Shuhan

Jiangxia County.

Xiling City.

Guarding the mansion.

Yu Jin, the governor of Jiangxia, sat at the main seat, and below the main seat, Ma Liang and Wen Pin sat at the lower seats.

In front of the dining table for the three people, there was a pot of mutton, and next to the mutton were a few tangerines.

The specialties of Xiling are tangerines, white goats and Litsea cubeba.

Xiling mandarin oranges are flat and round, with thin, smooth peel and orange-yellow color. The flesh is tender, seedless, good quality, and sweet and sour.

Xiling White Goats have a compact and delicate body, white fur, short and close-fitting, less down, and longer fur for male goats. They have a medium-sized head, a beard under the jaw, medium-sized ears, straight backs, and erect ears. The necks of ewes are slender and delicate, while the necks of rams are short, thick and strong.

As for why Yu Jin was so clear about this, it was naturally because since the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce, all regions wanted to discover their superior products.

Yu Jin discovered three things in Xiling: tangerines, white goats, and Litsea cubeba.

Due to transportation issues, the scope of buying and selling tangerines is relatively limited.

White goats and Litsea cubeba can be exported to other places.

Today, these three things support many local people in Xiling. Yu Jin feels that it is more fulfilling to govern the people than to kill people on the battlefield.

But Yu Jin collected his thoughts and said to the two guests:
"Your Majesty has issued an edict ordering us to conquer Xuzhou. I will be the commander-in-chief, you will be the deputy commander, and Ji Chang will be the military advisor."

Yu Jin had white hair and dense wrinkles on his face, but his eyes were still bright.

Wen Pin showed a delighted look on his face and said immediately: "Didn't you say that you want to pass through Wu? This time when we march north from Wu, we can directly attack Xuzhou, and there is no need to attack Shouchun!"

Shouchun was a fortified city. After Hefei was captured by Wu, Wei State went to great lengths to build a defense line in Shouchun.

According to the news from the military department, Shouchun City is now completely different from what it used to be.

Shouchun controls the Huai and Ying rivers and borders the Jiangtuo River. It is a key hub in the northwest and a shield in the southeast. The terrain is originally very dangerous, not to mention that the Wei State built a fort on the bank of the Huai River to provide mutual support with it.

It is not an easy task to capture Shouchun nowadays.

If the Han army could pass through Wu and attack Xuzhou directly, the casualties of the Han army would be much smaller.

"We are only passing through Wu to transport food and grass. The main force must not go through Wu. Sun Zhongmou is not trustworthy. If tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians go deep into enemy territory, if someone in Wu has bad intentions, wouldn't they be putting themselves in danger?"

Ma Liang also said: "Wu has not completely submitted, and the Yangtze River Road has not been fully opened. If General Wen Pin wants to use Wu's route to attack Guangling from Jingkou, I'm afraid this calculation is wrong. Jianye is on the Yangtze River Road. How can Wu let our army get close to Jianye?"

After hearing what Ma Liang said, Wen Pin calmed down.

"So, passing through Wu is just a cover?"

Ma Liang shook his head and said, "That's not entirely true, but our army should lead a detachment and take the river route through Hefei, first to ensure that the grain route is unobstructed, and second to observe the attitude of the Wu State."

Observe the attitude of Wu State?

"What does the military advisor mean?"

Ma Liang chuckled and said calmly, "The Wu Kingdom has a long tradition of breaking alliances. It has happened many times. We cannot trust them lightly. How can we easily put tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in danger? I suggest that you lead your troops into Wu. Do you have the courage to do so?"

After hearing what Ma Liang said, passing through the State of Wu sounded like a very dangerous thing.

But wealth and honor must be sought in danger. When Your Majesty attacked Wu before, he did not gain any merit. This time, when Your Majesty attacks Wei with the help of Wu, he must make great achievements.

His young son would be going to school in a few years. If he could send him to Chang'an to accompany the prince, he, Wen Pin, would be able to rest in peace even in the afterlife.

but
There are limited places for the prince's playmates, and there are countless eyes watching him throughout the Han Dynasty. Wen Pin has no choice but to use the sword in his hand to fight for a promising official career for his next generation.

"What are you afraid of, you rats from Jiangdong? I will lead my troops to the Kingdom of Wu, and there will be no problem."

"it is good!"

Ma Liang patted the dining couch in front of him, picked up the wine bottle on the couch, bowed to Wen Pin, and said, "General, you are very courageous. Ma Liang admires you!"

Yu Jin said, "When you go to Wu, be careful and be on guard against the King of Wu. Don't lose your vigilance. If there are people in Wu who really want to do something treacherous, General, don't worry about anything else. Just save your own life and property."

Ma Liang nodded and said, "Your Majesty has said that this time our fifth army to attack Wei may also become an army to attack Wu. If Wu obeys, we will attack Wei. If Wu has ulterior motives and intends to do something wrong, we will attack Wu."

"I see."

Wen Pin's eyes flickered, and he immediately realized the danger of this mission, which was to go deep into the State of Wu.

If you are not careful this time, you will really be tricked by those Jiangdong rats, and you won’t even know how you died.

"I have sent the order to the Prince's Mansion in Jianye Wu. Three days later, the general will lead his troops to Wu by boat."

Wen Pin nodded.

"Then should the main force of the Han Dynasty attack Wei or remain in place?"

Yu Jin said with a serious expression, "Wuling Barbarian King Shamoke led his barbarian army from Xiling to Anfeng, attacked Yangquan and headed straight for Shouchun. Of course, this is just a feint. If Wu is truly willing to let us pass through the Han Dynasty, then the whole army will attack. Otherwise, the main force of Jiangxia County will go straight to Jianye, and the attack on Wei will become an attack on Wu."

Ma Liang smiled as he explained, "Cao Xiu is the commander-in-chief of the Wei army in the southern part of the country. We have to wait for the war in Runan to start and attract most of the Wei army there before we attack Shouchun. We have to wait for the right time."

"The general understands."

At this point, Wen Pin also understood the overall situation.

"General, you are going to Wu State, bringing along ships to transport grain. If Sun Quan can resist the temptation here, it is credible. In addition, the general has another mission."

Another mission?
Wenpin was stunned for a moment.

"Commenter, please tell me."

"Nothing, just some minor matters of the military department."

Since we are going to penetrate deep into the State of Wu, wouldn't it be a waste if we don't take this opportunity to deploy our chess pieces?
On both sides of the river, the once lush trees are covered with traces of time. The withered and yellow branches and leaves sway in the cold wind, and the fallen leaves dance with the wind, gently covering the cold land, like a golden quilt for the earth.

As the seasons change, the amount of water in the river gradually decreases, and the wide river surface now appears deeper. The river flows slowly, with a low and slow sound.

Occasionally, a few fallen leaves float on the water, gently rippling with the waves, and they seem to be telling the loneliness and tranquility of winter.

Suddenly, heavy snow began to fall from the sky.

Snowflakes fluttered like countless white elves dancing in the air, landing silently on the river surface, decorating the river water like silver silk, sparkling with charming luster.

Snowflakes falling on the dead branches add a bit of liveliness and vitality to this quiet winter world.

On the river, boats are still sailing non-stop.

Boats shuttled through the wind and snow, their sails swaying in the wind, making rustling sounds accompanied by the gurgling sound of the river.

The people on the boat were either busy steering or quietly admiring the rare winter river view. Their figures appeared more firm and powerful against the backdrop of snowflakes.

Wen Pin was deeply moved when he led his troops into enemy territory and passed through several Wu State river strongholds.

"I see that the soldiers of the Wu Kingdom have a lot of resentment towards our Han Dynasty. I'm afraid we must be careful when passing through the Wu Kingdom."

Beside Wen Pin, the deputy general nodded and said, "Our Great Han has been plundering Wu for several years. Because of our attack on Wu, Wu suffered a famine last year. These soldiers are resentful for a reason."

The people of Wu also had resentment towards Han, but not as much as the soldiers of Wu.

As for the reason, it is also very simple.

After all, soldiers are easier to brainwash. Among the Three Kingdoms, Wu's spies were far inferior to Han's military commanders and Wei's school officials, and their control over public opinion was extremely low.

Within the territory of Wu, the ability of the Intelligence Department to stir up public opinion is probably even stronger than that of Wu's assassins.

There is no way to stir up public opinion, and the people naturally will not transfer their resentment to the Han State.

Many ignorant people thought that it was due to bad weather and that the government collected too much grain, and they did not associate it with the Han Kingdom at all.

Although the water volume in the river in winter is not as much as in summer, the Yangtze River basically has no dry season and no freezing period. Going down the river at a very fast speed, we soon arrived at Ruxukou.

A great battle took place here in the 17th year of Jian'an.

Cao Cao raised an army of 400,000 to avenge the Battle of Red Cliffs, but returned empty-handed. The Battle of Ruxukou took place here.

"Is this Ruxuwu? It is truly a majestic city on the river."

Ruxu Fort, a fort built by the Wu army at the mouth of the Ruxu River, was easy to defend and difficult to attack.

"I thought the rumors were false, but there really is a large ship that sank in Ruxukou."

The deputy general pointed in surprise at the sunken ship not far from Ruxuwu.

The water volume of the Yangtze River is low in winter, so the shipwrecks are exposed.

"What kind of rumor is this?"

The deputy general slowly told Wen Pin the rumor:

It is said that there is a big ship at Ruxukou. The ship is submerged in the water. When the water is low, it is exposed. The old people said: "This is Cao Cao's ship."

Once there was a fisherman who stayed beside it at night and tied his boat to the big ship. He heard the sounds of flutes, string music and singing coming from the boat, and there was also an unusual fragrance wafting over.

As soon as the fisherman fell asleep, he dreamed that someone drove him away, saying, "Don't get close to the official's singing girl."

Legend has it that Cao Cao's boat carrying singing girls sank here, and the boat is still here today.

Strange Stories.

It's all fake.

Just now.

At the Ruxukou ferry, Zhuge Ke, who was wearing armor, shouted: "General Wenpin, why don't you get off the boat and have a meeting? I have received the prince's order."

disembark?

Wen Pin shouted to Zhuge Ke, who was sitting below him, "We are in a foreign country, so we dare not take risks lightly. Besides, we are on a mission to attack Wei, and it is extremely urgent. We dare not delay. Please get on board quickly, General."

Ma Liang’s instructions still linger in my ears.

If we are not careful when we arrive in Wu, we will probably lose our life.

He hasn't made any contribution yet, so he can't die here in obscurity.

Zhuge Ke had no choice but to board the ship.

The journey of several dozen meters made him breathless.

As for the reason, it's obvious.

It's just that he is too fat.

Zhuge Ke was wearing a heavy suit of armor, which was originally designed to be majestic and exquisite, but under his huge body, it showed a unique sense of comedy.

His waist circumference was almost equal to the chest circumference of the armor, which made the gaps in the armor tightly filled with his fat, as if every inch of cloth was struggling to wrap around his bloated body.

The shoulder guards of the armor were broad and heavy, like two small mountains, pressing firmly on his shoulders, and his arms could hardly be extended from the heavy gauntlets.

His belly was like a huge ball, bulging roundly under the restraint of the armor, making people worry that it would suddenly roll off.

The belt of the armor was tied tightly around his waist, but it could not hide the rippling circles of fat on his body.

As he moved with difficulty, the metal plates of his armor made a clinking sound, as if accompanying his funny appearance.

Wrapped in this armor, Zhuge Ke was like a moving castle, both spectacular and funny. Even Wen Pin couldn't help laughing when he saw him approaching.

"General, where is the prince's order?"

Zhuge Ke saw Wen Pin was laughing, but he was not annoyed. He just said, "Here it is."

Zhuge Ke felt lucky to have escaped from Sun Quan's hands.

The edges and corners on his body have been smoothed out a lot, and he is no longer as impulsive as before.

Misfortune comes with blessings, and blessings come with misfortunes.

He offended Sun Quan and was therefore expelled from the center of power, but was able to gain the trust of Crown Prince Sun Deng.

In addition, with the help of his father Zhuge Jin, he was finally able to get rid of the assignment of assassinating the traitors. Now he is sent out to guard Ruxuwu. Although it is a small official, he is now in touch with the prince. His originally bleak future has suddenly become bright.

This is a task assigned to him by the prince, and he must do it well.

"Your prince can provide 100,000 shi of grain and fodder. Very good. Thank your prince for me. However, the military situation is urgent, so I will not stay for long."

Zhuge Ke opened his mouth and said, "The sashimi from Ruxukou is famous far and wide. General, why don't you come and taste some?"

Wen Pin smiled and said, "Thank you very much. It won't be too late to come back and taste it later."

Zhuge Ke had no choice but to get off the boat and watch Wen Pin's boat go into the sea, getting farther and farther away.

Two days later.

Jianye.

In the palace of King Wu.

Sun Quan frowned slightly as he listened to the report from the spy from the Cijiantun.

"You mean, Wen Pin's troops only have about 10,000 men?"

The spy from Cijiantun nodded and said, "There are only more than 500 ships, including food ships, so there should be about 10,000 people."

Wasn’t it said that the Han army had 30,000 soldiers?

How come only 10,000 came?
If all the people didn't come, it would be difficult for him to deal with it.

"Where is the main force of the Han army?"

The spy from Cijiantun felt a little embarrassed by the question.

"I don't know."

Seeing that the King of Wu was already angry, he hurriedly said, "The Crown Prince definitely knows about this."

The prince knew about this, but did not report it.

snort!
Sun Quan narrowed his eyes slightly, and a dangerous arc flashed in them.

I am not dead yet! (End of this chapter)