"We can fight."
Fu Jian followed Liu Cheng into the ferry crossing building and eagerly offered his advice. "Summer is almost here. The water is bound to rise... it isn't a question of whether it rains here. Unless all of Huaibei and Henan suffer a severe drought, the water will rise. Once it does, we can use our newly built fleet to catch them unawares. Surprise is the finest art of war, and with the rivers to rely on, what can Murong Chui do?
"And another thing..."
Liu Cheng nodded, but stopped him from continuing. "I understand what you mean. We'll continue later. First, ask Army Provisioning Officer Jiang to come in alone."
Fu Jian paused, then immediately closed his mouth, nodded, and went out.
"I think we can fight," Jiang Gan concluded after a moment's thought. "Murong Chui is indeed a renowned general of our age, reputed to conquer every stronghold and win every battle. He himself has long been called a match for ten thousand men, and is particularly skilled at cavalry raids and pincer attacks. But how many days has he been back in Yecheng? His former subordinates were suppressed for years and have only just been promoted again, while the Murong Clan in the Imperial Guards has been purged. How could that fail to affect them?
"Besides, when in his life has he ever been to Henan, let alone the network of waterways in Huaibei? And will the Henan garrison commanders he has swept along with him truly obey him as readily as an arm moves its fingers?
"Conversely, my lord, we don't necessarily have to win a field battle. If we can intercept them along the rivers, consume their money, provisions, and supplies, and force them to retreat, that will be enough to keep the