The Chopsticks of Strategy
Xun Yu picked up the chopsticks.
Xun Yu lifted one of the chopsticks resting on the table and asked, “What is the first question you wish to pose?”
“The military strength of Hebei is formidable, and even at this very moment, I cannot predict how long our forces holding the line at Guandu will endure the siege.”
Crack—
“Hebei’s productivity is immense, and Yuan Shao’s army is vast beyond measure. Yet even that will eventually reach its limit. No matter how numerous the enemy, repeated defeats will wear Yuan Shao down. That limit will surely come.”
This was exactly what I had expected. Even in this situation, Xun Yu was a grand strategist capable of glimpsing the eventual outcome. And this same man had said that a small force of our troops must not only avoid retreat against a vastly superior enemy but must fight and win. Perhaps Xun Yu had recognized the qualitative gap between Yuan Shao’s army and Cao Cao’s forces from the very beginning and believed we simply needed to press forward.
So I delved deeper.
“The enemy’s supply lines flow without interruption, while we, instead of cutting their logistics, remain crouched in preparation for a siege. Waiting for the enemy to exhaust themselves on their own feels far too long.”
“Hmm. That matter… first of all…”
Xun Yu picked up another chopstick, his hand trembling slightly before he finally snapped it.
Crack—
“My dear Wenruo, you really ought to strengthen your wrists. Shall I break them for you instead?”
“If that is an answer you can provide, then by all means.”
In any case, Xun Yu broke another chopstick. He spoke of the most crucial element—the situation in Hebei.
“The most important factor in repelling the enemy’s attacks is indeed to raid their supply trains and sever their logistics. However, now is not the time. Yuan Shao’s front stretches long, beginning north of the Yellow River and extending through Baima and Yanjin. Once the Yuan army grows complacent, their vulnerable supply points will reveal themselves in various places.”
“So you’re telling me not to worry about the supply lines right now, that they will show themselves in due time if we simply wait?”
“That is correct.”
“How much longer must we wait?”
“Would it be rude if I explained that we should hold until Your Lordship’s wives give birth safely?”
“…No. I understand perfectly.”
The current stage was seven to eight months. The full term of ten months meant delivery around this autumn—precisely during harvest season. In other words, Yuan Shao’s massive supply convoys would become visible then. Since he had said we could endure until then, the next question was necessary.
“I am concerned about having captured Yuan Shao’s eldest son. If we had left him alone, the succession struggle would have been fierce given Yuan Shao’s declining health. Have we not instead given him too much strength…?”
Crack—
Hm? He broke it immediately? I thought he would ponder for a moment before speaking, but it seems the answer was already in his mind.
“Many are already worried about exactly that. Yuan Tan is gone, and it is said that Yuan Shang will become the heir.”
“Yuan Shang is that one, correct? The son Yuan Shao had with his second wife after observing three years of mourning twice, when he was already past thirty. Yuan Shao is over fifty now, yet he still carries that precious son in his arms.”
When Guo Jia provided the detailed explanation, Xun Yu placed the third broken chopstick on the table and spoke with utmost gentleness.
“Zhonglangjiang, do you truly believe that Yuan Shao’s third son possesses his father’s caliber?”
“!”
“And do you truly believe that wretch could ever become a match for the Chancellor? Of course, he is not to be dismissed lightly. It is said that when the Yingjing Tower fell during the campaign against Gongsun Zan of Youzhou, he personally took up his sword, entered the fray, and beheaded Gongsun Zan. His martial talent is undeniable. However, he has shown nothing beyond that.”
Honestly, after Yuan Tan’s death, what worried me most was the consolidation of Hebei’s forces under Yuan Shang’s sole succession. But for none other than Xun Yu himself to say, with a smile and in that calm, measured tone, “Is there any guarantee that fellow can match Yuan Shao?”—it meant one thing. Xun Yu had already envisioned the situation after this great war.
“Very well. Then here is the next question. I sincerely hope you will break the chopsticks easily once more and ease our army’s concerns.”
Xun Yu picked up a piece of meat that had not yet cooled, ate it, and replied with a smile.
“You may speak slowly. There are still so many chopsticks left.”
“Although the situation in Hebei remains a chaotic melee, I am worried about how many individuals in the Central Plains rear might harbor other ambitions. We have far too many borders, and I cannot predict how Jingzhou, Yangzhou, Yongzhou, and the others will move.”
“!”
At that moment, Xun Yu set down the meat he had been eating and looked at me. Guo Jia suddenly clapped his hands as he stared at me as well.
“My goodness, this is truly astonishing. You asked not merely with the eyes of a general focused on the current battlefield, but while already considering the situation in the rear?”
“Indeed, among the lord’s relatives and generals, there is clearly something that earns favor. My word—who besides the lord would dare ask about the rear situations of Yangzhou and Jingzhou here in Xudu?”
Did this seem incredibly novel at the time? Well, if events followed the original history, it would be quite some time later.
“Zhonglangjiang, I have given this matter considerable thought as well. The fortunate aspect is that while the main army at Guandu fights desperately, we can establish defensive lines in the rear.”
“That’s right. That was something I hammered out with Brother Wenruo.”
When Yuan Shao sensed that the Guandu campaign was becoming protracted, he sent reinforcements to the rear. Starting from his hometown of Runan, he attempted to incite uprisings across Yangzhou, Runan, and Jingzhou to encircle and crush Cao Cao’s Central Plains forces from both front and back. However, defensive lines had been established to counter that.
“First, in the case of Jingzhou, Liu Biao appears to have forgotten past grudges and formed an alliance with Yuan Shao, aiming at our rear. The final defensive line leading from Jingzhou into the Central Plains is Wancheng. Its governor, Zhang Xiu, has gone to Henei. Therefore, we have appointed Jia Xu—who originally oversaw administration there—as the Torojiaowei and placed him in charge of Jingzhou’s defense.”
Oh, Jia Xu is in charge of the great Jingzhou defensive line? That’s huge.
“Furthermore, since Sun Ce of Jiangdong is constantly watching for an opportunity, the Governor of Xuzhou, Chen Deng, has deployed supplies throughout the Huainan region. Should any army cross north of the Yangtze, they will immediately link up to establish a defensive line.”
“Sun Ce, huh. Even after getting thoroughly beaten by Zayul Gongja, that fellow still gathers troops and tries to push north again. He certainly has tenacity.”
“Thus, those guarding the southern defensive lines are Torojiaowei Jia Xu, Yangzhou Inspector Liu Fu, Xuzhou Governor Chen Deng, Runan Administrator Li Tong, Fujunjiaowei Zhou Ling… and General Cao stationed at Chuxian.”
So that’s why Cao Hong went down to Chuxian, sent Cao Chun up to Guandu, and was told to remain in Yanzhou and Yuzhou? With this much, the rear should be reasonably secure. But then why isn’t he breaking any chopsticks?
“Additional generals will likely descend from Guandu to stabilize the rear. However, one final person remains.”
“Who is that?”
“Your father-in-law, the Governor of Lujiang, Qiao Gong.”
“Ah!”
We need to protect the rear of our army, yet suddenly the names of Daqiao and Xiaoqiao’s father appear…
“Qiao Gong swore loyalty to the court in the past. Since assuming the post of Governor of Lujiang, the powerful clans north of the Yangtze have gathered around him.”
“Are you saying we must once again empty our coffers to raise troops for the Jiangdong defensive line?”
“Well, if the son-in-law went holding his grandchildren and persuaded his father-in-law, it would be perfect, wouldn’t it? Don’t you agree?”
“I will send a letter immediately.”
Crack—
That must have been the final piece. Xun Yu snapped the chopstick with force right in front of me. Living like this, I now even wield the power of my wife’s family to prevent chaos. Indeed, Qiao Gong’s help had been crucial when blocking Sun Ce and Zhou Yu last time. Above all, since he had demanded the safety of his family, I must ask him to join the defensive line of Chen Deng, Liu Fu, Li Tong, and Jia Xu and take charge of the great defense north of the Yangtze.
“Today’s discussion was truly meaningful.”
“Not at all. It is merely embarrassing that someone unworthy presumed to imitate Zhang Zifang, the capable minister of Emperor Gao of Han.”
“That is not so. In truth, while both Master Wenruo and Master Fengxiao have been in Xudu, they have only given vague encouragements to my uncle’s army—‘Endure just a little longer,’ ‘If we hold here, we will win,’ ‘The enemy’s momentum will soon break.’ I was curious as well.”
At the very least, I could tell that both Xun Yu and Guo Jia fully understood the entire board. And since they had said to endure until Cao Cao summoned them, I would have to move busily from person to person in this place.
As I prepared to leave after the long conversation that followed Xun Yu’s reception, Guo Jia called out.
“Zayul Gongja.”
“?”
“Just continue doing what you have been doing. Do not consider the value or future of enemy commanders. If you see one, just—swish—like that.”
“Hmmm.”
“In truth, that is correct. Even if Zhonglangjiang were to personally behead Yuan Shao on the Guandu front, you need not worry that it would bring an even greater period of chaos. We will handle the aftermath.”
“Mmm~ Indeed~”
When both Xun Yu and Guo Jia declared, “Even if you cause a mess, we will clean it up,” there was nothing more reassuring.
“Hearing the words of two wise men truly puts my mind at ease. Thank you.”
“Hahaha, not at all.”
As I was about to depart, Hua Yan came running.
“Zhonglangjiang, sir. The pig’s trotter dish in the pot has just finished cooking.”
“Oh, right.”
The jokbal I had prepared to bring home to my wives was complete, and I had plenty of the broth as well. The cooks and servants in the kitchen all tasted it and gave thumbs up.
“Wow, boiling pig’s trotters like this is really delicious.”
“This is the best. We should make it this way from now on.”
Have I just created jokbal cuisine in ancient times? If it spreads through oral food culture, it will surely be quite interesting.
Upon returning home, I shared it with everyone, and they all tasted it.
“Mmm… Is this a broth made by boiling pork?”
Cai Yan, whose face still looked pitifully thin, blew gently on the jokbal broth and sipped it little by little. She closed her eyes, smacked her lips, then drank it down in one go.
“This… goes down very well.”
“Really? That’s good. Then drink plenty. Eat it with the meat too.”
“Wow, what is this flavor? It’s really delicious.”
“Try dipping it in the seafood sauce. It’s amazing when eaten with that!”
Of course, of course~ Jokbal is best enjoyed dipped in seafood sauce.
Having heard about the war situation at Guandu and how Xun Yu and Guo Jia were handling matters, with the front stabilized and my wives—who had been unable to eat anything due to severe morning sickness—finally regaining their appetites thanks to this new dish, I thought I could finally rest deeply…
“Husband?”
“Daqiao, I need to speak with you for a moment.”
Since we needed help from my father-in-law Qiao Gong, the Governor of Lujiang, I had to hold Daqiao tonight and have a long conversation. She nodded, her face flushing red.