The fourth year of Jian'an (199), it was an unforgettable year for the people in Huainan. From the frequent wars at the beginning of the year to the peace and quiet at the end of the year, it is difficult to have a real feeling if you don't experience it yourself.

The laughter rang again on the streets of Shouchun. The hawkers and customers were talking and laughing. Their faces were filled with happy smiles. This kind of smile from the heart has not appeared for a long time.

In Shouchun, this abandoned city, under the rule of Jiujiang County Governor Liu Fu and Zhang Liao, is gradually beginning to restore its former prosperity. In the past two months, due to the war in Xuzhou, more and more people have fled from the north. The increase in labor has provided manpower guarantee for Liu Fu to rest and recuperate the Shaopi Canal in winter.

The Huai River originates from the mountains and relies on the convergence of mountain springs, but its tributaries are not so lucky. The Feishui relies on the assistance of the lake Shaobi. Once it encounters the fate of the past, the Shaobi will either dry up or flood, which will greatly reduce the harvest in the Huainan area.

Gao Chong used Liu Fu as the governor of Jiujiang County. What he valued was Liu Fu's ability to govern the local area. A year ago, when Liu Fu was the prefect of Hefei, his political achievements were outstanding. While concentrating the people's efforts to build a strong city, he asked the military and civilians to dig ditches to communicate two different water systems, water supply and water flow, so that the water of Chaohu Lake could flow north to the water-scarce Huai River basin during the dry water period, and during the flood season, it could also allow the poorly discharged Huai River to have an extra channel to enter the sea.

The implementation of these measures laid a solid foundation for the harvest in the Huainan area. Now, he has transported this set of successful experience to Shaobi, with the purpose of building another granary south of the Huai River, after Wujun and Danyang.

There were also a group of young and promising officials who governed Huainan with Liu Fu. They all emerged in the first Yangzhou prefecture examination. Among them, the best were selected by Lu Su, who was keen to the Yangzhou barrier - Jiujiang County. Two of them were the strongest, one was He Kui from Yangxia, Chen County, and the other was Xu Yi from Dongguan. As soon as these two arrived in Shouchun, they were appointed by Liu Fu as the Linhuai Order and Quyang Order, taking on the important task of governing one side.

In terms of contributions, Liu Fu, He Kui, and Xu Yi are no less inferior to those generals who led troops to fight in the front. It is the joint efforts of a large number of local officials such as Liu Fu that Jiangdong, which was originally weak, has enough food and supplies to maintain wave after wave of war.

Over the years, both civil and military affairs have always been the standard for Gao Chong to select talents. Martial arts can protect the land and literary arts can promote the country. Both are indispensable. Compared with the strong foundation of Central Plains, Hebei and Jingzhou, Jiangdong is regarded as a remote and barren land. Gao Chong is based here. In addition to reclaiming wasteland and planting valleys to develop the economy, he must also have the demeanor and mind to accommodate all things.

He Kui was the first in the first phase of the scientific expedition. When discussing who was the first, someone pointed out that He Kui had a marriage relationship with the Yuan family, and it was inappropriate to obtain it. Gao Chong laughed at this after hearing this. He Kui was He Kui and Yuan’s family was Yuan’s family. If he gave up a talent for this reason, Gao Chong would think it was too ridiculous.

The General of the Defeat General of the Central Army was Gao Chong promoted to Yangzhou Governor and appointed Zhang Liao as the official position. After Taishi Ci, Xu Sheng and other generals were transferred to the Jiangxia line, Zhang Liao had become Gao Chong's largest military general in Huainan.

Faced with the empty Huai Shuiyuan, Zhang Liao knew the burden on his shoulders.

Together with Gao Shun, he recruited two thousand soldiers to supplement the camp. Yan Beiqi lost troops. Under Gao Shun's strict training, these new recruits had greatly improved their combat effectiveness and formation proficiency. The only thing they lacked was practical training.

Gao Shun's injuries have basically healed. Compared with physical injuries, his psychological sores take longer to recover. Unlike Zhang Liao, who was in his prime, Gao Shun, who was nearly 40 years old, has taken fame and fortune in the officialdom very lightly. After his desire and impulse when he was young, Gao Shun only pursues loyalty and responsibility.

He had no choice but to stay in this chaotic world where everyone was crazy. Even if Zhang Liao, who had a deep friendship, came to persuade him, Gao Shun did not change his mind.

However, on that day, Yangzhou Mu Gao Chong came to his sickbed and said this: "The general insisted on going to die, but the pet was not stopped. However, after the general died, he saw the Marquis Wen. When asked: Who should take care of my wife and daughter, how should the general answer?"

If there is really a cycle of life and death, Gao Shun didn't know how to answer when he saw Wen Hou's answer. This young man named Gao, who was also surnamed Gao, used his keen eyes to see through everything. He hit Gao Shun's weakness in just one sentence.

Yes, although the lord Lu Bu is gone, Diao Chan and Lu Ji are still there. So, all Gao Shun can do is live well and spend the rest of his life to care for Diao Chan and his daughter who have experienced the hardships.

Liu Fu was governing the government and Zhang Liao was governing the army. Such equipment was necessary after Gao Chong's western expedition to Jiangxia. In their rear, Guangling Prefect Chen Deng, who relied on it for help. Therefore, although there were not many troops in Huainan, it was enough to shock those who had plans. The bandits who took advantage of the chaos, as well as Liu Bei and Cao Cao who were eyeing him.

Cao Cao's use of troops to Xuzhou was under Zhang Liao and Gao Shun's nose. After hearing the news that Cao Cao quickly defeated Liu Bei, Zhang Liao and Gao Shun were really nervous for a while. What they were worried about was that Cao Cao would launch an army to go south. If Cao Cao really had this idea, it would be difficult to hold on with Shouchun's little force alone. At this time, Gao Chong was fighting far away in Jiangxia. The so-called far water could not quench his near thirst. Gao Shun, the only thing Zhang Liao could do was to step up his combat preparations and send more scouts to inquire about the news.

Fortunately, Cao Cao had no time to take care of Huainan now, so he had to rush back to Xudu, Baima, and Yanjin in time, Liu Yan and Yu Jin were oppressed by nearly 100,000 Yuan Shao's army, and the situation was quite urgent.

At the end of December of the fourth year of Jian'an, on the twelfth lunar month, the cold outside the house was forced to make people feel cold. When he breathed out, he would immediately form fog and ice. He hid in a warm nest to sleep. This was not Zhang Liao's style. Early in the morning, he stepped onto the war horse and led his followers to the military field outside the city.

"Wenyuan, you're late!" Gao Shun, who was sweating on his forehead, came forward and rebuild the camp. This was Gao Shun's expectation. The experience of being severely injured by Xiahou Dun at Xiaoguan City made Gao Shun unable to let go.

Zhang Liao was about to answer, but suddenly, a soldier who reported the news rushed over and said anxiously: "Report to the two generals, an army came from Guangzhou, the upper reaches of the Huai River, and is now heading towards Yangquan."

Yangquan is a city located west of Shouchun. Its existence firmly grasps the western gate of the capital of Jiujiang County, Shouchun. Zhang Liao couldn't help but feel nervous when he heard an army coming to Yangquan.

Could it be the partial army sent by Cao Cao? At this time, Cao Cao was too busy to take care of himself and should no longer have the leisure to pay attention to Huainan? Moreover, even if the partial army attacked, there would be too few people coming. More importantly, if Cao Cao was willing to attack Huainan, he just needed to attack along the Yingshui River. There was no need to detour the upper reaches of the Huainan.

And if it weren't for Cao's army, who would it be?

All of them were Zhou Yu's army who fought thousands of miles away near Yangquan. A thought suddenly flashed through Zhang Liao's heart. In early December, Gao Chong sent people to Shouchun and told Zhang Liao to pay attention to whether there were any troops entering and leaving the Huai River. At that time, because he could not understand Zhou Yu's actual marching direction, Gao Chong's order was ambiguous. Zhang Liao did not take it much at that time because it was too difficult to pass through the vast primitive jungle that was difficult to reach for thousands of miles.

"Wen Yuan, I will lead the camp to Yangquan. If it is an enemy, I will deal with it. If it is Zhou Yu, Xu Sheng and others, I will send soldiers to inform you." Gao Shun saw Zhang Liao's hesitation and said.

"Okay." Zhang Liao nodded and responded.

There is no doubt about Gao Shun's ability. With him, Zhang Liao was determined to make a great contribution.

"Stand to the camp, go!" Gao Shun turned his head and shouted. At this moment, Gao Shun, who was the last firm and courageous person and never feared, seemed to be back.

Just when Zhang Liao and Gao Shun were guessing who the team coming upstream were, Zhou Yu and Zhao Yun had already arrived in the suburbs of Yangquan. After passing the unimaginable death march, the army looked more like a beggar team.

"Chengyuan, go to the city to inform you so that Wenyuan knows that we are here!" Zhou Yu ordered.

"Yes!" Ding Feng responded and was about to turn around and leave. Suddenly, the dust on Yangquan was rising, and an army was driving towards this side.

Zhou Yu looked up and saw a "high" character on the flag. Zhou Yu, who had been happy and angry, could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart. He raised his arms and shouted: "Before is General Gao Shun's camp. Brothers, show the flag and line up to greet him!"

From the moment he entered the deep mountains, Zhou Yu dreamed that one day he would appear on the Huainan Plain with his troops. Now all this will be realized. Behind Zhou Yu, Xu Sheng and Ding Feng, who had just been injured, raised two tattered battle flags in the wind. Blood was still visible on the battle flag. The left side was embroidered with "Yangzhou Mu Gao" and the other side was "Zhou, the governor of the Western Expedition".

Seeing the soldiers behind him also raised their heads proudly, Zhao Yun and Ling Tong looked at each other and smiled knowingly. After meeting Zhou Yu in Guangzhou, the three hundred soldiers led by Zhao Yun officially joined Zhou Yu's army. Although they did not participate in the eastward march, which could be called the death marches, they also had a glory in their hearts.

The first thing that caught Gao Shun's eyes was a team of ragged clothes and beggars. Standing at the front of the team was a young and fair-faced general. If it weren't for seeing it with your own eyes, Gao Shun wouldn't have believed that such an army could pass through more than a thousand miles of wilderness jungle.

The excitement of meeting the teacher is hard to describe in words. Zhou Yu, Ding Feng and Xu Sheng are all filled with tears. Under Gao Shun's arrangement, Zhou Yu and other tired soldiers rested in Yangquan City for three days. After receiving Gao Shun's report, Zhang Liao also arrived in Yangquan the next day after meeting.

On the fourth day, Zhang Liao and Liu Fu led a banquet for officials from the county to welcome Zhou Yu and Zhao Yun. At the same time, Zhang Liao quickly sent soldiers to Xiakou to tell Gao Chong the good news.

Xiakou, Gao Chong, who successfully won the victory of the Battle of Hanyang, adopted Xu Shu's advice in the last month of the fourth year of Jian'an. Instead, he launched a strong offensive against the Jingzhou army, which was desperately defending Mianyang and Jiangling, but began to gradually digest and consolidate the occupied land.

Jiangxia County is a territory of Jingzhou, and many wealthy families in pavilions and counties have close ties with Xiangyang. If these people are not divided and won over, the results of Gao Chong's hard-working victory will be in vain.

At the same time, the war in Jingnan also turned around with the Jinfan army entering Yunmengze. According to Gan Ning's idea, he wanted to take Wuling directly and cut off the retreat route of the Jingzhou army to the south, so as to wipe out the enemy in Changsha in one fell swoop. However, the tenacity of the Wuxi barbarians made Gan Ning feel difficult. In addition, the roads of Wuling were dangerous and obstructed, and Gan Ning's attacks were blocked several times. In the end, under the attack of Li Tong and Lu Fan, the Jingzhou army in Changsha and Wuling area retreated towards Jiangling. By the end of December, all the four counties in Jingnan fell into Gao Chong's hands.

This battle made the Jingzhou army escape from the set-up encirclement. Gan Ning was really angry. Jiangling's Wenpin was difficult to deal with. If this army was added to guard, there would be no hope of taking Jiangling in a short time.

After suffering a heavy blow, Liu Biao relied on the new defense line built by Kuai Yue and Wenpin in Mianyang and Jiangling to gradually stabilize the situation in the defeat. As long as the densely populated and economically prosperous Jingbei could be kept, Liu Biao would have the possibility of making a comeback.

However, there is one person who doesn't think so.

Outside Mianyang City, the post road.

Zhuge Liang, who had just left Kuai Yue camp, had a pale face and a lonely expression. He had taken off his clothes as a military staff officer, and his outfit returned to his former appearance as a scholar in a commoner.

Zhuge Liang no longer had any hope for Liu Biao.

Recruiting people to set up beacons and wolf smoke to protect the food road. This is a strategy of killing two birds with one stone. According to Zhuge Liang's guess, even if Gao Chong is a partial army, as long as he can set up a mobile force along the Mianshui coast, he will rush to respond as soon as he sees wolf smoke. I believe that the important task of protecting the food road can be better completed. In addition, once Gao Chong's army attacks the recruited people, it will inevitably arouse public anger. In this way, the army hanging in the enemy's territory will never have a chance to survive.

However, Liu Biao's poor military performance made all this absent.

When Zhou Yu's surprise attack on Xiangyang, anyone with a little military knowledge could see that this was just a cover, with the purpose of disrupting the sight of the Jingzhou army and thus disrupting the entire encirclement and suppression plan that had been deployed. Although Xiangyang is the political and economic center of Jingzhou, it is not possible to take Xiangyang with just Zhou Yu's 5,000 soldiers.

Around Xiangyang, there are many wealthy families. As long as the private soldiers in these wealthy families can be organized, the number of people can be at least more than 10,000. In addition, the prefect of Yicheng Xiang Lang is approaching, and Liu Biao can block Zhou Yu from outside the city with just one order. In fact, before Xiang Lang arrived, although Zhou Yu asked Ding Feng to attack the direction of Jingshan several times, it was not obvious that Zhou Yu did not use all his strength, which was enough to prove his correct judgment.

Unfortunately, Liu Biao and Kuai Yue took Xiangyang too seriously, and they had lost the calmness they should be in analyzing the situation.

"Zhou Yu——, we will have a chance to compete, but you will not be so lucky next time!" Zhuge Liang looked up at the sunset that had just faded away from the clouds, his eyes deep and solemn. He strided towards the north, and at the moment of making up his mind, he did not look back.

If there is no wise master who can be willing to assist you, it is better to just live in seclusion and feel comfortable.

South of Xian Mountain, by the Hui Lake, a cold plum blossom proudly blooms in the twelfth lunar month. The yellow stamens are wrapped in the two delicate flower pieces, trembling slightly, with a little shame, and a kind of self-admiration.

Zhuge Liang gently untied the bag on his back and breathed a long sigh of relief. This was the place where his mentor Pang Degong lived in seclusion, talking about the pot of wine and giving him joy. Here, Zhuge Liang believed that he could find comfort in his heart.

Four years ago, Liu Biao was appointed as the governor of Jingzhou by the court. Many famous gentry and nobles fled to Xiangyang. In order to recruit talents, Liu Biao was also quite humble and invited Pang Degong several times, but Pang Degong did not agree. Perhaps the teacher saw that Liu Biao was at best just a dog guarding the household, but in fact he had no ability to pacify troubled times.

"Teacher, I'm here!" When Zhuge Liang pushed the door open, Pang Dezheng closed his eyes and held a scroll of the Spring and Autumn Book in his hand.

Pang Degong seemed to be listening but not listening, and did not answer. After bowing and bowing, Zhuge Liang left the door and just met Pang Shanmin coming out of another room.

"Brother Kong Ming, why are you here?" Pang Shanmin said in surprise.

"Shanren, can the Shiyuan be there?" Zhuge Liang nodded and asked.

"Brother Shi Yuan got up yesterday and went to Jiangxia. His tone seemed to be like joining Gao Chong, the Mu of Yangzhou." Pang Shanmin replied.

Zhuge Liang was surprised and said, "Shi Yuan really said that?"

Pang Shanmin shook his head and said, "I happened to pass by when Brother Shi Yuan said goodbye to his father yesterday, so I heard a few words, but I didn't hear the specific ones clearly."

Zhuge Liang sighed, Pang Tong and himself were the most respected disciples of Pang Degong. There was an old saying in the village: Zhuge Kongming was a lie dragon, and Pang Shiyuan was a phoenix chick. Now Pang Tong is going to join Jiangdong, but he has made up his mind to find other wise masters. Perhaps one dragon and one phoenix may fly in two places in the future, each of which is his master.

Life is like a play that is being performed. As long as the curtain has not yet fallen, unpredictable results will occur.

Xiakou, conference hall.

"Are the military advisor and Bo Yan coming?" Gao Chong paced back and forth, his heart was ecstatic at this moment.

After receiving the news from Zhang Liao News, Gao Chong had not slept all night. The expectations of these days finally became a fact at this moment. Zhou Yu not only escaped safely, but also brought back a Ling Tong. Not only that, Zhao Yun, a brave general from Youyan, came to the cast, which found the most favored candidate for Gao Chong, who had always suffered from not being good at horse war generals.

Zhao Yun was naturally good at being the commander of Baima Yicong. In the letter, Zhang Liao praised Zhao Yun very much. To show respect, Gao Chong decided to go to Huainan in person. One was for Zhou Yu, Ling Tong and others to suppress the dust, and the other was for greeting Zhao Yun in person to show his importance; the third was for the battle situation in Jingnan, and the only thing was for him to do was to take charge.

This person has chosen many generals in the high-pampered army. Zhou Yu was the first choice, but Zhou Yu was far away in Huainan. After a long journey, his body and mental strength needed time to recover. During this period, another person must replace him to leave the places he had just occupied.

Gao Chong had a certainty in his heart, that is, the young Lu Xun was the governor of Jingnan and the assistant of Xu Shu. The calmness and calmness shown by Lu Xun in the Battle of Hanyang made Gao Chong more confident. He believed that as long as he was constantly tempered, Lu Xun would one day grow into a handsome talent who would be the same as Zhou Yu.

As for the specific matters of which generals to stay, Gao Chong has not made a final decision. He wants to listen to the suggestions of Lu Xun and Xu Shu before this.

"People handsome, we are here!" Lu Xun and Xu Shu walked into the hall one after another.

Gao Chong said: "Military advisor, Bo Yan, you are here just in time. The war in Jingzhou has stabilized. I want to go back to Jiangdong. One is for Gong Jing. The generals are shocked to congratulate him. Two is for Zijing and Yuan Tan, and the governors are also very hard to manage the prefecture. The great victory ahead cannot be separated from their help. Any mistakes must be punished and any work must be rewarded. Only in this way can we inspire our spirits!"

Lu Xun said: "If you want to leave, Jingzhou must have a suitable candidate! Xun thought that Gong Jin's brother was like a god and was trusted by the generals, and he could rely on it as an important task!"

Gao Chong and Xu Shu looked at each other and said, "Boyan, Gong Jin had just arrived in Huainan, how could he come to Jiangxia all at once? I want to order you to serve as the governor and defend Jingnan and Jiangxia counties with the military advisors. What do you want?"

Lu Xun felt excited. He was so trusted by Gao Chong when he was young. Even if he had been under various princes, he would never have such a good encounter.

"Sun Ding should work hard and never repeat his trust!"

Xu Shu said at this time: "Shu believes that the stability of the battle situation in Jingzhou is due to the balance of strength between the two sides. When the general takes the lead, the enemy will think that there is an opportunity to take advantage of it. The troops stationed in Jingzhou cannot be reduced, but on the contrary, there should be an increase."

Gao Chong nodded and said, "In addition to Bo Yan's army, I want to stay in Gan Ning, and Huang Zhong's army is stationed in Baling and Hanyang to assist in the guards."

"The important position of Jiangxia is to connect with Jiangdong and Jingnan. I wonder if I have any considerations about the position of the prefect?" Xu Shu said.

When Gao Chong heard Xu Shu say this, he knew that he must have some conspiracy, so he asked: "Who does the military advisor think is available?"

Xu Shu smiled and said, "What do you think Li Tong thinks?"

Li Tong, whose courtesy name was Wenda, was from Pingchun, Jiangxia County. After joining Gao Chong, he moved to Jingnan. Although his achievements were not as eye-catching as Xu Sheng, after Huang Zhong went north, the Jingnan counties were able to hold on in a very unfavorable situation, and Li Tong made an indelible contribution.

Gao Chong lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, "What the military advisors consider is that our army is now connected to each other in Jingnan, Jiangxia, and the Jinfan Army of Ganning has occupied the key point of Yunmengze. The four counties in Jingnan are no longer far and lonely as before. It is enough to have Lu Fan's army to guard it. Li Tong was originally from Jiangxia County, and he was the prefect of Jiangxia, which is appropriate!"
Chapter completed!