In January 270 AD, under the repeated urges of Sun Hao, Xue Yu, the governor of Jiaozhou in the Eastern Wu, sent troops while he was ill.

His father was a famous official of the Eastern Wu and a great scholar Xue Cong. In the Central Plains, many families went south or north to avoid chaos. Xue Cong was considered to have avoided the chaos far away: he ran directly to Jiaozhou. This laid the foundation for the Xue family in Jiaozhou. Since the founding of the Eastern Wu Kingdom, the Xue family has been deeply rooted in Jiaozhou. The influence in Jiaozhou is actually no less than that of the Bu family in Jingzhou in the past.

In Jiaozhou in the Eastern Wu, because the aristocratic families of this country always wanted to turn the free people here into the country's self-cultivated farmers or serfs in their own manors. Therefore, the so-called rebellions in this place always occur one after another. Because of this, although the Jiaozhou Corps' strength is generally only 20,000, the combat effectiveness of these 20,000 people is actually quite good.

This time, in addition to the 20,000 troops of the Jiaozhou Corps, there were also 20,000 Yangzhou soldiers sent by Zhong Hui. The generals of his troops were Wu Yan, who was promoted by Sun Hao, Zhong Hui's nephew Zhong Yong, and Sun Qian, specially sent by Sun Hao, and Chen Ying. The total army had a total strength of 45,000 troops.

"Shiying, how many people are there in the southern part of the Shu thief? Why do we march along the Yuanshui without going to the county?"

"Well, it is said that there are 100,000 troops in the southern part of the Shu thief, haha, you are lying. According to our information, there were 5,000 people in the southern part of the Shu thief, but after taking Yongliang, he sent back the 10,000 flying army to guard it. So there are 15,000 people in total. As for why you should leave Yuanshui and not leave Jinghua, of course, the main forces of the enemy gathered in Jinghua County. Haha, you are lying to you. Not to mention the mountains in Jinghua County, the Yong family, which was in conflict with me, Dawu, were destroyed by the Meng family. Only by following Yuanshui can you save the loss of military and food."

"Shiying, why are you old and wrong? I have been with you for many years and know that you always speak like this, but Ji He has just come from Jianye and you are talking to others like this. It's very rude!"

"It's okay, I don't have to worry about it. Shiying's way of speaking is very interesting."

The so-called Shiying is the name of Tao Huang, the largest general of the Jiaozhou Corps. His father Tao Ji also served as the governor of Jiaozhou in the Eastern Wu, so the Tao family was also a great family in Jiaozhou. Specifically for Tao Huang, he had martial arts and military strategies, and had the ability to govern the people. In the historical perspective, after the fall of the Eastern Wu, Tao Huang served in Jin and guarded Jiaozhou for a long time. The Tao family was the local emperor of Jiaozhou during the Western Jin Dynasty.

For Xue Yan, the commander of this army, he really didn't want to send troops to Nanzhong at this time: he was really sick. However, the emperor repeatedly urged him, so he could only do his best - if he didn't lead the troops personally and handed over the troops to Tao Huang, he would be in power! Now the Xue family still relies on Xue Yan's power to suppress the Tao family, which is the first family in Jiaozhou, but what if Tao Huang is allowed to take power? So Xue Yan is really fighting for his life for his family to be prosperous in the presidency of the Jiao Governor.

As for defeat? How is it possible? As a neighbor of Nanzhong, Xue Yu knew very well that Nanzhong now only had 15,000 soldiers. Since the Shu Dynasty was heavily restrained by its own and Jin army, it was basically impossible for Nanzhong to have any reinforcements. Although Wudang Feijun was good at fighting in the mountains, the combat effectiveness of his Jiaozhou soldiers under his command was really not weak at all. Therefore, Xue Yu never considered the option of defeat.

Then let’s force yourself with the sick body. As long as you win this battle, even if I die of illness, at least the Xue family’s status in Jiaozhou will be preserved.

On the New Year's Day of the 270th, the Wu army met in Jiaozhi County. Afterwards, they took advantage of the convenience of the Yuan River and quickly headed north. On January 15th, they had already arrived at the junction of Jiaozhi County and Jihanxing Ancient County (now the Old Street in Vietnam).

"You have reported to the envoy Xue, and the scouts in front came to report. The Shu thief Xinggu County is close to our Xisui and Jincheng counties, without any defenders. Our scouts are farthest ahead and twenty miles northwest of Jincheng, and no trace of the enemy is found."

"Oh? Have all the people in the two counties moved away?"

"If you say back to the envoy, there are about 700 people in each county, each of which is old, weak, sick and disabled. After the scouts asked, it was said that the Shu thieves here had evacuated half a month ago. Before leaving, they destroyed the city walls and moved most of the people away. All those who stayed were hard to leave and they were reluctant to leave, and the Shu thieves did not force them too much."

"Hmph! Of course, there is no need to force the old, weak, sick and disabled. It is not a pity to lose it at all. Wang Kongshuo is also a ruthless man. He sent an order and went out to the enemy's Bengu County to investigate! I don't believe it. The tin mine there had just been some output, so Wang Kongshuo was willing to throw it away together."

"promise!"

The scout hurriedly left after receiving the order. Xue Xi thought about it and invited Sun Qian and others to discuss.

"Everyone, the strategy of the Shu bandits should be very clear. Because of their insufficient troops, they are trying to retreat with great strides, lengthen our supply line, and disperse our superior forces. How to deal with it, do you have any advice?"

After hearing Xue Yan's analysis, Sun Qian, Wuyan, Zhong Yong, Shen Ying and others nodded slightly and then stopped saying: We are the guest army, whether it is the current Yangzhou army or the Jiefan army. The biggest problem is not fighting, but how to deal with it, but the continuous flow of mosquitoes and the always humid and stuffy weather! Fortunately, this is still January. If we advance in July and August, we have not seen the enemy yet, most of the soldiers on our side will have to fall down due to various diseases such as malaria.

Looking at the silent people, Xue Yan pointed to Tao Huang: "Shiying, tell me?"

"Hehe! It seems that the enemy has completely abandoned Xinggu County when he heard about the reputation of our Great Wu King Division. Haha, I lied to you, Shangguan, if the last general expected, the enemy will definitely be ready in Bengu County."

"Well, if the thieves of Shu really took Bengu as the place for the decisive battle, I would be relieved. The left and right journey was only more than 60 miles away from Bengu. In this way, my official meant to ask the Marquis of Yong'an (Sun Qian), Shi Ze (Wu Yan), Ji He (Zhong Yong) to lead 20,000 Yangzhou troops to guard Xisui and enter the two counties. While letting the soldiers rest and adapt to the climate here, they also guard the food routes of our army. This official was with Shiying, Zigui (Jiaozhou general Xiuze, and Xiu's family was also a large family in Jiaozhou), and Ziguang (Shen Ying) led 25,000 troops north to Bengu County to fight against the Shu thieves."

When Sun Qian and others heard this arrangement, they were very unhappy: What? I came from Jianye all the way, and you didn’t even want to give us some military achievements?

But there is no way. On the one hand, Sun Hao is extremely strong, he is cruel to the aristocratic family, and even more cruel to his relatives. Sun Qian, the emperor's brother, is not like the princes of Jin State who dare to blow up thorns in front of local officials. On the other hand, among the 20,000 Yangzhou soldiers, there are many people who get sick due to their physical discomfort and mosquito bites, and they really need to find a place to rest.

So, no matter how dissatisfied, Sun Qian and others could only bow their heads and admit it.

"Seriously, thank you, Gao Yi, the Hou of Yong'an. In this way, the entire army advanced to Xisui, and took the two counties to rest for a while, and then the Jiaozhou army and Jiefan army continued to advance towards Bengu County."

...

On the other side, Bengu County.

"You mean, Xue Xi divided his troops? And he actually sent heavy troops to defend Xisui and enter the two counties?"

"That's true. The scouts of the officials and the local people have confirmed this."

"Hiss~~This Xue Daoheng is not an idiot either. I am underestimating the enemy."

"Governor, now is not the time to praise the enemy. The enemy's 25,000 troops will reach the city of Bengu County at most the next day. Please send the last general as the vanguard and kill the enemy's spirit first!"

"Haha, don't be anxious about Xuantong." After comforting Li Liu with high fighting spirit, Wang Qi stood up and walked around the hall with his hands behind his back for a few times. He suddenly turned around: "Everyone, what I mean is to fight Xue Daoheng first in Bengu County, and then our army retreated and abandon Bengu County."

"Ah? Governor, Grand Sima is strictly ordered not to give up Bengu County!"

"It's okay, the Grand Marshal also said that he would not accept the orders of the outside king. Since this governor is in charge of Nanzhong, he certainly has full responsibility for controlling the situation in this place."

"This, Governor, should you ask the Grand Sima for instructions?"

"Haha, you know that this is impossible. There are thousands of miles apart in the southern middle of Chang'an. If you have to report to the Grand Sima in everything, you don't have to fight this battle. Don't talk about this matter too much. First, follow the orders of this governor. Anything happens will be the responsibility of the governor alone."

Ma Yi, Li Mu, Li Liu and others looked at each other for a while and then bowed their heads helplessly.

On January 20, Xue Xi's Jiaozhou Corps arrived at the foot of Bengu County. Ji Hannanzhong Corps quickly retreated after brief contact with him and threw Bengu County to the Wu army.

"Hey! This Wang Kongshuo is really cruel. Even Ben Gu dares to deliberately throw it to me."

"What Xue Envoy means is that the enemy army retreated on purpose?"

"Hahaha, Ziguang, today's battle, Jiefan Army fought very well. It is indeed worthy of being the strongest army in my Great Wu."

"I dare not be praised by the envoy, so please help me solve my doubts."

"Haha, I dare not take it assuming the problem. Ziguang, what is the combat power of the Southern Central Army in today's battle?"

"Very strong! The individual combat power is equal to that of the Jiaozhou Army, and it is especially good to cooperate with each other."

"Yes, so although our army has 10,000 more than the opponent, if we really fight to the death, even if our army wins, it will only be a tragic victory. How could it be so easy to win? Well, if the official expected it, the two sides will be beheaded each other in this battle, right?"

"Although I haven't received a specific report, I think it's not much different. So, is the enemy defeated?"

"Of course. Wang Kongshuo still felt that Bengu was too close to our Dawu land. He did not completely lengthen our rations and completely disperse our superior forces. Therefore, he retreated again with great strides."

"So that's it, how should our army deal with it? Chase it?"

"Hahaha, how could I be fooled with such a clumsy plan? If I don't leave, I won't leave. Let's post a notice and let the indigenous people in the south come to Bengu County. The official hired them to mine tin mines. We just want to tell the self-righteous Wang Kongshuo that I will not leave here!"
Chapter completed!