The river flowed for a thousand miles, like a dragon clad in golden scales, its roar deafening.
“Heaven’s will?”
“Forging a hundred thousand arrows, what does that have to do with heaven’s will?”
Zhou Yu asked.
Zhuge Liang took a step towards the river, then halted, still gazing at the sky.
He murmured, “With a great battle imminent, the Commander wishes to forge a hundred thousand arrows. He should first find a skilled craftsman, why trouble me?”
Was this… a refusal?
Zhou Yu was somewhat surprised. Previously, no matter the situation, Zhuge Liang had always displayed a peculiar confidence and magnanimity. But this time… a hundred thousand arrows, and he actually hesitated.
“Does Kongming not wish to follow heaven’s will? Then I, this Commander, am curious, why would heaven’s will not permit the forging of these hundred thousand arrows!”
Zhou Yu continued to press.
Zhuge Liang sighed.
“When the sky is bright, the sun and moon are obscured; evil harms the orifices, the yang qi is blocked, the earth’s qi is stifled, clouds and mists are impure, then the white dew does not descend, communication is not apparent, and thus all things do not flourish. If they do not flourish, then many trees die.”
This was…
Zhou Yu froze. Zhuge Liang was quoting from the "Huangdi Neijing: Suwen."
Zhou Yu had heard a physician mention it before.
What did “When the sky is bright, the sun and moon are obscured” mean?
This referred to when there was fog, the sky was a hazy white. When there was no fog, the sky was clear and the air transparent.
As for “evil harms the orifices,” it referred to the dangers of heavy fog.
For instance, a person has seven orifices: a pair of eyes, a pair of ears, a pair of nostrils, and the mouth below.
In later times, during smog, people would wear masks when going out, yet upon returning, they would still experience eye pain, redness, dryness, and watering.
This was because you only blocked three orifices, and the remaining four would still suffer from evil qi.
Of course, this was not important.
This was merely to remind you, dear readers, not to go out too often during smog, as it would consume your internal yang qi to prevent the invasion of evil qi, and over time, you would become very weak…
As Zhuge Liang spoke, Zhou Yu gradually understood his meaning.
“Is Kongming telling me that fog is about to rise over the river?”
“Exactly!” Zhuge Liang faced the river. Based on his knowledge of astronomy, within three days… fog would certainly appear over the river. “Once the fog arrives, our army can dispatch a fleet to feign an attack on Cao’s camp. Cover the ships with straw figures. Under the heavy fog, Cao Cao, being naturally cautious, will surely not dare to attack rashly. He will only shoot arrows from the riverbank. In this way… perhaps using ‘borrowing arrows with straw boats’ we can truly borrow a hundred thousand arrows.”
This…
Zhou Yu’s eyes widened. “Kongming’s plan is excellent. If it fogs… we can indeed do this!”
In an instant, Zhou Yu became excited.
But Zhuge Liang shook his head. “Commander Zhou, please do not be so eager. Borrowing arrows with straw boats is good, but… we must consider Lu Yu?”
“Lu Yu?” Zhou Yu retorted.
“What is Lu Zi Yu best at?” Zhuge Liang inquired…
Zhou Yu pondered for a moment and immediately replied, “Fire?”
“Precisely…” Zhuge Liang nodded. “In the past, my lord, with his two sworn brothers, led Liu Pi and others from Runan to surprise Xuchang. They were annihilated by a great fire. In the Battle of Bowang Slope… fire rained from the sky, reducing my troops to nothing.”
Speaking of this, Zhuge Liang paused and slowly continued, “Because of this, even if our army emerges through the fog using straw boats, Cao Cao will order arrows to be shot due to caution. But with Lu Zi Yu around… those arrows will certainly be fire arrows! Once fire arrows are shot… these straw boats will ignite instantly.”
“Furthermore, Lu Zi Yu is skilled at attacking the mind. Perhaps in this heavy fog, he can also see through our intentions. If we send out those large ships, then you and I will have failed spectacularly!”
“Cough cough…” As he said this, Zhuge Liang’s feather fan paused slightly. He let out a soft breath and continued, “Merely observing the celestial phenomena and calculating for ourselves, while ignoring this Lu Zi Yu, I have suffered many losses. Commander Zhou, you have also suffered no less, right? Because of this, these hundred thousand arrows, I absolutely cannot procure them!”
As Zhuge Liang mentioned…
Lu Yu would definitely use fire attacks.
And historically, borrowing arrows with straw boats had indeed happened.
It was just that… the protagonist of borrowing arrows with straw boats was not Zhuge Liang, but Sun Quan.
As for…
Why Cao’s army did not use fire arrows but ordinary arrows.
This must be mentioned, that in this era, the fire oil, pine resin, and other materials required for a volley of fire arrows were strategic resources!
And these materials were consumed very quickly. They would absolutely not be used unless absolutely necessary.
But when Cao’s army shot arrows, it was on the river, and in foggy weather. If they missed the enemy ships, then this pine resin and fire oil would be wasted.
Of course…
The oil Lu Zi Yu used for ignition was whale oil!
With Huang Xu in Xuzhou, this whale oil would be transported in endless supply…
Let alone fire arrows, even setting the entire battlefield of Red Cliffs ablaze, the amount of whale oil would be more than enough!
Hoo…
Hearing Zhuge Liang’s heartfelt words, Zhou Yu was filled with emotion.
He had overlooked something. The opponent he faced this time was more terrifying than any opponent before…
Kongming’s thinking was indeed more profound!
“Then do nothing?” Zhou Yu asked…
“I have a plan.”
“What plan?”
“A poem has been sent from the north of the river – ‘Yao Ji was born a woman, skilled in swordplay and archery with a man’s heart. If Red Cliffs does not favor Lord Zhou, Tongque Terrace’s deep spring will imprison the Sword Immortal!’”
Zhuge Liang’s words abruptly stopped.
Zhou Yu paused slightly, then his pupils suddenly widened, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Immediately after… he opened his mouth and asked, “Does Kongming intend to use provocation to incite ‘Bow-Waisted Ji’… and then… turn the tables?”
Zhuge Liang slowly nodded.
“I have long heard of Jiangdong’s Young Lady Sun, known as ‘Sword Immortal’ and ‘Bow-Waisted Ji’. With the enemy at our doorstep… if she hears such a line as ‘If Red Cliffs does not favor Lord Zhou, Tongque Terrace’s deep spring will imprison the Sword Immortal,’ would she not rise to the challenge and refuse to retreat?”
Clack…
Zhou Yu’s heart gave a jolt!
–If Red Cliffs does not favor Lord Zhou, Tongque Terrace’s deep spring will imprison the Sword Immortal! Imprison… the Sword Immortal!
Heh heh…
What a line: “Yao Ji was born a woman, skilled in swordplay and archery with a man’s heart!”
To think that they, a group of dignified men…
On this vast battlefield of Red Cliffs, it would ultimately be… a woman who would turn the tide!
…
…
Jiangdong, Wujun.
In the backyard of the Sun Mansion, Sun Shangxiang was practicing swordplay with her maids.
Her light green figure was as agile as a fledgling swallow. Accompanying the faint sound of wind slicing through the air, her jade hand drew the green sword from its sheath.
Her wrist spun gently, and the green sword flashed with lightning speed. The sword light shimmered, yet it merged with Sun Shangxiang’s delicate green figure, making her appear exceptionally light and elegant!
Several female soldiers hurried over, seemingly with something to report, but fearing to interrupt the young lady’s sword practice, they dared not.
Before long, several female soldiers had been defeated.
Sun Shangxiang sheathed her green sword. “I told you to practice diligently, are you all slacking off? What is this training? You can’t even block a few moves. How will you follow me into battle in the future?”
The maids respectfully replied, “Miss’s swordsmanship is the finest in Jiangdong, known as the Sword Immortal. Even if we practiced for another ten years, we might not be your match.”
Sun Shangxiang accepted a towel from another maid to wipe her sweat, puckering her lips. “Your martial arts haven’t improved, but you’ve learned a lot of flattery? If the women of Jiangdong only learned this sweet talk, how could they resist the soldiers of Great Wei?”
Speaking of this, Sun Shangxiang beckoned to some maids outside the door.
The maids who had been practicing swordplay knew that the young lady was about to discuss important matters and withdrew after bowing.
The maids from outside came to Sun Shangxiang’s side.
“How is it?” Sun Shangxiang asked. “Are there any new developments from Red Cliffs?”
“Miss, since the last major defeat, both sides have been on standby, with no large-scale battles. However… recently, a poem has been circulating from the north of the river, spreading throughout the entire Red Cliffs army camp.”
“A poem?”
Sun Shangxiang sheathed her sword. “Recite it for me to hear.”
The maid immediately recited Lu Yu’s poem: “Yao Ji was born a woman, skilled in swordplay and archery with a man’s heart. If Red Cliffs does not favor Lord Zhou, Tongque Terrace’s deep spring will imprison the Sword Immortal.”
However…
As soon as the poem was recited, Sun Shangxiang let out a cold snort. Her beautiful eyes narrowed tightly.
“What do you mean, ‘If Red Cliffs does not favor Lord Zhou, Tongque Terrace’s deep spring will imprison the Sword Immortal’? Who… who wrote this poem? Who has eaten bear gall and leopard bile to dare to presume to ‘imprison’ me?”
“It’s…” the maid stammered, “It’s Marquis of Southern Hunting, Lu Yu! It’s… it’s his poem!”
Speaking of this, she glanced up at Sun Shangxiang. “The entire army camp is now spreading the word that Marquis of Southern Hunting has come south to Jiangdong with King Cao of Wei, not for any other reason, but merely… merely for Miss!”
“He…” Sun Shangxiang gritted her teeth and uttered the word “He.” Sun Shangxiang seemed to want to say a lot, but when she opened her mouth, she seemed to be speechless. However… a lot of anger appeared on her elegant and beautiful face.
“You… all… get out!”
In her anger, Sun Shangxiang roared.
The maids did not dare to linger, and one by one, they retreated.
The entire courtyard was instantly left with only Sun Shangxiang’s figure. With a “whoosh,” she drew her sword again and swung it at a tree stump in front of her…
“Imprison… imprison me? Who… who does he think he is?”
Sun Shangxiang bit her lip tightly…
After a moment of contemplation, she slowly opened her eyes, her lips also loosening slightly.
She looked at the sword in her hand.
“Coming south to Jiangdong for me? Very well… I shall go and meet you!”
Sun Shangxiang was naturally resolute…
How could she allow herself to be insulted like this, even… even Marquis of Southern Hunting Lu Zi Yu… not even he could!
Everyone says Lu Yu is powerful?
Hmph, no matter how powerful he is, can he be more powerful than the sword in the hands of her “Sword Immortal”?
…
…
Three days later, early morning.
Lu Yu was still asleep when Dian Wei roused him… The reason was that it had started to fog, a dense fog filled the sky…
It should be known that ancient people feared fog, believing it to be a form of ill omen.
According to "Liezi" – “Yin and yang gather to form clouds; rosy clouds are red clouds; rainbows are formed when yin and yang are improperly mixed, which are the corrupt qi of heaven and earth.”
Fog was considered “corrupt and evil” qi…
Therefore, Dian Wei specifically reported to Lu Yu, but for Lu Yu, fog was a different story.
Mention the Battle of Red Cliffs, mention the fog filling the sky…
No matter who, the first thing that comes to mind should be the four words “borrowing arrows with straw boats.”
Of course, Lu Yu was well-prepared for this. He could guarantee that as soon as Zhuge Liang and Lu Su arrived… they would be roasted into roast chickens!
“Commander Dian, pass down the order. The Long Xiao Camp naval forces are to be on alert… prepare the whale oil and pine resin. If enemy ships approach within the fog, as soon as you hear the drums on the river, directly launch fire arrows to burn them.”
“Do you understand?”
“Understood!” Dian Wei nodded emphatically.
This was already what Lu Yu had repeatedly instructed, and the Long Xiao Camp had practiced this scenario countless times.
Of course…
Lu Yu was still uneasy. He immediately got dressed and rushed to the river.
Speaking of which…
He, like countless keyboard historians, had once debated with netizens why Cao Cao did not shoot fire arrows during the borrowing of arrows with straw boats.
The conclusion reached was extremely consistent.
That was poverty…
Never mind that Old Cao led hundreds of thousands of troops south to Jiangdong, this did not change the fact that he was a “poor wretch”… Where would he have so much pine resin and fire oil?
Old Cao did not have many strategic reserves of these items.
But… in the current situation, due to the “Jiangbei Alliance,” “Tuntian,” and the stability of the central plains and the northern regions… and the sales of five-stone powder, Old Cao had gone from being “exquisitely poor” to very affluent… coupled with countless whale oil.
Lu Yu had made thorough preparations for this borrowing of arrows with straw boats!
Only…
The ideal was plump, but reality was gaunt.
Half an hour!
One hour!
Two hours!
As the fog was about to dissipate, the straw boats still hadn't appeared? Did Zhuge Liang and Lu Su decide not to borrow arrows?
This was rather disappointing.
He shook his head helplessly, gazing at the calm river… Lu Yu’s eyes darted about.
He muttered to himself, was he overthinking it?
But…
At this moment.
From afar, through the gradually dispersing river fog, a lone boat was dimly visible. On the boat, a boatman was poling. At the stern… was a woman, her long hair cascading, dressed in a green gown. As the fog dispersed, her figure seemed to radiate a brilliant light.
The boat slowly approached, and the woman could be seen clearly. She was only fifteen or sixteen years old. Besides her delicate and ethereal appearance, a sword held in her hand added a touch of heroism to her entire demeanor.
Dian Wei scratched his head.
“Young Master, this is not right… wasn’t it supposed to be Zhuge Liang’s boats we were waiting for? Why… did we end up waiting for this single boat, with a pretty woman?”
As soon as he said this…
“Report…”
A soldier from the Long Xiao Camp reported in a low voice, “The woman on the boat announced her identity… she said… she is the ‘Bow-Waisted Ji,’ the ‘Sword Immortal’ that Commander Lu was looking for!”
Hiss…
Hearing this, Lu Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The words “Sun Shangxiang” subconsciously surfaced in his mind… How did she cross the river, and so brazenly at that.
And recalling the name “Sun Shangxiang”…
The series of stories and issues that came to mind based on this.
The first story was: – Is there true love between an old husband and a young wife?
The second story was: – This woman is a bit fierce!
The third story was: – Marrying another woman costs money, marrying such a woman costs a life!
The fourth story was: – Part ways amicably, never see each other again!
Although the drama portrayed Liu Bei and Sun Shangxiang as… deeply in love, in reality… their hatred outweighed their affection…
Imagine a maiden in the prime of her youth married to an old man!
An elder man returning to his room every night to see maids holding weapons… to see a dazzling array of weapons in his boudoir.
What kind of life was this?
…
…