Chapter 343 I'm Zang Ba! I'd rather be a pawn in Nanyang, not a Marquis of Chang'an!
Nanyang.
Outside Wancheng.
At the bottom of Funiu Mountain, upstream of Guishui River.
The dike, which is more than a hundred feet high, stands in the rugged cliffs, intercepting the trickling water laterally. On the south side of the dike is the stream that winds towards Wancheng, and to the north of the dike is the vast ocean-like reservoir.
This is a reservoir that Hanji built based on the damming plan given by His Majesty the Emperor, using long currents as the driving force. There is a power device inside the dam through the continuous flow of water, causing the power device to do work, thus providing a steady stream of power.
In addition, water storage in the rainy season and water release in the dry season also ensure the irrigation of crops, especially in this season when "spring rain is as expensive as oil", it plays a huge role.
Although half of the water in the reservoir has been drained, it can still accommodate hundreds of warships lined up inside, providing Sun Jian with a training base for his navy.
Most of these warships are fishing boats. They are not used to practice water warfare. They are used to let the soldiers get used to the bumps and bumps of the warships. They are the foundation among the foundations.
Although many of the soldiers under Sun Jian's tent were from Jingxiang territory, there were also some newly recruited soldiers and enemy prisoners, most of whom were not good at boating.
Sun Jian walked barefoot on the embankment and shouted to the soldiers on the fishing boat below: "You must feel it with your heart. This boat is like a war horse, and it is your feet. Keep it consistent with it. Don't worry."
Falling into the river."
"Drink two more sips of river water and lose two more water, and you will definitely learn it. If you still don't know how to do it after half a month, you will quit our army and hand it over to the court for rearrangement. No matter what military position you have, this is the case."
"Repudiation!"
Sun Jian looked at the general below: "Shake them hard."
Huang Gai bowed and raised his hands: "Here!"
"Brothers."
At that moment, Huang Gai stood shirtless on the bow of the boat and shouted loudly to his subordinates who were proficient in boating: "Move all of them, don't be afraid of them falling into the water."
"ah-!"
Plop!
Plop!
...
However, I saw that the soldiers on the fishing boat were not standing steadily, and they fell into the water one after another like dumplings. Some people kept flopping and shouting "Help", and they sank to the bottom of the lake.
The sailors who were responsible for the rescue had already plunged into the water, rescued them accurately, rescued them ashore, and laid out their bodies in the sun. After they got up, a soldier shouted:
"Let's go, what are you doing here to be tortured? You are not suitable to be a navy soldier!"
"No! I can do it, I can definitely do it!"
"You can't do it. You're not the material at all. You can't learn."
"I can do it—!"
"Get aboard!"
"Here!"
"..."
On the river bank, Zu Mao spat twice and finally regained consciousness.
When Mohu's vision became clear, a familiar figure appeared in front of him: "General, I..."
Sun Jian squatted down, not as fierce as before, with a hint of regret in his voice: "Wen Sheng, let's go. You are not suitable to be a navy soldier. If you continue like this, you won't be able to bear it."
"General, I..."
Before Zu Mao could finish his words, he was interrupted by Sun Jian with a wave of his hand: "Don't worry, I will personally write to His Majesty, hoping that the imperial court can find a good place for you, so that I can live up to our deep brotherhood."
"General..."
"Let's go!"
Sun Jian never dared to face Zu Mao's eyes.
Since the beginning of the Yellow Turban, Zu Mao has followed Sun Jian, and it has been seven years now!
They fought against the Yellow Turbans, fought against the Qiang and Hu, and even fought against Dong Zhuo together.
Zu Mao is a warrior on the battlefield!
Sun Jian knows this better than anyone else.
pity......
He is from Fanyang, Youzhou. He is good at abandoning horses, but not good at boating.
If it were an ordinary boat trip, it would be enough, but when it comes to water battles, Zu Mao is a living target.
Sun Jian knew very well how dangerous a water battle was. For a landlubber like Zu Mao, following him would only lead to a dead end.
Because of this, Sun Jian decided to kick Zu Mao out of his team, otherwise how could he let go of this good brother who had followed him through life and death for seven years!
This moment.
The soldiers inside the reservoir all stopped training. Their eyes were all focused on Zu Mao. No one thought that Sun Jian was cruel, they just felt endless pity.
Although Zu Mao has left, at least he can get a good place to go. But if others leave, he may really have to start from scratch and climb slowly step by step.
But now...
There are many soldiers in the army who stand out from the exams. They understand the art of war, have strategies, and are good at martial arts. If you compete with them, you may not be able to match them even if you spend your whole life.
No one wants to leave!
But Zu Mao's departure made all the people in the army and those who were lucky enough to give up their minds. Sun Jian did what he said and was not joking with them.
"What are you looking at!"
At this moment, Jiangdong Menghu once again regained his cold appearance, and with a shrill roar, he completely interrupted the moment of silence and dragged him into hell again:
"If you fail to pass, you will be no different from the right commander Zu Mao. I, Sun Jian, will do what I say and you will give me good training. Otherwise, you will be the next one to leave!"
"Repudiation!"
Sun Jian roared.
"exist."
Huang Gai responded sonorously.
"Move for me and seize the time to train."
"Here!"
Plop!
Plop!
...
The calm reservoir lake became turbulent again. People kept falling into the water, people kept being rescued, and people kept being ordered to withdraw. Those who could stay were all the best among the best.
*****
at the same time.
Nanyang, Wancheng.
Emperor's palace.
Hall of Wende.
Liu Bian held the memorial sent from Xuzhou, his eyes rolled up and down, his brows suddenly smiled, and he was indescribably excited. At the same time, he breathed a sigh of relief, and his hanging heart finally relaxed:
"It finally broke out!"
Liu Bian had a thought in his mind and communicated with the military advisor alliance: "The experts' predictions are indeed correct. Zang Ba has been entrenched in Langya for so long. Even if he is clean, those below him are also unclean."
"That's for sure."
The Alliance of Military Advisors did not seem to be surprised, and their voices sounded very calm: "Zang Ba and others are basically a bunch of thieves. They are in a semi-independent state in order to protect themselves, but the thieves in them can't be changed so easily."
"Historical data records that Chang Xi (xī) rebelled three times. The first time he was defeated by Cao Cao's personal expedition, the second time he was persuaded to surrender by Zhang Liao, and the third time he was beheaded by Yu Jin. Zhuge Liang laughed at Cao Cao's "Five attacks on Chang can not defeat Chang", which shows that Chang
There are so many rebellions.”
"This time it's Chang Xi again!"
Liu Bian glanced at the names on the memorial with burning eyes.
This time, it was Chang Xi who colluded with the county magistrate. Because the county magistrate failed to pass the exam, he was caught by the inspection team Yu Fan, punished and dismissed from his post on the spot. Eventually, the trouble came to Chang Xi, and even alarmed Zang Ba, who went to Tao Qian to plead for mercy.
.
Yu Fan definitely had a stubborn temper and did not take Tao Qian and others seriously at all. In order to stabilize Zang Ba, Tao Qian had no choice but to write to His Majesty the Emperor, hoping to be lenient.
Originally it was just a small matter, but when it came to the attention of the emperor, there must have been a lot of unpleasantness in the process. Liu Bian could even imagine the scene where both sides were red-faced.
Make a fuss!
If there is no trouble, Xuzhou’s military power cannot be recovered!
Liu Bian would never make the same mistake as Cao Cao. There was no way he could tolerate a semi-independent person like Zang Ba!
Putting down the memorial, Liu Bian raised his eyes and looked at Xun Yu below: "Wen Ruo, do you think that if I reject it, will Chang Xi rebel?"
Xun You leaned over and held up his hands, saying softly: "If this is the case, the possibility of rebellion is unlikely, but if Your Majesty can make a little move, even if Zang Ba does not rebel, Chang Xi will still be unable to sit still."
"kindness!"
Liu Bian nodded and took a deep breath: "Then we will reject Tao Qian's memorial, and at the same time order Xu Rong and Cheng Pu to lead troops to Langya on the grounds of being on guard against Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou."
"Hmph!"
Liu Bian snorted softly and said slyly: "I want to see how you can sit still this time!"
Xun You frowned below: "Your Majesty, I think it's best for us to send another person into Langya. Cao Bao has thirty thousand Danyang soldiers under his command. If he joins forces with Zang Ba, I'm afraid it won't be easy to deal with him."
Although Liu Bian currently has no evidence of Cao Bao's delivery, he must be on guard. Although Cao Bao is not very good, his Danyang soldiers are the best among the best, and they should indeed be careful.
"Then you said..."
Liu Bian frowned and thought for a long time: "Who should I send?"
Xun You paused for a moment and bowed his head: "It is best to be in the camp of Gao Shun. His troops are small and will not easily arouse the suspicion of the opponent, but his combat effectiveness is quite strong. Even the Danyang soldiers may not be his opponent."
"No!"
Liu Bian shook his head and denied: "Although Zang Ba doesn't know the reputation of the trap camp, he can't hide it from Cao Bao, let alone the thieves from the Chang'an direction. Once the trap camp moves, the thieves will definitely move first."
"That......"
Just when Xun was thinking about who to replace.
Suddenly, someone outside the hall remembered a message:
"Report—!"
Liu Bian raised his eyes and looked.
But then, Zhu Tong pushed the door open and walked in. He bowed and raised his hands: "Your Majesty, General Sun wants to see you."
Liu Bian frowned and couldn't help but wonder: "Sun Jian?"
Zhu Tong nodded: "Yes, it is General Sun Jian."
"Why is he here?"
Liu Bian wasn't quite sure what Sun Jian's purpose was in entering the palace, but he still waved his hand and said, "Let him come in."
Zhu Tong leaned forward and raised his hands: "Here."
Immediately.
He bowed and left the hall.
Not long after, Sun Jian walked up to the palace, bowed and raised his hands: "General Sun Jian, please see your Majesty."
Liu Bian waved his hand to indicate that he was lying flat: "Wentai, you are entering the palace at this time, but what do you want?"
Sun Jian didn't waste any time and went straight to the point: "Your Majesty, the general is training the navy, but some of the soldiers under his command are not familiar with Zhou Ji, so they are not suitable to be in the army. However, they have experienced hundreds of battles. The general is begging your majesty to help them."
Find a suitable place to go.”
Hey young!
Isn't this a coincidence? It's not!
Liu Bian was worried that he did not have suitable soldiers and horses, but Sun Jian himself came to his door: "Oh? How many people are there? Do they have official positions above military commander and horse?"
"have!"
Sun Jian said with great certainty: "Your Majesty, the right commander of the general's command, Zu Mao, is a Taoist from Fanyangdi. He is not familiar with Zhouji, so he was ordered to retreat by the general."
"Zumao?"
Liu Bian naturally knew this tough guy.
Although it was a pity that he died in history, in this life, because of Liu Bian's counter-trend, he managed to escape disaster, and to this day, he has become Sun Jian's right-hand man.
This man is indeed brave in battle. Compared with Huang Gai, Cheng Pu and Han Dang, he is not willing to make too many concessions. If he is allowed to lead troops to station in Langya, he will naturally be extremely safe.
"That's right!"
Sun Jian nodded solemnly, knelt down on one knee, cupped his hands and clasped his fists: "Your Majesty, this person has been with the last general for seven years. I hope that your Majesty can give Wen Sheng a chance for the sake of his face, and give the soldiers who ordered him to retreat a chance.
Chance."
Liu Bian hurriedly stood up, walked around the Dragon Eucalyptus, walked to Sun Jian, and helped him up with his own hands: "General Wentai, you don't have to be like this. You are a meritorious official of the imperial court. I will naturally consider your requests."
"How about this?"
Speaking of this, Liu Bian said softly: "Please report the specific number of people and positions first, and I will try my best to give you an answer in the shortest possible time."
"His Majesty!"
Sun Jian immediately took out the memorial from his arms and presented it with both hands: "This is the list of soldiers ordered to retire in the recent period, as well as their respective positions. The general has prepared it."
Liu Bian took the memorial and smiled calmly: "As expected, I have already made preparations. In that case, please retreat. I will send someone to inform you after discussing with Wen Ruo."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Sun Jian bowed and offered his hand.
Immediately.
Bowed and left the hall.
Liu Bian opened the memorial and browsed it. Even he couldn't help being stunned: "Eight hundred and forty-six people? In addition to Zu Mao, there are actually military princes and generals at the level of military commanders!"
hiss-!
Liu Bian couldn't help but gasped: "Wen Ruo, take a look. I didn't expect Wen Tai to be so cruel."
Xun You took the memorial and started browsing it. He was equally astonished: "Although General Wentai is cruel, he is right to do so. If he is not familiar with water warfare, he will only be buried in the belly of the fish in the future. It is better to find a way out in advance."
"kindness."
Liu Bian nodded and went straight to the topic: "How about sending Zu Mao?"
Xun You agreed deeply and said: "Yes! But its troops are too small. We might as well ask the idle military commander Ma Houcheng to lead the troops and horses, join forces with him, and rush to Xuzhou together."
"good!"
Liu Bian waved his big hand and gave a sonorous order: "In that case, Wen Ruolai will make a call, gather troops and horses, and Zu Mao will personally lead the team and rush to Xuzhou. I will obey Xu Rong for the time being."
Xun or raised his hands: "Here."
"Arrange it as soon as possible. It's best to leave today."
"Here."
*****
Xuzhou, Langya.
Kaiyang County.
Zang Ba Military Camp.
A burly man with sword-like eyebrows and tiger-like eyes sat at the top, staring at the man below him: "Chang Xi, the court has its own laws, and your father-in-law is really nothing."
"At this point, the imperial inspection team has not completed all the assessment tasks. It is deserved to be dismissed on the spot. I was really blind to intercede for such a person."
"I can tell you!"
The man raised his finger and pointed at Chang Xi, his eyes as wide as bells: "If the court rejects Tao Qian's request, don't come to me again. Let's just do our best on this matter. There is no need to be harsh."
"Captain."
Chang Xi, who was below, laughed along with him: "If Inspector Yu Fan could have negotiated the matter easily, this matter would not have been so tense, but he dared to send people to beat my father-in-law. It is simply unreasonable."
"Although what he did was originally wrong and shouldn't have caused trouble, but when Yu Fan hit my father-in-law, he hit me Chang Xi. If he hit me Chang Xi, didn't he hit you, the captain?"
"Let me tell you..."
Chang Xi rolled his eyes and came forward to fill Zang Ba's glass of wine: "The imperial court will never allow an army like ours to exist."
"Yu Fan from the previous inspection team must have been deliberately looking for trouble, just to find excuses for sending troops. Xuzhou Mu Tao Qian is no longer as brave as he used to be and has become a useless person. If we rely on him to help us fight for our rights and interests, I'm afraid there will be no results.
"
Zang Ba frowned, feeling that there was something in what Chang Xi said: "Chang Xi, just tell me, what do you mean?"
Chang Xi hurriedly laughed with him and handed the wine cup to Zang Ba: "Captain, what can I do for you? I just want to remind you, Commander, that the Emperor of Nanyang is by no means easy to deal with."
"It has been so long since Yuzhou was taken back, but there has never been a state pastor. I believe that Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, will be dismissed sooner or later, and we will have no one to protect us."
Zang Ba sipped the wine and felt that what Chang Xi said made sense. But this guy was obviously a grass bandit and illiterate. How could he have such knowledge?
"Changxi!"
Putting down the wine baron, Zang Ba took a deep breath and tried his best to stay calm: "When did you finally learn to beat around the bush? If anything, let's just say it bluntly. After all, we have been friends for several years."
Chang Xi knew that he could not hide it from Zang Ba, so he simply stopped hiding it and went straight to the point: "Captain, the Nanyang court will not allow us to appear in this way."
"In this case, we might as well seek refuge with the Han court in Chang'an. Not only can we go one step further, but we can even become generals and become marquises. It's also possible. Wouldn't that be better?"
"So..."
Zang Ba stared at the other party with burning eyes, as sharp as a sword: "You have already taken refuge in Chang'an Hanting, right?"
"How dare you!"
Chang Xi quickly denied it and shook his head: "General Mo will always be loyal to the captain, but since this incident happened, General Mo has thought too much and feels that the crisis is approaching. We urgently need to find another supporter."
Zang Ba didn't take it seriously and said softly: "Now that Nanyang Hanting has taken over Xuzhou, isn't this our biggest backer? Look at the recent changes in Langya, they are even greater than the previous ten years."
"The imperial court distributed farm tools free of charge, and also built high-tube turntables in various counties. Now there are even fertilizers that can increase the yield per mu. Which of the people in Langya would not praise the current majesty?"
"We are stationed at Langya with peace of mind. If the imperial court forces us to do so, I, Zang Ba, am willing to fight for such an imperial court. What's more, Tao Shijun is here, and he will naturally intercede on our behalf."
Chang Xi frowned: "But Captain, what if the imperial court requires complete surrender?"
Zang Ba didn't seem to take it seriously: "The reason why we are like this is because we can't trust the government. After all, we are from grass bandits. Maybe today's Yellow Turbans will be our tomorrow."
"but......"
When the conversation changed, Zang Ba smiled with a smile on his face, and his words conveyed a sense of intimacy: "The benevolent policies implemented by His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang have been witnessed by all of us."
"If he really asks to submit to the imperial court, I, Zang Ba, am willing to trust the imperial court and naturally lead all my brothers to submit to the imperial court. We can't always live our lives focusing on the name of a bandit, right?"
"If the imperial court is serious about recruiting people, it can be regarded as giving the brothers a clear path. If you want to return to your hometown to farm, then go farm. If you want to continue the war, then continue the war."
"Isn't this the best?"
Zang Ba took a long breath and said softly: "As for the Chang'an Hanting you mentioned, it is beyond our reach and cannot help us at all. If Dong Zhuo was really capable, how could he have been beaten back to Guanzhong, and he still dares not come out now."
"Counting on them as our backers, I'm afraid even if we die, they won't be able to come out. After all, Zhang Liao, who is stationed in Heluotun at this time, is His Majesty the Nanyang Emperor's most capable general!"
"brother!"
Zang Ba actually heard what his brother meant: "Brother, let me say something inappropriate. In fact, this matter is no different from choosing a father. Since you want to find a father, you have to find a reliable father for yourself."
"His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang returned to the palace with his jade seal, which is the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty. His Majesty the Emperor of Chang'an was just a puppet in Dong Zhuo's hands, and he was appointed to the throne by deposing another emperor, and his origins were not righteous."
"Now that the way of heaven is in Nanyang, we will naturally seek refuge in Nanyang. Even if His Majesty the Emperor of Chang'an makes you and me a general, it is nothing but an illusion."
Chang Xi knew that Zang Ba had already made up his mind, so he did not try to persuade him any more. Instead, he nodded and said softly: "What the captain said makes sense, but I think this matter is too simple."
"Anyway, it's thanks to you that this matter can be heard in heaven. I think His Majesty the Emperor should give Tao Shijun some face and be open to my father-in-law."
"Hey young—!"
At this point, Chang Xi seemed to have realized something, and patted his forehead with his hand: "Look at my brain. In order to thank you, Captain, my father-in-law took out the wine that he had collected for many years, but I forgot to bring it in."
"Captain, wait a moment."
Chang Xi turned around and hurried out of the tent.
Not long after.
Then he walked in with a wine jar and said excitedly: "While we are happy today, let's drink two more cups. If I join the imperial court in the future, my brother, I will have to rely on the captain for support!"
Zang Ba looked up to the sky and laughed: "Brother, you are too polite. We should support each other."
Chang Xi picked up the wine jar, Gululu filled it with wine, and immediately offered it with both hands: "Come on! Brother, try the taste of this wine that has been collected for more than ten years."
"good!"
Zang Ba took it with both hands, tilted his neck, and drank until the glass was dry: "Ah! It is indeed a fine wine. Come on, come on, you can fill it up too."
Chang Xi hurriedly filled it for Zang Ba, and then poured it for himself: "Come! Brother, let's drink this bowl together."
"good!"
Zang Ba said hello, raised the wine cup again, and drank heavily: "Brother, why don't you drink?"
The corners of Chang Xi's lips raised slightly, and he said softly: "I just want to see how long you can hold on, brother. I heard that this wine is very strong. It won't take long for the medicine to kick in."
"I......"
Zang Ba suddenly felt something was wrong. He was exhausted and dizzy. The Changxi in front of him changed from one to two, and the two turned into a mosaic, making it unclear:
"You actually... actually..."
Plop!
Zang Ba suddenly fell onto the food gum.
Chang Xi put down the wine jar and said softly: "Brother, don't worry, you are kind to me after all. I won't kill you for the time being. When Sun Guan and others are surrendered, I will naturally give you a good ride and I will never treat you badly."