Chapter 89 – There Is No Such Thing as Free Lunch

Translated by Bloodfalcon, Edited by Krayto

“So, all of Lu Bu’s army is leaving…” Sun Ce stands on top of an outpost that is overlooking Wancheng city. He is watching the way Lu Bu army’s moving, it is very organized and very disciplined, worthy being called Lu Bu’s army, the elite of elites. Their divisions are really good. Urban Army, Formation Breaker, Bing Province Heavy Cavalry. Sun Ce then murmured “Those divisions, if they belonged to me, Sun Ce, how good it would be?”

He said that in special regards to Bing Province Heavy Cavalry. Those cavalry men are really making Sun Ce drool with envy. A warhorse is needed to create a cavalry, but in Huainan area, it is not suitable to grow a good horse, therefore he must import them from north for one hundred gold a horse. So, all these times, Sun Ce has been desiring to form a cavalry unit of his own.

If right now he had Bing Province Heavy Cavalry, he can invade the Central Plains and directly confront Cao Cao. However, he can only pity himself because he does not have any cavalry.

Yesterday, entertaining Lu Bu’s army and his wedding banquet really made Sun Ce distressed, because he needed to entertain a lot of people. The amount is not hundreds but tens of thousands of people. The amount of grain and provisions used to entertain Lu Bu’s army can used to fight in war two times in succession.

“Gongjin, is this really worth it?!” Asked Sun Ce, really puzzled from Zhou Yu’s proposed scheme before his departure to liberate Sanjiangkou, and now he returned empty handed because he was unable to do it.

The true meaning of his scheme is actually to spread gossip that Lu Bu’s army and Sun Ce’s army formed an alliance. Lu Bu’s army is very happy because Sun Ce’s had given entertainment without any conditions or any interest, instead he just took a big loss of supplies at the surface.

“Milord, do not worry!” Said Zhou amusingly while looking at Sun Ce’s bewilderment. Sun Ce is afraid of being poor. Since his father passed away, Sun Ce was at mercy of Yuan Shu. So every foot soldiers, money, and grain and provisions is very valuable in Sun Ce’s eyes.

Zhou Yu then swung his feather fan toward the map while smiling ““Yesterday’s entertainment was not a gratis entertainment. In this whole world, people always knew that there is no free lunch!

In order to reach Xinye, Lu Bu’s army had passed through our Lujiang and now they are heading toward Jiangxia. Huang Zu of Jiangxia is our enemy. If he knew that we have entertained Lu Bu’s army lavishly, Milord, what do you think his feelings are like right now?!” Said Zhou Yu again with smile on his face.

“He will be uneasy all the time!” Answered Sun Ce toward Zhou Yu’s question.

“Correct, he will be very uneasy all the time. Although Huang Zu did not have power to invade, he still has the strength to defend his land.

Although we beat him once, but we were still unable to conquer Jiangxia! Now we have Lu Bu, Marquis of Wen, who can help to break Jiangxia! With this scheme, conquering Jiangxia has become our key to conquering the Jing Province!”

“So, as long as we keep spreading gossip that we had formed alliance with Lu Bu’s army, the one who will be most afraid is Huang Zu. Plus there are news that Lu Bu’s army is approaching Jiangxia, the panic-stricken Huang Zu will definitely dispatch troops to hit the enemy. Given their temperament as consideration, Lu Bu and Huang Zu will definitely do battle, and at that moment, our opportunity will be opened!”

“Can Lu Bu defeat Huang Zu?!” Sun Ce’s brow wrinkled heavily. He tried to capture Jiangxia so many times before. But, no matter what method he used to capture, he is still unable to capture Jiangxia and his casualties are very high every time he campaigned toward Jiangxia.

Zhou Yu then elaborated his analysis “If in naval battle, then Lu Bu’s army potential is currently zero. But if it is about land battle, ten or twenty Huang Zu tied together is still not Lu Bu’s match! Right now, we lack a land force. Once Lu Bu and Huang Zu do battle on land, simultaneously we capture Jiangxia through the water under the pretext that we are Lu Bu’s allies.

“But, if Lu Bu knows that we are using him, he will definitely be infuriated!” Sun Ce is really worried at this matter. No one wanted to start a war with Lu Bu.

“They will not do that!” Zhou Yu shook his head and while smiling he said “When that time comes, Lu Bu cannot afford to be our enemy!” Once we have both advanced to Jiangxia, Lu Bu will have offended Liu Biao of Jing Province, whether he had intention or not, he is also near Jing Province and Yu Province which belong to Cao Cao, and he is Lu Bu’s mortal enemy.

With Liu Biao and Cao Cao offended, Lu Bu cannot afford to offend another warlord. If he also made Sun Ce his enemies, Lu Bu may never have a home base ever again. Therefore, no matter what, if according to logic, Lu Bu will ask for Sun Ce to form an alliance.

And, if it is true, Lu Bu will get angry. They each possess a different realm of warfare. On land battle, Lu Bu is the king. But on sea, Sun Ce’s army can be personified as a dragon in water, really strong. Can one group of northern land-lubber fight with southerners in naval battle?!

“Okay then, so we just sit back and wait for the good news from Marquis of Wen Lu Bu!” Sun Ce is smiling now. Jiangxia is the location that he wanted to grab the most, and he looks at Jiangxia’s direction with expressions full of determination. He thought “Oh, father. Please wait! Your son will certainly take revenge for you. Huang Zu!!!! Liu Biao!!!! Soon, we will settle our blood debt with you!”

“Un!” Zhou Yu also nodded. Seeing that Sun Ce has a look full of determination, he knows that this is Sun Ce, Sun Bofu that he knows.

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If someone asked, who in all of Jing Province is the Sun clan’s most hated enemy, they will certainly say it is Huang Zu. And if someone asks, who in all of Jing Province, has the most battle with Sun Ce? The answer is also Huang Zu. And if the same question was asked, who in all of Jing Province, is the most afraid of Sun Ce? Definitely it is Huang Zu.

Currently he is reading an intel from Jiangdong, his hand is trembling the entire time he was reading it. Huang Zu is really restless. It said in the intel, Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian is heading south. He did not know what is the reason for Lu Bu to head south, but when he heard news that Lu Bu is approaching Lujiang, his heart was very happy, because he thought Lu Bu wanted to swallow Sun Ce’s domain. But the intel that he got today, made Huang Zu really restless.

Several days ago, he had Intel that Lu Bu had passed Shucheng County and Shiting to go toward Wancheng city. Sun Ce unexpectedly let them pass Lujiang. Furthermore Sun Ce and Zhou Yu came out of Wancheng city, without bodyguards, ride 50-li to meet Lu Bu and co from Wancheng city.

They are both warlords. How can Sun Ce want to meet up with him as if he was meeting up with guests, with no bodyguards at all? Sun Ce really did not fear that Lu Bu may take him hostage to seize his domain directly.

Did Lu Bu join forces with Sun Ce? Huang Zu can only think this possibility for now. Sun Ce is Jiangdong’s Little Conqueror, Lu Bu is a mighty tiger. If these two joined forces, this Jiangxia will be hard to protect.

Please do not look at Huang Zu’s defeat record when defending Jiangxia these many years, but look at who is his opponent who caused him so many defeats. With Sun Ce as his opponent, he suffered only defeat after defeat, ingloriously.

Moreover, Huang Zu is old now about 60 years old, even when that time, when he killed Sun Jian he was 50 years old. So he no longer has any ambition. But even if he was defeated many times, he still maintained a stubborn defense in order to prevent Sun Ce from entering Jing Province through Jiangxia.

From his prowess alone, it can be said Huang Zu still had the ability as a commander-in-chief of the army, but he is getting old and his prowess has declined by the years.

“Gentlemen, do you have a stratagem to propose?!” Inquired Huang Zu while glancing towards his civil and military retainers.

Because Jiangxia is the bridgehead that connects Jing Province and Jiangdong, it is also fortress to withstand the Sun clan's attack, Liu Biao assigned his elites to guard Jiangxia, and it resulted with many generals and scholars in this place. But they have kept silent all this time.

With Sun Ce's frequent attacks it made these generals and scholars lose heart, now with the addition of Lu Fengxian, their morale is at the lowest point.

A young man then stood up, holding his fist and said “Dear father, I would like to take vanguard this time. Since ancient times, soldiers are used to block water and hold off the earth. We do not need to worry about these two bastards Sun Ce and Lu Bu, who are they anyway? Please assign 20,000 elite troops to your son, I will make sure they die shortly!” Hearing that young man's words, Huang Zu nodded many times.

That young man's courage and strength is really praiseworthy. That young fellow who just spoke is Huang Zu's dear son, Huang She. He is tall and quite good looking, he can be compared to Huang Zu in his younger times. But only his looks is similar, his administration and military skill is only average but this person had “ambition” in his heart.

“General She, your decision is incorrect!” Huang Zu had not yet opened his mouth to respond, when suddenly a nearby general stood up. His armor is dark yellow, on his face is a full of beard which length is already touching his chest. His face filled with a heroic look.

“Huang Zhong, why you do this?!” Huang She hit his table and pointing toward this veteran general. Huang She is really angry, because each time he showed his determination in front of his father, this Huang Zhong always poured cold water on his request.

TL: Huang Zhong, master archer, http://kongming.net/novel/sgz/huangzhong.php

Actually he also knew that he sometimes spoke many very unreasonable things, but if you want to refute him, everyone must wait after his father praise him, and only after that can you refute him.

If you refute him without praise, how can Huang She have face?

Huang Zhong really did not care about this Huang She. Although he is a general of Jing Province, his master is Liu Biao, not Huang Zu. He asked to be Huang Zu's subordinate just because of the rumor that he had a good doctor to treat his son.

“General Huang She, please listen to my analysis. Little Conqueror Sun Ce as well Marquis of Wen Lu Fengxian, are both dragons among dragon. Once they form an alliance, it will be a big calamity for our Jing Province. Jiangdong will lead several tens of thousands of naval troops, this Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian also will bring several tens of thousands of land troops.

With them attacking our Jiangxia together, it will be very hard to defend Jiangxia with only 30,000 troops. Therefore we should just maintain a stubborn defense to buy time, and request reinforcements from Milord!” Huang Zhong analysis is very rational. If Lu Bu and Sun Ce form an alliance. It is over for them. They both cover one realm of warfare. Sun Ce with his invincible navy and Lu Bu with his invincible land troops. They will tear apart this Jiangxia. So we should make a stubborn defense stance while we wait for reinforcements from Xiangyang.

Only with reinforcements, one can keep defending Jiangxia and subsequently Jing Province.

“Hmph, are you afraid, huh??? We haven't even fought, yet you are already afraid??? Huang Zhong, you are really an old chicken!” Huang She really did not respect Huang Zhong at all, even calling his name directly. Hey, Huang Zhong's rank and Huang Zu's rank is the same!!!

“Give me 20,000 elite troops. I am confident that I can protect Jiangxia unharmed. Tch, maintaining a stubborn defense and asking reinforcements from Xiangyang. This is still our Jing Province battle, right?! So we do not need reinforcements from Xiangyang” Huang She finally said nice things for once.

We have not gone on war yet, but someone told him to maintain defense and ask for reinforcements, isn't that cowardice? If we do not fight, then how can we maintain morale, how can those generals be willing to follow you?

If it was a veteran who said this, everyone will probably listen to his discourse. But these words come from Huang She, Huang Zu's successor, how can anyone believe him? He's never gone to battle, he did not have any brains to think clearly, he was stupidity personified.

“Bah, give you 20,000 elite troops, if it isn’t annihilated, it would be God's grace!” There is someone who is whispering in low voice.

Jiangxia's soldiers have only 30,000 troops. They need to be spread out to defend vital places. So, they could only dispatch 10,000 troops at the very most.

If Huang Zu could not look at the big picture, and proceeded to give his son 20,000 elite troops, once Lu Bu and Sun Ce hit them and they fall apart, at that time, we civil and military retainers could only pack up everything and leave Jiangxia ASAP.

“WHO, WHO THE HELL SAID THAT JUST NOW!!!” Huang She's anger reached its limits. Today Huang Zhong had already decline his request directly, but retorted him by giving him his rhetorical speech and now there is another bastard who spoke foul words at him. It really made him infuriated.

Huang Zhong was already showing much respect by saying “General She, your decision is incorrect!” But this voice just threw shit to his face. That voice is just saying that 20,000 elite troops will possibly be annihilated in battle. That's the same as verifying that Huang She is garbage?

“THAT VOICE IS YOURS, GAN NING, GAN XINGBA!” Huang She already found that person. Gan Ning, Gan Xingba and Huang She's age is similar around 25 years old at this time. But if you want to compare Gan Ning's merit to Huang She's, Gan Ning is much, much bigger than Huang She. But at this time, Huang She is his superior, so at least he must show respect to him.

TL: Gan Ning, naval master, http://kongming.net/novel/sgz/ganning.php

“YOU’RE ONLY A LIEUTENANT GENERAL, ONLY A MERCENARY, HOW CAN YOU HOPE TO CRITICIZE ME?!” Huang She was just hit in the face by Gan Ning. How cannot he not retaliate back? Naturally he will talk about position to hit Gan Ning's honor.

At the moment Gan Ning is still a mercenary. He offered his services to Liu Biao and became his subordinate, however he then went to Huang Zu after finding out that Liu Biao is blind for talent.

For many years he offered his services here and there, but he never got entrusted with a big task. The highest post that he has been assigned to is Lieutenant General.

In ancient times, a lieutenant general really did not amount to anything at all. And Huang She as Huang Zu’s eldest son, who is also the Administrator of Jiangling Commandery, naturally he can scold and insult Gan Ning.

“SCREW YOU!!!!” Gan Ning is a mercenary, so naturally he did not have a good temper. Just now he was insulted by that haughty bastard, so he want to strangle his neck, but he was blocked immediately by a general.

That person who blocked Gan Ning is called Su Fei, another of Huang Zu's subordinates for his naval forces. Gan Ning is his lieutenant general for his naval force, furthermore Su Fei is the one who recruited Gan Ning to Huang Zu’s forces. So their relationship is definitely very good.

“Xingba!!! Stop being presumptuous to General Huang She!” Su Fei blamed Gan Ning a little. He whispered this to Gan Ning’s ear “Xingba, I also do not have a good opinion on Huang She, but if you hit Huang She now, you’ll be dead!!!”

Gan Ning then calm down a little. Huang She is Huang Zu’s son, so it could be said that Huang She is Jiangxia’s army little lord. So if earlier Gan Ning hit Huang She, he will have an excuse to execute Gan Ning.

“Ptui, once a pirate is always a pirate, you really do not know manners at all!” Huang She spits in front of Gan Ning, further disrespecting him.

Huang She really wanted to kill Gan Ning, the moment he hit him. But looking at Su Fei quickly calm Gan Ning, he further insulted him with utmost disdain.

Today Gan Ning is a mercenary but in the past, he had a reputation of being river pirate. He can be recognized because he always wore silk clothing with bells on his hips. It is known that once you hear a bell ringing, it will send fear to all the merchants who knew him.

But that's already in the past, because not long after that Gan Ning realized that he cannot continue living like a bandit.

So, Gan Ning then read all sage king’s books and strategy books, and became very adept in art of war and etiquette.

After that, he was hired by Liu Biao, but he did not make him a central figure of his army, because Liu Biao looked down on his past, being a river pirate. A fact that Gan Ning is not comfortable to talking about.

If this is a normal time and place, Gan Ning would just choke Huang She immediately. But currently in he is in Jiangxia’s war council, there are several generals who are present right now, not to mention outside this room, there are several bodyguards, so Su Fei quickly calm Gan Ning down.

Gan Ning just swallowed his anger and kept quiet toward Huang She’s insult and closed his eye to calm himself down.

Su Fei then patted Gan Ning’s shoulder and said “Milord, what General Huang She and Old General Huang said are both reasonable. Why is what Old General Huang reasonable? Because at this point, if we do not request reinforcements to Xiangyang for Jiangxia defense, we will be destroyed by Lu Bu and Sun Ce’s coalition.

So, we need to request reinforcements in order to fortify our defenses, but we need also to consider, the case above is only and only if Lu Bu and Sun Ce formed coalition.

If both of them did not form a coalition, then the reinforcements that we asked is a big joke!”

While listening to Su Fei, Huang Zu nodded to his discourse. He and Su Fei also have the same worry. Although Jiangxia is one of Jing Province’s commandery but the fact remains that this place is Huang Zu’s home base.

It can be said inviting reinforcements is easy but returning reinforcements is very hard.

If it turns out Lu Bu and Sun Ce did not form a coalition, how can he, Huang Zu, explain it to Liu Biao? Maybe at that time, he must hand over Jiangxia’s control back to Liu Biao.

“What General Huang She said is also reasonable. If we are to be afraid before we do battle, then we have committed a very big mistake in military law. If Sun Ce’s army attacks our Jiangxia, 20,000 elite troops are too many, because we also need to defend our cities. So, Fei proposes that Milord dispatch 15,000 troops but send only 100 soldiers to keep enemies outside Jiangxia!”

Su Fei strategy really considered everything. If Lu Bu and Sun Ce are not allied then it is the best. But if they are allied together, we can send those 100 troops to feint pre-emptive on Lujiang, in order to quickly put Sun Ce into a defensive stance. While those 15,000 troops create a diversion to buy time until reinforcements from Xiangyang arrived.

“Un!”Huang Zu nodded “Zimo’s suggestion is extremely excellent. Okay then, Huang Zhong and Su Fei receive your order!” Finally Huang Zu was really determined because of Su Fei’s suggestion. Su Fei’s courtesy name is Zimo, therefore he is Su Fei, Su Zimo.

TL: Su Fei, another naval master, one of Huang Zu’s best generals http://the3kingdoms.wikia.com/wiki/Su_Fei

“We await your order, Milord!” Said Huang Zhong and Su Fei while kneeling.

“I appoint Huang Zhong as commander-in-chief, Su Fei as vice commander. You will command 15,000 troops. Both of you are to standby against enemy from beyond Jiangxia!”

“This general receives the order!” Huang Zhong and Su Fei said at the same time.

On the side, Huang She is really anxious. He is the first one who proposed to do battle and even volunteered himself, the command however is given to other people, in the end what role is he going to play in this battle?!

"Father, father!”

“My son, She, you also want to fight right?!” Huang Zu also saw his sons’ eagerness. He also thinks that his son has the ability to assume responsibility for an important task.

This battle had Huang Zhong and Su Fei to command, so there should not be any major problems and should be safe for his son to gain merits then he said “Huang She, receive your order!”

“I await your order!” Hearing this sound, Huang She excitedly kneel to receive order.

“You will assume responsibility as our army’s quartermaster! All of the provisions and grain distributions are your responsibility!” Quartermaster is a very important position as it can help to strengthen the overall army’s strength.

“Eh?! As quartermaster?!” Huang She thought that this job is too low for a person with his title.