"Could it be that Mr. Kong Ming has a grudge against me because I married the eldest daughter of the Huang family?"
Yan Liang didn't hold back and asked directly.
Xu Shu didn't expect Yan Liang to be so direct, and his expression was a little awkward for a moment.
"Ahem, it turns out that my lord also knows about this." Xu Shu forced a smile, "It seems a bit false to say that Kong Ming really doesn't have any resentment in his heart, but I believe that with Kong Ming's mind, he will never hold a grudge for this.
Lord."
"Then why does he have prejudice against me?" Yan Liang asked puzzledly.
"Well..."
Xu Shu hesitated for a moment, then sighed: "Based on my understanding of Kong Ming, the reason why Kong Ming has a prejudice against my lord is because he has a mysophobia."
Mysophobia?
Yan Liang heard this strange thing, his thinking changed, and he suddenly realized it in a moment.
Historically, Zhuge Liang chose to assist Liu Bei. A very important reason was that Liu Bei not only had a heroic appearance, but also had a reputation for benevolence and righteousness.
Zhuge Liang lived in Xuzhou when he was young. There was a bloody battle between Cao Cao and Tao Qian. Cao Cao led his army to invade Xuzhou several times in revenge, causing heavy killings. Zhuge Liang witnessed the tragedy in his hometown and hated Cao Cao deeply.
Yan Liang thought that maybe it was because of the psychological shadow in his childhood that Zhuge Liang's first choice when choosing a leader was "benevolence and righteousness".
Frankly speaking, although Liu Bei is also a hero, he has fought for half his life and has never had any bloody killings.
But Yan Liang was different. It was his invasion that broke the peace and tranquility of Jingzhou. And he first slaughtered Xiliang and surrendered the soldiers, and then killed Zhang Yun. All his actions probably formed a cruel image in Zhuge Liang's eyes.
.
Although Xu Shu did not answer directly, his meaning was very clear. Zhuge Liang just felt that Yan Liang was not a man of benevolence and righteousness. That was why he had his prejudice.
"I see."
Yan Liang sneered, his laughter filled with ridicule and disdain.
So what about Wolong, just use it for me. If you want to be a stumbling block for me to achieve my great cause, I will never show mercy to you.
At that moment, Yan Liang said coldly: "Then please Yuan Zhi, please tell this Mr. Wolong to let him do what he wants. Don't let your mind wander and block my way, otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."
It was an understatement, but it contained raging murderous intent, which made Xu Shu feel hairy on his back.
"This General Yan was always thirsty for talents and approachable, but now he is full of murderous intent, frightening power, and the city is unpredictable. He is really a hero, Kong Ming, Kong Ming, I think you really made a mistake..."
While thoughts were swirling in his mind, Yan Liang whipped up his horse and rode out, smiling boldly: "Yuan Zhi. I will drink a thousand cups with you tonight, and we will not stop until we get drunk, haha——"
Xu Shu was stunned for a moment, then shook his head, smiled, and then galloped after him.
When we returned to the big tent, it was already night.
The counselors and generals under his command were all quite surprised by Xu Shu's arrival.
Xu Shu secluded himself in the countryside. In terms of reputation alone, how could he be compared with famous heroes such as Jia Xu, Xu You, and Wen Chou? Even Gan Ning, the "Jin Sail Thief", was probably more famous than him in Jingzhou.
However, what surprised everyone was that Yan Liang actually attached great importance to this unknown person, and held a banquet that night to welcome Xu Shu.
However, everyone also knew that Yan Liang had the ability to recognize people. Since he valued Xu Shu so much, he must have something unique about him.
So everyone attended the banquet and together they and Yan Liang welcomed Xu Shu.
The banquet was a banquet where everyone drank to their heart's content, which relieved the mental fatigue from the past few days.
At dawn the next day, when everyone had not recovered from yesterday's drunkenness, Yan Liang called them together early in the morning and announced the plan to build a pontoon bridge on the spot.
The big tent fell into silence for an instant.
Everyone's faces were filled with surprise, and they couldn't turn their heads for a while. I don't know how Yan Liang suddenly came up with such a whimsical plan after drinking for a while.
"This pontoon bridge plan was thought up by Mr. Yuan Zhi, and I think it is feasible. Yuan Zhi, you will be responsible for all aspects of erecting the pontoon bridge from tomorrow on."
Yan Liang said, unfolding the floating bridge picture.
Before everyone gathered around the case, they looked at it carefully for a long time. They all looked at each other with doubts on their faces.
"Lord, since ancient times, no one has ever built a pontoon bridge on the Han River. Isn't this strategy too... too..."
Xu You was the first to stand up and express his doubts. He probably wanted to say "unreliable", but he felt it was inappropriate when he said it, but he didn't know how to describe it.
Yan Liang disagreed and said: "Since it has never happened before, I will be the first person to do it. What the ancients did not dare to do, I will do it for them."
"However, the amount of water in the Han River is quite large. Although the picture is very good, no one can predict the difficulty of erecting it. What will happen if it fails."
Xu You said worriedly again.
Yan Liang said calmly: "There is a chance of success if you try. If you don't even dare to try, there is no point in failing."
"But, lord, this risk..."
When everyone was still trying to persuade them again, Yan Liang asked: "If we don't use this pontoon bridge strategy, what clever plan do you have to let my army sail across the Han River?"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was speechless in response.
After overcoming everyone's doubts, Yan Liang said loudly: "I have made up my mind. From today on, everything must make way for the erection of the pontoon bridge. Everyone must actively cooperate with Yuan Zhi."
General Yan Liang's order had been issued. Everyone dared not be disobedient, so they all immediately expressed their obedience.
Only then was Yan Liang satisfied, and he turned his gaze to Xu Shu, "Yuan Zhi, success or failure lies entirely in your hands. Don't let me down."
Xu Shu felt Yan Liang's trust in him, and his heart was already agitated.
Hearing Yan Liang's great trust at this time, Xu Shu immediately handed over his hand and said with emotion: "Don't worry, my lord, if I can't build this pontoon bridge, I will die to apologize."
Xu Shu issued a military order. His generosity and confidence moved everyone in the tent.
With Xu Shu's guarantee, Yan Liangliang gained a little more confidence.
He turned his gaze to the south, and a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth, "Old thief Liu Biao, do you think that I can't do anything to you if you can't shrink away? Just wait, I will give you a big surprise soon... The plan for the day
Having decided, Xu Shu then led thousands of soldiers and horses, quietly sneaked to the upper reaches of the Han River, and secretly began to prepare all the necessary materials for building a pontoon bridge.
Yan Liang also responded to requests. Not only did he transfer all the suitable ships in the navy to Xu Shu, but he also recruited a large number of craftsmen from various counties to rush to make various utensils needed for the pontoon bridge.
At the same time, in order not to make the enemy suspicious, Yan Liang ordered Gan Ning to launch another attack on Cai Mao's water stronghold.
Time passed day by day, and the Jingzhou military water stronghold remained impregnable. Cai Mao, huddled in the water stronghold, was completely unaware of Yan Liang's secret plan.
Ten days later, in the morning, a horseman riding Juechen arrived at full speed from Baishadu upstream, bringing an urgent message from Xu Shu:
The floating bridge is completed.
The arrival of this news surprised all the counselors and generals, and everyone was once again impressed by Yan Liang's ability to recognize people.
As for Yan Liang, although he looked calm on the surface, he was really excited in his heart.
Although Yan Liang showed great support and trust in Xu Shu on the surface, he was also worried in his heart. After all, what he was doing was unprecedented, and the risk of failure should not be underestimated.
But now, Xu Shu finally lived up to his expectations and completed the first pontoon bridge on the Han River.
Upon learning that the pontoon bridge was completed, Yan Liang made a decisive decision and quickly issued a combat order.
He ordered Xu You and Jia Xu to stay in the camp, and ordered Gan Ning to command the navy and pay attention to the movements of the Jingzhou army at all times. Once it was discovered that Cai Mao led the navy out of the stronghold and went upstream to destroy the pontoon bridge, he would immediately send troops to intercept and kill him.
In addition, Yan Liang also ordered Man Chong to be the grain escort officer, who would transfer all the grain originally shipped to Hanzhai to the upper reaches and transport it to the south bank of Han River via pontoon bridge.
After giving all the orders, Yan Liang took Wen Chou, Zhou Cang and Hu Che'er as generals and led 15,000 infantry and cavalry to rush upstream quickly.
In the afternoon, the main force led by Yan Liang finally arrived at the north bank of the river where the pontoon bridge was located.
Looking around, the pontoon bridge composed of hundreds of walking boats and countless wooden boards looks like a long dragon, spanning the north and south banks of the Han River.
Seeing such a long pontoon bridge for the first time, all the soldiers from Yan Liang onwards were amazed by it.
Although the pontoon bridge is completed, it will still bump and sway under the agitation of water flow.
When the soldiers saw this, many of them became afraid and did not dare to cross the bridge, for fear that they would lose their balance and fall into the river.
At this time, Yan Liang raised his horse and raised his sword, shouting loudly: "The athletes of the Yan family army, follow our general across the river and enter Xiangyang."
After saying this, Yan Liang galloped his horse and whipped his whip, and took the lead to board the pontoon bridge.
He set an example by taking the lead, and the other soldiers mustered up their courage, followed Yan Liang, and strode cautiously onto the pontoon.
Ten steps, a hundred steps, a thousand steps...
Although his footsteps were shaking, the entire pontoon remained generally stable. Yan Liang moved forward with his head held high, and was the first to board the south bank smoothly.
Subsequently, his 15,000 infantry and cavalry, except for a few soldiers who accidentally fell into the water, basically crossed the Han River smoothly.
The seemingly insurmountable natural barrier was easily overcome by Yan Liang.
Looking into the distance, the road going south is clear and open.
The officers and men of the three armies were all in high spirits. After successfully setting foot on land, their blood was boiling and their murderous intent was rising like fire.
For more than a month, this group of hard-working warriors have been able to stand on the shore, watching their brothers in the navy display their skills and make great achievements. They have long been itching to hold back their breath.
After enduring it for a long time and suppressing it for a long time, today, it was finally time for them to feel proud.
Yan Liang could feel that the soldiers behind him were like beasts trapped in a cage, just waiting to escape and tear their prey into pieces.
All Yan Liang has to do now is to open the cage door and let them out to vent their anger.
Killing intent burst out from his blade-like eyes. A trace of cold pride flashed across the corner of Yan Liang's mouth. He raised his knife and pointed south, shouting: "Enter Xiangyang——"
