When Jiao Zhongqing introduced the situation in Danyang, he mentioned several famous bandits in Danyang, including Zu Lang. Sun Ce is no stranger to the name Zu Lang, he and Zu Lang have intersected in history, and more than once. Before getting Sun Jian's old department, he went to Danyang to recruit troops and got hundreds of people, but he was attacked by Zu Lang, and he was cut into the saddle by Zu Lang and almost died. Later, the conquest of Jing County and the battle with Zulang were also extremely dangerous. Zu Lang later submitted to Sun Ce, and after Sun Ce's death, he disappeared from the history books, and I don't know whether he died of illness or war, in short, there is no record.

In the process of Sun Ce's conquest of Jiangdong, Zu Lang should be within the top three, even if he is not the one who gives him the most headaches, and he has been the enemy for the longest time, almost from his debut until shortly before his assassination.

Chen Duan said that Zu Lang might be the reinforcement that Zhou Xin expected, and Sun Ce felt that there was some truth. Compared with the reinforcements of Wu Jun and Yu Zhang, Zu Lang was the closest. Compared with Wu Jun's Taishou Xu Gong and Yuzhang's Taishou Zhoushu, Zu Lang's own combat effectiveness is also stronger, and he needs to be treated with care. If he can't quickly conquer Ishijo and Ushinagi, when Zuro arrives, he will face the danger of being attacked on his back.

Guo Jia disagreed. In terms of distance and combat power, Zu Lang is of course a threat, but why did Zu Lang fight for Zhou Xin? Moreover, the reason why the bandits are difficult to calm down is because they live deep in the mountains. Out of the mountains, they will have a psychological sense of insecurity. If it is not necessary, they will not leave their familiar environment, let alone march two or three hundred miles to save Zhou Xin and fight with Sun Ce.

Who is Zhou Xin? Party people. Even if there is contact between him and Zulang, the friendship will not be good enough for Zulang to risk his life. Zu Lang may come, but he will never do it for Zhou Xin, but want to take advantage of the fire to rob. This is not a bad thing, sooner or later the bandits will have to be pacified, instead of going to the mountains to conquer, it is better to lure them out and fight on the battlefield of their choice. Zhou Xin was too weak to deter Jiangdong, and Zu Lang was more suitable as Sun Ce's first opponent in Jiangdong.

Sun Ce looked at the others. "What do you guys think?"

Chen Duan said: "Guo Saijiu is reasonable. It's just that in this case, we have to be careful with our planning. If you make a mistake, you may be self-defeating and suffer from the enemy. I suggest taking Niu Nagi and Shicheng before that. ”

Guo Jia shook his head. "No, I can't. Doing so will not only risk scaring Zu Lang away, but will also cause unnecessary burdens to our army. The newly surrendered pawn cannot be of great use, in case of mutiny, and Zu Lang join forces, even if our army is undefeated, it will be difficult to win, but it is not beautiful. Zhou Xin is a scholar and doesn't know how to use soldiers, and a thousand people are enough to trap him on Niu Zhuji. There are only 2,000 people in Shicheng, and the dragons are leaderless, so there is no need to worry. If they attack them now, they will pin their hopes on reinforcements and will definitely hold on, and our army will most likely be in vain and lose its spirit. Defeating Zu Lang first cut off their hopes, and then taking Shicheng and Niu Zhuji is as easy as a snap. ”

Chen Duan was silent, and Pang Tong didn't speak, but it could be seen from his expression that he supported Guo Jia's suggestion.

Sun Ce stared at the map for a long time. Guo Jia's suggestion is to besiege the city and send reinforcements, if it can be successful, this is of course a good thing, but it is also a hidden danger to let Niu Zhuji and Shicheng not attack. Especially Niu Zhuji, there are five or six thousand people on it, once Zhou Xin is impulsive and wants to fight Zu Lang back and forth, even if Li Shu's department can block it, the losses will be very heavy.

The bigger trouble is, how many people will Zulang bring here? He and Cheng Pu have a combined army, but there are only more than 10,000 people, if Zu Lang has a lot of troops, a miserable victory will also affect morale, but it is better to attack Shicheng first, at least there will be a garrison at that time.

Thinking about it, Sun Ce suddenly remembered a voice in his heart: Defend the city, who will save you? Zhou Yu wants to attack Jiangnan, and his father Sun Jian wants to defend Yuzhou, but they can't be easily mobilized. Besides, if a single marshal of Jing County can't be defeated, what can we talk about conquering the entire Jiangnan. Guo Jia's plan seems risky, but when you think about it, it makes sense and hits the nail on the head. There are certainly risks, but what is there that is not risky when fighting on the march?

"Send multiple scouts, choose the right battlefield, and attack Zulang first. Within ten days, Zulang will not come, and it will not be too late to attack Shicheng and Niuzhuji again. Sun Ce said to Pang Tong and Chen Duan: "Make a plan according to this, and be as careful as possible." The baggage battalion hurried to build siege equipment and prepare for the siege. ”

"Whoa." Chen Duan bowed down to receive the order.

——

In the evening, Cheng Pu crossed the river and received Sun Ce's latest order to camp on the spot. He had the map drawn by Jiao Zhongqing in his hand, and he had a guide by his side, so he knew where to camp properly, but it didn't take much effort. When the moon rises at the beginning of tomorrow, the camp is ready, and the soldiers are stationed in the camp, each performing his duties in an orderly manner.

Early the next morning, Cheng Pu asked his son Cheng Zhi and deputy general Li Heng to guard the camp, and he rushed to Niuzhu Mountain with his personal guards to meet Sun Ce.

Sun Ce was very surprised, Cheng Pu and others didn't read much, and they were somewhat repulsed by readers, and now they could take the initiative to make this request, which was really beyond his expectations. But he welcomed this, Cheng Pu is a veteran of Sun Jian's subordinates, he is quite loyal and calm, and he is a person who can take charge of himself. After consulting Guo Jia and Chen Duan, he arranged for Chen Duan to assist Cheng Pu, take charge of the clerical work, and counsellor the military aircraft.

Cheng Pu was grateful, took Chen Duan back to the camp, invited Chen Duan to take a seat, and gave a very polite salute. Chen Duan didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly avoided the table and returned the courtesy.

"Cheng Gong, by all means, I can't afford it."

Cheng Pu laughed and gently pressed Chen Duan's shoulder. "I'm a martial artist, and I only knew how to charge into battle before, but I didn't know what to use soldiers. Last time, with the general Zhengdong to take the Lujiang River, the stalemate, we were helpless, Qin Wen expressed his thoughts, and gave advice to the general Zhengdong, and the Lujiang River responded to the call. I've got a feeling. This time he went to battle with the rebellious general, and he had the map drawn by Jiao Zhongqing in hand, although it was the first time he went to Danyang, it was like returning home. The general responds to the situation on the spot, and the command is like a god, I am dizzy, and there is no scholar to help me with the staff, I am afraid that I will not be able to keep up with the general's train of thought. Now that Zizheng is here, I don't have to worry about it. ”

Chen Duan was also very excited. He knew Cheng Pu's position in Sun Jian's old department, and being able to counsel Cheng Pu for the military aircraft was Sun Ce's trust in him. He came to Sun Ce with Qin Song, Qin Song is now assisting Sun Jian, and he can't lag too far behind. "Cheng Gong is polite, since I was ordered to help Cheng Gong, I will naturally go all out."

"Thank you, Zizheng." Cheng Pu said with a smile: "In addition to Zuozan's military aircraft, Pu also has a reluctant request, and his hope is being fulfilled." ”

"Cheng Gong, please speak."

"Most of the generals in my battalion are rude and uneducated, they only know how to use brute force, and they have no knowledge. Inuko has been fighting with me since he was a child, and he has no time to study. I would like to ask Zizheng to take some time to teach them to read, understand some stories, and understand a little bit of the principles of life and work, so that they can make fewer mistakes in the future and serve the generals better. ”

Chen Duanzheng was in the middle of his arms and agreed.