Tiger Owl

Chapter 277 Xun You's Deadly Plan

That morning, Cao Cao finally met the person he had been waiting for: Zu Lang, the special envoy of the Yue people in Jiangdong.

Zu Lang was once subdued by Sun Ce, but he surrendered to Sun Ce, not Jiangdong.

After Sun Ce was assassinated, Zu Lang strongly urged that Sun Ce's son succeed him, but his appeal was ridiculed. Disheartened, Zu Lang resigned and returned to Shan Yue, continuing to serve as the chieftain of Shan Yue.

In recent years, Zu Lang had been observing Sun Quan's rule with a cold eye, becoming more and more disappointed. Although disappointed, he still cherished the old friendship and refused to be won over by Cao Cao several times.

Zu Lang's long-accumulated resentment finally erupted after Bu Zhi, one of his most respected officials, was persecuted and forced to flee Jiangdong. He accepted the court's reward and agreed to support Sun Ben in overthrowing Sun Quan's rule.

Zulang's special envoy was his son, Niu Kan'er, who was about thirty years old. He was tall and strong, with a striking appearance, especially high brow bones, and his eyes were like caverns.

Niu Kan'er knelt down and bowed deeply to Cao Cao, then presented Cao Cao with his father's letter.

Zu Lang expressed his sincerity in the letter, stating that he was willing to do his best to support Sun Ben and was even more willing to be loyal to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was overjoyed and immediately appointed Zu Lang as Marquis of Jingxiang and General of Sinan, and appointed Niu Kan'er as Commandant of Danyang.

Niu Kan'er was extremely excited and kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude.

Cao Cao smiled slightly, "Thank me with your actions! Make sure to take Wanling County within the time I set."

"Please rest assured, Prime Minister, we will definitely do it."

"Do not massacre the city, treat the people kindly, and do not tarnish my reputation in Jiangdong."

"sure!"

Niu Kan'er bowed, took his leave, and departed.

Cao Cao watched his retreating figure disappear into the distance, then coldly ordered, "The ban on Sun Ben's attack on Jiangdong can be lifted."

Cao Cao's order was delivered to Shouchun the next day, and Sun Ben was so moved that he shed tears.

He had waited and prepared for this moment for two whole years.

But this time it was completely different from his raid on Danyang County two years ago.

This attack on Jiangdong was ostensibly led by Sun Ben's army, but in reality, half of it consisted of Cao Cao's troops, and even the chief and deputy military advisors were jointly appointed by Xun You and Jia Xu.

The entire battle was planned and decided upon by the two men; Sun Ben only had the authority to command troops, but not the authority to make decisions.

Xun You was well aware that Jiangdong had built Niuzhu into an impregnable fortress in the past two years, and he was also well aware that Zhou Yu's naval power far surpassed that of Sun Ben's navy.

Xun You used a month to mobilize troops. He transferred 20,000 Cao troops and 20,000 Sun Ben troops to Hailing County. The 20,000 Cao troops were commanded by Cao Zhen, and the 20,000 Sun Ben troops were commanded by He Qi.

On the surface, they were flying the banner of He Qi, but the actual commander was Cao Zhen, and Jia Xu was also hidden in the army, secretly commanding this force.

Xun You's plan certainly had its deeper meaning. He Qi had actually secretly pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, so these 40,000 men were now completely under his control.

The other 40,000 troops were commanded by Yue Jin, the commander of Cao Cao's army, and Han Dang, the commander of Sun Ben's army. Nominally, Sun Ben was the commander-in-chief, but he could only command 20,000 of Han Dang's troops.

Thus, of the 80,000 troops, Cao Cao's army had already controlled 60,000, and even the logistics and supplies were under Xun You's control. Sun Ben had gradually been sidelined.

Xun You's most important trump card was to transfer 180 ships from Donglai County to the Yangtze River outlet in Hailing County.

These 180 ships were civilian vessels, but they were all forcibly requisitioned by the army to transport Cao Cao's troops.

In the middle of the night, 40,000 troops quietly boarded 180 ships, and all the food and supplies were also loaded onto the ships.

Before dawn, the fleet left the mouth of the Yangtze River and headed south towards Qiantang Bay.

This was the work of the tactical master Xun You. Sun Quan deployed all his troops along the Yangtze River, but Cao Cao's army made a feint and attacked his vulnerable rear along the sea route.

...........
Sun Quan had already learned that Cao Cao's main force was moving westward. This news delighted the peace-loving officials in Jiangdong, who naturally believed that Cao Cao was fulfilling his promise and bringing seven years of peace to Jiangdong. However, the military commanders were very nervous. They all knew that besides Cao Cao, the tiger, there was also a venomous snake coiled around them: Sun Ben, a snake that was constantly flicking its tongue at Jiangdong.

With Cao Cao's army moving west, Sun Ben had an opportunity. Sun Quan was aware of this, but he was not excited by Cao Cao's westward movement. He kept a close eye on Sun Ben's every move.

That afternoon, Zhang Zhao hurriedly arrived at Sun Quan's official residence, bowed, and said, "Reporting to Lord Wu, news has come from Jiangbei that Sun Ben's army and fleet are gathering in Liyang County."

As expected, they arrived. Sun Quan asked as calmly as possible, "How many troops and how many ships?"

"The army numbered around 40,000 to 50,000 men, and there were over 800 ships."

This number is consistent with their understanding. In the past two years, Sun Ben has shifted to a strategy of building an elite army, with a force of about 40,000 men. The army is well-equipped and the soldiers are highly trained, although there seem to be a bit too many ships.

Sun Quan frowned slightly. "How could he have eight hundred warships?"

"It's estimated that Cao Cao's army has provided him with some support."

Sun Quan's voice immediately turned cold, "Did Cao Cao violate the agreement?"

"It's hard to say. Cao Cao could say he provided the support before the agreement was signed, but we have no evidence."

Sun Quan returned to his seat and said as calmly as possible, "I understand. Have Gongjin lead the navy to keep an eye on things. If they show themselves, give them a good beating!"

When dealing with Sun Ben, Sun Quan showed none of the appeasement he had shown towards Cao Cao. He was decisive, ruthless, and more clear-headed than ever before.

"I'll arrange it right away!"

Zhang Zhao turned to leave, but Sun Quan seemed to remember something and called out to him, "Wait a minute!"

Zhang Zhao returned, bowed slightly, and waited for Sun Quan to ask him a question. Sun Quan slowly asked, "What's the situation with Gan Ning?"

"Reporting to Lord Wu, Gan Ning has entered a state of full combat readiness, mobilizing troops and generals, transferring armies from various regions to Chaisang, and his warships have blockaded nearly a thousand miles of the Yangtze River."

"The troops have all been transferred?"

Sun Quan sneered, "Isn't he afraid that Cao Cao's army will cross the river from Nan Commandery?"

"There shouldn't be any more Cao army ships in Nan Commandery. He's also blockaded the Han River, which is why he's so fearless."

Sun Quan pondered for a moment, then simply said, "Oh!" and added, "Understood, strategist, go!"

Zhang Zhao couldn't understand Wu Hou's thoughts, so he could only bow and leave in a hurry.

Just as Sun Quan was considering Gan Ning's matter, a guard walked up from below the hall. Seeing that the Marquis of Wu was deep in thought, he dared not disturb him. Sun Quan raised his eyes and stared at the guard, "What is it?"

The guard quickly bowed and said, "General Chen Wu has urgent business to discuss!"

Chen Wu was Sun Quan's most trusted confidant. He commanded 10,000 troops and was not only responsible for the security of the Wu Marquis's residence, but also, after Bu Zhi's defection, he was secretly ordered by Sun Quan to form an organization similar to Cao Cao's Office of Military Affairs and Gan Ning's Inner Guard, which was named "Wu Sword".

Chen Wu had something urgent to attend to? Sun Quan nodded, "Let him in!"

Before long, Chen Wu hurriedly entered, knelt on one knee and bowed, "This humble servant greets Lord Wu!"

"What's the emergency?"

"The old lady's trusted maid, Xiao Lan, has gone to the Xi Chu liaison office again."

Sun Quan's gaze turned slightly cold. This was the second time in ten days. He originally did not want to get involved in his mother's affairs, but now he was worried that Xiao Lan might be a spy planted by Gan Ning next to his mother.
He needed to figure it out. After a moment of contemplation, Sun Quan said in a deep voice, "Use the plan you mentioned before. Be careful not to disturb the old lady."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

(End of this chapter)