Chapter 200

“The movements of Cao Biao and Sun Quan are faster than expected.”

The one speaking with a troubled expression was Yi Jo.

He was the older brother of Yi So, who worked under Zhuge Liang, and together they were known as the Yi Clan’s Three Dragons, recognized for their talents. Particularly skilled in writing, he was the one who drafted the Hanzhong King’s proclamation.

Even during war, literary skills are often needed, and due to Yi Jo’s own considerable abilities, he was chosen as a follower of Liu Bei in this war.

After confirming the movements of Cao Biao and Sun Quan and receiving reports on their actions, he spoke thus.

“There are hills nearby. They must be aiming to secure the high ground of those hills.”

“Zhong Yao is familiar with the local geography, so they must be trying to secure advantageous terrain.”

Yi Jo’s concern was echoed by Sang Chong.

Indeed, securing high ground during war is crucial. This principle has held true for a long time, and high ground is still recognized as an important military stronghold even in modern times.

“Sun Tzu’s Art of War states, ‘The method of employing troops is to avoid attacking uphill.’ We must prevent them from entering the high ground.”

The method of employing troops: avoid attacking uphill.

Therefore, in handling troops, do not attack enemies on high hills.

The difficulty of attacking enemies on high ground is a universal truth across eras. Yi Jo and Sang Chong’s worries had valid points.

“Do you think His Majesty or the Grand Commandant are unaware of our concerns?”

The calm and soothing voice belonged to O Yi.

He gently countered the concerns of Yi So and Sang Chong.

“Then what do you suggest…?”

“It seems to me that you two are wary of our forces being divided. Is that not so?”

O Yi looked towards Liu Bei and Pang Tong at the head table and asked softly.

“The Governor of Guanzhong speaks rightly. Currently, our forces are still separated, with General at Gogi, General of the North, and the Wudang Supervisor apart. The troops they command alone number 30,000, a situation not to be taken lightly.”

As Liu Bei supported O Yi’s point and explained the cautious reasons, Pang Tong added further details.

“Currently, the Wei army’s forces are estimated at 100,000. With Sun Quan’s troops numbering tens of thousands, their combined forces are at least double ours.”

Even with nearly 110,000 troops on our side, Cao Wei has also been gathering forces relentlessly.

Despite forcing them to disperse their troops by harassing them from both Bing Province and Xiang Province, they still managed to gather a significant force.

Moreover, by opening Wei’s borders and inviting Sun Quan, the enemy’s numbers now overwhelm us.

‘This war is a gamble where we’ve staked everything. Liu Bei and Pang Tong have no choice but to be cautious as we enter battle.’

But is that enough?

In the end, time is against us.

This area near Luoyang is enemy territory, and our supply lines are no better than Wei’s. Although water transport via the Luo River is possible, considering that supplies from Yi Province must be transported through it, it’s not an easy situation.

‘In the face of a large army, clever strategies won’t work. Is Pang Tong also preparing for a full-scale battle?’

Thinking that way, waiting for our reinforcements to join is the right move. Rashly employing clever tactics could backfire, allowing the enemy to counterattack, something Pang Tong surely knows.

This plain lacks any significant natural or man-made features. There are hills, but they’re not particularly high.

It’s unsuitable for fire attacks, and ambushes or surprise attacks are likely to be detected. It’s a straightforward battlefield, and the enemy knows it better than we do. Zhong Yao, who revived Luoyang, would know every detail we might miss.

The problem isn’t just the battlefield conditions. The people accompanying Cao Biao are no ordinary individuals. With Zhong Yao, Shen Bi, and Wei Jin, even Pang Tong would hesitate to employ strategies against them.

‘By conceding the hills, we gain time to regroup with our reinforcements. A classic exchange—giving one to gain one. With Sun Quan’s appearance as a variable, it’s best to step back and observe the situation.’

It’s similar to how I chose a passive approach during the Yiling Campaign, overlaying that situation onto the present.

But now is different from Yiling. The people here, the enemy, the number of troops, the battlefield—everything is different.

‘Only now do I truly realize that.’

Pang Tong’s current cautious approach serves as my mirror.

‘We must fight. Now is the time. While we reorganize our troops, the enemy is also reorganizing theirs. As I’ve repeatedly thought, if a fully united coalition forms among them, the war could drag on, making a reversal difficult.’

While I was lost in thought, the military discussion continued.

The voices of Pang Tong, Yi So, Sang Chong, and O Yi mingled chaotically, and I listened with one ear while letting it go with the other. Finally, as if a conclusion had been reached, Pang Tong’s voice pierced through.

“Therefore, they will prioritize securing the hills, so for now, we should temporarily withdraw and safely regroup with our reinforcements.”

“No.”

I interrupted Pang Tong’s proposal to Liu Bei and opposed it directly.

“We must fight.”

Breaking my silence in the military meeting, my first words were a denial of the conclusion reached after much discussion.

But perhaps due to the trust I’ve built, their reactions were more puzzled than hostile. Pang Tong, as the representative, asked.

“Commander Wei, why do you insist we must fight?”

“Our forces have always prioritized speed, seeking to engage the enemy rather than avoid battle. Sun Quan is weary from the long journey, and Cao Biao is likely unprepared due to his haste. If we don’t seize this opportunity, when will we? We must attack now, not take a defensive stance. We pursued a swift war, so we must end it swiftly.”

I elaborated, as if making up for my previous silence.

Liu Bei, hearing my argument for battle, asked.

“Are you saying we should fight over the hills?”

“No. Let them have the hills. Let them think they’ve secured an advantageous position.”

“Concede the hills and then fight? Are you trying to lure them into complacency? Isn’t that too reckless? If we’re conceding the hills, it’s better to follow the Grand Commandant’s advice and temporarily withdraw to regroup before fighting.”

Liu Bei, though not fully understanding, supported Pang Tong’s view and gently admonished me.

“Concede the hills, but act as if we didn’t intend to. Make it seem like we tried to secure the hills but were narrowly beaten to it. Move quickly as if to seize the hills.”

“Concede the hills but march quickly towards them? That would only distance us further from our separated forces and exhaust our troops… unless…”

Liu Bei, refuting my explanation, suddenly stopped and looked astonished. Then, with a slightly trembling voice, he asked.

“Are you planning to split their forces using our reinforcements?”

Indeed, Liu Bei, with his extensive battlefield experience, quickly grasped my plan.

By making it seem like we’re racing to secure the hills, we naturally leave our reinforcements behind.

Let them narrowly secure the hills. While not a victory in battle, the thought of having beaten us once and securing advantageous high ground will instill in them a belief in their superiority.

“Success breeds complacency. They will believe in their superiority and attempt to gain another advantage.”

They’ll think our rapid march to secure the hills has similarly exhausted our troops.

With our reinforcements separated from the main force, attacking them would allow us to seize our rear and encircle them. Using the hills as an anvil and the rear-seizing troops as a hammer, we can aim for encirclement and annihilation.

‘Especially since this area lies between the Luo and Yi Rivers, controlling the front and rear makes encirclement easy. They won’t miss the chance to crush us completely with one victory.’

Moreover, their unique situation adds credibility to my judgment.

Though they’ve formed a coalition, they were recently at war with each other.

In Wei’s territory, not neutral ground, Sun Quan joined with significantly fewer troops than Wei. While Wei alone couldn’t stop us, Sun Quan joined to prevent us from taking Luoyang, but inwardly, he must be uneasy.

‘He wants to end the war quickly and return.’

And the fact that it’s farming season adds to their urgency.

Though we’ve consumed many supplies, Wei and Wu, having fought the large-scale Huainan War, have consumed even more.

Facing another war within a year, the burden on their people to supply grain must be immense.

‘If this farming season is ruined and a famine occurs, their worry won’t be us but peasant uprisings.’

“They will surely attack our reinforcements. And if they realize that the 30,000 troops are not united but further divided, they’ll be even more eager.”

“The force closest to our main army now… is your father’s unit. This is too reckless. How, how can I send Yi De into such danger?”

Having already lost Guan Yu, Liu Bei showed great agitation.

In the past, Liu Bei might have sent his sworn brothers into dangerous battles, but that was because he believed they were invincible.

With that belief shattered, Liu Bei strongly opposed placing his only remaining brother in such peril.

To Liu Bei, I spoke with utmost sincerity and trust.

“How can I send my father into danger, you ask? With all due respect, that question is mistaken. Precisely because he is my father, I can trust and entrust him with this task.”