In the next few days, eight Thunderbolt vehicles adjusted their positions and aimed at a city wall to smash them.
However, the effect is not very obvious. It is still a bit of a dream to penetrate the city wall made of blue bricks with this impact.
After two days of hard smashing, they only managed to break out a layer of rammed earth, but could not collapse a single breach.
Moreover, even stones are not unlimited resources. Counting the first two days, the Thunderbolt Car has already consumed thousands of huge stones.
These are not recyclable, and those of suitable size in the surrounding areas have long been dug up by sergeants. For a while, the Thunderbolt Car became a decoration.
"Smash it! Why don't you smash it! Do you want me to give you some more rocks?"
"There is endless tung oil in the city. If you are not afraid of death, come in and get it!"
After feeling aggrieved for a few days, the defenders, who knew that Lu Bu's army was at the end of their rope, suddenly felt that their defense had become clearer, and began to scold them openly.
"Gong Jin is right. As long as we survive these few days, Lu Bu's tung oil will not be able to keep up. Now there are even no stones. Let's see how they attack the city." Huang Gai pressed the sword on his waist. He looked coldly at the soldiers who could only yell blindly under the city gate.
"Although this battle was fought in vain, Lu Bu has nothing to do. Retreating is just a matter of time."
Cheng Pu nodded with satisfaction and looked around at the Thunderbolts, thinking about grabbing a few back when they retreated.
Unable to vent their full anger on their weapons, the generals were inevitably a little frustrated, but thinking that their side had the last laugh in this battle, they felt a lot calmer.
The soldiers were cheering, taunting, and venting, but Sun Ce was the only one holding the wall and saying nothing.
In the past few days, in the face of the violent bombardment by the Thunderbolt Chariots, only more than 300 sergeants were actually lost. Of course, there were more than 200 wounded soldiers. It should have been worth it to defend a county at such a cost. Celebrating.
But Sun Ce couldn't be happy no matter what.
"My lord, are you still sad about Youping?" Zhou Yu asked with a sigh.
Sun Ce lowered his head, the sadness raging in his heart, "I am not Cao Cao and Lu Bu. I have many powerful generals under my command. I don't feel distressed even if several of them die. It is not easy for my brothers from Jiangdong to follow me. Even if one of them dies, I feel a lot."
Do you still remember, when we were attacking Wujun, Yan Baihu made a sneak attack on our army's flank. Before I could rush back for rescue, Youping led 300 men to block his 2,000-strong attack for three hours.
Without Youping, how could Wu County have succeeded so smoothly, but I..."
Sun Ce paused and raised his head to prevent the heat in his eyes from flowing out, "I couldn't even recover his body."
The team is growing day by day, but there are only a few trustworthy people around them, except for the veterans who followed Sun Jian, namely Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, Chen Wu and others.
When the four major families exert pressure, the internal pressure can only turn into war and plunder. This is the reason why they suppressed Shan Yue. These brothers shared too much of Sun Ce's pressure in this regard.
Starting from Sun Jian, the Sun family's style has always been to address each other as principals but not as principals. They are like family generals.
Publicly and privately, Sun Ce still couldn't accept Zhou Tai's death.
"Lord."
Zhou Yu sighed softly, supported the city wall and stood side by side with Sun Ce, "Whether it is the change of dynasties or the war is stopped with smoke, it is always done with human lives.
If the Lord wants to achieve a great cause, bloodshed and death are inevitable. This is the case today, and it will be the same in the future. Since ancient times, people have been alone in high places, and the road to a king is not only about overcoming thorns and thorns, but also endless loneliness."
Endless loneliness.
Sun Ce was stung by these words.
He understood what Zhou Yu meant. Zhou Tai was not the first brother to leave him, nor would he be the last.
If you want to dominate in troubled times, you don't just need the Overlord Gun in your hand, but you also need the lives of countless people.
This road is destined to be lonely.
Five days later, Zuo Rong finally arrived at the Guangling front line from Haixi, accompanied by more than thirty carriages.
"I am lowered to the rank of Prime Minister of Pi County, Zuo Rong, to pay my respects to Marquis Wen!" Zuo Rong bowed respectfully, and he was playing tricks as soon as they met.
When he was in Lujiang, Lu Bu personally said that he would promote himself to the rank of county magistrate, but he did not wait until he returned to Haixi. This was a reminder to Lu Bu.
Lu Bu still had this thought. He frowned and asked, "How is the matter Yunwen asked you to do?"
"I don't dare to delay Wen Hou's important event. All the things have been brought and are now stationed in the supply camp." Zuo Rong said seriously.
Hearing this, Lu Bu breathed a sigh of relief, "I didn't expect that you were a big help at the critical moment. I will remember this."
You have to really remember it. In terms of integrity, you are not as good as Brother Yunwen. Zuo Rong showed a grateful smile and nodded repeatedly: "I actually also long for the generals under Marquis Wen to make contributions to the main battlefield. It's a pity that I He was not good at civil and military affairs, so he could only make some logistical supplies. Fortunately, Yunwen's wise brother appreciated him, so he reluctantly did his best for Marquis Wen.
I have to say that Brother Yunwen is really making the best use of his talents. "
"That's true. Even the bamboo strips used to wipe buttocks have their own uses. Yunwen can always use them just right." Lu Bu couldn't hear his nonsense.
"Marquis Wen's metaphor is really first-rate." Zuo Rong wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Okay, you have come a long way to go down and rest first."
Lu Bu waved his hand, as if he had turned his face and refused to recognize anyone after lifting his trousers, "Each department will go back and reorganize their troops, and we will fight Guangling again tomorrow!"
"Here!"
When everyone retreated, Zuo Rong winked at Lin Mo frequently.
I know, I know, do you want to ask for a few good words? Lin Mo followed.
"My dear brother, it has been two months since we parted ways in Lujiang. As the saying goes, one day is like three autumns apart. Brother Yu opened up the Jingzhou trade route in Haixi according to your arrangement, and the Yizhou side is also active.
Although he is so busy that he has no time to sleep, he still cares about his good brother. Now that he is in good health and the dust of the journey has been dispersed, he feels refreshed. "
Every time he heard him speak, Lin Mo always had the urge to laugh.
How did he say such shameless words in a serious manner, you are more Duolon than Duolong.
"Okay, let's forget about the polite words between us. Is there something wrong?" The midsummer sun was very strong, and Lin Mo just wanted to go back to the camp and lie down.
"There are some. The craftsmen you want in Pengcheng are all ready. They are absolutely trustworthy. Their children are all raised in my house. They will definitely not be able to escape. In addition, all the sea sand you want has been transported."
Zuo Rong talked eloquently and tried to be as concise as possible, "But it is too difficult to purchase iron. After transporting two ships from Jingzhou, I can no longer buy it. I hope there will be more in Yizhou."
Salt and iron are strategic materials. In addition to the control of the imperial court, the princes from various places also have very strong control over these resources.
The annual output is limited, and the loss of making ordnance and agricultural tools is huge, so the quantity purchased privately cannot be too large.
"Okay, thank you for your hard work."
As he spoke, Lin Mo punched Zuo Rong on the chest, "I'll go back and discuss it with my father-in-law. The position of Governor Langya cannot remain vacant."
"Hey, what do you say? It makes it seem like Brother Yu is doing all this just for the sake of official status. Even if he gets nothing in the end, based on the relationship between our brothers, it won't delay things." Zee Rong couldn't close his smile. Mouth.
Lin Mo himself is just a bookkeeper, but his father-in-law is the lord of Xuzhou. A casual sentence is enough to make Zuo Rong's mouth water.
After all, the prefect has the highest power to control the life and death of a county. As long as he has the ability, he can rule the roost from the position of prefect.
Not to mention people like Yan Baihu, Wu Jing, and Wang Lang, even Yuan Shao, who controlled the four states, started as the governor of Bohai.
However, Brother Xian was a little vague. What does it mean to get things done? His affairs never seemed to stop.
It feels a bit like painting a cake.
"By the way, there's one more thing."
Seeing that Lin Mo was about to leave, Zuo Rong hurriedly stopped him and said, "I have found out what you asked me to investigate. The maid named Zhao'er was not arranged for you by the Lu family. She was indeed bought by Zijing." .
Her father was Guo Yong, the governor of Nanyang in his early years. He was framed and killed in a struggle for power among aristocratic families in Jingzhou. Then she fled with the refugees and ran to Xuzhou.
There is nothing else to doubt. "
Guo Yong
The surname is Guo, Guo Zhao?
The name sounds familiar.
Queen Guo!
Lin Mo's eyes lit up, and he suddenly remembered that Guo Zhao was Queen Guo, Cao Pi's queen. No wonder she was quite good-looking.
Ah, this, this can also cut off the beard.
Originally, he asked Zuo Rong to check her out because he was worried that Lu Su would be scheming around him, but it seemed that he was really worried.
Thinking about it now, it may be that after her parents died, she was homeless and had no fixed place to live, which made her very sensitive. After all, living among the homeless was not an easy task. God knows how much she suffered.
When she and Xu Sheng were preparing to run away, she saw her crying face movingly after she left, just because she didn't want to be abandoned again.
After thinking about it, Lin Mo nodded, "It seems that this girl doesn't need to be replaced."
"No, no, no problem, my dear brother, you can enjoy it with peace of mind." Zuo Rong smiled cheekily.
Lin Mo rolled his eyes at him, "What are you talking about? Who do you think I am? I studied Spring and Autumn Period!"
Xuzhou will be attacked after the autumn harvest, and with the busy summer farming schedule, no one in the Cao family will be idle from top to bottom.
The soldiers pushed the curved plow to open up large areas of land, and the efficiency was ridiculous. They only regretted the lack of plowing cattle.
The implementation of the farming system also increased their enthusiasm. After all, harvest is performance, which not only counts as military merit, but also receives corresponding subsidies.
Compared with these manual workers, counselors and civil servants are no easier than them.
War is very expensive. Food, grass, ordnance, baggage and military expenses, each item opened a gluttonous mouth for Cao Cao to swallow up gold.
Therefore, it is time for the powerful people of the aristocratic families to contribute.
Xun Yu, Xun You, Chen Qun, Zhong Yao, and Du Xi, who occupied the central positions in the imperial court, all returned to their hometowns to work as lobbyists, asking powerful families to provide support in terms of money and food.
Even generals like the Xiahou brothers were sent out.
Usually at this time, as long as you are strong enough and the chance of winning the war exceeds 70%, they will be quite happy. This is an investment.
Judging from the current situation, no one with any sense on both sides of Cao Cao and Lu Bu thought that Cao Cao could lose to Lu Bu, so they were happy to pay for it.
In the morning of this day, the sixteen-year-old Liu Xie was wearing a black python robe and a nine-beaded crown. He was sitting on a dragon chair that symbolized the pinnacle of power in the world. However, his whole body showed no trace of imperial majesty, and his eyes flickered uneasily.
After the chamberlain called all the officials to go to court, the officials with more than eight hundred stones walked up the jade steps and began to take off their shoes and unfasten their swords at the entrance of the palace. Only Cao Cao strode forward without stopping for a moment.
He goes to the palace with swords and shoes, he enters the court without following, and he is praised and worshiped without recognition. At that time, Sikong enjoyed the treatment of Xiao He.
After the court ceremony, the civil and military ministers began to report the content of the court meeting.
There are rules for this. You don’t just say whatever you want. Usually, you talk about military affairs first. For example, Yuan Shao beat Gongsun Zan of Youzhou so hard that he can’t leave the house now. For example, Lu Bu and Sun Ce were still fighting in Guangling. Yuan Shu’s subordinates this month Four mutinies took place.
Then there are the issues of income, taxes from all parties, and the support given by powerful families.
Finally, there are the problems that need to be solved. Where are bandits, where are there floods, where are there locust plagues and so on.
During this process, Liu Xie seemed submissive. Every time the minister finished his report, he would look at Cao Cao cautiously and say, "What do you think Sikong?"
As a pillar of the imperial court, of course he is quite tired.
Even more tired than the emperor.
While the officials were reporting, a sergeant held an order flag with the word "urgent" and shouted from a distance, "Three hundred miles to hurry!"
Under the Han military system, there are three levels of expedited service, eight hundred miles, six hundred miles and three hundred miles.
Except for border emergencies, which will take 800 miles, wars in the inner city usually take 600 miles. The basic condition for the use of these two military reports is that the flames of war are over.
The three-hundred-mile expedited operation was an important military report, not necessarily a war, but could also be an external situation that urgently required the court to issue instructions to deal with.
However, no matter what kind of rush it is, you can go straight into the Golden Palace without being blocked.
After the sergeant quickly ran into the golden palace, he knelt on one knee in front of Cao Cao. Before he could speak, he met Cao Cao's hawk-like gaze.
After being stunned for a while, the ordering soldiers came to their senses and hurriedly knelt down to Liu Xie, "Your Majesty, Yuan Shu's arrogance and debauchery in Anfeng City caused his subordinates to mutiny one after another. There were wars in the city every day. Now, under the protection of Zhang Xun, Yuan Shu led eight More than a thousand remnant troops escaped from Anfeng.
According to the captured Huainan Army, Yuan Shu was preparing to take the road from Jingzhou and go north to defect to Yuan Shao! "
Yuan Shu, who could be considered a tycoon of his generation, had ended up in such a miserable situation. For a time, there were many emotions in the Golden Palace.
Liu Bei, who was kneeling on his knees, stood up, walked to the middle of the golden palace, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, Yuan Shu has usurped and caused rebellion. If allowing him to leave will damage the royal power, I will not allow Yuan Shu to go north.
Going north from Anfeng to Bingzhou, you must pass through the Nanyang area. I have been to that area before with Sikong in his campaign against Zhang Xiu, and I know a lot about it. I am willing to lead troops to intercept and kill Yuan Shu! "
Liu Xie, who had been in panic all day, showed a hint of joy for the first time.
Liu Bei is a member of his own family. If he can leave with his troops, he will have foreign aid.
He was overjoyed, but he couldn't make the decision. He could only praise, "I love you for your great ambitions. I don't know what Sikong means."
Cao Cao squinted his eyes and fiddled with his short beard as he kept examining Liu Bei.
Yuan Shu was definitely going to kill him. It would not be nice to let him slip away from his eyes and ignore him.
The question is whether Liu Bei can be allowed to go. Cao Cao will be undecided for a while.
When hesitating, Cao Cao subconsciously looked at his team. Xun Yu, the leader, shook his head decisively to indicate rejection. Cheng Yu also shook his head. Xun You and Guo Jia both lowered their heads and could not see their expressions, or they did not think. Well, it either means agreement.
Leaving aside others, Xun Yu's opinion would naturally be biased against Cao Cao's, but when he thought of the battle at Wancheng, where Liu Bei rescued Cao Ang and Dian Wei, Cao Cao felt that his loyalty should be no problem.
If you are too vigilant, it will easily scare away those who secretly want to return home.
After thinking for a moment, emotion finally defeated reason.
A man who is willing to take risks to save his son and favorite guardian is trustworthy.
"How many troops does Xuande need?" Cao Cao asked attentively.
"I only need four thousand people in my headquarters."
The corner of Cao Cao's mouth slightly curled up, "Yuan Shu is at the end of his rope and is afraid that the dog will jump over the wall. I will help you with 6,000 more people to make up an army."
"Thank you Sikong!" It's still the same old routine. The military power is not in your hands. It's called helping in the war but it's actually monitoring.
Liu Bei's face remained calm, but his heart was filled with turmoil.
The same path but not the same situation. This time with the army, Xiahou Dun was not by his side.
Liu Bei suppressed his excitement. It seemed that he had made the right bet in the battle at Wancheng.
This time, I want the fish to enter the sea and the dragon to ascend to the sky.
(End of chapter)
