Three Reconstructions of the Han Dynasty: I Helped Zhuge Liang Perfect the Longzhong Plan

March has passed again. The late summer wind sweeps across the city of Nanxu, carrying the sweltering heat rising from the river, causing the branches and leaves in the streets and alleys to droop, and even the sunlight to appear dull and stagnant.

From dawn, the atmosphere in Nanxu subtly shifted. The number of armored patrolmen was several times greater than usual, the clanging of armor plates faintly audible. Residents closed their doors early, and merchants fell silent. An invisible tension enveloped the entire city.

Everyone knows that Zhou Yu has returned.

The Grand Commander of Jiangdong had just returned to the capital from the front lines in Jiangling and, without resting, went straight to the residence of Marquis Wu. The news spread, and the hearts of the people of Nanxu were filled with unease.

The mansion where Liu Bei lived, which was the site of the marriage alliance, was the first to be affected.

Outside the mansion, the number of sentries was quietly increased, and the servants' eyes became more cautious. They appeared to be sweeping and serving, but in reality, they were secretly keeping an eye on any movements. This gentle and peaceful courtyard had long become the focus of attention in Jiangdong, and beneath the gold and jade, undercurrents were surging.

In the small pavilion by the water, the bamboo curtain is half-rolled up, blocking out the summer heat and noise.

Liu Bei sat leaning against the railing, ancient books still spread out on the table, but he hadn't turned a single page for a long time. His gaze fell on the trees in the courtyard, his expression calm.

A full six months.

He entered Nanxu and married Lady Sun. He was treated lavishly by Sun Quan, with palaces, carriages, toys, and beautiful women all provided for him. He seemed to be enjoying great honor, but in reality, he was trapped in a state of constraint. This stay lasted for half a year.

"My lord."

A soft call came from under the eaves, calm and undisturbed, yet reassuring.

Gu Sulin entered the pavilion slowly, dressed in a simple blue robe, his steps unhurried and without a trace of panic. He stood beside Liu Bei, his gaze sweeping lightly over the outside of the mansion, his tone calm yet resolute: "Zhou Yu has entered the Wu Marquis's residence and is discussing matters in a private room with the Wu Marquis. The security in Nanxu is tightening, and it is aimed at us."

Liu Bei slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at the young strategist, his expression slightly somber: "Gongjin's arrival is certainly not with good intentions. He has always regarded me as a potential threat to Jiangdong. Now that he holds military power and enjoys great prestige, he will probably not let me leave peacefully."

"What you say is true, my lord." Gu Sulin nodded slightly, his tone steady. "But Zhou Yu is a man of unparalleled wisdom and strategy in Jiangdong. He plans his actions carefully before acting and is by no means a reckless person. He will not openly resort to arms, much less directly break the alliance—that would only force Jingzhou to rebel and invite Cao Cao south, which would be detrimental to Jiangdong in every way."

He paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, as if he could see through the high walls of the Wu Marquis's mansion and witness the conversation inside the secret chamber:

"Half a year ago, Zhou Yu devised a strategy to keep our lord in check, intending to secure our lord and Jingzhou before launching a western expedition to take Yizhou. Now that he has returned, it should be because preparations for the invasion of Shu are complete."

Liu Bei was slightly taken aback.

He assumed that Zhou Yu had deliberately trapped him there for so long, unaware of the underlying reasons.

"Now that his condition has improved slightly, he immediately rushed back to Nanxu," Gu Sulin said calmly. "The first thing he will do upon his return is to conquer Shu. The second thing will be the fate of our lord."

Liu Bei took a deep breath and lightly tapped his fingertips on the railing. Having spent half his life wandering and facing numerous dangers, he naturally understood the horror of being slowly boiled like a frog in lukewarm water. If he were truly trapped here for a long time, without Jiangdong even lifting a finger, he would gradually lose his edge and become a useless pawn in Jiangdong's hands.

"In Zimao's opinion, how should we respond?" Liu Bei asked, his gaze seeking guidance.

Gu Sulin lowered his eyes slightly, his tone calm yet unfathomable: "My lord, there's no rush. I made some arrangements in secret as early as when we entered Nanxu. We have people around Marquis Wu and his wife. These people are usually silent, but at crucial moments, they can become the key to our escape."

Liu Bei felt a slight tremor in his heart.

He originally thought that Gu Sulin was just following him around Jiangdong, taking things one step at a time, but he never expected that this person had already planted a foreshadowing that even he was unaware of.

"Those who plan great things must think ten steps ahead for every one step they take." Gu Sulin bowed slightly, adhering to the duties of a strategist. "My lord, rest assured, everything is under control."

A gentle summer breeze stirred outside the window, causing the bamboo curtains to sway softly, and the pavilion returned to silence.

Inside the Wu Hou Mansion, the secret room was brightly lit, and the atmosphere was heavy.

Sun Quan sat upright in the main seat, his purple robe exuding majesty. His gaze fell on the person below the steps, filled with respect as well as complex emotions.

The man below, still in his military uniform, travel-worn and weary, his brows furrowed with the weariness of his journey, yet unable to conceal the refined elegance of a scholar-general. His upright posture and sharp gaze were none other than Zhou Yu, the Grand Commander of Jiangdong.

He rushed back from Jiangling, but instead of returning to his residence, he went straight to the palace, which shows how serious the situation was.

"Gongjin, you must be tired from your journey," Sun Quan said first, with concern. "Jiangling has just been pacified, and the border defenses are not yet stable. You could have rested for a few more days. Why are you in such a hurry to return to the capital?"

Zhou Yu bowed respectfully, his movements swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. However, as he spoke, he still had a slight cough, a lingering symptom of his illness.

"My lord, the affairs of the state are of utmost importance, and Zhou Yu dares not slacken his efforts."

He raised his eyes, his gaze solemn, a hint of melancholy in his expression. "Moreover, this matter... has already been delayed for far too long."

Sun Quan was slightly taken aback: "What do you mean by that, Gongjin?"

Zhou Yu raised his hand and gently pressed his temple. Though his illness had lessened, the marks remained.

"Six months ago, Yu devised a plan to keep Liu Bei under control. He intended to keep him under control for several months, and once the lord had stabilized him in Nanxu, Yu would then organize his army in Jiangling, launch a westward expedition, take over Yizhou, and join forces with Zhang Lu and Ma Chao to create a situation where the world would be divided in two."

His voice was slightly low, carrying a hint of helplessness regarding his own illness:

"However, military affairs are complicated, and although I am afflicted with an old illness, I dare not entrust them to others. I have to carry out my duties while ill. As time went on, my illness not only did not improve, but worsened day by day. As a result, the preparations for the western expedition were forced to be postponed again and again. It was not until recently that my condition improved slightly and everything was finally ready."

Zhou Yu raised his eyes, his gaze sharpening once more. "I dare not delay any longer. As soon as I can get up, I will rush back to Nanxu to request permission from my lord to attack Shu."

Sun Quan sat bolt upright: "Gongjin already has a plan?"

"Indeed." Zhou Yu raised his eyes, his gaze intense, his tone resolute. "Cao Cao has just suffered a defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs and is unable to look south, which is the perfect opportunity for us to expand in Jiangdong. Liu Zhang of Yizhou is weak and incompetent, his wise men are disloyal, and his soldiers are disorganized. I request permission to lead an army westward with General Sun Yu of Suiyuan. After our success, I will leave Sun Yu to defend Bashu, and then I will return to join you in occupying Xiangyang, so that we can then expand northward into the Central Plains."

He stepped forward, his finger hovering over the surface, the entire layout of the sand table in his mind:

"In this way, everything south of the Yangtze River will fall to Jiangdong, the world will be divided in two, and we will be able to confront Cao Cao across the river, thus achieving hegemony!"

His words were grand in scale and profound in scope.

Sun Quan was deeply moved by what he heard, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light.

This was exactly the situation he had been dreaming of.

"Gongjin's ambition is truly a blessing for Jiangdong!" Sun Quan slammed his hand on the table, his voice trembling with excitement. "I approve! You must immediately return to prepare the army for war. I will personally oversee all expenses, provisions, and equipment!"

"Thank you, my lord!" Zhou Yu bowed respectfully, his expression solemn.

The grand plan to conquer Shu was thus finalized.

The atmosphere in the secret room eased slightly. Sun Quan calmed his mind and slowly sat down. Suddenly, he remembered something and looked at Zhou Yu: "Gongjin, the western expedition is settled, but what about Nanxu... what should we do with Liu Bei?"