Cao Cao has gained control of the navy in Jingzhou, and the so-called natural barrier of the Yangtze River is now split 50/50 between us. He's sailing downstream and his momentum is unstoppable. Perhaps we should all apologize to Cao Cao and surrender; that would be the safest course of action.”
Zhang Zhao, from Zhangzhou, has a strong temper and is somewhat stubborn.
However, he was fortunate to know Sun Quan very well.
They knew that Sun Quan was merely using Cao Cao's letter to gauge everyone's intentions.
Zhang Zhao then followed Sun Quan's lead, offering a suggestion to help Sun Quan estimate how many of those with wavering resolve were considering surrendering.
As Zhang Zhao said, those weaklings all said, "This is the will of Heaven, it's true! Why don't we all join Cao Cao from now on? There's no need to fight!"
!
At this moment, Sun Quan remained silent.
For a moment, it seemed like everyone thought surrendering was a good thing.
Lu Su, who was standing closest to Zhuge Liang, immediately stepped forward and addressed the group of talents from Jiangdong: "Are all of you cowards? If you surrender, you'll have somewhere to go. Cao Cao won't kill you! But you say that surrendering is hindering General Sun's progress!"
Lu Su's words perfectly aligned with Sun Quan's intentions.
After Sun Quan surrendered to Cao Cao, he was at most granted the title of Marquis. How could that compare to being the boss himself?
Therefore, there was a reason why Lu Su later gained Sun Quan's trust.
The opinions of those mediocre people, each acting in their own self-interest, truly disappointed Sun Quan.
Lu Su then pushed Zhuge Liang to the front, saying, "Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei and others have already fought several battles with Cao Cao. To know Cao Cao's strengths and weaknesses, let's listen to Zhuge Liang's opinion!"
Thus, Zhuge Liang made a grand entrance.
Zhang Zhao snorted and asked sarcastically, "Is this the Crouching Dragon who compares himself to Guan Zhong?"
Zhuge Liang nodded without any shame.
Zhang Zhao then said, "I have heard that Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times, comparing his success to a fish finding water, in gaining your great talent. But even with your help, why couldn't you stop Cao Cao's southward advance? What happened?"
Guan Zhong? What a load of rubbish!
You're such a braggart.
Zhuge Liang was no slouch either; he immediately began debating with Zhang Zhao:
"It's not because we can't stop him, but because our lord Liu Bei is a man of benevolence and righteousness. He can't bear to fight among his own people, nor can he bear to seize the legacy of his kinsman Liu Biao, so he strongly declined. The young Liu Cong listened to the false edicts and surrendered to Cao Cao, which is why Cao Cao is so rampant! Our lord Liu Bei is now stationed in Jiangxia with a purpose, not because he's ready to surrender at the first sign of trouble! Look around the world, if it weren't for our lord's continued insistence on resisting Cao Cao, Cao Cao's arrogance would be even greater!"
Zhang Zhao stepped forward again and repeated Liu Bei's defeats after acquiring Zhuge Liang: "As soon as Cao Cao's troops came out, Liu Bei abandoned his armor and weapons and fled at the mere sight of them. He abandoned Xinye, fled to Fancheng, was defeated at Dangyang, and fled to Xiakou, where he had nowhere to hide!"
Zhuge Liang said, "When outnumbered, victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Adaptability is key and should not be taken lightly!"
Then, Gu Yong, Xue Chong, Zhang Wen, and Luo Tong each debated with Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang insisted that Liu Bei was a hero, and that Liu Bei, with his few thousand benevolent troops, was no match for Cao Cao's million-strong and brutal army. His retreat to Jiangxia was merely a prelude to waiting for an opportunity.
As for the Jiangdong scholars' claim that Liu Bei had won several battles before meeting Zhuge Liang, but suffered a complete defeat after meeting Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Liang refuted them one by one. He said that it was only because Xinye was a remote mountain county with a small population, a lack of food, incomplete armor and weapons, weak city walls, and an untrained army.
Everything has a reason.
Zhuge Liang insisted on comparing himself to a roc soaring ten thousand miles.
The debate went on and on, creating a lively and exciting atmosphere.
Sun Quan listened to their heated debate and watched coldly.
Until Zhuge Liang used a provocation tactic.
Zhuge Liang said, "You want to compete with Cao Cao for the world? I think it will be difficult for you! Although there are many talented people here, I don't think you can win. Although you have many capable people, they are all talk and no action. They are no match for our Liu Bei, who is a man of unparalleled talent and admired by all. Our Liu Bei has fought on despite repeated defeats and is so determined! You have no ambition at all, so you will definitely not win."
When Zhuge Liang uttered these hurtful words, Sun Quan's expression changed slightly.
Zhuge Liang was very satisfied with Sun Quan's reaction.
He continued, "Then what so-and-so said earlier is right! Since you know you can't win, you might as well surrender sooner. Anyway, even if you surrender, our Liu Bei will still not be afraid. He will still lead Guan Yu with 10,000 elite troops, and Liu Qi will lead the Jiangxia warriors. Although there are only 10,000 or so people fighting Cao Cao to the death, we firmly believe that the people of the north can hold out for a long time if they don't hesitate to fight at sea."
Zhuge Liang originally came to instigate Sun Quan to fight, but he was the first to express his determination to confront Cao Cao.
Who is fooling whom?
Hmph.
Sun Quan still has not made a statement.
Here, Zhuge Liang and the group of brilliant scholars were arguing fiercely.
Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, and others, unaware of the situation, also joined in.
Zhou Yu was training his navy at Poyang Lake when he learned that Cao Cao's army was marching south. He was about to return to discuss important matters with Sun Quan.
Zhuge Liang was using his cleverness to provoke and provoke Sun Quan, and he felt perfectly pleased with himself.
This time, Zhou Yu has returned.
Isn't that perfect? If one comes, it annoys the other; if a pair comes, it annoys the pair.
Zhuge Liang began to make his own plans.
Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, and others were all seasoned veterans who had helped Sun Jian and Sun Ce establish their empire. When Cao Cao heard that some of these intellectuals in Jiangdong were considering surrendering, he was furious.
These fierce generals all pulled Sun Quan aside and expressed their willingness to fight to the death.
"My head may be severed, my blood may flow, but I swear I will never surrender to Cao Cao!"
"We swear we will never surrender to Cao Cao!"
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
