How Can a Pawn Be Worthy of Victory?

Jianye was too far from Guangzhou. After Yangtze River shipping resumed, both sides had tightened their inspections and checks on cargo vessels entering and leaving.

To better maintain his cover in Jiangdong, Hu Ke had repeatedly reduced the number of cargo ships sent to Panyu Harbor, while keeping up regular trips to Jing Province to order the Yangtze Daily.

The encrypted letter was detailed. Hu Ke reported on the recent chaos in Jiangdong: in order to swiftly balance the relationships among all sides, Sun Quan had wielded both favor and force against the Han Clan, the Lu Clan, and even the Sima Brothers. He had also humbled himself to accept the title of King of Wu from the State of Wei. Jiangdong now appeared calm as still water, but the various interest groups were in fact locked in fierce struggle.

"You translated the secret letter. Do you have any thoughts to share with me?" Lan Tian gestured for Song Chen to sit and answer.

Song Chen pushed his chair back, rose, and cupped his fists. "Sir should already have a complete plan. This subordinate may not explain it well, so you should just give your orders directly."

"Crafty. Never mind my arrangements—tell me your own view first." Lan Tian smiled faintly.

"Since Sun Quan is desperately trying to keep things under control and has even transferred Han Zong to Huainan to garrison there, why not have General Hu add fuel to the flames? Let the Lu Clan obtain some tangible evidence as well. The two families will surely continue fighting. Jiangdong's aristocratic clans already have conflicts with the Huaisi military commanders; they may even fan the flames. As for dragging the Sima Brothers into it, that is the one part this subordinate cannot understand."

"For Hu Ke to provoke a