diskusbooks Chapter 578 Heavy Rain and River
Chapter 578 Heavy Rain and River
Yan State, Liangdi, the southernmost part of Tianshui County.
The continuous heavy rain cast a shadow over the hearts of Guan Shouchang and other Yan army commanders.
The Yan army soldiers had dug ditches inside the camp so that rainwater could be drained smoothly and flow into the Han River outside.
Looking at the curtain of water flowing down the tent outside, Guan Shouchang sighed heavily.
Behind him, Zhang Yide, Su Wuan, Zhao Biao and Chen Qing were all sitting together around a stove, warming themselves and drinking warm wine.
"Old Guan, stop sighing. It's quite cold today after the rain. Come over and have a drink."
Old Zhang greeted Guan Shouchang.
Guan Shouchang sighed, turned around and sat down, picked up the wine bowl, took a big sip, and said,
"Three days have passed since the day we agreed to march together. Perhaps the prince has already taken down Fengling Pass.
But we were trapped here by this rainstorm.
The heavy rain lasted for half a month, and the roads were muddy, making it difficult to fight. Our artillery needed fire to be fired, and the shells would be affected if they were exposed to rain.
We have 350,000 men against the enemy's 500,000. We are outnumbered, so how can we fight?
None of us can afford to delay military intelligence."
Chen Qing sighed and said,
"Yes, we had a very good plan, but the weather was not good, what can we do?
The land is so muddy that artillery cannot be used and it is difficult for the army to move, let alone charge.
well……"
Just when everyone was at a loss, the soldier outside the door suddenly came in, clasped his hands and said,
"Your Excellency, the Governor of Tianshui County and the Magistrate of Cheng County have come to see you."
"Oh? The county magistrate is here? Did he say anything?"
Guan Shouchang asked with a frown.
The imperial court was most averse to close contacts between military generals and local officials as well as officials in the imperial court. A few months ago, the governor of Xuzhou even attempted to bribe the generals of the Shenji Camp to steal artillery. Lanling Wang directly ordered that local officials and military generals were not allowed to have too much contact, and were not allowed to accept invitations to meals.
Therefore, Guan Shouchang is still quite taboo.
The soldier said,
"I'm not sure, but the sheriff and the county magistrate seem quite anxious. They say it's a matter of life and death."
Hearing this, Chen Qing said,
"General Guan, let's have the two adults come over. After all, it doesn't look like a small matter. Besides, the county governor is familiar with the local area and may be able to give us some ideas on how to defeat the enemy.
At worst, we can submit a memorial to the prince to explain the situation later."
Guan Shouchang thought for a moment, then stroked his beard and said,
"Go and invite them in."
"As ordered!"
Soon, a carriage arrived at the door of the general's tent. The driver put down the stool, and two officials holding umbrellas walked quickly into the tent. They looked anxious, but they still clasped their hands and greeted him.
"This subordinate greets all the commanders."
"Greetings, my Lords. Please take a seat. There are no rules in the army. Come and warm yourself by the fire."
"Very good, very good."
Of the two officials, the county governor was older, in his forties, and the county magistrate was younger, in his thirties.
Both of them were from Liang and had served as officials in Tianshui County for many years. They had a good reputation, so the court did not replace them.
"Mr. County Magistrate, what do you want to talk to us about?"
Guan Shouchang asked.
The sheriff sighed and said,
"We...would like to ask the Marshal for help to save the people."
"Oh? What's going on?"
"That's right, Commander. Our Tianshui County, as the name suggests, has been a place of abundant water and heavy rainfall since ancient times.
There is always a lot of rainfall in summer and autumn every year.
The Han River bed is at a high altitude. When the rainy season comes, the water level rises and floods form, submerging fertile fields.
In the past, I would lead the local people to control floods.
But last year, the Qin people came and fought here, resulting in many casualties among the people. Many people went out to seek refuge, and large areas of land were left barren.
General Zhao knew about this matter. He was there at the time."
The county magistrate looked at Zhao Biao and spoke earnestly.
Zhao Biao nodded and said,
"That's what happened. After this general left, the Qin army also invaded Liangdi."
The sheriff sighed and said,
"Yes, last year, the land was abandoned for a year. This year, with the help of our brothers in the Yan army, we called some people back to reclaim the land. But when it was almost harvest time, it suddenly rained heavily.
Fortunately, the soldiers helped to harvest the grain, so this year's harvest was not ruined.
But misfortunes never come singly. Now, the water level of the Han River is about to burst its banks.
If we don't take measures to control the situation, once the flood comes, the entire Cheng County and its surrounding areas will be submerged.
Not only will the civilians suffer heavy losses, but even the military camps will probably be flooded.
Now because of the war, there are not many people in the county and there is a shortage of manpower, so we are unable to dredge the river and reinforce the embankment. So I would like to beg the commander-in-chief to transfer some of the soldiers to help control the flood.
This is for the people and for this military camp."
Hearing this, everyone became even more worried.
Guan Shouchang sighed,
"We haven't figured out a good strategy to defeat the enemy yet, and now we have to control the floods. How long will it take to defeat the enemy and invade Qin?
I’m worried that we won’t be able to get through, and the prince will be isolated and helpless.”
Su Wuan immediately said,
"Brother Guan, I think flood control is more important. If the dam breaks, our military camp will be flooded, and the entire Cheng County and other counties will suffer."
Guan Shouchang thought for a long time and said,
"How about I go check the water level myself and observe it. That way I can determine how to control the flood and come up with a plan. Then I can send someone to repair it."
"Oh, thank you, Master Guan, thank you, Master Guan."
The sheriff and the county magistrate stood up and expressed their gratitude repeatedly.
Guan Shouchang said,
"Come here, get your straw raincoat and follow me to check out the river!"
"Brother Guan, I'll go with you."
Su Wuan said immediately.
"I'll go take a look too. Flooding is no small matter."
Chen Qing also stood up.
Zhao Biao was a little embarrassed and said,
"If everyone goes, I'll go too."
"Go together, go together."
Zhang Yide also said.
The generals put on straw raincoats and bamboo hats, went outside, rode their horses, and headed west with their guards, the county governor, and the magistrate.
After leaving the military camp and walking five miles, you will reach the Han River.
The Han River is also the main source of water for the military camp, so it is not far away.
Climbing up the riverbed and arriving at the riverside, everyone saw the rushing river with rolling waves like the roar of a wild beast.
Zhang Yide said with eyes wide open,
"Damn it! In the summer, my husband Zhang used to come here to bathe and swim, but the water wasn't this wide or this high. It looks like it's about to overflow."
The county governor nodded and said,
"Yes, all the rainwater from the surrounding mountains converges into the river, so the river water is high.
Within three days, the dam will burst."