From Diao Chan's mouth, Sun Quan learned more or less what happened.
Liu Bei didn't want to make things big, and he didn't want to take risks, so he basically resorted to procrastination. How to save people, Diao Chan is mainly thinking of ways.
Of course, Sun Quan also had to thank Liu Bei. If Liu Bei hadn't helped delay it, the group of monks and Sun Jian would have left Jingnan and reached Jiaozhou further south for such a long time.
There are many doubts about this matter, and there are many details for Sun Quan to discover, but the biggest problem is only one -
Why was Sun Jian suddenly transferred today, ten years later?
Time was too short, and Sun Quan could only think of three possibilities.
1. The place where Sun Jian was hiding might be exposed, or even already exposed, so the other party had to move Sun Jian.
2. The mastermind behind the scenes failed to obtain the complete "The Art of War" after spending ten years, so he began to seek help from allies. The Buddhists in the Western Regions have a way to restore Sun Jian's sanity, or have a way to make the unconscious Sun Jian recite the entire "The Art of War".
In thirty or ten years, the mastermind behind the scenes had completely given up trying to pry out the complete "Art of War" from Sun Jian, but it would be a pity to kill Sun Jian. So, he changed hands and sold Sun Jian to the Buddhists in the Western Regions who were also interested in "Sun Tzu's Art of War" in exchange for certain benefits.
However, no matter which of the above possibilities it is, it only represents one fact - Sun Jian has been in the Central Plains for the past ten years!
"You just said that the group of monks were marching in the forest and did not deliberately cover up their traces." Sun Quan suddenly asked Diao Chan, "Then have you followed these traces back to see where these monks came from? ?”
As long as he could retrace the route of these monks, Sun Quan would be able to find the place where Sun Jian was originally imprisoned, or even the base camp of the mastermind behind the scenes!
"I have sent people to look for it, but there is no answer yet. There are still traces in the forest, but once you leave the forest, it will not be so easy." Diao Chan replied.
"As long as we find out where they entered the forest from, given the distinctive characteristics of this group of monks, there will always be witnesses." Sun Quan said.
Diao Chan nodded and didn't say any more on this topic.
The answer is indeed that there is no answer yet, but it does not mean that Diao Chan has no speculation. After following the ascetics for so many days, Diao Chan discovered that this group of people had a standard straight temperament. They went straight and headed in one direction with almost no detours.
This means that even if no traces are found, they can still be inferred to enter the forest based on their direction of travel. And the result of this inference made it difficult for Diao Chan to speak to Sun Quan, because it was on the border of Xiangyang!
Of course, entering the forest near Xiangyang does not mean that these monks came from Xiangyang. But just like Sun Quan said, the characteristics of these people are so obvious that there will definitely be witnesses. As for Cihang Jingzhai's control of Xiangyang, there was no similar information at all beforehand, which is enough to explain the problem.
It's dark under the lamp.
Who would have thought that when Sun Jian disappeared in Jingzhou, he might have never left Jingzhou!
——The end of the fantasy——
Back to reality,
An hour in the illusion allowed Sun Quan to understand the ins and outs of the situation, which was enough for him to calm down.
North bank of the Yangtze River,
"I want you to give the order to retreat."
Diao Chan's request rang in her ears. At this moment, Sun Quan had already made a decision.
The soldiers must retreat, but they cannot retreat!
"Send an order to Lu Su and Lu Meng, asking them to stay where they are for the time being and wait for my latest order. During this period, as long as Liu Bei's side does not come to raid the formation, our Jiangdong Army will not take the initiative to attack."
Sun Quan issued orders in an orderly manner,
"If you haven't received any new instructions from me after one month, it will be up to Lu Su and Lu Meng to decide whether to fight or retreat."
To save people on Liu Bei's territory, and also to seek some help from Liu Bei, it is necessary to retreat at this time. However, if Liu Bei is not given enough oppression, even if Sun Quan can rescue Sun Jian, Liu Bei may not let him and his son leave easily. By then, the large army approaching the city will be the confidence for Sun Quan to negotiate with Liu Bei.
Diao Chan frowned slightly, Sun Quan was too calm, which surprised her. Diao Chan originally thought that by raising conditions when Sun Quan's mood was at its greatest, Sun Quan would be able to make the biggest concession. Now it seems that Diao Chan is a little naive.
It seems that Sun Quan has cultivated his Taoist heart well.
Then, Diao Chan looked at the warships passing by on the river.
Sun Quan shook his head,
"The blockade of the Yangtze River cannot be withdrawn. I cannot allow Liu Bei's main force to cross the river and put my Jiangdong children in danger. However, I can allow a boatload of people to travel on the river."
Sun Quan wants to stop Liu Bei's army, but as for a small number of people, he can compromise. If you don't agree to any conditions, then there may be no way to negotiate.
"good."
Diao Chan has always been generous and will not bargain after achieving the original goal.
The two of them were talking to themselves here, but Bu Lianshi, who was supposed to be one of the protagonists, was very angry.
"Sun Zhongmou! I don't care what agreement you have reached, and I don't care whether you want to fight Jingzhou or not, don't forget your promise to me!" Trainer Bu shouted with his hands on his hips.
Sun Quan came to Bu Lianshi, grabbed Bu Lianshi's shoulders and said seriously,
"You go back to Jiangdong first, help me inform Zhou Tai, Pan Zhang, um, plus Ma Chao, and ask them to come here to support me. Remember, ask them not to bring too many people, so as not to let our friends misunderstand."
The second half of this sentence is for Diao Chan. This trip to rescue Sun Jian will never go smoothly on the enemy's territory. Sun Quan must leave enough backup for himself. Unfortunately, most of his masters are generals guarding one side. Sun Quan is cooperating with Cihang Jingzhai this time, and it is difficult to use people from the Demon Sect, so he can only choose these three subordinates whose temporary departure has no bearing on the overall situation.
Before Trainer Bu could refuse, Sun Quan said again,
"When I come back, I will not only fulfill your wish this time, but I will also promise you another condition."
"Okay! This is what you said, don't lie to me!" Trainer Bu looked directly into Sun Quan's eyes.
"A gentleman's word." Sun Quan solemnly promised.
Bu Lianshi felt Sun Quan's sincerity and turned his attention to Diao Chan. It was very rare that he cared about Sun Quan for once.
"Don't die outside."
Something that could make Sun Quan change his plan temporarily must be a major event. And the bigger things are, the more dangerous they are. Trainer Bu hoped to see from Diao Chan's face whether she had any intention of plotting against Sun Quan.
Unfortunately, Diao Chan has already reached the state of telepathy, and her face will not reveal any information.
After the simple arrangements were made, Sun Quan nodded towards Diao Chan. The two of them walked one behind the other, riding the waves of the Yangtze River, heading south, and soon they disappeared.
Arriving at a place where no one could see him, Sun Quan suddenly stopped. In Diao Chan's puzzled look, she assumed the posture of Zhu Bajie carrying his wife on his back.
Ahem, he acted like a gentleman.
Diao Chan's heart softened, the soft color in her eyes flashed, and she lay silently on Sun Quan's strong shoulder without saying anything.
"You've been traveling for a few days, so you should get some sleep first."
