Three Kingdoms.

Chapter 3305 Fading away and becoming silent

 In fact, Xu Huang's two former army's two tower ships, including one of the Chinese army's tower ships, should not have been lost. Because Jiangdong's attack methods are not very outrageous, and they are not necessarily so novel. Even the Sichuan-Shu Army conducted relevant drills on the method of crashing and burning the enemy in previous combat training, but they suffered one after another losses during the battle.

 Just like the losses suffered by later generations when faced with the combination of infantry and artillery, or the tactics of the seven-day offensive.

 I know it is very simple, but it is a loss. Whose fault is it?

 Is it the soldier’s fault?

How long did it take for the Sichuan-Shu navy to form an army? Are there really some simple-minded people who think that forming an army is equivalent to being an elite? Just like those people from the Fruit Party in later generations, they thought that if they got American weapons and German weapons, they would become the world's strongest army.

 Is it Xu Huang’s fault?

 If all the merit cannot be attributed to the general, then all the blame cannot be attributed to the general. Otherwise it would be a double standard.

 All things are integrated and multifaceted.

Jiangdong's tactics are not good-looking at all, and they are not as graceful as Yufan Lunjin. They even cost the lives of many Jiangdong soldiers who were charged with pigs on board. But just like this, the Sichuan-Sichuan navy, which was not skilled enough, was caught off guard. , exposed the fact that the Sichuan-Sichuan naval army lacked foundation.

Xu Huang's problem was that he did not make a calm balance, but was hijacked by the impatience and arrogance of the Sichuan-Shu navy.

At one point he thought he could win, but in fact he was not as clear-minded and calm as Zhuge Liang, the bystander, and knew that the Jiangdong navy had not completely collapsed and still had the strength to resist.

No matter which dynasty it is, there are inevitably some people who win a few battles, think that I am the best in the world, and clamor about who else is there. After losing a few battles, they immediately curse, as if they have been ridiculed by a big man. Round after round, in the final analysis, the mind is still not mature enough and calm enough.

 Everyone knows the truth of not being arrogant in victory and not discouraged in defeat. Unfortunately, there are only a few people who can actually do it.

A large and powerful army cannot have just one powerful leader, nor can it be invincible just by relying on this leader.

 Xu Huang is undoubtedly a lion, but the Sichuan-Sichuan navy has not completely evolved from sheep to lion.

 A group of sheep led by a lion may have some changes in momentum, but in the end they are still sheep. Once they see blood, the unevolved sheep will still show their sheep characteristics.

The Sichuan-Sichuan naval army commanded by Xu Huang is to some extent a mixture of lion and sheep. When Jiang Dongbing made a desperate counterattack, the lion was not afraid at all, but there were sheep around him that were holding him back. While retreating, the lions were still fighting, ready to fight and retreat, but the sheep escaped first.

This incoordination was amplified when Jiangdong soldiers launched a desperate counterattack, and even affected other semi-finished products and began to become sheep.

Only know how to bleat, completely forgetting the rules of the previous training and the cooperation between them.

Until Xu Huang stood up and used his calmness and command, the Sichuan-Shu navy stopped degenerating and retreated in an orderly manner.

When Xu Huang withdrew, the sun had already tilted to the west, so for Jiangdong's army, they were pursuing in the glare of the sun. The sun not only shone on their faces and bodies, but also splashed on the water. The reflected sparkling light also shone in the eyes of Jiangdong's pursuers.

 Jiangdong soldiers on the boat rowed hard, making what may be the last sprint in their lives. The boat cuts through the waves on the water like a flying fish, sliding flexibly.

 There must be brave men under heavy rewards.

Jiang Qin and Lu Xun’s reward and punishment strategy is undoubtedly relatively successful. Their luck was that Jiangdong's credit, or that the credit of Jiang Qin and Lu Xun had not been corrupted, so these Jiangdong soldiers "believed" it.

Of course, if the promised reward cannot be fulfilled this time, then there will naturally be no next time.

As the distance between the two sides shortened, arrow rain began to interweave between the two armies, and the sharp arrows whizzed past with a deadly threat.

Suddenly, a Jiangdong soldier on board the Ke Ke discovered the Sichuan-Shu Army warship. Someone seemed to be operating something and seemed to be aiming at them...

Before Jiang Dongbing on the walking wheel could react, he saw a dark object drawing an arc in the air and nailed to the top of the walking wheel with a "dong" sound.

"what is that? ! Jiang Dongbing shouted, instinctively sensing something was wrong, "Get it down!" 』

A Jiangdong soldier stood up and stretched out his oar, slapping the caltrop nailed to the roof, but surprisingly found that it didn't move at all!

Jiang Dongbing wanted to slap it harder to knock it off, but it was too late...

　　　Boom! 』

 The fire caused by the explosion flashed suddenly, even stealing the spotlight from the sun in the sky.

Broken iron pieces and sawdust flew everywhere, and the instantaneous high temperature ignited the kerosene accumulated in the cabin of the Zouker. Then a secondary explosion occurred in the next moment and swept through the surrounding area, sucking in several nearby Zoukei and burying them together. In the flames, a larger scale of splashing and burning formed, covering almost half of the river in an instant!

The flames rose into the sky along with black smoke. The dazzling light and scorching heat swept through the surrounding waters. The thick smoke billowed and covered the sky and the sun. Even part of the air on the river was distorted, swaying with black smoke, as if the **** of death was grinning in it.

"What's this? ! 』

 Jiang Qin, who was in the rear, asked similar questions to Lu Xun almost at the same time.

At the beginning, Jiang Qin and Lu Xun could not help but think that it was the power of Sichuan and Sichuan's new weapons, but he soon understood that the bigger reason was not the single fire and thunder of caltrops, but the weapon originally intended to be carried by Zuke Ke. The kerosene used to burn the ships of the Sichuan and Sichuan navy.

On the ship that was engulfed in flames, no soldier from Jiangdong was spared. Even if someone jumped into the water with flames, they could not get the attention of the God of Luck.

Under the scorching flames, the structure of the ship began to be damaged, the planks crackled under the high temperature, and the hull gradually lost stability, deformed, damaged, and collapsed.

  Jiangdong Zouke, who was lucky enough not to be swallowed up by the flames, subconsciously either turned the hull to avoid the flames, or stopped pursuing. No matter what these Zoukes chose, they all lost the chance to continue the pursuit...

Zike is like a dagger. It is very flexible in close combat and has sharp attacks.

 However, after a certain distance was reached, Zou Ke lost its maximum attack power.

 The explosion spread flames everywhere, basically cutting off Jiangdong's pursuit line.

As the river flows, the fire oil is still spreading and drifting. Either they have to go around to the north bank of the river, or they have to give up the pursuit.

Chiang Qin could only order the withdrawal of troops, and also sent interception boats to intercept the burning wreckage such as kerosene with bamboo nets to prevent the water fortress from igniting.

Xu Huang's side also found it difficult to cross the large area of ​​kerosene flames on the river to attack Jiangdong's army. Moreover, the shortcomings shown by the Sichuan-Sichuan navy in this battle also made Xu Huang understand that these guys still have many shortcomings, and forceful attack is not a good option. The so-called "fighting to support war", the key point is "nurturing". If you can't "support", you will naturally not be able to "fight".

　　　　Withdraw your troops. "When Lu Xun met Jiang Qin, his first words were so direct and calm.

Jiang Qin’s face didn’t look very good, “Withdraw the troops? We won! 』

Lu Xun nodded, "That's why we can withdraw our troops." 』

Jiang Qin was not angry because he knew what Lu Xun said was true.

Even if Jiang Qin was unwilling, he could not change this fact.

Xu Huang damaged most of the front army and a small part of the central army, losing more than a quarter of its strength, but the overall combat strength still existed. The blind optimism that permeated the Sichuan and Sichuan navy dissipated. From this perspective, it may not be a bad thing.

On the other side, Jiang Qin paid the price of serious injuries, severe disability of his troops, high rewards, etc., and achieved a certain effect, but it was far from the battle loss line of the Sichuan-Sichuan Navy that he and Lu Xun had planned to achieve before. There is still a gap, which is also not necessarily a good thing.

To say that he succeeded is indeed a success. After all, he became one of the few generals in the Jiangdong Army who successfully intercepted the approaching Sichuan-Sichuan navy. But from another aspect, he also failed, because he also In the course of this battle, he lost the power to stop the Sichuan-Shu navy again, both personally and with his troops.

 ‘Withdraw your troops now,’ Lu Xun said calmly, ‘this will save you and me from the responsibility, but if we wait until… I’m afraid it will be difficult to do well. 』

Jiang Qin frowned and said, "Will the Sichuan-Shu army come again?" 』

Lu Xun looked far to the west of the Yangtze River and sighed slightly, "If Sun and Cao can still join forces, then...and now, Governor Zhu...since Fei Husband has the opportunity to sweep the world, how can he stop at Yi Dao?" ? 』

Jiang Qin took a deep breath and seemed to have touched the injured area. He couldn't help but press it slightly with his hand, "So, there is no hope of improvement?" 』

Lu Xun whispered: "It doesn't matter." 』

He paused for a moment and added one after another, "Even so, the turning point is not here, but in Jiangling." Therefore, Mr. Jiang, please order the withdrawal of the troops. Burning all the materials that cannot be taken away and razing this place to the ground can be regarded as clearing the country for Jiangdong Jianbi..."

Jiang Qin turned around and looked at the remaining flames and battleship wreckage on the river, as well as the corpses rising and falling on the river, and was silent for a long, long time.

Lu Xun stood quietly beside Jiang Qin and did not urge him.

After a long time, Jiang Qin said hoarsely: "Send the order to withdraw the troops." 』

With the last word spoken, Jiang Qin seemed to have lost all his strength, even his body stooped, lowered his head, and turned around to leave.

Lu Xun bowed his head to the ground in front of Jiang Qin’s back.

 …

 …

 Jiang Qin spent most of his songs in exchange for a short-term victory.

 A victory that is filled with human lives can also be regarded as a kind of victory.

If someone still remembers these sacrificed soldiers, then these sacrifices are naturally valuable.

It's just a pity that in most feudal dynasties, the memory of the sacrifices of soldiers or the casualties of the people at the bottom is extremely short, and they are even deliberately obliterated and forgotten, leaving only in the history. Just a few words in it.

The same is true for Jiangdong. According to usual customs, summer should be the time for Jiangdong nobles to enjoy the cool air, admire the moon, watch singing, dancing and drink fine wine. But now, or this year, Wu County in Jiangdong shows some heaviness and dilapidation inside and out. .

Because there are fewer lights, the moss on the front doors and walls of those large mansions with high gates and deep alleys looks like moldy scars or torn wounds in the darkness. Bleeding flowed.

Some of the bluestone slabs on the main streets in Wujun Shifang are worn out, but no one has come to repair them. As a result, the depression became deeper and deeper. People familiar with the local area knew that there was a pit there, so they jumped a little ahead of time to avoid it. However, those from outside would inevitably suffer in this pit and be stained with dirt and muddy water. .

 The drainage outlets in the culverts were not cleared in time, and many places were blocked. As long as it rains a little, the sludge and dirty water in these culverts will surge out and flow freely on the streets. After waiting for the weather to clear up, exposure to the sun turns into filth and odor that are difficult to wash away, contaminating everywhere, making people stink wherever they go.

In fact, since Sun Quan insisted on the Western Expedition and opened up battlefields, no one has taken care of these people's livelihood affairs that should have been dealt with.

On the one hand, it is for military affairs, mobilizing soldiers to work, food, grass and luggage. There are countless things to deal with every day. Officials who belong to Sun Quan's faction or are close to the Sun family are all very busy. For these relatively small things People's livelihood affairs naturally have no time for others to care about.

On the other hand, the group that opposes going to war is also very busy. Busy in secretly connecting, busy in private dealings, busy hiding and transferring assets, and equally busy pretending to be busy...

　　『Everything is based on the overall situation of Jiangdong! 』

The two factions chanted the same slogans every day and were in the same official house.

　　　Everything obeys the Lord’s will! 』

Both groups of people looked like they were fighting tooth and nail for Jiangdong Jiye's car.

　　『Everything is for the future of Jiangdong! 』

The two groups spoke in unison, and even the height of their arms raised seemed to be the same, without any difference.

Only he knows which faction he belongs to. On the surface, they are all the same. They are all from the Jiangdong lineage, officials of the Sun family, and people of the Han Dynasty.

Under such circumstances, some potholes and dirt have long been ignored by these two groups of people. As for the lives of ordinary people affected by these potholes and dirt, it is naturally not a problem.

 At least it’s not the “big thing” they want to solve now…

As long as the people of Jiangdong are not unable to survive, do not besiege official houses, and do not have groups inciting and killing officials in rebellion, then it is not a big deal.

In fact, in the Jiangdong area, since the Yellow Turban Rebellion of the Han Dynasty began, many people have fled here to avoid disasters because of the relatively safe environment, and they naturally brought some flowers, plants, gold, silver and jewelry with them.

At that time, Jiangdong was bustling with lights and feasting.

Later, Jiangdong also traded with Fei Qian's caravans up and down the Yangtze River. The silks from Sichuan and Shu and the spices from the Western Regions greatly enriched the poor luxury market of the Jiangdong gentry, making the life of the Jiangdong gentry truly colorful. .

 These prosperity have nothing to do with the original indigenous people of Jiangdong.

 But no matter how bad a place is, there are some people who are trying to make it better.

 In the long history, there are always some characters who are like stars in the night sky. Although they are in darkness, they still work hard to shine and try to dispel the surrounding haze. They may be misunderstood, ridiculed, or even labeled as "bad people" and "fake virgins", but in their hearts, they always carry a persistent pursuit of beauty.

 Lu Su and Zhou Yu are such people.

Lu Su went north to Jiangling in order to save the broken alliance between Sun and Cao. His action was to light a weak light in the coming storm, trying to illuminate Jiangdong's path forward. In the face of doubts and ridicules from the outside world, Lu Su has always maintained a firm belief. He believes that his choice can bring a little breathing space to Jiangdong and ultimately bring about the dawn of victory.

Zhou Yu, on the other hand, wanted to save the Jiangdong regime that was on the verge of destruction. He vowed to protect the Sun family's foundation for Sun Ce.

This promise is like a heavy mountain, weighing on his shoulders.

In order to save Jiangdong from his impending misfortune, Zhou Yu had no choice but to drag his sick body and force himself through this journey, picking up the burden that he should have put down again, just like the remaining wax igniting a flame on his head.

Although Jiangdong officials have sealed off specific information related to the war, and the news released to the public is always full of words such as cautious optimism, the people of Jiangdong have seen the true impact of the war on them from the scarce and scarce market during the day. side.

The war is not over yet, so even those Jiangdong soldiers who went out to fight, even if they have died in battle, are not counted as "real" deaths, and it is not yet time to pay pensions.

It is said that Sun is already making the coin template of "Da Quan Dang Twenty", oh, "Da Quan Dang Twenty".

Of course, when it is actually released, it will become "Daquan Dangba", or even "Dangwei", "Dangbai"...

Not only that, there are also rumors that Sun Quan and the Jiangdong gentry family collapsed again. This time, Sun Quan "robbed" the additional ships, grain and grass from the families of these nobles...

　　　　I will enter the camp tomorrow and set off for the march the day after tomorrow. 』

Zhou Yu whispered, his voice steady.

 But Xiao Qiao's hand on the opposite side shook and broke the strings.

 Xiao Qiao raised her head and looked at her husband in front of her. Although she had had this premonition before, when Zhou Yu said it personally, she still felt waves of heart palpitations, and her face suddenly turned pale.

Zhou Yu sat over there, looking up at the sky slightly, and then sighed, "From the time I knew you, you often played this piece wrong...Shang Wei is converted to the horn sound, not the feather sound..."

"Why? Husband, your body has never recovered..." Xiao Qiao said blankly, "Why? Can't you let someone else go? Governor Huang, Governor Zhu, Governor Cheng..."

Zhou Yu still said calmly: "On the second shelf on the left hand side of my study room, there is the detailed music score of this piece. You can go and take a look when you have time." 』

"Husband, you were exposed to the river wind last time, and you got sick and haven't recovered yet. Now if you go again..." Xiao Qiao looked worried, "If it doesn't work, I have to wait until my husband is well... I'll go find him." Doctor, I'm going to find the best doctor now! 』

 Zhou Yu grabbed Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao finally shed tears, fell to her knees, hugged Zhou Yu's waist and burst into tears.

 After a while, Zhou Yu patted Xiao Qiao's shoulder and said, "Just play one more song for me." 』

Xiao Qiao straightened up and looked at Zhou Yu with tearful eyes. Suddenly, she realized that Zhou Yu had already had long hair, and wrinkles had quietly appeared on his originally handsome face. Before, her memory had always been beautifying Zhou Yu, but now she realized that Zhou Yu no longer looked the same as before.

 ‘Husband…’ Xiao Qiao couldn’t help but shed tears again.

Zhou Yu smiled, his gentle demeanor still the same as before, "Just play the phoenix to pray for the phoenix." 』

"good. 』

 Xiao Qiao wiped her tears, hung up the strings again, tuned them, took a breath, calmed down a little, and slid her hands on the strings. The gentle sound of the piano drifted with the wind...

Zhou Yu listened quietly and watched intently, as if he wanted to keep all the colors and sounds in front of him deep in his heart, deep in his life, even though Xiao Qiao played the wrong ball again due to emotional instability. Note, he didn't speak, just listened and watched with a gentle smile.

Zhou Yu recalled the first time he saw Xiao Qiao playing the piano. He was really outrageous. This "outrageous" is not an adjective, but a "verb", so that Zhou Yu really couldn't help it, how could such a lovely person treat the poor piano so badly?

 So, he went up to teach...

 So, so many years passed.

Time flies like an arrow, and the arrows all pierce the heart.

The sun and the moon are like shuttles, and the Haloxylon ammodendron penetrates the liver and intestines.

 At the end of the song, Zhou Yu touched his palms and praised, "Well played." 』

 Zhou Yu’s eyes are gentle and he smiles. After all, I can’t teach you anymore...

Xiao Qiao was happy and then sad, "Husband!" 』

Zhou Yu stood up and held Xiao Qiao's shoulders, "Okay, it's time for me to leave... Tomorrow, the Lord will pay homage to the general and give troops, so it's best not to be late..."

　　　『Husband! ” Xiao Qiao held Zhou Yu’s hand tightly.

"Do not worry. Zhou Yu smiled and said, "I have made all arrangements." Everything is arranged. 』

Xiao Qiao stared at Zhou Yu closely, as if Zhou Yu would disappear in the next moment, "Husband!" You have to come back... Husband, you must come back! Promise me you will come back! 』

 "Well..." Zhou Yu blinked, smiled and nodded, "Okay, come back." Just wait until I come back and listen to you play the piano again. 』

 Xiao Qiao seemed to feel more relieved now and slowly let go of his hand.

Zhou Yu slowly took out his hand and said, "There's no need to give it away...Looking at your face, you're crying. It's not good for anyone else to see it." After I leave, I have to take more care of myself. 』

　　　『Husband! ” Xiao Qiao shed tears again.

 Zhou Yu waved his hands, then turned and left.

　　　『Husband! ” Xiao Qiao followed closely and leaned against the courtyard door, looking at Zhou Yu’s leaving figure, “Husband, you must come back!” I will definitely not play it wrong again next time! 』

Zhou Yu seemed to hear it, so he raised his hand, waved it in the air, and then walked away.