Chapter 80: Zhou Lang, famous throughout the world, Liu Wu enters Jizhou

Not only Shen Pei focused his attention on Xuzhou, but Liu Wu also focused his attention on Xuzhou.

Liu Wu was betting on Xuzhou. In the battle between Zhou Yu and the Yuan brothers, Zhou Yu would win in the end.

It’s not that Liu Wu looked down on the Yuan brothers, but after Yuan Shao’s death, the Yuan brothers really had no famous generals left.

Even if we throw in Liao Hua, he would probably be ranked in the top two in terms of military level.

With this level, how can he fight against Zhou Yu?
In Liu Wu’s heart, the Three Yuans were absolutely not good enough to compete with a top commander like Zhou Yu.

Under the dispatch of Liu Wu, Gan Ning and Huang Zhong have secretly gone to Yanzhou. When the Yuan brothers are defeated in the battle of Xuzhou, Gan Ning and Huang Zhong will immediately go to Jizhou and take over Jizhou with the support of the Shen family.

……

Just when the Yuan brothers were fighting with Jiangdong in Xuzhou.

In Jingzhou, Xiangyang, in the residence of the General of Cavalry, something related to Liu Wu happened.

In the autumn weather, the wind is sad and lonely.

The plump and stunning Mrs. Cai lay lazily in the rocking chair, eating the grapes handed to her by the maid, and seemed to be enjoying herself very much.

As she lived in the backyard of the General of Cavalry, Mrs. Cai’s complexion became more rosy and beautiful.

It’s like a second spring.

“Ma’am, you are looking better and better, and more beautiful.”

Mrs. Cai’s personal maid Jingjing said to Mrs. Cai enviously.

Mrs. Cai was in her twenties or thirties. Because of her good dressing and maintenance, she looked very mature, which made her even more charming, and the maid Jingjing was quite envious.

“That’s because the food in the General of Cavalry’s mansion is good.” Mrs. Cai snorted proudly.

She was glad that she stayed.

If she hadn’t stayed, she wouldn’t have known that Liu Wu would be so good.

It can be said that Liu Wu satisfied all her fantasies about men when she was a girl.

The maid heard this quietly, seemed to have thought of something, her cheeks flushed, and she quickly responded.

“By the way, where is the Marquis? What has he been busy with recently? I haven’t seen him for two days.”

Mrs. Cai thought of Liu Wu and couldn’t help asking.

“Madam, the Marquis went to Wancheng and said that he had invented a new plow called the ‘Curved Plow’. Isn’t this the busy farming season? Planting winter wheat, and I heard that this curved plow can greatly improve farming efficiency. The people around Xiangyang have caused a sensation by building curved plows, and every household is asking craftsmen to build them. It’s really a sensation among the more than 200,000 people in Xiangyang. The people all say that the Marquis is a great man and has done a great thing for them.” The maid quietly mentioned what Liu Wu had been busy with recently, and couldn’t help but praise him.

“The curved plow? It caused a sensation among more than 200,000 people in Xiangyang? This… tell me in detail!” Mrs. Cai was not stupid. On the contrary, she was very smart to leave her name in history and influence the politics of Jingzhou. But she was also astonished by the sensation caused among more than 200,000 people in the vicinity of Xiangyang.

What kind of curved plow could cause such a big noise?

In fact, with the next season of winter wheat about to be planted, Liu Wu took out the powerful weapon, the curved plow, on the one hand to increase the grain output and farming efficiency of his people, and on the other hand to improve his own reputation.

The plows used in the Han Dynasty were mainly straight-beam plows, which came in double-beam and single-beam types, and were basically two oxen pulling a plow. This design was not flexible enough for turning when plowing the land because of the long and straight shaft, making it difficult to dig up the soil, and its efficiency was relatively low.

The time when the curved plow replaced the straight plow was mainly in the Tang Dynasty. The curved plow, also known as the Jiangdong plow, was invented by the Chinese working people in the Tang Dynasty after improving the shortcomings of the traditional long straight plow in long-term production practice. Compared with the straight plow since the Han Dynasty, the curved plow has undergone major improvements: first, the plow shaft was changed from straight to curved, from long to short, and a plow disc was installed at the head of the plow shaft, which can rotate freely, making the operation more flexible and saving manpower and animal power; secondly, the curved plow has added a plow saddle and a plow saddle, and the plow arrow is controlled to move downward or upward by pushing and lifting the plow saddle, so that the depth of the plowshare entering the soil can be adjusted; in addition, the curved plow also improved the plow wall to make it round, which can push the turned-up soil aside, reduce the resistance to forward movement, and can overturn the soil to cut off the growth of weeds.

It can be said that the emergence of the curved plow played a huge role in the farming efforts of the ancient people.

After all, food is the most important thing for people. Digging for food in the fields and being able to cultivate the land quickly is already a great joy for ordinary people, because they can plant more land.

Now, ordinary people cannot see the subsequent effects of the curved plow.

However, the mere fact of saving manpower and animal power made them ecstatic.

Later, people would discover other benefits of the curved plow.

Therefore, Liu Wu first promoted it in the vicinity of Xiangyang, and then went to Wancheng to promote it, just like the stars in later generations who went on tour to promote their movies.

Liu Wu also did this during this period. This was something that could increase his reputation. If he promoted it personally, officials from all over the country would pay more attention and work hard to increase grain production.

It can be said that there are too many benefits.

Liu Wu naturally would not miss this opportunity to show up.

“I didn’t expect that the Marquis is so intelligent and could create such a magical weapon. He truly has the appearance of an emperor.” Madam Cai listened to the maid’s report with her beautiful eyes full of admiration. However, she felt more and more in her heart that the decision she made at the beginning was absolutely right.

“Yes, madam, the general is really amazing. Not only is he a martial arts master, he is also strong and good at fighting. Even the people praise him…” The maid Jingjing at the side also praised Liu Wu.

“Ugh~”

Before the maid could finish her words, Mrs. Cai suddenly felt nauseous and started to dry heave.

“Madam, what’s wrong with you? I’ll call a doctor right away!” The maid was shocked as she watched Madam Cai retching. She was about to call a doctor, but was held back by Madam Cai.

“vomit!”

Although the retching sensation was uncomfortable, Mrs. Cai couldn’t help but open her beautiful eyes wide.

A terrible thought came to her mind!

Wouldn’t she?

“If it’s true, that would be great!”

“It’s possible. The Marquis has been coming here before.”

Mrs. Cai’s beautiful eyes were filled with unprecedented excitement, she felt it was very likely.

This made Mrs. Cai feel extremely happy and excited.

Can you imagine that in the Han Dynasty, teenage girls had to get married and almost all had children before they were 20 years old?

Isn’t it cruel for a woman in her twenties or thirties to not have children?
She thought she had no hope anymore!

But today, she seemed…

Mrs. Cai was filled with excitement and nervousness. She was very nervous now. She was afraid that she was just imagining things. Finally, Mrs. Cai asked her maid to call the doctor.

In the end, the doctor gave Mrs. Cai a result that made her very happy.

There was a sensation in the Cai family that day. Although Mr. Cai felt that this matter was quite a headache, he was also happy for Mrs. Cai and held a grand banquet.

A letter was sent by express horse to Liu Wu in Wancheng.

Wancheng.

Liu Wu soon received an urgent letter from Zhuge Liang.

“This is really…” Liu Wu couldn’t help scratching his head as he watched Zhuge Liang report the news that Mrs. Cai was really successful.

Although he had thought so in his heart, he still felt a little embarrassed when it really happened.

Of course, perhaps it doesn’t seem like a big deal to many people of this era.

Liu Wu quickly suppressed the matter.

The most urgent thing is that he really needs someone by his pillow.

The pace of expanding the family’s cause cannot stop.

While Liu Wu was appearing in various places to promote the curved plow, he was also keeping an eye on the tense battle situation in Xuzhou.

The Battle of Xuzhou began.

After Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi reached a reconciliation and made a unanimous decision to face the outside world, Youzhou Mu Yuan Xi also led a large army south to join forces with his two brothers to fight against Zhou Yu’s 80,000-strong Jiangdong army.

The three Yuan brothers assembled an army of 200,000 in Xiaopei, Xuzhou, with the intention of defending the territory and reviving the Yuan family’s reputation.

Zhou Yu, the Grand Commander of Jiangdong, was ordered by Sun Quan to lead an army of 80,000 elite soldiers, vowing to break through Yuan’s defense line and expand the territory of Jiangdong.

War clouds are gathering over Xuzhou.

Xiaopei, namely Pei County, is located in the intersection of Yanzhou, Yuzhou and Xuzhou, which is of great strategic significance. Occupying Xiaopei can help the city to take Xuzhou to the east, Yuzhou to the south, and Yanzhou to the west.

It has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. Liu Bei and Lu Bu once fought here.

At first, Liu Bei accepted Lü Bu after his defeat and stationed his troops in Xiaopei as the first line of defense against Cao Cao. However, Lü Bu later betrayed Liu Bei and seized Xuzhou, causing Liu Bei to lose Xuzhou again. He then turned to Lü Bu for peace and stationed his troops in Xiaopei again.

Xiaopei was a famous place in the late Han Dynasty.

The terrain is strategic and easy to defend but difficult to attack. The three Yuan brothers also knew the importance of this place, so they put all their efforts into building a solid defense line. The 200,000-man army was ready to fight, with high morale, intending to consume Zhou Yu’s army that came from afar and then defeat Zhou Yu’s army.

Zhou Yu’s army was far inferior to that of the three Yuan brothers, but Zhou Yu knew the military strategy that says: “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without danger.”

So, long before the war.

Zhou Yu sent spies to infiltrate Yuan’s army, and learned the strategic intentions of the Yuan brothers very well. Based on this, he formulated a detailed battle plan.

Zhou Yu knew very well that Yuan’s army was large in number and a head-on confrontation was not the best strategy, so he decided to use the same tactic against them. He ordered the vanguard troops to deliberately show weakness and act as if they were not acclimatized to the local climate and water. The attack failed, and instead, they were miserably defeated in a night attack by Yuan’s army. They kept retreating, suffering no less than 3,000 casualties. He tried to lure Yuan’s army into pursuit and adopted the tactic of luring the enemy deep into their territory.

Seeing that the Jiangdong army was weak and had suffered heavy casualties, Yuan Tan felt that the Jiangdong army was really a weakling on land and thought that he had a sure win. He discussed with Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi and reached a consensus to order the entire army to attack in an attempt to annihilate the Jiangdong army in one fell swoop. However, this was exactly Zhou Yu’s strategy of luring the enemy. He took advantage of the Yuan army’s eagerness to win and led the Yuan army step by step into the preset ambush circle.

When Yuan’s army reached the designated battlefield, it was already late, dark and windy. Zhou Yu saw that the time was ripe and immediately ordered the implementation of the fire attack plan. He ordered people to prepare a large amount of flammable materials, such as hay and grease, and secretly arranged them around Yuan’s camp and on the marching route. With Zhou Yu’s order, the Jiangdong army soldiers quickly lit the fire, and the fire spread rapidly, covering half of Yuan’s camp in a sea of ​​fire.

Yuan’s soldiers panicked and fled in all directions, but the fire was fierce and it was dark at night, making it difficult to tell the direction, and many soldiers were burned to death or trampled to death.

After the fire attack, Yuan’s army’s morale was low and their formation was in chaos. Although there were still many troops left, Zhou Yu took the opportunity to lead the main force to launch a general attack.

He took advantage of the Jiangdong navy and launched attacks from both sides of the river. At the same time, the Jiangdong army ambushed on the shore also took the opportunity to attack, forming a pincer attack from land and sea.

Amid the flames and shouts of killing, Yuan’s soldiers collapsed again, throwing away their weapons and armor and fleeing in all directions.

Zhou Yu sat in the center and commanded the Jiangdong army to pursue the victory, continuously narrowing the encirclement, dividing and encircling Yuan’s army, and annihilating them one by one.

In the fierce battle, Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang, and Yuan Xi fought on their own and tried their best to break out. Zhou Yu had already anticipated their movements and sent elite troops to intercept them separately. After a fierce battle, Yuan Tan was killed by Cheng Pu, a general of the Jiangdong Army; Yuan Shang was slightly injured, and Yuan Xi was intact, but at this time, the defeat was already powerless to turn the tide. Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi led the army to break through by force, but Zhou Yu had few soldiers and failed to complete the annihilation battle. However, Yuan Shang, Yuan Tan, and Yuan Xi led an army of 200,000 to the south. After this battle, Yuan Tan died, and only 30,000 to 40,000 troops broke through the siege.

The brothers Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi did not dare to stay in Xiaopei any longer and fled northward.

The defense line of Xuzhou Xiaopei collapsed.

Zhou Yu showed his strong ability to command troops and beat Yuan’s generals by showing weakness to the enemy, luring them into deep territory, using fire to disrupt Yuan’s forces, ambushing them on land and sea, dividing and surrounding them, and annihilating them one by one.

The army entered Xiaopei, and the Jiangdong army, led by Zhou Yu, continued to march northward to Pengcheng, the capital of Xuzhou.

At this time, Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi were stationed in Pengcheng with 30,000 to 40,000 remaining troops, and their formation was in a panic.

At the same time, the news that Zhou Yu led an army of 80,000 and defeated the 200,000 troops of the three Yuan brothers in Xiaopei with a smaller force spread rapidly throughout the world. All the noble families and forces were shocked by the news, and were even more amazed at the strength of Zhou Yu, the commander-in-chief of Jiangdong.

Zhou Yu, Zhou Lang, is famous throughout the world!

……

“The Yuan brothers were defeated?”

Liu Wu, who had reached the last stop in Yanzhou, got the news first because he was always paying attention to the battle situation in Xuzhou.

“Yes, my lord. Zhou Yu is really amazing. The last news we got was that the Jiangdong Army’s attack was frustrated and they were not used to the local climate. It turned out to be Zhou Yu’s trick. He actually put all the Jiangdong soldiers who were not used to the local climate in the front.”

“How cruel! They sent all the Jiangdong soldiers who were not used to the local climate to escape, and lured the three Yuan brothers out of the fortified city of Xiaopei, thus losing their geographical advantage.”

Gan Ning also had to be wary of Zhou Yu’s methods, because the battle report was sent by the Jinyiwei, so it was very detailed, and some unknown things were also clearly investigated.

“Okay, since the Yuan brothers have been defeated, Shen Pei should have received the news quickly. Let’s take action. The army will immediately march north to Jizhou.” Liu Wu was not too surprised, because he had not been optimistic about the Yuan brothers from the beginning. This Zhou Yu was not the Zhou Yu who was reduced to a foil for Zhuge Liang in operas.

This is real, Zhou Lang, Zhou Gongjin.

At Liu Wu’s order, Gan Ning immediately became excited. He summoned a full 50,000 troops stationed in Puyang and marched directly towards Yecheng, Jizhou.

This time, even Liu Wu himself went there in person. He wanted to take over the northern province of Jizhou with his own hands.

(End of this chapter)