Chapter 1050

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu furrowed his brows and, after pondering for a moment, spoke slowly: "My Lord, the current situation is indeed as you said; Jiangdong is facing an unprecedented crisis. However, crises often contain turning points."

"Turning points? Gongjin, what do you mean by this?" Sun Ce asked eagerly, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

"My Lord, although Gu Yi is strong, he is not invincible. First, although he has a navy, the natural barrier of the Yangtze River cannot be navigated by those who are not familiar with the water. Our Jiangdong sons have lived here for generations and know the Yangtze River like the back of their hands; this is the advantage of terrain. Second, although Gu Yi has many troops, he has come from afar, and his logistics supply line is long, making it easy to be attacked; this is the advantage of human harmony. Third, although Gu Yi intends to move south, he still has strong enemies like Cao Cao and Yuan Shao surrounding him in the north, so he cannot go all out; this is the advantage of heaven's timing."

Zhou Yu's words made Sun Ce's eyes light up, but he then revealed a worried expression: "That may be so, but Gu Yi's strength is not something we can compare to. He has many fierce generals and countless advisors under his command; how can we defeat him?"

"My Lord, the way of war lies in winning through wisdom, not through force. We can send envoys to Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to explain the pros and cons, and perhaps we can join hands to resist Gu Yi. At the same time, we should strengthen the internal unity of Jiangdong, rectify military equipment, and boost morale. Furthermore, use the natural barrier of the Yangtze River to set up layers of defense, so that Gu Yi's navy will have no way to return."

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce nodded, but he still had doubts in his heart: "Will Yuan Shao and Cao Cao be willing to join hands with us? How could they not know that once Gu Yi is defeated, the next target might be them?"

"My Lord, this is an open plot. Although Yuan Shao and Cao Cao know this principle, they also understand that if Gu Yi unifies the world, they will never have a chance to turn things around again. Therefore, as long as the conditions we propose are tempting enough, they will certainly be moved."

After listening, Sun Ce nodded thoughtfully: "Good, we shall follow Gongjin's plan. However, we still need to make preparations, just in case. Gongjin, you are to begin setting up the defense line immediately, and at the same time, send envoys to Yuan Shao and Cao Cao."

"As you command." Zhou Yu went to carry out the order.

Guangling City

After listening to the reports from his generals, Gu Yi smiled slightly: "Sun Ce, that little brat, has finally started to act. However, does he think he can stop my pace like this?"

Huang Zhong, standing to the side, cupped his fists: "My Lord, Sun Ce's action is undoubtedly seeking his own death. Our navy is already ready to set off; we only need a word from you, My Lord, to take Jiangdong directly."

Gu Yi waved his hand: "Do not be careless. Although Sun Ce is young, he is no ordinary person. Since he dares to do this, he must have something to rely on. We need to advance steadily and must not underestimate the enemy."

"My Lord is absolutely right." The generals echoed one after another.

"However," Gu Yi changed the subject, "we cannot be led by the nose by Sun Ce. Pass down the order: the navy is to set off immediately, sail down the Yangtze River, first take Lujiang, then attack Jiangdong."

"As you command." Gan Ning, Taishi Ci, and Huang Zhong went to carry out the order.

Lujiang

Zhou Yu was busy setting up the defense line when he suddenly heard that Gu Yi's navy had arrived, and he was shocked: "Gu Yi is actually this fast!"

Sun Ce rushed over upon hearing the news, his expression grave: "Gongjin, what should we do now?"

Zhou Yu pondered for a moment: "My Lord, Lujiang can no longer be defended. We need to retreat immediately to preserve our strength and wait for an opportunity."

"Retreat?" Sun Ce was somewhat unwilling: "Are we just going to hand Lujiang over to Gu Yi like this?"

"My Lord, if you preserve the people and lose the land, both the people and the land can be preserved; if you preserve the land and lose the people, both the people and the land will be lost. Now that our troops are insufficient, clashing head-on with Gu Yi is no different from throwing an egg against a rock. Only by retreating can we preserve our strength and plan for the great undertaking later."

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce gritted his teeth: "Good, we shall follow Gongjin's words. However, where should we retreat to?"

"My Lord, we can retreat to Yuzhang Commandery. The terrain there is complex, with mountains and rivers crisscrossing, making it easy to hide troops. Moreover, it is not far from our main base in Jiangdong, so we can advance to attack and retreat to defend."

"Good, we shall retreat to Yuzhang." Sun Ce made a prompt decision and ordered the entire army to retreat.

Gu Yi's navy was unstoppable and soon captured Lujiang. Gu Yi stood on the city wall of Lujiang, looking at Sun Ce's army fleeing into the distance, a cold sneer curling his lips: "Sun Ce, you cannot escape. Jiangdong will eventually be in my pocket."

Huang Zhong asked to fight from the side: "My Lord, Sun Ce's army is already in chaos; this is the perfect time for us to pursue. This general is willing to lead an army to pursue Sun Ce directly and will certainly capture him."

Gu Yi shook his head, his gaze deep: "There is no need to rush. Although Sun Ce has been defeated, Jiangdong still has remaining strength. Moreover, this man Zhou Yu has extraordinary wisdom; if we pursue rashly, I fear we might fall into his trick."

Gan Ning asked in confusion: "My Lord, are we just going to let them go like this?"

"Naturally not." Gu Yi smiled lightly, "Pass down the order: the navy is to be divided into two teams. One team will be led by you to continue sailing south along the Yangtze River, threatening the hinterland of Jiangdong and forcing Sun Ce to return for reinforcements; the other team will be led by Taishi Ci to bypass the rear of Yuzhang Commandery and cut off their retreat, attacking from both ends."

Gan Ning and Taishi Ci went to carry out the order and set off with their respective armies.

Inside Yuzhang Commandery, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were deploying defenses in full swing. Scouts reported that Gu Yi's navy had divided into two routes, and the intention was obvious.

Sun Ce furrowed his brows: "Gu Yi's plan is intended to trap our army here. Gongjin, what is your countermeasure?"

Zhou Yu said in a deep voice: "My Lord, although Gu Yi's plan is brilliant, it also has flaws. The navy led by Gan Ning, sailing down the Yangtze River, is fast, but its logistics supply line is long and easy to be attacked. Taishi Ci bypassing the rear, although he can cut off our army's retreat, is not familiar with the terrain and is deep in enemy territory alone, which also carries risks."

Sun Ce's eyes lit up: "Gongjin's meaning is that we should seize these two flaws and defeat them separately?"

"Exactly." Zhou Yu nodded, "We can send a team of elite troops to launch a surprise attack on Gan Ning's supply line and cut off his grain and fodder; then send a general to lead troops to launch a surprise attack on Taishi Ci and disrupt his deployment. At the same time, the main force will hold Yuzhang, waiting for the enemy at ease."

Sun Ce applauded: "A brilliant plan! Gongjin, you are to arrange it immediately."

A few days later, Gan Ning's navy was advancing smoothly when it was suddenly ambushed by the Jiangdong army. The supply line was cut, grain and fodder were insufficient, and the morale of the army began to waver.

Gan Ning was furious: "What kind of petty thieves dare to come here and cause trouble!"

The deputy general reported: "General, it is the elite troops of the Jiangdong army; the leading general seems to be Ling Tong."

Gan Ning gritted his teeth: "Ling Tong, you actually dare to ruin my good deed!"

At the same time, Taishi Ci led his army deep into the hinterland of Yuzhang, only to be ambushed by elite troops personally led by Sun Ce. The two sides fought fiercely; although Taishi Ci was brave, his troops were insufficient, and he gradually felt the strain.

Taishi Ci roared: "Sun Ce, you actually dare to come and die yourself!"

Sun Ce sneered: "Taishi Ci, today is your death day."

Learning in Lujiang that both routes of his army had encountered resistance, Gu Yi did not panic. Instead, he laughed: "Sun Ce and Zhou Yu do have some means. However, this is exactly what I wanted."

The advisor Jia Xu asked: "My Lord, why do you say that?"

Gu Yi explained: "Sun Ce and Zhou Yu dividing their troops to meet the enemy seems smart, but in reality, it has dispersed their strength. I can just concentrate my superior forces and defeat them one by one."

Jia Xu nodded in agreement: "My Lord is absolutely right. However, we still need to act with caution, just in case."

Gu Yi nodded: "That is natural. Pass down the order: I will personally lead the main army to reinforce Gan Ning, first defeat Ling Tong, then attack Yuzhang."

Inside Yuzhang Commandery, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were closely monitoring the battle situation. Scouts reported that Gu Yi was personally leading the main army to reinforce Gan Ning.

Zhou Yu's expression was grave: "My Lord, Gu Yi's action is intended to win a quick victory. We must resolve the matters with Gan Ning and Taishi Ci as soon as possible, then concentrate our forces to confront Gu Yi."

Sun Ce nodded: "Gongjin, what brilliant plan do you have?"

Zhou Yu pondered for a moment: "My Lord, although Ling Tong is brave, I fear he is no match for Gan Ning."