Wuxia: The Super Slave Master

Page 372

Cao Cao smiled awkwardly: "I didn't mean to attack Yizhou... I just asked the ministers to discuss it... Huang Zhong's troops only have 100,000 men, and the forces in Hanzhong and Yizhou are weak. Luo Chen's main force is fighting a bitter battle with the Xiongnu in the north. If we attack Yizhou now, wouldn't that be taking advantage of their weakness? If we don't attack now, I'm afraid we won't have another chance..." He then pointed at Mao Jie: "Give everyone the latest intelligence from Luo Chen's side."

Mao Jie hurriedly pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve and said, "I'll tell you all the latest intelligence from Luo Chen's side, which was collected by our intelligence system. First, the governor of Yizhou has been replaced. Zhang Juzheng has been transferred back to Chang'an, and the new governor of Yizhou is Xu Shu. Second, a so-called 'Grassland Wolf Legion' has appeared in Hexi. The main force of this legion is composed of grassland wolves, and it is said to number over 100,000... They engaged in a direct confrontation with Luo Chen's army, and Luo Chen's army suffered heavy losses."

"The Steppe Wolf Legion?..." This was the first time the ministers had heard such a term, and it referred to an army of over 100,000 wolves... This was the first time they had ever heard of such an army.

"Such an army? If I remember correctly, Luo Chen seems to have the elite Guanzhong cavalry by his side," Cheng Yu said.

"Not bad..." Mao Jie said with a smug look, as if he had created this victory himself. "This steppe wolf legion is really too powerful. They actually routed Luo Chen's Guanzhong cavalry... My intelligence personnel at the front are inquiring everywhere, and I heard that Luo's army suffered heavy losses..." Mao Jie said excitedly. "We can't confirm the specific situation yet. We will send intelligence personnel to Daohexi as soon as possible. Right now, we can only inquire in the Xiongnu grasslands and Shuofang."

"All signs indicate that Luo Chen is currently facing considerable trouble, while Yizhou's military strength is depleted..." Cao Cao was quite pleased and extremely happy. He had already conquered Hebei and Jingzhou, yet Luo Chen was encountering trouble with the Xiongnu. How could he not be happy? "What do you all think? Is it feasible to attack Yizhou first?" Cao Cao asked, "Or would it be better to attack Jiangdong first?"

The ministers remained silent, deep in thought. Cao Cao's emphasis on the various favorable conditions for attacking Yi Province—was he perhaps advocating for an attack on Yi Province? However, the defending forces of Yi Province, including Huang Zhong and the local troops, were clearly very difficult to defeat due to their natural defenses. And the newly arrived Xu Shu, having fought Cao Cao's army for many years, was no pushover…

Xun You said, "I'm afraid we've touched Yizhou, which is Luo Chen's core interest. Chang'an might mobilize troops with all its might. Luo Chen's mobilization capacity is quite strong. Moreover, the Luo army might simply abandon the northern battlefield and advance south. We'll be in big trouble then..."

Cao Cao had been undecided, but Xun You's words seemed to make sense. Looking at his ministers, who all appeared to agree, it seemed the majority favored attacking Jiangdong. So he didn't press the matter further and said, "Since everyone agrees that Jiangdong is desirable, then I agree as well. Immediately draft a plan to pacify southern Jiangdong!"

Chapter 164 Lu Su

Meanwhile, Cao Cao decided to march south to Jiangdong. He wanted to discuss strategies with his ministers.

Cheng Yu said, "The most urgent task is to prevent Sun Quan and Liu Bei from forming an alliance and to force Jiangdong to surrender." Upon hearing this, all the ministers agreed. Cao Cao said, "Sir, your words are brilliant. I will immediately write a letter to Jiangdong to urge them to surrender. We now have nearly a million troops on the riverbank, a formidable force. Jiangdong is no match for us. As long as they surrender obediently, the terms are negotiable." He then stepped down from the hall and drafted a document on the spot: "My banners point south, Liu Cong surrenders; the people of Jing and Xiang submit at the mere sight of my banners. Now, commanding a million mighty soldiers and a thousand generals, I wish to meet with you at Jiangxia to jointly attack Liu Bei, divide the land, and forge an eternal alliance. Please do not hesitate, but reply swiftly." He then said smugly, "Now Sun Quan knows my might. If he knows what's good for him, he should distance himself from Liu Bei and surrender quickly."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yu found the words extremely arrogant, clearly boasting and then warning Sun Quan. How could he send it? But seeing Cao Cao so smug, not consulting his ministers at all, and directly sending the message by messenger, he had no choice but to remain silent. He thought to himself, "Hopefully, Sun Quan will be intimidated by the million-strong army and surrender immediately. Then, in another month, I can unify the south. I can then confront and defeat Luo Chen head-on."

Meanwhile, on Liu Bei's side, the city was fortifying its defenses daily, with troops training and supplies being repaired. It seemed they were determined to resist to the bitter end. However, Xiahou Dun had stopped advancing after reaching Wulin and Chibi, likely because he had infiltrated Sun Quan's sphere of influence and was therefore becoming more cautious, allowing Cao Cao to make a decision.

Since becoming Liu Bei's advisor, Fa Zheng hadn't uttered a single word. Liu Bei's subordinates had almost forgotten about him. Liu Bei was puzzled; Luo Chen had sent Fa Zheng, yet he remained silent—what was he doing…? Soon after, Luo Chen sent a letter, specifically requesting Fa Zheng to open it in front of Liu Bei. Liu Bei understood that Luo Chen was trying to avoid suspicion. So Liu Bei repeatedly declined, but Fa Zheng, without explanation, opened the letter. Liu Bei and his ministers, half-heartedly, also crowded around to look. They were completely baffled. Even Fa Zheng was perplexed, his face full of worry. This wasn't a letter at all; it was clearly a nonsensical question-and-answer sequence. However, everyone could see that the conversation was related to the current situation.

for example:

Q: Although Cao Cao held the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords, he was still a descendant of Chancellor Cao Can. Liu Bei, the Governor of Yuzhou, although claimed to be a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, could not be verified. He was clearly just a mat weaver and sandal seller. How could he possibly contend with Cao Cao?

A: Cao Cao, being a descendant of the Chancellor Cao, was a loyal subject of the Han dynasty for generations. Now, he abuses his power, bullying his father and sovereign. This not only shows disloyalty to the emperor but also contempt for his ancestors. He is not only a traitor to the Han dynasty but also a son of the Cao family. Liu Bei, the Governor of Yuzhou, is a descendant of the imperial family, and the current emperor bestowed his title according to the genealogy. How can you say there is no way to verify this? Furthermore, Emperor Gaozu rose from a lowly village head to eventually rule the empire; weaving mats and selling shoes—what is there to be ashamed of? Your childish views are not worthy of discussion with learned scholars!

Question: You are fond of making grand pronouncements, but you may not actually have any real knowledge. I'm afraid you'll only be laughed at by Confucian scholars.

A: There is a distinction between Confucian scholars and petty scholars. A Confucian scholar of the virtuous is loyal to the emperor and loves his country, upholding righteousness and abhorring evil, striving to benefit his contemporaries and leave a lasting legacy. A Confucian scholar of the petty, however, is only interested in trivial matters, specializing in calligraphy and painting, composing poems in his youth and studying classics until his old age; though he may have thousands of words at his fingertips, he possesses no real strategy. For example, Yang Xiong was famous for his writing, but he humbled himself to serve Wang Mang and ultimately died by suicide. This is what is meant by a petty scholar; even if he wrote ten thousand words a day, what good would it do him?

……

It was as if one person supported Cao Cao and the other opposed him, arguing back and forth. This short question and answer directly touched upon "Cao Cao" and "Liu Bei," leaving Fa Zheng perplexed. He read the questions and answers repeatedly, yet still couldn't grasp their meaning.

Looking at Liu Bei, he was also completely bewildered.

At the end of the letter, however, was a line of large characters that read: "Use the method of provocation."

If it weren't for the fact that the letter was clearly signed with Luo Chen's name and his personal seal, Fa Zheng would have thought it had been sent to the wrong person. The letter's opening clearly stated: "Fa Zheng to open and read; please also read with Liu Huangshu."

Everyone was puzzled and was making their own guesses. Just then, a soldier came in and said, "Lu Su from Jiangdong has come to pay his respects."

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. This Lu Su was quite renowned. A wealthy man from Jiangnan, he was known for his generosity, love of swordsmanship, and knowledge of imperial strategy. When Zhou Yu raised his army, he lacked provisions and asked Lu Su for some, which Lu Su generously provided. The two became close friends despite their age difference, their relationship considered quite good among the Jiangdong officials. At Zhou Yu's recommendation, Lu Su became a councilor under Sun Quan. Later, it was said that he had devised a grand strategy for Sun Quan's rise to power. Sun Quan and Lu Su had a long talk late into the night. Although Lu Su was usually quiet, when discussing the current situation, he was eloquent and insightful, proposing the division of the empire into three kingdoms. At this time, the situation in the Central Plains was already one of two powerful forces. Luo Chen and Cao Cao were currently unable to conquer each other, both eager to expand. The south was temporarily peaceful. Jiangdong was now wealthy and prosperous, possessing natural defenses; they should intensify their military training and observe the situation. When the opportunity arises, they will march north to capture Xiakou, then Nanjun, and west to take Changsha and Xiangtan, expanding their influence into Jingzhou. In this way, they will control the Yangtze River, station troops for self-defense, and even Luo Chen and Cao Cao will not dare to easily advance south. Thus, a tripartite balance of power will be established. Sun Quan was greatly impressed upon hearing this and placed great trust and importance on Lu Su. As a result, Lu Su became a renowned minister in Jiangnan, and even the Central Plains north of the Yangtze River had heard of him. His theory of a tripartite division became a popular topic of conversation among the people of Jiangnan, and even became a highly influential political doctrine. Cao Cao and Luo Chen in the north, unable to attend to the south, although they had secretly gathered their ministers to discuss the matter, did not publicly express their opinions to avoid revealing their strategic intentions. Only the Jingzhou faction was very dissatisfied. Moreover, they believed that the Xiongnu had ambitions to annex Jingzhou, and therefore had always been wary of Jiangdong. Furthermore, Liu Biao of Jingzhou had killed Sun Jian, greatly weakening Jiangdong's power; the two sides were sworn enemies. Liu Biao even organized a large group of scholars to criticize this theory. However, most of these so-called "dog-headed scholars" who were genuinely criticizing but were actually just pretending to criticize have now been recruited by Cao Cao.

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The group exchanged bewildered glances. The two families had never interacted before; why had Lu Su taken the initiative to visit them? Liu Bei said, "Please, Mr. Lu Su, come in..." while pacing anxiously. Jiangxia was in dire straits, and Jiangdong was also in a difficult situation. Could Lu Su's visit be related to Cao Cao?

Before long, Lu Su was led in by the guards. The two sides met and exchanged greetings. Neither side knew what to say. Zhang Fei was about to question him when Liu Bei stopped him with a look. Seeing the awkward atmosphere and not knowing how to ease the tension, Lu Su spoke directly. He stood up and said, "I have come to discuss with Liu Bei and Master Fa Zheng the matter of Cao Cao's troop deployment in Jiangdong."

This was indeed a direct statement, and everyone exchanged glances. Fa Zheng said, "Sir, please speak frankly about your plans."

Na Lu Su said, "Cao Cao has now amassed a million troops and wants my lord to join forces with him to capture Liu Bei... He said he would hold a hunt in Jiangxia."

"It's called a hunting party, but in reality, it's a ploy to persuade people to surrender," Fa Zheng said with a cold laugh.

“Indeed…” Lu Su was quite honest and didn’t beat around the bush, saying, “My lord is currently hesitant about whether to surrender. Personally, I oppose surrendering. Surrendering would not benefit my lord, nor would it benefit Liu Bei. My lord has heard that Fa Zheng, the deputy military advisor to General Luo Cheng, is currently in Jiangxia, and has specially invited you, sir, to Jiangdong so that my lord may seek your advice in person…”

Chapter 165 The Yangtze River! The Yangtze River!

The mighty river flows eastward, its waves washing away countless heroes of the past. West of the old fortress, it is said, lies the Red Cliff of Zhou Yu of the Three Kingdoms. Jagged rocks pierce the sky, and the surging waves crash against the shore, churning up a thousand piles of snow.

—Su Shi, "Nian Nu Jiao: Reminiscences of Chibi"

It turns out that Lu Su came to invite Fa Zheng to Jiangdong. Lu Su was a proponent of war, so he hoped Fa Zheng could persuade Sun Quan not to surrender. Sun Quan was also undecided; he couldn't consult with his own people enough, so he had to invite Fa Zheng from the Luo Chen-Liu Bei alliance. The scholars of the land were now roughly divided into three camps: the Luo Chen group, Cao Cao's faction, and the Southeast faction. The Southeast faction mainly consisted of those from Jingzhou and Jiangdong. After Cao Cao conquered Jingzhou, most of the scholars from Jingzhou surrendered to him, while some fled to the southeastern countryside. Of course, besides these three factions that had taken center stage in politics, there were also a large number of recluses living in the countryside. These people didn't speak out in court, and their views were rarely heard of. Some of these recluses were famous both at home and abroad, renowned hermits; others remained unknown to the world.

Fa Zheng bid farewell to Liu Bei and the others, and alone followed Lu Su south. Leaving Jiangxia City, they saw the mighty Yangtze River flowing eastward. A damp mist hung over the river, and a gentle breeze blew. Lu Su, with only a few dozen soldiers, took Fa Zheng down the river in a fast boat. Leaving Jiangxia, they passed the confluence of the three rivers and Huangzhou, among other places. Along the way, the Wu and Shu armies were heavily guarded, with numerous sentry posts. This stretch of the river, once bustling with activity, was now deserted for miles, with only warships patrolling the waters. A tense atmosphere prevailed, a prelude to a major battle.

Seeing that Fa Zheng was staring intently at the river, Lu Su walked over.

What a magnificent Yangtze River! Mentioning the Yangtze conjures images of surging white waters in the minds of the Chinese, evoking images of abundant waters nourishing the land, a symbol of grandeur and prosperity. The Yangtze is indeed vast, but compared to the Yellow River, it possesses a gentler grace. Unlike the Yellow River's roaring torrent, the people of the Central Plains, nurtured by the Yellow River, possess a spirit of boldness and martial prowess, further refined by etiquette and education, thus becoming the quintessential image of the Han people. Beyond the Yangtze, with its winding waters, the landscape and its people take on a more gentle and charming quality. The people of Jiangdong (east of the Yangtze) possess a refined and elegant air. These are the people of Wu.

The Sun family originally came from the Huai and Si regions, some distance from Jiangnan. Upon arriving in Jiangnan, they integrated with the local clans. Now, Eastern Wu is indeed teeming with talent, a truly magnificent sight. First and foremost are Zhang Zhao and Zhou Yu. These two were closest to Sun Ce, and after Sun Ce's death, they were among the first to stand up and support Sun Quan. Therefore, they are the pillars of Jiangdong. In addition, there are veteran generals of Sun Jian's generation, such as Han Dang and Huang Gai, all highly respected. There are also numerous middle-aged and younger generals who followed Sun Ce or newly joined, forming the main force. These include Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, Ling Tong, Gan Ning, Xu Sheng, Ding Feng, Pan Zhang, Dong Xi, and Lü Meng. Some of these are veterans from the Huai and Si regions, some joined during Sun Ce's reconquest of Jiangdong, and some joined after Sun Quan ascended the throne. These people indeed all listen to Sun Quan and Zhou Yu, so it's not unreasonable for Sun Quan to regard Zhou Yu as the top military commander in the country, because Zhou Yu has gathered a large number of middle-aged and younger main force generals around him. Han Dang and others were already quite old, and although they hadn't retired, their voices were weak. Lu Su, however, was a newcomer after Sun Quan's ascension to the throne, introduced by Zhou Yu and deeply trusted by Sun Quan. Other civil officials included Zhuge Jin. The question of whether to surrender was decided by the conservative civil officials led by Zhang Zhao, who advocated surrender. The veteran generals like Han Dang were staunch advocates of war, and most of the younger and middle-aged generals also favored war. Zhou Yu's stance was unclear; he was mobilizing his navy at Poyang Lake and hadn't yet participated in the court's discussions. If Zhou Yu advocated surrender, the younger and middle-aged generals would inevitably follow suit, and the majority of the court would be in the surrender faction. If Zhou Yu advocated war, the pro-war faction would be significantly stronger than the surrender faction. Lu Su was also a staunch advocate of war. It's understandable that Lu Su's proposal of a three-way division of the empire was based on his confidence in Jiangdong's strength. Although the goal of conquering Jingzhou hadn't been achieved, and Jiangdong hadn't yet significantly intervened in Jingzhou affairs, Cao Cao's hundreds of thousands of troops were already marching south with overwhelming force. Knowing they were outmatched, Jiangdong had no choice but to retreat. Even so, Jiangdong possessed formidable strength, with 200,000 armored soldiers and naval forces, a prosperous population, and natural defenses. Lu Su's assessment that Jiangdong had the strength to divide the world into three kingdoms held true; in other words, Jiangdong was capable of self-defense. Zhang Zhao and his allies lacked confidence in Jiangdong's strength, or even were ignorant of it. They were intimidated by the overwhelming force of the Central Plains armies, unaware of Jiangdong's significant advantages in terrain, supplies, climate, and naval discipline. With the right strategy, the outcome was still uncertain.

It was already the eighth month of the lunar calendar, and the autumn wind had just begun to blow, the summer heat had subsided. A light drizzle began to fall, and with it, the world became incredibly cool. Seeing that the wind was strong at the bow of the ship, the attendants brought thin cloaks for the two men to wear.

This is the first time this book introduces the Yangtze River to its readers, and it includes the poem "Ode to the Dense Fog Hanging Over the River":

Great indeed is the Yangtze River! It connects the Min and Emei Mountains to the west, controls the three Wu regions to the south, and connects the nine rivers to the north. It gathers hundreds of streams and flows into the sea, its waves rising for countless ages. As for dragons and sea monsters, river goddesses and jellyfish, whales thousands of feet long, nine-headed centipedes, and all sorts of strange and wondrous creatures, they all gather here. For it is the place where spirits and gods rely, and where heroes fight and defend.

(This passage describes the vastness of the Yangtze River, stretching east to west and gathering hundreds of streams to form a sea. What lies in the river? Behold the thick fog and the wide expanse of the river, a masterpiece of nature. How could there not be some strange and wondrous creatures in the river?)

When yin and yang are in chaos, and dawn and dusk are indistinguishable, the sky suddenly becomes a single color, then a thick fog gathers in all directions. Even a cartload of firewood cannot be seen, only the sounds of gongs and drums can be heard. At first, it was like a hazy mist, barely concealing the leopard of the southern mountains; gradually, it filled the air, threatening to obscure the kun of the northern sea. Then it reached the high heavens above and the thick earth below, vast and boundless. Whales and sea monsters emerged from the water, stirring up waves; dragons lurked in the abyss, exhaling their breath. It was like the plum rains receding, the spring chill brewing, a vast and boundless expanse. To the east, the shores of Chaisang disappeared; to the south, the mountains of Xiakou vanished. A thousand warships sank into the ravines; a single fishing boat appeared and disappeared in the waves. Even more so, the sky lost its light, the morning sun lost its color; daylight turned to dusk, and the crimson mountains turned to azure waters. Even the wisdom of Yu the Great could not fathom its depths; even the keen eyesight of Li Lou could not discern what was close at hand.

(This is a scene from section 1.4, depicting a dense fog over a river. The fog is so thick that one cannot see either bank. It's as if a lone boat is adrift in the boundless water and fog. In such a foggy environment, all sorts of magical creatures could emerge from the water. Even the Kunpeng (a mythical bird) could emerge and spout water, seemingly not far from the boat. However, due to the pervasive fog, nothing can be seen.)

Then Feng Yi calmed the waves, and Pingyi ceased its work; fish and turtles fled, birds and beasts hid. It severed the island of Penglai, and secretly surrounded the palace of Changhe. It surged and rushed, like an impending downpour; it mingled and churned, like cold clouds about to merge. It could conceal poisonous snakes, causing miasma; it harbored demons, using them to cause calamity. It brought disease and calamity to the world, and stirred up dust storms beyond the borders. The common people perished upon encountering it, and the great men were moved to tears upon witnessing it. It was as if it would return the primordial energy to the vast wilderness, merging heaven and earth into one great mass.

(With such a thick fog hanging over the river and warships speeding along, all the pent-up emotions in one's heart are released. Even a great man with countless strategies and grand plans can face the river and sigh with emotion!)

Chapter 166 Above the Great Hall

Fa Zheng accompanied Lu Su, sailing swiftly down the Yangtze River. Passing checkpoints, they saw Lu Su standing at the bow and were all given respectful passage. Their journey was unimpeded, and they arrived in Chaisang in no time. They heard that Zhou Yu had also finished his business and was rushing over day and night, expected to arrive in Chaisang today or tomorrow.

When Sun Quan saw that Fa Zheng had arrived, he was in no hurry to see him. He first asked Fa Zheng to discuss the matter with the strategists of Jiangdong.

Fa Zheng followed Lu Su off the ship at the dock. Sure enough, the Jiangdong soldiers were all imposing, wearing light-colored armor and white robes underneath. Sentry posts lined the dock, the soldiers looking alert; it seemed there was a military camp not far away. Chaisang wasn't far from the Yangtze River; one had to pass through the fortress of Jiujiang first before entering the city.

“Such a natural barrier, impregnable by ten thousand men; such soldiers, showing no sign of dejection; why surrender!” Fa Zheng couldn’t help but exclaim.

"Mr. Fazheng thinks the same way!" Lu Su was overjoyed to see Fazheng so certain of Jiangdong's strength. "Many in the court fear Cao Cao's growing power, but they don't realize that our Eastern Wu, after three generations of accumulation, has a prosperous people and a wealthy nation, with a gathering of strategists and fierce generals, and natural defenses, making it a defensible place." Lu Su sighed repeatedly, clearly disappointed in these surrender faction. How could they not see Eastern Wu's obvious internal strength? Especially Zhang Zhao and Zhang Zibu, veteran ministers of Eastern Wu, couldn't even see this. Fazheng followed Lu Su into the inner city and first met Zhuge Jin. This Zhuge Jin was tall and slightly plump, with the appearance of a kind gentleman. Upon seeing Fazheng and Lu Su, he bowed and said, "Mr. Fazheng, my lord Sun Quan sent me to welcome you. Please come to the council hall for a meeting." He gestured for them to come. Fazheng couldn't help but glance at Zhuge Jin a few more times; his features did resemble Zhuge Liang's. He was just a bit fatter than Zhuge Liang, and also appeared more composed and honest. Zhuge Liang held the position of regent in Luo Chen's territory, and although Zhuge Jin enjoyed Sun Quan's trust here, he was still no match for him.

Lost in thought, Fa Zheng followed Lu Su into the hall. The boots of the escorting soldiers thumped on the wooden floor. Hearing the sound, the officials all looked up. Fa Zheng saw that several advisors were seated in small groups on both sides of the hall. Most of them were dressed in civil official robes, and they seemed quite solemn.

The hall suddenly felt somewhat empty under the spotlight. Fa Zheng sensed a mixture of curiosity and hostility in those gazes. According to Lu Su's earlier introduction, so most of these people were pro-surrender faction members?

"Please sit down," Lu Su reminded him.

Fa Zheng bowed slightly, thus acknowledging their meeting with the strategists of Jiangdong. "Jiangdong rats..." Fa Zheng had previously vehemently criticized the people of Jiangdong, especially during the standoff between Luo Chen and Cao Cao at Tong Pass, when public opinion in Jiangdong believed Luo Chen was at a disadvantage against Cao Cao. After news spread that Luo Chen's group had reached a reconciliation with Cao Cao and that their army had marched north to attack the Xiongnu, the people of Jiangdong considered it even more foolish. Fa Zheng had published an article denouncing the Jiangdong public opinion, calling them "shortsighted," "rat-like," and a bunch of pedantic scholars. He even specifically named Zhang Zhao as an old, incompetent man. Now, it was truly a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road, their hatred palpable... This time, these Jiangdong strategists were again advocating surrender. He, Fa Zheng, was representing Liu Bei's group, or perhaps the Liu Bei-Luo Chen alliance, to persuade the Sun-Liu alliance. A Sun-Liu alliance against Cao Cao would primarily benefit Liu Bei; if Jiangdong surrendered, Liu Bei would undoubtedly die. Furthermore, it would undoubtedly benefit Luo Chen as well. If Jiangdong surrendered without a fight, and the entire southeast fell into Cao Cao's hands, then Cao Cao would become powerful, while Luo Chen would be relatively weak. The benefits of the Sun-Liu alliance to Liu Bei and Luo Chen are undeniable, but for Sun Quan, it is still debatable whether resistance or direct surrender is more advantageous.

It seems this debate is inevitable.

For a moment, Fa Zheng even felt a little strange. Just a few days ago, he was in the distant northern desert, planning a decisive battle against the Xiongnu for General Xu Da. How did he end up in Jiangnan so quickly, in this hall filled with people from Jiangdong? What was even more bizarre was that he, a deputy strategist under Luo Chen, a high-ranking advisor, had suddenly come to Liu Bei's side and started speaking on Liu Bei's behalf... Was all of this Luo Chen's arrangement? Indeed, the shadow of Luo Chen's manipulation was visible everywhere.

As Fa Zheng was lost in thought, a man suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Master Fa Zheng is a senior advisor under Lord Luo Chen. It is an honor to have you grace Jiangdong with your presence and to offer your guidance. However, there is something I do not understand. Lord Luo Chen sent you to Liu Bei, which attracted worldwide attention. It was thought that there was hope of resisting Cao Cao and that Jingzhou could be protected. Even though you are just a kid from the southeast, you said that Cao Cao could not be defeated. Unexpectedly, Cao Cao's iron hooves trampled over, Liu Bei lost his armor and weapons, and you fled in disarray. It is truly shameful!"

Fa Zheng glanced at the man and saw it was an old man in white robes and a white beard. He guessed it was Zhang Zhao, the leader of the pro-surrender faction. Fa Zheng had also publicly criticized him years ago, and now Zhang Zhao had launched the first attack, emphasizing the phrase "losing his armor and fleeing in disarray," seemingly smug and gloating. Fa Zheng then heard the question and felt a strange familiarity! Then he realized, wasn't this from the letter Luo Chen had given him? Some similar conversations… He hadn't understood it when he opened it earlier, but Lu Su had interrupted, and he had been rushing to Chaisang day and night for the past few days, completely forgetting about it. Now, he was hearing similar remarks in the main hall… Could it be that Luo Chen was a prophet? Fa Zheng felt a chill run down his spine. Everyone said that Lord Luo Chen possessed extraordinary abilities, and now he was experiencing this strange thing firsthand…

“Sir…” Lu Su’s voice came from beside him. Fa Zheng then came to his senses. Seeing that he was not speaking and looked dazed, Lu Su thought something had happened. The strategists from Jiangdong, thinking that he was speechless and unable to answer, couldn’t help but laugh.

"With Liu Biao dead, the corrupt official Cai and the scoundrel Liu Cong have seized control of the government," Fa Zheng declared sternly, startling the Jiangdong scholars who had been mocking him. Since Luo Chen had already given him a heads-up, Fa Zheng might as well follow the line of thought in Luo Chen's letter and deliver a scathing rebuke to these people. "Uncle Liu is a benevolent man of the world, unwilling to see his own kin fight, hence his desire to yield. Otherwise, with the bravery of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun within his ranks, and the support of the people, plus the aid of General Huang Zhong's 100,000 iron cavalry, taking Jingzhou would be a piece of cake!" With that, Fa Zheng rose from his seat and went to the center of the hall, practically shouting a rebuke: "Sir, your conjectures cannot possibly match even a fraction of Uncle Liu's magnanimity! Now, Lord Luo Chen and Uncle Liu are allies; Lord Luo Chen resides in the north to sweep away the foreign invaders, while Uncle Liu resides in Jiangxia to plan for the future. How could such a short-sighted man comprehend this!"

These words left Zhang Zhao speechless.

Chapter 167 Rebuking the Scholars

Fa Zheng then sternly rebuked Zhang Zhao, leaving Zhang Zhao speechless and unable to respond. A man stepped forward from the assembly; it was Yu Fan, dressed in a black scholar's robe, with a fair complexion and a short beard. He was clearly a young strategist from Jiangdong. Yu Fan said, "Cao Cao now commands a million troops, arrayed along the river. He can easily conquer Jiangxia, and Jiangdong cannot withstand him. What can Master Fa Zheng possibly say? Can Liu Bei's mere ten thousand troops possibly stop a million-strong army?"

Fa Zheng said, "Liu Bei's elite troops are holding Jiangxia, plotting another move. The people of Jingzhou are all loyal to him. General Huang Zhong's iron cavalry is stationed at the gateway to Yizhou, ready to deliver a crushing blow to Cao Cao at any moment. Cao Cao's million-strong army is nothing but a rogue, not worth fearing." Yu Fan laughed loudly, "When Cao Cao's army marched south, Huang Zhong cowered like a tortoise, Liu Bei lost his armor and weapons, suffered a crushing defeat at Xinye and Xiangfan, and fled in disarray at Changban Slope. In such a sorry state, he still has the nerve to call Cao Cao's army rats..."

Fa Zheng sneered: "Liu Bei's isolated army is indeed outnumbered. How can a few thousand righteous soldiers withstand a million brutal enemies? However, the Imperial Uncle is determined to defend Jiangxia to the death, preferring death to dishonoring the honor of a Han official. It's pitiful you people. Jiangdong has well-trained troops and ample supplies, a legacy built over three generations. You mere pedantic scholars, with just your words, are willing to hand over a defensible territory. It's truly shameful, hateful, and contemptible! How can you face your ancestors Sun Jian and Sun Ce? How can you face the people of Jiangdong!"

These words left Yu Fan deeply ashamed, speechless, and he could only sit down dejectedly.

Another man sat down, with a pointed face and a thin build. He sneered, "Mr. Fazheng, are you here to emulate Su Qin and Zhang Yi's persuasive tactics?" Fazheng didn't recognize him and glanced at Lu Su. Lu Su quickly replied, "This is Bu Zhi, a strategist from Jiangdong." Fazheng nodded slightly, though he didn't really want to answer. Damn it, what a load of nonsense! Wasn't I here to persuade Sun Quan to resist Cao Cao on behalf of Luo Chen and Liu Bei…? Was this man only realizing that now? How was I supposed to answer someone with such low intelligence? However, Fazheng had glanced at Luo Chen's letter, which seemed to praise Su Qin and Zhang Yi. So, Fazheng followed suit, offering his own explanation. Bu Zhi was also unable to respond.

Then someone else stood up and said, "Mr. Fazheng's arguments are all sophistry and not sound reasoning. There's no need to discuss them further. May I ask, Mr. Fazheng, which classics do you study?" Fazheng found this quite amusing. What kind of time is this? Cao Cao's army is pressing in, yet instead of discussing matters of state, they're arguing about who's better in Confucian classics, and then those well-versed in the classics are considered correct in matters of state? Truly, these are the cowards of Jiangdong. Now I understand why Sun Quan values ​​Lu Su so much. It turns out that the so-called strategists of Jiangdong are a bunch of useless, pedantic scholars, with Lu Su being the only exception. Only Zhang Zhao and Yu Fan's words have any real impact; the others are not worth refuting. Fazheng couldn't help but show a contemptuous expression: "Pictitious and pedantic scholars! Now that Cao Cao's army is pressing in, they're spouting these outdated things. Jiang Ziya, Zhang Liang, and Chen Ping, the greatest talents of their time, have never studied any classics. Sir, please sit down. Your arguments are truly not worth refuting." The man sat down, his face full of shame.

In the grand hall of Jiangdong, Fa Zheng answered fluently, leaving none of the many strategists of Jiangdong able to mount even the slightest resistance. Zhang Zhao and the others all paled, exchanging bewildered glances.

At this moment, another scholar stood up from the corner. This man had a fair complexion and was almost beardless, appearing to be no more than twenty years old. He cupped his hands and said, "Master Fazheng's analysis is certainly correct, but we must consider the worst-case scenario. If the Sun-Liu alliance is still outnumbered, then we will clearly need external assistance. I wonder if Prime Minister Luo Chen can provide support to Jiangdong? If so, how quickly can Luo's troops arrive, and how many will they number?"

Upon hearing this, Fa Zheng thought it was a good question! He quickly looked at Lu Su, who said, "This is Councilor Lu Xun, courtesy name Boyan. Because he is young, he has not formally participated in the council; he is merely listening in here."

Fa Zheng couldn't help but say, "Excellent question! I admire Lu Boyan for his profound understanding of the current situation at such a young age. Once Sun Quan and Liu Bei form an alliance to resist Cao Cao, my Luo Chen Group will certainly support Jiangdong. If the situation in Jiangdong becomes critical, Huang Zhong's 100,000 cavalry can be immediately deployed to provide assistance and will be under the command of Sun Quan. Furthermore, according to our latest information, our army has already secured victory on the northern battlefield. As long as Jiangdong can hold out for a month, the Luo Chen Army will inevitably be engaged in the battle against Cao Cao's army."

In fact, Fa Zheng was speaking somewhat carelessly. Luo Chen hadn't told him that, but based on the latest news and his own understanding, Fa Zheng guessed that Luo Chen would do so. Moreover, in the main hall, he would definitely need to give an answer to Lu Xun and the people of Jiangdong. He was too far from Luo Chen to ask for instructions in time, so he simply spoke according to his own understanding.

Lu Xun frowned and pondered for a moment. Fa Zheng answered each question with certainty. But he still pressed on, "Does Luo Chen's army intend to directly intervene in the southeastern battlefield? Or will it attack Cao Cao's heartland of Xuchang, using the strategy of 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao'? How many troops can your army deploy?"

Na Fazheng said, “Our main force currently gathered in the north consists of General Xu Da’s more than 400,000 men, and Lord Luochen’s 150,000 men led by Lü Bu and Chang Yuchun, totaling nearly 700,000 men. In less than a month, these 700,000 men will be able to march south and attack according to the actual situation. Soldiers must always make battle arrangements based on the ever-changing situation on the battlefield. Mr. Lu Boyan is so intelligent, he should understand this point... So I don’t know how our army will get involved.”

Lu Xun found this reasonable and stopped asking questions.

The strategists of Jiangdong had long been impatient. Yu Fan said, "Don't listen to this Mr. Fazheng's empty promises. The Luochen army is currently north of the Great Wall, a hundred and eight thousand miles away from Jiangdong. How can we count on them? Relying on the Luochen army is laughable!" Everyone echoed his sentiments.

Amidst the commotion in the hall, an old general strode in, frowning and barking, "With Cao Cao's army pressing in, instead of discussing how to respond, you're here making things difficult for Mr. Fa Zheng. Is this the proper way to treat guests in Jiangdong?" He walked to Fa Zheng's side, bowed, and said, "Mr. Fa Zheng, please forgive me… My lord invites you to the inner hall for a talk." He gestured for Fa Zheng to follow. Fa Zheng returned the bow while Lu Su introduced him: "This is Huang Gai, the veteran general of Jiangdong."

Chapter 168 Provocation

Fa Zheng followed Huang Gai into the inner hall, where Sun Quan sat upright behind a small table. Upon seeing Fa Zheng, Sun Quan quickly rose and bowed, saying, "Sir, you have come from afar; I am sorry for not greeting you properly. Please forgive me." Fa Zheng couldn't help but scrutinize Sun Quan. Indeed, he was a "blue-eyed fellow." With reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, and a high nose, he was quite unusual. His demeanor was proper and restrained, unlike the casualness of Cao Cao and others, indicating he was still a novice. Fa Zheng had met Cao Cao at the Tongguan meeting, where hundreds of thousands of troops faced each other, yet Cao Cao chatted and laughed as if nothing was amiss, appearing quite relaxed. He clearly possessed the air of a hero. Prime Minister Luo Chen, on the other hand, was not as mature, but his demeanor was humble, as if he were fully aware of his actions and had considerable confidence. He was accustomed to first listening to the opinions of his ministers before confidently making a decision. In this respect, Sun Quan seemed somewhat similar to Luo Chen; this proper young lord appeared eager to seek guidance from a wise mentor.

Sun Quan said, "Sir, you have traveled from north to south and dealt with Cao Cao for a long time. Now that Cao Cao's army is pressing in, is there anything you would like to teach me? It is rumored that Cao Cao has a million-strong army, is that true?" As he spoke, his face revealed a humble and highly cultured expression, and he was extremely focused. Between his brows, one could see his innate intelligence. At this moment, even his reddish-brown beard seemed to exude a majestic aura.

Fa Zheng thought of the last line in the letter: "Use provocation." Could this be what it meant?

Fa Zheng, without time to ponder further, said, "Cao Cao's army has captured four commanderies in Hebei, greatly increasing its strength. They have incorporated hundreds of thousands of troops, and their supplies and provisions are countless. Hebei is wealthy; its annual grain and tax revenues are enough to support an army of over 500,000. After Cao Cao's southward advance, they incorporated nearly 300,000 troops from Jingzhou. Adding to the original hundreds of thousands of Cao Cao's troops, this is a conservative estimate—Cao Cao's army is already a million strong." Sun Quan grew increasingly astonished, saying, "So, Cao Cao's army has over a million strong… To tell you the truth, sir, Jiangdong's standing army is only a little over 200,000. Now, some in the court are advising me to surrender, while others are advising me to ally with Liu Bei against Cao Cao. What are your thoughts, sir?"

Fa Zheng immediately said in a serious tone, "Please surrender immediately, General. Jiangdong's small force has no courage to resist Cao Cao."

Lu Su was greatly surprised. This Fa Zheng had promised to persuade Sun Quan to resist Cao Cao, and just now he was angrily rebuking the pro-surrender faction in the main hall. How could he now be advising Sun Quan to surrender?

Sun Quan was also taken aback. He already knew Fa Zheng had come to persuade him to resist Cao Cao, so why would he say such a thing? Sun Quan pondered for a moment and said, "Then why didn't Liu Bei surrender?" This was precisely the contrast Fa Zheng wanted. This was how he could enrage Sun Quan. It was clear that Sun Quan was not the kind of ruler willing to be subservient to others. Jiangdong had already seen three generations of rulers, and Sun Quan was a hero of the land. To be subservient and manipulated was not the act of a hero. The most important thing now was to awaken Sun Quan's heroic spirit and prevent him from being misled by the calculations and schemes of the strategists. Clearly, deep down, Sun Quan was unwilling to be subservient and manipulated.

"Uncle Liu, a hero of the world. Have you not heard of Tian Heng leading eight hundred brave men to defend an isolated island to the death, refusing to surrender to Qin? Uncle Liu is a member of the Han imperial family, a hero of the world. He would never allow himself to be manipulated by Cao Cao. He would rather defend Jiangxia to the death than surrender." Fa Zheng revealed a look of contempt, as if Sun Quan and Liu Bei were not even on the same level. "General, you can surrender. If Cao Cao is pleased, he might even grant you a marquisate and send you to Xuchang to retire. General, you are a filial son; you can take your mother with you." He smiled as he spoke. —Although it wasn't explicitly stated, something felt off. Everyone knew that Liu Cong had taken his mother, Lady Cai, to the so-called Qingzhou to serve as governor, only to be killed by Cao Cao's men en route. What did Fa Zheng mean by specifically emphasizing "mother"?

As expected, Sun Quan was immediately enraged. Although Sun Quan was a good-tempered man, always treating talented individuals like Zhou Yu and Lu Su with courtesy, he shouldn't have acted impulsively now that Fa Zheng was both a senior advisor and a guest. However, what could be more infuriating to this young lord than someone who looked down on his heroic ambitions and considered him merely a mediocre old man destined for retirement? Sun Quan felt deeply insulted. His face turned ashen with rage, and his voice trembled as he angrily exclaimed, "Liu Bei is a hero of the world, and I, Sun Quan, am merely a mediocre old man destined for retirement?!" Without waiting for a reply, he stormed off.

Lu Su was startled and hurriedly said, "Oh dear! Sir, how could you say such a thing! It's really quite rude... I asked you to persuade my lord to resist Cao Cao, but you..." He sighed, flicking his sleeve, "How could you first persuade him to surrender to Cao Cao, and then insult my lord..."

Fa Zheng chuckled loudly, leaving Lu Su both confused and angry. Fa Zheng then declared loudly, "Zijing, I brought a plan to resist Cao Cao, but your lord had no patience to listen. How can you blame me!"

Having no other option, Lu Su went to the inner chamber and relayed his words to Sun Quan. Although Sun Quan had calmed down, he suspected that Fa Zheng's words were not so simple. Upon hearing Lu Su's report that Fa Zheng had brought a strategy to repel the enemy, he hurriedly said, "In that case, I acted impulsively. Zijing, please come with me to see Master Fa Zheng again." Lu Su breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed Sun Quan back to the inner hall.

Seeing that Fa Zheng was still sitting there drinking tea, Sun Quan hurriedly stepped forward and said, "I acted impulsively just now. I hope you will forgive me. What strategy do you have to resist Cao Cao? Please tell me quickly."

Sun Quan, as expected, abandoned any thought of surrendering to Cao Cao and instead asked Fa Zheng for advice on how to repel him. Fa Zheng pressed his advantage, saying, "Although Cao Cao's army is powerful, the northern soldiers are not accustomed to naval warfare. Moreover, in the newly occupied Jingzhou, many large ships are still under construction in the docks. This indicates that Cao Cao is not yet prepared for a large-scale crossing of the river to attack Jiangdong." Sun Quan, upon hearing this, nodded repeatedly in agreement. "His valiant navy numbers less than 100,000, and many of the ships belonging to the Jingzhou navy are in disrepair. Now, with the large-scale construction of ships, in my judgment, Cao Cao will be unable to launch a major offensive this month; he is merely intimidating the general." Fa Zheng took a sip of tea, revealing a confident expression. "Currently, Cao Cao is extensively collecting civilian boats along the river, and shipyards are building ships day and night, indicating a shortage of vessels. The northern soldiers are not accustomed to naval warfare, and their naval strength is inferior to that of Jiangdong. Given all this, Cao Cao's army will not be able to launch a strong attack on Jiangdong for several months. In the next month or two, not only will you, General, have a great opportunity to achieve something, but you may even be able to defeat Cao Cao's army. Prime Minister Luo Chen will also be able to free up his main forces, and Cao Cao will be attacked from both sides, forcing him to retreat."

Upon hearing this, Sun Quan realized that Cao Cao wouldn't be able to conquer the area within two months, and that Luo Chen would definitely cause him trouble after that. Based on this analysis, the Eastern Wu navy could simply linger on the river for two months, engaging Cao Cao's unprepared navy.

Chapter 169 The Strange Convoy

Xu Da's troops fought a grueling frontal battle that lasted a full day and night. This was the largest frontal battle in the history of the grasslands. That night, a strong wind blew, uprooting tents, and hail lashed the ground. The soldiers covered their horses with thick canvas tarpaulins, forgetting the bruises and welts on their own bodies.

The next day, when the sky cleared, the grassland was a scene of utter devastation. Corpses lay scattered, blood everywhere, and the lush grass was battered and broken. The Xiongnu soldiers were terrified; they prayed fervently to their Xiongnu gods, begging for forgiveness for their desecration of the grassland. Xu Da's Han soldiers, though not religious, also found the situation quite strange.

Xu Da ordered his troops on both flanks to retreat ten li (approximately 5 kilometers), immediately cease fire, and begin treating the wounded and inventorying supplies. Large numbers of Han soldiers' corpses were simply dumped on the grassland. The soldiers remained silent, but Xu Da had no choice. His soldiers needed immediate rest; if they went to clean up the corpses now, and the enemy had recovered, wouldn't even more of his own men die?

The Xiongnu army had clearly suffered heavy losses. Perhaps fortunately, the hailstorm prevented Luo Jun from carrying out the encirclement as planned, instead positioning his troops on the flanks. The Xiongnu army suffered devastating losses after the successive attacks, with numerous casualties, including many killed and wounded. The brutality of the battle clearly surpassed any battle they had ever experienced before.

Zhong Ting remained silent, while Erlu felt terrified. The entire camp was filled with fear and dejection, an atmosphere of defeat pervading the air. The news had already reached Zhong Ping, who had rushed from the foothills of Yinshan Mountain and seemed poised to take command personally. As for Zhao Cheng's side, thanks to the powerful addition of the Steppe Wolf Legion, Zhong Ping felt the situation wasn't as tense as he had imagined. Conversely, Zhong Ting, who had initially been full of confidence, was now extremely nervous, fearing a complete collapse. Zhong Ping, regretting his hasty trust in Zhong Ting, swiftly mounted his horse and rushed to the scene. Morale was paramount; the disrupted organization had to be reorganized, and the demoralized troops rekindled. Otherwise, the annihilation of these 300,000 main force could happen in the blink of an eye!

On the grassland, another group of people were galloping wildly. Four tall, powerful horses pulled large carts, pushing them forward with all their might. Soldiers beside them would occasionally raise their whips high, the cracks echoing loudly in the air. Hearing this, the horses ran even faster. As for the contents of the carts, they seemed to be strange, large lumps of iron, their purpose puzzling. This group consisted of more than twenty such carts, with sparse cavalrymen spreading out laterally around them, surrounding the convoy. Leading the way was a young, slightly old man, neither wearing military uniform and armor nor civil official robes. He was simply dressed in scholar's clothing, his hands and feet bound tightly, and he wore a cloak.

Before long, a troop of cavalry came galloping from afar, led by the renowned general Ma Chao. Clad in white robes and armor, carrying a silver spear, his face was slightly tanned. The hundred cavalrymen moved like the wind, instantly reaching the old man's side. Ma Chao, still on horseback, bowed and said, "Mr. Sun, you've had a long journey. Being in full armor, I cannot offer you a proper greeting. General Xu Da sent me to welcome you." This old man was none other than Sun Yuanhua, the famous Ming Dynasty expert in firearms and artillery. Sun Yuanhua said, "This grassland is indeed difficult to traverse. The cart wheels can't run fast, and the horses are struggling to pull it. Last night there was hail, but fortunately it stopped after a while. My things are sturdy; they're not afraid of hail!" He then proudly glanced at the iron lump behind him.

“The hail was extremely heavy last night, are you alright, sir… It hailed all night long here…” Ma Chao said.

“Oh…” Sun Yuanhua said thoughtfully, “No wonder the grass gets damaged more severely the further north you go, it turns out the hail lasted longer… This weather is really strange!”

As Sun Yuanhua spoke, he rode alongside Ma Chao, and the cart began to move with a creaking sound, accompanied by the resounding crack of whips.

"Did the battle begin yesterday? Was it a small-scale skirmish or a large-scale operation? What were the casualties?" Sun Yuanhua couldn't help but ask a series of questions.

Ma Chao sighed, "The battle has been going on for nearly three days. At first, my troops fought the enemy alone, and then Xiahou Yuan's troops rushed over and engaged in direct hand-to-hand combat. Then, until last night, if it weren't for the strong winds and hail, the fighting might still be going on now. The battle is extremely fierce. The casualties are no less than 10,000 per day."