Chapter 412: Controlling the Three Provinces
Chapter 412: Controlling the Three Provinces
September 25, 2017
The relationship between Xi Zhi Cai and Lu HaiKong was quite intriguing. On one hand, they seemed like teacher and student, and on the other, they were like friends, with Xi Zhi Cai acting as Lu HaiKong's life mentor.
This guy loved to take charge and plan for Lu HaiKong's growth, but he rarely helped Lu HaiKong make any decisions.
On the other hand, when it came to tasks assigned to Lu HaiKong, Xi Zhi Cai would execute them to the fullest, perfectly fulfilling his role as a subordinate and subject.
It could be said that Xi Zhi Cai always walked a fine line, striving to assist Lu HaiKong while also ensuring he didn't become dependent on him.
Xi Zhi Cai was a peculiar individual, but one should never doubt his capabilities. In fact, he had already begun laying the groundwork in Yanmen Prefecture, and when Lu HaiKong personally arrived there, Xi Zhi Cai's intelligence network immediately sprang into action.
From the moment Lu HaiKong set foot in Yanmen and met Zhang Li, Zhang Li's fate was more or less sealed.
Previously, only Ding Yuan had the qualifications to challenge Lu HaiKong in Bingzhou, but now even Ding Yuan no longer had that privilege. As for Zhang Li, a gambler, it was even less likely.
Zhang Li's order to mobilize the county troops never got out. Before it could be issued, it was intercepted by the Shadow Guards. In this situation, Lu HaiKong easily captured Zhang Li.
With Zhang Li in Lu HaiKong's hands and Lu HaiKong personally overseeing the situation, Xi Zhi Cai's plans proceeded smoothly.
Within a matter of days, most of the key officials in Yanmen Prefecture were replaced by those loyal to Lu HaiKong. Subsequently, the military forces in Yanmen began a comprehensive overhaul.
The personnel changes in Yanmen were different from those in Dingxiang and Yunchong. On one hand, members of the Flame Battalion were incorporated, but not in large numbers. Instead, most of the new appointments were promoted from within the original military ranks.
The reason Lu HaiKong was able to take control of Yanmen, Dingxiang, and Yunchong so smoothly was that a significant number of noble heirs from the three provinces had once been captured by Lu HaiKong during Zhang Yi's first campaign to suppress him. Of course, along with these noble heirs, there were also tens of thousands of soldiers.
These soldiers had been under Lu HaiKong's command for a considerable period, giving Xi Zhi Cai ample time to conduct his desired operations.
Extensive noble intelligence was extracted through interrogations, and countless impoverished soldiers and even officers of commoner backgrounds were swayed by the allure of the mountain stronghold.
While the time was too short to sway many, it's important to remember that there were still six months after this period. During this time, under Xi Zhi Cai's guidance, numerous soldiers and officers from the three provinces pledged their allegiance to Lu HaiKong.
This made it much easier for Lu HaiKong to gain control of Yanmen's military forces. In just a few days, all of Yanmen's troops were under Lu HaiKong's command. However, this hastily assembled force was not ready for battle, but Lu HaiKong didn't need them to fight at the moment.
Lu HaiKong only required them to maintain order and create a stable region encompassing Yanmen, Dingxiang, and Yunchong, attracting refugees from the various provinces and states.
Ding Yuan witnessed Lu HaiKong's actions but could do nothing about it. He could only watch as Lu HaiKong gradually expanded his influence, gathered refugees, and developed the three provinces.
It was a frustrating situation, like having a knife held to one's throat while others reaped the benefits. No one would enjoy such a predicament, but what could be done at this point?
Ding Yuan dared not take any action, nor did he have the means to do so. The full might of the Wuhuan and Xianbei tribes had been unleashed, and they were simply too powerful. Despite their cavalry-focused forces being less effective in siege warfare, they still kept Ding Yuan on the defensive.
Especially when those people learned that Ding Yuan had returned to Jiuyuan County, the attack became even more fierce. The tens of thousands of foreigners seemed eager to devour Ding Yuan alive. Upon learning that Ding Yuan had concentrated an overwhelming force in Jiuyuan County, they were determined to break through and kill Ding Yuan to avenge their grudges.
Of course, they didn't just attack Wuyuan Prefecture. The neighboring Shuofang Prefecture and Yunchong Prefecture were also affected.
However, since the Uhuan and Xianbei tribes held a stronger grudge against Ding Yuan, they primarily focused on Wuyuan Prefecture, and it was the first place they attacked, giving Shuofang and Yunchong time to react.
By the time the foreigners launched their assault, the citizens had mostly evacuated, and the officials were defending the county seat. Additionally, Ding Yuan continuously transferred troops from the rear, increasing the pressure on Wuyuan Prefecture. As a result, the Uhuan and Xianbei tribes had no choice but to concentrate their forces on Wuyuan, reducing the pressure and losses in Shuofang and Yunchong significantly.
Ding Yuan's side, however, suffered greatly. With barely 60,000 troops, they had to withstand the onslaught of several hundred thousand enemies. Fortunately, the enemy was cavalry, not skilled in siege warfare; otherwise, Jiuyuan County would have fallen.
But at this point, the fall of Jiuyuan County was not far off.
Even though Ding Yuan repeatedly ordered troops from various prefectures, how many soldiers could he gather at this time?
Although Bingzhou had a relatively better environment, with minimal Yellow Turban influence, the entire world was in chaos. Every prefecture and county needed to retain some military strength.
After several days of urging, the prefectures could only provide Ding Yuan with 50,000 troops. Initially, when they surrounded Lu HaiKong, just the three prefectures of Yunchong, Dingxiang, and Yanmen easily gathered two waves of 50,000 troops each. Now, with thirteen prefectures in Bingzhou, they could only offer 50,000 troops to Ding Yuan. This not only reflects the chaotic state of the world but also reveals Ding Yuan's limited control over Bingzhou as a governor.
What's more unfortunate is that after these 50,000 troops entered Wuyuan Prefecture, they hadn't even had time to join forces with Jiuyuan County when they were discovered by the Wuhuan tribe. Subsequently, this 50,000-strong army was defeated, and only a few thousand managed to escape with their lives.
Then, like a bolt from the blue, Ding Yuan learned that within Wuyuan Prefecture, all areas except Jiuyuan County had fallen into the hands of the foreigners. In other words, Ding Yuan was now isolated and alone.
Although Jiuyuan County had developed well during this period, with ample supplies within the county, it was not a military stronghold. It couldn't maintain a large stockpile of military resources, and while there was plenty of food, arrows, and other supplies had been exhausted.
Without replenishing supplies, Ding Yuan and his men would soon have to use their bare hands to fend off the foreigners surrounding the walls.
But searching throughout Bingzhou, Ding Yuan couldn't find any support. He had only been the Governor of Bingzhou for half a year, and during this time, he had focused more on business, resulting in limited control over the prefecture. No one was willing to lend a helping hand at this critical moment; everyone was waiting for Ding Yuan to be killed and Jiuyuan County to be destroyed, hoping that the foreigners' anger would subside, and they would withdraw.
Especially after rumors spread that Ding Yuan would be removed as Governor of Bingzhou, the noble families in Shuofang quickly established a solid defense line, naturally abandoning Ding Yuan.
Ding Yuan was truly at his wit's end.
Only Lu HaiKong, and few others knew that if not for Ding Yuan holding the line, at least half of Bingzhou might have fallen, or perhaps even been completely overrun...
(End of Chapter)
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