Three Kingdoms

In the Jiangdong Army camp in Jiangling.

Zhou Yu frowned.

"Cheng Demou is the governor of the left?" 』

The soldiers under his command responded: "That's right. Governor Zuo has led 10,000 troops and will arrive soon..."

Zhou Yu waved his hand slightly to signal to the soldiers that they understood and bowed before leaving.

Jiangling is no better than Jiangxia. Although the difference is only one word, the difference is actually very different. Jiangling was originally the administrative seat of Jingzhou. Later, because Liu Biao arrived in Xiangyang, no one single-handedly dared to enter Jiangling easily, so he adopted the strategy of Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue in Xiangyang. After killing the clan traitors, the situation in Jingzhou was stabilized. Later, the administration was simply moved to Xiangyang.

It can be seen that the prevalence of clan thieves in Jiangling at that time was a very serious problem.

Zong thief.

Many people just think of the word simple, but in fact, if you think deeply, why are clan thieves common in the Jiangnan area of ​​Jingzhou, but seem to be rare in Jiangbei and other places?

In fact, clan thieves are not really like thieves or bandits in the ordinary sense, but contain a profound concept in Chinese tradition, "the winner is the king and the loser is the bandit."

Because most of the "Three Kingdoms" written by later generations took the standpoint of the northern regime, the south became a thief. And if these "thieves" are located up and down the river, then there are some relatively more pertinent names, such as "Zong You", "Zong Zhong", etc...

Therefore, the Jiangling Sect’s thieves are strong not because of the strong thieves, but because of the number of “scholars”...

It would not be difficult for Zhou Yu to attack Jiangxia, because Jiangxia was originally a military buffer zone or a frontier zone. If it weren't for the copper mines in Jiangxia, no one would go there often.

Gangneung is different. One is a mining area and the other is a residential area. Can they be compared? Therefore, the attack on Jiangxia can be urgent, while the attack on Jiangling must be slow-cooked. Zhou Yu's original plan was to use Jiangling to show the power of Jiangdong, and then let the people in Jiangling influence Xiangyang in turn, so as to defeat the enemy without fighting. Effect.

To defeat Jiangling City, the more important thing is to conquer these Jingzhou clans!

After all, if they are desperate, if they push the clans in Jiangling too hard, they will fall to the other side...

Zhou Yu adopted this strategy because the composition of Jiangdong's soldiers was not suitable for attacking fortresses. In other words, it is no longer suitable for brutal confrontation...

The composition of Jiangdong's soldiers and horses is a three-layer pyramid structure of generals' private soldiers + recruited soldiers + slave soldiers. The top one is naturally the most elite generals' private soldiers, and then they are controlled and commanded layer by layer. There are fewer soldiers on the upper level, and more soldiers on the lower level.

If there is a battle in the wild, then the elite private soldiers commanded by the generals will break through the opponent's formation with the recruited troops, and then the army will cover up and win the final victory. This is basically a traditional tactic passed down from Sun Jian's generation.

There was no problem for Sun Jian to use such tactics, and it was okay for the second generation Sun Ce to follow it, because both Sun Jian and Sun Ce were fierce generals in front of the battle, and the Sun family's private soldiers were the most powerful backbone. The Sun family took the lead in the charge. Overcoming difficulties, what else can other people do?

Therefore, Sun Jian and Sun Ce used such a structure of soldiers to charge into battle. Regardless of whether the final result was victory or defeat, there was basically no problem.

But now...

Now, the Sun family's private soldiers are behind...

Even if Zhou Yu is brilliant and intelligent, he can't change just because he wants to. After all, Zhou Yu's surname is Zhou. If he keeps calling the Sun family's private soldiers, what does this mean?

Therefore, the current Jiangdong soldiers are not saying that they can only fight with the wind, but it is best not to get into trouble, otherwise it will be easy to lose control when morale collapses. In such a situation, how can Zhou Yu not be cautious?

But here comes a left governor, Cheng Pu.

Is this person Cheng Pu...

Zhou Yu was silent for a moment, then stood up and said, "Come here, prepare your horses!" Suimou goes forward to greet the governor from the left! 』

Cheng Pu and Huang Gai are different. Although they are both legacies of the Jiangdong generation, Huang Gai is more willing to be flexible, while Cheng Pu has a more rigid personality and is a typical representative of the elders. Zhou Yu is naturally a representative of the second generation. Then Sun Quan's intention of appointing Cheng Pu as the left governor is very obvious.

Zhou Yu sat on the horse, swaying, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional in his heart.

If we talk about charging into battle, Sun Jian and Sun Ce can throw Sun Quan out of sight, but on the other hand, if we talk about power competition, Sun Quan really lives up to his name...

Sun Quan was probably a little anxious. Sun Quan sent Cheng Pu as the left governor. In fact, he wanted to strike a balance between the elder faction and the second-generation faction, which not only took into account the interests of both parties, but also allowed both sides to check each other. It was best for both sides to snitch on each other so that Sun Quan could control A bunch of pigtails on top for easy remote control in the background.

"I've met Governor Zhou!" When Cheng Pu saw Zhou Yu standing on the left side of the road to greet him, he quickly jumped off his horse and saluted Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu also returned the courtesy and was meticulous.

"What can you do, Governor Zhou?" Might as well speak up. 』The two people stood on the small slope beside the road, with the guards behind them standing at the bottom of the slope. Cheng Pu also has a direct personality, without any pleasantries or beating around the bush, he just speaks directly.

Zhou Yu nodded and said slowly: "Master, are you eager to conquer Jiangling?" 』

Cheng Pu was silent for a moment, then nodded. Although Sun Quan did not directly tell Cheng Pu what military order he wanted Cheng Pu to enact, but with the earnest parting words, who could not understand what Sun Quan meant?

"Jiangxia is a place to stand. We need to take it urgently. If we can't get it, there will be no place to stand..." Zhou Yu tried to communicate with Cheng Pu, "Jiangling is not the same. If you need to take it urgently..."

Zhou Yu's eyes were dark and he looked towards the north, "I'm afraid the clams and cranes are fighting..."

Cheng Pu frowned and said, "The Governor's intention is..."

Zhou Yu said: "I received news some time ago that the Hussars have returned to Guanzhong..."

Cheng Pu was stunned and said, "So fast?" ! Didn't you say there was a confrontation under Xu County? 』

These days, conquering a city is generally calculated in years. It is common to conquer a city for half a year and a year, and some even fight for three or four years... Even in the later Yuan Dynasty, when the Mongolian soldiers brought back artillery, It took six years to fight against Xiangyang...

Therefore, Cheng Pu was very surprised that the war between Fei and Cao ended quickly, and he vaguely understood Zhou Yu's concerns, but after thinking for a moment, he still said: "It is more urgent to go to Jiangling!" Even if Cao Jun comes, what will happen? Isn't it just to fuck his mother? Let's see whose knife is stronger!

Zhou Yu couldn't help but frown. The reason why he couldn't talk to some people from the veteran faction was that these guys were just like Cheng Pu. Their minds were still stuck in Sun Jian's era. They were always cutting with knives and shouting. To kill, even counting the merits of a person's head requires picking at the fingers...

"Captain Cheng!" ” Zhou Yu tried to put it more clearly, “This world is not owned by Jiangdong. Although Jingzhou is small, it has many connections with the Central Plains, so we should proceed with caution..."

The battlefield in the north has changed, and further detection is needed. Only after the movement is determined can the next step of the plan be implemented. At least it is necessary to know whether Cao Jun has made any changes, etc.

Cheng Pu waved his hand, interrupted Zhou Yu, and said, "I don't understand these." I just know that my lord has an order to defeat Jiangling! If Governor Zhou has any high opinions, he might as well present the case directly to the Lord! If the Lord gives an order to someone, you should obey it! I have unfinished military affairs, so it is inconvenient for me to speak freely with the Commander-in-Chief. I hope the Commander-in-Chief will forgive me! Farewell! 』

Cheng Pu is not stupid either. He understands what Zhou Yu means, that is, don't rush to take action first, and wait until Zhou Yu and Sun Quan have communicated clearly before taking action. But the question is, if he follows Zhou Yu's suggestion, what will Sun Quan think? So Cheng Pu also told Zhou Yu very straightforwardly, I will still take action here. If you have any questions, just talk to Sun Quan. I only obey military orders!

Zhou Yu could only nod in the end, watching Cheng Pu wind away with his men and horses. After a long time, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Zhou Yu also knew that such a major matter had to be communicated with Sun Quan, and he also sent a messenger to Jiangxia. However, he was worried that during the process of communicating with Sun Quan, Cheng Pu would mess up the plan, so he came with a little hope. Meeting with Cheng Pu...

However, now, the situation has slipped towards a situation beyond Zhou Yu's control.

"I hope...it's too late..." Zhou Yu sighed slightly, his furrowed brows filled with worry.

……(╥╯^╰╥)……

For some things, the more anxious you are, the slower you have to do them little by little, so as not to make any mistakes. In addition, there are some things that are not so urgent at first, but they need to be put on a high-profile stage to attract attention.

Yang Xiu also had a headache.

Luoyang is really dilapidated...

To build a city, you need manpower and a lot of money. To restore agriculture and mulberry trees, you also need labor and a lot of materials. The same goes for repairing water conservancy and dredging rivers.

It’s difficult to just rely on the Yang family...

After pondering for a long time, Yang Xiu decided to use a chicken to lay eggs.

The Hussars had several great victories and naturally captured a lot of prisoners. Basically, Fei Qian did not take away these prisoners, but stayed in Luoyang.

Yang Xiu is now the Yin of Henan and the order of Luoyang. Facing these prisoners of Cao's army, he has a headache.

Keep it, it's a waste of food. The mulberry crops near Luoyang have not recovered much, and now there are so many mouths of these prisoners. Although the prisoners are usually given the lowest rations, the little adds up day by day. , which is quite a lot.

There is something wrong with killing him. Now, although Fei Qian said that Yang Xiu had been appointed as the Luoyang Order, he could still be regarded as a subordinate of Qiusi, but if something really happened, Yang Xiu didn't think Fei Qian could immediately send troops to rescue...

After all, sometimes Yang Xiu can feel the slight murderous intention revealed by some Fei Qian...

After comprehensive consideration, Yang Xiu prepared to return the injured prisoners of Cao's army to Cao Cao as an advance gift package in Luoyang City.

After all, these injured soldiers of Cao Cao's army may not be able to go into battle immediately, so it cannot be said to increase the strength of Cao Cao's army. On the contrary, these injured soldiers may hinder Cao Cao's pace. No matter how bad it is, having so many more mouths to eat is still a waste. At the same time, these Cao soldiers were also shocked by the previous battle. When these people return to Cao's camp, they will naturally have a certain impact on Cao's army. , it can also allow those Cao Jun soldiers who have not yet participated in the battle to feel the power of the hussars and horses, and then also increase some fear.

Yang Xiu was not afraid that Cao Cao would not accept these people, because if he were to put himself in his shoes, even if Yang Xiu knew it was poison, he would still have to take it first.

Therefore, Yang Xiu did not notify Cao Cao first, but directly sent people to take these injured soldiers to Yangcheng with great fanfare.

These prisoners of Cao's army who set out early had either injured hands or legs, and some of the more serious ones were dragged forward on stretchers. Of course, there were also some who couldn't survive the journey and died. He was abandoned directly by the roadside.

These wounded soldiers from Cao's army naturally could not move very fast, so naturally there were scouts from Cao's army who passed the information to the ears of Xiahou Dun, the defender of Yangcheng.

When Xiahou Dun heard the news, he was eating breakfast. Xiahou Dun was very preoccupied and ate very slowly. Although Xiahou Dun returned to Yangcheng and everything seemed to be back to the way it was before, everyone knew that things were completely different.

Cao Cao told Xiahou Dun not to think too much, but could Xiahou Dun really not think about anything?

Many people in the court have begun to talk privately that the Xiahou clan is actually trash. Xiahou Yuan is like this, Xiahou Dun is no exception, and then Xiahou Chong, hehehehe...

The more Cao Cao trusted Xiahou Dun, the more Xiahou Dun felt a heavy responsibility. Trust is a kind of debt, and it must be repaid to some extent. Although there were some reasons for the defeat in the previous battle with the Hussars, a defeat is a defeat. Even if you emphasize any objective and subjective factors, it will make people think that you are a loser. It's quibbling and shirking responsibility.

Therefore, Xiahou Dun had to endure all these gossips, endure them silently, grind them up, and swallow them in his stomach, just like the bowl of wheat rice in front of him.

Cao Tai, who came to report the news, couldn't help but cursed: "Young son of the Yang family!" So much for the insidiousness! These wounded soldiers deserved it, and they deserved it even less! "Cao Tai is Cao Ren's eldest son. He is somewhat young and energetic now, so he naturally sprays whatever comes to mind.

Xiahou Dun continued to eat slowly, then put the last pickle and a few grains of wheat into his mouth, chewed it carefully and swallowed it, as if he was eating some delicacy.

"Isn't this the case for all knights? Xiahou Dun put down the bowl, motioned to the guards to take it away, and said slowly, "Are you still counting on the Yang family to send food for the war horses and troops?" 』

Cao Tai frowned and said, "If we accept it, it may damage morale." 』

Xiahou Dun nodded, "First set up a new battalion in the east of the city and send doctors to Haosheng for treatment... Also, if the Yang family has envoys coming with them, they will bring them to see someone..."

Xiahou Dun felt that Yang Xiu must not just send back the wounded prisoners as simple as that.

Sure enough, Yang Cang was brought to Xiahou Dun.

"Who are you?" Xiahou Dun asked.

Yang Cang cupped his hands and saluted: "I am Cao Yang Cang who was ordered by Luoyang." 』

"Hongnong Yang?" ” Xiahou Dun pinched Yang Cang with his eyelids. He looks quite talented. Of course, who doesn’t like beautiful and capable male secretaries these days? Maybe only the Cavalry General uses that fat black ugly bird...

Yang Cang smiled, acquiescing.

Xiahou Dun nodded, and then said, "Take a seat." 』

"Thank you, General. Yang Cang sat down.

Xiahou Dun was silent for a moment and said, "Whose idea is it to return the wounded prisoners?" 』

"There is an order from the Hsiao cavalry. The head of the family is in charge of Henan Yin and is in charge of Luoyang!" Yang Cang replied. The authority of the local governor in the Han Dynasty was very large. The so-called chief meant that all military and political power were under the control of one person, and this naturally included matters such as wounding prisoners. There is nothing wrong with what Yang Cang said. After all, Qiaoqi did hand over Luoyang to Yang Xiu in the first place.

Xiahou Dun nodded and said, "Why return it?" 』

Yang Cang said: "It is useless to keep these injuries, so it is better to return them." 』

Xiahou Dun was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "You are sincere!" ” Xiahou Dun originally thought that Yang Cang would say some pathetic nonsense, but he didn’t expect that Yang Cang would state his purpose so directly and clearly.

"Apart from that, do you want anything else? Xiahou Dun said leisurely.

Yang Cang cupped his hands and said, "The general can indeed see thousands of miles away and illuminate all things." The purpose of returning captives is to establish a market, exchange what is needed, and learn from each other's strengths! "Yang Xiu wants to rebuild the Heluo area. It is indeed insufficient to rely solely on the strength of the Yang family, so he must get material support from other places. Then carrying out trade, a large number of commercial people and material exchanges will undoubtedly make Luo Yang regains his strength faster.

Yang Xiu speculated that there would not be a fight between Fei Qian and Cao Cao in a short time, so why not take advantage of this time to make a profit?

"Exchange what you have and what you don't have, and learn from each other's strengths?" Xiahou Dun frowned. He really didn't expect Yang Xiu's purpose to be this. He was a little surprised, and then he became a little suspicious. Could it be that Yang Xiu had received some instructions from General Hussar and specifically used the name of doing business to infiltrate?

But the problem is that if there is such a market, it is indeed beneficial. Apart from anything else, the rare resource of war horses is what Cao Cao wants.

Is Yang Xiu really willing to open a market in Luoyang to allow trade?

This may sound incredible, but it also makes Xiahou Dun a little excited.

Because Xiahou Dun also knew that it was impossible for Cao Cao to take the initiative to attack the Hussar General at this stage. It would be best if he could take advantage of this time to obtain some weapons and horses from the Hussar General. Although there were other channels before, such as caravans taking the Wancheng route, but if a market can be fixed, wouldn't it be much better than the caravan trading model with irregular times and uncertain quantities?

Xiahou Dun was hesitant. He didn't want to let this opportunity go, but he was also worried that it was a trap. What if it was a new trap?

Mutual trade between the two sides was a big or small matter. Naturally, Xiahou Dun could not make the decision alone, so on the one hand, he asked Yang Cang to stay in Yangcheng for a while, and on the other hand, he also sent soldiers to Xu County. Letters, reporting what happened...