Three Kingdoms: Take care of Lady Gan on behalf of Liu Bei at the beginning

Chapter 106: Sun Quan bows down and flatters, first talks about being crowned king, and the title of King of Chu
"This... Alas, General Gongjin, don't worry, if your uncle blames you, I will definitely speak for you." Sun Shao listened to Zhou Yu's willingness to take the punishment from Liu Wu's anger, hesitated slightly, and still did not say anything, but said that he would plead for Zhou Yu.

When Zhou Yu heard Sun Shao's words, he felt his head go blank, his heart was beating fast, and he looked at Sun Shao in a daze with complicated eyes.

The civil and military officials in the hall, including Zhou Yu, Lu Su, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, Zhu Zhi and others, paused for a moment and looked at Sun Shao with strange eyes.

Everyone in Xuzhou was in a panic.

When the news of the victory in Puyang reached Hefei, Sun Quan was also stunned.

Yangzhou, Hefei.

The residence of Marquis Wu.

In the hall.

Sun Quan sat in the main seat.

At this time, he was looking at the specific battle report from Puyang with some anger and shock.

"This Liu Wu actually trained a powerful cavalry. Even 100,000 Cao's cavalry were no match for him. This Liu Wu is very thoughtful. If it weren't for Cao Cao's 100,000 cavalry, we wouldn't know that he actually had such a powerful cavalry."

Inside the hall, more than ten people including Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, Zhang Hong, Yu Fan, Zhuge Jin, Lu Xun, and Pan Zhang all had unhappy expressions on their faces.

It was clear that Cao's army had the upper hand, and Liu Wu was likely to be defeated and follow in the footsteps of Liu Bei.

However, they did not expect that Liu Wu actually had an elite army, and was able to turn the situation around in a very short time and annihilate Cao's army.

Zhang Zhao had a gloomy face and bowed to Sun Quan, saying:

"My lord, fortunately we have not yet launched an attack on Jiangxia and Runan. The most urgent task now is to immediately recall the troops on the front line and offer gifts to Liu Wu to apologize."

Zhang Zhao's words made Sun Quan raise his head immediately.

Sun Quan had no objection to immediately recalling the troops from the front line.

But, Zhang Zhao said, offer gifts to Liu Wu to apologize?

"Zi Bu, I should recall the army, but do you think I need to apologize to Liu Wu? Will it be useful?" Sun Quan suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and asked Zhang Zhao. Sun Quan was not angry with Zhang Zhao, nor was he angry at Zhang Zhao's establishment, but was simply angry about the need to apologize to Liu Wu.

Liu Wu took the initiative to intervene in Jiangdong and even split his power into two. Now, is Sun Quan going to offer gifts to Liu Wu to apologize?

Even if he really offered gifts to Liu Wu to apologize, would it really be useful?
Zhang Zhao advised Sun Quan:
"My lord, Cao's army is no match for Liu Wu now. We must prevent Liu Wu from turning his troops towards Jiangdong. Otherwise, even Cao Cao may not be able to save us now."

Zhang Zhao spoke very solemnly and seriously, and Sun Quan understood the meaning of his words.

That is, even if he had to beg for mercy from Liu Wu and bow down to him, as long as Liu Wu did not attack Jiangdong, it would be fine.

At this time, Cao's 100,000 cavalry were defeated, and Cao Cao was no longer able to fight back against Liu Wu, nor could he help them.

Sun Quan took a deep breath, nodded to Zhang Zhao, and said:
"I understand, but how should I do it? I'm afraid that simply offering gifts will not have any effect, right?"

After Sun Quan said this, Zhang Zhao didn't know what to suggest for a moment and frowned.

At this moment, Zhang Hong suddenly smiled, cupped his hands and said with a smile:
"My lord, if you want to make amends and make it difficult for Liu Wu to attack us, you need to give him something he cannot refuse. Even better, give him something he is unwilling to refuse. If we give him what he wants, he will definitely not refuse it."

Suddenly, everyone in the hall looked at Zhang Hong.

"Zigang, what do you mean? Just tell me what you want to say." Sun Quan asked Zhang Hong in surprise.

Zhang Hong heard this without hesitation and said with a smile:

"Liu Wu is also ambitious. Now he is raising the banner of the Han Dynasty and recruiting soldiers. I am afraid he is also interested in the throne. However, Liu Wu is smarter and does not restrict the emperor's footprints. The emperor is much better off under Liu Wu than under Cao Cao. The people and the noble families all think that Liu Wu is loyal to the Han Dynasty."

"So, no matter how great Liu Wu's achievements are, he is only a marquis and a general. If the emperor doesn't make him a duke or a king, it's not easy for him to take a step forward. Even his subordinates are reluctant to make suggestions because it's too ugly to be greedy."

"And I think that if the Marquis of Wu personally advises the emperor, Liu Wu's achievements are great, and being a marquis is not enough to reward Liu Wu. He should be made a king. Based on this, I'm afraid Liu Wu will definitely not refuse, because being made a king is a big step forward."

"As long as Liu Wu accepts the Marquis Wu's suggestion to be crowned king, Liu Wu will not be able to attack Jiangdong again."

Zhang Hong told Sun Quan his ideas.

"Liu Wu is crowned king!"

Sun Quan's voice suddenly sounded, filled with surprise and dissatisfaction, and everyone in the hall was slightly agitated.

Obviously, Zhang Hong's suggestion that Jiangdong should show goodwill to Liu Wu and ask the emperor to make Liu Wu a king was quite effective.

"Yes, Liu Wu is now concurrently serving as the governor of Jingzhou and is stationed in Xiangyang. You can ask him to be the King of Jingxiang." Zhang Hong continued.

"King of Jingxiang!" Sun Quan's teeth started itching with greed after hearing this.

He had fought hard for his life before he got the title of Marquis of Wu, which was given to him by Cao Cao.

Now, Liu Wu is going to be crowned king, and the King of Jingxiang!
"Is this feasible?" Although Sun Quan felt very sad, he also understood that the situation was stronger than the people, and all he had to do was to prevent Liu Wu from turning his troops against him.

Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, Yu Fan, Zhuge Jin and others looked at each other.

Zhang Zhao was the first to bow to Sun Quan and said:
"My lord, what Zigang said may be feasible. We can give it a try. We won't lose anything."

When Sun Quan heard this, he stopped hesitating and said:
"Immediately pass on my order to Lü Meng to withdraw all troops and be vigilant about the movements of Liu Wu's army. At the same time, prepare a generous gift and send it to the emperor in Xiangyang. I will personally write to the emperor to request that Liu Wu be named King of Jingxiang!"

Sun Quan gritted his teeth and issued one order after another. Although he was quite reluctant, he had to do so in the face of the current situation.

……

"Teng is ashamed of his trust in Sikong. Liu Wu is too powerful. Cao Chun and Han Sui are both dead. The army of 100,000 was also destroyed by Liu Wu."

In front of the gate of Sikong Mansion.

With his head and body wrapped in cloth strips and covered in blood, Ma Teng, who looked quite disheveled, knelt down and wailed to Cao Cao.

"Cao Chun and Han Sui are dead? How is it possible that 100,000 cavalrymen were destroyed? Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. Ma Teng, you lied to me, Cao Cao, didn't you?"

Cao Cao grabbed Ma Teng's clothes, full of disbelief.

Behind Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi, Xun Yu, Jia Xu, Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, Xiahou Dun, Xu Chu, Le Jin, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao as well as Cao Xiu, Xiahou Shang, Cao Zhen and others were all looking at Ma Teng in shock.

Before Ma Teng arrived, they received news from scouts that Cao Chun had been defeated, but they did not know the specific circumstances and waited anxiously.

It was not until Ma Teng arrived that they learned of this devastating news.

"Sikong, this is true. Liu Wu is very strong. I fought with Han Sui. After just one round, Han Sui was killed by Liu Wu. I also escaped with my life. The cavalry under Liu Wu's command is also very powerful..."

"Impossible. Liu Wu only has 10,000 or 20,000 cavalrymen. Facing 100,000 cavalrymen, he is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. How can he possibly win?"

"That's Cao Chun, my cousin of Cao Cao. He has the elite Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. How could he lose?"

Cao Cao listened to Ma Teng's words, and was full of disbelief and anger. Soon, he covered his head and fainted. Everyone was so scared that they rushed forward, some shouted for a doctor, and some carried Cao Cao in.

Sikong Mansion, meeting hall.

Cao Cao, dressed in mourning, sat in the main seat with a terribly cold face. He had woken up and had found out everything. The hundreds of soldiers who had escaped had restored almost everything to its original state.

"Liu Wu, you little brat, after killing my cousin Cao Ren, you also killed my cousin Cao Chun. I, Cao Cao, cannot coexist with him."

Cao Cao drew his sword and stabbed it hard on the table, causing all the generals in the hall to show anger on their faces. "Send the Liuwu cavalry equipment recovered from the battlefield to research and develop immediately."

"Also, send a message to Cao Hong and Zhang He to withdraw the troops and capture Hanzhong!"

Cao Cao took a deep breath, controlled himself, and gave the order.

Hearing Cao Cao's order, Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Xun You, Jia Xu and others were relieved. They were really afraid that Cao Cao would be blinded by hatred and take revenge on Liu Wu regardless of the consequences.

Liu Wu now has such a powerful cavalry in his hands. Even if they send out another large army, they will not be able to achieve any results, and may even suffer heavy casualties.

Cao Cao was obviously more rational.

Even if they did not cause much impact on Liu Wu's forces and territory this time, they were able to take Hanzhong and have a bridgehead to attack Xiangyang, so they did not lose out.

With Guanzhong and Hanzhong in their hands, they had the capital to continue fighting Liu Wu.

……

On the other hand, after defeating Cao Cao's 100,000 cavalry, Liu Wu did not return to Xiangyang immediately, but continued to stay in Puyang, on the one hand to prevent Cao Cao from being so angry after the defeat that he would send a large army to attack without any consequences. On the other hand, he was mobilizing manpower and material resources to resettle the people in Chenliu, Henei, Yingchuan and other places.

Liu Wu felt relieved, but unfortunately, Cao Cao was more rational than Liu Bei after all.

He killed another cousin of Cao Cao, but Cao Cao did not mobilize another army to attack him.

And because of this.

Only then did Liu Wu realize that his opponent Cao Cao was more powerful than any other princes.

After staying for another two months, Liu Wu learned that the Cao army that attacked Xiangyang had retreated to Hanzhong. Liu Wu did not hesitate any longer. After handing over the matter of resettling the people to Xu Shu, Liu Wu returned to Xiangyang.

Outside Xiangyang City.

The emperor came in person to welcome him, and Zhuge Liang, Cai Mao, Huang Zu and others all gathered.

There was great celebration for Liu Wu's triumphant return.

……

The residence of the General of Cavalry.

Meeting hall.

Liu Wu sat in the main seat.

Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Cai Mao, Huang Zu, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, Sun Qian, Liu Ba, Jiang Wan, Ma Liang, Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang and other twenty or thirty people gathered together and praised Liu Wu again, saying that they had not expected Liu Wu to be so brave.

Yes, when they learned that Liu Wu had won a great victory and killed Han Sui, the lord of Xiliang, in one blow, the civil and military officials in Xiangyang were all in an uproar.

Liu Wu's image has undergone a tremendous subversion.

It turns out that Liu Wu is not only powerful in commanding the central government, but also capable of leading troops and fighting on the battlefield, and is actually no weaker than Lu Bu in the past. How could they not be shocked? They all said that they had misjudged him.

After some greetings, under the gaze of Liu Wu, Zhuge Liang, Cai Mao and others actually let Liu Ba, Jiang Wan, Ma Liang and others go out first.

Only a few important figures such as Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Cai Mao, Huang Zu, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, Sun Qian and Kuai Yue remained in the hall.

"Lord, something happened!"

Zhuge Liang said to Liu Wu.

Upon hearing this, Liu Wu did not say anything, but looked at Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang bowed to Liu Wu and said:
"My lord, Sun Quan, the Marquis of Jiangdong Wu, personally wrote to the emperor a few days ago, asking for the title of King of Jingxiang for you, and granting you the title of king to show your contribution to the Han Dynasty."

Liu Wu listened to Zhuge Liang's words. Even though he knew about it in advance because of the Jinyiwei's report, he still narrowed his eyes and said:
"No wonder His Majesty is in a bad mood today. It's probably because of this. Sun Quan asked me to be crowned a king. He doesn't have any good intentions, does he? This is clearly an attempt to alienate the relationship between me and His Majesty!"

Liu Wu said this bluntly, but Zhuge Liang, Cai Mao, Huang Zu and others were stunned, wondering whether this was Liu Wu's attitude.

Doesn’t Liu Wu want to be crowned king?

Whether it was Cai Mao or Huang Zu and others, they were all very happy when they learned that Sun Quan asked for the title of king for Liu Wu.

That's the king.

As long as Liu Wu takes this step, it will be a huge leap in status, and those who follow Liu Wu will naturally see their status rise as well.

"Kong Ming, what do you think?" Liu Wu asked Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Wu and said with a folded hand:

"Sun Quan's move should be a gesture of goodwill to prevent the lord from sending a large army to attack Jiangdong."

"Then, Kong Ming, do you think that I should accept this gesture of goodwill? I heard that when I went to Puyang, Sun Quan was not honest at all. If I accept Sun Quan's gesture of goodwill, it would be difficult to settle the score with him later." Liu Wu continued to ask Zhuge Liang.

"My lord, I have discussed this with everyone and feel that we should accept Sun Quan's offer and take the opportunity to advance to the throne as king."

Zhuge Liang bowed and said solemnly.

Instantly, the hall fell silent. Liu Wu looked at Zhuge Liang, frowned, and asked:

"Why? Your Majesty is already unhappy about welcoming me today. Is it appropriate to make me king?"

Zhuge Liang was obviously well prepared, and he bowed to Liu Wu and said:

"My lord, you have supported the Han Dynasty, saved Your Majesty from danger, and restored the rule of Jizhou, Youzhou, Qingzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, and Jingzhou. Your achievements are great. This time you defeated Cao Cao, a great vassal. Your name has long been known throughout the world. Based on your achievements, you should be crowned king."

"Secondly, if you take advantage of the situation to be crowned as a king, you will be the most powerful among the princes. Cao Cao is only a Sikong, while Sun Quan is only a Wu Hou, and Sun Shao is only a Peng Hou. If you become a king, you can attack the weak from above and call for the general trend!"

"Again, whether it is the Mi family, the Cai family, or the Kuai family, these strong supporters of the lord all hope that the lord will go one step further and share the glory. For the sake of all the families, the lord should also be crowned king!"

Zhuge Liang gave three reasons in a row why Liu Wu should be king.

Having said that, Liu Wu couldn't find an excuse not to be king. After all, his subordinates who wanted to climb up the ladder were watching him eagerly.

"Where is the emperor?" Liu Wu asked again.

Zhuge Liang's eyes flickered, and he cupped his hands and said, "The emperor should follow the will of the people and clearly distinguish rewards and punishments. Otherwise, if the people are in turmoil and the lord does not show up, the emperor will take the initiative to put the crown on the lord's head!"

Liu Wu was extremely happy when he heard this. Although he appeared to be refusing to be crowned king, in his heart he was eager to be crowned king.

"In that case, let's just let nature take its course and see if the emperor is willing to confer the title of king on me." Liu Wu waved his hand and said.

When everyone heard what Liu Wu said, they all smiled.

However, Pang Tong stood up and bowed to Liu Wu:
"My lord, Sun Quan is plotting against us, so we must not let him succeed. He wants to make sure that my lord has no way to control Jiangdong."

"So, the King of Jingxiang, this king, is not desirable."

Pang Tong suddenly spoke, which startled Zhuge Liang. He said to Pang Tong:
"What do you think, Shi Yuan?"

Pang Tong smiled and said, "Why not, make him the King of Chu? Yangzhou and Jiangdong were also part of Chu in history, and the Marquis of Wu should obey you."

(End of this chapter)