I run a training class in Shu Han

After Deng Zhi submitted his memorial, Sun Quan immediately summoned his ministers.

Although he succeeded in getting Deng Zhi to voluntarily submit a memorial, Deng Zhi's sharp words greatly angered Sun Quan.

"The Han envoy has been in Wu for several days, and I intend to summon him tomorrow. What do you all think I should say?"

The relationship between the three families is delicate, and Eastern Wu should avoid directly breaking off relations if it wants to maneuver among them.

Zhang Zhao, a veteran official, was the first to speak out, saying, "King Wu killed Guan Yu, seized Jingzhou, and burned Liu Bei's camps, causing many in Yizhou to harbor resentment. Liu Shan is young and unable to govern the country. He has allied with Han. What if he wants to take revenge in the future and breaks the alliance?

Liu Shan was young, and the government was controlled by several ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor. This was what truly worried Sun Quan.

"Now that Wei has taken the initiative to make peace with us and has joined forces to attack Yizhou, this is a golden opportunity. If we had not become hostile to Wei, Eastern Wu would have been in grave danger. King Wu must not waver."

Sun Quan nodded slightly.

Regardless of whether Cao Wei actually intends to attack Yizhou, Eastern Wu should form an alliance with it and must not offend Cao Pi.

"King Wu, I will personally lead the axemen on both sides. If that Han envoy speaks offensively, I will kill him on the spot," Xu Sheng said angrily.

All the ministers inside the room laughed heartily.

They all knew that Xu Sheng was quite dissatisfied with the delegation. Although he would not do anything that violated diplomatic etiquette, the executioners were only there to serve as a deterrent.

"Xiang Wen, diplomacy is about strategy, not courage. Hiding assassins is unsportsmanlike. I have a plan that will make the Han envoy retreat on his own."

Subsequently, Sun Quan sent officials to the guesthouse to contact the mission.

Zong Yu was very dissatisfied with the diplomatic etiquette of Eastern Wu, but at present they were the passive party and could only swallow their anger over such trivial matters.

Deng Zhi knew things weren't that simple, and instructed, "Tomorrow when you go to see the King of Wu, the two generals will accompany you as guards. Act according to the situation, and remember not to be rash or impolite in the main hall."

Chen Hu and Zheng Zhuo nodded.

The number of guards on this mission was already small. If Eastern Wu really wanted to take action, even several times the number of guards would not be able to escape their clutches.

The next day, led by a palace attendant, Deng Zhi and his party of several dozen people went to the general's mansion.

Upon arriving at the gate of the mansion, a eunuch went in first to announce the arrival of the envoy. A moment later, the eunuch came out and announced loudly, "Guards and attendants are waiting outside the hall. Please invite the envoy of the Han Dynasty to the hall."

After Deng Zhi nodded slightly, Chen Hu and Zheng Zhuo instructed the guards to wait outside, and then entered the mansion with Deng Zhi and Zong Yu.

After entering the mansion, the guards along the way became increasingly tight, and the closer they got to the main hall, the more stringent the security became.

Before long, after passing through a wall, they saw fully armed guards standing on both sides, their menacing aura solemn, indicating that they had arrived outside the main hall.

Upon arriving outside the main hall, civil and military officials sat on the ground on both sides, all glancing sideways at him.

Deng Zhi paused for a moment, pondered, then smiled, stepped over the threshold with her right leg, and strode in with her head held high.

Chen Hu and Zheng Zhuo cautiously observed their surroundings.

With their military backgrounds, they were exceptionally perceptive and sensed the hidden danger beneath the seemingly calm exterior.

Deng Zhi saw that Sun Quan was sitting at the head of the table, with a square face, a large mouth, and piercing eyes. His purple beard was particularly striking, making him an extraordinary person with unusual features.

After presenting the letter of state, Deng Zhi bowed and said, "Deng Zhi greets the King of Wu."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhang Zhao angrily demanded, "Why don't you kneel?"

This is to establish authority; if Deng Zhi shows weakness, then this negotiation will be at a disadvantage from the very beginning.

Deng Zhi calmly replied, "A subject of a superior state does not kneel before the ruler of a inferior state."

Zhang Zhao was speechless with just one sentence.

Sun Quan was furious upon hearing this and said coldly, "What arrogance! Do you intend to imitate Su Qin and Zhang Yi, using your silver tongue to persuade my Eastern Wu?"

Deng Zhi said, "Su Qin held the seals of prime minister of six states, and Zhang Yi served as prime minister of Qin twice. Both of them possessed extraordinary talents. I am just a scholar from Shu. I came here only for the benefit of Eastern Wu, but I did not expect that the rulers and ministers of Jiangdong are all afraid. It seems that Jiangdong is not only full of heroes, but also has rats."

Upon hearing this, the military officers led by Xu Sheng could not tolerate it and immediately drew their swords.

"How dare you!"

Xu Sheng thrust his sword at Deng Zhi, intending to frighten him, make him show fear, and then take the opportunity to humiliate him.

Unexpectedly, Deng Zhi stood still, showing no fear, but instead revealing a contemptuous smile.

At the same time, Chen Hu and Zheng Zhuo drew their swords and blocked Xu Sheng's blade.

The swords clashed, producing a clanging sound, followed by the sound of footsteps. Dozens of guards rushed into the main hall, drawing their swords.

For a moment, a tense and awkward atmosphere filled the main hall.

Just as everyone was at a loss, Deng Zhi laughed loudly and said, "If the King of Wu is not afraid, why would he have hidden executioners?"

Faced with Deng Zhi's questioning, Sun Quan felt even more humiliated.

These guards were not the swordsmen he had arranged; they had only rushed to protect him after seeing someone draw a sword, which Deng Zhi used as an excuse to make trouble.

Sun Quan waved his hand, ordering the guards to leave, and then looked at Chen Hu and Zheng Chuo.

Xu Sheng was exceptionally brave and skilled in martial arts. The two of them were able to react instantly and block his sword, which earned them high regard from Sun Quan.

"Who are these two generals?"

Deng Zhi said, "Chen Hu and Zheng Chuo."

Xu Sheng scoffed, "An unknown nobody, I've never heard of him."

Zong Yu stepped forward and said, "The two generals once led eight hundred elite troops to capture Huang Yuan, pacify the south, kill Yong Kai, and subdue Gao Ding. Their bravery was unstoppable, and everyone in Shu knew of it."

Once it was mentioned that the Southern Regions had been pacified, the rulers and ministers of Eastern Wu already had a plan in mind.

Yong Kai surrendered to Eastern Wu, while Sun Quan was still discussing with Lu Xun and other generals how to launch a pincer attack from both inside and outside the territory to gradually seize Yizhou.

But not long after, news came that Yong Kai had been killed, and they had no choice but to give up in disappointment.

Zong Yu's words also implied that "you are all ignorant and ill-informed," which displeased the ministers of Eastern Wu.

Sun Quan felt even more uncomfortable upon hearing "eight hundred".

"So you are two generals. You are truly valiant warriors. Please take a seat."

After the four were seated, Sun Quan asked indifferently, "What advantages or disadvantages does Eastern Wu have? Please enlighten me, sir."

Deng Zhi said, "King of Wu, Cao Pi has raised an army to attack Han. Should you send an envoy to invite him to join the campaign?"

"yes!"

Sun Quan readily agreed.

There are spies between countries; how could such a major event be kept secret?

"May I ask Your Majesty, Eastern Wu has not yet dispatched troops. Is it perhaps intending to sit back and watch the two tigers fight?"

"No, it's just that the provisions haven't been prepared yet."

"If we send troops, we cannot win. If we do not send troops, we will offend the State of Wei. The King of Wu is in a predicament, caught between a rock and a hard place. The slightest mistake could plunge Eastern Wu into a dangerous situation. This is a cause for concern."

Deng Zhi didn't waste any words; his words struck at the heart of Sun Quan's concerns.

Seeing Sun Quan frown, Zhang Zhao quickly interjected, "That's alarmist. Wei and Wu have joined forces, with five armies pointing their swords at Yizhou. It's clear that the Han Dynasty is in imminent danger."

Deng Zhi walked up to Zhang Zhao, looking down at him with disdain.

"The five armies, bluffing and intimidation, have been repelled by our lord. Is Lord Zhang aware of this?"

Zhang Zhao laughed loudly, "Everyone says Zhuge Liang was a master strategist, but I've never heard that the young lord also understands strategy. Could it be that he received Liu Bei's military teachings and is able to repel the enemy from a thousand miles away?"

Throughout his life of battles, Liu Bei's most devastating defeat was undoubtedly the Battle of Yiling.

Zhang Zhao's words were clearly derogatory.

Deng Zhi sneered and sat down again. Zong Yu, who was beside him, stood up and said, "Although our lord is young, he has been well-versed in military strategy since childhood and is quite knowledgeable in tactics. Therefore, he can strategize within the command tent and win battles a thousand miles away."

"The roads to Yizhou are rugged and the passes are numerous, so much so that one man can hold the pass against ten thousand. Zhao Yun, Wu Ban, Ma Dai, and Wei Yan each led elite troops to guard the pass. Even if the Wei army had 100,000 men, they could not pass and could only retreat."

"Now only the Wu King's forces remain. Li Yan has returned to Yong'an, commanding the naval forces of Yong'an and Jiangzhou, blocking the river and cutting off their passage. I ask you, can the Eastern Wu navy cross?"

In the main hall, the emperor and his ministers of Eastern Wu were all speechless.

Zong Yu pressed his advantage, saying, "Even with five armies advancing simultaneously, the King of Wu dared not act rashly. Now, with only the Eastern Wu forces remaining, does the King of Wu still need to consider whether to fight or make peace?"

Zhang Zhao, unfamiliar with military affairs, could only give Xu Sheng, who was beside him, a meaningful look.

"Your Majesty, the Wei army, numbering 100,000, is pressing upon our borders. Their strength is overwhelming, and we cannot resist them simply because of our terrain. The Han envoy's words are surely an exaggeration, as if he thinks no one in Eastern Wu knows anything about military affairs?"

Zong Yu and Xu Sheng, who disliked each other, immediately retorted, "We have long heard of your bravery, General, and your knowledge of military strategy. Cao Pi usurped the Han throne, and the people are in turmoil. Our lord is a member of the Han imperial family, and sitting in Yizhou is how he maintains the legitimacy of the Han dynasty. Attacking him would mean losing the opportune moment and the support of the people."

"Before the two armies even clashed, Wei had already lost the advantages of timing, terrain, and popular support; how could it not be defeated?"

Xu Sheng was furious and said, "Even without the Wei army, my Eastern Wu once burned down seven hundred miles of camps, causing Liu Bei to suffer a great defeat."

Xu Sheng originally wanted to emphasize that Wu's army was strong and capable of defeating the troops in Yong'an and Jiangzhou.

Unexpectedly, Zong Yu burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"Everyone says that Jiangdong is full of heroes, but now that I see them, they are all brave but lack strategy."

"Has the general asked Grand Commander Lu Xun whether the Wu army won this battle easily?"

Zong Yu's single sentence broke Xu Sheng's defenses.

Although the Wu army won the Battle of Yiling, it was only a Pyrrhic victory.

If Liu Bei hadn't underestimated Lu Xun, this scholar in plain clothes, the battle would likely have ended in mutual destruction.

The atmosphere was thick with resentment due to the verbal sparring between the two, at which point Deng Zhi stepped forward.

"King of Wu, the world is now in a tripartite balance of power, with one strong and two weak. Only by joining forces with our Han Dynasty can Eastern Wu contend with Wei; otherwise, if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. How could you, as a high-ranking official of the state, not understand such a simple truth?"

"If one knows this and yet disobeys it, will it bring prosperity to the nation or lead to its destruction? I hope the King of Wu will make a wise decision."

Deng Zhi's words were all directed at Zhang Zhao, the leader who led the betting team.

Sun Quan's resolve began to waver, recalling the scene before the Battle of Red Cliffs when Zhang Zhao led his ministers to surrender to Wei and seek peace.

If I had listened to Zibu's words, how could I have become a king and a hegemon today?

So, what if we do it the other way around?