Jiangdong, Chaisang Camp.

Sun Ce looked at the map of Jingzhou and Xiang in front of him. He had captured Jiangxia once, but unfortunately he lost Jiangxia because of Lu Bu. Over the years, Sun has always been a little undecided about whether to capture Jingzhou or Jianghuai.

Going to Jianghuai means that Jiangdong must give up the advantage of the navy and fight Cao's army who is good at plain warfare in the vast wilderness; taking Jiangdong, to a large extent, means giving up the Central Plains, especially now that Chen and Cao are launching an all-out war.

Under the circumstances, Sun Ce was given only one chance to choose.

Taking Jingzhou is relatively easy, and Jingzhou is surrounded by the Han River, with vertical and horizontal waterways, and mountains and rivers for defense. If he can capture Nanyang together, Sun Ce will be able to defend it with Jingzhou and Yangzhou alone.

, the ability to fight against the Central Plains, even if he can't get Nanyang, as long as Jiangxia and Nanjun can succeed, it will be better for Sun Ce than staying in a corner of Jiangdong.

According to the strategy proposed by Zhou Yu and Lu Su to Sun Ce, first take Jingzhou, march westward to Bashu, and then unite the Xiliang Qiang people and many martyrs who are dissatisfied with Chen Mo's atrocities to annex Guanzhong. This is the most suitable strategy for Jiangdong. If you advance into the Central Plains and just defend, Jiangdong will be destroyed.

You have to invest most of your energy.

In terms of national strength, although Sun Ce supported Liu Ji and established the Jiangdong court, he tied Jiangdong and Jingzhou together and was no match for Chen Mo and Cao Cao. Now that the two tigers are fighting, if they can fight Chen Mo and Cao Cao

Before deciding whether to win or lose, go to Jingzhou first, and then occupy the geographical advantage first. Then you can watch the battle between Chen and Cao. If both sides lose, then take advantage of the situation to attack Nanyang. If Chen Mo is strong, then attack Bashu first. But the Central Plains cannot be taken lightly.

move.

Sun Ce had attacked Guangling, Huainan and other places several times before, and Chen Deng could be said to be powerful before. But after Chen Deng's death, even if Sun Ce accidentally captured some places, they would be recaptured soon.

It's not that Sun Ce is incompetent, but Jiangdong Army's strength in land warfare is really not comparable to Cao's army. Even the generals of Jiangdong Army are more adapted to water warfare. It's okay to bully ordinary generals at the level of land warfare, but

When meeting the general of Cao's army, it was a bit inferior.

This shortcoming is not too obvious in a land with waterways like the Jianghuai River, but the further north you go, the greater the disadvantage becomes. Now Jiangdong does not have the time and conditions to form a specialized land warfare army, and as for the cavalry, it is even more difficult.

think.

Only Jingzhou could take advantage of the Jiangdong Army's naval warfare, so this time, Zhou Yu and Lu Su suggested that Sun Ce agree to Cao Cao's alliance.

The difference is that Cao Cao asked Sun Ce to directly send troops to Nanyang to cooperate with the attack after capturing Jiangxia. However, on Sun Ce's side, Zhou Yu and Lu Su's view was to ignore the war in the Central Plains and annex Jingzhou first before talking about anything else, but to give up on the war.

The attack on the Jianghuai land also allowed Cao Cao to fight Chen Mo with all his strength.

Everyone does not interfere with each other. As for who will benefit in the end, it depends on each other's methods.

As for taking Jingzhou, Sun Ce was still somewhat confident. Huang Zu was already dead. If he sent troops this time, Jingzhou would probably win with Cai Hao as the commander-in-chief.

"Gong Jin, this time I cross the river, I plan to cross Jiangxia directly and attack Jiangling first!" Sun Ce clicked on the map, suddenly raised his head, looked at Zhou Yu and said, "What do you think Gong Jin?"

"Is it too risky?" Zhou Yu looked at the map and frowned.

The advantage of water warfare is that you can ignore the terrain, and you can kill directly as long as you are near the water, and supplies are more convenient and faster than on land, but you can't fight wherever you want.

Sun Ce's purpose is very clear. Jiangling is an important town in Nanjun. Although there is no definite information yet, it must be where the Jingzhou Army stores weapons, food and grass. If Jiangling can be captured in one battle, it will be equivalent to detaining the Jingzhou Army.

Achilles heel.

However, there are several ferries along the way. Let’s not talk about whether Jiangling City can be conquered in one battle due to its strong strength. Just take Jiangxia as an example. The Jiangdong navy went upstream to attack Jiangling with great strength. It would be easy for Jiangxia’s Jingzhou Army to attack Jiangling.

This will block the retreat route of the Jiangdong navy and cut off supplies. If the navy that goes to attack Jiangling cannot break through Jiangling in the first time, they will be trapped to death.

"Otherwise, with Cai Mao as a man, he will definitely defend to the death. How dare he come to fight me on the river?" Sun Ce smiled when he heard this.

Zhou Yu suddenly understood: "Bo Fu said it bluntly, why bother to make such detours?"

The ultimate goal was still Jiangxia, but the method was changed. Instead of attacking by force in the past, it was replaced by attracting Cai Mao to lead the navy. When the time came, the counterattack was suddenly replaced by flowing down the river to directly attack the Jingzhou navy.

Sun Ce's accomplishments in water warfare meant that unless a miracle occurred, Cai Mao would definitely be defeated.

"I have calculated that on the first day of November, there will be an east wind. I will borrow the wind to go west. When the east wind stops, I will go down the river and catch him off guard!" Sun Ce said with a smile.

Although the northwest wind is mostly blowing this winter, the east wind will occasionally blow. Sun Ce has been preparing for a long time in Chaisang. Most of the local farmers know the approximate time when the east wind blows. Since Sun Ce has made this plan, he has naturally already known the approximate direction of the nearest wind.

Find out.

Zhou Yu looked at the map, nodded and said: "I will secretly lead a group of troops, and while you are fighting with the Jingzhou navy, I will take the opportunity to seize Xiakou and cut off its return route!"

"Good!" Sun Ce punched Zhou Yu in the chest: "The one who knows me is Gong Jin!"

The plan has been decided, and the next step is to wait for the east wind to blow up.

However, on Jiazi Day, Sun Ce had already brought all the warships to the ferry and was preparing to travel. Above the Yangtze River, it was a rare sunny day. The sky was clear, not to mention the wind, and there was not a single cloud in sight.

"Lord, we haven't seen the wind blowing yet!" Zhou Tai came to Sun Ce anxiously, frowning and said, "How about we wait and leave directly?"

"Not at all." Sun Ce leisurely held the side of the boat and looked at the river view: "I didn't discuss with Cai Mao when to send troops. Even if it is later, it won't be a problem."

This strategy is to take the east wind as a signal, ride the wind, and turn back when the wind stops. Zhou Yu also issues orders according to the changes in the east wind. Without the east wind, this plan will be difficult to implement. Anyway, for these few days, Sun Ce is not in a hurry.

"Here!" Zhou Tai heard this and didn't ask any more questions. After bowing, he turned and left.

Time passed like this bit by bit until evening. Sun Ce sat cross-legged on the board of the boat with a flag hanging down in front of him. The flag fluttered occasionally, but the wind was not strong enough.

The soldiers all around were also a little sluggish. In the morning, their morale was still high, but after spending a day on the river, their morale had already waned.

"Lord, are you still waiting?" Jiang Qin turned over from another boat, ran to Sun Ce, bowed and asked.

Sun Ce picked up the flag, waved it, and said helplessly: "Let's take a look at it tomorrow and withdraw our troops."

"Here!" Jiang Qin agreed and stood up to withdraw his troops, but when he turned around, a gust of cold wind blew in his face, making Jiang Qin pause.

"Slow down!" Sun Ce suddenly stopped Jiang Qin, looking at the flag fluttering in the wind in his hand, a flash of excitement flashed in his eyes.

"Lord..." Jiang Qin turned around, looked at the flag in Sun Ce's hand, and smiled. The wind he had been waiting for all day finally came.

"Command to the three armies, light the torches for me!" Sun Ce couldn't help laughing.

"Here!"

Suddenly, the sails of the ships were raised one after another, and the soldiers became energetic and quickly pulled out the anchors. Under the command of Sun Ce, the fleet set sail from Chaisang in a mighty way and followed the east wind upstream.

When Jiangdong's fleet passed by Xiakou, such a large fleet was all lit with torches. How could he not notice it and report it to Cai Mao immediately?

"Is Jiangdong's army attacking?" Cai Mao heard that Jiangdong's navy was attacking. He quickly changed his color and stood up to ask.

Could this Sun Lang want to attack at night?

"We have not." The general bowed and said: "The Jiangdong fleet did not stop here, but went upstream. It seems that it is not coming to attack Xiakou."

"Isn't it Xiakou?" Cai Hao frowned, thinking about the ferries and cities along the river. His expression suddenly changed: "No, then Sun Lang must be heading to Jiangling. He immediately ordered people to set off beacon fire and notify the people along the river.

The water village is preparing for war, we must not let that Sun Lang succeed!"

Jiangling is an important place in Nanjun and even the entire Jingzhou. It stores a large amount of grain, weapons, and armor. If Jiangling is lost, half of Nanjun and even Jiangxia will be destroyed.

"Here!" the general agreed and turned around to deliver the order.

Cai Mao was pacing in the tent. This Sun Ce was really brave. He dared to capture Jiangling directly. However, Jiangling was not so easy to capture. As long as he was on guard, Jiangdong thought too much about capturing Jiangling.

Um?

Cai Hao's footsteps suddenly stopped, he pinched his beard under his chin and thought, suddenly raised his head, looked outside the camp and shouted: "Here comes someone!"

"General!" A personal guard came in and saluted Cai Mao.

"Pass my military order to dispatch all the ships in Xiakou, put the five ships across the river and tie them up with ropes. The other warships will follow behind the ships and cut off the Jiangdong Army's retreat!" Cai Mao said with a smile, this battle

, he wants to destroy Jiangdong's elite, Sun Ce is brave, but he is just a reckless man. In this way, the way back is cut off, no matter who goes to Jiangling, there will be no return. After this battle

, let’s see if Sun Lang still dares to take advantage of Jingzhou!

"Here!" The guard received the order and immediately turned around to deliver the order. Cai Mao also used his building and boat. In his opinion, this battle was a must-win battle. He just took this opportunity to become famous and let others know.

Liu Bei is not the only one who can win this battle in Jingzhou.

Cai Mao was very fast, and Xia Kou's unusual movements were quickly discovered by Zhou Yu's sentinel nearby, who immediately went to report to Zhou Yu.

"If we go with the attack and go against it, after this battle, the Jingzhou navy will no longer be able to fight against me in Jiangdong, and Jiangxia will be at our fingertips!" Zhou Yu looked at Lu Su and the generals beside him and said with a smile.

"Gong Jin, when will we send out troops?" Cheng Pu looked at Zhou Yu. Although he did not obey Zhou Yu, since Sun Ce asked Zhou Yu to take charge of the overall situation, he had to listen.

"As soon as the east wind stops, we will send troops immediately." Zhou Yu said with a smile: "Generals, go and prepare. I will not only fight Xiakou, but also the entire Jiangxia!"
Chapter completed!