"Cai Hao and Zhang Yun have iron cables across the river and countless bamboo rafts, cutting off the river. They are trying to block us in this way... How should we deal with it?"
Zhang Liao's army rushed down the river in an instant, and fast boats shuttled back and forth to find out the news.
We have found out the arrangements of Cai Mao and Zhang Yun ahead and reported them forward.
After Zhang Liao heard this, he looked at Gan Ning and Tai Shi Ci and asked.
Gan Ning said: "The iron cable across the river must be destroyed, otherwise it will be a trouble here.
It will block us and easily cause damage to the warship.
Once the warship is destroyed and people are in the river, the morale of the army will be unstable.
It's easy to get completely confused.
If the warship is destroyed, no matter how good the water is, many people will die from drowning.
But this kind of thing is just a trivial skill.
Easy to break.
Can you cut down bamboo to make a bamboo raft, put more fire starters on it, and go down the river from the upper reaches?
When it's close, light it.
The bamboo raft can be set on fire and broken.
If the iron rope keeps burning across the river, then just cut off the iron chain!"
Zhang Liao heard what Gan Ning said and looked at Tai Shi Ci again.
Seeing that Tai Shi Ci had no objection to this, he nodded and said, "What Xing Ba said is pretty much what I think.
It seems that the best we can think of is to burn it with fire.
The bamboo raft is easy to break, but the iron cable across the river is troublesome.
It is very difficult to break it from the middle.
And the other party will never let us cut it off, and will definitely obstruct it.
Therefore, my idea is to solve it from the root of the iron cable.
It's easier there.
If an iron cable crosses the river, there must be corresponding bindings on both sides.
As long as these are removed from the root, these iron locks will be of little use.
However, looking at its layout today, campsites have been built to protect the places where the iron cables hit the stone walls on both banks.
If you go to destroy the iron chain, you will definitely need to fight a tough battle.
Cai Mao and Zhang Yun also knew this, so the arrangements there were very tight.
These two people know a lot about these things and the art of war.
If you are capable, you are not mediocre.
Looking at the construction of the water stronghold and the warships today, it is enough to see the elite of Jingzhou's navy.
It is indeed well-deserved..."
Hearing this, Gan Ning cupped his fists towards Zhang Liao and said, "Captain, what if the two of them are somewhat capable?
The stronger he is, the more enjoyable it will be to fight.
If it's just three strikes or two strikes, it's a complete defeat, and then there's no point in fighting."
Hearing what Gan Ning said, Zhang Liao also laughed.
"What Xing Ba said is true, the stronger the better, this can also show our abilities.
We can also use this battle to test the effectiveness of the navy we have trained in Yizhou."
After he said this, Gan Ning asked for a fight: "Captain, Gan Ning is willing to lead troops and horses to attack the White Snake Mountain on the south bank.
From there, break the iron chain!"
Upon hearing Gan Ning's request for a fight, Taishi Ci also asked for a fight and said: "Captain, I am willing to lead my troops to the north bank to attack the Red Snake Mountain.
Together with Xingba, attack from both sides.
There is always a place where it can be cut off.
As long as one side is cut off, the iron chain will no longer be able to cross the river."
After Zhang Liao heard this and thought about it, he shook his head and said, "Let Xingba handle this matter.
Ziyi, you don’t have to worry yet.
Cai Hao and Zhang Yun, the two thieves, know that we will definitely break the iron lock.
So on both sides, there are a lot of backhands.
It will be a fierce battle.
I don't mean that Ziyi can't attack hard, but that to cut off the iron lock, you only need to break one end.
If you go to both ends, it will only cause unnecessary damage.
Xingba and Ziyi, just go to one of them..."
After hearing what Zhang Liao said, Taishi Ci stopped talking.
He did not compete with Gan Ning for credit.
After things are settled, preparations begin here.
However, they did not attack directly.
Instead, under Zhang Liao's order, while sending people on guard, a temporary water fortress was built at a more suitable place upstream.
These must be done.
After having the water fortress, both defense and other aspects will be much better.
This will not cause the soldiers to panic too much.
At the same time, they also want to use this method to create the illusion of a long-term confrontation.
This allowed Cai Hao and Zhang Yun to relax to a certain extent.
The art of war is sometimes about psychology.
True and false, false and true.
Sometimes, it is easy for people to wonder which one is virtual and which one is real.
Once the situation is messed up and an unclear judgment is made, it may cause extremely terrible consequences!
…
“Commander, I will ask you to attack Zhang Liao and others at night before the battle!
Let them see my majesty too!
These people have always been arrogant and domineering.
But this time, under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief, I will make them understand that if a water battle really breaks out, they will be far behind Yizhou!"
One of Cai Mao's generals, named Zhao Hu, saw the Yizhou navy and headed upriver.
At that moment, he couldn't help but ask for orders, hoping to take advantage of Zhang Liao and his army's undecided footing.
Give them a good look first.
Cai Hao thought for a while and shook his head.
"It doesn't have to be like this. After he returns there, he will definitely think of a way to break my iron chain across the river.
All we need to do is wait here, waiting for their soldiers and horses to come to attack, and wait to fight them here.
At this time, the iron chain across the river was blocking not only their warships.
There are only a few places where our warships can pass some small exploration ships.
There is no use in going.
Instead, he will let his soldiers do this. They will lose their lives in vain and lose their spirit.
On the contrary, it is not beautiful.”
Cai Mao shook his head and rejected the proposal of his general.
But Zhao Hu had already held his breath in his heart.
And he has already thought about this.
You must show your own majesty in the battle against Yizhou soldiers and horses to gain military exploits!
He is the concubine of the Zhao family in Yizhou.
But I have been fond of the art of war since I was a child.
I also think I have some abilities, but I am unwilling to be unable to get ahead.
But at this time, there is a huge gap between concubines and legitimate children.
His brother Zhao Long is not as good as him in terms of talents, but he is the next head of the Zhao family.
And he could only assist him.
But Zhao Hu was not reconciled to this.
I want to carve out a future of my own.
In the past, Liu Biao was too stable after coming to Jingzhou.
He didn't find any way to get ahead.
Have been waiting for the opportunity.
Now that Yizhou soldiers and horses were moving down the river, he felt that it was time for him to stand out.
So definitely won’t miss it.
Immediately he looked at Cai Mao and said: "Captain, the thief has recently arrived, and he has seen iron chains blocking the river.
If you see our warships behind the iron rope, you will feel that our warships cannot pass.
So for us, we definitely don’t care much about it.
They are not sufficiently prepared for me and others here.
However, although this iron cable crosses the river, there are bamboo rafts connecting it below.
The bamboo rafts facing downstream are not sharp.
With some wooden planks and the like, and a little more effort, the warship can be pulled up from the bamboo raft.
Then, after pushing this distance, we can get these boats and reach the river.
This blockade can be overcome.
Although it cannot transport large warships, smaller ones can.
It's enough to sneak in twenty warships at night!
Coupled with some small boats, the general only needs to lead 500 navy to arrive at Zhang Liao's Yizhou navy by surprise.
All you need to do is bring more fire starters on the ships. When the time comes, they will go in and light them unprepared in the middle of the night, and set them on fire. Their Yizhou Navy will be in chaos!
This is on a river, not on land.
There is a fire on land and there is a place to escape.
But on this river, if the warship catches fire and the troops and horses are in chaos, many people will be drowned!
Liu Cheng and the Yizhou soldiers and horses under his command are extremely arrogant and arrogant, and they don't take us in their eyes at all.
He thinks he is invincible in the world.
Moreover, it also caused so much pressure here in Jingzhou.
At this time, their troops finally arrived, and we had to fight first.
It would be better to humiliate him.
Let them see the majesty of our Jingzhou soldiers and horses!
Let them restrain themselves from now on and behave with their tail between their legs.
So that they don’t dare to underestimate me anymore!
It can also make you famous as a governor.
Here in Jingzhou, we have more say.
This makes the Cai family's position in Jingzhou more stable."
After Zhao Hu said this, he looked towards the White Snake Mountain on the other side of the south bank of the river.
"Captain, please make up your mind earlier.
Opposite, Governor Zhang was also working hard.
I want to kill a lot of people and kill the majesty of Yizhou Navy.
Although we are all people who kill the enemy together, the credit is calculated separately.
Whoever works hard and makes the contribution belongs to him.
And Governor Zhang is not an incompetent person..."
After hearing what he said, Cai Hao, who was still there and seemed a little hesitant, knocked on the table in front of him with his hand.
He opened his mouth and said: "Since you said so and are so confident, then I will act according to what you said!
I'll give you the manpower on the warship to do this.
Go ahead and defeat this Liao for a while!
Let him know that a naval battle is completely different from a land battle!"
Seeing Cai Mao finally nodding, Zhao Hu was overjoyed.
He cupped his fists and faced Cai Mao and said: "Captain, please rest assured, in this battle, the general will definitely live up to the commander!"
I will risk my life to make the governor famous!"
Cai Mao smiled and poured him a bowl of wine with his own hands to cheer him up.
Then he said: "However, there are some things that need to be said up front.
You are going to burn Zhang Liao's navy this time. We have iron cables blocking the river. It is probably impossible to go and respond to you.
You must have a good sense of yourself, you must get things done, and people must come back safely.
At that time, if you really encounter danger, don't say that I am too ruthless here.
As the commander-in-chief of an army, I need to consider various things.
You cannot mess up your position at this time and allow others to take advantage of you. Do you understand?"
Zhao Hu naturally understood.
That is, when he goes, no matter whether he is alive or dead, Cai Mao will not rescue him.
Naturally, everyone will be happy if he wins, but if he loses, he will fall into death!
Zhao Hu also had a trace of hesitation in his heart at this time.
However, this hesitation quickly disappeared.
He is not willing to give in!
He has the ability!
However, just because of his background, it was destined that he would not be able to obtain anything from the Zhao family!
In this life, he can only serve as a foil to his legitimate son who is far inferior to himself.
If he is just a mediocre person, then there is no problem.
But he refused to settle for mediocrity.
Want to get ahead.
Now that I finally have the opportunity, I must fight hard!
Don't give up just because of some difficulties.
And isn't this exactly what he wants at this time?
Over the years, he understood a truth.
That is, sometimes, life really is not that important.
The most important thing is that you can exchange your efforts for an opportunity.
What he fears most is not risking his life.
But there is no chance to fight hard.
Or maybe even though I risked my life, I still didn’t get this chance.
At this time, this was already what he wanted, the best result.
At that moment, he bowed solemnly to Cai Mao, and then said: "Captain, please rest assured, it is Zhao Hu who is asking for the battle this time.
There is nothing to regret about the path you choose.
If we win, we will be able to show off our military might.
If it fails, there is no need to come back again.
It's just... I would like to ask the Governor to take care of my wife and daughter..."
Cai Hao stood up after hearing this, clenched his fist and punched his breastplate.
"Don't worry about this. I will treat your wife well and kindly.
Make sure they have no worries in the future.
This is what I, Cai Mao, said.
As long as I, Shen Cai Mao, am still alive, I will not let them suffer any debt!"
After hearing Cai Mao's words, Zhao Hu solemnly raised his hands to Cai Mao and performed a worship ceremony.
"This way the general will have no worries anymore!"
With that said, he turned around and strode away to make preparations...
Cai Mao stood here and watched Zhao Hu leave.
He looked up at the sparse stars in the sky and sighed.
This background is really important!
Some people are destined to be extraordinary from birth.
Can have many things.
And some people are full of talents and abilities, but because of their background problems, they end up being inferior to others.
However, that's fine, as long as someone is willing to sacrifice his life.
As long as they are willing to work hard, people with some abilities will eventually have a certain chance of getting ahead.
Of course, if you die on the way to struggle, you will just die.
Zhao Hu, perhaps, should be able to make some contributions in this matter...
He thought so...
Under the night, after Zhao Hu returned, he quickly took action.
According to what he said, he took advantage of the darkness to row some small warships to the Hengjiang Iron Cable.
Then put some things on it, tie it with ropes, and pull it up the bamboo raft.
Push it forward a certain distance and let it re-enter the water, thus crossing the blockade.
After a lot of work, all twenty warships had passed the iron rope.
Zhao Hu sat on the first warship.
He touched the cold iron rope with his hand, and then gave the order to move forward...
