Chapter 87: The Sharp-Tongued Yu Fan, Ji Ling Trapped Among Foes

In the third year of Jian'an—

To guard against Chu Feng using the outer fortress of Chungu as a base for an attack, Sun Ce personally led his main force to station at Chungu, setting up sentry posts and patrols along the river to prevent Chu Feng from crossing.

——

At this time, within Chungu County.

Sun Ce arrived at Chungu at sunset, deliberately marching his troops through the night to avoid alerting Ji Ling inside the fortress.

Inside the command hall, Sun Ce looked down at his assembled civil and military officers. Aside from the local garrison commanders from Niu Zhu and Wu Commandery, nearly all other subordinate generals were present.

“The fortress is rooted in the south of the river and could shelter Chu’s forces crossing at any time. We must take it. Yet the fortress is already strong as iron, and now even more fortified,”

“What do you all think is the best way to seize it?” Sun Ce asked with a grave expression.

“My lord, with only a few thousand defenders, what is there to fear? Give me five thousand men, and I will take the fortress without fail!” Dong Xi, a giant of a man, roared.

“My lord, I am willing to don armor myself and lead the charge, to win unmatched merit!”

“My lord, ...”

Seeing his commanders so eager and full of fighting spirit, Sun Ce knew their morale was high and could be used. However, he also understood that a direct assault on such a sturdy fortress would lead to grave losses.

Just then, Yu Fan gave a hearty laugh.

“Zhongxiang, what’s so funny?” Sun Ce asked, puzzled.

“My lord, I laugh at Chu Feng’s ignorance of warfare, and at his scholars’ lack of strategy. The fortress is a key position on the southern bank, yet he sends Ji Ling to guard it—what could be more ignorant of military matters?”

Yu Fan stroked his beard, laughing loudly.

“Ji Ling is known for bravery; why shouldn’t he be posted there?” Sun Ce was curious, for in his view this was reasonable—after all, Ji Ling was somewhat famed in the region.

Besides, Chu Feng’s forces hardly had many capable men.

“My lord, Ji Ling is brave but not wise, a mere brute. I need only use a small trick, and he’ll obediently leave the camp—what difficulty is there in taking the fortress then?” Yu Fan said with confidence.

“What trick?” Sun Ce asked, delighted.

“Heh, my lord need only give me a thousand or so weak troops. I will go and challenge him. When he comes out to pursue, you can lead the main force to encircle and cut him off,” Yu Fan replied with a light laugh.

Sun Ce frowned and thought for a moment, then nodded, “As you say. If the enemy cannot be lured out, I will take the fortress by force!”

——

At dawn the next day, outside the fortress.

Yu Fan arrived with a thousand weak troops. Inside, Ji Ling heard the commotion and climbed to look out. He did not recognize this man—just another nobody from Chungu, he thought.

“Is that you up there, coward Ji Ling?” Yu Fan stroked his beard, squinting as he called out.

“Who are you?” Ji Ling shouted angrily.

“Haha! I am Yu Fan, vanguard general under the illustrious Han commander. My lord says Ji Ling of Jiujiang is a timid rat, who fears him like a tiger!”

“My lord also says that if I come here and utter the name Sun Ce, Ji Ling will be so frightened he’ll flee, or else hide in his fortress like a turtle!”

“Now that I’ve met you, I see it’s true. The Yuan family must be fools to trust a wine-sack like you—what a farce!” Yu Fan laughed, his voice full of ridicule.

“You cur! How dare you insult me?” Ji Ling slammed his fist on the wooden parapet, his face red with rage.

“You, with your ratty looks and feeble arms, only the blind Yuan family would put you in charge of such an important fortress!”

“I may be a mere scholar, but to take your life needs but three rounds!” Yu Fan waved his hand dismissively, not taking Ji Ling seriously.

“Scoundrel! You seek death!” Ji Ling shouted.

“Men! Gather the troops! Follow me out to slay that knave!” Ji Ling, beside himself with anger, could not stand being insulted, especially when his lord was slandered as well.

“General, our lord strictly ordered us not to sally out under any circumstances!” his subordinate anxiously advised.

Ji Ling, nostrils flaring, burned with fury. But remembering Chu Feng’s orders, all he could do was pound the battlements in frustration.

“Oh, by the way, my lord prepared a special gift for you,” Yu Fan continued, signaling his attendant, who produced an outrageously gaudy woman’s dress.

“General Ji, my lord says that when he arrives, he hopes you’ll wear this to greet him.” Yu Fan burst out laughing, openly mocking him.

With that, he tossed the garment at the fortress gate, grinning as he rode away, his men laughing uproariously as they withdrew.

Yu Fan never once explicitly invited Ji Ling to battle, but every word was a goad. Now he turned his back in retreat, as if dismissing Ji Ling as beneath notice—deliberately taunting him to pursue.

Ji Ling glared at the garish dress on the ground, his rage boiling over. Seeing Yu Fan withdraw so contemptuously, he could bear it no longer.

“Men! Assemble the troops! We ride out and cut them down!”

“General, our lord strictly forbade us from fighting!” his subordinates protested again.

“A general in the field need not always obey orders! This is a perfect opportunity, and besides, they’re only Sun Ce’s advance force. If we crush them now, it will help our defense later!”

“If our lord were here, I’m sure he’d tell me to give chase!” Ji Ling clenched his fist, convinced of his own reasoning.

“But General—”

“Silence! If anything goes wrong, I’ll take full responsibility! Prepare the troops—don’t let this fat prize slip away!” Ji Ling shouted, grabbing his double-bladed spear and leading his men out.

He spurred his horse ahead, his soldiers filing out behind him, letting out a thunderous roar that startled even Sun Ce’s men, who had already begun to withdraw.

Yu Fan’s force was newly recruited and weak, and with no one to lead them, they quickly fell into disarray and scattered in panic.

“Today is the day for glory—follow me!”

Seeing the panicked enemy, Ji Ling was elated. Fixing his gaze on Yu Fan, he raised his weapon and led his men in pursuit.

Yu Fan, seeing this, let a faint smile curl at his lips.

One chased, the other fled—for over ten miles, Ji Ling slew deserters by the dozens, his men exulting at the easy military merit.

“General, let’s withdraw—Chungu is just ahead, their reinforcements will be here soon!” his lieutenant cautioned.

Ji Ling glanced at Yu Fan in the distance, still burning with anger.

He had already gained much in this sortie and was about to order a retreat when he saw Yu Fan halt, turn, and smirk.

“Ji Ling, you’ve truly disgraced your master—so easily lured by a simple ruse. It seems Chu Feng’s fame is undeserved!”

Yu Fan called out from horseback.

No sooner had Yu Fan finished than a commotion rose behind Ji Ling—he instantly realized he’d been tricked. “You treacherous villain, ambushing me—come, let me cut you down!” he shouted.

He made to charge, but his lieutenant cried out, “General, the fortress is vital—we must hurry back!”

Ji Ling ground his teeth in fury.

With a final roar, he ordered the retreat!

His eyes were bloodshot; now, he cared only about one thing: he must hold the fortress, or he would have no face to see Chu Feng.

He led his men back at once.

Everywhere along the way, Sun Ce’s troops blocked their path.

With only a few hundred men left, Ji Ling fought desperately, his valor unmatched. Determined to redeem himself, he carved a bloody path through the encirclement.

When he finally reached the fortress, he saw Sun Ce’s troops already storming the gates; inside, only his deputy remained to defend, and could not hold out much longer.

Looking back, only a handful of his men remained, all bloodied and battered. Ji Ling gritted his teeth, raised his blade, and shouted,

“Brave warriors, follow me—fight our way back into the fortress!”

PS: This novel will be officially released at midnight on April 1st. I hope you’ll support the official edition.

Mindless action is the trend, but I hope you’ll give the author some support and tolerance, so that the Three Kingdoms can be more than just brute force, but become a world of intrigue and cunning!