Chapter 355: Speedy Battle

Chapter 355: Speedy Battle

Chapter 355: Speedy Battle
It's midsummer and the weather is extremely hot.

Hu Wu Fuzhi simply undressed and fanned himself vigorously with a palm-leaf fan.

For some reason, he suddenly thought of Ji Sang.

That magical man would still wear expensive fur coats even in the hot summer, and ask his servants to fan him vigorously.

Perhaps this is what happens to people who are used to being poor when they first see wealth.

With this kind of performance, how can he gain the support of scholars?
In front of us is the residence known as the General Zhenjun Mansion.

Before entering the mansion, Hu Wu Fuzhi saw a large group of soldiers in Ming Guang armor coming to the door. He had an idea and quietly got off the ox cart, climbed up a high slope, and looked at the yard stealthily.

Well, I didn't see anything. Only servants were walking around, carrying all kinds of food.

He walked down the slope in disappointment and looked around.

Kaocheng seemed to have not been ravaged by the Xiongnu cavalry. The crops in the fields were growing well and the millet seedlings were lush and green. They could be harvested in two months, or perhaps a month and a half.

As Mr. Chen said, "If you have food in your hands, you will not be worried."

There were quite a few people weeding in the fields. They seemed to be local farmers - perhaps there were also people who had migrated south from Puyang and other places.

The millet seedlings were destroyed by the Huns, and the people were unable to replant grains. Even if they did, they were worried that they would be destroyed again. As a result, countless people were displaced.

Mr. Chen probably can't gather all the people here, right? No food means no food.

Although two batches of grain from Guangling had been delivered to the capital, it seemed that Mr. Chen only secretly withheld 200,000 hu in order to make up for the deficit and replenish the increasingly scarce military rations.

Speaking of grain transportation, Luoyang will probably have a hard time this year.

Zhou Fu of Shouchun had not yet sent any grain to the north, and the emperor was furious.

Langya Wang Rui was diligent in delivering grain, which pleased the emperor greatly.

After comparing the two, the emperor issued an edict to appoint Langya Wang Rui as the General Zhendong, and concurrently supervised the military affairs of the five states of Yang, Jiang, Xiang, Jiao and Guang.

This is a warning. If Zhou Fu does not wake up, he will be attacked.

In fact, with this decree, it was possible to attack Zhou Fu - the King of Langya ordered Zhou Fu's army to go to a certain place, and it was up to you to obey or not. If you didn't obey, the attack would be justified.

Jiangnan is also a mess!
Hu Wu Fuzhi sighed, and after reporting at the gate of the Zhenjun General's Mansion, he was led into the shade of the courtyard to wait.

Shao Xun sniffed the scent of Concubine Pei and said with a smile, "I said before that I would go to Chen County to manage the government, but in the past few months, I have been either at the front line or in Kaocheng, and rarely returned to Chen County. Hu Wuyanguo must be here to look for me."

Concubine Pei rolled her eyes at him and then looked at the ground.

There was a puddle of water under the windowsill, which contained both people's sweat and something else.

At this moment, her face was still flushed and her violent breathing had not subsided.

Looking at Shao Xun again, he also looked like he had been fished out of the water.

What a refreshing experience!
"I shouldn't have been so soft-hearted just now. What if she gets pregnant?" Concubine Pei suddenly said.

"Then why are you willing?"

Concubine Pei sighed, gently hugged his waist, buried her face in his chest, and said, "Seeing how hard you are working, I feel soft-hearted. Besides, isn't it natural for a woman to serve a man?"

Shao Xun finally understood why he always went to Concubine Pei.

After kissing her, he went straight to the backyard, fetched a bucket of well water, washed himself briefly, and then - he handed her the clothes.

Concubine Pei took out a newly made scholar's robe and asked Shao Xun to put it on with a smile.

Well, it fits him well, but his temperament doesn’t match his.

He subconsciously felt around his waist, but found that there was no bow tip, quiver or sword. This made him feel very uncomfortable.

After sighing softly, he took the feather fan handed to him by Concubine Pei and walked towards the front yard.

"My lord." Hu Wu Fuzhi stood up and saluted.

"I just came back from Puyang. It was such a hassle." Shao Xun said with a smile, "Sit down."

Hu Wu Fuzhi took a look at Shao Xun's brand new robe and sat down.

"Is it about Qingzhou?" Shao Xun asked.

After winning three games in a row, Gou Xi of Qingzhou suffered a defeat.

What was surprising was that it was only a minor defeat, and the defeated troops retreated largely intact, and Cao Yi and Zhao Gu did not pursue them. But that night, many people left without saying goodbye and ran away...

Gou Xi originally had more than 10,000 soldiers, but after the defeat, many of them fled away, and now he has only 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers.

His younger brother Gou Chun originally had 10,000 soldiers, but now he only had 3,000 or 4,000 left.

Upon hearing the news, Cao Qi surrendered Gou Xi's troops and continued to pursue them.

Gou Xi first fled to Mount Tai, and Cao Yi led his army to pursue him. He then fled to Dongping. Cao Yi did not pursue him any further and withdrew his troops back to Qingzhou.

Gou Xi was the Duke of Dongping County, and had served as the Governor and Commander of Yanzhou. He had some connections in the local area. It was said that he was recruiting new soldiers at this time, but it was unknown why. After Cao Cao expelled Gou Xi from Qingzhou, Gou Xi's surrendered soldiers came to Cao Cao because Cao Cao was from Qingzhou, and his strength increased greatly. He then went south to attack Langya, plundered some and then retreated.

Li Chong led more than 10,000 people eastward, cleaned up the mess in Langya and then retreated back to Lu.

The situation in the east is now confusing. After fighting for several months, Cao Qi began to rest and digest the territory at the same time.

Zhao Gu began to plunder in the Taishan and Jibei areas.

Li Chong was ordered to go north again to expel Zhao Gu, but the war has not yet started.

"Aren't you worried, my lord?" Hu Wu Fuzhi said in surprise, "General Gou Dao has ulterior motives, Cao Yi is ambitious, and Zhao Gu is cruel and tyrannical. With these three people, the six counties of Jibei, Dongping, Taishan, Lu, Rencheng, and Gaoping will have no peace. Even your prestige will be damaged."

"Hmm..." Shao Xun nodded and said, "Did Yan Guo come here on the orders of Lu Yuzhou?"

"Prime Minister Cui, Envoy Lu and others are very worried." Hu Wu Fuzhi said, "General Li's army has only more than 10,000 people, and only half of them are combat soldiers. Although they are powerful, they are bound to make mistakes and be taken advantage of. Envoy Lu thinks that you should quickly increase General Li's troops, whether it is to conquer Gou Xi or Zhao Gu, you must act as soon as possible, otherwise you may disappoint the scholars of the six counties."

"This place of four wars!" Shao Xun laughed.

Seeing him smile, Hu Wufu became anxious and said, "When Lü Bu entered Yanzhou, Cao Mengde hurried back to defeat him. Wouldn't you be anxious, my lord?"

"I have little education, so Yan Guo, please tell me about Lu Bu." Shao Xun said.

Hu Wu Fuzhi became even more anxious, but then he saw Concubine Pei coming in gorgeous clothes, surrounded by her maids. He quickly stood up and saluted.

Princess Pei was wearing a two-crotch dress, her delicate skin was shining white in the sun, her figure was well-proportioned, like a ripe peach. Her face had a solemn and majestic expression, and her every move was elegant and graceful, giving her a sense of calmness and ease.

"I've always heard that Yan Guo cultivates himself through filial piety and friendship, and nourishes himself through literature. It turns out that he is indeed extraordinary." Concubine Pei returned the salute and said.

Hu Wu Fuzhi suddenly remembered that Yanzhou was theoretically still the territory of the King of Donghai, and suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

However, he noticed that there seemed to be clumps of wet hair on both sides of Concubine Pei's solemn and calm face. Looking at the brand new robes on Shao Xun, he dared not think too much and could only say, "You are too kind, Concubine."

Concubine Pei exchanged a few pleasantries and then left. Before leaving, she asked the maid to serve tea to the two of them.

Hu Wu Fuzhi calmed himself down and continued the previous topic: "At the end of the Later Han Dynasty, the Yanzhou nobles were dissatisfied with Cao Mengde, so they led Lu Bu into Yanzhou. Mengde was shocked when he heard the news, and immediately returned to his army. After fighting for several months, he finally drove Lu Bu out. Seeing that Lu Bu was not able to fight, the Yanzhou scholars abandoned him and returned to Cao Mengde. Now Gou Xi is like Lu Bu, sneaking into Dongping and recruiting soldiers. If he is not driven out and killed as soon as possible, it may cause disaster."

"As you said, could it be that the powerful scholars in Yanzhou are still loyal to Gou Xi?" Shao Xun asked curiously.

"Your Excellency stationed several thousand troops in Xingyang to block the river and repel the enemy. You also stationed 20,000 troops in Wenshijin, Baimajin, Puyangjin, and Linqiu to guard Hebei." Hu Wu Fuzhi said, "However, there are many ferry crossings from Juancheng onwards, but Your Excellency neglected to take precautions and allowed the enemy soldiers to wreak havoc. Isn't it chilling?"

"We have suffered disasters year after year, and the army has been cut off from food supplies. I can't afford to support so many soldiers." Shao Xun said, "Mobilizing 30,000 people to defend the river and block the line between Xingyang and Puyang is already the limit. What else can we do?"

Hu Wu Fuzhi shook his head and said, "In the eyes of the noble families of the six counties of Dongping, this is a move of favoritism."

"Yan Guo may not know yet..." Shao Xun looked at him and said, "A few days ago, some refugees from Guanxi responded to Wang Ru's request. Their troops have entered Shunyang. Yang Dan managed to defeat them, but suffered heavy losses. Nanyang is also asking me for troops."

Hu Wu Fuzhi then understood what Shao Xun meant by the phrase "a place surrounded by four wars".

The three places of Nanyang, Shunyang and Xinye were all supported by the private armies of the big families and were unable to provide food, fodder and equipment to the north.

The two states of Yan and Yu are currently doing their best to supply the 30,000 men who are defending the river, the more than 10,000 soldiers of the State of Lu, and the 10,000 to 20,000 men of the Silver Spear and Yicong armies.

Did Lord Chen have few soldiers? Not a few at all, in fact, it could be said that he had a lot.

But the troops have to be divided everywhere, and there is a shortage of troops everywhere.

If Zhou Fu of Shouchun sent the legendary "30,000 elite soldiers" north again, they would be surrounded by enemies on all sides, and no matter how many soldiers they had, they would not be enough.

This is the land of the four wars.

"But you are right." Shao Xun said, "The Xiongnu cavalry has suffered two or three losses and has been greatly reduced. I am worried that they will go south again during the autumn harvest in August. Time is really running out. So, you write a letter for me and ask someone to deliver it to General Gou Dao."

Hu Wufu was stunned.

"Come closer and listen." Shao Xun said.

Hu Wu Fuzhi came closer with a puzzled look.

Shao Xun whispered something, and then said: "After returning, let Envoy Lu send a letter to Qiao, Pei, and Lu, ordering them to recruit strong men and march north to Gaoping, appoint Xiahou Heng as the commander-in-chief, and attack Gou Xi and Zhao Gu."

"My lord, are you not going to lead the troops yourself?" Hu Wu Fuzhi asked in surprise.

"This battle is a quick one, so of course I have to lead the troops." Shao Xun said, "I'll send a message to Liang County in a moment."

"What is the military strategy?" Hu Wu Fuzhi asked.

Shao Xun smiled, and there was a hint of madness in his eyes.

Ride the wildest horse, play with the most beautiful woman, fight the strongest enemy, this is what a man should do.

"Call Yu Yuangui here. He must go with me on this expedition." Shao Xun did not answer Hu Wu Fuzhi on the spot, but gave the order.

Hu Wu Fuzhi did not ask any further questions and agreed immediately.

That afternoon, a large group of messengers left the General's Mansion and rushed to various places.

(Please vote if you have any. I will try to publish another chapter in the afternoon.)
(End of this chapter)