Chapter 96: Lu Su’s Farsightedness
At this time, Xu Shu was in Xunyang County. He soon received intelligence from Wan County and immediately copied a letter preparing to send to Nanchang County.
But at this moment, Taishi Ci had a new idea. He said to Xu Shu: “If Sun Ben has fire oil bottles, defending the city will be very disadvantageous for us. Why not proactively attack, taking advantage of Sun Ben’s army not yet firmly established in Wan County, and capture Wan County in one fell swoop? What does the strategist think?”
Xu Shu pondered for a moment and said: “I agree with the general’s strategy. Last time we temporarily installed a wooden gate on the water city gate, and now it’s still a wooden gate. They probably haven’t reacted yet. Once they prepare for war, they will surely discover this vulnerability. I agree to proactively attack and seize this opportunity before they discover the water gate vulnerability. Let’s write an application to the lord. If the lord approves, we can plan it well.”
Taishi Ci was overjoyed and said: “I’ll write the application!”
Xu Shu also smiled and said: “I also have a plan. We’ll write it to the lord together!”
Taishi Ci and Xu Shu certainly had operational autonomy, but their autonomy had to be within the previously planned scheme. This time, the strategic plan formulated by Gan Ning was to hide strength, defend and counterattack, lure Sun Ben’s army to attack the city, consume the opponent’s troop strength in the siege battle, and then launch a strong counterattack. Sun Ben’s army would surely be defeated.
Within this framework, how to defend the city and how to counterattack were decided autonomously by them.
But now Taishi Ci wanted to change the strategic plan formulated by Gan Ning and break the operational framework, so he naturally had to obtain Gan Ning’s consent.
Taishi Ci immediately wrote an application, together with Xu Shu’s plan and the Wan County intelligence, and sent it to Nanchang County by fast boat.
………
Nanchang County prefectural office residence, strategist Lu Su hurriedly came to Gan Ning’s official residence. He saw Gan Ning standing by the window with his hands behind his back, lost in thought without speaking. Lu Su did not disturb Gan Ning’s contemplation and quietly stood by waiting.
Soon, Gan Ning seemed to sense something. He turned around and saw Lu Su. Gan Ning smiled apologetically: “I was lost in thought and didn’t notice the strategist’s arrival.”
“Does the lord have urgent business with me?”
Gan Ning nodded and handed an application report on the table to Lu Su. “This is Taishi Ci’s application. He hopes to proactively attack, defeat the opponent while Sun Ben’s army is not yet firmly established, and capture Wan County in one fell swoop. Xu Shu also agrees with this idea and proposed a good strategy. I want to discuss it with the strategist.”
Lu Su pondered for a moment and asked: “Why does General Taishi want to change the plan?”
“Because intelligence discovered that the opponent is also equipped with fire oil bottles. He is worried that the opponent’s fire attack will be disadvantageous for defending the city and will also cause serious losses to Xunyang County. Additionally, Strategist Xu discovered that the opponent’s water gate is still using the temporary wooden gate we installed. He believes we should seize this opportunity.”
Lu Su nodded. Xunyang County was almost all bamboo and wooden buildings with no isolation belts. Once subjected to a fire attack, the entire county town might burn down. Wan County had fire isolation belts; there were no houses within fifty paces of the city wall, and within a hundred paces were all brick and stone buildings, which was better in this regard.
“General Taishi wants to capture Wan County and use Wan County to replace Xunyang County. This subordinate thinks this idea is feasible.”
Lu Su looked again at Xu Shu’s strategy and smiled: “This plan to lure the snake out of its hole is also good, and they surprisingly haven’t replaced the water gate, which is quite unexpected.”
Previously, Gan Ning and Jiangdong joined forces to attack Lujiang Commandery, using assault boats to crash open the opponent’s water gate, and temporarily installed a liftable wooden gate, like the thick arm-sized wooden bars in a prison cell. It looked sturdy, but it was still no match for assault boats, far less secure than a wooden door. For some reason, the opponent hadn’t changed the gate, which was also the reason Taishi Ci and Xu Shu wanted to proactively attack.
Gan Ning pondered for a moment and said: “Earlier I was thinking about the suggestion Zhuge Jin made to me before: not to capture Lujiang Commandery all at once, as it would stimulate Jiangdong and lead to the two Suns joining hands. What does the strategist think?”
Lu Su nodded. “This subordinate has also repeatedly considered Zhuge Jin’s suggestion. His suggestion is correct. Previously, we did not ally with Jiangdong because of Lujiang Commandery.”
Jiangdong was unwilling to give up Lujiang Commandery. Once we fully captured Lujiang Commandery, we would pose a major threat to both Suns simultaneously. In the face of common interests, they might temporarily set aside their grudges and join hands against us. Even Huang Zu and Liu Biao of Changsha Commandery might join in, and we would face enemies on all sides.
“So the strategist agrees with Zhuge Jin’s suggestion!”
Lu Su nodded and continued: “I think capturing half of Lujiang Commandery is more reasonable. In fact, it advances the defensive line eastward by a hundred li, without impacting Jiangdong’s bottom line at all. It also aligns with Sun Ben leaving half as a buffer zone. Then we use our tax advantages to attract all the landless citizens from the eastern part of Lujiang Commandery.”
Pausing, Lu Su added: “The lord also needs to send someone to explain the situation to Jiangdong!”
“Is that necessary?” Gan Ning frowned.
“Very necessary!”
Lu Su slowly said: “Does the lord still remember Zhu Zhi’s reply at the end of last year? Our alliance failed precisely because Lujiang Commandery is a major interest for Jiangdong. Jiangdong cannot possibly let us have Lujiang Commandery.”
Capturing Wan County is equivalent to taking half of Lujiang Commandery. Jiangdong will certainly oppose it, but not too fiercely, creating a delicate situation where a little effort will lead to reluctant recognition.
So we need to strive for this delicate situation, make Jiangdong understand, make Jiangdong realize that Lujiang Commandery is also a major interest for us. We have occupied Wan County twice already; third time’s the charm, and the third occupation of Wan County will not be given to Jiangdong again.
Relations between states are the result of mutual compromise. It can’t be just us accommodating Jiangdong; Jiangdong also needs to respect us. We must make Jiangdong understand this point.
Gan Ning slowly said: “Actually, I’m more worried about Liu Biao than Sun Quan.”
“This subordinate was just about to mention this issue. While safeguarding our own interests, we must also prevent the situation of being besieged by four states. Once we capture Changsha Commandery, Liu Biao will step in. He is not Huang Zu; he will definitely join with the two Suns against us.”
So before that, allying with Jiangdong first is extremely necessary. I suggest the lord make some effort on the personal front, such as with a new Lady Wu. I believe it will have remarkable results!”
Lu Su’s words made Gan Ning deeply realize how important a good strategist is. Without foresight, there is near-term worry. Gan Ning had to admit that Lu Su’s suggestion was very timely: ally with Jiangdong before attacking Changsha Commandery.
Gan Ning pondered for a moment and asked: “What do I need to do?”
Lu Su smiled slightly. “I heard that among the private property confiscated from Ze Rong, the lord has a rare White Jade Buddha Statue in the world. Lady Wu believes in Buddhism. If this Buddha statue can be sent to her as a gift, she will surely promote our alliance with Jiangdong.”
Gan Ning actually had two White Jade Buddha Statues. The smaller one had been given to Da Qiao’s mother, and the larger one was still in his private treasury.
Gan Ning nodded. “Alright, I’ll take out the White Jade Buddha and send it to Old Madam Wu.”
Gan Ning immediately approved Taishi Ci’s request, requiring Xu Sheng to also participate, with Xu Shu coordinating. Gan Ning directly notified Xu Shu, Taishi Ci, and Xu Sheng in Pengze via carrier pigeon letter.
Gan Ning simultaneously dispatched Qiao An as special envoy to represent him on a mission to Jiangdong.
Lu Su personally saw Qiao An off at the dock, repeatedly instructing him: “The best way to form an alliance is through marriage alliance. If they ask about the possibility of marriage alliance, you must respond very positively. Our lord is very much looking forward to a marriage alliance with Jiangdong. First grasp the big direction, then both sides can sit down and discuss details slowly. Understood?”
“This subordinate understands!”
Lu Su instructed again: “Last time there was Young Lady Xu who stayed at the lord’s residence for over a month. I know the lord likes her very much, but she is not suitable for a marriage alliance with Jiangdong. It must be the sister of the Marquis of Wu. If Lady Wu mentions marriage alliance, it must be the sister of the Marquis of Wu.”
Qiao An nodded solemnly. “Strategist, please rest assured. I have it in mind and will handle it properly.”
