Zhou Yu said with a smile: "Liu Qi thought that because of the favorable location in Nanyang, he could go straight to the Central Plains and go to Yecheng first. Little did he know that Cao Cao's thieves had already been prepared. Heavy defense lines had been laid out in Yuzhou. Zhang Liao guarded Kunyang, and Cao Ren stayed in Xuchang after he was injured. This is the hinterland of the Cao family, how can it be easily conquered?"
Sun Quan was well aware of Zhang Liao's bravery and nodded: "Although the Yuzhou defense line is impregnable, it will be difficult for me to advance from Xuzhou. It may not be easy."
"If this were not the case, how could Liu Qi agree to the alliance?" Zhou Yu smiled proudly: "My lord, please don't forget that we still have the advantage of a navy. The sea is vast and there is much to do."
Huang Gai asked: "Is it possible that Gong Jin is going to repeat his old trick and launch a surprise attack along the coast from the east?"
Sun Quan frowned and said: "Since this surprise attack at the mouth of the Huaihe River, Cao's army has strengthened its defenses along the coast of Xuzhou. There are cavalry patrols in the morning and evening, and there are more Anza military camps in the East China Sea. If you go further north, you will have to go deep alone, and the navy alone may not be able to succeed. .”
Zhou Yu said: "The navy is advancing from the north from the sea. If there is no foothold, it will naturally be difficult to succeed. However, as long as a water stronghold is built on the sea, even if Cao Jun learns the news, there is nothing he can do."
Sun Quan frowned: "The good or bad luck at sea is unpredictable, and the governor's move is too risky."
Zhou Yu smiled and said: "If I am not sure, how can I dare to send troops easily? Even if I am willing to sacrifice my life for Jiangdong, I will not be sorry for the tens of thousands of soldiers."
Sun Quan's eyes lit up: "So, the Governor has already made plans?"
"Not bad!" Zhou Yu said: "I went to Xiangyang this time and met Mi Fang. I asked about the islands in the East China Sea. Just east of Tan County, there was a large island named Yuzhou Island. When the Central Plains was in war, the Mi family once He transferred part of his property here to avoid the chaos and raised more than 2,000 followers and fleeing people. When Liu Bei was defeated by Lu Bu, he was able to rise with the support of Mi Zhu. It was precisely because of the financial and material resources of this island."
Sun Quan couldn't help being happy. He sat up and asked, "The Mi family is willing to lend us this island?"
"No!" Zhou Yu shook his head and said: "Brother Mi Zhu moved his family since he fully supported Liu Bei. The island has been empty of supplies. According to Mi Fang's information, Yuzhou Island is now occupied by the remnants of the Yellow Turbans. When Cao Cao conquered Qingzhou Some of the remaining soldiers of the Yellow Turbans fled across the sea and gathered here."
"Hahaha, God is really helping me!" Sun Quan was overjoyed and grabbed Zhou Yu's arm: "It's easy for the commander-in-chief to defeat such young people. If we get here, we can go straight to the hinterland of Xuzhou."
"It was not my intention to take Xuzhou!" Zhou Yu slowly shook his head, calmly withdrew his arm, pointed to the map on the table, and drew a circle in the open space in the east of Xuzhou: "The approximate location of Yuzhou Island is here. If Taking Xuzhou, Cao's army has been on guard for a long time, it is not an easy task. We can use this island as a water stronghold and continue northward to take Qingzhou directly."
"Qingzhou?" Sun Quan and Huang Gai exclaimed, looking at Zhou Yu in disbelief.
"Not bad!" Zhou Yu's eyes were slightly gleaming, with a world-swallowing heroism in his eyes, and he said with emotion: "Liu Qi wants to enter the Central Plains, and I will make another move to attack Xuzhou. The main force of Cao's army will be in the Central Plains, and Hebei will be empty. If I get Qingzhou, I will We can send our troops to the west and seize the opportunity to seize the city of Ye. Once Qin becomes the king, Cao Cao will be ruined and his reputation will be shattered. Liu Qi will act in accordance with the agreement. The Lord will grant him the title of King and break the earth, and he will move south to the world. It will be just around the corner!"
Huang Gai said in surprise: "The Yellow Turban bandits can still cross the sea from Qingzhou to reach this island. If our Jiangdong navy uses this as a base, wouldn't it be easy to enter Qingzhou?"
"Hiss——" Sun Quan's words made Sun Quan's blood boil. He stood up and rubbed his hands in excitement. He walked back and forth several times before sitting down, taking a deep breath and asked: "Jiangdong is thousands of miles away from Qingzhou. Only the navy can take Qingzhou." , there is no backup, how sure is Gong Jin?"
"At least 70%!" Zhou Yu stretched out his finger and saw a slight change in Sun Quan's expression, and then said: "But please, my lord, don't forget that we have been in contact with Gongsun Kang of Liaodong for several years. If he is willing to send troops to help us, we can divide Hebei together and take Qingzhou easily! "
"Gongsun Kang?" Sun Quan frowned and said, "Gongsun Kang is stationed in Liaodong, in a corner. We only have some trade contacts, so we don't dare to offend Cao Cao easily."
Zhou Yu said: "Last year, Gongsun Kang defeated Goguryeo and captured its capital. He also attacked Han Hao and set up his own commandery, which he had long been dissatisfied with. Recently I heard that Cao Cao's thieves withdrew from Huainan because the Xianbei invaders in the north wanted to go north to conquer personally. We have no intention of attacking Gongsun Kang, so if we send someone to tell him, if Gongsun Kang becomes suspicious, he will respond."
Huang Gai stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Gong Jin's words are reasonable. Gongsun Kang and his son had occupied the counties of Donglai in Qingzhou in their early years and appointed Yingzhou governor. Unfortunately, they were defeated by Cao Cao. This time they took a different approach, which is quite clever in secretly attacking Chencang."
Sun Quan finally made up his mind, clapped his thighs and stood up, laughing and saying: "Gong Jin's plan is the essence of combining vertical and horizontal lines, making friends at a distance and attacking at close range. I have Gong Jin alone, who can compare with Zhang Su and Han Xin, so why worry about not succeeding?"
Huang Gai was already so excited that his beard was shaking. He stood up and clasped his fists and said, "Huang Gai is willing to be the pioneer in this great cause of opening up new territories."
"No!" Zhou Yu stood up and gestured for the two of them to sit down, and said: "This matter is related to the great cause of Jiangdong. We must act with caution and never alert the snake. This time, I will lead the army alone. I will only lead the young generals in the army. The veteran generals are not allowed to be used." , you should follow your lord to Huainan to fight with Cao Jun to avoid suspicion."
Sun Quan was stunned again: "Is he taking charge personally?"
Zhou Yu nodded and said: "My lord, if you go on a personal expedition, you will show your determination to enter the Central Plains, and Liu Qi will send out all his troops. This battle will definitely change the pattern of the Central Plains. If your lord does not participate, won't you regret it for the rest of your life?"
"This..." Sun Quan was eager to try, but felt a little guilty, "Does Gong Jin think it's feasible?"
Zhou Yu said with a smile: "My lord, Wen Tao, took charge of Jiangdong at the age of eighteen and promoted talents. How many people have been able to do so in ancient times? Although there were small setbacks before, victory or defeat is a common thing for military strategists. How can it be righteous? Cao Cao was a thief in Puyang. , Xuzhou, and Nanyang were all severely defeated, almost unable to recover, but they were still able to defeat and fight again and again, and survive from desperate situations. If my lord can conquer the world in one battle, he will naturally win the praise of the world."
"The Governor's plan requires the full support of Jiangdong!" Sun Quan chuckled and stroked his beard: "Gong Jin is willing to go deep into the East China Sea and risk his life. Even if I lose three or five times, what's the matter?"
Zhou Yu said with a smile: "My lord, why do you say this? Today Zhang Liao is in Runan, Cao Cao is going north, and there is only Xiahou Dun in Huainan. My lord has Lu Meng and others as generals, Lu Su and Lu Xun as military advisors, and Xiahou Dun is always defeated. How can it be justified?" "
Sun Quan's confidence suddenly increased, he nodded and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Gong Jin, if you can seize the opportunity to enter Xuzhou, I will not hesitate. However, your trip is very dangerous, so be careful, Jiangdong must be without Zhou Lang!"
Zhou Yu cupped his fists and said, "I have been entrusted by Bo Fu to assist my lord in achieving great things. I should be loyal to Jiangdong with all my strength, even if I go through fire and water, I will not hesitate."
Sun Quan suddenly found the opportunity to take control of the Central Plains. He was a little impatient. He didn't know where to start for a moment and asked hurriedly: "For the current plan, which thing should be taken first?"
Zhou Yu said: "Since we first made an alliance with Liu Qi and then contacted Gongsun Kang, I temporarily stayed in Chaisang to recuperate. When my injury recovered a little, I secretly went to Qu'a and dispatched elite troops to take the opportunity to go north. My lord personally conquered Huainan and waited for an opportunity to take the Central Plains to contain Cao's army. , when someone takes Yuzhou Island, he will act accordingly."
Sun Quan was overjoyed and immediately sent someone to Jiangxia to contact Liu Qi and agreed to meet at Fankou the next day to discuss important matters.
