binnovel Chapter 1045: Standing on the Han River to Defend Wancheng
Chapter 1045: Standing on the Han River to Defend Wancheng
Sun Quan, who was chasing after him, watched Zhou Yu protecting the two children behind him. He was so unwilling that he couldn't help but raise his hand and slap the frame hard, letting out a helpless sigh.
Zhou Yu shielded the two children tightly behind him, his expression stern. Gan Ning and Taishi Ci, standing beside him, quickly approached Zhou Yu from either side. Their eyes were filled with murderous intent, their gazes like cold gleams, as if they would attack Sun Quan without hesitation at Zhou Yu's command. Zhou Yu stared directly at Sun Quan and demanded, "Sun Quan, what are you trying to do? What exactly are you trying to accomplish by doing this?"
A trace of embarrassment flashed across Sun Quan's face, and he hurriedly explained: "Hey, Gongjin, Gongjin, I just want to take the children back to Moling to raise them personally, so that they can receive better education and contribute to Jiangdong in the future. I have no other intentions." As Sun Quan spoke, he spread out his hands, trying to show his "sincerity."
Zhou Yu snorted coldly, his eyes filled with disdain. "Hmph, do you think I'd believe you? You acted so recklessly, without even consulting me, secretly sending people to abduct the children. How can you possibly just want to raise them?" Sun Quan was speechless upon hearing this, his face turning red and white, unsure how to respond. The atmosphere around them once again became tense, with both sides on edge, ready to fight.
At this tense moment, Sun Quan's mother's carriage hurriedly returned. Her face was filled with worry, her brow furrowed. She approached Sun Quan and said, with a hint of reproach, "How could you act so rashly? Gongjin has already stated his disapproval, so why act so recklessly and cause unnecessary misunderstandings?" Sun Quan quickly bowed, his face filled with guilt. "My son was ill-considered and impulsive. I hope you will forgive me, mother."
Mother Sun took two quick steps and came to the front of the two armies. She looked at Zhou Yu earnestly and said in a gentle voice, "Gongjin, we are family. Although Zhongmou was not sensible and thoughtful this time, it shouldn't have come to such a tense situation, almost to the point of fighting. I also saw that Shao'er is with you and has been taught very well by you. So let's keep Shao'er with you. Can you keep everything you discussed with Zhongmou as before and don't create any more rifts because of this incident?" Zhou Yu was silent for a while after hearing what Mother Sun said. Mother Sun had already said this, what else could he do? After a little thought, Zhou Yu bowed and said, "Aunt, I will naturally not care too much about him. But since this child is staying with me, I will teach him personally in the future. I hope you don't have any ideas about this child anymore." Mother Sun nodded quickly and said, "Okay, okay, I will listen to everything Gongjin."
After saying this, Sun's mother turned to look at Sun Shangxiang and said, "Xiang'er, why don't you stay here and help your sister-in-law raise Sun Shao? That way, it won't be seen as our family neglecting your brother's child, which would only lead to criticism." Sun Shangxiang, always well-behaved and filial, nodded obediently, agreeing to her mother's arrangement. Sun's mother then looked at Zhou Yu and said, "Gongjin, I think this arrangement is not too much to ask, is it?" Zhou Yu already had a good impression of Sun Shangxiang. After all, she was the child's aunt. Regardless of what Sun Quan said about her, Sun Shangxiang was kind and a very good person. So, Zhou Yu nodded and agreed.
After both sides reached an agreement, they reorganized their forces and set out again. Zhou Yu returned to camp with Sun Shao, Ma Yue, and his own men, while Sun Quan, his mother, and the others continued their journey. The dust gradually cleared across the wilderness, as if the sudden storm had subsided. However, everyone understood that the situation in Jiangdong was complex, and the conflicts and entanglements between the various parties might only have been temporarily suppressed. The future was still full of uncertainties.
Upon returning to Jiangdong, Sun Quan and his entourage immediately set their sights on Jiaozhou, quickly forming an ambitious plan of conquest. This time, Sun Quan made a crucial decision: personally lead the expedition to Jiaozhou. While others might have seen this as a grand undertaking to expand Jiangdong's territory and strengthen its power, Sun Quan had other plans in mind: a way to secure a retreat.
In this chaotic world, with various factions constantly clashing, Sun Quan, despite his command of Jiangdong, senses a lurking danger. Zhou Yu holds immense prestige in Jiangdong, and his elite divisions instill a sense of unease in Sun Quan. While the previous struggle for Sun Shao has come to a temporary end, Sun Quan is well aware that the conflict between him and Zhou Yu is like a hidden reef, poised to escalate into greater turmoil. If the conflict with Zhou Yu escalates in the future, his position in Jiangdong could be jeopardized. Furthermore, with Ma Chao of Xiliang, he needs to plan a retreat.
In Sun Quan's eyes, Jiaozhou, that vast and mysterious land, not only held rich resources and vast potential for development, but also served as a source of hope in times of adversity. If the situation in Jiangdong spiraled out of control, Jiaozhou might become a base for him to recuperate and mount a comeback.
Sun Quan quickly summoned the leaders of the major Jiangdong clans. A solemn atmosphere settled within the meeting hall as Sun Quan, with a resolute gaze, laid out his plan for the invasion of Jiaozhou. He spoke passionately, describing Jiaozhou's wealth and strategic importance, attempting to ignite enthusiasm for the expedition. Though the clans harbored their own ulterior motives, they were compelled to nod in agreement, lured by Sun Quan's authority and the allure of his grand vision.
After the meeting, Jiangdong immediately erupted in activity. The aristocratic families frantically mobilized their forces, selecting the most elite soldiers from their private armies to induct into the expeditionary force. They also conscripted numerous civilians and prepared provisions and supplies to ensure the army's logistical support. However, these measures sparked mixed reactions within Jiangdong. Some aristocratic families resented Sun Quan's actions, fearing that the expedition would overstretch their own strength and, consequently, affect their interests in Jiangdong, and they inevitably complained privately. Meanwhile, some young generals were filled with anticipation and enthusiasm for the Jiaozhou expedition, eager to fight bravely on the battlefield, achieve merit, and thereby distinguish themselves, bringing glory to their families and their futures.
Zhou Yu was filled with mixed emotions upon learning that Sun Quan was personally leading the expedition to Jiaozhou. Although he still harbored resentment towards Sun Quan for his previous attempt to seize Sun Shao's throne, for the sake of Jiangdong's overall interests, he refrained from taking any offensive action against the region. He knew that Jiangdong could not withstand internal strife at this point, and that if his conflict with Sun Quan became public, it would only provide an opportunity for other factions to exploit the situation.
Zhou Yu diligently mentored Sun Shao and Ma Yue, imparting his lifelong knowledge of military tactics and the ways of dealing with people. Meanwhile, he closely monitored the evolving situation in Jiangdong and Sun Quan's expedition to Jiaozhou. He understood that Sun Quan's expedition, regardless of success or failure, would profoundly alter the future of Jiangdong, and he himself would face even more difficult decisions and challenges in this volatile landscape.
As time passes, preparations for Sun Quan's expedition to Jiaozhou gradually complete. With the army about to depart, the entire Jiangdong region is enveloped in an atmosphere of tension and anticipation. On the surface, all appears calm, but beneath the surface, undercurrents surge, drawing everyone into this massive vortex that hinges on the fate of Jiangdong. The road ahead remains shrouded in mystery, filled with endless unknowns and uncertainties.
Time quietly advanced to May, the blazing sun relentlessly baking the earth, seemingly scorching everything in existence. Beneath this scorching sun, a thrilling battle raged across Wancheng. Liu Bei's army surged towards the city like a rolling torrent, but was forcibly stopped outside by the defenders led by Huang Zhong and Yi Ji. This stalemate had lasted for over a month.
Beneath Wancheng, every day was a life-and-death struggle. With their vast numbers and high morale, Liu Bei's army launched wave after wave of fierce attacks. Each time, as they surged toward Wancheng like a tide, victory seemed imminent, the fortified gates threatened to be breached, and the defenders seemingly powerless, Huang Zhong would always rise like a fearless lion, rallying his might and leading the defenders in a desperate resistance. He led the charge, brandishing his longsword, his blade flashing and blood splattering as he forcibly halted Liu Bei's advance and recaptured the city from near loss. Each encounter was a life-or-death struggle, a baptism of blood and fire. The city walls were already covered in a dense web of scars and arrows, a testament to the brutality of the war.
Liu Bei's forces naturally wouldn't sit idly by. While they were fully engaged in attacking Wancheng, they were also actively expanding their gains. Beyond the thorny necessities of Wancheng, the rest of Nanyang County fell under Liu Bei's fierce offensive. By this point, Wancheng was isolated and helpless, like a lone boat drifting in a storm, surrounded by the vast ocean. With no hope of reinforcements or food supplies, the city endured immense pressure every moment, and the loss of both manpower and supplies steadily increased.
Faced with such a dire situation, Huang Zhong knew that if he wanted to hold Wancheng, he had to take more proactive and effective measures. So, he had no choice but to recruit civilians from the city. Regardless of gender, age, or status, they were all organized and thrown into the intense work of strengthening the city's defenses. During the day, the sun was high in the sky, and the civilians carried heavy stones and wood on their shoulders and hands. Their clothes were soaked with sweat, but no one dared to slack off. At night, the moonlight was like water, and the lights on the city walls were still bright. Under the supervision of the defenders, the civilians continued their unfinished work, their exhausted figures looking even more haggard in the moonlight. Huang Zhong was extremely anxious. He climbed the city wall day and night, gazing into the distance, hoping that the reinforcements from Jingzhou would appear in sight as soon as possible.
However, fate often plays tricks on us. In Xiangyang, Liu Biao was already terrified by the overwhelming force of Liu Bei's army. The sheer ferocity and overwhelming force of Liu Bei's army made Liu Biao realize the vast disparity in his own strength. He knew that rashly sending reinforcements would likely fail to relieve the siege of Wancheng and, instead, put himself in even greater danger, potentially plunging Xiangyang into the flames of war. Therefore, despite Huang Zhong's desperate efforts in Wancheng, Liu Biao remained hesitant, ultimately choosing to defend himself. He hastily transferred Huang Zu's navy to the Han River and, along with Cai Mao, led this force to secure a firm defense at Fancheng. Fancheng became Liu Biao's last line of defense, and he fully hoped that with this navy, he could hold off Liu Bei's army at Dengzhou and preserve his remaining sphere of influence.
Huang Zhong, now isolated and helpless in Wancheng, faced the relentless advance of Liu Bei's army. Each attack was like a hammer, hammering down upon his heart. The situation grew increasingly critical, and Wancheng was like a dam about to burst under a flood, each blow straining its shaky hold.