The boat sailed down the river, preparing to rest in Chaisang. Upon hearing that Zhou Yu was defeated and Taishi Ci and Zhou Tai were seriously injured, people from all over Jiangdong were asking for peace. Sun Quan had no choice but to go to Wuhu to watch the battle in person.
Zhuge Jin was very anxious and did not dare to delay and urge his troops to head straight to Wuhu. Two generals were injured, which was a great test for Jiangdong's combat effectiveness.
Liu Qi did not expect that Zhou Yu would suffer such a great loss while leading the troops. Since the death of Sun Ce, Jiangdong had only two top-notch generals, Gan Ning and Taishi Ci.
Now that Gan Ning has been captured by himself, Taishi Ci, the only trump card of the Eastern Wu, is seriously injured, and Zhou Tai, who could barely hold on, is also injured and retreating. The Eastern Wu basically only has second-rate generals left, and except for naval battles, it has basically lost its offensive capability.
However, Cao Cao did not withdraw his troops but sent Sima Yi to Chang'an, which was beyond the expectations of Liu Qi, Zhuge Liang and others.
According to the original estimate, when his reinforcements arrived in Jiangdong, Cao Cao would just retreat to Chang'an. He would not only be able to owe a great favor, but also be able to move around in Soochow.
Unexpectedly, this forced Sima Yi to appear early. Liu Qi didn't know whether to be happy or sad about this result.
Zhuge Jin was so anxious that he was circling on the bow. Xu Shu discussed with Liu Qi and others and said, "The Cao thief is unwilling to withdraw his troops, which shows that he intends to take Jiangdong. Now that his general has been killed, it is time for you to make your efforts."
Gan Ning curled his lips and said, "Damn it, I think Sun Quan is not a good guy. A blue-eyed man is like a white-eyed wolf, fickle. We should be careful of him biting back. Why should we help him with all our strength?"
This time when the navy marched eastward, Gan Ning only brought ordinary warships, and most of them were ships of Dongting pirates, which looked somewhat dilapidated. He was reluctant to bring any of the steamships or warships equipped with crossbows.
Liu Pan nodded and said, "Governor Gan has a point. It is not worth it for my Jingzhou troops to fight bloody battles for the sake of Jiangdong's affairs!"
Liu Qi smiled and shook his head, saying, "As the saying goes, reinforcements are like putting out a fire. Think about it, where is the fire burning? Why are we not in a hurry to put it out?"
Gan Ning frowned slightly: "Backyard?"
"The fire in the backyard is not urgent?" Liu Pan curled his lips, "I think the kitchen is about the same."
Huang Zhong couldn't help but say, "The firewood room is full of debris, burning it won't hurt."
"I thought it was the main room!" Xi Guan thought, "The backyard is the bedroom, the kitchen has food, and the firewood room has treasures. These cannot be burned. The main room is empty. If it is burned, just rebuild it."
Gan Ning stroked his chin and chuckled, "It seems that the Xi family's treasures are all hidden near the firewood room."
"No, no, no, I'm just making an analogy!" Xi Guan's face suddenly changed and he quickly waved his hands, causing everyone to laugh.
Liu Pan asked, "Da Lang, what do you think?"
Xu Shu laughed and said, "You are wrong. If the fire is burning in someone else's yard, there is no need to worry."
Liu Qi nodded and said, "So our trip may seem like we are putting out the fire, but in fact we want to make the fire burn even more vigorously."
"Oh!" Everyone suddenly understood and laughed again.
Zhuge Jin poked his head in and sighed, "The military situation is urgent, why are you all laughing so loudly?"
Liu Qi smiled and said, "I am discussing with the generals how to defeat Cao. Sir, don't worry. When they reach the front line, they will surely charge in with all their might and make Cao thieves terrified."
Zhuge Jin clasped his fists and said, "Thank you all for your help, generals. I will definitely reward you handsomely after the task is completed!"
Liu Qi said, "Since we are here to help, we do not ask for anything in return. However, you must ensure that we have enough food, fodder and weapons for this expedition. Otherwise, the soldiers will become lazy and their morale will be weakened. I am sorry that I can't help you."
Zhuge Jin nodded and said, "Don't I understand the principle that food and fodder should be sent before troops move? I will personally dispatch everything the army needs."
The fleet sailed smoothly and arrived in Wuhu the next day. When the garrison reported in, Sun Quan led the civil and military officials to greet them in person.
Liu Qi looked from the boat and saw a man wearing a purple robe, with a lavender beard and slightly deep eye sockets. At first glance, he looked like a dragon head. No wonder people said that Sun Quan had an extraordinary appearance.
After getting off the boat and approaching to greet him, I found that Sun Quan's eyes were not emerald green, but deep blue like the sea, neither black nor blue.
But no matter what, like Liu Bei's big ears, they are different from ordinary people, which was a sign of great wealth and honor in ancient times.
After seeing the real person, Liu Qi became more and more confused. Whether from the perspective of blood inheritance or later medicine, it was difficult to explain Sun Quan's appearance. Could it be a genetic mutation
Sun Quan was also observing Liu Qi. He did not look majestic or domineering, nor was he shrewd and capable. Instead, he was similar to Liu Biao, with a gentlemanly and calm demeanor.
Can such a person defeat Cao Cao
Sun Quan was puzzled. Amidst the greetings and compliments, Zhuge Jin introduced the two parties to the government office and held a banquet to welcome Liu Qi.
After three rounds of drinking, Zhang Zhao stroked his beard and sneered, "Cao's army now has more than 300,000 soldiers, and General Liu is supporting Jiangdong with only 5,000 soldiers. This is a bit too perfunctory."
Liu Qi raised his cup to Zhang Zhao and said respectfully, "Mr. Zhang, please drink to the full."
Seeing Liu Qi's perfunctory response, Zhang Zhao flew into a rage and asked, "With the enemy at hand, why are you avoiding talking to me, General Liu?"
Liu Qi slowly put down his wine glass, raised his eyebrows and asked, "Sir, do you also know about military tactics?"
Zhang Zhao was furious and said, "I have read the Art of War and have seen all the military strategies, how could I not know?"
Liu Qi sighed, "I heard that when Sun was dying, he entrusted Jiangdong's affairs to me: ask Zhang Zhao if you have any questions about internal affairs, and ask Zhou Yu if you have any questions about external affairs. I am here to help in the battle, and I will discuss the strategy against the enemy with Governor Zhou, so you don't need to worry about it."
Zhang Zhao was so angry that he blew his beard and glared. If Sun Quan hadn't been there, he would have slammed the table and stood up. He said in a deep voice: "The Marquis of Wu is here now, and the civil and military officials of Jiangdong have gathered to discuss how to protect our homeland. I would like to hear your opinion!"
Liu Qi asked, "In the chapter on attacking in the Art of War, there are five ways to win. Do you know?"
Zhang Zhao snorted coldly, stroked his beard and said, "He who knows when to fight and when not to fight will win; he who knows how to use the many and the few will win; he who has the same desire as his superiors will win; he who is prepared for the unexpected will win; he who has a capable general but a ruler who does not control him will win."
"That's right!" Liu Qi nodded and said with a smile: "Since you all know the five victories, why do you only achieve two of them? How can you win like this?"
Sun Quan couldn't help but ask: "Why do you think I have only achieved two of them?"
Liu Qi said, "The Cao army is marching south, but you are hesitant and undecided, not knowing whether to fight or not. You have delayed sending out troops, wasting the opportunity to fight. The generals are fighting bloody battles in the front, but people like Zhang Gong are seeking peace and self-preservation in the rear, and the army is demoralized. Commander Zhou has a great strategy in his mind, but Cao Cao is still afraid of him, and the Marquis of Wu is personally on the front line. How can we win if we keep violating the major taboos in military tactics?"
Sun Quan's face suddenly darkened: "General Liu, are you trying to teach me how to do things?"
Liu Qi shook his head and smiled, "I dare not teach Wu Hou, I just came to save the general because of your brother-in-law."
Zhang Zhao sneered and said, "With only 5,000 soldiers, you dare to speak so arrogantly?"
"Zhang Zibu, you old stubborn man!" Liu Qi suddenly slammed the table and cursed: "You are deaf and blind and didn't you understand the five victories just now? Or have you colluded with Cao thieves and betrayed your own people and invited the wolf into the house?"
"Liu Qi, in front of so many people, you... you dare to speak ill of others. How can this be disgraceful? How can this be disgraceful?"
Zhang Zhao couldn't believe that Liu Qi dared to scold him in person. For a moment he didn't know how to retort and was trembling and speechless.