542 Cheng Yus End (1/2)
Yangtze River was wide and long. The great river was the main water source for the local people, including Jiangling townspeople.
South of Jiangling, the Yangtze River route connected this city and Lake Dongting. Then, the river route flowed northeast and passed Chibi.
This was a strategic route from Jiangling toward Jianye that Cao Cao had once used to attack Wu in history. However, Cao Cao in this world backtracked the route to attack Jiangling instead.
They were not simply attacking using an ordinary fleet, but they were using fisher boats, which were carrying several barrels of poison liquid.
Cao Cao detached his troops into three units. The main forces were staying behind to defend Chibi City, acting as a distraction.
The other unit was an envoy, which departed from Chibi to the southern region, where Shanyue Tribe located. Cao Pi took the role of a diplomat on this trip.
Shanyue Tribe lived in a mountain region between South China and Northern Vietnam. They lived on hills in this area for generations, and they were the experts when it came to warfare. However, they made a living by pillaging nearby towns and villages for extra food as their land couldn't produce enough for their people.
Sun Quan, in history, had a hard time subduing this tribe. No matter how he attacked them, they always went into hiding and ambushed them, utilizing guerrilla warfare.
In this world, this tribe had a relationship with Khan and helped him attacking the Han Dynasty. They were unchallenged by the local government, including Sun Jian, and Sun Quan. Thus, they were the largest mountain bandit forces in South China.
Cao Cao wanted to hire them as cannon fodders while his real forces and families would move to Vietnam, then proceeding to Southeast Asia, where China in ancient times mistook them as their vessel states.
But they were not important at the moment.
The last detached force was a group of sailors, traveling west via the Yangtze River. A dozen finish boats were heading toward Jiangling. However, they were carrying barrels of poison liquid, brew by Cheng Yu and Cao Cao.
Their objective was simple. They had to tamper the water source in Jiangling!
Currently, Jiangling was Zhuge Liang's supply headquarters, where provision from other regions was sent here to support the southern campaign.
Since Zhuge Liang's supply was endless because of Li Feihong and Diaochan's system skills, Cao Cao couldn't burn them and hope that their soldiers would starve. Water poisoning or spreading an epidemic would be more effective.
However, these fishing boats were not the only ones with the poison.
…
Zhao Yun and a unit of 1,000 men were hiding north of Lake Dongting, southwest of Chibi Port.
”They're here.”
A dozen fishing boats reached Lake Dongting area. Zhao Yun's ambush unit rushed in and apprehended the fishermen.
”Freeze! FBI!”
”Drop your weapon!”
The fishermen drew their weapons to resist despite being outnumbered.
Zhao Yun made quick work out of them. His soldiers found the suspicious barrels, reported by Li Feihong and Diaochan.
”Sir, we've found the poison!”
Having the all-seeing eyes was the best advantage in warfare. They could counter against Cao Cao's dirty schemes with ease.
”Good. Take them with us. We'll dispose of these vile weapons.”
Zhao Yun's soldiers carried the barrels and retreated back to Wulin Port.
…
”Load the trebuchets!”
On Chibi Port, 100 giant counterweight trebuchets were pushed forward. Cao Cao ordered his men to load the sling with barrels, which contained crude oil.
From the on looker's perspective, Cao Cao was trying to throw the oil at Zhuge Liang's fleets at Wulin Port.
”First trebuchet. Test firing, go!”
One of the weapons hurled an oil barrel across the river. Unfortunately, the wide of this river section was still over 800 meters. A normal trebuchet couldn't throw anything further than that.
Thus, the barrel splashed in the middle of the river water.
”Adjust the aim! Reinforce your trebuchet frames and the counterweight with your lifespan!”
Cultivators with 1 and 2 wings injected their forces in the wooden frames of all trebuchets as instructed.
”Second trebuchet. Testing fire! Release!”
The second trebuchet hurled a crude oil barrel. This time, the barrel flew across the river. The distance of this test fire was almost 2 kilometers, which was much farther than they had expected.
As soon as the first barrel landed on the side of Wulin Port, Zhang Liao, acting as the grand commander of the defenders, retaliated against the provocation.
”Cannons! Catapults! Trebuchets! Remember your training! Adjust your life force to the weapons as you were trained! Aim at the center of Chibi Port!”
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
Over a thousand projectiles flew to Chibi Port and sent carnage to Cao Cao's troops.
Xiahou Yuan, the grand commander of Chibi Port, authorized the grand scale artillery fire.
”All trebuchets, cannons, and catapults units! Empower your weapons and shoot! Fire at will!”
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
Both sides exchanged projectiles. Various kinds of burning barrels, arrows, buckshot, cannonballs, and boulders flew across the river and landed on the opposition forces. Artillery crews from Cao Cao's forces and Zhuge Liang Army shouted and screamed in chaos.
Flame and explosion appeared everywhere. Yet, Xiahou Yuan and Zhang Liao never tried to cross the river.
A group of Cheng Yu men snuck a couple of poison barrels among the ammunition for the trebuchets. During the long exchange fire, the two barrels were hurled to Zhang Liao's side.
The content of the two barrels splashed on the empty ground inside Wulin Port. Zhang Liao's men ignored the green liquid as they thought that they were failed explosive barrels.
However, three 8-wing immortals were observing the battle. Cheng Yu's men's action didn't escape their eyes.
…
Diaochan: ”@Sun Shangxiang, I need you at Wulin Port.”
Sun Shangxiang: ”What for?”
Diaochan: ”Someone is using chemical warfare. I need your medical skill.”
Diaochan: ”I'll have the non-combatant officers contribute some more lifespan into the pool. I'll transfer them to you.”
Sun Shangxiang: ”Are those fuckers spreading Ebola or what?”