Lu Bu's strongest strategy

Chapter 138 Surging
Puyang.

Beside the rumbling river, there was a din of people, and countless craftsmen were busy.

Although the old Zhangtou already has a grade, but at this moment, he is running around like a young man, fast and flexible, yelling constantly, directing more than a dozen craftsmen to rush to make various objects needed for the keel waterwheel.

His voice was hoarse, like a duck quacking when he spoke, but no one laughed at him because everyone was similar.

Beside the carpenters doing their work, there are also some blacksmiths, beating beside the raging fire.

In addition to wooden objects, the keel waterwheel also needs stronger objects in many places, so it can only be made of iron.

The enthusiasm of these blacksmiths is no less than that of the carpenters. Although large beads of sweat have covered their bodies, no one complained.

Lu Bu also came to the river early in the morning. Accompanied by Han Hao and Wang Kai, he stood by the river and watched the movement here.

All the items needed for the keel waterwheel have basically been completed in a hurry, and today is the time for launching.

Old Zhangtou ran over, cupped his hands, and said in a hoarse voice, "Marquis Wen, do you want to start assembling now?"

Lu Bu nodded, looked at the rolling river, waved his hand, "Start."

Following Lu Bu's order, the craftsmen began to assemble the keel waterwheel by the river.

Since the keel waterwheel is too big overall, it is impossible to make it and lift it into the water, so it can only be assembled by the river.

A tall wooden frame has been set up by the river, and the craftsmen started to assemble it in an orderly manner.

In order to be on the safe side, Han Hao brought another team of 400 people to assist, fearing that something might go wrong.

The ditch has already been dug, and the most critical step is to wait for the keel waterwheel to be launched.

Jingle Jingle!

Lu Bu stood by the river, watching the craftsmen busy assembling various objects of the keel waterwheel.

Listening to the rolling river and watching the craftsmen running around, Lu Bu suddenly felt a little emotional.

He never thought that one day, he would come to direct the water diversion.

Even a year ago, he never imagined such a day would come.

He always thought that as long as the soldiers and horses are strong, they can sweep all directions and make the enemy retreat in fear.

But today, a year later, he suddenly realized that only strong soldiers and horses were not enough.

Just like these people in front of him, Lu Bu is sure that as long as he gives an order, even if they are asked to jump into the river, they will never have any complaints.

And there are many such people, and they are all people who really support themselves.

They were not his own soldiers, but refugees and ordinary people. However, Lu Bu always had a feeling that when they were peaceful, they were gentle rivers, gurgling.

But if he is angry, he can surge up a huge wave and smash the enemy to pieces.

Cao Mengde has a strong army and horses, even if the Bingzhou iron cavalry is extremely brave, he is not sure to defeat them.

But these unarmed people and refugees did it and drove Cao Mengde out of Yanzhou.

At this moment, Lu Bu finally understood that it was not enough to have the support of soldiers and horses, and the support of these ordinary people was needed to make him go further.

……

Changan.

Weiyang Palace used to be the power core of the Western Han Empire, but after years of wars, it looks a bit dilapidated.

In the Shiqu Pavilion, Liu Xie, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, sat beside the case, looking at the two people in front of him, his eyes were full of anger.

"You said, Cao Mengde is not going to come to escort?"

Taiwei Yang Biao hurriedly saluted, "Your Majesty, Cao Mengde was defeated by Lu Bu in Yanzhou, and retreated to Xuzhou, unable to take care of himself."

The eunuch Zhu Jun also hastily explained, "Although Cao Mengde didn't come to escort him, he promised that he will come as long as he recovers his strength."

Snapped!
Liu Xie snapped at the case, gritted his teeth and said, "When he regains his strength, I'm afraid I've already been killed by Li Guo and the two thieves."

Yang Biao and Zhu Jun didn't dare to answer, so they could only bow their hands again and again.

Liu Xie turned his head and looked at Yang Biao, "Could it be that there is only one Cao Mengde in the world, so no one else is willing to escort him?"

Yang Biao tentatively said, "Your Majesty, since Cao Mengde can't come to escort him, how about sending someone to deliver a letter to Mr. Liu Shijun in Jingzhou and ask him to escort him?"

Liu Xie nodded, "Hurry up, don't delay."

Zhu Jun hesitated for a moment, and said tentatively, "When the 18th princes attacked Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao was the leader. Now he is strong and powerful. As long as he is willing to come, the two thieves, Li and Guo, must not be opponents."

Liu Xie nodded, "Alright, send a letter to invite them to come together."

……

Xuzhou.

In Liu Bei's mansion, there was a faint smell of tea soup in the study.

Liu Bei and Jian Yong sat opposite each other, quietly savoring the tea that the maid had just brought up.

Jian Yong didn't speak, he knew that Liu Bei invited him here definitely not to drink tea, but he couldn't ask, so he could only wait quietly.

After a long time, Liu Bei suddenly asked, "Xianhe, Prime Minister Cao hasn't come back yet?"

His tone was calm and his face was as usual, but in fact he was already very irritable in his heart.

According to his original plan, he first took back the five counties of Xuzhou to expand his strength.

But now, Cao Cao's arrival disrupted all his plans.

Wanting to take back the five counties will definitely cause dissatisfaction among many people, and maybe they will even mobilize troops.

If Cao Cao hadn't come to Xuzhou, he would have shot without hesitation, instead he would have wiped out his own power.

But now that there are more Cao Cao, there are many more variables.

Once the matter of taking back the five counties is mentioned again, if those restless guys take the opportunity to join forces with Cao Cao, it will be really difficult to deal with.

But if the five counties are not taken back, there is no way to increase their strength, and this is the problem.

Jian Yong shook his head, "I have already sent someone to inquire, but Prime Minister Cao has not returned yet."

Liu Bei raised his head to look at this old friend, and slowly asked, "Xianhe, if Cao Mengde doesn't leave, what should we do?"

Jian Yong is Liu Bei's confidant, so he naturally knows what he is thinking, and he also supports the recovery of the five counties, but at this time, it is really not the best time.

"Liu Shijun, please be calm and don't be impatient. It's not too late to make a decision after the matter is clear."

Although Liu Bei had expected that Jian Yong would say this, but when he heard his answer, he still couldn't help sighing secretly, and was about to speak, when suddenly there were hurried footsteps outside the door.

"Report to Ambassador Liu, and Cao Xiang asks to see you."

Liu Bei lifted his spirits, "President Cao, please come in and talk."

Cao Bao walked in from the door, and cupped his hands at Liu Bei, "I have met Liu Shijun."

Liu Bei smiled and said, "Mr. Cao has worked hard, please sit down and talk."

Cao Bao hesitated for a moment, then knelt down beside Jian Yong.

"Cao Xiang, is Xiao Pei's matter settled?"

Cao Bao nodded, "The settlement has been settled, but Cao Jun is short of some food, so he wanted to borrow some food from Liu Shijun, but I dare not agree, so I came back to report."

Liu Bei nodded, "It's a trivial matter. Afterwards, I will send someone to deliver some food."

Cao Bao stood up and cupped his hands, "In that case, I will take my leave."

When Cao Bao left, Liu Bei turned his head to look at Jian Yong, and suddenly said, "Xianhe, what do you think of Prime Minister Cao?"

Jian Yong cupped his hands, "Emissary Liu, no matter what Prime Minister Cao's character is, I suggest that the military power in Prime Minister Cao's hands must be taken back as soon as possible, otherwise there will be changes."

Liu Bei frowned slightly, "Will Prime Minister Cao be dissatisfied by doing so?"

Jian Yong smiled slightly, "Liu Shijun, I have two strategies, and I can easily regain the military power."

This was what Liu Bei wanted to ask, and when he heard Jian Yong's words, he was overjoyed, "Xianhe, what are the two plans?"

Jian Yong said slowly, "Liu Shijun's second younger brother, General Guan, is proficient in both literature and martial arts. We can take this opportunity to let him become Prime Minister Cao's deputy, and gradually take charge of various affairs in the army."

Speaking of this, Jian Yong's tone paused, and he suddenly laughed, "As for the second plan, it depends on the temper of the three generals."

……

Yanzhou.

The project of the keel waterwheel is huge, even if it is only assembled, it cannot be completed in a day.

That night, as soon as Lu Bu returned to Puyang, Xu Si came to see him.

When Xu Si came to the room and saw Lu Bu, he hurriedly saluted, "I've seen Marquis Wen."

Seeing Xu Si's dusty face, Lu Bu couldn't help laughing, "Dexian, I remember you went to Dong'a, could it be that the matter was settled so quickly?"

Xu Si hurriedly handed over his hands, "It's been done. Although the number of donations has doubled, the number of people donating food has not decreased, but more."

When Lu Bu thought of the severe drought and locust plague, these people refused to bring out any food, and felt a little annoyed.

"If I knew this earlier, I might as well double it."

Xu Si smiled slightly, "Marquis Wen, in addition to these grains, the children of various families have also been elected."

Lu Bu nodded, "Since the recommendation has been made, I will go and see him when I have time."

Xu Si smiled wryly and waved his hands, "Marquis Wen, they heard that they will come back to Puyang next time, and they will all come with them."

Lu Bu was taken aback, "Dexian, you won't tell me that they are outside the door right now?"

Xu Si nodded, "Marquis Wen guessed right, they are waiting outside the door, as long as Marquis Wen wants to meet, they can do so at any time."

Lu Bu thought for a while, then nodded, "Then let them in."

Hearing this, Xu Si smiled wryly and cupped his hands, "Marquis Wen, there are 60 of them in total, the place here is too small, why don't we go to the hall?"

……

Lu Bu came to the hall, and not long after he sat down, there was the sound of chaotic footsteps outside the door, and soon, Xu Si came in from the door, and asked with cupped hands.

"Marquis Wen, let them in now?"

Lu Bu waved his hand, "Come in."

Xu Si came to the door and waved to the outside. Soon, dozens of young people in various costumes came in from the door, saw Lu Bu, and saluted together.

"I met Marquis Wen."

Before they came in, Xu Si had already made an agreement with them. After the luggage, there were four rows in total, sitting on both sides and standing.

Lu Bu stood up, walked slowly in front of these people, and walked around feeling a little disappointed.

If there is a famous official in history, the system will prompt, but there is no, which means that there is no famous person.

Although Lu Bu was a little disappointed, everyone in the hall was full of excitement, and there was a hint of longing in their eyes.

Because the person in front of them, just a word, can make them soar in no time.

Seeing Lu Bu sitting down, Xu Si hurried forward, "Every family has made indelible contributions to Yanzhou. In order to express our gratitude to you, Marquis Wen decided that as long as you have talent, you can get an official position. "

After saying these words, Xu Si stood beside Lu Bu with his hands down, waiting for Lu Bu to speak.

Lu Bu saw that these people were not famous, so he lost interest, and said casually, "This Marquis is planning to form a caravan in the army, so what is needed is also someone who can do business. If you have any opinions, feel free to speak. According to everyone's ability, arrange official positions, and even preside over caravans."

When everyone in the hall heard Lu Bu's words, instead of being angry, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

These people were pampered and spoiled at home, and they basically didn't suffer much, and they were elected not to go to war, but to get an official position and glorify the village.

Originally they were still worried about going to war, but when they heard Lu Bu made it clear, they were naturally secretly happy.

"Thank you, Marquis Wen."

Xu Si coughed lightly, "Okay, if you form a caravan, what suggestions do you have?"

When everyone heard these words, they immediately became energetic and their eyes flashed with eagerness to try.

It might not be their strong point if they wield knives and guns, but they are all people who have seen a lot of money, so doing business is naturally not difficult for them.

Although they have no experience in forming caravans, they are always the same and can always give some suggestions.

Next, everyone put forward various opinions according to their own ideas.

"Marquis Wen, I think that the most rare thing now is food, and food should be the main thing."

"Marquis Wen, I believe that salt is a necessity for the common people. If we resell salt, we will definitely make a fortune."

"Marquis Wen, why don't we build some weapons and sell them in other places, they will definitely fetch a good price."

Hearing everyone's suggestions, Lu Bu frowned slightly. Although what these people said was very reasonable, they always felt that something was missing.

Grain, salt, weapons, these are undoubtedly things that are lacking everywhere. As long as they are available, they will definitely be sold at a good price. There is absolutely no doubt about this.

However, Yanzhou is short of food, so they sell it outside and get money back, but can the money be eaten?
There are also weapons, if there are, people who want them will probably have them, but since they don't have enough weapons for their own soldiers and horses, it would be foolish to sell them to outsiders.

In fact, Lu Bu didn't understand the businessman's thinking.

As long as they are given money, they are willing to do anything. As for whether Yanzhou has food and weapons, is it important?

Just when Lu Bu felt a little disappointed, a young man in relatively simple clothes walked out from the crowd and cupped his hands at Lu Bu.

"Wen Hou, if we want to form a caravan, at least we need to know what we are selling, or what we are going to sell, before we can make a decision on the goods."

Having said that, the young man cupped his hands again, "Dare to ask Marquis Wen, what do we want to buy?"

Hearing the young man's question, Lu Bu's heart moved, he turned his head to look at Xu Si, and nodded.

Xu Si hurriedly stepped forward and said loudly, "What we mainly want to sell now is furniture. As for the money we get from selling furniture, we need to buy food and send it back."

(End of this chapter)