Chapter 56: Engaging Cai Mao in Battle

In truth, the reason so many people were willing to follow him, willing to surrender, was mostly because doing so meant they could have enough to eat. They could till the land and look forward to a better life. Since it was for these hopes that people came to him, Liu Xie knew he could not betray their expectations. He was also well aware that his actions here had already reached the ears of those in Xiangyang. He was certain that Liu Biao would dispatch troops to deal with him. Thus, he had to seize every stronghold in Nanyang before the great army from Xiangyang arrived. In this way, he could garner the support of the people.

Another day passed. Early the next morning, Liu Xie once again led his army toward Nanzhao. Nanzhao was a county under Nanyang’s jurisdiction, and it was one of the last two counties Liu Xie needed to conquer. Once he took Nanzhao, only Xinye remained.

To Liu Xie’s surprise, when his army approached the city walls, there was no resistance from within Nanzhao. The gates were thrown open, and the city surrendered at once. In less than half a month, Liu Xie led his army to capture more than twenty counties in succession—a sweep as swift and unstoppable as breaking bamboo. Everyone knew that Liu Xie would become the future master of Nanyang. Under such overwhelming momentum, no one dared resist; all surrendered.

However, just as Liu Xie led his troops into the city, a rider came galloping in haste. “My lord, a scout has just reported: Liu Biao has sent Cai Mao with fifty thousand troops. They are now garrisoned at Xinye,” the soldier reported loudly.

Hearing this, Liu Xie’s brow furrowed slightly. “They have come so quickly.” That Jingzhou would send troops was expected, but he had not thought they would arrive so soon, and even seize Xinye. Xinye was the last city in Nanyang yet to submit. Yet, just as it remained, the forces from Jingzhou had arrived. Though it was somewhat abrupt, it was not wholly beyond Liu Xie’s anticipation.

“Order the army to establish city defenses in Nanzhao. We will wait for them to come to us,” Liu Xie commanded. He had no intention of seeking out Cai Mao. He knew that Cai Mao had come under Liu Biao’s orders to subdue Nanyang. Since that was their purpose, Cai Mao would surely come to him without need of provocation.

Within half a day, Liu Xie’s ninety thousand strong army established their defensive line in Nanzhao. At this moment, news arrived from Wancheng as well.

“My lord, Lord Zhang has sent a letter,” reported a soldier, handing over the missive.

Liu Xie opened it and, after reading, nodded in satisfaction. According to the letter, conscription in Wancheng had concluded. Including the ninety thousand Liu Xie brought, their total conscripted force now approached one hundred and forty thousand—a number that far exceeded Liu Xie’s expectations. He had thought that ten thousand would have been a fine result, yet now the force was well over one hundred and forty thousand. Zhang Xiu explained that many outsiders had come to join as well; not only from the counties of Nanyang, but from other counties and prefectures, drawn by his reputation. Thus, such a massive army was gathered.

The letter further reported that armaments and armor were being produced and supplied as needed. Apart from the ninety thousand Liu Xie brought, the other fifty thousand had already begun their training under the personal supervision of Hu Che’er. As for agriculture, Jia Xu had been overseeing it diligently. The dozen or so plots of wasteland Liu Xie had originally chosen had now all been developed and planted.

This surprised Liu Xie somewhat. Yet Zhang Xiu explained in his letter that he had mobilized all the conscripted soldiers to help. With tens of thousands working together, alongside the local people, everything was ready in less than half a month. In every territory Liu Xie had taken, these efforts were underway. Agriculture was rapidly advancing, conscription continued, and all was orderly in the rear. The populace was full of gratitude and trust for Liu Xie.

Now all he needed was to focus on facing the great army under Cai Mao. Another night passed. The next morning, just as Liu Xie rose, a soldier came running in haste.

“My lord, it’s not good—Cai Mao’s army is on the move. Xinye is not far; I estimate they’ll arrive within a day,” the subordinate reported anxiously.

Liu Xie, however, remained calm and composed. “No need to worry. Let them come. We will wait for them here. Also, I must write to Lord Zhang in Wancheng. Deliver the letter without delay.” With that, Liu Xie returned to his quarters, quickly wrote a letter, and sent it off at once.

He now waited for the arrival of Cai Mao’s army. As expected, two days later, their forces arrived at the city walls.

“Is there anyone in charge here? Show yourself!” Cai Mao, mounted and wielding a long spear, called out from beneath the city gate. Yet within the city, there was no response.

“Hmph! If you do not answer, we will storm the city!” Clearly, he did not take Nanzhao seriously. After all, it was no stronghold, and seemed easy enough to take.

At this moment, Liu Xie ascended the city wall and appeared in Cai Mao’s line of sight. “Are you in charge here? You had best open the gates and surrender now. Otherwise, when my army takes the city, not a soul will be spared!” Cai Mao shouted, brandishing his spear.

Liu Xie, hands clasped behind his back, regarded him with composure. “Cai Mao, do you not understand? I act for the people’s welfare. Do you intend to destroy the good life these people have found?” he declared sternly.

“Hmph! Spare me your words. My task is to subdue Nanyang. Who are you to claim independence here?” Cai Mao, full of bluster, dismissed everything in front of him.

Liu Xie laughed coldly, unwilling to waste further words. “Very well, then come and take the city. Let us see if you have the power,” he said, turning to leave.

Seeing Liu Xie’s contempt, Cai Mao was enraged. “Fine, you said it yourself. Men! Attack!” At his order, tens of thousands of troops surged toward the walls. Suddenly, countless defenders appeared atop the ramparts. Logs and stones rained down, smashing Cai Mao’s assault as soon as they began.

“Hurry! Everyone forward! Take Nanzhao!” Cai Mao urged, pressing the attack. Their assault was fierce, and Nanzhao was not a formidable fortress, but the defenders inside the city were many—Liu Xie had brought ninety thousand men. Though these troops were mostly common folk and lacked battle experience, their position atop the walls made defense easier, especially since their preparations had been thorough.

Thus, Cai Mao’s forces found Nanzhao far harder to take than expected. The battle dragged on, casualties mounting on both sides, though Cai Mao’s men suffered most. As time passed and the attack faltered, Cai Mao grew anxious. Failing to take such a small city would be a disgrace.

“General, we cannot take the city quickly. The defenders are well prepared. We should withdraw and try another plan,” advised a deputy.

“Nonsense! How could my fifty thousand troops fail to take Nanzhao? Continue the assault!” Cai Mao would hear nothing of it, determined to seize the city at once.

“General, judging from the situation, their numbers inside must be considerable. We have only fifty thousand. Better to withdraw for now. If our losses are too great, we’ll have nothing to show the Governor when we return,” another subordinate remonstrated.

Truth be told, his men had clearer vision than Cai Mao. He had grown arrogant, thinking the city would fall easily, not considering the number of defenders within. Gritting his teeth, Cai Mao was loath to withdraw, but was clearly reluctant.

“Retreat!” At last, he gave the order. He knew that continued assault would only bring heavier losses, and he would be unable to answer for it upon his return. Thus, Cai Mao’s army withdrew, and the soldiers atop the city wall finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, as Cai Mao’s army found their attack stymied, the defenders atop the wall also suffered greatly. For most, it was their first taste of real battle. Many had been mere civilians, with no experience of war. This fight was hard-won, and if Cai Mao had pressed the attack, Liu Xie’s casualties might have grown even greater. Fortunately, at that critical moment, the enemy withdrew.

“That was a close call,” the soldiers said, wiping sweat from their brows and hearts still pounding.

Liu Xie stepped among the men, smiling as he addressed them. “Everyone, there will be battles far greater than this in the days ahead. You must steel yourselves. Remember, on the battlefield it is kill or be killed—if you cannot take his life, it will be yours. But our struggle is not wanton slaughter; it is so that more people may live better lives. You need not bear any burden in your hearts.”

After the battle, Liu Xie worked hard to ease their minds. These were once common folk, many had never even killed a chicken, let alone faced war. Now they had to kill in battle, and overcoming that mental barrier was their greatest challenge. After his words, their spirits calmed greatly.

“You are right, Lord Liu. We fight so more people can live better lives. We must bring an end to this age of chaos,” they said with excitement.

Liu Xie smiled faintly. These men, after all, possessed remarkable resolve—already speaking of ending the chaos of the age.