Chapter 832: The Fatal Strike

In a situation where victory seemed within reach, Liu Biao, supported by generals like Huang Zhong, Liu Pan, and the intellectuals Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang, frequently launched attacks on northern Jing Province. Although these attacks never successfully captured any significant territory in northern Jing, each raid still brought back some spoils of war, leaving Liu Biao feeling victorious.

However, over time, Liu Biao gradually realized that each of these so-called victories was entirely orchestrated by Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu had purposely left northern Jing looking vulnerable, allowing Liu Biao to believe in the possibility of victory, only to lure him into constant skirmishes, gradually weakening his forces. Zhou Yu's goal was to eliminate the weaker, disorganized soldiers still loyal to Yuan Shu through these battles.

If Kuai Yue had to face the trio of Liao Li, Yu Fan, and Gu Yong simultaneously, he wouldn’t fare any better. But since Liu Biao’s forces always had the initiative, Kuai Yue only had to deal with one opponent at a time, forcing Liao Li into a defensive position.

Though this strategy seemed advantageous for Liu Biao, the continuous northern campaigns had weakened the four southern counties of Jing Province. Each time, they could plunder a decent amount of weapons, armor, and provisions, but each victory also came with the cost of losing many men.

As for capturing people from the enemy territories, every time Kuai Yue captured a large number of civilians to take back to southern Jing, Sun Ce's elite forces would appear. Burdened by the civilians, Kuai Yue had no choice but to engage in battle with Sun Ce's troops.

Kuai Yue had once attempted to ambush Sun Ce during one of these raids. However, after Zhou Yu’s intervention, Kuai Yue completely abandoned the idea of ambushing Sun Ce. While he could face either Sun Ce or Zhou Yu individually without fear, the two together were a force to be reckoned with, and Kuai Yue preferred to avoid confrontation when both were present.

This strategy of capturing civilians gradually eroded Liu Biao’s reputation among the common folk in northern Jing. Taking advantage of this, Gu Yong, acting on behalf of the local government, began relocating the people from the contested regions to Jiangdong (Eastern Wu). As a result, all Liu Biao gained from these raids were weapons, armor, and provisions, while his support among the people continued to dwindle.

This was the primary reason why Liu Biao was forced to make a desperate gamble. He needed a decisive victory, or else he risked losing everything, slowly falling victim to Zhou Yu's clever strategies.

Kuai Yue had seen through Zhou Yu’s scheme but had no other choice. After Jiang Qin and Liu Xun led raids on southern Jing Province, Kuai Yue adopted an offensive strategy to maintain their position. Although this approach gradually weakened Liu Biao’s forces, Zhou Yu had left him with only two options: either face total annihilation or take a desperate offensive approach, hoping for a potential reversal of fortune.

In reality, Kuai Yue had little confidence in their full-scale campaign from southern Jing. However, the sudden cooperation of Liu Zhang and the unexpected offensive by Liu Bei gave Kuai Yue a glimmer of hope for success.

This was why Kuai Yue agreed with Liu Biao’s decision to lead the army to Qi Gui. By combining their strength with Liu Bei and Liu Zhang, they hoped to defeat Sun Ce quickly and thus turn the tide of the war.

“Liu Biao has mobilized,” said Zhou Yu with a light chuckle as he folded a letter, standing amidst the reeds along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. "Youping, summon Junli (Zhu Zhi)."

"Understood." Zhou Tai saluted with a bow and immediately went to find Zhu Zhi.

It wasn’t long before Zhu Zhi arrived. Though Zhu Zhi did not carry the same level of fame as veterans like Huang Gai, he had once fought alongside Sun Jian in campaigns across the land, and his capabilities were undeniable.

“General Zhu, please have a seat,” Zhou Yu said, returning the gesture of respect before pointing to a nearby table. Though Zhou Yu enjoyed the highest level of prestige under Sun Ce’s command, he always treated others with warmth and humility.

“May I ask why you have summoned me, Gongjin?” Zhu Zhi asked after taking his seat.

“General, you have experience in the southern Jing region, especially from your campaigns with the late General Sun in Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang. You should be quite familiar with the area,” Zhou Yu said calmly.

“Aren’t we supposed to be reinforcing the young lord?” Zhu Zhi was taken aback by Zhou Yu’s words, sensing that something was amiss. Many of Sun Ce’s soldiers couldn’t distinguish whether Sun Ce or Zhou Yu was in charge at times, but the older generals who had followed Sun Jian made clear distinctions between the two.

“I will personally head to assist my brother, Bofu. However, this time, there is another task that needs completing,” Zhou Yu replied, completely unfazed by Zhu Zhi’s reaction. He understood that it was simply the instincts of a veteran.

As expected, Zhu Zhi quickly offered an apologetic bow, and Zhou Yu, unbothered, continued the conversation.

“I am familiar with southern Jing, but if we split our forces now, I fear it will be difficult to maintain our strength,” Zhu Zhi said with a furrowed brow.

“You will go to southern Jing. Ziheng (Lu Su) is already there, and I believe the Wuxi tribes have been integrated into the army. Originally, I intended this as a backup plan for attacking Liu Biao from both the north and south, but now it should be easier,” Zhou Yu explained.

“The Wuxi tribes? Are they reliable?” Zhu Zhi asked, still concerned.

“They are. Their leader, Shamoke, had already pledged his loyalty when I left Jingzhou. But remember, when you reach southern Jing, treat the Wuxi people as equals to our own forces,” Zhou Yu emphasized, his tone more formal this time, as the issue concerned the delicate handling of the tribal forces.

“Understood,” Zhu Zhi replied without hesitation, recognizing the opportunity for earning merit.

“After securing southern Jing, focus on defending along the river. Avoid harming the families of Liu Biao and Kuai Yue; they still have their uses. Once southern Jing is stabilized, establish extensive trade between the Wuxi tribes and the Shanyue. Large-scale trade is the key,” Zhou Yu continued with a more serious tone, considering the implications of managing such a vast population.

"Yes, I will see to it," Zhu Zhi said as he bowed and saluted.

After discussing more details about the governance of southern Jing and various precautions to take, Zhou Yu returned to reviewing the broader military situation on the map. As for the upcoming conflict in southern Jing, Zhou Yu felt confident in the outcome.

With Zhou Yu’s careful planning and the timely opportunity at hand, he estimated that Liu Biao likely wouldn’t have many forces left to maintain control over southern Jing. The continuous pressure Zhou Yu had applied, along with this rare chance, would soon bear fruit.

"Kuai Yue is indeed a brilliant strategist. This risky gamble of his has the potential to succeed, especially if he has no backup plan. However, I doubt he expected me to have prepared so thoroughly, even capable of capturing southern Jing while Bofu is under siege," Zhou Yu mused as he gazed out at the Yangtze River.

If everything went according to his plan, Kuai Yue would soon realize, much to his shock, that southern Jing had slipped from their grasp, as though the city had been stolen right out from under them.

"Once I send another letter to ensure Kuai Yue captures Yicheng, even if he tries to aid their forces, it will be too late," Zhou Yu thought, preparing to write to Gu Yong to clarify his strategy and send the message to Xiangyang.

However, Zhou Yu couldn’t have foreseen that this letter would fall into the hands of Liao Li instead of Gu Yong, leading to unexpected complications.

Previous Chapter | | Next Chapter