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

Chapter 681 Wei and Wu's Last Fight

Sun Quan knew very well that the relationship he maintained with the nobles was already very fragile. The two sides were more like strangers, trying not to interfere with each other as much as possible and leaving each other with dignity.

He couldn't do anything to those powerful families, and he didn't dare to touch them, at least that was the case before.

But now, Sun Quan had no choice but to take this step. He ordered his confidants to threaten them with his warrant to support him.

Although this violated the tacit agreement between them and might directly force these nobles to the opposite side, Sun Quan obviously couldn't care about these things now. He had to seize this opportunity which might be the last one.

Anyway, when the Western Shu army attacks, Jiangdong will be hard to survive without Ruxuwu. At that time, these fence-sitters will definitely sell him out without hesitation.

So instead of leaving them with some dignity, it’s better to overdraw it all and seize the last chance.

"I just wonder if Cao Wei in the north has the same view as me? The young man from the Sima family is only in his thirties, so he should not make the wrong decision!"

After Sun Quan made all the arrangements, he began to worry about gains and losses again. While thinking about the possible reaction of Cao Wei in the north, he kept looking at Jianye City outside the window.

How wonderful it is that all of this is my inheritance! How wonderful it would be if it could always belong to me and be passed down from generation to generation...

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Since the Han army seized Guandong and drove Cao Wei out of the Central Plains, all land connections between Wu and Cao Wei were cut off. Fortunately, Wu's water power was barely still there, and Sun Quan's envoys began to cross the sea in small boats.

At that time, sea transportation was still very immature, and the Eastern Wu delegation had to sail in the coastal waters, being alert to the possible interception of the Han army on the shore, and being careful to guard against the dangerous sea.

Fortunately, the Han Dynasty had just taken over Guandong not long ago, and all the administrative power of the government was used to digest the territory, and they had no time to care about their small actions. Therefore, the Dongwu delegation did not encounter any interception along the way and successfully arrived at a port in Bohai County.

The Wu envoys were immediately received by the Cao Wei side. The Cao Wei people no longer treated them as traitors, but began to talk to them on an equal footing.

After all, anyone with a discerning eye can see the current situation. They don't want to be wiped out like this, so the Dongwu rebels, who were previously unacceptable, have now become the target of united front work.

However, Sima Shi himself was not in Nanpi, but in Qinghe County, besieging the remnants of Cao Shuang. So the envoy had to go to Qinghe County under the escort of soldiers to meet Sima Shi directly.

As for Cao Fang...whether it was the officials from the Guandong faction or the envoys from Soochow, everyone knew the truth.

Cao Shuang's previous power-grabbing reforms actually made many fundamental changes. In order to appease the Hebei faction, he even took the initiative to replace some Yingchuan officials with Hebei officials.

Unfortunately, he was too incompetent and therefore offended many people. So after Sima Shi launched the coup, many Guandong factions were happy to see it happen.

They followed whomever they followed, and Sima Shi was especially at odds with the Shu Kingdom in the south. If he came to power, he would not only be more reliable than Cao Shuang, but also maintain their interests.

It was also with the support of officials from the Central Plains that Sima Shi was able to truly overthrow the emperor.

Soon, the envoys of the Eastern Wu were escorted by soldiers to Qinghe County and met Sima Shi, who was dressed in military uniform. "You want us, the Great Wei, to attack Western Shu together with you? Does your Emperor Wu think that I, Sima Shi, am crazy?"

Sima Shi was very blunt when he spoke, and he directly insulted Sun Quan. However, the envoy also keenly noticed the other party's address.

Emperor Wu, that is to say, Sima Shi was expressing his willingness to recognize them. With this as a foundation, the envoy felt much more at ease.

But even so, the envoy was still very helpless. The other side was obviously willing to cooperate, but just made this gesture to ask them for conditions. But...now Dongwu has no capital to give them conditions!
"General Wei, if you want us in Dongwu to ask for money or food or something, I'm afraid you will be disappointed." The messenger shook his head helplessly and made everything clear.

"Hebei has been in a civil war for the past two years, and the Shu army has basically no pressure in the north. So for two whole years, they have been using the power of the Central Plains to harass Jiangdong."

"Because of the two years of harassment, our Jiangdong treasury is empty and it is difficult to continue. Even supporting our own troops to go to war is extremely difficult, and it is impossible to spare a little money and food for them."

"But our Majesty has specifically instructed us that... Ma Su is only seriously ill this time, not dead. If we don't join forces, Dongwu will undoubtedly be defeated. And if Dongwu is defeated by Shu, how long can Cao Wei hold out?"

"Are you going to sit back and watch Wu do nothing, and then pray that Ma Su dies of illness?"

The envoy from Dongwu was very impolite, but his words really made Sima Shi's eyes flash. After a long silence, he suddenly asked.

"May I know your name?"

"Wei Yao." The messenger answered generously.

Sima Shi nodded slightly, then asked Wei Yao to sit down and discuss in detail.

Sima Shi was naturally not stupid and was very clear about the current situation.

Ma Su is seriously ill! This is a good opportunity that Cao Wei has not been waiting for for more than ten years, and now it finally appears.

This gentleman is seriously ill, so naturally he cannot command the army. At present, Ji Han's main interests are still in Guanxi, and the Central Plains has not been completely consolidated so far.

This is a golden opportunity, or perhaps the only chance they have at the moment!

The previous situation was hopeless for anyone with a discerning eye. But now, there was a glimmer of hope, which gave them a glimmer of hope. Even if it was not big, it was enough for them to try their best.

In the final analysis, Sima Shi and Sun Quan had the same attitude on this matter. They both had a deep hatred for West Shu, and it was a big deal that they could not surrender! It was also because of this that they did not dare to give up at all. Even if it was just a straw, they had to grab it with all their strength!

Of course, although Sima Shi had already prepared for the alliance with Soochow, he did not intend to form an alliance so easily. Since Soochow no longer had the capital to promise conditions, Sima Shi asked Soochow to make concessions in deployment.

Soochow must send troops first to draw the attention of West Shu to the south. Cao Wei will send troops only after receiving news of Soochow's attack, launching a counterattack with Soochow from the south and the north.

Wei Yao tried to argue with Sima Shi, but he was very firm. As Ma Su was seriously ill and no one knew when he would recover, Wei Yao did not dare to delay too much and finally agreed.

A counterattack between Wei and Wu caused by Ma Su's serious illness began to brew.

(End of this chapter)