When Yizhou was becoming peaceful, the war in Huainan was raging!
Zhou Yu dispatched the navy to feint an attack on the mouth of Guangling River, and he himself led the main army along the coastal area to launch a surprise attack on Haixi, the mouth of Huaihe River. He also divided his troops to capture Yandu and control the coastal area of Huainan.
When Xiahou Dun sent troops to support, Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin led the navy northward and took Huaiyin directly from Gaoyou Lake. The two armies responded from the north and south and occupied the southern part of Guangling.
Zhou Yu then pretended to lead his troops north to attack Donghai County. Seeing that the Wu army had raided Xuzhou, Xiahou Dun urgently asked for help from Shouchun. Since Cao's army had basically no defenses along the coast, Xiahou Dun personally led his troops north to provide support.
Just as Cao's army was transferred to the coastal areas, Cheng Pu led the Wu army to attack Hefei in three directions, and Zhou Yu led the navy westward along the Huai River and besieged Shouchun.
Sun Quan in Jianye was overjoyed when he heard the news and decided to cross the river north again. He went to Hefei in person to motivate the three armies and take Shouchun in one go.
The Wu army prepared for three months and was ready to go. It took only one month to capture Huainan. Cao Cao had left Chang'an half a month ago. If he had acted later, all his efforts might have been wasted.
When Sun Quan reached Chaohu Lake, he suddenly received urgent news from Jiangdong that Wu Guotai was critically ill, so he had no choice but to rush back home.
Before her death, Wu Guotai instructed Sun Quan to treat Zhang Zhao and Zhou Yu with the respect of a teacher, and entrusted her sister, Lady Wu, to Sun Quan, asking him to take good care of her and respect her.
Sun Quan held a funeral for Wu Guotai, and all the officials in Jianye were in mourning, but most of the civil and military officials were away on the battlefield, so the formation was not strong enough.
Zhang Zhaoyan said: "My lord, you are a local lord. The Queen Mother has passed away. The whole country is in mourning. It is not appropriate to resort to war. You should issue an order to immediately cease fighting, recall the Grand Commander and all the generals, and bury them with state rites."
As soon as he finished speaking, someone shouted, "The army is now marching out, and the momentum is like a torrent. How can we stop it? The pacification of Huainan is just around the corner. If we withdraw the troops now, won't we fail? Mr. Zhang's words are misleading to the country."
Zhang Zhao turned his head and saw that it was the newly promoted general Lu Meng. He said angrily, "I was entrusted by the Queen Mother to protect the foundation of Jiangdong. How can you, a young boy and a mere warrior, know about national affairs?"
Lü Meng said coldly, "The Art of War says: The first attack is powerful, the second is weak, and the third is exhausted! If we don't seize Shouchun now, how can we defend Huainan when Cao Cao's reinforcements arrive? Now that Huainan has been lost, Cao's army is coming to the river to fight again. Are we going to surrender again? What is Zhang Gong's intention?"
"How dare you!" Zhang Zhao was furious. "The Queen Mother has just passed away, and the whole country is mourning. This is the etiquette of the country. My Lord is a very filial person, how can you easily abandon the etiquette and law?"
Lü Meng clasped his fists and said, "I have heard that when the granaries are full, people know etiquette, and when they have enough food and clothing, they know honor and disgrace! Now the safety of Jiangdong depends on the battle in Huainan. If we withdraw our troops now and wait for Cao's army to cross the river, Jiangdong will be in danger and the people will be uneasy. I wonder if Cao is willing to talk about etiquette with Mr. Zhang?"
“You…you…you youngster, are so arrogant! How can this be justified!” Zhang Zhao was so angry that his hair and beard were shaking. He turned around and clasped his fists towards Sun Quan, saying: “Such an impolite lunatic should be beheaded!”
In the past, only Cheng Pu and Zhou Yu dared to confront him face to face. Now even a small general was so arrogant. How could Zhang Zhao tolerate it
Lu Su hurriedly advised, "Before her death, the Queen Mother told us to be harmonious with the civil and military officials and work together to protect the foundation of Jiangdong. Now that the coffin is in the hall, how can you two quarrel like this?"
Zhang Zhao said angrily, "You are not worthy of being my advisor. I am a minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor. How can I be on the same level as a reckless man?"
Lu Meng had long been fed up with Zhang Zhao's taking advantage of his seniority and always trying to avoid trouble. Now that he was promoted by Sun Quan, he felt a little more confident when he saw that Sun Quan didn't say anything. Although Lu Su hinted at him again and again, he kept a cold face and refused to give in and apologize.
"Young man, don't be so angry!" Just when the situation was at a stalemate, Madam Wu came out of the mourning hall and said slowly: "You two are both thinking about Jiangdong. There is no right or wrong. In my opinion, the war cannot be stopped, and the etiquette and laws cannot be abolished."
Sun Quan then asked, "What do you think, mother?"
Madam Wu said: "The funeral will be held as scheduled, but there is no need to alert the Grand Commander. Wait until Huainan wins a great victory, and then burn incense in front of the coffin. This will be the best comfort for the spirit of the Queen Mother in heaven."
"Mother is right!" Sun Quan comforted the two and held funeral ceremonies for Wu Guotai without informing Zhou Yu.
After the funeral, Sun Quan took Mrs. Wu out from the back garden, held a banquet and met with civil and military officials, still calling her Mrs. Wu Guotai.
"After thirty years, I finally came out!" Madam Wu stood in front of the Marquis's mansion, her eyes swept around, and she slowly asked, "Do you know how I spent the past thirty years?"
Sun Quan was stunned: "My mother is planting flowers in the back garden to maintain her health and teach us. Isn't she happy in it?"
Mrs. Wu chuckled and said, "The canary chirps in the cage, and that is just the pleasure of the bird owner."
Sun Quan was confused and asked: "Why did mother say that?"
"It's just a momentary emotion!" Madam Wu sighed and said with a smile: "As long as my son can protect Jiangdong and carry forward this foundation, I will be at peace!"
While they were chatting, news came from the front that Zhou Yu had led four armies to besiege Shouchun, and Cao Cao was coming from Xuchang to support.
Sun Quan asked Lu Su to discuss the matter and decided to send Lu Meng to lead troops to provide support, so as to capture Shouchun and pacify Huainan as soon as possible so that the defense line could be deployed in time.
When Lu Su saw Lu Meng again, he saw that his temperament was different from before. He also remembered that day when he argued with Zhang Zhao and quoted classics, but he was not at all inferior. He was surprised and said: "I thought that the general was only good at military strategy. After not seeing you for a few months, you have learned a lot. You are no longer the old Wu A Meng!"
Lu Meng clasped his fists and said, "It is all thanks to the guidance and support of the lord that I have just started to learn, and I have only gained a glimpse of the basics. Guan Yu is an old man who loves to learn, so am I not as good as him?"
Sun Quan smiled with satisfaction and said, "When a scholar has been away for three days, he should be looked at with new eyes. Ziming is humble and eager to learn, which shows that he is teachable. We now have a successor for Jiangdong."
So he went to the back hall to discuss with Wu Guotai, intending to fulfill his promise and give the family heirloom copy of "The Art of War" to Lu Meng.
Madam Wu personally summoned Lü Meng and praised him, saying, "General Lü is worthy of being a brave general of Jiangdong. He has refused to yield to the old power of an old minister. This is truly commendable."
Lu Meng clasped his fists and said, "I was impulsive that day and made the Queen Mother laugh."
"It's inevitable that young people are full of vigor!" Mrs. Wu said with a smile, "I have a box of pineapple cakes here, specially prepared for the general. The general should kill more enemies and gain merit on this trip, so as to stop the gossips."
Lu Meng was overwhelmed with joy and knelt hurriedly: "I have heard that Madam's pineapple cakes are a specialty and only close relatives can enjoy them. I will never let down the Queen Mother and the Marquis of Wu for their kindness."
"Get up!" Madam Wu nodded with satisfaction, ordered someone to bring the brocade box, and reminded him: "In recent years, my hands and eyes are trembling, so I have made fewer and fewer. There are only four, so you should eat them sparingly. But don't be reluctant to eat them, otherwise they will go bad. I will make more when you return home."
"Thank you, Queen Mother!" Lu Meng excitedly took the food box, bid farewell to Queen Mother, and went to the front hall to show off to Lu Su.
Lu Su stroked his beard and sighed, "I have followed the Marquis of Wu for many years, and I have only eaten one pineapple cake. Ziming took a whole box at once. Will you share one with me?"
"That won't do!" Lu Meng turned around quickly, like a dog guarding its food, "No one is allowed to touch it!"
Sun Quan shook his head and laughed, then gave him The Art of War and instructed him, "I am in mourning and cannot lead the troops. Ziming will go in my place, inspire the three armies, and help Gongjin."
Lu Meng took the order, carried large and small boxes, and left Jianye with a lot of money.