Chapter 11: The Arrow is on the Bowstring—Crossing the River and Launching a Surprise Attack on Xiangyang! (Please Continue Reading)

Xiangyang City, inside a certain military tent.

“Liu Yuzhou actually knows that within Xiangyang City, there is a figure like me, Wei Yan?”

A young military officer, standing eight feet tall, with a face resembling a ripe date and bearing some resemblance to Guan Yu, was staring in astonishment at the letter in his hand.

This young officer was Wei Yan.

The letter he held was personally written by Liu Bei.

In the letter, Liu Bei was exceptionally frank and straightforward, openly expressing his admiration and desire to recruit Wei Yan. He laid out a bold plan to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang and asked Wei Yan to lead his troops as an inside force, open the gates, and let Liu Bei’s main force storm into the city.

The plan was daring, but it only mildly surprised Wei Yan.

What truly moved him was that someone as renowned as Liu Bei, who was an honored guest of Liu Biao, actually knew of someone as insignificant as him—a mere speck in the grand scheme.

Moreover, Liu Bei had taken the trouble to personally pen the letter, using sincere language to invite him.

He even candidly revealed such a critical and life-or-death plan as the surprise attack on Xiangyang without any reservation or caution.

Looking at the letter in his hands, Wei Yan’s emotions surged like a tide, his hands trembling ever so slightly.

“My lord has recently gained a strategist of rare talent, a man who recommended you to my lord, saying that you, General Wei Yan, possess the qualities of a great commander and harbor loyal and proud integrity, unwilling to stoop to the likes of the three traitors Liu Cong and Cai Kui, who surrender to Cao Cao.”

“My lord, upon learning that there is such a valiant and loyal warrior inside Xiangyang, naturally holds great admiration. Hence, he sent Qian to cross the river late at night to meet you, hoping you would lend him your strength to capture Xiangyang!”

Liu Bei was honest; once he decided to recruit Wei Yan, he treated him with sincerity.

Before departing, he instructed Sun Qian to be truthful with Wei Yan and not to deceive him with empty words.

“A strategist of rare talent? Which noble scholar in Jingzhou knows of my ambitions?” Wei Yan’s eyes flickered with deep curiosity.

Sun Qian smiled, his gaze tinged with mystery:

“This man is indeed from Jingzhou, but not a famous scholar known to the public. He is a recluse, a hidden genius living in the mountains and wilderness.”

“If General Wei Yan is curious, once the matter is settled, he may see this man’s talents for himself in Xiangyang.”

A recluse living in the mountains, a hidden genius...

Wei Yan’s curiosity was piqued even more; he was genuinely eager to see what kind of extraordinary hermit held him, a lowly general, in such high regard.

Suppressing his curiosity for the moment, Wei Yan took a deep breath, rose, and bowed to Sun Qian.

“I, Wei Yan, have long admired Lord Liu Yuzhou, but due to my humble status, I dared not pledge myself to his banner.”

“Now that Lord Liu Yuzhou deigns to regard me highly, entrusting me with this matter of life and death, how could I not repay such trust with my life?”

“Please convey to Lord Liu Yuzhou that I am willing to fight to the death, open the city gates, and help him seize Xiangyang in one decisive strike!”

Sun Qian breathed a long sigh of relief.

…

Xiangyang, the provincial capital.

Liu Cong sat high on the main seat, his brow tightly furrowed as he scrutinized the handwritten letter.

“Yidu, De Gui, do we truly intend to surrender to Cao Cao?”

“There are still a hundred thousand armored soldiers in the province. Is there really no hope for us to hold back Cao’s forces and preserve this foundation?”

Liu Cong lifted his head, gazing at Kuai Yue and Cai Mao with eyes almost pleading.

Clearly, he still clung to a glimmer of hope and was reluctant to surrender.

“How does our lord’s talent and strategy compare to Yuan Benchu’s?”

“How does our Jingzhou army’s strength measure against that of the Hebei forces in former times?”

Kuai Yue stroked his fine beard, his tone cold and sharp as he retorted.

Liu Cong was rendered speechless.

“Our lord’s talents do not match Yuan Benchu’s, and our Jingzhou army is far inferior to the Hebei forces.”

“Yuan Benchu, though strong, was still destroyed by Cao Cao and met total annihilation. Pray tell, on what grounds does our lord hope to resist Cao’s iron cavalry?”

Kuai Yue’s words dripped with obvious sarcasm, mocking Liu Cong’s overestimation of himself.

Liu Cong fell silent, the faint hope in his eyes gradually dissipating.

“Since our lord has already submitted a letter of surrender to Cao Cao, there is no point in vacillating any longer.”

“Cao Cao is magnanimous; he even tolerates Zhang Xiu, how could he not accept our lord?”

“After all, this Jingzhou cannot be held. Better to hand it to Cao Cao and go to Xuchang to enjoy wealth and honor in peace, is that not better?”

Cai Mao smiled broadly, painting a rosy picture for Liu Cong.

Bitterly, Liu Cong sighed:

“The die is cast; since you two advocate surrender, I have no choice but to follow your counsel.”

Cai Mao and Kuai Yue exchanged knowing glances and smiled.

“But Liu Xuande (Liu Bei) already knows of this. He and Cao Cao are mortal enemies and will most likely not surrender with us.”

Liu Cong showed some concern and reminded them:

“If he learns of our surrender to Cao Cao, what if he flies into a rage and leads his army to attack us?”

Cai Mao’s nerves immediately tightened, his brow revealing his wariness of Liu Bei.

Kuai Yue, however, smiled faintly and dismissed the worry:

“Liu Bei prides himself on benevolence and righteousness, but is burdened by empty reputation. I expect he is mindful of the dying wish of Lord Jing Sheng, and would not dare attack our lord or this city.”

“In my judgment, Liu Bei will either move south along the Han River to seek refuge with Liu Qi in Jiangxia or go past Xiangyang southward to seize Jiangling.”

“If he chooses the former, that is best. We can then await Cao Cao’s arrival in peace.”

“If he chooses the latter, we will simply close the city gates and let him pass south to Jiangling.”

“As for whether to appease Liu Bei or to destroy him later, we shall leave that decision to Cao Cao.”

Cai Mao breathed easier, confidence lighting his face:

“Not to mention Liu Bei’s stubbornness, as Yidu says, he most likely will not attack Xiangyang.”

“Even if he does come, we have thirty thousand troops inside the city. Though morale is unstable now, we can lock the gates and hold out for three to five days until Cao Cao’s army arrives.”

“Your lordship, do not worry—Liu Bei is no cause for concern. Just wait calmly for Cao Cao’s arrival along with us.”

Liu Cong remained silent.

…

The next day, late at night.

Fancheng naval camp.

Liu Bei stood on the plank bridge, sword in hand, his cold, resolute gaze fixed toward Xiangyang City across the water.

Behind him, thousands of soldiers, under the command and shouts of Zhang Fei and other generals, boarded the ships swiftly and in good order.

Fancheng’s naval camp had only two thousand troops. When Liu Bei’s army suddenly struck, the defenders quickly surrendered or fled.

Without a drop of bloodshed, Liu Bei seized the naval camp.

The first step of the surprise attack on Xiangyang was thus successfully achieved.

Next, the army would cross the river at lightning speed and reach the city before dawn.

“My lord, our army has all boarded the ships. Shall we cross the river now?”

Beside him, Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan, pointing toward the southern shore.

Liu Bei said nothing but took out Wei Yan’s personal reply letter.

“Strategist Kongming, do you truly believe that this Wei Wenchang, recommended by Master Bo Wen, is capable of great deeds?”

Liu Bei scrutinized the letter again, clearly still harboring some concerns.

Zhuge Liang’s expression was firm as he lightly shook his feather fan.

“We have already taken the naval camp, which means we are at war with Liu Cong. The arrow is on the string; it must be released.”

“As for Wei Yan, since you trust the recommendation of Xiao Bowen, you should also trust the man he recommends.”

Liu Bei’s expression flickered with realization.

He put away the letter, took a deep breath, and his face hardened into an iron resolve.

Lifting his horsewhip and pointing south, he shouted fiercely:

“Send my orders: the entire army is to set sail immediately and launch the surprise attack on Xiangyang!”