The Strategy of Xu Shu

Su Ming set out for Jiangdong.

Xu Shu had devised two strategies; simply judging by these two, it was clear that his reputation as a cunning tactician was well deserved. With these plans in motion, Xu Shu could ensure Su Ming’s safety within the borders of Jiangdong.

The first was to send agents throughout Jiangdong to spread word that Su Ming would bring Huang Zu’s head to offer sacrifice for Jiangdong. This not only elevated Su Ming’s prestige among the people, but also stirred the public sentiment. If Sun Quan dared to act against Su Ming at this juncture, he would inevitably incite the wrath of the populace, rendering Jiangdong restless and unstable.

The second plan was this letter. Officially, a formal invitation was sent, followed by the designation of Su Ming as the imperial envoy. Would Sun Quan dare lay a hand on the emperor’s envoy? Should he do so, Cao Cao would seize the opportunity to issue a proclamation in the emperor’s name, calling for action. At that moment, all the warlords of the land would join in carving up Jiangdong’s six counties. Many eyes coveted Jiangdong’s fertile lands; given such an excuse, with rightful justification and moral authority, no one would let the opportunity slip by.

The letter in Sun Quan’s hands was not written by Su Ming. In fact, Su Ming had no idea what it contained. Xu Shu had composed it entirely on his behalf. One had to admit, Xu Shu was truly a man of many talents. His schemes seemed to be devised from an omniscient perspective, and his literary skill was equally remarkable. The letter, flowing and eloquent, spanned several hundred words. Xu Shu’s ability rivaled Chen Lin, who specialized in drafting proclamations.

After reading the letter, Sun Quan trembled with rage, his teeth grinding audibly. Xu Shu’s writing was very official in tone, stating that Sun Quan had inherited his family’s legacy and governed Jiangdong for the Han dynasty. However, after many years under Sun’s rule, the emperor remained concerned, and so specifically dispatched Su Ming as his envoy to inspect Jiangdong and see how well the Sun family had managed the region.

Most crucially, Xu Shu’s wording carried a subtle tone of mockery and sarcasm. Sun Quan scrutinized the letter, finding no fault with any particular word, yet between the lines, the message was unmistakable: “Sun Quan, just try to lay a finger on me.”

Zhang Zhao stood nearby, watching as Sun Quan shook with fury. Curious, he wondered what the letter contained to provoke such a reaction from his lord. Normally, Sun Quan was a man of deep patience and cunning, but whenever he encountered Su Ming, his composure shattered, as if Su Ming was his nemesis.

“Zibu, take a look,” Sun Quan handed the letter to Zhang Zhao and sat down angrily.

Zhang Zhao, eager to know the contents, accepted the letter without hesitation and quickly discerned its meaning. From the letter’s tone, it was clear Su Ming was certain that Jiangdong would not dare to harm him, thus acting with complete confidence.

“Bang!” Sun Quan slammed the table and shouted, “Come!”

“Let him come! If Su Ming dares to set foot in Jiangdong, I swear he will never leave alive! Last time, he escaped by luck; this time, he won’t be so fortunate. Order Ding Feng and Zhu Ran to prepare ten thousand elite soldiers. I want to see if Su Ming truly is a match for ten thousand men.”

It was evident that Sun Quan truly sought Su Ming’s life. Ten thousand elite troops—if they rained arrows, even the mightiest would be turned into a porcupine. Whenever Sun Quan mentioned Su Ming, he lost all rationality, like a wild beast provoked.

Yet at this moment, Zhang Zhao remained calm. “My lord, you must not kill him! Not only must you spare him, we must guarantee his safety in Jiangdong!” Zhang Zhao put down the letter, repeatedly urging restraint.

Hearing this, Sun Quan almost laughed in disbelief. Not only should he not kill his enemy, he should ensure the man’s safety? It was like treating an enemy as one’s ancestor.

“Zhang Zibu, do you hear yourself? Guarantee his safety? I would rather tear his flesh and drink his blood!” Sun Quan gritted his teeth.

After Sun Ce’s death, Sun Quan had managed to take control of Jiangdong smoothly with the backing of the local gentry and Zhang Zhao’s support. He even convinced Zhou Yu to aid him militarily. Yet Su Ming had disrupted Sun Ce’s funeral, exposing Sun Quan’s fratricide. Now, veterans like Han Dang and Huang Gai feigned illness, refusing to appear, and many generals in the army voiced their grievances.

Among the people, Sun Quan had become the subject of gossip at every meal. Although, with Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao’s help, he barely managed to stabilize Jiangdong, his reputation was utterly ruined. All of this was Su Ming’s doing. For a warlord, reputation was paramount, and Su Ming had made him infamous—how could Sun Quan not hate him?

Zhang Zhao knew Sun Quan harbored deep hatred for Su Ming, so he could only urge him to remain calm. “My lord, Su Ming is deliberately provoking you. If you move against him, Cao Cao will marshal his forces in the emperor’s name to attack Jiangdong. The people would rebel upon learning you killed Su Ming. How could you withstand Cao Cao’s army? And then there’s Liu Biao of Jingzhou, who’s always been at odds with us. Alone, he wouldn’t dare invade Jiangdong, but if Cao Cao calls for a campaign, Liu Biao won’t miss the chance to strike at a weakened foe.”

“My lord, consider Yuan Shu in Huainan—he had many soldiers and great power, yet he was destroyed by the warlords united in opposition. How could Jiangdong resist the combined might of all the lords? My lord, you must not let a moment’s anger destroy the foundation built over three generations!” As he spoke, Zhang Zhao fell to his knees before Sun Quan.

His words were profound. Even Yuan Shu, so powerful, was destroyed when he proclaimed himself emperor and drew the wrath of the warlords. If Sun Quan killed the imperial envoy, Cao Cao would call for a campaign, and how could Jiangdong withstand it? Cao Cao’s navy was weak, true, but Liu Biao was still there. Liu Biao and Jiangdong had always been at odds; even Sun Jian’s death had Liu Biao’s involvement. If Cao Cao attacked Jiangdong, Liu Biao would surely lend his support.

Therefore, no matter what, Jiangdong could not touch Su Ming at this time.

Sun Quan was a wise ruler, and he listened to Zhang Zhao’s counsel. Still, Sun Quan burned with rage. He knew full well that the man came to ruin him, yet he had to welcome him with a smile. Anyone would find such humiliation unbearable.

(End of chapter)