Chapter 398
Chapter 398 – Pacifism
Zhou Yu: "Accept the deal . "
Huang Gai: "Are you sure?"
Zhou Yu: "Never underestimate an emperor even if he is inept . He can ruin all of you at any time . Tell Zhang Tong that all four of you will join them the year that we disband our clan . As for us, we will follow you into the clan later . "
Huang Gai: "Alright . We'll surrender to Zhang Tong . "
Zhou Yu: "Of course . "
Zhou Yu closed the clan chat and gazed at Sun Ce and Sun Fang .
The two Suns looked back at their strategist, "Are we really surrendering?"
Zhou Yu smiled, "Not really . "
"What?"
Zhou Yu laughed and explained his scheme .
Tong might have oppressed them into surrendering by forcing Sun Jian into a disadvantageous position . However, Zhou Yu had also seized options for the Sun Clan by accepting to resign in three years .
First, had Tong been honest and kept his words that he would amend Sun Fang, then it would be a win-win deal . All clan members could survive this turbulent time by sheltering under Tong's wings .
However, in the case that Tong was a liar, Zhou Yu had an exit plan for the clan members . Although Sun Jian and the others might have to join Tong's clan, they could also act as spies inside Tong's ranks .
In this scenario, Zhou Yu analyzed that Tong would want Sun Fang dead, so he had to draw Sun Fang and others to Ye or one of his cities . For that purpose, he would not be able to harm any of the Sun Clan's members until he could kill the Sun Clan's immortal .
As for the last possible future, the worst-case-scenario, Tong could have executed Sun Jian, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Cheng Pu to weaken the Sun Clan before they got the times to prepare . This future would leave them no hope, which they might have to reconsider surrendering to Cao Cao or Liu Biao . And then, they would fight Zhang Tong to death .
Zhou Yu had prepared the schemes for the future in the second scenario . From his viewpoint, Tong had enough immortal subordinates, which Sun Fang and others were nothing but a nuisance . It was unlikely that Tong would allow Sun Fang to live .
In this plan, Sun Ce, Sun Fang, and Zhou Yu had three years to strengthen their forces to the point that they could rival either Cao Cao or Tong . Within a limited time, they had to unify the entire Jiangdong and Wu, as well as stabilizing their finance and military power .
Once the fourth year arrived, they would act according to the trends and the movements of Cao Cao, Liu Biao, Yuan Shu, and the Xiongnu .
There were more sub-branches of the primary plan, but Zhou Yu kept it to himself for now . He wanted everyone to focus on their first priority .
Now, the problem, they lacked personal assets . From Sun Fang's testimony, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, in the other timeline, spent five years to conquer Jiangdong . However, they had only three years . Moreover, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Cheng Pu would not be there to help them, so their situation was worse than the original Sun Ce .
Zhou Yu pointed out their weaknesses, "We don't have enough talented officers to help us, so this expansion will be tough . Senior brother Fang, we'll need your power for our campaign, but you can leave the headhunting job to our two seniors and me . "
Zhang Hong and Zhang Shao laughed, "I know a few good men in the region . We'll handle this . "
Meanwhile, other officers in the meeting also presented themselves .
Zhu Zhi, a senior officer under Sun Jian, was still there .
Sun Jing, their uncle who was Sun Jian's younger brother, was with them .
Sun Ben, Sun Jian's nephew, had just reached 19-year-old and he was a part of the commanders .
Wu Jing, the younger brother of Sun Jian's wife, was still protecting their family .
Despite the hectic escape from Xuchang, everyone never abandoned the Sun Clan .
Seeing everybody's enthusiasm, Sun Fang decided, "Alright . We won't give up fighting until the last drop of my life . Prepare the army and give me 10,000 men . I'll head east for all cities around Wu and Huiji Commandery . Bofu and others should concentrate on Yuzhang and Chaisang Regions . "
Wu and Huiji Commandery located on the south of Yangtze River, east of Mount Huangshan . They were the areas connected to the East China Sea . Notably, Shanghai in the present-day located a bit east of Wu .
Yuzhang was the present-day Nanchang City, located south of Poyang Lake . As for Chaisang, this county located in the northwest of Yuzhang, known in the present day as Jiujiang County .
These places were the strategic regions of Jiangdong or the Yang Province .
Zhou Yu agreed with this move, "I'll give you two-third of our provisions and weaponry . Please finish your campaign before the spring of next year and head north toward the Yangtze River and take Guangling Commandery as our foothold toward the north . Afterward, stay there and protect yourself from Cao Cao . Do whatever necessary to take the territories even if you have to force march in winter . "
"What about you and Bofu? Will the remaining provisions enough?"
Zhou Yu chuckled, "We'll move out when we have enough men and food from this year's harvest . For this first year, other officers and I will clean up after your campaign . Bofu will only move next year onward . "
The plan was crazy for an ordinary warlord as nobody would have believed that they could conquer these commanderies with only 10,000 men . Since Sun Fang had many system skills, Zhou Yu trusted that he could complete the task without a problem .
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At Ye City, Sun Jian accepted the terms that the Sun Clan had to disband the system clan in three years . If they failed to join Tong's clan when the year ended, all Sun Clan would be branded as traitors .
It was an oppressive move from Tong, which frustrated all Sun Jian's subordinates .
The audience with Tong ended, and the four left the palace . Since Tong did not appoint them into any position in the court, they were free to roam the city . However, Tong barred them from leaving Ye for the sake of their safety .
Tong and Xun Yu remained in the throne room for a private talk .
"Will you kill them, your majesty?"
"Depends . We'll see in three years . "
"I noticed that they were using clan chat to consult with someone . I don't think we can trust them yet . "
"I'm also aware . Since they suddenly requested ten years, they must have a good strategist helping them by Sun Fang's side . I'm suspecting that Zhou Yu . "
"Zhou Yu? Sun Ce's sworn brother that you've told me?"
"Yes . He's a dangerous one . "
Zhou Yu was one of the legendary strategists that Tong did not want to have as an opponent . As his abilities and his insight were rumored to be on par with Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi, he could not let his guard down against this genius .
As long as Sun Fang, Sun Ce, Sun Jian, and Zhou Yu were not hostile against him, Tong was willing to make amends to Sun Fang .
For now, he could only pray that they would not betray his faith .
Tong sighed, "Since I don't want Zhou Yu as my nemesis, can we still use what we had planned?"
Tong referred to the proclamation that he made Sun Jian the Marquis of Xu . By his right and pieces of evidence, he had everything necessary to frame Cao Cao and confiscate his titles .
Xun Yu shook his head, "No . Actually, we should pretend to ignore this matter entirely . "
"What!? Why?"
Xun Yu rubbed his chin, "Have you heard of a phrase [Befriend a distant state, but attack a neighbor]?"
It was one of the famous quotes from the 36 proverbs, aka the 36 Stratagems, which was passed on from generation to generation . Some stratagems referred to historical events during the Spring and Autumn Period, Three Kingdoms Period, or the time when Sun Bin was still a dominant figure . However, each strategist had his own variation and understanding .
Xun Yu also had memorized these proverbs since he was young . He mastered these proverbs to the point that he could recite it in his sleep .
As for Tong, he had not researched the proverbs as much as Xun Yu, but he could recall a few phrases and stratagems .
"I know a bit about it . Does that have anything to do with our situation?"
"Yes . I think we should allow Cao Cao to run amok for the time being . "
"Why?"
"Since Sun Fang and Zhou Yu have planned to buy some times, they will surely try to unify Jiangdong as you've told me in your story . And, this will definitely trigger Cao Cao for sure . "
Xun Yu elaborated on his insight .
Once Sun Ce, Sun Fang, and Zhou Yu controlled Yang Province, they would become another powerhouse that could threaten Cao Cao's southern borders . With Tong's forces glaring at from the north of the Yellow River and Sun Fang's presence from the south of Yangtze River, Cao Cao would be pressed by both fronts .
Then, the distant state alliance will come into play . Tong and Sun Fang should become allies, so they could attack Cao Cao together .
Nevertheless, Xun Yu believed it would have been foolish to fight Cao Cao now and weaken both sides before Sun Fang emerged . They should remain patient and strengthen their foundation .
Tong was confused, "We're giving up this opportunity, though . "
"Brand Cao Cao a traitor now, and all lords will brand you as a tyrant emperor . There are chances that Liu Biao and Liu Yan could have proclaimed themselves as a true successor of our dynasty as well . I also heard that Yuan Shu is still holding the Imperial Seal . He could use it against you if you act too rashly . "
"Haiz . More façade and politics, huh?"
"I know it's annoying . You're an emperor now, not a governor of a county . Until Yuan Shu lost his patience and proclaimed himself an emperor, do not fight with Cao Cao . "
Xun Yu had another move that would benefit Tong more than just destroying Cao Cao at the moment .
His goal was Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, and Liu Yan .
By the middle of this spring, Xun Yu's pacifism stratagem would bear fruits .
