My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 83 The three great governors gathered together? This is forcing me to take action personally!
"Something big happened in Xiakou? What could it be?"

Guan Yinping stopped and looked back with a blank look.

Xiao He did not answer, but asked her to invite Yi Ji over immediately.

Yi Ji lived in Jingzhou for a long time, had extensive connections, and had many contacts with Jiangdong. He was responsible for most of the intelligence matters.

Guan Yinping sensed something was wrong, but didn't ask any more questions, so she quickly sent someone to invite Yi Ji.

After a while, Yi Ji, who was celebrating the recovery of Xinye with everyone on the other side of the camp wall, hurried over.

"Uncle Ji, when was the military report from Wei Wenchang's beacon tower delivered?"

Xiao He showed the silk letter to Yi Ji.

Yi Ji took a quick glance and said without hesitation:
"This military report was probably delivered before the great victory at Fancheng. At the time, the Lord was focused on dealing with Cao Cao. After a quick glance, he thought Wei Wenchang's beacon tower strategy was excellent, so he put it aside. It has been in suspense until now."

Xiao He understood.

At that time, he was not yet a military advisor, and he neither cared about nor had the right to directly inquire about the military reports submitted by the various armies, unless Liu Bei took the initiative to ask for his opinion.

At first glance, Wei Yan's beacon tower strategy seemed flawless and was a good way to prevent surprise attacks by the Jiangdong army.

Liu Bei took a quick look and thought there was no big problem, so he naturally put it aside and did not specifically ask for his opinion on it.

If he had not become the Right Military Advisor today and had not been obliged to look through these accumulated military reports as part of his job, he would not have discovered this matter.

"Military Advisor Bo Wen, is there something wrong with this beacon tower?"

Yi Ji had a sharp eye. Seeing Xiao He suddenly paying attention to this matter, he immediately noticed some clues.

Xiao He still did not answer and continued to ask:
"Uncle Ji, among the Jiangdong generals currently stationed in Chaisang, is there anyone named Lu Meng?"

Yi Ji was stunned.

Xiao He suddenly became concerned about two things that were completely unrelated at the same time, which made him a little confused.

"According to my spies' recent response, there is indeed a military commander in Chaisang City named Lü Meng."

"I heard that this man had made great contributions in saving the emperor in Hefei, so Sun Quan promoted him several ranks and made him a general. He also specially sent him to Chaisang to be under Zhou Yu's command."

"This Lu Meng is considered a rising star in Jiangdong recently, and he is also a favorite of Sun Quan."

Although Yi Ji was puzzled, he quickly told Lu Meng in detail.

Xiao He threw the general report on the table and said meaningfully:
"The beacon tower strategy was originally fine, but with Lu Meng in Chaisang, it's a big problem."

Yi Ji's eyes became increasingly confused, and he completely failed to grasp the underlying meaning of Xiao He's words.

He was just Lu Meng, who rose to prominence only because of his meritorious service in saving the emperor. How could the beacon tower become a big problem?

Judging from the tone of the Right Military Advisor, he seemed to still be wary of Lu Meng.

"Military Advisor Bowen..."

"Uncle Ji, what about Lu Su? Is he still in Xiangyang?"

Without waiting for Yi Ji to ask again, Xiao He asked again.

Yi Ji paused and said hurriedly:

"Lu Su should have left Xiangyang and headed east the day after our lord defeated Cao Cao. I heard he left in a hurry."

Xiao He frowned slightly.

As an envoy from Jiangdong, Lu Su should have stayed in Xiangyang to convey messages to Sun Quan.

Even if he wanted to convey the news of the defeat of Cao Cao to Jiangdong, he could have sent his personal attendants to Hefei to report. There was no need to go there in person.

Moreover, he left in such a hurry that he left the next day without even waiting to congratulate Liu Bei.

What was the reason that prompted Lu Su to leave so quickly?

Xiao He stood up and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.

After taking a few steps, he turned around and asked again:

"How is the war going in Hefei? Has Sun Quan launched another offensive against Hefei recently?"

"That's not true."

Yi Ji shook his head, his face showing a bit of sarcasm:
"The Lord of Jiangdong seems to have been frightened by Zhang Liao after the battle at Xiaoyaojin, and has not dared to besiege Hefei again."

"However, the Jiangdong Army did not retreat. Instead, they stationed troops at Chaohu Lake and maintained an offensive posture towards Hefei, likely hoping to seize an opportunity to strike."

Xiao He sat down again, lightly lifted his chin with his fingertips, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Wei Yan built beacon towers, Lü Meng was promoted by Sun Quan as an exception and sent to Chaisang, Lu Su hurriedly left the day after flooding Cao Cao's camp, and Sun Quan stationed troops at Chaohu Lake instead of encircling Hefei...

Various clues intertwined in Xiao He's mind, and the truth gradually surfaced.

"Sun Quan is going to attack Xiakou!"

Xiao He suddenly slammed the table and his eyes suddenly opened.

Yi Ji and Guan Yinping were both surprised.

"I heard Military Advisor Bo Wen mention the other day that Sun Quan would break the alliance and attack Jiangxia sooner or later. However, Wei Wenchang has already built beacon towers. If Sun Quan dares to act, the Xiakou forces will be alerted immediately and be on high alert."

"Wei Wenchang is a talented general recommended by the military advisor. He should be able to assist Master Liu Qi in holding Xiakou until the lord sends reinforcements south."

"Could it be that Sun Quan underestimated Wei Wenchang's military talent?"

Yi Ji made this guess from Xiao He's words.

Xiao He shook his head, with a hint of meaning:
"Whether it's Sun Quan or Zhou Yu, they certainly underestimated Wei Wenchang."

"However, the main reason they dared to break the alliance and attack Xiakou was not because of Wen Chang, but because of Lü Meng."

Yi Ji was stunned, and his thoughts, which had just become clearer, became confused again.

Xiao He didn't have time to explain and pointed in the direction of Xinye:
"Uncle Ji, please report this to the Lord immediately. Tell him that I believe Sun Quan will order Zhou Yu to launch a surprise attack on Xiakou in the next few days. Please quickly withdraw troops south to reinforce Xiakou."

Yi Ji, however, looked troubled and said, "At this moment, the lord should be leading the army to pursue the remnants of Cao Ren. It will take at least tomorrow or the day after tomorrow for him to return to Xinye."

"Besides, Xinye has just been pacified. The city was burned down and the people were relocated by Cao Cao. My lord, you will need to stay in Xinye for a while and personally oversee the repair of the city and the people's safety."

"Besides, Cao Cao hasn't left Nanyang yet. He might suddenly return and retake Xinye. Therefore, our army cannot be withdrawn south for the time being."

After hearing what Yi Ji said, Xiao He stood up again and paced back and forth.

Yi Ji was right. Liu Bei could not leave Xinye for a moment, and the army could not be withdrawn south for the time being. He had to be on guard against Cao Cao's counterattack.

Since it is impossible to withdraw troops south, it is necessary to send a capable strategist south to Xiakou to warn Wei Yan and Liu Qi and help them resist Zhou Yu's attack.

But the other person was none other than Zhou Yu.

In the Battle of Red Cliffs, he was able to defeat Cao Cao and make him humiliated. He was a fierce man who combined the roles of commander and strategist in one.

We also need to add Lu Meng.

If Lu Su is also counted, there will be three of the four future governors of Eastern Wu!
Can ordinary strategists withstand such a luxurious lineup?
"Xu Yuanzhi is by Liu Bei's side and can't be called back anytime soon. Kong Ming is stationed in Xiangyang and definitely can't leave. So who should we send..."

Xiao He muttered to himself and counted on his fingers.

After thinking for a long time, I suddenly realized that there seemed to be no other choice except to go there myself.

But he really doesn't want to make this trip!

After finally driving Cao Cao away and retaking Xinye, wouldn't it be nice to just go back to Xiangyang and eat, sleep, and lie down for a few days?

Could it be that the battle of Xinye had not yet ended and there was no time to drink the celebratory wine, but they had to rush to Xiakou to fight Zhou Yu?

I am tired both mentally and physically!

"Forget it. Since I've taken on this job, I can only fulfill my duties conscientiously. Besides, if Sun Quan were to seize Xiakou, my lord's life would be difficult, and my life as a military advisor would be difficult too..."

After some self-reflection, Xiao He cheered up and immediately wrote a letter.

"Ji Bo, you must quickly head north to catch up with the lord and give him this letter. I beg you to act according to what is written in it."

"We must act with discretion. Xiakou is in danger of being lost at any moment. Just say that I don't have time to report to the lord and go to Xiakou first."

Xiao He handed the letter to Yi Ji, and without any explanation, he strode out of the tent.

Guan Yinping was stunned for a moment, then quickly followed.

Only Yi Ji was left in the tent, looking dazed and holding the letter with wet ink in his hand with a dull look in his eyes.

Several warships sailed south from the Yu River, heading straight for Xiakou.

...

On the north bank of the Yangtze River, Lujiang County, and Congyang City.

Inside the water camp tent.

Sun Quan was standing in front of the map with his hands behind his back, listening to Zhou Yu describe the plan of a surprise attack on Xiakou.

In order to prevent Xiangyang from becoming alert, Sun Quan did not go to Chaisang in person, but instead came to Tongyang Ferry downstream of Chaisang in a low-key manner and summoned Zhou Yu to discuss the matter.

"I have to say that Wei Yan, whom Liu Bei promoted as an exception, is indeed quite capable. He was able to come up with such a tactic as the beacon tower."

Sun Quan stroked his purple beard and nodded slightly, with a hint of appreciation revealed in his expression and tone.

He changed the subject and sneered:
"It's a pity that Liu Bei has the ability to identify talents, and I can also recognize talents with my discerning eyes. The person I promoted as an exception was able to foil his beacon tower strategy!"

Sun Quan's words seemed to be praising Lu Meng, but they also seemed to be self-praising.

"Lü Ziming is indeed both wise and brave, a rare talent as a general."

Zhou Yu changed the subject, but showed some concern:
"Although Ziming's plan may achieve a surprise victory, I feel it is somewhat dishonorable. If I use it, I am afraid I will be criticized."

Sun Quan smiled and said disapprovingly:
"Gongjin, you understand the art of war better than I do. Haven't you heard that 'the art of war is the art of deception'?"

"In ancient times, when deploying troops, the only concern was the outcome; why worry about whether the process was glorious or not?"

"Gongjin, at this critical moment, we must not be pedantic."

Zhou Yu heard the determination in Sun Quan's words, so he took a deep breath and bowed, saying:

"I understand what the lord means, and I know what to do."

"As soon as Cao Cao retreats, we will take action immediately!"

Sun Quan nodded with satisfaction.

At this moment, the personal guard came to report that Lu Su had returned and was waiting to see him in the tent.

Sun Quan and Zhou Yu were shocked and looked at each other.

Sun Quan hurriedly ordered Lu Su to be brought in.

A moment.

Lu Su hurried in and greeted Sun Quan and Zhou Yu in turn.

"Zi Jing, there's no need to be so polite. Now that you've returned, could it be that Cao Cao has withdrawn his troops from Xiangfan?"

Zhou Yu helped Lu Su up and asked impatiently.

Lu Su took a deep breath and sighed:

"My lord, Commander-in-Chief, Cao Cao did retreat, but he didn't do so voluntarily. He was defeated and fled by Liu Bei!"

Sun Quan and Zhou Yu were startled and their expressions suddenly changed.

Lu Su then recounted the events of the Battle of Fancheng, Xiao He's plot, and Liu Bei's flooding of Cao's camp, which defeated Cao's army of 150,000 in one fell swoop.

After hearing this, Sun Quan and Zhou Yu looked at each other again and took a deep breath at the same time.

(End of this chapter)