Last night…
Under a bleak and cloudy sky, Zhou Yu quietly entered Huang Gai’s grand encampment.
Huang Gai seemed prepared…
He got straight to the point and asked, “When does Governor Zhou plan to execute the stratagem?”
“The sooner, the better!”
“Then, tomorrow!” Huang Gai declared with a resolute expression.
“However, this time, we need someone to deliver the message to the north of the river. If it’s a mere subordinate, I fear… they will not earn the trust of that Lu Zi Yu.”
Huang Gai’s expression flickered uncertainly, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Whom does Governor Zhou wish to send?”
“The old general’s son – Huang Bing!”
Zhou Yu quickly added.
This…
Huang Gai paused. Just as Zhou Yu was about to explain, Huang Gai’s words followed, “Governor Zhou, my son and I, the Huang family, understand righteousness. If this plan succeeds, my son will undoubtedly be safe. If it fails, it is merely a matter of dying sooner or later, all for the sake of serving the Sun family. We, father and son, can only serve with such loyalty.”
“The old general’s righteousness!”
Zhou Yu bowed deeply in a grand salute.
With his hands, he produced a “Chibi Deployment Map” from his robes!
Huang Gai received the map with astonishment, his pupils widening immensely, “This is…”
“Lu Zi Yu is a divine strategist. Your son alone is insufficient to gain his trust. We must also… add this ‘Chibi Deployment Map.’”
Huang Gai’s eyes were filled with horror.
He scanned the contents of the map. This was a genuine deployment map.
Before Huang Gai could speak.
Zhou Yu narrowed his eyes and said, “One must be ruthless to outwit that Lu Zi Yu!”
“With Lu Zi Yu’s divine calculations and Cao Cao’s schemes, they will see through the authenticity of this Chibi Deployment Map at a glance, especially Lu Zi Yu, whose specialty is psychological warfare. This feigned surrender… we are ‘walking on thin ice,’ and cannot afford the slightest error!”
Understood…
Huang Gai nodded heavily, a look of desolation in his eyes.
With the出 of this “deployment map,” his feigned surrender was now a desperate gamble.
The fate of Jiangdong rested entirely on him and his son, Huang Gai. The pressure… was immense!
…
…
Wulin Village, Workshop.
The shouts of Zhuge Jun could be heard from a distance.
“De Heng, these… are these made by you?”
Zhuge Jun looked at Ma Jun before him with disbelief… and then swept his gaze across the “iron chains” laid out in front of him… These chains possessed special mechanisms.
Upon activating the mechanism, the connecting points of the chains… would break.
“Steward Zhuge, these are the iron chains I made according to Marquis Nan Shou’s requirements. They can be released at any time… In this way, when linked together daily, the decks of the ships will be like solid ground. Even if a fire breaks out, the mechanisms can be quickly activated to release the chains, restoring them to individual, independent vessels.”
Ma Jun introduced the chains he had made.
Speaking of which, in the past… during the development of the hot air balloon, Ma Jun’s almost miraculous talent had already caught Zhuge Jun’s attention.
When Lu Yu learned that “Ma Jun” was in the workshop, he had reminded Zhuge Jun multiple times to value this person.
Zhuge Jun, of course, was unaware.
How heaven-defying was the talent of this “Ma Jun” in invention and creation?
He was referred to as the “Wood Sage” by the Eastern Jin scholar Ge Hong in “Baopuzi,” alongside Zhang Heng, the inventor of the “Seismograph” and “Armillary Sphere.”
His life’s achievements… included recreating the South-Pointing Chariot, manufacturing the water-lifting wheel, improving the silk loom, and creating the “Water-Turned Hundred Entertainments Diagram”!
The dragon-bone waterwheel among them was the precursor to the later “street sweeper”… solving the issue of dry and dusty roads within cities and counties.
And the “water-lifting wheel” he invented was even more incredible. It could draw river water onto slopes, completely resolving irrigation difficulties. This water-lifting wheel was used for a thousand years, until the later realization of electrically powered mechanical water lifting!
It could be said to be earth-shattering.
Of course, to Ma Jun… these were all ordinary, ordinary matters!
It was not difficult for him to create a chain that could be activated by a mechanism and then broken.
“My heavens…” Zhuge Jun exclaimed, “Originally, among the hundred craftsmen, I considered myself highly accomplished, but compared to you… the difference is more than a mere inch! Your talent is truly enviable!”
Zhuge Jun held the iron chain.
Then, he pulled Ma Jun up, “Come, I’ll take you to see Marquis Nan Shou!”
“Your teacher’s concept of chains that can be broken at any time has become a reality because of you!”
As he spoke, Zhuge Jun led Ma Jun towards Lu Yu’s military tent… Inside the tent, besides Lu Yu, there was also Pang Tong. The two seemed to be discussing something.
But…
With the appearance of these iron chains, both their eyes suddenly lit up.
Especially Pang Tong… He had not expected the workshop within the Long Xiao Camp to be so heaven-defying. Such incredible craftsmanship had actually become a reality here.
“These iron chains? What do you think, Shi Yuan?”
Lu Yu asked Pang Tong with a smile…
Pang Tong smacked his lips. What did he think? He looked at them standing…
“A skilled commander utilizes ingenuity, but prevents damage; plans are made with contingency in mind!”
“One injury to the enemy can link to a hundred; linking ships with chains, like walking on flat ground, eliminates hidden dangers… The Great Wei navy will surely soar high!”
Hearing the Phoenix Chick’s evaluation, Lu Yu smiled and immediately waved his hand, “Issue an order to the workshop to expedite the improvement of these iron chains… In three days, all ships and vessels, except for the Long Xiao Camp navy, shall have their iron chains linked together!”
“Yes!” The Long Xiao armored soldiers in the tent responded, quickly going to relay the military order of this “Grand Governor of the Great Wei Navy”!
…
…
Jiangnan.
In an open area three li from Chibi.
A hot air balloon slowly ascended…
Zhuge Liang and Huang Yueying watched the hot air balloon rise. This was their first successful test, and it had flown successfully for half an hour, but… only for half an hour.
With resources already scarce in ancient times, oil resources were even more extremely limited…
Ordinary pine resin and fire oil were insufficient to sustain the hot air balloon’s flight for long. Half an hour was the limit that Huang Yueying, a “descendant of Mozi,” could achieve.
“My lady has worked hard…” Zhuge Liang gazed at the hot air balloon in the sky, filled with emotion.
“It still cannot fly for too long, not comparable to the Great Wei’s flying orbs,” Huang Yueying said with some self-reproach… “I cannot help my husband, and I… feel so ashamed.”
“No!” Zhuge Liang’s feather fan stopped. “You have already helped me a great deal…”
“This hot air balloon was never intended for the Chibi battlefield…”
“Then…” Huang Yueying blinked her large eyes, somewhat curious. “Where does my husband plan to use this hot air balloon?”
As this question was asked, Zhuge Liang paused, “Yesterday, in the heavy fog, I met with my brother Jun in Jiangdong…”
“Ah…”
Indeed, this news greatly surprised Huang Yueying.
With the armies in battle… they met in the middle of the river. This was too dangerous…
“My lady, rest assured,” Zhuge Liang smiled. “My brother Jun and I both returned safely. However… before we parted, brother Jun reminded me of something.”
“What?”
“Bashu!” Zhuge Liang’s eyes narrowed…
A few sharp glints appeared in his gaze.
“Bashu?” Huang Yueying blinked her large eyes. Suddenly… she connected this to the flying orb. “Does my husband intend to use this flying orb during the conquest of Bashu?”
“Precisely,” Zhuge Liang nodded. “Whether Wei wins or Jiangdong wins the Battle of Chibi, the outcome is the same for us… Our urgent priority is to find a province to develop. Jingzhou… is a strategic location with four fronts. With Lord Liu’s current strength, he cannot hold it securely. Bashu is different… the governance there is corrupt, and the Han imperial clan’s descendant, Liu Zhang, is weak… it is the most suitable place to seek!”
“What brother Jun said also aligns with the ‘Three Kingdoms strategy’ that I previously set with Lord Liu during our meeting in Longzhong!”
Hiss…
Huang Yueying hesitated slightly. “Then why… would brother Jun tell my husband these things? Brother Jun and my husband serve different masters. What is his position in saying this?”
“I do not know!” Zhuge Liang shook his head slightly. “I cannot fathom why brother Jun would advise me to attack Bashu!”
“He seems to really want me to conquer Bashu! This is somewhat strange…”
Zhuge Liang narrowed his eyes…
But soon, his eyes opened. “However, the urgent matter is not to consider this. If the Battle of Chibi is won, perhaps… there will be an opportunity to obtain Jingzhou. Using this as a stepping stone… to advance west to Bashu, would be the superior strategy!”
“My husband’s hair has turned even whiter…” Huang Yueying looked at Zhuge Liang with some concern. “I imagine the Battle of Chibi will not be easy to fight.”
“It is not easy to fight!” Zhuge Liang sighed with a “sigh.” “However… it is not without a chance of victory. The opportunity for victory has already appeared, and it is right before our eyes!”
“Ah…” Huang Yueying was startled.
Zhuge Liang sighed… “I hope everything proceeds according to plan!”
…
…
Three days later, early in the morning.
Huang Gai was bedridden… his back was still a bloody mess.
Fifty military punishments were indeed unbearable even for a stern warrior. He would require at least ten days before he could get out of bed!
However, Huang Gai’s son, Huang Bing… quietly boarded a small boat and went alone to the Great Wei’s Wulin encampment.
Yesterday, Great Wei spies had secretly contacted Huang Gai.
Of course, rather than contact, it was more like… to probe whether Huang Gai had indeed been beaten, and to test his intentions!
This morning…
Everything was ready. Huang Bing, carrying a letter, the Jiangnan deployment map of Chibi… and even a supply and logistics map, representing full sincerity!
On a low hill…
Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang stood gazing…
“Does Kong Ming believe this matter can succeed?”
“Governor Zhou seems somewhat lacking in confidence this time.”
“This is the greatest ‘sincerity’ this Governor can offer. If it fails… then this Battle of Chibi will likely have no room for maneuver!”
“Therefore, this time… Heaven will also help Governor Zhou, won’t it!”
Zhuge Liang watched the small boat on the river, Huang Bing’s figure gradually disappearing into the horizon where water met sky… A trace of melancholy inevitably filled his heart. “The Great Wind Novel Network.”
Fighting against heaven is endless joy, fighting against earth is endless joy.
But fighting against this Lu Zi Yu is not endless joy… but a lack of confidence.
He, Zhuge Liang, is like this, and so is Zhou Yu.
“I hope this ‘bitter flesh stratagem’ will not be seen through by Lu Zi Yu!”
Zhou Yu narrowed his eyes…
But at this very moment… a different thought suddenly emerged.
What if… it were truly seen through?
Would that leave Zhou Yu with only one last path, which was Yang Xiu, Yang Dezhu, in the “prison tent”!
This Lu Yu is truly “heart-piercing.”
The chess game is still ongoing, but the way out… has already been chosen for him, Zhou Yu.
…
…
The solitary boat entered the Wulin Port of Yunmeng Ze.
Huang Bing was captured by scouts. Led by the Tiger Guards, he was taken towards the King of Wei’s command tent.
In just a moment…
The spacious command tent gathered a host of civil and military officials. Even strategists like Xi Zhicai and Xun You were summoned.
“Are you a Jiangdong spy?” Xiahou Yuan pointed at Huang Bing and said coldly.
“Spy?” Huang Bing said, “If you consider me a spy, then… it will surely be a loss for your Great Wei!”
“Untie him…”
Seeing Huang Bing’s demeanor, Cao Cao had also received a letter from a spy and knew that Huang Bing would come this morning.
He ordered the Tiger Guards to untie Huang Bing.
Then, he softly said, “You are Huang Gongfu’s son, Huang Bing, aren’t you?”
“Indeed!”
“I am an old acquaintance of your father.”
“My father mentioned that during the past Party Prohibitions, Yuan Benchu secretly formed the ‘Friends of the Run’ alliance, supporting each other and rescuing many party members. At that time, my father and King Wei were brothers in this Friends of the Run! That was a bond forged through hardship!”
Huang Bing replied truthfully…
Indeed, in the Friends of the Run alliance formed by Yuan Shao, there were Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Cai Mao, as well as Huang Zu, Huang Gai, Kuai Yue, Liu Biao, Sun Jian, Yuan Shu, Zhang Wen, and others. (The ‘etc.’ is said to include Liu Bei)… a total of twelve people!
These twelve people became sworn brothers, sharing a life-or-death friendship.
This was also the reason why Cao Cao trusted Huang Gai historically.
“When I recall helping party members with your father, my blood boils… What a glorious era!”
As these words left his mouth…
Huang Bing quickly said, “After taking Chibi and conquering Jiangdong, Father will be able to reminisce with King Wei again!”
As he spoke… Huang Bing knelt down with a “pa da,” took out the letter and documents from his embrace, and respectfully said, “Your Majesty the King of Wei, this is my father’s letter and the deployment maps of Chibi and Jiangdong’s various supply routes!”
“My father, for the sake of the people of Jiangdong and for the sake of the common people, proposed that Zhou Yu and King Wei negotiate peace. But… but that Zhou Yu, relying on his position as governor, not only refuted my father but also… also beat my father to the point of serious injury! If this can be tolerated, what cannot? My father, remembering the past friendship with King Wei and seeing the villainous face of that young Zhou, a wise bird chooses its tree to nest in… therefore… Father… Father sent his son to meet King Wei and present this letter and deployment map!”
Cao Cao opened the letter and scanned the square-like characters, saying gravely, “Huang Gongfu agreed to surrender to my Great Wei with provisions and old troops via the waterway in twenty days. Is this true?”
“True!” Huang Bing replied firmly.
Cao Cao handed the letter and deployment map to Xun You. “Gongda, is this deployment map authentic!”
Collecting the enemy camp’s deployments was Xun You’s responsibility, so… he had some understanding of the deployments of the Chibi enemy.
Although perhaps not comprehensive, by matching what he knew with this deployment map, some clues could still be discerned.
“This deployment, Xun believes it to be accurate. It is west of unnamed hills and east of Mufu Mountain, which is indeed the case… This deployment map is undoubtedly genuine!”
Xi Zhicai, however, interjected, “Huang Bing, is your father an old official of Jiangdong? How could he sell out Jiangdong? This is merely a bitter flesh stratagem concocted by that young Zhou and your father! Do you think we cannot see through it?”
“Your Majesty the King…”
Huang Bing’s brows furrowed. “How could my father, who is an old friend of King Wei… how could he employ a bitter flesh stratagem?”
“My father is worried that King Wei will be suspicious, which is why he sent me here… If it were a bitter flesh stratagem, why would my father call me here? Wouldn’t it be enough to send a trusted confidant?”
Speaking of this… Huang Bing clasped his hands. “My father said that he wants me to attack Jiangdong together with King Wei, so… there is no need to return!”
This…
Cao Cao’s pupils narrowed…
Xun You and Xi Zhicai’s pupils also narrowed.
With the deployment map in hand and Huang Gai’s son, Huang Bing, present, it was indeed difficult not to believe!
“You may withdraw for now!”
“I need to discuss with the generals and strategists how to welcome your father back!”
“Yes!” Huang Bing bowed and retreated…
However, outside the tent… Lu Yu stood by the side of the large tent. Because Huang Bing was speaking, he had been standing by the door, not interrupting.
But now…
Only after Huang Bing was led away by the Tiger Guards did Lu Yu’s footsteps sound.
He strode into the command tent, softly chanting.
— “Pang Shi Yuan ingeniously devises the chained stratagem!”
— “Zhou Yu beats Huang Gai, one willing to be beaten, one willing to beat…”
Speaking of this…
Lu Yu thought of the next chapter.
— Zhuge Liang’s ritual on the Seven Star Platform to summon the wind, Zhou Yu’s arson at Sanjiang Kou!
…
…