Huang Zu turned angrily and stared at Huang She in front of him, saying, "Even if it ans the extinction of our clan, we must not let Li Muyun enter Jingzhou!"
Seeing Huang Zu’s expression, Huang She no longer tried to dissuade him, though his heart was still sowhat uneasy. He had overheard Zhu Geliang’s strategy from the side door earlier, and if this plan were to succeed, you would be dood; if it failed—"Alas! So be it, death it is!"
However, Huang Zu did not know that it was precisely this extrely erroneous decision that dood the bloodline of the Huang family of Jiangxia, and it was through this earth-shaking battle that everyone saw the most vicious side of you.
Not long after Zhu Geliang left, a ssenger ca to report: "Report! Lord, Shiyang City has been captured!"
"So quickly?" Although Huang Zu had already abandoned Shiyang City upon hearing of your army’s advance, he did not expect your speed to be so swift.
Huang She seed to realize sothing and quickly asked Huang Zu, "Father, there are no ships docked in Shiyang City, right?"
Huang Zu nodded and said, "I anticipated this beforehand, so we had already withdrawn the ships in advance."
As if relieved, Huang She sat down on the ground, sighing, "Fortunately, Father acted quickly. If Li Muyun had obtained the ships to cross the river, Mr. Kongming’s strategy would be useless."
"Since that’s the case, She’er, you must personally go to Shiyang this ti to deliver the ssage for your father."
Huang She nodded, knowing that he had no chance to shirk responsibility now.
On the opposite bank of the Chang River, on the walls of Shiyang City, you, along with Zheng Zhi, gazed across the river. Because of the distance and a heavy fog covering the water, you couldn’t see the situation on the opposite shore.
This ti, Zheng Zhi went on the expedition not as an accompanying female relative but in the capacity of a female general. Her clothing was tight and custom-made for agility, highlighting her perfect figure.
You, being unconcerned with worldly opinions, sat directly on the battlents and held Zheng Zhi in your arms, ignoring the stares of the female soldiers nearby, touching her slender legs gently. Even though she wore pants, the warm sensation from your palm made Zheng Zhi restless.
Zheng Zhi was a general and also a woman. She longed to receive everything a woman could desire. Among your seven won, only Zhen Jiang was pregnant, and with her due in a month, Zheng Zhi harbored her own hopes. She hoped to bear you a child one day.
At this mont, your thoughts were focused on the opposite bank of the river. Although the troops were elite and strong, they lacked experience in naval warfare. You acknowledged the risks involved; if it were a land battle, you would have no worries at all, but naval warfare was more complicated. Your main reliance was on Cai Mao, who had already been inford through ssages, reassuring him that you wouldn’t disturb the interests of the Jingzhou gentry and would maintain the current administrative structure, only replacing the leader.
Before long, Zhao Yun arrived alone on the wall, standing behind you and saluting, "Lord, the ssenger to persuade Liu Biao to surrender has been sent out."
You nodded, and upon Zhao Yun’s arrival, Zheng Zhi quickly extricated herself from your embrace, joining the ranks of the female soldiers.
Hearing Zhao Yun’s words, Zheng Zhi said calmly, "Since that’s the case, we should also take action."
You turned to look firmly at Zheng Zhi and said sternly, "No matter what, keep yourself safe!"
Zheng Zhi said nothing, just nodded slightly. She then led her female soldiers down the wall, disappearing into the thick fog.
"Brother-in-law, you actually don’t need to let Sister Zhi take such risks." With no one else around, Zhao Yun reverted to his usual deanor—sothing he only showed in front of you—"This is war. Let’s not even ntion death; even injury would be sothing you can’t bear."
Sighing, you replied, "Do you think I wanted this? It was your elder sisters who kept pleading, and you know their tactics—tender and irresistible. After dozens of rounds, I had no choice but to agree."
Zhao Yun was at a loss for words, indeed understanding that given his elder sisters’ current temperants, they would absolutely do such things.
Speaking of this, you smiled slightly and said, "However, this will be it; after this battle, she has to return to Xuzhou."
"Yes, indeed she should."
"Zilong, do you have the confidence to take these three counties?"
No grandiose declarations, Zhao Yun sat alongside you on the battlent, looking out at the foggy river, saying, "The biggest headache for us now is the Jingzhou Navy. Among our 100,000 elite soldiers, less than 20,000 have the ability for naval warfare, and these 20,000 were trained by Xu Sheng just recently."
You chuckled, "Then let’s avoid fighting naval battles with them. Play to our strengths and maximize our advantages!"
Zhao Yun furrowed his brow slightly but did not press for your strategy, as he now was the commander.
"Think it over carefully, hopefully you can co up with a strategy before the sun rises tomorrow. Oh, and rember to pool everyone’s wisdom; three unskilled cobblers with their heads together can outthink Zhi Zhangliang!" You nearly let it slip but caught yourself in ti.
Before coming down from the wall, soone ran to you urgently: "Lord, soone has arrived from Jiangxia County!"
Hearing this, Zhao Yun quickly turned his head, while you smiled and said, "Go to your general, he is the commander this ti, I am just here to take a stroll and visit so old friends."
As Zhao Yun passed by, you added, "Zilong, I’m confident in your character, but rember to always think thrice before you act!"
"Yes!" With a serious expression, Zhao Yun left quickly to et Huang She from Jiangxia.
You did not attend Zhao Yun’s eting with Huang She, and continued to sit alone on the battlents, facing the river breeze, seemingly lost in cultivation.
The next day, when Huang She returned to Jiangxia City, among his many followers, one left quietly after the boat docked, unnoticed. Four hours later, as Zhu Geliang’s carriage reached Red Cliff, it suddenly stopped. They were initially heading to Changsha but imdiately turned back to head from Red Cliff to Jingzhou by boat.
In Zhu Geliang’s small boat, a few people sat around the Jingzhou Map on the floor. Among them, a handso man, comparable in age to Zhao Yun, cupped his hands to Zhu Geliang and said, "Sir, I don’t understand why Li Muyun didn’t appear himself and instead let an obscure Zhao Yun take command. Is there sothing hidden here?"
Rarely putting down his feather fan, Zhu Geliang pointed at the map’s Shiyang location and said, "Li Muyun, this person, is highly unpredictable in military tactics, skilled both in defense and offense. His first battle captured Shiyang, directly threatening our Jingzhou stronghold; he can attack Jiangxia up close and threaten Jingzhou City from afar. If we confront him head-on, in this Jiuzhou Army, perhaps only the killer king Lu Bu and the little overlord Sun Ce could rival him."
Looking around at everyone, Zhu Geliang smiled slightly and said, "However, his forces are invincible in the north but achieved less than fifty percent effectiveness in our southern water regions."
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