Taishi Ci fell into a coma, and Zhou Tai was injured and unable to fight anymore. Zhou Yu ordered people to sail back to Jiangdong to recover.
Unexpectedly, it was getting dark, the water stronghold was reduced to ashes, and the riverside was pitch black. Zhou Yu ordered Lu Meng to patrol the camp and set up defenses, and discussed countermeasures with Lu Su and others.
Lu Su said: "Our army is advantageous in water battles. Cao's army has too many cavalry and it is not suitable for land battles. It is better to retreat to the south of the Yangtze River and wait for Liu Qi's reinforcements to arrive to discuss how to defeat Cao Cao."
Zhou Yu snorted coldly: "I have defeated Cao Cao's thieves, why do I need help from others? Regardless of whether Jingzhou sends troops or not, it is difficult to save the fire near by water far away. If we retreat at this time, how can we have the face to meet the elders in Jiangdong?"
Lu Su frowned and said, "The general has retired due to injuries, his troops have been damaged, and he may not be aggressive enough."
Zhou Yu has always been competitive, and like Sun Ce, he is a man of great dignity. If he wins a big victory, he may be persuaded to retreat, but after this defeat, he will never be willing to retreat.
Zhou Yu frowned and thought for a moment, then looked at Lu Xun who was standing in the crowd, called the two of them into the tent, and discussed, "What good ideas does Boyan have?"
Lu Xun won the hearts of the people when he was the captain of Haichang Tuntian, and later took the initiative to request orders to pacify Shanyue in Kuaiji. Sun Quan was very satisfied with Lu Xun's performance and prepared to marry him.
Although he is engaged to Sun Ce's daughter and is about to become the son-in-law of the Sun family, he has always been low-key and humble. If he were not outstanding in appearance, he would be easily ignored.
At first, Zhou Yu only thought that Sun Quan was using this weak scholar to resolve the old feud between the two families and further appease the Jiangdong family. This time when he went on an expedition with the army, he discovered that this man had a hidden strategy.
Lu Xun said: "Cao's army is strong and Dongwu has few soldiers. I foolishly think that I can't compete with it. I should temporarily station people and horses to defend along the river and form two lines of defense on land and water. If Cao's army comes, retreat to the water. If Cao's army doesn't come, wait for opportunities." And move. Cao Cao will retreat within a few months. If the time is right, he may conquer Huainan in one go."
"Oh?" Zhou Yu raised his eyebrows slightly and asked, "Bo Yan is waiting for the rainy season?"
"That's one!" Lu Xun nodded and said, "Secondly, hundreds of thousands of Cao's troops are stationed in Huainan, and the food and grass are transported thousands of miles, which costs a lot of money. Even if the Central Plains is rich, it can be supplied in time. However, once there is a big change in Guanzhong, Cao Cao will have to retreat."
"Guanzhong?" Zhou Yu's eyes gleamed slightly and he said slowly, "Could it be that Ma Teng raised his troops?"
Lu Xun said: "Liu Qi was oppressed by the Cai family and endured it for several years. Only when Liu Bei arrived in Jingzhou did he take advantage of the situation. This person must have planned his actions before he acted. Why should he personally supervise the battle in a mere Wuguan? He is too weak to meddle in Guanzhong. , I guess he must be secretly communicating with Ma Teng to seek Chang'an."
"That's it!" Zhou Yu's eyes flashed and he murmured: "Liu Qi, are you really so scheming?"
Lu Xun pursed his lips and did not answer. Ever since Lu Kang died in the battle of Lujiang, the Lu family has plummeted in Jiangdong in recent years and has been trying to survive in a low profile.
He raised Lu Ji up and understood that a person who knows tolerance must have a plan for every move he makes and will never act recklessly.
Lu Su said: "Bo Yan's plan is the safest. First establish yourself in an invincible position, then wait for the enemy to become chaotic and wait for opportunities to break it."
Zhou Yu took a deep breath, nodded and said: "Order Huang Gai and Jiang Qin to lead the navy to patrol the river. Boyan does not need to lead the troops in the future. He will accompany you to advise the military aircraft."
"Follow your orders!" Lu Xun, who was directly promoted from a captain to a soldier beside Zhou Yu, still had a calm expression on his face, showing no emotion or anger.
Lu Su stroked his beard and looked at this young man who was neither arrogant nor impetuous, and was secretly happy. There was a rising star in Jiangdong, and Zhou Yu was supporting him, so what was the point of sleeping with a dragon and a phoenix?
…
After Cao's army was victorious, they abandoned the river bank and retreated to Ruxu Water Village, setting up a camp for dozens of miles with Chao Lake as their back. On land, everyone felt much more at ease.
In the Chinese army tent, Cao Cao held a banquet to celebrate his victory. News came from the front line that Tai Shici was seriously injured and fell into a coma. Zhou Tai and other generals were also seriously injured and returned to Jiangdong to recuperate. The morale of the Wu army was low.
Cao Cao stroked his beard and smiled and said: "Zhou Lang of Jiangzuo is famous all over the world. In my opinion, it is nothing more than this."
"The Prime Minister's brilliant plan!" All the generals praised him one after another. As long as there was no water fight, they were still confident.
Xun You smiled and said: "Previously, Wenyuan fought against Xiaoyaojin, and now the prime minister is burning down Ruxu Port. The Wu army will lose both battles, and the Jiangdong family will be in panic, and they will persuade Sun Quan to come and seek peace."
The Prime Minister sneered and said: "Bi Yan'er is undecided and wants to kill my envoy. How can I spare him lightly?"
Xiahou Dun clasped his fists and said, "What the Prime Minister said is absolutely true. Dongwu first attacked Lujiang without settling old scores, and then colluded with Liu Qi to plot evil. If he is not punished, how can he establish his authority?"
Xun You said: "The prime minister was ordered to fight against rebellion. He pointed his command to the south and was invincible. This battle has greatly boosted the power of the army. If Zhou Yu is captured, the east of the Yangtze River will be shaken. Sun Quan will be surprised and suspicious and come to surrender. Great things can be done!"
Le Jin asked for the order: "The last general is willing to lead elite troops and defeat the Wu camp."
While everyone was discussing a plan to defeat Wu, an attendant suddenly broke into the tent and reported, "Prime Minister, Chang'an is calling for urgent news!"
"Oh?" Cao Cao raised his eyebrows and motioned for the envoy to be brought in. He frowned and said, "Could it be that Liu Qi has another small victory and wants to take Guanzhong without overestimating his own capabilities?"
Xun You's expression suddenly became solemn: "Jingzhou's strength is not enough to control Guanzhong. I'm afraid something will happen."
I saw a man covered in dust, entering the tent and presenting a letter: "Ma Teng and his son have rebelled and have conquered Chang'an. Governor Zhong has retreated to Tongguan and is in urgent need of support."
"You bastard!" Cao Cao stood up as he slapped the case, his eyes filled with murderous intent, and said in a deep voice: "Old thief Ma Teng, how dare you go against your will and deceive the emperor?"
Everyone was shocked. There was chaos in Guanzhong and Chang'an was lost. Once the Xiliang army broke out of Tongguan, the consequences would be disastrous.
"Where is Cao Hong?" Cao Cao took a deep breath, opened the letter and read it, his eyes were slightly narrowed and his face was gloomy.
This battle not only cost the troops and horses, but also lost Chang'an. His most valued Zhang Ji was also beheaded, resulting in heavy losses.
Xun You twisted his beard and muttered: "Liu Qi attracted the Chang'an garrison to dispatch, and Ma Teng took advantage of the situation to counterattack. The two men may have colluded secretly. Thanks to the prime minister's foresight, Tongguan was built to prevent the rebellion in Xiliang, otherwise the consequences would be unpredictable."
Cao Cao sat down slowly and sighed: "I really did as Jia Wenhe said."
Liu Fu, the governor of Yangzhou, said: "The great chaos in Guanzhong and the rise of Liu Qi in Nanyang will definitely cause shock in the Central Plains. The prime minister must go to Tongguan to preside over important events."
Cao Cao frowned and said, "I have a great victory over Zhou Yu, just when it's time to intimidate Jiangdong. If we retreat like this, wouldn't all our previous efforts be wasted?"
Xun You said: "Ma Teng is brave but not resourceful, so there is nothing to worry about. I expect that Cao Hong has retreated to Tongguan at this time, and with Xu Huang as his assistant, we can be safe. We only need to send another person who is resourceful and decisive to help in the battle, and we can defeat him." It’s easy to thief.”
Cao Cao sighed: "It's a pity that Cheng Demou is dead. Who else can advise the military?"
When Xun You thought of the war in Nanyang, he felt uncomfortable and said: "For the current plan, I have to trouble Doctor Jia to go to Guanzhong in person."
Cao Cao's eyes flashed, he pondered for a moment, and finally made up his mind and sent an order: "Order Wenwen Sima Yi to join the army for Cao Hong, and leave overnight to Tongguan to help in the battle. There must be no mistake."
Xiahou Dun was startled: "Prime Minister, Sima Yi is only a Confucian scholar, how can he be entrusted with important matters in Guanzhong? I think it would be better to send Man Chong or Dong Zhao to go."
Cao Cao's eyes were slightly gleaming, and he said with emotion: "This person is a rising star who is probably beyond the reach of other generations."
