Chapter 293 – Pang Tong’s Strategem (2) (1/2)
Pang Tong’s Strategem (2)
“Teacher, how are you planning to make the Wolf Cavalry disappear?” People like Pang Tong has Zhang Xiu’s respect as a good advisor could make all the difference. Zhang Xiu has experienced this before. Jia Xu was one such person. Jia Xu had helped him win against Cao Cao who had Guo Jia, one of the top four strategists in the Three Kingdoms.
What gave Zhang Xiu a deep impression was his time at Jianan when Cao Cao attacked and surrounded him. Yuan Shao then launched a surprise attack on Xudu, causing Cao Cao to retreat. Zhang Xiu chased Cao Cao while Liu Biao cut off Cao Cao’s escape route. Cao Cao defeated them both before retreating to the North again. Zhang Xiu personally led his troops to chase. At that time, Jia Xu discouraged him and said that he must not pursue or he would be defeated. Zhang Xiu did not listen and was defeated by Cao Cao. After that, Jia Xu encouraged him to pursue Cao Cao’s Army. Zhang Xiu replied reluctantly. “I did not listen to you earlier and was defeated. Now that I am defeated, why must I continue the pursuit?” Jia Xu then said, “The situation has changed. If you pursue, you will profit.” Zhang Xiu listened to Jia Xu’s proposal and gathered the troops to pursue again. This time, he defeated Cao Cao’s guards.
This caused Zhang Xiu to really respect strategists and advisors.
Zhang Xiu was very good to Jia Xu in Wancheng. However, he was someone swayed by personal feelings just like how Lu Bu was last time. Chen Gong would dare to argue against Lu Bu angrily but Jia Xu would not say anything if his advice was not taken.
After the death of Cao Cao’s son, Jia Xu was cherished like gold. Jia Xu also would not say anything unless asked. Even if someone was plotting against Zhang Xiu, Jia Xu would not say anything to protect himself. One example was Pang Tong making use of Zhang Xiu. Jia Xu noticed this but said nothing.
Zhang Xiu came out on his own and did not bring Jia Xu. Now, he meets Liu Bei’s strategist that is not any inferior to Jia Xu. Wancheng was located in Jingzhou and the boss of Jingzhou is Liu Biao. Zhang Xiu would naturally be concerned about it, and also about Pang Tong’s reputation.
“General Yang Wu is too polite.” The word teacher is a respectful word. Liu Bei could call him Pang Tong and Pang Tong would be able to accept it as that one was his own Lord. On the other hand, Pang Tong had to reciprocate the politeness as Zhang Xiu was an outsider.
“Milord. General Yang Wu. Come and take a look.” Pang Tong had already set up several large tables in the hall. He then took out a roll of sheepskin. This was a detailed map of Yangzhou that also showed the mountains and rivers. Even Wancheng was on it. Zhang Xiu looked at several spots nearby Wancheng and then glanced at Pang Tong. Does he already have a plan to swallow up Yangzhou? Zhang Xiu looked at Pang Tong and Liu Bei. Zhang Xiu did not compete for the world during those troubled times. He knew of his own abilities. He could still manage if it was to become a commanding general. However, he was not good enough to manage the army and government. Otherwise, have made Wancheng a military fortress instead of a county with large population.
Zhang Xiu had wanted to find a boss and work for him. With twenty thousand Xiliang Cavalry, his boss would also be happy. That is why Zhang Xiu has a lot of a.s.sets. However, things have changed. He had offended Cao Cao by killing his son. Even if Cao Cao disregard past grudges, Zhang XIu would still be worried. On the other hand, his current boss Liu Biao was not something worth thinking about. Although he was Zhang Xiu’s current boss, Zhang Xiu was already thinking about leaving. Only a fool would join a company that was about to collapse. Besides that, Yuan Shao was fighting Cao Cao. If he were to join Yuan Shao and then Yuan Shao was defeated, the first one to suffer would be him. The only remaining ones were Liu Bei, Sun Ce and Lu Bu.
Zhang Xiu was currently fighting Lu Bu so Lu Bu was out.
Sun Ce was a good choice as he would be happy for the cavalry. However, Wancheng is too far away from Jiangdong. Liu Biao would immediately stop this from happening.
The only remaining one was Liu Bei. If Liu Bei only has a small part of Yuzhou, Zhang Xiu would not be interested. After all, the place was too small and Liu Bei’s strength would only be about the same as Zhang Xiu. Why would Zhang Xiu join him? However, if Liu Bei wins half of Yangzhou, they would no longer be small. Liu Bei also have the White Eared soldiers and the Qingzhou Army. Together with his Xiliang Cavalry, they stand a chance in capturing the world. This made Zhang Xiu a little excited.
“If they want to go to Shouchun from Lujiang, they would need to pa.s.s Hefei. If not, they would need to detour around the Lujiang County.”