In Yan Baihu's mind, all tribes in Baiyue are a group of unintelligent savages. They carry cauldrons, stone spears, and animal skins every day, live in haystacks and caves, eat their hair and drink blood, and occasionally drink blood. Kill a few passers-by for drinking and improve the food.
Yan Baihu had never seen much of the world, and it was all hearsay, but Tao Shang knew in his heart that the fact was simply not the case.
In ancient times, the south of the Yangtze River was indeed dominated by the Baiyue people. The Yue cultural system formed from the Hemudu culture and Liangzhu culture was indeed very significantly different from the Central Plains culture. The Yue people used a language that was related to the Austronesian language of later generations. The related language is very different from the Sino-Tibetan language family.
But after entering the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the Yue people's original porcelain, bronze swords and other craftsmanship in Wudi even surpassed that of the Central Plains. During the Warring States Period, a powerful country with the Yue people as the main body even emerged, and for a time became the overlord of the Central Plains.
The Baiyue ethnic groups are relatively civilized. Nowadays, many Yue people have been Hanized in Danyang County and Wu County under the command of pottery merchants, but in Yuzhang County, Kuaiji County, and Ouyue and Minyue in the south of Jingzhou , Yangyue, Nanyue, Xiou, etc. are indeed still in a relatively original ecological state.
This original ecology does not refer to eating hair and drinking blood, but refers to not being attached to Wang Hua.
In fact, the pottery merchant would not be willing to send a fool like Yan Baihu to communicate with Baiyue, but among his subordinates, he was the one who knew how to hang out with the Shanyue of Wu in the mountains and forests. Although the Yue of Wu and the southern Baiyue were related, They are different, but they lead to the same destination by different paths, and the general life situation should be similar.
It is not necessary that Yan Baihu can persuade all the tribes in Baiyue to turn towards him, but as long as he can persuade a few people to oppose Yuan Shu, it will be of great help to him.
Moreover, Lu Dai was assisting him this time. From the perspective of the pottery merchant, there should be some hope for this matter.
…
In accordance with the strategy discussed with everyone, the pottery merchant slowed down his march south and deliberately let Yuan Shu's troops enter Yuzhang County first.
Indeed, as Sima Yi had guessed, Yuan Shu had bad intentions and was still hiding his little thoughts at this time.
He put Sun Ce's troops as the vanguard and took the lead in marching into Nanchang.
The purpose of letting Sun Ce's army be the vanguard is very simple. Yuan Shu wants Sun Ce and Tao Shang's army who came to capture Nanchang to directly encounter each other. The two sides will fight to the death and at the same time weaken the combat power of Tao Shang and Sun Ce. Help him with other plans in the future.
But unfortunately, Yuan Shu's plan failed.
When Sun Ce arrived in Nanchang, Prince Taiping did not come at all.
When Zhuge Xuan, the prefect of Yuzhang who was responsible for guarding Nanchang, heard that Sun Ce's troops had arrived, he immediately opened the city gate and welcomed Sun Ce's troops into the city.
Zhuge Xuan's position as governor of Yuzhang was recommended by Yuan Shu.
The reason why Yuan Shu did this is very simple, so that he can conquer the land today.
Zhuge Xuan and his nephew Zhuge Jin respectfully presented Sun Ce with the county's seal and ribbon, population register and register.
Sun Ce was sitting on the main seat of the governor's mansion, casually looking through the county's registers. He looked at Zhuge Xuan sideways and said, "Before our troops arrive in Nanchang, has the pottery merchant sent troops or sent people to Nanchang?"
Facing the orphan of the Jiangdong Tiger, Zhuge Xuan did not dare to be disrespectful and said respectfully: "Returning to the Major General, Jinling has not sent a single soldier to Nanchang, nor has it sent a messenger during this period."
Sun Ce said "Oh" and suddenly changed the topic and said coldly: "Mr. Zhuge, are these words true or false? Don't lie to me! If I find out that you are in collusion with the pottery merchant, the consequences will be different."
It’s not so easy anymore.”
Zhuge Xuan was shocked when he heard this, with a puzzled look on his face, and said: "Why did you say this, young general? Why did I say this to deceive you? General, what you said is an understatement."
Sun Ce said slowly: "It's better to be on guard. I heard that you have a nephew who is the student in front of the Tao thief in Jinling City. With this relationship, I am afraid that your heart is not with Mr. Yuan, and he will be killed at any time.
Fall to Jinling!"
Zhuge Xuan's face suddenly showed anger when he heard this: "Who does the young general think I am? Although I am stupid, I don't know the theory of repaying kindness. Liang'er entered Jinling City for a reason, and I also
I don’t want to explain too much...but I am the governor of Yuzhang County, but it actually comes from the recommendation of the general. If the general wants Yuzhang County, I will naturally offer it at any time. I will obey everything. How can the young general make it happen?
Do you want me to be such a despicable person?"
Sun Ce didn't get angry, he just laughed and said: "Don't doubt it, Mr. Zhuge. As a pioneer officer under Mr. Yuan's account, I should be more careful when doing things. If I don't ask clearly about some things, it will be difficult to explain to Mr. Yuan later."
...I'm just going to make amends to Duke Zhuge here."
Zhuge Xuanqi snorted, feeling very unhappy.
But since Sun Ce apologized, he couldn't hold on to him and just returned the favor to Sun Ce in accordance with the law.
Sun Ce waved and suddenly shouted: "Deng Dang!"
Among Sun Ce's generals, a burly man stepped out, cupped his hands at Sun Ce and said, "Here you are!"
Sun Ce pointed at Zhuge Jin who was behind Zhuge Xuan and said: "Now follow Master Ziyu to Nanchang City, take inventory of the city's arsenal, treasury, and granary, check the number of records, and seal them all after counting, leaving everyone waiting.
No trespassing is allowed. When Mr. Yuan arrives in Nanchang and inquires, if there is even a slight difference, you will be the only one to ask!"
Deng Dang did not dare to neglect and said hurriedly: "No!"
Zhou Yu stood beside Sun Ce without saying a word, but suddenly said to Deng Dang: "Deng Sima, when checking various treasuries in Nanchang, be sure to bring your brother-in-law with you and let him learn from you."
Deng Dang was stunned when he heard this.
His brother-in-law was only fifteen years old and had just come to join him in his hometown some time ago. How come Zhou Yu even knew about this?
"Mr. Zhou is talking about...Lü Meng?"
Zhou Yu smiled and said: "What? You have even forgotten your brother-in-law's name?"
Deng Dang hurriedly leaned forward and said, "No! I just never thought that a fifteen-year-old kid could be valued by Lord Zhou. This is really, really..."
Zhou Yu waved his hand, interrupted him and said: "Go, I have met your brother-in-law twice, he is a talented person, lead him to exercise, then send him to me later, Yu will supervise him for you
.”
Deng Dang retreated after hearing the words "Promise, Promise", but there was a big murmur in his heart.
In Deng Dang's eyes, that boy Lu Meng was just a wild boy. He might be quite strong physically. After training in the army in the future, he might become a good captain, but that would probably be the best he could be.
There are countless such figures among Sun Ce's army. Why did Zhou Yu fall in love with him alone?
Deng Dang led Zhuge Jin to take inventory of the treasury. Zhuge Xuan bowed to Sun Ce and said, "Before I left Yuzhang, I wanted to see Mr. Yuan to thank him in person for his recommendation. I don't know.
General, can you give me permission?"
Sun Ce smiled slightly and said: "What Zhuge Gong said, when Yuan Gong arrives in Nanchang, you will always have the opportunity to meet Yuan Gong, why rush it? As for leaving Yuzhang County, at least we have to wait until the Tao thief is defeated.
.”
When Zhuge Xuan heard this, his whole body suddenly trembled.
What does Sun Ce mean by this? Could he be holding me here as a hostage?