Nanyang County, Wancheng.

Upon hearing the news that Xinye had been captured, Yuan Shu was overjoyed and immediately summoned all his civil and military officials to a banquet to celebrate. After three rounds of drinks, they could not help but talk about the details of the battle.

"Congratulations, my lord! Congratulations, my lord! Xinye has been taken. This city is only separated from Xiangyang by a river. Once our main force joins forces with Cao Mengde, we can sweep across the entire Jingzhou. By then, we will be able to dominate Jingzhou and Xiangyang, and there will be a lot of things we can do in the world!"

"Hahaha, you're still better at talking than me."

Yuan Shu was delighted by Yang Hong's flattery. He was a very face-conscious person and cared most about what others thought of him.

As the chief strategist of Yuan Shu's army, Yang Hong had secretly understood Yuan Shu's temper long ago, so he only said nice things and flattered Yuan Shu just right to make Yuan Shu feel comfortable.

Then Yang Hong thought of the task Wang Jing had given him, and he made a suggestion to Yuan Shu: "My lord, I heard a rumor that Cao Mengde was able to capture Xinye so quickly because of the huge stone cannon in the army."

Hearing the words "giant stone cannon", Yuan Shu was shocked, but he was suspicious: "As far as I know, the giant stone cannon belongs to Wang Yuanxu. The engineering equipment in Cao's hands should be a catapult, right?"

Seeing Yuan Shu's curiosity, Yang Hong knew that he had successfully attracted his attention, so he quickly took the opportunity to say, "My lord, you may not know that Cao Mengde had previously ordered craftsmen to secretly copy the Northern Army's siege weapon, the stone cannon. Although it is not as good as the original, its power is still extraordinary."

"This is happening!"

When Yuan Shu heard this, he could no longer sit still. He stood up on the spot and asked anxiously, "Uncle, is your information reliable?"

Yang Hong was well prepared. He took this opportunity to take out a book from his bosom and handed it to Yuan Shu: "My lord, please take a look. This book was purchased by Hong from Luoyang at a great cost. I heard that Cao Mengde was able to imitate the giant stone cannon because he hired craftsmen to study this book."

"This is true!"

Yuan Shu was extremely excited. With trembling hands, he took the book from Yang Hong. He glanced at the words on the cover and exclaimed, "Mojing?"

The Yuan family had three officials in four generations, and they relied on their expertise in the "Book of Changes", including the famous Confucian classic "Meng's Book of Changes" handed down in their family. Therefore, the Runan Yuan family can be said to be one of the most prestigious Confucian classics families in the world today and the mainstay of Confucianism.

Yuan Shu was born into the Yuan family of Runan. He was born on the side of Confucianism, so he rejected Mohism from the bottom of his heart. This was almost an academic instinct, or an ideological instinct.

Abandon Confucianism, which is beneficial to aristocratic families, and instead promote Mohism, which is beneficial to craftsmen and scholars?

This is simply betraying one's own ass!

No matter how stupid Yuan Shu was, he knew that he must not sit crookedly. Therefore, after taking the "Mojing" from Yang Hong, he hesitated and wanted to look through it several times, but gave up several times.

Yang Hong was very anxious watching from the side, so he had to push him: "My lord, in the Mohist Canon, we can only take its techniques and abandon its principles. As long as we restrict Mohism to artisans and civilians, and do not allow Mohists to be officials, do we still have to worry about them threatening the teachings of the saints?"

Yuan Shu thought it made sense: "Uncle, what you said makes sense. I will follow your advice and use the technique but abandon the Tao!"

The benefits of promoting Mojing are real. At least Yuan Shu could not resist the fatal temptation of making giant stone cannon.

Now that Yang Hong proposed a solution, Yuan Shu naturally no longer objected.

Even if someone opposed it later and made a big fuss, he could easily calm the public anger by throwing Yang Hong out as a sacrifice.

Yuan Shu was calculating in his mind, but he didn't know that in Yang Hong's eyes, as long as Yuan Shu accepted this proposal, future developments would inevitably be out of the control of the Runan Yuan family.

Once the tiger of thought breaks out of its cage, it will no longer easily accept shackles and suppression.

The Battle of Xinye attracted the attention of heroes all over the world. The news that Cao Cao used a giant stone cannon to quickly break through the city was spreading rapidly. Under Cao Cao's personal promotion, the "Mojing" in Luoyang directly ushered in a wave of sales peaks, which meant that large-scale technology diffusion was a foregone conclusion.

In fact, this is exactly the situation that Wang Jing wants to see.

The most core foundation for a strong civilization is its population, and it cannot be composed of illiterate and lazy people, but a labor force that has mastered certain technical knowledge and can participate in production.

Wang Jing is too slow to promote social progress by himself, so he might as well take out a whip and whip the buttocks of the princes to drive them to actively train more craftsmen.

In this way, once I defeat all the heroes in the world, I can immediately obtain a large number of qualified craftsmen. Isn’t that wonderful?

Yuan Shu had no idea that all this was Wang Jing's plan. He was still immersed in the joy of obtaining the giant stone cannon technology. He raised the bronze wine jar in his hand and drank happily with his subordinates: "Keep playing the music and dancing!"

In the dance floor, the enchanting dancers swayed their willow waists and danced gracefully, like fragile birds dancing in the warm spring breeze.
The sounds of silk footsteps and orchestral music floated in the ears and filled the heart, and the scene suddenly turned into a sea of ​​joy.

While Cao Cao was still fighting on the front line and had just captured Xinye, Yuan Shu thought the situation was as stable as a rock and popped champagne at halftime, as if otherwise he could not prove that the victory of the war was entirely due to his wise leadership.

The banquet lasted until late at night before it ended and everyone left the general's mansion and returned home in carriages.

"Uncle, why are you back so late?"

"Xiaoliang, you haven't slept yet?"

Zhuge Xuan looked at his nephew Zhuge Liang, smiling: "Uncle was happy today, so he drank a few more cups at the rear general's mansion, which is why he came back late."

After saying this, Zhuge Xuan burped a few times and exhaled a sour and smelly smell of alcohol.

Zhuge Liang, who had just turned eleven not long ago, was taller than his peers. When he stood there, he was almost as tall as Zhuge Xuan. He was also handsome and had a graceful demeanor. In particular, his eyes were as deep as stars and like an ancient well. He was mature, steady and rational far beyond his age.

Zhuge Liang lost his mother at the age of three and his father at the age of eight, so he had no choice but to come to Zhuge Xuan for help.

Although Zhuge Xuan treated his brothers and sisters very well, living under someone else's roof made Zhuge Liang learn what it means to be strong and independent early on, and also made him more aware of the ups and downs of life.

Zhuge Liang personally poured tea for his uncle Zhuge Xuan to sober him up, and then said to him: "Uncle, you should go back to Xiangyang to report to Liu Jingzhou."

Zhuge Xuan was puzzled: "Why is this? Aren't we living well in Nanyang County?"

There is no doubt that Zhuge Xuan actually did not want to go back to Xiangyang.

Zhuge Xuan was an official under Liu Biao not long ago. He was originally ordered by Liu Biao to go to Luoyang to convey the general situation of Jingzhou. However, before leaving, he learned that his cousin Zhuge Gui had passed away. Therefore, he asked Liu Biao to go to Mount Tai to take care of Zhuge Gui's funeral after completing his mission.

After obtaining Liu Biao's permission, he went to Luoyang as an envoy and met Liu Bian.

It was a pity that Wang Jing was fighting in Yanzhou at that time, otherwise when he saw Zhuge Xuan, he would definitely think of the three Zhuge Liang brothers who fled south from Qingzhou.

After the mission to Luoyang, Zhuge Xuan went to Xuzhou to take care of Zhuge Gui's widow and children, including Zhuge Liang's elder brother and younger brother, as well as his two sisters.

Also, because Yuan Shu dominated Nanyang and had great power, and also promised to recommend Zhuge Xuan as the prefect of Yuzhang, Zhuge Xuan brought Zhuge Liang and others to Wancheng to join Yuan Shu.

You should know that Yuzhang City is located at the confluence of Poyang Lake and Ganjiang River. It is the geographical hub and administrative center of the entire Jiangxi region. It is the most important city on the Ganjiang River and is known as "a major port in East China, prosperous since ancient times."

Being a prefect in this place is a truly lucrative job. You can make a lot of money just by taking over. It is a job that even a god would not exchange for.

Zhuge Xuan was naturally tempted, so he didn't want to go back to Jingzhou to serve as a clerk for Liu Biao. Compared with being a prefect who was in charge of a place, being a small official like a clerk was really boring.

Zhuge Liang had no choice but to express his own opinion: "Uncle, Yuan Gonglu is about to be defeated. If we don't leave now, it will be difficult to escape. Now uncle will go to Xiangyang. With his past merits and friendship, he can ask Liu Jingzhou for a position. If he waits until Yuan Shu is defeated before leaving, it will be too late to regret it."

"You said the rear general will lose? That's impossible!"

Zhuge Liang was smart since he was young. He read a lot of books and was well-informed. In terms of knowledge, even Zhuge Xuan felt that he was inferior to him. However, Zhuge Liang was still too young after all. Zhuge Xuan just thought he was joking: "Don't say such things outside in the future. No, don't say them at home. After all, I am still working under the rear general. If this is heard, our whole family will be implicated."

Zhuge Xuan listened to Zhuge Liang's instructions and hoped that he could keep a low profile. But at this moment, life and death were at stake, and Zhuge Liang could not care less. He still tried his best to persuade Zhuge Xuan to leave Nanyang, a place of trouble: "Uncle, please listen to me. This matter is not a joke."

Zhuge Liang's serious expression deeply touched Zhuge Xuan, who then frowned and asked, "Xiaoliang, did you see anything?"

Zhuge Xuan naturally knew how capable his nephews were, otherwise he would not have spent so much effort and effort to bring the five brothers and sisters to his side to take care of them, hoping that they would become successful in the future and bring honor to the Zhuge family.

Among the three brothers Jin, Liang and Jun, Zhuge Liang was the most talented and gifted. Therefore, Zhuge Xuan did not underestimate the advice of his nephew Zhuge Liang just because Zhuge Liang was young.

Zhuge Liang looked earnest and said firmly, "Uncle, Cao Mengde can quickly capture Xinye with his weapons, but his promotion of Mohism will surely lead to a counterattack from the noble families. Once a fire breaks out in the rear, Cao Mengde will be out of soldiers and food, and will be defeated in a blink of an eye. Yuan Gonglu is ambitious and arrogant by nature. He is definitely not a wise leader who can achieve hegemony. Uncle should abandon him as soon as possible to avoid dying with him."

"This……"

Zhuge Xuan thought back to what he had seen after arriving in Wancheng and what Yuan Shu had done. He felt that such a person would find it difficult to accomplish anything and was far inferior to Yuan Shao.

Therefore, Zhuge Xuan immediately believed his nephew Zhuge Liang's words to about 70%.

Zhuge Liang then said, "Once Liu Jingzhou takes Xu County, he only needs 3,000 to 5,000 elite soldiers to block the food supply route from Runan to Nanyang. Although Yuan Shu's army is strong, without food and grass, how can it fight? In less than two months, I dare to conclude that Yuan Shu will be driven out of Nanyang and stagger like a dog that has lost its home. How will my uncle deal with it then?"

The more Zhuge Xuan listened, the more frightened he became. He had never thought of these things and had to rely on his nephew to remind him. If Zhuge Liang had not been smart and quick-witted and realized that the situation was not right, he would have been in trouble.

What is the title of Yuzhang Taishou? It only counts if you are worthy of the title!

But Yuan Shu just drew a big pie for him and didn't even prepare the ingredients for Zhuge Xuan. In the end, it was unknown when he would be able to eat this pie.

Are you willing to risk your life and property for a pie in the sky?

There is no need for this!
"No, we should leave Wancheng as soon as possible."

After listening to Zhuge Liang's analysis, Zhuge Xuan suddenly became anxious like an ant on a hot pan. Yuan Shu was so incompetent, how could he dare to bet on the Yuan family of Runan?

The huge Wancheng city in front of him looked like a raised grave in his eyes.

If I don't leave now, I will be buried with Yuan Shu in the earth.

Seeing that Zhuge Xuan had finally made up his mind, Zhuge Liang reminded him again: "Uncle, even if you want to leave, don't be too impatient. Yuan Gonglu is narrow-minded. If he knew that you, uncle, actually abandoned him and ran away, he would definitely be angry and send people to hunt you down. It's better to find a reason first, and then find a way to say goodbye."

"Well, Liangzi, uncle will listen to you."

It was late at night and the streets of Xu County were empty because of the curfew.

Soon, a dark shadow went around the north gate, quietly entered the city in a basket, and sneaked along the street all the way to the back door of the Chen family mansion.

Dong~ Dong Dong~
After knocking a few times on the agreed-upon signal, the door finally opened.

The black shadow took off his hood, looking anxious. As soon as he entered the door, he kept urging: "Quick, take me to see the head of the family!"

After a while, Chen Gong was woken up from bed. He put on a coat and hurried to the study.

"Chen Gui, meet the master!"

"But has there been any news?"

Chen Gong spoke in a cold tone. Although he pretended to be calm on the surface, he was actually panicking inside.

After all, if betrayal fails, the whole family will be killed without a burial place.

Fortunately, Chen Gui, the son of a family, did not disappoint Chen Gong: "Master, I have personally met with Huang Zu, the governor of Jiangxia. He is leading 3,000 soldiers and horses, and will be able to attack Xu County tomorrow night."

"good!"

When Chen Gong heard such good news, he was overjoyed, and even his heart, which had been hanging in the air, was finally at ease.

With Huang Zu's three thousand special troops and the internal support he had arranged, it would be easy to capture Xu County under the cover of night.

Success is just around the corner!

In the study, Chen Gong was no longer sleepy and began to make a series of arrangements and deployments. He called several of his most trusted clansmen to his side and told them, "All the hidden pieces that were planted previously can now be used."

"Master, rest assured. The commanders guarding the north gate have all been bribed by us with a large sum of money. There are also three powerful families in the city, Yang, Yu, and Ye, who are willing to respond. How can a mere Cao Ren and a mere 1,000 defenders be a match for us?"

They were all talents cultivated by the Chen family, so they were naturally willing to obey Chen Gong's orders and follow him. They all showed confident expressions, and they believed that their side had already secured victory.

However, Chen Gong was a cautious man after all. He warned: "A journey of a hundred miles begins with a single step. Don't be careless. If we lose this battle, I'm afraid the entire Chen family in Dongjun will be wiped out."

When they thought of the consequences of failure, everyone stopped smiling and looked solemn. There was great terror between life and death.

Chen Gong was making plans in secret to cut off Cao Cao's retreat, but Cao Ren, who was left behind to guard Xu County, knew nothing about it.

However, Cao Ren was good at defense and was very strict with his subordinates, so the 1,000 defenders under his command were ready to fight at any time and did not dare to be careless. Cao Ren also sent out secret sentries and placed a considerable number of spies outside Xu County.

Therefore, Huang Zu's plan to take Xu County in one night attack with 3,000 Jingzhou soldiers failed.

As soon as he led his troops to the outskirts, he was discovered by Cao Ren's secret sentry.

At the gate of Xu County, a guard looked at the black smoke rising from the south and screamed, "It's a beacon fire. Sound the alarm! There's an enemy attack!"

clang~ clang~ clang~
The resounding bell rang throughout the city. Cao Ren, who was stationed at the Fenwu General's Mansion in place of Cao Cao, was stunned: "Enemy attack? Could it be that Yuan Xu broke his promise and led his army to attack us?"

Xu County's defenses were currently weak, but there were no hostile forces around, so Cao Ren first suspected Wang Jing.

Although he had some friendship with Wang Jing, Cao Ren did not hesitate at all. He jumped on his horse and led more than ten followers to head straight for the South Gate.

As soon as they reached the south gate, someone came to report the news: "Captain, ten miles to the south, a large group of enemy soldiers suddenly appeared and headed towards Xu County."

There really are enemies attacking!
Cao Ren's heart was trembling wildly. He put his hand on the sword, his expression was solemn, and his tone became colder and colder: "Do you know how many soldiers and horses the enemy has, and which faction they belong to?"

"According to the report from the scouts we sent out, the enemy has about 3,000 troops, including 300 cavalrymen and the rest are infantrymen. The leader should be Huang Zu, a veteran general under Liu Biao of Jingzhou."

Huang Zu attacked lightly, but encountered the secret sentries arranged by Cao Ren and exposed his whereabouts in advance.

Seeing that the surprise attack plan had failed, Huang Zu simply stopped hiding his identity and directly raised the banner of Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, in an attempt to intimidate the enemy. At the same time, he was also sending a signal to Chen Gong to quickly instigate the aristocratic families and powerful families in Xu County to rebel.

Cao Ren had only a few hundred soldiers under his command, and he was quite troubled by the aggressive Huang Zu. Just when Cao Ren was thinking about how to repel the enemy, Huang Zu had already arrived at the city and began to block the official road.

Facing Huang Zu, a descendant of the famous Anlu Huang clan, Cao Ren did not dare to be careless. He quickly ordered people to lock the city gates. At the same time, he also assembled his troops and prepared for battle.

Xu County is the base camp of Cao Cao and the only territory he has. He cannot afford to lose it. (End of this chapter)