Chapter 51, Chapter Eighteen: Training of Talented Soldiers
After a night of contemplation and extensive discussions with Liu Yan, Ji Dan, and Wei Xiong, Liu Jun finally sorted out his thoughts.
“According to Sun Tzu’s Art of War, when besieging a city, one should surround it with ten times the strength. But now Shi Hu’s army is at least twice as many as ours, if not ten times. We also have Xianbei cavalry, who are not good at siege warfare. Moreover, Ye City has been fortified for generations and is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is as difficult as climbing to heaven for us with just over ten thousand men to take Ye City.” Liu Jun’s sword hilt circled Ye City on the map before finally stopping at a certain spot. “However, if we think about it the other way around, Shi Hu has only occupied Ye City for a short time, and he is a foreigner with a capricious nature. The people in the city may not support him so quickly. If we can win over the people in the city, then the situation will be reversed, and we will have several times the enemy’s strength.”
He looked at Liu Yan and said, “My cousin has been managing Ye City for several years, so there should be some trustworthy people in the city. Whether they are from powerful families or are leaders of displaced people, as long as they can be used by me, they can be treated well.”
Liu Yan was not familiar with this cousin, but the other party had a reputation for filial piety since childhood and was favored by his grandparents. In his youth, he followed his father to develop Bingzhou and accumulated a lot of fame. Later, because of his cousin Wen Qiao, he became acquainted with the current emperor and was repeatedly entrusted with important tasks. He was still wet behind the ears but rose rapidly in rank. In his early twenties, he became the governor of a province, which had already made the whole country take notice.
Now, seeing him, one senses his handsome and dignified appearance, his noble bearing, and the imposing presence of a superior, as if he were above everyone else.
Liu Yan inherited his father's title, followed his uncle across the battlefield, and fought hard for several years. In the blink of an eye, all of this became his achievements. How could he convince people?
Therefore, Liu Yan simply said, "Although we have some old acquaintances, now it's all empty talk. The enemy is strong and we are weak. How easy is it to subdue them?"
Liu Jun glanced at him, knowing in his heart that regardless of age or prestige, he would find it difficult to command respect. Unperturbed, he calmly explained, “Firstly, threats and intimidation. I plan to have large-scale construction projects undertaken along the Zhang River, and spread rumors that I will emulate Cao Cao and flood Ye City. Simultaneously, I will send spies within the city to poison one or two livestock, and spread the word that we will dam the Zhang River and poison the water, allowing the poisoned water to flow into the Changming Ditch. Secondly, a tunnel attack. Last night I discussed this with Shi Ya, and today I personally scouted the terrain, selecting a location to dig a tunnel leading into the city…”
"It's easier said than done. No matter how much manpower and time it takes, or whether the food and supplies are sufficient, even if we get in, if the defenses are tight, wouldn't we be walking into a trap and letting Shi Hu catch us like turtles in a jar?" Liu Yan thought it was a fantasy and said irritably.
Seeing that he was impatient with Liu Jun, Ji Dan also became somewhat impolite, "Your Excellency already has a good plan, so please, Marquis of Dingxiang, be patient and at least wait for him to finish speaking."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yan clearly realized it was inappropriate and stood up to bow to Liu Jun.
Liu Jun didn't mind and personally took a pear from the lacquered wooden tray and handed it to Liu Yan. "The autumn air is dry and hot, which is inevitable. Don't worry, brother. I didn't point to this place out of thin air. This place was originally the residence where Emperor Xuan imprisoned members of the Cao clan, but it has long been abandoned and rarely inhabited. However, this place is adjacent to the western wall and is quite far from the seven city gates."
He had thought things through thoroughly. Liu Yan nodded slowly. "And the third one?"
"Thirdly, we should publicize the things that Shi Hu did and didn't have time to do, making them sound sensational." Liu Jun recalled the tragic scenes he had witnessed over the years and said quietly, "For example, the Jiehu people ate people because they didn't have enough food, so they always filled the old, weak, women and children with them."
Liu Yan saw that what he said made sense, but he was still half-convinced. After all, in his opinion, Liu Jun's previous military achievements were mostly due to luck. It was absurd that so many seasoned generals were being commanded by a mere child.
“My father had previously asked Liu Xi, a member of our clan, to help win over Dai County, Shanggu County, and Guangning County,” Liu Jun was actually aware of Liu Yan’s ulterior motives, but he was not worried. “If I’m not mistaken, Liu Xi should be in Ye City now.”
“That’s right.” Liu Yan was indeed somewhat surprised that he could think of Liu Xi. “He is my inside man in the city. However, Ye City, like Jianye, has changed its name to avoid using the same character. It is now called Linzhang. Doesn’t Your Excellency know this?”
Liu Jun shook his head sadly, "At that time, His Majesty proclaimed it to the world, so of course I knew. It's just that I was used to calling him that, and I often forgot."
He rose, strolled outside the tent, and looked at the majestic city walls in the distance. "Let's see what fate has in store."
While the generals received their orders and acted according to the plan, Liu Jun, along with Wei Xiong and Ji Dan, trained the troops on the drill ground.
It's more accurate to say they're selecting soldiers than training them.
Looking at his soldiers, most of whom were pale and emaciated, Liu Jun couldn't help but sigh, "How can we possibly contend with the cavalry of the various barbarian tribes?"
"I wonder what kind of soldiers Your Excellency wishes to select? Are you looking for someone to serve you personally?" Ji Dan asked, seeing him carefully selecting soldiers under the scorching sun.
Liu Jun's gaze lingered for a moment on a burly man with a somewhat exotic face. "From afar, there were the elite soldiers of Wei, the iron cavalry of Zhao, and the sharp warriors of Qin. More recently, there were the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry of Cao Wei. The so-called 'Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were all the most valiant warriors in the world, some of whom were promoted from the rank of centurion.' These Tiger and Leopard Cavalry killed Yuan Tan in the Battle of Nanpi, led a northern expedition against the Wuhuan and beheaded the Chanyu, defeated Liu Bei at Changbanpo, and also inflicted a great defeat on Ma Chao's Xiliang Iron Cavalry."
His youthful face shone brightly when he mentioned the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry: "Even if the army has tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of soldiers, the most crucial ones are still the few thousand most elite. I once selected eight hundred brave soldiers from the family retainers and soldiers I brought from Bingzhou, but in recent battles, more than half of them have been lost, so I am eager to replenish them."
Ji Dan nodded, thinking to himself that at such a young age, he had such insights into the art of war, which indeed showed the makings of a great leader. He then smiled and said, "If Your Excellency does not mind, I may promote someone from the army I brought from the Xianbei."
“That’s the adults’ private army…” Liu Jun pretended to be embarrassed.
"Since Dan has already joined your ranks, every soldier is under your command. How could he have a private army?"
Wei Xiong, who was standing to the side, also expressed his loyalty. Liu Jun laughed and said, "It would be impolite to refuse. You two are very generous. I will accept your kindness."
When Liu Jun selected five hundred men, rumors were already rampant in Ye City. Some said that Shi Hu was a one-eyed dragon with a blue face and fangs; some said that Shi Hu had a penchant for cannibalism, especially young girls; some said that Changming Ditch was full of poisonous water and that several families had already died; some said that Liu Jun was strict in disciplining his troops and did not harm the people in the slightest; and some said that Shi Hu himself was saved by Liu Kun and was truly repaying kindness with enmity...
Furthermore, the tunnel is being dug quite smoothly, and it will be completed in five more days.
Liu Jun sat upright in the tent, his gaze sweeping over the generals before him. "Do any of you gentlemen notice anything unusual?"
"It seems to be going a little too smoothly?" Liu Dan bluntly said.
Ji Dan nodded, "And it seems to have been much quieter lately."
Liu Jun wiped the lance in his hand. "Compared to Shi Le, Shi Hu is a bit impatient."
Sure enough, before a quarter of an hour had passed, a scout came to report that there was unusual activity in the city.
“He could have simply held his ground and waited for us to run out of supplies, but he was too confident in his superior army and didn’t take us seriously,” Liu Jun stood up and smiled faintly. “I was afraid he wouldn’t leave the city!”
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