Honglou: This bastard is too persuasive.

Chapter 730 Jia Changsheng's Actions
Guo Tu traveled all the way to Jingzhou. After seeing Jia Changsheng, Guo Tu saluted and said, "Mr. Jia, the situation in the world is complicated now. Cao Cao is ambitious and has joined forces with Lu Bu and Gongsun Zan to attack Lord Yuan Shao. Lord Yuan Shao knows that Mr. Jia is kind and righteous, and Jingzhou is strong. If Mr. Jia sends troops to attack Cao Cao, he will surely defeat Cao Cao's conspiracy. Lord Yuan Shao promised that after the war, he would share Cao Cao's territory with Mr. Jia and give him many generous gifts."

After listening to Guo Tu's words, Jia Changsheng smiled and said, "Mr. Guo, thank you for your appreciation, Lord Yuan Shao. However, Jingzhou has always been committed to recuperation and protecting the territory and the people, and has no intention of participating in the disputes between the princes. I don't want to intervene in the fight between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Moreover, Jingzhou is now committed to developing the economy and improving people's livelihood. Sending troops at this time may disrupt the stability of Jingzhou. Please go back and tell Lord Yuan Shao, Jia understands."

Guo Tu was anxious when he heard this, and hurriedly advised: "Lord Jia, Cao Cao's power is growing stronger and stronger. If it is not contained, it will become a great threat in the future. If we can unite with Lord Yuan Shao to defeat Cao Cao this time, Lord Jia will not only be able to expand his territory, but also establish a higher prestige among the princes. I hope Lord Jia will think twice."

Jia Changsheng shook his head and said, "Mr. Guo, there is no need to persuade me. I have made up my mind. Jingzhou will not send troops. Although Cao Cao has ambitions, I believe that as long as Jingzhou is strong, he will not dare to attack easily. Moreover, when the princes fight, the people will suffer. I don't want the people of Jingzhou to be involved in the war."

Guo Tu saw Jia Changsheng's resolute attitude and knew that it was useless to persuade him, so he had no choice but to say goodbye. After returning to Jizhou, Guo Tu informed Yuan Shao of Jia Changsheng's refusal.

Yuan Shao was disappointed to learn that Jia Changsheng refused to send troops, but fortunately, Xianbei and Wuhuan agreed to help, which gave him a glimmer of hope. He immediately adjusted his deployment. On the one hand, he strengthened the defense against Gongsun Zan and Lu Bu to delay time; on the other hand, he paid close attention to the troop movements of Xianbei and Wuhuan, hoping that they could inflict heavy damage on Gongsun Zan and Lu Bu, thus breaking the current crisis. This complicated dispute among the princes became more complicated due to the intervention of various forces, and no one could predict what the final outcome would be.

When the Han Empire fell into chaos and the various princes were constantly fighting, Jia Changsheng keenly realized that this was a great opportunity to strengthen the power of Jingzhou. After careful consideration, he set his sights on Yangzhou. Yangzhou has a vast territory and rich resources. If Yangzhou can be occupied, the strength of Jingzhou will be greatly enhanced. Therefore, Jia Changsheng summoned all his advisers and generals to gather in the meeting hall of Jingzhou Mansion to discuss the plan to take action against Yangzhou.

After everyone arrived, the atmosphere in the hall was solemn and full of expectation. Jia Changsheng sat in the main seat, looked at everyone with a firm gaze, and spoke first: "Everyone, the situation in the Han Dynasty is now in chaos, and the princes are fighting each other. This is a good opportunity for Jingzhou to rise. I intend to take action against Yangzhou. I wonder what you think?"

The counselor Xu Shu stood up first, bowed and said, "My lord, Yangzhou is a rich place. If we can occupy it, the strength of Jingzhou will be greatly increased. But Sun Quan is in charge of Yangzhou. He has many talented people and well-trained troops. We need to plan carefully and not act rashly."

Jia Changsheng nodded slightly and said, "What Yuanzhi said is very true. Sun Quan has been managing Yangzhou for many years and has a deep foundation. We must be fully prepared and formulate a comprehensive strategy. I wonder if Yuanzhi has any good plan?"

Xu Shu thought for a moment and said, "My Lord, we can first send people to go deep into Yangzhou to find out about its military deployment, food reserves, and the people's will. At the same time, we can secretly contact those in Yangzhou who are dissatisfied with Sun Quan to get internal support. When the time is right, we can divide our troops into multiple routes and advance by land and sea to catch Sun Quan off guard."

At this time, General Huang Zhong clasped his fists and said, "My lord, I am willing to lead an army as the vanguard. I will definitely charge into the battlefield of Yangzhou and open the way for my Jingzhou army!"

Jia Changsheng looked at Huang Zhong and said with relief: "Han Sheng is brave and I will be relieved if he is the vanguard. But this operation requires not only bravery but also strategy. We need to cooperate closely with the troops from all directions to win."

Zhao Yun also stood up and said, "My lord, I think the navy is crucial in this operation. Yangzhou has a dense network of waterways, and mastering the waterway advantage is extremely important for us to attack Yangzhou. We can strengthen the navy training in advance and build more sturdy warships to ensure that we have the upper hand in water battles."

Jia Changsheng nodded and said, "Zilong is right. Yangzhou has well-developed water transportation, and the navy is indeed of utmost importance. Chen Dao, you will be responsible for stepping up the training of the navy, and make sure that the combat effectiveness of my Jingzhou navy is further improved."

Chen Dao accepted the order and said, "Don't worry, my lord. I will definitely fulfill my mission!"

At this time, another strategist, Pang Tong, said, "My lord, in addition to military action, we cannot ignore the propaganda. We can spread the news that Sun Quan has been levying heavy taxes in Yangzhou, causing the people to suffer, and that our Jingzhou army is a righteous army, and that we are going to Yangzhou to save the people from the dire situation. In this way, we can win the support of the people of Yangzhou and divide Sun Quan internally."

After hearing this, Jia Changsheng's eyes lit up: "Shi Yuan's plan is brilliant. The will of the people is crucial. We must let the people of Yangzhou know that our Jingzhou Army is for their welfare. At the same time, we must restrain the soldiers, enforce strict military discipline, and not disturb the people. If we can get the support of the people of Yangzhou, our actions will be twice as effective with half the effort."

Xu Shu continued, "My Lord, before we attack Yangzhou, we must be on guard against the movements of other princes. Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Lu Bu and others are busy fighting each other, but there is no guarantee that they will not attack us from behind when we attack Yangzhou. We can deploy heavy troops on the border of Jingzhou to prevent any accidents."

Jia Changsheng said, "Yuanzhi has considered everything. Jingzhou is our foundation and we must not lose it. Wenpin, you lead 10,000 elite soldiers to guard the northern border of Jingzhou and keep a close eye on the movements of Cao Cao, Yuan Shao and others. If there is anything unusual, report it immediately."

Wen Pin replied, "Don't worry, my lord. I will do my best to protect the border of Jingzhou."

Jia Changsheng said to Huang Zhong: "Han Sheng, you should first select 5,000 elite infantrymen, intensify their training, and familiarize yourself with the terrain and combat environment of Yangzhou. When the time is right, follow me to the battle."

Huang Zhong responded loudly: "Yes, my lord!"

Then, Jia Changsheng looked at Zhao Yun and said, "Zilong, you will be responsible for preparing warships, weapons, food and other supplies, and ensuring that the logistics are sufficient. Logistics support is crucial for this expedition."

Zhao Yun accepted the order and said, "Don't worry, my lord. I will make proper arrangements."

Finally, Jia Changsheng concluded: "Everyone, this attack on Yangzhou is related to the future of Jingzhou. We must act cautiously and be fully prepared. When everything is ready, we will march to Yangzhou and expand the territory for Jingzhou!"

Everyone shouted in unison: "We are willing to die for our lord!" The voice resounded throughout the meeting room, and everyone's eyes were full of determination. Jia Changsheng looked at his subordinates with confidence. He knew that this expedition to Yangzhou was full of challenges, but with the help of these loyal and capable men, he was confident that he would win and open up a broader world for Jingzhou in this chaotic world.

When Sun Quan heard the news that Jia Changsheng was going to attack him in Yangzhou, he was nervous, knowing that a war was about to come. He immediately summoned Zhou Yu, Lu Su, Lu Meng and other civil and military officials to the general's mansion in Jianye to discuss strategies to resist the enemy. Everyone hurried over with a solemn look. Sun Quan sat in the main seat, looked around at everyone, and said seriously: "Everyone, I just received news that Jia Changsheng is planning to invade Yangzhou. Jia Changsheng is a man who governs Jingzhou well, and his army must be well-trained. This time they are coming fiercely, and we must be prepared. I wonder if you have any good strategies?"

Zhou Yu, the pillar of the Eastern Wu, was dressed in armor and looked calm. He was the first to speak: "My lord, Jia Changsheng wants to attack Yangzhou. I expect he will attack both by land and sea. Yangzhou has a complex network of waterways, which is both our advantage and the place where he may focus his attack. We should strengthen the deployment of the navy and set up defense lines in important waters to wait for the enemy to tire and block his navy. At the same time, we should strengthen the city defenses and store food and grass in key land areas to prepare for a long-term defense."

Sun Quan nodded and looked at Lu Su: "Zijing, what do you think?"

Lu Su cupped his hands and said, "My Lord, what Yu said is absolutely right. In addition, we can send people to Jingzhou to find out Jia Changsheng's marching plan, troop deployment and other detailed information. Only by knowing ourselves and the enemy can we win every battle. At the same time, we should appease the people of Yangzhou and stabilize their hearts. The people are the foundation of our army. As long as the people support us, we will have an endless supply of strength."

Lu Meng then said, "My lord, to prevent Jia Changsheng's surprise attack, we need to strengthen patrols, set up more scouts on the border of Yangzhou, and closely monitor the movements of the Jingzhou army. Once we discover the enemy's actions, report them immediately so that we can respond in time. In addition, we can select a group of elite soldiers to form a raiding team. If the enemy has a flaw, we can take the initiative to attack and disrupt its deployment."

Sun Quan listened to everyone's suggestions and gradually came up with a strategy. He said, "What you said hits the nail on the head. Gongjin, the navy defense is now entirely in your hands. Go and reorganize the navy, strengthen training, and make sure that our Dongwu navy can exert its maximum combat power."

Zhou Yu clasped his fists and accepted the order: "My lord, rest assured, I will not let the Jingzhou army easily enter the Yangzhou waters."

Sun Quan said to Lu Su, "Zijing, you are responsible for gathering intelligence and pacifying the people. Arrange people to go to Jingzhou as soon as possible and make sure to find out the details of Jia Changsheng. At the same time, post notices and release grain to let the people know our determination to defend Yangzhou."

Lu Su replied, "Yes, my lord, I will definitely live up to your trust."

Sun Quan looked at Lu Meng and said, "Ziming, you will be in charge of patrolling and forming a raiding party. Don't slack off in the slightest and make sure Yangzhou is safe."

Lu Meng said firmly: "My lord, rest assured. I will strengthen our defenses and prevent Jia Changsheng from taking advantage of the situation."

Sun Quan continued, "In addition, the county governors and magistrates of various places in Yangzhou must perform their duties. Strengthen the city, prepare food and grass, and organize the people to assist in defense. We must unite the whole nation to resist Jia Changsheng's attack together."

Everyone agreed in unison.

After the meeting, Zhou Yu quickly came to the naval camp. He called the naval commanders together and said loudly: "Brothers, Jia Changsheng wants to invade Yangzhou. Our navy has a heavy responsibility. From today on, we must strengthen training and familiarize ourselves with naval warfare techniques. All warships must be inspected and repaired to ensure good performance. We must let the Jingzhou army know how powerful our Dongwu navy is!"

All the naval commanders shouted in unison: "We are willing to die for the Grand Admiral!"

Zhou Yu also made detailed deployments of defense for various water areas, placing warships and elite naval forces at key locations along the Yangtze River and other major rivers to form a series of solid defense lines.

Lu Su selected several smart and capable spies and secretly went to Jingzhou. At the same time, he personally led his men to post notices in various places in Yangzhou, open warehouses to release grain, explain the current situation to the people, and appease the people. When the people heard about Sun Quan's actions, they expressed their willingness to support the Eastern Wu army and jointly defend their homes.

Lu Meng selected the best soldiers in the army, formed several assault teams, and trained them personally. He said to the members of the assault teams: "You are all the elites of my army. This mission is important. Once you find the enemy's flaws, you must attack quickly and deal a heavy blow to the enemy. But you must be careful and cautious when acting, and don't act rashly."

At the same time, Lu Meng also arranged a large number of scouts to patrol the border of Yangzhou day and night to closely monitor the every move of the Jingzhou army.

Under Sun Quan's orderly arrangement, Yangzhou was united and actively prepared for war. Sun Quan knew that Jia Changsheng's attack would be a tough battle, but he was confident that with the strength of the Eastern Wu and the wisdom of the people, he would be able to repel the Jingzhou army and defend the land of Yangzhou. In Jingzhou, Jia Changsheng was also intensively preparing for the attack on Yangzhou. A great war was about to begin in Yangzhou, and it was still unknown who would win.

After discussing with a group of generals and advisers in Jingzhou, Jia Changsheng formulated a strategy of confronting Sun Quan while leading a small group of elite troops to raid Changsha. He knew that Changsha was an important town in Yangzhou, and if it could be captured in one fell swoop, it would greatly shake Sun Quan's foundation in Yangzhou and disrupt his defense deployment.

Before the expedition, Jia Changsheng selected 5,000 of the most elite soldiers. These soldiers had all undergone rigorous training, were strong and had rich combat experience. Jia Changsheng stood on the reviewing platform, looked at the soldiers in front of him with a firm gaze, and said loudly: "Brothers! This time we have a heavy responsibility to go deep into the enemy's territory and raid Changsha. Changsha is an important place in Yangzhou. If we can take it, it will be an unprecedented achievement for Jingzhou. Do you have confidence?"

"Yes!" Five thousand soldiers shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the sky and their morale was high.

Jia Changsheng added: "This operation is fraught with danger, but I believe in your abilities. We must march quietly and not alert the enemy. Once we reach Changsha, we must launch an attack with lightning speed and make sure to capture the city in one fell swoop!"

After making all the arrangements, Jia Changsheng led the 5,000 elite troops and set out quietly under the cover of night. Along the way, the team was disciplined and headed towards Changsha quietly. Jia Changsheng knew that the key to this surprise attack was concealment and speed. If he was not careful, he might be surrounded.

(End of this chapter)