The third prince, Yang Yuanpu, took a boat to patrol along the Danjiang River and stationed himself at the Zhoushu headquarters in the west of Xiangzhou City. Naturally, the third capital of the Longque Army also set out and headed west along the south bank of the Han River. No one thought there was anything unusual about this.
.
Yang Qin, Feng Xuan and others came from Xuzhou this time and brought two newly built fast sailing ships.
Although shipbuilding has extremely strict requirements for wood, fortunately, Xuzhou has ready-made shipbuilding wood storage, and Ji Xiyao can purchase it and use it for the construction of new ships. There is no need to start with the preparation of the shipyard from storing wood.
These two newly built fast sailing ships are still experimental new ships. Compared with the traditional wide-bodied flat-bottomed bows, they adopt a brand-new long fusiform hull with a pointed bottom. The draft of the fully loaded cargo can be more than ten feet deep, although they cannot be as capable as the flat-bottomed boats at any time.
When docked at a shoal, but sailing at high speed against the wind, it has extremely strong resistance to sideways movement.
At the same time, the new ship model not only greatly increases the cabin volume under the water, but also reduces the cabins above the water as much as possible, causing the hull to sink significantly.
This also greatly improves the new ship's righting ability and capsizing resistance, which are prerequisites for fast sailing boats to sail quickly on open rivers.
Cloth sails replace bulky mat sails, and the sails can be made taller and larger. The sail area supported by the three masts is fully doubled compared to the traditional rigid mat sails.
A traditional sailing boat travels from Xiangzhou City to Canglang City, a one-hundred-six-seven-mile waterway, sailing against the current, and it takes a day and a night at least to travel quickly.
Han Qian accompanied Yang Qin, Shen Yang and others to board the ship at the pier in the north of Xiangzhou City at Haishi. At this time, the north wind roared in, blowing through the wilderness on the north bank and flowing through the river, making the sails rattle.
After the snow stopped, the clear stars and the moon moved westward at full speed. When the sky was bright, we could already see Canglang City lying quietly under the morning light at the intersection of Han River, Danjiang River and the southwest foot of Heilong Mountain.
The speed of the new ship is only slightly slower than that of a fast horse running at full speed. Calculating the time, it is actually nearly twice as fast as a traditional sailing ship.
The disadvantage that pointy-bottomed boats cannot dock in shoals is simply negligible for bulk material transportation.
If Shen Yang hadn't suspected that Han Qian was once again siding with Zhang Ping and Chai Jian to encourage the third prince to patrol the west, he would have wanted to study the secrets of the two newly built ships in Xuzhou first. They could also swim against the current.
So fast?
The two ships had arrived in Xiangzhou years ago and had not attracted any attention before. The two ships traveled in formation with other transport ships and warships, and did not take advantage of their speed.
As for Han Qian's return to Xiangcheng this time, he wanted to meet Chai Jian first, so he also rode back with Yao Xishui on horseback, and separated from Yang Qin who met him by water.
In addition to Canglang Tucheng, which is more than a hundred paces square, located between Canglang City, Danjiang River, and Han River, there are also three fenced camps - in addition to Xuzhou Camp, which is mainly composed of Zuosi scouts, criminals, and slave soldiers.
, the mercenary copycat soldiers headed by Zhou Zang were also stationed in the river beach camp in the northwest corner of Canglang City. There were also more than 700 copycat villagers who were seizing the time to build the walled city and dig trenches. The desolate and ruined city at that time was actually
It gives people the feeling of boiling and filling the sky.
The ship docked at the pier, and Han Qian accompanied the third prince Yang Yuanpu, Shen Yang, Zhang Ping, Chai Jian and others to disembark.
Everyone walked into Canglang City. As soon as Han Qian summoned Tian Cheng, Zhou Pan and others to see the third prince Yang Yuanpu, he heard angry and yelling curses coming from a mud house on the left side of the city:
"You are the dog slaves of Linjiang Marquis Mansion, you are bastards, you have no laws, you confuse right and wrong, you slander others, and you have no proof at all, and you actually slandered us and other enemies. If you have the guts today, kill us to silence us, otherwise we will go to Jinling
Complaint..."
"..." Shen Yang looked over and saw that the rooms over there were all with iron bars and windows. They must have been used as temporary prison cells. There were soldiers guarding outside. He asked Han Qian suspiciously, "Who is being held there?"
"The Yingzhou fleet passed by here yesterday when transporting military supplies and supplies to Xichuan. At that time, the bayou channel in the north of Tieguling was blocked by Liang Jun. I advised them to stay in Canglang City for a day or two, but they did not listen to the dissuasion. , insist on going north. I suspect that they are suspected of collaborating with the enemy. In an emergency, out of caution, I can only forcefully detain them for verification," Han Qian explained with a smile, "Now it seems that there may be a misunderstanding. I will release them now..."
Han Qian signaled Xi Chang to go over and release them. After a while, Xi Chang brought over several Yingzhou escort officials who had been detained yesterday.
Although they were not executed, these people were tortured very much last night. Not only did they starve for a day, but they also deliberately prevented them from sleeping. It was only before Han Qian and others entered the city that the wooden beads were removed from their mouths and told to have some sleep. Opportunity to scold and attract the attention of Shen Yang and others.
These people were brought to the third prince, Shen Yang. They no longer dared to curse with foul language. At the same time, they were extremely tired at this time. They could only cheer up and emphasize that Han Qian and the others had arrogantly seized the ship yesterday and asked the third prince to preside over it. justice.
Han Qian kept apologizing, but these people were also full of bitterness. They secretly felt that they were just small escorts in Yingzhou. Could it be possible that they could really take advantage of the lackeys of the Linjiang Marquis Mansion? At the moment, they just wanted to leave the world of right and wrong as soon as possible. Land, went to Xichuan, and met with the state general Xia Zhen.
"You are so exhausted. If you don't want to rest in Canglang for two days before leaving, then come with us - His Highness also happens to want to go to Xichuan to inspect the defense. If we go together, we can also prevent any accidents from happening to this batch of food and grass!" Han Qian said .
These people looked at Han Qian and the third prince Yang Yuanpu hesitantly. Naturally, they were not qualified to refuse the third prince Linjiang Hou Mansion to go to Xichuan.
"I think it would be better to accompany Your Highness to Xichuan and Jingzikou first, and then return to Canglang. Mr. Shen Yang, what do you think?" Han Qian asked Shen Yang.
"Okay." Shen Yang was very suspicious of Han Qian's confidence, but at this time he didn't think there was any doubt and nodded in agreement.
Since he was inspecting the Western Front, he naturally had to look at the heavily defended points such as Jingzikou and Xichuan. Moreover, Shen Yang was also worried that the situation might change at any time, so he first looked at Jingzikou and Xichuan where the retreat route could easily be cut off, and then went back to inspect the iron lines. With regard to the defense of Crocodile Ridge and Canglang City, even if the war becomes urgent, he can escort the third prince to retreat to Xiangzhou City first.
The Yingzhou fleet was all anchored in the river port, and no supplies of food, crops or military supplies had been unloaded.
However, in addition to the Yingzhou fleet, Han Qian also organized more than fifty scouts from Zuo Si into the Xuzhou fleet, and together with the guard battalion, they escorted the third prince, Shen Yang and others to Xichuan for inspection.
…………
…………
Thirty or forty ships were mixed, and the fleet's northward speed was slowed down. On the way, it stopped at Tieguling for a long time to meet Li Zhigao and Guo Liang. The waterway of more than 90 miles did not pass through the Xichuan River until midnight. Arrive at Xichuan City.
The outpost defense built by Liang Jun was only more than 20 miles away from Xichuan, but Liang Jun had not yet been forced outside Xichuan City; Xichuan City was still peaceful.
Zheng Hui and Xia Zhen received a notice before night, saying that the third prince would arrive in Xichuan with the fleet to supply food and fodder for inspection. They and the city generals waited in the city until midnight before the third prince came, and they hurriedly brought them with him. Go up to the guard, hold the torch high, and go out of the city to the riverside dock to greet the third prince.
Li Zhigao controlled the generals on the left front. At first, Zheng Hui and Xia Zhen each guarded Xichuan and Neixiang. Because the river leading to Neixiang City was narrow and shallow, it was difficult to pass large ships. For a long time, the materials transported to the two cities were unloaded in Xichuan.
Then take the Jiuchi Road to transport it to Neixiang, which is more than thirty miles away.
After Zheng Hui arrived in Xichuan, he forcibly captured two villages at the southern foot of Funiu Mountain in the north, and captured six to seven hundred people, old and young, to repair the city's docks.
"The last general Zheng Hui joined the army from Huangzhou, and the last general Xia Zhen came from Yingzhou and met Linjiang Marquis..."
Zheng Hui and Xia Zhen, both armor-piercing generals, stood in front of the simple dock to welcome the third prince Yang Yuanpu and others to disembark.
At this time, dozens of torches also illuminated the faces of Zheng Hui and Xia Zhen.
Zheng Hui acted very vigorously in Xichuan. The nearby villagers did not obey orders and did not hesitate to send troops to suppress them. However, he was about forty years old, but his appearance was quite elegant, and his eyes when he looked at the third prince were calm and calm.
In fact, the Zheng family was a family that inherited poetry and calligraphy in Huangzhou in the early years. Several generations of ancestors served as civil servants in the previous dynasty. It was not until the end of the previous dynasty that wars broke out frequently in the Jingxiang area. In order to protect themselves, the Huang family and the Zheng family encouraged
The younger generation abandoned literature and followed martial arts, but people like Zheng Hui continued to study poetry and books since childhood, and became well-known in Jianghuai Province.
In comparison, Xia Zhen, who is younger, has a much more unruly look in his eyes.
In fact, apart from the very different personalities of Zheng Hui and Xia Zhen, the difference in their humility and arrogance at this time is also closely related to the length and degree of Jinling's control over Huangzhou and Yingzhou.
Although Huangzhou belongs to the land of Jingxiang in terms of large area, it is very close to the heart of Dachu. Tianyou surrendered to Dachu in three years, and as a sign of submission, Zheng resigned as governor two years ago, and Sima
If you have the same rank, please ask Jinling to appoint officials.
Jinling, in order to protect the Zheng family, insisted on appointing Zheng Hui to be in charge of the state camp, otherwise the Zheng family would have resigned from the post of commander of soldiers and soldiers.
In the ninth year of Tianyou, Yingzhou surrendered to Dachu after it was still in Tanzhou. It was only four years ago. The governor of Yingzhou, Changshi, Sima and Liucao who joined the army were almost all descendants of the Xia family and other local families.
Take office.
When things came to a close, Yang Yuanpu couldn't help but hesitate a little, and subconsciously looked towards Han Qian.
Shen Yang noticed that the third prince's eyes were full of hesitation and wondered what he and Han Qian were doing. Then he looked at Chai Jian, Li Chong, and Zhang Ping who were following him ashore, and their expressions were normal.
Han Qian pressed his hand on the saber at his waist, as if it was his habitual action as a military general, and took a step closer to Xia Zhen.
Seeing Han Qian's resolute attitude, Yang Yuanpu gritted his teeth and stared at Xia Zhen, and asked sternly: "Xia Zhen, you fled without a fight and abandoned Neixiang City without permission. You should be punished for your crime. I ordered Han Qian to behead you today. In your heart,
Is it acceptable?"
Yang Yuanpu suddenly spoke out, asking Xia Zhen to be punished for abandoning the city, and wanted to kill Xia Zhen on the spot. Everyone was dumbfounded, but Han Qian had already raised his sword, and with a sword like the moon, he beheaded the unprepared Xia Zhen.
go.
"You bitch, you dare to sneak attack!" Xia Zhen roared angrily. He tilted his head to the side in a hurry. Before he could move the knife, he raised his foot and kicked Han Qian in the chest. He felt pain in his shoulder and saw Han Qian's blow.
The extremely sharp straight-spine knife with a three-inch wide blade had already broken through the leather armor he had worn hastily, and completely penetrated into his shoulder blade.
Han Qian was almost knocked out of breath by Xia Zhen's kick, but he held the handle of the knife tightly with his right hand, and the blade cut into Xia Zhen's shoulder blade. He couldn't pull it out for a while, but it also stabilized his body and was not knocked out by Xia Zhen.
Kicked to the ground, he immediately pulled out the dagger from his right waist with his left hand and stabbed Xia Zhen in front of the door...
