Battle Royale of the Sinners

Zhou Yu: "Accept the deal."

Huang Gai: "Are you sure?"

Zhou Yu: "Never underestimate an emperor even if he is inept. He can ruin all of you at any time. Tell Zhang Tong that all four of you will join them the year that we disband our clan. As for us, we will follow you into the clan later."

Huang Gai: "Alright. We'll surrender to Zhang Tong."

Zhou Yu: "Of course."

Zhou Yu closed the clan chat and gazed at Sun Ce and Sun Fang.

The two Suns looked back at their strategist, "Are we really surrendering?"

Zhou Yu smiled, "Not really."

"What?"

Zhou Yu laughed and explained his scheme.

Tong might have oppressed them into surrendering by forcing Sun Jian into a disadvantageous position. However, Zhou Yu had also seized options for the Sun Clan by accepting to resign in three years.

First, had Tong been honest and kept his words that he would amend Sun Fang, then it would be a win-win deal. All clan members could survive this turbulent time by sheltering under Tong's wings.

However, in the case that Tong was a liar, Zhou Yu had an exit plan for the clan members. Although Sun Jian and the others might have to join Tong's clan, they could also act as spies inside Tong's ranks.

In this scenario, Zhou Yu analyzed that Tong would want Sun Fang dead, so he had to draw Sun Fang and others to Ye or one of his cities. For that purpose, he would not be able to harm any of the Sun Clan's members until he could kill the Sun Clan's immortal.

As for the last possible future, the worst-case-scenario, Tong could have executed Sun Jian, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Cheng Pu to weaken the Sun Clan before they got the times to prepare. This future would leave them no hope, which they might have to reconsider surrendering to Cao Cao or Liu Biao. And then, they would fight Zhang Tong to death.

Zhou Yu had prepared the schemes for the future in the second scenario. From his viewpoint, Tong had enough immortal subordinates, which Sun Fang and others were nothing but a nuisance. It was unlikely that Tong would allow Sun Fang to live.

In this plan, Sun Ce, Sun Fang, and Zhou Yu had three years to strengthen their forces to the point that they could rival either Cao Cao or Tong. Within a limited time, they had to unify the entire Jiangdong and Wu, as well as stabilizing their finance and military power.

Once the fourth year arrived, they would act according to the trends and the movements of Cao Cao, Liu Biao, Yuan Shu, and the Xiongnu.

There were more sub-branches of the primary plan, but Zhou Yu kept it to himself for now. He wanted everyone to focus on their first priority.

Now, the problem, they lacked personal assets. From Sun Fang's testimony, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, in the other timeline, spent five years to conquer Jiangdong. However, they had only three years. Moreover, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Cheng Pu would not be there to help them, so their situation was worse than the original Sun Ce.

Zhou Yu pointed out their weaknesses, "We don't have enough talented officers to help us, so this expansion will be tough. Senior brother Fang, we'll need your power for our campaign, but you can leave the headhunting job to our two seniors and me."

Zhang Hong and Zhang Shao laughed, "I know a few good men in the region. We'll handle this."

Meanwhile, other officers in the meeting also presented themselves.

Zhu Zhi, a senior officer under Sun Jian, was still there.

Sun Jing, their uncle who was Sun Jian's younger brother, was with them.

Sun Ben, Sun Jian's nephew, had just reached 19-year-old and he was a part of the commanders.

Wu Jing, the younger brother of Sun Jian's wife, was still protecting their family.

Despite the hectic escape from Xuchang, everyone never abandoned the Sun Clan.

Seeing everybody's enthusiasm, Sun Fang decided, "Alright. We won't give up fighting until the last drop of my life. Prepare the army and give me 10,000 men. I'll head east for all cities around Wu and Huiji Commandery. Bofu and others should concentrate on Yuzhang and Chaisang Regions."

Wu and Huiji Commandery located on the south of Yangtze River, east of Mount Huangshan. They were the areas connected to the East China Sea. Notably, Shanghai in the present-day located a bit east of Wu.

Yuzhang was the present-day Nanchang City, located south of Poyang Lake. As for Chaisang, this county located in the northwest of Yuzhang, known in the present day as Jiujiang County.

These places were the strategic regions of Jiangdong or the Yang Province.

Zhou Yu agreed with this move, "I'll give you two-third of our provisions and weaponry. Please finish your campaign before the spring of next year and head north toward the Yangtze River and take Guangling Commandery as our foothold toward the north. Afterward, stay there and protect yourself from Cao Cao. Do whatever necessary to take the territories even if you have to force march in winter."

"What about you and Bofu? Will the remaining provisions enough?"

Zhou Yu chuckled, "We'll move out when we have enough men and food from this year's harvest. For this first year, other officers and I will clean up after your campaign. Bofu will only move next year onward."

The plan was crazy for an ordinary warlord as nobody would have believed that they could conquer these commanderies with only 10,000 men. Since Sun Fang had many system skills, Zhou Yu trusted that he could complete the task without a problem.

.

At Ye City, Sun Jian accepted the terms that the Sun Clan had to disband the system clan in three years. If they failed to join Tong's clan when the year ended, all Sun Clan would be branded as traitors.

It was an oppressive move from Tong, which frustrated all Sun Jian's subordinates.

The audience with Tong ended, and the four left the palace. Since Tong did not appoint them into any position in the court, they were free to roam the city. However, Tong barred them from leaving Ye for the sake of their safety.

Tong and Xun Yu remained in the throne room for a private talk.

"Will you kill them, your majesty?"

"Depends. We'll see in three years."

"I noticed that they were using clan chat to consult with someone. I don't think we can trust them yet."

"I'm also aware. Since they suddenly requested ten years, they must have a good strategist helping them by Sun Fang's side. I'm suspecting that Zhou Yu."

"Zhou Yu? Sun Ce's sworn brother that you've told me?"

"Yes. He's a dangerous one."

Zhou Yu was one of the legendary strategists that Tong did not want to have as an opponent. As his abilities and his insight were rumored to be on par with Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi, he could not let his guard down against this genius.

As long as Sun Fang, Sun Ce, Sun Jian, and Zhou Yu were not hostile against him, Tong was willing to make amends to Sun Fang.

For now, he could only pray that they would not betray his faith.

Tong sighed, "Since I don't want Zhou Yu as my nemesis, can we still use what we had planned?"

Tong referred to the proclamation that he made Sun Jian the Marquis of Xu. By his right and pieces of evidence, he had everything necessary to frame Cao Cao and confiscate his titles.

Xun Yu shook his head, "No. Actually, we should pretend to ignore this matter entirely."

"What!? Why?"

Xun Yu rubbed his chin, "Have you heard of a phrase [Befriend a distant state, but attack a neighbor]?"

It was one of the famous quotes from the 36 proverbs, aka the 36 Stratagems, which was passed on from generation to generation. Some stratagems referred to historical events during the Spring and Autumn Period, Three Kingdoms Period, or the time when Sun Bin was still a dominant figure. However, each strategist had his own variation and understanding.

Xun Yu also had memorized these proverbs since he was young. He mastered these proverbs to the point that he could recite it in his sleep.

As for Tong, he had not researched the proverbs as much as Xun Yu, but he could recall a few phrases and stratagems.

"I know a bit about it. Does that have anything to do with our situation?"

"Yes. I think we should allow Cao Cao to run amok for the time being."

"Why?"

"Since Sun Fang and Zhou Yu have planned to buy some times, they will surely try to unify Jiangdong as you've told me in your story. And, this will definitely trigger Cao Cao for sure."

Xun Yu elaborated on his insight.

Once Sun Ce, Sun Fang, and Zhou Yu controlled Yang Province, they would become another powerhouse that could threaten Cao Cao's southern borders. With Tong's forces glaring at from the north of the Yellow River and Sun Fang's presence from the south of Yangtze River, Cao Cao would be pressed by both fronts.

Then, the distant state alliance will come into play. Tong and Sun Fang should become allies, so they could attack Cao Cao together.

Nevertheless, Xun Yu believed it would have been foolish to fight Cao Cao now and weaken both sides before Sun Fang emerged. They should remain patient and strengthen their foundation.

Tong was confused, "We're giving up this opportunity, though."

"Brand Cao Cao a traitor now, and all lords will brand you as a tyrant emperor. There are chances that Liu Biao and Liu Yan could have proclaimed themselves as a true successor of our dynasty as well. I also heard that Yuan Shu is still holding the Imperial Seal. He could use it against you if you act too rashly."

"Haiz. More façade and politics, huh?"

"I know it's annoying. You're an emperor now, not a governor of a county. Until Yuan Shu lost his patience and proclaimed himself an emperor, do not fight with Cao Cao."

Xun Yu had another move that would benefit Tong more than just destroying Cao Cao at the moment.

His goal was Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, and Liu Yan.

By the middle of this spring, Xun Yu's pacifism stratagem would bear fruits.