Zhou Yu watched as Pang Tong eagerly prepared for action. He didn't say anything to dissuade him, thinking that maintaining such enthusiasm was beneficial. After all, Zhou Yu needed someone with both drive and intelligence, like Pang Tong.
"Gongjin, I will join you when the time comes," Sun Ce said, placing his hand on Zhou Yu's shoulder, a fierce gleam in his eyes. "I will make Gan Xingba pay for Youping's injuries."
"Master, please allow me to accompany you into battle. This time, I will not let my guard down. Gan Xingba isn't worthy of making you take action. Please allow me to fight in your stead," Zhou Tai said, kneeling on one knee before Sun Ce.
"Master, please allow me to join you in battle as well," Ling Cao appeared in front of Sun Ce, solemnly declaring, "I was born in Jiangnan, and river warfare is my specialty. The old saying goes, 'When the lord is worried, the minister is humiliated.' Please give me a chance to wash away this shame."
"Youping, Kuntao, rise," Sun Ce said as he reached out to pull them up, but neither of them moved, remaining like statues.
"Bofu, bring Youping, Kuntao, and also Generals Cheng, Huang, and Han. Take all of our elite infantry. We will face the enemy on the Yangtze River," Zhou Yu stood and addressed Sun Ce. "It's time to end our Jiangdong campaign early."
"The two of us will surely redeem ourselves!" Ling Cao gripped Zhou Tai's arm and respectfully saluted Zhou Yu and Sun Ce.
"Is it necessary to take everyone?" Sun Ce asked, somewhat dissatisfied. "If they hadn't caught us at the perfect moment today, we wouldn't have been in such a difficult position. By the way, Gongjin, what do you mean by saying the Jiangdong campaign must end?"
"Chen Zichuan, as Liu Xuande's most trusted minister, would never act recklessly. He must have prepared thoroughly. We should also assess their strength and Liu Xuande's overall power. Consider it a gift for Lord Yuan," Pang Tong, despite being furious with Chen Xi for nearly killing him, cooled down enough to understand the current situation.
Zhou Yu silently raised his gaze, feeling a hint of surprise at Pang Tong's brilliance. Even in anger, Pang Tong could calm himself and think critically, a quality that made him an excellent strategist. Zhou Yu gently patted Pang Tong's shoulder, then exchanged a look with Sun Ce. Sun Ce, though reluctant, didn't press the matter further.
"What is it?" Pang Tong asked, puzzled by Zhou Yu's smile.
"You might surpass me someday," Zhou Yu replied with a smile. "I can see that potential in you."
"Of course, I'll be better than you. I've been learning how to command armies recently. Just wait and see—I'll definitely surpass you," Pang Tong grumbled, envious of Zhou Yu's nearly perfect demeanor.
"Keep at it. I need to brief Bofu on what you told me. This situation with Lord Yuan could go either way, and I'm not sure if it's a blessing or a curse," Zhou Yu said with a smile. "Rest for now. I've figured out how to counter Chen Zichuan's spiritual attacks. His methods are too chaotic."
Pang Tong's eye twitched. The most infuriating thing about Zhou Yu was his constant calm. It was as if nothing could faze him, no matter how dire the situation. Zhou Yu was always confident that his intellect could resolve any problem, and to Pang Tong's chagrin, nothing had ever proven him wrong.
"Come on, Bofu, let's take a walk. I need to explain some things to you. There have been some changes, and the battle at Lujiang has revealed a lot," Zhou Yu said, tidying his clothes as he prepared to leave. He gestured for Sun Ce to follow, muttering to himself as he walked.
Pang Tong, now lying on his bed, couldn't help but ponder Zhou Yu's words, unaware of the smile that briefly crossed Zhou Yu's face.
"Gongjin, what do you need to tell me?" Sun Ce asked as he followed Zhou Yu out of the hall.
"We need to return to Shouchun. Lord Yuan's son, Yao, is gravely ill," Zhou Yu quietly informed him.
"What? How is that possible? I transferred all of my inner qi, resembling Lü Bu's, into Yao. He almost reached the level of Refining Qi into Steel. Even if he's not invulnerable to all diseases, he shouldn't be critically ill," Sun Ce said in disbelief.
Zhou Yu explained everything in detail, and Sun Ce, enraged, slammed his palm onto a stone platform, shattering it into pieces. "Cao Ren, Du Xi, if anything happens to Yao, I will not forgive you!"
After a long pause, Sun Ce sighed as he looked toward the south. "Forget it. Jiangdong can wait, but I cannot ignore Yao. We will return, no matter what."
Zhou Yu smiled faintly. He knew Sun Ce would make this choice, driven by a sense of brotherly duty.
"Let's settle things with Chen Zichuan on the Yangtze, then return to Shouchun. I believe Yao, being blessed by the heavens, will be fine," Zhou Yu said with a smile. "But Bofu, don't do anything reckless. In times like this, it's better to be cautious than to take unnecessary risks."
Sun Ce looked puzzled, but Zhou Yu did not offer his usual explanations. He simply gazed at Sun Ce until he was dumbstruck, then sighed deeply.
Looking up at the azure sky, Zhou Yu silently reflected that for him, Huang Zhong, Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, and Cai Mao were merely obstacles to be swept aside.
Zhou Yu shifted his gaze back to Sun Ce. He had never told Sun Ce that Jing Province was ripe for the taking. He had always clouded the current situation. Liu Biao had grown too weak, losing the rich lands of northern Jing and suffering continuous defeats. Liu Biao was no longer the formidable lord who once dominated Jing Province.