Chapter 183 Battle of Liyang - Part 13 (1/2)

Chapter 183 – Battle of Liyang - Part 13

October 14th. Evening.

Casualty report had been completed. From the initial 49,000 men, 33,000 men returned. The majority of the death was caused by the boiling water in the river and the arrows from the rebel army. The 3,000 men who were stranded on the other side were considered as dead by their comrades.

Five thousand men, who had crossed to the other side, managed to return to the south bank in one piece with some burnt skins. However, a thousand of them died from the shock of burning pain or organ failure on their way here.

Combined with the main army, 113,000 soldiers could still fight.

Although they had the numerical advantage in this battle, Zhu Jun did not feel well hearing the result. They came here with 150,000 men, yet one-fourth of their men and a grand general lost their lives before they could fight the enemies.

This result was nothing more than a humiliation to Zhu Jun.

The last general left a command to the visiting messenger before he excused himself to rest, ”Cancel the night river crossing plan. Gather the boats back to the main army.”

…

Meanwhile, at Liyang City.

Tong also gave an order to the garrison force in the city.

”Transport all siege weapons, the carts, and wagons to the riverside barricade.”

The carts and wagons by Tong's order were the carriages of the dismembered heads of the civilians of Liyang City. This order gave Tong's messenger a chill running down his spine because he managed to guess what Tong was trying to do.

The lord of his was more sinister and vile than they had thought him to be.

'A sorcerer and a villain!' He thought. 'Yet, he treasures his allies and subordinates. It's rare.'

Before the messenger could leave and carry out his order, Tong stopped him.

”Wait, soldier. What's your name?”

The messenger was frozen in fear. He slowly turned around to answer, ”X-X-Xu Huang, sir!”

A bitter smile revealed on Tong's face. He had a habit of checking the name of the person he conversed with because he might catch an unblossomed talent who was working in his army.

…

The person in front of him was Xu Huang, one of the five elite generals who served Cao Cao and his descendants alongside with Zhang He, Zhang Liao, Yu Jin, and Yue Jin in Tong's history timeline.

Formerly, he served in his local Commandery as a minor official, but he joined Yang Feng to participate in the anti-Yellow Turban Rebellion army to gain achievements in the year 184. He was later promoted as a Cavalry Commander as a reward for this deed.

In 192, he and Yang Feng served under Li Jue and Guo Si, who controlled the figurehead, Emperor Xian. However, in 195, they defected the two corrupted warlords and escorted the Emperor east to Luo Yang. Xu Huang attempted to persuade Yang Feng to surrender to Cao Cao, but Yang Feng declined the idea.

Xu Huang ultimately pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, who defeated Yang Feng in a battle in 196. From that point on, he was a pillar for Cao Family for three generations and left various deeds for the later generations to learn as an example.

His most glorious fight was the battle of Fancheng, Xiangyang Commandery in 219, where his friend, Guan Yu besieged his allies. Cao Cao ordered Xu Huang to lead a force to relieve Cao Ren from Guan Yu's encirclement, which Cao Ren was besieged for months without support.

During the confrontation, Xu Huang tricked Guan Yu by sending fake news that he would raid Guan Yu's main camp, making Guan Yu fortified his main camp instead of protecting his support bases. Xu Huang destroyed the support camps of Guan Yu afterward and drove away Liu Bei Army from the vicinity. During the crash with his friend, he even declared Guan Yu's bounty to his subordinates in front of Guan Yu himself. When Xu Huang was asked by Guan Yu why he did so, he answered, ”This is an affair of the State!”

Despite his early days when he followed Yang Ping around, Xu Huang grew up to be a chivalrous, dutiful general who valued duty over self-interest. He was well respected by Cao Pi and Cao Rui in his life.

…

Such a famous general in his youth appeared in front of Tong once more. Tong could not help to praise his luck for this chance encounter.

”If I remember correctly, isn't your hometown is Hedong County, north of Hongnong Commandery? Why are you a soldier in my army?”

Xu Huang was surprised. He was indeed born in Hedong, the same hometown as Guan Yu.

”My Lord knew my hometown?”

Tong scratched his face in embarrassment. He blurted out something he should not have.

”Well, I have general knowledge about my subordinates. Say, answer my question first. When have you become my soldier?”

Xu Huang bowed and gave Tong a wry smile.

”I was part of Dong Zhuo's conscripted soldiers, my lord. His troops passed by my county and I was dragged along. Then, I was ordered to escort Zhang Ji and Zhang Xiu family members to Julu City. When I got to Julu City, I was transferred to an infantry unit. Also, there's suddenly a mobilize order many days ago, and I ended up marching along with the troops and got here, my lord.”

This time, it was Tong who gave Xu Huang a wry smile. This encounter was indeed pure luck which happened at the right time and the right place. Had Tong not checked this scout's name, this talent would have been buried forever.

'Dammit, the butterfly-effect is so chaotic. I can't refer the future events with my history knowledge anymore. Good thing that I've noticed this before it's too late.'

'Wait a minute. Xu Huang is a friend of Guan Yu! Can he recruit Guan Yu here before Liu Bei meet him!?'

Tong coughed and asked, ”Do you know a person by the name [Guan Yu]? The guy with a red face and long beard.”

Xu Huang was surprised again. ”Y-Yes, I know him. He's from my hometown! B-But he murdered an official and fled the town a long time ago.”

A wry smile on Tong's face turned into a bitter smile. This legendary figure still moved according to the historical timeline. Tong believed that he would eventually unite with Liu Bei and Zhang Fei as it was fated.

”Forget it. Well, I have another order for you. Once you've done carrying out my order, return to me. You'll be my aide from now on. Your stipend will be adjusted to a military commander standard as a promotion.”

Xu Huang gulped. It was a windfall for him. If Tong were to promote him to such a position, he would not have to risk his life on the frontline.

Suddenly, he thought of something and shook his head. ”I'm sorry, my lord. I think I haven't done something to deserve that. A sudden favoritism promotion will cause disharmony in the army. I can't accept it.”