Zhou Yu is on his way back from Poyang Lake to Chaisang when he receives the message, in which he is called back to the capital. The civil and military officials come in several small boats to welcome Zhou Yu. Their real intention is to inquire about Zhou Yu’s position on whether to surrender or go to war against Cao Cao. Zhou Yu cannot possibly tell them his real opinion. Military leaders, no matter father and son, or husband and wife, may still not share military secrets with each other. Consequently, Zhou Yu prefers to steer his boat along the current, avoiding direct confrontation.
周瑜由鄱陽湖回柴桑半途接到吳侯公事，即調他回去。文武官員紛紛駕小舟迎接周瑜，實則打探周瑜主張，對曹操是降還是戰。周瑜不可能以實情告訴他們。用兵者、父子、夫妻都不共心腹，對文武官員用了個順水推舟的辦法。