Rebirth of the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao doesn't want to be a widow anymore

Chapter 387 Lu Su's Advice
Qiao Wei understood Sun Quan's concerns and gently reached out to grasp his wrist. "My elder brother once said, 'For internal affairs, consult Zhang Zhao; for external affairs, consult Zhou Yu.' The Lieutenant General has long pointed out the weaknesses of the Jiangdong cavalry and has been working with General Zhao in Nanyang, Ruyang, and other places to train them. The Lieutenant General is well-versed in military affairs and possesses exceptional courage and strategy. General Zhao is strict in his military discipline and his orders are always carried out. If this continues for several years, we will surely achieve great things."

Why doesn't Your Excellency summon the two men back to Jingkou to discuss a plan to resist Cao Cao? As for provisions and supplies, with Mr. Zhuge and Mr. Wu as advisors, we can stockpile grain in the autumn to prepare for war.

While Cao Cao's campaigns, waged in the name of the emperor, appeared grand and imposing, my lord, you must not forget the coup d'état of 198 AD.

Upon hearing the words "imperial edict in a belt," Sun Quan's eyes narrowed slightly. His thoughts raced, and he seemed to understand Qiao Wei's meaning. "Does Madam mean that, besides Jingzhou, we also need to contact Liu Bei?"

His rising tone expressed his dissatisfaction and disgust: "Although Liu Bei has a grudge against Cao Cao, he can still win people's lives. However, he is ambitious and has been causing harm to various warlords. He has lost his credibility and is difficult to be an ally with."

Especially when he thought about how Qiao Wei had been kidnapped to Xinye, he couldn't feel any goodwill towards Liu Bei.

Outsiders say that Liu Bei is magnanimous and generous, but Sun Quan scoffs at this, saying that a man who can hold women hostage is hardly magnanimous and generous.

If Liu Bei had honestly admitted his ambitions and methods, Sun Quan could have respected him and called him a loyal ruler. Now, at most, he could only scoff and call him a hypocrite.

Sun Quan was somewhat reluctant to form an alliance with such a person.

Qiao Wei tightened his grip slightly, steadying Sun Quan's wrist as he tried to pull it back. His gaze was as calm as the moonlight on the river, but his voice carried an undeniable earnestness: "I understand your concerns, my lord. Liu Bei has been a wandering warlord, his integrity is questionable, and his abduction of women is something even gentlemen would find despicable. But Jiangdong is now facing a crisis of survival, not a battle of pride."

As for trust and loyalty, in chaotic times, only alliances formed when interests align can be stable.

Now, Liu Bei, relying on Liu Zhang's power, occupies the border between Yi and Jing provinces. If Cao Cao were to be the first to surrender, and then use Guan Yu's navy and infantry to advance eastward, the natural barrier of the Yangtze River in Jing and Yang provinces would become virtually useless, leaving Liu Qi and Sun Quan in a predicament of being attacked from both sides.

Sun Quan remained silent. Liu Bei was not a major threat to Sun Quan, but he couldn't allow Cao Cao to join forces with him.

Sun Quan's fingertips gradually loosened their grip. Sun Ce's attack on Xuchang back then failed to materialize, and now Cao Cao has taken full advantage of the emperor's decree.

"Your Excellency despises Liu Bei's hypocrisy, and your wife and I also despise his behavior," Lu Su said, seizing the opportunity as he saw his expression soften. "But those who achieve great things must be able to set aside personal grudges and prioritize the greater good. Your wife was able to put aside her personal grudge of being held hostage by Liu Bei and consider the overall situation in Jiangdong. As the ruler of the country, how can Your Excellency be entangled in old grudges and forget the greater grudges of the world?"

In the past, Duke Huan of Qi disregarded the grudge of Guan Zhong shooting the hook, which enabled him to unite the feudal lords nine times and bring order to the world. Now, if Your Majesty can set aside your prejudices and first ally with Liu Bei, Liu Zhang, and others to resist Cao Cao's southward advance, you can not only preserve Jiangdong but also achieve hegemony. At that time, the landscape of the world will be unpredictable.

"Nine times he united the feudal lords and brought order to the world." Lu Su's words were tactful, but Sun Quan still understood what he meant even though he didn't say them aloud.

Sun Quan turned to look at the map on the table, his fingertip landing on the border between Yizhou and Jingzhou. His expression had relaxed, no longer tense as before. "Fortunately, you have enlightened me, sir. If a person who wants to achieve great things does not even have this much magnanimity, how can he attract talents from all over the world? I should learn from Duke Huan of Qi, not dwelling on past grievances, but only seeking to work together to achieve great things."

Lu Su also breathed a sigh of relief. Although Sun Quan was protective of his own and held grudges, he was ultimately a wise ruler who could listen to advice. He bowed his head and praised, "Your Excellency is wise."

"The alliance between Jingzhou and Yangzhou is due to Liu Qi's remaining integrity as a member of the imperial clan. However, Liu Bei is fickle and unpredictable. What makes you so confident that you can persuade Liu Bei and Liu Zhang to abandon the Cao family's power?"

"There's no need to worry about Liu Zhang in Yizhou. Yizhou is a treacherous and difficult place to traverse, and Cao Cao would never risk attacking it. Moreover, Zhang Lu and Liu Zhang are keeping each other in check, so it's better for them to remain still. Liu Bei controls the gateway to Yizhou, so even if we ally with him, we don't need him to send many troops to resist Cao Cao. At least we'll be able to watch from the sidelines and not take advantage of the chaos. His greatest role is simply to bring up the old case of the imperial edict in the belt."

Only with this case in hand could Jingzhou and Yangzhou have a legitimate reason to attack, and the morale of the troops in Jingzhou and Yangzhou would be stabilized.

How to get Liu Bei and Liu Qi to temporarily put aside their old grudges and unite with Jing and Yang is also a problem.

Qiao Wei whispered his thoughts, adding to Lu Su's words, "I once stayed in Xinye for a period of time. Liu Bei often used his status as a member of the Han imperial family to win over the hearts of the local noble families and people, and he often presented himself as benevolent and virtuous. He established an image of loving the people and supporting the Han dynasty for himself. This is the only thing that allows him to barely have a place among the warlords, and he must not give it up."

Furthermore, given his past betrayal of Cao Cao to join Yuan Shao's forces, and his years of resistance against Cao Cao's army in Xinye, even if he wanted to surrender to Cao Cao, he would now be in a difficult position.

Those who still surround him and serve him today are all there because of his slogan of restoring the Han Dynasty.

If he dares to betray his own principles, he will find himself isolated and alone.

"Of course, if his stance is uncertain, we can give him a push..." Qiao Wei smiled slyly. At that time, even if he did not ally with Jing Yang, he would never send troops to help Cao Cao. At the very least, Cao Cao would never use him easily.

Sun Quan immediately understood Qiao Wei's meaning and patted her head, saying, "What you say is absolutely right, Madam."

He then turned to Yourou and said, "Send someone to summon the Lieutenant General and General Zhao to Jingkou to discuss important matters. Do it quietly first, and don't let Lord Zhang and the others know."

To avoid being poisoned by their spittle, he wanted to have a couple of days of peace and quiet.

"Madam, please write a letter for me to Mr. Zhuge, asking him to make the trouble of going to Liu Bei's place."

After Lu Su left, Qiao Wei immediately reached out and grasped Sun Quan's wrist, "My lord, you've already made up your mind, haven't you?"

Sun Quan grasped her hand in return, his eyes full of mockery. "My wife and I are of one mind. However, I may not be as confident as you think."

Sun Quan's eyes gradually dimmed. "When my father was twenty-six, he had already become the Tiger of Jiangdong; my elder brother, at the age of twenty-six, seized Jiangdong with his bare hands and became the Little Conqueror of Jiangdong, who was famous throughout the world."

Now, I am twenty-six years old, and sometimes I feel that I have accomplished nothing... My elder brother entrusted the Sun family business to me, and I have never known whether I can protect it for my father and brother.

Cao Cao's power is immense, and I am actually afraid... afraid that one day I might make a wrong move and have no face to face the elders of Jiangdong..."

Qiao Wei placed his hand next to her cheek. "Jiangdong isn't just about Zhang Gong's faction and the Lieutenant General's faction. Do you want to hear what the real elders of Jiangdong think of you..."