naval battle - Khabar Asia

Cao Cao Reciting Poetry on the Yangtze While Inspecting His Naval Forces

Chapter 48: A Banquet on the Long River—Cao Cao Composes Poems; The Northern Army Employs Chained Warships

news2025-06-082025-06-03031 mins

Pang Tong confesses Xu Shu’s betrayal, and Xu Shu departs to spread rumors that Han Sui and Ma Teng are revolting. Alarmed, Cao Cao sends Xu Shu to guard San Pass. Riding the flagship on a calm Yangtze, Cao Cao banquets his generals beneath a full moon, boasts of conquering the south, and composes “To Drink a Song.” As night falls, he praises his chained warships, convinced of victory. Two former Yuan Shao officers, Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan, volunteer to raid the southern camps in twenty small boats but are slain by Han Dang and Zhou Tai. Observing the north’s fleet return, Zhou Yu rejoices until a banner is ripped by wind, brushing his face—he cries out and collapses, blood flowing, stricken by a dire omen.

Chapter 45: At the Mouth of the Three Rivers, Cao Cao’s Forces Falter; Heroes Gather as Jiang Gan Is Outwitted

news2025-06-052025-06-03049 mins

Zhou Yu lures Zhuge Liang into Wu’s camp under the pretense of seizing Cao Cao’s supplies at Jutie Mountain, secretly intending to have Cao’s forces eliminate him. Zhuge Liang, aware of Zhou Yu’s plot, feigns compliance while planning to strike by water instead. Meanwhile, Liu Bei sails to meet Zhou Yu, but Guan Yu’s presence thwarts the assassination. Back at camp, Zhou Yu executes Cao Cao’s envoy, provoking Cao’s fury. Naval battles ensue at the Three Rivers’ mouth: Gan Ning’s archery routs Cai Yan, and Wu’s fleet overwhelms Cao’s poorly trained soldiers. Cao rebuilds his river defenses under Mao Jie and Yu Jin. Zhou Yu, cautious of Zhuge Liang’s insight, prepares further stratagems, while Lu Su and Zhuge Liang conspire to secure victory.