Xun You coughed slightly and said: "Be prepared with more fire arrows so that the thieves can defeat them next time."
"Wen Lie, go get ready and check how many arrows are lost!" Cao Cao ordered and walked away.
Xiahou Dun stared at this ignorant son and said in a deep voice: "You are so young, what do you know? You don't have to say much about military matters."
Fire arrows need to be wrapped with thatch or cloth strips around the arrowhead, and soaked in kerosene before use. Sometimes, in order to save materials, the arrowhead will be pulled out. It must be prepared in advance, and there is no time to use it in a hurry.
Everyone was busy with military affairs. Xia Houmao stood on the shore and was stunned for a long time. He shrugged his shoulders and looked innocent: "Did I say something wrong?"
Knowing that Cao Cao had been fooled, he must have been unhappy, and he didn't want to get into trouble. He was bored and wandered along the water village alone.
As we were walking, suddenly there was a muffled sound from the northern port, rolling waves, loud noises, and someone shouting for help.
Xia Houmao walked over quickly and saw ships coming and going. It was connected to Xishan Dazhai and was transporting horses and baggage. The soldiers were cautious.
Just now, a ship was carrying too much weight, and the wind was strong in the morning. A wave came over, and the soldiers steered the ship improperly, and it capsized in the water.
"You bastards, a bunch of trash!" Wen Qin came from the tent and cursed.
The deputy general quickly apologized. The wind and waves were too strong just now. Everyone was in a hurry to transport supplies and temporarily mobilized people to help, but they were not familiar with sailing and made mistakes in the rush.
Wen Qin was also the adopted son of Cao Cao. He was close to Cao Pi, Wei Xi and others. He was brave and courageous in his youth. This time he was brought out by Cao Cao to train with the army. Xiahou Mao was envious when he saw him leading the army.
Wen Qin stepped forward to offer a few words of comfort, and Wen Qin sighed helplessly. Since the defeat of the navy, anyone who knew how to sail a boat or even a little bit of water was transferred to the navy for training. He was supervising the troops in the rear and liaising with Xizhai.
Although they were only separated by water, for the Northern Army who couldn't sail a boat, it was a stressful day without having to patrol the camp.
Xia Houmao asked: "Since troops are often stationed here, why not build a pontoon bridge?"
Wen Qin smiled bitterly and said: "Did you know that the water in this river is bottomless? If it rains, the water will be so strong that it will be difficult for boats to cross, let alone build a bridge?"
"That's true..." Xia Houmao sighed, suddenly his expression became serious, and he ran towards the camp.
"Zilin..." Wen Qin was complaining. When he saw him running like a frightened rabbit, he was stunned and said: "People say that the prime minister's eldest son-in-law is at odds with his wife and brothers, and it seems that there is a reason for it."
Xia Houmao went straight to Cao Cao's camp. As soon as he reached the door, he bumped into someone. It was like hitting a wall. He took four or five steps back with stars in his eyes.
Looking up, he saw Xu Chu standing there with a knife in hand, his burly body blocking the tent door tightly.
"Oh, what are you doing..." Xia Houmao held his knees with one hand, panting, "I, it's me!"
Xu Chu hummed: "No one is allowed to break into the Prime Minister's camp without permission!"
Xia Houmao knew that this was a wild bull, so he said helplessly: "Excuse me, General Xu, and tell me that I have important military information to report."
Xu Chu motioned to the guard next to him to enter the tent and report, and after a while he called Xiahou Mao inside.
Xia Houmao passed by Xu Chu, looked up at the black face, curled his lips and said "cut", and walked in proudly.
After entering the tent, they saw Cao Cao sitting at his desk rubbing his forehead. Xiahou Dun and Cao Chun were sitting silently aside, and the atmosphere was a bit depressing.
Xia Houmao coughed lightly, stepped forward and asked, "I wonder how many arrows were lost just now?"
Everyone looked up at him, their eyes like daggers, and Xiahou Dun was so angry that he gritted his teeth, thinking that you kid can't speak, so just shut the hell up!
Cao Cao is in pain
He groaned and sighed: "More than a hundred thousand!"
Xia Houmao paused, then took a few steps forward, clasped his fists and said, "It's only a hundred thousand arrows. My son-in-law is willing to help me and make them for the Prime Minister."
"It's rare for Zi Lin to share my worries!" Cao Cao exhaled a breath of turbidity and turned pale, "But arrows can be made, but bad breath is hard to come out. Why do you, little Liu Qi, keep going against me?"
Xiahou Mao said: "Prime Minister, don't worry. Although Liu Qi has some despicable methods, my son-in-law's trip to Xiangyang is not without success. Not only did he find out a lot of important information, but he also provided good strategies to relieve the Prime Minister's worries."
Xiahou Dun said sternly: "Treason, how can I allow you to discuss such important military affairs here without getting out?"
"Slow down!" Cao Cao tapped his forehead, motioned Xia Houmao to sit down, and asked, "What have you seen in Jingzhou?"
Xiahou Mao said: "Jingzhou is sending troops to Jiangling and Zigui. I predict that they will send troops to Yizhou soon. Liu Qi will not stay here for long."
"Oh? Liu Qi actually wants to plot Xichuan?" Cao Cao's eyes narrowed slightly. He thought for a moment and then asked, "What other military information is there?"
Xia Houmao also talked about how Liu Qi vigorously promoted commerce in Jingzhou, improved the status of merchants, and opened trade routes to Jiaozhou, South Vietnam and other places to make money, which made him spit.
Cao Cao listened for a while, but said disdainfully: "Liu Qi is abandoning his roots to pursue the weak. Businessmen are clever and deceitful. They take advantage of laws and regulations, stir up disputes, and move around all the year round. Once the country is in trouble, they all have far-reaching ambitions and no evil intentions. , this move will surely bring about its own consequences."
Xia Houmao was surprised and said: "Is it so serious?"
Xun You nodded and said: "Since ancient times, the people of industry and commerce have been like beetles. Liu Qi despised scholars and valued businessmen, and gathered money. This is to drink poison to quench thirst! Liu Biao governed Jingzhou with a brilliant literary style. Celebrities rushed to join him, and the territory was purified. Liu Qi did the opposite. Therefore, in the future, Jingzhou’s giant merchants will be rampant, everyone is chasing profit, and the younger generation will go to literature to pursue profit. The merchants will discuss state affairs and put profit first. I fear that not only will there be chaos in Jingzhou, but it will also be a great trouble for the country!"
Xia Houmao glanced at Cao Cao secretly, and did not dare to mention making money again, fearing that others would label him as a disaster for the country and the people, so he quickly changed the subject, cupped his fists and said:
"My son-in-law came here in a hurry because he just saw a large ship capsized in the back village and it was extremely inconvenient to transport the baggage and horses. He came here to offer advice. This can also cure the soldiers' vomiting disease."
Cao Cao's eyes lit up and he asked hurriedly: "What's Zi Lin's countermeasure?"
Since arriving in Huainan, the navy has suffered from many diseases. Even those who trained in Xuanwu Lake often vomited and fell ill on the ship. It is even more conceivable for others.
The doctors were helpless because they were not acclimatized, so the combat effectiveness of the men and horses was greatly reduced. Cao Cao was most troubled by this matter.
Xiahou Mao said: "When my son-in-law went from Nanyang to Jingzhou, he saw a chain boat on the Han River..."
He then told Liu Qi how he had built a pontoon bridge on the Xiangjiang River using old boats.
After describing it, Xiahou Dun and others were all moved, and they all lowered their heads and began to discuss.
"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful..." Cao Cao's eyes were shining, he put his hands on his hands and laughed: "Wonderful! If there are serial warships in our army, not just small ones, even on the big river, we will not be afraid of the Jiangdong navy. !”
Xun You also said: "Prime Minister, this plan is feasible, we should make preparations early!"
Cao Cao immediately ordered Xiahou Dun to personally take charge of the matter, and gathered blacksmiths to build a chain of iron cables overnight to lock the ships and connect the east and west villages first.
Everyone was delighted. Cao Cao praised Xiahou Mao: "Zilin has made great achievements this time. If you want any reward, just ask."
Xia Houmao cupped his fists and said, "My son-in-law has nothing to ask for. I wish the Prime Minister would capture Liu Qi as soon as possible. I can humiliate him in person. It's enough to avenge the previous humiliation!"
Cao Cao laughed and said: "My little brother Liu Qi, you have been cheating a lot. Now I'm going to use your plan to capture you. Did you expect that? This is called reincarnation in the way of heaven!"
