Cao Ren was stunned for a few seconds when he suddenly heard that he was asked to take charge of a production task.
But he quickly reacted.
Sitting on his seat, he bowed slightly towards Cao Ang, then raised his hands and spoke loudly.
"Please give me your orders, General!"
See this situation.
Cao Ang took out a silk book that he had prepared before and presented the pattern depicted on it to Cao Ren's eyes.
"The craftsmanship of making this object is not difficult, but it is quite time-consuming and labor-intensive, so craftsmen need to be mobilized to work day and night."
"I'm trying to build enough quantity before putting it to use, so I have to let you, the prefect, take charge and make the arrangements."
Cao Ren took the silk book and read it.
What is clearly drawn on it is a boxy figure, which is indeed simple in style.
And on the edge of the pattern.
It is four characters written in official script.
"Highly polished bronze mirror!"
Cao Ren, who understood what he had created, became more and more confused.
What's the use of this thing?
"General, are you asking your subordinates to summon craftsmen to make a batch of bronze mirrors for photography?"
Cao Ang nodded happily.
But he still explained it in words.
"It is indeed a bronze mirror for photography, but what I require is that it be highly polished, and its brightness and clarity must reach the top level."
"The brighter the better, as long as it can be bright, it doesn't matter how much tin is added to make the bronze mirror fragile or breakable, as long as it is bright!"
"And it's best to make it thin so that it can be attached to certain objects when in use. It needs about two hundred sides in total. It doesn't matter if it's more, but it can't be less."
"If the reserves of tin and copper in the county are not enough, then first contact the Zhen family we talked about before and purchase a batch from them."
…
The points mentioned by Cao Ang were also written on the silk book. Cao Ren kept them in his mind while nodding his head with a serious expression.
Although he has not yet guessed the function of these things that the general ordered him to build, but since the general attaches so much importance to them, it means that they must be of considerable significance.
How dare Cao Ren be careless?
"Don't worry, general, my subordinates will send an order to the county government soon to summon all the craftsmen who are proficient in polishing bronze mirrors in Yecheng and surrounding counties and villages, and rush to work quickly without delaying the important event!"
After getting the exact guarantee from Cao Ren.
Cao Ang nodded slightly.
I started thinking about it in my mind.
The reason why we want to create a batch of high-brightness, highly reflective copper mirrors is naturally due to special needs.
It is mainly a specialized Noble Phantasm specially created to deal with a battle that is likely to break out in the land of Jizhou next.
Originally, Cao Ang planned to ask the craftsmen to make some thin sheets of pure tin. After all, silver-white tin sheets are extremely reflective.
However, considering that tin is a substance that is very easy to oxidize, once it is oxidized, specialized people need to remove the oxygen, otherwise it will be gray and not as shiny as copper-tin alloy.
After having a clear understanding of the craftsmanship of this era, it was possible to turn bronze into such a seemingly dark thing and polish it to be extremely smooth and highly reflective.
Cao Ang resolutely decided to use copper-tin alloy, commonly known as bronze, to complete this mission.
…
Wait until Cao Ren takes the order.
Cao Ang turned his eyes to Zhang Liao and Cao Chun and spoke very concisely and decisively.
"Wenyuan, a war is about to break out between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao. This is definitely a good opportunity given to us by God. You can take advantage of these days to recruit more young and strong soldiers from surrounding counties and villages."
"Although our army is quite elite today, its numbers are really small. It can win the battle, but it is difficult to effectively deter the enemy."
"Such a shortcoming is really not conducive to us sitting on the gaming table and getting what we want through a bloodless method."
And at the same time Zhang Liao accepted the promise.
Cao Ang took advantage of the situation and said with a smile to Cao Chun on the side: "Zihe, I have negotiated a deal with the Zhen family a few days ago. Our army will soon be able to purchase a batch of war horses from them."
"And I have contacted Han Fu before, and he promised to give us hundreds of war horses for free."
"Once all these horses have arrived, you will immediately expand the size of the cavalry. In a vast land like Jizhou, it is really difficult to face a powerful enemy like Gongsun Zan without an elite cavalry."
Unlike Zhang Liao and others who strictly followed orders.
Cao Chun heard this.
There was a look of excitement on his face that was visible to the naked eye, and his eyes were bursting with semen, which was quite exciting.
…
It’s no wonder Cao Chun had such a big reaction.
In fact, as the commander of the cavalry battalion, Cao Chun's power was too weak, which made him feel depressed that he was unable to use his power.
Since Cao Cao and Cao Ang separated their forces, the cavalry system has been greatly weakened.
Cao Chun followed Cao Ang, and the troops he could control were only Qianlai Hao.
Unlike Zhang Liao, who easily spends thousands of dollars, he can only play around.
Although Cao Chun also knew that cultivating cavalry was not easy, Yanzhou was not a war horse producing area to begin with, and being able to gather these thousands of cavalry was already a sign that his general took it seriously.
But when I say it, it's really a bit frustrating.
But it's fine now.
The general has stated that he will receive a large number of war horses from two channels, which will push the number of cavalry battalions to more than 2,000.
This way.
My talents as a cavalry commander should be able to be used smoothly.
"Uh-huh!"
Think about this.
Cao Chun suddenly stood up.
Then he bowed to Cao Ang and said impassionedly: "My subordinates have been impatient for a long time. The general just sent the horses. I promise that I will let you see a brave and capable cavalry!"
Seeing that in just a few words, he had successfully inspired Cao Chun's fighting spirit.
Cao Ang couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
This is what he wants!
…………
And just as Han Fu and Cao Ang in the west of Jizhou were making intensive preparations.
The two superpowers in eastern Jizhou were engaged in a fierce battle.
Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao invested a total of nearly 70,000 troops and fought fiercely for more than ten days in the vast area between Lecheng County and Wusui County.
During this period, there were encounters, ambushes, and even an siege launched by Gongsun Zan against Yuan Shao.
In short, for nearly half a month, except for the rare battles at night, a war could break out somewhere almost every moment during the day.
And judging from the overall battle situation and situation.
Gongsun Zan has a certain advantage here.
Although he lost part of his troops after the death of Gongsun Yue, his total strength was less than 30,000. Compared with the more than 40,000 troops invested by Yuan Shao, he was at a considerable numerical disadvantage.
But the strength of Gongsun's army lies in the fact that the proportion of cavalry under his command is quite high. Among the less than 30,000 troops, there are nearly 10,000 cavalry.
It exerted a strong military restraint on Yuan Shao.
Frequently harassing the food and grass supply routes of Yuan Shao's army, and during encounters in the wild, the cavalry was also able to demonstrate its talents.
Yuan Jun suffered a lot in this regard.
…
It is now located upstairs in Xicheng, Lecheng County.
Yuan Shao put his hands on the crenellations of the city wall and looked at the messy wasteland outside the city with anger in his eyes.
Yuan Shao felt extremely angry when he thought that he had been trapped in a mindless battle with Gongsun Zan during this period and was forced to lose troops and generals.
That Gongsun Yue was not the one he wanted to kill!
Who knows how that boy got his bad luck? As the commander of five thousand cavalry, he somehow managed to get killed by an arrow. This is how he got home by memorizing words.
But the problem is that this kid will die if he dies.
Don't cheat me!
We just wanted to take advantage of Gongsun Zan beating Han Fu in front, hide in the back to fish in troubled waters, and pick peaches by the way, and we never thought about working hard to survive.
The result is now better.
I was dragged into the quagmire of the war, and even if I wanted to get out, I couldn't do anything.
After all, when the war first started, everyone just held their breath. If this breath was released, they might calm down and not want to fight.
As the war continues.
The fight lasted for more than ten days.
The anger was not vented, but the anger was raised. Now both sides are really angry.
No matter who lets go easily, they will only feel that they have sacrificed those soldiers who have died in the battle in vain, preventing the enemy from bleeding and digging out a large piece of flesh on the opposite side. How can they be willing to do so? !
The thought of this.
Yuan Shao was furious.
With a "clang" sound, he pulled out the sword on his waist.
"Shu Zi, really Shu Zi!"
He waved several times towards the void, seeming to regard the air in front of him as Gongsun Zan, venting his anger on him one after another, trying to cut it into seventeen or eighteen pieces.
…
After waving on the tower for a while.
Yuan Shao suddenly heard footsteps going up the stairs behind him, took a deep breath, and then inserted his sword back in.
Pretending to be calm as if nothing had happened.
The person who came was Yan Liang, his general.
"Master Fu, the number of casualties of our army has been summarized. Please take a look!"
Yan Liang bowed respectfully to Yuan Shao.
And presented a letter with both hands.
When he heard that it was a casualty statistics, Yuan Shao's eyelids twitched immediately, and he felt a sense of disgust that he didn't want to open this letter.
After all, fighting Gongsun Zan is not fighting the Yellow Turban Army. It is a real high-level competition, and besides, our side is still at a disadvantage.
No need to read battle reports.
He could guess that the losses would be heavy.
But as the supreme commander of the entire army.
Naturally, Yuan Shao cannot be so willful.
Therefore, after his eyes flickered, Yuan Shao nodded and took the slip.
But just a few seconds later.
There was a "pop" sound.
Yuan Shao suddenly closed the bamboo slips and threw them heavily on the ground. The demeanor he had managed to maintain before was completely broken now.
"There are thousands of casualties, and countless losses of food and grass. What a Gongsun Bogui. I, Yuan Shao, swear to fight you to the death!"
Although Yuan Shao had nearly 40,000 troops under his command.
But the total number of injured and killed soldiers was thousands, and it still made him feel extremely painful.
After all, this is a war between the elite and the elite. Both sides are investing direct troops, not cannon fodder. Even losing one person is a bit distressing.
It gave Yuan Shao even more headache.
The several grain transportation channels from Bohai County to Lecheng County were frequently intercepted by the cavalry under Gongsun Zan. No matter how big his family was, he couldn't withstand such burning.
Food is not conjured out of thin air.
…
After receiving such bad news.
Yuan Shao has actually already thought about it in his mind.
If it continues to be delayed, it will only lead to the loss of both parties.
There were only two ways he could go now.
Or simply fight to the death with Gongsun Zan. The two sides will fight a decisive battle. If they lose, they will withdraw directly. If they win, let Gongsun Zan get out.
Or choose to give in temporarily.
Things in Jizhou can be planned later.
Just as Yuan Shao was hesitating, smoke and dust were suddenly visible in the wilderness outside the west city. Several cavalrymen wearing Yuan Jun uniforms were galloping towards the city.
Yuan Shao looked at it from a distance.
After a little identification.
Then he spoke to behind him.
"Wen Shan, this should be the person I sent to Xindu County who has returned. Send someone down to pick him up and bring him to me!"
When Yan Liang heard this, he immediately went down the tower.
Not long after.
Then he brought several cavalrymen up.
"I'll wait for you to see Mr. Fu!"
Before these people could complete the etiquette.
Yuan Shao couldn't wait to ask: "How is the situation? How can Qu Zide respond?"
One of the leaders of several cavalrymen hurriedly reported to Yuan Shao: "Report to the Lord, General Qu Yi has agreed to join forces between our two families."
"He is willing to cooperate with our army in the next battle between our army and Gongsun's army to attack Gongsun's army from behind and catch Gongsun Zan by surprise."
"It's just that he hopes that after you take charge of Jizhou, you can give him high-ranking officials, generous salaries, and the power to command the army!"
…
The soldier's message was very straightforward.
Not only was Yuan Shao not angry, but he was happy.
His face, which had been gloomy due to the tragic battle situation before, suddenly became much brighter.
Just like the message conveyed in the words.
After Yuan Shao realized that he was at a disadvantage in the war with Gongsun Zan, he sent people to Xindu County in Anping Kingdom a few days ago.
Contacted Qu Yi who had gone out on his own.
If you want to recruit Qu Yi for your own use, you can not only enhance the strength of your subordinates, but the most important thing is that Qu Yi is currently in a position where he and Yuan Shao form a pincer attack on Gongsun Zan from the east to the west.
And with these days, Gongsun Zan has gained all the advantages on the battlefield, and he must be arrogant and proud.
If things go well.
It can definitely knock him off his feet.
Get back all the previous disadvantages.
It was precisely because of this idea that Yuan Shao's mood suddenly improved a lot.
Just when Yuan Shao was about to issue a few orders.
He suddenly felt something was wrong again.
The strength of Youzhou Cavalry is obvious to all, and he is really scared of being beaten these days.
Although there is help from Qu Yi now, it still feels a bit unsound. After all, Qu Yi only has a few thousand people now.
If this guy is included and is still defeated by Gongsun Zan, wouldn't there be no way out?
So I thought about it.
Yuan Shao decided to add another bargaining chip.
"No, Qu Yi alone is not enough. We have to send people to Dongjun to ask Cao Zixiu to go north to support us!"
However, as soon as Yuan Shao said this.
The soldier who spoke earlier reported another incident, which made Yuan Shao dumbfounded.
…
"Master Fu, when my subordinates were in Xindu County, they unexpectedly received a piece of news."
"Cao Ang, the governor of Dongjun, has gone north to enter Weijun at the invitation of Jizhou Mu Han Fu. His general, Cao Ren, has now been appointed as the prefect of Weijun!"
Yuan Shao: "?"
Such news immediately confused Yuan Shao, and he blinked in confusion.
His face was full of surprise.
what's the situation!
Aren't the Cao family's father and son on his side? Shouldn't they have led their troops northward after receiving his invitation?
Why are you getting involved with Han Fu now? Could it be that Cao Zixiu is doing some tricks behind his back?
Or maybe this is because Han Fu, under pressure from Gongsun Zan, had no choice but to forcefully introduce Cao Ang, a powerful neighbor.
As a representative of Cao Ang who never gave up after receiving benefits, Han Fu invited him to join Wei County and gave him the position of Wei County's prefect. Cao Ang must have happily accepted it.
This is not impossible.
But no matter which of the above situations.
Yuan Shao is now extremely convinced that the battle between him and Gongsun Zan cannot continue.
Han Fu made it clear that something was not right.
Don't let it get to the end. He and Gongsun Zan were beaten to a bloody head here, but everyone subconsciously ignored it. Han Fu, the most inconspicuous, got all the advantages. That would really make people vomit blood.
As for Cao Ang.
Yuan Shao felt that he needed to ask.
It is necessary to find out what position this boy stands now, what attitude he takes, and whether the previous agreement between the two families still works?
If this kid wavers.
I'm afraid there will be some trouble.
No matter what, Cao Zixiu must be stabilized. Even if he waits until Han Fu and Gongsun Zan are dealt with, it will not be too late to go back and repair this guy.
…
That afternoon.
A letter written by Yuan Shao himself.
They were quickly sent out from Lecheng County and soon arrived at the main camp where Gongsun Army was located, and were delivered all the way to the hands of the coach Gongsun Zan.
In the letter, Yuan Shao did not give in, nor did he say any harsh words. He just briefly explained the many situations happening in western Jizhou today.
He concealed his relationship with Cao Ang.
Han Fu's movements were only briefly mentioned.
Then he explained that Gongsun Yue's death was just an accident. It was better for the two families to put aside their prejudices and sit down to talk when the matter became clear.
Faced with such a strike letter.
Originally, given Gongsun Zan's temperament, he would not agree and would have to fight Yuan Shao to the end.
It's just that he feels a little uncomfortable now.
Although he had an advantage on the battlefield, Gongsun Zan came all the way from afar, and Jizhou was not his home ground. Even if he could procure food from various counties, he would still have great difficulties in supplying it.
Now that Yuan Shao has sent such a gift, there is no reason for him to refuse.
It's better to just go with the flow.
Let's take this opportunity to call a truce.
Therefore, in the letter sent back to Lecheng County in the early morning of the next day, Gongsun Zan expressed his agreement to a truce.
Since then.
The long war between the two major forces that lasted for more than ten days finally came to an end.
Gongsun Zan gathered his troops and temporarily retreated to Wusui County, while Yuan Shao also rested in Lecheng County to regain his strength.
…
And in Gaoyi County in the far west of Jizhou.
Han Fu and Cao Ang, who had been communicating with each other for a while, immediately made a strong response after receiving the news.
Han Fu, as the shepherd of Jizhou, announced to the whole territory of Jizhou, of course, actually to Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shaozhao, asking all parties to negotiate in Nangong County, located in the south of Anping Kingdom, to discuss major issues.
The agreement solves many problems in Jizhou today.
Let’s put the issue on the negotiation table.
Compared with the other two powerful forces, Han Fu's biggest advantage is that he has the title of Jizhou Mu, so it is no longer realistic to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight.
Han Fu acted as a mediator as a spectator.
thereby taking control of the situation.
This is the best move.
Of course, this process cannot be separated from Cao Ang's protection.
Otherwise, if the strength is not enough and there is only one brand, then the Yuan family and the Gongsun family may join forces first to eliminate the weakest one.
And after such an announcement was made.
Cao Ang immediately led his army and went north to join Han Fu.
…………
Monthly ticket recommendation ticket
(End of chapter)
