Jiangdong, Chibi Grand Camp.
Yang Xiu was escorted into a hidden military tent. Although his hands were bound behind his back, his demeanor remained calm and imposing as he looked at the young governor in red robes before him.
Who else could this red-robed governor be but Zhou Yu?
Zhou Yu observed the young man before him with great scrutiny, even feeling a measure of admiration and respect for the hidden methods and unyielding courage this young man possessed.
Yang Xiu calmly asked, "This humble subject dares to inquire, what crime have I committed to be apprehended?"
"Hahahaha..." Zhou Yu chuckled, circling Yang Xiu once before opening his mouth. "Crime? To apprehend you? What need is there for a crime?"
"You are the Jian Jun Si Cao Yuan, Lu Ziyu's most trusted disciple and right-hand man, the legitimate son of the Hongnong Yang clan, who followed Jiang Gan... to serve as a clerk and come to Jiangdong... to steal intelligence and secrets. Any one of these would be enough not only to apprehend you but to mince you into meat paste, and it still wouldn't be too much."
Zhou Yu's words were spoken lightly.
These words caused Yang Xiu's eyes to widen in an instant.
"You... what are you talking about?"
"Still trying to quibble? 'Chicken Ribs'!" This appellation from Zhou Yu completely bewildered Yang Xiu.
Chicken Ribs…
Such classified information.
How could it be…
How could it be…
"Heh heh, you must be wondering how this governor knows these things." Zhou Yu smiled faintly. "Just because you can send spies to Jiangdong, doesn't mean Jiangdong cannot plant spies near Lu Ziyu?"
"Heh heh, do you underestimate Jiangdong too much?"
A spy near his esteemed master's side?
Yang Xiu's eyes widened, looking at Zhou Yu in disbelief…
If Zhou Yu hadn't pronounced his name so vividly, how could he have believed that Jiangdong had also planted spies around his master?
Then… who was the spy?
In truth, Zhou Yu didn't know who the spy was, as this information came from Lu Su, meaning Lu Su had spies planted in Great Wei.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Yang Xiu insisted, refusing to admit anything.
"Hahahaha!" Zhou Yu laughed. "When Jiang Gan left, you didn't, was it because you hadn't obtained the intelligence yet? But it doesn't matter... this governor is also very curious about how much of Jiangdong's affairs you actually know."
Saying this…
"Men!"
"Here!"
Several Jiangdong naval soldiers entered the tent.
"Take him away and pry everything he knows from his mouth. Do not hesitate to use torture!"
"Yes!"
As Zhou Yu commanded, Yang Xiu was led out by the soldiers.
Zhou Yu, however, had a glint in his eyes… It was as if… this time, he, Zhou Yu, had finally won a victory over Lu Yu!
The means of punishing Yang Xiu carried a touch of personal grievance!
…
…
North of the river, under the hazy moonlight, white frost covered the ground…
On a high platform, Cao Cao stood with his hands behind his back, a wine cup placed before him.
His expression was desolate, and he softly chanted:
"Singing and drinking, how long is life? Like morning dew, the past days are too many."
"Full of vigor, sorrow hard to forget. How to dispel sorrow? Only Du Kang."
Melancholy, Cao Cao appeared extremely melancholic…
Just like the last line – How to dispel sorrow? Only Du Kang!
What could dispel his melancholy?
Only by drinking could he find release…
Of course…
The reason for Cao Cao's continued melancholy was Chibi.
Just at noon today, he had discussed the Battle of Chibi with Lu Yu.
Cao Cao's idea was straightforward: the plague had stopped, the forces were unbalanced, cross the river and attack Chibi directly…
Victory could be achieved in one battle!
Naturally, as Cao Cao was not proficient in naval warfare, and Lu Yu was the current commander of Great Wei's navy, he had only made a suggestion to Lu Yu, not a command.
Who would have thought that Lu Yu would directly reject his idea?
The reason given was the risk was too great.
Both Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang were skilled naval commanders, and the Yangtze River was a natural barrier that the Jiangdong navy was more familiar with.
The initial victory was due to surprise and explained nothing. On the contrary… the same tactic could not be used a second time against Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang.
Moreover…
Most importantly, although the Long Xiao Camp navy was capable, the Jingzhou navy and the Xuanwu Pond navy were too weak in naval combat.
They were completely unable to assist the Long Xiao Camp navy in battle!
Given this, a direct assault would result in heavy losses and a low probability of success.
Lu Yu's words were already very polite and tactful… he was trying to save some face for the Xuanwu Pond navy!
But Cao Cao understood the meaning perfectly.
The Jingzhou navy had suffered heavy losses in the first battle, and the Xuanwu Pond navy, which should have stepped up, couldn't even stand steady on the swaying deck? How could they fight? Fight for what?
And the Long Xiao Camp had only a few thousand men, and less than a hundred ships…
If they fought in the river, with their warships and naval expertise, they might still have a chance!
But attacking a fortified position… that would be difficult.
After all, attacking a fortified position would inevitably mean facing the enemy's arrows from land…
The numerous points of attack were unfavorable for Great Wei's navy.
*Hoo…*
Cao Cao let out a long sigh.
Cao Cao thought of Lu Yu's suggestion.
"Do not attack proactively, wait for Jiangdong's Zhou Yu to make a mistake!"
This…
Yu'er's answer was ambiguous.
What if Zhou Yu didn't make a mistake?
Cao Cao shook his head helplessly and chanted again, "How to dispel sorrow? Only Du Kang."
Just then…
Xiahou Dun strode onto the platform. During this period, the Huben Army was still recovering, and Xiahou Dun had taken over the responsibility of guarding Cao Cao.
"Brother, the young master of the Pang family from Jingzhou, Pang Tong, requests an audience!"
*Hmm…*
Cao Cao looked up, slightly surprised…
And a little embarrassed.
After all, Pang Tong's severed arm was somewhat related to him.
"It is rumored in Jingzhou that if one obtains the 'Sleeping Dragon' or the 'Fledgling Phoenix,' they can obtain the realm. Now Liu Bei has the 'Sleeping Dragon,' and this 'Fledgling Phoenix' has fallen into my hands."
"Let him come, I would like to hear what insights this Fledgling Phoenix has!"
As he spoke…
Pang Tong was brought in.
This was the first time Cao Cao saw Pang Tong's face.
Before… when Pang Tong was severely injured, he had visited… but had not met Pang Tong himself.
Seeing him today… he was somewhat disappointed.
He was indeed not good-looking, even to the point of being hideous.
However, Cao Cao was also not good-looking, so he immediately laughed, "I have long heard of the Fledgling Phoenix's reputation. Meeting you today, you truly live up to your name."
Cao Cao glanced at Pang Tong, but ultimately turned his gaze elsewhere.
This Pang Tong had truly refreshed his understanding of the word "ugly."
Too ugly, so ugly that… his features seemed like a joke, yet they were clustered together incredibly tightly.
At this moment, Pang Tong bowed with one hand, his other arm still bandaged, and according to medical advice, it was best not to move it frequently.
"Shiyuan, there is no need to bow!" Cao Cao quickly said.
"King Wei," Pang Tong began, "I am indebted to the Nan Shou Hou for the restoration of my arm. I have no way to repay him. I heard that King Wei and the Nan Shou Hou are troubled by this Chibi battle situation, and after much deliberation, Pang Tong has a plan."
Hearing that it was a plan of strategy.
Cao Cao's eyes focused.
"Shiyuan, please elaborate."
"'Iron chains connecting across...'" Pang Tong presented the strategy of linking ships with iron chains. "I observe that Great Wei's navy has a great weakness, which is that northerners cannot stand steadily on deck. However, if all the ships are connected by iron chains, then the ships would be like flat ground, and northerners could move freely!"
*Hoo…*
Upon hearing this strategy…
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed sharply.
Not to mention… he was indeed tempted by this strategy.
"Shiyuan, come sit before me and explain in detail.
How to use iron chains, and how to connect them?"
…
…
The candlelight flickered within the tent.
Lu Yu was holding a copy of "The Spring and Autumn Annals," when suddenly he felt… that reading "The Spring and Autumn Annals" under the moonlight was quite a sophisticated thing.
At this moment…
The sound of footsteps approached.
It was Dian Wei…
"Young Master, King Wei met with Pang Shiyuan tonight!"
As soon as he entered the tent, Dian Wei reported quickly…
Lu Yu had specifically instructed him to keep an eye on King Wei's movements tonight and to report immediately upon meeting anyone.
"He met him, that's good…"
Lu Yu smiled faintly.
Dian Wei continued to report, "General Yuan Rang entrusted the warriors of our Long Xiao Camp to bring some words to the Marquis."
"Words…"
"He said that Pang Shiyuan proposed the strategy of linking ships with iron chains to King Wei, and King Wei was very interested."
Dian Wei's words continued to flow.
Lu Yu raised his eyes, "Is that all?"
His tone carried doubt, as this matter…
Seemed… insufficient for his good brother Xiahou Dun to specifically send warriors from the Long Xiao Camp to relay a message.
"There is more…" Dian Wei truthfully stated, "General Yuan Rang also said that Pang Shiyuan explained both the advantages and disadvantages of 'linking ships with iron chains' to King Wei. The advantage is that once the ships are connected by iron chains, the individual warships become a whole, and northerners on them would be like on solid ground, no longer hindered by the river's waves!"
"As for the disadvantage, once attacked by fire, the individual warships cannot spread out and would be instantly ignited by the fire attack!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu still nodded calmly.
Dian Wei was somewhat perplexed. He scratched his head.
"Young Master… why aren't you worried at all? If King Wei actually uses the linking of ships with iron chains, then a single great fire would be enough to destroy the entire Great Wei navy… Pang Shiyuan's strategy of linking ships with iron chains, although it has benefits, the disadvantages are more obvious, and he has already mentioned them!"
Looking at Lu Yu's calm demeanor, Dian Wei became increasingly puzzled.
At this moment, Lu Yu smiled…
"General Dian, please remain calm!"
Lu Yu comforted him, "What if… it was I who had Pang Shiyuan propose the linking of ships with iron chains to King Wei?"
Ah… ah…
For a moment, Dian Wei was greatly shocked!
"Let's go…"
Lu Yu beckoned Dian Wei to walk out of the tent with him.
"Young Master is going to…"
"You'll know when we get there!"
Lu Yu remained mysterious.
"The linking of ships with iron chains has both advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on… what kind of lock the 'iron chain' is, and how the connection is made?"
As he spoke, his gaze shifted, as if he saw… the mistake that Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang were about to make!
This mistake, Lu Yu had to guide it through King Wei…
Similarly, this mistake… would be fatal!
It is said – I will use your hand to contend with him!
…
…
Jiangdong, Chibi, inside a torture tent.
Yang Xiu's arms were suspended in the tent, his clothes tattered from the whipping of the whip.
Bloodstains seeped out, and his back was ripped open, flesh and skin torn apart. Yang Xiu was almost on the verge of fainting, yet the whip continued to fall.
The clerk recording the statement frowned as he watched this scene, muttering to himself that this fellow had a tough mouth. No matter how hard they hit him, he wouldn't say a word, but instead kept smiling, smiling with utmost brilliance.
"The Emperor Wu of Han in those days promulgated a law, the number of lashes per day should not exceed a hundred. Today… you have whipped him too much, haven't you? Ah… hahaha…"
Yang Xiu was still laughing, as if he felt no fear at all.
The clerk sternly reprimanded, "This is what Governor Zhou ordered me to interrogate you with. As long as he doesn't die, beat him to death. I don't care about the laws of Emperor Wu! Confess… quickly confess, how many more people from the Jian Jun Si are lurking in Jiangdong, confess… it's good for you, and good for me!"
"Hahahaha…" Yang Xiu continued to laugh, as if… he was like a peach blossom smiling in the spring breeze.
And this… caused the clerk to once again order them to whip him.
Just then.
"Wait a moment…"
Zhou Yu's voice suddenly echoed.
Governor Zhou arrived, and all the clerks and soldiers bowed their heads in greeting, "Governor Zhou…"
"I have come to interrogate him myself!" Zhou Yu narrowed his eyes.
"Yes!"
"You all may leave." Zhou Yu gestured with his hand…
"This…" the clerk hesitated, "Should we not send someone to protect Governor Zhou's safety…"
"Heh…"
Zhou Yu sneered, "Do you think this man, covered in wounds, can threaten this governor?"
Uh…
This remark sent a chill down the clerk's spine. He quickly signaled the torturers to withdraw from the tent, and outside the tent… many of Zhou Yu's confidants guarded the area, forbidding anyone from approaching, not even them within ten paces of the tent.
"Cough, cough… Governor Zhou, you've finally arrived…"
Yang Xiu coughed "repeatedly."
Zhou Yu looked directly into Yang Xiu's eyes, "You knew this governor would come!"
"There is no information left in Jiangdong that my master would value… so you, Governor Zhou, would definitely come." Yang Xiu smiled. "Jiang Gan left Jiangdong, and I stayed here. With your intelligence, Governor Zhou, how could you not realize that I, Yang Xiu… no, I, 'Chicken Ribs,' brought some words from my master for you!"
"Cough, cough…"
After saying this, Yang Xiu coughed again before continuing, "There are ears everywhere… there are ears everywhere. There is no place more suitable for you and me to converse than this torture tent. And nothing can protect your reputation better than you severely torturing me. Governor Zhou is playing a grand game!"
*Hoo…*
Zhou Yu let out a breath, his eyes widening.
Even when he first saw Yang Xiu, he had never underestimated this young man, but his words just now still gave him a feeling, a feeling that this "Chicken Ribs" from the Jian Jun Si was unfathomable.
"Then… leaking the news to Lu Zijing, revealing your identity and whereabouts, was also your master's doing." Zhou Yu asked with a frown.
"I don't know." Yang Xiu shook his head. "My master's talent is a thousand times greater than mine. How dare I, Yang Xiu, presume to guess my master's intentions?"
"Hmph…" Zhou Yu snorted coldly, then asked, "Then tell me, what message does Lu Ziyu want you to bring me?"
"How can I say it when I'm tied up?" Yang Xiu smiled, looking completely unfazed as if he hadn't been tortured.
"You have quite a few demands…" Zhou Yu personally untied his ropes. "Do you also want this governor to find you a pot of wine?"
"How did you know?"
"My patience is limited." Zhou Yu narrowed his eyes. He looked directly into Yang Xiu's eyes and spat out a single word coldly.
"Speak!"
"Heh heh…" It was Yang Xiu who first smiled faintly, and then unhurriedly said, "Governor Zhou, you have always wanted to escape Jiangdong, haven't you? The four great families of Wu Commandery, the four great families of Kuaiji, and those… powerful families that you and General Sun Ce have conquered and suppressed, they exert considerable pressure on you, don't they?"
*Swish…*
As this sentence left his mouth, Zhou Yu felt his body tremble violently.
A sudden tingling sensation made him feel momentarily dazed.
…
…