Jiangdong, Wujun.
At the Sun manor here, Wu Guotai's birthday banquet is being held.
From the outside, it's a picture of peace and harmony. Various prominent families are sending congratulatory gifts, and the Sun manor's attendants are busy recording them… as if the recent assassination of the Young Hegemon Sun Ce and Sun Quan's disastrous defeat at Jiangling City have already become distant memories.
Furthermore… with the veteran officials like Cheng Pu, Han Dang, and Huang Gai leading troops stationed near Wujun, it seems… in Jiangdong, the Sun family's dominant position remains unshaken!
What's more, this seems to send a signal that Cao's army is marching south… Jiangdong is not taking it seriously, remaining as stable as Mount Tai!
In this way, it can also quell the growing rumors in Jiangdong!
However… in stark contrast to the joyful atmosphere in the front courtyard, the rear courtyard is different!
Here…
In the rear courtyard of the Sun manor, within a spacious building, the patriarchs of the seven great families are arranged on both sides.
And in the center, Wu Guotai, abandoning her public smiles, is actually in tears.
"Today is the old madam's birthday? Why are you so distressed?"
Zhang Zhao immediately asked…
Although Zhang Zhao is not considered part of the seven great families of Jiangdong!
He is the spokesperson for the seven great families, and moreover, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Wen's ancestors were of the same lineage, hence… he is also considered a semi-manager for the Zhang family!
And it seems that ever since the Lu family was removed from the four great families of Wujun, Jiangdong has rarely referred to "the four great families of Wujun" or "the four great families of Kuaiji," but has instead called them the seven great families of Jiangdong.
At this moment, Wu Guotai wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief…
Her expression was filled with pain.
"Today is not actually the old lady's birthday. I just wanted to take this opportunity to invite all the patriarchs here for a chat…"
This…
Upon hearing this, everyone present immediately understood the underlying meaning.
What Wu Guotai wanted to say.
Could only be two points: one is… the issue of the Sun family's successor, but that's not urgent!
The other is the imminent threat… Cao Cao marching south!
It is known that Cao's army is marching south, led by Chen Deng, the governor of Guangling who recently defeated Sun Quan, with Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan, Cao Cao's clan brothers, serving as generals on two routes, heading downstream… their momentum is fierce, and it is heard that their troops number over fifty thousand, with over a hundred warships!
Ironically, these warships were all captured in Lujiang and Guangling city.
And with this…
It does not even include the thirty thousand troops led by Liu Xun advancing eastward from Lujiang. It can be said that at this juncture, with both routes advancing simultaneously, Jiangdong is under immense pressure!
And the Sun family of Jiangdong, after the two defeats in Lujiang and Guangling…
The remaining troops are fortunate to garrison the six commanderies and seventy-two counties of Jiangdong.
Where could they possibly resist the enemy head-on? The veteran generals like Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang are eager to fight, but unfortunately… a clever housewife can't cook without rice; there are not enough soldiers!
But… can they really let Cao Cao march right to their doorstep?
Therefore…
Wu Guotai intends to ask the various clans for assistance using this birthday celebration.
Of course…
At this time, facing the pressure from Cao's army, the various clans of Jiangdong are also hesitating and struggling, whether to surrender or resist? Of course… this choice is not difficult to make.
Most of the families, after a brief hesitation, shift their thoughts from whether to fight or not to whether to surrender or not!
"The old madam wants to talk about Cao's army marching south, right?" Zhang Zhao stated it plainly.
"Precisely." Wu Guotai nodded, looking at Zhang Zhao with anticipation. "What does Old Zhang think?"
This…
Zhang Zhao looked up at Wu Guotai, then lowered his head to exchange glances with the patriarchs of the various great families, and finally… let out a sigh, "Alas."
"Cao Cao is a jackal, and moreover, Yinlin's arrangement controls the world, often using the emperor to command the dukes. He uses the emperor's name to bully others. His strength may not be equal to Yuan Shao's, but his righteousness is superior! If we resist him, then… it would be no different from defying the imperial court, which would put the old general's entire family in a position of disloyalty and injustice, and further turn the situation into passive beating. This is not legitimate, nor is the argument sound!"
"Moreover, what our army can use to resist Cao Cao is only the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, but now… after the defeats in Lujiang and Jiangling, most of Jiangdong's ships have been captured by Cao Cao. Our navy now? Are we still his opponents? Sun Ce is bedridden, the morale of the entire army is low, and the hearts of the soldiers are scattered. Faced with Yinlin's psychological warfare, and Cao's army advancing by both water and land, it is not that we do not fight, but that we cannot fight! We cannot win! The previous two battles already illustrate the problem…"
"Why not send an envoy to welcome Cao Cao and surrender to the imperial court? This is also a strategy for survival and preservation!"
Zhang Zhao said a lot, but in essence, it all boils down to… the Young Hegemon Sun Ce and the Azure-Eyed Sun Quan, leading Jiangdong's elite, are no match for Cao Cao?
Wu Guotai? Are you expecting… these private armies held by our seven great families? This is like hitting a stone with an egg!
It's better to bow down early, live precariously, and surrender.
It's strange to say…
If, according to historical records, Cao Cao led an army of eight hundred thousand south, a group of families led by Zhang Zhao would lean towards surrender, but this time, with an army of only fifty thousand marching south, they were still scared witless.
"This…"
Wu Guotai wanted to speak but stopped…
How could she not understand?
In the final analysis, the various great families cared about their own family interests, considering things from the perspective of their families.
Whether the one surnamed Sun or the one surnamed Cao…
Who becomes the ruler of Jiangdong, they can accept, as long as their fundamental interests are not touched.
But…
To ask them to mobilize troops and their family's ancestral wealth to resist Cao Cao, then… it's two words: absolutely not!
"Do you all mean this?" Wu Guotai asked.
"Yes!" The patriarchs of the great families all echoed. "What Zibu said is in line with the will of heaven."
Wu Guotai pondered in silence…
Zhang Zhao continued with cupped fists, "Currently, the lord of Jiangdong is still unconscious. Madam, you need not be suspicious. If we surrender to Cao Cao, then the people of Eastern Wu will be at peace, and the six commanderies of Jiangdong can be preserved!"
At this point… Wu Guotai lowered her head and remained silent.
For a moment, she even felt a sense of pressure, a sense of coercion.
Behind her, Sun Quan and Sun Yi also had somber expressions. Sun Yi, being more hot-tempered, was about to stand up and argue with Zhang Zhao, but was stopped by Sun Quan.
The defeat at Guangling was due to the carelessness of the brothers. To argue at this moment would be no different from self-humiliation.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room became silent and strange.
After a while…
"Alas…" Zhang Zhao shook his head, "Old madam… the situation forces us, we also… alas…"
With continuous sighs, the people in the pavilion began to discuss, primarily the patriarchs of the various great families discussing how to surrender and how to preserve their own businesses.
And these voices made Wu Guotai, Sun Quan, and Sun Yi utterly annoyed.
They wished they could end this unpleasant "birthday banquet" immediately!
But just then…
"Hahahaha…"
"Hahahaha…"
A hearty laugh came from outside the door. After the sound of footsteps, a young man pushed open the door to the room. He walked into the inner chamber with his back straight, continuing to laugh.
Everyone followed the sound of laughter and looked…
It was none other than the patriarch of the so-called "Lu family," Lu Xun? Who else could it be?
It is said that on Wu Guotai's birthday today, families of all ranks were qualified to pay their respects. Although the Lu family had declined, according to the rules, they were still qualified, so Lu Xun could appear here.
Of course…
This is not important. What is important is that his eyes narrowed, and he coldly surveyed the other seven great families in the pavilion.
Then he mocked, "Is this the seven great families of Jiangdong? Listening to your discussions, it seems you are trying to force the old madam Sun to death!"
"You…" Zhang Zhao said coldly…
But before he could finish speaking, Lu Xun's words continued.
"Yes, if our families surrender to Cao Cao, Cao Cao will hand us over to the elders and folks for judgment. If we are not too unlucky, we will still be granted high positions and generous salaries, and we can still rise step by step, perhaps even reaching the imperial court!"
"Anyway, whether the Sun family or the Cao family rules Jiangdong, our families are all just employees. Surrendering or not surrendering naturally makes no difference? But… have you considered the Sun family? Have you considered General Sun, who did not hesitate to lead the charge to unify Jiangdong, and is now lying in bed after being assassinated by villains? Have you considered the Sun family's kindness to you?"
"If you surrender? Where do you plan to place the Sun family? You keep saying you are thinking of the old madam and the people of Jiangdong, but in reality, you are only thinking of yourselves. Old Madam Sun, and you two young masters Sun, you must open your eyes and not listen to their one-sided words!"
Whoa, whoa…
With Lu Xun's words pouring out, Wu Guotai, Sun Quan, and Sun Yi's eyes widened instinctively, their eyes flickering, and they were astonished.
Among the families in Jiangdong, the one who understands things best… is actually… is it the young patriarch of the Lu family?
This…
In an instant, both Wu Guotai and Sun Quan and Sun Yi felt a surge of goodwill towards Lu Xun, and even towards the Lu family.
"Lu Boyan, are you going against the will of heaven?"
Zhang Zhao shouted loudly…
In fact, at this moment, apart from the patriarch of the Kong family, Kong Zhu, the patriarchs of the other families all felt that Lu Xun's confidence was out of place.
Was he a monkey invited to be a clown?
He spoke so confidently, but… in reality, how can they fight? What can they use to fight?
And at this moment, Lu Xun's eyes were cold. He had already planned everything Zhang Zhao might say, because these arguments were clearly stated in his brother's recent letter to Chen Gongtai.
And he, Lu Xun, had already deciphered them one by one…
Indeed, Lu Xun was initially skeptical, thinking that so many families wanted to surrender, wasn't that great news?
Happy news!
However… his brother's intention was very clear: Cao Cao's army currently did not have the strength to swallow Jiangdong. Even if Jiangdong had a large number of appeasers, as long as those veteran officials remained, and the foundation was there, Cao Cao's naval warfare and the dual front war in the north against Yuan Shao were also major issues.
Even so… Lu Yu's plan to march south this time was merely an opportunity for Lu Xun, an opportunity for the Lu family of Jiangdong to rise!
"The will of heaven… hahaha…"
Lu Xun's voice rose again. "The efforts of three generations of the Sun family in Jiangdong have allowed them to dominate Jiangdong and occupy a thousand li of territory. Although the troops are insufficient now, there are many talented generals and the hearts of the people are united. With such favorable conditions, we should dominate the world, eliminate the rebels for the imperial court, and moreover, Cao Cao is actively seeking death this time? How can we surrender without fighting?"
"Zhang Lao's statement that resisting Cao Cao is resisting the imperial court is morally unsound. Cao Cao is called the Sikong of the Han Dynasty, but in reality, he is a rebel of the Han Dynasty. He is holding the emperor to command the dukes, not obeying the emperor's orders to command the dukes. For this reason, resisting Cao Cao does not mean resisting the imperial court! This reason is untenable!"
"Furthermore, although Cao Cao appears powerful in his bid for the Central Plains, in reality, his northern territories are not pacified, and the decisive battle with Yuan Shao is about to take place. How can he fully commit to a southern expedition to Jiangdong? In my opinion… his southern expedition this time is merely to test Jiangdong! It is a pity that this test alone has terrified your courage!"
Whoosh…
Lu Xun's words, reasoned and well-organized, made Wu Guotai, Sun Quan, and Sun Yi's eyes shine, and their chests filled with fiery passion!
It also made Zhang Zhao and the patriarchs of the various great families astonished.
Where did this confidence come from?
"You've said so much? But how can we repel fifty thousand of Cao's army?" Zhang Zhao retorted… "War between two armies is not about moving lips and tongues. If it goes wrong, it will lead to the suffering of the common people!"
Speaking of this, Zhang Zhao pointed at Lu Xun's nose and roared, "Lu Boyan, you tell me? Who will repel the enemy? Who?"
"Repel the enemy?"
"I… the Lu family, Lu Xun!"
Lu Xun stood tall. Although he was not yet twenty, the aura he exuded and the confidence in his words were astonishing.
"Although my Lu family does not have many soldiers, we still have over a thousand clansmen and retainers!"
"When disaster strikes, there is a lord above and a family below, and external enemies at the border, and thousands of common people within! At this critical juncture, if no one stands up, then… my Lu family, then I, Lu Xun, will stand up, even if it is to block thousands of chariots with the strength of a mantis's arm, I will not hesitate, and though thousands of people may go against me, I will go!"
Whoa…
Another deafening sound.
Sun Quan and Sun Yi's eyes widened, staring straight.
Zhang Zhao shook his head repeatedly. "Nonsense, utter nonsense… What if you lose?"
"Lose?" Lu Xun raised his hand and said, "If my Lu family loses, then there are other families who are not afraid of the powerful. If no family dares to stand up! Then the foundation built by three generations of the Sun family, and the last reliance of our Jiangdong will be gone!"
"Your Lu family will be destroyed!" Zhang Zhao continued!
"What does it matter if my Lu family is destroyed?" Lu Xun retorted sharply. "As long as the people of Jiangdong, and the tens of thousands of soldiers of Jiangdong can reignite their fighting spirit, then the blood of my Lu family will be shed worthily!"
Speaking of this, Lu Xun recalled a sentence mentioned by his brother in a letter and immediately shouted loudly:
"One day, the Yangtze River will see generals wiping tears all over the land. With my Lu family, it will be enough to strengthen the prestige of our Jiangdong navy… I sacrifice my blood to Xuanyuan!"
Boom…
These words, especially the last sentence, "I sacrifice my blood to Xuanyuan," made Sun Yi stand up abruptly. "Lu family men are great! I have three thousand retainers here, take them all!"
"You Lu family act as the vanguard, and my second brother and I will help you gather provisions and recruit soldiers from the rear to supply the front lines. It doesn't matter if we can't win, retreat to me, and I will decide the victor with Cao Cao!"
As Sun Yi's words came out…
"Swoosh!" Sun Quan also drew his sword. This was the fourth of the six divine swords he had forged, named "Meteor." He stood up, walked to Lu Xun's side, and said, "This sword is named 'Meteor.' I present this sword to you, young master, wishing you a triumphant return!"
Lu Xun put away the sword…
His eyes were firm.
He cupped his fists and replied, "I will certainly not disgrace my mission!"
With that said, he bowed again to Wu Guotai. "I came in a hurry today and forgot to prepare a gift for the old lady Sun. When the time comes, Lu Xun will definitely celebrate for the old lady Sun with the 'victory report of defeating Cao'!"
"Good… good…" Wu Guotai was so shocked that she didn't know what to say. Only a single "good" was enough to express the roar and turmoil in her heart.
Only Zhang Zhao…
He kept tapping his head. "Madness, madness…"
The other great families also whispered among themselves, discussing nothing other than their lack of confidence in the Lu family, and even less in Lu Xun!
Only the patriarch of the Kong family, Kong Zhu, narrowed his eyes…
He felt that this matter was outrageous, and besides being outrageous, it was also strange!
Just before, the Lu family treated money as dirt, and gave him three hundred taels of gold without batting an eye. Now, the Lu family dares to confront Cao Cao's army with just one family?
This Lu family… has something special about them!
Could it be… that mountain? Is it that ridge? Big Wind Novels
His eyes narrowed, Kong Zhu instinctively felt that he needed to contact the Lu family privately, perhaps… there would be surprises!
…
…
Jingzhou, outside Xiangyang, at a large mountain villa, in front of several grass furnaces.
A brand new wooden ox and a brand new flowing horse were placed here…
A man and a woman, two young people, were disassembling the secrets within step by step.
These two were Zhuge Liang and Huang Yueying…
And these wooden oxen and flowing horses were ingeniously smuggled from the Central Plains by Cai Mao.
Of course, very few craftsmen here could understand the principle of these contraptions.
Coincidentally, Huang Yueying asked her aunt for them, and her aunt mentioned it to Cai Mao, who kindly obliged and gave the wooden oxen and flowing horses to Huang Chengyan's family.
Jingzhou is a place where favors are everywhere.
"Mysterious, these gears are so mysterious." Huang Yueying was still wearing a veil, but her eyes narrowed, staring intently at the gears inside the wooden ox. "Such gears, it seems… are also mentioned in Mohist mechanical arts, but the difficulty of making them is very high, and they would not be as flexible as these wooden oxen and flowing horses!"
Speaking of this, Huang Yueying paused for a moment and looked curiously at Zhuge Liang. "Senior brother? Your elder brother Zhuge Kongming is quite capable!"
Uh…
Hearing this, Zhuge Liang felt a little awkward and quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
"Actually, he wasn't this capable before. I suppose he must have learned some skills in the Central Plains, at the Imperial Academy, these past few years!"
Not to mention, hearing Huang Yueying praise "Zhuge Liang," Zhuge Liang felt a bit envious of his younger brother!
Speaking of this…
Zhuge Liang seemed to see something else in the wooden ox and flowing horse and shook his head…
Even though these wooden oxen and flowing horses were placed before him, at his age… he had not yet mastered the arts of various crafts and could not fully grasp their intricacies.
Moreover, many of the principles involved… had never been tried in this era!
But, coincidentally, the effect was very good.
"Junior sister, it's better to ask Master for his guidance!"
"Okay!" Huang Yueying also gave up…
It was too difficult… they could only ask Master Shui Jing.
The two washed their hands and ran towards the interior of the mountain villa.
Unexpectedly…
As they approached their master's door, they saw their master walking out with a man in a white robe and a bamboo hat.
They were talking as they walked…
"Master, I am going to the northern border. On the one hand, it is to fulfill the regret of my life, and on the other hand, it is to revitalize the family. After this parting, I do not know when I will be able to visit you again!"
"As long as you are well, that's good, good… good!"
Master Shui Jing, Sima Hui, maintained his usual "good-natured gentleman" demeanor.
At this moment.
This man in the white robe and bamboo hat knelt down with a "clatter."
"Since I am going to the northern border, I will inevitably encounter Yinlin. I dare not disgrace Master's name, therefore, I will do my best!"
Whoosh…
It was obvious that when "Yinlin" was mentioned, this man in the bamboo hat's eyes narrowed, and his tone was firm.
Hearing this…
Huang Yueying curiously whispered to Zhuge Liang, "Who… who is he?"
"Gulp!" Zhuge Liang swallowed instinctively. "I have only seen him once. He is the first of the Eight Wonders of Shui Jing. I heard that… he comes from the Yuan family of Runan, but I don't know his specific identity!"
…
…