People in the Three Kingdoms: Starting from Preaching

Chapter 506 Ask Zhou Yu

"Your Majesty, we have lost this battle. Our navy has suffered heavy losses, while the enemy is still in good condition. The strength of both sides is close, not to mention that they have powerful weapons. The power of their long-range bombardment is unimaginable. We have no idea how to deal with future battles. In this situation, it is a luxury to continue to block the waterway. All we can do now is to hope that the land army can act!"

Following a series of coughing sounds, the pale-faced Zhou Yu asked about the current situation and made this judgment to Sun Quan.

Such a result was equally difficult to accept for Zhou Yu and Sun Quan, but they had to accept reality.

Although Sun Quan's face was as gloomy as dead water at this moment, he managed to force a smile and comforted Zhou Yu first: "Although the war is difficult, it is not an insurmountable hurdle. Gongjin, just rest and recover. We still need you in the future battles. Only when you recover first can you continue to work for the soldiers and civilians of Wu!"

Zhou Yu sighed inwardly, nodded gently and said: "My injury is not serious. I think I can recover after a few days of rest. The follow-up arrangements in the army still need your majesty to personally take care of it."

Sun Quan held Zhou Yu's hand tightly, took a deep breath, and said, "The naval battle is not going well, and the enemy's next move is unknown. How should our army respond? Please teach me, Gongjin!"

Zhou Yu coughed again, and then, with the help of Sun Quan, he leaned on the bed frame.

Although his face was as pale as paper and his complexion was listless at the moment, he still half-closed his eyes and thought. After a long while, he spoke in a deep voice.

"Xu Chen is a cunning warrior. After this battle, he will not be unaware that our navy is powerless to stop him. The next move of the Yellow Turbans will definitely be to break through the waterway to fight for the upper reaches, and they will not give our army more time to make adjustments. I am afraid that our army will have to give up the waterway."

When he said this weakly, Zhou Yu sighed and forced himself to continue.

"Although the truth is cruel, please accept it, Your Majesty. With the remaining strength of our coalition navy, even without the Yellow Turbans' terrible weapons, it is not enough to stop and defeat the enemy. As long as they can gain a foothold in the Yangtze River, any place on the south bank of the Yangtze River may be the place where they launch an attack!"

Zhou Yu opened his eyes a little wider and forced himself to be alert: "Now, we'd better predict the route of the enemy's attack, so that we can make heavy deployment in advance!"

Sun Quan paced back and forth in the tent with a changeable expression. Just as Zhou Yu said, this current situation really made him uncomfortable.

It was obvious that their navy was stronger, and that Wu and Shu had an absolute advantage in naval battles, but the current result was so disappointing and painful.

He glanced at Zhou Yu, and even though he knew in his heart that Zhou Yu was not to be blamed, he still couldn't help feeling a little resentful.

How could such a good game be played so badly?

Of course, Sun Quan has now gradually acquired the shrewdness that an emperor should have, and can completely suppress the resentment in his heart.

He still sat down next to Zhou Yu and asked with concentration, "Gongjin, where do you think the Yellow Turbans might attack?"

This time, Zhou Yu pondered for a long time, asked someone to bring him a map and looked at it for a while. Only then did he slowly speak.

"I think there are three routes that Xuanxia can take to march south. One is to go south from Wancheng to Jingzhou to separate Wu and Shu. Once they cut off Shu's rear logistics and put pressure on Jingzhou, the strength that our coalition can exert will be greatly reduced.

Secondly, Xuanxia can also try to take Yangzhou. To do so, there are two routes: one is the central route along the Rushu River, and the other is the eastern route along the Zhongdu River. Both routes can transport troops across the river and aim at the heart of Yangzhou. If the Yellow Turbans choose to do so, they intend to first take the southern border, and then advance slowly and push westward, using the upright method of overpowering others with force." Sun Quan was also a very smart person. After listening, he understood it by comparing it with the map.

If the Yellow Turbans take Jingzhou first, they will separate Wu and Shu. This will be a test of whether Wu and Shu will attack the Yellow Turbans from both sides, or whether the Yellow Turbans will split the alliance and defeat them one by one!

If the Yellow Turbans took Yangzhou first, they would face direct pressure from the combined forces of Wu and Shu. Although this would put more direct pressure on them, they would not have to risk being attacked from both sides, and this would be a safer and more upright strategy.

At this time, what is tested is one's own judgment ability. One must bet on the direction of the Yellow Turbans' main attack, so that the subsequent battle will be much easier.

If the main attack direction of the Yellow Turbans had been predicted in advance and heavy troops had been deployed on the south bank, then even if the Yellow Turban navy could deal with the Wu and Shu navy, crossing the river would not be such an easy task.

So, what will the Yellow Turbans choose?
At this moment, Sun Quan's psychological pressure suddenly reached its peak. The tactical choice this time was of such great importance that he had to be cautious.

Of course, Wu and Shu could also deploy their troops in Jingzhou and Yangzhou respectively, but dividing the troops would mean dispersing their strength. The Yangtze River coast is so long that it would be impossible to defend it by dividing the troops.

The best option for Wu and Shu was to directly block the Yellow Turbans' way of crossing the river, because as long as the Yellow Turbans crossed the river, neither Sun Quan nor Liu Bei would have the confidence to defeat the Yellow Turbans.

Sun Quan was so worried that he was afraid to make a decision, so he looked at Zhou Yu.

Although he didn't say anything, Zhou Yu understood what Sun Quan meant. After all, this emperor was still too young and lacked the courage to make major decisions.

However, Zhou Yu was not lacking in courage. His eyes became firm and he said, "I judge that the Yellow Turbans will cross the river from Jingzhou. Xu Chen is a cautious person, but he is not a dull person. Judging from past battles, he is not lacking in bold actions as long as his strength allows. The strength of the Yellow Turbans alone can obviously support him to make bolder decisions."

Sun Quan nodded when he heard this, but the frown on his brow did not ease. It was obvious that these words were not enough to make him completely at ease.

Zhou Yu added: "Besides, this Xuanxia southern expedition was not long after the last Xuanxia attack on Wei. It is not difficult to see Xu Chen's eagerness to unify Shenzhou. Now, although the risk is slightly higher in Jingzhou, once successful, the war will end quickly. In comparison, Xu Chen will not be willing to take his time in Yangzhou!"

Hearing this, Sun Quan's brows finally relaxed a little. Although he was still not completely reassured, he was indeed persuaded by Zhou Yu.

He still hasn't forgotten the saying "Ask Zhou Yu about foreign affairs".

At least Zhou Yu did have abilities that were worthy of his trust. Even though Zhou Yu had just suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Yellow Turbans, he was still the minister that Sun Quan could rely on the most.

Perhaps it was due to physical exhaustion and excessive thinking, Zhou Yu felt dizzy at this moment and could only use his last bit of strength to give instructions to Sun Quan.

"To resist Xuan Xia, the most important thing is the alliance between Wu and Shu. Your Majesty, please remember to consult with Shu on military arrangements. As for the military affairs these days, your majesty can rely on the two old ministers Huang Gai and Lu Su. Lu Su has been with me for a long time and is indeed a talented person. You can trust him. After I have recuperated, I will serve you again!"

(End of this chapter)