Pang Xi knew that the Wu army had the best warships and was good at water warfare. Although it was convenient to go down the Mian River, it was easy to become the target of the Wu army. So he gave up his commonly used waterways and traveled southeast from Xiling, crossed the mountains and followed the Qin Gushui to Shangyong. This road was not as convenient as the waterways, but it was closer, less than a quarter of the waterways, which was not conducive to the Wu army's warships. He was also worried about ambushing and sent a large number of scouts to investigate. Unexpectedly, he was ambushed and became the target of more than ten powerful crossbows, and his life was lost in the first wave of attacks.

He didn't understand until he died, why the scouts sent out did not issue early warnings, why the Wu army ran faster in the mountains than the barbarians in the mountains. He didn't understand even more, why the Wu army, who had been surrounded by Fangling for a year, was so good at fighting? Is it true that the Wu army could not attack the city and was invincible in the field?

The scouts lying in the valley didn't understand where the Wu army scouts had been hiding before, why did they suddenly appear around them? And they attacked the most fiercely, killing them all in a few breaths, making them too late to call the police. Are these people mountain ghosts? Otherwise, how could they suddenly appear?

Only Xu Huang knew the answer. Over the past year, he had been in the mountains for more than half of his time and had already figured out the terrain near Shangyong. Xu Shu was responsible for overall planning and specific implementation. His soldiers were responsible for reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance in the mountains all day long, ambushing and counter-ambushing, practicing various tactics, and refining them into steel. It was as easy to deal with these enemies as playing with children.

Victory is not strong. Is Pang Xi a general who commands the army? He is so slow to react. Xu Huang sighed while commanding his headquarters to enter the valley and make the final conclusion. Under three consecutive waves of arrow attacks, the enemies in the valley were defeated, and at least half of them fell in a pool of blood. The rest were looking for a hiding place and could no longer act in a unified manner. All the time needed to deal with these scared opponents. One by one is cleaned up one by one. All the tactics have been practiced countless times in normal times, and there is no need to give other instructions.

The Wu soldiers on the hillside surged down like a tide and surrounded them. Even in the situation of a complete victory, they did not act hastily. Everything was followed by standard tactics. The crossbowmen seized the commanding heights and were condescending, using crossbows to suppress them, and guided the direction for their companions. Under the guidance of the crossbowmen, the sword and shield soldiers surrounded them from different directions, surrounded the opponent with their superior forces first, and then shouted in official language, and then shouted in local language. If there was no movement, they would shout in barbarian language again. Although these local languages ​​are not standard, they are enough to make the opponent understand. If the opponent knows what he knows and takes the initiative to put down his weapons and surrender, everything will be stopped. If he resists stubbornly, he will have to be hard and kill them.

Captives are also useful. Before the crops in the field have been harvested, people also need to log siege equipment, and coolies are also needed when siegeing the city. All of these require manpower. Only by letting the prisoners be coolies can the soldiers fight wholeheartedly. They have special skills, such as farmers and craftsmen, and craftsmen build weapons, and doctors treat diseases, and soldiers should fight.

In the face of the rapid and precise attack of the Wu army, after hiding a large stone, the Hanzhong soldiers in the bushes were quickly defeated one by one, and walked out of the hiding place one after another, put down their weapons, tied their hands together with a long rope, and became prisoners dejectedly, forming a long dragon in the valley.

Almost at the same time, Xu Shu also completed the attack on the baggage team. Pang Xi worked hard to get all the baggage and food from the West City to become his spoils. His mission was easier than Xu Huang. Pang Xi used the conscripted ship to transport baggage. When the soldiers protected along the way were killed, the civilians who were recruited to carry the boat smiled and squatted quietly on the boat, watching the show while waiting for the disposal. After the battle, as soon as Xu Shu announced the policy, they happily became the Wu army's strength.

They had long heard that the King of Wu treated the people preferentially. They not only managed food and accommodation for the Wu army, but also paid for wages, and they had 10 or 20 yuan a day. Although it was not much, they could save some money for ten or half a month. If they had the opportunity to go to Xiangyang, pull a few pieces of cloth for their family, make two new clothes, or buy some daily necessities to go back, it would be perfect. If it really doesn't work, you can also exchange some old ones with Wu Juntao. I heard that the cloth in Jingzhou is good and cheap, and is much thicker than the cloth in Hanzhong.

Back at the camp, Xu Shu was not only not idle, but was busier. He classified the prisoners and arranged for doctors to deal with wounded prisoners, soothe their emotions, explain policies, interrogate important prisoners, collect intelligence, understand the situation in the West City, and carry out one by one work in an orderly manner. Fortunately, these things have been formed, and he has a large number of officials familiar with the business to assist him, so it is not difficult to deal with them.

After being busy until late at night, Xu Shu compiled the information he had sorted out and came to the Central Army tent.

Huang Zhong was not asleep either and was listening to the report of the clerk. Seeing Xu Shu come in, he waved his hand and signaled Xu Shu to wait. Xu Shu understood and walked to the table beside him, filled a bowl of meat porridge, and then two pieces of mustard greens to fill his stomach. Since the news the day before yesterday, they have not really slept well since they were about to ambush Pang Xi. As the chief general, Huang Zhong is even more so. He has porridge and snacks ready in the tent so that the generals and school officials who come to report work can eat something while they are waiting to replenish their energy.

When Xu Shu finished drinking the second bowl of porridge, Huang Zhong came over, poured himself a cup of medicinal tea, and took a sip. Xu Shu looked at the corner of Huang Zhong's mouth. Huang Zhong was too busy recently, lacking enough sleep, a little angry, and the corners of his mouth were ulcerated, and it has not been healed.

"What are the Governor worried about?"

Huang Zhong did not hide it. "After taking down Shangyong, we will advance westward and attack all the way to Chenggu. Nearly a thousand miles away, more than ten fortresses, after passing Anyang, we must pay attention to the direction of Ziwu Valley. Yuanzhi, we cannot make any mistakes, otherwise all our previous efforts will be wasted."

Xu Shu wiped the corner of his mouth. "Yes, we can't make mistakes. If we ask the king to send troops to reinforce, it would be too embarrassing. Therefore, the time to surround Shangyong is very critical. It's too short. Wu Yi's main force has no time to reinforce. It's too long. The guards of Zhutthirs are too strict, so it's more difficult for us to attack the city. If we are not sure, it's better not to take action. Stay in Shangyong for a longer time and rectify the counties. I estimated that there is more arable land around Shangyong than Fangling. If we use prisoners to farm and recruit some people, it can basically meet our daily needs. As long as we transport some emergency food from Xiangyang."

Xu Shu then presented his plan to Huang Zhong for a detailed explanation. Huang Zhong listened quietly. After this year's cooperation, he trusted Xu Shu's ability very much and admired Sun Ce's arrangements. Using elite troops, the demand for food was greatly reduced and the logistical pressure was reduced. Two times before the autumn harvest, the harvested autumn grain was enough to solve the cost of the army for several months. The siege without attacking and ambush reinforcements, reducing casualties on his own side, and training more than 10,000 subordinates into real elite mountain warfare. All of this was previously provided by the military officers of the Military Affairs Office, but now Xu Shu is responsible for it.

He counted all factors to the extreme, especially human wisdom. This is the essence of the King of Wu’s military use and governance. He and Xu Huang are familiar with him, but the person who mastered the most accurately and performed the most well was Xu Shu who had been in Wuguan.

After Xu Shu finished explaining, he paused for a moment, and suddenly said, "Governor, I heard that Mrs. Qin is very busy recently. What are you busy with?"

Huang Zhong was surprised, thought for a while, and shook his head. "I don't know much about this. I have been away from home for so long, and she never mentioned official business in her letters. Before I went to war, she went to Dongting on an appointment by Huang Dajiang and heard that there was a project to cooperate with."

Xu Shu smiled. "If I guess well, we will soon have new tools available."

Huang Zhong was puzzled. "How do you say this?"

"Huang Dajiang has been studying sea ships over the years. The sea ships must be stable and large, but when the sea ships reach a certain level, how to push them becomes a problem. Huang Dajiang tried a new way of pushing the ship in Dongting. However, in Dongting, the test ships in Dongting are naturally not only serving sea ships, but also integrating rivers. When we attacked Hanzhong, the governor Zhou attacked Yinan, they all advance along the waterway. I speculate that the technology they are developing recently can also be used for warships in Mianshui and Yuanshui. If the driving force of this kind of ship is stronger, then the giant stone thrower studied by Runan Wood School may be able to be loaded on the ship."

Huang Zhong thought about it carefully and then suddenly realized. He knew that Runan Wood School had developed a giant stone thrower, which used more than 100 kilograms of iron bullets, with a range of more than 300 steps. It is said that it can directly break through the city gate, but it is too huge and it is troublesome to move. It has high production requirements and is not suitable for on-site manufacturing. There has never been a chance to fight. If it can be installed directly on the ship and solved the movement problem, this giant stone thrower will not be far away when it goes to the battlefield.

Xu Shu picked up another piece of snack and threw it into his mouth. "Governor, if you have the chance to ask your wife, if it can be done, we will grab it and use it first."

Huang Zhong looked at Xu Shu, rolled his eyes and smiled slightly. "Xu Yuanzhi, you are so brave. You dare to take the opportunity of Governor Zhou? Dongting is in Jiangnan. What do you and I know? Governor Zhou, how can military advisor Xun know?"

Xu Shu raised his eyebrows. "It is precisely because they know that we have to take the initiative and apply to the king first." Xu Shu turned around and walked to the map, narrowed his eyes slightly, and was fascinated. "With this kind of weapon, the warship is the real warship." He turned around and looked at Huang Zhong again. "Governor, a gentle, kind, respectful and frugal gentleman is enough to have the gentleman Zhou Governor. You don't need to learn, and you can't learn like you." He said with a slight smile and said, "Since you have snatched all the tasks in Hanzhong, just grab more and do the evil people to the end."

Huang Zhong understood the truth, stroked the short beard under his jaw and laughed loudly. "It's reasonable."
Chapter completed!