Chapter 242 - Army Prepare For Battle! (1/2)
Chapter 242 – Army Prepare For Battle!
It has been two days now since Wei Yan and Liu Mang’s last interaction. Since then, Wei Yan has been kneeling without food or drink. Now Huainan is in rainy season, so during these two days there has been light rain everywhere, Liu Mang then thought Maybe, the two days of rain had completely washed away Wei Yan’s arrogance.
Liu Mang then approached Wei Yan’s back silently and said “So, are you mind clear now?!”
“Hrm?!” Wei Yan just growled softly, his mind is not in sync with his body. His mind and body is exhausted from kneeling two days straight adding with his injury as well, this kind of thing is not any ordinary person can handle. So, Wei Yan did not hear anything that Liu Mang just said.
“I asked you, IS YOUR MIND CLEAR NOW?!” Said Liu Mang again but with very impatient tone.
“I, me…” Wei Yan stuttered. He really do not know how to reply that question. He has knelt for two days and had been in anger out of shame, but yesterday, he came to a realization that Liu Mang’s words are the truth. It is true he has a skill in martial arts and that’s it, he had no more a.s.sets to support him. This is the time of chaos and the need for talented person is littering here and there, but this is also an age where talented person need to be recommended first!!! And even if he got a person who can recommend him, that person needs to be a n.o.ble. If that person is not a n.o.ble, they would not have enough money to promote him. He had been Jing Province gate captain for so many years. He only have a measly number of soldiers under him and his name in Jing Province payroll is only there for embezzlement. That was the treatment he received by being a coa.r.s.e fellow that he is.
Wei Yan himself can return to Jing Province, but if he goes back, would not that just returning to his previous lifestyle. Mingling every day? This year Wei Yan is 30 years old, how can he afford to live like that again?! He is terrified thinking such thought and his heart is already decided that he is willing to submit under Liu Mang under his own condition. And after that, he quickly changed his lord to Lu Bu. But perhaps, before that he can take advantage of Liu Mang army to make himself his own division. And if the worst case happens, he already had men loyal to him, and at that time who can take him on? Actually isn’t what Wei Yan want to do now, is pretty similar in the original history? Killing his lord, Changsha governor Han Xuan, so he can take refuge on Liu Bei. Han Xuan himself, although not an excellent lord, actually treated Wei Yan really well. Wei Yan a.s.signment as gate captain, is actually promoted by Han Xuan from just a regular soldier. And how Wei Yan repaid Han Xuan? By killing him, and it made Huang Zhong stunned, unable to do anything.
So, after Wei Yan surrendered to Escapist Liu, Huang Zhong also surrendered. But both of them kept their distance from him. And the reason Zhuge Liang always wary of Wei Yan is because the way he treated his old lord Han Xuan. It led Zhuge Liang to tell Liu Bei that the very reason that Wei Yan killed Han Xuan is because he desired for riches and honor. Then Liu Mang said in very harsh tone “YOU SHUT UP!!!!” while pointing toward his face. Liu Mang will not listen to Wei Yan’s fealty. This kind of man would only say “I am loyal” in front of you and then scheme behind your back.
Liu Mang then stretched out two fingers and said “I will give you two options now!!!” After that he close one of his finger and said “One!! You go back to Jing Province, return as a gate captain and MINGLE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!!” Mingle for the rest of your life!!! Wei Yan felt really hurt by those words. He wanted to refute but was unable to find any words, so he just kept silent. Liu Mang then opened again his finger that just closed and continued “Two!!! You accept my offer, and I will give you a chance to prove yourself!!!” Liu Mang then extended his olive branch. Actually, before Liu Mang had finished that entire sentence, Wei Yan already spoke with hoa.r.s.e voice “Wei Yan, Wei Wenchang, is willing to do what Milord’s wishes!!!” Liu Mang then sneered “Oh, is that right!!! Very well then, you go to Urban Army then, if you wish to stay here.”
Urban Army? Thought Wei Yan, and that thought invigorate his spirit. Urban Army is one of Liu Mang’s elite. It not only comprised of heavy armored soldiers, but also have a squad of 200 heavy cavalries. In Jing Province, Wei Yan had heard Urban Army performance where they were defending Wancheng. Defeating 100,000 troops of Sun Ce army. Who would not want to lead such prestigious army? Then Wei Yan thought again. Isn’t Urban Army already had a leader and vice leader? The leader is Cheng Yu and he probably one of Bing Province Army officer, and the vice leader is Huang Xu, son of that veteran general. Then what position will this man give me?! Liu Mang then give the answer “Of course, you are to become an ordinary soldier!!!” Liu Mang impossible not to notice Wei Yan’s happy face. Want to command my own army, huh? Know your place, Wei Yan. Sneered Liu Mang in his heart. Urban Army is Liu Mang’s own brainchild. If not his most trusted person a.s.signed to manage them, how can he stay calm? The person who most familiar with Liu Mang is Cheng Yu. Cheng Yu saved him when he’s about to be killed by Xiahou De, and Liu Mang repaid him with many miracles from the future. They trusted each other deeply.
Regarding Huang Xu, he is Huang Zhong’s son. Liu Mang rescued Huang Xu and in turn he had both Huang Xu and Huang Zhong loyalty to the end and become one of Liu Mang’s family member. Huang Zhong himself is devoted to be a bodyguard and already given up leading an army. Therefore, in order not to let Huang Xu disappointed, he paired Huang Xu with his trusted friend Cheng Yu and fortunately he is also a talented person. h.e.l.l will turn cold first before Liu Mang allowed Wei Yan to lead Urban Army instead of Cheng Yu or Huang Xu. Liu Mang rated that this Wei Yan’s truly surrendered in his heart to be less than 50%. So, he a.s.signed him to be Urban Army troops, in hope that his arrogance and wildness will be completely destroyed.
“If you accept my offer, look for Cheng Yu. I don’t think you are lacking in talent, as you still have your martial arts!!! Regarding reward and punishment of our army, you know it already. If you are confident that you can reach high, then prove it. If not, the you can leave anytime and you will hear the phrase “useless” wherever you go. Front door is there, if you want to leave, go ahead!!!!” Said Liu Mang sternly. Liu Mang then just leave without even waiting for Wei Yan to give his response. He then just spoke in his heart “Wei Yan, oh Wei Yan, don’t disappoint me!!!” Liu Mang came alone to meet Wei Yan because Huang Zhong, Huang Xu and Gan Ning are ordered to be on guard. If Wei Yan left Hefei, then the three of them will deal with him. Don’t blame Liu Mang being cruel and merciless.
Liu Mang cannot attend to Wei Yan anymore, because he need to prepare his army for sortie. Shouchun is still in Escapist Liu’s hand, and must be retaken, otherwise the whole Lujiang will be exposed to Escapist Liu. Liu Mang also need a region near waterway, as he needs to train his naval troops and also to create docks to repair s.h.i.+ps. If not, then what is the use of those artisans extorted from Sun Ce and Liu Biao? Liu Mang then inquired Yang Hong “Uncle Hong, what is the situation now?” Yang Hong is responsible for Liu Mang army’s intelligence now similar when he was Yuan Shu’s intelligence officer. Also, he had allocated 3,000 taels of gold to Yang Hong, because he knew that one of most important commodities in war times is intelligence.
Yang Hong then lowered his head and said “Report Milord. Here is the intelligence!!! Shouchun is being guarded by Guan Yu Guan Yunchang, his subordinate numbered 10,000 troops! Most of them are Qing Province soldier!!!” Really his ability for diplomacy and intelligence gathering is really good. Yang Hong then continued “Most of his troops is placed at South Gate!!! Their numbers is 7000 troops!” Hmm, south gate, eh? Thought Liu Mang while placing his palm on his chin. His beard is growing out, he need to shave ‘em. Out of 10,000 soldiers, 7,000 had been placed on South Gate and the rest of them are spread out to three other gates. Isn’t the South Gate where we are going? Nice thinking, Lord Guan The Second. You really give no room for mistakes in defending Shouchun. But no matter how prepared you are, I will take Shouchun! Thought Liu Mang. Then Liu Mang asked Xu Shu “Yuanzhi, how do you see this?!” With an excellent adviser beside Liu Mang, there is no need for him to think alone. “Hmm, Shouchun, 10,000 troops. Hmm…..” Xu Shu is muttering words, his brow knitted and doing a hard thinking. Xu Shu had also obtained a lot of information from Yang Hong. This Shouchun is a very strong city, constructed and reinforced by Yuan Shu Yuan Gonglu. Though the city was eventually broken by Old Cao, but on the initial attack, it still stood strong until Old Cao destroy four dams that is encircling Shouchun, and because it is rainy season, the a.s.sault is relentless from Ying river and Huaihe river.