Chapter Sixty-Five: The Scheme Against Han Xuan (Part Two)

Chibi, Huang Gai’s camp.

Huang Gai stroked his beard as he read the letter sent by Sun Jian. Yuan Shu had attempted a surprise attack on Hefei, but Kuai Yue had uncovered the plot, resulting in a disastrous defeat for Yuan Shu, whose entire army retreated thirty li.

Now, the main forces were locked in battle with Yuan Shu at Hefei, making it difficult to replace the commanding general.

With a sigh, Huang Gai set the bamboo slip aside.

“Zhou Yu pays his respects to General Huang. May I ask if the general is still awake?”

“That boy,” Huang Gai sneered, rising to his feet. “I have not slept yet. Let the general come in.”

Zhou Yu entered with a smile. Huang Gai calmly put on his shoes. “I wonder what urgent matter brings the general here so late at night. My attendants did not even inform me, perhaps making you wait at the door.”

Noticing Huang Gai’s lack of enthusiasm, Zhou Yu took no offense. He seated himself, saying, “I am grateful for the Prime Minister’s trust in me, to entrust a task of such magnitude to one so young. Yet lately, there has been much murmuring in the army. Your esteem far exceeds mine among the ranks. Does the general have any advice for winning the trust of the officers?”

Huang Gai replied with a laugh, “Your sudden promotion pleases me, but I have always believed that greatness comes with age.”

“At your age, to be so satisfied with your achievements, and without any truly outstanding merit to your name, it is only natural that the troops are discontent.”

“Your words echo what I myself fear,” Zhou Yu said gratefully, rising to take his leave.

Huang Gai narrowed his eyes but did not try to stop him. “Is this all you wished to discuss at such an hour, general?”

“It is,” Zhou Yu replied with a faint smile. “Thank you for your guidance.”

Huang Gai found this amusing. “With the enemy at our gates, do you concern yourself more with winning hearts than with repelling the foe?”

“If I have a plan to drive back the enemy, would you aid me?” Zhou Yu asked.

“If you truly have such a plan, I will spare no effort to help you,” Huang Gai promised.

Zhou Yu sat down again. “Then I must ask you to cooperate with me and put on a little play.”

As Zhou Yu explained his ruse, Huang Gai’s eyes sparkled. “If this feigned surrender fails, what will you do?”

“If it comes to that, I will have wronged you, General. I will take my own life in apology.”

Chibi, Zhou Yu’s camp.

Huang Gai stepped forward, his face grim. “General, since our army took up position at Chibi, nearly four months have passed, yet we have not made a single move. Is this not the behavior of a turtle in its shell? Do you lack the will or the ability to fight?”

“Enough!” Zhou Yu snapped. “The respect I have shown you is only because of your past service to the Prime Minister, but your insubordination cannot be tolerated. For the sake of discipline, I will have you flogged two hundred times! Take him away!”

“This—”

Quan Zong stepped forward. “The old general’s words may be harsh, but is there no truth in his criticism of your conduct? Moreover, you do not have the authority to mete out such heavy punishment without reporting to the Prime Minister!”

“In this camp, I am the commander,” Zhou Yu said coldly. “I do not need the Prime Minister’s permission to enforce discipline. You insulted me a few days ago, and I overlooked it. Today, you speak again out of turn. For your first offense, you shall be flogged one hundred times! Take him away!”

“Has Zhou Yu lost his mind?” Lü Meng muttered, astonished. While Taishi Ci and Jiang Qin might not know Zhou Yu’s temperament, Lü Meng certainly did. Still, he disliked Quan Zong, so seeing him punished was no great loss.

Wancheng.

Jiang Wen took the bamboo slip from Sun Ce, whose face was clouded with worry. “A transfer order. You are to proceed at once to Chibi, while I remain to defend Wancheng.”

“Zhou Yu’s actions this time may not amount to a major crime, but demotion is inevitable. It will be hard for him to hold any important post in the future.”

Jiang Wen was unconcerned. “This is just one of Zhou Yu’s schemes. No matter how reckless he might be, he would never use his position for personal vengeance.”

“But the transfer order has already been issued!” Sun Ce protested. “With Zhou Yu removed from command, no plan can be carried out!”

“The distance between Wancheng and Chibi is so great,” Jiang Wen replied with a faint smile. “Even if I travel as quickly as possible, it will take at least ten or fifteen days; at a normal pace, a month. If I delay a bit on the road…”

He grasped the bamboo slip, “I’ll pack up and set out at once. Lü Bu has no strength left to face Cao Cao. If anyone attacks, those in the city can defend.”

“Why the haste?” Sun Ce asked doubtfully.

“I want to take this opportunity to pay a visit to Zhuge Kongming.”

Chibi, Jin Xuan’s ship.

“Report! Huang Gai has sent a letter wishing to defect to you, General!”

Jin Xuan tore at a lamb bone, gulped a mouthful of wine, and asked, “Who wants to defect to me?”

“Huang Gai, a leading general under Zhou Yu!”

Jin Xuan set down his cup. “That old man has served Sun Jian for so many years—would he switch sides so easily? Who brought this news?”

“It was Prefect Han, my lord.”

“Han Xuan?” Jin Xuan raised an eyebrow. “Tell me in detail.”

The soldier saluted. “According to our investigation, a month ago, Huang Gai openly defied Zhou Yu in camp and was flogged two hundred times. Since then, troops have often been sent to monitor him, and any slight misstep is severely punished. If not for Huang Gai’s status, he might have lost his life at Zhou Yu’s hands.”

“Many generals who are close to Huang Gai have openly complained, and if not for strict suppression, a mutiny might already have occurred. Military discipline in their camp is now in complete disarray.”

“It is said that Sun Jian recently issued an edict recalling Zhou Yu to Xiangyang, appointing Quan Zong as chief commander, with the strategist and sacrificial wine Jiang Wen to assist.”

“Prefect Han suggests joining forces with you to capture Chibi!”

“Jiang Wen, the sacrificial wine?” Jin Xuan’s heart tightened. He knew better than anyone how half of Jingzhou had fallen into Sun Jian’s hands—almost entirely due to this man’s schemes. To face him would require constant vigilance.

“You may withdraw.”

Jin Xuan’s drunkenness dissipated. Now was not the time for wine. For such a critical conflict with Yuan Shu, Sun Jian had not sent Jiang Wen to the front, but rather to Chibi.

Yet if Huang Gai truly wished to defect, this was a golden opportunity. With Han Xuan’s forces combined, they would have a total of fifty thousand men.

Fifty thousand men were more than enough to break through Chibi!

Jin Xuan owed his position to Liu Biao’s favor, and with Liu Biao slain by Sun Jian, this debt of blood must be repaid.

That night, soldiers bearing torches lined the shore.

Jin Xuan donned his armor, gazing at the small boat approaching from the distance.

A hint of delight flickered across his face—it seemed Huang Gai had truly come.

On the boat sat an old man, accompanied by two rowers. The old man’s complexion was pale, almost bloodless, his face haggard, lips cracked, hair disheveled. Were it not for the strength of his frame, it would be hard to recognize him as Huang Gai.