The fire on the lake is getting stronger and stronger.

The thief who escaped from the reed marsh was either shot and killed by Cao's army on the spot, or dived into the bottom of the water, trying to sank Cao's ship.

Some of the pirates who were planning to sink Cao's large ship could not get close to the hull and were exposed to their heads by the lake water mixed with lime and plasma.

As soon as they emerged on the water, arrows immediately fell.

Some people barely approached the bottom of the boat, but were quickly entangled by the chaos.

The more they struggle, the tighter they get.

In the end, it was no longer possible for these thieves to surface and could only be drowned alive in the water.

"It seems that this time, we can kill all the thieves in one go." Looking at the water surface, Zhao Yun said: "Young Master, you can rest assured."

"I can't rest assured yet." Cao Shuo said: "The water thieves are all very good. If they don't approach this side, they plan to escape ashore, or simply want to escape into the Yangtze River along the water flow, our warships will have no way to do anything."

Zhao Yun's face also became a little solemn.

shore.

Chen Gong dispersed the soldiers, one group of 20 people, divided into more than 100 groups, and cooperated with the local garrison patrol along the coast.

The search teams are not far apart from each other.

The one in front just left, and the one behind immediately followed.

The pirate who escaped from the battlefield by chance had no time to take a breath, was rushed up and pushed to the ground by the soldiers of Cao's army who had been waiting for a long time.

The battle to eliminate the water thieves went far smoother than Cao Shu expected.

Standing at the bow of the boat, Cao Shu saw floating corpses floating on the water.

He knew that just under the warship where he was standing, there must be many drowned water pirates.

"Young Master, the lake seems to be clean." Zhao Yun pointed to the lake and said to Cao Shu: "Do you want the soldiers to search again?"

"It must be." Cao Shuo said: "The thief is in trouble with Chaohu. If one escapes, it will rekindle in the future."

With a smile at Zhao Yun, Cao Shu continued, "I believe it or not, in two years, we will have to kill people in Huainan and other places, and there will be many."

Zhao Yun was stunned: "Can it be that this bandit suppression will bring people to the mountains and forests or waters in two or three years?"

"It's not about this." Cao Shuo said: "Once the place becomes rich, there will always be a group of people who want to get something for nothing. They kill people and rob people and provoke trouble. If such people don't kill them, how can the people live and work in peace?"

"Young Master was in Xudu before, but I never worried about this." Zhao Yun said: "I remember that I was more comfortable when I was in Xudu."

"Since I have chosen to conquer the world, people will not be at ease." Cao Shu said: "My father brought me to Huainan to see if I can manage it well. If I can't even do anything about Huainan, Xuzhou and other places, how can I manage a wider territory?"

"What the young master said," Zhao Yun replied.

"Send Xiaoge to check to inspect whether there are any remaining thieves in the water." Cao Shu ordered Zhao Yun: "No living mouth is left!"

Zhao Yun turned his head and said to the officer beside him: "Transfer the order of the young master to send a small boat to search for the thief, and no one survived!"

Cao's army searched the water for a full seven days.

After confirming that there would be no more water thieves on the water, Cao Shuo left the ship with Zhao Yun and temporarily went ashore.

In a private house on the shore.

Cao Shu sat on the upper head, while Chen Gong and others sat on both sides.

"How many thieves have been caught on the public platform?" Cao Shuo asked.

"Not many, but more than ten." Chen Gong said: "Most of the water thieves were wiped out by the navy, and all those who came ashore should be captured by the inspectors."

Holding his chin, Cao Shuo said, "The thieves are all locals, and they have some relatives with nearby villagers. Take people to search the villagers' homes to see if there are any fish that have not been caught recently."

"It's hard to confirm whether it's a thief if you haven't entered the water." Chen Gong said: "Is it necessary for you to..."

"The roots must be eradicated," Cao Shu said: "People always have to pay the price for what they have done. Although the water has been destroyed and those who are left on the shore and survive by chance must be caught one by one. I want those who are in contact with the thief to understand that they dare to do something to kill and rob, and there is only one way to die for them."

"Young Master!" Chen Gong hesitated and said, "In this way, is the criminal law too harsh?"

"When is it now?" Cao Shu said: "In the peaceful and prosperous times, the criminal law can of course be lighter. If you can not kill, you will not kill; if you can not catch, you will not catch. But now it is a chaotic era, and the so-called chaotic era must be used. If you do not remove these from the root, they will cause us more trouble in the future."

With a calm smile, Cao Shu stood up.

He walked to the window and looked at Chaohu in the distance, and said to Chen Gong and others: "A general's success has been broken. From the day I led the army to fight, the kind-hearted and ruthless Cao Shu has died. If I want to live and achieve success, I have to be cruel! Anyone who dares to do evil in the area under my jurisdiction but does not repent will be killed without mercy!"

Cao Shu wanted to kill the thief, and what he said was reasonable.

Chen Gong was not willing to persuade him again, so he stood up and responded: "Don't worry, young master, I will definitely not let anyone get away with the thief!"

Cao Shu waved his hand, and Chen Gong and others retreated one after another.

Zhao Yun also wanted to leave with everyone, and Cao Shu called him.

"What are the instructions for the young master?" Zhao Yun asked.

"I have no orders," Cao Shu said: "I have been planning to build a standing army recently. Zilong thinks who is the most suitable one to command?"

"Me!" Zhao Yun replied without thinking.

"How can Zilong lead the Feixiong Camp be distracted from establishing a standing army?" Cao Shu asked.

"Feixiong Camp can teach Wei Wenchang." Zhao Yun said: "He has good martial arts skills and will definitely be competent."

"Wen Chang is competent." Cao Shuo said: "I'm afraid that Feixiong Camp will change its chief general..."

"I really can't think of a more suitable person except me." Zhao Yun said: "Although the young master accepted General Lu, he did not dare to let go of him. General Lu never dared to ask the young master for military power, let alone the establishment of a standing army."

"Zilong can see through such things." Cao Shuo said: "You are right. Although General Lu is brave, I will not hand over the military power to him. It's not because I'm afraid of him, but because of his consideration."

Zhao Yun looked at Cao Shu in confusion: "Young Master is for General Lu..."

"Born with the reputation of the three-class slaves, even if I give him military power, will he dare to ask for it?" Cao Shuo said: "General Lu should be very clear that once he leaves me, the one who waits for him will definitely be defeated and captured again. When I come to Baimen Tower again, no other Cao Zirong will stand up to save him. Not giving military power is just a tacit understanding between us."

"How do you plan to build a standing army?" Zhao Yun did not ask more about Lu Bu, but asked Cao Shu.
Chapter completed!