Chapter 158

At Hagu Fortress, the biggest concern was that the reinforcements from Eastern Wu from other regions would arrive before the follow-up troops from Sangchong.

Although the distance was much farther, Xiang Province had many waterways, making it much easier for naval forces to move.

Just looking at the numerous ports like Hagu, Zhonghagu, Yukgu, Hengsanggu, and Jegu, as well as tributaries like Hashu, Jushu, and Hanshu, it was clear.

The Xingnan region had fewer tributaries, but from Yiyang to Hagu, it was almost a straight shot.

Therefore, I assumed that enemy reinforcements would arrive before ours. The opposite possibility wasn’t small either. But it’s better to be pessimistic and prepare than to be optimistic and get hit in the side.

Surprisingly, the first to arrive were Sangchong’s follow-up troops.

They must have rushed hard. The soldiers’ fatigue was evident.

The elite troops, carefully selected and organized, were the central army. For them to be tired meant they had undertaken an incredible forced march. That’s why they arrived so quickly.

Anyone with military knowledge would know that increasing marching speed is no easy task. In that regard, Sangchong was truly outstanding. Zhuge Liang himself praised him in his memorial, mentioning his military expertise and Liu Bei’s competence.

I commended Sangchong’s efforts while asking why he chose such a risky forced march.

“You’ve arrived well. But why the rush?”

“If the General had captured Hagu, he would have sent a messenger with new orders. But since no message arrived even after passing Jegu, I assumed there were difficulties in capturing Hagu and increased the marching speed.”

“What if I had fallen into a trap and was defeated?”

“Then it would be even more important to rush. Victory and defeat are part of war. But once lost, one doesn’t return, so saving Commander Wei should be the priority.”

Sangchong said this without changing his expression.

His words, that he should save me even at the cost of greater losses, made me feel more embarrassed. His sincerity, shown through his expressionless face, made it even more so.

If that expressionless face was an act, Sangchong must be a master of flattery.

Anyway, Sangchong’s incredible marching speed and quick arrival increased our options.

I was already considering following Ma Su’s plan. It seemed difficult to take Hagu Fortress as it was. Even just taking up to Lushan Fortress along the Yangtze River would be a gain for us in expanding our territory.

But with Sangchong’s central army joining after such a forced march, settling for that seemed unsatisfactory.

Noticing my change of heart, Jiang Yu quickly chimed in.

“General, the central army has shown such prowess. How about attacking Hagu Fortress?”

Ma Dai, also a hardliner, nodded. As a veteran of the Lanling Army, Ma Dai usually kept his opinions to himself, but this time he spoke up actively.

“The arrival of reinforcements has boosted our morale. While the enemy fights desperately with Sun Ding at the forefront, so do we. Our soldiers are ready to sacrifice themselves for Commander Wei and the greater cause, having forged deep bonds over time. If we attack, we can surely take the fortress.”

Ma Dai, now in his late thirties, no longer spoke impulsively as he used to.

Seeing Ma Dai speak so calmly and seriously, even Ma Su was speechless.

Bolstered by Ma Dai’s support, Jiang Yu elaborated further on the attack.

“We haven’t received reports from the scouts sent to Yukgu yet. That means they’ve either just arrived at Yukgu or haven’t reached it yet.”

If it’s the latter, that’s good, but assuming the enemy’s naval forces are moving at maximum speed, they’re probably near Yukgu. The scouts who spotted the Wu navy must be rushing back to report.

Still, there’s enough time to attack Hagu.

“Now that the central army has arrived, feed the soldiers well and let them rest. Place the central army in the rear, and the Lanling Army in the front.”

The central army, nearly exhausted, was practically a decoy. But their mere presence was enough to demoralize the enemy.

“Tomorrow, we attack Hagu Fortress again.”

This time, we will capture Hagu Fortress.

§

That was what I thought yesterday.

I clicked my tongue as I looked at Hagu Fortress, still flying the Wu flag. The taste in my mouth was bitter.

At first, things went as expected. Our troops bravely attacked and even reached the walls of Hagu Fortress. Bu Chuan, leading the charge, even personally cut down an enemy officer.

Just when it seemed Hagu Fortress was about to fall, the tide turned.

“Sun Ding, known for his virtue, I thought he was gentle. But he’s a true Sun.”

Sun Ding climbed the walls and fought on the front lines himself, much like Liu Bei during the Hanzhong campaign.

While Fa Zheng stopped Liu Bei and sent him to the rear, Zhu Huan, supporting Sun Ding, emphasized his presence and ignited the soldiers’ fighting spirit.

With swords clashing and arrows flying right before their eyes, Sun Ding didn’t retreat a single step. Inspired, even dying Wu soldiers rose again to fight.

Indeed, Sun Ding had a strong heart, calmly dealing with crossbow bolts whizzing past him.

Not bringing the strong crossbows was a regret. If we had brought them, Sun Ding would have truly understood the difference between war and mere skirmishes.

They must have realized we didn’t bring the strong crossbows and acted accordingly. Still, it’s reckless, considering the central army might have them.

“No wonder they die young.”

Every event has its cause. Those who fall victim to Wu’s early death curse have their reasons.

But more surprising than Sun Ding’s recklessness was Zhu Huan’s command. While Sun Ding revived the soldiers’ morale, it was clearly Zhu Huan who turned the tide after our troops reached the walls.

“Zhu Huan, truly living up to his reputation.”

名不虚传 (Ming bu xu chuan) – His reputation is well-deserved.

In the original history, he was the general who defeated Cao Wei’s top general, Zhao Yun. Perhaps in this world’s future, he’ll be famous for stopping me?

With Zhu Huan’s famous victory now lost in the twists of history, my words must have sounded strange to others.

I shrugged and made an excuse.

“All four of Wu’s ministers are known for their exceptional abilities.”

Lu Xun, Gao Yong, Zhu Huan, and Zhang Wen.

Gao Yong and Lu Xun, who became prime ministers, need no mention. Zhu Huan, who defeated Zhao Yun, and Zhang Wen, who handled diplomacy with Han and earned Zhuge Liang’s praise.

Wu’s four ministers proved their worth, but their excellence became their downfall. Half of them were executed by Sun Quan.

Including Gao Yong, who reprimanded the treacherous Lü Yi, three of the four suffered under Sun Quan. Lu Xun and Zhang Wen even met their deaths at his hands.

Yet, Zhu Huan even dared to touch Sun Quan’s beard, showing he was the most trusted among them. That’s why he was entrusted with such an important place as Hagu.

Anyway, with Sun Ding’s actions boosting the soldiers’ morale endlessly, and the enemy general knowing how to use that morale to dominate the battle, capturing Hagu Fortress seemed distant.

“With this, capturing Hagu in the short term seems difficult.”

Perhaps I should have led the troops from the front like Sun Ding. If I had broken through and secured a foothold on the walls, even Zhu Huan couldn’t have stopped us.

But my officers dissuaded me from leading the charge. Now that the Wu forces have pushed our troops off the walls, even if I went to the front, it wouldn’t make much difference.

I bitterly ordered a retreat. Over the sound of the retreat signal, the enemy’s cheers echoed, having repelled our full assault twice.

They gained confidence from this battle. Breaking through head-on will be difficult now. Even if we launch a full assault after Sangchong’s central army recovers, the losses won’t be small.

They won’t lay down their arms until the last man falls.

But the situation isn’t entirely hopeless.

Capturing Hagu Fortress would be the best outcome, but this battle, having come so close, achieved some of our goals.

To the officers disheartened by the failed siege, I presented a new option made possible by Sangchong’s arrival.

“The central army will take charge of besieging Hagu Fortress. We must first deal with the enemy’s reinforcements.”