From Xiangyang to Changsha by water, you have to pass through the Han River, the Yangtze River and then to the Xiang River. These three water systems are connected. Although it is the twelfth lunar month of winter and the moat has frozen, the water of these three rivers is wide and the water flow is fast and has not frozen.
Ice. The fleet has long been familiar with this waterway, and has prepared a lot of supplies on board. There is no need to dock for supplies midway.
Liu Xin insisted on going to Changsha in person this time. Another purpose was to inspect the navy, ships and this waterway. His plan was not limited to unifying the Central Plains, but also set his sights on the sea, although it was still very
It's a distant thing, but Liu Xin is starting to prepare for a rainy day now.
The ship sailed on the water for two days and entered the Yangtze River. During these two days, Liu Xin was not idle. He used this time to gain a preliminary understanding of the structure of the ship, the key points of navigation, and the communications of the fleet.
It was almost dusk, and Liu Xin was still having a heart-to-heart talk with a few experienced and elderly sailors in the cabin.
Liu Xin said with a smile on her face: "Let's talk about what suggestions you have for our navy."
These sailors had a good impression of the approachable and unassuming young Zhou Mu in front of them. A middle-aged sailor with a long beard and dark skin stood up first and said: "My lord, my surname is Wang, and everyone usually
They all call me Lao Wang. Since my lord asked, I will tell you the truth. I originally made a living by fishing in Xiangyang, but later I was drafted into the army. Because I was familiar with the water, I was transferred to the Jiangxia Navy. The people who were transferred here with me
There are more than 2,000 people. We have been stationed in Jiangxia all year round. We can't see our families all year round and we all miss home. Can your lord also give us a few days off?"
Liu Xin nodded and said, "Well, Lao Wang said it very well. This issue can be considered in the future."
Another sailor named Daniu was encouraged and stood up and said: "Master, we have nothing to do in Jiangxia. It's just that the local army always bullies us and we usually don't dare to go ashore alone. I don't understand.
We are all soldiers of the Han Dynasty, why can't we respect each other?"
Another sailor stood up and said: "Lord, the people we are here this time are all transferred from Xiangyang. Most of the Jingzhou navy are locals from Jiangxia. They usually have no contact with us and do their own things. If we encounter
There is no way we can cooperate with each other in the war. My lord, can you build another water fortress on the Han River in Xiangyang and move us all over to separate us from them?"
Liu Xin brought these sailors over. His original intention was to hear their suggestions for the development of the navy and the performance of warships in various aspects. Unexpectedly, they all seemed to be full of complaints. It seems that the problems of the navy are not small.
, he couldn't help but frowned.
When the sailors saw Liu Xin's serious look, they couldn't help but feel uneasy and stopped talking. Just when Liu Xin wanted them to continue talking, Zhao Yun hurried in and said, "Brother, several fast ships suddenly appeared on the river.
The boat blocked the team's way."
Liu Xin's heart tightened and she said, "Let's go and have a look on the deck."
Only halfway, two captains came over and said, "My lord, there are three speedboats blocking the river in front of us. They seem to be a group of rangers."
"Ranger? Hero!" Liu Xin was shocked. More than one came. Do they want to rob the rich and give to the poor?
Zhao Yun quickly explained: "Rangers are unemployed vagrants who are idle and idle. They mostly engage in theft, robbery, and fraud."
Only then did Liu Xin realize that it was not some martial arts hero but one of his own colleagues. He felt calmer and asked the two captains: "How did you know they were rangers? Do you know where they came from?
?”
The two captains said in unison: "Back to my lord, I have been in the navy for many years and know a lot about things on the river. There is no doubt that these fast boats must be owned by the rangers, but those who dare to openly intercept the navy ships, except for the Jinfan thieves,
Others certainly don’t have the guts.”
"Jinfan thief!" Liu Xin was even more surprised. Isn't that Gan Ning?
While they were talking, they had already arrived at the bow of the ship, where they saw Wenpin directing the archers to stand ready. Liu Xin looked around and saw three speedboats lined up, and the sail on the middle ship was actually made of a five-color brocade.
When the sunset shines on it, it emits a dazzling light. No wonder it is called the Jinfan Thief.
There were not many thieves on the fast boats. There were only one or twenty people on each boat. Many of them were also dressed in brocade jackets. It was obvious that they had gained a lot from robbing families. There was a person standing in the middle of the bow, who seemed to be underage. He was holding a gun in his hand.
Holding a big sword and wearing a colorful brocade coat, the river breeze blew by, and a clear ringing sound of "ding-ding-ding-ding-ding" came.
Liu Xin was wondering to herself. When she took a closer look, she discovered that this handsomely dressed young man was covered with bells. He couldn't help but smile. It turned out to be a group of young and Dangerous boys! Liu Xin couldn't help but despise them.
Just when he was relaxing, he heard an exclamation of "Jinfan thief! It's Jinfan thief!" Liu Xin turned around and saw that the panic-stricken people around him were middle- and lower-level officers, ordinary soldiers and sailors.
On the contrary, there was no panic at all. Liu Xin suddenly became vigilant. These ordinary soldiers and sailors were all transferred from Xiangyang this year and had never encountered the Jinfan thief, and these middle and lower-level officers had obviously experienced his power. This shows that
One question. Except for Cai Mao, the officers in the naval army are basically promoted from the old army and are all natives of Jiangxia. No wonder those Xiangyang sailors just now have ideas. It seems that they will have a good talk with Cai Mao after they return.
, we must find ways to change the composition of officers.
At this time, the young man had already shouted and shouted: "Listen to the people on the opposite boat, leave half of your belongings and let you pass!"
Hearing the young man's shouting, the two navy captains said to Liu Xin tremblingly: "My lord, the Jinfan thief is too brave, we still..."
Wenpin interrupted them angrily and shouted: "It's unreasonable. With so many officers and soldiers here, we still have to be afraid of a few petty thieves!"
Liu Xin caught a glimpse of Zhao Yun going to get a bow and arrow, and knew that he was also a marksman. He vaguely remembered that Gan Ning was shot to death by a bow and arrow in history, so he hurriedly stopped him and said, "Seventh brother, wait a minute, let me talk to him."
In just a moment, Gan Ning's speedboat had already approached this side.
Liu Xin walked forward with her head held high and shouted loudly: "Is this Gan Ning coming in front?"
The young man seemed stunned, and then asked: "Yes, how do you know me?"
Liu Xin smiled and said: "It is indeed you. Do you know who we are?"
Gan Ning laughed loudly and said, "Aren't you just the Jingzhou Navy? In my eyes, you are no different from chickens and dogs."
The water bandits around him burst into laughter.
Liu Xin was not angry, and stopped Zhao Yun and Wenpin who were eager to try, and said: "Gan Ning, I am Liu Xin, the herdsman of Jingzhou. To tell you the truth, I do have a lot of property on my boat today, but you can't take away any of it."
.”
Gan Ning raised the big knife in his hand and said disdainfully: "It doesn't matter whether you give it to me or not, but you have to ask the knife in my hand whether it will answer or not."
Liu Xin said calmly: "Gan Ning, I'm not looking down on you. In terms of numbers, we are much more numerous than you; in terms of ships, your few small boats are not enough to touch; in terms of martial arts, you are no match for my brother.
I can’t think of anything you can be confident about?”
After Gan Ning heard what he said, he was stunned for a moment, then sneered and said: "Sir Zhou Mu, this is on the river. Fighting does not rely on large numbers of people. What is the use of high martial arts? We still have to see
How is the water properties?"
Liu Xin still said calmly: "Oh, so you are very confident in your water nature? Do you dare to make a bet with me?"
Gan Ning asked alertly: "What do you want to bet on?"
Liu Xin's face darkened and she said: "I bet with you on the water quality. Let's start from here and see who can swim to the other side first. If you swim to the other side first, I will share half of the property on my boat with you. I'll see you later in the Jingzhou navy."
You have to take a detour. If I swim to the other side first, you have to let me do whatever I want."
Gan Ning hesitated. The other party was a regular imperial naval force. Although he had fought with them many times in the past and defeated them, no one could guarantee that he would be a victorious general. If he could defeat him in water skills,
, wouldn’t it save a lot of things. However, it is the ninth winter at this time. Although there is no ice on the river, the river is bone-chilling cold. Even Gan Ning, who has been living on the water for many years, after October,
I won't go into the water easily unless I have to.
When Liu Xin saw that Gan Ning was silent, he said contemptuously: "Huh, you Jinfan thief, don't you dare to make this bet with me? It turns out that you are also a coward."
Gan Ning couldn't stand the excitement at first, but seeing Liu Xin's gentle and polite appearance, he thought to himself that these officials were so pampered that they wouldn't even dare to dip into the water. They must have been trying to scare me just now, so he gritted his teeth and shouted: "
OK, I’ll bet with you!”
The wind on the river was biting, and standing on the bow of the boat wearing a cotton robe, he could still feel the slightest chill. Zhao Yun looked at the Taotao River. This section of the river was very wide. Although they were not on the riverside, they could swim from here to the other side.
There were still eight hundred steps away, so he couldn't help but said worriedly: "Brother, you must not take risks, or let me go down."
Liu Xin patted Zhao Yun's shoulder lightly and said: "Seventh brother, I am absolutely confident in your martial arts, but when it comes to water skills, you are no match for this Jinfan thief. Don't worry, I won't lose."
At this time, there was another sound of "Ding Ding Dang Dang" on the opposite side. It turned out that Gan Ning saw that Liu Xin didn't move, thinking that he was timid, and he couldn't wait.
Seeing this, Liu Xin also took off all his clothes, leaving only a pair of underpants, revealing his muscular body. He took a secret breath to drive away the cold air, and then said: "Gan Ning, count one, two, three.
Let’s dive together.”
Gan Ning curled his lips and said, "It's better for you to count, lest you lose and accuse me of cheating."
Liu Xin laughed and said: "Okay, then I'll count. You hear clearly. One...two...three!"