At the end of March in the fourth year of Yanxi, it was the end of spring and the beginning of summer, and the weather had begun to become slightly hot.

According to the custom of previous years, the cold was penetrating into the bones, and Sun Deng, the crown prince of Wu, who was invaded by the wind and cold, would get better when the weather gets warmer.

But what everyone in the Wu Kingdom did not expect was that Sun Deng's condition this year was very different from previous years.

Sun Deng, who had been suffering from the disease for a whole spring, had become skinny and skinny.

If I lose weight any more, I'm afraid I'll be skin and bones.

But at this time, the prince's condition was still serious.

The heavy smell of medicine permeated the prince's palace, like a heavy dark cloud, weighing on the heads of the people in the East Palace.

Most of the people in the East Palace had sadness and worry on their faces.

In the entire palace, except for the prince's cough from time to time, no one spoke, and the atmosphere was extremely depressing.

At this moment, footsteps sounded outside the hall.

When the palace guard guarding the door saw the person coming, he was about to speak out, but was stopped.

Sun Quan walked to the prince's palace, deliberately walked slowly, and then asked the palace attendant who served the prince:

"How is the prince's condition?"

"Back to Your Majesty, the doctor said that His Majesty's condition is still recurring and he needs to rest."

Although the words were spoken softly, it was probably because the palace was too quiet, or maybe Sun Deng was unable to sleep normally due to a long-term illness, so he was suddenly awakened:

"Who's over there?"

"Back to Your Highness, Your Majesty is here to visit Your Highness."

"Is His Majesty here?"

Sun Deng subconsciously wanted to stand up, but then he realized that his limbs were weak and he could only stretch his neck:

"My son has been ill for a long time and is unable to get up to greet me. I hope your majesty will forgive my rudeness."

"What are you talking about!" Sun Quan walked a few steps quickly and walked to the couch. He pressed his hands flatly and motioned for Sun Deng to lie down. "Why should you and I, father and son, care about these complicated etiquettes?"

The action just now seemed to have exhausted Sun Deng's strength, and he had to lie back.

Although he tried his best to concentrate, Sun Deng's eyes were dim and lifeless.

It was obvious that the disease had taken away all his energy and energy.

I only heard him ask weakly:

"Da Wu is sending his troops to the north this time. Doesn't His Majesty plan to lead the troops himself again? The day of sending troops is coming soon, right?"

"Your Majesty must be very busy with work, so why do you have time to come and see your son?"

Seeing the prince's extremely weak state, Sun Quan's heart ached.

Although he had many children, he devoted the greatest effort to Sun Deng.

If not, he would not be allowed to become the prince as a concubine.

Even this son, despite his own wishes, repeatedly got close to the Xu family who was demoted to Wu County.

Even this son kept admonishing and objecting to some of his decisions.

But in Sun Quan's view, these are the only way for the prince to become a wise king in the future.

But now, the successor he had worked so hard to cultivate has become like this. Why doesn't Sun Quan feel heartbroken?

"You're already like this, so you should take good care of your health first. Don't worry too much about external matters, so as not to worry about it."

When Sun Deng heard this, he noticed that Sun Quan's clothes were not the broad robes commonly used in the palace, but the tight-fitting military clothes.

He knew Sun Quan's purpose of coming here, so he managed a smile:

"Your Majesty is leading the troops north, so you came here to say goodbye to your subjects, right?"

When Sun Quan heard Sun Deng's words, he felt even more sad.

The smarter the prince became at this time, the more worried Sun Quan was.

He has reached the age of ears, and the prince has also passed the age of thirty.

If something unexpected happens to the prince at this time, then...

Sun Quan just felt that all his life-long efforts in cultivating successors were in vain.

This blow cannot be said to be heavy.

Because he knew that at this time, he no longer had the confidence, energy, or time to select and train a prince like Sun Deng.

At this time, Sun Quan turned into a father who loves his son eagerly. He held Sun Deng's withered hand and exhorted earnestly, as if pleading:

"When I go north this time, I will definitely wipe out the traitors. I only hope that one day I will lead the army to victory, and my son will be able to lead the Chinese and military officials of the court to greet him outside Jianye City."

"How dare your sons and ministers disobey your father's orders?"

"This is not an order from the emperor, this is an agreement between me and my son."

Sun Deng, who had always had no energy, finally had a rare light in his eyes when he heard what Sun Quan said.

Just like the flame that suddenly bursts out before the candle is extinguished.

"Kid, you must remember this!"

"Okay, okay, then my son will take good care of his health and wait for my return."

Sun Quan patted Sun Deng's hand and said, "I will lead the army north now and wait for good news with peace of mind."

"Farewell to Your Majesty."

After leaving the East Palace, Sun Quan exhaled a long breath, as if to clear out the depression in his chest:

"Someone's coming!"

"Your Majesty, please give me your orders!"

"Send the order and go to war!"

"Here!"

Carrying military orders, the knights began to gallop out of Jianye City and rushed toward Stone City.

"Woooo..."

The long trumpet sound began to sound.

The Stone City garrison, which had received military orders in advance, also started to make a noise under the call of the trumpet.

Then, I saw the pier sluice of Stone City being opened, and Mengcheng and fighting ships filed out of the city one after another.

From the intersection of the Qinhuai River and the Dajiang River, enter the Dajiang River.

For a time, the broad river was actually filled with warships, as densely packed as fish scales, with their bows and sterns connected, making it dizzying to look at.

To an outsider, these countless warships would appear to be a mess, floating haphazardly on the river.

But in the eyes of Ji Han's students who were already familiar with Wu's warships, they looked busy but not chaotic, advancing and retreating in an orderly manner.

This is a real battle that they can personally participate in.

Everyone's eyes flashed with excitement.

Wu State sent troops this time and specially allocated three fighting ships to them.

Mengchong and fighting ships are the main battleships of the Wu Kingdom.

The Mengchong boat has a long and narrow hull and a sharp knife-shaped bow. It is highly maneuverable and can easily collide with enemy ships.

Many times, Mengchong would cover the back of the boat with rawhide, with hatch holes on both sides, and spear holes on the left and right, so that the enemy could not enter and could not be defeated if they lost stones.

Fighting ships are different from Mengchong.

The fighting ship is larger than Mengchong, with half-height parapets installed on the sides of the ship, and oar holes under the two bulwarks.

A shed is built five feet inboard, as high as the parapet, and a parapet is built around the shed.

Mengchong is used for close combat, so the back of the boat must be covered with rawhide to protect it from enemy bows and arrows.

Fighting ships, on the other hand, use long-range bows and arrows to suppress the enemy and cover Meng Chong's charge.

Therefore, fighting ships are generally not covered.

Instead, they set up banners and flags, and set up golden drums for commanding offensive and defensive advance and retreat.

Further up the Mengchong and Fighting Ships, there are even larger building ships.

The building ship is named after its tall ship and wide stern, which looks like a building. Because of its high building, it is suitable for both long-range and close combat.

Generally speaking, building ships used in combat have at least three floors.

The first floor is the hut; the second floor is the flying hut; and the top floor is the noble chamber.

Each floor is equipped with a protective parapet to defend against enemy bows and arrows and lost stones.

There are arrow holes on the female wall for firing crossbows.
To be continued...