Zhao Shan did not answer Zhao Gou's words, and arranged for soldiers to destroy the Yangzhou soldiers who were still at the ferry, and continued to expand the results of the battle. Although Zhao Shan encouraged the prisoners who were released to Zhao Gou to show mercy, he did not expect these people to resist.
When these Yangzhou soldiers who were ordinary people faced Zhao Gou's strength, they did not dare to stand up and resist even if they were resentful. It would be good if they could protect themselves.
Only when Zhao Shan defeats Zhao Gou and the people see hope of victory will they intervene.
The civil strife of Yangzhou soldiers is not now.
It's the future!
It's time to wait for Zhao Gou to be defeated.
Zhao Shan did not rush to board the boat to cross the river, but steadily directed the attack. In less than half an hour, the fighting on the ferry shore was over.
Qi Yuanjing's body was stained with blood, and he came to Zhao Shan and reported: "Your Majesty, we fought to the ferry, killed more than a thousand people, captured more than 3,000 people, and some people simply jumped into the river. Most of them We boarded Zhao Gou's ship early and retreated."
Zhao Shan nodded and said, "It's expected and reasonable. Otherwise, how could Zhao Gou execute the plan?"
Qi Yuanjing continued: "In this short period of fighting, we captured more than 3,000 people and captured a person with a relatively high status. This person's name is Zhou Bingyi. He claims to be from the Zhou family in Yangzhou and is the legitimate son of the Zhou family. He said he wants to see His Majesty. .”
As Zhao Shan's mind turned, he already had a plan and ordered: "Bring the people here."
Qi Yuanjing went to make arrangements.
After a while, Zhou Bingyi came to Zhao Shan's side.
Zhou Bingyi was in his early thirties, with a slim figure and elegant appearance. However, after being captured, his hair was disheveled and he looked very embarrassed.
Because he came from a big family and received the benefits and benefits of the big family, and because Zhao Gou upheld the concept of jointly governing Yangzhou with the scholar-bureaucrats, Zhou Bingyi agreed very much and firmly believed that this was the right way.
Zhou Bingyi deliberately wanted to use the art of manipulation and bewitch Zhao Shan, so he loudly said: "Your Majesty, I advise you to let me go immediately."
"Oh why?"
Zhao Shan smiled and said, "I want to hear why I let you go."
Zhou Bingyi replied: "The reason is very simple. You cannot destroy King Wu. Don't think that you defeated King Wu. In fact, King Wu deliberately withdrew to lure you to pursue Chaisang."
"If you go to Chaisang, you will definitely lose."
"If you go to Yangzhou, you will definitely lose."
"You can conquer the north because you have cavalry and Modao battalion. But in the south, the cavalry and Modao battalion cannot open up the formation, and they are of little use. On the contrary, the King of Wu has strong soldiers and horses, and you cannot defeat them. There is also the King of Wu with a large army.”
Zhou Bingyi's eyes were wild and arrogant, and he continued: "Wu Wang Renyi adheres to the principle of governing by inaction and governs together with the scholars of Yangzhou. The people of Yangzhou are united and united. You have no chance to capture Yangzhou."
Zhao Shan snorted and said with a smile: "Zhao Gou and the scholars rule together, but he isolates himself from the people. Without the support of the people, where does the food come from? Where does the meat come from? Putting the cart before the horse."
Zhou Bingyi said: "Your Majesty the Emperor, you are here."
Zhao Shan said in a deep voice: "I have no intention of arguing with you about this. Are these your reasons?"
Zhou Bingyi said confidently: "Isn't this enough?"
"not enough!"
Zhao Shan shook his head and said: "You can think of it, Zhao Gou can think of it, why can't I think of it? Do you think Zhao Gou is luring the enemy deeper, why don't I just use the trick and deliberately force Zhao Gou to retreat?"
Zhou Bingyi frowned slightly and asked, "What do you mean?"
Zhao Shan said: "Literally."
Zhou Bingyi was a direct descendant of the Zhou family and was capable of both literary and military skills, so he was assigned to lead the army. He took the initiative to request a break this time because he wanted to make some meritorious deeds and establish some influence.
I originally thought I could evacuate safely, but unexpectedly I was trapped in a military formation and became a prisoner.
Zhou Bingyi thought about it and said: "It's impossible. Even if you try to use the trick, it will be of no use, because you can't defeat the Yangzhou navy in a water battle when entering the boundaries of Yangzhou."
"The land battle is also due to the geographical environment of Yangzhou. Some places are hilly and hilly, which is not conducive to cavalry. Some places are full of paddy fields and the roads are narrow, which is not conducive to cavalry charges."
"How can you win?"
Zhou Bingyi said: "Emperor, your only chance was to win outside Xiazhi County. Now if you want to win, it is simply impossible. You have no chance except defeat, unless you divide the river to rule."
With a smile on his lips, Zhao Shan stretched out his hand and said with a smile: "Zhou Bingyi, what kind of wind do you think is blowing today?"
Zhou Bingyi was stunned for a moment.
The wind blowing?
Does it matter?
After all, Zhou Bingyi is a child of a big family. He has been studying since he was a child, and he has also read the art of war. He understood it instantly, with a look of shock on his face, and said: "The emperor wants to attack with fire, attack with fire the ships of King Wu."
"clever!"
Zhao Shan laughed and said, "As expected of a member of a big family, he has some knowledge."
hiss!
Zhou Bingyi's expression suddenly changed.
Fire attack!
This can work.
The reason is very simple. Zhao Gou brought too many ships and they were traveling densely. Once a ship was ignited by a fire attack, coupled with the strong wind and the collision of warships, the fire would definitely spread.
It is difficult to avoid boats on the river.
At this moment, Zhou Bingyi understood the so-called strategy.
This is the real trick, it can be said to be killing people invisibly.
so amazing!
So cruel!
Zhou Bingyi also thought that after the fire attack, not only was Zhao Gou completely destroyed, but the private soldiers of the Yangzhou clan were also killed in the Yangtze River, and their vitality was seriously damaged. In order to help Zhao Gou win and get a piece of the pie, all the families came out in full force and exhausted their strength. Once their strength is lost, the Yangzhou clan will be in ruins.
Gudong!
Zhou Bingyi swallowed his saliva and his face became increasingly embarrassed. He looked at Zhao Shan with extremely frightened eyes, and great terror suddenly arose in his heart.
The emperor's calculations are too deep!
Zhao Shan noticed the change in Zhou Bingyi's demeanor and said slowly: "Do you think I should kill you now or keep you?"
Zhou Bingyi knelt down without hesitation and said: "In Zhou Bingyi's case, I am willing to serve His Majesty even if I die."
"Are you really willing to die?"
Zhao Shan said with a smile: "Are you willing to take action on the Zhou family and ask them to hand over the money, food, land and hidden population they have hoarded?"
"Yes, yes!"
Zhou Bingyi answered without hesitation.
The power of the big family to lose its protection is the fish on the chopping block. The Zhou family followed Zhao Gou. When Zhao Gou fell, the Zhou family also suffered losses and was completely unable to stop the emperor.
Only obey the emperor.
Zhao Shan had a bright smile in his eyes, nodded and said: "Those who know the current affairs are heroes. It is not in vain for me and you to waste some words."
Zhou Bingyi said loudly: "I will follow His Majesty to the death."
Zhao Shan waved his hand and asked people to take Zhou Bengyi away and let Zhou Bengyi go to rest early.
After Zhou Bingyi left, Qi Yuanjing reported again: "Your Majesty, our big ship has arrived. You can board it and chase Zhao Gou eastward along the river. It is estimated that in a while, Zhao Gou will leave Xiaji County and encounter Zhao Gou. Our navy."
Zhao Shandao: "Let's board the ship."
Following Zhao Shan's order, a large number of troops began to board the ship.
There were ten large ships transferred by Qi Yuanjing this time, one was Zhao Shan's flagship, and each of the other large ships could accommodate 800 soldiers. However, none of them were full. There were more than 400 people in each ship, and the warships sailed along the Yangtze River.
When Zhao Shan boarded the ship to pursue, a large number of fleets led by Zhao Gou left Xiazhi County and headed for Chaisang County.
On Zhao Gou's flagship.
The royal flag is fluttering and rustling in the wind.
Today's wind is countercurrent, and the wind direction is opposite to the direction of the warship's sailing, making the warship sail against the wind and at a slower speed.
Even so, Zhao Gou has already entered Chaisang territory.
As soon as he returned to Chaisang, Zhao Gou's mood became better and better. He looked at Gu Xianxiong and said energetically: "Gu Qing, when I returned to Chaisang, I felt that the sky was bluer and the air was fresher. I just don't know. Will Zhao Shan chase you?"
Gu Xianxiong said confidently: "Your Majesty, Zhao Shan will definitely come. If he doesn't come today, he will definitely come later, because Zhao Shan wants to attack Yangzhou. As long as Zhao Shan steps into the Chaisang territory, the battle between us and Zhao Shan will change. , we took the initiative.”
Zhao Gou said: "That's right!"
"Report!"
At this moment, a soldier shouted: "Your Majesty, a large number of sailboats appear in front of us and are coming towards us quickly."
When the shout came, Zhao Gou looked forward instantly.
On the Yangtze River, sailing ships appeared one after another.
Because the distance was still relatively far, Zhao Gou could not see clearly for a while.
Today there is a countercurrent wind, and the wind direction hinders the movement of Zhao Gou's large ship, but it helps the sailing ship of a medium size that is traveling in the opposite direction. The speed of the sailing ship is very fast. It didn't take long for Zhao Gou to see it clearly.
Each sailing ship has countless straw men and piles of wormwood.
Seeing this situation, Zhao Gou's face was full of doubts, and he was even more puzzled. How could there be a situation where there were mugwort and straw men on board?
"My lord, it's fire attack!"
After Gu Xianxiong saw it clearly, he was immediately shocked and said loudly: "All the wormwood on the ship will be lit on fire. They are all coming for us."
Zhao Gou frowned and said, "Isn't it possible?"
Gu Xianxiong was so angry that he stamped his feet, looked panicked, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, this is definitely the case."
call! call! ! !
At this moment, the sailboats sailing forward began to catch fire, and each sailboat started to catch fire, spreading and burning rapidly. Because they were all sprinkled with kerosene, the fire burned quickly and was not easy to extinguish.
In a short period of time, each sailing ship turned into a sea of flames, blocking the way forward. The soldiers on board had jumped into the river to evacuate after lighting the fire.
Countless fires were rolling and burning, like fire snakes scurrying around and traveling quickly.
Zhao Gou's warships were rushing forward again, and on the premise of heading towards each other, the first group of walking boats and stern boats were the first to be hit by the burning sailboat.
boom! boom! boom! ! !
Continuous crashing sounds were heard, and firelight flew freely, quickly igniting the boats and boats, causing many of Zhao Gou's ships to burn.
The pupils in Zhao Gou's eyes shrank, a chill ran down his spine, and he felt endless terror in his heart.
what happened?
how so?
They successfully evacuated back to Chaisang, and had a smooth journey in Xiazhi County without encountering any obstruction. Why were they suddenly attacked by fire?
Was it arranged by Zhao Shan?
Could it be that Zhao Shan had already predicted that he would return to Chaisang?
There were countless question marks in Zhao Gou's mind, and he was confused. He thought about it over and over, but couldn't figure it out clearly. He looked at Gu Xianxiong in panic and asked, "Gu Xianxiong, we have fallen into a trap. What do you think we should do now?"
