Chapter Eighty-Three: Deep Behind Enemy Lines

Sun Ce was filled with joy; this loyal friend of his always proved invaluable at crucial moments.

Zhou Yu addressed the veteran generals, “Esteemed sirs, you must already understand the gravity of this battle. A frontal assault would cost us dearly. I have a plan which I wonder might be feasible.”

“What sort of plan? Could you share it with us?” Sun Ce inquired.

“A feint to the east, a strike to the west,” Zhou Yu replied, stepping up to the map. “Ji Ling dispatched troops for a surprise attack along the Huai River, but after being repelled by our forces, he stationed three thousand men here!”

“If our army crosses the Huai quietly, we could lead our forces southward from the river and strike Ji Ling’s camp at its heart, catching them unprepared!”

“But, strategist, Ji Ling is no fool. If our army moves en masse, surely he’ll notice and march directly on our camp. How should we respond then?” someone challenged.

“Prime Minister, the strategist’s plan is far too risky—it’s simply not worth it. Besides, at Red Cliffs, General Huang almost lost his life because of your schemes. I believe you should answer for such reckless plotting!”

Zhou Yu, neither arrogant nor servile, replied, “I accept blame for the Red Cliffs affair concerning General Huang, but the present strategy to defeat our enemy brooks no delay.”

He turned to Sun Ce. “I request permission, Prime Minister, to enact this plan!”

“Young man, I admit you have some talent, but the army is not a place for your whims,” Cheng Pu barked.

“Yuan Shu is descended from a line of nobles, and the regions of Shouchun are rich in provisions. Although we’ve gathered much grain through cultivation these past years, this war is draining our supplies. We must win quickly!”

Cheng Pu, displeased, snapped, “Zhou Yu, do you mean that none of us generals can win, only you?”

“I would never presume such a thing…”

“Enough! Cease your quarrel!” Sun Ce thundered, then softened as he looked at Zhou Yu. “I trust you. Zhou Yu, you shall be commander; Cheng Pu, deputy commander. Lead seventy thousand men. Dismissed!”

“Yes, sir!”

“This is madness! The Prime Minister is giving Zhou Yu too much importance, making me his deputy!”

“Don’t be upset, Demou. We’ve known since long that Zhou Yu is Bo Fu’s friend. It’s only natural he wields authority now, especially since his victory at Red Cliffs was remarkable.”

“You too defend him? Very well, I’ll wait and see. If he fails and delays our army, what punishment should he face?”

Sun Ce’s headquarters.

Zhou Yu looked to Sun Ce. “You demoted Chang Su to county magistrate of Fuchun?”

Sun Ce sighed. “I was too angry at the time; I didn’t think it through.”

“This isn’t Chang Su’s fault. He rarely speaks out, but in his heart he cherishes this hard-won situation more than anyone!” Zhou Yu smiled. “When your anger subsides, call him back and comfort him properly.”

Sun Ce said nothing for a while, then finally asked, “Is your plan to defeat the enemy truly effective?”

Zhou Yu narrowed his eyes. “Bo Fu, do you not trust me?”

Sun Ce looked away, embarrassed. “Of course not. I trust your talents, Gongjin. I’m simply curious…”

Zhou Yu shook his head and smiled. “Ji Ling suffered a heavy defeat recently. He will not dare to act rashly. This is our chance.”

“So what should we do?”

“Just wait and see, Bo Fu.”

Shouchun, Yuan Shu’s palace.

Yuan Shu laughed as he drank fine wine, his hand wandering freely over the beauty beside him, eliciting soft giggles.

“Report from Lujiang!”

“Bring it here!” Yuan Shu withdrew his hand, and the soldier quickly delivered the military report.

Yuan Shu was pleased with Ji Ling; not only a fierce warrior, but shrewd as well. Not long ago, he had killed Sun Jian, which had delighted Yuan Shu so much he rewarded all his officials and even granted Ji Ling a title of nobility.

He wondered what good news this report would bring. Could Sun Ce be dead as well?

Reading the report, Yuan Shu’s expression darkened. “Useless fool! Sun Jian is dead, yet you cannot defeat his son. You’re wasting my grain!”

“Go, issue orders: if there is further loss, tell Ji Ling to bring his head!”

Ji Ling’s camp.

Ji Ling surveyed his generals in the tent; all bore wounds. He never expected Sun Ce’s troops to be so fierce—their fighting strength far surpassed his own.

Sun Jian was dead, yet the enemy’s morale was still high. This battle had cost Ji Ling dearly.

Yuan Shu’s orders had arrived, of course accompanied by a scolding.

He set the imperial decree aside. Yuan Shu demanded Sun Ce be swiftly defeated.

But how? War is no child’s play; it cannot be won by mere words.

Today’s defeat made Ji Ling wary of Sun Ce. Now he could only wait for Zhang Xun to break Hefei, so they could jointly attack Lujiang.

“Attack!!”

A shout echoed in his ears. Ji Ling quickly rose from bed, donned his armor, grabbed his weapons, and rode to the camp. He saw troops arrayed neatly in the distance, their weapons thrusting in unison at their leader’s command.

Drilling?

Ji Ling never imagined Sun Ce would so underestimate him—drilling troops in front of both armies. He was furious, but after yesterday’s defeat, he hesitated.

If they fought now, given Sun Ce’s formation and the soldiers’ fighting spirit, he would surely suffer another heavy loss. If he lost again, the emperor might have his head!

That imperial decree was a thorn in his side!

Better not to watch—out of sight, out of mind.

Huai River’s banks, bamboo rafts lined the water, each bearing hundreds of straw soldiers.

“Set sail!” Zhou Yu ordered. The rafts drifted slowly on the river; as noon approached, the water was clear, revealing everything.

Ji Ling’s troops on the riverbank saw the approaching flotilla and were instantly tense. “Enemy attack!”

The horn sounded; soldiers and generals rushed to the riverbank, their faces fierce as they eyed the endless bamboo rafts.

Their fighting spirit surged, ready for battle.

Liang Gang was unnerved by the enemy’s display—it looked like tens of thousands!

“Quick, inform General Ji Ling; request reinforcements at Huai River bank!”

A soldier mounted his horse and galloped to Ji Ling’s camp.

Ji Ling, in his camp, was enjoying roast lamb, his mouth greasy but savoring every bite.

“Report, General! A large army has appeared at Huai River bank. General Liang Gang requests reinforcements!”

Ji Ling leapt to his feet. Impossible! Sun Ce’s army was drilling before the camp; how could a large force be at Huai River?

No time to ponder. If Sun Ce’s forces crossed the river, they could strike deep into his army!

“I shall lead the troops myself. To the Huai River bank, now!”

“Go!”

Horses thundered as Ji Ling led light cavalry and elite troops to the riverbank. Indeed, countless bamboo rafts floated in the distance, but they remained stationary.

Ji Ling grew suspicious.

“Send scouts to investigate the situation ahead!”

“Yes, sir!”

After a while, a soldier returned. “General, we’ve discovered what’s on the rafts…”

“What is it?” Ji Ling demanded.

“They’re straw figures dressed as soldiers!”

“Straw?!” Ji Ling’s eyes widened, anger boiling over. He’d just been reprimanded by Yuan Shu and was already in a foul mood; now, after rushing here expecting a threat, he found only straw?

“Where’s Liang Gang?”

Liang Gang, trembling, had already been told it was straw…

“General, I await your orders.”

“Are you mocking me?!”

“I would never, General. I truly believed it was an enemy force!”

“Take him away; gouge out one of his eyes so he learns to report more carefully!”

Liang Gang paled instantly. “General, I admit my mistake, but I only acted for your sake. I beg you to show mercy!”

Soldiers seized Liang Gang, another approached with a dagger.

“General… please… spare me!”

Ji Ling, furious, turned his horse and rode back to camp.

Zhou Yu remained at the riverbank for nearly three hours. Seeing the enemy scouts withdraw, he was satisfied. “That’s enough for today. Order the troops to return to camp.”

“Attack!!”

The next day was the same; loud shouts echoed as troops drilled, their morale evidently high.

In battle, it’s said: the first charge brings spirit, the second wanes, the third is spent. Facing such morale directly would be courting disaster.

Ji Ling grew increasingly unwilling to fight.

But if the enemy drills, why shouldn’t we? It would boost our own morale.

Ji Ling summoned his generals, issued orders, and his troops drilled as well. The camps were separated by five hundred meters, both sides competing to be heard.

On the riverbank, the bamboo rafts appeared three hours earlier than before, arriving at dawn.

Liang Gang, biting his lip, his hand trembling as he picked at his food, still bore scars on his face.

“General, the rafts have appeared again—they’re still straw!”

“You’re reporting again? Yesterday your false alarm cost me an eye. Take him away; cut out his tongue and feed it to the dogs!”

“General, I’ve done no wrong! How can you punish me… General!!”

Third day, fourth day… day after day…

“Attack!”

No one could tell what the enemy was planning.

Ji Ling was perplexed. Was it discord among the enemy officers? Or did they simply not wish to fight?

Over these days, the shouts during drills grew weaker.

Ji Ling was puzzled; daily drills were ordinary, but the enemy did nothing else.

He gazed across the field—Sun Ce’s formation was still grand, no sign of retreat.

His own troops’ morale had recovered, but he would not rush into battle now—he only needed to hold out.

He was waiting for news from Zhang Xun.

A month passed swiftly.

Throughout the month, neither side launched an attack; both waited defensively, Ji Ling for Zhang Xun, Sun Ce for something else.

But they were waiting for an opportunity.

To be cautious, Zhou Yu spent a full month lulling the enemy. Each day, the timing of bamboo raft deployments varied—morning, noon, afternoon, night…

Because Bo Fu often sent troops to drill before the enemy, Ji Ling believed Sun Ce’s forces remained at the front, never reinforcing the Huai River.

The hour of the tiger.

“Attack!!”

“Is it an enemy sneak attack?” Ji Ling jolted awake.

“Report, General: it’s Sun Ce drilling as usual.”

“That fool! Drilling every day—order the cooks to prepare breakfast!”

Huai River bank.

“The time has come!”

Rafts entered the river; soldiers sat aboard, drifting with the current. Ji Ling’s troops along the bank, few lights shining in their camps, were preparing breakfast.

“Do you think this battle will ever happen?”

“It’s been over a month. Sun Ce drills daily—he fears our general, otherwise he’d have attacked.”

“His father was killed by our general; now he hides like a turtle. No guts! If my son were like him, I’d beat him myself!”

“Whoosh!”

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”

Blood splattered into the soup; soldiers’ heads pierced by arrows, breath snuffed instantly.

All soldiers looked up at once to see the sky darken with arrows.

“Enemy attack!”

“Report to the general, quick!”

“Ahhh!!”

“Attack!!”

Sun Ce’s troops surged onto the riverbank, overwhelming Ji Ling’s forces, giving them no respite. Bodies piled on the shore, blood staining the river red.

Sun Ce shouted, “Quick, keep advancing!”

No time to bury the dead; the soldiers boarded the rafts and pressed on with the current.

Sun Ce’s camp.

Ling Tong, watching Zhou Yu nearby, felt uneasy. “General, only thirty thousand troops remain in camp. If Ji Ling attacks now, we can’t hold out for long!”

“Then, Gong Ji, once an hour has passed and dawn approaches, take all remaining troops and drill with the other generals.”

Ji Ling, as always, donned armor and sword, came to the front. The enemy’s formation was still dense; his own soldiers began drills.

“Hmm?”

Ji Ling turned abruptly, seeing flames behind his camp.

Shouts erupted, chaos spread through the camp.

“Prepare for battle!” Ji Ling shouted, his face pale.

“Attack!!”

Sun Ce’s troops poured into Ji Ling’s camp, storming each tent, blades slashing through enemy ranks, leaving bloody streaks on the cloth.

“Boom!” Fire pits ignited tents; one after another, camps caught fire, soldiers fled in panic, only to meet cold steel.

“Attack!!”

A brave young officer of Ji Ling’s army led dozens of men, cutting down enemy officers. He turned suddenly to see the Overlord’s Spear; his sword was shattered, his surroundings spun.

“Break through, break through!” Ji Ling rasped, thick smoke blackening his face, his throat raw. Many soldiers rallied to him, forming a breakout force, slashing their way behind.

“Ji Ling! Where do you think you’re going?” came a furious roar. Sun Ce charged toward him, spear in hand.