An autumn night, a scout gallops on a small path, reaching Hanzhong city via Shangyong. He dismounts at the city gate and stumbles up to pound on it. A guard pokes his head out from the gate tower and shouts, "Who is there?"
The scout replies, "A scout from Jingzhou, reporting urgent military intelligence for His Majesty! Open the gate quickly—"
The guards on the tower dare not act on their own. After confirming with the leader of the Dragon Soaring Battalion stationed there, they receive an affirmative answer, and the great gate slowly opens... its movement stiff and labored.
The scout leaps onto his horse, his disordered hoofbeats waking the city of Hanzhong.
Just fifteen days prior, Guan Yu led his army out of Yiling, heading north towards Jiangling. He immediately breached the waterway connecting Jiangling and Xiakou, diverting the Yangtze River to flood Jiangling city. The Jingzhou troops stationed there, under Zhou Yu's command, were annihilated...
After the great battle, Jiangling's Yangtze River was littered with countless broken weapons, banners, and the bloated corpses of drowned soldiers.
At this moment...
Cheng Yu, Xu Shu, Xi Zhicai, and Ju Shou have all gathered in the outer hall of the Hanzhong yamen. Xi Zhicai nervously rubs his hands, while the strategists whisper amongst themselves. Cheng Yu says, "How could this be so fast? Fifteen days ago, the ceasefire agreement had not yet expired!" Xu Shu softly adds, "All warfare is based on deception. Guan Yu just seized this opportunity... But Zhou Gongjin and Lu Boyan were already there! How could they not see through Guan Yu's plan to breach the embankment and flood the city, unless it was completely unexpected?"
A sigh... Ju Shou exhales deeply, "I suppose... Guan Yunchang must have prepared for this day for a long time... What if it wasn't his soldiers who breached the embankment, but rather spies meticulously placed throughout Jingzhou? That would explain everything."
Speaking of which...
Lu Yu hurries out from the inner chambers, his face a mask of disbelief, which eventually transforms into an expression of infinite lament.
His hair, usually tied up, comes loose in his anger. He urgently demands, "Speak, what exactly happened!"
Cheng Yu, dejected, presents the military report, "Your Majesty, Jingzhou has sent an urgent report from seven hundred li away: Guan Yu led a large army out of Yiling and captured Jiangling!"
He was unaware of the report's specific contents, but he knew something terrible had happened in Jingzhou!
Even so, Lu Yu frowns as he takes the report, "What are the casualties? Where is Zhou Yu now?"
Cheng Yu exchanges uneasy glances with Xu Shu, Xi Zhicai, Ju Shou, and the others...
Lu Yu senses something is amiss. He unfolds the report and reads it carefully, his eyes widening in shock. He mutters in disbelief, "The five thousand soldiers stationed in Jiangling! The entire army! Annihilated!"
The scout bows, "Guan Yu used the autumn tide of the river to flood Jiangling... Grand Commander Zhou Yu managed to escape."
Xu Shu adds, "Given this, Jiangling is likely beyond saving. The immediate priority is to prevent Guan Yu from advancing north into Jingbei or south into Jingnan."
Xi Zhicai wears a grim expression, "If Guan Yu attacks north and captures Xiangyang and Fancheng, it will be a grave matter. It would directly threaten the foundation of Great Wei!"
Jingzhou connects to Yuzhou, and Yuzhou connects to Sili. This is a chain reaction where the slightest movement affects the whole.
A sigh...
Lu Yu's eyes gleam.
He had anticipated that after the five-year armistice, turbulent times would follow...
But he never expected that as soon as it ended, Shu would present him with such a gift.
Lu Yu had deliberately guarded against the historical "flooding of Fancheng," keeping a close watch on the Han River... But who would have thought that a different city, Jiangling, would still fall victim to Guan Yu's water attack!
Guan Yu is still the same Guan Yu!
However...
This gift from Guan Yu has arrived at a most opportune moment.
With this thought...
Lu Yu commands, "Ring the bells and beat the drums! Summon all civil and military officials of the Hegemony's mansion here for deliberation!"
The decisive battle on the Shu Road, from Hanzhong to Shu, had just been planned...
Jingzhou was already engulfed in flames.
...
...
Shu, Chengdu Commandery.
"What? Flooding... Jiangling?" Zhuge Liang stares at the urgent dispatch before him, his eyes wide with astonishment...
The Chief Clerk Yang Yi looks at Zhuge Liang with confusion, asking, "This is a victory report, isn't it? Why such an expression, Prime Minister?"
"A victory report?" Zhuge Liang feels not joy, but a deep sadness. "If it were a minor defeat, I would feel at ease. But such a great victory... then..."
Zhuge Liang stops speaking mid-sentence...
"What is the Prime Minister afraid of?" Yang Yi quickly asks.
"Alas..." Zhuge Liang sighs. He walks silently to the map in the main hall, and Yang Yi follows.
As Zhuge Liang gazes at the map, his brow furrows, muttering words that Yang Yi cannot understand.
However, from Zhuge Liang's expression, Yang Yi can sense the overwhelming worry in his heart. "Is the Prime Minister overthinking things?"
"Overthinking! Heh..." Zhuge Liang chuckles bitterly. "I heard that when Cao Yu was fifteen, he explained the principles of Dao, Tian, Di, Jiang, and Fa from Sun Tzu's Art of War to Cao Cao in Yan Prefecture. He used Duke Wen of Jin's story of retreating three times to illustrate it."
"Duke Wen of Jin honored his promise and voluntarily retreated ninety li, which is 'Dao.' Retreating to 'Chengpu,' a location close to his own country and far from the enemy's, shortened supply lines and utilized terrain – this is 'Tian' and 'Di.' He dispatched wise and capable generals like Xian Zhen, Hu Yan, and Zhao Shuai to confront the mediocre Chu generals – this is 'Jiang.' And 'Fa!' Dao, Tian, Di, Jiang, Fa... Using the straightforward to engage, using the unconventional to conquer..."
At this point, Zhuge Liang pauses.
A greater sense of worry and lament sweeps over him.
"At fifteen years old, Cao Yu could speak such words, which shows his profound understanding of the essence of Sun Tzu's Art of War. But now, Yunchang's victory in flooding Jiangling is undeniable, yet he has lost this Dao, Tian, Di, Jiang, Fa!"
"From a moral standpoint, the ceasefire agreement had not yet expired when he attacked first – this is a lack of Dao. Flooding Jiangling... drowning countless civilians is inhumane, a lack of Ren. How can Tian offer any protection? Moreover, Jiangling is a thousand li from Shu, and the supply lines are fraught with instability... a single misstep could sever the supply route, making reinforcement difficult. This is a loss of Di Li... As for Jiang and Fa... perhaps Yunchang is skilled in both civil and military matters, but... he has one great weakness, which is pride. Such a great victory will surely ignite his arrogance to its fullest. To fight against an opponent like Cao Yu... with even a trace of arrogance, the final outcome will undoubtedly be ruin at the threshold of success." Zhuge Liang's words are filled with sorrow and regret.
It is as if he can predict Guan Yu's fate.
Meanwhile... Yang Yi.
He slightly shakes his head... and remains silent. He still feels... the Prime Minister is making a mountain out of a molehill.
Guan Yunchang has achieved a great victory. From the strategic perspective of decisive battles, this is an excellent start for Shu and Great Wei.
"No..."
Zhuge Liang leans against the window. A wave of immense weakness washes over him, forcing him to rely on an object to stand steady. "I must immediately report to the Lord. Yunchang is in danger. Someone must be sent to Jiangling to recall Duke Guan."
Before he finishes speaking... Zhuge Liang quickly walks out of the Prime Minister's mansion and onto the street.
He hears horses approaching, and an imperial envoy dismounts, loudly proclaiming the Emperor's decree in the street. "By imperial edict, my brother Guan Yunchang has flooded Jiangling, heavily damaged the Cao army, shaken the world with his might, and his fame reverberates throughout the universe. He is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Northern Hunting. He is to immediately march north to break Xiangfan and capture Luoyang!"
As the decree falls...
"Lord Marquis is mighty!"
"Lord Marquis is mighty!"
"Lord Marquis is mighty!"
From somewhere, voices erupt, followed by a thunderous roar.
Yet, it is precisely these voices that amplify Zhuge Liang's worry to its peak.
Subconsciously, Zhuge Liang furrows his brow and asks the envoy, "Where is His Majesty?"
"His Majesty has already gone to the Zitong front lines. His Majesty instructed Prime Minister Zhuge to rest well and that Chengdu affairs are to be handled by the Minister of State and the General of Central Guards, Li Yan..."
The envoy's words strike Zhuge Liang like lightning!
"Tap tap"
Walking like a zombie, Zhuge Liang takes two steps, looks up at the sky, and softly murmurs, "Duke Guan is in danger, Duke Guan is in danger!"
Jingzhou, Xiangyang City.
Zhou Yu rubs his temples,
trying to alleviate his fatigue. He sighs.
"I still underestimated Guan Yu... The defenses built over five years could not withstand a single flood. It seems... over these five years, Guan Yunchang was also constantly preparing to advance east from Yiling!"
"Indeed..." Lu Xun exclaims, "This battle has greatly boosted Guan Yunchang's reputation. Since His Majesty joined the Cao camp, Great Wei has never lost. This defeat has solidified Guan Yunchang's fame throughout the realm!"
"What a pity for the people of all Jiangling... and for the five thousand defending soldiers!" Zhou Yu remains full of self-reproach. Although he had just returned from Luoyang when Guan Yu flooded Jiangling,
ultimately, he failed to notice the anomaly of the embankment. He must bear the responsibility for this battle.
But...
After a moment of sorrow, Zhou Yu's lips curl into a smile. "Boyan, Jiangling's misfortune, my misfortune as Zhou Gongjin, is your good fortune!"
"Me?" Lu Xun asks in return...
"Precisely!" Zhou Yu nods. "If His Majesty were to arbitrarily replace me, the Grand Commander of Great Wei's navy, it would surely arouse Guan Yu's suspicion and alert the enemy. Now, with this great defeat, it is the perfect time to dismiss me and appoint you. Guan Yu's victorious army will surely not take you seriously and will focus on attacking elsewhere... And here..." Zhou Yu points to the "Four Prefectures of Jingnan" on the Jingzhou map, his lips fully curved. "Guan Yu is destined to march north and will not go south. Jingnan will be our opportunity to counterattack Guan Yu and cut off his retreat!"
Lu Xun's eyes sharpen...
He is a person of exceptional intelligence. With Zhou Yu pointing out the matter to this extent, he naturally understands Zhou Yu's plan and knows what he needs to do.
This is a plan more heartbreaking than the "Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai" at Chibi – a bitter stratagem!
"Commander Zhou, this battle may enhance my reputation, but it also burdens Commander Zhou with an ignominious reputation."
"Hahaha!" Zhou Yu laughs. "The winner takes all, and history is often written by the victors!"
—"Zhou Gongjin is the shame of Great Wei!"
Amidst this barrage of scathing criticism, a military conference attended by all officials of the Hanzhong Hegemony began.
Jiang Wei, a member of the special forces, was not qualified to participate in such a military meeting, but he quickly heard about the disastrous defeat in Jingzhou.
Yes, disastrous defeat. The word "disastrous defeat" was so unfamiliar to Great Wei.
Since His Majesty joined the Cao camp in Yan Prefecture, the word "disastrous defeat" seemed to have been completely removed from Great Wei.
Jiang Wei and the soldiers of the special forces were also worried about the situation in Jingzhou, so they waited at the front of the Hanzhong hall early in the morning.
Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai stride out...
Jiang Wei quickly goes to meet them. Currently, Jiang Wei's immediate superior is Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao.
"The Special Forces request to be deployed to Jingzhou to resolve the crisis there. His Majesty's favor!"
Guo Jia looks directly into Jiang Wei's eyes...
Xi Zhicai also notices Jiang Wei's enthusiasm, which sets him apart from ordinary generals. Jiang Wei and the soldiers of the special forces have a light in their eyes, a light of extreme eagerness.
After five years of training, they are too eager to go to the battlefield and execute missions.
"Fengxiao, I'll be going now!"
Xi Zhicai glances at Jiang Wei again, bows to Guo Jia, and takes his leave. Guo Jia slightly lifts his wine gourd in response.
After Xi Zhicai leaves, Guo Jia finally speaks, "The situation in Jingzhou is critical. His Majesty has made arrangements: Grand Commander of Great Wei's Navy, Zhou Yu, has been dismissed and demoted to Prefect of Changsha. Lu Xun of Jiangdong, Lu Boyan, has been appointed as the new Grand Commander of the Navy. Lü Meng, Gan Ning, Wen Pin, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, and Ling Tong from Jiangdong are to be dispatched to Jingzhou... to defend only, not attack! They must hold Xiangfan."
"Why only defend and not attack?" Jiang Wei keenly grasps the key point and quickly asks.
"The situation is critical, and Guan Yu's offensive this time is too fierce. His Majesty may depart from Hanzhong for Shu. His Majesty intends to lead the campaign personally!"
Lu Xun exclaims in surprise, "Lead the campaign personally? Then shall we accompany him?"
Guo Jia shakes his head, "Your Special Forces will remain in Hanzhong!"
"But... but with such a crisis in Jingzhou, why aren't we being deployed? What is the purpose of our Special Forces?"
Jiang Wei laments.
Guo Jia looks at the eager Jiang Wei, his eyes holding a strange, unspoken meaning. He sighs silently, "You should still follow His Majesty's arrangements! Jingzhou will not be thrown into chaos!"
Saying this, he sees Jiang Wei grit his teeth, looking like a fine sword honed for five years, forced to remain sheathed before it can strike, appearing innocent and helpless. Guo Jia pats his shoulder, "Rest assured, for this decisive battle... there will be a mission for your Special Forces! However... before that..."
Guo Jia hesitates once more. This hesitant demeanor makes Jiang Wei uncomfortable.
"Continue training on time and be ready at any moment... perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the day after, the Special Forces will be entrusted with an important task!"
He pats Jiang Wei's shoulder again.
Guo Jia's mind drifts back to the Emperor's words during the Hegemony's meeting earlier.
—"Since Guan Yu has come to Jiangling, let him stay here forever!"
Guo Jia vividly remembers... the killing intent and cold glint in His Majesty's eyes when he said those words!
Immediately...
He turns his gaze back to Jiang Wei, shakes his wine gourd, which is now empty.
He walks away somewhat regretfully.
...
...
Shu, Zitong.
Liu Bei stands on the high battlements, gazing at the endless Shu Road winding through the mountains. His mood is rather melancholic.
"Zheng Fang, how is it?" Liu Bei says to Li Yan beside him with emotion. "What did I say? My second brother is invincible in the world! That mere Zhou Yu is nothing to fear!"
"Indeed!" Li Yan strokes his beard. "...General Guan's victory in flooding Jiangling has unleashed the pent-up resentment of our Shu soldiers over the years and shattered the myth of Cao Yu's undefeated Great Wei! Congratulations, congratulations!"
"Hahaha..." Liu Bei laughs, stroking his beard...
Just then...
A young soldier quickly climbs the battlements and presents a letter with both hands. "Your Majesty, an urgent dispatch from Prime Minister Zhuge... he said it must be delivered to Your Majesty!"
Hmm...
Liu Bei receives the letter and slowly unfolds it.
The more he unfolds it, the more his originally clear brow is suddenly clouded with dark storm clouds.
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, Liu Bei slams the bamboo slip to the ground, his expression visibly turning into frenzied rage!
...
...