The Three Kingdoms Voyage

Chapter 245 The Pirate Empire Men and Women Are Different
In June of the third year of the Republic of China, Sun Shao gave two memorials to the emperor at the same time. One suggested that the emperor organize Wei and Shu to jointly pacify Xiliang, reincorporate Xiliang into the territory of the Han Dynasty, and prepare for the next expedition to the Western Regions.A request to join forces with Wu State to send troops to crusade against Funan, recover Rinan County, and seek justice for the murdered Yue State businessman.The emperor did not give an answer immediately, he just published the two memorials of Sun Shao in the Dahan Gazette, and then added a note, saying lightly that General Fuyi has commendable aspirations and is such nonsense as a loyal minister, and then please The three kings of Wei, Shu and Wu discussed the feasibility of their proposal.

The Dahan Gazette is distributed throughout the country. Basically, the respectable people in all counties and counties will subscribe to the Dahan Gazette. Even the traffickers and pawns like to listen to people talking about new things in the Dahan Gazette. This King of Yue is now in trouble A character, whenever there is news about him, people will talk about it for a long time.

It's no wonder that although the three kings of Wei, Shu and Wu are heroes who have been famous for a long time, their fame is built on the bones of the Han people. There are not a few people who have killed for their rights, such as Cao Cao and Sun Quan. There is also a bad record of massacring the city, and the impression among the people is very bad, but this Yue king is very different. He single-handedly facilitated the military elimination meeting, and restored the peace of the big man who had been in war for 30 years. Although he also led the navy He is a militant who fought in the South and the North, but he does not fight civil wars, and only kills barbarians. He also likes to rob, but he robs to make the people's lives better.

Have you ever seen a militant like this?Have you ever seen a robbery like this?No.The common people are very simple, and they don't have high expectations. They appreciate and worship whoever can treat them as human beings and whoever can bring them benefits.

So this young King of Yue is now the biggest topic of conversation after dinner, and the last hope when life is hopeless.

Sun Shao's anti-corruption work went smoothly. Sheng Gu, who sold warships privately to his elder brother Sheng Kuang, was slapped twice by his wife and surrendered to Sun Shao. After never doing such a thing, unscrupulous businessmen, large and small, either actively or passively surrendered to the new censor, Gu Yu. In just three months, the anti-corruption work was basically completed, and Gu Yu personally experienced the fines paid. Take a look at the wealth of the Vietnamese people.

Due to the proper arrangement, the people who had just settled down in the Yue State ushered in their first harvest. Looking at the golden grain, the people who had left their homes were finally relieved, and they no longer had to borrow money from the government to live. Although the government didn’t say anything, But who are the kind and simple people who are willing to extend their hands to others every day? Most people still want to save face if they can't live without it.

At the end of September, the plans for the counties were completed, and Prime Minister Yu Fan successfully completed the plan he set at the beginning of the year, doubling the population and doubling the tax.After all the affairs went well, Sun Shao proposed to conquer Funan again. Yu Fan raised his hands in favor without saying anything. Fan stays behind Qian Tang, watching Yue Hai and others board the boat and go away.

Sun Deng took Zhuge Ke and Xie Jing, and stood on Sun Shao's big ship, looking at the sails and warships like clouds, and the Yue State Navy, envious.For Sun Shao's expedition this time, there was one big ship, nine medium-sized ships, more than [-] medium-sized warships, not counting the rest of small-sized warships and baggage ships. Apart from these two people around him, he only had two thousand Zhou family private troops led by Zhou Xun. Sun Shao arranged for him a large boat, which was considered all his belongings as the prince of Wu.

"Finally set off." Sun Deng let out a long breath, and the stone that had been hanging in his heart for several months finally fell to the ground.

"Yeah, if you don't set off again, this matter will become a joke." Xie Jing also smiled wryly: "Lu Shijun has urged him several times. He fought very hard in Jiaozhou. He didn't have the help of the Yue State Navy. It is too difficult to take Nichinan back."

Lu Dai set off from Jianye in May and arrived in Hepu in mid-June. After handing over Bu Zhi who had been waiting in Hepu for a long time, he officially took office as the governor of Jiaozhou. He immediately arranged for the conquest of Rinan, but he soon discovered that the dense The mountains and forests not only made marching very difficult, but also a disaster for logistics and transportation. He trekked in the mountains and forests for two months and finally arrived in Nichinan.When the Linyi people who occupied Xijuan City heard that Wu's army was coming, they were also bachelors. After looting wantonly, they scattered in a crowd, leaving an empty city.Although Lu Dai who got the news was angry, he was relieved at the same time. Anyway, the task of recovering Rinan County was about to be completed.

No one expected that when Lu Dai rushed to Xijuan City day and night to take over Xijuan City, those barbarians came out of the mountains and attacked Lu Dai's logistics troops. After a bloody battle, Lu Dai Although the attack of the barbarians was repelled, the supplies, food and grass were also burned and looted, and a lot was lost.Lu Dai was helpless, and while occupying Xijuan City, he spread the message to the four counties of Hepu, Jiuzhen, Jiaozhi, and Yulin to conscript and send out civilian workers to deliver grain and grass.With this order, people in Jiaozhou immediately became angry.

In fact, Lu Dai can't be blamed for this incident. Even if he hadn't been attacked by the barbarians, the food and grass had been almost consumed, and the people from Linyi Kingdom didn't leave him a grain of food.More importantly, he miscalculated a time.He always thought that the autumn harvest in Jiaozhou was also in September, but he didn't expect that the weather in Jiaozhou was so hot that the harvest would be at the end of July and the beginning of August. When he arrived in Xijuan, the people of Linyi had already harvested and returned with a full load, and all he saw was What if he doesn't requisition the ears of rice left behind in the rice fields?
However, repeated requisition is by no means a simple matter. The amount of food and salaries required is one thing. More importantly, Jiaozhou people have no confidence in Lu Dai. When this situation occurs, it usually means that this war is in trouble. If there is a second time, there may be a third or fourth time, so they push back and find various reasons to delay the time. Lu Dai sent several urgent letters, But the food still couldn't enter Xijuan City for a long time.Coupled with the attack of the Yi people who appeared and disappeared in the mountains and forests, Lu Dai's food was soon in short supply.

Lu Dai thought of Zhu Ya, and he sent people to rush to Zhu Ya with all kinds of hardships, but was rejected by Shen Xuan, the Tai Nong Ling of Yue State.Shen Xuan said, do you still have the nerve to borrow food from me?Your country of Wu has no ability to keep Rinan, so you handed over Rinan to us. It’s good now. The merchants in my country of Yue have been killed, their property has been robbed, and there is no place to buy food. This year, we have to tighten our belts to live. How can there be food support for you, you should pay me compensation first.

Lu Dai was so angry that he stomped his feet and scolded Shen Xuan for being shameless. Who was the previous Rinan prefect Wei Ping?He was recommended by you from the country of Yue. He is incompetent. What does it matter to me if he loses Rinan County?You still want compensation from me?Who am I going to?I also suspect that this is what you set up.

But he was so angry that Shen Xuan couldn't hear it. Seeing that he was about to run out of food, Lu Dai had no choice but to withdraw from Rinan County and return to Jiuzhen County to eat.As soon as they retreated, the barbarians from Linyi Kingdom came back again. Not only did they reoccupy Xijuan City, but they also followed Lu Dai in hot pursuit.Lu Dai was hungry and hungry at this time, and he had lost the morale he had when he first arrived in Ninan. It was a miserable escape all the way. When the 5000 army returned to Jiuzhen, there were only more than 3000 left, and the remaining two to [-] people Some were killed by poisonous insects and ferocious beasts in the mountains, some died of miasma, some were killed by barbarians, and some simply disappeared.

Lu Dai couldn't think about it, so he could only hold on to Jiuzhen, and sent several urgent letters in succession, asking Sun Quan to send reinforcements.

Sun Quan was also in dire straits at this time. In the first half of the year, due to Sun Shao's actions, his household registration was lost by nearly [-]. The counties adjacent to Yue State were basically empty, and the taxation was also greatly affected. The generals complained, but no one took the initiative Proposing to seek justice with the Yue State, most of the generals who can be assigned to those poor counties are not strong enough, and those who are really strong have not said anything, how dare they bark their teeth?You can see that He Qi, the prefect of the new capital, is very stable, he has a lot of household registrations, and it is said that he has gained a little fame after following the Yue Kingdom, and by the way intercepted some household registrations that fled to the Yue Kingdom.When Sun Quan asked him if he could use force against the Yue Kingdom, He Qi moved with emotion and reason, and persuaded Sun Quan earnestly, that it is unreasonable for you to start a war, and you will definitely not be able to win it. You should be an honest insider. Repair government affairs, repair military equipment outside, make Sun Quan so angry that smoke will come out of his nostrils.

What Sun Quan could do was to order Bu Zhi to move closer to Cangwu and be ready to support Lu Dai at any time, while urging Sun Deng to rush to the South China Sea with Sun Shao as soon as possible. , to quell the Nichinan Rebellion.When Rinan was in chaos, he really felt the importance of Jiaozhou, and the loss of taxes was serious.In the past, Jiaozhou was a granary, a money bank, and Sun Quan's bulging pockets, but now it has become a bottomless pit, and who wants to lose money in reverse.

Sun Deng was given a headache by Sun Quan's urging, but Sun Shao didn't send troops. He had thought of every way, and he had to wait until the end of September. Now he finally set off, but when he thought of the battle situation in Jiaozhou, Sun Deng was still not happy. stand up.How can I fight this battle if I go to Nichinan like this?Can you win?If he can't win, isn't he asking for trouble?
"Prince, my great king invites you to come in and talk." Zhou Yin, wearing a brand-new costume of the Marquis of the Fengying Camp, puffed out his chest and said to Sun Deng triumphantly.Sun Deng took a look at him and shook his head helplessly.Outsiders really can't figure out the matter of the Yue Kingdom. Zhou Yin's dignified Changle Weiwei didn't do it, but he insisted on going to the Ruifeng Camp as a military officer, and he was happy as if he had taken advantage of it.

"Brother." Sun Deng entered the cabin and saluted Sun Shao who was sitting in front of the desk drinking tea.Since he was ignored by Sun Shao and the others last time, he never dared to present the prince's spectrum in front of Sun Shao.

"Sit." Sun Shao pointed to the straw mat on the ground without lifting his head.

After Sun took his seat, Sun Shao pointed to the teapot and teacups on the table: "If you want to drink it yourself, my family will not be polite to you."

"Oh." Sun Deng responded, reached out to lift the teapot, first poured a cup of tea for Sun Shao, then poured a cup for himself, picked it up, took a sip, and said with a smile: "Good tea, brother, this is not Biluochun. It tastes very good. So honest."

"Yizhou tea, just delivered." Sun Shao glanced at Sun Deng and smiled, "Zigao, what are you going to do when you arrive in South China Sea?"

Sun Deng blinked his eyes: "Everything is up to the elder brother's orders. I went to Nanhai just for fun. Those who can command are Zhou Xun's 2000 people. Lu Dai is an old general of the father. I keep it in my eyes."

"Hey hey..." Sun Shao was amused by Sun Deng's confession. He looked at Sun Deng and suddenly said, "Zigao, you have grown up."

Sun Deng had a sore nose and almost burst into tears. He quickly lowered his head and drank tea to cover up his gaffe.For some reason, he could only feel a little warmth in front of Sun Shao. Compared to his father, Sun Quan, although he and Sun Shao were enemies, Sun Shao gave him a better sense of security.In the past few months in Qiantang, he has felt a lot. On the one hand, he has to be pressured by Sun Quan, and on the other hand, he has to bear the cold eyes of the monarch and ministers of the Yue Kingdom. This life is really bitter, which is more difficult than what he felt in the Wu Palace in Jianye. The taste is infinitely more complicated.

"You have already completed the crowning ceremony, and you are the prince of Wu again. This time we are going to the South China Sea. We are fighting with the two countries. It is impossible for me to take care of you like I did when I was in Liaodong." Sun Shao said slowly.Sun Deng's heart sank, and he couldn't help raising his head to look at Sun Shao.Sun Shao said with a smile: "You don't have to look at me like that, I don't think you will be willing to let me take care of you for the rest of your life. Zigao, when you grow up, you have to look at things from the perspective of the prince of Wu, or even the king of Wu. "

"This... I'm afraid it's not appropriate. My father is in his prime, he is in good health, and he will enjoy the country for a long time. I just follow him to learn how to deal with some government affairs." Sun Deng said gruffly.

"Hahaha..." Sun Shao smiled heartily, nodded Sun Deng with his finger and said: "Zigao, you are too reserved, there are no outsiders here, and I am a thorn in the side of your father, a thorn in the flesh, even if you think about it If he said you were wrong, he wouldn't believe me. What are you worried about? Or are you used to this kind of cautious life? I remember you were not like this when you were in Liaodong, you ate meat in big pieces and big bowls Drinking is very refreshing. Why have you become so cautious in only two years?"

Sun Deng smiled awkwardly, but said nothing.In the past two years, the crown prince has been very cautious. He has to think twice before saying anything, thinking over and over for a long time, trying to figure out what Sun Quan means, and guessing other people's thoughts. Life is very tiring.

"I mean, you have to look at things with this kind of eyes, not to persuade you to seek power and usurp the throne." Sun Shao smiled and said lightly: "Sun Li is still young, although Mrs. Wang is favored, but their mother and child have nothing to rely on." Even if your father wants to make him the crown prince, he must also consider other people's ideas."

Sun Deng's heart moved, his lips moved twice, but he didn't say it out.He knew that Sun Shao had a very good relationship with the Gu family and the Lu family. Although Lu Ji's imperial censor was dismissed this time, he immediately promoted Gu Yu from the Gu family. Moreover, Lu Ji had just married Sun Shangxiang, Gu Yong's wife. Mrs. Lu was very satisfied, and specially asked someone to send a message to express his gratitude to Sun Shao.Because of the marriage between the Zhang family and the Gu Lu family, the relationship with Sun Shao is also very close now. Zhang Wen offended too many people a while ago, and someone wrote a letter to report on Ji Yangong to avenge his personal revenge. As a result, Zhang Wen was implicated, and Zhang Wen was dismissed. , but Sun Quan didn't dare to deal with him like he did with Jiyan. He just let him go home and settle down. In order to appease Zhang Wen, he promoted Zhang Wen's younger brother Zhang Zhi to be a doctor at the same time.

In other words, if Sun Shao expresses something, three of Wu's four surnames can stand on Sun Deng's side. This is a very powerful force, so powerful that Sun Quan dare not take it lightly. With Mrs. Bu, Mrs. Wang has no chance to become a queen at all, and Mrs. Xu and Mrs. Bu are closely related to Sun Shao.

Sun Deng nodded, his attitude became obviously much milder.

"Others' help is just icing on the cake after all. If you want them to continue helping you, in addition to bringing benefits to them, the most important thing is that you have strength yourself." Seeing that Sun Deng's face softened, Sun Shao went further Enlightenment said: "Strength is divided into two aspects. One is how much money and soldiers you have in your hands, and the other is your own reputation and prestige. Do you think a family like the Gu family and Lu family will help a weak and incompetent person? Zigao, you are going to the South China Sea, isn't it because you want to make contributions? If you don't go to the battlefield or lead troops in battle, how can the generals really trust you?"

"Then...then I'm going to the battlefield too?" Sun Deng stammered, looking at Sun Shao with nervousness and pity.

"You decide for yourself. I can't make decisions for you." Sun Shao smiled, picked up the teacup again, and asked after a while: "How is your martial arts?"

"It's okay to keep fit, but I haven't fought in battle." Sun Deng said embarrassedly: "When I was in Jianye, I spent most of my time studying, and I rarely had the opportunity to practice martial arts."

"Reading? What book?"

"Read Hanshu, Shiji, and Spring and Autumn Classics." Sun Deng thought for a while, and then said: "I have also read some Warring States Policy and Military Books, and of course the New Classic of Mountains and Seas written by my elder brother."

"You also read casual books like the New Classic of Mountains and Seas?" Sun Shao looked at Sun Deng with a half-smile.

"Look." Sun Deng blushed. The reason why he read the New Book of Mountains and Seas was mainly to deal with Sun Quan's inquiry.In fact, he accepted Confucian classics more, and was not very interested in books like the New Classic of Mountains and Seas.

"Hey hey..." Seeing Sun Deng's embarrassment, Sun Shao just smirked a few times and didn't ask any more questions.He sipped his tea slowly, looked at the slowly moving water bank outside the cabin window, and said leisurely: "I won't force you, anyway, there is still more than a month, you can think about it yourself. If you want to go to the front line, If you feel the smell of blood, I will assign some people to protect you. If you think it is safer to sit in the back, I have no objection. However, in order to ensure your safety, I suggest that Zhou Xun's 2000 people be temporarily assigned to me. Otherwise, even if his people arrive in Nichinan, they may not be able to play much role."

Sun Deng hesitated for a moment. He didn't know if Sun Shao really wanted to help him train Zhou Xun's men, or if he wanted to take the opportunity to swallow Zhou Xun's subordinates, and even take over Zhou Xun together.

"Don't rush to answer me, there is plenty of time anyway." Sun Shao smiled and picked up the teacup: "Take advantage of the time to get used to the life on the ship. You have been away from the fleet for almost two years, and I am afraid that you are not used to life at sea. It's stormy."

"Yes." Sun Deng nodded, got up and said goodbye.Sun Shao didn't get up to see him off, but just nodded his head.Sun Deng got out of the cabin and was holding on to the railing to get off the boat when he suddenly heard shouts ahead. He followed the sound and saw that it was Sun Shangxiang's Flying Tiger.Sun Shangxiang and Guan Feng stood side by side on the Feilu, talking and laughing while pointing at the deck.Sun Deng looked on the deck again, and saw that Sun Luban and the two female soldiers were surrounded by more than a dozen female soldiers. Their helmets had fallen off and their hair was loose. The two female pawns covered each other back to back, wielding their sabers, slashing left and right, struggling to break through, their ferocious appearance looked like a young tiger.

Sun Deng was inexplicably stunned for a moment, frowned, and subconsciously looked at his boat.Zhou Xun was standing on the side of the ship, stretched his neck to look over there, and beat the railing from time to time, looking very anxious.

Sun Deng returned to his boat, walked behind Zhou Xun, coughed lightly, and Zhou Xun, who was watching engrossed, came back to his senses, and quickly saluted Sun Deng: "Prince, have you discussed with His Highness the King of Yue? "

"Well, we have discussed it." Sun Deng nodded silently: "He asked me if I would like to come to the battlefield in person."

Zhou Xun's eyes flashed: "How did the prince reply to him?"

Sun Deng walked to the side, looked at Sun Luban who had just been knocked to the ground by a dozen female soldiers and captured him alive, and said unhappily: "Isn't it a bit strange for a majestic princess to wrestle with a group of female soldiers?" Too much?"

Zhou Xun glanced over there, smiled faintly, but there was a look of disapproval in his eyes. "The crown prince agreed to her going south with the army. With her temperament, it is inevitable that she will go to battle. It is a good thing to practice more."

"You can take it easy." Sun Deng turned his face to look at Zhou Xun, and said with a few sarcasm smiles: "Boying, do you also want to make meritorious service?"

Zhou Xun blinked his eyes, looked at Sun Deng for a moment, and suddenly smiled: "Maybe it's because I have stayed with the monarchs and ministers of the Yue Kingdom for too long, and I am so eager to kill. Seeing people make a move, I feel a little ready to move. But , The minister is the leader of the army, killing or being killed is expected, you can't spend your whole life without meeting the enemy, you can't avoid it."

Sun Deng was a little displeased by the meaning contained in Zhou Xun's answer. He frowned, bit his lips tightly, and turned to enter the cabin.Zhou Xun was about to follow, but his body just moved and stopped again. He turned around and looked at the Feihu. Sun Luban was called to the Feilu, and was listening to what Sun Shangxiang and Guan Feng were talking about, and kept nodding his head. Perhaps feeling Zhou Xun's concerned gaze, Sun Luban suddenly turned his head to look at him, their eyes met, Sun Luban raised his hand excitedly, and greeted him with a smile.

Hundreds of women on the Flying Tiger all looked this way, and several female pawns rushed over to the side of the ship, sizing up Zhou Xun with presumptuous eyes, and the undisguised love in those eyes made Zhou Xun His face was flushed, and he couldn't resist these fiery gazes, so he ran away. He walked too fast, his feet slipped, and he fell to the ground with a plop.

There was a burst of laughter on the Flying Tiger.

(End of this chapter)