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

The news of Zhou Yu's death spread throughout Jiangzuo within a few days.

Within Nanxu City, the streets and alleys were adorned with white mourning clothes, and outside the Wu Hou Mansion, carriages and horses were constantly arriving, with mourners thronging the streets.

Among them was Pang Tong, also known as Pang Shiyuan.

Pang Tong, dressed in plain clothes and traveling lightly with few attendants, rushed from Lujiang to Nanxu overnight.

Although he and Zhou Yu were not close friends, he always respected Zhou Yu's talent and strategy. He had also heard that Zhou Yu had strongly advocated attacking Shu and was loyal to Jiangdong, which made him feel emotional and sad.

more importantly--

His trip was originally for the funeral of Zhou Yu, and he also took the opportunity to observe the situation in Jiangdong.

With Zhou Yu dead, Jiangdong was in chaos, a time when "wise men should choose their masters".

Pang Tong knew clearly that if Jiangdong could be stabilized with the help of Zhou Yu, he might be able to find a way out; if things fell into chaos, he would have to find another way.

However, no one expected that Pang Tong's condolence would lead to such an embarrassing situation.

Lu Su first greeted Pang Tong at the post station. Upon seeing Pang Tong arrive, he sighed inwardly and quickly led him into the mansion.

When Sun Quan heard that Zhou Yu's old friend had come, he wanted to meet him, but he was already in a state of turmoil after just handing over Nan Commandery, and was exhausted both physically and mentally by Gu Sulin's negotiations. At this moment, he was full of anger and had nowhere to vent it.

After Pang Tong entered the hall and performed the proper rites, Sun Quan glanced at him and, finding his appearance unadorned, immediately lost interest in recruiting him. He said in a detached tone, "Shiyuan has come from afar, intending to offer condolences for Gongjin. You may enter and offer sacrifices first."

Pang Tong thanked the emperor, then turned and entered the mourning hall to offer incense and pay his respects to Zhou Yu.

After the ceremony, he returned to the hall, sat down to one side, and waited for Sun Quan to ask him questions.

At this moment, Sun Quan was feeling depressed. Although he knew that lending out Nan Commandery was a temporary measure, he still felt the pain. Gu Sulin's words were sharp, and although he was persuaded, he felt constrained. In addition, Zhou Yu had just died, and the pillar of the state had broken. His heart was filled with grief and indignation, which was hard to calm down.

Pang Tong observed this, his fingertips gently twirling the hem of his plain robe, secretly pondering: "Lord Wu is overwhelmed with grief at this moment. If I were to offer words of comfort, perhaps I could do my part."

So he said in a deep voice, "Lord Wu, Commander Zhou was a man of both literary and military talent, a hero of exceptional stature, truly a top-notch general in Jiangdong. Now that the Commander has passed away, Jiangdong has lost an arm, but Lord Wu has the world in his heart, and his old troops are still here. There is no need for excessive grief. He will surely be able to carry on his legacy, pacify Jiangdong, and secure the south."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Quan's already agitated heartstrings were suddenly plucked.

These words were meant to comfort, but to Sun Quan, they sounded like thorns.

Zhou Yu has just died, and you say "there is no need to grieve excessively"? Nan Commandery has just been lost, and you say "the old troops are still here"?

However, upon closer reflection, Pang Tong's reputation for talent is widespread, so it might be worthwhile to test him.

Sun Quan suppressed his anger and asked, "How do you compare to Gongjin?"

Pang Tong didn't take it to heart, and simply smiled and said, "My knowledge is quite different from Zhou Yu's."

Sun Quan suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp, and his tone abruptly turned cold:

"Pang Tong! Have you come here to mourn Gongjin, or to gloat?"

Pang Tong was taken aback, his expression one of astonishment: "Why does Lord Wu say such a thing? I had no such intention. It's just that Gongjin has recently passed away, and for the sake of the greater good of Jiangdong..."

"For Jiangdong?" Sun Quan interrupted sharply, his voice rising, filled with suppressed anger. "Zhou Yu has just died, and Nan Commandery has fallen! Jiangdong is now without a capable general within, and Cao Cao is eyeing us from the outside. You, Pang Tong, a talented man, offer no advice, but only come to persuade me to 'carry on his legacy,' spouting empty words of comfort!"

He abruptly stood up, pointing at the palace gate: "And now you're saying your learning is different from Gongjin's? Are you looking down on me, the Grand Commander of Eastern Wu?!"

Pang Tong's face instantly turned ugly, and he felt a surge of grievance, but he had no choice but to suppress it.

He did not understand Sun Quan's state of mind at that moment. He had no intention of offending Sun Quan and was only trying to comfort him. However, Sun Quan accused him of "gloating" with a single sentence and then drove him away. Naturally, he was extremely frustrated.

Seeing this, Lu Su quickly stepped forward to persuade him: "My lord, Mr. Shiyuan did not mean it that way, it's just that..."

"Zijing, do not speak." Sun Quan waved his hand, his gaze fixed on Pang Tong. "I have long heard of Pang Tong's talent. However, his actions today were frivolous in speech and arrogant in attitude. He is not a man Jiangdong can rely on."

He turned to the guards and gave the order in a deep voice:

"see a visitor out."

Once a word is spoken, there is no room for argument.

The officials from Jiangdong in the hall looked at each other, some with disdain and others with regret.

Pang Tong stood there, looking embarrassed, but his mind was in turmoil.

I came here with sincere condolences, but I was driven out of the house.

I have my heart set on Jiangdong, yet I'm accused of gloating?

I possess a wealth of knowledge, yet I am accused of speaking frivolously.

It was precisely the time when Jiangdong needed talent the most, yet you let me go for nothing because of this momentary emotion?

Feelings of grievance, anger, resentment, and frustration welled up inside him. His fingers clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and even his breathing became heavier.

He bowed to Sun Quan, his voice trembling, yet his spirit remained dignified:

"Since Lord Wu has this intention, Tong should go himself."

But Lord Wu, please remember this well—

"Jiangdong has lost my Pang Tong today; if we face danger in the future, it will be too late to regret it."

Having said that, he turned and strode out of the Wu Marquis's residence. His back was straight, his expression was cold, and a surge of anger had indeed risen in his heart.

Pang Tong had just stepped out of the Wu Marquis's residence and hadn't gone far when his wrist was gently pulled. Turning around, he saw it was Lu Su, followed by two attendants, all looking hurried.

"Shiyuan, please wait." Lu Su's voice carried a hint of regret as he pulled him aside to a quiet spot, away from the passing servants. "Just now, our lord was in a fit of rage and his words were inappropriate. We hope you will forgive him, sir."

Pang Tong frowned slightly, his tone tinged with grievance: "Zijing, I sincerely mourned Gongjin, why am I treated like this?"

Lu Su sighed softly and said bluntly, "Shiyuan, you may not know this, but it's not that you lack talent. There are actually two reasons why our lord finds it difficult to use you."

He paused, then slowly said, "Firstly, our lord has been troubled by the handover of Nan Commandery and the alliance, and with the passing of Gongjin, his mood is already not good. Your words were too direct and touched a nerve with our lord. Secondly, our lord has always been wary of Gongjin's old subordinates. You are an old acquaintance of Gongjin and have served under him as a clerk. You are Gongjin's confidant, so our lord is bound to have many concerns. It is not that he really denies your talent."

Upon hearing this, Pang Tong's expression softened slightly, but he was still unwilling: "To abandon such a great talent just because of a moment of impulse?"

"No," Lu Su waved his hand, his tone sincere. "Our lord is not abandoning talent, but the current situation is complicated, and he ultimately cannot escape the thought of protecting Jiangdong first, and is unwilling to use a genius who is difficult to control."

He then changed the subject, his words carrying a deeper meaning: "Shiyuan's talent is far from being confined to a pond. If he stays in Jiangdong, he will only be a pearl hidden in the dust. Now that Liu Bei has established himself in Jingzhou and is an ally of our Eastern Wu, if you go to Jingzhou to join him, you will surely be given an important position."

Pang Tong remained silent for a moment, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes, before a glimmer of light quickly returned: "Liu Bei? Can he really tolerate me?"

"Indeed," Lu Su said with certainty. "Liu Bei is known for his benevolence and is currently in need of capable people. If you go to serve him, you will be able to fully display your talents and strategies."

He paused, then added, "Furthermore, your going to Jingzhou will also contribute to the Sun-Liu alliance. It won't be considered a betrayal of Jiangdong; on the contrary, it will strengthen the bond between the two factions, which is also what I wish for."

Looking at Lu Su, Pang Tong's grievances gradually dissipated, replaced by a brighter outlook: "I will never forget your kind words, Master Zijing. If I can truly be valued by Liu Bei, I will certainly live up to your expectations and the great cause of the alliance."

"Good!" Lu Su smiled and handed over a pre-written letter of recommendation. "Gu Zimou, under the command of the Imperial Uncle, is waiting at the post station for the handover of Nanjun. Take this letter with you and tell him that I recommend him so that you can return to Jingzhou with him."

Pang Tong accepted the letter and solemnly bowed, saying, "Thank you, sir."

Lu Su patted him on the shoulder and did not try to persuade him to stay any longer—he knew that keeping Pang Tong as a person would not retain his ambition. It would be better to give him a clear path, which would both preserve his reputation for valuing talent and strengthen the Sun-Liu alliance, killing two birds with one stone.

Pang Tong put away the letter and turned to head towards the post station.