The Demon Soul is Coming

() Liu Sang said: "But I don't know how to deploy our side now?"

Because of Liu Sang's loss of troops and loss of generals, he took back Tianwuling at the most critical moment and saved Nanyuan from being defeated. Chu Tiancheng trusted him a lot, so he fully revealed the deployment of that year.In fact, Liu Sang already knew about these deployments, and most of them were planned by him, and then Youyou informed Qiu Danyang, asking Qiu Danyang to offer suggestions to Chu Tiancheng.

He said: "With such deployment, there should be no omissions."

But Chu Tiancheng sighed: "It's just that the spies in front came to report that Lord Zhiyu has sent another [-] troops to supplement Jin Jian's troops. Now Jin Jian has [-] people in Ma Ma, and our situation is worrying."

Liu Sang looked around and saw that everyone here was worried, obviously they had lost their self-confidence.Although he also knew that with the strength of the Chu Clan, it was really impossible to repel the Xihai Navy, but it was not a good thing for him to get discouraged so quickly.

So he said with a smile: "This is Nanyuan after all. In the battle of Wuhan River, the enemy's warships also lost a lot. The opponent could replenish the men and horses, but they couldn't replenish the warships for a while. Attacking from land, it is rainy in spring, and the Western Navy is also difficult to march. ...cough, what happened?"..

The appearance of these people was so wrong that he realized that there must be some worse information that he didn't know yet.

Chu Tiancheng rubbed his temples and said with a headache, "Our army is short of food."

Liu Sang lost his voice: "What?"

***

After the meeting, Liu Sang returned to the headquarters stationed outside the city and informed Nangong Kuiyuan of the situation.

Nangong Kuiyuan was also dumbfounded: "Nanyuan is short of food?"

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Liu Sang himself was full of resentment, "Other places are okay, Nanyuan is almost the granary of Hezhou, and the war just broke out, and it's not a war that has been fought for several years."

Nangong Kuiyuan frowned: "Where did Nanyuan's food reserves go?"

"This is the most magical place," Liu Sang said. "Before this, the Chu Clan always thought that they had innumerable reserves of grain and grass, and that there were granaries everywhere. But they didn't know that these granaries had been sold privately by local officials year after year. In fact, everyone didn't sell much. I really don’t blame them. The superiors have to pay homage, the subordinates have to send them away, and they have to catch some. It’s nothing to sell some grain. However, every official collects a little, and after every year, every granary is empty, and many The top of the grain barrels is covered with wooden boards, covered with a layer of grain, and the bottom is completely empty. This has become a common practice, and only the elders don’t know about it.”

He added: "It was because of this war that they were forced to transport grain and grass. Only then did the upper echelons of the Chu Clan realize that all the granaries were empty, and Chu Yugong was furious. They must be dealt with strictly, but the officials below are all Called injustice, they only fished "a little", and when the granary was in their hands, it was almost empty. In fact, everyone knew what was going on, that is, the old men didn't know that's all. Some abandoned their official positions and fled, some tried to get their hands dirty, and they didn't know what was going on that day. It was raining tomorrow, and for the past month, fires broke out every day. They burned nothing but granaries. Searching among the people, just after the cold winter, how much surplus food can the people have in their homes? This has caused public grievances. What's more, a bunch of innocent people were arrested and imprisoned, and they were beaten into tricks and called bandits. They only caught some remnants."

Nangong Kuiyuan shook his head and said, "It's really unreasonable for the Chu Clan to stay alive."

He said again, "What should we do now?"

Liu Sang sighed: "I have already promised Chu Tiancheng to send some food and grass from Xu Dong for emergency."

Nangong Kuiyuan laughed and said: "They lost Tianwu Ridge, and they want us to help him grab it. They don't have enough food and grass, and they want us to adjust it for him. How many times do we have to wipe their butts?"

"Actually, although those granaries are empty, the emergency deployment is by no means unstoppable," Liu Sang said. "The key is the morale problem. The soldiers in the front are desperately working hard, and such a big event breaks out in the rear. Even the most basic food and grass will become a problem. , and the culprits are all those officials who have pocketed their own pockets, who has the heart to fight? The soldiers below are full of resentment, and this resentment is not limited to this one thing."

Nangong Kuiyuan said: "What else?"

"Military pay," Liu Sang said, "Nanyuan itself has limited copper mines, and to maintain the luxury of the major families, it can only privately mint sword coins that are worth ten or one hundred. These sword coins are used to pay military salaries, but these sword coins are outside They were useless at all, and the common people refused to accept them. But those soldiers were bought with blood and sweat, and the common people refused to accept them, so they were beaten to accept them. As a result, when the common people saw them, it was like seeing robbers, and they were outraged. Civil uprisings occurred one after another, and the government had no choice but to prohibit forced buying and selling. The upper-ranking officials didn't care, they could exchange knives and coins back to Kong Fang by finding some connections, but the soldiers at the bottom were using their blood and sweat to exchange for a few useless scraps. Copper, their military pay is already pitifully small, and they can’t even use this pitifully small amount of military pay, how can they not be angry? Coupled with the outbreak of the military ration incident, resentment is everywhere, how can they fight with such morale?”

Nangong Kuiyuan said with a smile: "The corruption of the major families in Nanyuan was not expected by the military advisor?"

Liu Sang smiled wryly: "The problem is that the morale of the Nanyuan Army is low, and it can't consume the combat power of the Western Navy. We will also have a headache."

Nangong Kuiyuan said: "The military division really intends to transport food from Xudong to support Nanyuan?"

"How is it possible?" Liu Sang said, "But you have to show your posture."

While talking, a soldier came to report that Qiu Danyang, Chu Tiancheng's aide, asked to see him.

Nangong Kuiyuan looked at Liu Sang, Liu Sang said in a low voice, "He is one of our own."

Quickly ordered someone to invite Qiu Danyang in, and Nangong Kuiyuan went outside to guard, leaving the two of them here to talk.

Liu Sang said: "Sir, come here like this?"

Qiu Danyang smiled and said, "It was originally Chu Tiancheng who asked me to come here and ask about the matter of food and grass."

Liu Sang said: "Nanyuan is short of food, has it really reached that point?"

Qiu Danyang said: "The granary is empty, and there will naturally be problems with the deployment in a short period of time. The more important thing is that things get worse. From generals to soldiers, there are all resentments. But it's not necessarily true that there is a shortage of food. It's just that in this chaotic world, everyone All the big families and rich families are not producing food, and the Chu Clan does not want to offend these rich families at such a critical period and buy them by force. In fact, there is an unknown amount of food hidden in the Dragon Palace of Youyi City."

Liu Sang said, "Why don't you use these grains?"

Qiu Danyang shook his head and said: "Grand Zhiyu continues to increase troops. The Nanyuan side is so corrupt, there is no confidence from top to bottom, just thinking that it will not work. Back to Youyi City to defend, and the food and grass are not willing to bring in, for fear of being defeated , fell into the hands of the enemy."

Liu Sang sighed: "The morale is low. It is more important to try to stabilize the morale of the army and reward the three armies. Now they don't even have confidence in themselves. Then why fight?" He walked around with his hands behind his back: "Look at this, even if I really brought the food and grass, It doesn't solve anything."

Qiu Danyang said: "The key is morale. After this month's battle, Nanyuan has lost confidence from top to bottom. Some people have even privately persuaded Chu Tiancheng to surrender." He laughed again: "However, in fact It’s not impossible either.”

Liu Sangxi said: "Please teach me, sir."

Qiu Danyang said: "Does the military advisor know about the 'Mandate of Heaven'?"

Liu Sang was stunned: "This kind of vague thing..."

Qiu Danyang smiled lowly and said: "Although it is a vague thing, I don't know how many people have asked about it since ancient times. The emperors of all dynasties all liked auspiciousness. In the Qin Dynasty, when Chen Sheng rebelled, he wanted to find a big fish and stuff it into a white cloth. "Chen Shengwang" three words, the Western Zhou Dynasty destroyed Shang, said that there was a phoenix singing in Qishan, and the Baifeng country was established, and it was said that there was a white phoenix singing in Yushan. The Phoenix is ​​really busy. In addition, there are nursery rhymes, especially the kind of inexplicable, unknown nursery rhymes that are sung by many children in the streets and alleys, which are most often interpreted by people."

Liu Sang nodded vigorously, and it was the same in his previous life, such as "Yang Hualuo, Li Huakai" in the early Tang Dynasty, Li Zicheng and Sun En sent people to quietly spread nursery rhymes when they were in trouble, Liu Bang, Cao Cao and others were also deeply impressed by this. road.

Thinking of this, his heart moved. Nursery rhymes are essentially nursery rhymes, and Youyou just has a large number of children under his command.

Qiu Danyang smiled and said: "If you can create all kinds of auspiciousness for the Chu Clan, implying that the Chu Clan will get their destiny, those generals will naturally dare not give up their renunciation, and I will use this to persuade the Chu Clan to take the lead and come up with the big families together. Private property, rewarding the armed forces, the morale of the subordinates will also be boosted."

"If you talk about auspiciousness, the Yinyang family is the most suitable for this way," Liu Sang said with a smile, "'Wu De always said' was created by the Yinyang family. Li Tian's spell, creating visions everywhere..." He quickly explained.

Qiu Danyang said: "In this case, why not just let them dive to Youyi City, and create a 'Zi Qi Donglai' in the sky above Yinan Mountain or Youyi City?"

Liu Sang yelled "Miao", and said: "The purple air on Yinan Mountain came from the east, and nursery rhymes spread all over the place overnight. It implies that the Chu Clan won the world, even if the Chu Clan surrendered, they would not be able to escape the scourge of extermination, which forced them to fight to the end."

He added: "However, what kind of nursery rhyme is appropriate to make up?"

"It's better to be vague, and you can explain it when necessary," Qiu Danyang pondered for a while, and said, "It's better to use 'Hekou King, Ziyunlai, Shuangmuzu, Dieshuichang', according to the inscriptions, There are two wooden characters on the word 'Chu' and a foot character on the bottom, implying that the Chu family will become the king of Hezhou. After that, the princess will enter the city through the east gate. She is the 'Princess Ningyun' after 'Zifeng' , coincides with the omen of 'Purple Clouds Coming from the East'."

Liu Sang couldn't help but get excited too. The key is that this method doesn't cost money, and it can boost the morale of the Nanyuan Army. All dynasties have paid attention to Tuwei. Just a bunch of idiots.

***

After Qiu Danyang left, Liu Sang immediately used the map of stars to enter the "Star Realm" with his consciousness, and told the dark goddess about what he had discussed with Qiu Danyang.

"King Hekou, Ziyun is here?" The dark goddess pursed her lips, "Why?"

She really doesn't like the lady!Liu Sang coaxed: "It's just something made up, don't worry about it?"

The dark goddess muttered: "I just want to help daddy, not her."

Liu Sang just wanted to say that helping his wife is helping him, but he swallowed the words...Would Youyou be even angrier if he said it?

The dark goddess stood there, thinking for a while, a strange smile appeared on her lovely face.

Liu Sang had an ominous premonition.

***

Coming out of the "Star Realm", Liu Sang immediately sent someone to send back news, asking the Toad Palace to help create "auspiciousness" in various places in Nanyuan.

Due to the continuous rain, it is not conducive to fighting, and the two sides are temporarily at a stalemate. However, the Western Navy is constantly replenishing its troops and equipment.The Nanyuan side is still struggling with the morale of the army and food and grass, one flourishes and the other declines, once the rainy season is over.The result is needless to consider.

On that day, Chu Tiancheng, Liu Sang, He Xiang, Qiu Danyang, as well as high-ranking generals and staff members of the army got together to discuss the war.

Suddenly.A lieutenant came in and reported to Chu Tiancheng: "The lord sent someone here to consult Mr. Qiu."

Chu Tiancheng said: "Please."

A civil servant came in unsteadily.He bowed to Qiu Danyang.

Qiu Danyang hurriedly returned the salute, and said, "What is your lord's business?"

The civil official said: "Recently, visions have sprung up everywhere in Nanyuan, and purple clouds came from the east on Yinan Mountain. In one night, children's songs were sung in the streets and alleys. The boss heard that Mr. Jing is easy to reason and has the ability to understand the world. Therefore, I sent an officer here to ask for advice."

Qiu Danyang quietly looked at Liu Sang, thinking that Ningyun City's work was indeed clean and neat.

So he said: "But I don't know what kind of ballad the children are singing?"

The civil official said: "The ballad is 'King of Hekou, Simuzu. Ziyun comes, Die Shuichang'!"

Liu Sang almost fell down.

Qiu Danyang suddenly turned around and bowed to Chu Tiancheng, "Great joy, great joy."

Chu Tiancheng said, "Why the great joy?"

Qiu Danyang said: "The purple air comes from the east, and the king comes out at the right time. Hekou is in peace. The 'King of Hekou' is the king of Hezhou. The one who dies in the water is also Diejiang. It means that the king of Hezhou came from Diejiang. 'Simuzu' is the word for 'Chu', according to the pre-Qin bronze inscriptions, 'Chu' has two woods on it and a foot on it..."

Chu Tiancheng wondered: "That should be 'two wooden feet', why is it 'four wooden feet'?"

Qiu Danyang choked for a moment, and quickly came up with a brain teaser: "The word 'Chu' has two extra woods, and these two woods are the double wings of a dragon, which coincides with the word 'you wing'. Dragons have two wings, which come from butterfly water. When the purple air comes from the east, Chu will be the king, so auspiciousness will come out from all parts of the country, this is a sign from the heavens."

Chu Tiancheng was overjoyed, and all the generals wanted to please and flatter them, so they bowed down one after another.

The solution was sent back to Youyi City, and the Chu clan was even more excited. Chu Yugong personally rushed to the front line to reward the three armies. Suddenly, the morale was boosted. The golden opportunity to pay homage to the general, for a while, did not dare to act rashly.Qiu Danyang even persuaded Chu Yugong and Chu Tiancheng to think about the whole Hezhou and not to be greedy for petty money. As long as they defeat Zhiyugong, the whole Hezhou belongs to the Chu family.As a result, Chu Yugong took the lead in taking out a large amount of family property and distributed it as military pay, and all the major families had no choice but to follow suit. Suddenly, Nanyuan's momentum was like a rainbow.

Everyone is talking about the auspiciousness everywhere, but in an unknown corner, a young man praised: "Mr. Qiu is indeed a great talent, the two wings of Chu... Ha, I was worried for Mr. at that time, I didn't expect The gentleman came round in no time."

Another person said: "Brother, can you let me know in advance if there are any changes in the future? Qiu almost suffocated to death on the spot..."

Uh, you blame "Blood Princess" for this...

***

Wave after wave of battles started again, the morale of the Nanyuan Army increased, and the strength of the Western Navy also increased. The rain did not stop, and the casualties did not stop. Every battle left many corpses.

Although relying on the right time and place, and auspicious auspiciousness to boost morale and improve people's harmony, the corruption of the Chu Clan gradually affected the battle situation. Under the repeated attacks of the Western Navy, the Nanyuan side continued to retreat.Even so, the Western Navy also suffered heavy losses and was physically and mentally exhausted.

Finally, the upper reaches of the Diejiang River fell completely under the control of the Western Navy, and Chu Tiancheng's army retreated to Youyi City.Even so, Jin Jian failed to completely nibble away the surrounding counties and counties of Youyi City, turning Youyi City into an isolated city.

At this point in the battle, both Jin Jian and the Chu Clan are in a dilemma. For Jin Jian, whether to attack Youyi City by force, or to trap the Nanyuan army in Youyi City, conquer the surrounding counties, and turn Youyi City into a It is really difficult to choose a completely isolated city.Taking Youyi City by force, as long as Youyi City can be captured, the various counties in Nanyuan will naturally spread the news, which can save a lot of time, but Youyi City is tall and deep, and it is unknown how many soldiers will be killed or injured by only relying on strong attacks .

But first take the surrounding counties, so that only one winged city is left for the Chu Clan, and then besiege without attacking. In the end, the Nanyuan army in the city will definitely be starved to death. Although this method is more secure and can reduce casualties, but With the reserves in Youyi City, it will take at least half a year to see results. For Zhiyu Gong and Jin Jian, the delay in time is also a huge waste.

For the Chu Clan, the situation will only get worse, because no matter what Jin Jian chooses, they can only passively fight.If the Western Navy attacked by force, they could of course rely on the height of the city and the depth of the pond to cause huge casualties to the Western Navy, but once the city was broken, they would immediately be destroyed.If the Western Navy does not use strong attacks, but adopts the strategy of encroaching and besieging the city, then they will have no chance to fight back, but they will die more slowly.

For Liu Sang, this is the third time he has entered Youyi City.

Looking around, the soldiers around were all exhausted and desperate.

Although the "auspiciousness" that appeared everywhere once filled them with hope, the reality is always so cruel.However, there is no way around this. Chen Sheng Yumao collected books, and Li Chuang spread nursery rhymes. They were all powerful for a while, but in the end they failed to become Liu Bang who killed the snake and rebelled.

Time and fate are both important, but what is more important is the people themselves, otherwise, even if you are given the right time and place, you will not be able to escape the end of defeat.

... (To be continued.)