Chapter 26: The Fire General Strikes Again
Liu Zhan did not rush to attack the Yellow Turbans. He was cautious and, having built up his resources with difficulty, was not about to waste them recklessly.
Although his force of over 10,000 troops seemed substantial, facing the Yellow Turbans' hundreds of thousands, even if they were a rabble, could be disastrous. An all-out assault might lead to significant losses.
Knowing that Huang Fusong was besieged at Changshe, Liu Zhan planned to use fire attacks in May. With it being April, there was still time. Liu Zhan, known for his expertise in fire attacks, was preparing for another incendiary operation.
Fire attacks weren't used casually; they required the right wind direction and a strong wind to help the flames spread and overwhelm the enemy. Without these conditions, the fire might not be effective, and the enemy could escape or extinguish it.
The specifics of the fire attack were entrusted to Tian Feng and others, who also found the strategy quite ingenious.
Liu Zhan was correct; a direct assault on the Yellow Turbans would be difficult, and even if combined with Huang Fusong's forces, the cost could be immense. The survival of his own troops was uncertain.
This year's weather was unusual, with a long drought, making it ideal for setting fires.
However, waiting for the right wind was frustrating. Even when the wind did come, it was only a light breeze, insufficient for their needs. The waiting period lasted seven or eight days, and the waiting was intensely stressful.
By mid-April, the wind picked up in the evening and was expected to be stronger at night. The entire camp became bustling with activity as each unit prepared to move out. Liu Zhan ascended his tent to issue the combat orders.
"Everyone, this operation relies on a surprise attack. The Yellow Turbans have hundreds of thousands of troops. If we engage them head-on, our losses will be heavy. With over 10,000 troops, it is hard to predict how many will be left.
As a commanding officer, you must always remember to value the lives of your soldiers. Before every battle, consider all factors carefully, choose the best tactics, and minimize casualties.
Therefore, a direct assault is a last resort. I have decided to use fire attacks to create widespread fires using the wind to cause panic and confusion among the Yellow Turbans. We will then exploit this chaos to crush the enemy.
Once each unit reaches the designated position, light the fires according to the signal from my position. The fire will burn down the Yellow Turban camps.
The spreading fire will inevitably cause confusion among the Yellow Turbans. This will be your chance to achieve merit.
Remember, the Yellow Turbans are just farmers who have taken up arms under Zhang Jiao's influence. Killing these ignorant rebels is not a glorious task for soldiers. Thus, the focus of this operation is not mass slaughter but to defeat the Yellow Turbans by capturing key leaders and causing chaos. Capture young and strong men, and mainly target the weak and sickly. Understand?"
"Yes, we understand."
"Gao Shun, Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, Taishi Ci, Zhang Ge, and Gao Lan will each lead 1,000 men. Arrive at the designated positions by midnight and be prepared. Do not be detected by the enemy. The remaining 3,000 troops, led by Tian Feng, Liu Ye, and Hua Xin, will act as rear support and handle prisoners. The other 5,000 troops, led by Huang Zhong, will form the main force and follow me."
"Understood, we will follow orders."
"Good, prepare and depart at dusk."
Liu Zhan's army followed the Eastern Han military system: five men formed a "wu" with a leader; two "wu" made a "shi" with a leader; two "shi" made a squad with a leader and deputy; two squads made a team with a team leader and deputy, the team leader being a hundred-man commander; two teams made a "tun" with a tun leader and deputy; and two "tun" made a "qu" with a military officer. Two "qu" made a unit of about 1,000 men, plus scouts, personal guards, baggage, and miscellaneous roles to complete a battalion.