Chapter 341 Lu Yixiong's words
Sun Ce's killing in Shanyin shocked the entire Kuaiji, and even the surrounding Wujun, Danyang, and Yuzhang exploded.
The Yu family still has its main branch in Cixi, but the Zhou family and the He family are both local wealthy families in Shanyin. In this disaster, except for a few who were not in the city, they survived. The others were almost wiped out.
Shangyu County next to Shanyin was shocked by Sun Ce's ruthlessness and his own family members, so they directly opened the city and asked for surrender.
At the same time, Yuyao, Juzhang, Luan County, Yin County, and Yan County successively opened their cities. For a while, North Kuaiji was invincible, and no one dared to stop Sun Ce's army.
There are three main reasons for this result. The second is naturally Sun Ce's massacre in Shanin, which completely frightened the gentry and powerful men in other counties.
The second reason is that Wang Lang, who had been on the same side before, had spent too much money, which left the counties somewhat empty. Although there was no shortage of manpower and they could bring out thousands of young men, each family could only serve as a mid- to low-level But all the officers' troops were exhausted. Without these people as the backbone, no matter how many young people there are, they are just cattle and sheep.
In this way, Sun Ce's army was undoubtedly stable again. Even though there were only seven or eight counties in Kuaiji that surrendered to Sun Ce, these counties were the best places in northern Kuaiji.
Take Luan County and Yin County as an example. Although these two counties have unusual names, together they are the city of Ningbo in later generations.
If you add sentences, these three counties occupy the entire Ningbo Plain, and the development history here is quite early. There is Hemudu culture far away. Later, Wu and Yue fought for hegemony. This is the foundation of the Yue Kingdom. , has always been an important grain production base in the south before the large-scale development of Huguang.
More importantly, more than 60% of the population of Kuaiji County is concentrated in these seven or eight counties. It can be said that Sun Ce has captured most of the best of Kuaiji County.
But this does not mean that Sun Ce has turned the corner. Sun Ce himself clearly understands that he is still in danger.
These counties fell in despair only because of their own internal emptiness and Sun Ce's bloody massacre.
So Sun Ce must divide his troops to garrison in these counties so that he can continuously draw resources from these counties to supply his army.
Now Sun Ce still has more than 22,000 troops under his command, more than 2,000 wounded troops, and more than 6,000 troops from Shanyin surrendered. In addition, after Shangyu opened the city, more than 3,000 troops surrendered from Shangyu.
These surrendered troops can be digested and absorbed if there is enough time, but not now.
A large part of these people are locals of Shanyin. Sun Ce has just washed Shanyin City. These people are too late to hate Sun Ce, so they will work for him willingly.
Therefore, Sun Ce also had a headache at this time.
For this reason, he had to dedicate many reliable troops to garrison in various places, and at the same time bear the responsibility of guarding and digesting the surrendered troops.
If it were not for fear of triggering unnecessary riots, Sun Ce would have even wanted to trap and kill all the Kuaiji troops from Shanyin.
In the end, Sun Ce divided 3,000 troops and stationed them in Shangyu, Yuyao, Juzhang, Luan County, Yin County and Yan County. At the same time, he also dispersed more than 2,000 surrendered troops from Shanyin.
In this way, including the surrender of troops, Sun Ce's troops have been restored to nearly 30,000. Together with Wu Jing's remaining 6,000 troops, he can even rely on the three cities in Jiangbei and Zhengnan. The army looks for an opportunity for a decisive battle.
Even if they are defeated, they can retreat across the Qiantang River and rely on the Guling Defense Line built by Wang Lang for defense.
At this time, Sun Ce did not know that the three cities in Jiangbei were about to lose two cities in a row, and that his uncle Wu Jing's nearly 7,000 troops would be reduced to less than 2,000. Otherwise, he would have immediately ordered Wu Jing to abandon the three cities in Jiangbei, set fire to the grain stores in the cities, and shrink all the troops to the south of Qiantang. He would not have imagined a decisive battle in Jiangbei.
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"Did Liu Zhengnan really say that?"
A rare look of fear appeared on Zhu Huan's face. He didn't expect Liu Feng to know so much about the situation in Wu County that he even knew Gu Yong's movements. It's like knowing everything.
How many secrets can their Wu County family name keep?
Zhu Xiang's expression was naturally even uglier, but he had to report the truth to his nephew: "In my opinion, I'm afraid Liu Zhengnan knows much more about us than we imagined."
Zhu Huan noticed that Zhu Xiang’s words were still unfinished, and asked with some displeasure: “Is there something that my father cannot say that I can’t say?”
Zhu Xiang smiled bitterly and shook his head, and continued: "I just think this may not be a good thing."
Zhu Huan frowned: "What does it mean to follow my father?"
Zhu Xiang continued He replied with a wry smile: "Those who buy goods are picky. Liu Zhengnan knows my name in Wuxian County so well, I guess we are still very helpful to him..."
After listening to Zhu Xiang's words, Zhu Huan fell silent. He had understood his father's words.
What kind of help is just hypocritical flattery, the real meaning is that we still have value.
Combined with Zhu Xiang's previous words, it is obvious that Cong's father is persuading him to make a big bet on Liu Zhengnan while there is still value. Otherwise, whether the value of the Zhu family decreases or even disappears, or the other party finds a better substitute, then What awaits the Zhu family is definitely not a good ending worth mentioning.
"I already know everything I want from my father."
After a long time, Zhu Huan slowly exhaled a breath: "I will go see them. This matter is not my Zhu family's. It’s a matter of family. The four surnames have been in alliance for hundreds of years, and we, the Zhu family, will not betray the alliance.”
In fact, Zhu Huan’s words implicitly meant that he himself planned to obey Zhu Xiang. However, Zhu Huan did not want to abandon the other three surnames yet and wanted to persuade them to raise their bets together.
Zhu Xiang naturally agreed very much with this. He nodded repeatedly and expressed his support. At the same time, he reminded: "If the other three families have other ideas, then my family must not hesitate."
Zhu Huan nodded: "That's what it should be."
Immediately, Zhu Huan asked his servants to prepare the car, and then went to Zhang's house first.
Although the four major surnames in Wuxian County are all closely related, there are always changes with each generation.
In this generation, the Gu family and the Lu family are related by marriage, and Gu Yong has more care from Lu Kang, so the relationship between the Gu and Lu families is naturally better. Zhu Huan and Zhang Yun have similar temperaments, and they both value righteousness and wealth, so they will naturally get closer.
So the first person Zhu Huan looked for was Zhang Yun.
As soon as Zhu Huan came to the door, Zhang Yun already greeted him.
"How come Xiumu Mu is free today and comes to my place?"
After Zhu Huan got off the car, he looked around and gave Zhang Yun a wink.
At this time, Wu County was besieged, and Xu Kun controlled the city and strictly prohibited residents from walking around without reason.
This law will naturally not work on celebrities like Zhu Huan and Zhang Yun, but when they come and go at this time, they will always be a little worried about the surveillance from Sun Jun.
Moreover, when we come here this time, we are talking about sensitive matters, so Zhu Huan will naturally have to be more careful.
Zhang Yun immediately introduced Zhu Huan into the mansion. After entering the secret room, Zhu Huan told the situation on a tray. Zhang Yun was very surprised after hearing this. "Isn't Liu Zhengnan's appetite too big?"
Zhu Huan was very sensible and shook his head and said: "Brother, what you said is wrong. Liu Zhengnan's current troops should be more than 50,000. At this time, there were more than 20,000 people outside the city, and both Nanmian Youquan and Wucheng were fighting to conquer the south. The daily expenditure on food and weapons must be astronomical. The food we donated is probably only enough for one month, not to mention that one stone of grain and grass obtained by Liu Zhengnan from Wu County is better than two or three stone transferred from Xuzhou."
At this point, Zhu Huan sighed: " I was worried that my donation was too stingy.”
When the four major surnames were discussing before, Zhu Huan felt that 30,000 shi of food was too little. Everyone was not short of food, so why only 30,000 shi?
The fluctuation of food in ancient times and even in modern times is quite exaggerated.
Its pricing is not static. It is very different when there is an abundance of food and when there is a shortage of food.
When food is in short supply, its lowest price is a little more than the money of the person who bids the highest but cannot buy the food.
However, due to the poor transportation environment in ancient times, the huge risks of commerce and trade, the excessive taxation of officials, the strong regional exclusion mechanism and the huge transportation losses, it was difficult to really sell grain at high prices in other places.
There is food in Wu County, but it is basically impossible to sell its food to Hedong. Most of the food is extremely difficult to preserve. Even if it does not deteriorate after a year, it will become old food.
Not to mention the warlords fighting at the moment, even during the Huan Ling period, such a thing could not be done.
In the past few years, Jiangdong has been in good weather and has produced a lot of grain. The people in Wuzhong have no shortage of grain at all. Therefore, the grain is far less valuable than the Central Plains and even the border areas.
But the Gu family is stingy and feels that 30,000 grains are enough. They don't want to side with Liu Feng, they just want to show neutrality.
Gu Yong believed that as long as they did not fall into Liu Feng's hands, Liu Feng would not dare to force them too much, and everything in Jiangdong would still depend on them.
Zhu Huan and Zhang Yun also agreed with this. They were willing to provide more food and help, but they just wanted to make things more beautiful. They were really not afraid of Liu Feng.
But the situation is different now. Gu Yong's secret service for Sun Ce has been known to Liu Feng, and Liu Feng must have something against the Gu family.
Originally, you could put on a show on the shore, but now that you are wet, if you try to show off any more, you are courting death.
After Zhu Huan and Zhang Yun discussed it, they immediately found an opportunity, and the four families gathered together again to discuss things.
After hearing what Zhu Huan said, Gu Yong, who was calm in character, suave and resourceful, was also frightened by the news. If Liu Feng really made a deadly move and broke Gu Yong into the Sun Ce Group, then he would have wiped out the entire Gu family for a reason.
Therefore, Gu Yong quickly compromised and decided to follow the opinions of Zhu Huan and Zhang Yun. The four families joined forces to provide 200,000 shi of food first, and at the same time, they could pass on as much intelligence as possible in the city to Liu Feng.
"Uncle, I think it is inappropriate to discuss this."
Just when Gu Yong, Zhu Huan, and Zhang Yun thought that the four families had reached an agreement, Lu Yi, who never talked much, suddenly spoke. , and he sang the opposite tune as soon as he opened his mouth.
The eyes of Gu Yong, Zhu Huan, and Zhang Yun fell on Lu Yi. Although they did not show any obvious displeasure, they also put a lot of pressure on Lu Yi.
However, Lu Yi's expression remained calm and composed, as if he didn't feel any pressure.
Gu Yong frowned slightly, and then asked warmly: "What is Bo Yan's wise opinion? You might as well describe it in full, so that we can check and fill in the gaps."
Gu Yong's words are quite polite. It has something to do with his gentle personality.
Zhu Huan and Zhang Yun on the side already showed obvious displeasure. This is because Lu Yi is a bit young. He has just turned sixteen after the New Year, and he is still far behind in seniority. He is the junior of the other three.
Lu Yi almost never speaks in normal times and always follows Gu Yong's lead in everything. Now he suddenly spoke and expressed objections, which could not help but make others doubt his ability and intentions.
After receiving Gu Yong's response, Lu Yi said: "In order to protect the people of Wuzhong, my uncle endured the humiliation and clarified the doubts of the thief Sun. This matter was originally a secret, but it was known to Liu Zhengnan. So, it’s important.”
Lu Yi first emphasized that Gu Yong's original intention of surrendering to Sun Ce was for everyone. I, Lu Yi, am not an ungrateful person. I recognize your grievances and kindness.
Immediately reminded everyone of two points. The first point is that this matter is confidential, but Liu Zhengnan knew about it.
The second point is that once Liu Zhengnan knows about this, this matter is no longer a trivial matter, but a fatal matter. Otherwise, would you, Zhu Huan, come to us in a hurry to discuss it?
Actually, there is another obscure point, which is derived from the second point. They are all fatal matters. Do you still think that this can be solved by petty profit?
Those present were all smart people. Zhang Yun's reputation for righteousness and wealth spread throughout Jiangdong, Gu Yong was a talented minister, and Zhu Huan was even more talented in civil and military affairs.
The three of them quite understood whether Lu Yi's words were good or bad and whether they made sense.
Especially Gu Yong's eyes flashed with approval. Lu Yi was speaking to him.
In this fatal event, aren't he, Gu Yong, and the Gu family the first to bear the brunt?
“What Bo Yan said is very reasonable.”
Gu Yong made a prompt decision, gave Lu Yi a platform, and put up a front and said: “Then according to Bo Yan’s opinion, how should we go? Do?”
"You should redeem yourself by performing meritorious service!"
Lu Yi's answer was unequivocal: "The merit lies in Wu County."
Lu Yi's answer was quite bold. This was a conspiracy to dedicate the city.
The reactions of Gu Yong and the others are also very interesting.
Gu Yong was thoughtful and silent, Zhang Yun was worried about gains and losses, but Zhu Huan's eyes lit up and he was eager to try.
"Uncle, two uncles, what my uncle committed was a major matter. Since it is a major matter, it must be redeemed with great merits."
Lu Yi said seriously: "Knowing that Xu Kun is defending the city and has no intention of retreating from the enemy. He is just hanging on for a while, trying to delay the time. Even the traitor capital is so short of breath and weak in ambition. It can be seen that the situation of the Sun traitor has reached this point. This is the time for us to work hard to make achievements. "
Here, Lu Yi paused for a moment, and then said: "If it succeeds, my uncle will have nothing to worry about. If it fails, he can leave his name in history, which is better than being killed by the Conquest of the South."
"Brilliant!"< br>
After Lu Yi finished speaking, Zhu Huan was the first to jump up and praised loudly: "Bo Yan has such ambitions, and Duke Ji Ning has someone to succeed him."
(End of this chapter)