It is said that Yuan Shu's 30,000-strong army was defeated by Zhang Fei's 5,000-man army in a sneak attack, Sun Ce's 20,000-man army was defeated by Liu Bei, Zhao Chen used a trick to attack Guangling City, Liu Bei took control of the entire Guangling County, etc. News like water rhyme, circle after circle. When it was spread abroad, the princes who received it were all shocked.
Taishi Ci and Sun Shao, who were waiting on the north bank of the Yangtze River, had different thoughts in their hearts when they saw Liu Bei's amazing battle report.
Sun Qian looked at Tai Shici and Sun Shao who were thinking a little, and said what Zhao Chen had been telling him.
"General Ziyi is brave and conquers the world, and Mr. Changxu is resourceful and resourceful. They are both rare talents in today's troubled times. Our lord Liu Bei is thirsty for talents. Now that he has taken control of Guangling City, he will definitely capture Xuzhou and strive for world hegemony in the future. It is the right time to hire people. At that time, our military advisor Zhao Chen had admired the talents of both of them for a long time. Before leaving, he specially asked Qian to express his welcome. Although Liu Zhengli and Liu Cishi were princes of one side, they were not as good as our military advisor in terms of intelligence and not as kind as our lord. Facing Sun Ce in the east of the Yangtze River, he was helpless and retreated steadily. However, my lord Liu Bei is the hero of the side. He defeated Yuan Shu, retreated from Sun Ce, and ran rampant in the south of the Yangtze River. If you two can join my lord's account, you will definitely be able to gallop on the battlefield and rule the country. 2 What do you think of it?"
Taishi Ci and Sun Shao fell into silence after hearing this.
Taishi Ci and Liu Bei met for the first time when they rescued Kong Rong in Beihai.
Although Taishi Ci had great skills and was full of ambitions, he didn't take it to heart at all when faced with the impoverished Liu Bei, and he never thought about choosing to join Liu Bei. After all, there were so many outstanding lords than Liu Bei.
So he went all the way south and found fellow countryman Liu Yao, hoping to show his ambition.
Unexpectedly, Liu Yao was a man who wanted to save face. In order not to be laughed at by Xu Shao, he gave Tai Shici a sinecure.
In addition, Taishi Ci went south alone, without any support or any background power. In Jiangnan, a place full of family power struggles, it would undoubtedly be difficult to be reused.
Today, Liu Bei, with Zhao Chen's help, has gone from having nothing to becoming a powerful leader who has won many battles and has taken over the richest Guangling County in Xuzhou in just over a month.
Taishi Ci had to re-examine Liu Bei.
Sun Shao was originally a meritorious officer of Beihai Prime Minister Kong Rong, and he followed Liu Yao to the south of the Yangtze River just to show off his ambitions. I thought I could do something in the south of the Yangtze River by joining a heroic lord. Unexpectedly, Liu Zhengli was vulnerable to Sun Ce. Sun Ce pressed forward step by step and retreated to Qu'a. If Liu Bei hadn't attacked Guangling City this time and lured Sun Ce to rescue him, Qu'adu might have been defeated by Sun Ce by now.
Therefore, Sun Shao felt that Liu Bei was indeed a potential stock, at least better than Liu Yao.
In addition, this is the first time that Sun Shao has received such high praise from a celebrity.
Both of them had their own thoughts when facing Sun Qian's invitation.
Sun Qian also waited quietly, giving the two of them enough space.
After all, this kind of persuading people to change masters can easily lead to accusations of disloyalty. If the masters change too many times, they will be called three-surnamed domestic slaves, just like Lu Bu.
According to Zhao Chen's instructions, it's best if you can persuade them. It doesn't matter if you can't. You just need to leave a seed in the two people's hearts.
While thinking, the sentry came to report that Sun Ce led the defeated army towards the Yangtze River, less than twenty miles away from the camp.
Taishi Ci said: "Liu Xuande is righteous! Mr. Gongyou, how about we wait to discuss this matter after repelling Sun Ce's army?"
Sun Qian naturally agreed. Pushing too hard and causing resentment would have bad effects.
After Taishi Ci returned the salute with clasped fists, he walked out of the camp and led the attack.
The two armies met at the riverside, and the situation of Sun Ce's army surprised everyone.
The chaotic formations, tattered flags, and the once majestic and high-spirited generals were now scattered around Sun Ce, all of them looking gray and depressed.
The soldiers were disheveled, supporting each other and limping forward. The fierceness and perseverance they had when they first set out were no longer visible in their eyes.
The few horses, covered with scattered blood clots, followed the team.
This was completely different from the invincible Sun Ce army in Taishi Ci's impression. It was not even an army, but a group of refugees supporting each other and moving towards home with difficulty.
Seeing the sudden appearance of Taishi Ci, this army was like a frightened bird, their eyes full of fear, as if they were deeply afraid of encountering danger or an ambush again.
Taishi Ci felt regretful but also very curious about what happened to Sun Ce's army to make a force that was originally invincible become so decadent.
When Sun Ce and others met Tai Shici, they were stunned for a long time. Then they realized that they saw the army of their mortal enemy Liu Yao in front of them. They hurriedly commanded the remaining soldiers to form a formation to meet the enemy while enduring the pain.
After a long time, the array has not yet taken shape.
Seeing this, Zhou Yu slowly walked up to Sun Ce and said: "Bo Fu, Liu Yao's army is right in front of you. The soldiers are exhausted and can't fight anymore. For the current plan, I'm afraid I can only go up to seek peace and let the generals go." I will return to the south of the Yangtze River, return Moling City, and no longer violate the boundaries."
Han Dang couldn't stand hearing it anymore and immediately objected: "My son Zhou Yu, why are you saying this? We, the noble men, follow the lord to conquer cities and territories and establish achievements. How can we bow our heads and beg for favors and stop fighting for hegemony!"
Seeing Han Dang being so excited, Zhou Yu felt cold and didn't want to explain anymore, just waiting for Sun Ce to make a decision.
Sun Ce knew in his heart that the soldiers were already suffering terribly. They had just taken a breath and could no longer withstand the fierce battle.
But how could he put down his arrogant face and sue for peace with Liu Yao's army? Wouldn't this be a disgrace to the Sun family, and how he would face Jiangdong's elders in the future.
After all, Zhou Yu was very smart and saw Sun Ce's hesitation, so he had to volunteer: "Bo Fu, why don't you let Yu go explore the coming general. If it works, we have a way out. Even if it doesn't work, it's my problem, Zhou Yu's. Bo Fu has nothing to do with it.”
Sun Ce nodded in agreement without thinking.
Zhou Yu, a little disappointed, came to Taishi Ci's formation and expressed his intention.
Taishi Ci couldn't make up his mind, so Sun Qian suggested: "I think Sun Ce's army still has thousands of people. General Ziyi might as well agree to Zhou Yu's request. Firstly, he will not offend the Sun family soldiers in Jiangdong. Secondly, it will also give Sun Ce face. If If you are really pushed to the point of jumping over the wall, both sides will be damaged."
Sun Qian kept Zhao Chen's instructions in mind and asked Liu Yao to send Taishi Ci and Sun Shao to intercept Sun Ce's army. Firstly, he wanted to let them see the miserable state of Sun Ce's army and let them understand Liu Bei's strength. Secondly, Zhao Chen had ambitions. , To subdue the important counselors and generals on both sides of Liu Yao and Sun Ce, they must not be allowed to form grudges, lest there be disunity under the same account.
Taishi Ci glanced at Sun Shao.
Sun Shao said he had no objection.
The two of them agreed with Sun Qian's suggestion.
Sun Qian then rode his horse closer to Zhou Yu and said softly: "Gong Jin'an is well. My military advisor Zhao Chen has warned me..."
Before Sun Qian could finish speaking, Zhou Yu was shocked. Who was Zhao Chen? He actually persuaded Liu Yao to send an army to wait here.
There is only one sentence in his mind now: "Zhao Chen's plan is worse than mine."
Sun Qian smiled slightly. He was used to seeing this kind of scene. He waited for Zhou Yu for a while and was ready to finish his words.
"My military advisor told me that if I encounter Gong Jin here, I will persuade Liu Yao's army to let him go. In addition, Jian Yong and Jian Xianhe have been ordered by the military advisor to prepare several ships in Dantu to help the army cross the river."
"Gongjin, please!"
Sun Qian made an "invite" gesture to Zhou Yu in front of everyone in Sun Ce, as if he wanted to invite Zhou Yu into the army.
It turned out that Sun Ce, who was a hundred steps away, looked as if Zhou Yu had surrendered to him.
When Han Dang saw it, he snorted and cursed: "Zhou Yu's son is not good-hearted. He went to make peace, but he became the opposite person."
It was okay if he didn't say it, but this statement made Sun Ce more and more suspicious of Zhou Yu.
Zhou Yu came to his senses, thanked Sun Qian, and hurriedly turned around and walked back.
Zhou Yu, who returned to the camp, always felt that others looked at him with suspicion.
After thinking for a moment, Zhou Yu suddenly realized.
All this was Zhao Chen's arrangement. He had already expected that Sun Ce would not lower his face and sue for peace, so the task of suing for peace could only fall on him.
When he appeared in front of Sun Qian, all the results were already determined.
His begging, hostility, bowing, and regret were all part of Zhao Chen's arrangement.
Zhou Yu smiled helplessly in his heart: "This is already the third time. I have been teased by Zhao Chen for the third time from last night to now. This god-like figure can tease him as far away as Guangling City. He is really a monster!"
However, it was not without gain. At least Zhou Yu saw step by step the most serious problem in Sun Ce Group: distrust and lack of unity.
