Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1594: Chapter 1536: Zhou Yu Makes Wedding Clothes for Others

Zhou Yu felt a bit bewildered. After painstakingly annihilating the Northern Huns’ elite cavalry, he then led over ten thousand troops from the Wuhuan who had surrendered to him, among them around five thousand cavalry.

Put simply, if these troops and horses were considered under his command, Zhou Yu had already broken even. Fine warhorses sold inland at a low price of sixty thousand coins each, and with six to seven thousand horses added up, it would amount to around three to four hundred million coins.

This was almost enough to cover the cost of resources. With a little more effort, it essentially became a surefire business, yet now, what was this strange situation?

”Hohoho, I never expected it to be the former Governor of Youzhou.” Zhou Yu feigned a smile and said to Liu Yu, expressing his wish to kill someone now that the Wuhuan he had secured ran away like they had met their own father upon seeing Liu Yu.

”Gongjin, it’s been many years. In those days in Luoyang, when the Prefect and Grand Commandant were still there, you were just a youngster, yet now you’re renowned across the land, truly not disappointing the Prefect of Luoyang’s praises of you back then,” Liu Yu said with a smile, looking at Zhou Yu.

Over ten years ago, when Liu Yu was an official in Luoyang, Zhou Yu’s father was still alive, serving as the Prefect of Luoyang. His uncle was the Grand Commandant, and his grandfather had also been a Grand Commandant at one time. Zhou Yu was one of the most high-ranking young nobles of the Han Dynasty back then.

However, unlike the progeny of court officials like Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, Zhou Yu showed no signs of a dandyish nature as a child. Thus the Zhou family was very proud of Zhou Yu, and Zhou Yii didn’t hesitate to praise him. Liu Yu had also worked alongside them, so he was aware of these things.

Yet, for this boy to grow to this extent was beyond anyone’s expectations, even though there had been predictions that Zhou Yu wouldn’t be inferior to his father and grandfather. But the current situation was somewhat frightening.

In just over a decade, Zhou Yu had just turned twenty, yet his achievements had already surpassed those of his ancestors.

”What is Duke Bo’an doing here?” Zhou Yu paused, choosing not to bicker with Liu Yu, as he already had some guesses but chose to make idle conversation.

”To pacify the Huns. You still know the world of the Han Dynasty, and how can we of the imperial clan not know?” Liu Yu said with a smile. ”These Wuhuan, I’m afraid you’ve already seen with your own eyes—they are the last move I prepared.”

”The Han Dynasty is still the Han Dynasty.” Zhou Yu nodded in agreement. ”Is it only you, Duke Bo’an?”

”Chen Zichuan has already gathered the main Wuhuan forces, and now he is likely leading three thousand troops under the guise of training to pacify the Northern Huns in Lelang. Then, in my name, he gathered all the Wuhuan in Lelang,” Liu Yu said with a smile, as Zhou Yu fell visibly silent.

”Has Chen Zichuan come as well?” Zhou Yu rubbed his temples, feeling a slight headache. ”Is his target the Northern Huns’ camp?”

”Indeed, he has already identified the Northern Huns’ camp location,” Liu Yu said admiringly. ”Gongjin, what is your choice?”

”Chen Zichuan probably had this in mind from the start, but he ran into you who had more strength available,” Zhou Yu said coldly. ”Those previous ships, or military supplies, were likely used to entice us. However, since he wants me to see his military prowess, why shouldn’t I look?”

”Hahaha, with these words, heading north becomes much easier,” Liu Yu said with satisfaction. When Chen Xi told him earlier, Liu Yu had been skeptical, not expecting Zhou Yu to answer so easily.

”But our army is entirely infantry, and they aren’t trained for cavalry battles. How can we charge?” Zhou Yu posed the most critical question to Liu Yu.

”Chen Xi already had a solution,” Liu Yu said, bringing over a horse, complete with a saddle and stirrups. Zhou Yu needed only a glance to understand.

”Presumably, Chen Zichuan arriving will still take several days, and those days are meant for us of Eastern Wu to learn horse riding,” Zhou Yu said, his face darkening, realizing he seemed to be playing right into Chen Xi’s plans.

”That’s right. Chen Zichuan says it’s unnecessary to learn mounted archery, just being able to ride is enough. Disembark at the location and fight; you just need to shoot arrows,” Liu Yu said cheerfully.

”...” Zhou Yu looked at Liu Yu. ”Is there anything more to say?”

”There are just five days. Within these five days, you need to learn to ride. Just keep up. If you can’t learn, you’ll have to abandon it and travel with the aristocratic families,” Liu Yu said, watching Zhou Yu.

[This Chen Zichuan fellow seems to know what I’m going to ask.] Zhou Yu thought gravely, feeling an increasing apprehension towards Chen Xi.

”Gongjin, practice well. There are many bows and arrows among the supplies Zichuan brought. Earlier, I was curious about why the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, which clearly didn’t need bows and arrows, brought so many arrows,” Liu Yu said, patting Zhou Yu on the shoulder.

[The Northern Huns’ camp, now that Chen Zichuan has found it, presuming my assessment, the Northern Huns’ defense is extremely cautious. How could he have gotten this intelligence? Even if he prepared well in advance, it shouldn’t be this quick.] Zhou Yu pondered seriously.

That Chen Xi had maps of the North came as no surprise to Zhou Yu. Precisely, the sages of various factions had all pretty much guessed this.

But to presume the Northern Huns’ encampment based solely on maps is what’s fascinating. Zhou Yu couldn’t believe it. Would Chen Xi undertake such a task without certainty?

So Chen Xi must have something about the Northern Huns’ camp that could absolutely convince himself, which is the only reason Chen Xi would resolutely undertake it.

[It seems he must have additional intelligence, or there must exist some kind of discrepancy between us. I hope it’s not the latter.] Zhou Yu thought with increasing wariness.

”Cheng Pu, Wen Pin, Li Yan, each of you lead archers to practice riding. We have only five days and need to train at least seven thousand archers who can ride. Otherwise, in the upcoming battle, we can only provide support.” After Liu Yu left, Zhou Yu turned and instructed the three men.

”Should we collaborate with Chen Zichuan?” Li Yan furrowed his brow and said, ”I’m somewhat concerned that he might have ulterior motives towards us.”

”You can rest assured; he won’t go that far, and I am here,” Zhou Yu said with a smile, though beneath, a shadow loomed over his heart.

[Chen Xi only brought three thousand cavalry to Lelang, meaning he has absolute confidence that the Northern Huns will not be his match. Rather than scheming against us, Zichuan’s target likely lies elsewhere.] Zhou Yu thought quietly.

At this moment, having just crushed the Northern Huns’ elite cavalry, Chen Xi had no idea Zhou Yu had narrowly guessed part of his plan.

Compared to Sun Ce and Cao Cao’s intentions of striking the Huns, for Liu Bei, it was more akin to a display of martial force for Chen Xi.

In the Central Plains, constrained by various factors and unable to act fiercely against his own people, arriving in foreign lands, with everyone involved, is also the time to make everyone understand the differences, prompting the Feudal Lords to follow their steps. Besides sincerity, the key is strength!