In Penglai Island, not far from Hantan.

Countless men were shirtless, wielding shovels to dig canals.

Yuan Xu stood aside and instructed another group of men to cut down trees.

Trees were cut down from the forests around the inner city, and countless men carried the thick trunks to the edge of the pool.

In addition, there are stonemasons who are carving the stones and making them into troughs.

Together with Yuan Xu, he commanded the construction of the canal in Tanben and said: "The canal is built, and Penglai can be done once and for all." It's just rice seeds, and Dong Gong has to go out to buy them. Cao's army besieged Penglai, and I am afraid that it will not be possible to get it in a short time. ”

"It's autumn, and it's not the season for rice planting." Yuan Xu said: "Plant wheat first, and as for rice, we will wait until next year to make plans!" ”

Rice is abundant in the south, and millet is mainly cultivated in the Central Plains.

Millet is not produced much, and it is only cultivated because of the lack of rainfall in the Central Plains, unlike rice, which requires a lot of water.

To grow rice in Penglai, there must be an adequate water supply.

Yuan Xu dug a canal and built a waterwheel for this purpose.

"Childe!" A man ran over with a wooden stick, and when Yuan Xu approached, he asked, "What size of the notch must be opened?" ”

Taking the wooden stick and comparing the size, Yuan Xu said: "The wooden waterwheel is not as good as the bamboo, and the notch will decay over time, so it should be opened in a few more places." ”

The man answered, took back the stick, and ran away.

"Childe had a wonderful idea and actually drew a waterwheel pattern." Looking at the men who were working in full swing, he said frustratedly: "If the waterwheel is really available, before Dong Gong opens up overseas trade routes, Gongzi can recruit a wide range of people. ”

"How easy is it to recruit people?" Yuan Xu said: "There is an overpopulation. The human heart is also chaotic. How do we know that there is no secret communication with Cao Cao? ”

"Penglai is just a small land." "If there is a secret pass, it will be difficult to hide the traces!" ”

Yuan Xu presided over the excavation of a canal in Penglai. Liu Bei, who was far away in Xinye, was not idle at this time.

Liu Biao allocated troops and horses. Allow him to crusade against Cao Cao.

How could Liu Bei be delayed?

In the Xinye Chamber, Liu Bei convened everyone to discuss how to march.

Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu are both in the hall.

Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and a number of generals under Liu Bei are also waiting for dispatch.

"Everyone!" Looking around at everyone, Liu Bei said: "Cao Cao sent troops to Penglai to besiege Yuan Xianxin. A certain and Xianxin have always had an old friendship, and they must be saved when they are in danger. Jingsheng Gong transferred 10,000 troops to help a certain crusade against Cao Cao. Dare to ask the dukes, how should they send troops? ”

"Envoy!" Xu Shu arched his hand and said: "Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao in Guandu. Later, he fought in Cangting to stabilize the situation. The Yuan family in Hebei is not what it used to be, but Cao Cao is in full swing. besieged the Penglai Cao army, more than 20,000, and was in a warship. Go to Penglai to help, don't say that our army is short of soldiers and horses, even if it is not far from the enemy, the warship will not be able to raise! ”

"What's the matter with Yuan Zhi?" Liu Bei asked.

"Soldiers out of Xuchang!" Xu Shu said: "Our army is advancing to Xuchang, and Cao Cao will transfer troops and horses from elsewhere. At that time, you can besiege the city and send reinforcements, and annihilate the enemy who gallops to help! Our army attacked Xuchang. Or you can solve the siege of Penglai! ”

"No!" Liu Bei hadn't spoken yet, Zhao Yun had already said: "Penglai and Xuchang are far apart. Cao Cao has a large number of soldiers and horses, so why do you need to transfer troops from there? As Xu Gong said, it may be possible to relieve the siege of Penglai. I'm afraid it's hard to solve! ”

When Zhao Yun spoke. Zhuge Liang glanced at him.

His gaze did not linger on his face, and Zhuge Liang quickly looked away.

"Zilong has a point!" Liu Bei said: "Is there a way to help Penglai?" ”

Xu Shu said: "Make Jun Mingjian, Penglai Cao's army is powerful. And at sea. Our army went to the rescue, not to mention that it was difficult to succeed. Or there is a worry of total annihilation! ”

Looking at Zhao Yun, Liu Bei asked, "Zilong has a way?" ”

Just because Penglai was surrounded. Zhao Yun was worried in his heart, and he couldn't hold back for a while before he spoke.

When the words came out, he was full of remorse.

Liu Bei asked him, and he had to say: "The last general will not investigate, and I hope that the king will not be blamed!" ”

Twisting the beard on his chin, Liu Bei frowned, as if it was very difficult to decide.

"Envoy!" Xu Shu said: "Our army attacked Xuchang, although there is no certainty of victory. If the battle can be successful, don't say that Penglai's predicament will be solved, even if Cao Cao's head is still available! ”

"Yuan Xianxin was besieged by Cao's army, and he didn't go to help, but attacked Xuchang......" Liu Bei said: "Spread it, isn't it the truth of the unrighteous people in the world?" ”

Zhuge Liang never spoke.

He just watched the crowd's looks.

Zhao Yun was a little uneasy, and Zhang Fei was full of anticipation.

As for Guan Yu, he squinted his Danfeng eyes slightly, looking like the world's major events had nothing to do with him.

"Kong Ming!" Looking at Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei asked, "What do you think it should be?" ”

"What Yuan Zhi said is not bad." Zhuge Liang said: "Cao's army is strong, and it is difficult for our army to attack Xuchang. However, Xuchang was attacked, and Cao's generals were disorganized. Cao Cao had to dispatch troops and send generals, not to say, only to talk about grain and grass, and it was not easy to raise them in various places. If there is a war in Xuchang, the supply of food and grass for the Penglai Cao army will be insufficient. With Yuan Xianxin's ability, how could he not grasp the perfect opportunity to repel Cao's army? ”

"Kong Ming's words are in line with a certain heart!" Liu Bei got up and said, "A certain intention has been decided. Yuan Zhi stayed in Xinye, Kong Ming was the military advisor, and he followed a certain crusade against Cao Cao! Yun Chang, Yide, Zilong and others went out with the army! ”

Liu Bei is about to send troops to the Northern Expedition.

In Xiangyang City, Liu Biao sat in the study in the back garden, playing with the jade bowl.

The jade bowl is crystal clear, and you can see that it is an excellent jade just by looking at the luster.

"Lord!" A guard came to Liu Biao's side, saluted and said, "Gong Cai asks to see him." ”

Xu Shu went to Xiangyang and borrowed troops from Liu Biao in the name of conquering Cao Cao.

Most of the staff in Jingzhou agreed, but the group led by Cai Mao strongly opposed the loan of soldiers and horses to Liu Bei.

Knowing that Cai Mao was here or because of Liu Bei, Liu Biao was suddenly unhappy: "Please let him in and talk!" “

The guards left, and Liu Biao put the jade bowl aside.

But after a while, Cai Mao hurriedly arrived.

"I've seen the lord!" After a salute, Cai Mao stood aside with her hands down.

"What is Dejun doing here?" Liu Biao asked.

"Jiangxia Huangzu sent someone to report, and Cao Cao sent a messenger to Jiangdong." Cai Mao said: "The lord sent Liu Xuande to attack Xuchang, if Sun Quan and Cao Cao join forces......"

"Cao Cao's envoy went to Jiangdong, what happened?" Liu Biao asked.

"Not yet known!" Cai Mao said: "Thinking about this matter, I always feel that it is inappropriate for the lord to crusade against Cao Cao at this time. ”

"Why?"

"Jiangdong Sun Quan has not been in charge for a long time, and the foundation is not yet secure. If Cao Cao had the intention to solicit, he should not refuse. Cai Mao said: "Liu Xuande attacked Cao Cao, Xu Du ordered Sun Quan to send troops to Jingzhou, I am afraid that Jingzhou will be in war, and I hope that the lord will think twice!" (To be continued.) )