Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

"If Sun Quan doesn't withdraw, what else can we do?"

Zhao Yan sneered, stroked his beard and looked towards the east of the city: "Now that Zhong Gong's 8,000 cavalry have arrived in Xiangyang, let alone Sun Quan's current military strength, even if he brings all his troops, he will never be able to capture Xiangyang."

"Instead of sitting outside the city and fighting in vain, it is better to take all the troops to the north and look for opportunities at Yukou and Fancheng."

Yin Fan smiled and cupped his hands, "Not to mention that we can't take it, there is not enough space outside Xiangyang City to accommodate so many troops."

Zhao Yan said, "If Zhong Gong had not come from afar to help, Sun Quan would not have been able to retreat today. Tonight, I have a lot of ideas. After returning home, I will write a memorial to the court to commend Zhong Gong's achievements!"

Guanqiu Jian was not arrogant, but responded calmly: "The court dispatched and General Xu commanded, and the rescue of Xiangyang was not my own achievement. Moreover, if it were not for Lord Zhao and General Niu who have been holding out for more than a month, how could we have reached this moment today?"

As he was speaking, Guanqiu Jian turned around and looked at Yin Fan: "Shu Ping, today I learned from Lord Zhao about your achievements. You entered Wuchang and escaped unscathed, which is amazing. Shu Ping's deeds are enough to be recorded in history books!"

Yin Fan bowed his head slightly, still looking humble: "I just did some small things, which cannot compare to General Guanqiu's brilliant military exploits."

After watching for a while, Niu Jin seemed to realize something and said to Zhao Yan, "Lord Zhao, I see that the Wu army is retreating in a hurry tonight. Why don't I lead the troops to set fire or charge? If we withdraw the troops at night, they will definitely not have the will to fight. We can't miss this opportunity!"

Zhao Yan did not agree immediately, but asked Guanqiu Jian for his opinion:

"What do you think, Zhong Gong?"

Guanqiu Jian chuckled and said, "General Niu, if you want to go, go ahead, but it's dark at night, so you need to be careful."

Guanqiu Jian understood the importance of his position and responsibilities. He was unwilling to give any opinions on such tactical strategies that had nothing to do with the overall situation, and just made a few random remarks.

Zhao Yan nodded: "Shucai, you have already attacked Wu's army at night once before. Zhong Gong is right. It is important to be cautious. Five hundred people are enough. There is no need to focus on killing and wounding. It is enough to disturb and disturb the enemy's morale."

"I obey your command!" Seeing that his plan was approved, Niu Jin bowed and agreed. He said goodbye to Guanqiu Jian and Yin Fan, then walked down the city wall to select soldiers.

At this moment, north of Xiangyang, in the middle of the Han River, a huge and magnificent ship was parked in the middle of the river. This was the ship of Sun Quan, the King of Wu. Standing on the three-story ship, through the inky night, one warship after another set off from the dock in an orderly manner.

Sun Quan was standing alone on a high place, lost in thought, when he heard footsteps on the stairs behind him. Sun Quan could tell by the heaviness of the footsteps that it must be his eldest son, Sun Deng.

The sound stopped about ten feet away, and Sun Deng said softly from behind: "Father, it is a cold night with strong winds. I brought your mink fur coat with me."

"Okay." Sun Quan responded.

Sun Deng put a sable fur robe on Sun Quan from behind, and then stood aside tactfully.

The river wind was usually quite strong, and in early winter, it was even colder. The wind was getting stronger and stronger, until a whistling sound was heard, and then Sun Quan spoke, breaking the silence:

"Deng'er."

"Father, I am here."

"Do you know why I gave you this courtesy name 'Zigao'?"

"…I don't know."

Sun Quan sighed and said, "For the past thirty years, I have fought with Cao Mengde, then Cao Zihuan, and now I am competing with Cao Yuanzhong. People often compare my ancestor with Cao Mengde, and compare me with Cao Zihuan and Cao Zijian as equals, but I have never accepted it. From the stalemate in the fifth year of Jian'an to the end of Jian'an, I... as a father, should be on an equal footing with Cao Mengde."

Sun Deng responded in a low voice: "Father is a great ruler who has never been seen before. He is better than Cao Mengde."

"Yes, for the past thirty years, I have always been proud of my youth and thought I was stronger than Cao Mengde." Sun Quan said, "Last year, I corresponded with Cao Yuanzhong many times. In the letter from Luoyang to Xuchang, I talked about many things with him. Do you remember the four words 'Spring Water is Born'? I first gave it to Cao Mengde, and Cao Yuanzhong sent it back."

"I know," said Sun Deng.

Sun Quan sighed, "He said in the letter that after I defeated Cao Mengde's army at Ruxu, Mengde spied on my army and said, 'If I have a son, I want him to be like Sun Zhongmou. Liu Jingsheng's sons are like pigs and dogs.'"

"But I don't like this."

The wind from high above blew away the clouds that had accumulated in the sky, and the moonlight also sprinkled on the river surface. Seeing this scene, Sun Quan couldn't help but laugh: "Cao has several sons, including Zihuan, Zijian, and Ziwen. I also used the word "Zi" and gave you the courtesy name Zigao."

"The one who replaced the Han Dynasty is Dangtu! The Wei Dynasty may not be the highest. The land of Jiangdong has been brewing royal aura for 400 years, so it should be higher!" Sun Quan finally glanced at Sun Deng from the side: "Your name is Deng, and your courtesy name is Zigao. Liu Xuande's son is named Chan, and his courtesy name is Gongsi. Deng means high, Chan means heir, so I am secretly compatible with Liu Xuande."

Sun Deng lowered his head and replied softly, "This is the first time I've heard father talk about this."

Sun Quan nodded and said, "I will only say this once, please remember it."

"For decades, I have worked hard to develop in Jingzhou and Yangzhou. In the final analysis, it was Lu Zijing who inspired me with this ambition. He once told me during a dialogue that I could be like Guangwu and he could be like Dengyu. When the monarch and his subjects get along well, it will surely become a good story."

"But Lu Zijing is dead after all. Human power is limited, and I am no exception. I have repeatedly attacked Hefei, but it has not been taken. I have used military force in Jingxiang, but Xiangyang cannot be conquered, and Fancheng seems to be hopeless." "Alas." Sun Quan tapped the railing with his right hand: "Is it possible that everything in the world is just one person planting a tree and one person enjoying the shade? I am almost fifty years old, and I know the destiny at fifty. What is the destiny? Cao Mengde paved the way for Cao Zihuan, and the same is true for Liu Xuande and Liu Gongsi."

"Deng'er."

"Your son is here." Sun Deng's heart trembled and he responded quickly.

Most of the time, Sun Quan was ambitious and cautious, and rarely lost his composure or opened his heart like this. And what Sun Quan said just now made Sun Deng feel even more panic.

Cao Pi ascended the throne only after Cao Cao's death. Liu Bei was emperor for only two years before he passed away, leaving the throne to Liu Chan.

No matter what the meaning of this sentence is, Sun Deng cannot bear it!

After Sun Deng responded, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed, and replied with a trembling voice: "I ask you not to say that anymore. It is only natural for you to establish your own career. It has nothing to do with me, Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Liu Bei, or Liu Chan."

"Didn't Yin Fan and Yin Shucai give advice to father before in Wuchang? Father owns the land south of the Yangtze River and can be crowned emperor. There is no need to worry about so many things!"

"Father," Sun Deng raised his head, "Father, why don't you withdraw the troops back to Wuchang? What can we do if we don't fight Xiangyang and Fancheng? From Xiling to Wujun, from Nanjun to Panyu, isn't it enough to defend such a long distance?"

Sun Quan lowered his head and saw the golden crown on Sun Deng's head reflecting some moonlight under the dim moonlight. He stared for a long time before speaking, his tone dignified and unquestionable.

"Zigao, stand up."

"Yes." Sun Deng was quite well-behaved.

Sun Quan sighed, took off his mink coat and put it on Sun Deng, brushed his shoulders, and then said:

"Now only Zi Gao dares to advise me like this. Other officials are either afraid of disobeying my will or are only interested in seeking fame and fortune. No one dares to say this."

"When I return to the army, I will proclaim myself emperor in Wuchang, and I will then appoint you as the crown prince." Sun Quan laughed self-deprecatingly, shook his head and sighed, "What good is it to guard the east and west of the Yangtze River? What good is it to not take the Central Plains?"

"Zigao, look at us, father and son, standing in the middle of the river. I am reminded of the poem Cao Zihuan sent to me by my son-in-law from Luoyang."

Sun Deng had not yet calmed down after hearing about his father's declaration of the throne and his defense of the country. Then he heard his father talking about poetry and prose, and he responded spontaneously:
"Which one are you talking about, father? I have read the book published by Chongwen Temple in Luoyang several times."

Sun Quan recited in a long tone: "How graceful I am when I am scattered, how lonely I am alone in my heart. The four seasons have abandoned me and driven me away, what should I do now? Human beings live in the world, but suddenly they are like flying birds perching on dry branches, what should I do now?"

"Why do you torment yourself, and make my heart sad?"

Sun Deng knew this article.

The word "Yinyue" means to live in seclusion. It is said that Cao Pi wrote this article to persuade people who have been living in seclusion to come out and serve as officials.

However, when Sun Quan quoted this sentence just now, he interpreted the word "vaguely" as meaning hardship.

No more confusion, no more hardship, no more pursuing so many things, and I can finally feel relieved and at ease.

Sun Deng nodded slowly: "I understand your majesty's intention. It's getting colder and colder. Please come into the cabin and warm yourself up."

"Okay." Sun Quan nodded, and without any hesitation, he walked straight down the wooden stairs. Sun Deng quickly followed behind him.

Even though the wind was so strong, the Wu army evacuating from the east of Xiangyang City did not stop at all. Even when Niu Jin led his men out of the city for a night attack, the Wu army was already waiting there and shot Niu Jin's troops back with bows and crossbows in the dark.

As midnight approached, Niu Jin supported his left arm with his right hand and climbed up the city wall with a slightly staggering step.

Zhao Yan, Guanqiu Jian, and Yin Fan were still here, but they all wore fur coats to keep warm. With the Wu army outside the city moving like this, it was hard for them to fall asleep in the city, so it was better for them to stay here and watch the Wu army's movements.

"Lord Zhao, I'm back." Niu Jin bowed slightly and said through gritted teeth, "Wu Gou has become more thoughtful tonight. He is so busy, but he still leaves archers to cover the rear. This is really beyond my expectation!"

Guanqiu Jian walked closer, snatched the torch from the soldier beside him, and shone it on Niu Jin's left arm: "General Niu was shot by an arrow? How serious is the injury?"

"It's just a flesh wound. The arrow went through the gap and entered the flesh of my arm." Niu Jin said angrily, "The arrow has been cut out. It should be fine."

Zhao Yan sighed and said, "Take good care of him."

"It's already late at night. We can't stop the Wu army from retreating. Most of them have already left. We can only discuss it tomorrow. Everyone go back. There are people on duty here. We don't need to watch over them."

"Yes." The three of them responded. (End of this chapter)