This time, Tian Feng didn't mince words or make excuses. He answered simply.
"Reason?" Yan Liang responded simply.
"The thieves Liu Biao is guarding are not a problem, but the Sun family from Jiangdong is the big problem. Only by capturing Xiakou can the Sun family be blocked from Jingzhou. Otherwise, if the Jiangdong navy enters Jingzhou, there will be endless troubles."
There will be endless troubles, there will be endless troubles...
Yan Liang pondered these four words, and those deeply buried memories were unearthed again in his mind.
In the past history, Liu Biao had Huang Zu guarding Jiangxia, so although the Sun family was attacked many times, it never threatened the north-south core area from Xiangyang to Jiangling.
As for Liu Bei, although he occupied most of Jingzhou including Jiangling after the Battle of Chibi, because Jiangxia County where Xiakou was located fell into the hands of Sun Quan, Jingzhou was always under the threat of Sun Quan.
When Guan Yu lost Jingzhou, Soochow's naval forces marched directly to Jiangling City without any resistance.
There is no other reason than that there is no buffer zone in Jiangxia.
Although Jiangxia is not the core area of Jingzhou, it is the key to blocking Sun Quan's westward advance.
While Yan Liang was thinking, his eyebrows gradually condensed, and a certain look of perseverance gradually emerged in his eyebrows.
Tian Feng could feel that his new master seemed to have been moved by his words and was making some kind of decision.
However, there is some hidden worry in the determination.
After pondering for a long time, Yan Liang nodded slightly: "What you said is absolutely true. The Sun family is the biggest problem in Jingzhou. If Xiakou cannot be captured, both Xiangyang and Jiangling will be under the threat of the Sun family's troops. The general will have to use most of his troops
If we are settled in these two cities, how can we find the troops and energy to expand our territory?"
Seeing that Yan Liang confirmed his judgment, Tian Feng couldn't help but look pleased.
At this time, Yan Liang said again: "But as I said before, Huang Zu's navy is the elite soldier of Jiangxia. If we don't spend a few years to build up the navy, it will be difficult to take Jiangxia."
Tian Feng stroked his beard and smiled. Balsam Gua's face was actually a bit proud.
Yan Liang had a delicate mind and had insight into his thoughts, and immediately said: "Of course. You can't attack by force, you can only use wisdom. If you have a clever plan, that's a different story."
As soon as these words came out, Tian Feng burst into laughter.
That confident laughter was obviously because Yan Liang hit his mark.
"This old man has been under house arrest for so long. Could it be that he has come up with some clever tricks?"
Yan Liangliang was secretly happy, but he was not in a hurry to show it. He just sipped the wine and pretended not to notice.
Tian Feng couldn't wait for Yan Liang's inquiry, so he had to take the initiative and said, "I'll be honest with you, my lord. I do have a plan, and I'm allowed to help you."
I knew that this old man really had a plan.
"Sir, if you have any clever ideas, I would like to hear the details." Only then did Yan Liang show his interest.
Tian Feng then moved his seat closer and whispered to Yan Liang.
As he listened, a hint of secrecy emerged from the corner of Yan Liang's mouth, and he sneered, "Mr. Yuan Hao, I didn't expect that you are in Hebei, but you know Jingzhou well. It's really not easy to come up with such a dirty trick."
"
"Although I am not talented, I do have some opinions on the general trend of the world. It is a pity that Yuan Benchu is unwilling to listen, so I have no choice but to dedicate it to the hero."
Tian Feng's words not only praised himself, but also praised Yan Liang.
The two masters and ministers looked at each other, understood, and couldn't help laughing.
######
Three days later.
Jiangxia County, Xiakou City.
On the top of the city, the middle-aged military general wearing golden armor was clasping his hands behind his back, staring ahead like lightning.
To the south of the city, the Yangtze River rolls past the city with its vast misty waves, like a jade belt.
On the river, more than 300 warships of various types were arranged in a neat formation, practicing offense and defense on the river.
There are big "yellow" flags on each side, flying in the river wind, one wave after another, as vast as a raging wave.
Looking at the high-spirited and orderly fleet in front of him, a somewhat confident sneer appeared on Huang Zu's slightly weathered face.
Not long ago, under his command, the elite Jiangxia naval forces repelled wave after wave of fierce attacks by the enemy forces east of the Yangtze River.
The towering Xiakou City is still impregnable.
Jiangxia County, in the hands of Huang Zu, will always be Jingzhou's strongest line of defense.
"Cai Mao, you are still a waste after all. If I were here in Xiangyang City, how could I tolerate Yan Liang's arrogance?"
Huang Zu's proud face gradually showed a bit of sarcasm.
The war in Jiangxia has been over for some time, and the large-scale drills on the river for several days are more of a military deterrent than military training.
Huang Zu wanted to use this arrogant drill to demonstrate to Yan Liang who was far away in Xiangyang, so that he would be afraid and not dare to covet Jiang Xia.
The sound of footsteps sounded, and a young general climbed up to the top of the city. It was Huang She, the son of Huang Zu.
"Father, someone is coming from Xiangyang." Huang She's expression was slightly excited.
Xiangyang? Isn’t that already Yan Liang’s territory?
Huang Zu frowned and asked without turning his head, "Who is he?"
"He is Huang Chengyan's servant, and he came here to say hello to his father."
Huang Zu's eyes flashed with surprise.
As the head of the Huang family, Huang Zu relied on his proud military exploits to make the Huang family become the third largest family in Jingxiang after Kuai Cai.
As for his brother from the Shu branch, he only knows how to be mediocre and elegant all day long, hanging out with idle people in the mountains and fields like Pang Degong who likes leisurely things.
It's just that he doesn't want to make progress, but Huang Chengyan actually married his daughter to a warrior from a humble background like Yan Liang. This is simply a disgrace to the Huang family.
What's even more annoying is that that damn warrior turned Jingzhou upside down, which naturally made Huang Zu, the head of the Huang family, feel very embarrassed.
"Huang Chengyan, a self-proclaimed noble guy, doesn't disdain to have anything to do with me. Why does he send someone to say hello now?"
Huang Zu's tone was full of disdain.
"The people sent by Huang Chengyan not only came to say hello, but also brought a large number of generous gifts. They also claimed that they were entrusted by Yan Liang to convey their respect to the father. There is also a handwritten letter from Yan Liang."
Huang She said and handed over a letter.
Hearing the word "Yan Liang", Huang Zu became even more suspicious.
Huang She smiled and said: "Although Yan Liang took Xiangyang, my father's commander repulsed Jiangdong's army and his reputation was at its peak. In recent days, he has shown off his power and made a move to go north to attack Xiangyang. I thought that Yan Liang was probably afraid of his father's commander."
He is very powerful, so he specially sent someone to show his kindness."
After hearing his son's words, Huang Zu's suspicion gradually disappeared, and he nodded slightly, his expression full of pride.
When Huang Zu opened the silk letter and read it with his own eyes, the pride on his face became even stronger.
Just as Huang She guessed, this was indeed a letter of goodwill, and one look at the crude handwriting revealed that it was written by Yan Liang himself.
In the letter, Yan Liang, as a junior, expressed some respect for Huang Zu, claiming that the capture of Xiangyang was just to gain a foothold and was a last resort. From now on, he and Liu Biao would not interfere with each other and guard their borders. He hoped that Huang Zu could
He understood and conveyed Yan Liang's goodwill to Liu Biao.
"Humph, this Yan Liang, after all, he still has some self-awareness." Huang Zu snorted coldly and handed the letter to his son.
Huang She read it over and sneered: "This Yan Liang is really afraid of his father's reputation. He and Cai Mao can show off his power in front of others, but he loses his confidence when he meets his father."
After a pause, Huang She pointed at the letter again and said mockingly: "Look, Commander, this is just an ugly calligraphy. There are also some mistakes and omissions in it. It's really funny."
"Huh, he's just a rough guy, but he has some knowledge." Huang Zu stood with his hands behind his hands, with disdain on his face.
Although Grandfather Huang was a military commander, he was from a noble family. In addition to practicing martial arts, it was also necessary to study literature.
Although the knowledge and accomplishments of his father and son were not as good as those of real celebrities like Huang Chengyan, they were still more than enough to look down upon a "vulgar and ignorant" warrior like Yan Liang.
After receiving this letter of goodwill from Yan Liang, Huang Zu's goal had been achieved, so he ordered the drill to be concluded and all ships to return to the stronghold for rest.
When we returned to the prefect's mansion, it was already sunset.
Huang Zu had dinner, read several volumes of military books, and then planned to go to bed and rest.
Just when he had this thought, the servant suddenly came to report that he was driving Kuai Yue to ask for an audience.
"It's so late, why is he here?" Huang Zu muttered a few words, looked unhappy, but waved his hand and said: "Please don't drive me to the hall to meet you."
Jiangxia was originally the territory of the Huang family. Liu Biao expressed his trust and entrusted Huang Zu with full responsibility for the military and political power of Jiangxia.
But when the Sun clan from Jiangdong came to attack, Liu Biao was afraid that Jiangxia would suffer losses, so he sent Kuai Yue Laiyun as a counselor to assist Huang Zu in fending off the enemy.
After Kuai Yue came to Jiangxia, he did come up with some strategies, which played a role in repelling Jiangdong's army.
It was only to Huang Zu's displeasure that the Sun family had withdrawn their troops, but Liu Biao showed no sign of sending Kuai Yue back. Instead, he ordered Kuai Yue to assist Huang Zu in handling the taxation issue in Jiangxia County.
In order to assist, in fact, Huang Zu was given some of his power, which made Huang Zu, who was used to holding the power alone, a little unhappy.
While thinking, Kuai Yue entered with a smile.
Huang Zu immediately suppressed his displeasure and put on a smile on his face. When the two of them met each other, they had their own set of polite greetings.
After being polite, Kuai Yue claimed that he was here for food and tax matters and that there were some accounts that needed to be reviewed by Liu Biao, the prefect of Jiangxia.
After chatting about some official business, it was already half an hour later.
Huang Zu was thinking about how to issue an order to expel the guests. At this time, Kuai Yue suddenly changed the topic and said with a smile: "When Yue was free today, I heard that Yan Liang sent someone to see Huang Taishou. I wonder if this is the case?"
Huang Zu frowned secretly, thinking that Kuai Yue was not just here for official business.
"Yan Liang did send someone and wrote a letter to Huang, but in the letter he only claimed that he admired Huang very much, and said that he did not want to fight Jingzhou with me again, and wanted Huang to convey his wishes to the lord.
The intention of reconciliation.”
Huang Zu didn't think too much and just told the truth.
After hearing this, Kuai Yue paused and said, "But I don't know where Yan Liang's letter is. Can you let me have a look?"
Upon hearing this, Huang Zu's originally calm expression suddenly turned into a hint of anger.