Chapter 103 Pre-War Arrangements

An army moves on its stomach.

To prepare for the attack on Qing Province, Ji Province had been preparing for nearly a year, almost throwing everything they had into this battle.

Previously, Yuan Tan and the General of Furious Might, also serving as Supervisor of the Army, Ju Shou, jointly led 20,000 troops to garrison within Qing Province. After Yuan Tan went to Beixin City, Ju Shou temporarily took command.

Now that Yuan Tan has mobilized his troops and opened the passages between the two cities near Beixin City, if Gongsun Zan counterattacks Ju Shou's army in Qing Province, he would need to bypass these two cities and Ji Province's Hejian Commandery, making the time required unpredictable.

To the south, Yan Province and Xu Province are preoccupied with their own affairs and unable to support Qing Province in the short term.

Thus, this rare window of opportunity was created ahead of schedule thanks to Yuan Xi's efforts.

While Yuan Tan certainly deserves credit, Yuan Shao was aware of what Yuan Xi had been doing both publicly and privately.

Coupled with his trip to Xu Province, Yuan Xi proved his ability to lead troops independently, which is why Yuan Shao allowed him to participate in the attack on Qing Province.

Normally, if Tian Kai received no support, he would not be able to withstand Yuan's massive offensive. Therefore, Yuan Shao's intention was clear: to give Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi experience in commanding troops.

Yuan Tan had already experienced many major battles, but this was Yuan Xi's first time participating in such a large-scale siege and territorial war. Yuan Shao's intention to cultivate Yuan Xi was clear to everyone within the Yuan clan.

That's why Yuan Shang was so furious. He excelled in politics but lacked experience in battle. Now that Yuan Tan had long been leading troops and Yuan Xi was about to independently command You Province, how would he control the Ji Province army in the future, especially since both of his older brothers were at odds with him!

What made Yuan Shang even more upset was that Yuan Shao had recently allowed Yuan Xi to participate in the locust plague relief efforts, with Tian Feng personally assisting him, clearly aiming to improve his political skills.

Yuan Shang guessed that he might have gone too far in the Zhen family affair, provoking some dissatisfaction from Yuan Shao. Cultivating Yuan Xi was also a way to subtly warn him.

Yet Yuan Xi pretended to be concerned about the overall situation from beginning to end, taking no action, which made Yuan Shao think he was an honest man, compensating him with the position of Prefect. As a result, Yuan Xi suffered a small loss but gained a significant advantage!

Yuan Xi, however, had no time to worry about what Yuan Shang in Ye City was thinking. This trip to Qing Province was crucial. If he performed well, his position might change upon his return, and he might be able to take charge of You Province's affairs.

He rode on horseback, conversing with Zhang He along the way, and discovered that the situation in Qing Province was exceptionally complex.

Tian Kai directly confronted Yuan Shao's army in Pingyuan, while Kong Rong provided support from Beihai in the rear. The two sides had been fighting for two years, often running out of food and being forced to plunder the common people.

Hearing this, Yuan Xi understood somewhat. Even Yuan Tan was running out of food, so it was already good that Beixin City could receive grain regularly.

In addition, there were remnants of the Yellow Turbans, claiming to number tens of thousands, and bandits calling themselves the Taishan Bandits, looting and taking advantage of the chaos throughout Qing Province.

In the north, the Donglai Commandery was constantly harassed by Gongsun Du of Liaodong, who used ships to occupy coastal villages, attempting to establish strongholds.

Yuan Xi's head began to ache. Was the situation in Qing Province even worse than he had imagined?

No wonder Yuan Tan failed to govern Qing Province well after conquering it in later years. Bandits rose up everywhere, and the gentry and powerful clans refused to obey, leading to a chaotic situation.

"Chronicles of Ji Province"— "Inviting virtuous scholars who do not come; not rushing to military duties, but residing peacefully with their clans, cannot be punished."

This exposed Yuan Tan's weakness in internal affairs, despite his strength in battle. However, even Yuan Xi couldn't think of a good solution for the time being.

Leading two thousand soldiers and nearly ten thousand laborers, they continuously requisitioned grain along the way. After traveling for nearly half a month, they finally arrived in Pingyuan Commandery on schedule.

Yuan Tan had already led his troops from Beixin City and came out of the camp ten miles in advance to welcome Yuan Xi.

Seeing Yuan Xi and Zhang He arrive, he rode over and laughed, "Second Brother, you're here!"

Yuan Xi quickly went over and cupped his fist on horseback, saying, "Brother, you've worked hard."

Yuan Tan laughed, "I've heard about your affairs in Ye City, Second Brother. Although Third Brother is worthless, you have indeed lived up to expectations, and even Father has taken notice."

Yuan Xi humbly said, "It's all thanks to Brother's strategists speaking well of me before Father. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have been able to deal with Third Brother."

Yuan Tan said resentfully, "That guy is too cunning. I've suffered losses several times. Let's not worry about him for now. Let's go see Mr. Ju Shou first."

Yuan Tan was actually secretly wary in his heart. This second brother of his must have been hiding his abilities for the past few years, otherwise, he wouldn't have changed so much.

Fortunately, Second Brother's goal was to be adopted, which didn't conflict with his current interests. Otherwise, if Second Brother and Third Brother joined forces, he would be finished.

Seeing Zhang He come forward to pay his respects, Yuan Tan returned the greeting, saying, "Colonel, you've worked hard on this trip. My brother relies on your assistance. I am very grateful."

Zhang He quickly lowered his head and said, "I am terrified."

Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi rode side by side, while Zhang He followed far behind.

Yuan Tan whispered, "I left the initial thousand soldiers at Beixin City. That Captain Qu is a knowledgeable person. With him guarding the area, the three cities are safe."

Yuan Xi quickly thanked him.

Yuan Tan added, "Gao Lan has also come with me, but there's been a slight problem with Chief Strategist Xun."

Yuan Xi was startled, "What happened?"

Yuan Tan sighed, "He was originally going to come, but a few days before departure, he talked all night with four maids, resulting in him catching a cold and being bedridden. I'm afraid he'll need to recuperate for several months."

Yuan Xi: . . .

Yuan Tan laughed loudly and briefly explained the current situation of the two armies facing each other in Pingyuan. Upon hearing that it was a siege battle, Yuan Xi immediately said, "I'm really not familiar with sieges, so I'll rely on Brother's command."

Yuan Tan smiled, "We brothers don't need to go into battle yet. Sieges are extremely troublesome and require controlling the situation on the city walls. We don't need to compete with our subordinates for the merits of being the first to ascend."

As they spoke, they entered the camp, where they saw someone wearing armor, waiting at the camp gate.

The man was in his thirties, with a square face, a burly and upright body, and the appearance of a military general. After Yuan Tan's introduction, Yuan Xi discovered that this person was actually Ju Shou!

Yuan Xi didn't expect to meet this famous strategist in such a way.

Then he realized that Ju Shou wasn't an ordinary strategist.

Ju Shou had been recommended as a "Maocai" (Excellent Talent), served as a magistrate, and later worked under Han Fu as a "Biejia" (Chief Clerk), and was also appointed as a Cavalry Commandant. This was definitely a military position.

A Cavalry Commandant had to personally lead cavalry. Ju Shou was someone who could actually go into battle!

No wonder Yuan Shao gave him the official titles of General of Furious Might and Supervisor of the Army after obtaining Ju Shou.

Seeing Yuan Xi respectfully bowing and paying his respects, Ju Shou quickly helped Yuan Xi up by the arm, saying, "Second Young Master is really embarrassing this old man."

Seeing Ju Shou's gentle attitude, Yuan Xi thought, "So Ju Shou is easy to talk to?"

As a result, the three of them walked into the camp and found a head hanging on the flagpole inside, and several soldiers being beaten with military sticks, wailing incessantly.

Seeing this, Ju Shou shouted, "Hit them hard, don't hold back!"

Hearing this, the soldiers applying the punishment used even more force.

Ju Shou turned around and explained, "With the great battle imminent, these soldiers privately spread rumors, shaking the morale of the army. Therefore, according to military law, the ringleader was beheaded, and the rest were publicly punished."

Seeing his awe-inspiring demeanor and strict military discipline, yet speaking with gentleness and consideration, Yuan Xi thought, "Yuan Shao's strategists are indeed extraordinary."

However, it seemed that Ju Shou's attitude towards him was not bad?

The group entered the main tent, where two rows of generals stood on either side. Among them, Yuan Xi saw Zhao Yun, who had already been appointed as a Lieutenant General and had come with Yuan Tan.

Seeing Yuan Xi, Zhao Yun cupped his fist from afar, but did not move a step, because at this time, all the generals in the camp were standing in their designated positions and were not allowed to move without permission.

Yuan Tan wanted to invite Ju Shou to sit in the chief seat, but Ju Shou said sternly, "The Young Master is the commander of the attack on Qing Province, and I am just the supervisor of the army." After speaking, he walked to the lower seat and stood there.

Seeing this, Yuan Tan did not decline and pointed to the empty seat for Yuan Xi. Yuan Xi understood and stood in it, and Zhang He also found his position and stood there.

Yuan Tan sat down and began to call out the generals and ask questions.

From siege weapons to food and supplies, from the distribution of troops to the directions they would lead, and the military formations and functions they were responsible for, Yuan Tan arranged everything in an orderly manner.

Yuan Xi listened attentively, knowing that this was an excellent opportunity. As a commander who could stand alone, Yuan Tan's experience was much richer than his own.

As the generals stepped forward one by one, Yuan Xi realized that several famous generals from Ji Province had arrived, in addition to Zhang He.

The most famous of them was Yan Liang!

Yuan Xi carefully observed him and saw that Yan Liang had a face full of beard, a very tall body, and a slightly bulging belly, appearing somewhat fat, probably weighing around two hundred pounds.

But Yuan Xi knew that this was all a facade. Yan Liang's armor weighed at least fifty or sixty pounds, but when he stepped forward to answer, he moved lightly, as if he was wearing a light linen garment.

A flexible fat man who could wear armor like this, with strength and agility, would surely be a terrifying figure on the battlefield.

Listening to Yuan Tan's arrangements, Yuan Xi realized that the tens of thousands of laborers he had brought were also considered soldiers!

They were old and young and were not suitable for fighting as soldiers, but they would also go to the battlefield.

Although they did not need to kill enemies, they also had many important roles to play, such as carrying soil to the bottom of the city walls, pushing siege weapons such as battering rams, rescuing wounded soldiers, and even collecting arrows and weapons on the battlefield.

Yuan Xi suddenly shuddered, vaguely understanding.

These tens of thousands of mouths would be difficult to feed, whether they returned or stayed. Most of them were not suitable for fighting, so they were used to fill the gaps on the battlefield, which could play a role to some extent.

If they died, it would save food.

Yuan Xi felt a chill for this thought, but he knew that this might be the truth.

No wonder later records showed that battles often involved hundreds of thousands of troops, many of whom were cannon fodder who couldn't even touch weapons?

The Yellow Turbans, who numbered in the hundreds of thousands, probably included the old, the young, and the women.

But when the fighting really started, the enemy wouldn't care who was on this side. These old, weak, sick, and disabled people might instantly lose their lives on the battlefield.

No wonder there were examples of a few hundred or a thousand regular soldiers routing tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turbans. So that was the reason.

Yuan Xi's body trembled slightly. This was the real war.

Hundreds of thousands of lives fighting each other, tens of thousands of lives falling, until one side completely collapsed, completely different from his small fights in Beixin City.