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Zhou Yu dies at Baqiu Ford in fury and sorrow; Sun Quan appoints Lu Su. Zhuge Liang travels under pretext of mourning, offers heartfelt eulogy by the bier.
Zhou Yu was enraged by Zhuge Liang’s territorial gains but was counseled to prioritize the threat from Cao Cao. Lu Su negotiated with Liu Bei about territories, resulting in a temporary agreement while strategizing for future incursions. Liu Bei’s forces began taking control of various commanderies with Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei leading successful conquests.
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.
