Zhao Tai's army approached the Huai River and prepared to cross the river to attack Mongolia, but there were not enough ferries.
Therefore, Zhao Tai followed the advice of military advisor Wang Bin and sent a message to the coast to recruit ships.
Huaibei was ravaged by the Mongolian army, and the people deeply hated the Mongols. They learned that Zhao Tai was going to cross the river to attack the Mongols, and as expected, many fishermen came to cast their boats in small boats.
In the military tent, Zhao Tai stood at the map, looking at the map and asking: "How many ships have come these days."
Wang Bin shook his feather fan and said, "Reporting to your Majesty, there are ninety-one ships, almost a hundred."
Zhao Tai muttered: "Less than a hundred ships, too few."
Wang Bin said: "I would like to have people cut down trees and make rafts for emergencies!"
Zhao Tai nodded slightly, "According to the scouts' investigation, there are nearly 10,000 Mongolian cavalry on the other side. If there are not enough ferries, it will be difficult for us to gain a foothold on the beach."
Zhao Tai turned around and said, "Commander, think of another way to get more ships."
Wang Bin held a fan and saluted, "I obey!"
At this time, Zhao Tai was about to continue looking at the picture, when a soldier suddenly ran in and reported, "Report! Your Majesty! There is someone outside the camp asking to see you, and he is willing to lead a hundred fishing boats to surrender!"
"Oh?" Zhao Tai was quite surprised. There were hundreds of fishing boats nearby. How could the sergeant not notice them?
"Bring them to the big tent!" Zhao Tai ordered immediately, but then said: "Forget it, I'll go over there myself!"
After saying that, Zhao Tai left the tent and walked to the camp gate. Not long after, he saw a man standing outside the camp, and the gatekeepers were asking questions.
At this time, someone saw Zhao Tai coming and couldn't help but remind him, "The king is here!"
"Your Majesty!" The guard guarding the gate saluted with his weapon in hand.
When the man saw the soldiers suddenly kneeling on one knee, he was stunned for a moment, and then he also knelt down.
Zhao Tai waved his hand to tell the soldiers to excuse themselves, then walked up to the man and helped him up. He saw that he had a strong build and rough and dark skin. He seemed to be from the military.
"What do you call a strong man?" Zhao Tai smiled.
The man was a little flattered. Who was Zhao Tai? He was the king who fought against Mongolia and led the army and people of Shandong, but he was so polite to him.
"The villain Lu Wende is from Anfeng on the Huaixi Road. He was the head of the Huaixi Army. When Duanping entered Luo, I was lucky enough to see the king from a distance." Lu Wende clasped his fists and saluted. "After the Mongols crossed the river, the cavalry plundered everywhere. The villain's troops were defeated by the Mongolian army, and Commander Liu Tong surrendered to the Mongols. The villain was unwilling to surrender, so he hid in the upper reaches. Recently I heard that the king led his troops to the Huaihe River and wanted to cross the river to attack the Mongols, so I came here to seek refuge!"
"It turned out to be the Huaixi Army, scattered stragglers." Zhao Tai thought to himself.
Suddenly, Zhao Tai looked surprised, and a string of names such as Lu Wenxin, Lu Wenhuan, Lu Wenfu, and Fan Wenhu flashed through his mind, "Are you Lu Wende?"
Lu Wende was also surprised, "Has your Majesty heard of the villain's name?"
Zhao Tai regained his composure and said with a smile, "I seem to have heard of the names of brave men."
Lu Wende was quite excited, "I learned that the king needs a ship, so I led twenty brothers from the clan and fifty soldiers under my command to come to help. I hope the king will take him in."
After becoming famous, people will naturally come to join you.
Now that Zhao Tai is the king of the county, he has repeatedly defeated the Mongols. The land of the Huaihe River and the Huaihe River has been so badly harmed by the Mongols this time. Anyone who wants revenge but has no channels will consider taking refuge in Zhao Tai.
Zhao Tai thought for a while, and if he remembered correctly, Lu Wende should have just joined Zhao Kui at this time, and started to fight against Meng. In the next half century, the Lu family became the most prominent general in the Southern Song Dynasty.
Although most of the Lu family, except Lu Wenxin, surrendered to Mongolia, this did not affect Zhao Tai's acceptance of them.
"Haha~ With the help of the strong man Lu, it is not difficult for Gu to cross the river!" Zhao Tai smiled and said: "Gu Zheng wanted to set up a water camp, and you came just in time. Since you brought the ships and manpower, Gu appointed you as the loyal army water camp. Camp a thousand households and train navy troops for me. How about that?"
Zhao Tai also made a bet, and directly gave Qianhu to those who had just taken refuge.
Of course, Zhao Tai was also afraid that Lu Wende would return to the Song Army and cause him to lose many talents.
After all, he is already the head of the Song Army and has nearly a hundred people under his command. How can he retain talents if he doesn't lower his standards?
If Zhao Tai had not been recruited before, Lu Wende would definitely hesitate, but now that Zhao Tai's identity has been recognized by Lin'an, he is recognized as a clan member, and he has been granted the title of county king, he is only happy in his heart.
Although Qianhu was not an official title in the Song Dynasty, he could manage thousands of people and was considered a high official.
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty! I will definitely train Shuiying well!" Lu Wende was overjoyed and quickly gave a military salute.
Zhao Tai saw him helping him up again and asked, "Where are your men, horses and ships?"
Lu Wende said: "After the defeat, he has been hiding in Hongze Lake!"
Wang Bin, the military advisor on the side, waved his fan and asked, "Are there any other people in the lake?"
Hongze Lake is a large lake. Since Lu Wende is hiding in it, will there be other dispersed Song troops and ordinary people hiding in the lake?
Wang Bin thought about it. If Hongze Lake was as big as it was, there would be more than just Lu Wende and his team.
If the defeated Song Dynasty soldiers, fishermen, common people, and even water bandits in the lake can be recruited, the Qi army's navy will be ready.
When Lu Wende saw Wang Bin's stylish attire, he knew that he was not an ordinary person, and he quickly saluted, "Reporting to Sir, there are indeed many rebel armies and people hidden in the lake."
Zhao Tai reacted, "Wende! Do you have a cousin?"
Lu Wende saluted and said, "My humble position means I have the courtesy name Jingxiu."
"Jing Xiu!" Zhao Tai called up his cousin and said with a smile: "Gu Zai will give you a task. You go back to Hongze Lake and help Gu recruit volunteers on the lake to fight against the Mongols together. Anyone who comes to vote will bring as many warriors as he wants. What official position do they have? Of course, I will also remember you again!"
Lu Wende clasped his fists and said, "The name of the king is admired by the world. I will go back now, and I will bring the volunteers from the lake to join me."
"Wait a minute!" Seeing that he was leaving in a hurry, Zhao Tai waved his hand to stop him, then turned around and ordered: "Military advisor, arrange a few ships of food and take another thousand guan of money for Jing Xiu to take back. If they don't surrender to Mongolia, they are on the lake. If you avoid it, life must be extremely difficult!”
In the first year of Duanping, Lu Wende joined the Huaixi Army. He was immediately appreciated by his superiors and was promoted to the head of the capital not long after.
To be honest, Song Jun treated him well, but with Zhao Tai, he was nothing compared to a big one.
This was the first time that Lu Wende met a Shangguan who admired him so much and was so considerate of him. He was immediately moved, his eyes were a little moist, and he almost burst into tears. He saluted Zhao Tai again and said, "Your Majesty's kindness and humble position will be borne in mind. I owe you the kindness of the king."
Zhao Tai helped him up again, then patted his shoulder, "Go and rest first, then go back to the lake! I'm waiting for your good news!"
Lu Wende nodded, and Zhao Taisui immediately asked someone to bring him wine and meat. After Wang Bin arranged the grain ship and copper coins, he let him leave.
