In the misty mist and rain, the Jingzhou Army's team looked like a giant dragon, winding southward along the east bank of the Xiang River.
The carriage made a rumble of wheels and was moving hard on the muddy road. Kuai Yue sat in the carriage, feeling distracted by the jolts.
Jingnan is no better than Jiangbei, and has always had more rain and less sunshine. June is the flood season, and it rains almost every day, which causes great inconvenience to the march.
Kuai Yue always believed that August and September were the best time to send troops. Not only could he harvest rice from Changsha counties for military supplies, but he could also avoid the heavy rain season.
Unfortunately, Liu Biao was eager to pacify Jingnan, while Cai Mao advocated sending troops as soon as possible out of personal grudges. Kuai Yue could not do anything alone. No matter how reluctant he was, he could only compromise.
The curtain of the carriage suddenly opened wide. With the wind and rain, Kuai Qi got into the carriage. He took off his bamboo hat and raincoat and said, "Sir, we will arrive at Hengshan Township before dark today. Once we pass Hengshan Township,
Lingxian County is not far away, it can be reached in three days. But..."
"But what?" asked Kuai Yue.
Kuai Qi said: "According to the report from the Tanqi, not only is there no one in the town of Hengshan, but all the houses in the town have been destroyed."
Kuai Yue nodded, not too surprised. Liu Jing also did this in Liling, but not as thoroughly as in Hengshan Township. He said: "It seems that Liu Zhongda is ready to fight our army for a long time."
Kuai Qi frowned and said: "The key to this battle lies in the infantry and more importantly the navy. If Commander Cai can defeat Liu Zhongda's navy, we can advance and retreat freely. On the contrary..."
This is what Kuai Yue is worried about. Compared with the infantry under his command, he does not have so much confidence in Cai Mao's navy.
According to Cai Mao's description, Liu Jing's warship was equipped with a large-scale war tool, like a stone-throwing cart, which fired stones at close range and destroyed those who were killed. The front of the Jingzhou Navy was destroyed here.
Unfortunately, Cai Mao had only seen the actual weapon from a distance, and the naval officers who had fought with it could only describe the general principle, so it was difficult for the Jingzhou Army to imitate this weapon.
Of course, Cai Mao was not idle this year. He made Changqi wood based on the principles of the opponent's weapons as a countermeasure.
Qi means bifurcation, and Changqi wood is a long wooden pole with a fork at the top. It is installed on the bow of a ship and is used to block the opponent's boulder attack. Since there has not been a fight yet, the specific effect is unknown, but it is better than nothing.
After all, the previous battle was a disastrous defeat. The front of the navy was almost completely wiped out. Thousands of people were killed, and the soldiers were all greatly frightened.
Therefore, what Kuai Yue asked of Cai Mao was to use the numerical advantage of one's own warships to suppress the opponent's navy, without necessarily seeking to defeat the opponent.
However, Cai Mao may not get what he wants. He is now full of thoughts of revenge.
Cai Mao was not a stupid person. On the contrary, he had outstanding intelligence, otherwise he would not have served as Liu Biao's general Zhennan military advisor. However, he was born into a wealthy family, had a proud temperament, and had few setbacks in his life. As a result, he always felt that he was defeated at the hands of Liu Jing.
Worrying about it.
Perhaps only by defeating Liu Jing and avenging his past humiliation can he completely let go of his obsession.
"Alas..." Kuai Yue sighed deeply in his heart and said, "I hope Military Advisor Cai can realize his shame and then be brave..."
…………
At the rear of the Jingzhou Army, Ou Xiong was riding a green horse, urging the troops to march. The bursts of pain in his right shoulder made him anxious.
At that time, he was arrested by the city officials because he was a distinguished guest from Jiaozhou. He felt that he had lost face. In a rage, he led dozens of people to rush into the city and whipped the city officials in public to vent his anger.
After that, he did not follow the advice of his wife's brother Song Lin and quickly left the market. This decision made him regret every time he thought about it, but there is no regret medicine in this world.
Facing the fledgling Liu Jing, he didn't take him seriously at all. He never thought that he was a dragon. Ou Xiong paid a very heavy price for his contempt.
Liu Jing gave an order, and everyone in the city drew their swords against him. The injury on his right shoulder was caused by Cai Sheng. Cai Sheng's attack was quite vicious at first, not only penetrating his shoulder, but also inflicting a vicious blow
Gouged out with a sword.
Nowadays, every time it rains on a cloudy day, Ou Xiong's shoulder will feel a dull pain. In the land of Jingnan, it rains all year round. During the days when Ba Qiu guards the river, the pain always reminds him of revenge.
Later, the Jingzhou army went south and defeated the Baqiu camp. Ou Xiong was also captured by the Jingzhou army, but he did not surrender at first. Firstly, Zhang Xian was kind to him, and secondly, Ou and Zhang Xian shared weal and woe. Ou Xiong
Xiong Po was proud of himself. He thought he was much stronger than Wu Ju. At least he didn't do anything cheating.
It was not until Zhang Xian died of illness at the beginning of this year that Ou Xiong officially joined the Jingzhou Army.
Ou Xiong had extremely complicated feelings towards Liu Jing. He still had great hatred for him in his heart, but on the other hand, he also deeply admired him. Unfortunately, there was no room for turning around for both parties.
As long as there is a chance, Ou Xiong would not mind beheading his head personally as a way to advance into the world.
…………
As the Jingzhou Army approached, Liu Jing summoned his generals to make final arrangements.
Liu Jing then led Liu Liang, Cai Sheng, Chu Fang and Han Guang, with a total of about 5,000 men, to guard Ling County.
Clan brother Liu Xiu and Ma Zhou, together with the serious troops, totaling 3,000 men, guarded the old city of Lingxian County, forming a cornering force with Liu Jing across the Xiangjiang River.
In addition, Liu Zong, Liu Zhu, and Wang Qiang led the navy and stationed themselves at the camp on the west bank of the Xiang River.
At this time, Liu Jing suddenly heard a report from someone outside, and the Jingzhou Army sent an envoy to come to see him.
Liu Jing looked puzzled and thought to himself: "Why did the other party send people here at this time?" Liu Jing couldn't guess the other party's intention, but he didn't mind the opinion and motioned to bring the people in.
Soon, the Jingzhou Army envoy walked into the room with two lacquer boxes in his arms, bowed slightly to Liu Jing, and said, "I have been ordered by Commander Cai to give this gift box to you and Liu Bosi."
The names of Liu Jing and Liu Zong were written on the two lacquer boxes respectively. Cai Mao's intention could not be more obvious. These two boxes were prepared for their heads.
As the saying goes, "the master humiliates his ministers to death", all the generals in the room were furious, and Liu Zong was so angry that he drew his sword out of its sheath.
When the envoy came, he already had the intention of death, so he faced the generals without changing his attitude.
Liu Jing was not angry at all, and advised Liu Zongdao: "Brother Cong, please calm down. This matter was done by Cai Mao and has nothing to do with this person. The meaning of "Spring and Autumn" is: 'It is disrespectful to kill an envoy.' Don't you know that killing an envoy from brother Cong is in Cai Mao's heart?"
?”
When Liu Zong heard this, his face turned slightly, he slowly put the sword into its sheath, and said bitterly: "Cai Maoshuzi, today's humiliation, I will repay you tenfold in the future."
Liu Jingrang Yu Zheng took the lacquer box from the envoy's hand and played with it with great interest.
It is not difficult to see that the second box is made of fine wood, and it is obviously decorated with multiple layers of black and red paint. The workmanship is very sophisticated, and it lives up to Cai Mao's reputation for luxury.