Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Became the Eldest Son of Sun Ce - Chapter 194



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Episode 194. The First Northern Expedition (4)

The beginning of the fall of Yeju.

Cao Cao’s camp.

Seo Hwang smiled slightly at the report that the enemy had spied on him from afar. It was surprising how insensitive Seo Hwang was to the extent that one would not think of him as someone who was usually insensitive.

“It seems like our forces have been taken over by the enemy. For now, it seems like we’ve gotten through the first hurdle.”

By the way, the soldiers on top of the gate were suddenly carrying something. Anyone would find it suspicious.

Then Akjin asked with a look of joy on his face.

“So, when will the second strategy begin?”

“…Three days later. As it happens, there is a military officer who is disrupting military discipline. We should punish him severely… and send him out secretly.”

At that time, Jeon, who had been listening quietly, spoke calmly.

“What if, by some chance, the enemy receives the report from that officer and doesn’t even think about laying siege? There’s nothing worse than that for us right now….”

Chohyeon’s military rations were enough to last another month. However, if they could not receive supplies from Heohyeon, Chohyeon would soon be in ruins.

I think Heo Hyeon must have known about this situation, but they didn’t seem to have any intention of supplying it since the last war. Rather, the Cho Hyeon side, which was fighting on the front lines, was worried about Heo Hyeon’s safety.

It didn’t end there. Son So-gun, who was attacking Taesan-gun, couldn’t even guess how far he would go. It was a chilling sensation, as if cold ice was seeping into his bones.

Seo Hwang spoke with a solemn expression as if he had made up his mind.

“If that’s what the commander said, I have no choice but to abandon Chohyeon and retreat to Heohyeon.”

When Xu Huang mentioned retreat, a slight expression of discontent appeared on Yue Jin’s face. As a loyal subject of Cao Cao, he was not happy about the retreat.

Seo Hwang, who understood the meaning from Ak Jin’s subtle expression, continued speaking.

“You must know the current state of our front lines. In fact, the front lines that were limited to the north have doubled in an instant. In other words, the lives of each and every elite soldier are precious.

But if I lose all my elite soldiers because of the petty pride of a long-lived man, what will I say to my lord later?”

Yue Jin, who had only thought about his loyalty to Cao Cao, bowed his head in awe at Xu Huang’s broad insight.

“…I was short-sighted, General Seo. Your intention is correct.”

And a little later, at dawn.

There was someone running away in a panic through a hole in the castle. It was quite a sight to see him running away for fear of being caught by someone.

However, even at dawn, some eyes are bound to be awake.

On the wall, the young soldier looked at the person walking away in a hurry and asked his senior soldier.

“Hey, isn’t that a deserter?”

“Leave it alone. Didn’t you hear what the higher-ups said yesterday? I told you to pretend not to see that guy leave. He’s already a fraud, so it’s better if you don’t see him. Rather, check the hole he left through and close it.”

“Yes, I understand!”

***

The beginning of the fall of Yeju.

Sonsogun Barracks conference room.

Meanwhile, Han Dang, who had been monitoring Cao Cao’s army for several days, raised his voice in a very agitated tone.

“Now is the time to seize Chohyun, my lord!”

I tilted my head and asked.

“What is the reason?”

Then, Han Dang said, beating his chest as if he was frustrated.

“Why would Cao Cao’s army have something on their shoulders? It must be food!”

“How can a general conclude that it is food?”

“If Cao Cao’s soldiers weren’t crazy, would they be keeping something that isn’t even armor? The only thing the general thinks about is food!”

If you roll around on the battlefield for decades like Han Dang, will you be able to see through the hearts of the soldiers?

I looked at Han Dang with unexpected eyes. I thought he had no use except for horsemanship… It seemed like I was mistaken.

Then, Han Dang asked with his eyes slightly wrinkled.

“Why do you look at me like that, my lord?”

“No, General Han has a point. But…. Commander Ga, I think you have something to say too.”

I looked up and looked at Gahu, who was standing far away. When everyone’s attention was focused on him, Gahu spoke with a slightly pale expression.

“…I will tell you what I think. While our forces continue to receive supplies from Suchun, they have been without supplies for a month now.

No matter how much Cao Cao has accumulated supplies in Chu County, they cannot compare to the military supplies our army has accumulated. So, do not be fooled by the enemy’s clumsy schemes and maintain a long-term war.”

A gentle yet calm explanation afterward.

But Han Dang said with a firm expression that he was not very satisfied with Gahu’s long-term strategy.

“Victory is at hand, what does that mean? We have won the all-out war, the enemy’s morale has been broken, and they are ready to flee if necessary! But how can we continue the protracted war?

And do you think that provisions fall from the sky? Even if you receive supplies from Shouchun and Xuzhou, you must know how to advance when you see an opportunity for victory like now!”

However, Gahu opened his mouth with an awkward look, as if he had no intention of confronting Han Dang.

“I only spoke because my lord expected an answer.”

Looking around the room, I saw that most of the generals agreed with Han Dang’s opinion. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when I saw that sight.

‘Among Sun Ce’s generals, only a few really use their brains.’

No matter what anyone says, the strength of our forces is their ample supplies.

Sun Ce may have declared a ceasefire to keep me in check, but it has been of great help to me in this situation. Even after a long war like this, our army’s food stores are still full.

If you have been storing up provisions for years, you should think about using them to win. How can you think about reducing your troops just because the enemy seems to be wavering?

I closed my thoughts and opened my mouth.

“Okay, I understand what you two are thinking. But let’s wait a little longer. If they really want to escape, wouldn’t they do it secretly so that only Heaven knows?

But if not, Cao Cao’s army will surely take some action. Until then, please be patient.”

Then the general and his advisers bowed their heads and said:

“I will do as you wish, my lord.”

However, a deep sense of regret was evident from some of the generals, as they seemed to be dissatisfied with the prolonged war.

But even though it looked like a trap at first glance, there was no need to step into it.

And a few hours later, a report came to me while I was inspecting the military service.

“…You brought back a Cao Cao military officer who was wandering around the friendly camp?”

“Yes, General!”

The situation of Cao Cao’s forces stationed in Chosun seemed more urgent than expected.

***

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The Cao Cao army officers who were captured and brought into the barracks were trembling like rats.

I muttered with a slight smile on my lips. Of course, enough for the officer to hear.

“How bold of you to openly spy on our barracks.”

Then Cao Cao’s army officer almost jumped up and down and begged.

“Oh no! How could someone like me spy here? I came here simply to surrender, to surrender.”

“Surrender? Why on earth?”

The Cao Cao military officer hesitated at first, but soon began to explain. At first, there were many awkward points, but as he talked, his statements became more and more credible.

After hearing all that explanation, I nodded and summarized it.

“If it’s according to what you said…. you were framed and beaten badly…. and were lucky enough to escape thanks to your subordinates?”

“Yes, that’s right! That’s exactly what I wanted to say!”

“hmm….”

He was an absurd guy. He was reporting in a way that made no sense.

‘If his popularity was such that his subordinates would risk their lives to help him escape, he wouldn’t have been framed. But this guy seems to believe that his subordinates helped him escape a lot… .’

As I was thinking in my head, I asked the prostrate officer a question.

“By the way, how are your rations? You haven’t had any for over a month, so how are you holding out like this?”

“Oh, that’s right! My salary has been reduced a bit recently. I’ve had a few fights with the person in charge of supplies because of that….”

It was clear that Cao Cao’s army’s food situation had deteriorated to the point where it was affecting the soldiers’ salaries.

“And what is that you are carrying on your shoulders?”

“Ah, it’s food. He told me to keep it well packed because I might run away at any time… Of course, since it’s food, I keep it well packed….”

Only then did I feel a sense of clarity, as if all the doubts in my head were suddenly resolved.

The sudden suspicious behavior, and the escape of an officer in Cao Cao’s army who knew the internal situation. It all seemed like a trap prepared by those guys.

‘You’re begging me to invade by throwing this guy at me?’

I said with a faint smile.

“Okay, I’ll call you later, so just be quiet for now.”

Then, the officer in Cao Cao’s army mumbled something as if he wanted to say something, and was dragged away by the friendly forces.

I turned my gaze to the generals and opened my mouth.

“You guys must have seen that guy. How would you best rule him?”

Then Han Dang shouted with a furious look in his eyes.

“Judging by his words and actions, he is clearly a military officer who has not been trusted much even in his usual manner! You should cut off his head and advance.”

Hwang Gae, who had been quiet, shook his head at Han Dang’s fiery voice.

“He’s a soldier who surrendered. It might be different when the war is over, but it’s not good for our army to cut down someone who has surrendered himself. It’ll only increase our army’s reputation.”

I nodded my head at the calm Hwanggae’s opinion.

“What Hwang Mu-reung said is correct. However, I think it would be better to gently tease the author to get information. And…. Don’t you feel anything when you look at the author?”

Then Huang Zhong opened his mouth with a confident look.

“I think that the general has a strong intention to use his troops. First, the food he carries on his shoulder as if he is showing off… and then the escape of Cao Cao’s soldiers… I think all of this flow is very timely.”

I was satisfied with Huang Zhong’s words and smiled in satisfaction.

“My intention is exactly the same as yours! They want to drag our troops into Chosun like this, so why should we set foot in Chosun? I have no intention of reaching Chosun until they open the gates and surrender of their own accord.

Moreover, our allies in various regions are running wild in other areas of Cao Cao’s army, so all we have to do is block them! Even after I explained it to you, are there still people who have doubts?”

Seeing Cao Cao’s army so tempting to attack Chu Xuan, there was a high possibility that they had prepared a trap for Chu Xuan.

‘I will never attack you until you open the door and surrender.’

On the other hand, perhaps thanks to my kind explanation, there was no more talk of waging a siege.

‘Judging by the fact that Heo Hyeon’s supplies have been cut off, it seems that the general is doing well. Let’s just keep going like this, just like this.’

To me, who was called the embodiment of fairness and justice while growing up, such a shabby trick.

It was something that even the dead Sun Ce would laugh at.

***

Chohyun Jo Jo’s barracks.

At first, Seo Hwang smiled gently at the report that the officer had escaped.

‘Even if you call yourself a great general, you are no more than a moth to a flame in front of the enemy! What young man in the world would ignore the great general right in front of him? It won’t be long before you are finished and Marira!’

However, five days passed, then ten days passed, and Sun Zhaojun made no move. Instead, he held a feast in front of Cao Cao’s army as if it were nothing.

This was like mental torture for Cao Cao’s army, whose provisions were starting to run low.

It was only for a moment that the generals, including Seo Hwang, trembled with anger.

Soon, Son So-gun thought that he would fall for the trick and launch a siege.

Without Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, who would be the brains of Sun Zhao’s army?

If things continued like this, it was obvious that the ignorant Son So-gun would definitely shout to charge.

however….

Another month passed and there was still no news from Son So-gun.

Rather, the only news that reached Chohyeon was a letter saying that there was a great uproar in Yeongcheon-gun and that it was difficult to supply military supplies, and that Yeonju-gun had been occupied.

There was no sign of military supplies, not even a truckload, but this bad news came in like a ghost, breaking through Son So-gun’s strict blockade. It was obvious that it was probably Son So-gun’s prank.

In the end, Seo Hwang admitted that his deception had failed.

How did Cao Cao’s army spend this month?

Didn’t you prepare traps in the castle, thinking that Son So-gun would launch a siege at some point?

But the reality was dire. Cao Cao’s army was running low on wages and food due to lack of supplies, and their morale was also greatly reduced.

Above all, there was no chance of success, as it was not known when distribution would arrive.

Seo Hwang recited weakly.

“…I guess I have no choice but to retreat to Heohyeon.”

In effect, a declaration of defeat.

But Seo Hwang’s eyes were still burning brightly.

“But I won’t retreat so helplessly!”

What came to Xu Huang’s mind was the strategy Cao Cao had used against the enemy general in the past. At that time, even while retreating, hadn’t Cao Cao given a severe punishment to the general who was pursuing him?

‘Okay, if you want to chase me, then chase me.’

However, what Xu Huang did not know was that Jia Xu, who had been fighting Cao Cao’s army at the time, was staying in Sun Zhao’s camp.

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