Mid-July, 198 AD.
The cavalry commander Zhang Liao led an army of 100,000 cavalry. They set out from Chang'an and marched directly to Xiliang, aiming at Jincheng.
Gan Ning, the commander-in-chief of land and water, led 60,000 infantrymen and set out from Dashan Pass, directing his troops towards Hanzhong.
Zhang Xiu did not choose to fight in person on both sides of the war, because both of them were governors appointed by Zhang Xiu himself. It was their first battle since they took office, so there was no need for him to intervene.
Just take a look at their abilities.
Only by letting the commander-in-chief freely lead the troops in battle can he exert his greatest ability. As for the loyalty of the second general, there is no need to worry. From later generations, the temperament of these two people has been known for a long time.
at the same time.
Cao Cao raised his horse and 100,000 infantrymen and marched toward Xuzhou. He was bound to take back Xuzhou and Qingzhou.
Yuan Shao led 50,000 troops to kill Qingzhou.
The world was once again involved in the disputes of war.
At this time, Zhang Xiu came to Nanyang Wancheng with several wives and five thousand personal guards.
At such a time of fighting, Pang Shanmin did not expect that Zhang Xiu would bring his family here to play. They were surprised and suspicious and brought hundreds of local officials to greet them at the city gate.
The carriage stopped at the city gate, Zhang Qian gently opened the curtain, Zhang Xiu walked out, and Pang Shanmin and others immediately saluted.
After getting off the carriage, Zhang Xiu helped Pang Shanmin up and said with a smile, "What? You didn't expect that I would come here to take a few ladies for fun at this critical moment?"
Pang Shanmin was shocked and immediately said: "Don't dare!"
Zhang Xiu smiled gently: "Mountain people, the last thing you know is lying..." He looked at the others and said, "Get up, all of you." He walked side by side with Pang Shanmin again, "The lies are all written on your face. , and you still said no?"
Pang Shanmin smiled awkwardly and said: "Since my lord has guessed it, don't tease me. Now Xiliang and Hanzhong are at war at the same time. The summer harvest has just ended, but Nanyang's grain and grass cannot support such a huge consumption."
Zhang Xiu smiled and said, "Look at you. When I was in Chang'an before, I never heard that you were so stingy. Not long after you took office as the governor of Nanyang, you have become stingy. I heard that the harvest in Nanyang this year is good."
Pang Shanmin said with an aggrieved face: "My lord, conscience of heaven and earth, this year's harvest is indeed good, but last year's war, coupled with the just-concluded Battle of Hetao, Nanyang's grain and grass consumption was huge, and the summer harvest can be regarded as just filling the previous gap." At a loss, there are still 40,000 sailors waiting for food."
Zhang Xiu touched his nose awkwardly.
When Pang Shanmin came to take office in Nanyang, he was a little reluctant. It was not because Nanyang was not good. On the contrary, Nanyang was so good that when everything was handed over, Nanyang County would occupy three thirds of the land. One, a lot of pressure.
Putting him in this position, Zhang Xiu is also somewhat personal.
Just to draw the Pang family into his camp.
Nowadays, Pang Tong of the Pang family has become a counselor in his camp, but Pang Degong, Pang Shanmin, and other Pang disciples have not joined. The purpose of letting Pang Shanmin be the governor of Nanyang is to mobilize the enthusiasm of these Pang disciples.
However, the current transfer situation is average.
Zhang Xiu said: "I also know the situation in Nanyang, and I am not here to ask for food from you. I am mainly here to see the development of the navy. Have you paid out the money you allocated to the navy?"
Speaking of money, Pang Shanmin felt even more aggrieved: "My lord, Nanyang didn't have much money to begin with, but you all of a sudden allocated four million taels to the navy, which almost emptied Nanyang."
Zhang Xiu comforted: "Now that the world is in chaos, we have to invest a lot of money to develop military industry, but don't worry, after Hanzhong is captured this year, let him share half of the pressure."
"Really?" Pang Shanmin laughed like a child.
"Yeah!" Zhang Xiu affirmed.
"Come on, take me to see how the casting of navy warships develops. Tell me in detail." The north relies on horses to fight the war, and the south relies on ships to fight the war. If Zhang Xiu wants to attack the south, he must have Enough warships and naval forces.
"You should ask Generals Ding Feng and Chen Wu about the naval force. The shipyard was built on the north bank of the Han River in accordance with their requirements. We can go and take a look now. The two generals are also there."
"Okay, let's go take a look."
Zhang Xiu ordered the lady in the carriage to be sent to Wancheng, and he and Pang Shanmin headed towards the north bank of the Han River with their personal guards.
Have enough money.
The navy developed very rapidly.
The entire shipyard was full of craftsmen busy going back and forth. There were also three tall building ships, and the ridges of the building ships could be seen in the distance.
Ding Feng and Chen Wu followed Zhang Xiu and introduced the current results one by one.
"My lord, our army is currently preparing to build 500 stern ships, 50 scout ships, 350 large boats, and 3 tower ships. Such combat power is enough to compare with Liu Biao." Ding Feng said happily. explain.
"How long will it take to finish it?"
Zhang Xiu saw that many large ships in the shipyard were still under construction. There were only fifteen ships under construction at the same time. It would probably take a long time to complete such a number of ships.
Sure enough, Ding Feng said hesitantly: "It will take at least two years to complete the construction."
"Two years?"
Zhang Xiu shook his head, "Don't tell me big words. To be honest, how long will it take at least to build 500 stern ships, 50 scout ships, 350 large boats, and three tower ships?" "
"Five...five years!" Chen Wu said honestly.
Ding Feng immediately glared at the other party and said quickly: "The craftsmen work day and night and can complete the construction in three years."
Zhang Xiu glared: "The craftsmen work day and night? Are the craftsmen not human beings? I'll give you... four years. After four years, all the warships must be completed and launched."
"Don't worry, my lord, it will definitely be completed within four years." Ding Feng promised.
Zhang Xiu nodded: "If you have any needs, just ask me. In the future, the development of the navy will be far more than this. It has just started. Let's finish building the warships first."
"Here!"
Ding Feng and Chen Wu straightened their backs and answered loudly and crisply.
"How is the navy training going?"
The naval forces are all new recruits recruited from Nanyang. They need a long period of training before they can be put into battle. I am afraid that they are not yet able to form an effective battle.
Chen Wu said: "The new soldiers are all in training. General Ding and I are actively training our troops to ensure that when the lord needs it, we will win every battle."
"That's good. Also, is there any movement from Liu Biao in the south?"
"Liu Biao's navy often comes to monitor us, but the shipyards are all hidden in secret. They only know one of our three shipyards, and the news that the navy's recruitment is released outside is also ten thousand." Chen Wu said.
"Well, be careful. Now that Sun Ce's attention has been diverted by Cao Cao, Liu Biao may have a chance to bite us unexpectedly."
Now that Zhang Xiu's power has become stronger, Liu Biao has become more and more panicked.
In addition, he is now attacking Hanzhong. If Hanzhong is captured, will it be Liu Biao's turn next?
