Qin Official

The waterways in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River are much safer than the Yiling Three Gorges that Heifu has been to. With the guidance of experienced boatmen who are familiar with the waterways, it is not necessary to sail at night. So at night on the second day after leaving Echeng, hundreds of boats with hard sails appeared The warships have arrived in Jiujiang, more than 300 miles away.

The so-called Jiujiang is where the Yangtze River flows. Because of its low-lying terrain, the water spreads out, forming several branch-like water systems. Therefore, the function word "jiu" in ancient Chinese that expresses a large number of numbers is used, and it is called Jiujiang. "Yu Gong" "" records that "Jiujiang Kongyin, east is Pengli." After passing this branch-like water system, you can reach Pengli (li) Ze.

The fleet did not sail further, but anchored in the calm waters where Jiujiang and Penglize meet.

Heifu, the "Sima of the Other Department", had three thousand people under his command, divided into six large ships. They were all from Nanjun and lived close to Jianghan. Most of them knew the properties of water, so they did not suffer from seasickness and vomiting. After the fleet stopped, the soldiers each ate dry food and drank fish soup. Heifu was invited by Tu Sui to dine on his flagship.

The fleet's meals mostly consisted of rice and fish soup, but Heifu heard from people that the butcher's meat was always delicious, and he had to bring a cook with him when he went on an expedition. The food on his ship today must be extraordinary.

When Heifu climbed up to the deck in a small boat, he saw a young military officer with an axe, raising his ax high and slashing at a three-meter-long crocodile. Blood and flesh splattered all over the ground!

It turned out that they were dismembering two crocodiles with knives and axes under the command of Tu Sui's chef...

Crocodiles are called "tuo" (tuo) these days, which is a very vivid word. Not to mention the Yangtze River, there are many in the Han River in Nanjun. They often cause trouble to the people along the river. The "Moon Order" has "In autumn and July of the season, cut down "The dragon takes the turtle".

Heifu remembered that at noon, above Jiangzhu, there were several crocodiles that had not yet hibernated and were basking in the sun with their long mouths. It seemed that some of them had been hunted by soldiers.

The drum made of crocodile skin is an important ritual tool in sacrifices. However, the bearded butcher was interested in the crocodile meat. He watched with interest as the crocodile was disemboweled. When he saw Hei Fu coming, Then he invited him over and said with a smile:

"The soldiers were busy and killed several large tuo (tuo) with their powerful crossbows. Although I am from Guanzhong, I heard that the tuo soup is delicious, so I asked the chef to make it today!"

This is the surprising thing. Tu Sui is from Tuchuan in Heyang, Guanzhong. His ancestor is said to be a certain chief of the Qin Kingdom. Logically speaking, it is impossible for this northern man to be related to the boat master.

When the two were chatting, Tu Sui explained: "My home is close to the Yellow River, so I have been proficient in water skills since I was a child. I participated in General Wang's campaign to conquer Zhao, build pontoon bridges, and transport grain by water. Later, I also incorporated Zhao's Zhang and Hezhou boats. Master. Your Majesty asked me to take charge of the Southern Ark Division. I felt a little uncomfortable when I first arrived, but after a few years I became familiar with it."

Not only Tu Sui, but also some officers of the naval division were brought by him from the north. Thinking about it, Heifu might be worried that the people in Xianyang were worried that the naval division was entirely from Nanjun.

The cook cut the best meat of the crocodile, put it into a cauldron with ginger and cinnamon, and cooked it carefully. The remaining part was given to the soldiers who hunted it. Under the leadership of the thin black soldier with a bun, they happily Reed poles were set up on the shore and grilled whole. The meat was fragrant for a while.

The crocodile meat had been cooked in the cauldron, and Hei Fu and Tu Sui sat opposite each other on the deck. To the west was the surging Yangtze River, and to the east was the endless Pengli Lake. The withered reeds on the shore were endless. The setting sun reflected red for a long time. The river is also a beautiful sight.

"The day after tomorrow, I will say goodbye to Captain Tu."

Heifu toasted Tu Sui, but the captain just gave them a ride. Tu Sui's real mission was to take the fleet, carrying hundreds of thousands of stones of grain from Nanjun, to Huainan to supply Wang Jian and Mengwu's army, which was about to run out of food. , let the soldiers eat, then defeat the Chu boat division on the river, and protect the Qin army to attack Jiangdong.

This plan is modeled on many years ago, when Bai Qi captured Yan City by land, and Sima Cuo used his boat division to transport grain from Bashu to provide relief. After the two armies joined forces, they captured the capital of Ying in one fell swoop. They used land and water simultaneously to solve the problem of feeding the army. question.

Tu Sui, who had been training in Jiangling for a year, naturally knew the whole story, and said with a smile: "Thanks to the suggestions made by other commanders to the county governor, the counties in Nanjun overhauled public toilets and improved the manure fields, so that Nanjun had a bumper harvest for two consecutive years. The grain shipped to the Jiangling warehouse is enough for the navy to carry it back and forth for several times, allowing General Wang's army to eat until the autumn harvest. For this reason, the other commanders were commended by the king, and they were given the title of five great officers. It is really well-deserved."

Public toilets were an eternal pain in Heifu's heart. He didn't want to mention it again, so he changed the subject and said, "I heard that since last year, the captain has sent people to sail on the river several times, and he is quite familiar with the hydrology and geography of Jiujiang and Pengli. I wonder if the captain has any advice for the subordinates who were ordered to capture the cities of Ganshui and Pengze?"

"Stand firm first."

Tu Sui did not have the same background as Li You. He was able to become a county lieutenant at the age of forty and was promoted to the rank of Zuo Shu Zhang. He was naturally outstanding. He was forthright and did not hide his personal interests, so he gave Heifu his own suggestions.

"The area that Sima wanted to attack was also called Yuzhang in the Spring and Autumn Period. It encompassed rivers and lakes, and surrounded Wu and Chu. Although there were not many cities, it was an important area on the river. In the Spring and Autumn Period, when Wu and Chu attacked each other, something would happen. Therefore, if Chu takes Yuzhang, he can force him to invade Wu; if Wu takes Yuzhang, he can invade Ying in five battles."

"However, the Qin army has never set foot in this area before, so it only knows a few cities on the edge of Pengli Ze. It is also said that the Gan River runs through the inland. Except for the lords of Chu, most of them are Yue tribes. Sima Yisan If the people of Qiannan County go deep into the country and know nothing about roads, mountains, rivers, or settlements, it will be really difficult every step of the way. I heard that people in Chu used the word "mountain and forest" to describe their early years. I think what Sima will face is also almost."

Heifu cupped his hands and said: "That's what I think, so I want to ask the captain to carry us to Pengzeyi in the east of Pengli Lake. Then we can set sail and beat drums by the lake to make it look like a large army is coming to attack, so that we can fake the power of the tiger. Capture this city and use it as a foothold!"

Tu Sui knew the cities by the river very well. He could remember where Pengze was with his eyes closed. He stroked his beard and nodded and said, "Why not Xunyi, which is closer? You must know that Xunyi surrendered to Qin, but Pengze did not." Still in the hands of Lord Chu Pengze.”

Heifu responded: "First, Pengze and Xunyi, one on the east and the other on the west, strangle the two lake mouths of Penglize, which can be used as a place for ships to park and rest. If I capture Pengze, I can ensure that there are only Qin's ship, without Chu's sails, will not only make my retreat safe, but also allow the captain to transport food safely in the future."

"Secondly, although Xunyi has surrendered to the Qin Dynasty, it is located in the west of Pengli, far away from Fanyang, the largest Chu county in Yuzhang. By capturing Fanyang, the remnants of the Chu army in the territory can be cleared away. From Xunyi, we have to cross Three hundred miles of lakes and rivers. Our army is not familiar with the local hydrology and roads, and may get stuck in the swamp and have difficulty getting out. We took the land route from Pengzeyi and headed south. I heard that the east coast is drier, so I have no worries..."

After Hei Fu finished speaking, Tu Sui clasped his hands and laughed: "I asked why Sima asked to attack Yuzhang. It turns out that he had a good plan. I am willing to help Sima to capture Pengze and let Sima gain a foothold here!"

After the two had a drink together, Hei Fu said again: "I have an unkind invitation."

"Sima Dan said it doesn't matter."

"The Art of War says that an army will perish if it has no baggage, perish if it does not have food, and perish if it has no accumulation. If I go deep into the country alone with only 3,000 infantry, I am afraid it will be difficult to accomplish anything. When the captain goes east, can you leave a few soldiers for me? A ship, used to transport grain and fodder, and report military information to Nanjun and Jiangdong?"

"There is nothing you can't do."

Tu Sui readily agreed. He called a guard and whispered a few words in his ear. The guard immediately ran to the people who had just dismembered the crocodile and were currently having a crocodile barbecue on the shore. Heifu's building warriors must be among them...

At this time, the cook had untied the lid of the big cauldron next to the two of them. This cauldron was snatched from E Jun's treasury. The aroma was immediately fragrant. After the cook seasoned the cauldron and sprinkled it with green onions and leeks, he put the cauldron on the big cauldron. Pieces of crocodile meat and meat soup were presented to the two of them on their respective tables.

Tu Sui had a big belly and was very fond of delicious food. He had already moved his index finger and said with a smile: "Although this thing is not as good as a camel's hump, bear's paw, monkey brain, orangutan lip, elephant pluck, elephant trunk, leopard fetus, rhinoceros tail, deer tendon This eight delicacies is also a delicacy from the world! Sima, please try it!"

Heifu picked up a piece of crocodile meat and felt that the fishy smell had not been completely removed. After putting it in his mouth, it felt like overcooked chicken and the taste was average. However, the inner skin of the cooked crocodile was soft and chewy. The crocodile The soup is also delicious...

At this moment, Tu Sui's bodyguard also came over with a military official who was about the same age as Hei Fu. The military official bowed to the ground from a distance: "I have seen the captain and the commander of the other departments!"

There was a hint of northern accent in his words, like those from Zhao.

Hei Fu took a look and saw that it was the thin black soldier who was holding an ax to chop the crocodile when he boarded the ship today.

Tu Sui pointed at the military officer and said: "I will leave this five hundred leader, several ships and large wings to Sima. Even though I brought him from the north, his water quality is no worse than that of the southerners. Sima will treat him as him." He is his subordinate, so he should be scolded if he should be scolded, and punished if he should be punished!"

"Thank you Captain for your love!"

Although this man is only the Lord of Five Hundred, he must be a close confidant since he can enter and exit the Slaughter Sui Ship and slaughter crocodiles for him with his own hands.

Hei Fu held up his hands to the military officer and said, "I wonder what the Five Hundred Lord is called?"

The military officer also knew that he might have to hang out with Hei Fu in the next few months, so he raised his head and smiled: "Official Zhao Tuo!"