The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 186 To Know Is to Know

Compared to three years ago, Zhuge Ke has become much rounder.

This somewhat mitigated his menacing appearance.

Upon seeing that it was his own brother, Zhuge Qiao spoke frankly:

“Mi Zhaohan intends to send troops from Xiakou to the Yangtze River to join forces with you, sir, to quell the bandits. I hope you will do me a favor.”

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Ke remained silent with his hands behind his back, merely glancing coldly at his "cousin," and said:
"We appreciate your kind offer."

"But my naval force is sufficient to control the river; having too many boats would only hinder passage."

"General Lu's idea is that our army should split into two routes to cross the river and head north, one at Jukou and the other at Xikou, to encircle the enemy in the mountains and rivers north of the river, thus restraining the advantage of the northern cavalry's free movement."

"Your army only needs to advance slowly eastward on land, cooperating with our army to block Wen Ping and Jin Zong, and prevent the bandits from fleeing westward, and that will be enough."

"Furthermore, since the lord has already been ordered to send troops, you don't need to go south."

Zhuge Qiao never expected her brother to be so distant.

However, he was no longer a child, so he just sighed inwardly and then began to ponder the information revealed in the other person's words.

It seems that Lu Xun and his father already have a well-developed plan for their advance.
If that's the case, then there's no need to insist on our own position.

Ultimately, this military expedition was largely to fulfill the alliance agreement, assist the Wu army in suppressing the rebellion, and also to clear out the Wei army that was marching south.

Since Lu Xun believed he had enough troops to win, there was no need for him to shamelessly offer his help.

Zhuge Qiao:
"I will go back and report now."

"These books and paper were given to you by Mi Zhaohan. I hope you will pass them on to me, brother."

Zhuge Ke nodded, indicating that he understood.

Zhuge Qiao sighed inwardly and turned to leave.

However, after taking only three steps, Zhuge Ke suddenly said, "Wait a minute."

Zhuge Qiao turned around.

Zhuge Ke pointed behind him and said:
"It's been many years since we brothers last played chess. Since it's getting late anyway, why don't we stay the night and play a few games together?"

For some reason, Zhuge Qiao inexplicably recalled the "chess match" between Mi Wei and Zhuge Ke three years ago.

He then said, "Alright."

……

Playing chess is playing chess properly.

Both brothers are past the age of playing with pebbles and mud.

But after all, they grew up together, how could Zhuge Qiao not know his own brother's character?
And sure enough.

After several games of Shimizu Go, which ended in draws because both sides were too familiar with each other's strategies, Shimizu Go mastered the game.

Zhuge Ke casually tossed the chess piece into the lacquer box, looked up, and said:

"What does your 'Mi Zhaohan' have to say about this battle?"

Zhuge Qiao completely ignored the other party's awkward way of addressing him and responded casually:
"Nanyang or Huainan?"

Zhuge Ke: "How is Nanyang?"

Zhuge Qiao answered without hesitation:

"In the Battle of Nanyang, General Guan had been building up morale for three years, and His Majesty had been cultivating the hearts and minds of the people for twenty years. Once it erupted, it was unstoppable."

"Although Xiahou Shang, Xu Huang and others were capable, they were ultimately like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."

"What I am concerned about now is, firstly, how much strength the Wei army in the Central Plains can actually provide to support Nanyang, and secondly, whether the Huainan battlefield can effectively contain them. That's all."

Upon hearing the words "unstoppable momentum," Zhuge Ke instinctively let out a cold laugh.

But after laughing, there was no reason to refute it.

Suddenly, I felt utterly bored.

"And what about Huainan?"

Zhuge Qiao looked up and said, "I don't understand, so I dare not speak rashly."

Zhuge Ke was stunned for a while before realizing that his younger brother was repeating Mi Wei's words, not referring to himself.

I couldn't help but scoff:

"Isn't he known as the 'Marquis of Liu in his time'? How come there are times when he can't understand things?"

In the past, Zhuge Qiao would have argued with his brother until they were both red in the face.

However, after being around Zhuge Liang for several years, he has become calm and composed.

Recently, he has been learning military strategy and political affairs from Mi Wei, and has benefited greatly from it.

Therefore, he said neither humbly nor arrogantly:

Confucius said: "To know what you know, and to know what you don't know, that is true knowledge."

Zhuge Ke was speechless, and could no longer suppress his temper, repeatedly snorting:
"This 'Marquis of Liu' has never commanded more than 10,000 troops, but now there are 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers under the walls of Hefei alone in Huainan, and they are still being reinforced. Of course he can't understand it!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Qiao was not angry but pleased:

"Is General Sun still sending reinforcements to Hefei?"

Zhuge Ke realized he had spoken out of turn and slammed his fist on the table, saying:

"That's the gist of it! I admit he has wisdom and strategic acumen, but he's by no means a great general, much less a match for ten thousand men!"

Zhuge Qiao: "Then, brother, who do you think among the generals of Jiangdong can be considered a match for ten thousand men?" Zhuge Ke: "Of course, it is General Lu Boyan!"

Zhuge Qiao: "So General Lu, a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men, requested to be stationed in Chaisang not because he had fallen out of favor, but because he had other plans?"

Zhuge Ke: "...You!"

After that, no matter how Zhuge Qiao tried to provoke him, he no longer revealed any information about the eastern front.

The next day, Zhuge Qiao didn't even have time for breakfast before hastily taking his leave.

However, just as they reached the ferry, scouts suddenly appeared on the opposite bank, crossing the river and rushing into the city.

To be precise, it's the opposite bank of the Han River.

Zhuge Qiao's heart skipped a beat, knowing that something big must have happened, so he also rushed back to the city.

Just as he returned to the city gate, he saw Zhuge Ke running towards him in a panic, grabbing his arm and saying:

"Quick, come with me across the river, or it will be too late!"

Zhuge Qiao looked at the fat hand that was tightly gripping his arm.

A sudden warmth filled my heart.

His breathing eased, and he asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"

Zhuge Ke said urgently:

"Wen Pingzheng is leading two thousand light cavalry straight towards this place!"

"Lushan City has been in disrepair for many years and I'm afraid it won't be able to withstand the attack!"

Wen Ping rushed from Qichun to attack Xiakou?
Could it be... that he anticipated Lu Xun's strategic intentions and broke out of the encirclement ahead of time?

In an instant, Zhuge Qiao considered many possibilities.

He even subconsciously used Mi Wei's usual strange and unusual way of speaking.

After pondering for a moment, he grabbed his brother's wrist and resolutely said:

"This city cannot be lost! If you, brother, believe you cannot defend it, I am willing to take your place!"

……

Why Lushan City?

"Because the place is north of the river, its master is south of the river."

Wenping looked at his adopted son Wenxiu, who was riding alongside him, and chuckled softly.

"Guan Yu has dominated Jiangbei for nearly ten years, so why does the Sun family insist on leaving this city alone in Jiangbei?"

"Because the two families have a grudge!"

"The so-called Sun-Liu alliance is nothing but a group of opportunists who have come together for personal gain!"

"Those who come together for profit will inevitably disperse for profit."

"I am attacking Lushan City not for the city itself, but for its 'profit'!"

Wenxiu had always admired his adoptive father, and responded with praise:

"Father is very shrewd. If we can sow discord between the two families, we might be able to protect Qichun and gain merit in expanding our territory!"

however.

Wenping did not become complacent because of his adopted son's praise.

Instead, his face fell and he said:
"If your intelligence is only this limited, you will surely be defeated by Mi Wei and Lu Xun in the future. How can you then assist your elder brother in inheriting my family business?"

Wenxiu was immediately terrified: "Please enlighten me, sir!"

Wen Ping sighed softly and said:
"If even an outsider like me can see at a glance that Lushan City is a suspect location, how could Mi, Lu, Zhuge, and the others not know?"

"Therefore, this city must be taken! Even if we cannot take it, we must do our best to surround it!"

"Only in this way can we continue to maneuver between Liu and Sun, and isolate Jing and Yang!"

Wenxiu nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

He added, "After the siege, regardless of whether the city has been captured or not, immediately send a letter to Mi Wei saying that we are willing to help him capture Lushan City?"

"Not bad!" Wen Ping praised, his expression finally brightening.

"But that's not enough!"

"Not only must I inform Mi Wei that I intend to help him attack the city, but I must also convey this to Lu Xun and Zhuge Jin!"

……

"This is merely Wen Ping's scheme to sow discord; it's hardly worth mentioning."

Lu Xun glanced at the "secret letter" handed to him by Zhuge Jin.

He turned around and continued playing chess with his men.

Calm and composed.

Zhuge Jin awkwardly lowered his hands and said:
"Of course I know this is a divisive tactic."

"If Kelusan City falls, how will we explain this to the King?"

"Or do you want to gamble that Guan Yu and Mi Wei are true gentlemen and will refuse meat that is delivered to their mouths?"

(End of this chapter)