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

Chapter 337 The Nation is About to Perish
Cao Hong suddenly launched an attack on Wancheng, the last stronghold of Wu in the north of the Yangtze River.

That one just joined the Alliance of Liyang.

A general from the Cao Wei royal family who agreed to advance and retreat together with the Wu Kingdom.

They suddenly sent troops to attack the cities of Wu.

Yu Fan's first reaction was: someone can't stand to see him doing well, so they're spreading rumors and causing trouble.

Then look at the messenger.

The fact that it was none other than the detestable Zhuge Ke further convinced him of the truth.

They immediately ordered someone to take the latter away for interrogation.

But Zhuge Ke had anticipated this, and calmly pointed to the military report in the other party's hand, and sneered:

"Lord Yu, look carefully, this is General Zhu Yifeng's seal!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Fan looked down to examine the ink and indeed saw the words "General Zhenbei" on the fallen inkpad.

So he froze on the spot, not knowing how to react.

The newly appointed Left Chancellor, Lü Fan, remained calm and asked with a focused gaze:

"How many troops did Cao Hong bring? Are the other allies aware of this, and are they involved?"

Upon seeing that it was Lü Fan, Zhuge Ke slightly restrained himself, but his mocking tone was still hard to conceal:

"So that Lord Lü may know that we regard the jackals as allies, while the jackals regard us as pigs and sheep to be slaughtered."

"Now that the alpha wolf has set out, how can the pack stand idly by? They will surely follow suit!"

"According to General Zhu's estimate, Cao Hong's main force of more than 30,000 men must have all come."

"Furthermore, even if Zang Ba's more than 10,000 troops in Yangzhou do not participate in the siege, they will definitely block us from going to rescue Wancheng by the river."

"Zhu Ling, Wang Ling, Guanqiu Jian, and others are too far away, and we have not yet learned of their whereabouts."

"But Lord Yu, you are their chief subordinate. Don't you know whether they have sent troops or not, or even if you know about it?"

As he spoke, Zhuge Ke turned to Yu Fan again.

The latter's face immediately turned red, and he opened his mouth several times, but could not speak.

Zhang Zhao, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it and retorted:

"If Cao Hong alone broke the alliance, that's Cao Hong's problem. How can we not investigate and instead slander others?"

Zhuge Ke was even less polite to this person:
"Does this mean we have to wait until all the armies cross the river and converge at the gates of Jianye before Lord Zhang will admit that he has fallen for the Wei people's treacherous scheme?"

"I'm afraid that even if you admit your mistake then, you'll only be able to continue down the wrong path and advise the King to surrender to Cao Cao as soon as possible!"

Zhang Zhao was furious.

By this time, Sun Deng had realized what was happening. Instead of blaming anyone, he stared at Zhuge Ke and pressed him for answers:

"How is the river defense? And what did Minister Lu say?"

Zhuge Ke was taken aback upon hearing this, and asked in surprise:
"Lu Zhengbei went south to Jiaozhou to quell the rebellion a month ago, and my father was sent to guard Ruxukou in his place. Does Your Majesty not know this?"

Sun Deng was startled and looked around.

Apart from Lü Fan, who looked puzzled, Zhang and Yu were both somewhat flustered.

Sun Deng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his emotions, and asked Lü Fan:

"Does Minister Lü know about this?"

Lü Fan nodded with difficulty and said:
"I know. Moreover, I personally arranged all the provisions for Lu Zheng's northward journey."

Sun Deng then asked:

Why was no one informed of this matter?

"minister……"

“It was I who stopped Lü Ziheng,” Zhang Zhao retorted again.

"I believe that Jiaozhou is merely a minor ailment, and Lu Boyan is making a mountain out of a molehill."

"If we publicize this matter widely, we may be looked down upon by the other lords, which would hinder the formation of an alliance."

Upon hearing this, Sun Deng suddenly burst into laughter:
"I fear that the one you all are worried about who is hindering the alliance is me, isn't it?"

Zhang Zhao repeatedly said he dared not, but he no longer dared to look Sun Deng in the eye.

"Yuan Xun".

Sun Deng looked at Zhuge Ke again.

The latter stepped forward in response:
"The minister is here."

Sun Deng: "You just said that Ziyu is stationed at Ruxukou?"

Zhuge Ke: "As soon as Lu Zhengbei marched south, my father came to take over guarding the pass."

"Thank you for your hard work, father and son." Sun Deng directly attributed the credit to the father and son.

"If I were to order you and your son to immediately march north to relieve Wancheng, could you do it?"

Zhuge Ke originally wanted to remind the King of Wu that his father did not have the ability to provide emergency relief, nor did he have sufficient prestige in the army.

However, at this critical moment, besides himself and his son, who else could immediately lead troops across the river to provide relief? They couldn't possibly rely on Yu Fan, who only knew how to talk big, or Zhang Zhao, who looked down on the King of Wu, could they?
Lü Fan is indeed capable, but didn't he just make a major political mistake?

So he simply replied:

"Your father and I have deeply failed the country's kindness, and we will repay it with our lives."

"But Ruxu is a vital strategic location for the country, no less important than Niuzhu."

"Once we cross the river, who will take over guarding the pass, and who will provide backup?"

Upon hearing this, the officers and soldiers around him were eager to try their luck.

But Sun Deng resolutely said:
"I will personally travel west to guard the pass and personally provide support for you all!"

Having said that, he unfastened his sword and handed it to Zhuge Ke, saying:
"Give this sword to Ziyu, and let him take command of the troops in Ruxu and Jiangbei without further requesting instructions!"

Zhuge Ke trembled violently.

At that moment, he seemed to see the decisive and courageous ruler of Jiangdong on the eve of the Battle of Red Cliffs, who dared to fight against the strong with the weak.

The Kingdom of Wu once again faced a life-or-death crisis.

This is the time for a hero to emerge.

So he solemnly accepted it and resolutely turned around.

He secretly resolved to seize this opportunity and prove to the world that he was not a spoiled brat.

He was also a highly trusted and important minister of the state.
While he was pondering, Zhuge Ke had already mounted his horse.

But before they could leave, another rider galloped in.

This time, however, they came from the Jianye direction in the north or east.

"The capital is in grave danger!"

"Wei general Zhu Ling secretly crossed the river from Dantu and has already captured the three cities of Dantu, Qu'a and Jurong. He will arrive at Fangshan soon!"

Fangshan is located in the southeastern suburbs of Jianye City.

That location was undoubtedly the heartland of the Wu Kingdom.

It should be noted that during the most dangerous period of the Battle of Red Cliffs, Cao Cao was only wreaking havoc on the Jingjiang River upstream, far from reaching the walls of Jianye!
What's even more shocking is...

Cao Hong and Zhu Ling launched their troops simultaneously from the east and west, clearly a premeditated coordinated action.

Furthermore, considering Zhu Ling's decision to cross the river to fight during the Fengshui period, which defies common sense... wasn't it precisely to catch Eastern Wu off guard?

Now that both of these generals have made their move.

How could the other governors possibly remain unmoved?

Zhuge Ke's jinx really came true.

The State of Wu was tricked by the people of Wei!

At this moment, no one had any hope of survival; all they felt was boundless fear of the impending doom of their nation.

King Sun Deng of Wu, who had just been feeling energized, was now filled with anxiety and unease.

Looking around, hoping someone could give him some advice.

"Your Majesty!"

A steady voice rang out.

It was Gu Yong, the Grand Master of Ceremonies who had just been stripped of his position.

"If the capital is lost, the country will cease to exist."

"Your Majesty, I humbly beg you to quickly establish Jianye, to demonstrate your determination to live up to the nation's destiny."

"As for the passes of Ruxu and Niuzhu, we will stay and hold them to the end!"

“I agree!” Another official, Sun Shao, stepped forward and echoed.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to defend Jianye with you!" Lü Fan followed.

Upon hearing this, Sun Deng recovered slightly, but he could no longer offer any words of encouragement. With the help of those around him, he quickly rode away.

After Gu Yong and the others saw Sun Deng and Lü Fan off, they turned back to Zhuge Ke, who was standing still, and said:

"This time, the Wei people seized the initiative and attacked into the heart of Yangzhou. Our country alone can no longer resist the enemy."

"After you return to Ruxu, please immediately send someone to Jingzhou to request assistance! In this way, the ancestral temple may still be preserved..."

As he finished speaking, Gu Yong's eyes welled up with tears, and he sighed deeply.

Zhuge Ke originally intended to offer some words of comfort.

However, his panic was no less than that of the other party, and he could only obey and leave.

After watching him leave, Gu Yong quickly finalized the arrangements for guarding the pass with Sun Shao, and then they went about their respective business.

Soon, only the newly appointed Right Chancellor Yu Fan and Yangzhou Governor Zhang Zhao remained at the foot of the mountain.

The two looked at each other.

Finally, they both collapsed to the ground, looking up at the sky and wailing.

(End of this chapter)