Chapter 1726: Outnumbered

"Yes," Sun Ce furrowed his brows and paced back and forth, "We have to re-evaluate the situation in the north and its impact on our Jiangdong."

Zhou Yu said in a deep voice: "My lord, Cao Pi's survival means that the stable power in the north has returned. He might take retaliatory actions; we must make perfect preparations."

"Retaliation?" Sun Ce's eyes were sharp, "If he dares to come, my Jiangdong sons will surely make him have no return!"

Zhou Yu nodded, but his expression remained solemn: "Do not be careless. Cao Pi's survival this time will surely make him more cautious; we must guard against him using any tricks."

As the two were discussing, a messenger soldier hurried in: "Report to my lord and the Viceroy, a northern envoy requests an audience."

"Northern envoy?" Sun Ce and Zhou Yu looked at each other, both moved in their hearts, "Please invite him in."

The envoy was soon brought into the big tent; he was tall and sturdy, with an arrogant face, and cupped his hands in salute: "I am an envoy under the Wei Wang Cao Pi, and I have been ordered by the Wei Wang to come to Jiangdong to deliver a state letter."

Sun Ce took the state letter and unfolded it to see that it was written that Cao Pi wished to be on good terms with Jiangdong, jointly plan the great cause of the world, and proposed that both sides form an alliance to resist other warlords together.

"Alliance?" Sun Ce sneered, "What is Cao Pi planning?"

Zhou Yu took the state letter, read it carefully, and furrowed his brows: "My lord, Cao Pi's move is likely to have ulterior motives. He proposed an alliance as soon as he survived, obviously wanting to stabilize us so he has time to reorganize the north."

Sun Ce nodded: "That's what I think too. However, why don't we play along, pretend to agree first, and probe his bottom line?"

Zhou Yu agreed: "This plan is excellent. We can agree to his alliance request first, but secretly strengthen defenses, while continuing to send envoys to probe the true situation in the north."

Thus, Sun Ce smiled at the envoy: "Please tell the Wei Wang that I, Jiangdong, am willing to form an alliance with Wei and plan the great cause together. However, the matter of the alliance needs long-term discussion, so please ask the Wei Wang to wait patiently."

The envoy cupped his hands: "I will surely convey my lord's meaning to the Wei Wang."

After the envoy left, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu discussed the details again and decided to send a force of elite troops to the northern border to prevent Cao Pi from suddenly making trouble. At the same time, they continued to send secret agents deep into the north to find out Cao Pi's true intentions.

Days passed by, and the relationship between Jiangdong and the north seemed to ease on the surface, but in reality, there were undercurrents. Zhou Yu and Sun Ce watched the movements in the north at all times, and Cao Pi also seemed to be preparing something in secret.

One day, Zhou Yu was studying the map in the study when a secret agent suddenly came to report: "Viceroy, important news has come from the north."

Zhou Yu's spirit was lifted: "Speak quickly."

The secret agent said in a low voice: "According to our scouts, Cao Pi is secretly mobilizing a massive army, seemingly preparing to launch an attack on Jiangdong."

"As expected." Zhou Yu sneered, "Cao Pi, this cunning guy, is allied with us on the surface, but in reality, he wants to take advantage of our lack of preparation to swallow Jiangdong in one stroke."

He immediately reported this news to Sun Ce, and Sun Ce was furious upon hearing it: "Cao Pi, this despicable villain, actually dares to calculate against my Jiangdong like this!"

Zhou Yu said in a deep voice: "My lord, calm your anger. Since Cao Pi dares to come, we will make him have no return. However, we must plan well how to deal the heaviest blow to him at the lowest cost."

The two began to discuss countermeasures, deciding to adopt the tactic of luring the enemy deep, leading the Cao army into the hinterland of Jiangdong, and then using the terrain to their advantage to annihilate them in one stroke.

With the plan set, Zhou Yu and Sun Ce began to mobilize troops in full swing. They deliberately exposed flaws on the border line to lure the Cao army to invade. Seeing this, Cao Pi took the bait and led his massive army to drive straight in.

However, when the Cao army went deep into the hinterland of Jiangdong, they suddenly discovered that the surrounding terrain was complex, the mountain roads were rugged, and it was unfavorable for the massive army to advance. What surprised them even more was that the Jiangdong army seemed to have descended from the sky, surging from all directions and surrounding them tightly.

"Not good, we've fallen into a trap!" Cao Pi was shocked.

At this time, Zhou Yu and Sun Ce led their army to appear in front of the Cao army, both of them smiling, looking at Cao Pi and saying: "Cao Pi, you have finally fallen into our trap."

Cao Pi gritted his teeth: "Zhou Yu, Sun Ce, you two cunning villains!"

Zhou Yu sneered: "All is fair in war; this is what you said yourself. Today, let you taste the power of Jiangdong!"

After speaking, he waved his hand, and the Jiangdong army began to launch a fierce attack. Under the fierce attack of the Jiangdong army, the Cao army retreated step by step, with countless deaths and injuries. Seeing that the situation was not good, Cao Pi wanted to break through, but was blocked by Zhou Yu and Sun Ce personally leading the army.

"Cao Pi, you cannot fly away today!" Sun Ce shouted loudly, brandishing his spear to strike directly at Cao Pi.

Cao Pi fought hard to resist, but was helpless against being outnumbered, and was ultimately captured alive by Sun Ce.

"Hahaha!" Sun Ce laughed, "Cao Pi, oh Cao Pi, you have today too!"

Zhou Yu also laughed: "My lord, this great victory is all thanks to your wise decision. Our Jiangdong has finally raised its head and let the people of the world know our power."

Sun Ce waved his hand: "This is all Gongjin's credit. If it weren't for you, how could my Jiangdong have today's prosperity?"

The two looked at each other and smiled, their hearts full of expectations for the future. They knew that although the world was not yet settled, as long as they joined hands and moved forward, Jiangdong would surely rise and become the hegemon in this chaotic world.

The news of Cao Pi's capture spread rapidly throughout Jiangdong and even the world. Warlords everywhere were shocked; they didn't expect Jiangdong to be able to defeat and capture Cao Pi, this northern hero, in such a short time.

In the Jiangdong camp, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were discussing how to deal with Cao Pi.

"My lord, although Cao Pi has been captured, we cannot let our guard down." Zhou Yu said with a solemn expression, "He has a deep foundation in the north, after all; if handled improperly, it might trigger a backlash in the north."

Sun Ce nodded, his gaze sharp: "Gongjin's words are very true. We must consider not only Cao Pi himself but also the situation in the entire north. How do you think we should deal with him?"

Zhou Yu pondered for a moment and slowly spoke: "I think we can first imprison Cao Pi as a warning. At the same time, send envoys to the north to declare our victory and warn those warlords who are trying to take the opportunity to make trouble. Then, we can decide Cao Pi's final fate based on the north's reaction."

Hearing this, a flash of appreciation appeared in Sun Ce's eyes: "This plan is excellent. It both demonstrates our strength and gives the north a deterrent. However, regarding sending envoys, we need to choose candidates carefully."

Zhou Yu nodded in agreement: "My lord, rest assured, I will personally select shrewd and capable envoys to go. At the same time, I will also strengthen Jiangdong's defenses to prevent the north from taking the opportunity to attack."

The two discussed and decided, then began to make preparations. Cao Pi was imprisoned in a tightly guarded camp tent, guarded by heavy troops. And Zhou Yu personally selected several experienced envoys to go to the north to declare victory and warn those warlords who were trying to take the opportunity to make trouble.