Stirrings in Jingnan
To describe Wu, it's like the country that taps the stone bridge but never crosses. Before Zhuge Ke's Petition on Dispatch—Zhuge Liang's own masterpiece—Wu was just too damn passive, wasn't it?
So... I didn't expect much from Wu.
The strategy meeting wrapped up in a total mess, and we all went our separate ways. What was the point of sticking around? It felt like time for some alone time.
"Take care, then."
The big difference from history? Pang Tong became a Wu guy. Better than getting shot during the Yizhou conquest, right? A happier life there. Be happy, dude. Shake up that passive Wu while you're at it.
"Off to Jiangxia."
Another boat ride. Not thrilled. Back in the day, I dreamed of being Pirate King. Now? Just wanna be Bandit Queen. Seasickness hits me so hard, I'm terrified of boats.
"Huff... huff... Where the hell am I?! Argh...!"
"Oh. You're up?"
Uncle Zhang Liao woke up shaking like the world's ending. Groaning argh, ugh, urgh as he tried to move—anyone'd think he'd opened the Eight Gates.
"Hey, hey. Don't squirm like a corpse, kid."
"Let me go!"
Poor guy, lightly restrained by Dad. Felt bad for him.
Dawn vibes make you all sentimental. Useless thoughts creep in, but they feel kinda romantic. Separately from that, my head's spinning.
Can't sleep from seasickness. Headed to the deck.
Honestly, "sentimental" boils down to 'Ugh, I don't wanna do this shit.'
Strategy meeting.
More strategy meetings.
Liu Qi debate lined up in Jiangxia. Obvious what he'll say.
'Ah, my biological clock's ringing.'
"Urgh... blegh!"
Regular body rhythm's a plus—lets me keep a schedule. Puked a solid round into the sea, but there's company.
"What am I supposed to do about this?"
Zhang Liao muttering to himself like it fit. Spotted him.
Slid up beside him.
"Spilled milk, what can ya do."
"You little shit!!!"
He yelled, tumbled with an argh. Looked like he tweaked his back. Ouch.
"You okay? Swim back if not."
Zhang Liao, pained, said woefully,
"Better to just let me die..."
"Yeah, tell me about it. Wasn't why I saved you."
Awkward to reply, so we just stared at the sea in silence.
"History'll mock me. In the end, I achieved nothing."
No plans to kick him while down. But damn, wanna add a word. Why? He's all self-pity at dawn too.
"Whining about shame? Least you can—sigh."
Couldn't hold back the snark, but he fired back like no one asked.
"Betrayed my lord, still breathing—won't the world laugh?"
Another pizza rising, but stuck. Seasick? Or out of ingredients? Seeing him wallow made me dizzy anyway. Decided to puke more words.
"Anyone'd think you signed a body waiver under Cao Cao."
He looked puzzled a sec.
Then stared blankly at the sea. For real gonna swim? I followed his gaze—black waves rippling. "Ah. You don't know what's been going on."
He's clueless, so brief him first.
"Lemme fill you in. Cao Cao moved to Hefei, but dunno after. Wu won at Yushugou."
No reply. He just coolly turns away.
Wanna bonk him.
"Weird flow, right? Feels that way to me too."
Sidestepped, peeked—his eyes shook.
"Might... withdraw the army."
"You know. Cao Cao decides, but odds high. Sustaining big forces frontline? Eats resources—he knows."
Sprinkled a white lie. Or truth?
"Let Guan Yu go too. No different for you, uncle."
Stares at his palm blankly.
"What do you mean."
"Don't wanna mislead—you're no defeated general to me. Saved my life. Attached, y'know?"
"Mutual, no?" Not sure if it's landing. He's like an ARS bot—press button, get reaction.
"Kinda different. Your big resolve moved me. Dock at Jiangxia, head back to Wei if you want. Not enough clout to toy with your beliefs, right?"
Chin on rail, mumbled.
"Wanna make a world without war. Y'know. Why stare like that? Gonna burn a hole."
"Enough. Cut the nonsense, get some sleep."
"Will do."
Seasickness barely gone, straight to Jiangxia strategy meeting.
Attendees: Liu Qi, Sun Qian, Liu Feng, Xu Shu. New face: Ma Liang, introduced himself.
Ma Liang especially warm, like we knew each other.
"Sorry for my lacking brother causing trouble, Lady Strategist. Thanks for looking after Ma Su—relieved as his bro."
"Too kind."
"Heard tons from our military advisor. Too kind? Nah!"
Liu Qi eyed once greetings done.
"Mourning period, so handing over to you. Sun Qian? Please."
"Yes. I'll report."
Liu Qi in mourning left; Sun Qian's briefing started.
Situation: Cao Cao to Xu Chang for real response. Scattered troops suppress Wuhuan revolt. Hefei garrison blocks Wu north. Dispersed for Chang'an defense. Boosted local garrisons everywhere. Cao Cao himself moving to Chang'an.
"Huff... huff... Late!!!"
Guy burst in.
"Whoa... Lady. Look here."
"Zhang Lian, meeting's on..."
"Quick!"
Panicked, glanced around.
"Go check? Must be urgent."
Xu Shu basically said scram; followed Zhang Lian out quietly.
"Been ages seeing your face. No changes? Still sharp as ever." Zhang Lian played cool. Urgent my ass—chill.
"Skip greetings. Urgent?"
"Yes. Rushed to report shady vibes in Jingnan."
"Spill."
"Yes. First, spies report Jin Do raising troops under Yi Yin's orders—pouring in."
"Reliable?"
"Of course."
Heard vaguely about some guy near Yiling on patrol.
Isn't Yiling what doomed Liu Bei? Unsettling.
"Big deal? Yi Yin... Why war? Sees a win? What's his justification?"
"Was Wu land, now Shu—folks confused."
"That related?"
"Politics unstable. Post-Liu Biao, Jingnan warlords eyed Liu Bei warily. He leaves, they band up for 'great deed.'"
Great deed my ass. Pretty words for rebels.
"Certain?"
"Yes. Not just Yi Yin. Han Xuan moving shady too—he's ringleader. My eyes don't lie."
Han Xuan.
Don't know much. One thing: Commands Huang Zhong, Wei Yan.
So, Jingnan ace.
Better conditions than Jin Sun or Zou Fan types.
Jingnan had Four Scions too—wonder 'bout him. Anyway, rebellion brewing in Jingnan matters.
Head leaves, tails wag. Guess so.
"Troop size?"
"Over 20k easy."
Whoa. Prepared, huh?
Scraped soldiers where?...
Jingzhou total 80k. Few small counties muster that?
"Why now...?"
Han Xuan's no balls—begged surrender to Cao Cao like Zhang Zhao in Wu.
Did surrender when Liu Bei hit Jingnan.
"Not the gutsy type."
Zhang Lian saw my casual stance, urgent:
"Alone, no. But Yi Yin's in."
"That big a diff?"
"Yes. Yi Yin deep ties to Jingzhou clans. He moves, all Four Jingnan Counties rise. Hitting us while Liu Bei's in Yizhou—clear."
Headache. Fits too perfect—sounds legit.
Zhang Lian's straight facts.
'If Cao Cao went to Chang'an personally, big army—Xiliang smashed soon, then eyes south again.'
Time attack. Need solid Jingzhou lockdown.
"Got it. Thanks always, Zhang Lian."
"So, what? Raise troops, crush 'em?"
"Zhuge uncle's main force?"
"Garrisoned Soyang. Expecting Cao Cao move, fortifying to block."
Phew.
Dunno how, but nailed retreat, hunkered in Soyang.
"Ha... but can't ignore this."
Bit nail.
"Most army on Yizhou exped. Left: Soyang and ours. We slight edge, but even."
"Lady."
Zhang Lian forehead, pained. Knew why, snapped.
"I know! Can't ignore Cao Cao. Can't empty Yangyang! Limits our troops."
Vented, headed back in.
Arms crossed, wall-leaning Zhang Liao visible.
"Situation ain't great, huh."
Scanned him top-bottom. Shabby armor from somewhere.
"Use me. Decided."
Startled, but okay.
"...Fine then."
Passed him, flung doors open.
"Urgent intel. Shady Jingnan—top priority. Reports later. Muster every available now."
Xu Shu jumped, frowned.
"Get your intent, Lady Strategist, but no troops now. 5k expeds war-weary, unusable. Scrape Jiangxia garrison? 3k max."
"3k's plenty."
Xu Shu's brows shot up.
"What? If foes that few, lucky... but scheming, surely."
"Foes 20k."
Room froze in shock.
Over 20k them.
No sweat. Got my ace.
"Zhang Liao vanguard. Cheonma right, Zhao Yun left. War's quality over quantity—watch."
"You said 20k?"
"Did. But not all 20k equal."
Ours survived Ba Mang hell, Hefei fights—hardened elites, plus A-trained 3k.
War fatigue? Throw some in, shifts dynamic.
"Mobilize 1k cavalry."
At least 100 I know can ride.
100 personal guards who went under Cao Cao as escort—all riders.
20k sounds huge, but short time? Unlikely quality. Pre-zhengbing? We'd know.
Mostly peasant levies, scraped bandits—20k ragtag.
"We can win." Fanned out white feather fan.
"Ease faces. Han Xuan no big threat."
"Han Xuan... Jiangxia Prefect. You sure he's lead?"
"Yes. Yi Yin rallied Four Counties. But Han Xuan heavy weight."
"Hmm..."
Han Xuan himself green on war.
Huang Zhong, Wei Yan launchpad.
"Yi Yin side riskier."
My eye elsewhere.
Yi Yin's vanguard: Jin Do.
His elite Baiyi Troops.
Zhuge Liang-rated elites.
Crack those... viable.
"Discuss plans. Speak freely."
Slapped table firm.
Thwack! "Opinions?"
Silence.
These jerks. Dodge blame?
Forced my lead.
"My opener: Disrupt foes. Most peasants, green levies—inflated numbers. Visible 20k ain't real 20k?"
My strat: Morale bomb.
Charge hard, shatter spirits quick.
"War's numbers. Got a trick?"
Lite reply to Xu Shu.
"Maybe."
Eyed arms-crossed Zhang Liao.
Knew his Hefei potential from history...
"Guerrilla tactics. Your specialty, Uncle Zhang Liao."
Era folk don't know guerrillas.
Avoid pitched battle. Minimize losses.
Strike weakest moment.
Hit and run.
And Zhang Liao does it.