Sun Quan waited for two hours at Ruxuwu, but did not wait for Jiangxia's warship to approach. Later, Lu Su explained the reason after returning.
Gan Ning returned to Jingzhou for a legitimate reason and failed to get rid of the guy who made him embarrassed. Sun Quan was a little disappointed after hearing this, but he couldn't pursue a backstab at this time, which would leave Liu Bei with an excuse.
Lu Su was secretly glad that he heard the news last night, otherwise he would have become an accomplice if he foolishly invited someone to destroy the Sun-Liu alliance today.
With Lu Su's wisdom, he certainly knew that Liu Bei's hero would sooner or later be the roadblock for Jiangdong to seize the world. However, the pros and cons must be weighed based on priorities. Cao Cao must not add another enemy before his strength is weakened.
Lu Su was honest and trustworthy, and Sun Quan had no doubt about him.
The friendly forces had withdrawn, and Sun Quan turned his attention to Cao Cao.
The two armies continued to confront each other at Ruxukou. Cao Cao relied on the continuous flow of grain and grass from the rear, and ordered Zhu Guang, the prefect of Lujiang, to farm on the front line, intending to fight Sun Quan for a long time. Sun Quan waited for the right time according to Chen Wu's advice.
During this period, Sun Quan sent people back to Jianye to rest and recuperate, and also went to the rear to raise and escort military supplies.
It has just entered February, and the spring rain is like crisp.
One evening, Sun Quan, accompanied by Lu Meng, patrolled the camp and found that the soldiers' bowls had too much soup and not enough rice. The faces of these Jiangdong boys were full of food.
"Ziming, Chen Wu and Pan Zhang have sent food successively. Why do the soldiers eat so poorly?" Sun Quan asked suspiciously when he walked outside the camp.
Lu Meng shook his head and said: "I don't know, the general, but Zibu is in charge of military supplies. Maybe he is deliberately saving rations? After all, these tens of thousands of people consume a lot every day."
Lu Meng knew too well that the family was not in good hands. At that time, he was spending military rations with Lai Gong in Jiaozhou, so he forced himself back to Jiangdong. Cao Cao was sitting on several states in the north, so it was hard to say how much food Jiangdong would consume.
Sun Quan nodded slightly and did not continue the topic. When he returned to the dock, he immediately summoned Zhang Zhao for questioning.
Zhang Zhao said calmly: "It is true that I have reduced my food rations. Although the spring rain has fallen, it will take some time for the water level in Chaohu Lake to rise sharply. If we don't tighten our food and clothing, it will be difficult."
"But when the soldiers are treated so harshly, where will the battle morale come from when the troops are actually needed?" Sun Quan asked worriedly.
Zhang Zhao smiled bitterly: "Last year, there was a large area of borers in the south, and rice production in various counties and regions was greatly reduced. The military rations we eat are all from the past. It is good to have a bite to eat. My lord, you must remember that kindness does not lead to troops."
Sun Quan was not a frugal person, nor was he kind to his soldiers. He just wanted to keep his fighting spirit high and defeat Cao Cao when the water in Chao Lake rose.
"It would be nice if it rained harder..." Sun Quan walked to the window, and the rain was pattering outside.
Zhang Zhaojin said: "Cao Cao has reached his twilight years and has become more and more stable. It is difficult for him to suffer another big defeat like Chibi. Even if my lord waits until the water in Chao Lake rises, Cao Cao's army cannot stay where they are. They can retreat to high ground." It only takes a few places, so we may not necessarily be able to kill many enemies.”
Sun Quan suddenly turned around. He only thought that the water in Chao Lake would rise sharply, so that the Jiangdong warships could sail unimpeded. He did not expect that Cao Cao could withdraw before the water rose. This would really be a waste of money and food for both armies.
"Fortunately, Zibu reminded me. Is there any clever plan to help me?" Sun Quan asked.
Zhang Zhao thought for a while and replied: "In the past two months, the refugees from Shouchun and Lujiang fled to Jiangdong, bringing with them a valuable rumor. I also heard it mentioned by the soldiers transporting food."
"What's the rumor?"
"Xun Lingjun, whom Cao Cao relied on, was forced to commit suicide by Cao's thieves in Shouchun..."
Sun Quan's eyes widened when he heard this, and he asked in disbelief: "I heard that Xun Yu has the talent of being a king's assistant. How could Cao Cao force him to death? Do you want to cut off his own arm?"
Zhang Zhao shook his head, "As I said just now, Cao Cao is now in his twilight years. He not only has to consider the immediate things, but also many things behind his life. It seems that someone asked Cao Cao to become a prince, but Xun Yu did not understand the current affairs and raised objections. , that’s why it ended like this..."
Sun Quan understood Cao Cao very well. With the power and reputation that the other party currently holds, wouldn't it be easy to capture the Duke of Jinjue? Xun Yu's move is indeed against the principles of a minister. His brother Sun Ce was just a general in the end. Now he is a general of chariots and cavalry. Maybe he can learn from Cao Cao and take a step further in the future?
"What does Zibu mean when he mentions Xun Yu's story..."
"Cao Cao will not take risks now. If my lord informs Chao Lake that the water is rising, do you think he will withdraw his troops early?"
Sun Quan frowned, "Tell Cao Cao of such important military information?"
"Hahaha, everyone around here knows this. Even if my lord doesn't say it now, how can he hide it from Cao Cao? Since we are not absolutely sure of annihilating the enemy, why should we waste food like Lu Ziming?" Zhang Zhao asked back.
"Can traitor Cao really retreat?" Sun Quan asked again.
Zhang Zhao nodded and said: "It's at least 70% possible, but if my lord can agree with Cao Cao's joining the title, now that Xun Yu, who opposed it, is dead, why won't he want to return?"
Sun Quan's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he thought to himself that Zhang Zibu was still very good at understanding people's hearts. The opportunity to become a Duke was right in front of him, who could resist? So he immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Cao Ying.
Now that Xun Yu has committed suicide, the mastermind Xun You has been ill for the past two years and did not follow Sun Quan in the eastern expedition this time. The other big nobles such as Zhong and Chen did not express their objections. Cao Cao was itching to join Wei Gong and only waited to defeat Sun Quan. Just go back and do errands.
Cao Cao was very surprised to receive a letter written by Sun Quan. This junior actually reminded him? There are only eight simple words in the letter: Spring brings prosperity, and the public should leave quickly.
Cao Cao was fascinated by the eight characters. Jiang Ji, who was sitting at the bottom, reminded: "Prime Minister, there seems to be writing on the back of the letter."
Cao Cao turned over the letter and read the same eight words: Congratulations to the Prime Minister on entering the public country.
"Congratulations Prime Minister, what does it mean for Sun Quan to enter the public country?" Cao Cao raised the letter and asked doubtfully.
Jiang Ji said happily: "Sun Cheqi invites you to join the Duke of Wei. Your lord's majesty has shocked the enemy chieftains, and he has been welcomed by everyone."
"Prime Minister, everyone expects this." The ministers, led by Jiang Ji, shouted in unison.
Dong Zhao, the chief historian on the side, had his eyebrows stretched. When the time comes, he persuades Sun Quan to be the first in the ranking list. After all, he is a chariot general of the Han Dynasty. It is more justifiable for the prime minister to enter the nobility.
Cao Cao saw that the civil and military officials were so excited. It seemed that everyone was impatient, so he thought about retreating. After asking about the situation in detail, he learned that the water level of Chao Lake had risen after the beginning of spring, and the vast area between Qibao Mountain and Ruxu Mountain It will be submerged, and the waters of Chaohu Lake will expand to the vicinity of Ruxushui mouth.
In the previous battles, Cao Cao's ships suffered heavy losses, so Cao Cao decisively ordered the withdrawal of his troops and returned north. He also ordered all the people in the counties and counties bordering the Yangtze River to the east to move into the Central Plains to prevent Sun Quan from harassing the southeastern border, and to maintain a strong posture to clear the country.
When the people heard about it, they panicked. More than 100,000 households, with their children and elders in tow, fled to Jiangdong. In the areas of Lujiang, Jiujiang, and Guangling, all ten houses were empty.
In February of the 18th year of Jian'an, Cao Sun ended the first Battle of Ruxukou.
