Lu Yu was skilled in psychological warfare but not in combat.
To say he was without the strength to even lift a chicken would not be an exaggeration.
This was the consensus of almost everyone in the thirteen prefectures of the Great Han!
This was also why Sun Shangxiang chose to act so suddenly.
Opportunity waits for no one…
The distance was too close, and with a soft sword, she was certain she could kill the untrained Lu Yu with a single blow!
The river breeze blew with a "swish, swish" sound, accompanied by the thumping of heartbeats and the sound of rising and falling breaths, not to mention the "whoosh" of the soft sword cutting through the air.
Striking without any warning, the soft sword swept out…
The whistling sword momentum was almost against Lu Yu's face, the sound… this airborne sharpness was enough to tear the very air.
Just as Sun Shangxiang thought victory was assured.
"Clang! Clang! Clang…"
A crisp sound rose, and it was none other than "Lu Yu."
At some unknown time, he had acquired a wooden staff… The tip of the staff was a sharp "spearhead," and it was this spearhead that blocked the soft sword.
This caused Sun Shangxiang's premeditated attack to be like a stone dropped into an ancient well, creating a ripple before fading without effect.
"This…"
Sun Shangxiang cried out in surprise and attacked again.
She could use a soft sword, but that didn't mean she was proficient with it…
Her childhood sword training had been quite orthodox, not focused on assassination techniques.
Though she was not yet accustomed to wielding the soft sword, it was still sharp and fierce…
If even one side of the soft sword touched a person's body, it would result in a bloody mess.
However, to her further astonishment.
Not only could "Lu Yu" wield a short spear, but his footwork was also incredibly swift, moving and changing positions, using the spearhead to block and suppress the power of the soft sword. Then, the other end of the staff swung fiercely towards Sun Shangxiang.
Amateurs watch the show… professionals watch the skill.
From these two exchanges, Sun Shangxiang realized… the "Lu Yu" before her was a master, a master of spear combat.
Before she could react…
The wooden staff had already struck her, and her entire body sprung up like a kite with a broken string.
Thump… Thump…
With two consecutive sounds, Sun Shangxiang fell heavily to the ground, her previously neat hair now dishevelled.
Trying to wield the soft sword again…
But countless spears were already pointed at her.
Lu Yu also stepped forward, a wooden staff and a short spear inexplicably joined together, their tips aimed at Sun Shangxiang!
"You… You…"
Sun Shangxiang pointed at "Lu Yu," how could she have imagined… that the martial arts of this Marquis of Nan Shou were so high, and… and that he was prepared!
"Bold! How dare you attempt to assassinate the Marquis of Nan Shou!"
Cao Xiu also drew his sword… and stepped forward.
"Slow."
At this moment, a clear voice came from behind the curtain.
Following closely, who else could have walked out from behind the curtain but the Marquis of Nan Shou, Lu Yu himself?
That…
Sun Shangxiang was stunned. If the one appearing now was Lu Yu, then… who was the one fighting her earlier?
As Sun Shangxiang looked back at the "Lu Yu" beside her…
She saw him tear off the mask from his cheek. The mask was almost fused with his face, making it difficult to distinguish between the real and the fake…
He… he wasn't Lu Yu?
At this moment, Sun Shangxiang finally realized a fact…
She had been tricked, she… she had been toyed with.
From beginning to end, the true Lu Yu had not been seated in this great tent.
"Your subordinate Xiahou Mao pays his respects to the Marquis of Nan Shou…"
Seeing the real Lu Yu enter, Xiahou Mao, having removed the human-skin mask, clasped his hands in salute.
Lu Yu smiled faintly, "Brother Xiahou, you and I have similar builds… this human-skin mask is most fitting. However, I did not expect your spear skills to have reached such heights now."
Lu Yu did not understand martial arts… nor could he appreciate them.
But, the few moves Xiahou Mao had displayed earlier had earned repeated praise from Dian Wei, who stood beside Lu Yu.
Professionals… see the skill.
Lu Yu inquired of Dian Wei… Dian Wei's evaluation was that Xiahou Mao's martial arts were now no weaker than the past Zhao Zilong of Changshan!
And this…
This surprised Lu Yu.
He had merely given Xiahou Mao a copy of "Thirty-Six Forms of Yang Family Spear."
Although this Yang Family Spear incorporated six spear techniques, including Zhao Zilong's "Seven Probing Serpent Spear," it was still incredible to Lu Yu that Xiahou Mao could master it so quickly in just a few years.
Could it be… the efficacy of "Jin Ping Mei" was involved?
Or perhaps… the saying "a man with no woman in his heart will naturally wield his spear with divine skill"?
Of course, that was not the point.
The point was, as he had expected, Sun Shangxiang had come with ill intentions…
Indeed, "this woman is a bit wild"!
"Miss Sun, I apologize!"
Approaching Sun Shangxiang, Lu Yu spoke softly.
"You… you cheated!" Sun Shangxiang was full of indignation…
"No!" Lu Yu shook his head slightly, "You are too naive. If one intends to assassinate, the first step is to confirm the target. If one cannot even confirm the target, then… how can one talk of assassination? It is merely sending oneself to one's death for no reason!"
This…
Sun Shangxiang's brows knitted tightly, and she gritted her teeth.
Lu Yu continued, "Of course, your soft sword… has indeed… surprised me greatly."
As he spoke, he picked up the soft sword from the ground and played with it with great interest. This thing… could be coiled around the waist, making it very suitable for assassins as a close-combat weapon.
He would have to take it back to the forge for proper study.
"Take her away…"
Lu Yu showed no mercy and directly ordered Sun Shangxiang to be taken away.
"You… you…" Sun Shangxiang opened her mouth, but for a long time… all she could utter was this "you." This was not Jiangdong, and there was no Wu Guotai to dote on her… who would indulge her?
As for Lu Yu…
He had nothing much to discuss with Sun Shangxiang.
In his opinion, this was merely a brilliant scheme by Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang. Sun Shangxiang's capture… would instead stir up greater resentment and solidarity among the people of Jiangdong.
It would incite more support for Zhou Yu from the Sun family!
And this…
Was bound to be a prelude to Zhou Yu's next plan.
In Lu Yu's view…
Whether it was the historical Battle of Red Cliffs or the current one, Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang had only one way to turn the tide when at a disadvantage…
—The Chain Strategy!
As long as they implemented this chain strategy, they would soon reveal their true colours!
With this thought, Lu Yu's eyes narrowed, and he immediately ordered, "Do not mistreat this young lady from Jiangdong. Furthermore, send a letter to Jiangdong, informing Wu Guotai that her most beloved eldest daughter has been captured, and state that the Marquis of Nan Shou intends to imprison her in the Bronze Sparrow Terrace forever! I want the person, and I want Jiangdong!"
"Yes!"
Everyone in the great tent clasped their hands and shouted in unison.
They watched this play unfold today and found it thoroughly exhilarating!
…
…
In Jiangdong, within the Sun Residence of Wu Commandery, sounds of quarrelling could be heard from afar, startling several sparrows building nests on the branches.
"Shu Bi, Zhong Mou… she is your own sister!"
A woman's voice echoed continuously, rising higher with each cry, eventually reaching a near… hoarse exhaustion.
This woman was Wu Guotai…
And standing before her were none other than Sun Yi and Sun Quan!
"Mother, our youngest sister is foolish. What kind of person is Lu Yu, that he would… would allow our sister to get close?"
Sun Yi replied with a frown.
Sun Quan also furrowed his brows. "It is Lu Yu's sentence, 'The bronze sparrow's spring deep locks the sword immortal,' that has caused this trouble. With our sister's temperament, going north to Cao's camp… this might have been Lu Zi Yu's scheme from the start."
"What use is it for you to say these things now?" Wu Guotai's face was as pale as paper. "Now, news has arrived from Jiangbei stating that Xiang'er has been captured, and the Marquis of Nan Shou intends to lock her in the Bronze Sparrow Terrace forever… With Xiang'er's personality, how could she endure such humiliation? She will surely… surely fight to the death… and in the end, in the end…"
Finally, the last four words, "Xiang'er's demise," remained unspoken by Wu Guotai.
"Mother…"
"Mother…"
Sun Quan and Sun Yi cried out in unison, rushing to support Wu Guotai.
Wu Guotai felt a dizzying sensation, as if the entire world had turned grey.
"Let us negotiate… ne… negotiate!"
Wu Guotai muttered, "At least… at least negotiation can bring Xiang'er back, can bring back my Xiang'er!"
Negotiate?
At these words, Sun Yi became completely unsettled. The Red Cliffs battlefield… a great battle was imminent, negotiation? How could they negotiate?
Sun Yi wanted to retort…
Sun Quan quickly grabbed his arm, his eyes flickering, as if signalling something to him.
Sun Yi calmed down a bit…
Sun Quan quickly clasped his hands. "Esteemed Mother, what you say is most correct. My younger brother and I shall go and discuss it properly, and we will certainly devise a plan to bring Xiang'er back!"
"Go… quickly, quickly!" Wu Guotai muttered, her voice already filled with infinite sorrow.
Sun Quan and Sun Yi turned and left…
After leaving the pavilion…
"Brother, why did you stop me just now?" Sun Yi asked Sun Quan.
Sun Quan pulled him aside, ensuring no one else was around, before explaining, "Commander Zhou sent me a letter last night. Our sister's capture may not be a misfortune…"
Hmm…
Sun Yi was startled. "What does Brother mean?"
Sun Quan's eyes narrowed further. "Even Mother wishes to seek peace, let alone… the old generals in the army? Now… our youngest sister's capture has provided Jiangdong with a heaven-sent opportunity to reverse the situation!"
"Opportunity?" Sun Yi's eyes flickered.
Sun Quan leaned in and whispered something into Sun Yi's ear.
Sun Yi's eyes gradually widened. So… the capture of Young Lady Sun was Zhou Gongjin's stratagem!
What…
What a sinister plan!
…
…
Jiangbei, Red Cliffs Camp, the Central Army Tent.
Today, many people were present.
For example, Zhang Zhao, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Cheng Pu, and so on…
Zhou Yu coldly surveyed everyone.
"In the past, our lord drew his sword and struck the table, sternly warning that anyone who dared to discuss peace would die… I never thought that today, the ashes would reignite… You are here again! I want to ask, what is so powerful about Cao Wei that it frightens you all!"
Zhang Zhao's eyes were filled with pain. "Cao Wei has eight hundred thousand elite soldiers, supported by the Dragon Raptors' navy, and aided by Lu Yu's psychological warfare. Our army suffered a great defeat in the first battle, losing thirty percent of its ships and over ten thousand soldiers. The plague raging in Wulin was also solved by Lu Zi Yu's medical skills. This is a collapsing mansion… and this is the might of Cao Wei."
Hmph…
Zhou Yu's gaze was cold. He slammed the table with a "bang"!
"Is Jiangdong inferior to Great Wei? Is this Commander Du inferior to that Lu Zi Yu!"
"Yes!"
Zhang Zhao's reply was impolite. "Fighting to the death is not the action of a wise person. A gentleman should not stand beneath a crumbling wall. The Sun family has established itself in Jiangdong for three generations, and they should love the people as their own children. Commander Zhou should not disregard the lives of the people of Jiangdong for personal fame. Fighting to the death… will only lead to widespread suffering!"
"Corrupt scholar!"
Zhou Yu glared with his sword in hand…
At this moment, Huang Gai took a deep breath and stepped forward, saying, "Great Commander, this humble subordinate also believes that we can seek peace!"
"You…" Zhou Yu looked at Huang Gai in disbelief.
Han Dang and Cheng Pu's expressions changed drastically… They were both important officials who had served since Sun Jian's era; how could they so easily hand over the foundations of three generations of Jiangdong?
"Duke Huang Fu? Do you know what you are saying?" Huang Gai's eyes reddened, and his voice was hoarse. "Commander Zhou must surely know that young lady Sun has fallen into the hands of that Lu Zi Yu and is to be locked in the Bronze Sparrow Terrace."
"Young lady Sun is the daughter of our ancestor. As an old subordinate of our ancestor, I, Huang Gai, cannot stand idly by!"
This…
Zhou Yu said coldly, "If the Battle of Red Cliffs is won, then let alone young lady Sun, even the entire Great Wei will be within the grasp of the Sun clan of Jiangdong!"
"Wake up!" Huang Gai's face was resolute. "Commander Zhou, when I followed our former lord, you were perhaps still a child of a few years. How could this humble subordinate not know that while Jiangdong may still have the strength to fight a naval battle, a land battle to the north would undoubtedly be self-destruction? And the current situation is that defence is impossible.
"This humble subordinate truly does not wish to see Jiangdong fall into eternal ruin again due to Commander Zhou's obsession!"
"Bastard!" Zhou Yu's face changed drastically. "In a war between two armies, you are disrupting the morale!"
"Zhou Gongjin!" Huang Gai directly called Zhou Yu by his name. "You are indeed the Right Commander, but you come from Huai Si. Do you have the determination of the Left Commander to protect the Jiangdong clans? Do you have the personal feelings for the Sun clan that I, Huang Gai, have? Are you fighting to the death for your own fame as Zhou Gongjin, or for the great cause of Jiangdong?"
"Presumptuous!"
"Guards!"
Zhou Yu suddenly ordered. "Take Huang Gai out of the tent before the entire army and administer fifty military cudgel blows, strip him of his military power, and demote him to a grain officer!"
"Yes!" A group of armored soldiers stepped forward, ready to bind Huang Gai.
Huang Gai's gaze was indifferent, and he rebuked, "Zhou Gongjin, do you truly wish to push Jiangdong into the abyss?"
"Commander Zhou…"
"Commander Zhou…"
Cheng Pu and Han Dang spoke simultaneously.
Zhou Yu, however, waved his sleeve. "Huang Gong Fu has disturbed our army's morale. Anyone who pleads for Huang Gong Fu will also receive fifty military cudgel blows!"
"Zhou Gongjin, you… you… you want to push Jiangdong into…"
Huang Gai's voice continued…
But he was already pushed out of the tent. Soon, the sounds of "crackling" came from outside the tent. Fifty military cudgel blows… even a resolute warrior would find them unbearable!
Cheng Pu and Han Dang cast one last glance at Zhou Yu and, hearing Huang Gai's heart-wrenching roar from outside the tent.
With a sigh, the two also walked out of the tent.
Upon entering, they saw that Huang Gai's back was already bloody and mangled, the fifty blows from the two cudgels leaving his back dripping with blood.
"Hoo…"
In contrast, Zhou Yu… he let out a long sigh.
Slowly closing his eyes, at this moment, Zhuge Liang walked in.
Seeing Zhuge Liang…
Zhou Yu recalled their late-night conversation from the previous night.
—"To completely defeat Lu Zi Yu, there is no chance in merely evading! We must try to attack his mind… attack Cao Cao's mind!"
—"What does the Commander intend?"
—"The Bitter Scheme!"
—"Whom does the Commander wish to choose? General Han Dang? General Cheng Pu?"
—"No, it is Huang Gai, Huang Gong Fu! He is an old acquaintance of Cao Cao, and General Huang is loyal, wise, brave, and knows how to adapt. I can trust him!"
—"This is all the better! This bitter scheme must be 'flesh and bone torn,' otherwise… it will not be enough to gain the trust of Lu Yu and Cao Cao!"
—"To General Huang Gong Fu!"
—"To the old general!"
…
…