Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

As the war in Runan spread like a raging gust of wind, spreading rapidly and violently across Jiangdong, Zhou Yu and Sun Ce had already prepared their troops, fully immersed in intensive preparations. To better coordinate the overall situation, they had quietly relocated the county seat to Yangxian County. At this time, Yangxian County was like a volcano about to erupt, filled with a tense and heated atmosphere before war.

On the spacious parade grounds, soldiers drilled day and night in the biting cold wind. The cacophony of their marching footsteps shook the ground slightly, and their weapons clashed with each other, creating a crisp, sharp sound that intertwined into a passionate prelude to battle. The nimble war horses, tightly bound by their reins, could not contain their inner restlessness. They raised their heads and neighed, their voices resounding through the air, as if eager to rush to the battlefield and gallop freely.

Inside a tent, flickering candlelight illuminated the figures of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu sitting opposite each other. Their expressions were solemn, and the atmosphere was oppressive and suffocating. Sun Ce was the first to break the silence. His gaze was like a torch, fixed on Zhou Yu, and his words were firm and forceful: "Gongjin, the situation is clear. There is no need to wait. The war has already broken out in Runan, and we in Jiangdong cannot sit idly by. We must respond quickly, brother. Otherwise, we will miss this opportunity and the consequences will be disastrous. As for the imperial rewards, let them handle those tedious matters slowly. The war is urgent now, and every minute and every second is crucial. We cannot afford to slack off or hesitate."

Zhou Yu nodded slightly, his right hand subconsciously stroking his beard as he fell into a brief moment of deep thought. After a moment, he spoke slowly, his voice steady and measured, "Bofu is absolutely right. We should act without delay. In my opinion, if we want to send troops to rescue Liu Yao in Yuzhang County, we can march directly from Kuaiji County. This way, we can reach the battlefield quickly and maximize our manpower advantage."

However, Zhou Yu's brow furrowed slightly at the mention of the military plan, a hint of unconcealable worry flashing in his eyes. "It's just that those aristocratic families in Wu Commandery who have just surrendered are like a heavy weight weighing on my heart, making me vaguely uneasy. There's always an indescribable sense of crisis lingering."

Sun Ce was startled for a moment, a look of surprise on his face. Then he smiled and tried to reassure Zhou Yu, "Gongjin, don't worry too much. Since we moved from the county seat and properly resettled the Shanyue people, these noble families have been extremely cooperative. All matters have been carried out in an orderly manner, and there have been no unusual movements so far. I believe they have sincerely surrendered, and there shouldn't be any problems."

Zhou Yu, however, remained dignified. He slowly shook his head, his eyes filled with caution and vigilance. "That being said, I still can't completely let go of my doubts. These aristocratic families have deep roots in Wujun, and their power is complex and intertwined. Their intentions are unpredictable, and there's no guarantee they won't betray us for their own benefit at a critical moment. Bofu, we must be on guard."

After a brief pause, Zhou Yu continued, "Brother, in my opinion, you can lead the army from Kuaiji County to rescue Yuzhang County. You are brave and skilled in battle, and the morale of your men is high. You will surely prove your worth on the battlefield. I only require you to leave a portion of your elite troops with me. I will feign an attack on Jiujiang County in Wu County. This will not only distract Yuan Shu and prevent him from fully supporting the Runan battlefield, but also intimidate the aristocratic families in Wu County, deterring them from any rash actions."

After hearing this, Sun Ce's eyes instantly welled up with admiration, and he couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration. "Gongjin, your considerations are so thorough and meticulous, it's a blessing for Jiangdong! Very well, as you say, Wujun will be fully vested in you. I will immediately depart for Kuaiji County to gather troops and prepare for the expedition."

With that, the two men stood up simultaneously, clasped their hands tightly, and met each other's eyes, their gazes revealing a steadfast trust and tacit understanding. Sun Ce then strode out of the tent with great swiftness, swiftly and decisively arranging all matters for the expedition. His figure busily moved about outside the tent, displaying the demeanor of a great general. Zhou Yu, on the other hand, began methodically deploying his forces, meticulously preparing a feint attack on Jiujiang County. His gaze was focused and resolute, as if he had already seen where the battle was headed.

Upon hearing that Sun Ce was sending troops from Kuaiji County to Yuzhang County to rescue Liu Yao from his crisis, the aristocratic families of Wu County were instantly in an uproar. Inside the meeting room, the flickering candlelight stretched the figures of the people, creating a tense and heated atmosphere.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" A young man from an aristocratic family dressed in a gorgeous brocade robe stood up first, slammed his hands on the table, greed flashed in his eyes, "Now that Sun Ce is gone, Wujun is left with a lack of troops. If we can..." He made an obscure gesture, and a malicious smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Everyone echoed, and for a moment, the hall was filled with a flurry of chatter. "That's right. We've been under Sun Ce's rule for years, restricted in every way. It's time to find an opportunity to turn things around." "Yes, if this succeeds, we'll be able to regain control of Wu County and achieve even greater success." Everyone chimed in, their faces filled with eagerness, as if they could already see power and wealth beckoning them.

Only Zhang Zhao sat at the head of the table, his expression solemn and silent. When the noise subsided, he slowly stood up, cleared his throat, and scanned everyone present with a stern gaze. In an instant, the hall fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on him.

"Everyone, don't be impulsive." Zhang Zhao's voice was deep and powerful, breaking the brief silence. "This may seem like a good opportunity, but it actually hides numerous dangers." He frowned slightly, his eyes revealing worry. "The imperial envoy Zhang Hong has not returned yet. We have no idea what the imperial court's attitude towards us and Sun Ce is. If we act rashly and the imperial court sides with Sun Ce, with their authority and military might, how can we resist? Not only will all our efforts be in vain, but our entire family will also be plunged into irreparable ruin."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, their previously high enthusiasm instantly dampened. Some nodded slightly, their expressions thoughtful; others, with a look of resignation on their faces, muttered quietly, "Are we just going to let this opportunity slip away?"

Zhang Zhao pretended not to hear and continued, "In my opinion, we should not only hold our troops in place, but also actively cooperate with Sun Ce. We must demonstrate absolute loyalty and support to him, paralyzing him and causing him to completely lower his guard against us. Only in this way can we truly secure vitality and development for our family in these troubled times."

After these words were spoken, everyone fell silent. After a long pause, someone sighed, "Mr. Zibu is absolutely right. We were too reckless." The others nodded in agreement. Although they still felt a little resentful, after weighing the pros and cons, they still felt that Zhang Zhao's words made more sense.

Therefore, under Zhang Zhao's strong opposition, the aristocratic families gave up the idea of ​​taking risks, and a disturbance that could have caused turmoil in Wu County was temporarily quelled in this small meeting room.

As Sun Ce deployed his troops and officers, and everyone in the tent bustled with activity, Zhang Zhao approached Sun Ce with steady, unhurried steps. He bowed slightly, his face radiating just the right amount of sincerity as he spoke in a gentle voice, "General, although Wu Commandery has only just been pacified, its foundation is still far from solid. The surrounding situation remains volatile, and the slightest misstep could lead to widespread chaos. In my opinion, we must leave a senior general behind to guard the area, just in case." He raised his head slightly, his gaze filled with concern and anticipation, as he gazed at Sun Ce.

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce was startled for a moment, then a flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes. He then threw his head back and burst into laughter. "Haha, Zi Bu, you and I truly think alike! Gongjin made the same suggestion a few days ago. He's a thoughtful and strategic man. This time, let's leave Gongjin behind to guard Wu Commandery. That way, we can march on without any worries."

Zhang Zhao heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but remained composed on the surface. He thought to himself, "Thank goodness I acted decisively and urged everyone to hold back." If he had acted rashly, Zhou Yu, with his extraordinary wisdom and talent, would surely have seen through his plans. Not only would the family plan have failed, but he might even have been killed.

After a brief pause, Zhang Zhao took another step forward and took the opportunity to speak, "General, there's one more thing. I suggest that the young and talented generals recommended by the aristocratic families, such as Quan Cong, Wen Qin, and Lü Meng, all actively and enthusiastically accompany you on this expedition. They are young and energetic, eager to charge into battle and achieve great success. They will give their all in this expedition, General, and live up to your expectations."

As he spoke, he turned around and pointed to the military map hanging in the tent. He lightly nodded at the location of Yuzhang County and continued, "And the four veteran generals, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Zu Mao, have been on the battlefield for many years, are mature and steady, and have extremely rich combat experience. If they are left behind to assist Zhou Yu, with their prestige and ability, coupled with Zhou Yu's wisdom, Wu County will surely be as solid as a rock. In this way, when the general is away on the expedition, the rear will be as stable as Mount Tai." As Zhang Zhao spoke, he gestured the marching routes and key points of defense. His analysis was very logical and clear. Every word and every action seemed to be considering Sun Ce's shoes.

Sun Ce nodded repeatedly, his face filled with recognition and admiration. He stood up, patted Zhang Zhao on the shoulder, and said with emotion, "Zi Bu, you are so thoughtful and considerate, always thinking of me. You are truly my right-hand man. With you and Gongjin by my side, offering advice and support, I will surely achieve success in this expedition and return triumphantly!"

Thanks to Zhang Zhao's meticulous planning, the arrangements for the expedition were quickly finalized. Upon receiving the order to march, Quan Cong, Wen Qin, Lü Meng, and the others flushed with excitement, their eyes gleaming with excitement. They rushed home, rummaged through boxes and cabinets to pack their belongings, cleaned their weapons, and prepared to demonstrate their prowess on the battlefield and realize their ambitions.

Upon learning they would remain behind to assist Zhou Yu in defending Wujun, the four veteran generals—Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Zu Mao—immediately gathered in Zhou Yu's tent. Inside, the four men and Zhou Yu sat around a map, meticulously discussing Wujun's defenses. Their brows furrowed in thought, their brows etched in animated discussion, their fingers tracing the map, plotting the defense of each key stronghold.

On the surface, everything proceeds smoothly: military training, material preparation, personnel deployment—everything progresses smoothly. However, beneath this calm surface, undercurrents of conflict surge. While the aristocratic families have temporarily suppressed their ambitions, their inner desires remain. Sun Ce, intent on achieving success on the battlefield, remains unaware of the dangers lurking behind him. Zhou Yu, defending Wu Commandery, remains wary of the complex situation. A more intense and complex game may have just begun.