Chapter 267 The Battle of Persuading the North Bank to Surrender
Chapter 267 Persuading Surrender, Battle of the North Bank
In the next few days, Jiangdong navy became even more rampant.
Because the Jiangdong Navy's personnel quality, training scale, and number of troops are superior to those of the Jiangxia Navy, the Jiangdong Navy has the advantage in all battles between the two sides.
Therefore, the Jiangdong navy often has a sense of psychological superiority over the Jiangxia navy.
This sense of superiority caused them to have high morale when facing the Jiangxia navy, and they would often come forward arrogantly to provoke them.
Fighting with northern scouts is different from fighting immediately.
The southern scouts fought on boats. After the two scouts met, they would often shoot with bows and arrows, then use hooks to hook the opponent's boat, and get on board to fight in close combat.
The Jiangdong navy scouts were numerous and closely coordinated. When fighting against the Jiangxia navy scouts, they often surrounded them on three sides, using bows and arrows to contain them from the front. The left and right airships and canoes came close, and boarded the boats to fight with the Jiangxia navy scouts.
After a few days, the scouts of the Jiangxia Navy suffered heavy losses. Originally, they needed to go to Hongkou to investigate the situation of the Jiangdong Navy, but under such a strong blow, they could almost only shrink back to Baqiu.
On December 18, all the generals gathered in Shen Chen's camp in Baqiu. Shen Chen was in charge. Huang Zu, Su Fei, Deng Long, Chen Sheng, Zhang Hu and other generals of the Jiangxia Navy also gathered there. this.
Shen Chen convened the generals for a meeting today because he planned to make preparations for the attack. Although he did not know exactly when the wind would start, historical records said it was December, so it couldn't be wrong. Maybe the wind would come in two or three days. .
Therefore, many plans must be prepared in advance, and generals at all levels also have their own offensive directions.
However, before he started to issue orders, the generals began to complain. The first was Su Fei, the governor of Jiangxia. After everyone was seated, Shen Chen said first, "I asked everyone to come here today because we have something to discuss."
Su Fei immediately said: "The Governor is here for the scouting matter. Now our scouts can hardly leave Baqiu camp, and there is no news from the outside."
"yes."
Deng Long also said: "Grand Governor, although we have hoarded a lot of grain and grass in Baqiu, the Jiangdong Navy has now blocked the river and our grain ships cannot get through. What will happen after the grain and grass are used up?"
"The consumption of arrows is also high. These days, the Jiangdong navy comes to provoke us every day. In addition to the Hukou battle that day, we consumed nearly a million arrows in just over ten days."
"Being suppressed and beaten by them every day, the morale of the soldiers is not very high. Now the soldiers can only huddle in the camp and dare not go out."
"In the past few days, the Jiangdong Army has sent ships close to the shore and used bows and arrows to shoot down our soldiers on high oars. Although we have built many towers along the coast, the shore defense line is so large that we cannot hold it at all."
"And after the scouts were suppressed, we didn't know any news. I heard that Liu Shijun went north to fight Cao Cao, but we don't know what happened now. And over in Xiangyang, Zhang Yun still has tens of thousands of troops. If they wait for an opportunity What should we do?"
Many generals expressed concern.
The main reason was that the Jiangdong navy suppressed their scouts during this period, and news from the outside could not come in. In addition, Zhou Yu ordered to block the river, which was like a dark cloud pressing down on the city, giving them a huge sense of oppression and causing the soldiers' morale to be unstable.
When Shen Chen heard what everyone said, he muttered: "This is indeed my negligence, but you don't need to be afraid. Although the scouts can't get out, they can't get in. You don't have to worry about food and grass. The waterway is impassable. If we can travel by land, reinforcements will arrive soon, and Baqiu will be safe and sound by then."
Huang Zu hurriedly asked: "Where did the reinforcements come from?"
Shen Chen smiled and said: "General Liu has sent General Huang Zhong with 10,000 horses to help. They will arrive within two days. Please relax."
After the defeat of Cai Mao, Liu Pan still guarded Jingnan, and basically all the prisoners of Cai Mao's army were placed under his command. He is currently training him to strive to form combat effectiveness as soon as possible. At this time, to a certain extent, Jingnan has four Fifty thousand horses.
However, these are defeated soldiers and may not be used in the short term, so Liu Pan is still needed to stabilize the south. However, he originally had 20,000 elite soldiers under his command, so he sent Huang Zhong here to support Baqiu.
"Reinforcements are coming soon?"
"That's good. It's really uncomfortable to be pressed and beaten like this all the time."
"By the way, Grand Governor, apart from the scouting matter, is there anything else we need to discuss today?"
All the soldiers suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
The Jiangdong Navy was firing arrows at them all day long, which put a huge pressure on everyone's heart. Now that they heard there were reinforcements, they felt a lot more comfortable.
Only then did they remember that Shen Chen said there was something important to discuss today.
"I want."
Shen Chen was about to say that he planned to launch an attack on the Jiangdong navy.
At this moment, the sound of gongs, drums and horns suddenly came from outside.
Immediately afterwards, the guard hurriedly came in and said: "Report, Grand Governor, the Jiangdong fleet has arrived at the north bank of Baqiu."
In the Han Dynasty, the lakes north of Yueyang were connected to the Yangtze River, so the land was probably around the urban area of Yueyang in later generations. The Yangtze River farther north was very wide, and the Jiangdong Army's fleet could be seen from a distance.
Upon hearing this, Shen Chen immediately said: "The generals of each battalion quickly returned to their command and mobilized troops and horses to go to the north bank."
"only."
The soldiers quickly stood up and acted according to Shen Chen's orders.
Shen Chen said: "The main camp will continue to guard the mouth of Yong Lake. Let's play a song and follow me."
After that, Huang Zu, Chen Sheng, Zhang Hu and other main generals were left behind to stay at Yong Lake, while the rest followed Shen Chen to the north bank.
After about two quarters of an hour, Shen Chen arrived at the north bank.
At this moment, tens of thousands of Jiangxia navy troops have gathered densely around the north bank. Su Fei, Deng Long and other troops are arrayed here, waiting seriously.
There are a large number of hills and mountains along the vast river bank. Many high oars have been built on the mountains. There are also various defense facilities on the bank. Fences made of wood and walls built of stones protect the entire river bank defense line.
Crossbows and crossbows were all prepared, flags were fluttering, and even catapults were built, waiting for the Jiangdong navy to launch a surprise attack from the shore.
Shen Chen came to a high mountain and looked from a distance.
I saw thousands of ships densely packed on the river in the distance, blocking out the sky and the sun, piling up the entire river. Although the enemy was still a mile away, the formation was extremely terrifying, making Jiangxia Navy feel like they were facing a formidable enemy.
"The wind has calmed down a lot."
Shen Chen looked at the river and glanced at the flag on the top of the mountain next to him.
Lieutenant General Qu Gan said with a smile: "Yes, Commander-in-Chief, the north wind was still very strong a few days ago, but it has become weaker and weaker in the past two days."
"This is good news."
Shen Chen said casually, and then continued to look at the river.
At this moment, a speedboat came speeding over, still more than a hundred steps away from the shore. There was a man on the speedboat holding a bow and arrow, and shot towards the shore, which penetrated into the soil on the shore.
The soldier's sharp eyes noticed that the arrow was tied with a strip of cloth, so he quickly picked it up and handed it to the frontline commander Su Fei.
After Su Fei saw it, he sent someone to Shen Chen.
Shen Chen took the cloth, glanced at it, then raised his head and looked into the distance. He saw a stern galloping among the fleet of Jiangdong Navy, about three hundred meters away from the river bank.
This is the center of the battle between the two sides. Bows and arrows cannot reach it. Only crossbows placed on the mountain can reach it. However, the distance is so far and the hit rate is worrying.
"Grand Governor, what is this?"
Zhang Nan and Qu Gan both came over, curious.
Shen Chen smiled and said: "Zhou Yu invited me to go to Jiangzhong for a chat. It seems that he really wants to chat with me."
Zhang Nan quickly said: "Captain, you can't go, be careful of fraud."
"It doesn't matter."
Chen Chenle turned his horse's head and said, "Prepare a fighting ship and I'll go meet him."
The war horse seemed to understand Shen Chentian's fearless courage. He raised his head and neighed, raising his hoofs high.
This horse was the jade horse captured by Xing Daorong. Shen Chen liked it very much because it was very majestic. In addition to the jade horse, it also had a tiger gallbladder on its waist.
Huangmenting has a method of pouring steel, so there is no shortage of steel knives. However, steel-making knives require not only good materials, but also extremely skilled knife forgers to carefully forge them. Therefore, Shen Chen found that this tiger daring knife was indeed extraordinary, so he continued to Wearing.
At this moment, Shen Chen was riding a jade horse with a tiger dart knife hanging from his waist, turning the horse's head and descending the mountain. Su Fei at the foot of the mountain had already received the order and prepared a fighting ship. About two hundred soldiers boarded the ship, waiting for Shen Chen's arrival.
Shen Chen dismounted and boarded the boat. The boat rode the wind and waves, facing the north wind that was still blowing although it was much smaller. It quickly sailed towards the river in the distance.
"Grand Governor, he is here."
On the vast Yangtze River, Zhou Yu's ship moved up and down with the waves. Ling Tong on the ship returned to the cabin and reported to Zhou Yu, saying: "We are already close."
"Shen Chen is so courageous and deserves to be called a tiger."
Zhou Yu praised him, got up and came to the deck, and saw a fighting ship about the same size as his stern galloping towards him.
Both the stern and the fighting ship are medium-sized ships, more than thirty meters long. Although they are not as exaggerated as the building ships and look like a small city, they also have three floors and can carry two to three hundred people and are used for water warfare.
At this moment, the two sides were approaching. Planks were erected on the decks of the ships on both sides. Shields were erected next to the female wall on the third floor, with sharp arrows set on them. They were in full alert.
"Zhou Yu!"
Soon the two sides were close to less than ten meters. The fighting ship put down the anchor. Shen Chen walked to the deck, protected by the guards on the left and right holding shields. He shouted loudly: "You want to see me?"
Zhou Yu also walked out of the deck and approached the side of the ship. He actually came to test the north bank today.
After more than ten days of investigation, Zhou Yu discovered that the Jiangxia Navy was heavily guarding Hukou, but because the shore defense line was too long and had many weak points, he made arrangements to fight ashore.
But before the war started, he still wanted to talk to Shen Chen.
Wouldn't it be best if Shen Chen could be persuaded to surrender to Jiangdong and avoid a battle?
So he invited Shen Chen to meet here.
At this moment, Shen Chen stood proudly on the bow of the ship. The young hero was tall and strong, wearing a bright silver battle armor that shimmered in the winter sun, like the god of war coming to earth.
However, Zhou Yu's appearance is also good. He is eight feet tall, has a slender body, wears a battle armor, a big red cloak, and a sword hanging from his waist. His face is even more handsome, and he has a heroic spirit in his elegance. He is worthy of being a hero in ancient and modern times. The first Confucian general.
"Chen Chen."
Zhou Yu walked to the bow of the ship, looked at him with a smile and said, "Long time no see."
Shen Chen smiled and said: "Zhou Gongjin, how are you? It's been three years since we last met. I heard that after the Battle of Yi County, the governor's health has been not good?"
The last time they met was during the Battle of Yixian in the 10th year of Jian'an, when floods flooded the east of the Yangtze River in Shenchen. After that, Zhou Yu left sequelae. It seemed that his lungs were infected by water, and he would cough every winter.
Zhou Yu coughed twice and said: "Yes, I haven't taken good care of myself in daily life, and I often keep coughing."
"You can cook Sichuan clams with pears and drink it."
Shen Chen was like an old friend with him, and even taught him the secret recipe for cough relief.
Zhou Yu smiled and said, "Thank you very much."
"You're welcome. After all, your poor health is my responsibility."
Shen Chen smiled and said, "But Governor Zhou called me here this time, isn't it just to reminisce about old times?"
Zhou Yu said sternly: "Shen Chen, you are also a young hero. As the saying goes, good birds choose trees to roost, and good ministers choose their masters. Liu Biao is dead, and his three sons are not masters. Sooner or later, the land of Jingzhou will return to Wu Hou, why do you insist?"
Shen Chen asked: "The governor is here to persuade you to surrender?"
Ling Tong on the side immediately said: "The governor personally came to persuade you. I hope you will not be ignorant of good and evil."
"Who are you?"
Shen Chen looked over and saw that the man was about the same age as him, and he was also a young general.
Ling Tong said in a deep voice: "Ling Tong, the captain of the bandit-breaking school!"
"hehe."
Shen Chen shook his head with a smile and said, "There is no need to surrender. The governor should know that Sun Quan's weapons are not very powerful. In the battle of Yi County, Ling Xiaowei's father, Ling Cao, and the famous general Han Dang were all killed. My hand, if I surrender, will Sun Quan let me go?"
Seeing that there seemed to be hope, Zhou Yu hurriedly said: "The Marquis of Wu has always cherished talents. General Shen is a first-rate genius in the world. Although there is hatred, I will forgive you and please be at ease, General."
Shen Chen asked: "Did Governor Zhou take this matter on his own initiative, or was it the order of Marquis Wu?"
"Hmm"
Zhou Yu frowned. He wanted to say that it was the order from Wu Hou, but he knew Shen Chen was smart and knew that he could not hide it from him, so he said: "I will write to Wu Hou."
"Ha ha ha ha."
Shen Chen laughed loudly, pointed at himself and said: "The Governor is very scheming. Come and persuade me to surrender. When I surrender, Wu Hou said that the Governor had made the decision without permission and it didn't count. He pushed me out and chopped me down easily. You can solve a serious problem for Marquis Wu and get revenge, killing two birds with one stone."
Zhou Yu said in a deep voice: "General Shen, my name as Zhou Yu on the left side of the Yangtze River is known to everyone in the east of the Yangtze River. How could I do something like this?"
"Even if you don't do anything, you can't protect the Marquis of Wu."
Shen Chen shook his head: "Let's forget about this matter. If you ask me to surrender, unless the governor defeats me, there is no need to talk about anything. Let's go!"
After saying this, he waved his hand and ordered the ship to return.
Ling Tong, who was standing next to him, saw that he didn't agree and was furious. When he saw Shen Chen, he thought of his father's hatred again. He was so angry that he shouted: "Shen Chen, do you dare to fight with me?"
"oh?"
Shen Chen turned his head and touched the Tiger Blade on his waist, unable to help but feel itchy.
After he got together with Liu Bei, he often studied martial arts with Zhao Yuntai, Shi Ci, Guan Yu and others. As he got older, his body became increasingly powerful, and his martial arts value increased by leaps and bounds.
It's just that because he often serves as the commander-in-chief of the three armies, he rarely goes to the battlefield to kill enemies like he did when he attacked Xudu, so he doesn't know how strong his own force is.
Ling Tong's military force value in Soochow was ranked fifth at most, maybe even sixth or seventh, because the top four must be Sun Ce, Taishi Ci, Gan Ning and Zhou Tai.
It seems good to practice swordsmanship with Ling Tong.
"Arrogant kid!"
Before Shen Chen could say anything, Qu Gan said angrily: "What is the status of the governor, and what is your status? Are you worthy of fighting with the governor?"
Ling Tong was furious and shouted: "You cowardless rats don't dare to fight me. Let's fight in a small boat each!"
"Haha, forget it, let's go."
Shen Chen smiled and did not agree to the fight.
It's not that he's afraid.
But Qu Gan reminded him.
The identities of the two parties are not equal.
Go up and fight, if you lose, you will lose blood.
The commander of Jiangxia Navy was defeated by an unknown soldier, and his morale plummeted.
You won't earn much if you win.
The commander-in-chief of the Jiangxia Navy defeated an unknown general of the Jiangdong Army, which brought him little benefit.
Therefore, it can be said that fighting is a hundred harms but no good.
If he was just a general, he might go, but as the commander-in-chief of the three armies, he naturally cannot do anything that harms the interests of the army.
"hateful!"
In the distance, Ling Tong saw Shen Chen's ship leaving and was furious. He said to Zhou Yu: "Commander, shoot your arrows."
Zhou Yu shook his head: "There are so many wooden boards and shields, and the arrows are just fired at each other. It won't kill many people, so keep the arrows and prepare for war."
"Captain, I am willing to be a pioneer!"
Ling Tong immediately asked for a fight.
Zhou Yu waved his hand and said: "Okay, pass the order, attack!"
"attack!"
The messenger immediately waved the flag on the ship.
I came here this time to prepare for an attack on the Baqiu River bank and break through from the river bank. If I can say that Shenchen morning is the best, but I can't, then naturally I can only start a war.
At that moment, thousands of ships began to approach the shore. Countless bows and arrows shot at each other like they covered the sky, creating turbulent waves.
Immediately afterwards, the fleet moved closer from the river bank like black clouds over the city and began to attack the riverside defenses.
The two sides continued from morning to afternoon. In the afternoon, Jiangdong Army finally retreated. The corpses of enemy and our soldiers were piled up on the river bank. Both sides lost another one or two thousand men and horses. The densely packed corpses were piled on the bank, and the blood dyed the river red.
Shen Chen ordered the battlefield to be cleaned. He saw that the defense line along the river bank was in shambles due to this attack. There were hundreds of ships washed ashore by Jiangdong Army alone. A trace of sadness flashed across his brows.
As expected of Zhou Yu, although the river bank line has been deployed very tightly, after all, the defense line is too long, and their shortcomings of having a small number of people have been exposed.
Now that we have enough arrows, we can defeat them.
If Jiangdong's army attacks a few more times and consumes all the arrows, Baqiu's defense will definitely be breached.
Fortunately, he had already asked Liu Pan for help in advance, and he believed that Huang Zhong would be able to provide support soon.
The most important thing is.
Shen Chen raised his head, squinted his eyes, and felt the wind blowing gently on his cheek.
The north wind has become weaker and weaker, and the southeast wind is about to blow.