"This..."
Hearing Guanqiu Jian's words, Cao Mao hesitated.
Guanqiu Jian's strategy conflicted somewhat with Zhong Hui's.
Cao Mao could understand Guanqiu Jian's thinking. Sun 𬘭 had killed several of the Wu Kingdom's great generals in succession, and greater turmoil was certain to follow. This looked like an excellent opportunity to attack.
Still, Cao Mao felt they should destroy the Shu Kingdom first.
First, there was the Yangtze River's natural moat. Great Wei had a navy, but destroying Eastern Wu with its current navy and warships might still be a stretch.
Moreover, the Wu Kingdom had not yet suffered a break in its succession of capable men. A full-scale assault might truly force the Shu-Wu Alliance into being.
The people of the Wu Kingdom disliked attacking, but they were very fond of defending.
Cao Mao did not conceal his thoughts, saying quite directly, "General, the Wu Kingdom's internal strife can be intensified, but it has not yet reached the point where it can be destroyed."
"There are two men in the Wu Kingdom whom I rather fear: Ding Feng among the veteran generals, and Lu Kang among the younger generation."
"Attacking the Wu Kingdom now would cause its people to unite swiftly, and perhaps even join forces with the Shu Kingdom. That would be unfavorable to us."
"I think it would be best to use Sun 𬘭's hand to eliminate these formidable enemies in the Wu Kingdom. Keep Sun 𬘭 alive and let him wreak havoc for many more years. Once he has all but ruined the Wu Kingdom's national strength, we can act."
"Of the Shu Kingdom and the Wu Kingdom, the Shu Kingdom is still the more formidable."
"The Wu Kingdom's generals capable of commanding large armies have all been killed. In the short term, they simply cannot find