Chapter 250
Liu Mang then donned his armor and weapon and quickly goes out of tent, when he goes past Liu Ye, he said “Ziyang, I am going to Shouchun Naval HQ outpost now. You stay here, tidy up the blueprint and go rest!!!” Liu Ye nodded and said “Be careful, Milord!!! There might be a surprise attack!” Liu Mang nodded.
If only the one who defend this Shouchun Naval HQ is Gan Ning, Liu Mang can just give order from the sidelines, however the defender now is a non-swimmer, heavy-armored Black Flag along with a non-swimmer commander Xu Sheng, so if Liu Mang did not command or organize his troops, they will die almost immediately.
In Pang Tong’s fleet Guan Yu and Pang Tong is drinking with each other, Guan Yu then asked “Military adviser, is this really effective?!” Guan Yu is of course, asking about his schemes and because of each ships commandeered by only 2-3 people. If they were to be assaulted or pursued, they will all floating on the river. Guan Yu started to feel scammed.
Pang Tong just stayed calm and toasted Guan Yu “Second General, drink with me. Tong toast you a cup!!!” Pang Tong indeed assigned only 2-3 people as ship rower, so their speed right now is not too quick. Pang Tong then said to Guan Yu “Second General, your worry is actually warranted as Liu Mang army’s reputation in naval battle is skyrocket now and also his reputation for winning an almost hopeless battle in Wancheng. However, since you reported that Gan Ning and his 12,000 naval troops retreated to Lujiang, then right now, there is no naval units in Shouchun Naval HQ. Also we are hiding between marshes and tonight there is a dense fog. No problem at all. Come, receive my toast” Pang Tong is raising his cup again. What worry you have, Second General? Sneered Pang Tong in his heart.
With Pang Tong is showing calm demeanor, Guan Yu also calmed down. (TN: the raw paragraph is contained only this one, the rest of them are gibberish written by author, but I decided to translate it out of respect for author who can think of gibberish like this) Pang Tong’s age cannot be compared with Guan Yu, as they are at least 20 years apart, however a positive mood emitted by one person can affect other people with negative mood.
Guan Yu then raised his cup “Very well then, Yu toast you one cup!!! Yu also want to say a late thanks to military adviser for helping my big bro!” His worry has been solved by Pang Tong. Pang Tong then smiled and said “Haha, many thanks for the late thanks, Second General!!!” Pang Tong then nodded silently in his heart, he is really impressed by this Guan Yu and in his eyes, he is worthy as one of shining star in this era. He is able to quickly calm down after he heard a flawless scheme.
While they are toasting, suddenly Pang Tong’s naval soldier reported “Military adviser, the weather has become windy!” Hmm, windy? Thought Pang Tong while putting down his wine cup, and he immediately ordered “Observe the weather again” Pang Tong then thought back when he read Kongming’s meteorological observation note. It is noted there, when it got windy, fog will follow. Oh Kongming, don’t you fool me this time!!! Thought Pang Tong. “Yes sir!!!” The messenger cupped his fist then quickly goes out to observe some more. Less than 10 minutes, the messenger reported back “Report to military adviser, now fog has fallen!!!”
Fog! The chance has come Thought Pang Tong while he stood up with his eyes glittering to no end. Pang Tong then asked “How is the fog and how is the wind direction?!”
“Big, very big!!!” Said the messenger while doing gesture “BIG”. This messenger is illiterate and can only understand a few simple words therefore he cannot describe it in detail.
Pang Tong then smiling widely. He is very happy as fog has fallen and ordered “To all fleet, we approached Shouchun Naval HQ now!!!” With that order, all ship raised their sails and began their approach toward Shouchun Naval HQ, also with this dense fog, no one will be able to see clearly what their enemy is up to. And before long, they reached in front of Shouchun Naval HQ, with the messenger reported “Military adviser, we have reached our destination!!! Currently we are around 100 steps from the edge.” Pang Tong then waved his feather fan and said in clear voice “Good!!! Transmit my command, all ships are to sound battle drum!!! Make sure all sound at the same time, so it will amplify the sound!!!” All of soldiers said “Yes sir!!!” And the first drum on Pang Tong’s ship reverberated in the air followed by the other.
“The hell!!! What sound is that?!” Exclaimed Xu Sheng. He just prepared to sleep, suddenly there is this ungodly noise. Xu Sheng quickly donned his armor and goes outside the tent. Really, this Shouchun Naval HQ just captured and it started to be not peaceful.
“Hey you, what is going on?!” Asked Xu Sheng to one of the patrol unit. He then replied “General, we are being attacked by the enemy!” And continued his trip to pull out ordnances and prepare for battle. Ambushed? At this ungodly hour? Thought Xu Sheng while his brow is knitted. Then he hear again, it is indeed war drum being beaten and its tune signifying attack along with war cry. However, he is really confused, as to what purpose those naval units doing ambush in a foggy where no one can see each other, also this is a midsummer, the weather should be really hot, how can there is a fog now? Xu Sheng then observed the torch on each ships and estimated, the enemy numbered around 100 ships. Since 1 classic ships can carry 300 people, then the enemy strength is 30,000 people. This Liu Bei really is not playing around.
“General, what now?!” Asked the nearby combat general. This man is Wang Wei who was appointed as Black Flag’s deputy commander. Regarding his positioning and Wei Yan’s positioning, I will be brief about it. Originally Wang Wei was to be appointed as Gan Ning’s vice commander, as he got water experience. However, he got a better candidate for it. Therefore Gan Ning’s vice commander is Wei Yan who had been a regular soldier in Urban Army. That man had been polished heavily by Liu Mang, until there is very little left of his original arrogance. Liu Mang knew that he cannot eradicate it completely, otherwise Wei Yan will be an empty shell, however due to his “training”, Wei Yan had become quite obedient and know his place and he is already reached to the level that he will not betray Liu Mang due to his fear of him and will not dare to use Liu Mang army as a stepping stone. Gan Ning and Wei Yan are both arrogant people and the one who had bloated sense of pride of themselves but the difference is, Gan Ning is already loyal for his wish is a field to show his talents, but Wei Yan is a restless guy, much like Lu Bu himself. Therefore, Liu Mang put Wei Yan under him in order to tame him more.
So for Wang Wei, for lack of better options, he appointed him as deputy general under Xu Sheng of Black Flag’s command.
Xu Sheng then asked Wang Wei “Deputy general Wang, what is your opinion?!” Xu Sheng asking him not because he is his deputy but because when Liu Mang introduced him to be his subordinate, he praised that Wang Wei is very talented and can provide good advice. Wang Wei then replied “General, from Wei’s standpoint, it is prudent that we watch the enemy first as the enemy did not make any movement. Furthermore, it is dark and foggy, for any action. Wei believed that with 5,000 troops, we can easily halt their advance whilst one of us request for reinforcements.” Xu Sheng then nodded and said “Un, Deputy General Wang’s opinion is acceptable!” However, Xu Sheng want to know the actual situation.
Meanwhile in Pang Tong’s side, Guan Yu is restless and said “Military adviser, where is their retaliation?!” Guan Yu is very impatient, as right now it is already 2 hours passed and yet no movement from Liu Mang Army. Pang Tong then replied “General Guan, we need to be more patient” Although he looked calm on the surface, but his heart is really anxious as he is really afraid that his scheme will fall apart before the show even started. Pang Tong then changed the subject “General Guan, see the water, it is really beautiful. If after chaos quelled, we do vacation here, it is really comfortable!!!” It is in order for Guan Yu not to be stressful.
In Liu Mang’s side, Xu Sheng also started to become anxious as the battle drum continued reverberating. Xu Sheng then said to Wang Wei “Deputy General Wang, we can hold the troops from moving, but we at least can shoot arrows in order for them to disperse. If not, Sheng afraid that they will converge with the main army and do all-out assault!! What is Deputy General Wang’s opinion?”
Seeing Xu Sheng’s resolve, Wang Wei just cupped his fist and said “Wang Wei had no objection, as long as general takes full responsibility!” Xu Sheng then nodded “Very well, I take full responsibility for this tactics!!!” Xu Sheng then bellowed his order “ARCHER!!!! PREPARE!!!!” 3,000 out of 5,000 troops raised their bows and Xu Sheng bellowed his next order “FULL SALVO!!!” Then all arrows were launched as if rainstorm was unleashed on Pang Tong’s ships.
“Came!”Two arrows delimit the airborne possible sound is very not quite difficult to hear clearly, but several thousand arrows have delimited the horizon together, that was not a two issue, Pang Tong heard this sound to smile.
“Um?!”Guan Yu also heard this is the sound of arrow rain, was, Guan Yu just thinks that felt the warship of own crotch trembled suddenly, the arrow rain sprinkled finally to their these exquisite warships, only hitting hit in all directions the boat on the warship sways.
However is good, in Pang Tong made above the boat use the wire rope interconnection before, this can withstand the arrow rain the impulse.
“Clip clop clip clop!”Another arrow shot above the boat, outside the boat was also hung with some sloppy person many fur mats by Pang Tong above, therefore he can under the crotch the penetrations of these arrows, arrows shoot, in the sloppy person also had above the fur mats, shot unable to get down.
“Whiz!”Strength a little big arrow shot through outside straw man however that also only to be able the arrow to prick in the cabin. HAHAHAHA, HERE THEY COME!!!! Thought Pang Tong silently when he heard whizzing sound of arrows. Hrm?! Guan Yu also stunned. He had heard whizzing sound of arrows and felt that their boats are shaking slowly and swaying here and there, but it poses no problem to them, as Pang Tong had their ships linked with chain. “Whiz!!!” An arrow managed to penetrate the fur mats placed by Pang Tong to dampen their strikes and right now it latched on the other side of the castle. Guan Yu then pull the arrow, and started to respect and smile earnestly toward Pang Tong. With this demonstration of scheme, Pang Tong earned Guan Yu’s total respect and really valued having a good strategist in your army. Guan Yu who just lost Shouchun and its ordnances was now being paid back in full and with one ship filled with 1,000 arrows, receiving back half of arrows is already very good.
“Yu toast Master Pang one more cup, Yu has been fully convinced with Master Pang’s ability!!!” Said Guan Yu with face full of admiration. Pang Tong smiled and said “General Guan, you are too kind!!!” And quickly drink his cup. Hehehe, Kongming!!! Shiyuan borrow your tactics now, don’t be mad ‘kay? Sneered Pang Tong in his heart. Pang Tong had read some of Kongming’s scribbles during their time in Nanyang. Hmm, borrowing enemy’s arrows with straw boats eh? This will be very useful in the future!!! Thought Pang Tong. Right now, he solely dishes out this particular stratagem, in order for him to be in good terms with Guan Yu as Guan Yu held the tiger tally and can breach chain of command at any moment. He really want that tiger tally to be his, as it will amplify his influence over Liu Bei army.
“Soldiers, spin all ships, let them fill the other sides!!!” Ordered Pang Tong in order for their ships to maintain balanced.
Guan Yu then asked a question “Military adviser, Yu worried what if they shoot fire arrows?!” This is an important question as their boats is made of woods, none made of metal. Even a spark could ignite their whole fleet.
Pang Tong then replied “General Guan, don’t worry. This fog is very thick and the air is very damp, their fire will die before even reaching the ships! Tong also had prepared some defensive mechanism to the ship. Here you hold the fur mats, it is really moist and wet right?” Guan Yu then holding the fur mats and Pang Tong continued “They are dipped into the water this morning and whilst still wet, quickly pasted into each ships! Those scarecrows also included in it!” Guan Yu then clapped and said “So everything has been planned by Master Pang, Yu really is no match for you!” Guan Yu then asked another question “However Master Pang, would not they become suspicious if there is no reaction from our side? And in the end, they will halted their volley.” Pang Tong then replied “General Guan, everything is OK. Hear your surrounding more carefully.” Guan Yu then concentrated his hearing on his surrounding and heard helpless screams “AAAHHHHH, HELP ME!!! SAVE ME!!!! I AM HIT!!!! HELP ME!!!!” Guan Yu then smiled again and this time he regained his composure and subsequently his pride. This kind of acting is really is the same like when Zhao Yun exclaimed those words, words that made him lost strength, courage, and even almost losing reason to live. Guan Yu then said “Master Pang, how about now, we screamed back those words to that milksop?!” Pang Tong just laughed “Haha, General Guan just be patient a little longer!”
Pang Tong and Guan Yu is truly hit the spot this time. When Xu Sheng heard those pitiful sound, he laughed out loud and ordered to shoot more and more as they are killing more Liu Bei Army.
At this very moment, Pang Tong ordered some of the already-full ships to deploy rafts filled with hay and lit torch on it, in order to give those people an impression that this fleet is a massive one. With those torches appeared more and more, made Xu Sheng and Wang Wei agitated. Tch!! Xu Sheng and Wang Wei clicked their tongues and a little happy for they don’t have any warships to pursue, otherwise they might be ambushed.
Xu Sheng then bellowed his order “Brothers of Black Flag, continue to shoot!!!” With this, my merit will be skyrocket!!! Thought Xu Sheng. “Yes Sir!!!” All of Black Flag also responding in kind. They all want this easy merit, and cannot wait until the fog to dissipate to count their body counts.
Wang Wei then said to Xu Sheng “General, something is not right, please cease fire at once!” Wang Wei has been very observant from the beginning of the battle. Regarding Wang Wei, he held Liu Mang in high esteem as Liu Mang helped to redeem Wang Wei’s whole family from Jing Province with coins. This is also to save Wang Wei’s face as he still had big sentiment toward Jing Province and Liu Biao, even though Liu Biao did not value him much. Wang Wei being here, beside his family, he had lost almost everything that he built in Jing Province and can be said that he restarted from zero again this time and being appointed as vice commander by his new employer made him thankful to the max as being in Black Flag meaning, that he is a second owner of the second division that was raised by Liu Mang meaning that he is trusted for a heavy responsibility and is given a chance to shine. Regarding Wang Wei’s observation of this battle, he actually heard same voice over and over again, it made him suspicious a lot. Xu Sheng then asked “What is it, Deputy General Wang Wei?!” Wang Wei then replied “General, don’t you think the screaming is too long? Also, Wei kept hearing the same voice again and again.” However Xu Sheng just dismissed his warning and continue to fire.
Wang Wei continued observing and his eyes is widened when he heard the same scream five times and quickly ordered “ALL TROOPS, CEASE FIRE!!!!” Xu Sheng then become annoyed and said “Deputy General Wei, what are you doing? Am I have to deal with you for insubordination?!” Wang Wei then responded “General Xu, they are deceiving us. Those screams are too long, those screams are the same over and over again!!” Xu Sheng just laughed and said “Haha, what gain do those Liu Bei army to receive by deceiving us? If they really want a gain, then he must suffer a loss!!!” Wang Wei replied “General, those of Liu Bei army is a veteran. Please think thrice, their reaction is amiss and is not a routine of a wounded army. Normally, after we launched salvo, they will suffer damage, yes. But in order to fight us, they will closing in. However, we already shot several waves as of now. Now please look, none of those ships are closing in. In Wei’s opinion, this is whether, the commander is brainless or they are deceiving us, for us to deliver all of their arrows that we just obtained!” Liu Bei had been fighting here and there and have many battle experience, surely he did not recruit some brainless commander and appoint him to die here. Xu Sheng nodded and ordered “CEASE FIRE!!!” Now, what to do? Ah yes, there is that thing Realized Xu Sheng. He had been equipped with a prototype of telescope with lens made of simple glass. Its magnifying power is 5 times. Quickly Xu Sheng pulled out the telescope and stunned when he saw those ships. He had been firing toward scarecrows all this time. Xu Sheng had been laughing all this time for Guan Yu’s foolishness when he is ridiculed by Zhao Yun, but now, Xu Sheng were made a bigger fool. Damn it, played like a fool. Now, what to do, what to do?! Thought Xu Sheng while gnashing his teeth. Xu Sheng then asked the nearby Black Flag soldier “Hey, how many arrows we shot?!” The soldier said “General, this is the 27th wave!!!” Which means it is already almost half of 200,000 arrows provisioned by Liu Mang to them.
“How about we fire with fire arrow?! Their ships looked made of straw, we can easily burn them to death.” Asked one of Black Flag’s sergeant. Right, fire arrows Thought Xu Sheng who quickly ordered his troops to wrapped their arrow in oil-smeared clothing and fire toward those ships. Xu Sheng must quickly regained his honor otherwise, he will be forever known as Xu The Fool. Pride cause someone to lose life, this is the same with Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang, also with Yu Jin of Wei Country, whereas Zhou Yu were played by Zhuge Liang until everyone said that Zhou Yu is inferior by Zhuge Liang. While Yu Jin surrendered to Guan Yu and was taken prisoner to Sun Quan, when Cao Pi pardoned him and had him returned to Wei Country. When he visited Cao Cao’s tomb, he saw a fresco retelling his surrender to Guan Yu at the battle of Fort Fan and shamed to death. And now, the possibility is very high that Xu Sheng will die by shame today.
Fire arrows? They will not do anything at all, the weather is too wet. They will extinguish before they reached the ship and giving more arrows to them!!! Thought Wang Wei while extending his arms to feel the wetness of the air. And Wang Wei was right again, igniting fire arrows proved to be very difficult and when they shot, the fire extinguished almost immediately and giving more arrows to them. How can this be? Thought Xu Sheng while seeing in horror, he had yet to start his meritorous service and now he must be cut short like a grass.
“Military adviser, they found out!!!” Said Guan Yu while smiling. All of his hypothetical scenarios had come true and with fire arrow shows their angle, their scheme is no longer effective. Pang Tong also said “Oh, really? Then we retreat!!!” Pang Tong waved his feather fan and all of soldiers obeyed, quickly retreated.
Pang Tong smile toward Guan Yu and said “General Guan, now it is your turn!!!” Guan Yu then stood up while laughing and said “Hahaha, Yu has been waiting for this!!!” Guan Yu then bellowed “General Guan Yu of Runan, said thanks for Your Highness Prince of Shu for returning Yu’s arrow!!!” Guan Yu now thought Now, the debt is repaid. The shamefulness, the anger, the despair. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!. At this time, Liu Mang just arrived and punched his fist Too late!!! and thought Well, General Guan, since Mang borrowed your arrows, it will be a breach of etiquette if Mang did not return it with interest!!!