Chapter 575
“Zijing is really the best aide!” Lu Bu praised generously at Yuzhou. Initially, Lu Bu had disregard Lu Su and even treated him with suspicion. After all, Lu Su was a defeated general. But he soon found out that Lu Su was a great talent.
“Marquis Wen have overpraised.” Lu Su patiently and humbly replied.
“Sigh. This wouldn’t have happened to you if the Sun Family had listened to your advice.” Lu Bu said to Lu Su. At that time, they have already captured the two most difficult cities, Dingcheng and Nandun. Nandun caused them to lose over ten thousand men. To capture Nandun, Liu Mang had sent a letter telling them to spare no effort. Thanks to that, they were not able to keep Nandun. Liu Bei’s claim that the Lu Bu’s Army intends to massacre everyone also slowly became true. How could it not be true? Everyone in Nandun was a soldier. That was why Dingcheng would be even harder to capture.
However, Lu Su helped to obtain Dingcheng effortlessly. One reason for this is because Liu Bei requested reinforcements from Cao Cao. Cao Cao had his troops wear Liu Bei’s outfit and raised Liu Bei’s banners. They wanted to pressure Yangzhou into retreating and then taking Yuzhou’s city for themselves.
Lu Su saw that Cao Cao came to take advantage. He also knew that Yangzhou had spent so much resources to help Liu Biao for the opportunity to wipe out Yuzhou and Liu Bei. Naturally, Yangzhou would not agree to Cao Cao’s meddling.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao did not ask who was leading Yangzhou’s army. If he had, he would not have dared to interfere. This is because unlike other generals, Lu Bu was too hot blooded to negotiate for gains and losses. If you were to irritate Lu Bu, he would not care about any covert or overt strategies. He will simply beat you up first. If Lu Su had not been around, that is exactly what would have happened. At that time, the one that comes out happy is Liu Bei.
Lu Su chose to do the same thing as Cao Cao and have the soldiers wear Liu Bei’s outfit. After all, there were lots of clothing left after taking down Nandun. Since Cao Cao’s Army and Liu Bei’s Army weren’t exactly friendly with each other, the two armies wouldn’t have interacted much anyway. After all, Cao Cao only wanted to make sure Yangzhou doesn’t control the Central Plains. That was why Lu Su’s acting was sufficient to have Dingcheng’s defenders open the gate for ‘allies’. Once the gate was open, the gatekeeper was killed and the rest of the army captured Dingcheng easily.
When Lu Bu mentioned the Sun Family, Lu Su felt a bit sad. Sun Ce was not the Lord he wanted to serve as Sun Ce, like Lu Bu, were too tyrannical. They are the kind that are so overconfident that they would end up killing themselves. It was good if they were leading the charge but as men with territories, they needed the ability oversee things from the rear so that the leading general can fight in peace.
Sun Ce was suitable to be a General but not a Lord. If it was not because of Zhou Yu, he would have never been able to conquer Jiangdong.
On the other hand, Sun Quan was someone Lu Su believed to be a good Lord as Sun Quan was adept at ruling and knew how to obtain popular sentiment. Although Lu Su dreamed of serving Sun Quan as his Lord, Sun Quan ended up being too impatient.
Sun Quan was jealous of his outstanding brother and became too ambitious for his own good. He wanted to kill Lu Meng and Ling Cao at Linhuai just to take military power. It was too shortsighted and filled with the desire only to prove himself. That was why he ended up getting caught by Zhang Liao.
However, Lu Su quickly dispelled his gloomy thoughts. He may be a guest within Lu Bu’s army but he felt himself slowly integrate into the Yangzhou Army.
“Wenyuan. How goes the effort to pacify the people?” Lu Bu asked the nearby Zhang Liao.
“Don’t worry Milord. We have already opened up the granary in Dingcheng to give provisions to the people. The people are quiet.” Zhang Liao replied. The people were afraid of them when they captured Dingcheng as Nandun city was nearby. To pacify the people, Lu Su suggested giving the people food. They would not use their own food as they require those provisions for war. However, Dingcheng still had some provisions. Although it was not much, it was enough to lower the people’s hostility towards Yangzhou.
“We have captured Dingcheng but we cannot lower our guards. After all, he have not yet reached Runan. On top of that, with Cao Cao’s Army in the way, it would be hard to reach Liu Bei!” Lu Bu said after drinking some water. He wondered if he had to fight Cao Cao.
Everyone frowned as no one had any suggestions. Their hands were tied as the Cao Cao Army was in the way. Although everyone knew that Cao Cao was playing tricks by using Liu Bei’s armor, they could not start a war against Cao Cao since it would only make Liu Bei happy.
“If only Gongtai was here.” Lu Bu lamented. If Chen Gong was here, he would help Lu Bu analyze the benefits and disadvantages then help form a plan.
“Milord. Should we ask Zijing?” Zhang Liao asked Lu Bu. Chen Gong was talented but so was Lu Su Lu Zijing. In actual fact, Zhang Liao already had a stratagem but he kept silent so that Lu Su can quickly become part of Lu Bu’s Army.
“That’s right! Zijing is here!” Lu Bu’s eyes shone. “Zijing. Is there any advice for me this time?” Lu Bu asked as he raised his cup towards Lu Su.
“I do not dare!” Lu Su shook his head. “Marquis Wen. Cao Cao’s troops may have already been stationed in Yuzhou City but they cannot be stationed there for long.”
“What do you mean?” Some of the generals were confused. The fighting in the North had already reduced a lot as Cao Cao wanted the Yuan brothers to kill each other. For this reason, he gave Yuan Shang an official position and gave Yuan Tan a title. Just like this, the two brothers who never got along well happily fought against each other. At this point in time, Cao Cao would not send in his troops to interfere.
“Cao Cao won’t go to the North for the time being but he would have to defend his own land!” Lu Su said to Lu Bu and the others. It was already getting cold in the North and it was almost time for the troops to rest. However, the same cannot be said for the Central Plains.
“Are we going to attack Yanzhou?” One person frowned. Attacking Cao Cao within his territory was the only way they could make Cao Cao move. However, Cao Cao didn’t have many neighbors that was willing to attack him. The gains would not make up for the losses even if it was Yangzhou that attacked Cao Cao.
“Who said we are going to attack Yanzhou?” Lu Su replied calmly. Attacking Yanzhou would only start a war between Cao Cao and Yangzhou. Even if Cao Cao did not want to fight, he would be forced to fight for the sake of his dignity.
“Then what do you mean?”
“There is no other meaning. I just want Marquis Wen to take the Wolf Cavalry and the Xiliang Cavalry to Yanzhou. Preferably run all the way to Chenliu and Xuchang. Let the whole of the Han Dynasty see our Yangzhou’s powerful army!” Lu Su said calmly.
“Go to Chenliu, Xudou?” Lu Bu’s eyes glinted. Showing off his might to Cao Cao would be refreshing. It was also feasible because of their superior mobility. They can also pass through unobstructed just by bringing some provisions with them.
“Teacher. Wouldn’t this be a provocation? What if Cao Cao gets angry?” It was not so much about giving Cao Cao face. They simply could not afford to offend Cao Cao.
“Why do we have to carry Yangzhou’s banner? We can always use Yuzhou’s banner!” Lu Su gave this evil idea. At that time, Cao Cao would not be able to do anything. Even if Cao Cao were to know whats going on and make a fuss about it, he can only go to Liu Bei to settle accounts.
“What if they intercept us?” Another person asked.
“What is he going to use to intercept us? The Tiger Cavalry or his newly made Xiandeng?” Lu Su asked. “He would not use his Tiger Cavalry because he would be the one losing out. After all, the North have not been pacified yet and he still wanted to expand his cavalry. Why would he take out these elites to go after the Xiliang Cavalry?”
“We are just telling Cao Cao to go defend his own city. Otherwise, we cannot guarantee that the traitorous Liu Bei’s defeated army would not blindly attack Yanzhou!”