Lu Xun had always been cautious. Lu Xun said that it was recommended to deploy 50,000 troops. That would certainly mean leaving sufficient garrisons in various places and then stationing a part of the Eastern Wu central army and local garrisons near Wannan City.
Can five thousand men really win against Cao Xu? Is Lu Xun really so conservative?
How many troops should be dispatched to Wannan City? Sun Quan said a hundred thousand, while Lu Xun suggested fifty thousand. Such a huge discrepancy lowered Sun Quan's mood, which had temporarily brightened upon receiving Cao Xu's favorable response, several degrees.
As the atmosphere between the two people slowly became cold, Zhuge Jun stepped in to smooth things over: "Your Majesty, there is one thing more about Zhou Cheng."
Sun Quan looked up at Zhuge Jun with a glance: "Zifu, how is Zhou Cheng?"
Zhuge Jin bowed and said, "It's not about Zhou Fang, but rather about the Secretary of State Huan Xi, whom Your Majesty has sent to praise Zhou Fang in Po Yang for the third time."
"A few days ago, the guards reported that Huan Xi was in front of the Western Gate of Po Yang City, forcing Zhou Fang to kneel and apologize in public. The citizens of Po Yang and the surrounding areas were watching from the sidelines."
"And... and Huan Xi also pretended on Your Majesty's behalf, verbally abusing Zhou Fang excessively, saying that Zhou Fang 'is not as good as a pig dog', forcing Zhou Fang to cut his hair in place of his head."
Sun Quan's gaze turned cold: "Huan Xi has been back in Wu Chang for several days. Why hasn't he reported to me?"
Zhuge Jun replied, "Huan Xi is so frightened by the excessive pressure on Zhou Fang that he dare not report it to Your Majesty. He only came to inform me today, as he was worried that this matter might be leaked."
Sun Quan's anger rose: "Huan Xi nearly ruined Your Majesty's grand scheme! He acted too smart, too foolish, and Your Majesty only let him publicly reprimand. Who let him pressurize Zhou Fang to such an extent!"
"Where is Lu Yi! Zifu, summon Lu Yi to come here!"
The Eastern Wu also has a system of inspecting officials and local affairs, and the person responsible for the Eastern Wu inspection agency is Lu Yi, the Official in Charge of Tablets.
It is clear that Sun Quan is angry about Huan Xi's matter and wants Lu Yi to question Huan Xi. But whether it is as a heavyweight minister, Lu Xun, or as a left general, Zhuge Jin, the power of school affairs, which are used to inspect officials' authority, is not something they want to see.
Zhuge Jin hurriedly interceded on behalf of Huan Xi: "Your Majesty, although Huan Xi is audacious and impudent, his offense has not reached the point that requires the investigation of a school affairs official. It is not worth being angry with someone like Huan Xi."
Lu Xun also knew that his advice against sending 100,000 troops had caused Sun Quan's displeasure. He stood up and bowed: "Zhou Cheng is someone who understands the big picture. Huan Xi may be impudent, but after all, he doesn't know the facts. Your Majesty only needs to slightly punish him."
Seeing that Lu Xun and Zhuge Jin were pleading for Huan Xi, one was the Administrator of Jing State, and the other was the Left General. Sun Quan felt that he had enough face to back down, so he said: "In that case, we will deal with Huan Xi after the battle."
After saying this, Sun Quan turned and walked into the back hall. Lu Xun and Zhuge Jin, seeing that Sun Quan had left, could only bow in farewell and withdraw.
...
Two days later, Xia Kou Wù.
The Three Kingdoms were constantly at war, and the most crucial battleground was Jingzhou. And Jiangxia, it was said, was the Jingzhou within Jingzhou.
The earliest person to defend Jiangxia was Huang Zu, a general under Liu Bei. In the third year of Chunping, Sun Quan's father Sun Jian besieged Tengzhou. Huang Zu led his troops from Jiangxia and killed Sun Jian.
This began the almost ceaseless struggle in Jiangxia.
Sun Ce and Sun Quan launched four attacks on Jiangxia over a continuous ten years, and it was only with the help of Gan Ning, a general who had surrendered to them from Huang Zu's forces, that they were able to defeat Huang Zu and capture Jiangxia.
However, after Sun Quan withdrew troops from Jiangxia, it was seized again by Liu Qi, the son of Liu Bo. After Liu Bo's death and during the Battle of Red Cliffs, Jiangxia once again returned to Liu Bei.
Liu Bei was also unable to hold onto Jiangxia for long. Sun Quan sent Cheng Pu to advance into the southern part of Jiangxia, Cao Cao sent Wen Yin to occupy the northern part, while Liu Bei still held on to Xiakou in Jiangxia.
The three kingdoms began with the struggle over Jiangxia.
Xia Kou, the most central region of Jiangxia, is located at the place where the Han River merges into the Yangtze River. Since the Han River was originally called Xia Shui, this place was named Xia Kou after it.
Xia Kou is a large area, but the small piece of land along the coast where the Han River is about to merge into the Yangtze River is known as Miankou.
The Xia Kou Wù, where Sun Quan held a grand audience for his officials, is located on the southern bank of Xia Kou, and it is an important base for the Eastern Wu in Xia Kou.
On the parade ground inside Xia Kou Wù, Sun Quan stood on the stage, with various officials and middle military commanders from Wu of Changsha gathered below him.
Xia Kou Wù is by the river, and the wind blowing on the fortress flag makes a rustling sound. The winter sun brings a touch of warmth to the officials.
Sun Quan looked at the officials on the stage: "Today, I am holding this audience here to discuss with you all how we should defend against the Wei enemy's attack on Xia Kou."
"All officials and generals, do not be bound by your official ranks. If you have any plans, just speak up. I will consider all of them."
Seeing King Sun Quan's words, the officials below began to whisper and discuss among themselves.
A moment later, one person stepped forward and bowed to Sun Quan. Sun Quan looked over and saw that it was Yuan Li, the Official in Charge of Tablets.
Yuan Li bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I think that the narrow entrance of the Han River into the Yangtze River is a good place to set up wooden barriers to block passing ships. Then how could Wei's navy enter the Yangtze River?"
Yuan Li's plan is too conservative. If the Han River is blocked by wooden barriers, the Wei navy will indeed be unable to advance south along the river. But does that mean the Eastern Wu navy can rest easy?
This is showing the enemy our weakness.
Sun Quan was about to publicly explain the flaw in Yuan Li's strategy when he was interrupted by a soldier named Chen Feng who stepped forward from below.
Chen Feng had a loud voice. After bowing, he spoke up loudly, "Your Majesty, I believe the Minister of Tablets' plan is not appropriate."
Sun Quan originally wanted to refute Yuan Li personally, but did not expect Chen Feng to step forward. So Sun Quan smiled and said, "Then you can tell me why Yuan Li's plan is not appropriate."
Chen Feng spoke loudly: "How can wooden barriers stop ships? It's easy to erect them, but the enemy can easily clear them away."
"I believe that the Miankou area is only three hundred steps wide. We should set iron chains across the river from both sides, with fortresses built at the ends. This way, if the enemy wants to pass, it will be extremely difficult, and they will no longer be able to enter the Yangtze River via the Han River."
The officials started to discuss again, and there were indeed many voices who believed that iron chains are better than wooden barriers. Compared to wood, iron is obviously more solid!
Another clever idea! Iron chains are better than wooden barriers? Sun Quan wanted to hear how to defend along the river, how to occupy the waters, not these conservative words without any offensive spirit.
Looking down at the crowd, Sun Quan saw that most people were in the midst of lively discussion. The senior officials like Lu Xun, Gu Yong, and Zhuge Jin, aware that this gathering was not for them, were keeping silent on the side.
Suddenly, Sun Quan noticed that a small general was shaking his head in the far corner, dressed as a general.
Sun Quan smiled and pointed at the small general: "I see that this small general seems to disagree. Come forward and tell us your thoughts."
The governor of Jiangxia, Sun Huan, a member of the imperial family, stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, this person is Zhang Liang, a general under my command. The governor believes that this person has always had good insights into military affairs."
Zhang Liang walked up to Sun Quan and knelt down on one knee, bowing. Sun Quan smiled and said, "Rise, I see you have some ideas. Share them with everyone."
Zhang Liang looked at Sun Quan and then at his own governor Sun Huan. Seeing Sun Huan nodding, Zhang Liang respectfully began to speak.
Zhang Liang said, "Your Majesty, I believe that whether we build wooden barriers or iron chains, we can only wait passively for the enemy to attack."
"Your Majesty, I suggest that we establish rules for rewards and punishments, and send people to patrol the river year-round in boats. If Wei's army dares to enter the Han River, we can quickly assemble the Wu Navy to defeat them from Wuchang."
"If we do as such, even if we invite Wei's troops to come, they will have no courage to come!"
