Can I get to the other side?

In Runan County, ten miles outside the city, 10,000 troops are stationed here.

Since the crusade against Yuan Shu, Lu Bu's territory has been expanding, and his troops have been increasing.

Now he has 30,000 troops under his command.

Except for 10,000 troops guarding Xuzhou, the remaining 20,000 troops are distributed in the five counties of Yangzhou.

Among them, Runan has a full 10,000 elite troops.

On the one hand, it is to prevent Cao Cao from making a comeback, and on the other hand, it is to deal with Sun Ce.

At this time, in the huge martial arts field in the military camp, Lu Bu was riding on the Red Hare to experience the double stirrups brought by Zhen.

The Red Hare galloped at high speed, and Lu Bu did all kinds of difficult movements at will.

Or bend the bow and arrow, or charge sideways, or hang upside down on the horse's belly...

After a long time, until the Red Hare was out of breath, Lu Bu stopped.

"General, how is it?" Chen Gong stepped forward and asked anxiously.

If the double stirrups really have the effect that Zhen said, the strength of Bingzhou Iron Cavalry will undoubtedly be improved by several levels.

"Good stuff, good stuff!"

"This is simply a cavalry weapon!"

Lu Bu laughed, his face full of excitement, "Gongtai, with this pair of stirrups, I can greatly make up for my own inconvenience in archery. In the past, it took months or even longer to train a cavalryman. Now, this general can quickly train a group of elite cavalrymen!"

"This little thing can greatly improve the balance of cavalrymen on horseback, without the need to use energy to control the horse. In this way, not only can the accuracy of riding and shooting be improved, but also different weapons can be carried for combat, and more complex cavalry tactics can be used."

After Lu Bu experienced it once, he deeply knew that double stirrups have too many benefits for cavalrymen.

Without double stirrups, cavalrymen must always use their legs to clamp the horse's belly when fighting to keep their body balanced and not fall off the horse.

In combat, bows and arrows are the main weapons.

Only when charging will weapons such as spears and horse lances be used.

If you are not a skilled rider, you cannot swing your weapon too far, or you will be easily knocked off your horse by the enemy.

Now with double stirrups, you can use a variety of weapons such as spears, broadswords, and even meteor hammers.

You don't have to worry about falling off your horse due to excessive chopping with a long sword.

"So many benefits?!"

After getting a definite answer from Lu Bu, Chen Gong instantly became excited, "I'll try it too!"

After that, he led out a horse with double stirrups, turned over and rode on the horse's back, and drew the sword at his waist while galloping.

A quarter of an hour later, Chen Gong returned.

His face flushed with excitement, and he said with deep emotion: "With such a sharp weapon in hand, the general's Bingzhou Iron Cavalry should be the best cavalry in the world!"

After experiencing it himself, he realized that what Lu Bu said was true.

Double stirrups are simply epoch-making equipment for cavalry.

In addition to greatly improving the combat effectiveness of the cavalry, it can also greatly reduce the training time of the cavalry.

"It's a pity that this general doesn't have so many war horses!"

Lu Bu sighed, his face full of regret, and missed his hometown Bingzhou, "If there are enough war horses, this general will definitely form a 10,000-man cavalry!"

10,000-man cavalry!

Chen Gong felt his scalp tingling just thinking about it.

If there are 10,000-man cavalry, when the two armies are facing each other, they can just charge directly, and there is no need to find an opportunity to attack from the flank.

Unless the enemy has cavalry of the same size, or a large number of elite infantry like the Xianzhen Camp.

Otherwise, it will be a one-sided massacre on the battlefield.

"General, the double stirrups must be kept strictly confidential. This thing is easy to imitate, and it must not be easily leaked before it is officially unveiled. And the horseshoes can greatly reduce the loss of war horses, and people must be arranged to nail them into the horseshoes of war horses as soon as possible."

Chen Gong planned in his mind to let the double stirrups appear in a crucial battle to catch the enemy off guard.

Before that, it must be kept secret as much as possible.

Lu Bu naturally understood this truth and nodded in agreement.

He had a hunch that with the appearance of the double stirrups, the future battlefield would most likely be dominated by cavalry.

He wanted to take advantage of the winter to train a group of cavalry reserves. In the future, when there are more war horses, the cavalry system will be expanded.

Chen Gong said again: "General, Zhen will send a batch of weapons and armor next month. You may ask if you can provide some war horses."

Lu Bu glanced at Chen Gong and shook his head vigorously: "I won't ask, you ask if I want to ask."

Chen Gong avoided his gaze and coughed lightly: "Gong thinks it's better for the general to ask."

"You ask."

"General ask."

"You ask, you are eloquent."

"General ask, the general is thick-skinned."

The two pushed and pushed, and finally Lu Bu couldn't help but speak.

"Zhen Shi gave us a batch of money and food not long ago, and now she has sent us another 1,000 pairs of stirrups and 4,000 horseshoes. She will send weapons and armor next month. How can this general ask for this!"

If you want money, you get money; if you want food, you get food; if you want weapons and equipment, you get weapons and equipment.

Lu Bu has never enjoyed such treatment.

He really doesn't have the face to ask Zhen Shi for war horses again. He feels embarrassed just thinking about it.

"General, this is what you did wrong."

Chen Gong said righteously: "Whether it is the general or Zhen Shi, they are all training the army for your majesty and fighting against the rebels for your majesty. They are close colleagues. Since they have something to do with each other, why should they be shy?"

"Don't you want to have a cavalry of 10,000 people?"

"Don't you want to lead these 10,000 cavalry to conquer Jiangdong and sweep across the world? This is laying the foundation for your majesty and is related to your majesty's future revival plan!"

Chen Gong's words are full of bewitching power.

And this just hits Lu Bu's soft spot.

Because it has always been his dream to build a 10,000-man cavalry.

Every time he imagines himself leading the cavalry to gallop on the battlefield and be invincible, Lu Bu can't help but be excited and fascinated.

Greedy, too greedy.

And if he has such a cavalry, who in the world will be his opponent?

His grandson's kingdom will also be as solid as a rock!

After hesitating and struggling in his heart, Lu Bu finally couldn't resist the temptation and gritted his teeth and said, "Forget it! For your majesty's great cause, this general will risk his face!"

"Don't wait until next month, I'll go to the manager of the Zhen's Chamber of Commerce now!"

For your majesty and for his grandson, he is shameless!

Chen Gong smiled when he heard this, "That's right, then I will wait for the general's good news."

"Wait for the general's good news?" Lu Bu looked at Chen Gong, stretched out his hand to grab him and put him on his shoulder, then grinned in his shocked eyes: "Gongtai should go with me!"

Want him to embarrass himself alone?

How is it possible!

So, Lu Bu carried the struggling Chen Gong and swaggered out of the military camp.

...

Xu County, Cao Mansion.

When Cao Cao learned that Yuan Shao had lost in Youzhou, he was not happy, but furious.

Because Gongsun Zan paid homage to the emperor of Yecheng in public!

"Yuan Shao, Lu Bu, Liu Bei, and now Gongsun Zan, if this goes on, all the princes in the world will recognize the fake emperor of Yecheng!"

Cao Cao threw the intelligence into the brazier and cursed fiercely.

Gongsun Zan is also a famous prince in the world today, dominating Youzhou, with good reputation and strength.

Now that he is paying homage to the emperor of Yecheng in front of the two armies, it undoubtedly raises the authenticity of the fake emperor again!

The real emperor in his hand is more and more like a fake one!

Xun Yu sighed and said, "Although Gongsun Zan had to pay homage to the fake emperor in front of the battle line to solve his own crisis, and used the name of clearing the court to stabilize the army, it did benefit Yuan Shao."

Cao Cao still said with a gloomy face: "Whether Gongsun Zan is sincere or not, the world only knows that he paid homage to the fake emperor in Yecheng! It will make people more convinced that the fake emperor is the real dragon emperor!"

"Kong Rong, the old thief, really messed up my big business!"

Cao Cao said, and punched the table hard.

He hated Gongsun Zan for paying homage to the fake emperor in front of the two armies, but he also understood that Gongsun Zan had no choice at the time.

But Kong Rong, the old man, is different.

If it weren't for Kong Rong, why would he be bothered by this?

Xun You shook his head and said, "Kong Wenju's reputation has been completely ruined. He has been abused by scholars and writers all over the world. It's really lamentable."

"I heard that he is now staying at home and not seeing any visitors. He is just diligently governing Beihai County."

Cao Cao sneered: "Not distinguishing the emperor, this is the fate that old man deserves!"

After scolding Kong Rong fiercely, Cao Cao felt a little relieved.

But when he thought of his current situation, he felt a little bored.

The defeat in Runan caused him to lose a large number of elite troops, and even Xiahou Dun was seriously injured and dying.

Yuan Tan in Qingzhou was eyeing him covetously. In a short period of time, he could not send troops to compete with Lu Bu for Yangzhou.

He could only slowly recuperate and recover his strength.

In addition, Liu Biao of Jingzhou showed signs of sending troops to take back Nanyang County and Wancheng from him.

At present, Liu Biao has deployed troops on the border. The two sides are constantly rubbing and ready to move. It is unknown when the war will start.

The most important thing is that with Gongsun Zan's bow and his slogan of "clearing the court", the authority of the emperor of Xu County has further declined.

Now more and more people believe that the fake emperor in Yecheng is the real emperor.

In the long run, Yuan Shao may succeed in passing off the fake as the real, and Cao Mengde will completely become a traitor who pretends to be the emperor.

One bad thing after another, it is worrying and tiring.

The only good news is that Yuan Shao was restrained by Gongsun Zan, and he lost in the battle. Even his general Wen Chou was injured. He will not send troops south to attack Xu County for the time being.

"Sikong, Yangzhou is no longer able to fight, and our current enemy is still Yuan Shao." Xun Yu reminded solemnly.

"If Gongsun Zan is defeated and Youzhou falls, then Yuan Shao will be completely invincible; after taking Youzhou, he will no longer have to worry about being attacked from all sides, and his next target will definitely be Sikong."

Yuan Shao was originally the strongest among all the princes.

If it weren't for the fact that Gongsun Zan in Youzhou was holding him back, he would have already marched south to seize the Central Plains, and no one could have stopped him.

And the first to bear the brunt was Xu County.

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao both had the emperor in their hands, and the two had long been at odds with each other.

"Wen Ruo means that I should help Gongsun Zan fight against Yuan Shao?" Cao Cao frowned and said.

Xun Yu nodded and said, "That's right. Although Yuan Shao was defeated temporarily, it doesn't mean he can't capture Youzhou. Although Gongsun Zan is strong, he can never stop Yuan Shao. Defeat is only a matter of time."

"When the spring of next year comes, Yuan Shao will gather troops again to advance into Youzhou, and Gongsun Zan will probably be unable to stop him."

"Sikong and Gongsun Zan are like lips and teeth, and we must not sit idly by and watch Gongsun Zan be destroyed by Yuan Shao."

Cao Cao was in a state of hesitation after hearing this.

He certainly understood what Xun Yu said, but Gongsun Zan had just paid homage to the emperor of Yecheng. How could he not be annoyed when he took the initiative to help him?

Xun You saw Cao Cao's concerns and continued to persuade him: "Gongsun Zan was forced to pay homage to the pseudo-emperor. If Sikong showed goodwill to him at this time, he might not turn to recognize Your Majesty."

"In this way, Sikong not only gets the support of Gongsun Zan, but also can unite with him to restrain Yuan Shao's hands and feet, which is very beneficial to the current situation."

If Yuan Shao beats Gongsun Zan, then they will help Gongsun Zan.

If Yuan Shao beats them, Gongsun Zan will stab them in the back!

Although Yuan Shao is strong, he is not strong enough to open two fronts at the same time and win, otherwise he would not have lost in Youzhou this time.

And if the war really breaks out, other princes will certainly not sit idly by, because no one wants to see Yuan Shao's family dominate.

"Wen Ruo and Gong Da have a point."

Knowing the pros and cons, Cao Cao's slight unhappiness also dissipated, "I will write a letter tomorrow and send it to Youzhou to Gongsun Zan. I just don't know what he has in mind, and whether he will sincerely unite with me?"

Xun You smiled and said, "Gongsun Zan is in Youzhou, isolated and helpless. If he doesn't unite with Sikong, he will only end up being annexed. How could he be so stupid that he can't figure this out?"

No matter from which angle you analyze it, Gongsun Zan has no reason to refuse.

He and Cao Cao are in a relationship of lips and teeth.

And he is the lips, Cao Cao is the teeth.

After confirming this, Cao Cao asked again: "How is Yuan Rang doing? I heard that he has been drinking at home since he came back from the battlefield. What's going on?"

He has been too busy recently and has no time to care about Xiahou Dun.

Xiahou Dun was not only his brother, but also his most trusted general. He was shot blind in the left eye in a battle with Lu Bu, and he felt very sad about it.

Xun Yu sighed and said, "After Yuan Rang lost his left eye, he has been depressed and would get angry whenever he saw a bronze mirror. Now the only person who can persuade Yuan Rang is Sikong. If Sikong is free, you should go and visit him."

Cao Cao nodded, and he felt great hatred for Lu Bu in his heart. He said hatefully, "When I have rested the army, I will definitely enter Yangzhou again and take the head of Lu Bu's three-surnamed slave to avenge Yuan Rang!"

Not only did Lu Bu make him lose his troops and flee Yangzhou, but he also accepted Zhang Xiu, whom he hated to the core.

In terms of emotion, reason, public and private, he was eager to kill Lu Bu to vent his hatred.

...

The 30th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Yecheng, the palace.

It was another New Year's Eve, and the lights in Tai'an Hall were brilliant.

Yuan Shao, who had long withdrawn his troops from Youzhou and returned to Yecheng, hosted a banquet for his ministers in the name of the emperor in Tai'an Hall.

At the banquet, in addition to Yuan Shao's advisers and generals, Lu Bu and Liu Bei were also present.

Even Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou, a relative of the Han Dynasty, came from afar.

Yuan Shao was surprised and delighted that a relative of the Han Dynasty came to celebrate the New Year with the emperor.

What surprised him was that Liu Zhang came suddenly.

What made him happy was that the emperor's authenticity had reached a new level.

After the ministers entered the venue one after another, Liu Xie arrived at Tai'an Hall accompanied by Zhen Mi and Lu Lingqi.

When Liu Xie sat on the main seat, an eunuch shouted loudly:

"Bow!"

Everyone, including Yuan Shao, bowed to Liu Xie.

"My dear ministers, please stand up."

Liu Xie sat upright, his face solemn and full of the majesty of the emperor.

In more than a year, nearly two years, he has developed a powerful aura.

He is no longer the lackey of last year.

Lu Bu and Liu Bei are at the banquet, and Yuan Shao can only be respectful to him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone stood up and sat down one by one.

"Your Majesty, I am suffering!" Liu Zhang, who was sitting below Yuan Shao, said with a sad face as soon as he sat down: "Zhang Lu in Hanzhong is arrogant and does not listen to my orders. I have sent people to attack him many times, but all suffered a miserable defeat. I ask Your Majesty to send troops to attack Zhang Lu."

Liu Xie's heart was pounding when he heard this.

Could it be... Could it be that Yizhou still cannot escape the fate of falling into Liu Bei's hands?

If Liu Bei gets Yizhou, Lu Bu will take Yuzhang County and Lujiang County from Sun Ce, and then he can attack Jingzhou from both sides.

By then, even if Yuan Shao is powerful, the worst case scenario is that he can divide the world with him.

Suppressing his excitement, Liu Xie said in a deep voice: "What happened in Yizhou? How did Zhang Lu become so arrogant? Please tell me slowly, my dear."