In the Lincheng County Government Mansion, the three people were silent for a long time.
In the end, Sun Quan made the decision and pursued north.
However, Zhou Yu still had reservations and believed that he should proceed with caution.
Because there is currently no news from the north, if we rush to pursue the north, it will be easy for Lu Meng to attack from both sides.
The situation before them is actually very serious now. Since they don't know Shen Chen's specific movements, once they make the wrong choice, it will have serious consequences.
"It's too passive for us to do nothing."
Lu Su analyzed and said: "Something should be done. At least we should immediately send people down Qingshui and enter Shushui to check the situation."
"Um."
Zhou Yu glanced at the sky outside, nodded and said, "We should indeed send the scouts out first."
Sun Quan said anxiously: "Now that they have set out for a day, they can go north along the Jing River to kill Wuhu in just one day. Are we still sitting here waiting for news?"
Lu Su advised: "Don't be anxious, Marquis Wu. If you attack rashly, you will easily fall into Shen Chen's trap. The most important thing now is to find where the others are."
"What does Gong Jin mean?" Sun Quan looked at Zhou Yu and asked, "Do you think we still have to stand still and wait for news?"
Zhou Yu thought for a while and said: "Tonight we should occupy Lingyang first. Tomorrow morning, the army will go south first. Some of them will guard Qingshui and the Jiangkou behind Jinghu Lake, and some will enter Jinghu Lake to search for Shen Chen. Then let Lu Meng and Xu Sheng go north."
"Order Lu Meng and Xu Sheng to go north?"
Lu Su asked strangely: "Why should Lu Meng, Xu Sheng and others be mobilized?"
Zhou Yu explained: "Zijing, think about it, if they really went south to Yi County to spread suspicion, then it is very likely that their target is Lu Meng and Xu Sheng's tribe. If we stay in Jinghu because of his suspicions, we will not be able to do anything for a short time." Support them, lest they be attacked from two sides."
Lu Meng and Xu Sheng were not in the city of Yi County, but lurking in the wild mountains and forests near Yunxi.
Their army only has 8,000 people, while Liu Pan's army has more than 20,000 people, and Shen Chen has more than 4,000 people. It is very easy to annihilate them.
Therefore, considering that Zhou Yu and the others still do not know where Shen Chen is and cannot act rashly, they must put Lu Meng and Xu Sheng in a relatively safe position.
Otherwise, if the other party uses these suspicious soldiers to deliberately slow down Zhou Yu and the others, and instead goes to annihilate Lu Meng and Xu Sheng, the situation will become very bad.
This is what is called a dilemma.
If you go south to Yixian, you have to worry about whether Shen Chen didn't go to Yixian at all, but went north to Wuhu. If you make a mistake in judgment, Zhou Yu's main army could reach Taihu in the few days it took to go to Yixian. .
But if you choose to go north to Wuhu, what if you go to Yi County? Lu Meng and Xu Sheng's troops are weak and will be attacked from both sides by Shen Chen and Liu Pan. They may be completely wiped out.
Therefore, the current situation is not good for them. Only by correctly judging Shen Chen's intentions can they take the initiative and calmly arrange the war situation.
And if you make a wrong judgment, you will lose everything.
But he couldn't do nothing and stayed in Lincheng waiting for the scouts to report the news.
After all, Lincheng is very far away from both Jiangdong and Yixian, and it takes several days by boat.
When the scouts give the news, Shen Chen can reach Qiantang via the Jingshui, Zhongjiang, and Taihu routes, and Liu Pan can also reach Qiantang County via Zhejiang.
Therefore, we must do something while searching for information.
So what to do?
Zhou Yu pointed to the map and said: "Wuhou, Zijing, you see, this is the entrance to Jinghu Lake. We should send people to control this place first, and then send Lu Meng and Xu Sheng to go north and control the passage between Shushui and Jinghu Lake."
Lu Su looked over, nodded slightly and said: "Well, if Lu Meng and Xu Sheng go north, they can also check Shen Chen's traces along the way. As long as they don't find Shen Chen, they can judge that Shen Chen at least did not go south from Shushui to Yi County, but Staying at Jinghu Lake, or perhaps already going north to Jingshui."
Zhou Yu then said: "Yes, as long as we control the entrances of the Qingshui and Shushui rivers leading to Jinghu Lake, we can take the initiative. Then we will send people to pursue along the Jingshui River in the north. As long as we can confirm that Shen Chen has left Jinghu water, we can return to Jiangdong immediately!"
Sun Quan looked at the map. Zhou Yu and Lu Su spoke very clearly, so he naturally understood.
What they meant was that although they did not know the other party's intentions, they could temporarily shrink the encirclement. Xu Sheng and Lu Meng would advance to the north, while they would advance to the south.
In this way, if Shen Chen chooses to go south, Xu Sheng and Lu Meng will know about this situation when he reaches Yixian County, and they can immediately intercept him, and then send people to notify Zhou Yu and Lu Su to mobilize the main force to encircle and suppress.
If he chooses to go north, they can also meet up with Xu Sheng and Lu Meng, and then immediately go north from Jingshui River to Jiangdong.
There's just one problem.
Sun Quan pondered for a moment and said: "Shen Chen went by boat. If he chooses to go south, he can reach Yi County in less than a day. If we send someone to notify Lu Meng and Xu Sheng, we may not be able to make it in time."
"Marquis Wu may not know."
Zhou Yu smiled and pointed to the part of Shuxi on the map and said: "Shushui is a river that flows into Jinghu Lake from south to north. Its upper reaches are very narrow and cannot be passed by large ships. It does not flow into the county seat of Yixian County, but only enters Yixian County. It’s within the territory, so their speed won’t be too fast. After arriving here, they have to get off the boat and walk, or take a small boat.”
Sun Quan looked in the direction pointed by Zhou Yu on the map and saw that the place was called Wuliting, so he asked: "How far is it from Jinghu Lake? If we set out from Lincheng, how many days will it take to get there?"
Zhou Yu said: "It is more than 150 miles away from Jinghu Lake and it will take at least three to four days to go upstream. But if you order people from Lincheng to go upstream from the river to Yunxi, then return to Lincheng from Yunxi If so, it will take up to three days, so if we send someone to notify Lu Meng and Xu Sheng, we will definitely be able to make it in time."
This is why Zhou Yu believed that this siege plan could be implemented, because Shushui, which was later known as the upper reaches of the Shuxi River, became a small river. The width of the river was only seven or eight meters in narrow places, which could not accommodate a troop transport ship like a large boat. .
Small boats such as Lu Nao, Jiao Tu, walking boats, scouts, yachts, and flying boats can pass, but flash floods break out in the upper reaches and the water flow is extremely fast. Going upstream, the speed of boats is not even as fast as walking.
On the other hand, if Zhou Yu sent someone to notify Lu Meng, he could go upstream of the Yangtze River and then enter the Yunxi River. It would only take two days to notify Lu Meng by taking the waterway.
On the Lü Meng side, you can go down the river all the way. From Yunxi River, depending on the speed of the water flow, you can quickly reach Lincheng County.
Therefore, in terms of time planning, Zhou Yu believed that it must be in time.
Seeing that this plan was cautious and thorough, Sun Quan nodded approvingly and said: "Yes, Gong Jin and Zijing's plan is indeed detailed and thoughtful, so let's do it according to your wishes."
"only!"
The two of them bowed their hands and immediately went to arrange the arrangements.
After leaving the door of the county government residence, Zhou Yu and Lu Su looked at each other, both feeling helpless.
"Gong Jin, with this rod punishment, your prestige will plummet."
Lu Su said.
Zhou Yu shook his head and said: "This is something that can't be helped. We must maintain the majesty of Wu Hou."
"well."
Lu Su sighed: "This matter is indeed our fault."
"Um."
Zhou Yu said: "For the present plan, only by capturing Shen Chen alive can we wash away the humiliation of Marquis Wu. Otherwise, if we let him escape, if things happen in the future, Marquis Wu may become the laughing stock of the world."
Lu Su said: "This man is very cunning and difficult to deal with. However, Gong Jin's careful planning should be able to capture him."
"It'd better be that way."
Zhou Yu nodded, separated from Lu Su outside the county government office, and went to the military camp to issue orders.
But after leaving, a trace of sadness appeared on the originally confident face unconsciously. I raised my head to look at the bright and clear moonlit sky, feeling a little melancholy in my heart.
In this battle, they were really passive. They didn't even know where the enemy's shadow was. The unknown was what made people feel worried and scary.
I just hope everything goes well.
Soon the night comes.
The Jiangdong Army in Lincheng began to take action.
When Shen Chen's army left during the day, Zhou Yu ordered Ling Tong and Dong Xi on the front line to clean up the rolling logs placed by Shen Chen's army on the river to block them.
It turns out that these rolling logs were tied with ropes, rattans and the like and fixed on the shore to intercept their ships.
Now just cut the rope and they will float away naturally.
The main force of Jiangdong Army, more than 10,000 people, stationed in Lingyang. By daylight the next day, the army formally entered Jinghu Lake in a mighty manner. Some people stayed to guard the entrance of Jinghu Lake, while others went deep into Jinghu Lake to look for traces of Shen Chen.
At the same time, Zhou Yu sent a large number of scouts to Wu, Xuancheng and Jingxian in the north, and to Yixian in the south to follow Shen Chen's footsteps and find a way to find his location.
On the fourth day, Lu Meng received news that he and Xu Sheng had started heading north, moving from the deep mountains and old forests to the direction of Shushui.
In addition, scouts from Anwu and other places also reported that these places were guarded by a small number of Jiangxia navy troops. As soon as the scouts approached the city, they were shot back by random arrows. It seemed that all signs indicated that Shen Chen had gone north to Wuhu.
Sun Quan learned about this and immediately asked Zhou Yu to pursue him, but Zhou Yu was unmoved. He had already sent people to Wuhu to inquire about the situation. Although Wuhu was too far away, it would take two days to go around the Yangtze River, and it would take at least two days to get back. It would take three or four days, but he didn't want to pursue it blindly.
Until July 12, five days after Shen Chen left Lingyang, news came from Lu Meng and Xu Sheng. They walked north along Shushui River for three days, but there was no trace of Shen Chen. At the same time, there was news from Wuhu. I received news that several large boats have passed through Wuhu.
"Chase!"
After gathering this information to Zhou Yu and discussing with Sun Quan, Zhou Yu immediately issued an order and began to pursue northward.
There were very few Jiangxia naval forces left in Anwu, Xuancheng, Jingxian and other places. Seeing the arrival of the main force of the Jiangdong Army, they all abandoned the city and fled, diving into the mountains and forests to the east without a trace.
Sun Quan ignored them and went down the river. On July 14, when he was about to arrive at Wuhu, the Liyang garrison came to report and saw the ships entering Jushui.
Jushui was the Shuiyang River in later generations, but not entirely. Both Shuiyang River and Jushui originated in Jixi County in later generations, but at the downstream, one went northwest and flowed into the Yangtze River with the Qingyi River, and the other went due north and flowed into Zhongjiang, a tributary of the Yangtze River at that time. .
So at that time, if you followed the Zhongjiang River from the Yangtze River to the east, there were two forked roads that could go deep into the southeastern hills, one from Jingshui, which was the Qingyi River in later generations, and the other from Jushui, which was later Shuiyangjiang River.
Zhou Yu was shocked when he learned about this. He immediately realized that he had been tricked by Shen Chen and immediately returned to the ship. At the same time, he sent someone to immediately notify Lu Meng and Xu Sheng who had arrived at the entrance of Jinghu to pursue them.
"Overland!"
On the Jiangdong ship, Zhou Yu clenched his fist and punched the side of the ship. He already knew how Shen Chen got rid of his scouts.
I am afraid that when they entered Shushui, they sent a small force to drive several large boats south, deliberately crossing Wuhu slowly to delay time, while the main force went south by land along the right bank of Shushui.
Although Lu Meng and Xu Sheng also took the land route, they took the left bank of Shushui River. Shushui River flows from south to north, so the west side is left and the east side is right. The two sides are perfectly staggered.
Lu Su comforted Zhou Yu and said, "Don't worry, Gongjin. I know it's raining lightly these days in Yixian County and other mountainous areas. Lingyang is more than three hundred miles away from Yixian County. Although they take the land route, they must not be fast enough. We sail day and night. We can definitely catch up with them."
"I know!"
Zhou Yu said in a deep voice: "It's just that I'm very upset about being played by this little thief."
Lu Su said: "At least we have not been fooled by him and ran directly to Jiangdong. If we had pursued Jiangdong before, I am afraid it is too late to pursue him now."
"Chase!"
Zhou Yu looked around and issued an order: "Travel day and night, take turns rowing, and we must catch up with them!"
"only!"
The soldiers responded with a roar.
At that moment, the fleet began to travel day and night, returning to Jinghu Lake.
．
．
A few days ago, July 12th.
On this day, Lu Meng and Xu Sheng's troops had already passed Wushan and headed north.
At this time, there was no trace of Shen Chen, and Zhou Yu was heading north to Wuhu.
In a deep mountain more than 300 miles away, Liu Qi was meeting with several guests.
This mountain was called Wushan in the Han Dynasty, and its approximate location was in the Fangjialing area of Wushi Town, Huangshan District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province in later generations. It is about 30 kilometers away from Yi County and more than 70 or 80 kilometers away from Jinghu Lake.
The mountains here are steep and the mountains and forests on both sides are dense. The only passable road is on both sides of Shushui. Wushan is on the right bank of Shushui, and it is probably less than a mile away from Shushui.
In a Shanyue tribe deep in Wushan, Liu Qi met Chen Pu and Zu Shan, the leaders of the two strongest Shanyue tribes around Yi County, in a hut under a tree.
Both of them wore clothes different from those of the Han people. One was about thirty years old, and the other was about forty years old.
They all had a grudge against Jiangdong. Historically, Sun Quan sent He Qi to destroy them, which shows that there has always been a hostile relationship between them.
It's just that Jiangdong is so powerful that historically they didn't dare to attack Jiangdong. And now Sun Quan has retaliated against the Shanyue tribe who led Liu Pan's way. Therefore, no matter how much Liu Qi persuades, they don't dare to send troops to help.
"Chen Dazong is handsome, Zu Dazong is handsome."
Liu Qi looked at the two of them and said with a smile: "Jiangdong and you Shanyue people are at loggerheads. They are dead with cold lips and teeth. The reason they are not attacking you now is because the Jingzhou army is at war with Jiangdong. Once we are defeated, you will be next."
"
Zu Shan shook his head and said: "I know what the eldest son means, but we have already hid in the mountains. Jiangdong is so powerful that we don't dare to fight them. If the general wants us to send troops, then forget it."
Liu Qi thought for a while and said: "How did you consider the previous matter? I have sent a large number of ships to deliver grain and grass from Wuxi to your tribe. If you agree to this matter, the grain will be given to you."
"Hmm."
Chen Pu pondered.
Liu Qi smiled and said: "Aren't your people always monitoring the Jiangdong Army? Lu Meng and Xu Sheng are gone, what do you two have to worry about?"
"Let's wait a little longer."
Zu Shan said: "Jiangdong has also sent people to our tribe these days to warn us. We should proceed with caution before seeing anything."
"That's true."
Liu Qi said: "Chen Dang and Zu Miao should be back soon."
After a while, Chen Dang hurried in and said, "Brother, I have seen it. The Wuxi tribe, which is more than 20 miles away from us, does have a lot of food."
Zu Shan's son Zu Miao also came in and said: "Father, what the Han people said is right. I also saw a lot of ships and grain."
Chen Pu immediately said: "In that case, we agree."
"Wait!"
Zushan suddenly looked at Liu Qi and said with a smile: "The food and grass have been transported to our tribe, aren't you afraid that we will regret it?"
"Chen Zongshuai, little Ancestor Shuai, what did the boat look like when you saw the grain and grass?"
Liu Qi looked at Chen Dang and Zu Miao with a smile.
Chen Dang scratched his head and said: "They were tied together with ropes and blocked Wuxi."
"It seems like there's grease on it."
Zu Miao said.
Liu Qi looked at Chen Pu and Zu Shan and said, "If you two break your promise, it will be a big deal. Can your small tribe stop our tens of thousands of troops?"
Their expressions changed slightly.
Liu Pan sent more than 10,000 people this time, and together with Liu Qi's army, the Jiangxia navy was close to 20,000 people.
Although each of their tribes has tens of thousands of people, they only include the old, weak, women and children.
Moreover, the technology of the Shanyue people was not developed, and their iron weapons, bows and arrows were far behind those of the Han people. Even if they were larger in number, they would definitely lose if they faced off against the Jiangxia Navy.
Historically, He Qi pacified hundreds of thousands of Shanyue with no more than 8,000 soldiers. Shanyue was still stationed in mountains that were easy to defend and difficult to attack, but he was wiped out.
This shows the huge power gap between the Shanyue forces and the Han people.
So if they don't agree to this deal, then Liu Qi can just let the soldiers on the Wuxi side burn the food, and then lead the army to retreat back to Nanchang. Anyway, they don't attack the Shanyue people. If the Shanyue people come to intercept them, they will die.
.
Zu Shan immediately changed his expression and said with a smile: "I was joking with the general just now, so please don't take it to heart."
"Of course."
Liu Qi raised his head and said: "Zhou Yu was transferred to Wuhu by General Shen. Counting the days, they will be here in four or five days. Can you two do what I want within three days?"
The two looked at each other, nodded seriously and said: "We will call all the young men of the tribe to come over, 20,000 people, we can do it in one day!"
"good!"
Liu Qi said: "Then I will make an alliance with you two. If it can be accomplished, there will be generous rewards in the future!"
"Then let's high-five each other!"
The three of them clapped their hands to each other and concluded a covenant.
Two days later, due to the mighty flash torrent, which was like the flowing water of a large river, the water flow had decreased a lot.
Shen Chen, who was still trekking through mountains and rivers, and shuttled through mountains and forests, had already noticed this.
He stood on the edge of Shushui River and smiled as he looked at the river where the water flow had dropped significantly.