The Yangtze River, at its center.
Unlike the riverbanks, a dense fog still permeated the heavens and earth, as if a thick and immense curtain had descended from the sky, completely obscuring the view. It was as if the entire space of the world was confined to this size.
Two warships were anchored in the river's heart.
Inside the cabin of one of the ships, two individuals knelt facing each other. The mist seeped into the cabin, swirling around their feet and sides.
"You've come here, Jun? Does Marquis Nan Shou know?"
"When the two armies were arrayed, my elder brother sent a letter inviting me for a meeting. I dared not conceal it from my teacher."
The two sentences flowed out effortlessly.
Could the two conversing be anyone other than Zhuge Liang and his brother, Zhuge Jun?
Zhuge Jun looked at the table between them, upon which lay a chessboard with black and white pieces. This sight stirred his memories.
"When I was young, I learned chess from my elder brother."
"But now, you not only play against me, you can even defeat me in this game of strategy!"
Zhuge Liang sighed, his emotions overflowing.
He had never imagined that in the future, his brother Jun would become so outstanding, so much so that he could not help but admire and look up to him.
A flicker of pain crossed Zhuge Liang's eyes. "How about we play a game, brother?"
"Black pieces for me. Jun, please begin."
Zhuge Liang extended his hand.
Zhuge Jun shook his head. "Whether black or white, elder brother comes first."
Zhuge Liang no longer refused, and said solemnly, "A three-foot square board is a battlefield. Generals gather their soldiers, playing chess by the river. I entered officialdom in autumn and summer, with summer as my move. It is Jun's turn."
"Clack!"
Zhuge Jun, however, placed his piece in the very center of the board, stating calmly, "If my younger brother had not met his teacher, perhaps he would have been content with a corner of the land, living a life of obscurity. But my teacher's instruction was that once in service, one must not fail their learning. One must pacify the Central Plains, conquer the north, and unify the realm. Taking the Celestial Center as the true seat of power, this is my move."
"Magnificent spirit!"
Zhuge Liang picked up another piece. Without hesitation, Zhuge Jun laid out his strategy, "Elder brother, I have always had a question: why did you insist on choosing Liu Xuande? If you had joined Great Wei, whether in the Dragon Cavalry Camp or under the King of Wei, with your talent, you would surely have become the Minister of Personnel, or even a Prime Minister!"
Facing such a question...
Zhuge Liang gently moved a piece. "Scholars have their pride!"
"Lord Liu is a member of the Han imperial family and enjoys great popularity... When he was lost, he sought me out. He visited my humble abode three times, consulting me on matters of the realm. Thus, I wished to try, to use Lord Liu's hand... to see if I could play a game against Marquis Nan Shou. Only then could my lifelong ambition be fulfilled!"
Zhuge Jun interrupted, "And thus came the slogan, 'The Han and the Usurper cannot coexist; the King's enterprise cannot be confined to a corner'?"
"Is it because of a descendant of King Jing of Zhongshan that my elder brother is willing to disregard countless lives and prolong the world's chaos for a hundred years?"
"I have heard that my elder brother, in the 'Longzhong Plan,' deduced the situation of dividing the realm into three. But does my elder brother know how long the warfare will last after the realm is divided into three? How many people will die in vain because of this division? What kind of chaos will the realm be in then?"
This...
Zhuge Jun's words made Zhuge Liang pause.
However, his tone remained stubborn.
"Righteousness is paramount!"
"It is mere misguided loyalty!" Zhuge Jun shook his head. "My teacher always taught me that the various regions of China are like the warp and weft of heaven and earth. The common people are the white stones, and the clans are the black stones. The more stones one can use, the fewer stones the opponent can use. Now, elder brother... are there any stones left for you to place?"
Speaking of this... Zhuge Jun surveyed the chessboard.
It seemed that due to his elder brother's troubled mind, the current situation was already one-sided. On this board, all that remained for Zhuge Liang was a corner of Jiangdong, a corner of the southwest... the room for maneuver was extremely limited.
"Lu Ziyu..." Zhuge Liang murmured the three words.
Immediately afterward, he raised his head and sternly asked, "Jun? Do you know the fate of King Han? Do you know the fate of Wen Zhong?"
Upon saying this, Zhuge Liang's tone became much colder. "Lu Ziyu is truly formidable. He has conquered the Central Plains, pacified the northern territories, and subdued Jingxiang. Of the vast realm of Great Wei, he alone has taken more than half. He holds the Dragon Cavalry Camp and the School Office. With just a word from him, he can attract scholars from all over the empire, shaking the nine provinces with a mere gesture? Such merit, such power, have you never heard that 'when the birds are gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dogs are cooked'?"
"Is your teacher truly unafraid that after Great Wei unifies the realm, the King of Wei will act against him?"
As these words left his mouth...
Zhuge Liang stared intently at his younger brother.
Zhuge Jun gritted his teeth slightly. "This is the true intention behind your invitation to me here on the river, isn't it, elder brother?"
"Is it not?" Zhuge Liang continued to ask.
"No!"
Zhuge Jun shook his head. "A few years ago, I would have thought as elder brother does, feeling that excessive merit invites suspicion. I felt that with such accomplishments, my teacher might face the same fate as 'Fan Zeng' or 'Wu Zixu.' But... as I spent more time by my teacher's side and learned more, I realized why my teacher was never worried. It's because... he possesses great wisdom!"
"Great wisdom?"
"Indeed. My teacher compiled the 'Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases' to save the lives of the people in the thirteen provinces of the Han dynasty. My teacher rebuilt the Imperial Academy, giving the scholars of the Han dynasty a place to belong, restoring the esteemed titles of 'Advisor to the Emperor' and 'Pillar of the State' to their former glory. My teacher united with the Emperor to strike down clans and abolish the poll tax through the 'Eagle Tower' ancestral temple... alleviating the burden on the people and allowing countless young girls to survive this chaotic era. My teacher assisted the King of Wei in unifying the realm, bringing peace to the land... the realm is unified!"
"Which of these deeds is not a merit to heaven and earth, a merit to all the people? On the day of achievement, the realm will sing praises of the wise. Once my teacher protected the people and the scholars, and in the future, the people and scholars of the realm will protect my teacher!"
"My teacher is not King Han, nor is he Wen Zhong. The King of Wei is not Emperor Gaozu of Han, nor is he King Goujian of Yue. The birds may be gone, but the good bow is not necessarily put away!"
Boom...
Rumble.
Zhuge Liang looked at his brother with utter astonishment. At this moment, he suddenly understood what his brother had learned from Lu Ziyu over these years.
Heh...
Hehehe...
A trace of self-mockery appeared in Zhuge Liang's eyes. "I often compared myself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, never imagining... that it was all a joke. The Longzhong Plan... dividing the realm into three, it's likely just a joke in Lu Ziyu's eyes!"
Originally, Zhuge Liang had invited Zhuge Jun here...
To remind his brother Jun to be extremely cautious around Lu Ziyu!
How could Marquis Nan Shou, with such accomplishments, not arouse the King of Wei's suspicion?
But... now...
It was Zhuge Liang himself who felt his heart grow dim. He felt... he had strayed too far!
"Elder brother..."
Zhuge Jun continued, "Elder brother, admit defeat... It is true that elder brother is skilled in Qimen Wuxing, can deduce the Bagua formation, and can calculate the world's situation. But... in reality, brute force overcomes all. In the face of absolute power, all calculations and deductions are illusions! Moreover, elder brother has witnessed my teacher's methods of attacking the heart."
"Hahaha..." Zhuge Liang laughed. "Am I not witnessing it now? What an 'attack of the heart' technique!"
Zhuge Liang waved his hand. "I cannot persuade Jun, and Jun cannot persuade me. As Jun said, brute force overcomes all... Perhaps Jiangdong cannot stop Great Wei's southward march, but... at least, this humble brother should maintain a scholar's final pride, and should try to play a game with Marquis Nan Shou! Only then will I not have failed my learning!"
Upon saying this, Zhuge Liang smiled...
He slowly stood up and placed his hand on Zhuge Jun's shoulder.
"Jun, among our Zhuge clan, you are the most promising... The future responsibility of the Zhuge clan's revival rests on your shoulders."
"Elder brother..."
"I'm leaving!"
"Elder brother, please stay!" Zhuge Jun immediately called out.
"Does Jun intend to keep this elder brother here?"
Zhuge Liang retorted.
"No!" Zhuge Jun opened his mouth and said, "This younger brother merely wishes to suggest that elder brother need not be fixated on Jiangdong... Perhaps the southwest corner is where elder brother can truly display his talents."
"Southwest? You mean Yizhou... that Bashu region?"
Zhuge Liang paused, his gaze sharpening.
In his Longzhong Plan, he intended to take Bashu, but... under the current circumstances, he could not take even a single step.
"Are these Jun's thoughts, or Lu Ziyu's?"
Zhuge Liang continued to ask.
"I dare not conceal it from elder brother. My teacher calculated that elder brother would definitely go to take Bashu. However... the time is not yet right. That is the Heavenly Kingdom, yet Liu Zhang is weak and incompetent... his governance is dim, and the people live in hardship. Fortunately, elder brother is skilled in governance. My teacher wishes to ask elder brother to govern Bashu for him for a few years..."
As Zhuge Jun's words reached their end.
Zhuge Liang interrupted, "Govern for a few years? And then... return it intact?"
Zhuge Jun remained silent...
"Hahaha..." Zhuge Liang laughed... "What a Lu Ziyu. In his eyes, this realm... and even Zhuge Kongming under this world's circumstances, perhaps... already belong to his Great Wei!"
The meeting on the river did not allow Zhuge Liang to persuade Zhuge Jun, but he did understand... one man's vision.
Lu Yu's vision was vast, his perspective broad.
Indeed... it was beyond what he, Zhuge Liang, could achieve!
The gap was too great!
...
...
The Jiangnan Grand Camp, Central Army Tent.
A scout hurried in to report, "Reporting to Commander Zhou, Sun Xiaomei has already boarded a boat northbound as per our arrangements!"
"Was she discovered?" Zhou Yu held a book in his hand...
"No!"
"Good!" Zhou Yu replied and let out a deep sigh.
Lu Ziyu's words, "Chibi will not have Zhou Lang's presence, the Bronze Sparrow Terrace will forever lock the Sword Immortal," had only just reached the Jiangnan Grand Camp. How could they have reached Wu Commandery so quickly?
These were all deliberately orchestrated by Zhou Yu.
As for the purpose, Sun Xiaomei, having practiced martial arts since childhood, had a forthright personality. How could she tolerate such humiliation? In her anger, she would inevitably head north alone!
Lu Ziyu wanted to "lock" her, didn't he?
She would definitely seize the opportunity as the two drew closer to assassinate Lu Ziyu...
Of course, she likely... would not succeed!
But as long as she could seriously wound Lu Ziyu, then... it would be greatly beneficial to the situation at Chibi!
Even if she couldn't seriously wound him, and Sun Xiaomei was captured...
Given Madam Wu's temperament, she would definitely summon Sun Quan and Sun Yi to reinforce Chibi. This way... Zhou Yu would have more troops at his disposal.
His foundation would be even more solid...
This was a stratagem devised by Zhuge Liang.
The best outcome was to seriously wound Lu Yu while the Sun family sent reinforcements...
In this way, Zhou Yu's situation would be completely opened up.
Hoo...
Gazing at the mist on the river, Zhou Yu let out a long sigh. This was only the beginning of the chain of stratagems.
There was much more to be done...
With Sun Shangxiang captured, his room for maneuver would become much more flexible!
"Where is Old General Huang?" Zhou Yu asked the attendant beside him...
"He is training troops..."
"Training troops?" Zhou Yu repeated the two words, his gaze becoming profound. "Arrange for me to have a secret meeting with Old General Huang. Apart from you, no third person must know!"
As these words left his mouth...
The attendant beside him, knowing the gravity of the matter, immediately withdrew to make arrangements.
The chain of stratagems...
—It was about to begin!
...
...
North of the river, Wulin Village.
Inside Lu Yu's camp, a woman was gracefully led in.
The woman's eyebrows were as if painted, her skin like ice and snow. Her slightly thin, pretty face perfectly outlined the contours of her features. Especially between her eyes, a pair of sword-like eyebrows added a touch of heroic spirit to the woman!
Such appearance caused everyone in the tent to praise her silently – what a beautiful and heroic young lady, seamlessly blending both.
"You are Sun family's little sister?"
Cao Xiu pointed at Sun Shangxiang and asked...
"Genuine and not false." Sun Shangxiang's delicate eyebrows twitched, and her eyes turned towards the delicate young man in the center of the tent. She mused to herself that this was likely Lu Yu. "I heard that Marquis Nan Shou intended to 'lock' this 'young lady,' and that he was heading south to Jiangdong to 'lock' me in the Bronze Sparrow Terrace. I am here today. Can Marquis Nan Shou retreat his troops?"
Sun Shangxiang's gaze fixed directly on Lu Yu...
Lu Yu, sitting in the central position, remained silent.
It was Cao Xiu who spoke up, "How do we know? Are you the real Sun Shangxiang? Or are you an imposter?"
"Hmph!" Sun Shangxiang snorted coldly and immediately raised the green sword in her hand. "Whether it be fishermen or common folk north or south of the Yangtze River, they all know that this Green Spirit Sword never leaves my person, and my person never leaves the sword... I am waiting here. You can go and ask, or take my portrait and ask. There are not a few people along the Yangtze River who recognize me!"
Sun Shangxiang had practiced swordplay since childhood...
Her childhood dream was to become a chivalrous wanderer, to uphold justice and help the weak. Naturally... she had also righted wrongs north of the Yangtze River, making her quite famous.
Verifying her identity was not difficult.
"Even if you are Sun Shangxiang... then..." Cao Xiu still wanted to speak.
Unexpectedly, before he could finish, Sun Shangxiang directly interrupted, "Just how many Marquis Nan Shou are in this tent?"
The implication was...
Who do you think you are? You've been questioning me all along.
"Heh..."
As these words left her mouth, the "Lu Yu" sitting upright in the center let out a laugh.
He suddenly stood up and slowly walked towards Sun Shangxiang, as if intending to strike her at close range...
Cao Xiu, however, quickly stepped forward to block him, signaling for Sun Shangxiang to hand over the Green Jade Sword before Lu Yu could approach.
"Tsk..." Sun Shangxiang snorted dismissively and muttered, "Cowardly to the core..."
As she spoke, she directly tossed the Green Jade Sword to Cao Xiu.
Only then did Cao Xiu retract his arm and allow Lu Yu to move forward.
—"Yao Ji was born a daughter, with a warrior's heart in her dance and archery!"
—"Chibi will not have Zhou Lang's presence, the Bronze Sparrow Terrace will forever lock the Sword Immortal!"
"Lu Yu" softly recited these two lines, but... the tone seemed different from Lu Yu's usual speech.
Of course, Sun Shangxiang had no idea what Lu Yu's usual tone was.
At most... she had only seen Lu Yu's portrait, and this man before her, whether in facial features or outline, was not it... the Marquis Nan Shou, that boastful Lu Yu!
Thinking of this...
A cold glint flashed in Sun Shangxiang's eyes. Her hand, which seemed casually placed at her waist, suddenly... swung out.
At the same time...
A soft sword, like a fish line, swept out, directly aiming for "Lu Yu's" face!
...
...