Chapter 169

Except for Ma Chao in Xiliang, the Lanling Army’s marching speed is the fastest in the Han Dynasty. Without the supply train, Ma Chao’s troops, which have no infantry at all, boast incredible speed in places where horses can run freely, but they are heavily dependent on geography due to the lack of infantry.

On the other hand, the Lanling Army is evenly composed of cavalry and infantry. Despite this, they can achieve speeds almost comparable to a cavalry brigade by using reserve horses and pack animals separately to pull carts.

By loading infantry and supplies onto carts, they could move faster than pure infantry, though slower than pure cavalry.

However, this time they needed to move even faster. And now, it was actually possible.

“The infantry will return via the water route. Baek Yak and Yu Xiang will take care of it.”

Unlike the past when ships were severely lacking, we now had a fleet captured from the Wu navy.

With oarsmen secured as well. While ordinary soldiers were handed over to Sun Deng as per the agreement, those who served as oarsmen were excluded.

The flow speed of the Yangtze River is about 2.5 km/h. Adding wind power from sails and manpower from oars, the speed reaches about 8 km/h.

Of course, this is for downstream travel following the river’s flow. Upstream travel against the current is less than half, roughly 3 km/h.

From Hagu to Gangnyeong is about 400 km, so if they row for about 8 hours a day, it would take about three weeks.

Cavalry separated from infantry could arrive at Gangnyeong Castle faster than three weeks. The cavalry arriving first would rest at Gangnyeong Castle, while the infantry would rest on the ships for three weeks.

Once the infantry joins at Gangnyeong Castle, they resupply and rush to Xingbu, reaching Guan Yu in the shortest time possible.

‘There might be losses like seasickness or land sickness, but this is the fastest.’

One month.

Based on the forced march mentioned above, they could enter Xingbu in a month.

“Will the Supreme General join the cavalry side?”

Kang Yu asked. If there were a superior, Kang Yu and Ma Su wouldn’t be of the same rank. Since the superior is with the infantry, giving command to Kang Yu and Ma Su would be irrational.

Of course, that didn’t happen, and I shook my head to explain.

“The Supreme General needs to ensure that Eastern Wu adheres to the agreement properly. We also need to deploy troops to the newly acquired Jing Province lands. He will follow slowly and handle the aftermath.”

“Ah, I understand.”

We decided to burn Hagu Fortress. The civilians were taken by Sun Deng as per the agreement, and we lacked the troops to maintain an empty Hagu Fortress.

After all, from the moment we made a truce with Sun Deng, Jiangxia was half-abandoned land. We planned to use Yunmeng Marsh as a natural border, incorporating only the west into our territory.

“Then gaining Changsha and Guiyang will also be difficult.”

In the end, after the Yiyang standoff, it wasn’t much different from before the Wei-Wu alliance. Only parts of Jiangxia and Changsha were proper territorial expansions.

“But capturing Eastern Wu’s Jing Province navy is significant. Next time, we can properly use the navy to attack various parts of Jing Province.”

A step back for two steps forward.

That’s the only way to console ourselves.

Using the smoke rising from burning Hagu Fortress as a signal, we began our counterattack by land and water.

Leaving the aftermath to the Supreme General and the central army, I and the Lanling Army rushed to Gangnyeong Castle with all our might. Even for the Lanling Army, accustomed to marches, this march was quite strenuous, but thankfully, they followed my high assessment of the situation’s danger.

As we approached the relay point of Gangnyeong Castle, my concerns became reality.

When we arrived near Jingling Castle, we encountered messengers from Gangnyeong Castle on the road. It was a fortunate coincidence as both sides prioritized the shortest route.

And from the messenger, I heard about the situation in Xingbu.

Guan Yu was besieged.

§

Guan Yu’s army marched out of Fancheng with great momentum, advancing towards Wancheng.

The main force moved north by land, while supplies and reserves moved with the navy via Yuxu.

At the same time, they extensively used scouts to closely monitor the movements of Xu Huang and Zhang Pei. They paid particular attention to Zhang Pei, who seemed to be moving towards Jiangxia or Huaihe.

They wondered if supporting Wen Bing was a feint or if they planned to turn the route to attack Guan Yu’s flank.

However, there was no sign of that. Instead, Zhang Pei was properly heading south towards Jiangxia and Yiyang.

Wancheng, where Xu Huang was, Hagu Castle, where Zhang Lan was confronting Wu, and Huainan, where Wei and Wu were at war. It was an area roughly equidistant from all three.

Guan Yu had heard some news about Zhang Lan’s Jing Province recovery but knew little about the Huainan war. Physically, Huainan and Xingbu were too far apart.

If they had secured Huaihe, they could have easily heard news via the water route, but Huaihe was almost entirely monopolized by Wei. The Huainan war started when Sun Quan preemptively attacked to get a share.

In any case, with Zhang Pei moving like that, it was highly likely that things weren’t going well for Wei in Huainan or Jing Province.

Guan Yu knew that the Huainan war started with the success of Sun Quan’s plan. It wouldn’t be strange if Wu was gaining the upper hand.

‘Lan will surely show Sun Quan’s underlings who the true master of Jing Province is. Cao Cao’s men must be feeling cornered.’

With defeat looming in Huainan, and Zhang Lan causing chaos right below Jiangxia, which they occupied?

Although there is a mountain range dividing Jiangxia, it’s not like the Jin Ling Mountain Range and is easily crossable.

If Zhang Lan takes Jichun and severs the connection between Yangzhou and Jing Province, then crosses the mountains to take northern Jiangxia, which Wei occupies, they must be terrified.

‘Truly, Yi De’s child-rearing has been a great success.’

Even Guan Yu, who had never envied anyone, couldn’t help but envy Zhang Fei.

Confident that Zhang Pei’s goal was truly to support Jiangxia and Yiyang, Guan Yu felt relieved and briefly dwelled on his envy of his sworn brother.

But that was short-lived. Guan Yu quickly returned to being the supreme commander of the army on the battlefield.

“If Zhang Pei isn’t here, this war is a fight between me and Xu Gongming.”

Xu Huang, whom Guan Yu once called “Big Brother” and respected. Their relationship, which began when Guan Yu briefly served under Cao Cao, continued to this day.

When Guan Yu tried to capture Yangfan, Xu Huang came to stop him but was defeated due to Zhang Lan’s intervention.

But this time, there was no one to interfere or help either of them.

It was a duel between the two of them.

Guan Yu, the Supreme General of Han, and Xu Huang, the last of Wei’s Five Elite Generals.

A great battle where two heroes of the era would compete with their bravery and wisdom.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

How would Xu Huang respond?

Would he seek to avenge his humiliating defeat by Zhang Lan with a full-scale battle? Or would he consider the risks and return to Wancheng to prepare for a defensive battle while waiting for reinforcements?

Choosing the former would be risky with Guan Yu’s larger forces, and choosing the latter would be too rushed to prepare for a siege after coming such a long distance.

For Guan Yu, speculating on Xu Huang’s reaction was a form of entertainment. A privilege of being in a favorable position.

Xu Huang was an opponent Guan Yu could never underestimate or be careless with, but his recent record had been quite poor.

‘Come to think of it, during the Fancheng battle and at Popan, Lan’s actions stopped Xu Gongming.’

Is this a nemesis relationship? Xu Huang was one of the most feared enemies for Guan Yu, along with Zhang Liao.

‘If even Lan could do it, how could I, as her superior, face her if I couldn’t achieve it? Victory is the only option.’

Guan Yu hoped Xu Huang would choose a field battle.

Guan Yu had made extensive preparations for the attack on Wancheng. He wasn’t just sitting idle in Yangfan.

Having personally rebuilt Gangnyeong Castle, Guan Yu had a knack for fortifications. He continuously sent spies to Wancheng to study siege tactics while collaborating with Zhuge Liang, who was deeply knowledgeable about inventions and modifications, to improve siege weapons.

This time, he didn’t just raise an army because an opportunity arose. Guan Yu had diligently prepared for victory.

Yet, a field battle was much more advantageous than a siege.

No matter how prepared, sieges take a long time, and the longer it takes, the greater the variables.

Even a small victory in a field battle to break their spirit before starting a siege is much better.

“Xu Gongming, Big Brother, you must want to prove that your reputation still lives in the world.”

Lead your army out and face me boldly.

Let’s have a field battle.

Guan Yu walked with his chest swelling as he thought of the battle with Xu Huang.

However, Xu Huang’s decision was to avoid it.