Dongjun Weapons Forging Factory.
Cao Cao took his eldest son Cao Ang and the Xiahou brothers to inspect the preparations for the expedition. There was a heat wave in the factory, and all the blacksmiths were shirtless making weapons and armor. Colonel Si Jin carefully handed the forged weapons to Cao Cao for review.
Cao Cao pulled out a ring-headed steel sword, and the cold light instantly chilled people's skin. He asked, "What a great sword! Was this made by Baidu Steel?"
Captain Si Jin, who was in charge, handed over the leather for testing the sword, "It is the ring-shou sword made by the newly recruited craftsmen who made hundreds of steel smelting."
Cao Cao slashed at several layers of stacked leather with his knife. With a "chi!" sound, all the leather broke.
"What a knife!" everyone nearby shouted.
Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction and asked, "It's really sharp! How many swords can be forged per day?"
Lieutenant Si Jin said with a smile on his face: "Sir, we have invited more than twenty craftsmen who can make hundreds of steel, and we can produce a hundred steel sword in two months."
This was quite impressive given the technical level at the time, but Cao Cao still shook his head. Although the steelmaking was good, the weapons it produced could only be used by generals.
Then Cao Cao and others visited several ordnance forging workshops. These factories in Yanzhou are working at full capacity to build military equipment.
"Mr. Wen Ruo can be said to have organized all these ordnances in an extremely orderly manner," Xia Houyuan said.
"Wen Ruo is the talent of the king's assistant, and Prime Minister Xiao, the great ancestor, is nothing more than that." Cao Cao said, but he was dissatisfied that Xun Yu privately disagreed with sending troops to Xuzhou. Cao Cao, Xun Yu, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang were all able to use it but not necessarily believe it. Compared with Liu Bang's appointment of Xiao He, it is not difficult to see that Cao Cao and Liu Bei indeed have the spirit of princes but not the stature of emperors.
Cao Cao felt in his heart that disagreement was not a good thing. He took his people back to the Prefectural Mufu and summoned a group of subordinates to mobilize before the revenge war.
Cao Cao glanced at all his subordinates and said, "I know, some people say that I shouldn't send a large number of troops to Xuzhou to avenge myself!"
Xun Yu suddenly felt something in his heart, and he cupped his hands and said: "My lord, he did say that it is not advisable to send troops to Xuzhou easily, but he did not say that he would not respect his father and avenge him instead. The spies have come to report that the Black Mountain bandits and the remaining Xiongnu troops have invaded the southern part of Jizhou, which is far away from us. Yanzhou is really not far away. Yuan Gongdao is also preparing military resources in Shouchun. He clearly wants to take advantage of me to send troops and capture Yanzhou!"
Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu, who was in charge of intelligence, and asked, "What did the envoy sent by Yuan Benchu say?"
"Yuan Benchu said that Gongsun Zan was making moves in northern Hebei. He was sending troops to encircle and suppress the Black Mountain bandits who were causing chaos in Changshan and other places in Jizhou. He asked his second son Yuan Xi to send troops to assist the lord, and then asked the lord to be careful of Yuan Jiujiao in Shouchun."
"Yuan Jiujiu and Tao Qian have always been in collusion, and they clearly intend to attack us. Now that Yanzhou is surrounded by enemies on all sides, we will be in danger if we go out lightly." Xun Yu advised.
Cao Cao looked at several counselors and asked, "Are you worried about this?"
"Yuan Shu is snooping around, so we have to be on guard." Xi Zhong nodded.
Cao Cao waved his hand. He said nonchalantly, "I think Yuan Jiujiu is only superficial. He is very arbitrary. He has many suggestions but cannot use them. He has many brave generals but cannot accept them humbly. He has many soldiers but cannot support and train them."
Cao Cao gave another example: "If you have millions of people and 100,000 soldiers, but you don't manage them properly, and instead forcefully collect money and food to supply the military, such an army will not be able to fight for a long time. Now that Sun Wentai has abandoned him, his men are now They are all boastful and vain. Even if they come with hundreds of thousands of soldiers, I will not be afraid."
The actor thought thoughtfully, "My lord, you have a plan in mind. Do you have a strategy to defeat the enemy?"
Cao Cao nodded, "Of course, our army will leave some well-trained soldiers to guard Chenliu and other important and dangerous areas, and the army will attack Xiapi of Ren City in Xuzhou. If Yuan Gongliu dares to invade, I will cut off his retreat and join forces with Yuan Shao to attack him together." .”
Everyone thought that Cao Cao had thought carefully and was not blinded by hatred, but was deliberately seeking Xuzhou, a wealthy land.
Finally, Cheng Yu said, "You can send someone to Yuan Xianyi's office to negotiate about sending troops to attack Tao Qian."
When Cao Cao heard this, he sneered and said: "It's a bargain for the Yuan family, but money and food in Xuzhou are not so easy to come by. I'm afraid that my eldest nephew has bad teeth, so don't blame me for waiting."
■■■
Yuan Xi is also worried about sending troops to Xuzhou. In history, Cao Cao slaughtered Xuzhou to avenge his father. However, due to a series of changes, now is not the time in history for Cao Cao to send troops to Xuzhou. Correspondingly, the entire situation has also changed. .
After receiving some information, Yuan Xi and others learned about the little tricks Yuan Shu was doing behind the scenes. In this way, sending troops to Xuzhou was not as simple as following Cao Jun to plunder food as Yuan Xi originally expected.
Yuan Xi summoned all his confidants to the Governor's Mansion to discuss a series of subordinate matters. Everyone including Guan Hai, Qin Yuan and others who had surrendered were also present.
Yuan Xi looked at Tian Feng, Guo Jia, Guoyuan, Gu Yong, and Yi Rong on the left, and Zhang He, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun, Hao Zhao, Guo Huai, Guan Hai, and Qin Yuan on the right. Although there are not as many people as Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, they are all heroes.
Tian Feng first told everyone about the situation of all the forces, and finally added: "Yuan Cheqi has decided to help Cao Cao resist Yuan Jiujiu and Tao Qian, but after raising money from many parties, Qingzhou can only support 50,000 soldiers for one month." .”
"There are not many soldiers, fifty thousand is enough. As long as we can get food from the enemy, we don't need supplies from Qingzhou. As for how to get food, we have to ask General Guan who is well versed in this." Guo Jia said with a smile.
Guan Hai, who was sitting below, blushed slightly when he heard this, "It's just a matter of capturing the cities and counties and then running away. If you encounter a fortified city, you can bypass it. However, I have led troops to Xuzhou to collect food before, and the guards in various places also know something about it. You could say it’s familiar.”
Yuan Xi couldn't help but sigh when he heard that these Qingzhou soldiers were originally Qingxu Huangjin, but now they have been regularized by themselves. They are very familiar with sending troops to Xuzhou.
Finally, everyone agreed on sending troops.
The original Jizhou infantry, except Zhang He's Euphorbia soldiers and Xu Huang's bow battalion, were all integrated into the Qingzhou standing army. This time, most of Qingzhou's sophisticated equipment was equipped with 40,000 Qingzhou standing troops. Together with 6,000 cavalry and Yuan Xi's garrison, the total number of troops dispatched was more than 48,000.
Tian Feng, Qin Yuan, Yi Rong, Guoyuan and others stayed in Qingzhou, while the rest of the civil and military forces went out with the army.
■■■
Just as everyone was preparing for the expedition, Yuan Xi used his position as the highest official in Qingzhou to recruit Wang Xiu, who was in charge of the resettlement of the people in Beihai, to Linzi to assist Tian Feng in governing the prefecture and county. Of course, Wang Xiu lived up to expectations, and his talent in civil affairs was not inferior to that of Guoyuan.
On this day, Taishi Ci, who was summoned, also came to the Governor's Mansion.
Taishi Ci was lent to Donglai by Yuan Xi last year to lead the troops to maintain local security. Kong Rong was now nominally a subordinate of Yuan Xi, so Taishi Ci had to come to take orders.
Taishi Ci was taken to the side hall of the governor's mansion. Yuan Xi and Guo Jia are "playing a game" here, and Zhao Yun, who is close to Tai Shici, is also accompanying them.
Yuan Xi asked his servants to bring Taishi Ci a seat and serve him snacks and preserved fruits.
Taishi Ci stood aside with his fists clasped and said solemnly: "I have a humble official position, so I don't dare to be treated like this."
"This is not a place for business, but a place where the young general lives. Ziyi, you don't have to be restrained." Zhao Yun advised.
"Then please, Major General, give Zilong a seat as well." Tai Shici said.
Yuan Xi smiled and asked the servant to bring Zhao Yun to the table, and knowingly asked, "Do Ziyi and Zilong have any friendship?"
"Last time I rescued Beihai with Zilong, I admired his martial arts and courage, so I had to ask for advice and discuss in private, but we didn't spend much time together." Taishi Ci replied.
"My lord is also willing to accept young heroes like Ziyi. I wonder if Ziyi would like to serve under me?" Guo Jia said the purpose of summoning Taishi Ci.
Taishi Ci looked at Yuan Xi who was smiling and nodding, and then at Zhao Yun who was looking forward to it, and said, "It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I have received a great favor from Kong Beihai, and I can't repay him if I don't serve under him."
"Ziyi is wrong. You previously lifted the siege of Beihai and saved the people of a city in Beihai. This is how you repaid Kong Beihai's great kindness in saving lives. Furthermore, Kong Beihai was a Confucian and civil servant, and Ziyi was good at martial arts. If we don’t make achievements on the battlefield, are we going to be trapped in one city and one place?”
Taishi Ci knew that Kong Rong was not the kind of monarch who established achievements, and he also had the idea of repaying his kindness and finding another place, but he couldn't say it for a while.
Zhao Yun advised: "Ziyi, the young general has great ambitions. The people under his rule live in peace and the army is strong. We are missing a brave and courageous man like Ziyi. Why don't you come and join me and work with me to build unparalleled achievements for the young general?" "
Yuan Xi responded by cupping his hands and saluting, and said sincerely, "Ziyi, please don't refuse!"
Although Tai Shici was excited, it didn't mean he had no brains. He calmed down and thought, "Why does the general like me, a nobody like me?"
Yuan Xi laughed loudly and said: "Ziyi broke through the siege of Beihai City with five arrows before, and had the ability to pierce the Yangtze River with a hundred steps, which is enough to show that Ziyi is extraordinary; Zilong can see more clearly than me, but you don't take credit for being so brave and resourceful." If a man cannot be a general, wouldn't it be a waste of natural resources, or who can be a general?"
If it were just the scene just now, Yuan Xi would be exaggerated, but coupled with Yuan Xi's memory and Tai Shici's self-confidence, it all seems unusually appropriate.
Therefore, of the two people at this time, one felt that he had seen a good general, and the other felt that he had seen a wise master. Everyone is happy.
Taishi Ci knelt down on one knee and said in gratitude, "Ziyi thanks the general for his kindness."
Yuan Xi breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly helped him up, and said softly: "Why does Ziyi need to pay such a big gift? Later, when I make Ziyi really become a general in charge, it will not be too late to thank him."
Seeing Yuan Xi's courtesy and seeing Zhao Yun's sincere eyes, Taishi Ci once again knelt down with his fists clasped, "I am willing to do my best to serve the Major General!"
After exchanging pleasantries with Taishi Ci, Yuan Xi saw that the long bow in his hand was powerful and green in color, unlike the crossbows in the army, and he couldn't help but ask: "Ziyi has a crossbow in his hand, where did it come from?"
Taishi Ci's face turned dark and he said proudly: "This is the jasper bow passed down from my family's ancestors. Looking across the world, I have never seen any other bow that can compare with it."
Yuan Xi was surprised, thinking he was bragging, right? No matter how good your bow is, how can it be as good as the bow in the palace? In other words, the crossbows at home may be better than his.
But he saw that Tai Shi Ci was not a person who liked to brag, so he wanted to give it a try.
"Ziyi, can you lend me your precious bow?" Yuan Xi asked softly.
"You have nothing to do!" Taishi Ci immediately presented the jasper bow with both hands and said solemnly: "This bow is fifty and six kilograms. A certain person's arm strength is limited, but he can shoot a seven-stone bow."
Yuan Xi caught it, and as expected, he lowered his hand slightly and stroked it gently. The bow was indeed as gentle as jade. Yuan Xi sighed: "It is worthy of being called a jasper bow, but I don't believe that this bow can open seven stones."
At this time, one stone is worth one hundred catties, and seven stones is seven hundred catties. Taishi Ci said that he could shoot a seven-stone bow. That is to say, hanging a weight of 700 kilograms on the bow string can stretch the bow by the length of an arrow. Looking at Tai Shici's thin body, how could Yuan Xi believe him?
Of course, this bow only weighs more than fifty pounds. If he said it could shoot a four- to five-stone bow, Yuan Xi could barely believe it, but of course he didn't believe it now.
Bao Gong and Good General, Yuan Xi both wanted to give him a try.
Let’s see if it’s because of the great reputation that it’s difficult to live up to it, or whether it’s because of the great reputation that there are no real people.
As expected, Taishi Ci was provoked by him. He took the long bow from Yuan Xi's hand, walked to the door of the room, took out a black feather arrow from the quiver behind him, opened the bow and nocked the arrow, turned his eyes, and aimed it. Outside the house, there was a big tree that the two of them could not wrap around. There was a "swish" sound, and the arrows flew out with a tearing sound that cut through the air.
Yuan Xi stared blankly at Taishi Ci who made all the moves in one go. It took him a long time to react. He saw Taishi Ci proudly retracting his bow, but he did not hear the sound of the bow and arrow being fired. He quickly stood up and walked to his side to watch.
Looking up, I saw Taishi Ci's dark-colored feathered arrow accurately hitting a small tree fifty or sixty meters away.
Fifty-six meters is far enough, no wonder I didn't hear the sound. This seems to be similar to the one that can penetrate the Yang with a hundred steps, but based on this alone, he dares to say that he can shoot the seven-stone bow. Yuan Xi still doesn't believe it. Fifty meters away, if he takes a closer look at the feather arrow, it is obvious that it is just an arrow that has just entered. , which means that Ming Tai Shi Ci's strength has been exhausted.
Yuan Xi put his hands on his hands and smiled and said: "Ziyi is indeed a good shot. It is not an exaggeration to say that he can penetrate a poplar in a hundred steps. However, the distance and the degree of penetration of the arrow into the wood are only four or five stone bows at most..."
No matter how grateful Taishi Ci was to Yuan Xi for his kindness and dignity as a marksman, he still didn't believe him. He didn't care about etiquette. Jockey Club interrupted him and pointed to a big tree in front of the small tree. The tree said: "General, please look!"
Yuan Xi was slightly startled, and when he looked intently, his pupils suddenly shrank.
In front of it, about ten meters away from the small tree, a large tree that could not be embraced by two people was penetrated deeply. Its width was exactly the width of an arrow.
Yuan Xi took a breath of cold air. He shot through the big tree and accurately hit the small tree behind, and even shot the arrow into it. His arm strength was not only comparable to that of seven stones?
shoot with great precision? Yuan Xi felt that it was no longer suitable to describe Tai Shi Ci.
"Zi Yi is really the best archer in the world!" Yuan Xi expressed sincere admiration. His master Wang Yue was also a master of archery, but compared with Tai Shi Ci in front of him, Yuan Xi felt that he was still somewhat lacking. Perhaps only Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong of Jingzhou can compare.
Taishi Ci was originally eager to express himself in front of Yuan Xi, but now when he saw him immediately praising himself as the best shooter in the world, he suddenly felt terrified and would not agree.
He lowered his head and said, "General, you are joking. I am just relying on my treasured bow. There are many people in the world who are better at archery than me. Ziyi would never dare to claim the throne!"
Xu Chu came from outside at this time. He was surprised and stepped forward and said: "Master, do you think his archery skills are unparalleled and comparable to Zilong?" Yuan Xi smiled slightly and said: "Of course, if Zhongkang is not convinced, you can fight with him." Try it."
Xu Chu was good at fighting immediately, fighting in front of the battle, and charging into the battle, but this did not mean that his archery skills were poor. Seeing Yuan Xi say this, he immediately widened his eyes and shouted at Tai Shi Ci: "Boy, do you dare to fight with me? A competition?"
Taishi Ci paused for a moment, thinking that this person should be a general under Yuan Xi's tent. He also wanted to show off his skills, and Yuan Xi probably had this intention, so he said: "Why don't you dare? Tell me how to compare. "
Xu Chu took his jasper bow into his hand, weighed it, tried the bowstring again, and immediately shouted: "It's a good bow, it's easy to use, but it will be broken by me in a while, don't feel bad."
Taishi Ci smiled slightly and did not answer. He had forgotten how many people were saying this.
There was nothing to compare with in the room, and the field of vision was narrow. Several people walked out of the house and came to a relatively open place outside.
Xu Chu looked around, then picked an ink-feathered arrow from the quiver behind him, nocked the bow and aimed it directly at a wild rooster that was slowly gliding fifty meters away.
The rooster looked this way, and seemed to have noticed that Xu Chu wanted to shoot it. His pace immediately quickened, and he was about to pass the corner and reach an invisible position. The bow and arrow in Xu Chu's hand shot out quickly.
The fast-running rooster in front was shot directly and flew ten meters away with its body.
"Good archery skills!" There were many soldiers walking back and forth in the city. Xu Chu had just been aiming for a long time, which naturally attracted many soldiers to watch. Seeing that he was so thick and strong, but his archery skills were so good, they all cheered loudly.
Yuan Xi also smiled and praised: "I thought Zhong Kang that you were not good at archery, but I didn't expect that you are so good at archery. It really makes me wise."
Xu Chu chuckled and said: "Just average, I can't call him the best in the world."
These words are obviously trying to persuade Yu. Just now Yuan Xi praised Tai Shi Ci as the number one.
Taishi Ci was not angry and took the bow back from Xu Chu's hand.
Looking around for something he can shoot.
This archery competition quickly attracted many soldiers to watch.
However, looking at the site that was about to be surrounded by a circle, Yuan Xi frowned. Just as he was about to let the people blocking the way disperse, he was stopped by Tai Shici.
Xu Chu laughed and said: "Why, you, the best in the world, can shoot such a short distance?"
Yuan Xi kicked him angrily. This black guy has no brains. I praise him for being the best in the world. You always try to squeeze on others. Isn't this deliberately making me look bad?
However, this was what he was thinking in his heart, but Yuan Xi still believed that Taishi Ci could surprise the soldiers present.
After all, he had been impressed by his previous magical skills.
"Second Young Master, I found two jars of good wine." Yuan He held a jar of wine and walked towards this side from a distance.
"Is there wine?" The greed in Xu Chu's stomach was immediately activated, and he ran over, trying to snatch the drink from Yuan He's hand.
Yuan He walked up to him and said, "Second Young Master, where are you putting the drinks?"
"Put them all in the house," Yuan Xi turned around and said, "I'm going to have a good drink with Ziyi later."
Although the military stipulates that drinking is not allowed, the management is not so strict now. Moreover, Tian Feng himself said that there will be a big battle in three days, so he can still drink.
"Get out of the way, get out of the way." Xu Chu pushed away the soldiers gathered in front, ran to the front and picked up the big rooster. He laughed at Yuan Xi and said, "Second Young Master, roast this big rooster later, and let's have a big meal together."
Yuan Xi changed his voice and said deliberately: "I brought this drink to Ziyi, but it's not your share."
Xu Chu grinned and said dissatisfiedly: "This can't be done. I haven't had wine for a long time and I'm very hungry. Second Young Master is not as good as this. Do you think it's okay?"
"How?" Yuan Xi was amused in his heart. As soon as Xu Chu's buttocks popped up, he knew what he was about to fart, but he didn't expose him.
"Hehe," Xu Chu laughed dryly and said, "Well, as long as he can beat me in archery, I won't drink. But if he can't beat me, he has to add me. I don't know who said this. It's not that Is it possible for a capable person to live there? Master, do you think so?"
Just as Yuan Xi was about to shake his head, he heard Tai Shici behind him say: "General."
Yuan Xi looked back at him, and Taishi Ci had a proud smile on his lips, his ears raised high, and he suddenly squatted down on horseback, drew his long bow to full length, and pointed it directly at the sky where there were still a few wisps of green smoke drifting through.
Everyone present was shocked. Even if you pretend, you should have some restraint. If you don't take this arrow, who will you bluff if you draw the bowstring full? Although they were confused, no one dared to say anything as the Second Young Master was nearby, and they just looked up to the sky.
Yuan Xi also looked at the sky in confusion. Except for a wild goose that was gradually moving and neighing not far away, there was nothing in the sky.
These are not important. The important thing is that even if there is something, if there is no arrow, what can be shot down?
Xu Chu was an honest man. Seeing him in this situation, his stomach hurt from laughing. He held his belly and said, "Oh, I'm such a bitch. Boy, what are you doing? Don't tell me that you can't do anything with an empty string." Shoot the wild goose down, okay, if you can shoot it down, you will be my master from now on."
Taishi Ci didn't seem to hear everyone's voices, he still held his breath and stared at the sky with sharp eyes.
The body is like a loose body, motionless.
"Haha, let's see how long you can hold on." Xu Chu patted his belly and continued to watch the show.
In fact, he was the only one watching the show. Everyone was waiting to see the show. After all, this was too unbelievable. Even Yuan Xi couldn't guess what Tai Shici wanted to do.
"Ah, hey!" Just as the goose overhead passed over everyone's heads, there was a loud shout, and then there was a "boom" sound from a bow. The goose above everyone's heads flew straight up and flapped twice. The wings suddenly fell straight from mid-air.
"Bang!" The wild goose landed directly in front of Taishi Ci.
Taishi Ci put away his bow and arrows and hung them on his waist. He turned back to the stunned Yuan Xi and said, "General, I wonder if my wild goose can hold the wine?"
"Enough, enough!" Yuan Xi swallowed his saliva and stared blankly at the frail Tai Shici.
He thought that having the memory of two lives was magical enough, but he didn't expect that the Taishi Ci in front of him was even more magical than him. He could shoot down wild geese without using a bow and arrow.
After Xu Chu woke up with a start, his face suddenly turned red. He stepped forward and pointed at his crossbow and said, "Your bow looks strange. Did you do something to it?"
"No!" Taishi Ci took off the jade bow again, handed it to him and said, "If you think there is a problem, you can give it a try."
How could Xu Chu dare to pick it up? He didn't know what to do for a moment. Compared with the empty stringed goose in front of him, he felt that he was talking too much and wanted to worship a master for no reason, which made him feel very uncomfortable.
Everyone had their own thoughts, but all looked at Tai Shi Ci with awe.
Yuan Xi frowned and asked Tai Shi Ci, "Ziyi, how did you shoot down the wild geese without using a bow and arrow?"
Taishi Ci just wanted to give the strong man in front of him a good blow, but he had no need to hide his future lord.
Then he bent down and said, "General, actually it's not because of my ability, but because I know that this is a wild goose that has been wounded by an arrow."
"Have you been injured by an arrow?" Yuan Xi was surprised. He took two steps forward and took the goose weighing dozens of kilograms from his hand. After taking a closer look, he was immediately impressed by Taishi Ci.
The goose's wing had shallow blood flow and obvious scars. If you look closely, you can see that it was probably caused by an arrow wound before.
He vaguely understood something, although he admired Tai Shici even more in his heart.
Yuan Xi raised his voice and asked: "How did you know that the wild goose was injured? How can you ensure that you can shoot it down without arrows?"
Taishi Ci said respectfully: "This wild goose flies slowly. I stood there for a long time before it flew over, and its cry was very miserable. It flew slowly because it was wounded by an arrow, and the wound has not healed. It hurt; it screamed miserably because it left its companions, was alone, and could not get help. As soon as it heard the sound of the string, it was very scared and flew to high places with all its strength. As soon as it tried hard, the wound opened again, so it It fell."
Everyone was a little in awe before, but now they all laughed when they heard such a reasonable explanation.
It turns out that this is not a matter of great archery skills, but of great scheming, just like an old hunter.
But no matter what the people next to him said, Xu Chu couldn't get down the stairs.
And Tai Shici didn't seem to have any intention of letting him come down.
Although Xu Chu was a reckless man, he kept his promise exceptionally well. He gritted his teeth, bent down and bowed: "Xu Zhongkang pays homage to the master."
The people around laughed loudly. The shooting of flying geese with an open string just now was not as interesting as the fierce man in front of me who was apprenticed to him. In this way, Taishi Ci muddleheadedly accepted a nominal apprentice, so Yuan Xi held a banquet for Taishi Ci to welcome him. Zhao Yun and Guo Jia accompanied him, but Xu Chu looked depressed.
