Cao Cao's army invaded Nanyang, and Jingzhou was shaken. Rumors spread that Cao's army besieged Wancheng and Liu Qi could not hold on alone, causing panic among the people.
Deputy Driver Liu Xian and Dong Cao Yuan Fu Xun all advised Liu Biao to recall Liu Qi, send an envoy to apologize to Cao Cao, and cede Nanyang to resolve the crisis.
Liu Biao spent all day writing in the academy with Qi Wukai, Song Zhong and others, and left military and political affairs to Kuai Yue and Liu Pan, and ignored them.
Zhang Ji went to Xiangyang to treat Liu Biao. After his condition improved, he devoted himself to writing and no longer cared about state affairs. He was determined to complete his "Further Definitions of the Five Classics" and leave it to future generations.
After experiencing the events of the Cai family, Liu Biao truly understood that the greatest regret in his life was not Jingzhou, but the fact that his lifelong research on classics and the Book of Changes had never been published.
When Song Zhong saw Liu Biao driving these officials away, he sighed and said, "Cao Cao has coveted Jingzhou for a long time. Nanyang is in urgent need of help, why do you turn a deaf ear to it?"
Liu Biao smiled faintly: "My father and I have been ordered to guard Jingzhou. We should rule together in life and die together. What is there to be afraid of? As long as I can pass these classics on to future generations, I will have no regrets in this life!"
Song Zhong stroked his beard and sighed, "Your Excellency is right. When we write books and biographies, it is like a general going into battle to kill the enemy. We should sacrifice our lives without hesitation."
Liu Biao nodded and smiled, "My son has grown up and has defeated Cao's army several times, captured Nanyang and captured Cao Ren. He is proud of himself. If he is defeated by Cao, it is also God's will! If God wants to destroy Yanhan, what can human power do?"
When the Confucian scholars heard what Liu Biao said, they immediately shook their heads and sighed. If Liu Biao had not taken them in, established schools and sought out Confucian scholars over the years, their lives would have been in danger now, let alone writing books.
In the government office, Liu Pan was also worried when he learned about the news in Nanyang. He discussed with Kuai Yue, "Da Lang is surrounded by Cao's army in Wancheng. Should we send troops to rescue him?"
Kuai Yue shook his head and said, "The eldest master is no longer the same as before. If the troops have not been mobilized, we must not act rashly. The most important thing now is to stabilize the people's hearts in the country, prepare food and grass, and ensure stability in front of the army."
Liu Pan asked: "Does Zhuge Kongming really have the talent to rule the world?"
Kuai Yue laughed and said, "How could the names of Crouching Dragon and Phoenix be in vain? I have met Kong Ming several times. He is a man of extraordinary demeanor, knowledgeable and wise. Not only is he as talented as Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, he also went to Mount Wudang to seek the truth for three years. He is well versed in astronomy, geography, yin and yang, and the Eight Diagrams. He is comparable to Zhang Liang and Deng Yu."
"How could there be such a strange person?" Liu Pan was secretly surprised.
Zhuge Liang's sister was Kuai Liang's niece-in-law. Considering that Liu Qi had gone to Wolonggang twice to seek this person, he felt more confident.
Thinking of this, Liu Pan said, "I heard that Pang Shiyuan has returned to Xiangyang a few days ago. Since Wolong has assisted the eldest son, why not invite him to serve and help protect Jingzhou?"
Kuai Yue sighed, "Compared to Kong Ming's elegance and seriousness, Pang Shiyuan is cynical and irreverent. It may not be easy to invite him to come out of retirement."
Liu Pan smiled and said, "I will go and invite him myself. Dalang has already gone twice to invite Wolong. At most, I can go three times."
Kuai Yue nodded slightly, and suddenly said: "Fengchu likes wine best. If the general can send some good wine, maybe it will move his heart."
"How difficult is that? I'll go now!" Liu Qi was overjoyed and couldn't wait to invite Feng Chu.
Liu Qi asked him to stay in Jingzhou in order to stabilize the rear. Although it was also a heavy responsibility, he felt a little regretful that he did not go to the front line in person. Finally, he could do one thing to help directly.
Rumors were spreading in Xiangyang City and undercurrents were surging. In Liu Qi's mansion, Du Ling'er felt a little uneasy when she heard the news.
She returned to the bedroom, took out a secret letter from the compartment of her dressing table, read it for a while, bit her plump red lips lightly, and picked up the pen to reply.
It was rainy and cloudy in Jingzhou, but the sun was shining brightly in Chaisang, and the waves on Poyang Lake were shimmering.
When Sun Quan learned that Cao Cao's troops had entered Nanyang, he could not wait to rush from Jianye to Chaisang to discuss with Zhou Yu the attack on Jiangxia and the revenge.
Zhou Yu was not in a hurry to send troops at this time, saying: "The situation in Nanyang is unclear, so we should not act rashly."
Sun Quan was puzzled and said, "Cao Cao is very good at using troops. He destroyed Lü Bu, Yuan Shu, and Yuan Shao. Liu Qi is just a kid and can hardly compete with him. Now he is trapped in Wancheng and his life is uncertain. Why should he doubt it?"
Zhou Yu said, "My lord, you only see the situation, not the military strength! Liu Qi's surprise attack on Nanyang defeated Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun, and more than 100,000 elite Cao troops were lost. Although Cao Cao is now powerful, his troops in the north are tired and suspicious. Once they encounter setbacks, they will collapse."
After listening to Zhou Yu's analysis, Sun Quan suddenly realized and nodded, "Gongjin is right. Cao Cao conquered Hebei last year and marched south without resting. His soldiers are tired. Not all of the people he captured from the Yuan family have joined him. They are just a mob."
Zhou Yu sneered, "Now the people of Jingzhou are united in fighting against Cao. After the consecutive victories, the army is in high spirits. Liu Bei's former subordinates are eager to avenge their previous defeat. They are using a fierce army to fight against the tired soldiers. With the best timing, location and people, they are invincible!"
Sun Quan was not willing to be just a spectator, and said: "Now that the two armies are facing each other in Nanyang, they have no time to split up. We should take this opportunity to take Jiangxia. Huang Zu cannot hold on alone. Isn't this a good opportunity for revenge?"
Zhou Yu's eyes were slightly stern, and he clasped his fists towards Sun Quan and said, "My lord, if you care about personal vengeance and the present, I can easily take Jiangxia by sending troops now; if you want to accomplish great things and take the overall situation into consideration, you must be patient and wait for the right time in Jiangdong!"
"Jiangdong's weather?" Sun Quan asked in confusion, "What does Gongjin mean by this?"
Zhou Yu said slowly, "Cao Cao is determined to get rid of Liu Qi and avenge his humiliation. He has mobilized nearly 500,000 troops from the Central Plains, spending countless horses, money and food. If he can take Nanyang and Jingzhou, he can certainly rule the world. But if he fails and flees to Nanyang, what will be the consequences?"
"Cao Cao was defeated and fled to Nanyang?" Sun Quan was stunned, stroking his beard and pondering in silence.
In his heart, Cao Cao was already powerful enough to be invincible, otherwise he would not have obeyed the emperor's orders so many times and even wanted to send his son to Xuchang to accompany him.
Even if he confronted Liu Qi, he could retreat safely and send reinforcements to Nanyang continuously. Jingzhou would be lost sooner or later.
If it is true as Zhou Yu said that Cao Cao returned in defeat, not only would the north be shaken, but all the troops in the Central Plains would have been withdrawn. Wouldn't this be a golden opportunity to march into Xuzhou
Thinking of this, Sun Quan was excited: "Gongjin, are you talking about the troops from Huainan?"
Zhou Yu nodded and said, "Hainan's troops alone may not be able to capture Xuzhou. If I keep my troops in place, I will wait for the right opportunity to go down the river and take the Central Plains by land and sea."
"So that's how it is!" Sun Quan was delighted to hear that. He clapped his hands and laughed, "My elder brother once said that when you are in doubt about foreign affairs, ask Gongjin. He was right. If you can help build a foundation for the Sun family, I will take revenge later. I believe my father and brother will forgive me."
Zhou Yu smiled calmly and said, "Huang Zu has become a dead bone in a tomb, there is no need to be afraid of him! Even if we get rid of this thief, the land north of the Yangtze River, the isolated city cannot be defended, isn't it handing it over to Cao? I let him stay alive for a few more months, in fact, to stop Cao's army. Even if Cao Cao wins in Nanyang, the lord will send troops from Huainan, and Cao Cao will be unable to rush to help!"
"It's really great!" Sun Quan suddenly realized.
If Huang Zu had not been guarding Jiangxia, Cao's army could have gone down the river and taken Huainan directly. Zhou Yu's foresight made Sun Quan completely convinced.
He could not help but stand up and grab Zhou Yu's arm, full of pride: "As long as I have Gongjin, why should I worry about the uncertainty of great things?"