Chapter 68 – Plot concocting in Wan Castle, Lujiang
Translated by Bloodfalcon
Our POV now change to Lujiang, Anhui. Precisely at the government office.
Inside the Lujiang Administrator building there are two young people having a drink together. Their ages is around Liu Mang’s age, but their accomplishment is beyond Liu Mang as one of them is commanding hundred thousands troops and the other is helping that commander to pacify Jiangdong with stratagem and winning other cities. No one is equal to them in term of strength, wisdom and achievements.
Jiangdong region is actually that commander inheritance from his father. But because his father died early, the land of Jiangdong become chaos. So his father did not leave anything for him except a will letter and he had to re-pacify his former father’s land by force.
“Gongjin, according to your intel, you said this Lu Bu Army are gradually approaching Lujiang?!” Lu Bu Army cannot conceal their movement, because they are moving with ten thousand soldiers and with cavalry as their vanguard. That kind of placement will rouse horror in anyone’s heart especially warlords. So they will definitely be on alert and will tried to deal carefully with them. Due to cavalry can travel at least 100 li, it is not a joke that suddenly they can besieged the city.
TL: 1 li = 650 metres, or 0,65 km
Sun Ce has worried face. Although he had already had pacified Jiangdong which consists of state of Wu and Yue and Sanjiang (north of Yang Province), he did not dare to underestimate Lu Bu, because when in Hulao Gate, he also experienced first-hand how terrifying Lu Bu is, along with his late father. Only he who dared to rush into their enemies territory with only his horse and his Sky Piercer like god-of-war.
TL: Wu and Yue and Sanjiang, all of them are states from Zhou Dynasty. Which is the current Jiangdong region.
Those who underestimate Lu Bu did not have a good end. Dong Zhuo underestimate Lu Bu, he thought that Lu Bu have surrendered by offering him Red Hare, but eventually was assassinated Lu Bu with his Sky Piercer. Old Cao underestimated Lu Bu, Yan Province was attacked and he almost left with no homebase, Liu Xuande underestimated Lu Bu, Lu Bu made him surrender Xu Province using force.
Even Sun Ce think that he is very strong, but he did not dare to duel face-to-face with Lu Bu. The loss will be too big.
“Bofu, why do you worry about it?!” Zhou Yu opened his mouth finally. The handsome and dashing Wu’s viceroy Zhou Yu with handsome face and calm and composed manner. The problem with Lu Bu Army who Sun Ce worried very much, instantly solved by Zhou Yu.
“Ooohh, Gongjin, what can you teach me?!” Sun Ce and Zhou Yu are friends since they are still child and their bond are as strong as real brothers. So when Sun Ce sees Zhou Yu gesture like this, he know that Zhou Yu has a plan.
“Bofu, the arrival of Lu Bu Army is not harmful at all, but very advantageous to us!” Said Zhou Yu while smiling toward his brother. His sworn brother is a very ambitious and charismatic but sometimes he worry too much.
“Currently Lu Bu Army destination is unclear, how can it be benefit for us?!” Said Sun Ce, he still had doubts. Because he just pacified the whole Jiangdong, stability just yet reached. Even this Jiangdong region never ran out brave generals, this is not the time to fight among him and Lu Bu. Not the right time to fight for hegemony.
Zhou Yu calm Sun Ce down and start to break down his analysis “Lujiang are located in the vicinity of Wu, a part of Jiangdong. If one want to go to Jing Province, they must pass Lujiang and Jiangxia! The State of Jiangdong, who we have just pacified, have many waterways. Yes, Lu Bu Army cavalry are numerous and a lot of soldiers but they are from the north, where all land is prairie. If we are the one who attack them, it is death for us, but now those Lu Bu Army is crossing the river. With this consideration in hand, it can be said, in water, Lu Bu Army potential become zero!”
If one want to conquer Jiangdong, one need a powerful naval units, otherwise you cannot move anywhere. So, in current state, Lu Bu unable to conquer Jiangdong.
So, back to matter that passing Lujiang is the only way to reach Jiangxia, Zhou Yu decisively think this “This Marquis of Wen Lu Bu only passing through!”
True enough, just when Zhou Yu want to say his conclusion, there is a bodyguard notifying them. That Lu Bu army messenger goes to the city, bringing carts full of gold and jewelry. The total is 3,000 gold. They said they want to pass, and this is the toll fee.
“3,000 gold for toll fee?!” Sun Ce get really excited. Even though he had the rich Jiangdong at his possession, lately his spending is too many. He need to construct naval units as fast as he can also he need also to appease commoners. So for Sun Ce, these 3,000 gold can be considered as a great sum of money.
“Gongjin, do we took advantage of this situation or not?!” Sun Ce's looking at Zhou Yu profoundly. Sun Ce really knew that no matter what, he must allow Lu Bu to pass through. Stopping Lu Bu in Lujiang will only bring loss, once Lu Bu is unhappy, Lujiang will be immediately besieged and the fun will really big.
“Of course, we must take advantage of this situation!” Zhou Yu has said it, the idea that Sun Ce most expected, because this 3,000 gold toll fee is too good an offer to turn away. Right now, Zhou Yu only following up with Sun Ce's good mood.
Zhou Yu then drink his wine in one gulp and said “It is natural that we need to take advantage of this situation and let them pass but we also need to show our hospitality to Lu Bu Army, so we can build a friendly relationship with them. So these 3,000 gold toll fee, we must reject it now in order to show our goodwill. And then we send troops as a guide so they will arrive at Jiangxia smoothly! Please tell Lu Bu army's messenger that our Jiangdong army have prepared hot food to reward Marquis of Wen and his army”.
“Eh?!” If according to Zhou Yu's discourse, these 3,000 toll fee must be rejected and it means, he, Sun Ce, did not receive anything at all. Those toll fee gone, and now we need to send out guide and prepare hot food? Anyone with logic will certainly say this is a big loss. Lu Bu army numbered tens thousands people, is this my sworn younger brother nuts? How much grain and provisions will be used for treating them?
Looking at his elder brother glum expression, Zhou Yu hold his smile and answered with stressing each syllable “Those 3,000 gold, troops for guide and many hot food indeed too much at a glance. But if those gifts can be traded with Jiangxia or entire Jing Province, this price is too cheap!”
“Jiangxia??? Jing Province???” Sun Ce said it coldly. Regarding Jiangxia and Jing Province, Sun Ce's hatred is very profound. True his father Sun Jian died in the hand of subordinates of Huang Zu of Jiangxia. But the true culprit for that order is Liu Biao of Jing Province. Therefore for Sun Jian's revenge, Sun Ce have always want to hit Jing Province.
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