Chapter 129: Beautiful Zhou Lang's defense is broken! Let's stop playing showdown! Stupidly surrender to the murderous maniac? Let's set up a double insurance!
The fishing rod fell into the water.

Sun Ce's expression suddenly changed and he looked at Zhou Yu fiercely.

There was a hint of embarrassment in Zhou Yu's shocked eyes.

Just a moment ago, he had given Sun Ce a long and confident analysis of the situation, and was certain that Huang Zu would be able to rely on his superior navy to fight Liu Bei back and forth.

In the blink of an eye, Pan Zhang slapped him hard in the face with shocking news.

Huang Zu only held off Liu Bei for a few days before he was defeated miserably?
You are seriously injured and your life is in danger?

Even his beloved son Huang She became Liu Bei's prisoner again?
This series of drastic changes not only caught Zhou Yu by surprise, but also went beyond his understanding.

"Huang Zu is just a name, why did he lose so miserably and so quickly!"

"There must be something fishy going on here!"

Zhou Yu suddenly jumped up, but he was not careful and kicked the fish basket to the ground.

A basket full of fish, big and small, jumped into the river lively.

Zhou Yu didn't care about the fish. He took a few steps forward and snatched the silk book that Pan Zhang was holding high.

"Gong Jin is right. Even if Huang Zu was a mediocre person, how could he be defeated so quickly in a naval battle?"

Sun Ce also reacted, his face full of disbelief, and he jumped up and moved closer.

He and his minister could not wait to open the silk book and take a closer look.

Based on the secret report, Liu Bei used fire to break the iron chain formation, Gan Ning set up an ambush, beheaded Huang Zu's flag, and wounded Huang Zu with an arrow...

The details of the two defeats, including all that could be publicly discovered, were all written down.

Sun Ce and Zhou Yu slowly turned their heads and looked at each other in surprise.

Second, I was really shocked.

This surprise has two meanings.

The first level of shock was amazement at Huang Zu, who could actually come up with such a brilliant plan to use the Iron Chain Across the River Formation to block Liu Bei's main force with a small force, while Huang Zu led the main force of the Jiangxia Army to the north to attack Xiangfan.

The second surprise was that such a brilliant plan was actually broken by Liu Bei!

The iron lock formation was broken by the fire attack, and Huang Zu was defeated by Gan Ning's ambush!
Moreover, it was quick and efficient, without any delay, as if every move of Huang Zu was within Liu Bei's prediction.

"One in the south and one in the north, two armies defeat Grandfather Huang and his son at the same time?"

"And the victory was so easy and neat?"

"Liu Bei is really, really..."

Sun Ce sucked in a breath of cold air, his eyes full of disbelief. For a moment, he couldn't find the right words to describe his shock at Liu Bei.

There was even a hint of fear in his shocked eyes.

The Little Overlord of Jiangdong was so arrogant that he had been killing gods and destroying Buddhas since he started his army. In his eyes, all the princes were as vulnerable as ants.

For the first time in his life, he felt a little wary of the name Liu Bei.

"Huang Zu's various strategies must have been planned by Kuai Yue behind the scenes!"

"The one who broke his plan must be Xiao Fang without a doubt!"

Zhou Yu clenched the silk book in his hand and said in a deep voice:
"Whether it's the iron chain array or the ambush of the Jinfan bandits, it must be the work of Xiao Fang!"

"If we can't get rid of this man, he will be a great threat to Jiangdong in the future!"

Sun Ce's heart trembled, and he suddenly came to his senses.

Come to think of it, how could Huang Zu, a mere military man, come up with such a brilliant strategy?

Only Kuai Yue, who is known as the best strategist in Jingzhou, has this ability.

Who else under Liu Bei's command could make Kuai Yue suffer a defeat again, except Xiao Fang?
"Xiao Fang, Xiao Fang!"

"You really are a headache for me. Gongjin's plan to reap the benefits has been ruined by you~~"

Sun Ce was enraged, with fire burning in his eyes.

But his angry words felt like needles piercing Zhou Yu's heart.

Since he instigated Sun Ce to march west, his various strategies and plans have been thwarted by Xiao Fang's brilliant calculations more than once.

From the fall of Xiangyang, to the fall of Jiangling, to the current defeat of Huang Zu, his various judgments about Liu Bei were shattered by Xiao Fang time and time again.

Until this time, Liu Bei was about to capture Xiakou. Under his planning and layout, Sun Ce's western expedition to Jingzhou was almost going to be fruitless.

Where is the dignity of the handsome Zhou Lang from Jiangdong?

"Swipe!"

Zhou Yu tore the silk book in his hand into pieces, his face filled with murderous intent.

"Bofu, I miscalculated."

"I admit that I overestimated Huang Zu, underestimated Liu Bei's great talent and strategy, and also underestimated Xiao Fang's cunning tricks!"

"In a situation like this, it is meaningless to take advantage of others or to make plans."

"The 40,000-strong army will march westwards immediately and fight Liu Bei for Xiakou with real swords and guns!"

"Let Liu Bei see who is the real overlord of the Yangtze River!"

Zhou Yu was enraged.

Let's not play those fancy tricks or use those tricks. Let's just be simple and rough and see who has the harder fist.

Zhou Yu's words instantly ignited Sun Ce.

"Gongjin, oh Gongjin, I've been waiting for you to say this."

"We should have done this a long time ago. When I swept across Jiangdong, I didn't use so many strategies. I just said one word: kill them!"

"I will kill anyone who stands in my way, and I will kill anyone who disobeys me!"

Sun Ce's domineering spirit rose up, he suddenly drew his sword and pointed it at Xia Kou:
"Pass the order down, the army will set out immediately, follow me to Xiakou City!"

"If Liu Bei dares to snatch food from my mouth, Sun Ce, I will make him follow in the footsteps of Yan Baihu!"

"Just as Gongjin said, I want to let those mat weavers and shoe sellers see who is the overlord of the Yangtze River!"

...

Xiakou City.

At dusk, the first wave of Liu’s warships arrived at the west of Xiakou City.

Tens of thousands of Liu's soldiers landed and began to set up camp west of Xiakou City.

In the evening, the Xiangfan navy led by Gan Ning also went south from the Han River to meet up at Xiakou.

A small banquet has been set up in the central military tent.

As the protagonist of the banquet, Gan Ning drank from big bowls while reporting the results of the battle to Liu Bei.

"The brilliant plan sent by the military advisor is really a timely help!"

"To be honest, if it weren't for the military advisor's plan, Ning really wouldn't be sure that he could defeat Huang Zu so quickly!"

"Military Advisor Jinglue, Ning's contribution should be largely attributed to the military advisor!"

Gan Ning was not greedy for credit, he praised Xiao Fang highly and raised his wine bowl high.

Xiao Fang smiled and raised his glass to drink.

After the heroic act, Gan Ning said with regret:

"It's a pity that although Ning's arrow seriously injured Huang Zu, it did not kill him on the spot."

"Otherwise, the Xiakou defenders will lose their morale. My lord, you are going to surrender without a fight!"

Hearing what Gan Ning said, Xu Shu's eyes suddenly lit up, and he thought of something. "My lord, didn't General Xu capture Huang She in the Battle of Red Cliff?"

"After fighting this far, Huang Zu should know that he will not be able to defend Xiakou City. Surrender is the only way out."

"Sun Ce and Huang Zu had a grudge against each other for killing their father. Huang Zu dared not surrender to Sun Ce, so he had no choice but to surrender to the Lord."

"My lord, why don't you send Huang She into the city to persuade his father to surrender?"

Xu Shu offered a plan.

Liu Bei's eyes lit up. Xu Shu's plan was exactly what he wanted.

Naturally, there would be casualties if we attacked Xiakou by force. Both the soldiers of both armies and the civilians in the city would have to pay a heavy price.

Besides, Huang Zu and his descendants are from the Huang family after all, and they are from the same clan as Huang Chengyan, and are also distant relatives of Huang Zhong.

Giving Huang's grandfather and his son a chance to live is also a way of giving face to Huang Chengyan and Huang Zhong.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei said happily: "Yuanzhi's plan is very good. Come on, bring Huang She up quickly."

A moment.

The young master of the Huang family who had been sent to the palace for the second time was escorted into the tent in a state of disgrace and trepidation.

The moment he saw Liu Bei again, Huang She was startled and felt mixed emotions.

There is both fear and shame.

Looking back, he was once a prisoner of Liu Bei when he was in Fancheng.

The humiliation of being captured has not yet been completely erased.

Who could have expected that less than half a year later, he would incredibly become Liu Bei's prisoner for the second time.

Throughout history, I am afraid there is no one else who has suffered such humiliation as he has.

He was afraid that Liu Bei would not be lenient towards him this time.

After all, his Huang family had been defeated so badly that they no longer had the capital to negotiate terms of exchange with Liu Bei as they did last time.

"Huang She, I was helping you and your son to deal with Sun Ce with the iron chain across the river."

"It's not appropriate for you to use this trick against my master."

Xiao Fang spoke first, wanting to break down the young master of the Huang family psychologically.

Huang She's heart trembled, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his face turned embarrassed.

Xiao Fang's face flashed with sarcasm, and he sneered:

"If I am not mistaken, it was probably Kuai Yue who came up with the idea of ​​using this iron chain across the river to stop our lord."

"What a pity! He even copied my strategy incorrectly. He didn't think carefully about whether the effect of this strategy of blocking the enemy upstream or downstream would be completely different."

Huang She shuddered and looked at Xiao Fang in shock and horror.

He guessed correctly.

When Xiao Fang gave him this strategy, he already knew the means to crack the iron lock strategy, and was not afraid at all that he would use this strategy against him.

Even Xiao Fanglian knew clearly that it was Kuai Yue who was giving him advice behind the scenes.

"This person's wisdom is so incredible and terrifying!"

"Kuai Yue, Kuai Yue, are you worthy of being called the best counselor in Jingzhou in front of Emperor Xiao?"

"How ridiculous! How ridiculous~~"

Huang She felt a deep despair in his heart, and his psychological defenses collapsed at this moment.

So he stood up tremblingly and knelt in front of Liu Bei.

"Military Advisor Xiao is truly a god. Lord Xuande has such a god-like assistant. My father and I actually wanted to become the enemy of Lord Xuande. We really overestimate our own capabilities."

"I have already accepted my defeat and am willing to go into the city to persuade my father to surrender to Lord Xuande. Please give me another chance!"

Huang She knelt down.

Without Liu Bei saying anything, he knelt down and asked for surrender.

Xiao Fang said no more and turned back to signal Lao Liu.

Liu Bei nodded slightly, then asked seriously:

"Huang She, I gave you a chance last time, but you and your son are still my enemies."

"This time, are you really willing to persuade your father to surrender?"

Huang She stood up and said with emotion:

"She swears by the Yangtze River. If She says even a lie, I will drown in the river!"

People at that time took oaths very seriously. Huang She even swore an oath by pointing to Jiang. Given Lao Liu's temperament, there was no reason for him not to believe it.

What's more, he originally intended to let Huang She enter the city to persuade Huang Zu to surrender.

"Okay, I will believe you again."

"You should enter the city immediately and persuade your father to surrender."

"Tell him that as long as he can open the city and surrender, saving the lives of soldiers from both armies and the people of the city, he will have a place under my command, Liu Bei!"

Liu Bei also generously offered conditions.

Huang She thanked him immediately and made repeated promises before leaving.

"My Lord, brother-in-law, Liang has some concerns."

Not long after Huang She left, Zhuge Liang, who had been deep in thought, suddenly spoke:
"If Huang Zu is still alive, he can naturally ask Huang She to persuade his father to surrender."

"But what if Huang Zu was seriously injured and died from General Xingba's arrow?"

"By this calculation, we have a vengeance against Huang She for killing his father. Will he still surrender to the lord?"

Zhuge Liang's words immediately reminded Liu Bei.

"Ah Liang, why didn't you tell me earlier? You told me after my brother let Huang She go. I can't let my brother go back on his word. Go get that kid back."

Zhang Fei glared at Zhuge Liang and started complaining.

"This, Liang just thought of it..."

Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly, looking a little helpless.

At this time, Xu Shu said:
"The Huang family father and son can only surrender to Sun Ce, in addition to the lord."

"Even though Huang Zu was seriously injured and could not be cured, he still had a grudge against Sun Ce for killing his father. He is a bloodthirsty person. If Huang She surrenders to Sun Ce, won't he be afraid of being exacted upon by Sun Ce later?"

"I think if Huang She is smart, he can only choose to surrender to the lord."

Zhuge Liang shook his head and said:
"What Yuanzhi said is certainly not without reason."

"But people's minds are hard to predict. Who can say for sure that Huang She will not make a decision that goes against common sense?"

"If he is really foolish enough to decide to defend Xiakou to the death and wait for Sun Ce to lead his army, our army will face the dilemma of being attacked from both inside and outside."

"For a situation like this, we must be prepared in advance."

Xu Shu was speechless.

Hearing what Zhuge Liang said, Liu Bei frowned and a shadow fell on his face.

"Aliang's worries are not unreasonable."

"In that case, in order to prevent Huang She from committing the stupid act of surrendering to Sun Ce, the murderous maniac, why don't you set up a double insurance?"

Xiao Fang, who had been sipping wine, suddenly spoke.

(End of this chapter)