The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 394 Zhou Yu earnestly persuades Sun Quan to forcibly summon Xun You to Baima Ford (2nd update)
Sun Quan was greatly alarmed: "Gongjin, where did you hear this rumor?"

Without hesitation, Zhou Yu replied, "It was rumored in the palace."

In the palace?

Sun Quan's face instantly darkened: "Does Gongjin actually have acquaintances in the palace?"

Upon hearing Sun Quan's question, which was brimming with suspicion, Zhou Yu couldn't help but sigh, "I never imagined that Consort Sun would be so estranged from the General."

Sun Quan's expression changed again: "Gongjin, what makes you say such a thing?"

Sun Quan vaguely guessed that it must have been Consort Sun who secretly sent a message to Zhou Yu, otherwise, given Zhou Yu's style of doing things, he would not have abandoned Liu Bei and returned to Xuchang.

Zhou Yu then handed the secret letter sent by Consort Sun to Sun Quan, and said, "General and Consort Sun are siblings, far superior to Xun Yu and Xun You, uncle and nephew. However, seven days have passed since Consort Sun heard the news until she sent someone to Chenliu to summon me back to Xuchang. If something happens in Xuchang during this time, then General will be in danger."

Sun Quan felt a chill run down his spine. If Zhou Yu had not returned and something had happened in Xuchang, Sun Quan might not have been able to control the situation.

However, the matter of Xun You's collusion with Fu Wan was shrouded in mystery and puzzled Sun Quan: "Xun You has always been wise, so how could he have let my younger sister know the news so easily? Perhaps Fu Wan wanted to get rid of Xun You and did it on purpose."

Sun Quan's guess was not without reason. Many people in Xudu hoped that Xun Yu and Xun You would die. Fu Wan, seeing that Empress Fu was being pressured by Consort Sun, was indignant and took his anger out on Xun You, so it was reasonable for him to plot to kill Xun You.

Seeing that Sun Quan avoided talking about his estrangement from Consort Sun, and even took the initiative to find excuses for Xun You, Zhou Yu's heart became even more gloomy.

Zhou Yu actually had a hard time understanding Sun Quan's mindset.

The son of a powerful family in a remote part of Jiangdong rose to become a great general, and even the powerful Xun family of Yingchuan was willing to submit to his orders. This sense of pride made Sun Quan extremely fascinated.

Just like Dong Zhuo in the past, even after deposing the emperor, he was reluctant to kill the officials from powerful families in the court. He became arrogant after being praised by Wang Yun and others, thinking that the world was in his hands. It was only because of this that he was caught off guard and was killed by Wang Yun's scheme.

Sun Quan's mentality is similar to Dong Zhuo's. For Sun Quan, killing Xun Yu and Xun You is far less satisfying and fulfilling than controlling them.

The inferiority complex stemming from such a humble origin and high position was something that Zhou Yu, a talented individual from a prominent family, could not comprehend.

Therefore, in Sun Quan's mind, Xun Yu and Xun You, uncle and nephew, had always been trying to please him, both mentally and physically, and did not seem like they would rebel.

Since the rumors originated from within the palace, the only possibility is that "Fu Wan is framing Xun You."

Sun Quan's words left Zhou Yu speechless. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, and he understood why Consort Sun would rather send a letter to Chenliu than tell Sun Quan directly.

Given Sun Quan's attitude, even if Consort Sun talked herself hoarse, she wouldn't be able to convict Xun You.

On the way back to Xuchang, Zhou Yu also discussed Xun You's intentions with Lü Meng.

Such a flawed conspiracy could not possibly be of Xun You's caliber. Either Fu Wan was framing Xun You, or Xun You did it on purpose.

If it were only the former, it wouldn't be a bad thing; on the contrary, it would be an opportunity to depose Empress Fu. But if it were the latter, then Xun You's scheme would be far more complex. Lü Meng had guessed that Xun You's target was Zhou Yu, but Zhou Yu believed that if Xun You eliminated him, no one could stop Liu Bei, which was not in Xun You's interest.

Despite much speculation, Zhou Yu was unable to decipher Xun You's true intentions.

Unable to guess Xun You's intentions, Zhou Yu simply used the most direct and simple method: as long as Xun You was eliminated, the risks associated with Xun You could be avoided.

"What is the situation in Jingzhou?"

Instead of stating that Xun You must be killed, Zhou Yu shifted the topic to the situation in Jingzhou.

Although Sun Quan had doubts, he did not ask too many questions. He briefly described the situation in Jingzhou and also told Zhou Yu about Xun You's conclusion that "Zhuge Liang's intention is Xuchang rather than Xiangyang" and Xun You's desire to personally lead troops to Luoyang to resist Pang Tong.

Finally, he added, “Gongjin, I know you have never trusted Xun Yu and Xun You. However, based on my observation, these two are not loyal to Cao Cao. They merely want to use Cao Cao to maintain the legitimacy of the Han emperor and achieve their goal of using the emperor to command the disobedient. Now that I am in Xuchang, I can do what Cao Cao can do. Why would Xun Yu and Xun You betray me? Let's not discuss this matter further. It must be Fu Wan framing Xun You. Now Zhuge Liang is eyeing Xuchang covetously, Pang Tong is attacking Luoyang, and Liu Bei may march south at any time to compete with me for the emperor. Gongjin, you should return to Chenliu as soon as possible to take charge of the overall situation, lest you give Liu Bei an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.”

Zhou Yu frowned.

While in Chenliu, Zhou Yu was unable to obtain timely intelligence from various parties, and Sun Quan also failed to share military intelligence from Luoyang and Nanyang with Zhou Yu in a timely manner. As a result, Zhou Yu could only confront Liu Bei in Liyang alone and was unable to take overall control of the situation.

Now, having learned of the military situation in Luoyang and Nanyang from Sun Quan, Zhou Yu has a new suspicion about Xun You's intentions.

"Liu Bei has been delaying his southward journey from Liyang, likely waiting for an opportunity. If Xun You intends to lure Liu Bei into Xuchang and deliberately colludes with Fu Wan to provoke the Grand General, the Grand General will surely depose Empress Fu in his rage. In this way, Liu Bei can use the pretext of the Grand General's disrespect for the Empress to issue a proclamation to the commanderies and kingdoms of Yan and Yu to attack the Grand General."

Although Liu Bei had a secret edict hidden in his belt, the edict was actually meant to punish Cao Cao.

Now that Sun Quan is the Grand General of Xuchang, Liu Bei can no longer use the pretext of the imperial edict in the belt to attack Sun Quan. Without this pretext, the counties and kingdoms of Yan and Yu will not respond to Liu Bei.

If we fight city by city, who knows how long it will take.

When attacking and seizing cities, most cities were ultimately persuaded to surrender by appealing to the greater good, thus allowing both sides to save face.

The real battles will only take place on a specific battlefield.

Having figured this out, Zhou Yu became increasingly convinced that Xun You wanted to collude with Liu Bei rather than help Cao Cao reclaim Xuchang.

But Sun Quan thought such speculation was far-fetched.

Even if Zhou Yu said that Xun You still missed his former master Cao Cao, there was still some credibility to it. Colluding with Liu Bei? What benefits could Liu Bei offer Xun You? Did Liu Bei really entrust Xun You with important responsibilities after taking Xuchang?
Most importantly, Sun Quan believed he had treated Xun You with great respect. If Xun You disregarded his former lord Cao Cao and instead colluded with Liu Bei, it would be a slap in the face to him, the great general.

Am I, a great general, inferior to Liu Bei?
A sneer rang out, and Sun Quan dismissed it, saying, "Gongjin, you are overthinking it. I have treated Xun You well, so how could Xun You possibly collude with Liu Bei?"

“General, the current situation is chaotic. A slight misstep could lead to a disastrous decision. We must be on guard.” Zhou Yu was even more troubled by Sun Quan’s continued trust in Xun You, but he could not ignore the situation. So he suggested, “Since Xun You is loyal to you, General, why not send him to Baima Ford? If Xun You really wants to collude with Liu Bei, he will surely reveal his true intentions. If Xun You has no such intentions, I will personally visit him to apologize.”

(End of this chapter)