Volume 3: The Guest from Kuaiji Chapter 46: Xiao He Arrives

  "What? Liu Ji has escaped?"

  In Peng City's "Wang Gong", Qin Jia was shocked and furious. In fact, Peng City was his domain, Jing Ju was just a nominal puppet due to his noble identity in Chu State.

  A relatively short figure, with a scar on his left cheek that ran down to his chin, was now kneeling on the ground, reporting to Qin Jia: "Yes, yesterday at noon, Liu Ji led his men out of the city, saying it was under your orders as Grand Marshal. They were supposed to be stationed in Tongshan Town, southwest of Pengcheng. But this morning, when I went to transport grain, Weishan Town was quiet and deserted, with no signs of troops."

  Dàozhēng Liǎn is currently serving as a military supply officer in Peng City Garrison.

  Seeing Qin Jia's face getting darker and darker, this subordinate paused slightly and continued: "After General Mo Jingye recovered, he inquired about the residents of the town in detail and only then did he know that Liu Ji had indeed arrived at Weishan Town last night. However, in the middle of the night, he quietly withdrew."

  Qin Jia angrily said: "Two-faced and treacherous, you spoke eloquently in the imperial court, but as a subject, you should have carried out orders. Instead, this time you vanished into thin air like a swindler! Tell me, where did that despicable little creature go? Did he flee south to surrender to the old bandit Xiang Liang?"

  The scar-faced general was shocked in his heart, Liu Ji is a liar, but why don't you say that you can't tell people? The expression on his face didn't dare to be different, and he respectfully reported: "The scouts have gone out to investigate, but there is no news yet. It is estimated that they may go south to surrender to Xiang Liang, or they may hide in Pei County, which is Liu Ji's hometown."

  "Return to Pei County?" Qin Jialai paced back and forth, hesitating: "What do you want to do by returning to Pei County?"

  "Grand Marshal, Pei County is northwest of Pengcheng. If Liu Ji has any ideas, he will return to Pei County and wait for an opportunity to strike. Taking advantage of our battle with Xiang Liang, if he launches a surprise attack from behind, it would be disastrous."

  Seeing Qin Jia's expression was different, the scar-faced man took the opportunity to speak: "Liu Ji previously started a rebellion in Pei County and had always been independent. Later, the King and the Grand Marshal came, making him unable to be the king of the mountain anymore. As for surrendering to Pengcheng, it wasn't sincere either. Now that Xiang Liang's army has come to attack, if he doesn't die as a loyal subject to the King and the Marshal, then... although it's unclear whether his master will defect, this crime of abandoning his post is indeed real."

  An aide beside him also spoke up: "Grand Marshal, before investigating Liu Ji's whereabouts clearly, we must have two plans in place. Only by being prepared for both possibilities can we be absolutely safe."

  Another staff member said, "I heard that Liu Ji was just a Tingchang of Sishui before, and he was a swindler who had no great ambitions and was afraid of things. I think it's likely that he's afraid of things and hiding in the mountains and wilds of Pei County."

  At this time, a message came: "Report to the Grand Marshal, Xiang Liang's large army has crossed the Huai River and entered Donghai County, with a total force of about 40,000. Xiang Liang personally led more than 30,000 people to follow up, and now he sent his vanguard Yin Xu and Ying Bu, leading 8,000 soldiers, who have approached within 50 miles south of Pengcheng."

  "What?!" The hall was in an uproar, as everyone had not expected Qin Jun to arrive so quickly.

  Qin Jia asked: "Who are Yin Xu and Ying Bu? Knowing oneself and knowing others, it's better to be prepared."

  The generals and staff in the hall looked at each other, having heard the name but not knowing much about it. Half a day later, a guard standing in the corner stepped forward: "I know a thing or two, Ying Bu is from Six Counties of Jiujiang Prefecture, had been tattooed as a criminal and sent to serve labor in Rui Mountain, later escaped and became a bandit in the Yangtze River area. Don't know how he got mixed up with Yin Xu. Yin Xu is from Yuzhang County, killed someone at a road construction site and fled, becoming a bandit in the Poyang Lake area."

  "Last year, the left and right colonels of the Qin army, An Tong and Zhou Kang, led a large army to suppress bandits, which was triggered by this person. However, tens of thousands of troops surrounded him, but they couldn't do anything to him, on the contrary, he joined forces with Ying Bu and Wu Rui, the county magistrate of Fan County, to launch an uprising, annihilating several thousand soldiers under An Tong's command, extremely brave and famous in the Jiangdong region."

  "It was he who led Zhou Kang's army to Pengze Lake, and only then did Xiang Liang have the opportunity to start a rebellion in Kuaiji. Last autumn, Yin Xu led his troops to surrender to Xiang Liang, and this is the first time he has followed the army into battle. However, this man is still not yet twenty years old!"

  Qin Jia looked at the little soldier with appreciation and asked, "Know yourself and know your enemy, then you can win a hundred battles without danger. All the people in the hall don't understand the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy general, only you know the details, great! What's your name, I didn't notice it before."

  "Report to the Grand Marshal, belong to the lower reaches of the Su River, style name Bozhou!"

  Qin Jia nodded: "Good, behave well from now on. This Yin Xu sounds impressive, but he's just a young man under twenty years old, isn't it a bit exaggerated?"

  Everyone echoed in agreement, with many showing arrogant and disdainful attitudes. Only Su An stood on the side, shaking his head silently, his eyes filled with a hint of helplessness and disappointment.

  The general in charge immediately reminded: "Grand Marshal, Liu Qi suddenly withdrew, and the copper mountain town in the southwest has no soldiers to defend it. That is the gateway to Pengcheng, and we must strengthen our defense."

  "Then, Chen Liao, you will lead six thousand men and horses to defend Tongshan Town to the death, and not let the enemy take another step forward." Qin Jia pointed at Su An and said: "Bo Zhou, you also go with them, it's a good opportunity for you to gain some experience."

  "Hello!"

  "Grand Marshal, how is Liu Qi's side?"

  "Liu Ji?" Qin Jia hesitated for a moment, then said: "You lead three thousand troops to be stationed in Pengcheng in the west. If Liu Ji makes any unusual moves, you can go and eliminate him. If not, don't make any rash moves. Chen Liao's side needs reinforcements at any time."

  "Obeying orders!"

  ……

  This time, Yin Xu and Ying Bu followed Xiang Liang to attack, it can be said that the result of Longque's trial. In fact, Xiang Liang had no such idea, although Yin Xu was very famous in Fan County before, with a small victory over many, annihilating thousands of enemies, his military achievements were amazing. But after all, it was in the past, and many people still had a mind, whether they were truly famous or just empty names.

  After crossing the Huai River, Xiang Liang ordered Yin Jibing and Ying Bu to lead 8,000 men as vanguard to launch a surprise attack on the outer defense line of Pengcheng.

  This is the first battle after joining Xiang Liang, and the performance of the two men is crucial to their future position in the Xiang Liang group. Concerned about their prospects, they dare not be careless. After discussing with Ying Bu, Yin Xu decided to make some achievements before Xiang Liang's main force arrived and establish a brilliant first merit.

  After arriving south of Pengcheng, they sent out scouts to investigate the terrain and military situation. After investigation, they confirmed that Tongshan Town in the south of Pengcheng was the breakthrough point. The river and castle here were barriers, and after breaking through this place, it would be a flat plain all the way to the city of Pengcheng. It has the meaning of a fortress, and winning the first battle by capturing this place would be a great achievement.

  However, they saw that Qin Jia naturally would not ignore the fact that there were 5,000 people stationed here. Although their side had 8,000 people, the enemy's castle was a barrier, and a head-on collision was not a wise move.

  Yin Xu was in a dilemma when Pu Jun came to report that someone had come from Peng City with an urgent matter to discuss. Yin and Ying looked at each other in dismay.

  After a moment, a man in his forties entered the tent, and Yin Xu looked over. The man was dignified in appearance, calm and composed, with a refined and courteous demeanor that revealed a steady and serious character. The man stepped forward and bowed: "I am Xiao He, here to pay respects to the two commanders on behalf of Lord Pei!"

  "Xiao He?" Yin Xu was suddenly shocked, and the visiting man turned out to be Xiao He!