Into the Yangtze's Mist - 4
Cough— cough—
Zhou Yu looked like he was in a lot of pain. It felt like he was holding his crumbling body together through sheer willpower alone, but rather than pity, seeing him talk about his wishes like a terminal cancer patient gave me a strange sense of awe, as if I were witnessing the far edge of reckless obsession.
"We've received urgent news that Cao Cao's army of 800,000 is marching south. It's probably just posturing. Yet our forces aren't even thinking of fighting back."
Lu Meng's expression was complicated as he watched Zhou Yu spit blood onto his robe.
Zhou Yu put on a calm face like it was nothing, but knowing how serious his condition was made him look like a terminal patient who'd already made peace with his fate.
"If this guy weren't sick, he'd have accomplished something truly great."
The keyword "800,000-strong army" reminded me of what Guo Jia had said to me, but the words wouldn't come out.
What if this was Guo Jia's scheme to shake the alliance between Wu and Shu?
Guo Jia was a strategist, and as Master Kongming had said, strategists make the impossible possible.
Even in this utterly implausible situation, I had to be wary of Guo Jia's intentions, adding yet another thing to worry about. But for now, I'd set that aside and focus on the matter here in Jianye.
"I still haven't heard why you've come here. All I know is that you were ordered by Lord Liu Qi to travel to Jianye."
Zhou Yu answered nonchalantly.
"Cough— Wu stands at a critical crossroads: fight to the death or surrender. Our lord can't make an easy decision, so he requested my presence for this crisis. This is just one part of the discussions I've had closely with Lu Su. Now, let me explain."
Zhou Yu spoke slowly and steadily.
His illness must have changed his constitution or something; he was nothing like the aggressive Zhou Yu I knew.
This gentle Zhou Yu straightened up in bed and laid out the hawks' justifications.
Something about how the Sun clan's rule couldn't be broken like this, tearing down Cao Cao as a traitor who couldn't be allowed to rampage freely—half grand principles, half personal grudges. But coming from a dying man advocating total resistance, it was surprisingly persuasive to me.
"To convince our lord, we ask that you provide troops from Jingzhou in support."
After hearing Zhou Yu's grand cause, Master Kongming seemed to ponder for a moment before responding firmly.
"This is not a matter for us to decide."
That's right.
No matter how nominal the alliance between Wu and Shu was, sending troops and joining the front lines was a whole different level.
"Is that so?"
Zhou Yu's face didn't change, as if he'd anticipated the refusal, and he immediately proposed terms.
"We ask you to send 30,000 troops in exchange for full ownership of the Xingnan region. Combining that with our 60,000, it should be more than enough to stand against them."
Specific troop numbers and justifications for them.
This was clearly all planned out.
If we accepted Zhou Yu's proposal, we could unify the entire Jingzhou region.
And if we diverted troops meant for Yi toward Wu, we might even seize Jiuzhong.
Of course, whether Lord Liu Bei would accept was another question.
For Liu Bei, who'd resolved to march on Yi Province, this added another option.
Ignore Wu and head straight for Yi? Or support Wu and claim all of Xingnan?
The world would change based on Liu Bei's choice, but my inclination was against reckless gambles.
Historically, Wu's forces alone had defended Red Cliffs successfully, so was that too complacent?
As my thoughts reached a conclusion, Master Kongming replied.
"If you put it that way, it's something we must consider."
...Master Kongming?
His response made me jump and knock over my teacup.
I apologized, but I was more concerned about Master Kongming's intentions than the spill.
"Just a moment, Master Kongming. 30,000 troops. Is there really value in mobilizing that many?"
I sensed Zhou Yu, Lu Meng, and Lu Su's faces darken for an instant, but I had to steer the conversation here to avoid any loose ends later.
Whether "considering it" was a negotiation tactic or mere lip service for harmony, only Zhuge Liang himself knew.
To clarify his intentions, I asked, and Uncle Kongming answered sincerely.
"Since we've fully absorbed Jingzhou's forces, we can't skimp on support like this and expect to achieve the great cause."
Afterward, Master Kongming whispered in my ear so no one else could hear.
"Our army has 80,000 available troops. Remember that."
.....!
That was 20,000 more than I'd estimated.
I pondered deeply with 80,000 available troops in mind.
When Cao Cao launched the Battle of Red Cliffs, he'd attacked Sun Quan with 200-300,000 troops.
The casualties from that were the Jingzhou soldiers absorbed by Cao Cao, numbering about 70-80,000.
By using Jingzhou's troops as cannon fodder, Cao Cao hadn't truly taken heavy losses at Red Cliffs.
That was the common view of the Battle of Red Cliffs.
But this battle's shape had changed; it wasn't Red Cliffs.
If this unknown war broke out, the damage would fall squarely on Cao Cao's main forces.
It could certainly inflict serious, profound losses on Wei.
That's why Master Kongming saw room for consideration, I concluded.
Lu Su, who'd been listening silently, finally spoke.
"Strategist, why not inspect with me? Cao Cao's forces are suited only to flatland battles and must separately train a navy, which is inconvenient. But our Wu navy is mighty, and our ships are incomparable."
Kongming nodded to Lu Su.
"Then, as Lu Su suggests, it would be right for me to inspect. Knowing the enemy is vital, but seeing Wu's valiant forces with my own eyes is important too."
Huang Yueying, who'd been sitting demurely beside me, lit up with interest at this intriguing matter.
"I'm interested too, my lord. It's just a little hobby, but I'm dying to know how Wei's ships differ from Wu's."
Lu Su welcomed it. Probably eager to score points since it was Zhuge Liang's wife showing interest.
"Then, would Madam care to join the inspection?"
"Wonderful. Thank you so much for your consideration. Ahem."
Huang Yueying winked at me playfully and followed the two with what she thought was a cool pose.
I was left awkwardly alone.
Take me too.
Sensing my frustration, Zhou Yu asked gently.
"So, what's your name, little secretary? We haven't even properly introduced ourselves."
"Chen Soyoung."
Zhou Yu smiled warmly; he seemed like such a good person.
He had a bit of a scholarly vibe, a gentle man—everything was great except for the constant coughing.
To put it crudely, he looked like a kind-hearted gisaeng's companion.
"This is Lu Meng. He's acting as Wu's Grand Commander in my stead and my childhood friend."
"Hello...?"
Grand Commander Lu Meng responded indifferently to my greeting.
He plopped down on the edge of Zhou Yu's bed without permission, propped his elbow, and asked me.
"So, little secretary, what do you think of this situation?"
"My thoughts?"
"Whose else? I heard about the Park Mang incident. Since fate brought us together, why not have us three discuss strategies against Cao Cao's great army?"
"Um... can't we just say it outright?"
"That'd be no fun. Let's write it on paper and reveal at the same time."
I took paper and brush from Lu Meng.
"I've already written mine."
"Already? Me too."
Hmm... what to write.
I wrote mine.
But it felt boring, so I added a smiling sun in the top right and drew a cat too.
"Done."
"Then, on one, two, three, we'll flip them over."
Cough— cough—
Zhou Yu called out.
"One. Two. Three."
"Kuhahaha!!"
Lu Meng and Zhou Yu burst out laughing.
Both had written the fire radical: .
I'd written the water radical: .
Lu Meng, grinning widely, said,
"Why'd you write water?"
At Lu Meng's question, Zhou Yu explained patiently, as if defending me.
"It's utterly uncontrollable. A sun smiling, and a beast drawn too—what a bizarre picture."
I hadn't come here for serious military talk, but these two were steering the mood that way, so I had no choice but to share my thoughts on strategy.
"Fire attack will fail. I understand how brilliant Cao Cao's advisors are. Even if he aggressively starts a war, he'll be fully prepared for it."
"Isn't that why we're here—to discuss how to make it happen?"
Zhou Yu brushed off my response lightly and stared piercingly at my drawing.
"Then what's this beast and the smiling sun?"
"Just drew them."
"There must be a reason. Is there ever truly 'just' in this world?"
"I didn't want to waste the paper. Wanted to make it pretty."
"No need to be so modest. May I, Zhou Yu, try to guess your intent?"
"Pardon?"
Zhou Yu cried out as if he'd figured it out.
"This beast must represent our lord."
????
No time to correct him.
"This sun symbolizes our Wu."
????
"Judging by the beast, it's a wolf, isn't it?"
No, it's a cat.
"Wolves grow strong in packs. It's a metaphor for how our Wu must unite..."
"That's not it."
"No need to be so humble. Understanding the little secretary's intent makes it easier for us. As a strategist of the Park Mang faction, it can't be meaningless."
Zhou Yu continued smoothly.
"Looking at the sun, you view this situation optimistically. If the sun in the sky symbolizes Wu, then you see this as an opportunity."
?????
"I have some skill in reading the heavens too. The direction of the rising sun in the east, beside the water, and the wolf image. You've surely reached your own conclusion."
"I haven't reached any conclusion, Lord Zhou Yu."
"The water is Jianye, where we are. If our lord decides and leads like a wolf in a pack, the sun rises in the east, shining down. In other words, if the southeast wind blows, the enemy will be engulfed in flames—that's your intent, isn't it, miss?"
No.
"Lu Meng, what's your take?"
"If your scheme works perfectly, we'll win big. But Cao Cao's no fool. Even if he's weak on water, we can't underestimate his numbers."
"Your point is spot on too. Little secretary? The battlefield will be right here."
Zhou Yu pointed to a spot on the map.
It read Yushugou.
Zhuge Liang couldn't hide his admiration at the sight of Wu's fleet.
Sturdier and larger than any warship he'd seen before.
Lu Su had surely selected only the finest to show, but even accounting for that, their majesty was overwhelming.
"Is this just part of the fleet?"
"Yes, just a portion of 300 ships. To advance on Xuzhou, we need a fleet like this, and that's why Cao Cao dares not challenge us."
But Cao Cao wouldn't fight a losing battle.
Even gazing at Wu's splendid armada, Lu Su's worries didn't fade.
"Even if the enemy builds a grand fleet, with thorough defenses, won't Wu hold the advantage on the water?"
Reading between Lu Su's trailing words, Zhuge Liang understood.
Lu Su must have been deeply conflicted inside—whether to side with the hawks or the doves.
"Do you support war, sir?"
Lu Su conveyed his true thoughts earnestly.
"I've served the Sun clan since my youth; fighting to the end is only natural, isn't it?"
Zhuge Liang nodded in understanding, saying nothing.
"But the situation isn't ideal. Our lord wants to resist, but he can't ignore the opposition, so he's maintaining neutrality."
As if to ease Lu Su's concerns, Huang Yueying spoke cautiously.
"Ahem, the ships' designs are truly excellent. They could surely venture into the open sea."
Lu Su brightened at her words.
"Madam has a good eye. These aren't mere river cutters. They cross Ye and Jiuzhong, enduring ocean waves. Even if Cao Cao brings a million troops, how could river ships beat sea ships?"
Huang Yueying sat on the iron chains binding the ships and tossed out lightly.
Her gaze still fixed on Wu's grand fleet.
"You've already made up your mind, sir—why the deep worries? This fool can't comprehend."