Chapter 70: Wagering Jingzhou with Nanyang

Guo Yong bowed respectfully with fists clasped.
"Young Master Liu, rest assured. I will ensure that South Commandery remains safe and undisturbed."
Guo Yong spoke with a calm expression.

Truth be told, Liu Xie was genuinely somewhat impressed by Guo Yong.
Guo Yong was different from many people of this era.
Some always sought to follow a so-called enlightened ruler.
Once they chose someone, that was their path; they would serve that person unwaveringly.
But Guo Yong was not like that.
For him, it made no difference whom he followed.
He was indifferent either way.

For instance, over the past period, before Liu Xie’s arrival, Guo Yong had belonged to Liu Biao.
When Liu Xie attacked and eventually arrived, Guo Yong surrendered, but not before fulfilling every possible duty to Liu Biao.
It was worth noting that Guo Yong had resisted Liu Xie’s fierce assault for nearly an entire night.
Only after exhausting all his abilities did he choose to surrender.
Now, though he served under Liu Xie, his attitude remained unconcerned and detached.

If it were someone else, after Liu Xie’s departure, concerns about Guo Yong scheming behind his back would linger.
But with Guo Yong, Liu Xie felt reassured.
Guo Yong cared too little for such thoughts; he simply had no ulterior motives.

"Very well. Since that is the case, I will depart with the army."
"Master Guo, you will soon know what I intend to do."
"Just wait for my news."
Liu Xie spoke mysteriously, offering no explanations.
Then, he led his army out of South Commandery, marching toward Xiangyang.

In the Xiangyang Governor’s residence, Liu Biao had already received news from South Commandery.
Upon learning of Guo Yong’s surrender, Liu Biao was nearly furious to death.

"How hateful!"
"Guo Yong is truly detestable."
"I told him to hold the city at all costs."
"And yet, he surrendered!"

Liu Biao could not suppress his warmth, while a sense of foreboding crept into his heart.
With Jiangxia and South Commandery lost in succession, Xiangyang was now almost surrounded.
This was a dire situation.

"Master, we have gathered information."
"Liu Xie led a hundred thousand troops, launching a relentless overnight assault on South Commandery."
"With insufficient soldiers, the city’s fall was inevitable."

Although Liu Biao was enraged by Guo Yong’s surrender, others found it understandable.
After all, South Commandery had few troops, and facing repeated attacks from Liu Xie’s vast army, no one could have held out.

Liu Biao paced anxiously back and forth.
"What about Cao Cao and the other armies?"
"Where have they reached?"
"When will they launch an offensive against Nanyang?"

Liu Biao was at a loss.
All his hopes now rested on reinforcements from various sides.

"Master, to report: Cao Cao’s army has dispatched General Cao Hong to confront Zhang Xiu at Wancheng."
"Zhang Lu, Liu Yan, Liu Yao, and Sun Ce have all engaged Nanyang’s forces."
"But..."
The subordinate hesitated.

"But what?"
"Speak!"

Liu Biao urged impatiently.

"But on the Nanyang front, Zhang Xiu’s forces..."
"Both flanks have deployed an additional one hundred thirty thousand troops toward Xinye."

"What?"

This news left Liu Biao utterly incredulous.

"You mean, Nanyang is sending more troops to Xinye?"
Liu Biao found this astonishing.
Indeed, given the current situation, Nanyang should be focused on defense.
Yet, their actions were completely contrary.

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They were actually reinforcing Xinye.

"What are they planning?"
"Why increase troop numbers at this time?"
"Has Liu Xie gone mad?"

Liu Biao could not fathom Nanyang’s intentions.

Just then, a soldier hurried in.

"Master, reporting!"
"Liu Xie has mobilized fifteen hundred thousand troops from South Commandery."
"They are advancing toward our Jingzhou."
"They are expected to arrive in two days."

The soldier announced loudly.

"He is finally coming."
"Quick, gather all available troops from Jingxiang’s commanderies."
"Changsha, Guiyang, Wuling, Lingling, Zhangling!"
"Mobilize every able soldier to reinforce Xiangyang!"

Liu Biao was anxious.
Faced with Liu Xie’s formidable army, Liu Biao grew increasingly uneasy.

"Report!"

Another sharp cry rang out.

"Reporting to Master!"
"Thirty-eight hundred thousand troops from Xinye have all charged out of the city."
"They are attacking our forces and the Yizhou troops at Xinye, numbering two hundred thousand."

The subordinate’s report left many in the room stunned.

"What did you say?"
"Nanyang’s army in Xinye has emerged?"

Liu Biao thought he had misheard.

"Yes, Master."
"Nanyang’s thirty-eight hundred thousand troops at Xinye have all mobilized."
"We were unprepared and have retreated fifty li in defeat."
"Nanyang’s army is still pursuing us!"

The subordinate repeated.
Those present were unsure what to say.

"What are they trying to accomplish!"
"At this critical moment, they dare engage us in battle?"

Liu Biao was incredulous.

"Master!"
"In my opinion, they likely intend to launch an attack on Xiangyang."
"They want to coordinate with Liu Xie's main army and create a pincer attack."
"Nanyang must be short on troops now."
"We should urge Cao Cao and the others to attack Nanyang at once."
"Cut off Liu Xie’s retreat; victory will be ours!"

Someone stood forth to offer counsel.

"Yes, Master."
"If Liu Xie’s armies reach our Xiangyang border from two sides, we will be in grave danger."

The crowd’s words unsettled Liu Biao further.

Liu Biao was no fool; he understood the stakes.
If he seized the opportunity and dealt with Nanyang before Liu Xie arrived, victory was assured.
But if he missed it, disaster might follow.

Liu Xie’s army of one hundred fifty thousand, plus Xinye’s thirty-eight hundred thousand, totaled fifty-three hundred thousand troops.
Within Xiangyang, there were fewer than fifty thousand soldiers left.
Fifty thousand to defend against half a million attackers—he could imagine the consequences.

He had to act swiftly.

"Quick, contact Cao Cao and the others."
"Order an immediate attack on Nanyang!"

Liu Biao gave urgent instructions.

In an instant, the area surrounding Nanyang was set into motion.

Meanwhile, less than a hundred li from Xiangyang, Liu Xie had camped with his army for a brief rest.

"Young Master, Cao Cao and the others have begun their offensive against Nanyang."
"Master Zhang Xiu is commanding the defense."
"Nanyang is under immense pressure."

The scout brought fresh news from Nanyang.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xie took a deep breath, his expression grave.
He had anticipated this, and knew that for some time, things would remain this way.

"What about General Hu and Master Jia?"
"How far have they advanced?"

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Liu Xie inquired.

"Reporting, Young Master."
"General Hu and Master Jia engaged Jingzhou’s forces today."
"They advanced fifty li in one day."
"They are expected to reach Xiangyang in two days."

The subordinate reported again.

Liu Xie nodded with a serious expression.

"Return and tell Master Zhang:
Do not sortie, defend the city at all costs!
Losing a fortress or two is of no consequence; maintain the overall situation.
He need only hold out for ten days.
After ten days, everything will change."

Liu Xie gave strict orders.

"Also, Young Master,"
"Liu Biao has gathered reinforcements from all the commanderies of Jingzhou."
"They will likely arrive within three days."
"Most are light infantry, marching swiftly."
"They say all Jingzhou’s fiercest warriors are assembled."
"Among them are the veteran Huang Zhong, as well as Wen Pin and Gan Ning."

The subordinate reported further.

Hearing this, Liu Xie’s brows rose.
His interest was piqued.
The names mentioned were all renowned in history.

First, Huang Zhong—despite his age, he possessed unmatched valor.
Alongside Huang Zhong was Wei Yan, another formidable general of the Three Kingdoms.
Then there were Wen Pin, Gan Ning, and others, each one stronger than the last.

Liu Xie mused, if he were to face these men, what would happen?
It would surely be a spectacular clash.

Of course, he had no time for such thoughts now.
The immediate crisis had to be resolved.

"I understand. You may go."
"Pass the order: we must reach Xiangyang tomorrow."
"Tomorrow afternoon, launch the first attack on Xiangyang!"

Liu Xie was ready to move forward with his plans, eager to engage Xiangyang.

In essence, Liu Xie was now in a race with Liu Biao—
a race against time, a contest of opportunities.

If Liu Xie acted swiftly and with sufficient strength,
the conquest of Jingzhou would only be a matter of time.

But if Liu Biao seized the chance,
the foundation Liu Xie had worked so hard to build would be in jeopardy.

As night fell,
the next day before dawn,
Liu Xie ordered his army to continue their march.

They were close to Xiangyang now.
They had to arrive before nightfall and launch the first wave of battle.

Meanwhile, at Xinye,
the thirty-eight hundred thousand troops led by Hu Che’er and Jia Xu
began a fierce assault on the enemy forces.

Behind the Nanyang army at Xinye,
Jia Xu and Hu Che’er sat astride their horses, faces solemn, watching the battle unfold.

"General Hu, the greatest pressure now is on Master Zhang."
"If we buy him more time here, he will have an easier task."
"And as for Young Master’s army—"
"I estimate they will clash with Xiangyang tonight."
"We must also quicken our pace."

Jia Xu spoke softly, his tone extremely serious.

Indeed,
they all understood Liu Xie’s mindset and intentions.
Simply put, Liu Xie was gambling—
staking the whole of Nanyang for Jingzhou.

"Rest assured, Master."
"I will accelerate our advance."
"The Young Master left many new inventions before."
"I will deploy all of them."

Hu Che’er’s face was equally grave.
He dared not slacken for a moment,
constantly commanding the army in battle.