Zhu Huan and Lu Jie decided to capture Dingtao overnight, not only to solve Li Jin, but also to make food in the small town.

Li Jin gave up the big city and plundered all the food in the big city, pushing tens of thousands of mouths to Zhu Huan. No matter how Zhu Huan dealt with these people, he could not kill them all. Tens of thousands of mouths out of thin air was a severe test for the baggage. Taking down the small city could at least solve some of the problems.

But this wish was disappointed.

Li Jin was shot and killed, but his troops did not put down their weapons and surrendered. They persisted until the last moment and were all killed. Someone set fire to the granary before they died in battle and burned the stored grain to ashes. Judging from the remaining traces, Li Jin had already prepared to burn both jade and stones, and was determined not to give Zhu Huan a chance, and it was not the momentary intention of the troops.

Zhu Huan was so angry that he cursed and ordered people to cut off Li Jin's head and hang it on the top of the city to show his public. However, venting anger could not solve the actual problem. There was not enough food, so he could not hold it for too long. After discussing with Lu, Zhu Huan arranged for the people of Yanzhou to retreat south overnight, allowing them to retreat to Yuzhou to eat, and relieve the pressure on food.

From Dingtao to the nearest Bo County, nearly a hundred miles away, the people took their families and took their children to take care of their elderly and children, and they had to walk for at least two or three days. But Zhu Huan couldn't care about these things. He only provided dry food that could barely be enough for a meal to make them hurry on the road. At least whether people would starve to death or encounter danger was not within his consideration. Someone gave suggestions, but Zhu Huan was not in the mood to listen. A favored concubine wanted to ask for more dry food for her family. She angrily said a few words, which angered Zhu Huan, killed him with one knife, and threw him out of the camp to show his public.

The people of Yanzhou were frightened by Zhu Huan's cruelty. No one dared to say a word of nonsense. Tens of thousands of people headed south in the dark.

Zhu Huan reorganized the city defense overnight and prepared to fight. He set up his command center in a small city. Ji Ling and Lu Fan's troops entered the city to rest overnight. Man Chong's troops lined up along the river outside the city to protect giant stone throwers and warships. The cavalry also retreated and entered the city to rest.

At dawn, Yan Xing, who had been performing a warning mission outside the city, returned to the city without having time to rest, and hurriedly washed his face, and then rushed to the small city and discussed the way to fight with Zhu Huan. When he learned that the emperor was coming, Lu Yi immediately warned them not to fight easily and preserve their strength. The number of cavalry in Jiangdong is limited, and it is difficult to supplement, so you must be cautious. He specifically reminded Yan Xing and Chen Dao that with his understanding of Ma Chao, he would definitely not hide the things he knew, and he would definitely know the emperor. The enemy knows me, but I don’t know the enemy. This is a taboo in military strategists.

Yan Xing and Chen Dao were both cautious people, and knew the weight of Lu Yi's speech. He loyally executed his orders, but used the terrain to cover the emperor and Dong Zhao, without provoking him. After a night, except for the scouts confrontation between the two sides, the others were safe and sound.

Zhu Huan and Lu Yi did not sleep all night and were having breakfast. When they saw Yan Xing and Chen Dao, they greeted them to the table. Although Lu Yi followed Sun Ce for a long time, he was deeply influenced by Confucianism since he was a child. He paid attention to eating and not talking, and did not speak when eating, unlike Sun Ce who liked to discuss issues while eating. Seeing that Lu Yi was only concerned about eating and not talking, Yan and Chen were a little surprised, but they didn't ask much, and they buried their heads in eating. They took a bowl of weak and two or three bites, then cleaned their hands and waited for Lu Yi. Zhu Huan also ate faster, and in the end, only Lu Yi was left.

Lu Yi reacted and also accelerated his speed. After eating, he didn't go around in circles and asked Yan Xing two questions: What do you think of Ma Chao? How much do you think Ma Chao knows about our army?

Yan Xing had considered this issue a long time ago. Regarding Zhu Huan and Lu Yi, Ma Chao's biggest weakness is that he is competitive and cannot stand the stimulation. As early as in Xiliang, he had competed with me for the victory and defeat, and had conflicts. If someone used this to stimulate him, he would definitely fall into the trap.

Compared with the situation when Ma Chao left, the Jiangdong cavalry has changed a lot now. First, the main body of the soldiers is different. Most of the Guanzhong children led by Qin Mu are older and have not been in battle for many years, and their physical fitness has declined. He and Ma Chao are still the main force of the Xiliang knights, and in addition, they are Jiangdong children. The Jiangdong children can endure hardships and have excellent training, but their riding foundation is limited. They are not as flexible and tacit understanding as the Xiliang knights in battle formation change. When encountering Lu Bu, a cavalry master like Ma Chao may suffer a loss. The advantage of our army is the armored cavalry. In recent years, the resources of war horses have been guaranteed, and the number of armored cavalry has been increasing, and their combat power is much stronger than that of Ma Chao. However, Ma Chao should be able to think of these and make corresponding preparations.

Yan Xing finally said: "There is only one thing that Ma Chao doesn't know, that is the stirrup. Stirrups can not only help the knight sit firmly, but also help the knight increase the impact force, and its effect on the armored cavalry is particularly obvious. When there are no stirrups, in order to prevent being knocked down by backlash, the knight can usually only stab down with a spear. Except for a few elites, few people can hold the spear flat to impact. With stirrups, the spear can be directly held under the ribs and impacted with the power of the body, which greatly increases the power."

Zhu Huan and Lu Yi looked at each other. They also considered this issue. The stirrup actually appeared a long time ago, and it was not once. Yan Rou first proposed a general idea. Later, someone in Wujun proposed a similar idea and created a prototype. However, considering that the cavalry has never been an advantage of Jiangdong, and there is no threshold for this technology. Once it is leaked, it will spread quickly. The harm outweighs the benefits, so he deliberately concealed it. Now facing the Liang Jingqi, who has the advantage of military strength, Yan Xing hopes to use the stirrup, and they need to make a decision and take responsibility.

"What about Governor Chen's opinion?" Zhu Huan said.

Chen Dao bowed. "I thought what Yan said was very much. The king often said that lions fight rabbits and still needs to do their best. When the strong enemy is in front of him, it is even more appropriate to keep his hands. If the general has doubts, he can overtake his affairs. The king blames the blame and bear it with all his strength."

Yan Xing also said: "Zheng overestimates his abilities and is willing to advance and retreat with Duke Chen."

Zhu Huan laughed and waved his hand. "What are you saying, "I am the leader, how can I blame others? Since you both think it is necessary, then we will do this. If the king blames you, I will take it first. I can't bear it, so I will ask you to bear it together."

Yan Xing, Chen Dao was overjoyed.

Zhu Huan then discussed the plan he discussed with Lu and Yan and Chen. He planned to hide the cavalry in the city first, accumulate strength, use a large infantry formation to cooperate with a giant stone throwing machine to fight, and then use cavalry to assault, especially light cavalry, to prepare for long-distance pursuit. Either not to fight, or to fight, he will never die and share the worries of the King of Wu.

Zhu Huan stared at Yan Xing, Chen Dao looked at him, and smiled meaningfully. "Two, this is not a rabbit fight, but a dragon capture. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don't miss it."

Yan Xing, Chen Dao understood it and bowed to accept the order.

Dong Fang was ordered to arrive in Juyang, pay homage to the emperor, and give generous gifts and some food and supplies.

The emperor was not very interested in gifts. Food and grass were very important, but the quantity was far from enough. He asked carefully about the situation in Changyi. Zhu Huan suddenly exerted his strength and took Dingtao before they arrived and defended the city, allowing him to advance and retreat. No matter how strong the cavalry was, he could not attack the city, let alone his cavalry did not have much advantage. If Dong Zhao could provide food and grass, he could join forces with Dong Zhao to attack Dingtao. If Dong Zhao could not solve this problem, he could only consider withdrawing the army, at least not taking the initiative to attack.

Before the troops move, food and grass will go first. Without food and grass, you cannot fight, and the emperor cannot send hungry soldiers.

Dong Je said that after receiving the news that Zhu Huan had attacked Dingtao overnight, Dong Zhao knew that the situation had changed, and guessed Zhu Huan and Lu Yi's intention. Changyi did have some food, but it couldn't last long. If he had to bear the emperor's 10,000 cavalry, he could only fight quickly, otherwise the food would be cut off and he would collapse without fighting. However, Zhu Huan had already taken down Dingtao City and had a powerful weapon like a giant stone thrower. It was unrealistic to quickly conquer Dingtao, so Dong Zhao thought of a solution: Dong Je came forward for the emperor, raised food from the Yanzhou family, and asked Yuan Tan for help, asking him to transfer some food from Jizhou to support him, solve the urgent problem, first gain a foothold in Yanzhou, and then consider the war.

The emperor repeatedly weighed the pros and consented Dong Zhao's suggestion and handed the task to Dong Fang. He and Liu Ye had plans to raise grain from the Yanzhou family, but they were not familiar with the place, so it was not as convenient as Dong Fang. Since Dong Fang was willing to take on this task, he couldn't ask for it. In order to encourage Dong Fang, he appointed Dong Fang as the General of the Central Army to Search for Grain and the Marquis of Guannei.

Dong Guai was very grateful and thanked the emperor and recommended someone to the emperor: Cheng Yu.

After being captured, Cheng Yu was kept in Changyi and refused to surrender to Yuan Tan. When Dong Zhao came, he still refused to surrender, and Dong Zhao had no choice but to do anything to him. This time, considering that Dong Jun raised grain, he took him out of prison and brought him to the emperor, and handed him over to the emperor for disposal. If Cheng Yu was willing to serve the emperor, he would assist Dong Gu to contact the aristocratic families in Dong Jun and raise food and grass. If he was unwilling to serve the emperor, he would deal with it with the emperor, whether it was killed or released. He and Cheng Yu had no grudges, did not want to kill Cheng Yu, nor did he want to support him in vain, nor did he want to offend Yuan Tan for this.

Cheng Yu is eight feet and three inches tall, and looks pretty. He has a very beautiful beard. Even after being locked up for several months, his hair and hair have turned a lot white, but he is still majestic and his back is straight. The emperor likes him very much at first sight and hopes to take him for himself.

"I am not virtuous and I am here in Guizhou for the first time. I hope the public will help you."

Cheng Yu stared at the emperor for a long time. "Dare you ask Your Majesty, where is Xun Lingjun?"

The emperor laughed as soon as he heard this. "You are late and ordered you to go on an envoy according to the order. You may not have arrived in Jianye yet."

Cheng Yu frowned slightly. "Let me go to Jianye?"

After receiving the affirmative answer from the emperor, Cheng Yu shook his head and refused to say a word again. The emperor did not understand the meaning and did not want to force him to ask, so he had to release Cheng Yu and give him some gifts. Cheng Yu thanked the emperor and bowed and left.

The emperor felt lost and felt a little complicated in his heart.
Chapter completed!