Han Xiang

Chapter 166
Sun Ce stayed in Luling for a day, and then returned to Nanchang to attack Hefei.

With the lessons learned from the past, Sun Ce put away his contempt this time, and loaded the siege equipment and grain on board, intending to prepare fully before going out.

Sun Ce thought that Long Xiang would surrender, and the reason why he continued to prepare supplies was to make two-handed preparations.

If Long Xiang resisted stubbornly, the combat supplies prepared at this time would be used in Hefei; if Hefei was captured without bloodshed, Sun Ce planned to continue northward to attack Shouchun.

Before defeating Liu Xun, capturing a large number of Yuan Shu's officials and generals, and taking down Shouchun and the entire Jiujiang County, Sun Ce will completely inherit Yuan Shu's population and territory.

At the end of December, the materials will be ready soon.

Sun Ce summoned Zhang Zhao again, intending to send him to Hefei to persuade him to surrender.

When Zhang Zhao heard the summons, he knew that something was wrong, so on the way to the meeting, he thought of an excuse.

When Sun Ce just finished the task, Zhang Zhao immediately declined.

"My lord, Zhao's ability is low and he has a responsibility. You might as well let Yu Gongcao go. If he can persuade Hua Ziyu (Hua Xin), he will certainly be able to persuade Long Yunqi."

"Whether the surrender can be successful depends on the strength of the military. In fact, it has little to do with individuals. Zhongxiang (Yu Fan) is not a debater. He can say that Dong Ziyu (Hua Xin) has just defeated Huang Zu. It's not that Zibu is not capable enough, so don't be humble."

Sun Ce is like a bright mirror in his heart. He knows Zhang Zhao's ability and thinks that the probability of losing is very high now, and he doesn't want to give up this honor to others.

Zhang Zhao secretly felt that nothing could be done, but it was not easy to disobey Sun Ce's decision, so he changed the subject and said, "My lord has just won Yuzhang and Luling, and the people in the county have not yet won the hearts of the people in the county. If you transfer the army to Huainan at this time, Liu Biao will They will definitely collude with Haihun and Poyang sect thieves to make trouble, once they block the army's food road, they will lose sight of the other."

"Zibu is right in reminding me that apart from my elder brother Boyang (Sun Ben), we need to keep a general here." Sun CE muttered to himself.

Zhang Zhao wanted to cry, but he said in his heart that I made so much preparation, and I just wanted to ask Ying to stay, so don't get me wrong.

While the two were talking, Zhou Yu suddenly rushed in with a look of haste.

Sun Ce's hearing was excellent. When he turned around, he saw that it was Zhou Yu, who was about to ask him for advice, so he waved enthusiastically, "Gong Jin came just in time. I have something to discuss with you."

"What's the matter, my lord?" Zhou Yu frowned.

Sun Ce said sternly, "Just now Zibu reminded us that before sending troops to Huainan, we should leave a general here to guard against Liu Biao's invasion and harassment, or colluding with Haihun and Poyang sect thieves to attack our army's grain ships. What suggestions do you have?"

Zhou Yu thought for a moment, then replied: "Zibu's words are true. Yuzhang was first established, and the people's hearts have not been attached. General Boyang (Sun Ben) can't support him alone. He cooperated better with Taishi Ziyi before. Why don't we keep Taishi General?"

"Ziyi (Tai Shici) is brave and brave, he is a suitable candidate."

Sun Ce nodded affirmatively, and seeing Zhou Yu's expression changed, he frowned and asked, "What's the matter with Gong Jin?"

Zhou Yu hurriedly took out the letter from his bosom, and handed it to Sun Ce: "Zhongmou (Sun Quan) sent someone to send a letter, saying that Chen Deng colluded with Yan Baihu's remaining party and wanted to cross the river to Wujun."

"Ok?"

Sun Ce hastily opened the letter, and after reading it, he was so angry that he rolled into a ball, and his hands were full of anger.

"The uncle and nephew of the Chen family are really hateful. If I don't kill him, I won't be able to appease my anger."

Zhou Yu clasped his fists in his hands and said, "My lord is about to go to Hefei. If you are worried about Chen Deng, I would like to lead an army back to resist. When you take Hefei and Shouchun, you can attack the rear of Guangling. Chen Deng will be captured if you attack back and forth."

Wu Jun is the foundation of the Sun family, and most of Sun Ce and his general's family members stay in Wu. A fire in the backyard can't make him feel at ease.

At this time, Jiangdong's generals were eager to attack Hefei, and it was necessary to jump out of someone to stop it, but unfortunately Zhou Yu's mind was also in Hefei, and he failed to understand Sun Ce's intention in time.

"Zibu, what do you think?"

Sun Ce didn't object or refuse, but turned around to confirm with Zhang Zhao that the signal was obviously abnormal.

It's like the leader wants to make a decision, but it's not convenient to make a decision. At this time, the cooperation of the subordinates is needed.

Zhou Yu didn't understand the intention, so Sun Ce continued to ask until someone cooperated.

Zhang Zhao's military strategy is not as good as Zhou Yu's, but he is better than Zhou Yu in terms of sophistication. Faced with Sun Ce's question, he said unhurriedly: "The three counties of Lujiang, Yuzhang, and Luling need to spend time and stay in the army to stabilize them. If at this time we divide our troops into two places to fight, it will be disadvantageous to the army."

Zhou Yu heard the subtext, and immediately retorted: "I listened to Zibu's intention, do you want my lord to give up Hefei? If you don't fight with the power of victory now, it will be much more difficult to fight next time. Besides, Hefei is the gateway to the Huaihe River. My lord wants to give up Hefei. In the competition for the Central Plains, Hefei must be taken or seized, Zibu forgot about Long Xiang's ridicule?"

Seeing that Sun Ce did not intervene, Zhang Zhao immediately took courage and began to argue hard.

"It's a mere ridicule, how can Zhang Zhao abolish the government for personal reasons? For me in Jiangdong, the safety of Wu County is far more important than Hefei. The previous battle with Liu Xun, defeat of Huang Zu, surrender of Yuzhang, and collection of Luling, which battle is not a harvest Money, food, and countless people? Hefei is just a small isolated city, what can we get in the end? Maybe it’s not enough to reward the soldiers.”

"Hefei guards the Jianghuai waterway, and if it is not in its own hands, what is it talking about competing in the Central Plains? The geographical location alone is not comparable in terms of money, food, and population."

After hearing this, Zhang Zhao stroked his beard and smiled and said: "Hehe, Gong Jin is ridiculous. Our ambition is to make contributions, the ambition of the lord is to compete in the world, and the ambition of ordinary soldiers is to make money, food and women. No matter how important the geographical location of Hefei is, it is of great importance to ordinary soldiers. What is the attraction? Besides, the waterway into the Huaihe River is not a road to Chaohu Lake.”

"Oh? Is there a second way?" Sun Ce was even aroused.

Seeing that Zhou Yu frowned and did not answer, Zhang Zhao continued his performance.

"My lord has been in Huainan for a long time. You should know that from the river to the Huai River, you must dig through Shishui and Feishui?"

Sun Ce nodded slightly: "Shishui and Feishui come from the same source. It is not difficult to dig a section of artificial canal in a nearby location. Zibu will talk about the second way."

"The second road is in Guangling."

Zhang Zhaoqiang gave the answer first, and then slowly explained: "Zhao is from Pengcheng, Xuzhou. He traveled all over Xuzhou when he was young. In the middle of Guangling County, there is a Zhongdu River that flows from Sheyang, runs from north to south, and finally flows into the Yangtze River from Jiangdu. "

"and then?"

Zhou Yu snorted coldly in disdain, and asked playfully, "Zhongdushui ends at Sheyang, and there is one or two hundred miles left. Can you carry the boat there?"

Zhang Zhao explained unhurriedly: "Gongjin didn't know that there is a river in the north of Sheyang that leads directly to the Huai River. Although it is nearly a hundred miles away from the Zhongdu River, the terrain is low-lying and the soil is soft, so it is very convenient to dig. , this waterway may not be weaker than the Hefei waterway.”

"I heard that Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are about to go to war. It would be unwise to fight against them with the strength of Jiangdong. If I drive Chen Deng and occupy Guangling, and then dig a canal to connect with the Huai River, go north to win Qing, but Xu is not."

A smile appeared on Sun Ce's face.

"Bofu."

Zhou Yu wanted to persuade him again, but seeing Sun Ce's happy expression, he probably couldn't persuade him anymore, so he stopped abruptly in the middle of the conversation.

(End of this chapter)