The Beginning of the Battle for Xiangyang and Fancheng
Leading thirty thousand troops, Guan Yu's momentum was truly awe-inspiring as he set out from Jiangling. His target lay to the north: Xiangyang. Xiangyang referred to the twin cities of Xiangyang and Fancheng.
Only a few months earlier, Liu Bei had achieved a sweeping victory in Hanzhong and claimed the title of King of Hanzhong. The soldiers' morale had soared to the heavens.
By contrast, Xiangyang, positioned to block Guan Yu's northward advance, was wrapped in a heavy, oppressive gloom.
Zhao Xin, the city's commander, surveyed the room and spoke.
“Guan Yu is advancing northward. If anyone has an opinion, speak it.”
Only a few years earlier, Zhao Xin had been driven back to Xiangyang after suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of the allied forces of Guan Yu and Zhou Yu in Jiangling. The bitter memory still stung. It was as if all that bitterness rose to the surface at once.
Zhao Xin was not being overly cautious. He was, after all, a celebrated hero of the north who had turned the tide of battle. If it had been nothing more than Guan Yu's northward march, he would not have felt this unease.
The greatest worry was that the rising star of Liu Bei, the man who was currently his lord, was the one pushing the fastest growth in the entire realm. Indeed, Liu Bei had seized victory over Cao Cao in Hanzhong and declared himself King of Hanzhong with an unprecedented surge of momentum.
Beyond that, rebellions had flared up in recent months in places like Wancheng and Yecheng. The results of Liu Bei's ascent.
Only a few months earlier, Hou Yin in Wancheng had rebelled in protest against the heavy corvée labor. Especially since Wancheng lay to the north of Xiangyang, Zhao Xin had personally led the suppression force.
After Zhao Xin personally crushed Hou Yin's rebellion in just two months, the suppression of the Yecheng uprising was the only consolation. Yet this time the opponent was no mere rebel but the formidable Guan Yu himself. Facing such a foe, one could not afford to be careless.
Man Chong, standing nearby, spoke.
“Xiangyang and Fancheng are impregnable fortresses. Relying on the general's prestige, we can surely hold them. And I beg Your Majesty to request reinforcements from the King of Wei. Guan Yu's forces are not overwhelmingly large. With reinforcements arriving, we can surely repel him.”
Zhao Xin nodded. Man Chong's opinion aligned perfectly with his own.
Xiangyang and Fancheng were twin cities facing each other across the Han River, a tributary of the Yangtze. They formed a tightly integrated defensive network, supporting and supplying one another.
Even Guan Yu would find it difficult to take them by storm. That was the reputation of these two cities.
“Send a fast messenger at once to request reinforcements from the King of Wei.”
The defeat in Hanzhong had been painful, yet the territory of Wei remained vast and powerful. Reinforcements could arrive in plenty.
Still, something felt lacking. A vague unease stirred in Zhao Xin's chest.
While Zhao Xin was lost in thought, a messenger burst in with urgent news.
“General Hou Yuan has arrived, my lord.”
“Hou Yuan? Quickly bring him in!”
The name sent a wave of relief across Zhao Xin's face.
After the defeat in Hanzhong, Hou Yuan had been stationed in Wancheng. Cao Cao, alarmed by Hou Yin's betrayal, had dispatched him there.
Upon hearing of Guan Yu's northward march, he had led his troops here with lightning speed.
“Hou Yuan. You arrived faster than expected. Truly worthy of the title Ghost-Speed General.”
Though his forces were not large, Zhao Xin felt a weight lift simply because Hou Yuan had come. After all, he was one of the most celebrated heroes of Wei.
Upon reaching the war council, Hou Yuan laid out his plan.
“We cannot win by merely defending. I will lead a small force outside the city and break Guan Yu's momentum.”
Zhao Xin, who tended toward caution, was sharply different from Man Chong in this regard. Hou Yuan was the opposite of defensive.
“But we must be careful. Guan Yu's troops are in high spirits.”
Zhao Xin voiced his concern, but Hou Yuan remained calm.
“I do not intend to meet him head-on. What is my greatest asset? I will take a few swift soldiers and launch a surprise attack. No matter how formidable Guan Yu may be, he will not be able to act recklessly.”
“Excellent! Break his momentum!”
Zhao Xin was swept up in Hou Yuan's spirit and clapped in agreement.
Hou Yuan led a small force to ambush Guan Yu.
The ambush was fierce, but Guan Yu's martial prowess repelled it. Hou Yuan withdrew before suffering heavy losses.
Hou Yuan continued his tenacious harassment, and the name of Ghost-Speed General Hou Yuan became a frequent topic of discussion in Guan Yu's camp. Soldiers were warned to be on guard against him.
Yet in the end, Guan Yu was Guan Yu. After several rounds of Hou Yuan's ambushes, he had suffered some losses, but he had still advanced all the way to Xiangyang.
Then came the fierce assault. The overwhelming power of the army was too much for the famous generals Zhao Xin, Hou Yuan, and Man Chong to withstand.
Yet while the might of the army crushed the generals' spirits, it could not shake the walls of Xiangyang. The fortresses were simply too strong.
Guan Yu's forces surrounding the twin cities were likewise pinned down.
“Father. The reinforcements from Wancheng have already passed Xinye and are heading this way. They should reach the battlefield soon. We must prepare for them.”
“I see.”
Guan Ping spoke with growing unease. The news that enemy reinforcements were approaching while the cities themselves had not yet fallen was clearly not good news.
Yet Guan Yu showed no emotion at the report. Guan Ping would have to speak again. They needed to devise a countermeasure.
“Father. The force led by Wancheng consists of seven elite Wei armies, totaling thirty-five thousand men. We must take action.”
“Action. Are we not already taking action?”
“You requested support from General Liu Feng of Xiangyong, did you not?”
“There is more to it than that.”
“What?”
Guan Ping's mind raced with questions. He had only been thinking of requesting support from Xiangyong.
Xiangyong was not far from here. If Liu Feng and Meng Dai sent reinforcements, it would surely help.
Moreover, Jin Cheong had joined them recently. Guan Ping had high hopes for her strength. But compared to the seven armies of Wancheng, the numbers were pitifully small. That was his real worry.
But had they done anything else?
“You took other measures besides requesting reinforcements?”
“Recall the imperial edicts I issued recently.”
Recent edicts. The troop dispositions had indeed changed. Most had been moved to higher ground to form defensive lines.
‘To block enemy attacks from higher ground?’
It made sense at first glance. But Guan Yu had issued one more incomprehensible order.
Summon every available boat. Gather every ship that can be used, whether from the Xiangyang region or even from Jiangling and its surroundings.
Xiangyang and Fancheng lay beside the Han River. Ships were essential. But why suddenly so many?
“It looks like rain is coming.”
At Guan Yu's words, Guan Ping looked up at the sky. A few drops were already falling. Dark clouds had been gathering for some time; rain was expected.
“Yes, Father. It looks like it will pour soon. Please return to the barracks quickly.”
Guan Ping urged him, but Guan Yu stood firm beneath the increasingly heavy downpour, unmoving.
Only when the rain grew fierce did Guan Ping manage to lead him into the shelter of the barracks.
Yet in his preoccupation with the downpour, Guan Ping failed to notice the faint smile on his father's face.
***
“General Wancheng. The rain has begun.”
“Tsk.”
Wancheng clicked his tongue. It had been good to reach the vicinity of Fancheng after marching day and night. But rain? Suddenly?
‘Is this good or bad?’
If the rain came, the enemy's offensive would likely slow. But the same could be said for their own side. Weapons and supplies would suffer greatly if they got wet.
He could only hope the heavens would aid him by forcing Guan Yu's retreat. But he could not rely on such uncertain hopes. He had the duty to protect his troops.
“See that supplies and weapons are protected from the rain at all costs. We cannot fight with rusted weapons.”
“Yes!”
At Wancheng's command, his soldiers moved with perfect discipline. As expected of Wancheng's rigorously trained troops.
But Wancheng still had no idea what this rain would bring.
***
“General! General!”
“Yes. His Highness the Crown Prince. What is it?”
At Liu Shan's cry, I set aside the book I had been reading and turned. (Liu Bei had enfeoffed Liu Shan as Crown Prince and heir after ascending the throne as King of Hanzhong. That was why he was now called His Highness the Crown Prince.)
“It's raining!”
Rain. Rain.
Looking out the window, I saw that his words were true. Sheets of water poured down from the sky.
“Yes. It is raining.”
I stood beside Liu Shan, watching the raindrops patter off the eaves.
“Seeing the rain reminds me of a passage from the book you and I read not long ago. ‘Gan, gan… gan, what was it again? Oh, I can't remember. This…’”
“The phrase ‘Ganmin Dayu’ (A Thirsty People Await Rain), correct?”
“Yes! Exactly! Ganmin Dayu. It means the thirsty people wait for rain, doesn't it? And you taught us that farmers also wait for rain. Because crops need water to grow.”
“Yes, that is correct. You remember well. There is also the deeper meaning of ‘ardent waiting.’”
For some time now, I had been teaching Liu Shan to read in Xiangyong. It was gratifying to see that he had improved a little from his first lessons. And he showed more interest in the lives of the common people than in military strategy.
The drizzle soon turned into a downpour, and the small puddles in the courtyard swelled rapidly.
“Yes, I remember. Ardent waiting. Then is there someone waiting for this rain with all their heart?”
“Yes. Probably.”
Of course. It had been nearly twelve years since I came to this world. For twelve long years, I had been waiting for this rain. Was this rain the same one I remembered?
“Wow! It's pouring heavily. This is the first time I've seen such a big rain.”
The rain that had created small puddles now formed a stream, and the window was completely obscured by mist. I could barely see anything outside.
My guess was turning into certainty.
Ardent waiting.
I had waited. And Guan Yu had waited. Not ordinary rain, but a torrential downpour. And beyond that downpour waited—
The trembling of Huaxia.
I would have to leave Xiangyong soon. Or rather, I had already prepared. I had simply been waiting for the right moment.
Only recently, when the messenger requesting reinforcements from Guan Yu arrived, I had persuaded Liu Feng. At first he had been reluctant because he and Guan Yu were not on good terms, but I had worked hard to convince him.
“General Guan Yu possesses the Jiajieyue granted by His Highness the King of Hanzhong. To defy it would mean facing punishment in the future. Moreover, if you go on campaign, you will have the chance to achieve great merit.”
Since the bearer of the Jiajieyue held absolute authority, defying him could mean beheading rather than mere punishment.
Just look at history. After Liu Feng refused to send reinforcements and Guan Yu died, the furious Liu Bei executed Liu Feng. I was saving not only Guan Yu's life but also Liu Feng's.
Guan Yu, the bearer of the Jiajieyue, had personally requested reinforcements from us. This gave us the perfect justification to lead troops out without anyone being able to object.
“Yes. I understand. General Jin saved my life in Hanzhong. I will go on campaign trusting in you.”
“Yes. I have also received word that reinforcements are coming from General Fang of Hanzhong. You need not worry about Xiangyong.”
Only recently I had also heard that Pang Tong was bringing support troops to Xiangyong. Persuading Liu Bei had clearly worked.
With Liu Feng's consent, all that remained was to wait for the right moment to meet Guan Yu.