Volume 1 Chapter 68: Delighted to Obtain a Good General

  (Thanks to Xi Xiaoya and Sky for rewards, Brother Canglan and Brother Cesuo for voting)

  Yan Liang rode his horse away, feeling extremely pleased and carefree.

  "General, you could have killed that Jinfan thief just now, why did you spare him?" Wen Ping asked, following behind and asking in puzzlement.

  Yan Liang slowed down his horse and said calmly: "It's easy to get a thousand soldiers, but it's hard to find a good general. How can I bear to kill such a brave general?"

  When Wen Ping heard this, he suddenly realized that Yan Liang's various actions were actually intended to capture Gan Ning.

  After a moment of hesitation, Wen Ping said: "Gan Ning is indeed a brave and talented man. But General, why didn't you capture him first and then try to persuade him to surrender? Instead, you let him go and even gave him food and grass. If he refuses to join us, won't that be a great loss?"

  Yan Liang's moves were all unconventional, and Wen Ping was suspicious, which was also normal.

  "Didn't you hear what Ji Bo said? This Gan Xing is a man of clear grudges and favors. Whoever treats him with kindness will be repaid with his life. Two million bushels of grain, in exchange for a loyal and fierce general, what better deal could there be?"

  Yan Liang spoke slowly and expressed his intention.

  The perplexity in Wen's heart was suddenly resolved, and he couldn't help but admire Yan Liang's profound insight into human nature, revealing a look of reverence on his face.

  He still had some doubts and couldn't help but say, "Although it's true, I still feel that something is not quite right. What if Gan Ning takes the grain and fodder but doesn't come to surrender? How will you handle it then, General?"

  "Don't worry, he will definitely come."

  Yan Liang galloped confidently on his horse, speeding along the main road with a smooth and swift pace.

  Wen Ping furrowed his brow, still with a hint of skepticism on his face.

  Two days later, Xin Ye.

  In the mansion of the governor, the fragrance of wine wafts through the air.

  In the great hall, fine wine and dishes were all on the table. Except for Man Chong who was out inspecting taxes in various counties, Xu You, Wen Ping and others were all seated.

  The fragrance of wine has already tempted these people's appetites, but they can only stare with wide eyes and swallow their saliva, with no one daring to move their chopsticks.

  Because Yan Liang on the main seat has not started eating yet.

  Wen Ping glanced at the sun outside and couldn't help but say: "General, it's already past noon now. I think Gan Ning shouldn't be coming anymore."

  "The wine hasn't cooled down yet, what's the hurry."

  Zan Yan was sitting on the main seat, answering casually with a volume of book in his hand, reading with great interest.

  Wen Ping and Xu You exchanged a glance, both secretly shaking their heads, with an expression of distrust.

  Time flies, and another incense stick has passed. The people in the room are all hungry to the point of growling stomachs, but Yan Liang remains calm and composed, as if he intends to let them starve until Gan Ning arrives.

  Just then a military officer came to report that someone named Gan Ning had arrived at the gate, alone and unarmed, seeking an audience.

  Everyone present was shocked upon hearing this news.

  "This Gan Ning has really arrived..."

  Wen Ping was even more shocked, looking at Yan Liang with an incredulous gaze.

  Yan Liang secretly let out a sigh of relief in his heart, but on the surface he remained calm and collected, simply waving his hand to say: "Quickly invite Xing Ba to come in."

  Yan Liang's confidence comes from his understanding of history.

  He knew that Gan Ning was the kind of man who would die for someone he recognized as a true friend, and he had shown him extraordinary bearing and superior strength. Although he could have put Gan Ning to death, he did not do so, but instead sent him 20,000 bushels of grain and fodder. How could all this not make Gan Ning surrender?

  Under everyone's astonished gaze, Yan Liang stood up and walked down the steps, out of the hall.

  At this time, Gan Ning was coming alone. Yan Liang smiled and said: "Xingba, the good wine of our general has been cooked for a long time, you are late."

  Gan Ning saw Yan Liang and hastily walked a few steps forward, bowing his head in respect.

  Gan Ning was a rough man and not good at expressing himself, but this one bow showed his submissive heart.

  Yan Liang was overjoyed and stretched out his hand to help Gan Ning up, laughing loudly as he led him inside.

  Zhu Zhi sat down, before Yan Liang could speak, Gan Ning first picked up his cup and toasted Yan Liang.

  "Your military bearing is extraordinary, truly a hero of the present age. I am but a humble and unknown scholar, yet you have honored me with your esteem; I am willing to follow you into boiling water or blazing fire, without hesitation!"

  Gan Ning's face was sincere and his words were resolute.

  Yan Liang was overjoyed in his heart, raised his cup and said: "If we can get Xing Ba this kind of tiger general, what worry will our great cause not be achieved? Let's drink up this cup."

  The two masters drank up in one draught, both of them being men of great spirit. After drinking the fine wine, they couldn't help but look at each other and burst out laughing.

  Yan Liang immediately opened a banquet and drank heavily to celebrate Gan Ning's surrender. Wen Ping, Xu You and others were amazed at Yan Liang's ability to recognize people and also toasted and praised him.

  The atmosphere of this banquet was very lively.

  After three rounds of wine, Gan Ning moved his seat closer and asked: "General, although you are brave and resourceful, but now you only have the seven counties of Xinye, with less than 10,000 soldiers, which is not a long-term plan. I wonder if General has any great strategy?"

  Gan Ning was indeed an extraordinary general, and as soon as he surrendered, he could ask about Yan Liang's situation.

  Yan Liang had his own plan in mind, but he didn't say it clearly. Instead, he asked: "Does Xing Ba have any high-level views?"

  Gan Ning spoke bluntly, "The land of Jing and Chu is vast and connected to all directions, with a population of over a million. Liu Biao is not skilled in military affairs, General, why don't you take advantage of the situation and seize it to establish your foundation? Then, follow the river eastward, attack and destroy Sun's clan, capture Jiangdong, and next, head west to take Ba and Shu, occupying the entire Yangtze River. After that, nurture your strength and wait for changes in the Central Plains, then you can lead your army northward, this will surely achieve great success."

  Xun Yu's face changed color as he listened to Gan Ning's lengthy and eloquent speech, seemingly shocked by his plan.

  Even if it were Yan Liang, he would still be quite surprised in his heart.

  Gan Ning's plan is surprisingly in line with Zhuge Liang's "Longzhong Strategy" in history. It is truly remarkable that Gan Ning, a mere wandering swordsman, can have such profound insight, which is indeed extraordinary.

  People say Gan Ning is a general with both wisdom and bravery, indeed his reputation is well-deserved.

  Yan Liang couldn't help but nod secretly, feeling pleased that he had been able to recruit such a fine general.

  However, Yan Liang only smiled slightly and said: "Xing Ba's strategy is indeed a valuable advice, but in my opinion, it still lacks something."

  Gan Ning was taken aback and hastily said: "I would be grateful to hear the good news."

  Yan Liang stood up and pointed at the map of China hanging on the wall.

  "Controlling the Yangtze River and taking in Sichuan to the west, I can only occupy one side. It's not that I'm being overly ambitious, what I want is not just a peaceful life on one side."

  Yan Liang expressed his true ambition for the first time, and although his words seemed ordinary, they hid a sharp edge. Everyone present couldn't help but feel their blood boiling with enthusiasm.

  Gan Ning also showed excitement and said, "General, you have such a great ambition, which is indeed a blessing for us. However, I just said that after taking the Western Shu, we will lead our army northward, and at that time, General's career will not be limited to one side."

  "However, Xing Ba thinks that relying solely on Jiangnan half wall, can it really compete with the entire Central Plains?" Yan Liang asked lightly.

  With the foresight of Yan Liang, it is naturally known that since ancient times, unifying the world has always been easy from north to south and difficult from south to north.

  This is because in most periods of time, the economy and population of the North were stronger than those of the South. On the other hand, it was also because the South had no horses and was at a disadvantage militarily.

  Yan Liang's rhetorical question suddenly awakened Gan Ning, and this wise and brave warrior was momentarily speechless.

  After a moment of silence, Gan Ning praised: "The general's insight is indeed not comparable to that of an ordinary general. But I wonder, how do you think we can make up for the shortcomings of this strategy?"

  Just as he finished speaking, an urgent message arrived from Cao Cao's camp.

  Xu You hastily opened the wax pellet, which was a fine work from Wan City. The intelligence inside said that Xiahou Yuan, the defender of Nanyang, had urgently led 3,000 soldiers to Guandu.

  "The garrison of Wan City is no more than 5,000, and Xiahou Yuan took away 3,000. Wouldn't that leave only 2,000 people? What does Cao Cao want to do?" Yijue asked in surprise.

  "What else can be done? It must be that Cao Cao's situation is critical, forcing him to jump over the wall in desperation, and he can no longer afford to guard against this general. The outcome of the Battle of Guandu will be decided within a few days."

  Yan Liang's words were sharp as a knife, cutting through iron.

  As soon as these words came out, everyone present changed color.