Caiyang City is located on the east bank of the Xianshui River, nearly ten miles away from the river, and is connected to the Xianshui River through a horizontal canal.
As a result, large ships traveling on the Han River cannot reach Caiyang City directly even if they turn into the Xianshui River. They must either abandon the ship and go ashore, or transfer to a small boat to reach Caiyang City.
The intention to guard against others is indispensable, and the intention to harm others can be present. Li Tai ordered the construction of Caiyang City nominally to provide assistance to Xiangyang nearby, but in fact it was also to monitor and spy, and to carry out some necessary military operations when conditions were ripe.
action.
But after all, Xiangyang is an important town in Jianghan, with a population of more than 100,000 and 200,000 soldiers and civilians gathered in the area. The defense city of Caiyang only has more than 2,000 infantry and cavalry troops stationed there. If you are not careful, it will be completely undefended.
, this sharp knife inserted under Xiangyang's eyelids may become a piece of fat delivered to his mouth in any minute.
Therefore, the location of the city must be some distance away from the main shipping road to ensure that it will not be directly attacked by the navy from the south. Various defenses can be set up along this distance along the river.
In the past year, there have been various construction tasks in Jingzhou, including land reclamation and land reclamation. The manpower has been used to the extreme, and there are not many labor craftsmen coming south to build the new city. Therefore, the construction of Caiyang City mainly relies on local Han barbarian manpower. Xiangyang
Many Ding servants were also organized to come to help and the new city was built.
When Li Tai arrived, Liang Shiyan, Li Quji and other generals were already waiting outside the city. After a brief greeting, they entered the city together.
Li Tai first sent someone to Xiangyang to inform Xiao Jin of his arrival, and then asked about what new changes had occurred in the Handong area recently.
"After Liu Zhongli led his troops to the east, no foreign soldiers came to the counties and counties under his rule to make up for the defense. Only the powerful clans of the state guarded their territory with their tribes. After receiving the order, he arranged for patrolling scouts to go south.
, on the way I saw villagers gathered in various places in Qiaojin..."
Liang Shiyan carefully reported to Li Tai the information about Han Dong that he had recently obtained, and did not miss any details. Finally, he said: "Although there are many officers and soldiers of the Liang people in this situation, they are still on guard. Although their countrymen are
We haven't become an elite army yet, but seeing how strict the order of the countryside is, I'm afraid it's not a good opportunity to join the army now."
After Li Tai heard these situations, he couldn't help but sigh to himself. He had made a lot of noise in the more than a year since he came to Jingzhou, and the impact was not limited to Jingzhou. Needless to say, the Xiangyang area was the first to bear the brunt.
, his reputation and deeds are also spread throughout the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Before Li Tai's arrival, although there were many local tycoons in Suilu's realms, these powerful tribes were mainly engaged in various production activities and rarely conducted military organizations and activities.
But this time Liu Zhongli had just led the troops from the territory to leave, and the powerful tribes took over the defense of the Handong area seamlessly, leaving no loopholes or opportunities for exploitation.
It can also be seen that these local tycoons are also well aware of the principle of "fear of thieves". Although he has not yet taken action, he has already raised the alert level for Jingzhou to the highest level. This feeling of being taken seriously made him
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
However, there is always a thousand days to be a thief, but there is no truth to a thousand days to guard against thieves. After all, these local tycoons in the Handong area are not real military forces. It is nothing to be vigilant and defensive for a while, but it is difficult to persist for a long time.
Perhaps they still imagined that Liu Zhongli, a fierce man from Jianghan, would be able to defeat Hou Jing's rebel army soon after leading his army eastward, and then return to the town. But this idea is undoubtedly a dream, not to mention that Liu Zhongli failed to solve Hou Jing, even in this wave
Once he has solved it, it will be easy for him to leave, but it will be difficult for him to come back.
The drama has just begun, and the impact on the situation in Jianghan is not that big yet. It is normal for the powerful people in Lu to still guard their own affairs.
Li Tai rested in Caiyang Fangcheng that night. Early the next morning, Xiao Jin, the king of Yueyang, rushed over impatiently.
"Hou Jing has crossed the river!"
As soon as they met, the livid-faced Xiao Jin dropped a piece of news that might have been a bombshell to Shi Liu, but Li Tai had already expected it.
Although he was not very surprised in his heart, Li Tai still glared and said: "This can't be done, right? Hou Jing's command can only be defeated by a group of remnants. Even if he can hijack some lawless thugs in Shouyang, he will definitely not be a capable one."
How could the army break through the great river and natural chasm so easily?"
"Alas, the misfortune of the family and the country! If it were not for the repeated connivance of the imperial court, how could the thieves have caused such a catastrophe? Now that I am old and feeble, it is difficult for me to see things properly. The people in charge of the government are only ambitious and talented, jealous of the wise and capable, and the innocent in the household are thieves, leading to
It's really hateful that the jackals from the north of the Yangtze River are entering the house! The river is surging, how could Su Jun have been able to cross the river if it wasn't for the presence of Yu Liang in the court to lure him?"
When King Yueyang said this, he looked indignant again. Listening to his words, it was obvious that all the mistakes were blamed on the prince in the court.
This matter is inherently mysterious and complicated, and it is difficult to say who is specifically responsible. Even those involved are still at a loss. As for those far upstream in Jianghan, who only know about the matter through hearsay, of course they rely on
I feel like I'm guessing. From what King Yueyang said, it can be seen that their brothers have been really unhappy with Prince Xiao Gang for a long time.
However, after listening to his words, Li Tai couldn't help but think about it. How many times did the northern army go southward between the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties? If the last time was Su Jun in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, then it has already been
More than two hundred years ago.
King Yueyang was obviously very angry. After the meeting, he babbled and cursed on this matter for more than a quarter of an hour.
Although he was dissatisfied with many personnel affairs in the Jiankang court, he was still a Liang man after all. The Yangtze River, which was a natural barrier and a dangerous line of defense, was actually crossed by the rebel army as if on an outing. This was a bit of a slap in the face no matter how you put it, and of course he felt resentful.
, of course I couldn’t help but curse those trash in Jiankang City.
After venting for a while, King Yueyang calmed down his emotions slightly, and then said to Li Tai: "It's best for the goods coming from upstream to stop for a while. Even if this chaos is over, there will still be some.
The aftermath continues. I am afraid that the market situation will not improve in a short time, and it may not be safe to store goods in Xiangyang..."
The suspension of trading was nothing, after all, this was not the only trade route that Li Tai relied on. Although sales were rapid and profits were considerable during this period, he had already foreseen the situation in Nanliang, so it was nothing to stop.
But when he heard that Xiao Jin took the initiative to say that the situation in Xiangyang City was not safe enough, he quickly said, "Is there any trouble that is troubling your Majesty? You might as well tell me. If I can help, I will try my best to help!"
"Sigh, there are indeed sorrows, but they are also often involved in the ugliness of the family, which is really unspeakable."
King Yueyang sighed first, and then said: "Boshan, you should know that my family is out of order. Even if my brother is relieved and no longer takes it personally, others may not think so. This time Hou Jing caused chaos. , although he is a clown, he has given some people with ulterior motives the opportunity to gather power!"
At this point, King Yueyang's expression and tone turned evil: "My brother has detained Zhang Zuan in the country for several months, but the imperial court has not yet issued an order revoking Zhang Zuan's appointment. This shows how much he wants to replace me." Jian. But I created the current prosperity of Yong Mansion with my own hands. How can I leave it to the hands of others?
The traitor finally waited for the opportunity. Liu Zhongli came here to quell the chaos and lure away many of the elites of Yong Mansion. These powerful clans have benefited a lot from themselves, but when the time comes and the test comes, they still abandon me and leave! They then eliminated the chaos. In addition to thieves, I am afraid that they also secretly want to support and support them..."
When Li Tai heard this, his mind couldn't help but he couldn't help but thought, brother, are you suffering from some kind of persecution delusion? Liu Zhongli can't even handle the clown you call him, let alone support him. Of course there are supporters, but it’s not this guy’s fault!
However, seeing King Yueyang's brows furrowed and his serious expression on his face, it was obvious that these words were not just said casually, but that he believed in his own judgment and was full of a sense of crisis.
The so-called guilty conscience is probably this situation. From the perspective of Yueyang King Xiao Qing, the current Hou Jing is not a huge threat, but as the prince's confidant Liu Zhongli leads the army to the east, it is quite possible to facilitate A situation he didn't like to see.
Moreover, when Liu Zhongli went east, he also took away many Yongzhou powerful tribes, which intensified the sense of crisis in Xiao Jin's heart. It turned out that the interest alliance he had formed during this period by selling goods from the Western Regions was still incomparable. The Liu family of Shanghedong has accumulated popularity and appeal in Xiangyang for many years.
Regardless of Xiao Jin's psychology, his current suspicious state is undoubtedly beneficial to Li Tai.
So he frowned in sympathy and said: "This kind of situation really has to be guarded against. After all, it is better to be prepared. I wonder what kind of preparations you want to make, Your Majesty?"
After hearing this, King Yueyang turned his head and looked at the city defense hall for a few times, and then said again: "The city defense here is well built and can station more soldiers. I wonder if it is convenient for you, Boshan, to add more soldiers here now." Guard strength?"
After hearing this, Li Tai was about to agree, but his heart suddenly moved, and he changed to a more embarrassed expression and said: "Well, since the king has asked, I will tell you the truth, there are two thousand troops stationed here. It has already reached the limit of current personnel expenses.
Your Majesty, you should know that Prince Izheng of Taiyuan of our country is still trapped in Yingchuan by the bandits from the East. Although he is known for his good defense, after all, there is a huge gap in the strength of the enemy and our troops. I have worked with General Wang for a while, and the town we are now in is also a neighbor. In the middle of the town There is always a need to keep some people in reserve..."
"Oh, yes, I shouldn't bother Boshan with my troubles. I'm really sorry."
King Yueyang also sighed after hearing this, but in Li Tai's view, he seemed to be a little relieved. It seemed that this so-called request was indeed a bit of a test.