Jiang Wan could see it clearly.
Outside Jiangling City, the Jiangdong army was in visible turmoil.
To be fair, Jiang Wan had not been suffering much during this period.
Back when Guan Yu constructed Jiangling City, the eight oxen crossbows had already been standard defensive equipment. When the decision was made to temporarily abandon Gong'an County and withdraw to Jiangling, all eight oxen crossbows along the Tiger Crossing River and the water powered workshops were dismantled and transported away.
Those crossbows were distributed between Jiangling and Xiangyang. Some became the backbone of Jiangling's city defenses, others were installed on the warships of the Jingzhou navy.
Huang Yueying even took the opportunity to upgrade these water workshop special editions, adding foot pedals to make drawing the bowstring far easier.
Lü Meng knew none of this.
Only when he finished reorganizing his troops at Gong'an and launched the assault did he finally understand what true firepower suppression meant.
Jiangling consisted of twin cities, surrounded by water on three sides. Lü Meng ordered part of his fleet to make noise along the riverside to draw attention, while he personally led the main force around to the western side to land and attempt a direct assault.
He had anticipated that the city would be hard to take.
What he did not anticipate was just how hard.
A Jiangdong soldier disembarked, listening blankly to his officer's commands.
The crude armor on his body and the sharp but fragile saber in his hand offered no sense of safety.
Lü Meng envisioned a grand future where the river would mark a lasting division between north and south.
The soldier, however, felt only bitterness at being forced to march against General Guan from behind.
If he could choose, he would rather be holding the hoe he had used a month ago.
Unfortunately, the land he tilled was not his, and he himself was not free.
When the master spoke, he marched. When the master of the master spoke, he died.
For him, the greatest luxury in this battle was nothing more than a single thought.
If I can survive.
That thought shattered the moment he arrived beneath Jiangling's walls.
Now, standing face to face with this fortress, even that shred of luck vanished. Fear replaced it, along with a faint unwillingness.
If only, a year ago, he and his fellow villagers had gathered the courage to flee into Jingzhou.
Then perhaps he would now be standing atop the walls, calmly watching these Jiangdong scoundrels.
A military officer's shouted curse snapped him out of this extravagant fantasy. Seeing the treasured blade in the officer's hand, the soldiers had no choice but to advance.
They advanced with their chests exposed.
To the screaming bolts of the eight oxen crossbows.
A single eight oxen crossbow was primarily a tool of intimidation.
But dozens of them, lined along the walls and firing without pause, did not merely shatter morale. They annihilated bodies.
To make matters worse, the naval vessels making noise along the river were given the same treatment.
Specially made bolts punched straight through hulls, leaving holes no human effort could seal. After several volleys, the Jiangdong fleet retreated far away.
They maintained maximum distance and made as much noise as possible.
This was the best obedience they could offer General Lü's orders.
After several such rounds, the soldiers refused to disembark again. They would rather face the officer's blade than meet the crossbows with their frail bodies.
At this point, every plan Lü Meng had for Jiangling turned into nothing but illusion.
Only one option remained.
Starve them.
He left his main force locked in confrontation at Gong'an and Jiangling, while the remaining troops spread outward, raiding north, south, and west.
From the walls, Jiang Wan observed everything clearly and felt no concern.
Jingnan's population had always been sparse. After Jiangling and Gong'an flourished, most commoners came to these two cities to seek work.
The few remaining people had already been transferred north to Xiangyang and Fancheng under signed orders.
When General Guan's northern campaign ended and troops withdrew, both Fancheng and Xiangyang became empty cities.
Yet Liu Jingzhou's choice of Xiangyang as Jing Province's seat had not been without reason. Fertile land, natural defenses, mountains and water. It was excellent terrain.
Moving the people of Dangyang and Yicheng northward both avoided Jiangdong's blades and provided the first wave of residents to revive Xiangyang and Fancheng.
Thus Jiang Wan's defense of the city was remarkably stable.
Aside from the temporary closure of official markets that left merchants restless, there was little disruption.
In fact, Jiang Wan's workload decreased. He even had time to stroll the walls with Zhou Qun, gazing at the Jiangdong encampment outside Gong'an.
With nothing better to do, changes in Lü Meng's camp quickly caught Jiang Wan's eye.
"The enemy intends to withdraw. Either the Shanyue have attacked westward into Yunmeng Marsh," Jiang Wan said.
Zhou Qun, having grown closer to him during their daily walks, even found time to joke.
Hearing this, Jiang Wan smiled and shook his head.
Zhou Qun smiled as well and cupped his hands.
"Then it must be our navy striking south and fiercely attacking Jiangxia. In that case, the siege of Jiangling is lifted. Congratulations, Lord Gongyan."
Jiang Wan gazed into the distance, pondering. Figures passed through his mind one by one, until the image of the young general Gan Gui surfaced.
His brow relaxed, a faint smile appearing as he shook his head.
"Judging by Lü Meng's movements, the fleet has likely gone straight into the heart of Jiangdong."
Zhou Qun did not pry. Though Jiang Wan was approachable, Zhou Qun always remembered his rank. There were surely matters he was not qualified to know.
But charging directly into Jiangdong's heart made sense.
The Jingzhou fleet had superior ships. Abandoning that advantage to defend Jiangxia would be foolish.
To ignore Jiangling and strike Jiangdong directly took courage worthy of praise.
Jiang Wan said nothing more.
With sufficient intelligence beforehand, he felt he had grasped the general direction of the war.
Since Gan Gui was clearly targeting what the enemy must rescue, Jiang Wan needed to cooperate by tying down the Jiangdong forces here.
With that thought, after an inner struggle, he made his decision.
Letting out a loud laugh, Jiang Wan grabbed Zhou Qun, his face filled with joy.
"Now that the bandits withdraw, it must be Heaven aiding Lord Xuande. Zhongzhi, you must drink with me today."
Zhou Qun was confused, but careful as always.
"This is worth celebrating. A great banquet should be held to inform the people."
Jiang Wan beamed.
"Only Zhongzhi understands me. Please invite General Zhenwei to the prefectural office."
Zhou Qun nodded.
"Agreed."
With Jiang Wan's deliberate push, the officials soon learned the Jiangdong army was withdrawing. With whispers spreading, the city fell into subtle excitement.
The banquet at the prefectural office was no secret. Jiang Prefect, usually abstinent, drank repeatedly and soon appeared drunk.
"The enemy's retreat is thanks to the southern garrison's great merit."
The guests smiled. The crossbow troops in the west had clearly done the most work. How did it become the south?
But Jiang Wan was not finished.
Red faced, hiccupping, he shouted.
"Come. Issue my order. Reward the southern garrison with wine."
Some tried to stop him and were nearly kicked over by the drunken prefect. Liu Zhang intervened, slurring as well, saying that since the enemy was withdrawing, there was no urgency.
With Jiang Wan's confidants allowing it, and Liu Zhang guiding the matter, the order was executed.
Jiang Wan soon collapsed onto the table, snoring loudly. Liu Zhang followed suit.
With the host unconscious, the banquet ended. The events spread quietly.
Most people understood. With Sun and Cao allied, General Guan tied down elsewhere, pressure on the prefect was immense. Learning of relief would naturally cause joy.
But for those deeply rooted in Jingnan, this was the final chance.
Drinking dulled the southern garrison. Gaps appeared in the defenses. With cooperation, a basket was lowered from the wall.
A skilled swimmer, carrying a secret letter, plunged toward Gong'an.
The river returned to calm. Only the basket slowly sank.
Before they could celebrate, a squad of soldiers kicked open the mansion doors.
"By order of the Prefect. Clerk Pan and the others will come with us."
Pan Jun's face went pale.
The timing was too perfect.
Seeing Jiang Wan seated calmly afterward confirmed it.
His expression was cold, eyes dangerous, not a trace of drunkenness.
General Zhenwei Liu Zhang sat beside him, gazing at the beams.
Pan Jun trembled.
"In the past month, the documents from Jingnan that I personally saw…"
"Half were forged," Jiang Wan replied calmly.
That was enough.
Pan Jun laughed strangely and stepped forward.
"Jiang Wan. Must you sever yourself from our homeland?"
Jiang Wan said nothing. His gaze held many emotions, but only disappointment remained. He waved his hand.
The guards dragged them away.
Suppressing thoughts of his cousin, Jiang Wan spoke.
"Once Lü Meng receives the message, he will split his forces. Aid Jiangdong, blockade Jiangling, and attack Hanshou."
"In that case, Jiangling is relieved, and we gain a chance to counterattack."
His dry voice echoed in the hall. Liu Zhang remained silent.
Jiang Wan softened his tone.
"The glass workshops have produced new ornaments. General Zhenwei…"
Liu Zhang laughed.
"How could I refuse such generosity?"
Watching him leave, Jiang Wan rubbed his temples, reviewing his plan.
As for that cousin, better leave him to General Guan.
Talented, yet seeing only his small homeland. Jiang Wan could not understand it.
Meanwhile, Gan Gui knew nothing of this complexity.
Breaking through Jiangxia consumed all the small boats, speeding the fleet.
Those boats were narrow and oar driven, fast only in battle. Normally they were towed.
With them gone, the fleet moved swiftly.
To maximize impact, Gan Gui ordered every usable banner raised. Han banners. Liu banners. Guan banners.
He had no personal standard. It did not matter.
The giant ship itself was unmistakable. A massive silver bell hung at its bow, and a vivid brocade sail replaced the small forward sail.
It was enough.
Gan Ning's eight hundred veterans were stirred, as if back in carefree days on Sichuan waterways.
Some objected. What if Sun Quan killed old General Gan in anger?
The majority scoffed. With his instincts, how could that happen?
So they pressed on joyfully, ringing the bell in turns.
Gan Gui swelled with pride, wishing his father could see this.
The disturbance spread behind them.
From Chaisang to Pengze, Nanling to Wuhu, cities saw a fleet bearing Guan's banners charging downstream.
Rumors surged.
Guan Yu broke Jiangxia. He is settling accounts with Sun Quan.
Of course the Jiangdong fleet lost.
General Guan's might is divine.
Gan Gui paid it no mind.
Three days later, Jianye appeared.
Grinning, he watched merchants scatter.
When the walls filled with soldiers, he bared his teeth.
"All troops. Mount the crossbows. Target Jianye. Give Sun Quan a proper greeting."