Chapter 272 – Liu Bei Mobilize (1/2)
Chapter 272 – Liu Bei Mobilize
Cavalry soldiers truly had the advantage of speed. They just had sent war declaration, and Liu Mang already received information from Lu Bu that Zhang Xiu had arrived in City of Xinye and that of Yiyang and Zaoyang Counties was filled with Zhang Xiu’s soldiers.
Liu Mang is in his tents and thinking Yiyang and Zaoyang, eh? And turned to his map. When he looked at the map, it showed that Yiyang and Zaoyang Counties are located at the end of Huai River. They are under jurisdiction of City of Xinye and of course, belonged to Jing Province. After Yiyang and Zaoyang Counties, lies Pingchun and it belonged to Yang Province. It also become a border city for Jing Province and Yu Province. Since Liu Mang had less soldiers, so he just put less soldiers to station there. After that, lies Guangzhou which was guarded by Hao Zhao and had 1000 troops.
Inside the intel letter, Lu Bu also said that by the time Liu Mang received this letter, Shouchun must be in full alert as 20,000 Xiliang Cavalries are approaching Shouchun. Liu Mang then asked his chief adviser “Yuanzhi, give me your planning.” Xu Shu then said while smiling “Milord, Shu has 3 plans. Please Milord choose one.” Liu Mang then said “Come on, just say it. We already have no time to do any drama.”
Xu Shu then nodded and said “Very well, Milord. I start with the worst plan. Worst plan is to fortify Shouchun’s defense, waiting for Marquis of Wen’s reinforcement. Shu said this is the worst plan as this plan is also the safest!!! Because if we a.s.sess our battle potential, we only had 200 White Cavalries while enemies had 20,000 Xiliang Cavalries. However by doing this, we also going to lose many lands that we had liberated beforehand.” Liu Mang hold his hand to his chin and thought Fat chance, I am not going to lose Hefei, Guangzhou, Gus.h.i.+ and Anfeng to Zhangxiu just because I want to play safe. Liu Mang then said “What about the middle one? I am not going to use the worst one as the cost was too high!!!” Xu Shu then said “The middle plan is to fortify defenses of each cities. Have them close all gates and send Urban Army as well Black Flag, we wait for chance to battle it out in open field!!! This plan can also work as we are fighting cavalries that is not suited for siege battle.” Liu Mang then replied “Yes, it is feasible but the problem lies in numbers and waiting pa.s.sively is not my style.” Liu Mang continued “Then we go to the best plan!!!” He said that while looking at the map.
However the middling plan regarding Liu Mang is not a good idea, because heavy A foot soldiers, although does not fear the charge of heavy A cavalry soldier, but a little, that is the foot soldiers forever does not have action of cavalry soldier, once others besiege a stronghold in order to strike at the reinforcements, or led you to fly a kite that to be finished, Liu Mang once played Xu Sheng black armed forces with this move. Comes under attack pa.s.sively is not Liu Mang wants.
“Then best plan!”Liu Mang direct examination best plan, his finger moved across the map, the vision also placed above the map.
“Ha-ha! Best plan!”Xu Shu gives a calm smile to point at the map saying that “Don’t Milord already have the best plan in your heart?!”
“I?!”Liu Mang noticed that Xu Shuzhi place has also smiled getting up “Yuan Zhi Yuan Zhi, you know me very well” “Best plan?” Xu Shu then chuckled a little and said “Shu is afraid, that this best plan will offend you Milord.” Liu Mang then smiled back at him and said “Oh Yuanzhi, you are truly the best adviser that one can ask for!!!” Xu Shu said “Why of course, Shu had already predicted that Milord will choose the best plan. However, the best plan require you to give commanding power to Shu. So Shu can stay in Shouchun!!!”
“You stay in Shouchun?!” Liu Mang a bit not understand. If one need to a.s.sume command in Shouchun, Huang Zhong and Yang Hong can do it, but why Xu Shu had to stay?! Xu Shu then answered “Milord, our enemies this time is my old buddy, Pang Tong. So….” Liu Mang then tapped on Xu Shu’s shoulders and said “I understand, Yuanzhi. Help me to command Shouchun!!!”
Xu Shu then said “Milord, take Ziyang with you. Ziyang is on-par with me in abilities, however on construction and invention, I threw my hat in front of him!!! Also don’t forget, that he is one of your flesh and blood, Milord.” Liu Ye in Xu Shu’s eyes is a very rare talent. He is Emperor Guangwu of Han Dynasty’s descendant. He is the son of Prince of Fu, Liu Yan and since early age, he has shown extreme intelligence. In the original history, he worked for Cao Cao and Cao Cao benefited greatly by his a.s.sistance. Started from Shouchun Skirmish, Guan Du, to battle to reclaim Sichuan and finally he is able to match wit-by-wit with Zhuge Liang in diplomacy. Also, Liu Ye is extremely good in construction and invention. In original history, he was the one who make a simple catapult to use against Yuan Shao. However now, Liu Ye set on helping Liu Mang and managed to create an industrial complex. From restoration, fortification even improvisation of ballistae, is all Liu Ye’s help. One of Liu Ye’s improvement of ballistae is the weapon can now use magazine for its ammo loading.