Three Kingdoms: I help Liu Bei grow thousands of miles

Page 138

Lu Su found that Sun Quan looked good today. When he sat down, Sun Quan asked: "We have been stalemate with Cao Cao for nearly two months. It is not wise to compete with Cao Cao with the output of a county in Yangzhou. We still have to find a way to retreat from the enemy. I don't know. Does the governor have a clever plan?"

"At present, Cao Cao's water and land are fighting together, and their strength is three times that of mine. It is really difficult to repel them head-on. For the current plan, it is best to stick to it..." Lu Su shook his head.

Sun Quan held back his mouth slightly: "I also know that's the case, but the morale of the whole army has been low recently, and we have to go out to compete, otherwise the morale of the army will be lost, and Cao Cao will attack at any cost, and Ruxuwu may not be able to defend."

Knowing that Sun Quan was laying the groundwork, Lu Su thought that what should come would still come, so he smiled and did not answer.

"Zijing once said that the Jiangxia navy is well-trained, and the commander Gan Ning is a brave man. They have been stationed here for more than a month. Why not invite them to fight with us?" Sun Quan suggested.

"What a brave man, I am the first to refuse." Before Lu Su could answer, Ling Tong was the first to jump out.

Seeing this, Lu Meng hurriedly reminded: "Gongji, my lord is discussing military affairs, so don't talk nonsense."

Ling Tong was more convinced by Lu Meng now, he wanted to say a few more words but saw Sun Quan's face was livid, so he retreated to his seat and stopped talking.

"Let Lao Zijing run around and bring the Jiangxia warship back to the dock." Sun Quan ordered with a smile.

"Uh... I'll go right away." Lu Su was slightly taken aback, bowed his hands in return, got up and left.

Looking at Lu Su's leaving back, Sun Quan tapped on the case lightly and thoughtfully, he wondered whether this honest man's appearance could 'invite' Gan Ning back.

Chen Wu suddenly cupped his hands and said, "My lord, why do you need external force to defeat Cao's army? I escorted the grain ship passing by yesterday, and the Jiangxia navy has only 4000 to [-] people. It is impossible to control the situation of the battle."

"Zi Lie (Chen Wu) should not underestimate the enemy. Jiang Xia's soldiers and horses were trained by Guan Yunchang. Although there are only four thousand soldiers, they should not be underestimated." Sun Quan was indifferent.

"My lord, you only need to wait a little longer to defeat Cao's army. After two months of spring rains, Chaohu Lake will rise, and all places where Cao Cao camped will be submerged. Hundreds of thousands of Cao's troops will be left as fish and shrimp." Chen Wu said loudly.

Sun Quan was pleasantly surprised when he heard this, and immediately asked, "Is what Zi Lie said true?"

"The last general dare not bully each other." Chen Wu replied sonorously.

At this time Zhang Zhao stood up and said, "Zi Lie is from Lujiang, he is very familiar with the geographical environment of this area, my lord can rest assured."

Chen Wu added: "Your Majesty, you can see the clues when you stand in the East Gate. There are fertile and good fields on both sides of the Ruxu River, but why are there no people planting rice here? That's because the water in the lake will skyrocket in spring, and all the farmland will be submerged..."

Sun Quan nodded immediately. He stroked his purple beard and leaned back. This is the best news he has heard recently. If he can trick Jiang Xia's reinforcements and defeat Cao Cao, that would be a perfect ending. Now we are waiting for Lu Su's Good news.

Lu Su went to see Gan Ning with a heavy heart, and he was speechless about Sun Quan's rash decision.

The weather finally cleared up, and the Jiangxia naval base was still the same as before. Guan Ping was training troops, Fu Shiren was fishing, and Gan Ning was still practicing Wu Qin Xi.

Lu Su went ashore and went straight to Gan Ning. After the two sides greeted each other, Lu Su looked around and said cautiously: "General Gan is really at ease, can I take a step to speak?"

Although Gan Ning was puzzled, he and Lu Su walked a few feet away from the shore.

"What is the order of the governor?" Gan Ning asked curiously.

Lu Su struggled for a long time, and finally said with difficulty: "General Gan has come to aid for nearly two months, but it is a pity that he has not yet been able to fight Cao Cao. Do you feel disappointed?"

"Disappointed? No. After all, you also know that there are not many troops..." Gan Ning shook his head with a smile.

"If this continues, what is General Gan's plan?" Lu Su asked.

"To be honest, if there is no war, I am about to ask Sun Cheqi to resign. There are still matters to be dealt with in Jingzhou..." Gan Ning didn't know what Lu Su's question meant, but he still expressed his thoughts.

After hearing this, Lu Su was actually a little happy. He asked suspiciously: "I wonder if there is any urgent matter in Jingzhou?"

Gan Ning replied truthfully: "My lord is currently trapped in Yizhou. Last year, the military division decided to send troops to Xichuan next month. Now February is approaching. I have to go back and help count the army rations and supplies..."

Lu Su nodded straight, "Xuande's public security is in danger. General Gan can return to Jingzhou as soon as possible. We should continue to confront each other..."

"Uh...then I'm leaving now?" Gan Ning asked again.

Lu Su clasped his hands and said affirmatively: "Well, Su will report back to the Lord immediately, and the general has a smooth journey."

Chapter 279 The Eight Characters Retreat the Enemy

Sun Quan waited in Ruxuwu for two hours, but he didn't wait for the warships from Jiangxia to approach. Then Lu Su went back and explained the reason.

Gan Ning returned to Jingzhou for the right reasons, and failed to get rid of the guy who made him ashamed. After hearing this, Sun Quan was a little disappointed, but at this time he couldn't pursue the backstab, which would leave an excuse for Liu Bei.

Lu Su secretly rejoiced that he heard the news last night, otherwise he would be an accomplice if he foolishly invited someone to destroy the Sun-Liu alliance today.

With Lu Su's wisdom, he certainly knows that the hero Liu Bei will sooner or later stand in the way for Jiangdong to seize the world, but there are priorities to weigh the pros and cons. Before Cao Cao's strength weakens, he must not add another enemy.

Lu Su was honest and trustworthy, and Sun Quan did not doubt him.

The friendly forces had withdrawn, and Sun Quan turned his attention to Cao Cao again.

The two armies continued to confront each other at Ruxukou. Cao Cao relied on the continuous supply of food and grass from the rear, and ordered Zhu Guang, the prefect of Lujiang, to farm in the front line, intending to fight Sun Quan for a long time. Sun Quan waited for the right time according to Chen Wu's suggestion.

During this period, Sun Quan sent people back to Jianye to take turns to rest and recuperate, and went to the rear to raise and escort the army rations.

Just entered February, the spring rain is like crisp.

One evening, Sun Quan, accompanied by Lv Meng, was patrolling the camp, only to find that there was more soup in the soldiers' bowls than rice, and the faces of these Jiangdong children were full of dishes.

"Ziming, Chen Wu and Pan Zhang sent food one after another. Why did the soldiers eat so poorly?" Sun Quan asked suspiciously when he walked outside the camp.

Lu Meng shook his head and said, "The general doesn't know, but Zibu (Zhang Zhao) is in charge of military supplies. Maybe he deliberately saved rations? After all, these tens of thousands of people consume a lot every day."

Lu Meng knew too well that it was not easy to be a family. At that time, he spent military food with Lai Gong in Jiaozhou, and forced himself to go back to Jiangdong. Cao Cao was sitting in several states in the north. It was hard to say that Jiangdong would consume food.

Sun Quan nodded slightly and didn't continue the topic. When he returned to the dock, he immediately summoned Zhang Zhao to ask.

Zhang Zhao said calmly, "It is true that I have reduced my rations. Although the spring rain has already fallen, it will take some time for the water level of Chaohu Lake to rise sharply. The days after not tightening up on food and clothing will be difficult."

"However, when soldiers are treated so harshly, where will the fighting morale come from?" Sun Quan asked worriedly.

Zhang Zhao smiled wryly: "Last year, there was a large area of ​​borers in the south, and the rice production in various counties was drastically reduced. The military rations we ate were all from the past. It is not bad to have a bite to eat. My lord, you should remember that kindness does not control soldiers."

Sun Quan is not a frugal person, let alone be kind to the soldiers. He just wants to maintain a high fighting spirit and defeat Cao Cao after the water in Chaohu Lake rises.

"It would be great if the rain could be heavier..." Sun Quan walked to the window, the rain was pattering outside.

Zhang Zhaojin said: "Cao Cao has reached his twilight years, and his actions have become more and more stable. It is difficult to have a big defeat like Chibi. My lord, even if Chaohu Lake is flooded, Cao Jun can't stay where he is. They can retreat to Gao We can do it anywhere, so we may not be able to kill many enemies."

Sun Quan turned around abruptly, he only thought that the water in Chaohu Lake would rise sharply, and the warships in Jiangdong could sail unimpeded. He never thought that Cao Cao could retreat before the water rose.

"Fortunately, Zibu reminded me, is there a clever way to help me?" Sun Quan asked.

Zhang Zhao thought for a while and answered: "The refugees from Shouchun and Lujiang fled to Jiangdong in the past two months, and brought a valuable rumor with them. I also heard it from the soldiers transporting food."

"What rumor is it?"

"The Xun Lingjun that Cao Cao relied on was forced to commit suicide by the Cao thief in Shouchun..."

Sun Quan's eyes widened when he heard this, and he asked in disbelief: "I heard that Xun Yu has the talent of a king, how could Cao Cao force him to death? Are you going to cut off your own arm?"

Zhang Zhao shook his head, "As I said just now, Cao Cao is now in his twilight years, and he has to consider not only the immediate affairs, but also many behind-the-scenes matters. It seems that someone invited Cao Cao to be the Duke of the Duke, but Xun Yu objected because he didn't know the current affairs. , so there is such an ending..."

Sun Quan can understand Cao Cao very well. With the power and reputation that the opponent currently holds, isn't it easy to capture the Duke of Jinjue?Xun Yu's move is indeed against the way of a courtier. His elder brother Sun Ce finally became a general with a mixed number. Now he is a general of chariots and cavalry. Maybe he can learn from Cao thief in the future?

"Zibu mentioned the matter of Xun Yu, what exactly is he trying to say..."

"Cao Cao will not take any risks now. If my lord informs Chaohu that the water is rising, do you think he will retreat early?"

Sun Quan frowned, "Tell Cao thief such an important military situation?"

"Hahaha, everyone in the neighborhood knows this day and time. Even if my lord doesn't tell me now, can I hide it from Cao Cao? Since there is no absolute certainty of annihilating the enemy, why waste food like Lu Ziming?" Zhang Zhao asked back.

"Cao thief can really retreat?" Sun Quan asked again.

Zhang Zhao nodded and said, "It's at least [-]% possible, but if my lord can agree with Cao's entry into the rank, Xun Yu, who opposed it now, is dead, and the other party will not return?"

Sun Quan's eyes lit up when he heard it, and he said that Zhang Zibu was still very good at trying to figure out people's hearts, and the time to become Duke was right in front of him, who could bear it?So he immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Cao Ying.

Now Xun Yu committed suicide, and the mastermind Xun You has been ill for two years, and he did not follow Sun Quan in the Eastern Conquest this time, and the rest of the Zhong, Chen and other nobles did not expressly object. Just go back to work.

Cao Cao was very surprised to receive a letter written by Sun Quan. This junior actually reminded himself?There are only eight simple words on the letter: spring water is born, and the public should go quickly.

Cao Cao looked at the eight characters in a daze, and Jiang Ji, who was sitting at the bottom, reminded: "Prime Minister, there seems to be handwriting on the back of the letter."

Cao Cao turned over the letter paper, and there were also eight words: Congratulations to the prime minister, enter the public kingdom.

"Congratulations to the Prime Minister, what does it mean to enter the public kingdom?" Cao Cao raised the letter paper and asked suspiciously.

Jiang Jixi said: "This grandson Cheqi invites you to be the Duke of Wei. The mighty virtue of the lord has shocked the enemy chiefs, and it is what everyone expects."

"The prime minister is expected by all." The ministers, led by Jiang Ji, shouted in unison.

On the side, Chang Shi Dong Zhao's eyebrows stretched, and Sun Quan will be the first to persuade Jin Biao. After all, he is the chariot general of the big man, and the prime minister's Jinjue is more justified.

Cao Cao saw that the civil and military people were so excited, and it seemed that everyone was impatient, so he thought of retreating. After inquiring about the surrounding situation in detail, he learned that the water level of Chaohu Lake rose after the beginning of spring, and the vast area between Qibao Mountain and Ruxu Mountain It will be submerged, and the waters of Chaohu Lake will expand to the vicinity of the mouth of Ruxu.

In the previous battles, Cao's ships suffered heavy losses, so Cao Cao decisively ordered to withdraw his troops and return to the north, and ordered all the people in the counties and counties facing the Yangtze River to the Central Plains to prevent Sun Quan from harassing the southeast border, and made a gesture of fortifying the walls and clearing the wilderness.

The people panicked when they heard about it, and more than [-] households fled to Jiangdong with their old and young.

In February of the 18th year of Jian'an, Cao Sun ended the first battle of Ruxukou.

2 Chapter Eighty

When Gan Ning returned to Jiangxia from Ruxu, the city guard told Guan Yu to go to Jiangling, so he bid farewell to Fu Shiren and Guan Ping to return to Jiangling.

When approaching the Jiangling wharf, warships and transport ships docked neatly. Gan Ning asked the officers and soldiers of the transport ships, and learned that Lan Tian and Guan Yu were both in Jiangling at the moment.

After Gan Ning landed, he went straight to the city. The newly recruited soldiers from Jingnan were stationed outside the city. After Gao Shun's short-term training, they have now been handed over to Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei and others.

Stepping into General Zuo's mansion, Gan Ning found more than a dozen unfamiliar generals, among whom he only knew the young general Liu Feng.

Gan Ning is now a famous general in Jingzhou, and the others saluted him one after another. Liu Feng also clasped his fists in greeting: "I heard that General Gan has gone to Jiangdong, is the war over there?"

"General Guan and General Lan are in the mansion?" Gan Ning didn't answer directly.

"They are discussing the marching route in the main hall." Liu Feng said.

Gan Ning nodded, "It seems that the young master is going to Sichuan too, this time the action is really big enough, I will go into the hall and find General Guan to report back."

"General, please." Liu Feng smiled slightly.

In the center of the main hall is a simple sand table of Yizhou, and everyone gathers around to make the final strategic deployment. The most important thing for an army expedition is food supplies. Lantian needs to determine the food transportation channels for the three soldiers and horses.

Lantian will continue to transport during the war. Zhuge Liang and others should open the passage between Yizhou and Jingzhou as quickly as possible without any worries, and join forces with Liu Bei to besiege Chengdu earlier.

Liu Bei occupied Yizhou one day earlier to buy time for the later capture of Hanzhong.

At the end of last year, Liu Bei trapped and killed Yang Huai and Gao Pei, the guards of Baishui Pass, officially broke with Liu Zhang and sent Huang Zhong and Zhuo Ying to lead the army south, attacking Fucheng like a broken bamboo along the way.

Liu Zhang in Yizhou had [-] armored troops, while Liu Bei had only [-] soldiers and horses at this time. The army was isolated and helpless and would be in danger of running out of food at any time, so he was careful not to act rashly. He only left [-] soldiers for Huo Jun to guard Jiameng Pass, and the rest of the troops were all stationed. Fucheng, ready to welcome reinforcements from Chengdu, and waited for an opportunity to attack Mianzhu.

After the siege of Fucheng, Zheng Du, Liu Zhang's counselor, suggested that Liu Bei's soldiers and horses be starved to death in Yizhou, but Liu Zhang did not accept it. On the one hand, he sent Liu Gui, Leng Bao, Zhang Ren, Deng Xian, and Wu Yi to lead With an army of [-], the Fifth Route Army went to Fucheng to resist the enemy. On the other hand, Fujin and Xiangcun led more than [-] troops to attack Jiameng Pass from Langshui.

Liu Zhang knew that Liu Bei was used to fighting, but after all, his troops were too few and some of them were Yizhou soldiers. As long as he could break through both sides, Liu Bei would be defeated. Although Liu Bei quickly captured Fucheng, Liu Zhang still didn't take him seriously. After all, the difference in strength between the two sides is too great.

The battle situation in Yizhou was unclear in Jingzhou. Lan Tian worried that his appearance would have a butterfly effect. If Liu Zhang took Zheng Du's suggestion, then Liu Bei's situation would be very dangerous, so he sent troops to Yizhou one year in advance.

When Lan Tian and the others were chatting in full swing, Gan Ning quietly exchanged greetings with Gao Shun at the door, and they were discovered before they had spoken a few words.

"Gan Xingba? Are Cao Thief and Sun Quan finished?" Zhang Fei asked with a puzzled expression.

Lan Tian, ​​Guan Yu, Zhuge Liang and others looked over at the same time. Gan Ning hurriedly greeted everyone, and then cupped his fists to Guan Yu and said: "Cao Cao and Sun Quan have been confronting each other for a long time at Ruxukou. Lu Zijing said goodbye and came back to help."

"The sailors brought..." Guan Yu asked with concern.

"The four thousand naval forces are resting in Jiangxia, and I have transferred the command to General Fu and General Fu," Gan Ning explained.

Guan Yu nodded, and said in his heart that it doesn't matter if he helps or not, as long as he brings it back intact.

"Ziyu, Xingba will be returned to you now." Guan Yu said with a smile, scratching his beard.

Lan Tian smiled and said: "General Guan is the governor of Jingzhou, and Xingba is also controlled by you. You can talk about whether to pay back or not."

"The four counties in Jingnan need more manpower. It would be better for Xingba to follow you. Last year's borer disaster caused Jiangbei's production to decrease. Ziyu has more ways to do it. Otherwise, it will be difficult to raise food and grass for this time." Guan Yu sighed.

Xu Shu interrupted and asked, "When did the Jiangling and Jiangxia counties introduce new planting methods? And the pesticides that Ziyu used last year? If Jingnan hadn't been responsible for the storage of military grain and the manufacture of military armor, Jingnan should be richer than Nanjun. It's really eye-catching."

After Zhuge Liang entered Sichuan, Xu Shu wanted to assist Guan Yu in managing the military administration of the two counties, and more often focused on government affairs, so at this moment he came up with the idea of ​​Lantian Agriculture.

"Let's implement the previous plan. After all, Jiangling and Jiangxia counties are bordered by Cao Cao and Sun Quan's territory. The high yield and planting technology can be easily promoted. Don't fall into the hands of the enemy. If the two counties encounter any natural disasters again, Yuan Yuan You can find Ziyu to help." Zhuge Liang laughed.

Xu Shu said helplessly: "I guess the lord took Yizhou, and the people of Yizhou will benefit more than Nanjun..."

Zhang Fei pointed out: "Yuan Zhi really lives up to his name. Don't be so straightforward. Isn't it good if Nanjun has difficulties? Then you can often go to Lingling..."

Lan Tian was stunned when he heard that, the three generals were about to lead troops into Shu, and they wanted to beat my autumn wind.

After Xu Shu heard this, he looked at Lan Tian and smiled. Zhuge Liang was more concerned about Cao Cao's activities. He asked Gan Ning carefully: "General Gan, what is the situation in the east? Can Sun Quan hold Cao Cao?"

Gan Ning replied: "Cao Cao's naval forces are weak, and Jiangdong's cavalry are also weak. The two sides have won each other in the two-month confrontation, but Sun Quan has a geographical advantage in guarding Ruxukou."

"I hope that Jingzhou will be peaceful during the period of entering Sichuan." Zhuge Liang said to himself, Jingzhou is Liu Bei's base camp, and all the families of soldiers entering Sichuan are in Jingzhou, so there is absolutely no room for loss.

"My second brother is invincible, there is nothing to worry about." Zhang Fei didn't care.