
Chapter 46: Borrowing Arrows with Strange Tactics; Huang Gai Endures Punishment to Present a Secret Plan
Lu Su brings Zhou Yu’s directive to Zhuge Liang, who predicts Cao Cao’s scrutiny and knows that Cai Mao and Zhang Yun’s deaths leave Wu secure. Zhou Yu then tasks Zhuge Liang with producing 100,000 arrows in three days. Secretly, Zhuge Liang borrows 20 boats, links them amid thick river fog, and beats drums to draw Cao’s archers to shoot. When the fog clears, each boat is bristling with five to six thousand arrows, totaling over 100,000. Backbone shaken, Cao Cao regrets his waste. Returning, Zhuge Liang admits that true generals study heaven and earth, foreseeing even the fog. Zhou Yu, witnessing the feat, praises his rival’s divine insight and pledges loyalty.