In the middle of the night, a valley at the foot of Jinyang Mountain.

As the three and three of them were recuperating back-to-back, a few painful moans could be heard from time to time.

Sun Ce sat on the bluestone slab, his face was very gloomy under the reflection of the bonfire with sparks jumping in front of him, the green tendons between his eyebrows appeared, and his clenched teeth protruded from his jawbone.

"My lord, the count has been counted, and in the battle at dusk, more than 3,800 brothers were broken, and now among the more than 4,600 people in the army, more than 800 were lightly wounded and 209 were seriously wounded." Dong attacked and handed over the report.

Sun Ce didn't speak, but his heart seemed to be hit hard by the hammer.

At this time, he should go to Zhou Yu to discuss countermeasures, but the anger and humiliation in his heart seemed to make the suppressed blood of this little overlord who had suffered more than one defeat churn.

From the beginning of taking refuge in Yuan Shu, to laying down the Jiangdong territory, and even eating the entire Jiaozhou, except for a draw with Tai Shici, it was a complete victory.

He didn't understand why he always lost every time he met Lu Jun.

What made him feel even more humiliated was that listening to the soldiers, Zhao Yun didn't seem to appear on the battlefield, but the Sun family's mortal enemies were slashing and killing.

It's forbidden.

When he first learned that Sun Quan died at the hands of this Cao army's general, he secretly swore in his heart that one day when they met on the battlefield, he would definitely cut off his head to commemorate his younger brother.

But he also knows that such an opportunity is estimated to be rare.

After all, Yu Ban is just a general, and he doesn't have too dazzling performance, so I'm afraid it will be difficult to have a chance to appear on the battlefield rescued by the Lu army.

Who would have thought that today he was so close to Yu Ban and didn't know it, but let him chase and kill all the way, shame.

It was not only the little overlord who felt ashamed, but also the young man sitting on the other side of the bonfire, Ling Tong.

His eyes were glazed and his expression was depressed, and even the report of the battle damage failed to stir his mind.

Because his father-killing enemy Xu Sheng also appeared on the battlefield.

Even, he and Sun Ce wanted to go together, and felt that Xu Sheng was such a good thing, I was afraid that it would be difficult to have the opportunity to meet him, but as long as he let himself meet, even if he was desperate, he would avenge his dead father.

But at that time, everyone was withdrawing, and there was no chance to go to Xu Sheng to fight, and it was only when they were resting in this valley that they learned that Xu Sheng was coming from the mouths of the soldiers.

Hate.

After sighing heavily, Sun Ce clapped his hands on his knees and stood up and walked into the distance.

"Gong Jin, what do you think?" Zhou Yu, who was leaning against an old locust tree, had pale lips and a tired expression, and his right arm was simply bandaged, and the bright red marks were revealed.

"My lord, I'm fine."

Zhou Yu endured the pain and wanted to help him up, Sun Ce hurriedly squatted down to signal that he didn't have to get up, and sighed: "After the count, more than half of the soldiers have been killed or wounded. ”

Hearing this, I don't know if it was a torn wound or a distressed tightening, Zhou Yu subconsciously touched the wound and frowned.

Today's movement, the result of more than 4,000 casualties Zhou Yu of course had foreseen it in his heart, but after hearing this number, he still felt shocked, and only a sentence from Zuo's Spring and Autumn Period came to mind.

One general is incompetent, and the three armies are exhausted.

His design in Bo County can be said to be completely tailor-made for Zhao Yun, and the possibility that he will not go to Bo County to go to Lujiang is incomprehensible enough, but in the end, it appeared on Jinyang Mountain, and Zhou Yu still can't understand how Zhao Yun can see through his deployment so easily.

Let the cavalry dismount and become infantry, which is equivalent to sacrificing strengths and weaknesses, and it is unreasonable to look at it.

But it was the most unreasonable choice, but it was the only way to counter the massive amount of thistle terrestris he had prepared.

This incident hit Zhou Yu very hard.

After the Battle of Guangling, he began to ponder Lin Mo, imagining that one day he would collide with him in wisdom and spark a shocking spark, and finally he might have a chance to achieve a thousand years of hegemony.

It's a pity, I didn't even see Lin Mo's shadow and lost to Zhao Yun, who was a martial artist.

For Zhou Yu, this was almost a humiliating defeat.

"Evacuate at dusk, if it weren't for Ziming and their passage covered with thistles, I'm afraid that the army would not have a chance to evacuate at all, and it can be regarded as saving us." Seeing Zhou Yu falling into grief, Sun Ce added such a sentence, which can be regarded as comfort.

Of course, this is also true.

Relying on the poor vision of the dark sky, the thistle left by the Jiangdong sergeant still stabbed some of the Lu army, and also won them a chance to leave the battlefield.

"This defeat, the blame is all on me," Zhou Yu, whose eyes were moist, choked up.

"What to do next?" Sun Ce's words changed.

Zhou Yu slowly raised his head and looked directly at his father-in-law, his mouth opened but he had no words, and only after a few moments of hesitation did he squeeze out a sentence, "Lord, go back to Jiangdong." ”

"We've been preparing for so long, we've been fighting for months, we've lost so many soldiers and horses, and we're just withdrawing?" Sun Ce couldn't believe his ears.

"My lord."

Zhou Yu took a deep breath, the corners of his mouth were about to be bitten and bloody, and said in a deep voice: "I set up Bo County to besiege and kill, one is to cut off the most powerful cavalry of the Lu army, and the other is to deter the Huainan family so that they can settle down."

This defeat is that there is still the power of a battle, but the disparity between the enemy and us is getting bigger and bigger, there must be someone in that group of families who can't sit still, we have the risk of civil strife when we enter the city, but if we don't enter the city with the village, how can we stop the Lu army with a horse, that is thirty or forty thousand people, twice as much as our army, and there is no danger to defend"

The battle of Jinyang Mountain seemed to be a small defeat, but the chain reaction caused was enough to plunge Jiangdong into a place of no return.

The few hundred cavalry they only had were snatched from Yan Liangwen Chou, and if they didn't have enough cavalry, not only would they suffer losses in the wilderness battle, but even their choice of tactics would be restricted.

The only chance is to settle in Jiancheng, and even prepare to be besieged, just to buy enough time for Cao Cao.

But now, I'm afraid that the group of families won't let Sun Ce play the stubborn defense of the wall.

Sun Ce stood up suddenly, his eyes full of suspicion, and slowly shook his head and retreated.

"No, you can't go back, you can't! You know how much scheming we have to endure when we step into Huainan, not only land battles, but also water battles, and it was not easy to gain a firm foothold, this time to retreat, it will be difficult to cross the river next time! "Jiangdong doesn't have such a deep heritage, nor does it have so many official positions to feed the four major family forces that eat people and don't spit out bones.

As for Jiaozhou, although it is in the rising stage of development, the overall barren appearance has not changed.

Preparing for such a large-scale battle can be said to have exhausted the strength of the two states, plus the children of Jiangdong who died in battle, Sun Ce will not accept this result no matter what.

"Do you still remember how you comforted me when I was defeated by Lu Bu, why did you lose for a while but you had the intention of fighting!" Sun Ce was still out of control after all, his eyes were devouring, and his body was trembling because of anger.

"My lord."

Zhou Yu supported the old locust tree with his left hand and got up with difficulty, "It's not that I'm cowardly, at this time and that time, the grain and grass in the wilderness are not enough, that is, the Lu army will not attack the village and directly bypass us to conquer Wankou, once this ferry is lost, we will have no way out!" ”

Sun Ce staggered two steps, the anger in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by a kind of helplessness and unwillingness.

Yes, the food and grass for the army are not enough to last for a few months, and they must enter the city to replenish them.

Didn't the original design of the siege of Boxian County also be able to defend the city?

Grain and grass, Wankou ferry. These are their own fatal wounds.

If he can gain a foothold in the city, it is no problem to give up this ferry for the time being, because he only needs to drag on for a few months, and Cao Cao will definitely take action.

But the problem is that you can't prevent the group of families in the city, unless you can kill everyone, obviously, Sun Ce, who has suffered in front of the family, knows that this kind of arrogant approach will not work.

He didn't speak, leaving Zhou Yu with a lonely back and leaving slowly.

In the end, he listened to Zhou Yu's words and withdrew the army.

Cheng Pu of Shucheng sounded unwilling, but felt that this was the only way.

When the army was tidying up, in the south gate, a man riding a donkey followed by a group of guards slowly entered the city.

Qiao Gong arrived.

"You say, are you willing to support me?"

After Sun Ce sneered, his eyes glanced at Qiao Gong like a blade, "When our army was in its prime, Qiao Gong still refused to fight for thousands of miles, but now that he is defeated, he is showing goodwill, do you think that the overlord gun in my hand is unfavorable?" ”

"This time and that time." Qiao Gong laughed calmly.

Sun Ce is really moved to kill, Shi can not be humiliated, you came here to deceive a three-year-old child can't deceive, isn't this humiliating yourself?

But seeing that Qiao Gong still had something to say, he just couldn't help but stare at the former.

"I wonder if Wu Hou has ever heard of something?"

Sun Ce glanced at him, noncommittal, Qiao Gong continued: "Lin Mo ordered Chen Gong to pretend to be the assassin of Yangzhou and supervise the officials of the three counties. ”

"So what?"

Qiao Gong smiled bitterly: "This shows that the Marquis of Lanling has never trusted our group of Huainan family members at all. Wu Hou can know that in recent years, our Huainan scholars and Xuzhou scholars have been fighting more and more, and there is Chen Deng first, who used Anfeng's post to suppress Huainan scholars; Later, Lu Su did not save Lujiang and Jiujiang when they saw death. ”

Sun Ce had indeed heard of these things.

At that time, he also felt that Lu Su did not save Lu Jiang when he saw death, just because he was afraid that he would be ambushed halfway, but he forgot about the battle between their scholars.

The literati are light, and often when the flames of war between these scholars are burning, they are more difficult to defend against than swords, guns, swords, and halberds.

"For this reason, Huainan Shizi Tui Ziyang went to Pengcheng to ask for an explanation, not to mention anything else, but let our own people be the masters in these three counties, at least there will not be this situation of watching the fire from the other side."

Qiao Gong's words penetrated into the inside, so that Sun Ce couldn't help but nod.

"What did the Marquis of Lanling do, demoting Lu Su to the counselor of Pengcheng Mansion, but he was in charge of Pengcheng Mansion's government affairs, what is this? Do you want to show us? Not only that, but also asked Chen Gong to come to the three counties to fake Yangzhou to assassinate the history of the supervision officials. ”

Qiao Gong smiled contemptuously: "It's a pity that we have worked hard to govern the three counties over the years, but the Marquis of Lanling has never trusted us, even people like Zhenrong can serve as the assassin of Qingzhou, but we Huainan scholars have to be controlled everywhere."

Wu Hou governed Jiangdong, and entrusted the people of the four major families of Gu, Lu, Zhu and Zhang with important tasks, which shows that he is broad-minded, and the old decay is also recommended by everyone, and he came to Wu Hou to express his attitude, hoping that Wu Hou can lead his troops to garrison Lujiang, no matter what, we are all Yangzhou people. ”

Qiao Gong's preface and afterwords are reasonable and there is no contradiction, and his previous concessions to the four major families have now become a flaunting effect, and it is really not completely impossible for this group of people to be moved.

Judging from the current local officials of the Lu Lin Group, it is indeed the Xuzhou scholars who are reused, and it is not only Huainan that is dissatisfied with this, but also the northern side, and these Sun Ce also know.

Could this really be my chance to turn the tide of battle?

Sun Ce needed a fortified city too much, if the Huainan family really entrusted Qiao Gong to come, then the delaying tactics of implementing a strong wall and clearing the wilderness in the entire Lujiang River would be completely feasible!

"The younger generation is a little rude, I hope Gong Qiao will forgive me."

Sun Ce apologized, paused, and said tentatively: "Of course I am willing to be stationed, but the soldiers have already returned to their hearts, and there is a lot of inconvenience in the transportation of grain and grass, so this is the case."

Before Sun Ce finished speaking, Gong Qiao had already raised his outstretched right palm, "The Huainan family is willing to provide Wu Hou with 50,000 stone grain and grass to help Wu Hou retreat from the enemy." ”

Hearing this, Sun Ce's eyes flashed with essence, he was really inhumane, 50,000 stone grain and grass, more than his own army grain and grass, plus the grain and grass of the headquarters, not to mention a few months, half a year can be boiled casually.

"However, it is clear that these grains and grasses have nothing to do with the old decay and the people of other families."

"Understood." Sun Ce smiled knowingly, that is to say, this group of people did not dare to oppose Lu Lin openly.

As for these grains and grasses, if they are willing to send them, there will always be various ways to cut off the relationship with themselves.

This is the usual routine of the family, betting, and not studing.

After making meritorious contributions, he also has the confidence to look back and ask for official positions.

Sun Ce, who boasted of mastering the thoughts of Huainan Shizi, felt that this was the opportunity for a reversal sent by God, and immediately got up and gave his hand, "Thank you Gong Qiao, I will send someone to prepare a banquet for Gong Qiao." ”

With that, he left the hall with a smile.

Qiao Gong sipped his tea and frowned, slandering in his heart: The old man pulled down his face and said against his heart, but how could he not agree with the reaction in Yunwen's letter.

After Sun Ce left the hall, he ran to share the good news with Zhou Yu as soon as possible, but the latter smiled disdainfully when he heard it, "Bo Fu, we are now at the end of the crossbow, how can this group of scholars in Huainan take the initiative to help, I am worried that it was arranged by Lin Mo, and he wants to eat us all in Lujiang." ”

"I was the same as you thought at first." Sun Ce smiled and retold the conversation between the two.

From the open and secret rivalry between Xuzhou scholars and Huainan scholars, to the deliberate suppression of Chen Deng and Lu Su, and finally the pressure of Chen Gong, who has lived in Xuzhou for a long time, all kinds of signs show that this group of Huainan scholars did have different intentions for Lin Mo.

Moreover, they are not studs, they just bet secretly, and they want to replicate the treatment of the four major families.

At this time, Zhou Yu was also a little uncertain.

He is not as convinced as Sun Ce, but he savored it and felt that all this was reasonable.

Lin Mo didn't start suppressing Huainan Shizi in the early years in order to set up a bureau.

The problem is that the price of choosing to believe is too great, and if you are not careful, Jiangdong will even bury the lord in Lujiang.

After thinking about it, Zhou Yu, who was leaning on the couch with his back, said in a deep voice: "Bo Fu, Huainan Shizi's attitude is not enough for us to stay, unless, the Qiao family is the guarantor." ”

"How do I guarantee it?" Sun Cehu said suspiciously.

After Zhou Yu listened to it, Sun Ce nodded with satisfaction, and finally laughed heartily, "I'll go now." ”

Walking to the door, he turned his head to look at Zhou Yu again, "What if he really agreed?" ”

Zhou Yu frowned, pondered for a moment and said: "If you really agree, it proves that this matter is credible, but it should not be publicized, the Qiao family and Liu Ye may be used." ”

Sun Ce's eyes turned, and he knew Zhou Yu's abacus at the moment, so he turned around and left.

At the reception banquet, in order to show the grandeur, not only Sun Ce, but also veterans Cheng Pu and Han Dang were present.

After three rounds of drinking, Sun Ce asked quietly: "I have heard that Gong Qiao has two daughters who are famous all over the world, but unfortunately I have been friends with Gong Jin for a long time, I don't know what happened to Gong Qiao last time?" ”

Qiao Gong's heart trembled, and he still asked in the end, Yunwen didn't even expect this, and it was not in vain that he made sacrifices for the great cause of this son-in-law.

"Haha, don't hide it from Wu Hou, the little girl also yearns for Wu Hou and Zhou Lang, and this time she wants to come together."

Gong Qiao nodded with a relieved look and said: "Marquis Wu is willing to accomplish this, that is, to invite someone to choose a good day and an auspicious day, and embark on the marquis's marriage ceremony, so as to achieve a good conversation."

Oh yes, taking advantage of this time to come to Shucheng, I will come to the door to inform the several major families along the way. ”

Hearing Qiao Gong's promise so happily, Sun Ce no longer had any doubts in his heart.

Once married, the two parties are equivalent to tying their interests together, and with the prestige of the Qiao family, unless they want to discredit the entire family, they don't dare to laugh at it.

"No hurry, no hurry."

Sun Ce breathed a long sigh of relief, the boulder in his heart fell to the ground, and he sneered: "Gong Qiao, I think this matter should not be silent for the time being." ”

"Why?"

"I heard that Liu Ye and Liu Ziyang are close friends with Qiao Gong, but I don't know him"

Without waiting for Sun Ce to finish speaking, Qiao Gong directly waved his hand and said firmly: "Wu Hou rest assured, Ziyang is from Huainan and is in the same breath as us." ”

"Good!"

Sun Ce took the case, "Gong Qiao, Liu Ziyang is in Changfeng City, maybe he will follow Lin Mo on the expedition, if I can contact him, I may be able to help me."

But once my marriage with Da Qiao is made public, Lin Mo's cunning will definitely be wary of Liu Ziyang.

So."

Sun Ce looked at Gong Qiao and smiled knowingly, "I hope that after retreating from the Lu army, I will announce this matter." ”

Qiao Gong lowered his head in embarrassment, twisted his beard and slandered, it was really exactly the same as what Yunwen said, my virtuous son-in-law is really unparalleled.

Ever since Liu Ye brought the news to Qiao Gong, he began to have the same pride in Lin Mo as Lu Bu.

Of course, because of this, Qiao Gong is willing to put down his body and enter the game with his body.

After all, in his opinion, what he is doing now is no longer to serve the princes of one side, but to promote the hegemony of his own family, and for this, it is worth making some sacrifices.

No one knows what the final effect will be, but at this point, Sun Ce's reaction was calculated by Lin Mo, and this feeling made Qiao Gong, who lived in a simple place, feel the joy of playing with the situation.

"Well, for the sake of me, the future virtuous son-in-law, the old man will go against his will once."

"Thank you, Lord Yue!" Sun Ce was overjoyed.

Qiao Gong smiled and waved his hand, I'm sorry, I didn't mean you.

However, Qiao Gong felt that Lin Mo's design was very good, and there were only three people in Jiangdong present today, and it would not be a big problem to go back on his word in the future, and he could not discredit the reputation of the Qiao family.

It's a win-win.

After Qiao Gong left, Sun Ce returned to Zhou Yu's room again.

But Zhou Yu did not completely relieve his doubts as Sun Ce thought, and seemed to have uneasiness in his heart.

"Aren't you worried?"

"The stakes are too big, we're betting on Jiangdong's future, Bo Fu, I want to try him again." Zhou Yu looked at Sun Ce with a somewhat cramped expression.

"How do you want to try?" Sun Ce frowned and asked.

"I'll do this myself, you don't have to worry."

Sun Ce nodded, "Okay, but quickly, Lin Mo should already be on the way, in addition, if it is determined to stay, we must withdraw the warship, as you said, Lin Mo will definitely attack Wankou, as for the sailor, I want to mobilize some people to Shucheng to garrison, what do you think?" ”

"If it is confirmed that Qiao Gong is credible, then the warships in Wankou should indeed be withdrawn." Zhou Yu said.

"Okay, you can rest first, there will be a fierce battle to be fought next."

After walking out of Zhou Yu's room, Sun Ce felt that his mood was unprecedentedly happy.

With the support of the Huainan family, you can rest assured and boldly stay in the city.

It doesn't take much, if it drags on for a few months, Cao Cao's army will inevitably retreat until Lin Mo is killed, and when the time comes, he will take back Jiujiang and Anfeng in one go, and he can even reach out to Xuzhou.

The hegemony that belongs to Koto Koro has begun.

(End of chapter)