"After all, it's beneficial for both of us!"

"Hehe, I will go back and write a letter to discuss this with my lord."

"In that case, I will not stay any longer!" Lu Su said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

Zhuge Liang nodded and left Lu Su's residence.

As Lu Su watched Zhuge Liang's departing figure, a slight smile appeared on his lips. He believed that this marriage alliance would definitely be achieved.

Because Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, among others, would weigh the pros and cons; otherwise, it wouldn't have been Zhuge Liang demanding the three counties of Jingzhou, but rather the troops from Yizhou coming directly to attack.

After returning to his residence, Zhuge Liang summoned Zhao Yun.

"Sir, what are your orders?" Zhao Yun asked, bowing respectfully.

Zhuge Liang recounted the conversation Lu Su had with him the previous night.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun immediately retorted angrily, "That's utterly shameless of Jiangdong!"

Zhuge Liang waved his hand: "It's alright, he just wants to test our attitude."

Zhao Yun was silent for a moment, then asked, "What is your opinion, sir?"

"I must inform my lord of this matter, but I already have a plan in mind!" Zhuge Liang narrowed his eyes, his gaze gleaming with wisdom.

Zhao Yun was taken aback and asked, "What plan do you have, sir?"

Zhuge Liang smiled faintly: "Lure the snake out of its hole!"

Zhao Yun was taken aback: "Luring the snake out of its hole? How do you mean?"

Zhuge Liang slowly explained, "If our army wants to take back the three counties of Jingzhou, we must use special means!"

"Once the marriage is arranged, our army can openly have our lord welcome Sun Shangxiang into Shu, while secretly mobilizing a large army to ambush her."

"At the same time, Zhou Yu will definitely try his best to intercept our lord. When he leads his troops out, that will be our chance to take back the three counties of Jingzhou in one fell swoop!"

After hearing Zhuge Liang's plan, Zhao Yun's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed in admiration, "Brilliant, truly brilliant! But wouldn't this put our lord in a dangerous situation?"

Zhao Yun pondered in silence for a moment. Although he was confident in his martial skills, he dared not joke about Liu Bei's life or death.

But this is currently the only way to reclaim the three counties of Jingzhou; otherwise, war is the only option left.

But once war breaks out, the Sun-Liu alliance will inevitably break down, and Cao Cao will be the one to benefit.

"Sir, I am willing to protect our lord with my life!" Zhao Yun gritted his teeth and agreed.

Zhuge Liang patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Alright, I'll write a letter for you to take back to Yizhou and show it to Pang Tong first!"

......

Upon receiving the message from Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei's brow furrowed with seriousness. He asked Pang Tong, "Shiyuan, what do you think?"

“Kongming’s method is feasible, but wouldn’t that mean putting our lord on a risk?” Pang Tong hesitated.

Liu Bei sighed and said, "Alas, if that's the case, we can avoid war and regain the three counties of Jingzhou. What does it matter if there's danger?"

Pang Tong thought about it and still felt it was inappropriate, so he advised, "My lord, if it were just a simple marriage alliance, it would be fine. But this time it is to take the three counties of Jingzhou. Anything can happen on the battlefield. If the Jiangdong army finds a weakness, it will be too late to regret it!"

"This..." Liu Bei hesitated.

"Then, in Shiyuan's opinion, what should be done?"

After these days, Liu Bei calmed down.

Guan Yu's death in battle certainly caused him great grief, but now was indeed not a good time to start a war with Jiangdong.

Cao Cao controlled seven provinces. Although he suffered a defeat in the Battle of Hanzhong, he was able to recover quickly.

Although Liu Bei won, it will take him a long time to recover.

He also wanted revenge, but he couldn't act impulsively at this moment, otherwise Cao Cao would seize the opportunity!

Pang Tong fell into deep thought, and after a long while, he raised his head and said, "My lord, I am willing to go in your place!"

"This..." Liu Bei hesitated.

"Rest assured, my lord, I will not act recklessly. I will be careful and cautious. Moreover, with Zilong protecting me, even if we fail, we will be able to escape."

In any case, Pang Tong could not let Liu Bei take any risks, which was probably also Zhuge Liang's intention, otherwise he would not have sent the letter to Pang Tong first.

Liu Bei took a deep breath and said, "In that case, Shiyuan, you may go. But remember to be careful. The three counties of Jingzhou are not as important as my strategist Shiyuan!"

Liu Bei's words immediately brought tears to Pang Tong's eyes. He knelt down before Liu Bei and choked out, "Thank you for your great kindness, my lord! I will certainly live up to your expectations and take back the three counties of Jingzhou!"

Pang Tong, along with several of his men and Zhao Yun, rode at full speed towards Jiangdong.

Upon receiving the news, Zhuge Liang immediately met with Lu Su and expressed his willingness to proceed with the marriage as agreed, marrying Sun Shangxiang as his wife.

Lu Su was overjoyed and immediately informed Sun Quan of the good news.

At this time, Sun Quan was drinking with Zhou Yu. Upon hearing the news, Sun Quan was overjoyed.

"Gongjin, it seems Liu Bei has been tricked!"

Lu Su was taken aback and asked in confusion, "My lord, why do you say that?"

"Hahaha, this is all Gongjin's plan! Under the guise of a marriage alliance, we will lure Liu Bei into the Jiangdong region. Then, we can ambush and kill Liu Bei, and the Yizhou army will collapse without a fight!"

"Gongjin is truly my Zhang Liang!"

Sun Quan was very pleased and satisfied with Zhou Yu's strategy.

Zhou Yu smiled slightly, raised his wine cup to Sun Quan, and said, "My lord, you flatter me!"

However, Lu Su's expression changed drastically, and he immediately said, "My lord, you mustn't!"

"Liu Bei is a descendant of the Han dynasty. We have already lost the greater good by killing Guan Yu. Now we want to lure and kill Liu Bei. How will the world view Jiangdong?"

Lu Su continued to advise earnestly, "Moreover, Liu Bei has many fierce generals under his command. If Liu Bei dies, his forces will surely launch a full-scale attack on Jiangdong. How will Jiangdong resist then?"

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