Chapter 588

“Using iron chains? What a good strategy!” Liu Biao clapped his hands when he learned of Zhuge Liang’s stratagem.

On the other hand, Yi Ji frowned. “Iron chains? Milord. Why did Zhuge Liang use iron chains?” Yi Ji asked. He had not yet gone through the letter that was in Liu Biao’s hands.

“According to Wen Pin’s letter, Yangzhou’s new warship is too fast. Even Jiangdong’s large navy of thirty thousand men was not effective and they lost a few ships. That was why they now plan to use chains.”

“A hundred thousand men!” Liu Biao said excitedly. This was like a large fishing net to stop the Yangzhou Navy.

“A hundred thousand men!” Yi Ji could not help but take a deep breath at the astronomical number.

“But Milord. Aren’t they afraid of a fire attack?” Yi Ji spoke his doubts. The iron chains may turn the ships into a fishing net but it also made it impossible for them to escape in the event that a fire broke out.

“Fire? This is an army of a hundred thousand! Can the Yangzhou Navy get close enough to start a fire? There are over a hundred ships so they would need a lot of flammable material. The Yangzhou Navy would not be able to do it!” Liu Biao repeated Wen Pin’s words.

“True.” Yi Ji nodded. Flammable material was required for a large enough fire that cannot be put out.

“The battle report should come in a few days.” Liu Biao commented as he looked at the letter in his hand. It would take a few days for the letter to arrive from the frontlines. So it was reasonable to say that the battle report would come a few days later.

“Report! Urgent report from the frontlines!”

“Quick! Let me see it!” Liu Biao shouted anxiously.

The messenger hesitated as to whether he should deliver his report.1

****

“They are here?” Wen Pin said as he watched Jiangdong’s large fleet approach. A huge pressure could be felt coming from the approaching ships.

As the ship approached, Wen Pin saw Zhou Yu and Sun Ce’s standing on the viewing platform of their flagship.

It was ironic that a few days ago, they were all enemies ready to kill each other. Yet they now welcomed each other with a smile.

Sun Ce knew that Wen Pin was a general but he did not really think of Wen Pin as a threat. After all, Huang Zu was also a general but ended up getting chased out of Jiangxia. He had more concern towards Zhuge Liang.

“General Wen Pin!” Sun Ce and Zhou Yu cupped their fist as they greeted.

“Marquis Wu! Chief Governor.” Wen Pin greeted back with a smile. They may be enemies but for now, they were allies.

“I heard that Liu Biao has a General called Wen Pin. It seems like your reputation is well deserved!” Zhou Yu complemented. Both he and Sun Ce nodded in approval at the sight of Wen Pin’s subordinates who were almost as good as their elite troops.

It was also because of this that Zhou Yu and Sun Ce were happy. Jiangdong would suffer heavy casualties to wipe out Wen Pin’s men in normal circumstances. The trap they had planned later would allow them to wipe out Jingzhou’s elites with the least casualties. Seventy thousand Jiangdong against fourty thousand Jingzhou. With the difference in numbers, the battle was already decided.

“You are too kind. The Chief Governor is much better for being able to help Marquis Wu build his foundation despite your youth.” Wen Pin replied humbly.

“Where is our Military Strategist?” Huo Jun asked loudly as he did not see Zhuge Liang’s figure.

Wen Pin also frowned. Common sense said that Zhuge Liang should return to their side now as his job of being their contact was over. Now they simply needed to wipe out Yangzhou together.

“Zhuge Liang is on another warship thinking of things.” Zhou Yu replied.

“Thinking of things?” Huo Jun frowned. “Let us see our Military Advisor. Otherwise, there would be no more need for us to cooperate!” Huo Jun shouted.

Huo Jun was worried for Zhuge Liang. Although he knew of Zhuge Liang’s plans, he still wanted to make sure Zhuge Liang was safe.

“General. Did you think we have seized your Military Advisor?” Sun Ce asked indignantly as Huo Jun spoke aggressively.

“Is that not the case? Wouldn’t you also know the threat our Military Advisor poses to Jiangdong?” Huo Jun replied.

“General. You have overstepped your bounds. General Wen Pin! Control your subordinate!” Zhou Yu reminded Huo Jun and Wen Pin. Wen Pin felt helpless as Huo Jun was Zhuge Liang’s trusted subordinate. His words would be of no use.

“Huo Jun! Withdraw!” A voice echoed.

“Military Advisor!” Huo Jun was immediately glad to see Zhuge Liang appear.

“Huo Jun. Do not be rude!” Zhuge Liang chastised before turning to greet Wen Pin and then apologizing to Sun Ce and Zhou Yu for Huo Jun’s rudeness.

“Military Advisor. Now that the Jingzhou Navy and the Jiangdong Navy have gathered, there is no longer a need for you to be a contact. Come back and help us oversee the army. We cannot do it without you!” Huo Jun said to Zhuge Liang.

Zhou Yu and Sun Ce frowned. If Zhuge Liang were to return to Jingzhou’s ship now, they would lose control of him. However, they soon smiled again when Zhuge Liang replied that the cooperation will continue until Yangzhou is defeated. Therefore, he could not return yet.

Although startled that Zhuge Liang took the initiative to stay, Zhou Yu and Sun Ce were happy as this showed that Zhuge Liang was determined to defect.

“I understand.” Huo Jun knew his advice would be unheeded based on Zhuge Liang’s expression.

“Withdraw.” Zhuge Liang said and then turned to the others. “General Wen. Marquis Wu. Chief Governor. Right now, we have to link our ships together. Time waits for no man, let us be quick about it!” The others nodded and got to work. Soon, over four hundred ships were chained together and advanced towards Lujiang.

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You run in urgently shouting ‘URGENT REPORT’ and then hesitate? You are all fired.