Chapter 265 The war is about to begin
Half a month later, in Liyang City.
A tall man with a handsome face and a burly body sat at the top, holding a letter in his hand, and said to another man opposite: "Wen Yang, you have also read Bo Fu's letter. I invite you here this time to see what you think.”
The person speaking was Sun Ce’s cousin Sun Ben, and the man opposite him was Sun Ben and Sun Ce’s clan brother Sun Xiang. , named Wenyang.
There are now more than 20,000 troops in Liyang City, and Sun Ben alone accounts for more than half of them. Sun Xiang accounts for 6,000, and the remaining 2,000 are Xu Kun's remaining troops.
Sun Xiang frowned and said: "Xu Kun wants to take his Bu Qu back, so of course he didn't say anything. Just take it to him via the Yangtze River. But he wants us to sneak across the river together, just because Liu Bei is in the north. Isn't it making a fuss out of a molehill? "
Sun Xiang was not present in the battle of Guangling. He was stationed in Xiacai, north of Shouchun, so he did not know the combat strength of the Xuzhou army. But he could see Liu Bei's rapid progress in the past two years more clearly.
After Sun Ce opened up a situation in Jiangdong, Wu Jing, Xu Kun and others all transferred their troops to Jiangdong, leaving Li Yang feeling a little empty.
Although Sun Ce captured most of Wu County, Liu Yao's army in Niuzhu suffered no losses.
With no other choice, Yuan Shu could only transfer Sun Xiang back from Xia Cai and place him in Li Yang, and at the same time, he blocked Xu Kun's troops to prevent them from taking them all away.
The positions of Sun Bi and Sun Xiang are actually relatively close. They are both Sun Ce's brothers. The former is closer, but they are essentially the same.
Therefore, Sun Bi and Sun Xiang actually favored Yuan Shu.
Because Yuan Shu has the right to grant them official positions, and they are official positions recognized by the central government.
But the situation is indeed different now. The pressure on Liu Bei in the north is indeed increasing. Yuan Shu will mobilize Sun Xiang to go south without saying anything, which is already a problem.
If Yuan Shu really doesn't take Liu Bei seriously, then Sun Xiang should be in Runan right now.
It can be said that the Sun family has received some destiny.
Since Sun Jian made his fortune, there have been various descendants, some brave, some cruel, some cunning, some untrustworthy, and even kind, but there are just no fools.
Sun Ben and Sun Xiang are naturally not stupid. They instinctively feel that Yuan Shu may be in big trouble this time, and the one who bears the brunt may really be Li Yang.
Sun Benxian glanced at Sun Xiang: "It's already this time, why are you talking nonsense? I think Bo Fu's letter is quite reliable, and Liu Shijun is not an ordinary person."
Hearing Sun Bi's words, Sun Xiang stopped pretending and sighed: "Don't we still know what Liu Shijun is capable of? Why don't we just watch him get up? Don't say it's too early, it was the year before last. Who has heard of the name Liu Bei? He is now a well-known hussar general and the governor of the three states."
"Then you agree with Bo Fu's opinion?"
Sun Ben frowned. This Sun Xiang just didn't speak smoothly and always liked to make detours.
Sure enough, Sun Xiang shook his head again: "How can you? Not to mention the 20,000 people, crossing the river is a big problem. Previously, thousands of people sneaked across for more than half a year, and 20,000 people How long will it take?”
Before, Xu Kun’s 3,000 people and Wu Jing’s 2,000 people crossed the Yangtze River secretly. At that time, the Xuzhou navy went north, and Liu Yao’s navy patrolled Not strict either.
The Sun family used small boats to sneak across the river and spent several months sending thousands of people across the river.
This method is obviously not suitable for now. Besides, if this method is used, who will be the queen?
Besides, they were in Liyang, and Yuan Shu was there to supply them with military rations. When they went to Wu County, they could only count on most of the Wu land.
No matter how rich Wu County is, it cannot support an army of more than 40,000 people.
"Then what do you want?"
Sun Ben stared at Sun Xiang: "We continue to stay in Liyang, maybe the Xuzhou Army is waiting for us."
Sun Xiang chuckled, as honest as a simple old farmer: "In my opinion, why don't we invite Bo Fu to come to the west, cooperate with us inside and outside, attack from both sides, and destroy Liu Yao's Niuzhu first. In this way, We and Bo Fu will be able to join together and move forward and retreat freely. "
Sun Xiang's words are actually good. Once Liu Yao is destroyed, it will be very simple for Li Yang's Sun family to cross the river. .
And if the Sun family really attacks from both sides and besieges Niuzhu, they are indeed very confident that they can take down Liu Yao, but this only requires the Xuzhou army to sit back and watch.
Originally in history, the avalanche of the Niuzhu defense line came from the Zhou family's backstab.
No matter how strong Niuzhu’s defense is, it cannot stop internal and external attacks.
Sun Xiang and Sun Ce had an idea.
Sun Ben smiled bitterly. It is normal for people in Liyang to have this idea, but why should Wu Jing, Xu Kun and other Sun Jian tribes from Wu County try to take advantage of your fire?
"Okay, then I will go back to Bo Fu."
Sun Ben immediately made up his mind: "As long as Bo Fu can come west, we will do our best to help him defeat Niuzhu. ."
"Okay!"
Sun Xiang also gave the right words at this time, nodded and said: "I will personally lead people across the river then."
After Sun Xiang left, Sun Ben sat in the hall and meditated.
It wasn't until half an hour later that he suddenly spoke and asked the attendant to call Sun Fu.
Sun Fu is Sun Ben's younger brother, but there is almost a generation difference in age between them.
Both of Sun Fu's parents died when he was still in his infancy, and he was raised entirely by Sun Bi. The relationship between Sun Fu and Sun Bi, called brothers, is actually more like father and son.
Sun Fu obeyed his brother's advice and respected him very much, and Sun Ben also tried his best to cultivate his younger brother.
"Brother, are you looking for me?"
Sun Fu heard that his brother had summoned him and rushed over quickly.
Sun Ben nodded, and after pondering for a moment, he said: "You have to prepare in these days, and I will recruit thousands of elite people from various ministries to supplement it for you. If there is any shortage of military equipment, you can report it to me at any time. "Lead."
When Sun Fu heard this, he was overjoyed.
He had just turned twenty at this time, and it was the time when he wanted to make achievements.
Thanks to the care of his brother, he has already led a group of thousands of people.
Now his brother actually allocated another thousand people to him, and said that they were all elites drawn from various ministries, and promised to allocate them all weapons and equipment, which surprised and delighted Sun Fu.
"Brother, is there going to be a war!?"
Sun Fu is a little eager to give it a try. The pressure on Xuzhou is increasing these days. There are rumors outside that Xuzhou is going to send troops south to cross the river to support Liu Yao is gone.
Sun Fu instinctively thought of this.
Sun Ben's face darkened and he scolded: "You are also the leader of an army, why are you still so impetuous? Have you forgotten how I usually teach you?"
Seeing his brother getting angry, Sun Fu immediately apologized: "Brother, calm down, I know I was wrong."
Sun Fu honestly admitted his mistake, which made Sun Ben's anger lessen.
“You will cross the river with Xu Kun’s remaining troops this time.”
Sun Ben's words immediately aroused Sun Fu's suspicion. He asked cautiously: "Brother, where should I cross the river?"
"To Bofuna."
Sun Ben made a decisive decision. : "You help my brother to explore the road. These two thousand people are your tribe. You have to lead them. Also, although Bo Fu is younger than you, after you go there, you should serve me." , Do you understand?”
Sun Fu was a little surprised, but he nodded heavily on his face.
Seeing his younger brother being so obedient, Sun Ben's anger completely dissipated.
After pondering for a while, he felt that he still had to tell Sun Fu some things so that he could be mentally prepared.
So, Sun Ben said: "You just said that Xuzhou in the north may come over. Li Yang is in an awkward situation. Wen Yang and I may not have to cross the river in the future. I will send you there now, Just a preview, do you understand?"
Sun Fu immediately responded: "Yes!"
"Just understand."
Sun Bi nodded. After hesitating for a moment, he lowered his voice and said: "If..., I mean if, if I can't go to Jiangdong, you should listen to Bo Fu. Bo Fu has the same temperament as his father, and he treats his people kindly, so you can Serve him with your heart, understand?”
As soon as these words came out, Sun Fu's face suddenly became extremely ugly. He was so thoughtful that he couldn't understand the meaning of his brother's words.
Sun Fu cautiously advised: "Brother, since it is so dangerous here in Liyang, why don't you just cross the river with me?"
"Nonsense."
< br>Sun Bi glared at Sun Fu angrily: "As a brother, I have been greatly favored by General Zuo and was ordered to guard Li Yang. How can I leave my post without permission?"
"Okay, you go quickly. Get ready, the new manpower will be allocated to you within ten days, you can take charge of it, and don't worry about other things." Sun Fu nodded sadly, not daring to argue with Sun Ben.
What Sun Bi said was actually the truth, and even Sun Xiang had the same idea.
The favor they have received from Yuan Shu is too heavy, and it is impossible to run away now.
However, it does not mean that Sun Ben and Sun Xiang really have only one way to die serving Yuan Shu.
For example, if Yuan Shu suddenly proclaims himself emperor, or dies in battle first, then they have fulfilled their obligations and can decide on their own whether to leave or surrender.
Historically, Sun Bi, Wu Jing, and Xu Kun broke away from Yuan Shu's shackles and relieved themselves of their obligation to elect the emperor. They rebelled while Yuan Shu was proclaimed emperor.
Even Sun Xiang had the intention of rebelling, but he was too far away and died suddenly, which prevented him from leaving the Yuan Shu Group.
But it was not enough at this time. Not only was Yuan Shu alive and well, he also acted honestly in front of the imperial court as General Zuo, and had the kindness to recommend Sun Bi, Sun Xiang, and Wu Jing.
Once Yuan Shu issues an order to Jiangdong to mobilize troops to the north, Sun Ce and the others will have a headache.
This is also one of the main reasons why Sun Ben and Sun Xiang have not yet crossed the river.
If Sun Ce and the others can't handle it anymore and have to cross the river back again, isn't this going back and forth?
Besides, Li Yang has several months of food and 20,000 troops, sitting in a fortified city.
Even if Liu Beijun really comes, he may not be able to defeat him in a while.
Coincidentally, Sun Xiang and Sun Bi almost wanted to get together. Sun Xiang also collected a thousand songs for his eldest son, Sun Lan, and planned to cross the river first.
Including Xu Kun's remaining two thousand people, it will take at least one or two months for these five thousand people to sneak across Jiangdong.
*******
Time flies quickly. After the beginning of spring, Xuzhou's troops carried out large-scale mobilization and expansion and began a training camp that lasted several months.
During the Three Kingdoms period, the intensity and frequency of soldiers' drills were quite low. This is not because warlords do not know the benefits of training soldiers, nor is it because they are lazy, but because they really cannot afford to train soldiers.
The training here refers to the big exercises, because the big exercises are very hard, especially the physical exertion is quite huge.
Therefore, most armies will provide excessive amounts of food, even large amounts of meat, to replenish soldiers' physical fitness and resolve their grievances during training.
Even if there is no meat, at least the staple food must be provided in unlimited quantities. As long as you can eat it, you can eat it as much as you like, instead of the usual limited supply.
If even this cannot be guaranteed, even if this is the army in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, it will still mutiny to show you.
Even someone as prestigious as Prime Minister Cao had to borrow the head of the grain official to pay off his debts.
Therefore, military training requires a large amount of additional food and money, and will also significantly increase the wear and tear of ordnance.
Without sufficient economic and material support, warlords really cannot even train their troops.
Cao Cao's army is better because most of the soldiers have sufficient combat experience. Yuan Shao, on the other hand, has abundant resources and can afford Yuan Jun's monthly operations.
Only in Xuzhou, the soldiers have good discipline and considerable combat experience, and can still maintain two drills a month.
Of course, just for these two exercises a month, Xuzhou spent more than 20,000 stones of corn and more than 11.1 million yuan of money every month.
The money was mainly used to buy pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks and eggs, to provide extra meals for the soldiers, and to replenish thousands of ordnance, medicine and other supplies. The consumption was huge.
So although Xuzhou seems to be able to collect hundreds of millions in head tax now, in fact, this money is really not worth spending.
This monthly expenditure of more than 11 million yuan is only enough to provide Xuzhou's 80,000 field troops who are preparing to participate in the war with 4 kilograms of meat per capita per month, one dou of fine wine, and three dou of fine wine.
If Xuzhou's productivity had not recovered very well over the past year or so, it would have been difficult to purchase so much meat, and the price would have been at least several percent higher, or even doubled.
The expense is so terrifying, but the corresponding rewards are also extremely generous.
The new recruits gradually adapted to the military discipline of the Xuzhou Army through rigorous training. At the same time, the veterans were able to impart combat experience and military formation skills to the new recruits.
It is no exaggeration to say that after more than four months of military exercises, the combat effectiveness of the Xuzhou Field Army, which included a large number of Yellow Turban surrender troops and new recruits, has returned to 70 to 80% of its peak level. The rest will naturally be needed The grind of real combat.
Xuzhou's military expansion was carried out with such great fanfare that the surrounding princes could not fail to react.
The minor princes such as Kong Rong, Lu Bu, Chen Gong, and Zhang Miao brothers were the calmest, let alone their alliance with Liu Bei.
If Liu Beijun really wanted to deal with them, he wouldn't have to make such a big scene.
The ones who reacted the most were Yuan Shao, Cao Cao and Yuan Shu. All three of them were wary of Liu Bei's military expansion.
Among them, Yuan Shao was the calmest. After all, if Liu Bei wanted to attack him, he would not only have to cross the territories of Kong Rong and Cao Cao, but also cross the Yellow River.
Cao Cao himself is an ally of Liu Bei, and both parties have supported the center of the imperial court together. There is no major conflict between them for the time being. The most important thing is that if Liu Bei attacks Cao Cao, not only will his troops be unknown, but he will also be suspected of fighting against the imperial court.
Therefore, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao only slightly mobilized some of their troops and stationed themselves at key passes to increase defense.
Only Yuan Shu was so nervous that he was sweating profusely.
"What does Liu Bei want to do?"
Yuan Shu walked back and forth in Shouchun's palace, his face flushed, and he lost his temper at the ministers below.
In fact, Yuan Shu's character has always been fiery, scolding whenever he disagreed, and even wanting to commit assassination at every turn. With his behavior, it's no wonder that talented and heroic people look down on him.
Historically, he even wanted to assassinate He Yong, just because the other party looked down on him and did not accept his win over, so he became friends with Yuan Shao.
This He Yong is also an outstanding person, a celebrity in Henan, and his reputation is much greater than Xun You and Xun Yu. He even has a share of credit for Xun You's talent as Wang Zuo.
For such a famous person, Yuan Shu still dared to act boldly and arranged an assassin package for him.
Fortunately, Yuan Shu leaked the news and Tao Qiuhong knew about his intention to assassinate He Yong.
As a result, Tao Qiuhong went to dissuade him. Later, Zong Cheng from Nanyang helped negotiate peace, and Yuan Shu finally gave up the idea of assassinating the opponent.
Actually speaking, the circle of people in the late Han Dynasty was simply a circle of acquaintances.
If He Yong and Tao Qiuhong hadn't died young, with their reputation, knowledge, ability and connections, they would have been three official and nine ministers level bosses.
Especially He Yong, he, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao are as good as wearing a pair of trousers.
Compared with He Yong, Xu You is nothing more than a bankrupt beggar. In all aspects, from ability to friendship, he is completely crushed by He Yong.
He Yong, Tao Qiuhong and Zong Cheng were all celebrities at that time, and their views on Cao Cao were also very interesting.
He Yong praised Cao Cao highly. He was the only famous scholar at that time besides Qiao Xuan who praised Cao Cao's talents and abilities.
Zong Chengze was exactly the opposite of He Yong. Although he recognized Cao Cao's talents, he felt that Cao Cao was too cruel and tyrannical and refused to associate with Cao Cao.
Cao Cao later became Sikong. When he was overseeing the affairs of the government, he pretended to casually ask Zong Cheng: "Can we make friends now?"
Zong Cheng's answer was: "My The will of the pine and cypress has not changed yet.”
For such a person, Cao Cao did not dare to kill him. He even asked his sons Cao Pi and Cao Zhi to go up the pole to visit Zong Cheng, treating themselves as juniors.
Yuan Shu was like an enraged hyena at this moment. In addition to being incompetent and furious, he also accused the officials of being incompetent.
The courtiers below were already accustomed to Yuan Shu's temper, and they all lowered their heads and allowed him to get angry.
Yuan Shu was very annoyed. He had always thought of sending an assassin package to Liu Bei and his son.
It is a pity that Liu Bei himself is quite capable of fighting, and his guards are all close confidants who have been following him for many years. Although Liu Feng is young, he does things in a secretive manner, which makes his assassination plan slow to make progress.
"Tell me what we should do now!"
After scolding for a long time, Yuan Shu was tired of scolding, so he sat back down and drank the honey water on the table.
Yang Hong first said: "Now we should send more spies to go north to investigate."
"What else?"
Yuan Shu fixed his eyes on Yang Hong and signaled The other person continues.
(End of this chapter)