The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 381 The Wu people destroy their own Great Wall; doomsday is approaching.

In mid-May of the eighth year of Zhangwu, the heat in Jianye City gradually intensified.

King Sun Quan of Wu sat alone in the Qingliang Palace, opening and closing the bamboo slips in his hand, the lines between his brows becoming increasingly deep.

"Report—Lu Zhongshu requests an audience."

The eunuch's high-pitched voice broke the silence in the hall.

Sun Quan raised his eyelids slightly:
"Xuan."

Lü Yi stepped into the hall, his wide robe sleeves swaying with each step, casting bat-like shadows on the bluestone floor.

He walked to the steps and bowed deeply:
"Your subject Yi greets Your Majesty."

"No gift."

Sun Quan placed the bamboo slips on the table and asked, "How are you doing with the matters I instructed you to handle?"

Lü Yi's eyes flickered slightly, and he took half a step forward, whispering:

"Your Majesty has ordered me to secretly investigate the affairs of the General's army, and I have important information to report."

Upon hearing this, Sun Quan straightened up and waved his hand to dismiss those around him.

After the palace doors closed, he spoke slowly:
"speak."

"I sent a secret envoy to Ruxukou and found many strange things in the General's camp."

Lü Yi took out a roll of silk from his sleeve and presented it to him.

"Soldiers gathered at night to gamble, officers smuggled military rations, and even worse—"

He lowered his voice even further, “Qi spies have repeatedly entered the camp, and no one has stopped them.”

Sun Quan unfolded the silk scroll, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper:
“Lu Boyan is known for his strict military discipline, why would he be in such a state?”

"This is precisely the suspicious point."

Taking the opportunity, Lü Yi said, "I have heard rumors in the streets that although the General has repeatedly defeated Chen Deng, he has remained inactive."

"It is said among the people..."

He stopped speaking mid-sentence.

"Keep talking!"

Sun Quan's gaze was sharp as lightning, and his brows were furrowed.

Lu Yi lowered his head, sighed, and said:

"It is said among the people that the general was secretly colluding with Chen Deng, which is why he refused to cross the river to attack him."

"We have been waiting for the right opportunity in Jiangnan, all for the sake of gaining full control."

Sun Quan slammed his teacup down onto the table, splashing tea onto the memorial.

He stared at the spreading water stains for a long time before finally saying:
"...Rumors and gossip are not to be believed."

“I entrust the weight of the nation to Boyan, and Boyan will surely not fail me.”

"Your Majesty is wise," Lü Yi said resolutely, without flinching.
"However, rumors that come out of nowhere may not be without cause."

"I request that an envoy be sent to question the General: Why not take advantage of the victory and advance northward?"

"One question is all it takes to find out the reason."

Sun Quan closed his eyes and pondered.

After the deaths of Zhou Yu and Lü Meng, Lu Xun shouldered the responsibility of governing the country alone.

He has long been a powerful figure in Jiangdong and enjoys high prestige within the country. If he truly harbors disloyal intentions...

Thinking of this, Sun Quan suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Granted!"

Three days later, the messenger arrived at Lu Xun's camp with the king's decree.

It was during the plum rain season, and the river was shrouded in mist. Lu Xun was studying military books in his tent.

"This humble general pays his respects to the great general."

The envoy bowed and said:

"Your Majesty has a question—"

"General, you have won several victories against Chen Deng. Why do you not take advantage of the situation to cross the river, but instead station your troops here?"

Lu Xun put down the bamboo slip, a hint of surprise flashing between his brows.

But without suspecting anything, he answered truthfully:

"Although the Qi army suffered a minor setback, its strength has not been diminished."

"Our Wu Kingdom has just been ravaged by war, and the people's strength has not yet recovered."

"To advance north rashly at this time would likely not be a good opportunity."

He walked to the river defense map and pointed to the Huai River line.

"Chen Deng has deployed his forces here with great force. If we attempt to cross the river by force, we risk falling into an ambush."

After the envoy finished recording, he cupped his hands and said:
"This humble general will certainly report the truth."

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Excellency."

Lu Xun thanked him and personally saw him off.

After the envoy left, the deputy general Zhu Ran entered the tent and asked with a worried expression:
"General, His Majesty's question is quite strange."

You must take this seriously!

Because when Lu Xun was leading troops before, he basically didn't care about or interfere with the front-line battles.

Even before Lu Xun was appointed commander, Sun Quan had made the same promise to him.

The war was entrusted entirely to Lu Xun himself, and he would not interfere or meddle.

It is indeed strange that an envoy has suddenly been sent to ask this question.

Moreover, when fighting on the front lines, the most taboo thing is for the monarch in the rear to make minor adjustments.

Leaving aside whether the monarch's military skills were high enough,

Given the limited information dissemination efficiency in ancient times, information gaps could easily arise between different periods, inevitably leading to mishaps in micromanagement.

Lu Xun waved his hand to stop him and gently advised:

"...It is only natural for Your Majesty to be concerned about the war."

"Order all camps to strengthen the river defenses and be on guard against a night attack by the Han army."

Little did they know that this loyal and patriotic reply would cause a huge uproar in the Jianye Palace.

"Just as I predicted!"

Lu Yi presented the messenger's report, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Lu Xun's excuse that the Qi army is too powerful is clearly a sign of cowardice and reluctance to advance!"

"Your Majesty, consider this: if, as he claims, the Qi army suffered no losses, how could he have won so many battles in succession?"

Sun Quan stood with his back to the palace gate, silently gazing at the map of the Wu Kingdom's territory hanging on the wall.

Lu Xun's answer was indeed puzzling—

If victory is assured, why not advance the troops?
As he turned around, his eyes were already filled with coldness:
"...What do you think should be done about this matter?"

Knowing the time was right, Lü Yi suddenly knelt down and earnestly cried out:

"I have words that could pierce the heart, but I dare not utter them!"

"But it doesn't matter."

"Your Majesty entrusted the weight of the nation to Lu Xun and gave him all the troops of Jiangdong. This is the demeanor of a wise ruler."

Lu Yi looked up, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"However, I have heard that a wise ruler does not entrust the power of life and death to his subjects."

"Lu Xun commands a large army; if he harbors rebellious intentions, there will be no one in the country to control him,"

He paused deliberately to observe Sun Quan's expression.

Even if the Wu Kingdom is defeated, it will only cede territory to sue for peace and give up a few cities.

"But if the General rebels, where will the Sun family's legacy be?"

Sun Quan's expression changed drastically, and his fingers unconsciously rubbed the sword at his waist.

Both Zhou Yu and Lü Meng praised Lu Xun's talent.

Lu Xun's actual performance proved that he was indeed talented.

But precisely because he is talented,
Such a talented general, if he cannot be used for my own purposes...

Sun Quan's brows furrowed in displeasure, and his expression grew increasingly grim.

Seeing that Sun Quan was wavering, Lü Yi added fuel to the fire.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty has something else to say, but I'm not sure if I should."

"speak!!"

Sun Quan shouted sternly.

"Does Your Majesty still remember..."

Lu Yi's voice was barely audible, "The feud between the Lu family and the Sun family?"

This sentence exploded like thunder.

Sun Quan's mind flashed back to the pool of blood on the day his elder brother Sun Ce was assassinated—

Lu Xun's great-grandfather, Lu Kang, died in despair after Sun Ce conquered Lujiang!
Although Lu Xun later married Sun Ce's daughter, the blood feud between their families is something that cannot be ignored.

Sun Quan entrusted his niece to Lu Xun in order to win over the Lu family.

However, Lü Yi suddenly brought up old grievances, mentioning the deep-seated hatred between the Sun and Lu families, which made Sun Quan even more distressed and conflicted.

Seeing this, Lü Yi continued to persuade him:

"Although Lu Xun is married to a princess, how can the hatred of killing his own family be resolved by a marriage alone?"

"I fear... that if something happens in the future, you will not be able to control him."

"enough!"

Sun Quan roared, and the bamboo slips on the table fell to the ground.

His chest heaved violently, and it took him a long time to calm down.
"Order Lu Xun to immediately prepare his troops to cross the river and attack the Qi army."

"No mistakes!"

Lü Yi was secretly pleased, but pretended to be worried:

What if Lu Xun disobeys orders?

"That is concrete evidence of treason!"

Sun Quan's eyes flashed with murderous intent. "I want to see whether this famous general of Jiangdong is loyal or treacherous!"

That night, dark clouds covered the city of Jianye.

Inside a secret room in Lü Yi's residence, candlelight flickered. He chuckled softly at a figure in the shadows:

"Tell General Chen that the fish has taken the bait."

Meanwhile, in the Han army camp on the north bank of the Yangtze River.

Chen Deng was gazing at the endless lights on the south bank, a secret letter clutched in his hand, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"Lu Boyan, let's see how you handle this situation."

The river wind howled, as if weeping and lamenting.

The banks of the Yangtze River are shrouded in mist and rain.

Inside the Wu army camp, Lu Xun stood with his hands behind his back in front of the tent.

He frowned as he gazed at the endless Han army camps on the opposite bank.

A breeze from the river brushed against his temples, lifting a few strands of gray hair.

He is only thirty-five years old this year, but his hair is already white and his face is thin.

He felt a profound sense of responsibility, much like Wu Zixu, whose hair turned white overnight when he passed through Shaoguan.

Only his eyes remained as sharp as a hawk's.

"General, a scout reports that the Qi army has reinforced its troops on the north bank."

Lieutenant Zhu Ran strode over and reported in a low voice.

Lu Xun nodded slightly:
"Chen Deng is indeed a man whose reputation is well-deserved."

"With an army of 200,000 pressing on the border, after suffering only a few defeats, they held back their troops."

"They're waiting for our army to make the first move, hoping I'll make a mistake."

"General, our army has less than 150,000 men."

"Moreover, most of them are newly recruited soldiers. If we launch a rash attack and engage in a full-scale war, the outcome may be unpredictable."

Zhu Ran hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Lu Xun turned and entered the tent. On the table was a detailed map, densely marked with the troop deployments of both sides.

He pointed to a spot north of the river and said:

"Although the Qi army is large, its supply lines are long and its internal structure is not harmonious."

“Within the State of Qi, the old military cliques are becoming outdated, while the new and elite national army is emerging. This is an opportunity for our army to take advantage of.”

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the tent.

A messenger rushed in and knelt on one knee:

"Report!"

"The King of Wu urgently ordered the General to immediately lead troops to engage the Qi army in a decisive battle!"

Lu Xun took the silk scroll, read it carefully, and his expression gradually darkened.

He looked up at Zhu Ran and said:
"Order all generals to convene a meeting in the central army."

A moment later, all of Wu's generals gathered in the main tent.

Lu Xun surveyed the crowd and said in a deep voice:
"The King of Wu has ordered me to attack, but the enemy is numerous and we are few. If we cross the river rashly, we may be in danger of being overthrown."

"What do you think?"

Veteran Han Dang slammed his fist on the table and stood up:

"The Qi army is exhausted from their long journey, while our army is well-rested and ready to strike!"

"otherwise."

Lu Xun shook his head and analyzed seriously:
"Chen Deng strode across Jiangnan; he was no ordinary man."

"Behind them is the combined strength of the entire Qi and Han states. If our army is defeated, Jiangdong will be in grave danger."

He unfurled a map, traced a line across the Yangtze River with his finger, and said in a deep voice:

"Qi has 200,000 troops, while our army has only 150,000, and a large number of them are new recruits."

"The Qi army can be defeated, but our army cannot be defeated."

"This is a crisis that threatens the nation's survival; we must be extremely cautious."

Upon hearing this, all the generals fell silent.

Lu Xun continued:
“I have already written to the King of Wu, explaining the advantages and disadvantages.”

"The Qi army was internally divided, and even when united, their strength was uneven, resulting in a disorganized and disorganized advance."

"We only need to hold our ground and wait for them to run out of food and retreat on their own. Then we can pursue them and win a complete victory."

That night, Lu Xun personally took up his pen and wrote a memorial to the throne:

"...Your Majesty, I humbly submit: The Qi army is powerful, but its soldiers are old and exhausted, and there is internal discord."

"Our army should hold its ground and wait for the situation to change; it should not venture out lightly."

"Chen Dengxiong is a man of great talent and cannot be easily defeated."

"Moreover, their country has a large army, so even if there are minor defeats, it will not damage their foundation."

"If our army is defeated, Jiangdong will be shaken."

"I hope Your Majesty will understand and temporarily suppress your anger, wait for the enemy to retreat on their own, and then plan your next move."

"Your subject will exert all his strength to ensure the safety of the Yangtze River."

After writing it, Lu Xun personally sealed it and handed it to his trusted confidant to send to Jianye.

In Jianye City, Sun Quan was pacing in the palace.

In recent days, news of the Qi army's advance has shaken Jiangdong, and the people are filled with fear and unease.

People returning from the banks of the Yangtze River, in particular, remarked that the river was covered with sawdust.

This caused the people of Wu to believe that the Han army had countless warships, and the people of the country were filled with fear.

"Report! Grand Commander Lu's memorial has arrived!"

The eunuch reported loudly.

Sun Quan quickly unfolded the silk scroll, carefully read Lu Xun's analysis, and his expression gradually softened.

However, when he saw the last sentence, "When a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders," his expression suddenly changed, and he slammed the silk scroll heavily on the table.

"This! This Lu Boyan! How dare he be so arrogant!"

Seeing this, Lü Yi, who was standing to the side, had a sinister glint in his eyes and stepped forward to whisper:
"Your Majesty, Lu Xun's words clearly indicate that he is using his military power to his advantage."

"They disregard your royal command!"

Sun Quan's eyes widened in anger:

"I have treated him well; how dare he act like this!"

Lü Yi seized the opportunity to fan the flames:

"Indecisiveness leads to disaster."

"Lu Xun commands a large army; if he harbors disloyal intentions, he could become a great threat."

Sun Quan remained silent for a long time, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table and said:

"I hereby issue another order: Lu Xun is to immediately send out troops!"

“Tell him that I know the time is not yet ripe.”

"However, public sentiment is unstable at home, and a major victory is needed to reassure the people!"

"Even if we fail to win by crossing the river to the north, it will still bring stability to the country."

Battle reports can be deceiving, but battle lines won't.

As long as Lu Xun pushes the battle lines forward, Sun Quan will surely be able to suppress the raging public opinion within the country.

Lu Yi accepted the order and withdrew, a cold smile appearing on his lips.

Lu Xun's letter had already been intercepted by Lü Yi, who then ordered a capable person to rewrite it.

However, in pursuit of authenticity, Lü Yi did not make any complete deletions or alterations to the text.

The only addition was at the end: "When a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders."

Lies are not scary in this world.

Telling half the truth is often ten times more terrifying than a lie.

On the Yangtze River front, Lu Xun received another stern order from Sun Quan and couldn't help but sigh.

Zhu Ran said worriedly:
"General, the King of Wu has been urging us repeatedly."

"If we don't send troops soon, there may be unforeseen disaster!"

Lu Xun shook his head and sighed helplessly:

"It is not that I fear war, but rather that I am concerned for the lives of the 150,000 soldiers and the people of the eighty counties south of the Yangtze River." He picked up his pen and wrote another reply:
"Your Majesty, I humbly bow again: I am not unaware that Your Majesty is eager for victory."

"However, war is a matter of great importance to the state, a matter of life and death, and must be treated with utmost care."

"The Qi army is powerful. If our army is defeated, the south of the Yangtze River will be devastated."

"I would give my life as a guarantee that as long as Lu Xun has a breath left, Chen Deng will never be able to cross the river."

"Time will prove my loyalty; I hope Your Majesty will understand."

As soon as the messenger left, Lu Xun summoned his generals and redeployed the defenses.

He pointed to the map and gave instructions:

"Strengthen outposts along the river and deploy more diversionary forces."

“If the Qi army crosses the river, they will definitely pass through these three places.”

The news reached the Wu King's palace.

Although the ice chest in the palace emitted a slight chill, it could not dispel the gloom between Sun Quan's brows.

The military report from Lu Xun in his hand was crumpled, but the words "Your subject believes the time is not yet ripe and we should not act rashly" were still clearly visible.

"This is the second time!"

Sun Quan slammed the bamboo slips heavily onto the table, making the teacups clink.

Lu Yi, who was standing to the side, immediately stepped forward, his narrow eyes narrowing into slits:

"...Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

"Although Lu Boyan is skilled in military strategy, his repeated disobedience to the king's orders is hardly the way of a subject."

Sun Quan snorted coldly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes:
“I ordered him to cross the river and attack the Han, but he refused, citing the Han army’s strict defenses.”

"First he said the supplies were insufficient, and this time he says the time is not right. What does he mean?"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Lü Yi seized the opportunity to say:
"Lu Xun's prestige in the army grew daily, and the soldiers only knew of General Lu, not King Wu."

"If this continues, something unforeseen may happen."

Sun Quan frowned, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.

The shrill chirping of cicadas outside the window only added to the irritability.

Seeing this, Lü Yi lowered his voice and said:

"Has Your Majesty not forgotten the story of Cao Cao and Liu Bei?"

“In the past, Cao Cao entrusted the Xiahou and Cao families with military command in order to suppress generals of different surnames.”

"Although Liu Bei had no members of the imperial clan, he appointed the veteran generals Li, Guan, and Zhang as commanders, firmly entrusting military power to these three in order to suppress the generals in other regions."

"These are all strategies to control the four directions by having trusted confidants."

"Now Your Majesty has entrusted military power to the son of your enemy, and I am truly worried for you."

"shut up!"

Sun Quan suddenly roared, but quickly suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice:

“You… continue.”

Lu Yi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and continued:

"I believe that a member of the imperial clan should be replaced."

"General Sun Shao was a brave and loyal young man."

"Isn't it better to hand over military power to the Sun family than to give it to our enemy?"

Sun Quan pondered for a long time, and finally nodded slowly:

"By my decree, Sun Shao is to go immediately to replace Lu Xun."

The atmosphere in the main hall was solemn during the court assembly the following day.

When Sun Quan announced the proposal to replace the commander-in-chief, Chancellor Gu Yong immediately stepped forward to object, bowing deeply to the ground:

"Your Majesty, please think carefully! Changing commanders in the midst of battle is a major taboo in military strategy."

"Lu Boyan has won consecutive battles, and his soldiers are fighting with all their might. If we replace him now, I'm afraid the morale of the army will be unstable!"

Shi Yi also stepped forward to offer his advice:
"In the past, King Xiaocheng of Zhao replaced Lian Po with Zhao Kuo, which ultimately led to the defeat at Changping."

"Chen Deng, the general of Qi, is a shrewd and calculating old man who has been leading the troops south of the Yangtze River for more than 20 years."

"General Sun is only thirty years old. Although he is brave and resourceful, how could he be a match for Chen Deng?"

"presumptuous!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Shao flew into a rage, drew his sword, and shouted:
"How dare you compare me to Zhao Kuo?"

"I regard Chen Deng, that old scoundrel, as nothing more than a clay chicken or a tile dog!"

Shi Yi responded with neither servility nor arrogance:
"General Sun is indeed brave, but Chen Deng has been managing Jiangbei for more than 20 years, with deep trenches and high walls."

"Even with Lu Boyan's talent and strategy, he is still cautious and prudent. How can you, General, underestimate the enemy?"

Sun Quan watched coldly from the sidelines, and seeing the worried expressions on the faces of his ministers, he felt even more displeased.

Because these people are inherently selfish and only think about their own future.

Few of them truly cared about the future of the Sun family's empire.

Seeing that they were all speaking up for Lu Xun, Sun Quan was naturally displeased.

However, Sun Quan was so angry that he lost his mind.

Completely unaware that the ministers' reaction of supporting Lu Xun was the normal one.

The reason is quite simple.
First, changing commanders on the eve of battle is a major taboo in military strategy.

Secondly, Lu Xun has won many battles on the front lines, and instead of rewarding him, you've replaced him.

How could doing this not chill the hearts of the soldiers on the front lines?

Therefore, the court officials' support for Lu Xun was simply based on the perspective of a normal person.

Under normal circumstances, Sun Quan would not have been unable to understand this.

A series of combined attacks, coupled with Lü Yi's instigation, left Sun Quan completely bewildered.

Even though Sun Quan had by this time begun to realize what was happening,

But seeing that all the ministers were against him, he was already in a precarious position.

If he doesn't wholeheartedly support Sun Shao, his prestige will plummet even further.

Then he shouted sternly:

"My mind is made up! Sun Shao, set off immediately, without fail!"

Gu Yong was about to offer further advice when Sun Quan abruptly stood up, his sleeves shrugged.

"Retreat!"

As the officials left the hall, the sky was covered with dark clouds.

Gu Yong looked up at the sky and sighed:

"The calamity of Zhao Kuo may well be repeated in Jiangdong!"

Shi Yi shook his head and smiled bitterly:

“If Lu Boyan leaves, Jiangbei will be in grave danger.”

"It is a pity that the king does not heed loyal advice."

Every minister in the Wu Kingdom knew that Sun Quan had lost his mind.

There were loyal ministers among them, but unfortunately, their lord did not heed their advice.

Before Sun Shao could even set off for his new post, the news had already spread like wildfire to Lu Xun's army.

Inside the tent, Zhu Ran drew his sword and angrily slashed at the corner of the table, sparks flying, as he shouted:
"General! The emperor has actually listened to Lü Yi's slander and intends to replace you with Sun Shao!"

"Isn't this self-destruction?"

The generals on both sides were filled with resentment, some pounding their chests and stamping their feet, others drawing their swords and striking stones, saying bitterly:
"We fought a bloody battle north of the Yangtze River, repeatedly defeating the Qi army, yet we are met with such suspicion!"

Lu Xun stood quietly in the tent, his face ashen, his fingers tightly gripping the military report, his knuckles turning white.

After a long silence, he sighed and said:
"Bring me pen and ink."

Lu Xun dipped his brush in ink, the tip of the brush like a knife, each word dripping with blood:

"I have heard that when virtue is equal, the many will overcome the few, and when strength is equal, the secure will control the dangerous."

"This is why the six states were able to be conquered by the powerful Qin, and why Western Chu was subjugated by Emperor Gaozu of Han."

"The enemy now controls all four directions, not just the Guanzhong region."

"To divide the land into nine provinces, it's not just about the area west of the Honggou Canal!"

"Wu has no allies to aid it, nor is it as strong as Western Chu internally."

"Government affairs are corrupt and the people are not at peace."

"What the proponents rely on is merely the great rivers and towering mountains that limit the territory."

"This is a trivial matter in the defense of the country, and not something that wise people should prioritize."

When he wrote with great passion, his pen moved with the force of iron, penetrating the paper:
"I often ponder the signs of the Warring States period's survival and destruction, and I frequently observe the signs of the Han dynasty's downfall."

"He examined the classics and verified the deeds, and was so engrossed in his work that he would stroke his pillow in the middle of the night and forget to eat before meals."

"When the Xiongnu were not yet destroyed, Qu Bing resigned from his post."

"The Han dynasty was not yet fully established, and Jia Yi wept in sorrow."

"Moreover, I am a member of the royal family and have enjoyed the honors and favors of my family for generations."

"We share the nation's safety and well-being, and we will never compromise our principles, whether it be for the sake of life or death, separation or reunion."

"I am filled with sorrow day and night, my heart aches with grief!"

He listed seventeen urgent tasks and vehemently denounced the calamities caused by corrupt officials.

He bluntly stated that people like Lü Yi were bringing disaster to the country and its people, and earnestly requested Sun Quan to distance himself from treacherous officials and appoint virtuous and capable ones, otherwise the nation would be in grave danger!
After finishing the book, Lu Xun personally sealed it and handed it to a trusted confidant:

"Quickly present this to the King of Wu!"

"Never entrust this to others!"

The letter was sent back to Jianye, and Sun Quan read it.

Seeing Lu Xun's earnest words, he was slightly moved and pondered for a moment before saying:

“Boyan is loyal, how could I not know that? Yet he has repeatedly disobeyed military orders…”

"I have no choice but to punish you."

Just as he was hesitating, Lü Yi suddenly arrived, followed by several ragged Wu soldiers.

"Your Majesty!"

Lu Yi smiled sinisterly, "These men are prisoners who escaped from Jiangbei. I brought them back specifically for Your Majesty to question them."

Sun Quan's gaze sharpened as he scrutinized the group:

"You have been captured by the Qi army, how will you be able to return?"

One of the soldiers said tremblingly:

"Your Majesty, the Han... no, the Qi army has treated us very well. They have not mistreated us, but have provided us with food and clothing."

“At first we did not know the reason and dared not accept them lightly, until later we found that the Qi army treated prisoners in this way.”

Sun Quan frowned:
"Oh? Why are the people of Qi like this?"

Another person whispered:

"I do not know either, but I overheard the Qi army officers whispering at night."

“Words like ‘Just bear with it for now, it will be over soon’…”

Lü Yi immediately stepped forward and said in a sinister voice:

"Your Majesty! This must be a secret affair between Lu Xun and Chen Deng."

"We want the Qi army to treat the Wu soldiers well in order to win their hearts!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Quan's expression changed drastically, and a flash of murderous intent appeared in his eyes.

He suddenly threw Lu Xun's memorial into the brazier, and flames rose up, instantly engulfing the words of blood and tears.

"Send the order!"

Sun Quan coldly said, "Sun Shao, depart immediately and assume command of the military!"

"As for Lu Xun... dismiss him immediately and send him back to his hometown to await further punishment!"

The memorial turned to ashes and scattered throughout the palace.

Lu Yi's lips curled slightly, and he said in a low voice:

"Great King Shengming."

Back at his residence, Lü Yi was in high spirits and immediately picked up his pen to write a letter.

He dispatched a trusted confidant to deliver it to the Han army camp north of the river.

The book states briefly:

"Your subordinate, General Who Conquers the South, respectfully reports:"

"I bow and kowtow twice, and respectfully wish the general good fortune in military affairs."

"The task entrusted to him by the former has been fulfilled, and he has ultimately succeeded in getting Sun Quan to depose Lu Xun and replace him with Sun Shao."

"Although Shao is young and brave, he has little experience in battle and his strategies are not deep enough. How can he be considered a general with such divine wisdom?"

"With the change of commander in Jiangdong, morale in the army is wavering; this is a golden opportunity!"

"If the general still has the will, I will do my utmost to comply."

"I only hope that when the royal army crosses the Yangtze River, it will remember our humble service and offer a word of praise to Your Majesty. I will never forget it!"

"Now everyone in the Wu court knows that Sun Quan changed generals on the eve of battle, thus destroying his own bulwark."

"Gu Yong, Shi Yi and others lamented that the civil and military officials were becoming increasingly alienated, and this was precisely the opportunity to exploit the situation."

"The people of Jiangnan have long suffered under the oppressive rule of the Sun family, and day and night they eagerly await the arrival of the royal army as if they were longing for sweet rain."

"Once we lie low in Jianye, we await the southward advance of our banners."

"I am willing to be an inside agent and work together to achieve our great cause!"

"I am writing this urgently and humbly request your kind consideration."

"...Lü Yi bows again."

"The eighth year of Zhang Wu's reign is the first day of the sixth lunar month."

Lü Yi even thoughtfully used the official reign title of the Han Dynasty at the end.

This was done to show goodwill to Chen Deng and to demonstrate loyalty.

This letter was sealed with sealing wax and delivered by a trusted confidant disguised as a merchant across the river. It took several detours to reach Chen Deng's desk.

After reading Lü Yi's secret letter, Chen Deng clapped his hands and laughed:
"God help me too!"

Upon seeing this, the guards on both sides all showed joy and asked:

"Why is the general so delighted?"

Chen Dengyang's letter was displayed to the public:

"Sun Quan destroyed his own bulwark, replacing Lu Xun with Sun Shao; this is a golden opportunity!"

"Quickly prepare a banquet and invite all the generals to celebrate!"

The tent was brightly lit, and the aroma of wine and meat filled the air.

Upon hearing the news, the commanders of each battalion arrived and took their seats.

Chen Denggao sat in the main seat, raised his glass, and said loudly:

"Gentlemen! We have received news today that Sun Quan, the ruler of Wu, has replaced Lu Xun with Sun Shao on the eve of battle."

"This foolish act suits my purposes perfectly!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals beamed with joy and raised their glasses in celebration.

Chen Deng turned his gaze to one of the people at the table and smiled:

"The success of this plan is largely due to Ziyi's efforts!"

"If it weren't for Ziyi's strategy of sowing discord and his personal crossing of the Yangtze River to bribe Lü Yi."

"How could our army have such a cause for celebration today?"

As everyone looked at him, it was Jiang Gan.

Jiang Gan quickly stood up, cupped his hands in a humble manner, and said:
"Having done less than a fraction of the work, how dare I claim credit?"

"Victory on the battlefield still depends on the bravery of our generals."

Chen Deng threw his head back and laughed loudly:

"Ziyi, why be so modest? Merit is merit!"

He then raised his glass and said loudly:
"Gentlemen, come! Let us all raise a toast to Ziyi!"

The generals responded in unison and raised their glasses:
"Respectfully, Mr. Jiang!"

Those present were all bigwigs from various factions.

Chen Deng's decision to have the bigwigs toast Jiang Gan was a way of giving Jiang Gan a lot of face.

Of course, given Jiang Gan's achievements, he certainly deserves it.

Jiang Gan looked grateful and raised his glass in return:
"Thank you all, generals!"

After several rounds of drinks, one of the guests suddenly asked:
"Chen Zhengnan, the Wu army has changed commanders. What are your next strategies?"

Upon closer inspection, everyone recognized him as Liu Li, the military supervisor and Prince Liang.

Chen Deng smiled slightly and stroked his beard, saying:
"Sun Shao is a mere child, still wet behind the ears. I regard him as nothing more than a toy in the palm of my hand!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals burst into laughter.

Chen Deng stood up and waved his hand boldly:
"Pass down the order: reward the troops today."

"Cook lamb and slaughter cattle, kill chicken and boil duck, steam fish and stew meat."

"Make sure the soldiers have a good meal!"

Inside the Han army camp, bonfires blazed and the aroma of meat filled the air.

The soldiers sat in a circle, enjoying their meal with great relish, their cheers thunderous.

Chen Deng personally visited each camp and raised a toast to express his appreciation:
"My lords, you have fought hard for days on end!"

"Let's eat and drink to our hearts' content today and conserve our energy."

"We will soon cross the Yangtze River and head south to take Jianye!"

The soldiers, having eaten the meat, were all greatly encouraged and raised their bowls, shouting:

"Long live! Long live!"

The sound resounded across the fields, and the morale soared.

Chen Deng's lips curled up slightly as he smiled:
"Sun Quan, since you've severed your own arm, don't blame me for being ruthless..."

"I would be too kind to refuse such a great achievement as unifying the entire Jiangnan region."

The night breeze swept by, and the battle flags fluttered in the wind.

A great battle is about to begin!

(End of this chapter)