Chapter 147 - An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth (1) (1/2)
Chapter 147 - An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth (1)
Translated by Bloodfalcon, Edited by Krayto
Surrounded by so many soldiers; Liu Mang had seen this scene twice before. First time, when he was surrounded by Cao Cao in Kaiyang and this is the second time. However, at that time, the commander-in-chief was Lu Bu, so he was free to do whatever he can and even express his emotion. But right now, he is the commander-in-chief, his every action and movement will affect the morale of Wancheng city and his decision will be what determines the fate of these 8,000 troops.
The enemy is big in numbers and in Wancheng city, adding the Urban Army and the Liu clan private soldiers, their forces only numbered 8,000 troops. The Lu clan, Xu clan and Han clan also provided their private soldiers but their number is so small it only equaled only 500. So, Liu Mang now only had 8,500 troops in his hand. This is the first disadvantage that Liu Mang had.
The second one is the size and condition of this Wancheng city. This city is really big and worthy of its t.i.tle as the capital of Lujiang. However, due to its size it will be very difficult to send reinforcements if one of the gates is attacked.
For the third disadvantage, the wall are in a bad state due to the battle with the n.o.bles. So Liu Mang had no choice to a.s.sign the Lu, Xu and Han clan’s private soldiers to repair the walls returning the number of troops from 8,500 to 8,000 again.
If Liu Mang had 20,000 troops, he can repel them and even open the gates for a direct a.s.sault. Regarding grain and provisions, there are still a lot left inside the now ruined Administration Office’s granary that was “hand-picked” by Lu Bu. It still can feed 100,000 people with normal meal rations for at least 6 months.
Liu Mang with only 8,000 troops had to withstand an a.s.sault of 100,000 troops. Winning the battle with this kind of number is not an impossible feat, but he would need a very grand strategy. Liu Mang now is focusing on defense instead of attacking. n.o.body can handle the pressure that Liu Mang felt right now.
The only other thing that he needed was reinforcements. Even defending the city to the last man will not stop Wancheng city will be broken. Once broken, Lu Bu’s army’s grain and provisions will be gone and will be routed in a matter of days, so Liu Mang sent a messenger to Shucheng County to request for reinforcements to turn back the condition right now to favor Lu Bu’s army.
Those Cao troops who specialized in ground warfare are not Lu Bu army’s match, let alone this Jiangdong army whose army strong point focuses on naval units.
“LIU MANG THE BUTCHER, SHOW YOUR FACE!!!” A scholar from Sun Ce’s army started to provoke Liu Mang in order to do battle, and then he said “Liu Mang the butcher. You are one of Han Dynasty clansmen and a prince. You should work for the benefit of people, govern the people with benevolence, but you colluded with the slave of three surnames and frontier hungry wolf Lu Bu, occupied our city, killed our subjects and committed a great sin. Surrender now and I will make sure that Milord spares you!!! If you wait until our army breaks the city, your blood will be spilled in this city!!!” That scholar spoke those words in a confident tone, even without scripts.
“Hahaha, surrender and we will be spared?! Is this scholar out of his mind?!” Liu Mang thought in his heart. Lu Bu’sarmy and Sun Ce army already a mortal enemies and this scholar is actually asking for him to surrender? Lu Bu’s army will not be able to live if they surrender, not a single one, including Liu Mang.
Moreover, at Wancheng city, there are Zhou Tai and Zhou Cheng’s heads hanging which already started to decompose. Zhou Tai was one of Sun Ce’s beloved general and Zhou Cheng is Zhou Yu’s relative and both of them were killed by Liu Mang. So, one can see the enmity between Liu Mang and Sun Ce and adding by Da Qiao’s “death”, this young scholar should know that they already past the point of reconcile.
“What is your name?!” Liu Mang asked this confident scholar his name. This man’s tongue is really good, able to speak every one of his “sins” in one breath, is able to speak about how Liu Mang should behaved and also able to say things that can be deciphered as “alas, reality is a cruel b.i.t.c.h to you, Liu Mang!!!” for staying with Lu Bu.
“My name is Lu Su, Lu Zijing. Your Highness Prince of Shu, this Lu Su suggest for you to surrender!!! You already lost in numbers. Milord has 100,000 troops and you only have a meager 8,000 troops, you will spill meaningless blood. This Lu Su again advises you to surrender and offer Wancheng city now. I will make sure that Milord Sun Ce guarantees your safety and delivers you to Xu Du, so you can govern together along with His Majesty!!!”
“Lu Su?!” Liu Mang stunned. He is a celebrity in Three Kingdoms history. Lu Su, Lu Zijing hailed from Dongcheng County in Linhuaiguan. He is a very outstanding strategist and diplomat. He was born in a good n.o.ble family. Not long after he was born, he has lost his father and was raised by his grandmother. His appearance is big and tall, he is known for his straightforward comments and honesty. He loves to study and an expert equestrian.
When he came into age at the years of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and Dong Zhuo, he saw that government officials were corrupt and chaos was everywhere, so he bore a big ambition in his heart to restore order. He is also often went home to Linhuaiguan in order to train youngsters in martial arts.
One can see, that this Lu Su is a very respectable statesman. His emergence is when Zhou Yu occupied Juchao County. At that time, Zhou Yu was very lacking in grain and provisions, Lu Su took this initiative to donate and send 3,000-s.h.i.+ of grain and provisions to him. From that moment, Zhou Yu and Lu Su became fast friends and often discussed important matters.
That honest man is intimidating Liu Mang now, forcing Liu Mang to a dead-end. Lu Su is truly worthy as an honest and straightforward person. But all that Lu Su said was a way of no return. If Liu Mang surrendered now, will Sun Ce possibly not injure Liu Mang? Also regarding going to Xu Du, Cao Cao of Xu Du and Sun Ce of Jiangdong, both of them harbor big hatred toward Liu Mang’s existence.
No, without Liu Mang Cao Cao have already gotten Diaochan and possibly already killed Lu Bu. Because of Liu Mang’s existence, he Cao Cao was almost killed by Lu Bu in Xiapi. Without Liu Mang, no one would have insulted him in Kaiyang. Without Liu Mang, it would have been impossible for his Ferocious Cavalry to be annihilated and his senior general Cao Chun and major Li Dian to die. One can see Cao Cao’s hatred for Liu Mang is also very big.
So, in other words. To surrender is die, to not surrender is also die. This Lu Su truly has a ways to smooth his words.
Liu Mang can only show off his t.i.tle and rank again and responded to Lu Su “Lu Zijing, I want to ask you. Whose subjects are you?!”
Liu Mang does not want to bully the honest and straightforward person but there is no choice. The Liu clan’s private soldiers has been shaken by Lu Su’s words. If we surrender, then they won’t have to go to battle. Going to battle will claim their lives. Moreover the number of enemies is too many, this kind of view will make any person fl.u.s.ter.
“Um?! What does this Prince of Shu want to say?” Lu Su’s brow wrinkled. Although Lu Su is unable to discern his motive, he said “I am a subject of the Han Dynasty!!!” Although these are the times of war the real power lies on the warlords and although the Han Emperor is only a figurehead, they are still subjects of Han Dynasty.
The 400 years of prestige of the Han Dynasty is not to be underestimated. It is still upheld by all of the warlords and they are openly saying that they are the Han Dynasty subjects. Only Yuan Shu, Yuan Gonglu was the one who violated this rule by proclaiming himself as emperor, having received the Imperial Seal from Sun Ce. As a result, everyone joined up to attack him together and Yuan Shu can only suffer defeat after defeat after defeat and finally becoming stranded in Shouchun.
“Oh, then I asked again, is your Wancheng city the capital of Lujiang Prefecture? Is this Lujiang Prefecture a part of Yang Province?!” Liu Mang asked again.
“Yes!!!” Wancheng city from Lu Kang's time has been always Lujiang Prefecture's capital and Lujiang Prefecture is one part of Yang Province.
“Well said!!! Lu Su Lu Zijing, in case you have forgotten, this prince was given by His Majesty not only as Prince of Shu, but also General of the Southern Expedition!!! This prince's territory consists of Yang, Yu, Yi and Jing Provinces and you dare come to me to speak that this Wancheng city as your lord's territory? Also regarding murdering the people, are not those n.o.bles also my men? They dared to be ruthless in my domain, so it is right for me as the ruler to punish those evildoers by annihilation. I am the Prince of Shu and this Wancheng city is under my jurisdiction. Your lord is only a mere Kuaiji governor but when he saw this prince, not only did not kneel down but he also had intentions to kill this prince. It is very apparent that Han Dynasty to your eyes, is already a big pile of tras.h.!.+”
With those words, the war between Lu Su and Liu Mang reached a stalemate! Lu Su is pressing Liu Mang with the principle of righteousness in order for Liu Mang to surrender, but Liu Mang is accusing Lu Su and Jiangdong’s army of treason for not being loyal Han subjects and he, Lu Su, is disrespecting the Han Dynasty. Liu Mang also accused that Lu Su kept saying that this Wancheng city is theirs, it is questioning the Han Emperor of his decision to seal Liu Mang with t.i.tle of General of the Southern Expedition. And with Lu Su's lord dispatching troops to kill him, it can be said that they are rebelling against Han Dynasty.
Honestly, in this times of war, all of the warlords are doing offenses toward the Han Dynasty and busy expanding their own territory. So n.o.body paid attention whether the Han Emperor is still in charge or not. If Liu Xie is a stern, authoritative and powerful emperor, then Cao Cao did not need to dispatch troops to do battle and pacify one region. The Han Emperor could just write an imperial decree in order for them to not get out of the line.
This is the unspoken rule in order for all to respect the Han Dynasty at the front. Liu Mang is now playing this in order for all to see that he is a loyal and upright subject of the Han Dynasty and all of Lu Su's words are meaningless toward him.