Chapter 15: Li Yu led his army out of Yi Province and intimidated Sun Liu into surrendering.

  But Yuan Shu secretly resented Yuan Shao and wanted to take advantage of the conflict between Sun and Liu. He secretly sent someone to send a letter to Sun Jian, asking Sun Jian to raise all the troops in Jiangdong to attack Jingzhou Liu Biao. The letter roughly said: "In the past, Liu Biao intercepted the alliance leader Liu Bei on the road, which was my brother Yuan Shu's plan. It can be seen that Liu Biao is my brother Yuan Shu's hawk dog. Now Yuan Shu and Liu Biao are secretly discussing to attack Jiangdong to prevent you from allying with Han Xing Wang Liu Bei! You can quickly raise troops to attack Liu Biao, I will resist Yuan Shu for you, and two hatreds can be avenged. You take Jingzhou, I take Jizhou, don't miss it! This is also my return to you for the favor of breaking off the grain at Ruxu Pass!"

  Sun Jian said after reading Yuan Shu's letter: "Alas, Liu Biao had previously cut off Liu Bei's path, which was none of my business. But now, if we don't take advantage of the situation and seize Jingzhou with our army, how many more years will we have to wait? Jingzhou is just across the Yangtze River from Jiangdong, and if we can obtain it, it will be a place where we can display our military prowess. To the north, we can launch a direct attack on Wan and Luo, threatening the Central Plains; to the south, we can advance and take Yizhou, and then defend and secure Jiangdong without worry!"

  He gathered his advisors, including Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang, to discuss the matter. Cheng Pu said: "Yuan Shu is a petty person, and he is also cunning and untrustworthy. If we engage in battle with Liu Biao's army in Jingzhou, it will be a protracted war, and our treasury is currently empty. I fear that we cannot afford such a large expenditure! Please, my lord, think thrice about this!"

  Sun Jian burst out laughing: "You are thinking like a woman, Cheng Pu! Now that I have personally risen to power in Jiangdong with my mighty army, should I be afraid of Liu Biao's army in Jingzhou? Moreover, everyone knows that Liu Biao has intercepted Han Emperor Liu Bei, and the two armies are at odds. This is heaven's assistance to us, cutting off Liu Biao's external aid! Yuan Shu may be a petty person, but I am a mighty and powerful man! Do I need to rely on the help of such a petty person? Ha ha, you are worrying too much, Cheng Pu! If we take Jingzhou, the grain and fodder stored there by Liu Biao will be a great assistance to our army in the future!"

  Cheng Pu wanted to say more, but seeing that Sun Jian had made up his mind to go to war, he could only retreat and prepare. Sun Jian saw that Cheng Pu was somewhat opposed to his opinion, but they were old brothers, so he didn't want to scold him. Instead, he ordered Huang Gai to lead the vanguard and arrange the warships along the riverbank, loading them with military equipment and grain, and preparing the large ships to transport the warhorses.

  The Jingzhou army's scouts in the river reported back to Liu Biao. Liu Biao was shocked and hastily gathered his civil and military officials for a meeting. Kuai Liang said, "There is no need to worry. We can order Huang Zu's troops from Jiangxia to be the vanguard, while Your Excellency leads the troops from Jingzhou as reinforcements. Sun Jian has come across the river and lake, how can he use his military strength? Moreover, we can send someone as an envoy to Chengdu to request an audience with Emperor Han Xing of Shu, asking for reinforcements. Our Jingzhou army has a long-standing alliance with Liu Bei's troops in Yizhou, and Your Excellency is also closely related to Emperor Han Xing. Emperor Han Xing will surely come to assist you out of brotherly love. At that time, what need is there to fear Sun Jian, this fierce tiger from Jiangdong? When both sides are weakened, Your Excellency can conquer Jiangdong by marching south and take Yizhou by marching east! This is a great opportunity bestowed upon Your Excellency by heaven!" Indeed, Kuai Liang's plan was just as he had wished, but Liu Bei was not the same person he used to be. Times have changed, and such a simple plan could not deceive wise men like Li Yu, Guo Jia, Chen Gong, and Lu Zhi. It would be self-deception! However, Liu Biao was delighted when he heard Kuai Liang's suggestion. Although Liu Biao did not have the ambition to dominate the entire country, he also did not want his neighbors to be stronger than him. Therefore, Liu Biao accepted Kuai Liang's plan and ordered Huang Zu to prepare along the river while he himself led a large army. At the same time, he sent Military Advisor Kuai Liang as an envoy to Chengdu in Yizhou to request reinforcements from Emperor Han Xing of Shu.

  On the road to Hanxing, Chengdu, Yizhou, Kuai Liang arrived at the residence of King Han Xing of Liu Bei. Liu Bei, who was eager for talent, personally went out of the palace to welcome Kuai Liang, the military advisor of Liu Biao's army. Liu Bei invited Kuai Liang into the palace and arranged a seat for him. After all, Kuai Liang was the military advisor of Liu Biao's army in Jingzhou, and although the Han court still existed, it had long since lost its power, so this meeting was equivalent to an exchange between two countries during the Warring States period! Kuai Liang also took a seat without hesitation and stated his purpose. He said: "Now, Sun Jian, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, has led his elite troops from Jiangdong to attack Jingzhou. Lord Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, has personally led his army to fight against him. Now that the two armies have signed an alliance treaty, I am here to ask King Han Xing Liu Bei to send troops to assist Jingzhou!" After finishing speaking, he took out a handwritten letter from Liu Biao to Liu Bei. Liu Bei took the letter and read it carefully, then thought for a moment before saying: "Please ask Military Advisor Kuai Liang to return to his residence to rest first. I will now invite General Li You, Minister Guo Jia, and Minister Chen Gong to come and discuss this matter. There will be a reply at the latest tomorrow!" Kuai Liang could only thank him and bid farewell before leaving.

  Liu Bei did not dare to be slow, after all this was a major military and national affair, a matter of conquest and decisive action. The general idea was that it could not be delayed, and immediately the order was given to beat the drums and summon the generals!

  Before long, in the Silver Peace Hall of Hanxing Palace, all gathered were General-in-Chief Li Yu of Yi Province, Left Minister Guo Jia, Right Minister Chen Gong, Grand Tutor Lu Zhi, Remonstrance Official Tian Feng, Imperial Secretary Liu Ba, Liu Hua and others.

  Liu Bei took out Liu Biao's letter and said, "Now Sun Jian of Jiangdong is leading his army straight to Jingzhou. The governor of Jingzhou, Liu Biao, has asked me to lead my troops to assist him. However, although Liu Biao is a relative, I also have an alliance with Sun Jian of Jiangdong. What should I do?"

  Li Yu, the Grand Marshal of Yizhou Military said: "Brother Wang, now is a chaotic world, so-called alliance is just a piece of paper. If we let Sun Jian take Jingzhou, his power will increase, and our army must divide troops to defend Xiaoming Pass. Our current goal is Hanzhong, so we can't let Sun Jian take Jingzhou by surprise. We should send troops, but not for battle, just to negotiate a truce between the two armies of Sun and Liu."

  Liu Bei nodded in agreement, at this time Guo Jia stepped forward and said: "My lord, the Commander-in-Chief's words are different. Now our army can take advantage of the fishermen's interests. Now we can take advantage of the battle between Sun and Liu, lead the army out of Xiaoming Pass, directly capture Jingzhou, cross the river to capture Jiangdong, and thus occupy one-third of the world!!"

  Guo Jia had previously discussed the matter of dividing the world into three with Liu Bei, and Guo Jia's strategic vision was very high. Li Yu also agreed, but Li Yu's goal was opposite to Guo Jia's. Because Li Yu was familiar with the Three Kingdoms, Guo Jia's goal was to take Jingzhou and Jiangdong! But Li Yu, Li Yu was taking Xiliang, fixing the capital in Chang'an, taking Jingzhou and uniting with Jiangdong!

  Chen Gong also stepped forward and said: "This plan of Fengxiao is poisonous! I agree!"

  But Li Yu stepped forward and said, "Although the plan to capture Jingzhou is good, it's too hasty. Although Sun Jian has mobilized all his troops in Jiangdong and is preparing for a decisive battle with Liu Biao, I'm sure that Jiangdong must have a backup plan! Our army may be brave and skilled in combat, but we are not familiar with water warfare, and if we lose one move, everything will be lost. Now that Liu Biao is in Jingzhou, he is tying up Sun Jian's strength. If our army captures Jingzhou, it will be easy for Sun Jian to come and fight whenever he wants. What should we do? I still say that the most urgent task for our army now is to capture Hanzhong. With Hanzhong, Yizhou will be safe; without Hanzhong, Yizhou will be in danger! Hanzhong is the gateway to Yizhou, and it's absolutely impossible to disperse our troops' strength because of a temporary gain in Jingzhou!" (Because during this expedition, Li Yu felt that the number of soldiers was different from what was recorded in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Records of the Three Kingdoms". This time, there were 20,000 fewer soldiers, and Cheng Pu and Sun Ce were not among the personnel. Li Yu believed that it was because of his own reasons that Sun Jian did not obtain the imperial seal, so he sent two people to guard Jiangdong!)

  Guo Jia and Chen Gong also fell into deep thought upon hearing Li Yu's words!

  At this time, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also arrived. After hearing Li You's and Guo Jia's suggestions, Zhang Fei was more rough and directly stood on Guo Jia's side, while Guan Yu remained silent!

  Liu Bei remained silent for a long time before saying, "Now that I am the lone king, I have decided to follow the suggestion of General Li Yu. First, let us persuade Sun and Liu's armies to make peace. Now, I appoint Li Yu as the commander-in-chief to lead the expedition to persuade them to make peace! The personnel following the army will be determined by the commander-in-chief himself. You all should not speak further!"

  At this time, Tian Feng stepped forward and said: "In this battle, having too many soldiers makes it easy for both sides to misunderstand each other, while having too few soldiers can lead to mutiny. Having just the right number of troops is the best strategy!"

  Li Yu said: "I asked Xue Xiaomeng to mobilize 200,000 troops to follow me on the expedition, and I will lead 30,000 soldiers from the Chengdu Military Region!"

  Zhang Fei, being eager for battle, directly and loudly said: "Xiao Si, Third Brother will accompany you!"

  "Fourth brother, second brother has always been the vanguard!"

  Li Yu understood that the two were eager for battle, but since Zhao Yun's support for Gongsun Zan had not yet returned, Li Yu did not dare to transfer the two tiger generals. If he did, Yi Province would have no famous general to guard it! Li Yu could only say: "In this war, Second Brother and Third Brother cannot go. You are both responsible for defending Yi Province. Now Dong Zhuo's army is eyeing us covetously, and Yi Province cannot be without a famous general to defend it. After I leave, the military affairs of Yi Province will be under your full command, with Left State General Guo Jia and Right State General Chen Gong assisting in military matters! In this war, I have appointed Wu Anguo as the vanguard! He will lead an army of 10,000 to advance first!"

  "Wu An Guo stepped forward and said: 'The Supreme Commander's order!'"

  Wu An Guo left!

  Guan Yu and Zhang Fei looked at each other and didn't know what to say!

  Li Yu continued to deploy his troops and said: "General Yan Lao will be the left wing of our army! Lead an army of 10,000!"

  Yan Yan stepped forward and said: "I obey the general's order!" He took the order and left!

  Li Yu continued to point and said: "General Zhang Ren is on the right wing of our army! With an army of 10,000!" Zhang Ren stepped forward and said: "I obey the commander's order!" He led the troops away.

  Li Yu said: "Quickly dispatch orders to Xia Mengguan Cheng Yuanzhi and Deng Mao, the two generals will be in charge of the rear army, leading an army of 10,000! Order them to prepare quickly!"

  The orderly did not dare to hesitate and immediately led the order to Xia Meng Guan to pass on the order!

  Li Yu said: "Tian Feng will be the military advisor for this battle, and Wang Xue will be the deputy general! Follow me to lead an army of 10,000 as the central army. In this battle, all soldiers and horses must be elite, and you can choose them yourself!"

  Tian Feng and Wang Xue took the lead! In fact, Li Yu didn't dare not to bring Wang Xue. If he didn't bring Wang Xue, this living ancestor would really do something!

  But Li Yu ordered the immediate execution, fearing that Sun Jian would die in this battle like in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He didn't expect that Sun Jian hadn't obtained the Imperial Seal and yet this battle occurred. Others said that Sun Jian's death wasn't a good thing, wouldn't Jiangdong be empty? However, now with Li Yu here, although the overall direction of the Three Kingdoms hasn't changed, if it really did change, Sun Ce would be a fierce tiger! He isn't like Sun Jian; if he really conquered Jingzhou, he would definitely send troops to Yizhou. Li Yu wasn't afraid of him, but that would mess up Li Yu's entire plan!

  Fifty thousand troops, the commander's order is to march immediately, no one dares to disobey. Li Yu's command is not to be trifled with, whoever disobeys will be beheaded on the spot! The fifty thousand troops marched out of Xiaomen Pass in a majestic manner! Before departing, Li Yu had already sent someone to inform Kuai Liang, so Kuai Liang also set off quickly on horseback to rush back to Jingzhou and inform Liu Biao. Liu Bei let Li Yu be the commander-in-chief, Yan Yan, Zhang Ren, Wu Anguo, Cheng Yuanzhi, and Deng Mao were appointed as generals to lead the fifty thousand troops to come and assist in battle!

  Sun Jian had four sons, all born to Wu Zhiyu: the eldest son was Sun Ce, also known as the "Tiger of Jiangdong", with the style name Bofu; the second son was Sun Quan, who would later become the founding emperor of Eastern Wu, with the style name Zhongmou; the third son was Sun Yi, with the style name Shuyi; and the fourth son was Sun Kuang, with the style name Jizuo. Wu Zhiyu's younger sister became Sun Jian's second wife and bore him a son and a daughter: the son was named Sun Lang, with the style name Za'an; and the daughter was named Sun Ren. Sun Jian also had a son with his concubine Yu Shi, named Sun Shao, with the style name Gongli. Sun Jian had a younger brother named Sun Jing, with the style name YouTai. As Sun Jian prepared to leave, Sun Jing led all of his sons in paying their respects and advised him: "Now that Dong Zhuo has seized power, the Emperor is weak, and the empire is in chaos, with various warlords controlling different regions; Jiangdong is relatively peaceful, but looking at it from a long-term perspective, this is not an easy time to go to battle. If we fail, it will be disastrous. I hope you will reconsider." Sun Jian said: "Brother, do not speak too much. I am going to conquer the empire, and how can I not avenge my enemies?" His eldest son Sun Ce said: "If father must go, I wish to follow him." Sun Jian refused, saying: "You are to assist your uncle and General Cheng Pu in defending Jiangdong; this battle may take some time, and you also need to take care of your mother!" Sun Jian then bid farewell to Sun Ce and set off towards Fan Castle.

  Huang Zu heard that Sun Jian was leading his troops to arrive, and he set up bows and crossbows along the riverbank. When he saw the ships approaching the shore, he launched a barrage of arrows. Sun Jian, who was known for his extensive knowledge and experience, directed his troops with ease, worthy of being the descendant of the great general Sun Wu. He ordered his troops not to make any rash moves, but to lure them in by pretending to retreat. For three consecutive days, the ships approached the shore dozens of times. Huang Zu's army was so focused on shooting arrows that they eventually ran out. Sun Jian then collected the arrows from the ship and used them to launch a counterattack, gaining an unexpected advantage. On that day, with the wind in their favor, Sun Jian ordered his soldiers to shoot arrows simultaneously. The enemy on the shore was caught off guard and had no choice but to retreat. Sun Jian immediately ordered his troops to disembark, and Han Dang and Huang Gai led separate routes to attack Huang Zu's camp. With Sun Jian leading the charge from behind, they launched a three-pronged attack, and Huang Zu suffered a crushing defeat, abandoning Fancheng and fleeing to Dengcheng. Sun Jian ordered Huang Gai to guard the ships while he personally led his troops in pursuit. Huang Zu led his army out to confront them, deploying his troops on the battlefield. Sun Jian formed his battle lines, with his horse emerging from beneath the flagpole. Sun Ce also donned his full armor, holding a spear and standing beside his father. Huang Zu led two generals out on horseback: Zhang Hu of Jiangxia and Chen Sheng of Xiangyang. With a flourish of his whip, Huang Zu shouted insults at Sun Jian: "You bandits from the east, how dare you invade the territory of the imperial relatives!" He then ordered Zhang Hu to engage in single combat. Han Dang emerged from Sun Jian's formation to accept the challenge. The two horses clashed, and they fought for over twenty rounds. Chen Sheng saw that Zhang Hu was weakening and flew out on horseback to assist. Sun Ce spotted him, grasped his spear tightly, drew his bow, and shot an arrow straight at Chen Sheng's face. As soon as the arrow hit its mark, Chen Sheng fell from his horse. This single arrow demonstrated that Sun Jian was indeed a formidable general. Zhang Hu saw Chen Sheng fall and was caught off guard, unable to react in time. Han Dang took advantage of this and struck him down with one blow, cutting off half of his head. Sun Jian saw this and personally led the charge, riding straight into the enemy lines to capture Huang Zu. Huang Zu abandoned his helmet and warhorse, fleeing for his life amidst his infantry. Sun Jian pursued the defeated army all the way to the Han River, ordering Huang Gai to bring the ships up the river.

  Huang Zu's defeated army came to see Liu Biao, and told him that Sun Jian's military strength was too powerful to resist. Liu Biao was worried and asked Kuai Liang for advice. Kuai Liang said: "Now the enemy is newly defeated, and the soldiers have no will to fight; we can only deepen the trenches and build high walls to avoid their edge; but secretly send someone to urge the commander of Yizhou, Han Xing Hou Li Yu, this siege can be lifted." At this time, a person came out, who was Liu Biao's younger brother-in-law Cai Mao. Cai Mao said: "Zi Rou's words are simple and crude. When the enemy is at the city gate, and the soldiers are about to enter the moat, how can we just wait for death with our hands tied?! Although I am not talented, I am willing to lead the army out of the city to fight a decisive battle." Liu Biao agreed.

  Cai Mao led an army of over 10,000 men out of Xiangyang city and deployed his troops on the hills. Sun Jian led his victorious army in a long march forward. Cai Mao rode out on horseback. Sun Jian laughed and said: "Jingzhou has no one! The imperial court sent this man to fight, he is the brother of Liu Biao's wife, who will capture him with me?" Han Dang wielded an iron spear and rode out to engage in battle with Cai Mao. In less than a few rounds, Cai Mao was defeated and fled. Sun Jian led his army in pursuit, killing until corpses filled the fields. Cai Mao escaped into Xiangyang. Kuai Liang said that Cai Mao did not listen to good advice, resulting in a great defeat, according to military law he should be executed. Liu Biao spared him because he had recently married his sister and was unwilling to punish him.

  But Sun Jian divided his troops into four directions, surrounding Xiangyang and attacking. Suddenly one day, a strong wind blew up, blowing down the commander's flagpole in the central army. Han Dang said: "This is not a good omen, we can temporarily retreat." Sun Jian said: "I have won many battles, taking Xiangyang is only a matter of time; how can I stop because of a broken flagpole?" He did not listen to Han Dang's words and attacked the city more urgently. Kuai Liang told Liu Biao: "Last night I observed the sky, saw a general star about to fall. According to the astrology, it should be Sun Jian. My lord can quickly send a letter to the commander of Yizhou army, Li Yu, asking for his help." Liu Biao wrote a letter and asked who dared to break through the siege and go out.

  Jian Jiang Lü Gong, responded to the sound and was willing to go. Kuai Liang said: "Since you dare to go, listen to my plan: I will give you 500 soldiers and horses, take more archers and rush out of the formation, then rush to Mount Songshan. He will definitely lead his army to chase, you divide 100 people to go up the mountain, prepare stones; 100 people hold bows and crossbows in the forest. When the pursuing troops arrive, do not run straight away; can turn around and lead them to the ambush, arrows and stones will be fired together. If we can win, fire the linked beads cannon, and the city will come out to respond. If there are no pursuing troops, do not fire the cannon, hurry to leave. Tonight the moon is not very bright, it's possible to exit the city at dusk."

  Lü Gong led the troops out of the city through the east gate at dusk. Sun Jian, who was in his tent, suddenly heard a commotion and hastily mounted his horse with over 30 cavalrymen to investigate. The soldiers reported that a group of enemy troops had broken out of the city and were heading towards the hills. Sun Jian insisted on pursuing them alone with his 30-odd cavalrymen. Lü Gong had set up an ambush in the mountainous terrain, hiding his troops above and below. Sun Jian's horse was fast, and he approached the vanguard alone. Just as they clashed, Lü Gong retreated and escaped into the mountains. Sun Jian chased after him but lost sight of Lü Gong. As Sun Jian was about to ascend the mountain, a loud drumbeat sounded, and Li You arrived with his troops, while Wu An Guo blocked Sun Jian's path! It turned out that Li You had been marching day and night since he set out, rushing to arrive just in time; if he had come any later, Sun Jian would have surely died in this battle.

  At this time, Lü Bu intercepted thirty riders and killed them all, firing a string of firecrackers. Huang Zu, Kuai Yue, and Cai Mao led their troops out of the city in different directions, causing chaos among the Jiangdong armies. Huang Gai heard the shouting and led his naval forces to attack, running into Huang Zu. They fought for less than two rounds before capturing Huang Zu alive. Han Dang protected the main army and rushed to find a way to rescue Sun Jian, but encountered Lü Bu instead. Han Dang charged forward on horseback and fought for only a few rounds before striking down Lü Bu with his spear. The two armies clashed in a fierce battle that lasted until dawn, when they both retreated.

  On the other hand, Li Yu released Sun Jian back to his camp. Lü Gong went back to report to Liu Biao, but Li Yu did not enter the city to see Liu Biao. He sent a letter to Liu Biao saying that at this time he also had an alliance with Sun Jian and it was not good to harm him, so he came to negotiate a truce!

  Liu Biao's army entered the city. Sun Jian returned to the Han River and only then learned that Li Jue, who led the Yizhou army, had come here for a peace talk! He sighed loudly and said: "Now it is not possible to fight a decisive battle with Li Jue, our army has been fighting continuously and is already exhausted. It's a pity to give up this opportunity!" Huang Gai said: "Now that we have captured Huang Zu, let's send someone into the city to negotiate a peace treaty and exchange him for an alliance to increase sincerity." Before he finished speaking, the military officer Huan Jie came out and said: "I have an old relationship with Liu Biao, I am willing to enter the city as an envoy." Sun Jian agreed. Huan Jie entered the city and met with Liu Biao, who sent someone to invite Li Jue to come and discuss together! He explained the situation in detail. Liu Biao said: "Wentong's move is actually unjust, now that the national thief Dong Zhuo is still there, how can we start a conflict? Quickly release Huang Zu back, both sides will stop fighting and not invade each other again." Huan Jie thanked him and was about to leave when Kuai Liang came out from under the steps and said: "It's not possible! It's not possible! I have something to say. Now the armies of Jiangdong are not returning. Please behead Huan Jie first, and then use a plan." Li Jue heard this and became very angry, saying: "Are you deceiving me? Do you want to make an enemy of my Yizhou army?" What will Liu Biao do next? Let's listen to the next part!

  Today I'm going crazy for you for the last time, it's not that I don't love you, nor is it giving you an ultimatum. It's just that I can no longer continue to be down, this family still needs me to take on this responsibility! WL I hope you understand my heart!