When Sun Quan returned from inspecting Jiangbei, he saw Liu Qi taking Hanzhong and entering Bashu, but there was still no movement in Huainan. He saw it and was anxious in his heart.
The Mid-Autumn Festival family dinner was also depressing. The family chatted and laughed with Wu Guotai who was ill in bed. Sun Quan stood by the window and looked at the moon, feeling full of sorrow.
Sun Kuang said: "Brother, are you worried about Huainan?"
Sun Quan said with emotion: "Cao Cao blocked Ma Chao in Chencang. I expected to pacify Guanzhong in the near future, but Gong Jin did not move. If Cao Cao defeats Ma Chao first and then takes Huainan, it will be as difficult as climbing to the sky. How can I not worry?"
Sun Kuang smiled and said: "There is no news about the Grand Governor so far, which is not a bad thing!"
Sun Quan frowned and said, "Why do you see that?"
Sun Kuang said: "The commander-in-chief knows the strategy well and uses his troops like a god. There has been no movement so far, which shows that everything is under control. He has concealed Cao's army from top to bottom, just like a wild beast hunting. If he doesn't move, he will be dead. If he goes out, he will be hit."
"This is the best!" Sun Quan sighed softly:
While they were chatting, Mrs. Wu came over and handed a piece of mooncake to Sun Kuang: "Fourth, this is a mooncake I made with pineapple cake, specially left for you. Eat it quickly!"
"Thank you, mother!" Sun Kuang took it with both hands and handed it to Sun Quan: "Second brother, how about..."
Mrs. Wu smiled and said: "Zhongmou has already eaten, this piece is for you!"
Sun Kuang thanked her again, knowing that the second lady was very considerate and it was not easy to eat the pineapple cake she made, so he took it aside to eat.
Sun Quan didn't eat the moon cake at all. He shook his head and sighed: "Why do you, as a parent, always prefer the younger ones?"
Mrs. Wu chuckled and said: "As an elder brother, you should take care of your younger siblings! Leave your share in the garden and pick it up after the banquet is over."
Sun Quan calmed down, put aside his worries for the time being, reunited with his family, and sent Mrs. Wu to the backyard after the banquet.
Mrs. Wu motioned Sun Quan to sit down and asked, "I have seen you depressed recently, but are you thinking about Huainan?"
"There is Gong Jin in Huainan, so I don't need to worry about it," Sun Quan said with emotion, "I just didn't expect Liu Qi to enter Shu so easily. Why don't we see Liu Zhang and his like in Xuzhou?"
Recalling the first time he led troops and was scared off by Chen Deng's fire, his face felt a little hot!
If his opponent at that time was like Liu Zhang, he would have already entered the Central Plains by now, and there would be no more assassination of his brother!
Mrs. Wu seemed to have read through Sun Quan's thoughts and said: "Liu Qi and Cao Cao always take command and fight personally when trouble occurs, but my son stays behind. This is not a long-term plan. Jiangdong cannot rely on Gong Jin alone!"
Sun Quan felt a fever on his face and said helplessly: "I don't want to lead the army, but..."
Mrs. Wu said sternly: "My son is determined, how can he retreat after a slight setback? Gaozu was defeated many times, but he was never discouraged. This man has built up his legacy for hundreds of years, but you are unable to recover. This is not what a hero would do!"
Sun Quan said: "The great ancestor had Zhang Liang as his adviser, and Xiao He and Han Xin as his assistants. I compare Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, and Zhou Yu to three people, entrusting them with important matters. What's wrong with that?"
Mrs. Wu said calmly: "Didn't my son see what happened to King Sanqi?"
"This..." Sun Quan's expression changed slightly, and he shook his head and said, "Gong Jin is a man of faith. He is devoted to planning for Jiangdong and will never change his mind."
Mrs. Wu sighed: "Although Zhou Yu is loyal, he is a foreigner after all. But have you ever thought about who can be relied on under Zhou Yu or after Zhou Yu? Don't I know that Zhou Yu worked hard for Jiangdong, but that was also the same as Uncle Zhou Yu?" I am a close friend of Fu, and I will abide by his will and carry out his legacy, not for you, the lord of Jiangdong."
"Ah?" Sun Quan's expression changed drastically, and he looked at Madam Wu under the swaying candlelight in shock, suddenly feeling a little strange.
Mrs. Wu looked indifferent and said slowly: "You have to understand that Zhou Yu is only loyal to Jiangdong and is not your confidant. If you want to firmly sit as the master of Jiangdong, like Cao Cao and Liu Qi, you need to control more military power and promote cronies. In this way This is a long-term solution.”
Sun Quan felt awe-struck, stood up and saluted, saying: "My child has learned a lesson!"
Mrs. Wu then took the food box and said: "Tai Shi Ci is a general in Jiangdong. No matter what his condition is, it is better to take him back to Jiangdong for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. People's hearts are unpredictable and will change over time. As the master of a party, except for himself, No one can be trusted gullibly, including... me!"
Sun Quan was startled, then took the food box and said goodbye. His thoughts fluctuated along the way. Today's conversation touched him greatly.
After a sleepless night, he summoned Jia Hua the next day and asked, "General Taishi went to Jingzhou for treatment. How is the situation?"
Jia Hua replied: "Since General Taishi arrived in Jingzhou, there has been no news. According to the report, he lives in a medical center. Because of his critical condition, no one is allowed in except his son to take care of him."
Sun Quan frowned slightly: "There is no news about Tai Shixiang?"
Jia Hua said: "Tai Shixiang took care of his father. He stayed with him day and night and rarely went out."
Sun Quan narrowed his eyes slightly: "Where is Yu Fan?"
Jia Hua shook his head and said: "Yu Fan has disappeared since he arrived in Xiangyang, and he has no idea where he went!"
boom--
Sun Quan was furious and shouted: "Yu Zhongxiang took the opportunity to escape, how brave he is!"
Jia Hua wanted to say that Yu Fan must have resented being exiled and was unwilling to return to Jiangdong, but he saw Sun Quan standing aside with his face ashen and his head bowed.
Sun Quan wrote a letter to express condolences for Taishi Ci's condition, and ordered Jia Hua to send someone to Xiangyang to see Taishi Ci to see how his condition was.
After pondering for a while, Sun Quan called for his personal soldier Zhou Shan and said: "I know that you are quite courageous and are the best at breaking into houses. Now I have a favor to ask of you. Do you dare to go?"
Zhou Shan hurriedly knelt on the ground: "My lord has sent me, and my subordinates will not hesitate even to the death. How dare I accept the request?"
Sun Quan lifted him up, caressed his shoulders, and said with emotion: "You have followed your brother since you were a child. I know that my brother kept you by my side because he was worried about my safety. However, this matter is extremely confidential and I have to send you." Take a long trip.”
Zhou Shan was deeply moved and said hurriedly: "My lord, no matter what the order, even if it is a mountain of swords and a sea of fire, my subordinates will break in."
Zhou Shan was originally an orphan living in the world. He developed his skills since childhood and was taken in by Sun Ce. He became a general of the Sun family and was mainly responsible for taking care of his family.
Sun Quan said: "Tai Shi Ci went to Xiangyang for treatment, but there was no news after he left. It is really suspicious. You went to Xiangyang secretly to investigate this matter!"
"Yes!" Zhou Shan was very excited when he saw that Sun Quan sent him out to do things.
Sun Quan said in a low voice: "Although Tai Shi Ci and his brother have a heart-to-heart relationship, my brother has been dead for many years, and he was a general under Liu Yao and was close to the Liu family. I am worried that he is being deceived again. If his father and son really change their minds, you must try to get rid of him." "
"Ah?" Zhou Shan was shocked and looked at Sun Quan in astonishment.
Sun Quan's eyes were slightly gleaming, and he said in a deep voice: "Tai Shi Ci is the general of Jiangdong. He knows all the military secrets. He is especially familiar with Yuzhang's defense. He has many old troops. Do you know the consequences?"
Zhou Shan took a deep breath, knelt down and said, "My subordinates don't know anything about military affairs. They only know that they must obey the Lord's orders. No matter whether it is right or wrong, they must go all out!"
"Very good!" Sun Quan was extremely satisfied. After thinking for a while, he walked behind the desk and took out the ancient ingot knife from the secret compartment: "This knife is a heirloom treasure of my Sun family. It can cut gold and cut jade. You can change the handle of the scabbard and carry it with you. If you see anything rebellious, don't hesitate, just take action!"
