Chapter 168 Let the fire burn even hotter
The boat was sailing down the river, preparing to rest in Chaisang. When he heard that Zhou Yu had been defeated, Taishi Ci and Zhou Tai were seriously injured, and there were calls for peace in Jiangdong, Sun Quan had no choice but to go to Wuhu to watch the battle in person.
Zhuge Jin was in a hurry and did not dare to delay in urging his troops to lead the troops straight to Wuhu. Two generals were injured, which was a great test for Jiangdong's combat power.
Liu Qi also did not expect that Zhou Yu's troops would suffer such a big loss. Since Sun Ce's death, the only top-notch generals in Jiangdong were Gan Ning and Tai Shi Ci.
Now that Gan Ning has been taken over by him, Taishi Ci, the only hero in Soochow, is seriously injured, and Zhou Tai, who can barely resist the fight, is also injured and retired. Soochow basically only has second-rate generals left, except for water battles, basically losing their offensive capabilities.
However, Cao Cao did not retreat, but sent Sima Yi to Chang'an, which was beyond the expectations of Liu Qi, Zhuge Liang and others.
According to the original estimate, when his reinforcements arrived in Jiangdong, Cao Cao would just withdraw his troops to Chang'an, which not only accepted a big favor, but also allowed him to travel around Soochow.
Unexpectedly, Sima Yi was forced to appear early. Liu Qi didn't know whether he was happy or worried about this result.
Zhuge Jin was so anxious that he circled on the bow of the boat. Xu Shu, Liu Qi and others discussed: "The Cao thieves are unwilling to retreat, which shows that they want to seize Jiangdong. Now that his general has been lost, it is the time for you to use your strength."
Gan Ning curled his lips and said, "Dear me, I think that Sun Quan is not a good guy. A man with blue eyes is like a wolf with white eyes. He is capricious. You have to be careful to prevent him from biting back. Why do you need all your help?"
This time when the navy marched eastward, Gan Ning only brought ordinary warships, and most of them were Dongting water pirates' ships, which seemed a bit dilapidated. Among those ships, not even a warship equipped with a crossbow was willing to bring.
Liu Pan nodded and said: "What Governor Gan said is reasonable. It is not worth asking my Jingzhou people to fight in blood for the sake of Jiangdong!"
Liu Qi smiled and shook his head and said: "As the saying goes, rescuing soldiers is like putting out fire. Think about it, where is the fire burning so that we are not in a hurry to save it?"
Gan Ning frowned slightly: "Backyard?"
"Isn't it urgent that there is a fire in the backyard?" Liu Pan pouted, "I think the kitchen is about the same."
Huang Zhong couldn't help but said: "The firewood shed is full of debris, it won't hurt if it is burned."
"I thought it was the main room!" Xi Guan thought: "The backyard is the bedroom, there is food in the kitchen, and the firewood shed contains treasures. These cannot be burned. The main room is empty, so just burn it and cover it again."
Gan Ning touched his chin and smiled: "It seems that the Xi family's treasures are all hidden near the woodshed."
"No, no, no, I'm just making an analogy!" Xi Guan's expression suddenly changed, and he quickly waved his hands, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
Liu Pan asked: "Da Lang, what do you think?"
Xu Shu laughed at the side and said: "What you guys said is wrong. The fire is burning in other courtyards, so there is no need to worry."
Liu Qi nodded and said, "So it seems like we are putting out a fire here, but in fact we are going to burn the fire even brighter."
"Oh!" Everyone suddenly understood and laughed again.
Zhuge Jin poked his head in and sighed: "The military situation is urgent, why are you laughing so much?"
Liu Qi smiled and said: "I am discussing with the generals how to defeat Cao Cao. Don't worry, sir. When they get to the front line, they will definitely rush to kill them with all their strength. They will definitely scare Cao Cao's thieves."
Zhuge Jin clasped his fists and said, "This will help you generals, and I will give you a big thank you when the job is done!"
Liu Qi said: "Since we have come to help, we do not ask for anything in return. However, I have to ensure that the food, grass and weapons required for this dispatch are sufficient. Otherwise, the soldiers will be slack and the morale of the army will be weakened. I will be unable to do anything."
Zhuge Jin nodded and said: "While the troops and horses are not moving, food and grass go first. Don't I understand this principle? As soon as it is used by the army, I will personally dispatch it."
The fleet went smoothly, and arrived at Wuhu the next day. The defenders reported in, and Sun Quan led the civil and military forces to greet them in person.
Liu Qi looked on the boat and saw a man wearing a purple robe, a lavender beard, and deep-set eye sockets. At first glance, he looked like a dragon's head. No wonder people said that Sun Quan had an extraordinary appearance.
When he got off the boat and approached to greet him, he found that Sun Quan's eyes were not green, but as dark blue as the sea. He was not black, and blue was not blue.
But no matter how you say it, just like Liu Bei's big ears, he is different from ordinary people. In ancient times, this was a sign of great wealth and great power.
Seeing the real person, Liu Qi became more and more confused. No matter from the perspective of blood inheritance or later generations of medicine, it was difficult to explain Sun Quan's appearance. Could it be a genetic mutation?
Sun Quan was also observing Liu Qi. He did not seem majestic or domineering, nor shrewd and capable, but was similar to Liu Biao, showing elegance and calmness.
Can such a person defeat Cao Cao?
Sun Quan was puzzled. Amidst the greetings and compliments, Zhuge Jin introduced both parties to the government office and held a banquet to welcome Liu Qi.
After drinking for three rounds, Zhang Zhao stroked his beard and sneered: "Cao's army now has more than 300,000 troops. Long Xiang is looking at the tiger. General Liu is supporting Jiangdong, but he only brings 5,000 troops. This is too perfunctory."
Liu Qi raised his glass to Zhang Zhao and said, "Mr. Zhang, please have a full drink."
Seeing Liu Qi's perfunctory behavior, Zhang Zhao was furious and said: "The enemy is in front of us. I ask about business matters. Why does General Liu avoid talking about it?"
Liu Qi slowly put down his wine glass and raised his eyebrows: "Sir, do you also know the art of war?"
Zhang Zhao said angrily: "I am familiar with the art of war and have seen military strategies. How can I not know this?"
Liu Qi sighed: "I heard that when Sun Tuini was about to die, he entrusted Jiangdong with important matters. If he didn't decide on internal affairs, he would ask Zhang Zhao, and if he didn't decide on foreign affairs, he would ask Zhou Yu. If I come here to help the battle, I will discuss the strategy of dealing with the enemy with the governor of Zhou, so I won't bother you.
Thank you for your trouble, sir."
Zhang Zhao was so angry that he puffed his beard and glared. If Sun Quan had not been present, he would have stood up and said in a deep voice: "The Marquis of Wu is here today, and Jiangdong civil and military officials are meeting to discuss the matter of protecting the family. I would like to hear the general's opinions!"
Liu Qi asked: "In the planning chapter of Sun Tzu's Art of War, there are five ways to know how to win. Does the Ming Dynasty know this?"
Zhang Zhao snorted coldly, stroked his beard and said: "The one who knows what can and cannot be fought wins, the one who knows how to use the many and the few can win, the one who has the same desire from above and below wins, the one who treats the unexpected with surprises wins, the one who can general but does not control the king wins.
."
"Of course!" Liu Qi nodded and said with a smile: "Since you know the five victories, why do you only achieve two of them? Is there any reason to win in this way?"
Sun Quan couldn't help but ask: "How is it possible that someone can do even two of them?"
Liu Qi said: "When Cao's army went south, you were hesitant and did not know whether to fight or not. You delayed sending troops and delayed the opportunity to fight. The generals were fighting bloody battles in the front, but Zhang Gong and others were bent on seeking peace and self-protection in the rear, and the army's morale was distracted.
"The governor of Zhou has hidden strategies in his chest, which Cao Cao and his thieves are afraid of, but the Marquis of Wu comes to the front line in person. He repeatedly violates the taboos in the art of war, how can he win?"
Sun Quan's face suddenly darkened: "General Liu is teaching someone how to do something?"
Liu Qi shook his head and smiled: "I don't dare to teach Wu Hou, I just came to save the general out of your brother-in-law's affection."
Zhang Zhao sneered and said: "How dare you speak so loudly with just five thousand soldiers and horses?"
"Zhang Zibu, you old stubborn!" Liu Qi suddenly slammed the table and cursed: "We just won five victories, but you are deaf and blind and didn't you understand? Or have you colluded with Cao Cao's thieves and seduced others into the house?"
"Liu Qi, in public, you...you dare to speak evil words, what kind of decency and decency are you doing?"
Chapter completed!