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

Chapter 187 The Meeting of the Deer and the Continent
Lu Xun certainly didn't consider "allies" to be gentlemen.

Since the alliance was formed, the two sides have been constantly at odds, and everyone knows that they will eventually fall out.

What's the point of talking about character?
Moreover, Xiakou is the mouth of the Han River where it flows into the Yangtze River.

By controlling this area, boats on the Han River cannot reach the Yangtze River, and boats on the Yangtze River cannot enter the Han River.

It is a strategic location that military strategists must contend for.

Any ruler of Jiangbei with a long-term vision would certainly not want this place to be controlled by outsiders.

Therefore, Huang Zu, a general under Liu Biao, held this place for many years and fought against the Jiangdong army for half his life.

And now.

The reason why the Sun and Liu families avoided discussing the ownership of Xiakou was simply because they were concerned about the strong enemy still in the north.

But once the right opportunity arises...

For example, if Wu's army can't defend the city... then why wouldn't the Han army be happy to do so?
It can only be said that Wen Ping truly deserves to be called a famous general under Liu Biao in the past.

The arrow struck the weak point of the Sun-Liu alliance.

Thinking of this, Lu Xun couldn't help but pinch a chess piece and ask:

"What instructions did you give Yuan Xun regarding the defense of the city? Was there any mention of holding it to the death?"

Yuanxun was the courtesy name of Zhuge Ke.

Zhuge Ke turned twenty last year (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning) and has already been given a courtesy name.

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Jin said with annoyance:
"I was so focused on sending him to deal with A Qiao, to prevent him from discovering our army's strengths and weaknesses, but I didn't expect Wen Ping to be so decisive. I didn't have time to explain things, and I'm afraid he..."

Lu Xun sighed inwardly.

In fact, he himself underestimated Wenping's courage.
In order to complete the strategy of cutting off Jing and Yang, he was so heartless as to abandon nearly half of his troops and only take the remaining half of his light cavalry to launch a surprise attack!

Lu Xun asked himself honestly, and he knew he could never be so resolute.

He was willing to abandon the siege in order to ensure the safe return of his entire army.

After all, not only are there fewer horses in Jiangnan, but there are also far fewer people than in the North!

I wonder how Liu Bei and Guan Yu were able to "gain people" in this way?
It's something to be both envious and fearful of!
Just as the two were sighing to themselves.

Suddenly a scout came to report that Zhuge Ke and Zhuge Qiao were still holding out in Lushan City.

Wen Ping's attempt to cross the river to attack failed, and he was suddenly attacked by the Han army's navy coming from the upper reaches of the Han River. He had already retreated to the north bank of the Han River to observe.

Zhuge Jin was stunned on the spot.

Lu Xun was pleasantly surprised, but after inquiring about the details, he learned that it was actually Zhuge Qiao who had persuaded his brother to stay behind and promptly notified the Han naval forces in the direction of Jingling.

This allowed them to repel Wen Ping's troops in time.

In addition, Xi Hong, a general under Mi Wei, remained stationed outside the city and did not directly seize the city.

It is said that this was also Zhuge Qiao's idea.

Hearing this, Lu Xun teased Zhuge Jin, who was still in a daze:
"Ziyu, Kongming's skill in teaching his son surpasses yours!"

Zhuge Jin then came to his senses and remembered the letters he usually exchanged with Zhuge Liang.

But he shook his head and said:
"He's so busy with official duties, how could he possibly have time to teach his children?"

"but……"

"His eye for choosing a mentor is definitely better than mine!"

……

In the fifth month of summer, the water levels of the Yangtze and Han rivers are already high.

Mi Wei departed from Huarong East Exit and traveled downstream by boat, soon reaching the confluence of the Han and Yun rivers.

To the east of here lies the current "no man's land".

The road conditions were quite poor, far worse than those west of Huarong, which had been repaired by Miwei.

In summer, the area becomes a muddy mess with puddles.

Just like the road from Jiangling to Huarong back then.

The reasons are similar.

In ancient times, this place was originally a large lake, like an inland sea, called Yunmengze.

Later, as silt accumulated, it gradually became land.

Of course, Mi Wei's historical and geographical knowledge in his previous life was only at the level of a middleman.

The reason he remembered the origin of this "wetland" was largely because Anlu County, located on the east bank of the Yunshui River, had its county seat near what would later become "Yunmeng County".

It's all about interpreting the name literally; anyway, following the naming conventions of our ancestors, this place is pretty much the right one.

In short, after Miwei had roughly surveyed the terrain and gained a better understanding of the subsequent battles, he prepared to continue downstream to Xiakou.

He was going to meet someone.

However, this was just as they arrived at the ferry.

But another person came to see him first.

It was Jiang Wei, who had been missing for almost a month.

Miwei looked at the mud-covered "general" and raised an eyebrow, saying:
"How has Boyue's pursuit of the enemy yielded so far?"

Jiang Wei said with a look of self-abandonment: "This humble official overestimated his abilities and chased after them into the mountains, only to be entangled by Wei scouts and almost captured."

"If there are any victories, they will be spoils for the Wei army!"

Wang Ping, Ma Zhong, and the others burst into laughter.

Only Mi Wei, upon hearing the Wei army scouts, asked suspiciously:
"Have you clearly seen how many Wei troops are stationed at the three passes of Yiyang?"

Jiang Wei said directly:
"I don't know the exact number, but there must be a large number of troops guarding it. Otherwise, how could I not even be able to break through the outer sentries?"

Miwei remained noncommittal and asked again:
"You've been to all three passes? And each one is heavily guarded?"

Jiang Wei affirmed:
“They all have them! The Wuyang Pass in the center has the heaviest troops, and the garrison commander is Wen Dai, the eldest son of Wen Ping.”

At this point, Jiang Wei was filled with shame and indignation:

"This lowly official overestimated his abilities and needlessly lost troops; he is willing to accept punishment!"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Mi Wei.

However, Mi Wei simply stared at the wetlands on the left bank of the Han River, or rather, the Yun River, frowning and remaining silent.

Neither side dared to disturb them.

A moment later, his brows suddenly relaxed, and he smiled at Jiang Wei:
"Boyue, you truly are my lucky charm!"

Recalling the battle in Longyou last year, everyone burst into laughter again.

Jiang Wei was speechless, his face turning completely red.

Just as I was about to refute, the Jiangxia landscape, which I was already very familiar with, suddenly appeared in my mind.

In an instant, a flash of inspiration struck, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

Maybe... I really am a lucky charm?

But when he turned around, he saw that Mi Wei had already boarded the ship.

Having a vague understanding in his heart, he silently followed.

Half a day later.

The group successfully arrived near Lushan City on the south bank of the Han River.

Xi Hong has already built the water fortress.

Its location is directly opposite the site of the Yanyue Fortress on the opposite bank.

A banner with the character "文" (wen, meaning literature) was hanging high there.

Across the river, on the opposite side, was a banner bearing the character "陆" (Lu).

At this moment, the so-called tripartite balance of power is established.

Suddenly, right there on the banks of this rolling, eastward-flowing river, it appears in a condensed and concentrated form.

Mi Wei first entered the camp and praised Xi Hong's soldiers.

Then, together with the Zhuge brothers who had left the city, they boarded a boat at Xiakou and headed to Xiakou City on the south bank of the Yangtze River.

To be precise, it was the Wu army's water fortress north of the river.

It was already evening when we reached the water village.

Lu Xun was over forty years old and dressed as a Confucian scholar.

He was more like a scholar of the Five Classics than a general.

Mi Wei: "I have long admired General Lu's name, and it is an honor to meet him today!"

Lu Xun did not respond immediately.

He looked Miwei up and down.

Cai said:

"When I was your age, I was merely the Eastern Cao Ling in General Sun's mansion, while you are already a general capable of leading independently... You are a formidable young man!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Qiao subconsciously glanced at Zhuge Ke.

The latter's lips twitched, and he turned his face away without saying a word.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two sides moved to Lu Xun's command tent and got straight to the point.

Lu Xun said bluntly:

"Now that you have come to see me, you must already know Wenping's thoughts?"

Seeing Mi Wei nod, Lu Xun continued:
"At this juncture, the two sides claimed to be joining forces for the northern expedition, but in reality, they were fighting their own battles."

"The two prefectures of Jiangxia and Qichun are bordered by mountains to the north and the Yangtze River to the south, connecting east and west. If one side is in trouble, the other side can send timely reinforcements through the river."

"Therefore, the river route must be protected, and Wen Pin must be eliminated. Do you agree?"

Miwei nodded again.

Lu Xun continued:

"But if both sides are to work together, then the ownership of Lushan City must be determined. Do you agree?"

This time.

Miwei did not nod.

(End of this chapter)