Elk Mansion.
Lu Bu was communicating with several blacksmiths in a cross-yard on how to make muskets.
Mi Zhu came in and called "Marquis Wen". Lu Bu understood and followed him to a deserted place.
Mi Zhu then said: "Just now I was watching the people in the government office to report. A man in plainclothes with big ears and shoulders and arms as long as his knees entered the government office on horseback. He talked to Tao Qian for several hours and then came out in a hurry. Let’s go out of the city towards Xiapi!”
"Oh? Liu Da'er?" Lu Bu's eyes narrowed.
Mi Zhu said: "It's probably him! As the shepherd of Xuzhou, Marquis Wen, you have already threatened Tao Qian's position in Xuzhou.
Now that Tao Qian's most trusted person, Zuo Rong, has been injured in a battle of wits, is he planning to join forces with Liu Bei to harm you?
Moreover, Liu Bei is at odds with Marquis Wen, and he is new here. Even if he misses, Tao Qian can put all the blame on Liu Bei..."
Lu Bu nodded and said: "You must not have the intention of harming others, and you must have the intention of guarding against others.
Let people pay more attention to the movements of Xiapi, especially Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others!
In addition, your mansion must also strengthen its defense! I'll send another five hundred people into the city. "
Mi Zhu said: "Marquis Wen, when the house in Mi Mansion was built, a lot of thought was put into guarding against thieves.
After all, there are still three to two thousand dead soldiers in the family, so even if old Tao Qian falls out, he can still fight with him!
However, the walls of the new city have not yet been formed, and there are coal mines and iron mines outside the city. It would be troublesome if thieves invaded, so Wen Hou had better be careful. "
Lu Bu nodded, but in his heart he was thinking about how to take advantage of the opportunity to capture Tao Qian.
——
Shouchun.
Yuan Shu showed Tao Qian's letter to several of his advisers and asked, "What do you think?"
Yan Xiang, the chief registrar, first said: "My lord, I think this is inappropriate! Lu Bu had merit in killing Dong Zhuo. The emperor named him the Mu of Xuzhou and betrothed Princess Wannian to him. This is known to the world.
Lu Bu had just arrived in Xuzhou not long ago. It was obvious that Tao Qian did not want to give up the power of Xuzhou to Lu Bu, so he wrote this letter to his lord.
Tao Qian seems to be thinking about his lord at all times, but in fact he is just trying to kill someone with a borrowed knife. Please think twice, lord! "
Yuan Shu nodded, with a look of hesitation on his face, obviously not agreeing with Yan Xiang's words.
Counselor Han Yin said: "My lord, I think the Lord of Hell is too worried.
Although Lu Bu was the Prince Consort and the Mu of Xuzhou, the fact that he was appointed to Xuzhou instead of staying in Chang'an showed that he still had no foundation in the court.
And now that Wang Yun is dead and Guo Si and Li Jue are in control of the government, what is the use of an edict from the emperor?
Now that our food routes are cut off by Liu Biao, if we can get the iron mines developed by Lu Bu in Pengcheng, it will be like dew after a long drought! "
Another counselor Li Ye also said: "I think what Han Yin said is correct. Although my lord now occupies several counties in Yuzhou and Yangzhou, he only has Liu Biao in the west and Cao Cao in the north.
Although the lord has formed an alliance with Gongsun Zan, Gongsun Zan is disturbed by Yuan Shao and has too much time to take care of himself. How can he help the lord?
If we can take this opportunity to unite with Tao Qian to fight against Cao Cao, and then borrow food to fight against Liu Biao, this is the best strategy! "
Yuan Shu nodded again, this time the expression on his face was one of agreement.
My situation has been really difficult since I completely broke up with Yuan Shao.
In addition, his most capable general Sun Jian died in the attack on Xiangyang, and everything went wrong for him. He lost more than he won in several battles.
Now he really needs an ally who is strong and can help him to fight against Cao Cao and Liu Biao.
And Tao Qian is the best choice.
Xuzhou is adjacent to Yuzhou, and Xuzhou is the state that has suffered the least damage from the war. Its prosperity is obvious to all.
Moreover, Tao Qian had a grudge against Cao Cao, and now he took the initiative to show friendship to him. He should seize this opportunity!
However, Yan Xiang ignored Yuan Shu's thoughts and said: "Lord, please listen to me again!
Tao Qian wrote in his letter that Lü Bu had obtained iron mines that produced thousands of kilograms of refined iron every day, and tens of thousands of kilograms of coal every day. Is this an exaggeration?
Pengcheng is not far away from here, so the lord should still send someone to investigate clearly before making any plans.
Furthermore, Lu Bu was known as a flying general, and he was as brave as any man. If we send out troops rashly but fail to capture him, it might be a disaster later! "
Yuan Shu impatiently raised his hand to stop Yan Xiang and said, "I'm not a three-year-old child. Do I believe whatever Tao Qian says? Of course I have to send someone to check!"
"Yes..." Yan Xiang then lowered his head and fell silent.
Yuan Shu asked again: "Who is willing to go to Pengcheng to find out Lu Bu's true identity, and also meet Tao Qian by the way?"
Li Ye stood up and said, "Lord, Li Ye is willing to go!"
Yuan Shao nodded and said: "Very good, tonight I will hold a banquet to honor Li Ye!"
——
A mountain col in Pengcheng Xincheng Iron Works.
An iron cannon as thick as an arm was placed on the wooden frame.
Watching the two soldiers loading gunpowder and lead pellets, Lu Bu took the torch, lit the fuse, and retreated behind the bunker.
There was a loud bang, and a row of scarecrows in the distance was knocked down.
Everyone hurriedly came over to check the details. Seeing that the scarecrow three hundred steps away was beaten to pieces by iron bullets, Chen Gong couldn't help but exclaimed:
"Lord! The power of this artillery is really terrifying! If we can build a hundred such artillery pieces, we won't be afraid even if tens of thousands of people invade us!"
Lu Bu asked Gao Shun, "Filial father, what do you think of this artillery?"
Gao Shun pondered for a moment and said: "The power of the artillery is indeed terrifying, but it is too bulky, and the interval between shots is also a little longer.
It would also be a useful weapon if used to defend a city or attack a fortress.
But during this period, my eldest brother has been asking Zhao Yuntai Shici to train light cavalry raids. I am afraid that this tactic is difficult to cooperate with artillery..."
Lu Bu laughed and said, "What my filial father said makes sense! However, this cannon itself is not meant to be carried and run away.
Don't think it's bulky. I'll build a bigger cannon in the future that can shoot shotguns and single-head projectiles!
Think about it, if an iron ball as big as a bowl is shot a thousand steps away and can smash a hole in the city gate, what will the effect be? "
"If this is true, then there will no longer be a strong city in the world!" Chen Gong said.
Just as he was talking, Mi Zhu came on horseback.
Lu Bu said with a smile: "Zizhong, you are late and missed a good show! Come on, reload again, you will all have a good time!"
The soldier agreed and began to clean the gun barrel and load gunpowder pellets.
Mi Zhu said: "My lord, I just received news that several people dressed as businessmen have stayed in the Wuxian Inn.
Because these businessmen were doing well, the shopkeeper eavesdropped on their conversations.
It turned out that the leading man with a Shu County accent was named Li Ye, and he was coming to Pengcheng to meet Tao Qian secretly! "
"Oh? Meeting Tao Qian?" Lu Bu rubbed his chin: "Who sent him here?"
"I didn't hear this. They are very cautious in what they say. Lord, do you want to catch these people on the way and interrogate them?"
Lu Bu pondered for a moment, shook his head and said, "No need! Just let people follow them secretly and keep track of their movements. Remember not to alert the enemy!"
As he spoke, the cannonballs had been loaded. Lu Bu handed the torch to Mi Zhu with a smile and said: "Zizhong, let's take a shot and feel it!"
