All warships under Guan Yu's command were anchored near Xiangyang and Fancheng.
On one hand, Jiangdong controlled Jiangxia. The Han River converged with the Yangtze there, meaning any fleet entering or leaving had to notify Jiangdong. Procedures were tedious and delays constant.
On the other hand, keeping the navy stationed at Xiangyang allowed it to project power across northern Jing. Even if northern Jing were defeated by Cao's forces, the fleet could still prevent a total collapse. At the very least, it could form a final defensive line at Xiangyang and Fancheng.
But now, with Lü Meng laying siege to Jiangling, the alliance between Sun and Liu had already come to an open end.
Since that was the case, there was no longer any need for restraint.
This fleet had waited long enough. It was time to move.
If Cao's army was hoping Jiangdong would recreate the brilliance of Red Cliffs and join forces to divide Jing Province, then Guan Yu felt it was his responsibility to make Cao Cao clearly understand one thing.
The Jiangdong of today was no longer the Jiangdong of Red Cliffs.
Northern Jing still had heavy forces guarding it. Though the fighting had slowed, Guan Yu and Xu Shu still needed to remain in command.
Under these circumstances, Gan Gui became the most suitable choice to command the fleet.
Because Lü Meng had sealed the Yangtze, intelligence flow had become difficult. Guan Yu therefore granted Gan Gui broad authority to act as he saw fit, with a single objective.
Relieve Jiangling.
Watching Gan Gui depart, his excitement barely concealed, Guan Yu fell into thought.
"No wonder Yuanzhi instructed Ji Chang half a year ago. If one were to unite the Shanyue, one must wait until the giant ships reached Jianye before striking Jiangdong."
Xu Shu chuckled softly and waved his hand.
Was it really difficult to predict Gan Gui's decision?
And indeed, Gan Gui's choice did not disappoint him.
"If we are to relieve Jiangling, then we must strike where the enemy must respond."
Facing the eight hundred veterans who once followed his father, Gan Gui showed no fear at all. In fact, he was eager.
"Rather than clash head on with Jiangdong's fleet beneath Jiangling's walls, why not drive our giant ships straight into the heart of Jiangdong. Let those great clans see what powerful crossbows truly mean."
This bold and reckless plan was met with thunderous cheers from Gan Ning's former troops.
"Break Jianye. Shoot Sun Quan. Raise our fame. Bring General Gan home."
Just imagining Sun Quan meekly returning his father under the threat of giant crossbows made Gan Gui's blood boil.
After the fleet regrouped at Xiangyang, Gan Gui inspected the giant ships once more. Half a year had passed, and the modifications were obvious at a glance.
His ambition was not hidden in the slightest.
"I am going to sail this giant ship straight to Sun Zhongmou's face and fire until I am satisfied."
From Xiangyang, there was only one path into Jiangdong. The Yangtze.
To reach the Yangtze, one first had to break through Jiangxia and breach the blockade on the Han River.
Lü Meng had once guarded Jiangxia and knew the Jing fleet well. Before leading troops west, he had already ordered the Han River altered, carving dozens of branches from the main channel. Ships could no longer pass.
The Jiangdong soldiers stationed there were bored and irritable.
After all, others were following their generals into southern Jing to earn merit, while they stared at the same scenery every day.
Anyone would complain.
"I heard Jiangling is about to fall. Who knows how much treasure we would get after the city breaks."
"Give it a rest, Wu Lao San," someone laughed.
"They said Jiangling would fall half a month ago. Half a month later, it is still standing firm. As steady as Hefei."
That remark drew laughter, though the word Hefei was sensitive. After laughing, someone hurriedly changed the topic.
"Who exactly are we guarding against here? The Han River has dozens of branches dug out, and sunken ships block the main channel. Even if General Lü came personally…"
"He would still have no return, right?"
As they chatted, a soldier suddenly noticed something.
"There are ships coming."
It was not just one pair of mistaken eyes. On the Han River in the distance, a fleet not belonging to Jiangdong had appeared.
The massive ship at the center was impossible to miss, surrounded by numerous warships like stars encircling the moon.
As the fleet drew closer, the giant ship slowed to a halt. Then dozens of small boats detached from the formation and continued forward.
"Is General Guan trying to breach the blockade with small boats?"
"Or are they here to persuade us to surrender?"
The Jiangdong soldiers speculated freely.
After all, their method was to destroy the river. The Jing fleet could not pass.
Everything that could be done had already been done. Surely they would not attempt to jump aboard and fight hand to hand.
Soon, someone saw the truth.
"These small boats are blocking the branches."
"So what if they block them?"
From closer range, it became clear that the small boats were filled with sand. They were steered into the dug out openings, their hulls deliberately pierced, slowly sinking.
One by one, the gaps Jiangdong had carved were sealed again.
The Han River's water level began to rise.
But the Jiangdong soldiers were unimpressed. Even with higher water, the flow was still slow. It would not wash away the sunken obstacles.
If the Jing fleet continued forward, it would be stopped. Then the fire oil boats waiting at Jiangxia's docks would ignite and rush straight at them.
This was General Lü's contingency.
But then the Jiangdong soldiers saw the giant ship unfurl all its sails.
And it began accelerating without pause.
"There is no strong wind today. How can it move so fast?"
Only when it drew nearer did they see the truth.
Two massive wheels at the ship's stern were spinning furiously. The power clearly came from there.
With sails, paddle wheels, and the current of the Han River working together, the giant ship charged forward like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Its target was the submerged barrier.
There was no earth shaking explosion, no moment of hesitation.
As if by inevitability, the barrier of sunken ships was smashed apart, reduced to broken timbers floating downstream.
The Jiangdong soldiers were struck dumb, watching the colossus pass by them.
And all of them saw it.
At the bow of the giant ship stood a figure far too young.
Laughing wildly.
His voice, carried by the unified roar of the sailors, reached every ear on the shore.
"Lü Meng attacks Jiangling. I will take Jianye. Let us see who breaks a city first."
With the barrier destroyed, the Han River lay open.
The Jing fleet surged forward, led by the giant ship, sweeping into Jiangxia and then without hesitation entering the Yangtze, sails raised, heading straight downstream.
Only after the sails vanished from sight did the Jiangxia garrison recover from their shock.
"Jianye? Their target is Jianye?"
"This… we must report to General Lü at once."
Jiangxia descended into chaos.
Yet in private, every man could not help but think about that shout.
Who would break a city first?
It hardly required thought.
Everyone knew how General Guan had shattered Fancheng with giant ships.
Jianye was larger than Fancheng, yes.
But was it sturdier?
That was a question.
By the time the news reached Lü Meng, half a day had passed.
As Sun Quan's trusted general, the response required no deliberation.
"The fleet turns back. Reinforce Jianye."