Chapter 44 Jiang Ji's Strategies
The statement that there is no one in the Huai River is a bit exaggerated at the moment. In the next few days, the fleet sailed against the Huai River.

We rarely encounter boats or fishermen along the way, and even if we do meet them, we will retreat early and avoid contact.

Five days later, the fleet passed Shouchun, sailed into the Fei River, and passed through Chengde.

The fleet stopped and Liu Ye returned home to worship his parents.

This place was considered the core ruling area of ​​Yangzhou Governor Liu Fu, so the villages along the way had a bit of a lively atmosphere.

Although there are people here, they are not many.

The order has been disrupted, and the only way to live together is to resist the invasion and killing of bandits.

Therefore, many paddy fields and fertile land that are suitable for farming have to be abandoned. This is the key reason why productivity is difficult to restore.

It’s not that we don’t want to plant, but that we dare not plant.

Only by eliminating bandits can the people disperse to various places and resume production according to local conditions.

After all, it was the core area of ​​the Yangzhou Provincial Government. Liu Ye hurriedly paid his respects and then sailed away again.

However, difficulties arose after sailing for more than a hundred miles. The water level of the Fei River dropped in the summer, and it was difficult to sail for more than ten miles.

There was no choice but to empty the cabin, use more than a hundred horses as animal power, and use ropes to pull the boat through this shallow water area.

Xuan Liang stood on the shore with a grim expression. He had not expected that the Fei River, which was navigable smoothly in early spring, would be so short of water.

Black Bear and Liu Ye thought it was normal. It has rarely rained since April this year. There have been consecutive sunny days and cloudy weather is rare.

There is insufficient rainfall in various places, and as the Feishui River is a tributary of the Huaishui River, it is normal for the water volume in the upper reaches of the Feishui River to decrease.

Now we are worried that once the news of more than a hundred war horses is learned by the Yangzhou Provincial Governor's Office, they will mobilize troops to intercept.

From early morning to afternoon, nine large ships were towed by animals through the shallow canal and entered another section of the river from the Feishui River, which was called the Shishui River.

The men and horses re-boarded the ship. Black Bear and Liu Ye stood on the wooden platform of the sparrow room and looked at the villages near and far. Black Bear sighed and said, "Boats are so inconvenient. It seems that there will be no conflict between Sun and Cao in the short term. They will not fight each other until there is no enemy."

Liu Ye nodded. He was familiar with the nearby geography and knew that large-scale military operations these days had to rely on water transportation.

Water transportation can ensure the supply of military supplies, and waste can be reduced tenfold.

Cao Cao relied on water transportation when fighting wars, and Sun Quan of Jiangdong was even more so.

Since ancient times, wars have been fought along transportation lines. The more convenient the transportation, the lower the cost of war.

There are currently only two north-south river channels.

One is here, and the other is in Dushui in Guangling.

In order to avoid the invasion of Jiangdong, officials and people in the southern part of Guangling had already moved to the central and northern parts.

The Zhongdu River has lost its maintenance and the ditches have been washed away, making it no longer suitable for transportation, irrigation, flood discharge and drainage.

The fleet sailed for another forty or fifty miles and saw a small ferry on the shore where dozens of people were waiting for the carriage with green umbrellas and an apricot yellow flag held high.

Liu Ye saw him from a distance, squinted his eyes and carefully identified him, saying: "That should be Jiang Ji, the governor of Yangzhou. He is holding an apricot yellow flag to show that he is harmless and is willing to negotiate peace."

Zhizhong, also known as Beijia, was the main administrative deputy of the provincial governor and was selected from among the people of the province.

Then Liu Ye took the initiative to introduce the information he knew about Yangzhou, from the governor of Pei State Liu Fu, the deputy governor of Jiujiang Jiang Ji, to Liu Fu riding alone into Hefei to gather the people to resume production, recruit heroes and generals to restore order, and so on.

According to Liu Ye, this Liu Fu is very strong.

After Yuan Shu's destruction, the Huai River and Huai River regions were in chaos. The people were poor, and the local warlords and clans gathered to invade and plunder each other for a living. No one could work in peace.

Liu Fu rode alone into the empty city of Hefei, sought out the surrounding scholars to set up a state government, gathered the people and encouraged them to engage in agricultural production. He also personally went to the mountains and fields where bandits and refugees were entrenched to lobby, and the people gradually came down the mountains to participate in production.

Lei Xu, Chen Lan and other powerful generals who gathered tens of thousands of people also gave up looting because of Liu Fu's promise, and Huainan was able to be well governed within two or three years.

A good reputation is the sharpest knife to the enemy.

Liu Fu's fame spread not only in the Central Plains, but also to Jiangdong.

The people from Lianghuai who are wandering in Jiangdong will naturally have some thoughts of returning home.

As Liu Ye introduced, the flagship slowly approached the ferry.

The side door opened, and seven or eight soldiers got off the ship first. More than twenty soldiers were already standing on the deck, first floor, and second floor, holding bows and crossbows, on standby, and watching the distance and near with vigilance.

Jiang Ji also looked up and observed, but he did not feel scared.

During these three years, Huainan was well governed and the people were loyal to the government. Although the treasury did not manufacture or store much armor and military equipment, the people's hearts were there.

The state department has a strong appeal. Once it decides to take action, the small boats of fishermen from far and near can easily block the Fei River and flood the water, completely blocking the fleet.

The support of the people of Huainan is Jiang Ji’s greatest confidence.

Not to mention this fleet, even if Sun Quan of Jiangdong dared to invade, the people of Huainan would let Sun Quan know what it means to have iron will among the people.

Liu Ye would not show up on his own initiative. Black Bear followed Xuan Liang out of the cabin and saw a familiar person in the crowd. It was Li Feng from the Laozi Temple in Xudu.

Unexpectedly, he really came to Huainan to practice medicine and practice the way of medicine.

Li Feng also recognized the handsome and energetic Black Bear at a glance, and seeing Black Bear standing behind Xuan Liang, he couldn't help but smile.

Jiang Ji stepped forward and said, "I am Jiang Ji from Ping'a, Jiujiang. I am trusted by the envoy and appointed as the deputy governor of this state. I heard that you have more than a hundred fine horses, so I came to bother you."

Xuan Liang then took out the silk book from General Xu Kun, the General who Suppressed the Enemy, and handed it over with both hands, and replied: "We followed the general's official order to go to the north to buy horses, and with the help of General Cao Zilian, we were able to complete our mission."

Jiang Ji pretended to be ignorant, so Xuan Liang lied with his eyes open.

Jiang Ji pretended to read the silk book, frowned and asked again: "Do you have any documents from the Sikong Mansion? More than a hundred good horses is definitely not a small matter. It's okay for us not to know, but now that we know, we should ask for clarification."

"General Zilian handled everything. We exchanged gold and silk for horses, that's all."

Xuan Liang also looked embarrassed: "No one asked questions when I passed by Huainan before, why is Huainan still checking now?"

Jiang Ji returned the silk book with both hands, still frowning: "This matter is too big. If I don't pay attention to it, I will be held accountable by the court."

"If you are afraid of being held accountable, why don't you stop being an official?"

Black Bear behind Xuan Liang spoke, and Xu Lin beside Black Bear stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Ji's collar and pulled him back. The guards on both sides drew their swords, and Xuan Liang also drew his sword and pointed it back and forth at the Huainan soldiers who were trying to rescue him.

Jiang Ji was nearly pulled over, and before he could stand firmly, he was held hostage by a soldier in white armor, with a dagger at his throat.

The strong bow on the flagship behind him was fully drawn, and the crossbow was raised and placed on the railing to aim at the Huainan soldiers.

One of Jiang Ji's subordinates cursed: "We came here with an apricot yellow flag and were honest, but you are so rude!"

"When I pass Xiaoyaojin, I will release your family."

After saying this, Black Bear raised his right hand and waved it backwards. Two soldiers grabbed Jiang Ji and dragged him back to the boat.

Seeing that the dozen or so Huainan soldiers did not move, Black Bear took a few steps back and turned back to the cabin. The others evacuated in an orderly manner under the cover of bows and crossbows.

The side door was closed again, and Jiang Ji was led by the soldiers to the stern and went straight up to the que room along the ladder. In the que room, Jiang Ji saw Liu Ye and asked with a smile: "Brother Zitong, how are you?"

"Zi Yang is here?"

Jiang Ji was shocked. He looked Liu Ye up and down and smiled bitterly: "You actually followed the thief?"

"No, he was held hostage by me and had no choice but to submit."

Black Bear also came over, handed back Jiang Ji's sword that the soldier had taken off, sat in the main seat and motioned for everyone to take their seats.

Jiang Ji calmed down and sat down, then he heard Black Bear say, "Now that you know my identity, aren't you afraid of being hijacked?"

“It’s a last resort.”

Jiang Ji smiled bitterly, "It was not my intention. People in the county reported that they saw more than a hundred good horses. After repeated investigations, I confirmed that if I didn't come, it would be a minor matter to be dismissed from office, but I would be executed."

Black Bear asked back: "You were kidnapped, and your subordinates and guards were unable to rescue you, nor could they kill the thieves. Aren't you afraid that the court will order severe punishment for them?"

"General Qu may not know that we Huainan people have our own inside story."

Jiang Ji smiled as he spoke: "The court will not punish officials and civilians severely, and will deal with them leniently as appropriate."

Black Bear just laughed along and didn't quite agree with this statement.

After all, Huainan was a newly annexed territory, and it was Liu Fu who recaptured it single-handedly, not the imperial court in Xudu that sent troops to conquer it.

Therefore, in the Huainan area, many things need to be discussed slowly.

For example, the system of staggered labor service. Even if Cao Cao had ten times the courage, he would not dare to implement the system of staggered labor service in Huainan.

Huainan was stabilized thanks to Liu Fu's personal charm and ability. The people of Huainan were already giving face to the court by not causing trouble.

How lowly must the people of Huainan be to voluntarily give up their personal freedom, separate from their families, and go to remote and unfamiliar areas for military settlement and garrison?
It was not that the Xudu court did not want to let go of the hundreds of thousands of households in Huainan, but that Huainan had its own particularities and lacked the basis for action.

The laughter in the chamber stopped, and Jiang Ji asked, "May I ask, Commander Qu, how much are the Huangzhong plums from Laozi Temple and the Xiapi blood peaches worth?"

"So that's what you came here for."

Black Bear re-examined Jiang Ji in front of him. The man was of average height, with an ordinary face, in his prime, with a moustache. He might have drunk too much, as the whites of his eyes were yellow and bloodshot.

Jiang Ji also straightened his back slightly: "I am willing to do my best to obtain these miraculous things from the outside world and contribute them to the emperor."

"ridiculous."

Black Bear sneered and looked at Jiang Ji: "What virtue does the emperor have to be worthy of my offering peaches and plums?"

"As for Cao Cao, I have heard a nursery rhyme among the people, saying that Zi Lian is not honest, and Meng De is not virtuous. I have peaches to feed cows and horses, but I don't have peaches for the Cao family."

Looking back at Jiang Ji, he said, "I don't care what you are thinking. I will give the Xinghuang Banner some face and let you go after you pass Xiaoyaojin. If you mess with me again, I will destroy you both physically and spiritually."

As he spoke, Black Bear felt uneasy, as he felt that Jiang Ji was being too direct in asking for favors.

The Yangzhou Beijia was already one of the representative figures of the Yangzhou people in the Xudu court.

This kind of person has the need to please Cao Cao, but it is more of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship.

After thinking for a while, Black Bear said to Xu Lin beside him: "Go to the shore and ask Mr. Li Feng from Laozi Temple to come see me."

"Yes."

Xu Lin turned around and walked down the wooden stairs to leave, but Liu Ye noticed a subtle change in Jiang Ji's expression.

Liu Ye looked at Black Bear slightly sideways again. A blood peach appeared in Black Bear's right hand, and he asked Jiang Ji: "I'll give you a chance, tell me your true intention. Otherwise, I will give this peach to Li Feng, and don't blame me for listening to his one-sided story."

Jiang Ji stared intently at the perfect blood peach in his opinion. He took a few deep breaths before turning his head to look at Black Bear and shook his head slightly: "My loyalty as a subject cannot be moved by swords, gold or jade."

"Where are those two?"

A blood peach also appeared in the black bear's left hand. Seeing Jiang Ji hesitate, he put the blood peach on Liu Ye's knees and said with a smile: "Mr. Ziyang has given me many suggestions, but he is not even worthy of one peach. Who do you think you are? How can you be worth two peaches?"

Liu Ye caught the peach. This time he witnessed the appearance of two blood peaches with his own eyes, and all his doubts were gone.

She looked at Jiang Ji with a smile, then held the peach in both hands and looked at Black Bear: "Thank you, Commander, for the peach."

After that, he started eating peaches. The peach flesh was crispy and sweet, and it softened when chewed and turned into sweet peach juice.

He ate very slowly, taking more than ten bites to finish, leaving behind a clean peach pit.

Soon, Xu Lin led Li Feng to the mahjong room.

Li Feng saw that the atmosphere was not good, so he knelt down and cautiously tested him: "Commander Qu?"

"I always feel that Jiang Ji is of noble status. He actually came to find me in person. I suspect that he has bad intentions."

Black Bear placed the peach in front of Li Feng: "Tell me about his evil intentions, and I'll give you this peach. I will allow you to follow me to Jingzhou and practice the teachings of the founder of Xinglin."

"Yes! I dare not hide anything from you, Commander Qu!"

Li Feng kowtowed decisively, raised his head and glanced at Jiang Ji: "Jiang Zhizhong was ordered to investigate Commander Qu, and he interrogated me again and again, and I couldn't shirk it. He also learned from the Laozi Temple that Commander Qu has a Liangpei accent. He came to see me today, and there are five people around him who are good at calligraphy and painting, all of whom came for Commander Qu!"

After that, Li Feng kowtowed again: "I hope the commander will understand!"

"I believe you, otherwise I would have been exposed on the shore."

"You are such a disrespectful villain! You are ruining my life!"

Jiang Ji couldn't control his emotions and stood up to kick Li Feng, but was punched by Xu Lin at the side. Jiang Ji lost his balance on one leg and was knocked to the ground.

"I am in need of coolies, and I would like to trouble Jiang Zhizhong to cooperate, so that the officials and soldiers in Yangzhou will not die in vain."

Black Bear gestured to Li Feng to eat the peach, as it would be safest to eat it on the spot.

He was also angry with Jiang Ji in his heart, and looked at Xu Lin sideways: "Take him to surrender, then lock him up in the bottom of the cabin, and finally shave off his hair and eyebrows!"

Xu Lin asked two soldiers to carry Jiang Ji away. Xuan Liang said, "To be on the safe side, we should blind his eyes. At the very least, we should destroy his right hand so that it will be difficult for him to draw his image."

Jiang Ji, who was in the corridor, heard this and jumped up and cursed: "You thief! Kill me if you want! Why are you insulting me so much!"

After being hit twice more, Jiang Ji finally stopped talking.

Black Bear walked down the stairs and said to Jiang Ji, "I won't destroy your appearance and future, but you should not seek death. You are loyal to your lord and I have punished you by shaving your head. This is a badge of honor and should not be considered a disgrace."

"I can assure you that even if you die, I can make you work for a hundred or a thousand years. Not only you, but also everyone in the Nine Clans."

After seeing Jiang Ji off, Liu Ye came forward, raised his hand and swung it down like a knife, whispering: "Such humiliation will surely become a mortal enemy."

"Killing him is useless. Without Jiang Ji, there are others who can take over. If we keep him, we will have some concerns."

"If you are worried about your family being implicated, I will let Xu Lin arrange for this man to be beaten, and you can help and protect him. Even if he sees the truth, he will still have to accept your favor."

　The editor said that the performance of this book is not very good, but I wrote it smoothly, and I can keep writing as long as there are 500 average subscriptions. The name of the protagonist will be changed.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)