At the End of Ten Years

The gap created by Lu Meng’s collapse was overwhelmingly large for me and Pang De to exploit, who had been waiting for even the smallest opportunity.

The crack revealed from within was torn and widened by external swords and spears, spilling blood like Lu Meng’s coughing up blood.

It was Zhu Ran who took command in place of the fallen Lu Meng. Whether Lu Meng had prepared for contingencies knowing his own condition, the transfer of military authority to Zhu Ran went smoothly.

True to his reputation as a defensive genius who protected Jiangling for life in the original history, Zhu Ran quickly brought the chaos under control and retreated in an orderly manner. We hadn’t intended to pursue in the first place, but even if we had, we wouldn’t have gained much.

“Huh… I thought there were no talents under Sun Quan after Zhou Yu and Gan Ning died, but that was my arrogance.”

While Pang De, like Guan Yu, had strong pride and rarely acknowledged others, it was understandable that he didn’t know much about the Jiangnan region as he was from Liangzhou. Although he had been assigned to Jingzhou, it hadn’t been for long.

More than that, even the generals under me who thought they understood Jiangnan better seemed to agree with Pang De’s words.

It seemed quite shocking that they were blocked by the relatively unknown Zhu Ran, rather than Commander-in-Chief Admiral Lu Meng or Lu Xun whom I had expressed wariness about. The greater their confidence had grown from continuous victories against Cao Cao and Wei, the greater the fall.

But I believe such experiences will be a good lesson to prevent them from falling into arrogance. People often grow more from failure.

After finishing the cleanup of the battlefield, I finally faced a long-missed face.

“Congratulations on your great achievement, Zhang Zhenbei.”

Though his face was covered with fatigue, I responded with a bright smile to his face full of relief and joy.

“It’s thanks to your help, Military Advisor Pang.”

Pang Tong waved his hands, bursting into an embarrassed laugh at my words.

“No, no. Unlike my boastful words, I’m ashamed I couldn’t do more than this.”

“What do you mean ‘couldn’t do more’? You firmly held your position against Sun Quan’s all-out offensive, and even managed to trap part of the enemy army in Jingzhou. Who would belittle your achievement?”

“How is that just my achievement alone? It’s the merit of Shengming in Jiangling city, Fang Yingming in Dangyang County, and Wei Wenzhang who came rushing from afar.”

The conversation continued pleasantly while exchanging courtesies.

The pressure on Gong’an city, which was the last crisis, was resolved, and Sun Quan lost his famous generals Lu Meng, Lu Xun, and Zhang Xun.

Lu Meng is hovering between life and death, Lu Xun is trapped in Jingzhou, and Zhang Xun has died of illness. Now, no matter how hard Sun Quan tries, he can no longer pose a significant threat.

The conclusion of the battle for Jingzhou was approaching. It was confirmed completely by two messengers.

One came from Yizhou, and one came from the Yangtze River.

The envoy from Yizhou was Bi Shi, who had previously visited Guan Yu to deliver the seal of Front General. He carried a personal letter written by Liu Bei himself.

“Military Advisor General Pang Tong is appointed as Grand Minister.”

“I humbly accept the order.”

Almost simultaneously with Liu Bei’s decision to entrust Pang Tong with full authority over this situation, an envoy also arrived from the Yangtze River.

“The Marquis of Wu requests a meeting with His Majesty the King of Hanzhong.”

The final act to conclude the war had risen.

The meeting place was set at the riverside of the Yangtze River in front of Gong’an city.

The main participants were Sun Quan himself and Pang Tong as Liu Bei’s proxy, and it was agreed to keep each side’s accompaniment to a minimum.

Two advisors to assist and two military officers for protection. The ten-person meeting with five from each side began in the early morning as dawn broke.

The lineup on our side was as follows. Bi Shi, who had joined as an envoy sent by Liu Bei, and Ma Chao, whom I recommended, accompanied as advisors, while I and Pang De were selected as guards.

The faces from Sun Quan’s side sitting across the riverside morning mist were not much different from what we had expected.

Centered on Sun Quan, the two advisors standing behind him were Zhu Ran, who had shown excellent command, and Sun Shao, the commander of the follow-up forces. Although I didn’t know Sun Shao’s face, Pang Tong seemed to have grasped his appearance and quietly informed me.

“It’s Pan Zhang. Indeed, his martial prowess was quite impressive.”

One of Sun Quan’s guards was Pan Zhang, with whom we had clashed several times. Pan Zhang, who was as fierce and aggressive as his bad temper, had been impressive, and Pang De nodded in agreement.

However, Pang De’s gaze was directed not at Pan Zhang, who was speaking words of praise, but at the man standing firmly like a benevolent king on the opposite side.

Although it was a face I was seeing for the first time like Sun Shao, I thought I knew his name.

If there was a bodyguard Sun Quan could trust more than anyone else to entrust his side, it could only be him.

“Zhou Tai.”

If Liu Bei had Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and Cao Cao had Zhang Liao and Cao Ren, then Sun Quan had Gan Ning and Zhou Tai. Befitting one of the fierce generals symbolizing Wu’s military might, the atmosphere Zhou Tai exuded was calm like a lake yet had an unfathomable depth.

“About fifty rounds… no, maybe seventy rounds.”

“Would you win?”

“Well, it might be different each time.”

For Pang De to say something like this, his skill must be the real deal.

Just as we were gauging the enemy’s strength, they too were observing us closely.

“I think we’ve seen enough. Let’s sit down now.”

No matter how much he becomes a toothless, clawless tiger in the future, is the child of a tiger still a tiger? Sun Quan saw through the battle of nerves between the generals and forcibly calmed the fighting spirit by intervening in the tense atmosphere.

Liu Bei, who wraps himself in virtue and draws people in with a broad sense of righteousness.

Cao Cao, who overwhelms with intense charisma and dominating control over space.

Sun Quan’s unique authority, somewhat different from the two, yet also like a warlord and a ruler, enveloped the meeting place.

“I am Military Advisor General Pang Tong, entrusted with full authority from His Majesty the King of Hanzhong.”

“We’ve been introduced. Did you think I would have forgotten your face?”

Surprisingly, it was none other than Pang Tong who had carried the coffin containing Zhou Yu’s body.

It’s said that the Wu people of Jiangnan had desperately gathered to hear his discourse after hearing of his reputation, so you can imagine how great a celebrity Pang Tong was.

Although he soon went over to Liu Bei, it wouldn’t have been strange if he had also become acquainted with Sun Quan at that time.

“I should have kept you by my side then.”

“There’s no use discussing the past. Besides, the Marquis still has many talents in his retinue. Even after Gongjin and Zijing passed away, Jiangdong is truly a treasure trove of talents, producing capable people from somewhere.”

“You’re saying empty words you don’t mean. I understand your intention, so just state your demands.”

Well, Pang Tong’s words weren’t wrong.

The history of Wu is a history of premature deaths. Starting with Sun Jian, who became the founder, died suddenly during battle, and Sun Ce, who had properly established the force, died miserably without realizing his ambitions.

It’s not just the leaders. Even Zhou Yu, the gifted child sent by heaven to the Sun family, Lu Meng, his successor who gifted Jingzhou to Wu, Sun Ce’s equal Taishi Ci, and Zhang Xun who died of illness this time – none of them lived past 50.

It’s not for nothing that Wu is said to have a premature death jinx. Yet, seeing how the lineage of top military commanders continues with outstanding generals like Lu Xun, Zhu Ran, and Lu Kang, it’s not wrong to say it’s a treasure trove of talents.

If Wu’s talents had lived long lives without premature deaths, wouldn’t the end of the Three Kingdoms have been different? If we imagine Sun Deng, the prepared crown prince who didn’t die prematurely, ascending to the throne instead of the senile Sun Quan, commanding the five great admirals Zhou Yu, Lu Meng, Lu Su, Lu Xun, and Zhu Ran…

‘That’s a bit terrifying.’

While I was briefly lost in thought, Pang Tong had moved past the pleasantries and was getting to the main point.

“We will return the jurisdiction of Jingzhou to before the Yiyang treaty.”

“You want to take Changsha and Guiyang?”

“Do you object?”

“…Continue.”

“Also, send the children of your important figures to study in Chengdu, and compensate for the resources our country consumed due to this battle.”

“Is that all? Then let me state my conditions.”

Sun Quan spoke with a fierce spirit that seemed more fitting for a military officer, yet with an expression as unchanging as a wax figure.

“Safely send back Lu Bayen and his soldiers stationed in Yiling.”

It’s a natural proposal. This is probably the most important issue for Sun Quan. With Lu Meng’s life uncertain now, the value of Lu Xun, whom Lu Meng had designated as his successor, goes without saying.

“The cession of territory is impossible.”

“Hmm…”

“If you guarantee these two things, I will also send my son.”

Using his own son as a hostage to preserve territory and troops. Although we didn’t intend to push Sun Quan too far, this seems too easy.

From Sun Quan’s perspective, it’s not entirely incomprehensible. Currently, the areas he occupies are Yangzhou, Jiaozhou, and the three commanderies of Jiangxia, Changsha, and Guiyang in Jingzhou.

If Guiyang and Changsha are taken away, it will also hinder his control over Jiaozhou, so for Sun Quan, those Changsha and Guiyang are not simply two commanderies but represent greater value.

Moreover, how would Sun Quan’s prestige fare if he returns having lost territory after rushing in so boldly? It’s already difficult to achieve proper centralization with the strong character of a coalition of local powers, and it will only become more difficult in the future.

So Sun Quan has no choice but to play the strong card of sending his son as a hostage to avoid this.

“Of course, it won’t be your eldest son, are you planning to send your second son?”

“I only have two children yet. The age gap is only 4 years. Thinking that way, it’s not a bad proposal.”

Wu’s premature deaths were famous even in that era. You could say there was a perception that it was a difficult land to live in. Although it later becomes a prosperous land with big cities like Hong Kong, Macau, and Shanghai springing up like mushrooms, at this time, Jiangnan was just beginning to be developed.

Considering that most of the premature deaths were due to illness, no one knows what will happen to Sun Quan’s eldest son Sun Deng, who is still young. And if Sun Deng dies, only Sun Quan’s second son Sun Lü remains as his successor.

Of course, he will have sons quite often starting with the third son who is more than 10 years younger, but that’s how it was at this time.

“Alright. We will send you a list of the study group to be sent to our country, and when they arrive, we will return those trapped in Jingzhou.”

“That’s too late.”

“We can’t concede any further. And we will include the resources to be consumed by them in the compensation.”

“…I understand.”

“And, regarding the most important matter of territory…”

“Isn’t that enough!”

Look at this. The thief is angry, as they say. He invaded first, got beaten, and now he’s acting like this.

Sun Quan stood up abruptly and fumed, as if to emphasize how truly angry he was. Pang Tong spoke clearly with an unruffled posture:

“Please sit down. Or I will take it as withdrawing from this negotiation.”

If one could curse with their eyes, it would be like this. Sun Quan glared at Pang Tong with blazing eyes and clenched his teeth. His masseter muscles bulged out, tensed with force.

But in the end, Sun Quan had no choice but to sit down again.

“We won’t ask for territory. And if necessary, we can immediately return the 10,000 soldiers under Lu Xun.”

“Is that true?”

“Of course, there are conditions.”

“Speak quickly. I’m ready to listen!”

It’s a fiery change of attitude. Yes, to become the ruler of Wu, the land of betrayal, one needs to be at least this much.

It was an attitude befitting the destroyer of the Three Kingdoms through Chibi, Yiling, and the Rebellion of the Erzhong Palace, who would later hold a grand festival of backstabbing with the Rebellion of the Erzhong Palace that completely shattered Wu.

“Lead the returned army and attack Hefei.”

“Hefei…? I heard you had concluded a ceasefire agreement with Cao Cao.”

“That’s our country, not you, Marquis. Now is the opportune time, before the return of the Seven Armies has been completed, and before Cao Cao stabilizes Wei, which is in chaos due to successive rebellions.”

Sun Quan swallowed hard and seriously considered Pang Tong’s proposal before asking:

“Will you return Bayen as well?”

“That’s difficult. We’ll return Lu Xun after the study group arrives.”

Wei is still stronger than us, and we no longer have the capacity to wage war.

We weighed the benefits of abandoning the ceasefire and attacking the chaotic Wei against the losses from squeezing out already scarce resources.

We judged that the latter was greater. Attack requires far more manpower and resources than defense.

Moreover, we couldn’t ignore the reversal of alliances that occurred during this battle for Jingzhou.

But it’s too regrettable to let go of the best opportunity to eat away at Wei’s power like this.

So Pang Tong brought up Sun Quan’s attack on Hefei as a way to resolve these two concerns at once.

Would Wei look kindly upon Sun Quan, who attacked them at their weakest moment? Probably, unless we truly become stronger than Wei, it will be difficult for Sun Quan and Wei to join hands again.

Pang Tong’s proposal is also a threat to show the will to completely sever relations with Wei.

“My lord, this is the strategy of borrowing a knife to kill someone.”

Zhu Ran spoke gravely. Although Sun Quan often shows weakness in war, he is a person with a ruler’s insight. He would understand what strategy we are aiming for.

Before they could try to find any way around it, Pang Tong drove in the final nail.

“You must give it your all. If you truly wish to discuss the world, that is.”

Losing in Jingzhou and then losing to a staggering Wei? From then on, he would have to worry more about internal issues than external ones. The ruling power would be doubted, and the local powers plotting rebellion internally.

“Fine. If a man has drawn his sword, he must cut something, mustn’t he? I’ll follow the proposal. I, Sun Zhongmou, will become your blade.”

The strategy of borrowing a knife to kill someone. Sun Quan decided to willingly become that knife.

Watching the negotiation being concluded, I was immersed in a sentiment that only I could feel, which no one else could understand.

The war had ended. Finally. Without anyone dying, without losing anything.

The moment I had been envisioning since I decided to live as Zhang Ran 10 years ago.

It was the finale of the battle for Jingzhou that I had drawn.