Chapter 39 Influence on fermentation
Under the cover of night, the Sanya warship set sail downstream.

Eight transport ships followed in a line, all guided by lanterns at the stern.

Gradually walking away, Black Bear stood on the command platform in the sparrow room of the Three-Tooth battleship.

Looking back, there was a blazing fire near the Liyang Wharf.

Liu Ye, who was standing beside him, also turned his head to look back and said, "Yuan Tan's wife, Guo, is the niece of Zhong Yao, the Palace Attendant and the Inspector of the Imperial Guards, Zhong Yuanchang; Yuan Shang's wife, Liu, is the granddaughter of Liu Shuo, the King of Pingyuan."

King Pingyuan Liu Shuo was the younger brother of Emperor Huan. Although Emperor Huan had no sons, he did have two younger brothers, and his other brother, King Bohai, was killed by Emperor Ling.

"I didn't expect that the second Yuan would kill his wife to swear an oath. Anyway, when we meet in the future, we will be enemies."

As Black Bear spoke, he looked down at his hands. The blood had already dried, but there was still a little residue after rubbing his hands.

Liu Ye asked: "Now the world is so big, and there are only two places that can accommodate you, Liaodong and Jingzhou. If you want to go to Jingzhou, which way do you plan to take?"

The fleet cannot be abandoned, it is the foundation of our existence.

When a fleet goes to Jingzhou, it can either take the Central Plains water system and enter the Yangtze River via the Huai River, or go out of the Yellow River and take the near-shore route and enter the Yangtze River.

"I was not famous originally, but after I kidnapped the two Yuans and extorted the black armor and the horse, Cao Cao would not underestimate me. If I take the Central Plains water system, the counties along the way will be in charge of the horses and armor, and they will never let me pass easily."

"If we take the sea route, it will be difficult to get supplies along the way, and it will be difficult to store horse fodder, which will make it even more difficult to recruit people."

"You can go by sea, but the waves are strong, the journey is longer, and there are many variables. There is no rush, sir, go and rest first, and we will discuss it tomorrow."

Black Bear had no idea how to go.

Whether it is a transport ship or a trireme, they are all flat-bottomed boats, and if they encounter wind and waves while traveling on the sea, they will die tragically.

We had never traveled by sea before, and there were many reefs and undercurrents near the coast, which required a high level of comprehensive quality from the fleet.

Any shortcoming will lead to the fleet's demise.

Before Liu Ye entered the cabin, he said, "Sir, if you want to go along the Huai and Si rivers, you can reach Puyang in a few dozen miles. There is the mouth of the Huzi River in Puyang, and you can reach Juye Lake by following it. Go against the Ji River to the mouth of the Si River, and then you can go along the Huai and Si rivers, pass the Fei River, Juchao Lake, and go out of Chaoshui Dongpu to the Yangtze River."

"Now Cao Gong's army is gathering in Chenliu, and the hinterland is mostly empty."

"Last time, the young master's boats were rampant in the Central Plains. People in the world knew about your reputation and thought that Cao Gong was unprepared. Now he is going to the Central Plains again under the pretext of robbing the two Yuans. Who in the world dares to underestimate him? Even with Cao Gong's arrogance, it is hard to predict that the young master would dare to go to Huaishui."

"Besides, you can sail day and night. When the people in the Central Plains heard about the incident in Hebei, you had already reached Huainan."

After Liu Ye finished speaking, he returned to the cabin to rest. From bottom to top, the Sanya warship had the bottom cabin, the oar cabin, a first-floor wooden building and a second-floor wooden building on the deck, and above the second-floor wooden building was the command room.

The living areas of tower ships and warships are much more comfortable because they have multiple layers of wooden buildings on the decks.

This ship relies on sail power, with eight oars on each side and no stern oar; it has three masts, and the mast near the bird room can control the course with sails.

In addition to controlling sails and steering, this ship's cabin is also equipped with a stern rudder.

Therefore, this battleship is easier for Black Bear to control when sailing at night.

The nine large ships were connected front and back in this way. As the Black Bear controlled ship crossed the center of the river and shifted towards the south bank, the subsequent transport ships changed their courses one by one under the guidance of the lanterns at the stern.

Before midnight, the outline of the mouth of Huzi River appeared in the black bear's field of vision.

The embankments on both sides of the Huzi River estuary are too high and thick, and a large area of ​​silted mudflats can be vaguely seen at the Huzi River estuary.

This shows that there has been insufficient precipitation in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River since the beginning of spring, and the melting of winter snow has led to abundant water.

After the spring flood, there was insufficient rainfall, so the water depth dropped.

It could be that the second-level golden-armored Taoist soldier Lu Bu gave Black Bear confidence, or it could be due to his fear of the sea and typhoons.

"Turn sail and head south!"

After just a brief thought, Black Bear gave orders to the sailor on standby on the ship to control the sails, and a skilled sailor also cooperated to turn the rudder, and the ship slowly sailed towards the Huzi River.

In the birdhouse, there were also sailors holding torches in each hand to signal the fleet behind.

The orders were passed on one by one, and everyone began to reef the sails and slow down. After adjusting the course at the river mouth, they hoisted the sails and increased speed, following the flagship into the Huzi River.

Even though there were cities on both sides of the Huzi River, most of them were reduced to ruins.

There was a slight northerly wind at night, and the fleet was sailing downstream at a steady speed, as if it were a trot.

The black bear turned his head to observe the Taoist servant who was running as hard as he could on the shore, and used this as a reference to calculate the speed of the boat.

After making sure that they can reach Juye Lake after daybreak, they will recall the Taoist servant.

It was dawn. Xuan Liang, who had slept for half the night, came out of the cabin and came to the command room: "Commander Qu, have we reached Huzi River?"

Xuan Liang looked at the shore from the firing port and said, "To the west of Huzi River is Lihu County established by Cao Cao. Lihu Governor Li Dian has more than 3,000 soldiers under his command, with sophisticated weapons and complete equipment. His family also occupies Juye Lake and has no shortage of boats and sailors. If we meet, it will be difficult to end it peacefully."

"The east bank of the Huzi River was where Cao Cao settled millions of Qingxu and Yellow Turban troops, and hundreds of thousands of people lived there. If the fleet is blocked, it will suffer."

The size of this resettled Yellow Turban Army was less than one million men and women. After being converted into a military settlement, the able-bodied men and women took turns serving in Cao Cao's central army. They were the main force of Cao Cao's army and did not suffer from the pain of being miscarried into service.

It was this Yellow Turban Army, known for its brutality, that allowed the system of staggered labor to be implemented smoothly, kidnapping men and women from various counties.

"Don't worry. We are sailing at night, and Cao's army won't be able to react in time. Even if Cao Ren and Zhang Xiu are the cavalry, what can they do to me if I don't go ashore?"

Black Bear smiled and said, "It's not easy to block the waterway."

Before reaching the Huai River, he sailed downstream. When the wind was favorable, he could travel 400 miles in a day and night, and when the wind was not favorable, he could travel more than 300 miles.

This was a speed at which it was impossible to pursue or intercept the enemy with the help of troops, so the only option was to send messengers to notify the garrison near the river bank to block the attack.

During the time when Cao Cao's army gathered in Chenliu, the soldiers stationed there were actually third-rate.

After that, Black Bear came to the main mast in the middle of the ship and climbed up to the highest observation deck along the ladder. He could see the vast Juye Lake, which looked like the sea.

He searched for the ruins of buildings and trees on both sides of the river as reference points, and calculated several times. He worked out that the distance was less than forty miles, and then he slid down the mast.

Forty miles, at the current speed of the ship, it will take more than half an hour to arrive.

Looking at the sunrise again, it is estimated that we will reach Juye Lake before the sun rises completely and the sky becomes bright.

In the cabin on the second floor, Black Bear raised his hand and drew back the curtain, and saw Zhen Mi, with bloodstains on her collar, still sleeping, her cheeks pale.

He moved closer and raised his hand to summon a bright red magic berry. He pinched Zhen Mi's cheeks with his left hand. The sleeping Zhen Mi's thin lips opened. He put the magic berry into her mouth before releasing his left hand.

Feeling that the hairpins on Zhen Mi's head were threatening, he raised his hands and pulled them all out, only to find that these hairpins were used to fix the wig.

After taking off the beautifully styled wig crown, he felt relieved to see Zhen Mi's thick black hair. He came to a compartment on the side, and Black Bear fell to the ground and lay on the wool felt to sleep.

At this time, on the other side far away.

The sky was getting brighter. In the distance, on the canal, Shaofu Kong Rong was sailing north.

On the deck, fish soup was being cooked in a brazier, and on one side there was a small clay stove burning a ceramic basin filled with water and a jar of wine.

Kong Rong used fish soup to cook the vegetables, and from time to time he would take up the warm rice wine and drink it.

Opposite him was a Tiger Guard who was nearly forty years old. Kong Rong liked him very much because he looked like Cai Yong and had a prominent large forehead.

Whether in private gatherings or on business trips, Kong Rong would always find a way to bring this brave warrior with him.

As long as this brave warrior was in front of him, Kong Rong felt as comfortable as if he was drinking in front of Cai Yong.

In addition to this brave warrior, Xu Gan from Beihai also drank with them.

Under the strict prohibition of alcohol by Prime Minister Cao Cao, only three people dared to drink openly together, except for the wine used for sacrificial ceremonies and official business.

One was the emperor, one was Shaofu Kong Rong, and the other was Cao Mengde.

Kong Rong was drunk and said to Xu Gan, "In the days of Emperor Huan, a yellow star was seen at the border between Chu and Song. Yin Kui of Liaodong was good at astronomy and predicted that in fifty years a true man would appear between Liang and Pei, and his power would be unstoppable. It has been fifty years since then."

"Now the White Goose Bandits have arisen in Liangpei. Wherever they are seen, there are many strange things, and everyone who sees them is terrified."

"Hijacking Yuan Huan was an opportunity, but he missed it. What a pity!"

With emotion, Kong Rong poured wine for himself and also poured wine for the brave soldiers opposite him.

When drinking together, this Tiger Guard was only responsible for drinking and eating, and could only be served. He was not allowed to speak or look around.

His only task was to maintain Cai Yong's demeanor.

This Tiger Guard also cherished this precious temporary job. After all, the emperor's Tiger Guards had not received any reinforcements, and even the equipment, food and wages were delayed as much as possible.

There was no way around it. The first time Cao Cao met the emperor put a lot of pressure on Cao Cao.

At that time, the tiger guards held halberds and formed a halberd gate. Cao Cao took off his sword, bowed and walked to see the emperor, with halberd blades like a forest covering his head.

From then on, Cao Cao would not formally pay a visit to the emperor unless it was necessary.

Kong Rong held the warm wine glass in his hand and looked at Xu Gan's face. "There is a rumor in Xudu that an ancient immortal's tomb was dug up during the excavation of Suiyang Canal. What do you think of this rumor?"

"It is just a popular rumor, but I think the discussion on the Dao is very valuable."

Xu Gan had no interest in getting drunk. He looked at the reeds on both sides of the canal and said, "Rather than digging out a sleeping ancient immortal, I would rather dig out the ancient immortal's written documents and let them fall into the hands of ordinary people."

"That makes sense, but the number of graves dug in the past two years is far less than that of the past."

Kong Rong drank by himself, his face flushed. "If he is really an ancient immortal, why would he sail on the rivers? Looking at the actions of the White Goose Bandits, they are really reckless. I wonder what will happen to Yuan Benchu ​​and his family after they go to Hebei."

There is nothing wrong with digging graves. In order to replenish military supplies, Yuan Shao, Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu also dug graves.

How could Sun Jian, who came from a humble background, support an elite troop of a thousand men? Where did he get the money?

"This boy who has inherited the mantle of an immortal hates Cao Mengde. This world is very interesting."

Kong Rong smiled drunkenly, raised his head and drank the wine in the cup, then poured himself some wine.

Xu Gan looked at the scenery on both sides of the river, changed the subject, and expressed his worry: "Mr. Wen Ju, if you go to Chenliu, I'm afraid that person will bear a grudge against you."

The young man who pretended to be a member of the Sun family was very strong. Not only were his methods strange, but his character was even stronger. He dared to break through the main camp and successfully arrived in Hebei.

If you make such a person pay attention to you, it will be difficult to resist the revenge.

More than half a month ago, Yuan Huan was released to Baimazin on the south bank by Yuan Shang. After returning to the south bank, Li Dian sent someone to send him to Chenliu camp overnight. Afterwards, Yuan Huan fell ill, resigned from his official position and returned to his hometown to recuperate.

Having just come into contact with the Hebei side, Yuan Huan insisted on resigning and returning home to avoid suspicion, despite Cao Cao's attempts to retain him.

After hearing the news, Kong Rong went to visit and had a lot of exchanges with Yuan Huan. Then he left Fule and went upstream against the Langdang Canal to see the daughter of his old friend.

Cai Yong's network of contacts and influence were so vast during his lifetime that old friends, former officials, and students would often send him gifts of comfort.

So it was not the Cai clan members who helped Cai Zhenji's aunt and nephew, but rather they helped their clan members.

Kong Rong was not an outsider, so Yuan Huan told him his guess.

Xu Gan, a talented man from Beihai, was no outsider to Kong Rong.

Kong Rong went to Yu County with the intention of bringing Cai Zhenji and his nephew back to Xu Du to raise them by his side.

Cai Yong's grandson had reached the age for enlightenment, and Kong Rong was confident that he could do a good job.

The key is Cai Zhenji, who kept the daughter of an old friend by her side.

When that white goose thief came to rob, or when he was robbed along with the others, it was all chance.

Kong Rong had seen life and death for a long time and no longer cared about fame or official position. He wanted to see the other side of the world.

Kong Rong hadn't felt so happy for a long time since he lost his bases in Beihai and Qingzhou and was reduced to a nominal official in Xudu.

It was as if I had grasped the thread of life again.

Kong Rong was not surprised at Xu Gan's depression. That was just Xu Gan's personality. He was always worried about gains and losses and not very brave.

Kong Rong drank from the cup and glanced at Xu Gan, saying confidently: "Why would he bear a grudge? I provide him with good food and drink, so he should give me a betrothal gift, right?"

Relevant official documents were also sent from Yangzhou. Kong Rong had already heard about the incident of the White Goose Thief going to Xia Pi to distribute peaches in early March.

In order to obtain more detailed intelligence, the Sikong Mansion has issued a message to the Yangzhou Provincial Governor's Office, ordering an in-depth investigation.

As for the peaches and plums eaten by Cai Zhenji's aunt and nephew, the remaining peach and plum pits were also sent to the Chenliu camp.

The three yellow plums that the White Goose Thief presented to Laozi Temple during his stay in Xudu were also circulated among the powerful and disappeared.

Although he had never seen it, Kong Rong believed that his friends would not deceive him with such things.

If he had not lived long enough, Kong Rong would have really wanted to go straight to the Chenliu camp and ask Prime Minister Cao in person.

(End of this chapter)