Chapter Sixty-Four: The Scheme Against Han Xuan (Part One)

“Our army need only wait for the right moment now,” Zhou Yu said, casting a glance at Lü Meng.

“Yes, sir!” Lü Meng replied, returning to the ranks.

Huang Gai stepped forward and saluted. “General, I have something to say.”

“Elder General, you have spent your life on the battlefield and your merits are illustrious. I, Gongjin, am unworthy by comparison. If you have a decision in mind, please speak it openly. I promise to listen with utmost respect.”

Huang Gai snorted coldly. “There’s no need for flattery, General. I wish to ask, with eighty thousand enemy soldiers practically at our gates, how can you justify waiting for the right moment? Are you perhaps afraid of Han Xuan?”

Huang Gai had been ill at ease these days. Being passed over for command was one thing—so long as they could win the battle, he did not mind suffering some personal loss. But day after day, the soldiers only drilled or indulged in feasting, and he had witnessed Zhou Yu drunk to oblivion more than once. It was one thing for the soldiers to become lax, but if the commander himself fell into such habits, disaster would surely follow.

He respected the Grand Minister, but a man must prove his worth. After observing Zhou Yu, Huang Gai had become convinced that Zhou Yu was nothing but a pampered dilettante who talked a good game but lacked substance.

Such a blunt challenge naturally stirred some displeasure among Jiang Qin and the others. Though Huang Gai had never troubled them before, he was still of the old guard, and to them, it seemed he was nitpicking on purpose.

Quan Zong stepped out and saluted as well. “Is it that the General, commanding such a large force for the first time, does not know how to deploy his troops?”

Lü Meng’s expression darkened. “Who is the commander here in this tent? How dare you make such noise!”

He turned to Zhou Yu. “I request to fight!”

Jiang Qin and Taishi Ci also stepped forward and saluted. “We request to fight!”

“Calm yourselves, Generals. Elder General, please return to your place as well.” Zhou Yu gestured for them to resume their positions. When they had, he smiled faintly and said, “It is true that a commander must lead from the front, but a general must also weigh the situation. Now is not the time to engage the enemy.”

“From this day forward, my orders are that the entire army is to hold position and await the right moment. No one is to engage in battle without orders. Any who disobey will be punished according to military law!”

“That will be all for today. You are dismissed.”

Huang Gai left the command tent with a blank expression. Quan Zong followed, casting a mocking glance at Lü Meng. The other officers exchanged uneasy looks. The enemy was at their doorstep, and their commander wanted them to wait. Wait for what? For the enemy to leave of their own accord?

“Alas, with such a commander, this battle is as good as lost.”

“They say the crisis at Wancheng has been resolved—thanks to the Grand Minister’s brilliant strategy.”

“I heard Elder General Huang has already written to the Prime Minister to request a new commander. If the Grand Minister could be appointed, it would be a blessing. Let’s hope we can hold out until then.”

“We take our leave now,” Taishi Ci and the others said, bowing before departing.

Zhou Yu and Lü Meng went up to the city wall of Red Cliffs, gazing into the distance. The river was ablaze with lantern light, signs that the enemy was cooking their meal; warships rocked gently on the waves.

“What are you really planning?” Lü Meng asked, studying Zhou Yu’s profile.

“Man proposes, heaven disposes,” Zhou Yu said, narrowing his eyes. “I’ve done all I can. If this plan fails, we will simply have to defend to the last man.”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Lü Meng replied, “but those words in the tent were meant for you. Why not simply attack and see?”

“What if I don’t attack?”

“Huang Gai is petitioning the Prime Minister to have you replaced, saying you’re afraid, saying this is your first time leading troops, and that you’re no match for Changsu. They even say this battle is lost before it’s begun! It makes my blood boil.”

Zhou Yu laughed heartily, only stopping after a long while. “All I suffer for not attacking are a few insults. But if I rashly lead the troops out, and these eighty thousand men break through Red Cliffs and reach Lujiang, it will be a disaster for the people.”

“Our army holds the advantage of terrain here at Red Cliffs. Though there is some grumbling in our ranks, this army has but one commander, while theirs has four. When orders are given, who can they obey? In terms of unity, we have the upper hand. Why should we abandon our advantage and seek battle?”

“And to be honest, this is indeed my first time commanding. I’m not as capable as Changsu—I admit it.”

“You two are something else,” Lü Meng said, half amused. “Changsu always says he’s not as good as you, and Bo Fu calls him modest. Now you’re doing the same. Is this how scholars always act?”

Zhou Yu smiled. “How much grain do we have left?”

“Enough for three months.”

“Three months…” Zhou Yu mused. “There was much dissent among the generals today. I’ll need you to visit every camp, make sure there’s no unrest.”

“Understood.”

In Sun Jian’s main camp.

Sun Jian was reading a memorial when Cheng Pu approached and bowed. “Subordinate General Cheng Pu, reporting to the Prime Minister!”

“Proceed.”

Cheng Pu glanced at the memorial in Sun Jian’s hand. “Has something major happened in the court, Prime Minister?”

“No,” Sun Jian set the document aside. “This is from Red Cliffs. Zhou Yu has held Red Cliffs for a month now, without sending out a single troop. The soldiers are living well, feasting every day.”

Cheng Pu’s expression did not change. “Is the Prime Minister concerned that the young man is trying to build his own power base?”

Sun Jian shook his head. “No. He’s a close friend of Zi Ming and my son, and with Gong Fu watching, he wouldn’t dare overreach.”

“Then this memorial?”

“It’s from Gong Fu, asking me to replace Zhou Yu, calling him useless.”

Cheng Pu’s expression shifted. He bowed and said, “Gong Fu is right. I too believe Gong Fu should be made commander. He has followed the Prime Minister for years and is far more capable than a youth.”

Sun Jian glanced at Cheng Pu. “Are you afraid Zhou Yu will take credit and threaten your standing?”

Cheng Pu replied calmly, “No, Prime Minister. I am simply stating the facts.”

“Enough, I was only making conversation. I have my own considerations. Now, what brings you here?”

Cheng Pu produced another memorial. “This is information one of my men obtained. Yuan Shu is preparing to split his forces in two—one army will take the mountain paths to the west, the other will march openly to draw attention.”

Sun Jian scanned the report and his expression grew grave. “Summon the generals! We must hold council.”

Wancheng, Jiang Wen’s residence.

“Who wakes first from life’s great dream? I alone understand myself.”

Jiang Wen practiced his tai chi. He had never quite mastered Hua Tuo’s Five Animals Play, but this set of movements helped keep his body supple.

“I wonder how that learned Chancellor Zhuge is faring these days,” Jiang Wen mused, gazing into the distance.