Three Kingdoms: I, Ma Su, just want to die

Chapter 680: Sun Quan Refuses to Give Up
"Is Ma Su really seriously ill?"

In Jianye, Sun Quan repeatedly asked the people of Xiaoshi about the situation. As a victim who had been beaten by Ma Su countless times, he was really afraid that Ma Su was faking illness.

However, the person in charge of Akatsuki answered with certainty.

"Your Majesty! Ma Su is indeed seriously ill and is about to die. Our people in Xu County have learned that not only Zhuge Liang has come, but even the prince of Western Shu has come to visit him."

"Moreover, the spies far away in Chang'an also reported that the Western Shu court had sent people to express their condolences. This is unlikely to be false."

"That's hard to say... Ma Su, that bastard, has the most ideas!" Sun Quan shook his head and said calmly.

After being beaten by Ma Su many times, Sun Quan knew this bastard well. He would always strike at the most unexpected places and give you a fatal blow.

Especially since this willful bastard was the general of Western Shu, second only to Liu Chan and Zhuge Liang. If he had any ideas, it would not be impossible for Chang'an to cooperate.

So based on these alone, Sun Quan still couldn't believe that Ma Su was seriously ill.

However, soon, the head of Akatsuki brought him more convincing information.

"General, just half a month ago, the Prime Minister of Western Shu, Zhuge Liang, took over the military affairs of Huaibei and Huaibei. Now the Shu army is already preparing for battle in Huaibei and is ready to march south at any time."

This intelligence was originally sent to Sun Quan to tell him that the situation was critical. After all, Zhuge Liang suddenly took charge again, and it was clear at a glance that Western Shu was serious.

However, upon hearing this, Sun Quan felt slightly relieved.

"It seems that Ma Su is really sick and can't even continue to lead his troops." Sun Quan let out a long sigh and waved his hand as if relieved.

After fighting against Ma Su for so long, Sun Quan had already understood Ma Su's character. He was an absolute war maniac, and he would never voluntarily give up his military power unless it was necessary.

Now that Zhuge Liang is in charge of the military himself, it is highly likely that Ma Su is indeed ill.

"Since Zhuge Liang is here, it seems that Ma Su is indeed seriously ill... In this way, the situation can be eased a lot." Sun Quan was no longer so nervous, and his mind began to work actively.

Ma Su was the pillar of Shu, and as long as he was still able to move, Sun Quan would not have the slightest intention of counterattacking. But now he suddenly became seriously ill, and the timid Sun Quan suddenly became brave.

Without Ma Su, the fighting power of Western Shu would be just that. And most importantly, if Sun Quan didn't take action now, he would have no chance at all when Ma Su recovered from his illness.

Now Ruxu Fort was gone, and the main force of the navy led by Luo Tong was stuck in Xiakou. If the Shu army wanted to force a crossing of the Yangtze River, Sun Quan was not sure he could hold on.

So no matter what, we must find a way to take Ruxuwu back!
At this moment, Sun Quan was like a gambler who was about to lose everything. After racking his brains and seeing no hope, he tried to make a last-ditch effort.

"Send people to Yecheng again and find a way to form an alliance with Cao Wei." Sun Quan narrowed his eyes and gave the order.

"Tell them that Ma Su is seriously ill, and the people guarding the Central Plains in Western Shu are all youngsters. They still have elite soldiers, and my army is also the overlord of Jiangdong. We may be able to push back the front line together!" "By the way, remind that kid from the Sima family that Ma Su is very vengeful. I advise him not to be too naive. If I fall, he will be the next one!"

As a political veteran, Sun Quan had long seen who had the final say in Hebei. So after giving his reasons, he still had to quietly pass on a message to Sima Shi.

Don't be so naive, Ma Su is just seriously ill, he is not really going to die. If you just sit back and watch Dongwu do nothing, when Jiangdong is conquered, Ma Su will just recover from his illness... You Hebei will not be in any good situation either!
After the envoys received the order and set off, Sun Quan quickly summoned the governor Lu Kang and ordered him to prepare a way to counterattack Ruxuwu. However, when Lu Kang was summoned, he firmly opposed to mobilizing troops again.

"Your Majesty! We can't mobilize troops now! We... have no food."

"No food?" Sun Quan was shocked and even at a loss for a moment.

As the ruler of Jiangdong, he had never heard of this word before. Basically, every time he went on an expedition, he could easily prepare a large amount of food and fodder, without having to worry about logistics.

Even if his treasury was not enough, the big families who invested in him would generously donate money at the first opportunity. The whole Jiangdong was in such a harmonious atmosphere, and it once developed into a regime that controlled the three states of Jing, Yang and Jiao.

However, Lu Kang's helpless words "No food" completely woke Sun Quan up from his dream.

"Your Majesty! We really have no food..." Lu Kang shook his head heavily and reported honestly to Sun Quan.

"We have been fighting the Shu army for two years. In the past two years, the Shu army has marched south twice in a row, and it looks like they are about to march south for the third time."

"Every time the Shu army marched south, we had to use all our strength in Jiangdong to defend the river. A large number of strong men were conscripted to transport food, and there was no one to farm the fields."

"So Jiangdong has suffered from a severe harvest shortage in the past two years, and the annual taxes cannot be collected at all!"

There is no need to talk about the remaining Lu Kang, as Sun Quan has already figured it out.

The good families under the rule of the imperial court had a very difficult life, so naturally, taxes could not be collected. As for the big families... Sun Quan knew them, and under the current circumstances, it was obviously impossible for them to voluntarily contribute money and grain as before.

He seemed to have returned to the day before the Battle of Red Cliffs, when only the Sun family's own people were left. But in this situation, which of their own people in the Sun family could be present?
Apart from Lu Kang, there is only Luo Tong. The twelve great generals of Jiangdong in the past have long since died...

"We have to find a way to attack! Ma Su is seriously ill now. This may be the only chance for Dongwu to save its national destiny!" There was some resentment in Sun Quan's eyes, but he still gritted his teeth.

If it were an ordinary monarch, he would have given up long ago, eating, drinking and having fun all day, and then waited obediently for his final fate.

But it is obvious that Sun Quan does not want to give up like this. He has been in charge of Jiangdong since he was sixteen years old, and he does not want to face such a fate after fighting for so many decades!

He must save himself! Do whatever it takes to save himself!
"Take my order and go meet the Prime Minister and his men and demand money and food directly from them!" Sun Quan seemed to have suddenly become much more resolute, and said to Lu Kang with a stern face.

"If they ask, tell them that this is my intention! For the fate of Dongwu, they must contribute a little!"

(End of this chapter)