Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 324: Crossing the River in White Clothes! Surprise Attack on Jiangdong!
After hearing what Liu Xie said, Jia Xu and Guo Jia pondered for a moment and both agreed with his idea.

"Your Majesty, this is a brilliant plan."

Guo Jia nodded, but at the same time raised his concerns: "However, Sun Quan may not be willing to be a knife in your majesty's hand."

It is certainly a good idea to let Sun Quan deal with Cao Cao.

But the purpose is too obvious to be seen at a glance.

Liu Xie said nonchalantly: "He has no room to refuse. Even if he knows that I am using him, he has to agree."

Sun Quan could either become his pawn to deal with Cao Cao, or continue fighting the imperial troops with his retreat cut off.

The former may still have a glimmer of hope.

The latter is doomed to die.

Everyone knows how to choose.

"Of course, although I want to kill someone with a borrowed knife, if he can really help the court defeat Cao Cao, then I will keep my promise and forgive his crime."

Liu Xie then added another sentence.

He didn't lie.

The Liu family's credibility is well-known. From Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang to Emperor Shizu Liu Xiu, they all kept their words and never broke their promises.

Liu Xiu even kept his promise and forgave the enemy who killed his brother, allowing him to live out his life in wealth and honor, which also made the value of the Liu family's promise reach its peak.

So Liu Xie would certainly not ruin his reputation because of a mere Sun Quan, otherwise he would be no different from Sima Yi in history.

Even if he unifies the world in the future, this incident will be criticized by future generations and become a stain on him that cannot be washed away.

"Your Majesty is holy."

Jia Xu said with great emotion that his Majesty's courage and broad-mindedness were what he admired most.

This is the true style of a king!
At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the Xuanwai. Liu Xie thought that it was the palace servant who was sent to Jia Xu's house to pick green plums who came back, but it was Gao Lan who walked in.

"Your Majesty, urgent delivery from Xuzhou, 800 miles away!"

Hearing this, Liu Xie's heart was suddenly shocked. He reached out to take the report from Gao Lan's hand, then unfolded it and read it carefully, with a hint of joy gradually appearing between his brows.

Jia Xu and Guo Jia were both curious when they saw this.

What happened in Xuzhou?

After a while, Liu Xie put down the report and said to them with a smile: "It is just as Kong Ming and Zhong Da expected. Cao Cao did attack Jiangdong."

"General Wenyuan said that Cao Cao led 30,000 troops across the river and seized the counties in Jiangdong, cutting off Sun Quan's retreat."

"Now Sun Quan has begun to withdraw his troops. If things go as expected, he intends to gather his forces to attack Cao Cao and retake Jiangdong."

Everything happened just as Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi had predicted.

Cao Cao stabbed Sun Quan in the back and led his troops to Jiangdong, completely breaking up the Sun-Cao alliance and a war was bound to break out.

"Fengxiao, draft an edict for Sun Quan immediately, just as I said just now." Liu Xie immediately instructed Guo Jia.

"Also, inform General Wenyuan that if Sun Quan agrees to surrender, then we will stop attacking him and turn our forces around to stop Cao Cao from relocating the people."

"If Sun Quan refuses to surrender, we will send troops to destroy him without leaving any room for him!"

Liu Xie's tone was full of indifference.

Guo Jia bowed and accepted the order.

At this time, Jia Xu said again: "Your Majesty, the information about Xu You that you asked me to find out last time has now been confirmed."

"According to the report from the Embroidered Uniform Envoy, Xu You's identity was exposed several months ago. He is now imprisoned by Cao Cao and is under strict guard. The Embroidered Uniform Envoy cannot infiltrate him."

Jia Xu reported the news truthfully.

In order to obtain this information, he lost a capable subordinate and even eliminated several of his spies in Yuzhou.

Even this information was only transmitted after many twists and turns.

"So it was exposed?"

When Liu Xie heard this, he felt both relieved and regretful.

He was relieved that Xu You was still quite loyal to him and did not betray him; but he was regretful that he had lost the deepest thorn in Cao Cao's side.

If Xu You could continue to stay by Cao Cao's side as an insider, he would have known all of Cao Cao's actions long ago and would have been able to respond long ago.

Fortunately, Cao Cao was cautious by nature and did not dare to do anything extreme. He did not kill Xu You, but only imprisoned him.

However, he had no better way to rescue Xu You now, and could only wait until Cao Cao was defeated in the future.

……

After Sun Quan dismissed Zhou Yu from the post of Grand Commander, he appointed Cheng Pu as the new Grand Commander and assembled troops to launch a counterattack against Guangling and Danyang counties.

Outside Danyang City.

Xu Sheng led a small group of cavalrymen to challenge the enemy outside the city, shouting: "Cao thief! Traitor! Evil thief! Rebel thief!"

"You betrayed our promise, broke the covenant, and committed such a despicable act. How can you have the face to live in this world!
"Why are you staying behind closed doors? Are you just going to hide in the city? You cowardly rats, get out of the city and fight me to the death!"

Xu Sheng kept cursing, but until his throat became hoarse, there was no response from the city, not even a wave of arrows was fired.

Seeing this, Xu Sheng reluctantly led his troops back to the camp and reported to Sun Quan helplessly: "My lord, Cao's army has been staying indoors."

Upon hearing this, Sun Quan's face became so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it.

He originally wanted to take back these two counties when Cao Cao had just entered Jiangdong and had not yet had time to deploy his troops, but Cao Cao's speed was beyond his expectations.

When he sent troops to attack the two counties, Cao Cao's troops had already entered the two counties and had carried out a scorching battle.

Cheng Pu led the army to launch several attacks on Guangling County, but failed to achieve any results because Cao's army refused to fight them and always defended the city.

The same situation exists when we attack Danyang County today.

In the tent, Zhou Tai heard this and said, "My lord, Cao's army is deliberately avoiding fighting, obviously stalling for time. Why not attack directly!"

"Even if it's a turtle shell, I'll smash it to pieces!"

After he finished speaking, Cheng Pu shook his head and said, "Danyang and Guangling counties are both easy to defend and difficult to attack. If a strong attack was useful, we would not have been able to stop Lu Bu with these two counties."

"Cao is determined not to fight us now and intends to defend the city to the death. A forceful attack will only increase our loss of manpower."

"We must know that Zhang Liao is still eyeing us covetously. We cannot allow too many casualties to occur, otherwise we will become fish on the chopping board."

He had tried to attack by force several times before, but he only tried briefly and did not dare to put all his troops forward.

Because they also need to guard against Zhang Liao in the rear.

Otherwise, if Zhang Liao suddenly launched a sneak attack from behind when they were attacking with all their strength, the situation would become irreversible.

Sun Quan sighed and asked, "What is Zhang Liao's current movement? During the time when we were bringing our troops back, did he take the opportunity to attack Xia Pi?"

"No." Cheng Pu shook his head and replied, "There has been no movement from Zhang Liao in recent days. He has not started any wars, nor has he attacked any cities or plundered any territory."

This would have been impossible in the past. Zhang Liao's offensive was extremely swift and he would attack them every few days.

It is very rare to be so quiet now.

Sun Quan's eyes flashed with a trace of vigilance, and he frowned and asked, "Is he planning something in secret? Or does he have other plans?"

When he mobilized troops back, it was impossible for Zhang Liao not to notice his movements, and he should also know what happened in Jiangdong.

It was really strange that the other party did not take this opportunity to attack but remained on the sidelines.

Thinking of this, he turned his gaze to Zhou Yu and asked, "Gongjin, what do you think about this?"

Although he dismissed Zhou Yu from the position of Grand Commander, he still kept him by his side. After all, in terms of military talent, no one under his command could compare with him.

He just didn't feel comfortable letting Zhou Yu lead the troops.

It doesn't mean that I don't recognize Zhou Yu's ability.

When Zhou Yu heard Sun Quan's question, he replied, "My lord, Zhang Liao must have done it on purpose. If I were him, I would also choose to keep my troops in place and let us and Cao's army consume each other."

"Unless we suffer a great defeat or heavy losses, he will not take the initiative to attack us."

"Cao wants us to resist Zhang Liao, and Zhang Liao also wants us to consume Cao's strength. That's why he doesn't send troops."

The current situation has reached a strange balance.

Cao Cao held his ground and refused to come out, Zhang Liao kept his troops in place, and they were like beasts trapped in a cage, not knowing whether to attack or retreat.

"They are all a bunch of insidious and cunning people!"

Sun Quan cursed with gnashing teeth.

Neither Zhang Liao nor Cao Cao is a good person. Both of them want to reap the benefits and play with him like a dog!
Seeing this, Zhou Yu couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Although the current situation is relatively stable, if it continues like this it will be a slow death. Without support from the rear, their food and supplies can only last for three months at most.

Without food and supplies, they can only wait for death.

After thinking for a while, Zhou Yu said, "My lord, since we cannot capture Danyang and Guangling, why not change our target?"

"Cao Cao's main forces have now moved to Jiangdong, leaving Yuzhou with a lack of troops. Why don't we take advantage of this opportunity to seize Yuzhou?"

They are currently in a dilemma, and the only way out is to choose another target to attack. Attacking Yuzhou is the best option at the moment.

"What's the point of taking Yuzhou?"

Sun Quan snorted coldly upon hearing this, and said solemnly: "Even if we take Yuzhou, it won't be long before we will face the armies of Lu Bu and Zhang Liao at the same time!"

"The only way to survive is to fight back to Jiangdong!"

Taking Yuzhou is just a temporary solution. As long as he dares to attack Yuzhou, Cao Ren will definitely give up resistance, and Lu Bu's army will march south.

That's no different from seeking death.

Zhou Yu wanted to persuade him again, but Sun Quan no longer had the patience to listen and asked the generals, "With so many people, can't you think of a way to take back Jiangdong?"

The generals looked at each other in silence.

In the past, when they had Jiangdong behind them and relied on the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, they felt as stable as a rock; but now when they are faced with the difficult task of fighting back to Jiangdong, they really feel the pressure.

It is too difficult.

However, Lu Meng suddenly stepped forward and said, "My lord, I have a plan that may help us recapture Jiangdong and restore order!"

"Oh? What's the plan? Ziming, tell me quickly!"

Sun Quan's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he asked impatiently, his excitement hard to hide on his face.

No matter what the solution is, it is a good start that Lu Meng can come up with it. It is better than a group of people standing here helpless.

Lü Meng said, "My lord, according to the intelligence from our scouts, Cao Cao has now evacuated a large number of civilians and supplies to Yangzhou and sent them across the Yangtze River to Jiangdong."

“I thought it was a great opportunity.”

"We can send two thousand elite soldiers, disguised as ordinary people and merchants, and secretly cross the Yangtze River."

"After we cross the river, we will gather all these elite troops and seize the ferry when Cao Cao is not prepared. Then our army can take the opportunity to return to Jiangdong!"

Lu Meng's words were eloquent and his eyes were bright.

However, everyone's faces changed when they heard this.

Lu Su had been watching and saying nothing, but after hearing what Lu Meng said, he could no longer hold back and said firmly: "This plan is absolutely not acceptable!"

"Although all is fair in war, soldiers are soldiers and civilians are civilians. Disguising soldiers as civilians to cross the river is not only shameless, but also goes against the principles of military tactics!"

"If this plan is carried out, countless people will suffer from unprovoked disasters in the future. The consequences are simply incalculable!"

Since ancient times, when marching and fighting, the army has not prohibited the people and merchants from traveling. Unless in special circumstances, the army generally will not check and harass the people and merchants.

But Lu Meng now wants to use this to cross the river!

If he really did this, then in future when war breaks out, civilians and merchants will certainly be severely interrogated or even slaughtered!

After all, who knows if you are an enemy soldier?
Zhou Yu was also very angry about the method proposed by Lu Meng. He looked at him fiercely and said, "Ziming! How can you say such a despicable method?"

"You are also a general. Don't you know the consequences of doing this? This is the behavior of a complete coward!"

"You simply disregard the reputation of your lord!"

Lü Meng was very dissatisfied when he heard this and retorted: "Cao Cao was treacherous and immoral first, so what can we do if we take some extraordinary measures?"

"If you have a better plan, then propose it instead of waiting for me to come up with it and then accusing me here!"

The two of them were at loggerheads, neither of them giving in.

Zhou Yu didn't want to continue arguing with Lu Meng. He looked at Sun Quan and said seriously, "My lord, this strategy goes against the principles of military strategy and must not be used!"

"If you carry out this plan, even if you succeed in taking Jiangdong, you will be cursed for eternity. Please think twice!"

As he spoke, Zhou Yu bowed deeply.

Seeing this, Lü Meng snorted coldly and also stepped forward and said, "My lord, this plan was proposed by me. Let the people suffer and I will bear the blame."

"For the sake of my lord's cause, what's the harm in bearing a little infamy?"

The two men were arguing, and the other generals in the tent remained silent at this time, and no one spoke up to take sides.

On the one hand, it was because the strategy proposed by Lu Meng was too insidious. Crossing the river in white clothes was unprecedented, and once used, it would inevitably be cursed by countless people.

But if this plan succeeds, we can indeed retake Jiangdong.

So...how to choose?

Everyone in the tent turned their eyes to Sun Quan.

(End of this chapter)