: The second crossing of Huai River

Cao Cao sighed, "I am really worthy of being a Dushi Jia. This is a beautiful move, decisive and courageous! Such a talent actually followed Ma Yue, the butcher Ma Yue. It is a pity. If this person can assist the original minister with Fengxiao, why worry about the uncertainty of the world and the unrest of the Han Dynasty?"

Xun You said: "Jia Xu is loyal to the butcher of horses. If the lord wants to recruit you, there is no need to do anything extra."

Cao Cao said: "How can you not know the true nature? It's just a little regret."

Cheng Yu said: "Yes, the retreat of the Xiliang army is not important, but it creates a huge problem for the lord. Now it is a dilemma. If you advance, there will be Hangu Xiongguan blocking the way, and Luoyang has already been brought down. All the princes only want to reward merits and do not want to advance to Guanzhong. If you retreat, the Xiliang army can make a comeback at any time. Luoyang has become an empty city and it will be difficult to defend for a long time. If Luoyang falls again, you will be afraid that the people of the world will be disappointed and will be extremely unfavorable to the lord's reputation."

Cao Cao turned his eyes to Guo Jia and asked, "Is it a good idea to be filial?"

Guo Jia said: "Jia has two strategies for the lord to choose."

Cao Cao said: "I wish to hear the details."

Guo Jia said: "First, we inform the world that the eastern capital Luoyang was abandoned, and moved the emperor's palace to Xuchang, and then condemn elite soldiers and generals to guard Hulao to resist the Liangzhou soldiers. We will promote our troops to Xu and Yang again, and do our best to kill Ma Butcher's partial army. As long as Ma Butcher dies, the leaderless army of Xiliang will inevitably collapse. The scene of the Liangzhou army disappearing and disintegrating after Dong Zhuo's death will inevitably happen again."

Cao Cao thought for a while and shook his head and said, "It's hard! Not to mention that the horse butcher is as cunning as a fox, there are eight thousand Xiliang tigers and wolves under his command. They travel like the wind, traveling thousands of miles, but the coalition forces are each their masters, with a combination of appearance and separation, and they know their victory or defeat without asking for it. If the original appearance is personally raised to challenge the army, Xu and Yang will inevitably have doubts. Maybe they will be on the other hand to guard against the original appearance."

Guo Jia said: "Secondly, you can only attack Hangu Pass! Hangu is not down, Guanzhong is difficult to see, Guanzhong is not in chaos, the foundation of the horse butcher will be as stable as a rock, and the foundation of the horse butcher will not be destroyed, the Western Liang Iron Cavalry may make a comeback at any time. The other princes such as Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, Yuan Shao, Sun Jian and others have high lands and far rivers, but the lord Yanzhou has to face the threat of the Western Liang Iron Cavalry directly, and the situation will be extremely unfavorable."

Xun You nodded and said, "It's like hanging a sharp sword on the lord's neck. No matter what the lord wants to do, you must be wary of the sword suddenly being cut off at any time. This tastes really bad."

Cao Cao thought for a while and said, "If the original minister gave up Luoyang and then ordered the general to guard Hulao Pass? Can the Xiliang army of Ma Butcher's army be blocked west of Hulao Pass?"

Guo Jia shook his head and said, "Has the lord forgotten the Jinfan thief? With the help of Ganning's Jinfan thief, the river waterway has suddenly become a smooth road for the horse butcher. With the help of water transportation, the Xiliang army can bypass Hulao Pass at any time and land directly on the Yingchuan Plain. How should the lord resist the endless harassment of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry?"

"Yes." Xun You sighed, "In order to resist the Western Liang Iron Cavalry, you can't build a Great Wall on the south bank of the river."

Guo Jia nodded and said, "If Hangu Pass can be captured, the situation will be completely different. Even if the Jinfan thief from Ganning is helping, the horse butcher's Xiliang cavalry will go east from Guanzhong to follow the Wei River and then go to Yingchuan to harass him, the journey will be extremely long, time-consuming and labor-intensive, and food-intensive, and lose the advantage of harassment by surprise."

Cao Cao frowned and said, "But the problem is that Luoyang has been recovered. The first thing the princes of all walks of life proposed to do is to welcome the emperor back to Luoyang. They will definitely not send troops to attack Hangu Pass again. What should we do?"

Guo Jia said: "The central coalition army is 300,000, and there are thirteen princes in each prefecture and county. In fact, except for Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, and Sun Jian, the rest are all mediocre people, so it's better not to say it. Sun Jian has always been the only one who follows Yuan Shu's horse leader, and Tao Qian is a gentleman. Therefore, success or failure depends only on one person."

Cao Cao's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he said happily: "Yuan Highway?"

"That's right." Guo Jia smiled, "Yuan Shu is so happy with merits. Why don't the lord report to the emperor that he is the Grand Sima and lead the world's troops with his brother Yuan Shao. Although Yuan Shu is the second son of the Yuan family, he is a legitimate child. Because of his reputation and official title, he has long complained in his heart. If he is the Grand Sima, he will definitely prove himself hard. The capture of Hangu Pass and even recovering Guanzhong is undoubtedly the greatest affirmation of Yuan Shu's ability. What does the lord think?"

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and smiled, "My dear, just follow the plan of filial piety."

Yangzhou.

When Yuan Shu general Lei Bo gathered 20,000 troops to fight Ma Yue to the death with Ma Yue in Shouchun, Ma Yue's army suddenly crossed the Huai River and rushed north and rushed straight into Xuzhou. Lei Bo and Yangzhou counties had just breathed a sigh of relief and thought the crisis had passed, Ma Yue's army suddenly turned south, with the assistance of the Ganning Navy, crossing the Huai River and entering Yangzhou again.

The Yangzhou army was killed and caught off guard. The cities along the way fell one after another. Ma Yue's army headed straight to Xuyi, an important town in Huainan.

Xuyi.

After a fierce battle overnight, Xuyi was finally captured by the Jinfan Navy from the waterway.

Ma Yue stood at the top of the city surrounded by Dian Wei and Li Su. Behind him, the entire Xuyi City had fallen into a sea of ​​fire. Groups of Xiliang Iron Cavalry were chasing the slaves and private soldiers of the rich families in the city along the streets and alleys (although the gentry family in the late Han Dynasty was powerful, but the number was not large. In fact, there were only a dozen families in each state on average, and not every small county town could have a family family. At that time, the number was more powerful. Although these rich families had no children to become officials in the court, they were quite powerful in the local area and had a lot of family resources. They generally had dozens or even hundreds of private soldiers. Like Jiangdong under Sun Quan, the four major families were the most prosperous, and they had thousands of private soldiers.), and then swept by like locusts, loots, looted all the wealthy families in the city.

"See lord!"

Gan Ning's sonorous and powerful voice suddenly came from behind. Ma Yue slowly looked back and saw Gan Ning wearing a thin straight body, with water stains on her body. He stood proudly in front of the gatehouse with a sharp nine-ring machete in his hand. A bright red blood bead slowly flowed down the sharp blade of the nine-ring machete, and shining with a bleak color under the scorching sun.

Gan Ning clasped his fists and said quickly: "Lord, brothers intercepted the family from the water, and looked like officials."

"Oh?" Ma Yue's eyes sterned, and a cold look suddenly appeared. He said in a deep voice, "Bring it up!"

Gan Ning strode to the gatehouse, waved his hand and said sternly: "Lord has an order, bring it up!"

The thunderous shout of Jinfan thief suddenly sounded downstairs. Amid the chaotic footsteps, a middle-aged couple, three young men and seven young women were taken to the city tower. Ma Yue couldn't help but his eyes lit up when he saw it, and he secretly cheered in his heart, thinking that if it were a beauty pageant, this family would be called a handsome man and beautiful woman's house.

Especially the seven young women, each of them looked like flowers and jade. Although their youngest daughter looked only about ten years old, she had agile eyebrows and a slim figure. She must be an amazing beauty when she grew up.

Ma Yue nodded gently and winked at Gan Ning.

Gan Ning understood, turned around again to face the gatehouse and sternly said: "Bring it up!"

Another Jinfan thief responded with a loud bang, and then two soldiers escorted a vulgar man to the city tower...

This is a common trick used by horse butchers. Whenever they arrive, they will have to collect local rogues or hooligans. These people cannot be used or useless. However, they have a huge advantage, that is, they are very familiar with the local humanities and geography, and they are a typical local snake.

With the help of these local snakes, horse butchers can often easily know the truth he wants to know.

Gan Ning glared at her eyes, and showed murderous intent in her eyes. He said to the despicable man: "I will answer whatever I ask. If I dare to say a false statement, I will definitely be killed without forgiveness!"

The vulgar man was so scared that he knelt down in front of Gan Ning, kowtowed like pounding garlic, and repeatedly said, "If you have any questions, please ask me, the villain will tell you everything."

Gan Ning pointed to the middle-aged man and asked, "Who is this person?"

The vulgar man said repeatedly: "This man's surname is Zhen Yi, and he is the county magistrate of Xuyi County. The one standing next to him is his wife. The three men are Zhen Yi's son Zhen Yu, Zhen Yan, Zhen Yao. The woman with hair tied up next to him is their wife. The five women with hair tied are Zhen Yi's daughters, named Zhen Jiang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong, and the youngest is Zhen Luo. These five sisters are famous beauties from far and wide, hehe, hehe~~"

Seeing that his identity was exposed, Zhen Yi knew that there was no hope of escaping, he couldn't help but sigh and looked dead.

"It turns out to be Lord Zhen." Ma Yue smiled coldly and said hypocritically, "I have always respected the gentry. Come on, let's relax the ties for Lord Zhen's family."

"Affect the order."

A soldier had already come forward to loosen his ties for Zhen Yi.

"No need." Zhen Yi turned around and avoided it, and said coldly, "I have always respected the gentry? Humph, the name of the butcher is not known in the world, and who doesn't know? Since Zhen's family has fallen into your hands today, I want to kill and cut them, I will just listen to the emperor. Why should I pretend to be ugly?"

"Random!" Dian Wei was furious and pulled out the two iron sterns and put them on Zhen Yi's neck, shouting sternly, "How dare you be rude to my lord, aren't you tired of living?"

"The people are not afraid of death." Zhen Yi raised his head aside and said sneered, "How can you be afraid of death?"

"Dian Wei, don't be rude."

"snort!"

Ma Yue shouted, and Dian Wei had to take his halberd and retreat.

Ma Yue smiled and said, "Mr. Zhen has this reaction. I believe he has heard of what the general has done in the counties and counties in Yangzhou, right?"

Zhen Yi said coldly: "It's as thunderous as the ears."

"Haha, that's good." Ma Yue smiled at the sky and said loudly, "Now the Han Dynasty is in decline, and the heroes of the world are rising together. Ma is not talented and wants to imitate the pre-Qin master as the dominant of the country! However, in order to achieve hegemony, it is not enough to rely on hundreds of thousands of Western Liang Iron Cavalry. A large number of gentry who knows the text and writes are needed to help. However, the general is the name of a butcher, and the scholars of the world are discouraged, so they sit in Guanzhong and wait for the scholars of the world to be able to wait for the success of the scholars of the world."

Zhen Yi sneered: "I know myself well."

Ma Yue was not upset and smiled and said, "So, this general had no choice but to make this bad decision and send troops to rob it!"

Ma Yue did not say this. This time, the troops were sent to Xu and Yang, harassing the backyard of the Guandong coalition forces and forcing the collapse of the central coalition forces. Retreatment was certainly the main reason, but robbing military rations and Xu and Yang counties were also an important purpose of this trip! Guan and Liang are located in a remote and sparse population, and are at a disadvantage compared with the Central Plains, but this is not the biggest disadvantage.

Guan, Liang’s biggest disadvantage is actually talent.

The northwest is remote and there are very few talents that can be hired, and the Central Plains are at your fingertips. If Ma Yue does not try to change this situation, what will he use to fight against the huge talent group in the Central Plains in the future? Just Jia Xu and Ju Su? No matter how many of them can, they will die of old age. Just Professor Guan Ning’s eight hundred disciples? How many talents who are worthy of talent emerge in the middle?

"Give it?" Zhen Yi sneered disdainfully, "Even if you can steal all the scholars in the world, I'm afraid no one will work hard for you, the infamous butcher?"

"That's possible." A wicked smile suddenly appeared on the corner of Ma Yue's mouth. He walked to Zhen Yi's eldest daughter Zhen Jiang in two steps, reached out to lift Zhen Jiang's chin, and said leisurely, "If this general was not dazzled, this Miss Zhen Jiang should not have a person with the name "because he?"

"You!" Zhen Yi's face changed and he said anxiously, "But Ma, what do you want to do?"

"What are you doing? What are you not doing!" Ma Yue's expression suddenly became cold, and he suddenly turned around and said to Dian Wei, "Dian Wei!"

Dian Wei took a step forward and said quickly: "What are the lord's instructions?"

Ma Yue reached out and pointed at Zhen Jiang and said to Dian Wei: "I will make Miss Zhen Jiang your wife and get married tonight!"

Zhen Jiang looked at Dian Wei, who was as fierce as a vicious person. Chadian Wei was covered with only a thin straight body, and his clothes were open and exposed with thick and black breasts. He looked like a beast. Thinking that he might sleep with this evil man in his future life, Zhen Jiang couldn't help but feel a dismal appearance, and he felt that the darkness in front of his sister Zhen Tuo and Zhen Dao's arms were dying.

Dian Wei opened his mouth wide and said with a lewd smile: "Thank you lord."

"Random!" Zhen Yi shouted anxiously, "Butchman, Jiang'er is my husband's daughter. Who are you? How can you make the decision for my husband's daughter?"

"I am not a big deal." Ma Yue smiled coldly and said sneeringly, "But Lord Zhen's family's lives are in the hands of this general. Can't he be Ling Yuan's master? Well!"

Zhen Yi looked tragic when he heard this.

Ma Yue glanced at Zhen Yi, who was dejected, and a faint regret suddenly flashed through his eyes, and Guo Tu's figure floated again in front of him. In fact, the plunder of Xu and Yang Shizi went to Guanzhong was the plan left by Guo Tu! Unfortunately, before Guo Tu could see the plan he had made with his own eyes, he hurriedly passed away.

The legacy offered by Guo Tu is actually to destroy the gentry class in the Central Plains. If you can rob, you will rob, and if you cannot rob, you will kill. In short, you must lie the entire gentry class in the Central Plains like a pear field. Even if you cannot kill them all, you will seriously damage their vitality. Then reintegrate the gentry who plundered to Guanzhong and cultivate a new gentry class that is in vain and has the interests of Ma Yue under the control of the Xiliang Military Group. With the support of this brand new gentry class, Ma Yue can have the strength to compete with the warlords of the Central Plains.

From Jingzhou to Yangzhou, Ma Yue conquered the cities and plundered the land. Wherever the army went, the domestic slaves and private soldiers of the aristocratic families were killed, and their wealth, food and fodder were captured. However, unlike the previous 800 bandits who killed and stabbed the aristocratic families, this time the Ma butcher even robbed people.

Along the way, the scholars like Zhen Yi had already captured at least hundreds of families. The Jinfan Shui Army of Ganning used two entire tower ships to load all the personnel of these scholars. The ambitious butcher of horses was preparing to transport these scholars back to Guanzhong through water along with the robbed food and fodder.

Then, based on these captured gentry tribes, new gentry tribes were cultivated.

To cultivate new gentry, we must reintegrate these captured gentry, and intermarriage is the most direct and effective way of integration.

For example, Zhen Yi, as long as he forces his five daughters to marry a confidant general under Ma Yue, or simply Ma Yue takes it himself, the future of the Zhen family can be closely linked to the prosperity of the Ma Yue group. Even if Zhen Yi himself does not want to be an official under Ma Yue, what about his grandchildren in the future? Can these children born and raised in Guanzhong still hate Ma butcher like Zhen Yi? It is really hard to say.

Zhen Yi said tragically: "Ma Yue, butcher! Even if you use great means, I will never help the evil."

"When I arrived at Guanzhong, Lord Zhen had time to make wise choices, and I would never force others to do anything." Ma Yue said this and suddenly turned to Chen Hu, the thief of Jiangxia, who was standing behind him, "Chen Hu, begged Lord Zhen's family to a big ship except Miss Zhen Jiang. Let me show you carefully. If there is any mistake, I will only ask you."

Chen Hu said sternly: "Please rest assured, lord."

"Report..." Chen Hu had just taken Zhen Yi's family away when suddenly a small school rushed up to the city tower and said quickly, "Lord, it's not good! General Li Meng was arrested!"

"Huh?" Ma Yue felt a stern when he heard this, and suddenly turned around and stared at the school that came to report the news, and said in a deep voice, "What did you say? Say it again!"

The school gasped violently and said anxiously: "General Li Meng, under the order of the lord's army, led his brothers to sweep the villages and towns around Xuyi County. The army went south and looted more than ten villages and robbed dozens of ox carts of food and fodder. When he was about to transport it back to Xuyi City, he suddenly came to report that there was a large manor ahead. The manor was extremely rich and the food was very abundant!"

Ma Yue said coldly: "What's the matter?"

The school gasped and said, "Then General Li Meng divided half of his troops to escort food and fodder back to Xuyi, and he led the remaining 500 cavalry to the manor. Unexpectedly, there were five or six hundred soldiers in the manor, and the march was like a regular army. General Li Meng led his army to attack, but was trapped. His brothers and General Li Meng were all captured alive. Only the villain fought to kill him and came to report to the lord's communiqué."

"The five hundred Xiliang Iron Cavalry can't deal with only five or six hundred village heads! What kind of farm heads should this be like? "Ma Yue said sternly, "Have you ever asked the gangsters nearby, who is the name of the owner?"
To be continued...