Chapter 10: Sun Quan's Sudden Attack, Chen Deng's Clever Plan!

  Not far from Kuaiji City, the river surface was surrounded by raging flames, and a hint of burnt smell could be detected on the city tower. Chen Deng looked at the situation below the city and said: "Bo Ning, Hou Ye, shall we also go down to take a look?"

  Lv Rui and Man Chong nodded, followed Chen Deng down the city, and the three walked to the battlefield where the Jiangdong army had retreated. Man Chong looked at the large flag left by the Jiangdong army, as well as their weapons, and smiled: "Yuan Long brother, it seems that the Jiangdong army does not yet have unified military equipment, armor, and weapons are all strange and varied, clothes are also just similar colors, in my opinion, they are just a group of mountain bandits!"

  "What Boren said is right, the aristocratic families of Jiangdong? They are just a group of jumping clowns, thinking of being an enemy of Xuzhou with me, it's simply a delusional dream!" Chen Deng flicked his hair and looked at the corpses on the ground with disdain.

  "Yuan Long has defeated Sun Quan, what a wonderful thing to celebrate! But Yuan Long must not underestimate the enemy!" Lü Rui said with a smile, looking at Chen Deng, and the superior feeling of being from a noble family came out again. The rich Xu state looked down on the poor Jiangdong!

  Chen Deng listened and knew he had been rude, then cupped his hands and said: "Deng will remember the teachings of the Marquis, and will definitely not be arrogant or impetuous in governing Guangling and resisting the rebels from Jiangdong!"

  After inspecting the battlefield, Man Chong said to Chen Deng: "Yuan Long, let's go back and take a look at our army's achievements, and discuss the next move of the Jiangdong Army."

  "Alright, Berning, His Excellency requests your presence!" The three of them then returned to Kuang Qi's main camp.

  "Bo Ning, this time our army gained a lot, with over 100 casualties, and the Jiangdong army actually left behind three thousand corpses in my Kuai Qi!" Chen Deng excitedly boasted to Man Chong and Lü Yi about his achievements.

  "Brother Yuan Long has achieved such great merit. When I return with Master Hou, I will definitely report to Sir Cai and commend Yuan Long's achievements!"

  "So, thank you very much, Brother Shang!"

  "You're too polite, Yuan Long brother, we both serve Lord Sikong and are loyal to the great Han, why must you thank me?"

  Lv Rui couldn't bear to see the two flattering each other, so he interrupted and said: "Yuan Long, Bo Ning, don't be too happy too early. Sun Quan will definitely send troops to avenge this battle, our army must be careful!"

  "Marquis Hou's words are quite right, but in my opinion, even if Sun Quan launches a counterattack, he can only land at Kuaiji and attack Guangling. Our army will firmly defend Kuaiji, and we have nothing to worry about!" Chen Deng said confidently.

  "What Yuan Long said makes sense. Kuang Qi and Guangling are mutually dependent, like the horns of a bull. For the Jiangdong army to think they can capture Guangling is simply delusional!"

  "The two of you are right, but I am worried that Sun Quan will land elsewhere and attack Guangling!"

  "Your Excellency, please be at ease. Yuan Long has long been stationed in Guangling, and Kuaiji is the easiest place for him to land. If the Jiangdong army were to land elsewhere, it would be unwise. Moreover, Yuan Long has also set up beacon towers along the river, so as soon as the Jiangdong army lands, our army will surely detect it!"

  "If so, all the better! The Marquis has worried too much!" Although Lü Rui said this with his mouth, he still had concerns in his heart. In history, Sun Quan quickly rolled back, but how did Sun Quan suddenly raid Guangling City? From now on, Chen Deng's Guangling is completely flawless, where is the problem?

  The three people's discussion soon came to an end, and they each returned to their own rooms. Lü Rui's doubts had not been resolved, and with those doubts, he fell asleep.

  Lv Rui was fast asleep, and Sun Quan's defeated troops were stationed in Luoyang.

  "It hurts me to death, be gentle!" Sun Quan scolded the military doctor beside him.

  "Second Master, I know it's very painful, but you've injured your tendons. If we don't use strong medicine, I'm afraid there will be... future consequences. So... so?" The military doctor looked at Sun Quan in terror, fearing that if he wasn't pleased, he would end his own life.

  "You'd better take good care of yourself!" Sun Quan sighed and admitted that he had indeed been impulsive just now.

  "Second Master, General Zhou Tai has arrived at the camp and requests an audience!"

  "Oh? Young Ping has arrived? Quickly invite him into the account!" Sun Quan was extremely excited when he heard that Zhou Tai had come, and hastily ordered someone to bring Zhou Tai into the account.

  "Belonging to Lord Zhou Tai has met Second Master!" As soon as Zhou Tai entered the tent, he paid a grand salute to Sun Quan.

  "Quickly get up, Young General!" Sun Quan wanted to go over and help Zhou Tai up, but he touched his wound instead, and let out a loud cry: "Ah ya!"

  "Second Master?" Zhou Tai took a swift step forward and supported Sun Quan.

  "Second Master, are you injured?" Zhou Tai anxiously asked.

  "It's nothing, Young Ping. I was just wounded by the bandits of Guangling, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, only... My army in Jiangdong suffered heavy losses, how can I... how can I explain to my brother?" Sun Quan complained helplessly to Zhou Tai.

  "Second Master, rest assured, this time Young Ping has come specifically to assist you!"

  "With the help of Yu Ping, I will be like a tiger with added wings! However, Chen Deng of Guangling has made tight arrangements along the river, without any weaknesses. How can our army capture Guangling?" Sun Quan looked at Zhou Tai with doubt.

  "Second Master, Zhou Tai has grown up in Jiujiang since childhood and is very familiar with this water area. Launching a surprise attack on Guangling doesn't necessarily require landing at Kuaiji. It's just that the route is a bit farther away. I don't know if Second Master would be willing to give it a try?"

  "Haha, I had forgotten that Yu Ping was originally a very famous pirate! Familiar with the waters of the two Huai rivers."

  "Ah......? Yu Ping?" Sun Quan was momentarily stunned and only realized his mistake after the words had left his mouth.

  "Second Master, don't worry about it. Young Ping has always liked people like you who are straightforward and speak their mind. In his younger years, Young Ping was indeed a thief, but he was also a heroic outlaw who robbed the rich to help the poor. He often boasts about this!" Zhou Tai said with a grin.

  "Right! Yu Ping is a famous hero in Jiujiang, loved by the people. With Yu Ping's help, we can surely defeat Chen Deng and capture Guangling!"

  "Zhou Tai is willing to assist the Second Master in pacifying Guangling, and make a name for himself as the main general!" Zhou Tai clasped his fists and looked at Sun Quan with full confidence.

  "Good! With Young Ping's help, what great undertaking can't be accomplished? Bring the map here, and I'll discuss with Young Ping how to march on Guangling!"

  Half a month has passed, and Sun Quan still hasn't made any moves. Lü Yi and Chen Deng have also returned to Guangling, after all, there's no war to fight, governing the states is still necessary!

  On this day, the three of them were handling government affairs in the Taishou's mansion when a servant suddenly came to report that a spy had returned with news. Chen Deng looked at it and was stunned, revealing an incredulous expression.

  "Older brother Yuan Long? What's wrong?" Man Chong asked in puzzlement upon seeing Chen Deng's expression.

  "Bo Ning, Hou Ye, Sun Quan's army is coming." He finished speaking and handed over the intelligence in his hand to the two of them.

  "Sun Quan's army of about 20,000 men has appeared in the northwest direction. Within three days, they will definitely arrive at Guangling!"

  "What...? Yuan Long? How did Sun Quan's army appear in the northwest of Guangling?" Man Chong was also very surprised when he saw the intelligence.

  "Yuan Long didn't know, could it be that heaven has sent divine soldiers? Our army's deployment along the river is definitely not a problem, but why Sun Quan?"

  "Bo Ning, Yuan Long, this is not the time to discuss why Sun Quan appeared in Guangling's northwest, but how to resist Sun Quan's great army! According to the battle report, Sun Quan's military strength is not weak!" Lv Rui reminded the two of them, don't investigate how the great army came, but discuss how to resist the great army.

  "What...?" Chen Deng rubbed his chin, thought for a moment and said: "Lord Hou, don't worry, even if Sun Quan comes with his whole army to attack, it's just a group of bandits, nothing to be feared. Can they train an elite army in half a month? Unbelievable! So our army doesn't need to worry too much either!"

  "What Yuan Long said is absolutely right! Although the enemy army is not strong, they have a large number of people. Our army must not be careless!"

  "Marquis's words are quite right, Yuan Long already has a strategy to defeat the enemy!" Chen Deng looked at them with full confidence.

  Lü Rui was shocked, Chen Deng's wisdom was too high, and he had already thought of a strategy to defeat the enemy so quickly?

  "Yuán Lóng will arrive soon, let's discuss it!" Mǎn Chǒng was also shocked and hurriedly asked Chen Dēng about the strategy to defeat the enemy.

  "Sun Quan is a man who is unstable in battle. If he leads his troops to come, and encounters our ambush, he will surely be greatly confused. Moreover, the military discipline of the Jiangdong army is not good, and there are no powerful strategists to assist him. After the formation collapses, our entire army will launch a surprise attack, and Sun Quan will definitely be defeated!"

  "What Yuan Long said makes sense, our army should make arrangements early and wait for Sun Quan to come and attack, this time let him have no return!"

  "Alright, Benning, Marquis, let's discuss how to set up traps around Guangling!"

  "Sir!"

  "Are you all clear about what I've instructed?"

  "I understand!"

  "Alright, hurry up and go handle it!"

  "Yes, sir!" The two then retreated and coincidentally bumped into Man Chong and Lü Yi who had just returned from their patrol.

  "Older brother Yuan Long!"

  "Your Lordship, has Berning returned from his inspection? Are there any weaknesses in the city's defenses?"

  "Yuan Long felt at ease. The city defense had already become impenetrable under his arrangements, and the two of us were just inspecting the soldiers."

  "Yu Long? Who were those two just now?" Seeing the two men with military orders retreat, Lü Rui couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

  "Your Lordship, Bohning, these two are the envoys I sent to Xudu, requesting that Sir Cai dispatch troops to rescue Guangling!"

  "What...? Yuan Long, Lord Sikong is far away in Xudu, Sun Quan is near at hand, how can the rescue troops arrive? Man Chong invites Yuan Long to give instructions!"

  "Could it be... This is Yuan Long's plan?" Lü Rui lowered his head, thinking for a moment. Chen Deng wouldn't be so foolish, so this must be a plot to lure Sun Quan!

  "Marquis Hou is indeed clever, this is exactly Yuan Long's plan. These two are the ones I sent to deliver a message to Sun Quan. I have already set up firewood on the east and west sides of the city, and as soon as Sun Quan's army arrives at Guangling, they will definitely fall into this trap!"

  "Yuán Lóng is indeed a deep strategist! Mǎn Chǒng admires him!" Mǎn Chǒng quickly thought of Chen Dēng's plan, and couldn't help but admire him. Chen Yuán Lóng is indeed formidable!

  "Report, General! We've captured a messenger from Guangling!" Sun Quan's army was marching towards Guangling and intercepted a messenger halfway.

  "Hurry up and bring the letter over!"

  "Yes, General!"

  Sun Quan was stunned after reading the letter. This was a messenger from Guangling, and the letter said that Xu Shu's army would arrive in Guangling in three days.

  "Second Master?" Zhou Tai's question made Sun Quan stunned, and he rode his horse forward to ask.

  "Yu Ping, Cao's reinforcements are about to arrive!"

  "This...? Second Master, since our great army has arrived here, if we retreat because of Cao's relief troops, wouldn't it be that Jiangdong is afraid of Cao's army? Since there are still three days before arriving at Guangling, our army will rush to march and can arrive at Guangling in one day. We will launch a strong attack on Guangling. If we capture Guangling, Cao's relief troops must retreat!"

  "Not bad, Yu Ping's words make sense. Our army will march quickly and launch a surprise attack on Guangling!" Sun Quan also didn't want to return empty-handed, so he ordered the whole army to march quickly, determined to reach Guangling by tomorrow!

  "General, we have made all the arrangements. All the ambushes are in place and the traps have been set. Once the Jiangdong army arrives, they will surely not return!" a deputy general reported to Chen Deng.

  "Alright, you can go down too!"

  "Yes, sir!"

  "Bo Ning, Master Hou? Let's also go rest, Sun Quan will arrive in a few days!"

  "Dragon's invitation!"

  "Lord Hou, then I...?" Dian Wei looked at Lü Bu, clenching his fists tightly.

  "Evil has come, you lead my cavalry to ambush in the south of the city. After Sun Quan's army is in great chaos, you will rush out and remember to kill the commander-in-chief of Jiangdong Army, Sun Quan who wears a red robe!"

  "Yes, Lord Hou!" Tianwei received the order and happily descended from the city tower.

  Sun Quan took advantage of the night to march his army, rushing to Guangling, unaware that a great pit was waiting for him!