Luo Xi narrowed her eyes slightly. When she heard that Chu State was marching north, she knew the time had come to draw in the net.
She laid out for Guan Zhong and Lü Xiao Bai the plan Luo State had prepared for Chu State. "Luo State has always kept an eye on Chu State. Many years ago, we began contacting Ying State of Ying, Wu State, Zheng State, and Chen State.
"We simply never expected Chu State to be stronger than anticipated. Chen State failed to hold out until its allies arrived.
"But of these four states, Wu State is the most crucial. Just as with Xu State back then, the people of Chu will never imagine that Wu State will appear behind them and deliver a fatal thrust."
Guan Zhong and Lü Xiao Bai exchanged a glance. Never mind Chu State-even they had not imagined it. Wu State had so little presence, after all, forever tucked away in the southeast, contending with Xu-Huai and Yue State, far too distant from the Central Plains.
In particular, the people of Wu cut their hair short and tattooed their bodies. Chu State at least looked like a state of All Xia, whereas Wu State had mingled far too thoroughly with the barbarians. Had it not been a Ji state, no one would have paid it any attention.
"If Wu State can come over to our side, then given Chu State's current position, they will practically be marching to their deaths.
"They occupied Chen State, so they must intend to attack Zheng State. That makes Yanling the place where they can station their army.
"The swiftest grain transport route follows the Ying River, and Ying State of Ying currently has no strength to spare for anything else. But if Wu State sails