent days, Gan Ning had repeatedly petitioned for permission to take all of Jiangxia, but Su Ming refused, citing the need to organize the troops.

Today, with the drums summoning the officers and the question of readiness, Gan Ning thought that surely the campaign for Jiangxia was about to begin.

He was like a hungry tiger, eager for the hunt.

The others, too, fixed their shining eyes on Su Ming, brimming with anticipation.