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

Chapter 384 The Han army has arrived, and the sky is clear! The Wu region has changed hands, and the gloom has dissipated!
In Jiangdong, the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms fills the air.

A royal decree, carried by the cold moonlight, flew out of the palace gates and reached the front lines of the Yangtze River—

Commander-in-Chief Lu Xun was dismissed immediately, and Sun Shao, a member of the imperial clan, took his place with the imperial insignia.

The news struck like a boulder into still water, causing the riverside camps to ripple endlessly.

The soldiers whispered amongst themselves, and the officers' expressions changed.

The phrase "possessing military power and arrogance" is like a poisonous vine coiling around everyone's heart, making it difficult to breathe.

Lu Xun had served in the army for many years, and everyone had spent a considerable amount of time with him.

Especially during this period, they won several consecutive victories against the Han army.

The Wu army's generals were in high spirits, which was also the peak of Lu Xun's prestige.

However, the King of Wu's accusation of "using his military power for personal gain" sent a chill down the spines of every soldier fighting bravely on the front lines.

Even the wolf dung smoke rising from the beacon tower seemed to have become heavier, silently watching the turbulent river and the churning of people's hearts.

Three days later, the new coach arrived.

Below the command platform, a dense mass of Wu army generals stood solemnly with their hands on their swords.

The armor reflected the autumn sun, a cold, hard forest of light.

Footsteps sounded, and a person steadily stepped onto the stage.

This person was extremely tall, nearly eight feet tall.

He wore silver armor and a white robe, his face was as fair as jade, and his eyes were as bright as stars.

He possessed a handsome appearance, and his every glance exuded the dignity of a member of the imperial family.

It was Sun Shao, who was thirty years old at the time.

At the age of thirty, he is in the prime of his life.

His gaze swept over the generals below the stage.

Zhu Ran remained silent, Lü Fan lowered his eyes, and He Qi remained expressionless.

Ding Feng, with his bushy beard and fierce eyes, stared straight up at him without any attempt to hide his gaze.

The captains and military officers below held their breath.

dignified!

The atmosphere was extremely heavy!

Obviously,

Everyone was very dissatisfied with the commander who had been parachuted in with little military merit and relied on his status as a member of the imperial family.

Sun Shao took a deep breath, his voice clear and resonant, cutting through the river breeze:
"Gentlemen!"

When he spoke, his tone carried an undeniable force.

“The matter concerning Lu Boyan is not without foundation.”

"Your Majesty is discerning and the evidence is irrefutable."

"I hereby appoint Shaolai not only to replace him as general, but also to rectify discipline and order, so as to reassure the army!"

He spoke fluently, recounting the King of Wu's worries, the perilous state of the nation, and the pressure from the enemy army, stirring up emotions to the extreme.

However, the only response from the audience was an even more deathly silence, a silence that concealed doubt and turmoil.

Those gazes, some direct, some sideways, some hidden in the shadows of helmet brims.

They were all weighing the options, all deliberating:
Is this an embroidered tiger?

Can he stand against the truly man-eating wolf of Jiangbei—General Chen Yuanlong of Han?
Chen Deng had been a powerful figure in Jiangnan for over twenty years, a fact known to all Wu generals with military experience.

Lu Xun had already proven his talent.

But so far, Sun Shao has only wanted to emphasize the legitimacy of his replacement of Lu Xun.

Sun Shao noticed the strange looks on everyone's faces, and a surge of anger rose in his chest. He knew he had to establish his authority.

He suddenly raised his voice, unleashing a brilliant plan he had long pondered, and loudly proclaimed to the crowd:
"Jiangbei relies on the advantage of boats, but what does Jiangnan rely on?"

"There are plenty of fine iron and skilled craftsmen!"

“My mind is made up. Cast over a hundred interlocking iron chains.”

"Several hundred feet long and weighing twenty or thirty kilograms, it cuts across the dangerous river!"

"Recreate tens of thousands of iron cones, each over ten feet long, and densely plant them at the bottom of the water."

"At that time, the Han ships will come sailing with the wind."

"With a cone piercing its bottom and a rope blocking its path, coupled with the approaching cold wave, how could they possibly fly across?"

After he finished speaking, everyone in the room was astonished.

Zhu Ran stepped forward first, cupped his hands, and spoke in a deep, slow voice like muffled thunder:
"Grand Commander, this policy is likely... likely to cause too much harm to the people."

"How many artisans and laborers would be needed to build such a colossal object?"

"How much iron was used?"

"If used for military equipment and armor, it could supply the entire army for several years."

"I hope the Grand Commander will reconsider."

Upon hearing this, Sun Shao's expression darkened slightly, but he did not look at Zhu Ran, instead gazing at the distant river.

"General Zhu is a wise and experienced strategist, but has he not heard the saying, 'In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures should be taken'?"

"Strengthening the river defenses is to protect the people. Is it worth sacrificing for the peace of Jiangdong for generations to come?"

Upon seeing this, Lü Fan also spoke up, but his tone was more cautious.

"Grand Commander, what Zhu Yifeng said is very true."

"Chen Yuanlong was no ordinary man. He served Liu Bei in guarding Jiangnan for more than 20 years and held a high position of power."

"Now his troops are stationed in Jiangnan, with 200,000 fierce and resourceful soldiers under his command."

“They will surely have a way to deal with mere iron chains and spikes.”

"If we exhaust the people and waste resources only to achieve nothing, wouldn't that be..."

"General Lu!"

Sun Shao abruptly interrupted, his voice as cold and hard as iron.

The gentle facade on his face had completely crumbled, leaving only the arrogance of a member of the royal family and the fierceness of the new commander-in-chief.

"The king's command is here, the commander's seal is here!"

"My will is the military order!!"

"This strategy concerns the fate of the nation; it is not for you to make arbitrary comments!"

"Anyone who further disrupts morale or disobeys orders—"

He pressed down hard on his sword, and the hilt struck the scabbard with a piercing clang.

"He shall be executed according to military law, without pardon!"

The murderous aura pressed down like a tangible force, crushing all dissent from the audience.

Sun Shao did this because he believed that Zhu Ran and other generals were taking advantage of him because he was a newcomer.

If someone deliberately disobeys my orders, how can I establish my authority if I compromise?

Therefore, he took out the commander's seal and used his power to forcefully subdue everyone.

Zhu Ran's Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed his words.

Lu Fan bowed his head and retreated into the train, while He Qi and the others remained silent.

The rest of the crowd were all afraid of causing trouble and dared not continue to speak.

Sun Shao flicked his sleeves and shouted:
"Issue the order! Craftsmen from the prefectures and counties along the river are to be conscripted immediately."

"Work day and night! Anyone who delays will be executed!"

The order was given and it collapsed like a mountain.

Within ten days, several key sections of the Yangtze River on the south bank had become like a battlefield.

The furnace fire blazed day and night, turning half the autumn river a scarlet red.

The clanging of hammers, shouts of workers, and the yelling of the overseer

The sounds of pulling on the iron chains were so loud and jerky that they startled the fish and geese into silence.

Bare-chested laborers and craftsmen moved about amidst the smoke and fire, their faces gaunt and haggard.

Huge iron rings were forged one by one, twisted together to form a ferocious black dragon, which was piled higher and higher on the shore.

The cold, heavy, lifeless object, before even entering the water, had already sucked away all the life force of the living.

Sun Shao personally supervised the construction, his silver armor and white robe still standing out amidst the smoke and flames.

He stood with his hands behind his back, watching the iron chains tighten one by one, his eyes burning with the fervor of impending success.

The generals followed silently behind, like clay or wooden sculptures, not uttering a single word.

……

North of the river, the Han army camp.

The autumn wind, carrying a chilling atmosphere, swept past the fluttering banners.

All the generals inside the tent had solemn expressions.

The scene of iron chains spanning the river and densely packed with iron spikes resembled a cold shackle, choking the throat of the great river.

Only Chen Deng carefully examined the silk manuscript.

At first he frowned, then the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and finally he clapped his hands and laughed, his voice echoing throughout the military tent:
"Wonderful! Wonderful! Heaven is on my side!"

"Young Master Sun Shao, you have truly bestowed a generous gift upon Huainan!"

The generals looked at each other in astonishment, not understanding what he meant.

Zang Ba stepped forward, his thick eyebrows furrowed:
"Why do you say such a thing, General Who Conquers the South?"

“The people of Wu occupied the strategic location of the river, cast iron chains, and set up hidden traps.”

"The intention was to block the river, preventing our fleet from advancing an inch."

"With winter approaching and the waters receding, the cold winds will be even more disadvantageous for our army."

"How can the General Who Conquers the South not be worried?"

Chen Deng's smile faded, his eyes gleaming. He lightly tossed the silk scroll onto the table, put his hands behind his back, and said:

"Xuan Gao only knows one side of the story, not the other."

"They only know the surface, but not the inside."

"The foundation of Jiangdong was built up over three generations."

"The people are prosperous and the country is wealthy, and the granaries are full."

"If they build high walls and deep moats, strengthen their armor and weapons, and hold their ground by the river, they can hold out against us for a long time."

"The outcome of the battle is still uncertain."

Even if we can win, it will be a protracted battle.

"That would deplete our national strength and damage our vitality."

"This is certainly not in our army's best interest."

He stood up, walked to the huge river map in the tent, and lightly pointed to the south bank with his finger.

“But now, Sun Shao is just a young boy. He knows that his prestige is very shallow and he cannot win the hearts of the people.”

"Therefore, he wanted to establish his authority over the veteran generals and show off his abilities before Sun Quan."

"They do not follow the right path, but instead pursue strange and ingenious tricks."

"The entire nation's resources were mobilized, tens of thousands of laborers were conscripted, and mountains of iron were consumed."

"Instead of forging sharp weapons and strong armor to strengthen our military, they instead cast those clumsy iron chains and sank them to the bottom of the river!"

"This is putting the cart before the horse and destroying our own foundation!"

"The people are exhausted by the forced labor, and their grievances are filled with resentment due to the tyranny of the people."

"If iron materials are left unused, the armory will gradually become empty."

"They have dug their own foundations, and signs of defeat are already evident. How can I not be pleased?"

Upon hearing this, the generals in the tent relaxed slightly, but their worries remained.

Zang Ba pondered for a moment and said:
"What General Zheng Nan said makes some sense."

"Even so, we still need to prepare."

"The iron chains across the river are, in the end, a real obstacle."

"If our naval forces cannot break through, everything else is just empty talk."

Winter will arrive in no time, when the winds will be high and the waves will be rough.

"The weather is cold and the water is frigid, making it even more difficult to break through the formation."

The war against Wu has been going on for a long time.

The soldiers' war weariness gradually increased.

If they wait until "General Winter" arrives, the soldiers will only suffer even more.

The biggest problem troubling the Han army was breaking through the Yangtze River defense line.

Once they cross the river, that will be the time for the Han army to display its might.

At that time, Zhang He, Zang Ba, Gao Shun, and their group of generals will tell the Wu people, letting them know—

What makes a country the world's number one army?

Chen Deng smiled slightly, confident and assured.

"They have a plan to block the river, but we have a strategy to break it."

"This thing may look terrifying, but it is actually easy to break!"

He then ordered the emperor to ascend the tent and issue commands.

Within a few days, following Chen Deng's plan, the Han army's naval camp hastily built dozens of giant rafts.

The rafts were all bound together with thick, massive logs, making them wide and sturdy.

The rafts were all bound with straw into human shapes and draped in Han army armor.

They all carried spears and staffs, and from a distance, they looked no different from a real military formation.

That night, the moon was dim and the stars were few, and the river was shrouded in mist.

Dozens of giant rafts were silently placed into the river and drifted downstream, heading straight for the Wu army's key defensive position on the south bank.

On the watchtower of Wu Jun, the guards suddenly saw dark shadows in the middle of the river, which seemed to be a large number of enemy troops crossing the river at night on rafts.

The armor and weapons occasionally reflected light in the dim water, creating an impressive sight.

The guards were terrified and, without a chance to discern the situation, mistook it for an attack by the Han army.

They hurriedly rang the alarm gong and exclaimed in alarm:
"The Han army has crossed the river!"

"The Han army is attacking!!"

"Come quickly and help!!"

Upon hearing the alarm, the Wu army along the river was thrown into chaos.

The archers hastily released their arrows, and most of them fell into the water or stuck into the straw figures.

Even worse, some, seeing the "enemy army" approaching with overwhelming force, became so cowardly that they collapsed first.

Amidst this chaos, dozens of giant rafts drifted by slowly, their bottoms heavily laden with debris.

All the iron spikes, each over ten feet long, that Wu Jun had carefully laid underwater were hooked up, lifted up, and removed from their original positions!

The hidden danger was instantly dispelled.

When Wu's generals noticed something amiss and steadied their formation...

The Han army's giant rafts had completed their mission and drifted away with the waves.

The following day, Chen Deng ordered a ten-zhang-tall torch to be erected on the newly built giant raft.

The torch was made by binding dry firewood and oilcloth together.

It was over ten feet in circumference and its entire body was soaked in sesame oil.

It ignites upon contact with fire, producing towering flames.

The Han army's elite navy, aboard warships, escorted these fire rafts and launched another attack, heading straight for the point where the Wu army's iron chains blocked their way.

Seeing this, Wu Jun knew something was wrong and quickly fired arrows to stop them.

However, the Han army's warships were heavily guarded, making it difficult for the arrows to get close.

The fire rafts were driven to the iron chains, where soldiers shot them with fire arrows.

Sesame oil explodes and ignites when it comes into contact with fire!
In an instant, a fiery dragon rolled across the river, and flames soared into the sky.

The scorching heat forced both sides of the strait to retreat.

The cold, hard, interlocking iron chains were continuously burned by the raging fire.

However, after a short while, it let out a groan of unbearable burden.

Its body turned crimson red, then it melted away!
One section, two sections, three sections...

More than a hundred iron dragons across the river broke apart under the raging flames!

It may sink to the bottom of the river or become twisted scrap metal.

The River-Locking Formation has been reduced to ashes!
"Beat the drums! March!"

Chen Deng stood atop the flagship, exuding heroic spirit, adorned with a feather fan and a silk turban.

The long sword points straight towards Jiangnan!

The morale of the Han army's naval forces soared, and the sound of war drums shook the heavens and the earth.

Raise an army for a thousand days, use it for a while.

In this battle, the Huainan navy displayed its formidable prowess.

Gan Ning, Xu Sheng, Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, Chen Jiao and other naval commanders led their troops out in full force.

Without any warning,
Chen Deng suddenly launched a large-scale "Crossing the River Campaign".

Too sudden,
Not only were the Wu army unprepared, but many lower-ranking Han soldiers were also suddenly told to go to the front lines.

Thousands of boats, like unleashed tigers, took advantage of the wind and split into two groups, heading straight for the south bank.

With the iron chains removed, the river route was unobstructed, and the Han army was unstoppable.

Half a day later,

The river wind, carrying the smells of burnt metal and blood, swept past the dilapidated beacon towers and crumbling camps.

The Han army's battle flags had been planted on several high grounds on the south bank, fluttering in the wind, announcing the demise of the myth of locking the river.

On the river surface,
Broken giant rafts, charred remains of iron chains, and uncollected floating corpses drifted on the waves.

It silently tells the tragic story of the burning of the river and the severing of the ropes not long ago.

Chen Deng's military tactics were like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox, revealing the key points perfectly.

A raging fire not only burned away the iron chain formation that Sun Shao relied on to establish his prestige, but also almost dried up the morale and elite troops that Wu's army had accumulated over the years.

The Han army landed victoriously, advancing with unstoppable momentum.

Despite having veteran generals like Zhu Ran and Ding Feng, Wu Jun remained calm in the face of danger and rallied his defeated troops.

Relying on the dense network of waterways and the still-strong fortifications of Jiangnan, they fought desperately to resist, but ultimately could not turn the tide and prevent their inevitable collapse.

One bloody battle after another ensued.

Although Wu's soldiers fought bravely, their spirits were already chilled by their recent defeat.

Furthermore, the Han army, riding high on the momentum of their great victory, was heavily armored and armed, and their offensive was relentless.

He Qi died in battle at the Wuhu Water Fortress, and all his personal guards perished.

To ensure the army's retreat, Lü Fan held the Moling ferry crossing for a full day and night.

He was wounded multiple times and died from exhaustion; of his followers, only three out of ten survived.

All the camps along the river were in dire need of assistance.

Corpses blocked the road, turning the river red with their blood.

but,

Fortunately, Jiangdong had a deep-rooted foundation and its cities were high and its moats were formidable.

In addition, veteran generals such as Zhu Ran and Ding Feng fought desperately.

The Han army's battle lines were too long, and its follow-up strength was insufficient.

Ultimately, they were barely stopped along the Dantu-Jingkou line.

Chen Deng worried that continuing to extend the supply line would endanger the Han army that had already landed.

They were thus isolated and helpless, and were surrounded and annihilated by Wu's army.

So, with a single order, the Han army that had landed on the south bank was decisively ordered to withdraw back to the north bank of the river.

The strategic objectives of this battle have been achieved.

The Han army burned not only the Wu army's iron chain formation, but also their pride in relying on the natural barrier of the Yangtze River.

Wu's army, with its large number of elite troops and main force, paid a heavy price to prevent the Han army from crossing the river.

This battle can be said to have truly broken the backbone of the Wu army.

Therefore, in order to maintain stability, Chen Deng was willing to give up and withdraw the soldiers in the Jiangnan region, where Han flags had already been planted, back to Jiangbei.

After a short rest, we will organize another large-scale landing.

Completely crush the Wu army and destroy the Wu kingdom!
At that time, we will truly unify Jiangnan.

For Wu Jun, they barely managed to hold onto their "faith"—the Yangtze River.

However, the price for this "holding on" is incredibly high!

After this battle,
The Wu Kingdom's Yangtze River navy, which had been meticulously trained over many years and was considered the backbone of the nation, along with its elite infantry along the coast, were almost completely wiped out.

The warships, some burned and some sank.

The once magnificent sight of countless sails and masts on the river is no longer visible.

Veteran soldiers who were skilled in battle were either killed or wounded.

The camp was deserted, with only the mournful cries of the wounded echoing through the air.

In Jianye City, a gloomy and desolate atmosphere prevailed.

The place that was once filled with revelry and feasting is now only echoed with the hoofbeats of galloping horses carrying military intelligence and mournful cries.

Upon hearing this, the people of Wu wept bitterly, grieving the loss of their loved ones.

Deep within the Wu King's palace, lights burned all night long.

Inside the front-line command tent, the atmosphere was oppressively suffocating. Sun Shao's once handsome face was now covered in haggardness and bloodshot veins.

The silver armor was covered in dust, and the white robe was stained.

Faced with Chen Deng's campaign to cross the Yangtze River, Sun Shao did not back down.

He fought just as bravely and resisted to the death.

In fact,
Historically, Sun Shao was a general with numerous military achievements who treated his soldiers well.

It's a pity that,
Historically, Sun Shao was also a slow-burning, high-achieving individual.

He is currently in the prime of his youth and full of vigor.

He was blinded by pride and could not accept the fact that Wu Jun had suffered a crushing defeat.

In particular, his carefully crafted battle on the iron chains was defeated in a single battle by Chen Deng.

But what's truly terrifying upon closer examination is...
Whether or not the Iron Chain Formation exists, it will not affect Chen Deng's launch of today's river-crossing campaign.

That is,

Chen Deng already possessed the strength to achieve this "great victory," but he had not yet made a move.

He was just waiting for the right opportunity.

When Wu Jun replaced his commander, morale plummeted.

Wait for Sun Shao to order the construction of iron chains, when the soldiers and civilians will be filled with resentment.

Therefore, he was willing to prolong the war and increase the war-weariness of his own troops.

Because the highest level of warfare is—

I have observed thousands of chapters and tens of thousands of sentences, and they all boil down to a single sentence that is misleading from many different perspectives.

To control others without being controlled by them is to mislead in many ways.

The best opportunity is to wait for others to make mistakes.

Chen Deng was incredibly shrewd in this regard.

Sun Shao took a deep breath, staring at the shocking casualty log on the table, his fingers trembling slightly.

Among the generals under his command, Zhu Ran remained silent as iron, while Ding Feng wore a frosty expression.

The remaining surviving officers mostly hung their heads and remained silent, or when their eyes swept over Sun Shao, they could hardly hide their resentment and coldness.

"Grand Governor!"

A lieutenant staggered in, his voice hoarse, "The Jingkou camp reports again that they have less than five hundred soldiers capable of fighting. They urgently request reinforcements!"

"General Zhu Huan has run out of arrows, and the Qi army's offensive has not slowed down. What should we do?"

Sun Shao suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot.

He took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress the panic and helplessness surging in his chest; his voice was dry and sharp.
"Soldiers...where did the soldiers come from?!"

He looked around the tent, but no one answered.

After a long silence, he slammed his fist on the table, causing the ink and brush to jump.

"Issue the order! Immediately send documents to all prefectures and counties."

"Implement a system of two out of three male candidates, and three out of five male candidates!"

"All males aged 15 to 60 shall be conscripted into the army!"

"Those who disobey orders will be killed!"

"Those who are negligent shall be executed!"

Upon receiving this order, the tent fell into a deathly silence, as if the air itself had frozen.

crazy!

That's absolutely insane!
Sun Shao clearly could not accept the reality of Wu's defeat.

With such a forceful conscription, Wu Jun will find it extremely difficult to prevent a mutiny within the army.

Let alone expect them to fight a war.

The Wu army was at a disadvantage compared to the Han army.

Even though Lu Xun had won several victories against the Han army, he did not dare to easily engage in a decisive battle with Chen Deng.

Now, Sun Shao was unprepared and Chen Deng launched this large-scale "Crossing the River Campaign" first.

The result was undoubtedly disheartening.

Veteran Zhu Ran finally couldn't hold back any longer, abruptly stood up, his voice filled with deep sorrow.

"Grand Commander! No! Absolutely not!"

"Forced conscription is tantamount to draining the pond to catch all the fish!"

"With all able-bodied men and women leaving the fields, where will this year's grain taxes come from?"

"Without male offspring in the household, who will care for the elderly and children?"

“Once this order is issued, resentment will surely arise in the heart of Jiangdong.”

"Popular support is crumbling, and internal strife may ensue!"

"If the army has no will to fight, driving civilians into battle will only increase casualties!"

"The Battle of Chendeng has broken the backbone of our army. The Grand Commander must not make another mistake!!"

Sun Shao was now gripped by immense pressure and the fear of failure, and shouted in a somewhat frantic voice:

"General Zhu! Have you not heard the saying, 'When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact?'"

"The Han army is now stationed north of the river, eyeing us covetously."

"Without soldiers, how can we defend our land? How can we protect our country?"

"No matter how difficult it may be, we must first solve the most urgent problem!"

"My mind is made up on this matter, say no more!"

His tone was resolute, even bordering on manic.

"The king's decree is hereby issued: anyone who dares to obstruct the conscription will be punished as a traitor!"

Military orders are like mountains, and their bloody stench spread swiftly throughout the Jiangdong region.

In an instant, countless counties and villages were ravaged by a catastrophe.

The fierce and ruthless soldiers of the Inspectorate stormed into the neighborhood, smashing doors and breaking down gates.

They bound themselves with ropes and drove away the able-bodied men.

The fields were barren, the mulberry and mulberry trees were desolate, and cries of grief shook the heavens.

An elderly mother with white hair embraces her child and weeps bitterly; a newlywed wife tugs at her husband's clothes; and young children chase after their father, calling out his name...

One human tragedy after another unfolded in the once prosperous water towns of Jiangnan.

The new recruits who were forcibly conscripted were pale and emaciated.

Dressed in rags, their eyes filled only with confusion and fear; they had never shown the slightest will to fight.
They were hastily escorted to the front-line camp, where a rusty knife or a sharpened bamboo pole was stuffed into their hands.

They were driven into battle without even complete armor.

The atmosphere in the military camp grew increasingly eerie.

The surviving veterans looked at their comrades, who couldn't even stand in proper formation, with cold, contemptuous, and desperate eyes.

They know very well that

These untrained and resentful farmers would only be sent to their deaths on the battlefield.

It could even disrupt an already fragile formation.

The new recruits huddled together, filled with fear of the impending battle.

They harbored deep resentment towards the generals who had dragged them away from their homes.

"What kind of battle is this...?"

In the dead of night, in a corner of the camp, there could be low sobs and complaints.

"My elderly mother is seriously ill, and my child is still young, yet I've been dragged here to die..."

"I've heard that General Chen Yuanlong of Han is a brilliant strategist; he even burned through iron chains. How can we possibly defend ourselves with these fire sticks?"

"It's not up there..."

His voice was even lower, filled with resentment, "If he hadn't acted recklessly, there wouldn't be this disaster today!"

Rumors, fear, and resentment spread like a plague through the camp.

The number of deserters was increasing day by day, and although they were beheaded as soon as they were caught, it could not be stopped.

The harsher the officers' suppression, the more turbulent the undercurrents become.

The Yangtze River rolls on, still flowing on.

But the once formidable Wu army's land and water fortifications that dominated the north of the Yangtze River are now nothing more than an empty shell forcibly filled with resentful and disgruntled soldiers.

Under the watchful eyes of the Han army, the situation was precarious.

When Zhu Ran inspected the camp,
Looking at the pale-faced, vacant new recruits and the numb despair on the faces of the veterans.

He could only sigh deeply and say to Ding Feng beside him:

"With the morale of the army at this point, even if Sun Tzu and Wu Qi were to be resurrected, it would be difficult to reverse the situation."

"The vitality of Jiangdong has truly been damaged by this single decree..."

Ding Feng remained silent, his knuckles white as he gripped the hilt of his knife.

Gazing only at the endless lights of the Han camp north of the river,
The lights seemed brighter and closer than ever before.

……

Jianye, the palace of the King of Wu.

Autumn has deepened, and the paulownia leaves outside the palace have shed their last trace of splendor, leaving only bare branches piercing the gray sky.

Sun Quan sat high on the throne, his once imposing green eyes now sunken in their sockets, his fingers gripping the corner of the table so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Those reports of defeat rushing back from the front lines were like cold iron spikes, each word piercing his heart and soul—

The iron chains were burned, and the navy was wiped out.
With generals like He Qi and Lü Fan dying in service to the king, the Han army had already established a firm foothold on the south bank...

Every word drained him of all his strength, and tore at his unassailable authority and self-esteem.

In the midst of this suffocating silence, a man straightened his clothes and steadily stepped forward.
It was none other than Prime Minister Gu Yong.

His face was thin and gaunt, but at this moment it was shrouded in a layer of resolute grief and indignation.

He bowed deeply, his voice heavy and clear, breaking the deathly silence in the hall.

"Your Majesty! The defeat and national humiliation at the front are not due to unfavorable weather, but rather to poor strategy!"

“Sun Shao was young and impetuous, and knew nothing about military affairs.”

"He was merely a member of the imperial family, yet he recklessly boasted about the absurd idea of ​​'iron chains across the river,' which led to this calamity!"

"His talent is clearly insufficient for the position of commander-in-chief!"

"Your Majesty, I implore you to make a swift decision."

“Remove Sun Shao from his post and reinstate Lu Boyan.”

"With Lu Xun's talent and reputation, he might be able to salvage the situation and stabilize the morale of the army and the people, Your Majesty!!"

These words were like a boulder thrown into stagnant water.

The reinstatement of Lu Xun directly points out that Sun Quan's previous decision to dismiss Lu Xun and appoint Sun Shao was a grave mistake.

Before he could finish speaking, a man flashed out; it was none other than Lü Yi, the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat.

He was pale and beardless, with eyes as sharp as knives, and he shouted in a shrill voice:
"Prime Minister Gu! What do you mean by that?"

"General Sun Shao was personally appointed by the King to tour the imperial court and oversee military affairs!"

"You say he is unfit, doesn't that imply that the King is poor at choosing people and lacks insight?"

"This is a great disrespect to the king!"

This accusation was extremely harsh, hitting Sun Quan where it hurt.

Sun Quan's face instantly turned even more unpleasant, and his lips tightened.

He glanced at Gu Yong with a gloomy look, but did not immediately lash out.

Simply remaining silent is itself a form of pressure.

Seeing that Sun Quan did not reprimand him, Lü Yi became even more arrogant.

He turned to Sun Quan, his tone shifting to one of earnestness, as if he wanted to share Sun Quan's burdens.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Qi commander Chen Deng is cunning and commands an army of 200,000, making him difficult to control."

"This is due to the difference in national strength, not a failure in the fight!"

"The battle reports from the front are still fresh in our minds. Since taking office, General Sun Shao has been working tirelessly day and night."

"In the face of battle, he personally braved arrows and stones to resist valiantly."

"However, the disparity in national strength ultimately led to defeat."

"How can we blame the commander-in-chief entirely for a temporary defeat, and even question the king's wise judgment?"

Lü Yi's meaning was also very clear.

The Han army was already a powerful force, and its overall strength was far greater than that of the Wu army.

The frontline battle reports also clearly state that General Sun Shao did indeed bravely resist the Han army's attack.

The reason they failed to win was simply because of the huge gap in national strength between the two sides.

It's not because Your Majesty made a mistake in choosing personnel.

Upon hearing this, Sun Quan seemed to have found a way out for himself, muttering to himself as if to comfort himself:

"Hmm... what Lü Qing said... is not without reason."

"Qi is strong and we are weak; this is not solely Shao's fault."

Seeing that Sun Quan had been so misled, Gu Yong was heartbroken and once again loudly reported:
"Your Majesty! Even if we are defeated, there is a reason due to the strength of our nation."

"However, after Sun Shao's defeat, instead of stabilizing the army and the people, he forged the king's orders and carried out tyrannical rule in Jiangdong!"

"Forced conscription: two out of three able-bodied men were conscripted, and three out of five were conscripted."

"The villages were deserted, and the fields were overgrown with weeds."

"Complaints filled the air, and cries echoed across the fields!"

"This is not defending against the enemy, but destroying our own defenses!"

"If we do not stop it decisively, I fear that before the external troubles are quelled, internal strife will break out first!"

"The country will cease to exist then, Your Majesty!!"

Lü Yi had already prepared her words and immediately retorted with a cold laugh:

"Prime Minister Gu is truly oblivious to the urgent needs at the front lines, living in such a high position!"

"Let me ask you this: our main force has been wiped out, and the defenses along the river are now weak."

"If we don't urgently recruit new soldiers, how can we stop the Qi army's iron hooves?"

"Could it be that the Prime Minister is using his words?"

"The new recruits are weak; if we don't compensate with numbers, how can they be of any use?"

"General Sun's actions, though perhaps presumptuous, were all for the sake of the nation's survival and for the sake of Your Majesty's well-being!"

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!"

"If we have to consult the king on everything and discuss it back and forth, we will miss the opportunity to win the battle."

"This allowed the Qi army to advance unimpeded; is this heinous crime that Prime Minister Gu can bear?!"

His every word revolved around "for the country" and "for the ruler," whitewashing Sun Shao's atrocities as acts of loyalty and courage born of necessity.

Sun Quan listened, finding Lü Yi's words more agreeable and better able to save face, and slowly nodded:
"What Minister Lü said hits the nail on the head... The situation is critical, and expediency is indeed necessary."

"...Although Shao's actions were excessive, his intentions...may be understood..."

"Your Majesty—!"

Gu Yong saw that Sun Quan was so muddle-headed, only listening to slander and refusing to heed loyal advice.

A surge of passion rushed to his head, and the pent-up resentment, disappointment, and despair for the future of Jiangdong erupted instantly.

He couldn't believe that the once spirited ruler of Jiangdong had become like this!
At this moment, Gu Yong forgot the etiquette between ruler and subject and suddenly looked up.

He pointed to the throne, his aged body trembling violently with excitement.

The voice was shrill and mournful, each word dripping with blood:

"A tyrannical ruler! A cruel and incompetent ruler!"

"Trust treacherous ministers and distance yourself from virtuous and capable officials."

"Indulging the imperial family will bring disaster to the country and its people!"

"Today's defeat is not a natural disaster, but a man-made one!"

"It's all because you can't distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and you're unclear about rewards and punishments!"

"If this continues, the Jiangdong dynasty, built over three generations, will surely be destroyed in your hands!"

"How dare you face your lord in the afterlife?!"

"How can you bear to witness the devastation and loss of millions of lives in Jiangdong?!"

The cry of "tyrant" resounded like a thunderclap in the deathly silent hall.

All the ministers were terrified and fell to their knees.

Sun Quan was stunned by this sudden, direct rebuke, and then his boundless rage erupted like a volcano!

He suddenly stood up, his face turning from blue to purple, and the veins on his forehead bulging.

He grabbed the teacup from the table and smashed it on the ground, shards flying everywhere!

"You arrogant old slave! How dare you insult me ​​like this?!"

His voice was hoarse and filled with murderous intent.

"Guards! Drag Gu Yong out!"

"Execute him! Execute him immediately!"

The warriors in front of the palace, like wolves and tigers, rushed forward to seize the person.

"Your Majesty, calm down!"

Zhang Zhao, Yu Fan, and other veteran officials were terrified and hurriedly crawled forward on their knees.

He clung tightly to the hem of Sun Quan's robe, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Your Majesty! Gu Yong's outrageous words deserve a thousand deaths!"

"However, he was a veteran minister of three generations, who had served as regent in various positions."

"If you were to execute someone for speaking frankly, it would surely discourage the people and tarnish Your Majesty's reputation for benevolence!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! Prime Minister Gu was just in a fit of anger and spoke without thinking."

"Considering his years of hard work, we beg you to spare his life!"

The courtiers kowtowed and begged, and the sound of weeping filled the hall.

Sun Quan's chest heaved violently, his eyes blazing with murderous intent, but his remaining rationality and the earnest pleas of his ministers ultimately prevented him from immediately issuing the execution order.

As the ministers said, Gu Yong was not only a senior official, but also a man of high moral character and prestige.

They are among the top clans in Jiangdong.

If he were to be killed, Sun Quan would truly be in a precarious position, caught in a dilemma.

However, Gu Yong had just broken off all pretense of civility and insulted him in front of all the civil and military officials.

If Sun Quan is treated as if he is about to be "killed," then he might as well give up being the King of Wu.

Therefore, the ministers kneeling and pleading for mercy indirectly gave Sun Quan a way out.

He stared intently at Gu Yong, who was being held down by the warriors but still stood tall, his face filled with grief and indignation.

After a long pause, he squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth:

"well……"

"I won't kill you... I won't kill you..."

He suddenly waved his hand, as if to wipe away this immense humiliation.

"Strip him of his official hat and belt! Remove him from his position as prime minister!"

"Expel him from Jianye! Never employ him again! Get out!"

Gu Yong was roughly stripped of his official robes and his official hat, his gray hair falling loose.

He threw his head back and laughed, a desolate and mournful laugh, no longer glancing at the king on the throne.

Staggering, yet still maintaining his last shred of dignity, he walked out of the palace he had devoted himself to serving.

After returning to his hometown, Gu Yong fell seriously ill and could not be cured by any medicine.

Overwhelmed with grief and indignation, the nation was in disarray.

With a foolish ruler and treacherous ministers, all ideals and convictions have collapsed.

Of course, there are also conspiracy theorists who believe this.

Gu Yong was also looking for an opportunity to avoid trouble.

After all, with the Wu army's defeat at the front, the Han army's victory was only a matter of time.

Gu Yong's move not only distanced himself from Sun Quan.

He even put on a "reality show" to solidify his image as a loyal and upright official.

In the future, when the Han army unifies Jiangnan, it will need the support of local prominent families to consolidate its rule.

That would be his chance to return to the public eye.

Of course, all of this has become mere speculation.

Since then,

In the palace halls of Wu, those unpleasant but truthful words could no longer be heard.

Lu Yi and his ilk grew even more arrogant, while the officials all kept silent to protect themselves, remaining as silent as cicadas in winter.

The ruler and his ministers are at odds, and the superiors and inferiors distrust each other.

That deep crack was like an unhealable wound on the foundation of Jiangdong's empire.

It festered silently under the immense shadow of the Han army's advance.

The sky over Jiangdong was overcast and gloomy, with no more sunny days.

……

(End of this chapter)