alright.
Zhuge Liang had thoroughly enraged Sun Quan and Zhou Yu.
Zhou Yu was furious when he heard Cao Zhi's sentimental poem.
Sun Quan was about to draw the sword from his waist.
Sun Shangxiang suddenly jumped out from behind.
Those eyes were swollen from crying at my sister-in-law Qiao Jingjing's place just now.
It's still a little red right now.
As soon as Sun Shangxiang arrived, she pointed directly at that guy Liangzai:
"Who are you? Are you Zhuge Liang? Are you Zhuge Ziyu's younger brother? What nonsense are you spouting all over Jiangdong?"
You're saying Cao Cao took a fancy to my sister-in-law? Or to Lady Xiao Qiao from Zhou Yu's household?
Pooh!
What kind of pedantic and impoverished scholar are you? Where did all your education go? Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness—all you spout is your Liu Bei's moral code! What, you don't know how to respect women anymore?
You men! When you discuss important matters, whether it's fighting a war or surrendering, you should make your own decisions. Why drag us women into this?
Whether it's Lady Da Qiao or Lady Xiao Qiao, they're just weak women living in seclusion. What have they done to offend you?
I just don't like you! Tell me, what brings this guy surnamed Zhuge to our Jiangdong? Is he here to form an alliance or to cause trouble?
Let me tell you, if you want an alliance or cooperation, talk to me properly! If you're an enemy, take a sword from me, Sun Shangxiang, first!
Sun Shangxiang had already drawn her sword.
Zhuge Liang then appropriately feigned fear:
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry! So that's how it is. I was really ignorant! I didn't know that Lady Da Qiao was the widow of General Sun Bofu, and I didn't know that Lady Xiao Qiao was the wife of Zhou Gongjin. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I was too forward and offended you. It's my crime punishable by death."
Zhuge Liang said sorry.
In reality, it also depends on the attitudes of Sun Quan and Zhou Yu.
Now that we've come this far, surrendering is simply to protect the safety of my wife, children, and family.
Fighting is also about protecting one's own vested interests.
It's all for protection.
It depends on which method results in the lowest loss.
Zhou Yu stepped forward and said to everyone, "Although Cao Cao claims to be the Chancellor of Han, he is actually a traitor! Our Jiangdong is invincible, and General Sun is a man of great talent and strategy. Relying on the foundation laid by his father and brother, we have a well-trained and capable army that can roam the world. We will rid the country of tyranny and will never surrender."
Now, Cao Cao's northward advance has already violated military strategy. With the north unsettled, Ma Teng and Han Sui remain a constant threat to Cao Cao, and his prolonged southern campaigns are a major concern. Cao Cao is unfamiliar with naval warfare; abandoning his horse and relying solely on boats to contend with Eastern Wu is particularly problematic, especially given the harsh winter. His soldiers, having traveled a long distance across rivers and lakes, are unaccustomed to the climate and water, and many have fallen ill!
Zhou Yu's words ignited the passion of the military generals.
The civil officials all nodded silently.
Sun Shangxiang glared fiercely at the handsome Zhuge Liang.
Sun Quan finally stood up and, in a resolute voice, stated the decision he had always held in his heart: "That old traitor has long desired to depose the Han and establish himself as emperor, and his only allies are Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Lü Bu, Liu Biao, and myself. Now all the others are gone, and only I remain. I and that old traitor are irreconcilable enemies!"
It is both elegant and accessible.
Sun Quan drew his sword and slashed a corner of the table.
"Anyone who speaks of surrendering to Cao Cao will be treated the same as those in this case! Anyone who speaks of sending the two Qiao sisters to Cao Cao will be treated the same as those in this case."
Zhuge Liang debated with the scholars of Jiangdong, although Sun Shangxiang jumped out and gave him a dressing down.
They were intimidated by the imposing presence of Zhou Yu and Sun Quan.
However, Zhuge Liang achieved his goal.
He successfully demonstrated his talent to Sun Quan, as well as Liu Bei's determination.
Zhou Yu has already requested 80,000 troops from Sun Quan, and is preparing to station them in Jiangxia immediately.
However, because Zhuge Liang's words had offended Zhou Yu's wife, Lady Xiao Qiao, and her sister, Lady Da Qiao, Zhou Yu hated Zhuge Liang intensely and harbored murderous intentions towards him.
Before leaving, Zhou Yu met with Sun Quan alone:
"Zhuge Liang is a man who can see through people's hearts. Since he knows our thoughts, he still wants to lead us by the nose! This man will surely become a scourge to Jiangdong in the future. It would be better to kill him sooner rather than later."
Sun Quan didn't particularly like Zhuge Liang either.
One person can come to Jiangdong, convey the message of the superior, and that will suffice.
Zhuge Liang insisted on coming here, turning the Jiangdong region into his grand entrance show, using everyone as a backdrop to demonstrate his abilities.
This kind of person is not lovable.
Sun Quan thought about Zhou Yu's words.
After all, Sun Lao Er was already a person who shouldered important responsibilities, and he considered issues more comprehensively.
Sun Quan summoned Zhuge Jin:
"Your younger brother Zhuge Liang has the talent of a king's advisor, but it's too unfair for him to serve under Liu Bei! Now that he's in Jiangdong, why don't you persuade him to give up Liu Bei and come work for us in Eastern Wu? That way, I'll gain another capable advisor, and you two brothers can be reunited—it would be a wonderful thing!"
Sun Quan finally spoke.
Zhuge Jin quickly said modestly, "I have been in Jiangdong for many years and have been highly valued by my lord, but I have not yet achieved any merit! I will take care of the matter that my lord has arranged immediately."
This was all Zhuge Jin's feigned compliance while secretly opposing him.
The Zhuge brothers deliberately separated and invested separately.
However, Zhuge Jin still went to see Zhuge Liang on the surface.
Zhuge Liang, in turn, used Sun Quan's words to persuade Zhuge Jin:
“Our Liu Bei is a nobleman of the Han Dynasty. If you, elder brother, could leave Eastern Wu and help Liu Bei with his affairs, we would both be Han officials, and we could be reunited as family. That would be a win-win situation.”
So neither of them could convince the other.
Sun Quan then instructed Zhou Yu to find an opportunity to kill Zhuge Liang.
For a long time, some sensible people in Jiangdong believed that the story of Cao Cao wanting the two Qiao sisters of Jiangdong was a fabrication by Zhuge Liang.
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