Mythical Three Kingdoms

When Zhou Yu arrived at Donglai, Lul Jun and Hua Yan had already loaded the ships and supplies. Apart from preparing a meal, Zhou Yu could essentially sail off once everything was loaded.

”Zhou Gongjin, it’s been a while.” Lul Jun approached as soon as Zhou Yu was the first to disembark at the dock. After all, they were old adversaries; Zhou Yu might not recognize Lul Jun, but Lul Jun definitely knew Zhou Yu.

”May I ask who you are?” Zhou Yu looked at Lul Jun, puzzled. Did they have acquaintances in Donglai? He had no idea.

”Formerly of the Lul Family in Wu Commandery, Lul Jun, Lul Jicai.” Lul Jun greeted Zhou Yu with a calm demeanor.

Zhou Yu raised an eyebrow, ”I must have been careless, did not expect you were from Yangzhou as well.” He made no mention of issues from Lujiang in the past.

”We don’t want to dwell on past matters; everyone has their own reasons, and our Lul Family wasn’t harmed much back then.” Lul Jun shook his head, not wanting to argue with Zhou Yu over it. The Lul Family was generally mild, ”We’ve also prepared the ships.”

As they spoke, Lul Jun pointed to a large row of warships lined up in the distance, clearly much more formidable than the large merchant ships they had finally seen before, numbering over thirty.

”Many thanks.” Zhou Yu bowed slighty. A single glance told him that Lul Jun was straightforward in this matter. Though he couldn’t overly exploit Zhou Yu in this matter, providing ships similar to those for the merchant team left Zhou Yu with no grounds for complaint.

”It’s nothing, a fair exchange. Marquis Chen has decided to sell these ships to you.” The Lul Family shook their head and said, ”Feel free to dismantle them as you wish, you don’t need to consider our thoughts. The precondition is payment.”

Zhou Yu raised an eyebrow, with some speculation in mind, but his expression unchanged, he asked, ”How much is one warship?”

”Don’t worry, these sea ships are not expensive. We won’t charge for the equipped bed crossbows and protection. Marquis Chen has instructed, thirty ships for just one hundred million coins.” Lul Jun said without expression. To be honest, the price was not just reasonable, it was very low.

Zhou Yu was slightly surprised, as he understood shipbuilding. For ships of this size, labor, materials, and work hours alone were costly, not to mention the original research costs were significant.

”We didn’t bring enough money on our northward journey; could we exchange with something else instead? If you lend us the ships, after the Northern Expedition Against Huns, we’ll settle with other goods.” Zhou Yu made no counteroffer. Chen Xi’s sincerity was already quite evident.

”This is something Marquis Chen handed over to you, please sign. These ships will then be yours.” Lul Jun didn’t critique further, simply presenting a special note to Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu glanced at it with confusion, looking at Lul Jun. What was this? However, after confirming, he signed, easily acquiring thirty warships worth one hundred million coins.

”Are there more warships? I think I can buy a few more.” After signing, Zhou Yu smiled at Lul Jun, who indicated that he didn’t want to continue the conversation.

”There’s also a large amount of military supplies prepared for you. After signing, they can be delivered to you.” Seeing Lul Jun’s reluctance to speak, Hua Yan took over the conversation.

”May I ask who you are...” Zhou Yu inquired, and Hua Yan introduced, ”I am merely the Prefect of Donglai. Does General Zhou require military supplies?”

As Hua Yan spoke, he handed over an inventory of military supplies, accumulated during Xun Yan’s tenure in Donglai, intended as a springboard for an assault on the Yuan Family from both Lelang and Liaodong, though never used.

Zhou Yu looked over the list, which included a massive quantity of kerosene, hundreds of thousands of arrows, tens of thousands of bed crossbow bolts, along with weapons and armor, he was incredulous at the sight directed at Hua Yan. Was it really permissible to sell such combat supplies?

”General Zhou need not look at me like that. It’s a joint order certified by Marquis Chen and Administrator Lub, allowing you, if needed, to purchase these supplies at a low price.” Hua Yan directly handed over a hand token signed by Chen Xi and Lub Su to Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu pressed his temples; he felt a headache coming on. It was assured that Liaodong and Lelang’s current situation was not good. Even if these supplies were excess, disposing of them so easily to him was unimaginable otherwise.

”In Lelang and Liaodong, with Fuyu, the Three Hann States, and the Wuhuan under Hun leadership, how many troops, infantry, and cavalry are stationed there? Is there a detailed map of the area?” Zhou Yu remarked with a headache, realizing the task he had might be monumental; even landing could be problematic, let alone attacking the rear.

”This is the map prepared by Marquis Chen.” Hua Yan produced the map, which he handed to Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu relaxed slightly at the sight, thankful for the numerous islands acting as stepping stones; otherwise, it would truly be problematic.

”We have not ascertained the numbers of cavalry and infantry. Marquis Chen’s intention is for you to merely draw attention from the rear while we handle the main front.” Hua Yan relayed Chen Xi’s message, shaking his head.

Zhou Yu glanced at Hua Yan, uninterested in commenting. Whatever Zhou Yu did, Chen Xi couldn’t possibly control. When the time came, the end result would reveal who was truly advanced in strategy.

”Leave this to me, load all the military supplies onto the warships. As for the invoice for these supplies, let me have it.” Zhou Yu reached his hand out to Hua Yan for the invoice, signed it, dismissing mere billions of coins as insignificant, focusing on securing the items first.

Seeing Zhou Yu had signed, Hua Yan stowed away everything, notifying Zhou Yu, ”All the military supplies have been loaded on the ships. General Zhou may proceed at any time.”

Zhou Yu nodded, instructed his men to verify the supplies against the previous list, while having the Navy help Zhao Zun and others unload, then packing his share onto flatboats. With ropes, all flatboats were attached to the sea ships, ready to transport both supplies and personnel.

The loading and unloading took considerable time, and Zhou Yu appeared eager not to linger too long at Donglai. Once everything was loaded and a hearty meal eaten, he led the fleet towards Liaodong. Under Zhou Yu’s lead, numerous aristocratic families that had also come to Donglai to join the expedition sailed north together with Zhou Yu’s force.

Though said private soldiers couldn’t rival the combat power of Zhou Yu’s navy, following Zhou Yu’s fleet presented a rather grand spectacle.

Simultaneously, a previous group of aristocratic families who had set sail for Liaodong aiming to circle around and attack the Hun’s rear, encountered circumstances far beyond their expectations.

As they advanced northward along Liaodong after landing, hordes of Hu People ambushed from all around, led by thousands from the core Northern Huns, launching a fierce attack. In an instant, a whole force of thousands of aristocratic family private soldiers, adequately equipped, plunged into crisis.