Zhang Xiu knew clearly that after Ji Ling of Lujiang City surrendered, the news would soon be known to Yuan Shu. By then, Yuan Shu would definitely send an army south.
In order to leave here before Yuan Shu went south and occupy Lujiang City, Zhang Xiu began to order the preparations to pack up and board the ship on the second day, and carry all the prepared grain, grass and ordnance to the ship.
Similarly, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu also knew clearly that Yuan Shu would go south, and actively prepared to enter the city to defend and prepare for war.
There is a huge three-story ship parked at the bank of the Yangtze River. The building ship was one of the main types of ships used by the navy in late Han Dynasty. The hull is huge, more than ten feet high. Generally, there are three layers of towers built on the boat. The tower boat has: rows of female walls, battle grids, tree flags, open windows and spear holes. The boats are equipped with throwing carts, stone bases, and iron buckets, just like a castle on the river.
The first floor of the building is called Lu, the second floor is called Fei Lu, and the third floor is called Bird Room.
Standing under the building ship and looking at this behemoth, Zhang Xiu sighed in his heart, how good would it be if his army had such a warship? Well... this belongs to Liu Biao. When Liu Biao burps, he will snatch it away.
There is one ship in the building, which is a combat command ship, and the other ships are sterns, big boats, and scout ships.
Under the supervision of Gan Ning, Wei Yan, and Deng Zhi, the soldiers who were going back and forth loaded grain, grass, and equipment into the big boat. At the same time, they loaded the treasures into a large boat that Zhang Xiu had obtained in Lujiang City. middle.
This was the unexpected surprise that Zhang Xiu got in Lujiang. Three thousand navy troops, ten large boats, six stern ships, twelve scout ships, and two powerful navy generals: Chen Wu and Ding Feng.
Although Chen Wu and Ding Feng were not warriors with superb martial arts, they were victorious because of their extraordinary bravery. According to later records, although Ding Feng could not read or write, he had excellent strategies and was able to make decisions on important matters. Zhang Xiu immediately established the Youkun Fleet Camp and appointed Ding Feng as the chief general and Chen Wu as the deputy general to command the Youkun Fleet Camp.
One day later, Zhang Xiu carried all the grain, grass and equipment onto the ship, said goodbye to Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, and prepared to sail to Wancheng. The cavalry could not board the ship, so Zhang Xiu ordered Wei Yan to lead the cavalry to attack Wancheng in a flash.
The purpose of going to Wancheng is naturally Qiao Rui.
After Qiao Rui was captured alive by Wei Yan, he immediately surrendered to Zhang Xiu's tent, and at his "strong" suggestion, the family moved to Nanyang. In order for Qiao Rui to agree to the family's move, Zhang Xiu gave him generous conditions. Can't bear to say no.
The ship was just about to set off when a soldier came from below to report: "My lord, there is a letter sent from Shouchun."
Shouchun’s letter?
Zhang Xiu immediately invited someone to come over. The visitor knelt down and worshiped in front of Zhang Xiu: "Young prince, please pay homage to the Marquis."
"Who do you deliver the letter for?"
"My master Liu Ye."
"Liu Ye? Where is the letter?"
Wang Er took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Xiu. He opened it and read: Cao's army of 100,000 invaded Nanyang. He wanted to join forces with Liu Biao and sent an army of 50,000 to Lujiang. He asked the Marquis to make a quick decision. forage.
Zhang Xiu's eyes narrowed.
Cao Cao led another hundred thousand troops to march south to Nanyang, and he also wanted to join forces with Liu Biao to attack from a flank?
Now there are 15,000 cavalry in Nanyang under the command of Li Tong, 10,000 Xiliang cavalry, and 5,000 new cavalry recruited from Nanyang; more than 20,000 infantry under the command of Hu Che'er, Jia Xu is stationed in Nanyang, and there are new troops The city of Duyang was built, and it would be impossible for Cao Cao to attack Nanyang in a short period of time.
If you are afraid, you should be afraid of the inner and outer harmony.
The powerful nobles in Nanyang were dissatisfied with Zhang Xiu because of the establishment of a school. Now that Zhang Xiu is out in command, those powerful nobles will definitely jump out and secretly collude with Cao Cao.
Zhang Xiu sat there quietly, calculating the direction of the entire chess game at high speed in his mind, and finally focused on the last two words: grain and grass.
In mid-May, the winter wheat in the north is not ripe yet, and it is a time of drought.
Cao Cao's idea was very simple, that is, to take advantage of the unstable morale of the army to attack Nanyang while he was away, so that he would have no foothold. Zhang Xiu muttered: "So Cao Cao's only thought now is to quickly attack Duyang City!"
"Ah?" Wang Er thought he was talking to him, but his voice was too soft and he didn't hear clearly. He looked at him with confusion on his face.
Zhang Xiu asked him: "Why did your master write to help me?"
"Uh... I don't know, little one." Wang Er said.
Zhang Xiu had some impression of the name Liu Ye. He was a low-key top strategist with outstanding talents and a famous strategist. In such a situation, this person must have his own ideas.
So he said: "You should go and reply to your master quickly. Just tell him that I want to invite him to play chess in Wancheng and use the world as a chess game. I will wait for your master in Wancheng."
Wang Er said hello and retreated.
Zhang Xiu made some calculations and immediately summoned Deng Zhi and Bu Zhi and told them the news in the letter. They were shocked. Zhang Xiu was not in Nanyang, and Nanyang's military morale was bound to be unstable. In addition, Nanyang's powerful Nanyang is in danger due to internal and external collusion.
But they saw Zhang Xiu's face was calm and showed no signs of nervousness.
"My lord, Cao Cao has launched an unjust army to attack Nanyang. Nanyang is in danger. Let's return to Nanyang immediately." Deng Zhi said impatiently. If Nanyang is captured by Cao's army, the Deng family will definitely be implicated if they support Zhang Xiu.
Zhang Xiu nodded, then looked at Bu Zhi and asked calmly: "What do you think Zishan?"
Seeing that Zhang Xiu was as stable as Mount Tai, and Cao Cao's army of one hundred thousand soldiers came to the city without changing his expression, he admired him and at the same time realized that this was Zhang Xiu's test for him.
He thought for a moment and said: "Not long after Cao Cao's army stopped conquering Yuan Shu, he raised troops to attack Nanyang. The soldiers must be tired of fighting and cannot last long. Therefore, Cao Cao's trip can only be carried out quickly, not delayed and waited. If he attacks quickly, , we won’t be able to reach Nanyang in a short time.”
Zhang Xiu nodded and motioned for him to continue.
Bu Zhi said: "We can order the Wei cavalry to lead the cavalry and station it outside Duyang City. They can use kite flying tactics to make Cao's army too tired to cope with the attack and unable to attack the city with all their strength. This will buy us time to return to Nanyang."
Zhang Xiu nodded in agreement and added: "Zishan's plan is feasible, but the analysis is not comprehensive enough."
Bu Zhi immediately bowed his waist and said: "Please let me know clearly, my lord."
Zhang Xiu stood up, looked at the Yangtze River and said: "Cao Cao is not the only enemy in Nanyang, but there are also potential enemies: Nanyang is powerful. These people are like grass on the wall. The wind blows from that direction and they will fall. Why not use Cao Cao's help?" With your own hands, remove these hidden cancers?"
Deng Zhi was shocked: "My lord, is he going to kill Nanyang with blood?" He immediately realized that Zhang Xiu wanted to use Cao Cao's knife to kill the Nanyang heroes. This would not only consolidate his power in Nanyang, but also eliminate dissidents.
Zhang Xiu gave a cold smile: "It's time for Nanyang to tidy up. Go write to Jia Canjun and tell him to move all the confidential things outside the city into the city, clear the walls and fields, give up blocking Yang City, and defend it with all your strength: Wancheng, Rangcheng, Xinye City, Yiyang City, and Anzhong City; the remaining cities can be guarded and defended, but cannot be taken away or given up."
Deng Zhi breathed a sigh of relief as Xinye City was included.
Bu Zhi immediately understood what Zhang Xiu was going to do.
There is a drought this year, and food is difficult. Cao Cao has just launched an expedition against Yuan Shu, so food and grass must be in short supply. Cao's army of 100,000 soldiers went south, and the daily consumption of people and horses was huge.
After entering Nanyang County, Jia Xu cleared the surrounding areas. Cao Cao was short of food, so he could only collect grain from the Nanyang powerful forces. The powerful powerful people could not support an army of 100,000, which would inevitably arouse conflicts between the powerful powerful people and Cao's army. When the time comes, the Nanyang powerful forces would definitely suffer a devastating blow.
After this battle, no powerful family in Nanyang can threaten Zhang Xiu.
This is a vicious tactic that draws fire from the bottom of the cauldron and kills people with a borrowed knife.
A thin layer of sweat broke out on Bu Zhi's face. His lord was really decisive in his killing! He bowed his waist and said, "Here!"
