Sun Quan waited for two hours at Ruxuwu, but did not wait for Jiangxia's warship to approach. Later, Lu Su explained the reason after returning.

Gan Ning returned to Jingzhou for a legitimate reason and failed to get rid of the guy who made him embarrassed. Sun Quan was a little disappointed after hearing this, but he couldn't pursue a backstab at this time, which would leave Liu Bei with an excuse.

Lu Su was secretly glad that he heard the news last night, otherwise he would have become an accomplice if he foolishly invited someone to destroy the Sun-Liu alliance today.

With Lu Su's wisdom, he certainly knew that Liu Bei's hero would sooner or later be the roadblock for Jiangdong to seize the world. However, the pros and cons must be weighed based on priorities. Cao Cao must not add another enemy before his strength is weakened.

Lu Su was honest and trustworthy, and Sun Quan had no doubt about him.

The friendly forces had withdrawn, and Sun Quan turned his attention to Cao Cao.

The two armies continued to confront each other at Ruxukou. Cao Cao relied on the continuous supply of grain and grass from the rear, and ordered Zhu Guang, the prefect of Lujiang, to farm on the front line, intending to fight Sun Quan for a long time. Sun Quan waited for the right time according to Chen Wu's advice.

During this period, Sun Quan sent people back to Jianye to rest and recuperate, and also went to the rear to raise and escort military supplies.

February has just entered, and the spring rain is like crisp.

One evening, Sun Quan, accompanied by Lu Meng, inspected the camp and found that the soldiers' bowls had too much soup and not enough rice. The faces of these Jiangdong men were full of food.

"Ziming, Chen Wu, and Pan Zhang have sent food in succession. Why do the soldiers eat so poorly?" Sun Quan asked in confusion when he walked outside the camp.

Lu Meng shook his head and said: "The general doesn't know that Zibu (Zhang Zhao) is in charge of military supplies. Maybe he is deliberately saving rations? After all, these tens of thousands of people consume a lot of money every day."

Lu Meng knew too well that the family was not in good hands. At that time, he was wasting military rations with Lai Gong in Jiaozhou, so he forced himself back to Jiangdong. Cao Cao was sitting on several states in the north, so it was hard to say how much food Jiangdong would consume.

Sun Quan nodded slightly and did not continue the topic. When he returned to the dock, he immediately summoned Zhang Zhao for questioning.

Zhang Zhao said calmly: "It is true that I have reduced my food rations. Although the spring rain has fallen, it will take some time for the water level of Chao Lake to rise sharply. If we don't tighten our food and clothing, the future will be difficult."

"But when the soldiers are treated so harshly, where will the battle morale come from when the troops are actually needed?" Sun Quan asked worriedly.

Zhang Zhao smiled bitterly: "Last year, there was a large area of ​​borer infestation in the south, and the rice production in various counties and places was greatly reduced. The military rations we eat are all from the past. It is good to have a bite to eat. My lord, you must remember that kindness does not lead to troops."

Sun Quan was not a frugal person, nor was he kind to his soldiers. He just wanted to keep his fighting spirit high and defeat Cao Cao when the water in Chao Lake rose.

"It would be nice if it rained harder..." Sun Quan walked to the window, and the rain was pattering outside.

Zhang Zhaojin said: "Cao Cao is in his twilight years and has become more and more stable. It is difficult to have another big defeat like Chibi. Even if my lord waits until the water in Chao Lake rises, Cao Cao's army cannot stay where they are. They can retreat to high ground."

We can just do it everywhere, so we may not necessarily be able to kill many enemies."

Sun Quan suddenly turned around. He only thought that the water in Chao Lake would surge and Jiangdong's warships could sail unimpeded. He did not expect that Cao Cao could withdraw before the water rose. This would be a waste of money and food for both armies.

"Fortunately, Zibu reminded me. Is there any clever plan to help me?" Sun Quan asked.

Zhang Zhao thought for a while and replied: "In the past two months of Shouchun, the refugees from Lujiang fled to Jiangdong, bringing with them a valuable rumor. I also heard it mentioned by the soldiers transporting food."

"What's the rumor?"

"Xun Lingjun, whom Cao Cao relied on, was forced to commit suicide by Cao's thieves in Shouchun..."

Sun Quan's eyes widened when he heard this, and he asked in disbelief: "I heard that Xun Yu has the talent of being a king's assistant. How could Cao Cao force him to death? Do you want to cut off his own arm?"

Zhang Zhao shook his head, "As I said just now, Cao Cao is now in his twilight years. He not only has to consider the immediate things, but also many things behind his back. It seems that someone asked Cao Cao to become a prince, but Xun Yu did not understand the current affairs and raised objections.

, that’s why it ended like this..."

Sun Quan understands Cao Cao very well. With the power and reputation that the other party currently holds, isn't it easy to capture the Duke of Jinjue? Xun Yu's move is indeed contrary to the way of a minister. His brother Sun Ce was just a general in the end, and he is now a chariot rider.

General, maybe you can learn from Cao Cao and take a step further in the future?

"What does Zibu mean when he mentions Xun Yu's story..."

"Cao Cao will not take risks now. If my lord informs Chaohu Lake that the water is rising, do you think he will withdraw his troops early?"

Sun Quan frowned, "Tell Cao Cao such important military information?"

"Hahaha, everyone around here knows this. Even if my lord doesn't say anything now, how can he hide it from Cao Cao? Since we are not absolutely sure of annihilating the enemy, why should we imitate Lu Ziming and waste food?" Zhang Zhao asked back.

"Can traitor Cao really retreat?" Sun Quan asked again.

Zhang Zhao nodded and said: "It's at least 70% possible, but if my lord can agree with Cao Cao's joining the nobility, now that Xun Yu, who opposed it, is dead, will he still not want to return?"

Sun Quan's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he thought that Zhang Zibu was still very good at understanding people's hearts. The opportunity to become a Duke was right in front of him, who could resist? So he immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Cao Ying.

Now that Xun Yu has committed suicide, the mastermind Xun You has been ill for the past two years and did not follow Sun Quan in the eastward expedition this time. For the rest of the day, Chen and other great nobles did not express their objections. Cao Cao was itching to join Wei Gong and only waited to defeat Sun Quan.

Just go back and do some work.

Cao Cao was very surprised when he received a letter written by Sun Quan. This young man actually reminded him? There were only eight simple words in the letter: spring water brings prosperity, and the public should leave quickly.

Cao Cao was fascinated by the eight words. Jiang Ji, who was sitting at the bottom, reminded: "Prime Minister, there seems to be writing on the back of the letter."

Cao Cao turned over the letter, which also contained eight plain words: Congratulations to the Prime Minister on entering the public country.

"Congratulations, Prime Minister, for entering the public country, what do you mean by Sun Quan's son?" Cao Cao raised the letter and asked doubtfully.

Jiang Ji said happily: "Sun Cheqi invites you to join the Duke of Wei. Your lord's majesty has shocked the enemy chieftains, and he has been welcomed by everyone."

"Prime Minister, everyone expects this." The ministers, led by Jiang Ji, shouted in unison.

Dong Zhao, the chief historian on the side, had his eyebrows stretched. When the time comes, he persuades Sun Quan to be the first in the ranking table. After all, he is a chariot general of the Han Dynasty. It is more justifiable for the prime minister to be promoted to the nobility.

Cao Cao saw that the civil and military officials were so excited, and it seemed that everyone could not wait in a hurry, so he thought about retreating. After asking about the situation in detail, he learned that the water level of Chao Lake had risen after the beginning of spring, and the vast area between Qibao Mountain and Ruxu Mountain

It will be submerged, and the waters of Chaohu Lake will expand to the vicinity of Ruxushui mouth.

In the previous battles, Cao Cao's ships suffered heavy losses, so Cao Cao decisively ordered his troops to withdraw and return to the north. He also ordered all the people in the counties and counties bordering the Yangtze River to the east to move into the Central Plains to prevent Sun Quan from harassing the southeastern border, and to maintain a strong posture to clear the country.

When the people heard about it, they panicked. More than 100,000 households, with their young and old in tow, fled to Jiangdong, Lujiang, Jiujiang, and Guangling.
Chapter completed!