Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1468 - 1416: Zhou Yu’s Countermeasures
Zhou Yu has been quite busy these past two days, but it’s certainly not to deal with Guo Jia. To be honest, the battle of the Huai River no longer holds any significance for Zhou Yu. Being here now is primarily to satisfy Sun Ce’s desire for combat.
Otherwise, Zhou Yu would have already led his troops back because he knows well that Sheni Pei now decides the rule of the land, cutting off the grand cause. Neither Guan Yu nor Guo Jia can cross the Huai River and settle in South Huai River, because once their intentions are noticed, escape would be their only option.
"Have Gong Yi and Shiyuan almost finished clearing the channels in the southern parts of Kuaiji and Yuzhang?" Zhou Yu asked as he looked at the intelligence coming from the rear.
Unlike the north where the channels are constructed, in the south, especially with the numerous channels, it’s merely clearing rather than construction.
"General Sun said it has already been cleared. The two counties of Jingnan, Guiyang, and Lingling still need some time, but the Prefect of Cangwu Commandery and the Yulin Prefect in Jiaozhou have already made contact. However, compared to the Yulin Prefect, the Prefect of Cangwu Commandery has already proactively contacted us," Lyu Fan reported to Zhou Yu.
"Hmm, Zhongmou has done well. The Prefect of Cangwu Commandery is Wu Ju, isn’t he?" Zhou Yu thought for a moment and said, "Get rid of him when the time comes."
Lyu Fan looked puzzled at Zhou Yu. This is an internal allegiance, how could he casually say to get rid of him? Wouldn’t that chill the hearts of those who surrender?
"Eight or nine out of ten, he harbors ill intentions. It’s better to deal with him. If you think about our current situation, you’d understand that Wu Ju, from whatever angle, should not ally with us," Zhou Yu explained briefly.
"I’ll handle this matter later," Lyu Fan, after a brief contemplation, understood. "At that time, there will be no loose ends left."
"It’s in your hands. Is there any movement from Guan Yu and Guo Jia on the other side of the river? Has the monitored Gan Ning not appeared?" Zhou Yu asked while browsing the Political Strategy.
"They’re still continuously cutting logs, but recently they haven’t built many ships. They’re starting to construct a pontoon bridge at the narrow mouth of the Huai River," Lyu Fan said with a hint of mockery. "So far, they’ve only constructed about a hundred steps. At this extent, it’s practically impossible to complete."
"Hmm?" Zhou Yu looked up with a noticeable frown. Although Guo Jia doesn’t understand naval battles and crossings, such an obvious mistake shouldn’t occur. What’s more incredible is attempting to build a pontoon bridge in such a turbulent area, a most astonishing notion.
"What on earth is Guo Fengxiao trying to do?" Zhou Yu said, massaging his temples with a slight headache, "Is he giving up or trying to confuse us?"
"Without ships, they won’t be able to cross the Huai River at all. And with the small boats they’re making, they hold no significance under our patrols. Moreover, the large patrolling ships designated by you, Gongjin, have divided the defensive areas," Lyu Fan looked at Zhou Yu with admiration.
After Guan Yu relocated his camp, their main camp remained still, merely designating patrol zones for each ship.
This approach, although appearing rigid, resulted in any attempt by Guan Yu to cross the river either from over twenty miles downstream of Zhou Yu or over forty miles downstream of Guan Yu, or from over twenty miles upstream of Guan Yu or over forty miles upstream of Zhou Yu.
Zhou Yu stated that his patrols were not arranged that far, but the issue is if Guan Yu were to lead his soldiers, they wouldn’t have the capability to cover a sixty-mile front and then engage in battle with Zhou Yu, who would be lying in wait. Moreover, with Guo Jia instead of Xun Youi as the strategist, moving an army sixty miles without detection is beyond normal achievement.
In sum, Zhou Yu’s method denotes that any attempt by Guan Yu to cross the river to attack Zhou Yu can only be executed where Zhou Yu’s patrol vessels are everywhere. Otherwise, they lose combat power after crossing, or their intentions are revealed if they move too far.
Not everyone is like Xiahou Yuan, who can lead his troops over dozens of miles and quickly join the battle. Guan Yu’s Legion Talent is not adept at running.
"Don’t underestimate Guo Jia or Guan Yu. Leaving aside other things, the previous qualities displayed during our attack far exceeded those of our former foes," Zhou Yu shook his head, advising.
Perhaps he noticed Lyu Fan’s expression, and Zhou Yu didn’t comment further on this elder, "Just keep an eye on them. If any issues arise, remember to inform me."
"Yes!" responded Lyu Fan to Zhou Yu’s arrangement without further words, turned around, and left.
"Constructing a pontoon bridge?" Zhou Yu mused with curiosity, "Guo Jia, do you truly believe you can build a pontoon bridge over the Huai River? Even though I can’t deploy boats to patrol due to issues with the narrow water passage, large boats periodically gaze from upstream or downstream every hour. Really curious..."
[Even if Guo Jia somehow succeeds in crossing the river, they can’t bypass the essential fact that Bofu and I are the main targets. If they can cross the Huai River in a short time, attacking Bofu and me is the best choice...]
As he contemplated, Zhou Yu took a chess piece from the chess box beside him and placed it on the desk as if it were the unique heavenly center.
[Bofu and I are certainly their attack targets, which means the result is already known. Being so, before I leave, let me play another round with you and see how capable you are, Guo Jia.] Zhou Yu toyed with the chess piece in his hand, moved at heart.
"Come in!" Zhou Yu shouted toward the outside of the tent, and soon a trusted aide in armor appeared before him.
Zhou Yu immediately took out a piece of paper and scribbled on it before folding it up. "Deliver this to General Wen."
"Yes!" the trusted aide respectfully accepted it and then left.
"After this battle, the Battle of the Huai River will draw to a close. Sheni Pei’s methods can no longer save the situation. Lacking righteousness renders such acts unsightly, so we should quickly expand our own strength," Zhou Yu chuckled softly to himself, not taking the potential threat seriously.
"What, it’s raining?" Guo Jia looked at the celestial phenomenon puzzled, clearly feeling it’s being manipulated by the guy across the river, and it’s covering a large area.
However, Guo Jia grew curious. Previously, Zhou Yu had been continuously clearing the moisture, seemingly ready to kindle a fire at any moment, and now has suddenly shifted the celestial phenomenon to cause rain, knowing that rain impacts river vessels far more than those on land.
"Are they trying to run?" Guo Jia thought with displeasure. Just when they were about to make a move tomorrow, Zhou Yu seems to be preparing for a rainy escape. "Aren’t you fond of the rain? Trying to escape, huh, hmm!"
In speaking, Guo Jia also intensified the rain along with Zhou Yu, causing it to pour even more heavily and exaggeratedly, surpassing Zhou Yu’s expectations substantially.
