Tiger Owl

Chapter 288 Jiangdong Collapse
Sun Quan went up to the city wall, where the newly appointed city garrison commander Xu Kun greeted him. Lü Fan had been dismissed from his position as city garrison commander but continued to serve as his chief secretary. With only Dantu County remaining in Jiangdong's territory, Lü Fan became the county magistrate, and he was no longer involved in negotiating with Cao Cao's army.

However, he was closely monitored by more than a dozen members of the "Wu Jian" group, making it difficult for Lü Fan to move an inch.

"Greetings, Lord Wu!" Xu Kun stepped forward and bowed.

Sun Quan asked with concern, "Has the other side acted strangely today?"

"Something is amiss; there are signs that enemy troops are beginning to assemble inside the military camp."

Because the negotiations broke down yesterday, Sun Quan was somewhat uneasy, so he came to the city wall today to check on things.

Sun Quan nodded. "Yesterday's negotiations were very unpleasant. I estimate that the other side will use a siege to put pressure on us, so you need to prepare for defense here."

"Please rest assured, Lord Wu, we will remain vigilant at all times!"

Sun Quan inspected the defenses again before leaving the city to prepare for his return.

His carriage was parked in front of the city gate, surrounded by mounted guards, and was protected very tightly, without a drop of water.

Sun Quan walked down the city wall along the passageway and, surrounded by a group of guards, quickly walked towards the carriage. This was the only loophole in Sun Quan's defenses, before he even got into the carriage.

Just then, a crossbow bolt flashing green light shot out with incredible speed. Caught off guard, Sun Quan was struck squarely in the neck with a "thud!" He cried out and fell backward.

Chaos erupted all around. "Assassin! Lord Wu has been assassinated!" The guards were in disarray. Some carried Sun Quan to a carriage to save him, while others searched everywhere for the assassin.

Xu Kun was terrified and ran down to check the situation. Suddenly, he remembered something and immediately shouted, "Close the south gate! Don't let the assassin escape!"

At this moment, a young man who looked like a waiter in a restaurant was standing by the south gate. He was looking in the northwest direction when suddenly, a wisp of black smoke rose in the northwest.

The young man immediately turned and walked towards the south gate of the city. No one checked him, and he left the city without a word.

As soon as the young man left the city, cavalrymen rushed up, raised their command arrows, and shouted: "The city garrison commander orders that the south gate be closed immediately, and no one is allowed to enter or leave!"

The south gate slammed shut, and the drawbridge was raised.

Sun Quan was shot in a vital spot by an arrow, and the arrowhead was coated with a deadly poison that would kill on contact with blood. Before he even reached the Wu Marquis's residence, Sun Quan had already breathed his last.

In Chaisang, inside the residence of Gan Ning, Xu Wei burned incense to calm his mind and cast a divination using three copper coins.

She glanced at the divination results and was greatly surprised. She immediately got up and ran to Gan Ning's study.

"Husband!" Xu Wei called out as he pushed open the door.

Gan Ning was sitting at his desk reading a book when he looked up and saw Xu Wei running in breathlessly. He put down his book and asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"

"My lord, something big may be happening in Jiangdong."

"Something big has happened?"

Gan Ning laughed. He always knew that his wife liked to tell fortunes, and sometimes she was very accurate.

"what happened?"

Xu Wei hesitated for a moment before saying, "Jiangdong... Jiangdong lost its owner."

Gan Ning frowned deeply. If something really happened to Sun Quan, then Jiangdong would be completely finished.

The following afternoon, Gan Ning received an urgent and crucial message from the Western Chu liaison office: Sun Quan had been assassinated. This news shocked Gan Ning, who remained stunned for a long time. He suddenly realized that it was very likely that he had attacked the water fortress first, and in order to take Jiangdong as soon as possible, Cao Cao had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure.

The Jiangdong regime completely collapsed the day after Sun Quan's assassination. Almost all officials demanded surrender, and even Lü Fan, the representative of the anti-Cao Cao faction, remained silent. Under immense pressure, Wu Guotai had no choice but to order surrender.

The city gates opened, and under the leadership of Zhang Zhao and Xu Kun, 80,000 troops surrendered. Cao Zhi personally accepted the surrender of the Jiangdong army.

Cao Cao's 30,000 troops entered the city and took over the defense of Dantu County, which meant the end of Jiangdong.

In the afternoon, Sun Ben went directly to Cao Zhi, his face full of resentment, and his dissatisfaction finally erupted.

After Cao Zhi crossed the river to Jiangdong, Sun Ben realized he had been tricked. His 40,000-strong army had been wiped out without his knowledge, and no one mentioned Cao Cao's promise to make him the new ruler of Jiangdong.

He felt depressed, angry, repressed, and dissatisfied, but he remained silent until Jiangdong surrendered and Cao Cao's army took over Dantu County. However, he was not involved in anything. The extreme dissatisfaction that had been suppressed in his heart finally made Sun Ben stand up.

Cao Zhi received Sun Ben in the temporary official residence of the Marquis of Wu. Cao Zhi stood with his hands behind his back by the window, and the sunlight outside the window shone on his handsome and elegant face, making him appear even more dashing and outstanding.

Sun Ben handed over an agreement, saying, "This is the loyalty agreement that I signed with the Prime Minister many years ago. The Prime Minister clearly promised in the agreement to appoint me as the new ruler of Jiangdong. It has the Prime Minister's signature on it."

Cao Zhi glanced at the agreement and smiled faintly, "I understand General Sun's feelings. Since my father has agreed, he will not go back on his word. However, we have just taken Jiangdong and the situation is in chaos. Why can't General Sun wait a little longer?"

Cao Zhi's attitude made Sun Ben feel a little better. He then said, "I know the situation is very chaotic right now, and I am capable of stabilizing it. Why doesn't Young Master Zhi let me participate in stabilizing the situation in Jiangdong?"

"This is not a decision I can make on my own; I need to consult my father. General Sun, please be patient; I will send a message to my father by pigeon tomorrow!"

Now that Cao Zhi had made his stance clear, Sun Ben bowed and took his leave.

As soon as Sun Ben left, Cao Zhi summoned Xun You and told him about Sun Ben's affair.

Xun You sneered, "What is this overconfident fellow thinking? He actually wants to be the ruler of Jiangdong? Is he still dreaming?"

Cao Zhi said worriedly, "But Father did promise him, it's in black and white. If we don't acknowledge it, won't it damage Father's reputation?"

Xun You knew that Cao Zhi was still relatively young and not politically mature enough, which was why the Prime Minister asked him to assist him.

Xun You smiled and said, "There are many things written in black and white. The most recent one is the seven-year agreement, which the Prime Minister signed in his own hand. And what was the result? Agreements are always maintained by strength. Without strength, the so-called agreement is nothing but a mirage."

Cao Zhi nodded silently, and Xun You continued, "Regarding the handling of Sun Ben, we actually had a plan before we sent out the troops."

Cao Zhi quickly asked, "What plan?"

“There are two options. The first option is to make Sun Ben a nominal Marquis of Wu for two years as a transitional figurehead. He will have no real power and will only be a puppet. The Prime Minister will neither violate the agreement nor suffer any losses. After two years, he can be deposed.”

"What about the second option?" Cao Zhi asked again.

"The second plan is to appoint him as the governor of Danyang County, use his connections in Danyang County to stabilize the county, then have him lead the vanguard to attack Yuzhang County, thus weakening Gan Ning's strength, and finally eliminate him through Gan Ning's hands."

Cao Zhi nodded, "Both options are acceptable, but I actually prefer the first one."

Xun You smiled and said, "Let me ask the Prime Minister for instructions!"

The next morning, a message sent by pigeon left Dantu County and flew towards Xunyang County.

(End of this chapter)