Compared to Ju Shou's meticulous observation of celestial phenomena, Liu Bei's camp was much more laid-back. They didn't expend as much energy on divination; those who understood, such as Guo Jia, Jia Xu, and Li You, embraced the belief that success was three-parts destiny and seven-parts effort, while others like Chen Xi simply held the conviction that human will triumphs over fate.
In such an environment, Zhuge Liang's attitude toward celestial phenomena became significantly more casual. No longer did he stay awake past midnight to gaze at the stars nor wake at the third quarter of Yin Hour in the morning to review governmental affairs. Now, he would observe the heavens if he felt like it, and if not, he'd pull up his quilt and sleep.
As a result, Zhuge Liang began sleeping more and felt less fatigued during the day. He looked much more spirited and carried out his tasks with markedly improved efficiency.
"General Taishi, maintain strict vigilance tonight, and don't let Sun Ce's army exploit any openings." Zhuge Liang handed the command arrow to Taishi Ci, tasking him with defending the outer camp. After Taishi Ci left, Zhuge Liang summoned Chen Dao and instructed him to change the codeword for conducting internal patrols.
During this period, Zhuge Liang had clashed with Sun Ce's army several times. Although Sun Ce's soldiers were brave and his generals fierce, with Sun Ce himself taking the lead on the frontlines, they had yet to gain any advantage over Zhuge Liang.
Pang Tong was known for his daring strategies, and this reputation was well-earned. However, Zhuge Liang steadily pressured Pang Tong's forces using formal military maneuvers. Over time, Pang Tong felt increasingly restricted in his options.
The ferocity of the Qingzhou Soldiers had completely exceeded Pang Tong's expectations. Despite Sun Ce's army having comparable weaponry and equipment to Liu Bei's forces, the soldiers originally from Yuzhou, even under Sun Ce's direct leadership, lacked the savage bravery displayed by the Qingzhou Soldiers.
Adding to this, Zhuge Liang's near-monster-level Spiritual Talent allowed him to lure Sun Ce's army into traps even with weaker forces. Once his talent was activated, Liu Bei's Army benefited from the combined Spiritual Talents of all its civil officials and the Legion Talents of its generals, achieving a dramatic reversal despite their disadvantaged position.
If not for Pang Tong's deep understanding of Zhuge Liang, Sun Ce's retreat during one of their encounters might have still resulted in significant losses. Yet, even though Pang Tong had anticipated the maneuver, he was forced to withdraw to Yiling, relying on the terrain for defense. It was clear that Pang Tong no longer expected the reinforcements from the Two Lius to bring victory.
"Shiyuan, can you manage this?" Sun Ce asked wearily.
"I can't. Can you manage it?" Pang Tong replied grumpily. Recently hemmed in by Zhuge Liang at Yiling, Pang Tong had run out of viable strategies. Though he understood that this was merely a strategic retreat intended to shorten supply lines while avoiding a direct clash with superior forces, the humiliation still rankled him deeply.
"I can't either." Sun Ce responded with a dry laugh. If not for Pang Tong's assistance, he wouldn't have been able to defeat Yan Yan so easily earlier. Without Pang Tong, he might very well have fallen victim to one of Zhuge Liang's traps. Hence, Sun Ce no longer viewed Pang Tong as merely someone recommended by Zhou Yu but instead as a capable ally.
"Then let's wait things out. As much as I hate to admit it, the opposing side currently outmatches us—whether in troop strength or leadership quality. Our only advantage is..." Pang Tong sighed and began explaining as he saw Sun Ce unreservedly admit his own limitations.
"That would be you, of course!" Sun Ce interjected decisively, placing a metaphorical crown on Pang Tong's head.
"While I'm happy to hear that, and I can't deny there's some truth in your words, that Zhuge Liang over there barely falls short of me by this much," Pang Tong said, extending his pinky, then adjusting it twice before ultimately tugging at the end of a stray hair to emphasize, "He and I differ by just this tiny margin. There's no real advantage here!"
"Hehe..." Sun Ce chuckled nervously, unwilling to continue the conversation. Yet, a rare trace of worry flickered in his eyes—knowing his prideful ally had made such an admission was enough to recognize the exceptional aptitude of the youth on the opposing side.
"There's no helping it; we'll wing it for now. How's our army's defensive lines behind us coming along?" Pang Tong flung aside his bald pen shaft in frustration, decisively abandoning any notion of facing the Two Lius head-on. Surrendering an objective was sometimes a form of strategy.
"It's being built. I've instructed Li Feng and Lejiu to oversee the construction," Sun Ce replied, puzzled by Pang Tong's abrupt mental shift.
"Good. We'll hold our position and wait for reinforcements. In a couple of days, Liu Biao might actually arrive. But don't get any ideas about personally killing him," Pang Tong sighed. Though the land was embroiled in chaos, killing royal relatives was something to avoid unless absolutely necessary—especially against a provincial governor.
"The enmity of a father's death cannot coexist under the same heaven!" Sun Ce replied coldly, his voice devoid of sentiment.
"Oh, then there's no way around this," Pang Tong shrugged helplessly. Grabbing a wine jar from beside the desk, he gulped it down in large swigs before collapsing atop the table.
"Shiyuan, what are you doing?" Sun Ce asked in confusion, his expression tangled with mixed emotions. Just then, he heard Pang Tong mumbling under his breath, "This matter is simple... Find someone who looks alike... Send him to Chang'an, and along the way let the imposter 'escape'—eliminate the real one!"
While Sun Ce might lack cunning, Pang Tong's implications were so blatantly spelled out that only sheer foolishness would prevent understanding.
Pang Tong's plan effectively resolved all complications. Sun Ce merely wanted Liu Biao dead—it didn't have to be done in an honorable manner. This strategy not only granted Sun Ce his desire but also offered the world an explanation; if Liu Biao escaped, disputes could proceed without concrete consequences!
"Don't shake me, don't shake me..." Pang Tong, thoroughly rattled by Sun Ce's vigorous shaking, felt his recently consumed wine threatening to come back up. Originally feigning drunkenness, Pang Tong's charade was undone by Sun Ce's roughhandling.
"Thanks," Sun Ce said, patting Pang Tong's shoulder with rare somberness.
"I don't know anything," Pang Tong snapped irritably. What he feared most was Sun Ce impulsively killing Liu Biao on the battlefield; such rashness would spell disaster. Hence, he had taken the precaution of planting psychological seeds and preparing Sun Ce and others for alternative courses.
While Pang Tong busied himself fortifying Jingzhou's defenses and preparing to act as a lone force, Liu Biao indeed followed the predictions of Jia Xu, Fa Zheng, Zhou Yu, and others. He gambled everything, leading his troops toward Yiling in hopes of joining Liu Bei, Liu Zhang, and himself—the Three Lius—in utterly crushing Sun Ce.
By this point, Liu Bei's resentment wasn't directed at Yuan Shu anymore but at Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. Their earlier ploys had left vulnerable arrangements across regions like Jiangbei and South Commandery where troops, generals, strategists, and resources were insufficient.
Yet ironically, it was precisely these weaker deployments that gave Liu Biao hope of conquering Jingbei. Thus, he launched repeated northern expeditions with fervor. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)