Chapter 1716

Hearing this, Zhou Yu furrowed his brows, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "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 ray 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 unfamiliar with the water. Our Jiangdong sons have lived here for generations and know the Yangtze like the back of their hands; this is the advantage of terrain. Second, although Gu Yi's troops are numerous, they have come from afar, their logistics supply lines are long, and they are easy to attack; this is the advantage of human harmony. Third, although Gu Yi has the intention to move south, there are still strong enemies like Cao Cao and Yuan Shao surrounding him in the north; 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 then he revealed a worried expression: "That may be so, but Gu Yi's strength is not something we can compare to. He has fierce generals like clouds and strategists like rain under his command; how can we break 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, explain the pros and cons, and perhaps join hands to resist Gu Yi. At the same time, strengthen internal unity in Jiangdong, reorganize 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 return."

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

"My lord, this is an open scheme. Although Yuan Shao and Cao Cao know this principle, they also understand that if Gu Yi is allowed to unify the world, they will have no chance of turning things around. Therefore, as long as the conditions we propose are tempting enough, they will surely be moved."

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

"As you command." Zhou Yu received the order and left.

Guangling City

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

Huang Zhong, standing to the side, cupped his hands: "My lord, Sun Ce's move is undoubtedly seeking his own death. Our navy is already ready to set off; with just one order from you, we can 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 not underestimate the enemy."

"My lord's words are very true." The generals echoed one after another.

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

"As you command." Gan Ning, Taishi Ci, and Huang Zhong received the order and left.

Lujiang

Zhou Yu was busy setting up defense lines 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 solemn: "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, 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 save the people and lose the land, both the people and the land can be saved; if you save 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 cause later."

Hearing this, Sun Ce gritted his teeth: "Good, let's follow Gongjin's words. However, where are we retreating 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. And it is not far from our base camp, Jiangdong; we can advance to attack and retreat to defend."

"Good, let's retreat to Yuzhang." Sun Ce made a prompt decision and ordered the entire army to retreat.

Gu Yi's navy was like a hot knife through butter, and they soon occupied Lujiang. Standing on the city walls of Lujiang, Gu Yi looked at Sun Ce's army fleeing in the distance, a cold sneer curling the corners of his mouth: "Sun Ce, you cannot escape. Jiangdong will eventually be something in my pocket."

Huang Zhong, standing to the side, requested to fight: "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 surely capture him."

Gu Yi shook his head, his gaze deep: "There is no need to rush for a moment. Although Sun Ce is defeated, Jiangdong still has remaining strength. And Zhou Yu is a person of extraordinary wisdom; if we pursue rashly, I fear we might fall into his tricks."

Gan Ning was puzzled: "My lord, are we just going to let them go like this?"

"Naturally not." Gu Yi smiled lightly, "Pass the order down: the navy will be divided into two teams. One team will be led by you to continue 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 received the orders 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 split into two routes, and the intention was obvious.

Sun Ce furrowed his brows: "Gu Yi's plan is to trap our army here. Gongjin, what countermeasures do you have?"

Zhou Yu said in a deep voice: "My lord, although Gu Yi's plan is clever, it also has flaws. The navy led by Gan Ning, going down the Yangtze River, is fast, but the logistics supply line is long and easy to attack. Taishi Ci bypassing the rear, although he can cut off our retreat, is unfamiliar with the terrain, and being an isolated army deep inside, also has risks."

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

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

Sun Ce slapped the table in admiration: "This plan is excellent! Gongjin, you arrange it immediately."

Several days later, Gan Ning's navy was advancing smoothly when they were suddenly raided 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 deeds!"

At the same time, Taishi Ci led his army deep into the hinterland of Yuzhang, but encountered a raid 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 send yourself to death!"

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

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

The strategist Jia Xu asked: "My lord, why do you say that?"

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

Jia Xu nodded in agreement: "My lord's words are very true. However, we still need to act with caution, just in case."

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

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

Zhou Yu's expression was solemn: "My lord, Gu Yi's move is intended to end the battle quickly. We must resolve Gan Ning and Taishi Ci as soon as possible, and 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."