Chapter 59 Liu Bei Can Do It, So Can I! Hefei, Here I Come!

"It is indeed him!"

Lu Su's expression was resolute as he nodded heavily.

A flicker of suspicion crossed Zhou Yu's eyes as he raised the silk scroll in his hand.

"This secret report from our scout does not specify who devised the strategy for Liu Bei. How can you be so certain, Zijing, that this is the work of that Xiao He?"

After a brief pause, Lu Su slowly explained:

"While Xu Yuanzhi certainly possesses no small degree of tactical wit, in my view, his cleverness is on par with Cheng Yu of Cao's camp."

"At present, Cao Cao's camp is swarming with strategists, and those of exceptional intellect are not limited to Cheng Yu alone."

"Yet this scheme devised by Liu Xuande managed to deceive all the strategists in Cao's camp. This shows that the intelligence of the person who conceived it must far surpass that of Xu Shu."

"Furthermore, Zhuge Kongming is currently residing in Yicheng. Aside from that Xiao Bowen, I truly cannot imagine who else possesses such capability."

Zhou Yu lowered his head, re-examining the silk scroll in his hand.

This Xiao He—Lu Su had naturally mentioned him during both of his previous journeys through Chaisang.

He was also aware that Huo Jun, a rare genius in defending cities, had been recommended to Liu Bei by Xiao He.

It was likewise Xiao He who had strongly advocated for Guan Yu to command the naval forces, predicting with certainty that Guan Yu's naval warfare would shatter Yu Jin.

Moreover, Lu Su had mentioned that Xiao He possessed a "miraculous device," akin to a thousand-li eye, which could clearly observe the situation of the battles on the Han River from deep within Xiangyang City.

A recluse from the untamed mountains, a disciple of a high-minded mountain hermit, possessing the discernment of Bo Le and concealing several miraculous devices upon his person.

Such was the impression Xiao He had previously left in Zhou Yu's mind.

Yet what Lu Su was saying now shattered Zhou Yu's original perception of Xiao He.

"If it is truly as you surmise, Zijing, the cleverness of this man is unfathomable indeed."

"With such a person assisting Liu Bei, if our Jiangdong takes Jingzhou in the future, this man will truly be a grave menace!"

Zhou Yu's grip on the silk scroll gradually tightened. His brow furrowed deeper and deeper, and a trace of dread flickered in his eyes.

After a moment of silent contemplation.

Zhou Yu's expression returned to composure, and he waved his hand, saying:

"Zijing, there is no need for you to rush to Hefei after all. Follow your original plan instead and set off for Xiangyang immediately."

"Aside from monitoring the strategic situation in Xiangfang, you must pay double attention to this Xiao Bowen. You must thoroughly investigate his background and confirm whether the plan to launch a surprise attack on Deng County truly originated from his hands."

Lu Su was slightly startled, but then he understood the implication behind Zhou Yu's words.

This handsome Zhou Lang of Jiangdong was finally beginning to attach importance to that Xiao He, determined to know both himself and his enemy.

"I understand. I shall set out for Xiangyang right away."

Lu Su nodded in assent, yet his gaze glanced briefly toward the direction of Hefei:

"However, if I go to Xiangyang, what about our lord..."

After a brief silence, Zhou Yu said:

"That Zhang Liao is indeed not to be underestimated. However, as you said, our army outnumbers Cao's forces tenfold after all."

"Though our lord is eager for victory, if he can truly advance step by step to encircle the city, no mishaps should occur."

"Should the siege drag on without success, I shall submit a memorial advising our lord to relocate his camp to Chaisang and redirect our military efforts back toward Jingzhou!"

Understanding Zhou Yu's intent, Lu Su promptly took his leave.

Zhou Yu personally escorted Lu Su to the boat, watching as the solitary flat-bottomed skiff traveled upriver toward the direction of Jingzhou.

"Ziming, take this battle report concerning Xiangyang and set off immediately to deliver it to our lord at Hefei."

"Remember to remind our lord on no account to underestimate the enemy. He must be wary of Zhang Liao, must encircle Hefei step by step, and must not rashly advance out of contempt for the foe."

Zhou Yu handed the intelligence report to a young military officer standing behind him.

"This subordinate obeys the command!"

The officer hurriedly stowed away the silk scroll, bowed hastily, and departed.

Another flat-bottomed skiff sailed down the river, heading toward the direction of Huainan.

"Xiao He, Xiao He..."

Looking north toward Xiangyang, Zhou Yu murmured to himself.

...

Xiaoyaojin, west of Hefei City.

Hundreds of Jiangdong warships had already choked the Fei River, surging menacingly toward the eastern ferry crossing.

"Liu Bei actually burned four hundred thousand *hu* of Cao Cao's grain and fodder, and captured Yu Jin a second time?"

An exclamation rang out upon the flagship.

On the bow deck, Sun Quan was scrutinizing the battle report he had just received. His emerald eyes widened, and his face clearly spelled out the four words: "Hard to believe."

"Lu Zijing surmises that Liu Bei's strategy of luring the tiger away from its mountain originated from the hands of that Xiao He."

"Therefore, Governor Zhou has asked Lu Zijing to proceed immediately to Xiangyang to closely monitor the hostilities between the Cao and Liu forces and ascertain whether this conjecture is true."

Lü Meng, who had come to deliver the message, recounted the conversation between Zhou Yu and Lu Su word for word.

Hearing the names "Xiao He," Sun Quan felt a slight jolt in his heart.

The evaluations of Xiao He that Lu Su had shared upon returning from his diplomatic mission now resurfaced in his mind one by one.

"Gongjin is right. Sooner or later, I will take Jingzhou in the future. If this Xiao He is truly extraordinary in his intellect, he will surely become a grave menace to me."

"The true background and reality of this person must indeed be thoroughly investigated."

Sun Quan nodded slightly, the astonishment on his face now replaced by wariness.

As they spoke, the warships had already arrived at Xiaoyaojin. The ferry landing was completely deserted, devoid of a single trace of Cao's forces.

Clearly, Zhang Liao and Li Dian, in awe of the sheer scale of the Jiangdong army's might, dared not hold the ferry crossing and had withdrawn their entire force to turtle-shell themselves inside Hefei.

"If Liu Bei could overcome superior forces with inferior ones and repeatedly defeat Cao Cao, my army now outnumbers the enemy tenfold—there is no reason I cannot defeat that Zhang Liao and Li Dian..."

A confident smile curled the corner of Sun Quan's mouth as he waved his hand and ordered:

"Pass down the order! Let the various generals each lead their respective troops to disembark at Xiaoyaojin right now and level Hefei for me!"

The flagship's command pennant fluttered, and warship after warship swaggered into Xiaoyaojin.

Sun Quan took the lead himself, urging his flagship to dock first.

Half an hour later, Sun Quan had disembarked from the ship and stood on horseback overlooking Xiaoyaojin.

At this moment, fewer than ten thousand men of the Jiangdong army had come ashore; the rest of the vessels were still docking one after another.

Sun Quan neither gave the order to construct encampments and fortifications on the spot, nor did he wait for all his troops to finish landing, but instead directly spurred his horse and set off in the direction of Hefei City.

"My lord, Governor Zhou said—"

Seeing that Sun Quan was prone to advancing rashly and recalling Zhou Yu's injunctions, Lü Meng grew instantly alert and wanted to offer a reminder.

Before the words could leave his lips, however, he caught sight of Sun Quan's high-spirited and supremely confident demeanor.

To offer a warning at this moment would be no different than dashing cold water over Sun Quan while he was in the highest of spirits.

Lü Meng rolled his eyes a few times and forcefully swallowed back the caution that had been on the tip of his tongue.

Thus, he kept his silence, riding closely by Sun Quan's side while maintaining vigilant guard.

"Order He Qi and Ling Tong that upon landing, they are to pitch camp south of Hefei City."

"Furthermore, order Gan Ning and Xu Sheng to lead their forces to establish a camp north of Hefei City."

"And..."

Riding slowly on horseback, Sun Quan casually pointed here and there with his riding crop, issuing successive troop deployments to his generals.

Courier after courier galloped away, spreading Sun Quan's commands far and wide.

Because the Jiangdong army employed the formation of troops belonging directly to individual generals, with various commanders leading their own forces and choosing their own landing sites, the four tens of thousands of troops maintained a relatively loose distance between their respective divisions.

In this scattered formation, the Jiangdong army closed in menacingly upon Hefei City.

Sun Quan was brimming with high spirits, his face perpetually wearing an expression of absolute certainty in victory.

Lü Meng surveyed the formations of the various divisions to his left and right, yet his brow was tightly furrowed, and a trace of hidden anxiety stirred within his heart.

"Cavalry! Huge clouds of dust are rising ahead, cavalry is approaching!"

Jia Hua's loud cry suddenly shattered the air beside his ear.

A jolt ran through Lü Meng's heart, and he hastily raised his head to look forward.

He saw a plume of dust sweeping across the open plains from the direction of Hefei City straight toward Xiaoyaojin.

A massive banner bearing the character "Zhang" fluttered dazzlingly in the declining sun.

Over eight hundred Cao cavalrymen came charging like a lightning-fast gale, driving straight into Sun Quan's center army.

Lü Meng's expression changed abruptly.