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As early as when the Jiaozhou army began to attack Hengyang County in large numbers, Bu Zhi urgently sent someone to report to Sun Quan that the long-range pigeon letter of the Jiangdong army had not been established yet, so he could only send people to Wuchang County to find Jiangdong intelligence points to convey the news. When Sun Quan got the news, Changsha County had been captured by the Jiaozhou army.

Xu Sheng was defeated, Linxiang was captured, Bu Zhi was captured, and all the four counties in Jingnan were occupied by Jiaozhou. A series of terrifying news finally reached Jianye, which caused an uproar in the court and the country in Jiangdong. Some people criticized Bu Zhi for being ineffective in defending the territory, some people blamed Sun Quan for not accepting the four counties in Jingnan. There were also many people who questioned that the Han army was standing by and watched. For a time, Jiangdong was in a big public opinion trend.

However, there were huge differences in the Jiangdong officialdom regarding Jiangdong's response strategy. This time it was a confrontation between the Jiangbei faction and the Wuyue faction. The Jiangbei faction, which was made by Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong, asked Sun Quan to send troops to retake Jingnan, while the Wuyue faction, which was made by Gu Yong and Yu Fan, advocated giving up Jingnan.

This time, the weak Lujiang faction stood on the side of the Wuyue faction. Lu Su wrote to Sun Quan twice, describing the gains and losses of Jiangdong's dispatch of troops to Jingnan. Lu Su clearly pointed out in the letter that Jingnan is not an important interest in Jiangdong, regardless of population or taxes.

But if the troops were forced to go on an expedition, even if they defeated the Jiaozhou army and recaptured Jingnan, Jiangdong would pay a huge manpower and financial cost. This price was no longer affordable for Jiangdong. What's more, the expedition to Jingnan depends on the face of the Jingzhou army. We weigh the pros and cons of various trade-offs and cons, and then sending troops to Jingnan is not worth the loss for Jiangdong.

However, Zhang Zhao strongly demanded to send troops to Jingnan to safeguard Jiangdong's interests and dignity. Zhang Zhao clearly pointed out that Jiangdong suffered major failures in both the Han army and the Cao army. If he bowed his head to Liu Bei in Jiaozhou, the prestige of Wu Hou would be torn apart and he would be unable to do anything else. Even Zhang Hong, who has always been neutral, implicitly advised Sun Quan not to give up Jingnan easily.

As for the opposition of the Wu Yue faction such as Gu Yulu was to work hard to lose money, but the deeper reason was to protect the interests of the Wu Yue counties and attack Jingnan. It was obviously necessary for Wu Yue to make profits, which would seriously affect the economic recovery of Wu Yue, and Jingnan would not have any benefits to them.

The opinions of all parties quarreled in the government and the opposition, and the hot debates were made on the streets of the city. The sharp opposition between the two factions also affected Sun Quan's decision-making, and Sun Quan was reluctant to make up his mind for this.

In Jianye Wu Palace, Lu Su walked into the inner palace under the guidance of a eunuch and came to the Qilin Pavilion. This was the study of Sun Quan in the inner palace, which was where Sun Quan handled government affairs at night. The eunuch came to the study and bowed and said, "Report to the Marquis of Wu, the Governor of Lu has arrived."

"Please come in"

Sun Quan's voice came from the room, as if worried. Lu Su sighed and walked quickly into Qilin Pavilion.

In the lobby, Sun Quan was walking back and forth with his hands behind his back. He had been worried about the Jingnan incident for two days. According to Sun Quan's original intention, he did not want to send troops. The people of Jiangdong were in poverty and were unable to afford the expenses of a big battle. But what Zhang Zhao said was also very reasonable. If he showed weakness in front of Liu Bei, he might have been destroyed.

However, Sun Quan also knew that the Wu Yue faction had selfish intentions against sending troops, and Zhang Zhao and Jing Nan had no direct interest relationship. It was indeed for his reputation. Sun Quan was in a dilemma, and he wanted to have a good talk with Lu Su again.

At this time, Lu Su walked into the lobby and bowed, "I met the Marquis of Wu."

"I'm finally here, please sit down."

Sun Quan quickly asked Lu Su to sit down, and then he said to him truthfully: "Jing, the matter in Jingnan has upset me, I want to hear your thoughts again."

"Marquis Wu has always been decisive, why are hesitating now?" Lu Su smiled slightly.

Sun Quan sighed and said, "The dilemma is poor and the country is insufficient. But I am unwilling to give up Jingnan. I have been looking forward to it for many years before I get it. I don't want to lose it so easily."

"But it is not difficult for Mr. Wu to get Jingnan. He got it without any effort, right?"

Sun Quan was stunned. He could hear something in Lu Su's words and asked hesitantly: "What does Jing mean?"

Lu Su smiled bitterly and said, "Don't Wu Hou think it's a coincidence? Less than half a year after we got Jingnan, Liu Bei went north to fight. Although I have never acted as a malicious person, I am still a little strange. Jingnan is equally important to Liu Jing. He just gave it to us like this. Is it a bit famous here?"

"You mean, Liu Jing knew that Liu Bei wanted to fight north, so he deliberately gave Jingnan to us," Sun Quan asked with a dark face.

"I dare not say that. I just feel that Liu Jing's sincerity is insufficient, or that his abandonment of the four counties in Jingnan is a little bigger, which is not in line with his usual style. He is a man who will fight for incoming land."

Sun Quan did not think so much before, mainly because he was stubborn and he valued Jingnan. Moreover, they also completely obtained the four counties of Jingnan and sent officials. Except for the restriction of troops, there was no obstacle. Liu Jing completely gave him the four counties of Jingnan. More importantly, by giving up the four counties of Jingnan, Liu Jing finally forced Cao Cao to sign a ceasefire agreement and obtained Guanlong. Compared with Guanlong, the four counties of Jingnan were nothing.

But now Liu Bei's army is heading north and taking away the four counties of Jingnan that have not yet been heated. Sun Quan was anxious and angry. Under Lu Su's reminder, he suddenly realized that something was strange. Liu Jing gave the four counties of Jingnan to himself. It was indeed a little bigger. After thinking about it carefully, he finally got a little reminiscent.

"Bang" Sun Quan punched the table hard and gritted his teeth and said, "He dared to bully me like this."

Lu Su hurriedly advised: "Actually, Wu Hou doesn't have to be angry. Liu Jing is actually taking risks in this matter. After all, Liu Bei has just finished the war and his national strength is in short supply. He may not be willing to fight north. If the Jiaozhou army refuses to fight north, then Liu Jing will shoot himself in the foot. Moreover, if this matter is handled well, it will not be a bad thing for Jiangdong. You can take the opportunity to sweep Jiaozhou into your pocket."

Sun Quan was slightly angry. He and Liu Jing were originally using each other's relationship. It was normal for Liu Jing to plot against him like this. There was no need to be annoyed by this. He nodded and asked again: "I want to bring Jiaozhou into my pocket. I'm telling you how to deal with this matter."

"Weichen suggests attacking first, sending people to Chengdu to find Liu Jing, asking him to fulfill the alliance and send troops to help Jiangdong regain the four counties of Jingnan. Liu Jing will definitely not send troops, but in this way, we will have the moral advantage, making it clear that the four counties of Jingnan are our land. Once we do not send troops to regain the four counties of Jingnan, Liu Jing will not tolerate Liu Bei's forces going north. Sooner or later, he will send troops to attack the Jiaozhou army. At that time, we will ask him for the four counties of Jingnan. How can he tell him to break up with us or to destroy the alliance between the two families unless Liu Jing is willing to watch us form an alliance with Cao Cao, otherwise he will definitely have some explanation. Weichen estimated that he will assist us in capturing Jiaozhou and bringing Jiaozhou to us, and he will take away the four counties of Jingnan."

Sun Quan walked back and forth with his hands behind his back. He knew that Lu Su did not want Jiangdong and Jingzhou to turn against each other, but Lu Su still considered Liu Jing a little simpler. In the face of national interests, morality is worthless. Liu Jing turned his hand to clouds and turned his hand to rain. Once Jiaozhou is seized, he will not give it to Jiangdong.

Sun Quan sighed, "Respect, let me think about it again."

"There is a retreat"

Lu Su said what he should say, and in the end, he still asked Wu Hou to make his own decision. Lu Su bowed and slowly retreated.

Sun Quan was confused, and he didn't even eat supper. He was thinking alone in the Qilin Pavilion. The guards did not dare to disturb him. Before he knew it, two hours passed, and the night gradually came to the first hour. At this time, a burst of rapid footsteps came from outside, and a guard shouted in a low voice: "Wuhou Wuhou"

Sun Quan fell asleep in a daze on the table. He woke up suddenly and said unhappily: "What's the matter?"

"Reported to the Marquis of Wu, Military Advisor Zhang urgently asked for a meeting and said that something big happened in Jingnan."

"Ah," Sun Quan exclaimed softly and hurriedly said, "Please invite him in quickly."

Soon, two guards led Zhang Zhao into Qilin Pavilion, and Zhang Zhao bowed, "The old minister met the Marquis of Wu."

"Bu, if there is any urgent matter, come on."

Zhang Zhao sighed and said, "I just received a request for help from Feige from Yuzhang County and Poyang County. The Jiaozhou army divided its troops and attacked Poyang and Yuzhang, and both counties were lost."

This news was like a bolt from the blue, shocking Sun Quan. The four counties in Jingnan were just reluctant to leave him, but after all, they were not the traditional territory of Jiangdong. They got the best, and it would be okay to lose it. But Yuzhang and Poyang County are different. They have been the territory of Jiangdong for more than ten years, especially Yuzhang County. Whether it is population, grain, or copper mine, it is crucial to Jiangdong. If Yuzhang County is lost, it is equivalent to breaking Jiangdong's arm.

Sun Quan woke up after a while, and suddenly panicked and asked, "Bu, what should I do?"

"Wuhou, this is why the old minister insists on sending troops. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang are both tigers and wolfs. We show weakness. They will only become more aggressive and continue to expand eastward. Now Jiangdong shouts that people who refuse to send troops are all selfish. They are not considering the national plan. Wuhou can no longer hesitate. If you lose Yuzhang and Poyang, there will be chaos in Jiangdong, and the position of Wuhou may not be able to be saved."

Zhang Zhao said it seriously, but he hit Sun Quan's key point. This time, Zhang Zhao had no selfishness. He was indeed considering the big plan. He knew that Sun Quan was defeated repeatedly by Liu Jing and Cao Cao, and his status was no longer stable. If he was bullied by Liu Bei again, someone in Jiangdong would rebel.

Sun Quan took a deep breath. At this moment, Lu Su's hard advice had been left behind. He could lose Jingnan, but he could never lose Yuzhang and Poyang. He immediately made up his mind, "Bu said it well, we cannot give in anymore, we must send troops."

Zhang Zhao was overjoyed and said anxiously: "The old minister suggested that the two troops be divided. The water could be led by Lu Ming, and the Lu was led by Lu Boyan. Advance water and land and water should be advanced together to seize Yuzhang County first."

Sun Quan sneered, "This time I personally commanded the army to fight the west."

In July of the 19th year of Jian'an, after the Jiaozhou Army occupied the four counties in Jingnan, it continued to expand eastward and successively occupied Poyang County and Yuzhang County. Sun Quan had no retreat. He spread his strength to the country and sent 100,000 troops to be the commander himself, divided the troops and marched to fight against the Jiaozhou Army on both sides of the sea and land.
Chapter completed!