Chapter 393
Linhuai County . It is the name of an ancient county in China . During the Shang Dynasty the county was within Xu County . During the Western Zhou Dynasty till end of Spring Autumn period, it became part of the Xu State and was also its political center .
It was also an ancient capital . Not many people remember Linhuai but most people would know it as Xuyi .
It was located beside Baima Lake and Pengze Lake . In a strict sense, it was at the very border of Yangzhou . As it was separated by Baima Lake and Hongze Lake, it was a place that could not take in soldiers . Linhuai sided with Sun Ce when Cao Cao attacked Yuan Shu . It remain safe because of Sun Ce’s protection even after Yuan Shu death . Unfortunately, Linhuai was across the river so it becomes problematic to manage . It was a situation where they felt it was not worth the trouble but at the same time too wasteful to abandon .
All this time, Linhuai had been in a comfortable position but recently, that position is threatened . The reason for this is because Qin Feng, the governor of Linhuai, was scared witless when Liu Mang conquered Yangzhou . He believed that it was not long before Linhuai is attacked once Liu Mang had occupied Shouchun especially since Linhuai is only about a day’s travel away . Fortunately, Qin Feng was not an idiot . The moment Liu Mang had occupied Yangzhou, he had already reported this to Sun Ce, hoping for help .
Sun Ce had just lost Lujiang and had no other cities across the Yangtze River except for Linhuai . Naturally, he was happy about Linhuai’s existence and immediately sent over three thousand troops along with provisions .
Qin Feng then send those soldiers and provisions to Tuzhong . This is because Tuzhong was the place closest to Shouchun and was also the battle point with Yangzhou . Qin Feng had thought of this very well . If Liu Mang wanted to attack Linhuai, they would not ignore Tuzhong . Tuzhong had already become a fortress that had both men and food . If Tuzhong had fallen, Linhuai would also be unable to hold out . At that time, it would be better to escape to Hongze and then stealthily leave by boat . If he is able to defend Tuzhong, he would be able to live off his influence . This is why he still had not yet acted after Liu Mang won the battle at Yangzhou .
“Little beauty, I am coming!” Qin Feng shouted with an obscene face . This time, Sun Ce did not only sent troops and provisions . He had even sent Qin Feng with three beautiful women to placate the man . Even though Qin Feng was old, he was still strong .
“My King, you are coming!” The three women laughed as they looked at Qin Feng .
“Haha!” Qin Feng threw himself towards the women . For a moment, glamor overflowed from the four within the building .
The few bodyguards that heard the sounds in the room also felt like laughing . One of them spread his hands open, showing five fingers . After a while, he closed one finger, and then another one . He then became satisfied, looked at the other bodyguard and opened his mouth . The one that opened his mouth was simply saying, “At most one more minute . ”
The other bodyguard was not to be outdone . He extended another finger . Two minutes . He then opened his other hand showing ten big coins . Basically, the two were gambling .
In comparison to the easygoing atmosphere inside Linhuai, the same could not be said for those outside .
Aside from the rain, the soldiers have not rested at all since rushing here . They had even crossed difficult tracks just to arrive earlier . The path was extremely rugged but the two days spent was had its reward .
“General . That is the walls of Linhuai City . ” A person declared from within the jungle when a majestic city appeared before him .
“N!” Zhang Liao nodded and took out two things . The first was a map of Linhuai and its surroundings that he obtained from Yang Hong . The other was a telescope . He alternated between looking at the telescope and the map . Meanwhile, Zhang Hu and Ge Jun felt envious about the telescope .
“Is this not the place?” Zhang Liao shook his head .
“Hm? Is this not Linhuai?” Zhang Hu and Ge Jun was stunned . Most of the cities were already under their control while the city in front of them was at least as big as Shouchun or Hefei . How could it be any other city aside from Linhuai?
“No . This is Linhuai but this is the East gate and not the West gate . ” They had gone too far ahead due to the use of a shortcut . They had wanted to arrive at the West side but ended up at the East .
“Looks like I was right . The messenger have not yet arrived!” Zhang Liao could see that the soldiers guarding the city gates were wobbling around leisurely . Some were even still collecting taxes at the gate . If the messenger had arrived, the gate would have already been shut tight .
“Brothers! Push yourselves a bit more . Tonight, we will be sleeping inside Linhuai!” Zhang Liao declared to the Xiliang Cavalry .
“Men! Follow me! Charge!” Zhang Liao took the lead and charged towards Linhuai’s gates .
Within Linhuai, neither of the bodyguards won their bet . This is because their bet had been interrupted by a middle aged scholar who rushed into the room, frightening Qin Feng and ending the session .
“Song Ming! You better have a good explanation for this or prepare yourself a good coffin!” Rage filled Qin Feng’s eyes . Anyone would be angry for this atrocity . He had already raised his spear only to be asked to stop . How was he supposed to placate these three beautiful women?
“Milord! Tuzhong has sent a message that Shouchun had already dispatched troops!” Fortunately, Song Min did have a good reason to keep his head .
“What? Shouchun have attacked?” Qin Feng was startled but he was still filled with rage . “So what? Wait for them to attack Tuzhong first . What kind of punishment should I give you for alarming me about this so early?” Qin Feng was extremely confident in Tuzhong . There were twenty thousand troops stationed there along with enough provisions to last half a year . There were also enough weapons and another supplies to last several months . At worst, he could ask Sun Ce for more help and reinforcements would quickly arrive .
“No Milord! They did not attack Tuzhong!” Song Min replied hurriedly . He had only just receive this information and hurried here .
“They did not attack Tuzhong?” Qin Feng was now confused .
“Yes! They bypassed Tuzhong and are coming here!” Song Ming finally delivered the information .
“What? Quick! Close the gates! Close all of the gates! Dispatch an envoy to Jiangdong and request help!” Qin Feng quickly instructed .
“Kill! Kill! Capture Linhuai for glory!” The shouts for slaughter could then be heard .
“It is already too late!” Song Ming shook his head bitterly .