Chapter 437 The Final Struggle

What should be done?

The officials in Jiangdong looked at each other in confusion when facing Sun Quan's question.

Surrender?

It is definitely unwilling. Lu Bu's dominance over the scholars has already been a good example in the Central Plains. Even though Cao Cao is living well under Lu Bu, the Central Plains nobles are really miserable. Their wealth is basically confiscated, and their status may be A little bit, but it's impossible to think about it being the same as before.

"Lord, why don't you surrender?" One person looked at Sun Quan and asked tentatively.

"What is a false surrender?" Sun Quan asked.

"Let's pretend to surrender first and fill Moling City with fire starters. After Lu Bu enters the city, we will set fire to the city. As long as Lu Bu dies, the Central Plains will be in chaos. Then our army can take advantage of the situation!"

Sun Quan frowned. If this plan was to succeed, the entire Moling would have to be burned down. Let alone whether it could succeed or not, even if it succeeded, who would be responsible for this debt? How will he secure his position as the Lord of Jiangdong in the future? Will this incident become a reason for others to take advantage of me in the future?

Moreover, this strategy itself seems very stupid. Others have already hit the door. Where can you prepare all these fire starters? Would Lu Bu be that stupid to fall for your plan?

"Lord, Moling can no longer be defended. It is better to retreat to Wu County." Gu Yong hesitated for a moment and then came out: "The northerners are not used to the climate of our Jiangdong. If he enters Jiangdong, he may be defeated without attacking!"

The climate in Jiangdong is very different from that in the north, and even a plague may occur. Now it is unrealistic to rely on them to defeat Lu Bu. It is better to delay and see if the climate in Jiangdong can drag Lu Bu to death.

Sun Quan frowned. Obviously, except for Zhang Zhao, even now, the Jiangdong nobles are still unwilling to surrender to Lu Bu.

No one said anything, so Sun Ce couldn't just declare his surrender. He frowned and thought for a moment and said, "Then Yuan Tan will take charge of this matter. In addition, we will send people to discuss it with the court. I, Jiangdong, am willing to surrender, but I don't know if the court can agree." !”

The surrender here is obviously not a surrender, but a nominal attachment to Lu Bu. However, a group of Jiangdong civil and military officials did not think that this could be done. They secretly laughed at Sun Quan's naivety. After all, Lu Bu had already invaded Jiangdong. If you tell him this now, will he agree?

However, now that Sun Quan was willing to continue fighting, everyone was satisfied and immediately comforted Sun Quan, telling him not to worry.

However, what everyone did not expect was that just when everyone thought that Sun Quan would actively prepare for the war and retreat to Wu Commandery and Kuaiji with them after being beaten by Lu Bu, on the night Gao Shun led his troops to Moling, Jiang Qin suddenly opened the city gate and welcomed Gao Shun into the city.

That night, countless Jiangdong civil and military officials were shocked and hurriedly came to Sun Quan to protect Sun Quan and evacuate. However, what greeted them were Sun Quan's personal guards and Zhou Tai's cold steel sword.

"My lord has presented the Jiangdong household register to the Taiwei. Now that things have happened, I advise you not to resist!" Zhou Tai held a steel knife and looked at these people coldly.

Until this time, everyone woke up from a dream. Their feelings for Sun Quan had declined. They had been kept in the dark. They were angry and anxious. Someone shouted: "Zhou Tai, let the lord come to see us. Who are you?" , An dare to stop it!”

Zhou Tai didn't say anything, he just pointed the knife to the ground and looked at these people coldly, as if he was ready to fight at any time.

At this time, a group of Jiangdong civil and military officials were helpless. Sun Quan wanted to stabilize them. At this time, even if they wanted to retaliate against Sun Quan, it was too late. Gao Shun had already led his army into the city.

A group of Jiangdong civil and military officials could only yell and curse. Some fled Moling with their families and retreated to Wujun, Kuaiji and other places, while others stayed and wanted to surrender with Sun Quan.

After Gao Shun entered the city, his troops were divided into two groups. One group cleared out the stubborn enemies in the city, while the other group quickly occupied key areas with the help of Jiang Qin. On the Jiangdong side, due to Sun Quan's surrender, there were also Zhou Tai and Jiang Because of the two generals Qin, only a few generals launched resistance, but it could not affect the overall situation. By dawn the next day, Moling had basically been occupied by Gao Shun.

With Moling and Niuzhu, and the Jiangdong Navy destroyed, troops from Jiangbei were sent to Jiangdong in a steady stream. Under the auspices of Gao Shun, Hua Xiong, and Xu Rong, they quickly advanced and captured various parts of Jiangdong.

Although the area of ​​Jiangdong is vast, the cities are basically built along the river. The surrender forces led by Sun Quan lead the way. In addition, the Guanzhong Army has strict military discipline and did not commit any crimes in Minqiu. Not to mention that the people of Jiangdong lined the road to greet them, at least there was no big show. resistance, the people will not provoke the Guanzhong Army at will.

By the time Lu Bu took Cao Cao and others across the river to formally accept Sun Quan's surrender, Danyang and Wu counties had all fallen under Lu Bu's control.

After receiving Sun Quan, he was naturally comforted and asked Sun Quan to send a letter to Yuzhang County to ask the Jiangdong soldiers guarding there to surrender as soon as possible.

In fact, even without this letter, Yu Zhang could no longer bear it.

On the river, Huang Zhong led the Jingzhou Navy to madly attack Chai Sang's water village in order to perform meritorious service. He Qi and Lu Ming were a little frightened in the face of this old man. It can be said that the outcome was not decided between the two sides.

However, the real trouble was Zhang Liao's army coming from Guiyang. They attacked the city and territory along the way. Lu Meng tried to gather troops to stop the enemy three times in a row, but was defeated by Zhang Liao, Wei Yan, and Pang De. The navy had not yet achieved results, but Zhang Liao's The army is about to kill Chaisang City.

At this time, Sun Quan's letter of surrender was sent, and Lu Meng couldn't accept it.

"The governor is dead!?" Lu Meng couldn't accept this. Zhou Yu was an invincible existence in Lu Meng's heart. Now he died in the chaos like this. This was not the ending that Zhou Yu deserved!

"Ziming, prepare to surrender!" He Qi frowned and glanced at Lu Meng. The situation was already obvious. Even without this letter from Sun Quan, they wouldn't be able to hold on for long. What they could do has been done. Since the trend is unstoppable, , why bother to resist?

"Why!?" Lu Meng said angrily: "We have worked hard to train our troops for these years, and now our lord wants us to surrender with just one word? If so, why do we need to train our troops, why do we have to fight? Why do we have to surrender after the governor dies?"

"Since it is a war, casualties are inevitable. You and I are both generals, so you should know this!" He Qi frowned and looked at Lu Meng, who seemed to be a little excited.

"We haven't lost yet!" Lu Meng snorted coldly. He was ready to fight again. Regardless of He Qi's dissuasion, he led his elite troops out of the camp that night to attack Zhang Liao's camp.

Although Zhang Liao did not expect that Lu Meng would come to attack at this time, he immediately counterattacked after reacting. The Jiangdong soldiers who broke into the army were quickly suppressed.

After Zhang Liao, Wei Yan and Pang De met, Wei Yan frowned and asked, "Then Sun Quan sent a letter of surrender? Why are they still fighting?"

Zhang Liao shook his head. He also wanted to know. Lu Meng was still leading his troops to advance in front. In the dark night, the soldiers here did not dare to use their crossbows for fear of hurting their own people. Lu Meng had indeed gained something, but that was the end of it. !

"Too arrogant!" Wei Yan snorted coldly, summoned his mount, and saluted Zhang Liao: "General, I will go and kill this man!"

"Be careful." Zhang Liao nodded and agreed.

The next moment, Wei Yan rode out on horseback and headed straight for Lu Meng. Before anyone arrived, the voice had already arrived: "Since Jiangdong rats have surrendered, how dare they attack our military camp at night!?"

When Lu Meng saw someone coming to kill him, he snorted coldly: "This general has never surrendered!"

After saying that, he brandished his spear and faced Wei Yan, who was beheaded by Wei Yan. When the Jiangdong soldiers who rushed into the camp saw that their general was dead in battle, they all retreated or surrendered directly.

Zhang Liao sent people to Chaisang to question He Qi, but He Qi could only explain the matter with a wry smile. Although Lu Meng's incident happened, the Chaisang defenders still chose to surrender, and Zhang Liao began to arrange for troops to advance across Yuzhang County.

Naturally, the Jiangdong scholars did not want Lu Bu to enter Jiangdong. However, facing Lu Bu's ship's Vulcan cannon, it was difficult to resist even with the help of the geographical advantage. Normally, by this time, they would have been able to surrender, but the stubborn resistance of the Jiangdong nobles surprised Lu Bu. , unable to defeat and with the lord surrendering, the Jiangdong nobles spontaneously organized counterattacks one after another, and even linked up with Shanyue, entangled with Lu Bu's army for a full five months.

What's worse is that diseases such as plague and malaria have appeared. This is also the reason why the Jiangdong gentry supports it. When northerners come to the south, they are prone to malaria and other diseases when the weather is hot.

In Moling City, Lu Bu frowned slightly after receiving the battle report from the front line. The accompanying officials all had solemn expressions. They had failed in their efforts to achieve great success. At the moment when the world was about to be unified, these Jiangdong scholars who had no leadership were forcefully dragged out of the turning point. Everyone turned their eyes to Lu Bu to see how he would resolve this matter.

"Pass my military order and all troops will be stationed on the spot. In addition, those who are not infected with the plague and malaria will be separated from those who are infected. People in various places are not allowed to move around freely. As the plague spreads, we will also recruit famous doctors from all over the country to come to Jiangdong!" Lu Bu was not too anxious. Orders were given in an orderly manner.

It is not that Guanzhong has not encountered plagues in recent years when it has received refugees. It already has an effective method to deal with plagues. Moreover, if this plague can be cured, it will also be of great benefit to Lu Bu in conquering the hearts of the people in Jiangdong. Theoretically speaking, Now the four counties in Jiangdong are all under the rule of Lu Bu, but these nobles are dissatisfied and have gathered in crowds to rebel. The people in most places are more willing to trust the local scholars than the imperial army.

Although this plague is a disaster, it is not an opportunity. It can be used to control public opinion and wrest public opinion away from the gentry. As long as the people's hearts can return, then Jiangdong's problems can be easily solved.

No one expected Jiangdong to make such a move. Lu Bu actually wanted to solve the problem from the root. Hua Tuo and Zhang Ji were recruited, along with many famous doctors from Jingzhou and Huainan. Under the leadership of Lu Bu, Next, start researching how to treat the plague.

The war in Jiangdong seemed to have suddenly changed from a battle of swords, guns, swords and halberds to another form. Lu Bu took some Jiangdong doctors to study the pathology of the plague and exchanged diagnosis and treatment methods with everyone. Jiangdong suddenly became quiet...