Mi Han

Chapter 769: The Strategy of Weakening the Enemy Zhou Qianzhijie
Sun Quan's pleading eyes were quite passionate, just like when he was young and seeking advice from Zhang Zhao.

However, various events in recent years had already made Zhang Zhao feel cold towards Sun Quan.

Zhang Zhao was well aware of Sun Quan's cold and mean nature.

But when he thought of Sun Ce holding his hand and crying before his death, Zhang Zhao could only speak slowly, no matter how reluctant he was:

"I don't know Mi Yang's true purpose."

After hearing Zhang Zhao's words, the pleading look in Sun Quan's eyes disappeared instantly.

Even his body, which was originally slightly leaning towards Zhang Zhao, suddenly straightened up.

"If Mr. Zhang doesn't know, why did he say that?"

Sun Quan's tone turned cold again.

After noticing the change in Sun Quan, Zhang Zhao couldn't help but laugh out loud.

However, before Sun Quan could get angry at Zhang Zhao's ridicule, Zhang Zhao continued:
"Who in the world dares to assert that they can guess Mi Yang's thoughts?"

"If Gongjin were to be resurrected, perhaps it would be possible, but I do not have Gongjin's talent.

What I can do is very simple, just to find out the deficiencies and fill in the gaps for you. "

Zhang Zhao's words left Sun Quan unable to refute.

"Looking at Mi Yang's past military tactics, he mainly used surprise tactics. Before the battle was over, it was difficult for others to know what his real purpose was.

Just like this time he sent troops to launch a surprise attack on Chaisang, his purpose may be to capture Chaisang, but he may also be taking advantage of your fear of losing Chaisang to encircle and attack its reinforcements.

You just said that, not counting the tens of thousands of rebellious Shanyue soldiers, there were only a few thousand Han troops threatening Chaisang.

But Mi Yang can also arrange a group of elite soldiers to hide in the dark and wait for the arrival of reinforcements from Lü Dai and Lü Fan."

Zhang Zhao expressed his opinion.

After listening to Zhang Zhao's opinion, Sun Quan's doubts not only did not decrease, but deepened.

It is possible that Mi Yang is surrounding the enemy and attacking the reinforcements, so wouldn't that mean he would be unable to send out reinforcements?

Seeing that Sun Quan's expression was becoming gloomy, Zhang Zhao, who knew Sun Quan very well, guessed what he was thinking.

“Reinforcements must be sent.

Our dynasty cannot afford to lose Chaisang.

This is exactly the strength of Mi Yang. He knows that Chaisang is the place that must be saved for our dynasty.

Even if someone in our dynasty could guess his true purpose, he firmly believed that our dynasty would send reinforcements.

He has always been good at using open tactics.”

Zhang Zhao's words dispelled some of Sun Quan's doubts.

But when Sun Quan thought of the Han army's good fighting skills, he couldn't help but ask Zhang Zhao hesitantly:

"If the Han army really wants to surround the point and attack the reinforcements, does Mr. Zhang have a way to rescue it?"

Sun Quan agreed with Zhang Zhao's view that Chaisang must be rescued.

But Sun Quan didn't want to take the risk of being surrounded and attacked.

Sun Quan hoped that Zhang Zhao could come up with a solution that would satisfy both parties.

As for this method, Zhang Zhao actually has it.

Seeing Sun Quan's body leaning towards him again, Zhang Zhao turned his head away and refused to look directly at him.

“Since the Spring and Autumn Period, encircling a point and attacking reinforcements has often been successful, mostly because the reinforcements were eager to rescue and were ambushed by the enemy troops who were well-rested.

It is not difficult to prevent the reinforcements of Lu Dai and Lu Fan from facing this risk.

When you send an envoy to summon reinforcements from the two generals, you should let the envoy explain the possible intentions of the enemy and reveal your desire for stability.

Both Lu Dai and Lu Fan are knowledgeable about military affairs. After receiving your reminder, they will advance at the right moment and not give the enemy any chance to take advantage.

Don't forget the lesson in history books about King Hui of Wei's defeat at Guiling."

The most famous example of siege and attack in history must be the Battle of Guiling during the Warring States Period.

And in that battle, why did Pang Juan fall easily into the ambush of the Qi army?

It was not that Pang Juan did not know how to read the terrain, but that King Hui of Wei was frightened by the Qi army and had been ordering Pang Juan to return for help quickly.

Under the strict order of King Hui of Wei, Pang Juan had to return to provide assistance regardless of the consequences, even though he was afraid. This led to the great defeat at Guiling.

Similarly, Sun Quan today is like King Hui of Wei back then.

Zhang Zhao believed that if he had not reminded them, the envoys sent by Sun Quan would have strictly urged Lu Dai and Lu Fan to advance as soon as possible, which would greatly increase the danger of the Wu army being ambushed.

When Sun Quan heard Zhang Zhao use the Battle of Guiling as an example, he immediately understood what Zhang Zhao meant.

Sun Quan felt that Zhang Zhao's words made sense, so he kept this in mind.

"Does Mr. Zhang have any other clever ideas?"

Seeing that Zhang Zhao could really come up with a solution that would satisfy both parties, Sun Quan's expectations for Zhang Zhao suddenly increased.

Although Zhang Zhao was unwilling to look Sun Quan in the face, he did have other suggestions in mind.

"The reason why the counties of Yuzhang surrendered was that Ding Feng had the help of tens of thousands of Shanyue soldiers.

In addition, the defense of Chaisang City was not weak. Without the help of tens of thousands of Shanyue soldiers, it would not be easy to capture it with Ding Feng's thousands of soldiers.

Since tens of thousands of Shanyue soldiers are Ding Feng's strong support, why don't we try to cut them off?"

Zhang Zhao's words made Sun Quan's eyes light up.

He had never thought of this before.

"Please teach me quickly, Mr. Zhang."

“It’s actually not difficult to do this.

Although tens of thousands of Shanyue soldiers were powerful, they were divided into many groups and had different commands.

Since the orders are inconsistent, people’s hearts will certainly not be united.

General He Qi had always enjoyed prestige among the Shanyue people, and his troops were quite elite, knowing the Shanyue people's weaknesses well.

You can issue an imperial decree to let General He Qi lead his troops to station in Yuzhang, and then attack from behind to attack the tens of thousands of Shanyue soldiers.

With General He Qi's prestige among the Shanyue people, and with their retreat cut off, how could tens of thousands of Shanyue soldiers not be terrified?
Living in fear all their lives and with people’s hearts scattered, how many Shanyue soldiers will still be willing to continue to serve Ding Feng?
As long as tens of thousands of Shanyue soldiers no longer surrender, Ding Feng's thousands of soldiers will ultimately be just an isolated force.

Once the reinforcements from General Lu Dai and General Lu Fan arrive safely, it won’t be difficult to hold Chaisang, or even wipe out Ding Feng and recapture the entire Yuzhang County.”

After listening to all of Zhang Zhao's strategies, Sun Quan stood up excitedly.

Sun Quan knew He Qi's prestige among the Shanyue people.

Over the past few decades, tens of thousands of Shanyue elite soldiers have died at the hands of He Qi, and no less than dozens of famous Shanyue generals have been captured by He Qi.

Knowing this, Sun Quan believed that Zhang Zhao's strategy was likely to succeed.

"I knew that my visit to Mr. Zhang today would be fruitful.

"Mr. Zhang is an old and wise man who is good at planning for the country!"

Just now Sun Quan was still in a state of panic over the loss of Chaisang, but now, with Zhang Zhao's guidance, he found a clear way to turn the situation around.

How could Sun Quan not be excited about this?

The excited Sun Quan even forgot for a moment the unpleasantness between him and Zhang Zhao.

Sun Quan wanted to reach out and touch Zhang Zhao's back to show his love, but Zhang Zhao subconsciously avoided Sun Quan's hand out of disgust.

Zhang Zhao's disdain made Sun Quan embarrassed but also made him react.

Long before, he had completely lost the heart of this important official.

After reacting, the excitement on Sun Quan's face gradually disappeared.

"If Mr. Zhang's plan can really repel the enemy, I will record your contribution as the first merit."

After saying this, Sun Quan didn't want to continue to embarrass himself in front of Zhang Zhao and was about to leave.

But just after Sun Quan took a few steps, Zhang Zhao's final warning came from behind him.

“The root cause of the crisis in Chaisang is the lack of military strength at home.

For the sake of the country, you should order Lu Xun to lead his troops back home as soon as possible.

Public security, stop being greedy."

Sun Quan did not respond to Zhang Zhao's words.

After a brief pause, Sun Quan left the hall without looking back.

After Sun Quan walked out of Zhang's house and sat back in the carriage, he began to seriously think about Zhang Zhao's last advice.

If it weren't for Zhang Zhao's brilliant plan today, Sun Quan would have wanted to summon Lu Xun to lead his troops back to the country as soon as possible.

However, with Zhang Zhao's advice just now, Sun Quan realized that the crisis in Chaisang might really be Mi Yang's dying counterattack.

As long as he can stop Mi Yang's dying counterattack, the situation will remain firmly in his hands.

If that was the case, why did he let Lu Xun retreat?

The police can no longer be greedy?
He just wants to be greedy!

After Sun Quan returned to the palace, he ordered people to summon several ministers.

When the ministers arrived, Sun Quan quickly informed them of the danger in Chaisang.

When those ministers were horrified by the news, Sun Quan told them the purpose of summoning them.

"I need a loyal man to go to Yong'an on my behalf and summon Lü Dai to lead reinforcements to Chaisang.

I wonder who among you dear ministers would like to go?"

As soon as Sun Quan said this, the ministers who were summoned immediately lowered their heads.

The ministers who could be summoned by Sun Quan at this time were basically the outstanding men from Jiangdong whom Sun Quan had favored in the past.

They all have very sharp minds.

There are tens of thousands of enemy troops outside Chaisang today, and if you want to get to Yong'an as soon as possible, Chaisang is the only way.

In other words, they had to risk their lives to serve as envoys.

That's life-threatening!

Considering that they are in their prime and have a bright future, why should they take the risk?

Almost every minister lowered his head after hearing Sun Quan's words, fearing that Sun Quan would notice them.

Only one person took the initiative to meet Sun Quan's gaze.

"I am willing to go!"

The man's voice was as loud as a bell and his tone was generous, fully embodying the temperament of a loyal minister who was willing to die for his country.

Sun Quan looked at the man carefully and found that if he was not Zhou Qian, then who else could he be?

Zhou Cang's initiative to recommend himself made Sun Quan smile.

Ever since Zhou Cang returned from his diplomatic mission to Chang'an, Sun Quan believed that Zhou Cang was a talented person who could be cultivated.

Today, when the country is in danger and needs its subjects to sacrifice themselves, it is Zhou Cang who takes the initiative to step forward.

Based on this performance, anyone would think that Zhou Qiang was a very loyal minister.

There is no emperor who doesn't like loyal subjects.

"Great! Ziyu is truly a courageous person from Jiangdong!"

After praising Zhou Cang, Sun Quan glanced at the other ministers with a look of disdain on his face.

"People like you, what's the use of more?"

After mocking the other ministers, Sun Quan asked them to leave quickly.

After everyone else left, Sun Quan ordered someone to bring a staff and put it in Zhou Cang's hand.

"You hold my scepter, just as if I were here in person."

Normally, ordinary messengers do not have such great power.

But it was because Zhou Cang’s performance was so good that Sun Quan liked him more and more.

After giving Zhou Cang great power, Sun Quan warned him:
“If you can successfully reach Yong’an, after ordering Lü Dai to dispatch his troops, you must remind him not to advance rashly.

Remember, remember! "

Sun Quan remembered Zhang Zhao's instructions clearly and conveyed them to Zhou Cang.

After listening to Sun Quan's instructions, Zhou Cang said solemnly, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will remember this!"

No wonder!
(End of this chapter)