Su Ming: I still need a strategist.

For a general, who does not relish the thought of earning merit on the field of battle? Once the seat of governance, Xiling City, was taken, the entire region of Jiangxia lay exposed—like a woman with her doors thrown wide open—utterly defenseless, without a hint of resistance left. The only cause for worry was that Liu Biao of Jingzhou might dispatch troops to seize Jiangxia. But now, that concern no longer existed. To let slip what Heaven bestows is itself a crime! Since Liu Biao had no intention of claiming Jiangxia, then surely, it would be discourteous to refuse what was offered.

"Indeed, it is time to lead our forces and claim all of Jiangxia," Su Ming declared, turning to his assembled generals. Though his retinue was not large, his voice rang out boldly.

"Master, may I humbly request to lead the main assault!" No sooner had Su Ming spoken than Gan Ning dropped to one knee, volunteering for the vanguard. He had sought this opportunity many times; now that it was upon him, there was no question of yielding his place.

After Gan Ning, Su Fei also did not hesitate. He too knelt and declared in a resounding voice, "Master, I also request to lead the main assault!"

Seeing this, Qin Qi thought, If both of you are vying for the main assault, what am I supposed to do? Besides, you two are former enemy generals—if all the glory goes to you, would not others think the original generals of the Cao army are lacking?

So Qin Qi also knelt before Su Ming and called out, "Master, I too request to lead the main assault!"

In unison, Gan Ning, Su Fei, and Qin Qi knelt before Su Ming, all three vying for the forefront of the coming campaign. Zhang Hu, Chen Sheng, Chen Jiu, Lü Gong, and the others exchanged glances at the sight. If all of you are requesting the main assault, then so shall we.

"Master, we too request to lead the main assault!"

"Requesting the main assault!" they cried, falling to their knees before Su Ming.

In that moment, the entire great hall—save Su Ming himself—was filled with kneeling men. Though Su Ming did not command a host of generals, those he had were willing to die, with no thought of clinging to life. Each man sought to fight, each longed to lead the charge. With such spirit, how could victory not be assured?

Su Ming calculated: Among the remaining twelve counties of Jiangxia, there were, at most, some twenty thousand troops in total—an average of a little over a thousand per county. At this point, the commanders of those counties must surely be living in fear for their lives.

With that, Su Ming swept his arm decisively and declared, "For this campaign, there shall be no supporting assaults—every strike will be a main assault!"

"Gan Ning, hear my command!"

"You shall lead three thousand men to seize all counties eastward."

Gan Ning immediately accepted, "At your command!"

Next, Su Ming ordered, "Su Fei, step forward."

"You shall lead three thousand men southward, to take the counties there."

Su Fei answered at once, bowing, "At your command!"

Finally, Su Ming continued, "Qin Qi, you too will lead three thousand men westward, to seize all counties in that direction."

"Yes, sir!" Qin Qi replied.

Having appointed his three main commanders, Su Ming turned to Chen Sheng, Chen Jiu, Zhang Hu, and the others, instructing, "You will serve as deputies to the three main commanders."

"You have one month; by the end of it, Jiangxia must be entirely ours."

"Yes, sir!" the assembled officers roared in unison, like a den of young tigers eager for the hunt.

For the conquest of Jiangxia, Su Ming chose not to lead the army himself but remained in Xiling to direct operations. His only potential obstacle had been Liu Biao in Jingzhou, but with confirmation that Liu Biao had no intention of intervening, even that threat had vanished. The twelve remaining counties of Jiangxia were defended only by a thousand or so aged, infirm, or otherwise unfit men per county. If Gan Ning, Su Fei, and the others could not conquer such paltry opposition, they would truly disappoint Su Ming.

...

Xiling County. The government office.

By now, over ten days had passed since Su Fei, Gan Ning, and the others had marched forth. As Su Ming had foreseen, the remaining twelve counties of Jiangxia offered no real resistance. News of victory arrived ceaselessly from the front. Indeed, for the garrison commanders of those counties, there was no reason to oppose the change. Whether Huang Zu or Su Ming held the title of Governor of Jiangxia, it made little difference to their daily lives.

In less than twenty days, the whole of Jiangxia had fallen. Yet, after securing the region, Su Ming found himself troubled. The lives of the common people had changed little; only Huang Zu and his cronies suffered from the upheaval. The remaining officials of Jiangxia were, in fact, entrusted with even greater responsibilities by Su Ming.

For now, with Gan Ning, Su Fei, and Qin Qi stationed to hold Jiangxia, that was sufficient for mere defense. But Su Ming was now vexed by a new problem: he lacked a strategist.

Having taken all of Jiangxia, Su Ming could now lay claim to his own territory. Yet still, he was without a military advisor—a role vital to any regional lord.

Consider Liu Bei, styled Xuande: before encountering Zhuge Liang, he wandered for half a lifetime without a place to call his own. Only after gaining Zhuge Liang’s counsel did Liu Bei rise like a dragon upon the wind, first capturing Jingzhou, then Yizhou, and forging a path to greatness. It was through Zhuge Liang’s wisdom that Liu Bei achieved such feats.

"Perhaps I should borrow a strategist from Boss Cao?" Su Ming mused. But he quickly dismissed the notion. Cao Cao had no shortage of cunning men—Guo Jia, Cheng Yu, Xun Yu, Jia Xu... each a first-rate advisor. Yet Su Ming did not wish to rely on Cao Cao for everything. Though Cao Cao was, by blood, his father—whether or not Su Ming acknowledged it—that connection could never truly be severed. Still, Cao Cao had many sons besides strategists: Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, Cao Chong, and others. If his own foundation became too entangled with Cao Cao, he feared he might one day lose all initiative.

Since borrowing a strategist from Cao Cao was out of the question, Su Ming would have to find one himself. Perhaps he could intercept the Crouching Dragon, Zhuge Liang, before Liu Bei did? Liu Bei had recruited Zhuge Liang after the Battle of Guandu, when he was sent by Liu Biao to Xinye County, famously visiting the thatched cottage three times before winning his service. Perhaps Su Ming could beat Liu Bei to it, and pay his respects at the cottage first?

No sooner had this thought arisen than Su Ming dismissed it. First, the bond between Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei ran deep—he might not succeed in luring the strategist away. Second, it was far too soon. When Liu Bei first sought out Zhuge Liang, the latter had only just completed his studies. Now, several years in advance of that meeting, Zhuge Liang was likely still learning from his teacher, Master Shui Jing. Going now would be premature.

Both ideas rejected, Su Ming sank into contemplation. Who, among the first-rate strategists, had yet to enter official service at this time? Who remained?

Su Ming racked his memory for figures from history who, in this era, still awaited their calling.

Suddenly, a name flashed in his mind.

"Of course!"

"It must be you!" Su Ming exclaimed with a slap to his thigh, his eyes alight with realization.