Chapter 68: Attacking Jiangnan Commandery

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Though the soldiers were reluctant, since Liu Xie had given his command, they had no choice but to release Huang Zu.

Inside the Governor’s Mansion, Liu Xie sat calmly in the seat of authority, while below him stood the various leaders of the Nanyang army.

“I order that we rest and reorganize in Jiangxia for three days,” he announced. “Three days hence, we march on Nan Commandery. Make haste to incorporate all local troops in Jiangxia under our banner.”

Thus Liu Xie began a series of arrangements for what was to come. Jiangxia was now in their hands. Their next destination was Nan Commandery.

Of the nine commanderies of Jingxiang, two now belonged to them. Liu Xie’s ambition, however, was set on the whole of Jing Province.

Throughout history, Jing Province had always held immense strategic importance. If he could take Jing Province, everything that followed would be much easier.

“Master, Huang Zu requests an audience,” a soldier reported.

“Oh? He’s still here?” Liu Xie asked, curious. “He hasn’t left?”

“He is waiting just outside the gate, insisting to see you,” the retainer replied.

“Very well, let him in,” Liu Xie said, taking a deep breath.

Soon after, Huang Zu entered, clad in armor.

“General Huang, I have already said you are free to leave,” Liu Xie spoke gently. “You may go as you wish. I give you my word—no one will hinder your departure from Jiangxia.”

Huang Zu’s face was ashen. “Why didn’t you kill me? Why let me go?”

Liu Xie leaned back in his chair, regarding him. “The reason is simple: I had hoped you would join me. Yet, you are unwilling, and I cannot bring myself to kill you. Therefore, you are free to leave.”

His answer was sincere, and Huang Zu was left speechless.

“That’s enough, General Huang, you may go. And let me be clear: my next target is Nan Commandery. Someone, see our guest out.”

At Liu Xie’s command, Huang Zu was escorted from the city, even beyond the walls of Jiangxia itself.

In the days that followed, Liu Xie kept his army in Jiangxia for a thorough rest and reorganization. Yet, when he inspected the navy stationed there, he could not help but marvel. He learned that Jiangxia boasted over seventy thousand sailors—a formidable force on the water. If they had faced Jiangxia in a naval battle, Liu Xie admitted to himself, he would have had little confidence in victory.

Soon, however, Liu Xie led his hundred thousand strong army out of Jiangxia and set forth in grand formation toward Nan Commandery. Once Nan Commandery fell, they would be able to half-encircle Xiangyang, and taking it afterward would be a simple matter.

Meanwhile, Xiangyang had received word of these developments—for Huang Zu had returned and reported everything.

“General Huang, you mean to say that when Liu Xie took Jiangxia, he did not kill you?” Liu Biao, seated in the seat of power, asked softly.

“Yes, my lord,” Huang Zu replied meekly. “He released me. And he said he intends to attack Nan Commandery.” He recounted all that had transpired.

“If Nan Commandery is lost, they will be able to half-encircle Xiangyang,” he continued urgently. “My lord, we cannot let Nan Commandery fall.”

Many others, grasping the gravity of the situation, spoke with mounting agitation. “Indeed, my lord, we must reinforce Nan Commandery at once—or we are doomed!”

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Aged and weary, Liu Biao shook his head in sorrow and resignation. “You must realize, gentlemen, that the total forces of Jing Province are but little more than a hundred thousand, most of which are concentrated near Xinye. We have no spare troops to send.”

It was true—they had no forces to spare. Most were committed to Xinye, and withdrawing them would leave Nanyang’s army poised to press their advantage and doom Xiangyang itself.

“But, my lord, what shall we do?” someone cried. “We cannot simply abandon hope—if we cannot find a solution, all of Jing Province is imperiled.”

“I have no soldiers left to command,” Liu Biao replied bitterly. “What else can I do?”

No one below could find the words to answer.

“My lord, perhaps we could seek help from others,” someone suggested.

“Seek reinforcements? But from whom? Who would come to our aid?” A glimmer of hope kindled in Liu Biao’s heart.

“My lord, to the north of Nanyang lies Xuchang, controlled by Cao Cao. I have heard that Cao Cao is greatly displeased with the situation in Nanyang, for Wancheng threatens his rear. If we ask Cao Cao for aid, I believe he will respond. He is in Xuzhou for now, but he would surely agree to move against Wancheng. There is also Zhang Lu in Hanzhong and Liu Yan in Yizhou. If we offer suitable terms, I am confident they will send troops as well. And then there is Sun Ce of the East. Although there has been enmity between us since the matter with Sun Jian, if our offer is right, he too may help.”

Liu Biao’s hope grew with every word. “Very well, let it be as you say. We shall seek reinforcements.”

Thus the decision was made—an act Liu Xie could scarcely have anticipated, one that would bring him both grave danger and unexpected opportunities.

Outside Nan Commandery, Liu Xie’s grand army had already arrived at the city’s gates. The ramparts bristled with heavy crossbows, prepared for a fierce defense.

“Master, they are well prepared,” a retainer observed. “If we attack now, the outcome may be grim.”

“We will have to spend more time here in Nan Commandery,” another said. “But it matters not. We shall proceed at our own pace.”

Liu Xie was unhurried. After all, with Jiangxia in his possession, he had placed immense pressure on Xiangyang.

He knew that the Prefect of Nan Commandery was named Guo Yong. Unlike others, Guo Yong was not one of Liu Biao’s inner circle, unlike Huang Zu. In history, Guo Yong later threw his lot in with Cao Cao, and his family held high rank in Wei—his daughter even became Empress to Cao Pi.

But now, with Liu Xie’s arrival, the course of fate was bound to change.

“When shall we attack Nan Commandery?” a retainer asked.

Liu Xie considered for a moment, a faint smile at his lips. “Since Guo Yong is not one of Liu Biao’s trusted men, we will start with a show of force. Give the order—attack the city at once! No matter the cost, assault immediately! The Wolfshadow Squad is to join the assault as well.”

Originally, Liu Xie had intended to establish camp and plan his next move, but now he changed his mind. He would attack at once to shock Guo Yong into submission.

“At once!” came the reply. “By the Master’s command, attack the city now!”

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Liu Xie resorted to the most direct and brutal tactics. Without hesitation, his forces launched a full-scale assault on Nan Commandery. The hundred thousand strong army held nothing back, surging forward like a pack of wolves. The Wolfshadow Squad, meanwhile, lurked in the shadows, ready to strike at any opportunity.

Though Liu Xie’s army had arrived by dusk and darkness was falling as the attack began, he was determined to storm the city through the night.

During the first wave, the defenders of Nan Commandery fought back fiercely. Liu Xie temporarily withdrew thirty thousand men, leaving the remaining thirty thousand to continue the attack.

“Pass the order: the hundred thousand soldiers are to be divided into three echelons. Each echelon will attack for one watch; the three will take turns. We do not seek to take the city at once, but to wear down the defenders as much as possible,” Liu Xie commanded.

Accordingly, his army rotated in shifts, launching repeated assaults against the city. At first, the defenders were full of confidence, but as the hours dragged on, exhaustion set in. The attackers, organized into three groups, enjoyed two watches’ rest for each shift on the wall, while the defenders had no such relief—the Nanyang army’s relentless attacks left them no respite.

As dawn broke, the fighting continued. By now, Liu Xie’s troops too were nearing their limits. Though they had three echelons, the forced march of the past days, without rest, left them all utterly spent.

“Master, the men can’t hold out much longer,” a retainer panted, running up to him. “Perhaps we should let them rest?”

But Liu Xie shook his head gently. “Don’t be anxious. You’re having a hard time, but those inside the walls are in even worse condition. Pass the order—two more waves. On the third, the entire army attacks together.”

His men, resigned, continued the assault. Two more waves passed, and on the third, Liu Xie steeled himself and ordered a final, all-out attack with the full hundred thousand.

Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, as the massed ranks surged halfway across the field, movement stirred within the city.

“Cease!” came a shout from the battlements. “Soldiers outside the walls, stay your hands!”

A white flag was raised high above the city. The army halted, dazed—for all knew what the white flag meant: surrender.

Soon, the gates of Nan Commandery swung open. A group of a dozen or so officials in formal robes emerged, led by none other than Prefect Guo Yong himself. Standing with his assembled civil and military officials on the drawbridge, he held in his hands the seal of the Prefect of Nan Commandery.

“Master Liu, I beg you, attack no more,” Guo Yong called loudly. “Guo Yong, with all the officials of Nan Commandery, surrenders.”

At this, Liu Xie smiled faintly from afar. It seemed the defenders had truly reached their limit, and at last, they had come forth to surrender.