Chapter 3 Chapter Three Sailing

Marquis Wen's lecture made my heart clear immediately, I straightened my waist and said: "The final general will definitely complete the task!" Marquis Wen's eyes lit up again, and he smiled and said, "What do you think you should do?" I said: "Your Excellency must order me to get in touch with the Lord of Wuyang City, and persuade him to fight back. City Lord of Wuyang City surrendered to the Snake Man, and it is definitely not what he wanted. As long as he understands that joining forces is the way to coexist, he will probably listen. " Marquis Wen nodded, but shook his head slightly and said: "It's almost there, but I don't need you to do so much. You don't need to do the persuasion, you just need to be the escort."

I thought Marquis Wen would definitely let me be a special envoy, but I didn't expect to just let me be a guard, so I was a little disappointed.Marquis Wen must have seen my disappointment. He patted me on the shoulder and said, "The ruler is short and the inch is long. Everyone has different strengths. You are thoughtful and alert, and your martial arts are outstanding, but your eloquence is just mediocrity. Ordinarily, to convince the owner of Wuyang City, it is impossible to rely on swords and guns alone." I nodded and said, "Yes. My lord, when are you leaving?" "It's not too late, we're leaving tomorrow."

I thought for a while and said, "It's just that the road to Wuyang City has been blocked by snake men. It may not be easy to rush there. If we take a detour from the northwest, it will take too much time." The last time Zheng Zhao came to the imperial capital , When I went back, I took a detour to go back from the West City.From there, it takes twice the distance. Wenhou said: "Who said you want to go by land?" I was shocked again, and understood a lot in an instant, no wonder Marquis Wen wanted to pull Li Yaotian back before the battle.I said, "Is that for General Li Yaotian to send us by boat?"

Marquis Wen nodded, and said again: "It's just that he has other great uses, he can't go out by himself, and it's his lieutenant general Pu Shifang who sent you off." This Pu Shifang is unknown, but Li Yaotian's subordinates are not weak.I nodded and said, "Of order." "Hurry up and get ready. Pick thirty capable people from your vanguard battalion to go with you, and I'll give you instructions on the proxy control." I agreed with a "yes", but hesitated.Today I wanted to ask Marquis Wen if he intended to fight across the sea, but it was not easy to say.Marquis Wen also saw that I was hesitant to speak, and said: "If you still want to ask anything, just ask, don't be shy."

I breathed a sigh of relief and said, "My lord, you have drawn General Li Yaotian to the imperial capital to oversee the building of warships. Do you have any intention of opening up the sea front?" Marquis Wen raised his eyebrows and said, "How can you see that?" I swallowed, and said: "At the beginning, my lord told me that the snake man was attacking three roads at the same time. Dongping City was the middle road, Fudun City was the west road, and the other road came from the sea. If the three roads attack at the same time , Our army is short of troops, and it is probably difficult to deal with it. However, after a long battle with the Snake Man, no ships were seen. I am afraid that because of this, the sea attack has not been realized. Thinking about it carefully, the Snake Man opened the Wuyang City Net On the one hand, Weishi is not planning to attack the water army of Wuyang City. If the water army of Wuyang City can be used by the snake people, their three-pronged strategy can be realized. In order to break this unfavorable situation, our army must preemptively attack. It is the best strategy to open up the sea route first, so that the Lord of Wuyang City can return to our army."

Marquis Wen was still smiling at the beginning, but the more he listened, the more solemn his face became. When I reached the end, he no longer had the slightest smile on his face, and said, "You're right." He took a long breath, and then Said: "Sometimes I'm really afraid of you." This is the highest praise from Marquis Wen's mouth.I couldn't help but feel a little proud, and said, "This is the general's humble opinion. But the general's attitude towards the City Lord of Wuyang is still unclear." Marquis Wen thought for a while, and said: "It's time to tell you now. Do you remember when you first came to the imperial capital, the Lord of Wuyang City sent a secret envoy?"

I nodded and said: "Remember, the secret envoy's name is Zheng Zhao. My lord ordered me to take off his head, but the general missed and he escaped." Wenhou said: "Do you know why I wanted to kill him at that time?" I still can't figure this out.I said: "Forgive me for being dull, I can't figure it out." "At that time, Zheng Zhao came and told me two things. One is that the vigor of the snake people declines every winter, so they will definitely attack at the end of spring and early autumn. to be fully prepared.” No wonder Marquis Wen took me to see Zhang Longyou last year. When I told Zhang Longyou to change the gunpowder formula, he said that snake people would only attack when the spring warmed up. So he heard what Zheng Zhao said.I said: "Then, in fact, the Lord of Wuyang City still has his heart for the empire?"

Marquis Wen sighed, and said, "He said one more thing." He paused, then raised his head, and said, "It is true that the Lord of Wuyang City is not willing to submit to the Snake People, but he is also unwilling to submit to the Empire." "Is he going to make himself king?" "He has succeeded Cang Yue as the leader of the Republican Army." These words were like earth-shattering, and I was stunned immediately.During Wuhou's Southern Expedition, the Lord of Wuyang City also provided food and grass for the Southern Expedition Army. At that time, he had not yet joined the Republican Army. He did not expect to become the leader of the Republican Army so soon.I was dumbfounded and said, "Really?"

Marquis Wen said: "Of course it is true. The secret envoy named Zheng Zhao came to make a deal with me, asking to cooperate with the Imperial Army at the price of allowing the Republican Army to stand on its own." It's no wonder that Wenhou later transferred grain to Wuyang City, but was rejected by the owner of Wuyang City. This is the reason.Cang Yuegong did not hesitate to die. I am afraid that this is also a deal with the Lord of Wuyang City, making the Lord of Wuyang City the leader in exchange for Gou Quan of the Republican Army.I thought for a while and said, "Sir, did you reject his request?"

Marquis Wen hesitated for a moment, and said: "At that time, I obviously agreed, but of course I didn't really agree, so I asked Bi Wei and Cang Lan to set up an ambush to kill the secret envoy. I didn't expect that Zheng Zhao would have that hand Thaumaturgy, so that he escaped. At that time, I only said that it was useless, and the Lord of Wuyang City would never cooperate with our army again, but I didn’t expect to see the handwriting of City Lord of Wuyang City when the snake people besieged the city.” I was taken aback and said, "Who sent it this time?" Marquis Wen smiled slightly and said, "It's a snake man."

I was startled, and immediately thought of something, and blurted out, "Is that the gauntlet letter?" Marquis Wen raised his brows and said, "You are really getting smarter. Yes, there is a message from the Lord of Wuyang attached to the letter of war, but his message is very weird. Although it is clear that he wants our army to surrender, But the last sentence is 'if the imperial capital is destroyed, everything will cease.'” A light flashed in my mind, and I shouted: "This means, if the imperial capital has not been breached by the snake people, then there is something to be done?" Marquis Wen nodded, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "The Lord of Wuyang really has several talents under his command, and they actually declared to me through the hands of the snake man that they want to see my ability. If I can repel the snake man , that still means a turning point.” No wonder Marquis Wen was surprised when he saw the letter of war written by the Snake Man. At that time, he had already guessed the deep meaning between the words of the Lord of Wuyang.I couldn't help but sigh with emotion, the City Lord of Wuyang and Marquis Wen are both extremely intelligent figures in the world, if Marquis Wen can't guess what City Lord of Wuyang meant, I'm afraid he won't be able to break through the siege of the Snake Man.And the Lord of Wuyang sent the news with a fake hand snakeman, also because he was afraid that Marquis Wen would repeat again and kill the messenger. Marquis Wen sighed again, and said: "In the past, I really didn't want to accept the help of the Lord of Wuyang City. This person took advantage of the fire to loot and profit from it. His crime is unforgivable. However, the situation is pressing, and now I have to accept the price he offered." If the Snake Man is defeated, Marquis Wen will have to deal with Wuyang City again.I was at a loss for a while, for Marquis Wen, all people and things in the world can only be divided into two categories: useful and useless. After bidding farewell to Marquis Wen, I went back to the camp alone to pack my luggage.After a few months of idleness, he was finally about to set off again, but this time he was not leading the army to fight. This was the first time since he joined the army.Marquis Wen asked me to pick a few people. The first thing I thought of was Cao Wendao, but after thinking about it, Cao Wendao was too impulsive, so he was not as careful as Qian Wenyi, and it was better to take Qian Wenyi away, and Cao Wendao could take care of Gu Xuan.It's just that once Qian Wenyi leaves, I'm afraid that Cao Wendao will not care about the first and last in his work, so I need to find someone who is meticulous to assist him.After much deliberation, I felt that Shao Fengguan's subordinate Zhuge Fang was the best candidate.This Zhuge Fang doesn't speak much, he is thoughtful, and he is also a wise general, and he can learn from Cao Wendao's strengths to make up for his weaknesses. Shao Fengguan's Feng Legion has a total of only 800 people, stationed in the place where the island barbarians gathered before Beishan.The island barbarians have been exterminated, and this place has become an open space.As soon as I arrived at the entrance of the Fengjun Camp, there was still a distance away, and there was a sound of horseshoes in front of me. A dozen people urged the horses to gallop, and the first person was Shao Fengguan.Immediately I raised my hand to him and called out, "Brother Shao!" Shao Fengguan also saw me, urged the horse to come over and said, "Brother Chu, why do you come here when you have time?" The weather was very hot, Shao Fengguan was sweating from running, his shirt was soaked, and there were a few fat birds hanging in front of his horse.I said: "I want to ask you to borrow Zhuge Fang." Shao Fengguan said with a smile: "A Fang is my right-hand man, but you are good at picking people. What are you doing?" I said: "Marquis Wen ordered me to go to Wuyang City and contact the Lord of Wuyang City. I want to take Qian Wenyi away, and here I want to use Zhuge Fang to rectify the military affairs." Shao Fengguan was surprised: "Are you going to Wuyang City?" I nodded.He thought for a while, and said: "This matter is very dangerous. There are snake people all the way. I'm afraid you will lose several pieces of meat when you arrive in Wuyang City." I smiled and said, "I can't go by land, of course I have to go by sea." Shao Fengguan clapped his hands together, and said: "This is a way. It's just that there are thousands of miles from the imperial capital to Wuyang City, and it takes a month to walk by land, and at least two months by sea. The best plan is to come and go. It will take four months to come back, and it will be difficult to replenish supplies during these four months, this trip is hard work." I said: "No matter how hard it is, you have to go. Besides, sea ships can sail day and night, and I don't think it will take two months to arrive. I just hope that the snake people will not attack aggressively in these few months." Shao Fengguan smiled and said: "It's already July now, and it will probably be the beginning of winter when you come back. The snake people's combat power has dropped sharply when the weather is cold, and they are also resting for the past few months, unable to launch a strong offensive. We At least you can linger until the beginning of next spring, don't worry. Besides, Bi Wei and Deng Canglan are not small, and it's no problem to support them for these few months. Ah Fang, come here!" Zhuge Fang patted his horse over from one side, saluted us immediately, and said, "Hello, General Chu." Then he turned to Shao Fengguan and said, "General, what are your orders?" "General Chu has taken a fancy to you, and asked you to act as an agent to lead the Qianfeng Battalion for a few months. During these few months, you must work hard and don't embarrass me." Zhuge Fang smiled slightly and said, "Of order." Shao Fengguan said to me again: "Brother Chu, it's rare for you to come. It just so happens that Xue Yuanwai from the Ministry of Industry who you know very well is here today. Let's go, let's have a few drinks." Xue Wenyi is here to repair the aircraft, I also smiled and said: "Okay." "Save this life, and have a good drink when you come back. Haha, you are also lucky. You just bought a few wild game, so you came here." I followed Shao Feng to the camp of the Wind Army.In the past, Wazhuang was considered a small scenic spot in the imperial capital, and there was an endless stream of rich people who came to eat casserole dishes when they were resting. Now this place is deserted, and I am afraid that no one else will come.As soon as he entered the gate of the camp, he saw a row of flying planes lined up there, and Xue Wenyi was directing several officials to check.I shouted: "Xue Wenyi, Brother Xue!" Xue Wen also raised his head, saw me, and said with a smile: "Brother Chu, what a coincidence, you are here too." I jumped off my horse and walked over to him.Xue Wenyi now sits in a wheelchair all day long, and has grown fatter. The dough looks like a rich man.I laughed and said, "After you get married, you really look like a rich man." Xue Wenyi was a little embarrassed and said: "My wife cooks well. By the way, after my wife gives birth, I will ask her to cook a few dishes and come to my house for a gathering." I yelled, "I'm going to have a baby? Ha, you're going to be a father! It's amazing!" To be honest, Xue Wenyi couldn't move his lower body, and I wondered if he wouldn't be able to give birth. It seemed that I was too worried. Xue Wen also said: "By the way, you can help my son choose a name." I thought for a while and said, "Why do you think it's my son? I really miss my son like crazy. Well, if it's really a son, I'll call him Tingxuan. Xue Tingxuan, isn't that a bad name, it's very generous." Xue Wen also smacked it, and said with a smile: "Xue Tingxuan, it's not bad." I smiled and said, "If you have a daughter, then there is no need. If it is a daughter, what do you call her?" Xue Wen also sighed, and said, "If it's a daughter, just call her Xiaochun." My heart can't help but move.Xue Wen also said it lightly, but he still never forgot Qin Yanchun in his heart.Xue Wenyi also felt that he had made a slip of the tongue, so he laughed and said: "Brother Chu, you also have a wife, give birth early..." Before he could finish speaking, he choked again. I sighed, and said: "In my life, I'm afraid I will never marry a wife. I probably have a life against my wife." It's not just that the little prince threatened me that if I marry someone else, he will teach me for my sister. I vaguely feel that almost none of the women I was with had a good end.From the female prisoner that Qi Lie gave me in Gaojiu City, to Su Wenyue, Xiao Xinyu, and even the princess, all of them died unexpectedly. Xue Wen also said: "How can there be such a thing." But he said this weakly, he must know that he can't convince me.At this time Shao Fengguan came over and shouted from a distance: "Brother Chu, what a coincidence, look who is here!" I turned my head and saw that standing beside him was Zhang Longyou.Surprised and delighted, I stepped forward and said, "Brother Zhang, you are here too, what a coincidence." Xue Wen also smiled and said: "Long You has recently been promoted to be the servant. In a few years, he will definitely be the Minister of the Ministry of Industry." Zhang Longyou is also different from Xue Wen, he is dark and thin, he held my hand and said with a smile: "Don't listen to old Xue's nonsense. Come on, General Shao is the host today, we will see you farewell, I hope you have a smooth journey and a successful start. " We picked a leeward space to eat and drink. Zhang Longyou and Xue Wenyi had to speed up repairing the aircraft, so we left first.Saying goodbye to them, I took Zhuge Fang back, and Shao Fengguan walked out with me.When we reached the intersection, I said, "Brother Shao, please go back, I'm leaving." Shao Fengguan patted me on the shoulder and said, "By the way, how is Gu Xuan doing now?" I said: "I have entrusted it to my deputy general Cao Wendao. He is reliable, don't worry." Shao Fengguan said: "This is not a place to stay for a long time, I think, don't you know Li Yaotian from Juluo? If you can let him settle in Juluo, it will be safer than staying here. I'm afraid that Li Yaotian will not be reliable." I thought about it, and said: "General Li is an upright person, if he is honest, he will definitely agree. Also, Juluo is cooler than here, Gu Xuan feels very uncomfortable seeing him these days, it would be better to go to Juluo. " Shao Feng nodded his head and said: "This is the best." He suddenly raised his head, held my hand and said: "Brother Chu, I will send you off tomorrow, and you have to come back with all your hair and tail! " I burst into laughter and said, "Naturally, naturally." Although Shao Fengguan's tone was joking, his tone was very sincere, and I was also a little moved. After walking for a while, I looked back again. Shao Fengguan reined in his horse and stood in front of the camp gate. Seeing me turn around, he waved to me again.I also waved to him, and said to Zhuge Fang: "Brother Zhuge, let's go." Now I'm about to embark on a new journey, and I really don't know if I can come back with my life.Both Xue Wenyi and Zhang Longyou have embarked on the right track of their lives, but the road I embarked on is different from theirs. Who can tell what will happen in the future? I looked up at the sky.The sky will be dark, and the early stars will twinkle.I silently read her name from the bottom of my heart, but I felt an indescribable confusion. After returning to the camp, I introduced Zhuge Fang to Cao Wendao, and told Qian Wenyi about going to Wuyang City.Without further ado, Qian Wenyi went to choose the manpower.My first thought was to take Chen Zhong out, but after looking at him, I didn't expect that Chen Zhong's injury was too serious, and now the wound on his arm is still not healed, and I couldn't bear to let him suffer the pain of running around with me anymore. I let him have a good rest, and I went to Li Yaotian to discuss sending Gu Xuan to Juluo.I briefly talked about Gu Xuan's experience, but Li Yaotian didn't refuse, saying that he would have a vacation in a few days and wanted to return to Juluo Island to visit his mother, and promised to take Gu Xuan there at that time.It went well, and I was very happy, and my steps were much lighter when I came back. As soon as he returned to the camp, Cao Wendao rushed out before entering the camp, and shouted, "General Chu, someone has been waiting for you for a long time." "Anyone?" I was a little surprised.It's getting dark now, I don't know who will be waiting for me, I said, "Who is it?" "Tang Kai." I was taken aback.I took Tang Kai and Xiao Ruyu's mother and daughter back to the imperial capital. Tang Kai accepted my recommendation and entered the military academy as an instructor. Although I still retain the title of instructor, I seldom teach those students now, and I haven't for a long time. see him.Every month I send some rice noodles to Xiao Ruyu's mother and daughter, Xiao Ruyu always looks happy when talking about Tang Kai, saying he is a good husband, but when talking about Xiao Xinyu, she is very sad, saying it's a pity that I can't be her brother-in-law.What on earth is he looking for me now? I entered the door, Tang Kai was sitting on a chair, seeing me coming in, he stepped forward and saluted, and said: "General Chu, Tang Kai is polite." I said, "Brother Tang, please sit down. How are you now?" Tang Kaidao: "Thanks to General Chu, it has been fine. General Chu, I heard that you are going to Wuyang City?" I said, "Yes, you are very well informed." Tang Kaidao: "I heard this from two students in class today. General Chu, the villain is not talented. I would like to accompany General Chu and go together." I was startled, not knowing what Tang Kai was planning.Although I believe that Tang Kai will not harm me, he was Zhou Nuo's confidant after all, and Zhou Nuo died under my knife.I said, "Why? This trip is very dangerous." "The villain is not afraid of danger. My wife said that our lives were saved by General Chu. When General Chu employs people, he must help him." Did Xiao Ruyu call him here?I looked at him, trying to see what was going on in his heart.But Tang Kai's eyes were very honest, and I said, "But aren't you a military academy instructor? How could you leave?" "The military academy is going to be on summer vacation soon. The villain has also asked the head of the mountain for leave, and will not go to class for the next six months." I pondered for a moment, gritted my teeth, and said, "Okay." Tang Kai was overjoyed, knelt down and bowed to me, and said, "Thank you, my lord." I smiled lightly and said, "I should say that. Brother Tang, go and get ready, we're leaving tomorrow." I went back to my residence to organize the things I should bring.Fei Yu couldn't take it with him, but he must bring the hand crossbow and meteor hammer with him.Other than that, it's just a change of clothes and a few books.When I saw the iron flute given to me by the princess, I thought about it and put it back in the box without taking it.This is the memorial left by the princess. Although I failed to become a famous flute player as the princess asked, this flute has given me too many memories. bad thing.Just as he was thinking, he suddenly saw a small box on the corner of the box.I couldn't remember what this box was for a moment, so I picked it up.The box is extremely delicate, there is no lock, but the seams are so tight that it cannot be opened at all. This is the carving knife that Xue Wenyi gave me.At that time, on a whim, I wanted to learn to sculpt, but I never did it after it was given to me.I took it out, pressed a hidden button on the box, and the lid of the box popped open, revealing a pile of carving knives of various sizes and shapes inside.It has not been used yet, and the carving knife has been oiled again, it is black and shiny, and the blade is shining with cold light. It takes more than a month to sail at sea, and this can pass the time.I practice the sitting meditation and qi training taught by Zhenqingzi every day, but I still can’t master the mind-reading and mind-stimulating skills. Except for that time when I was locked in a sitting cage and succeeded in a mind-stimulating skill, I have never done it again. It didn't work out, and I'm really disappointed now.It's not bad to practice sculpting when you have some spare time. At the bottom of my heart, there is still a faint wish, hoping that one day I can use a carving knife to carve out what I think in my heart, and carve out everything I have lost. I didn't sleep well that night, and I fell asleep when it was almost dawn.It seems that I dreamed a lot, but when I woke up, I forgot everything.When I woke up, the red sun filled the window.I was startled, jumped up, and shouted: "Cao Wendao, Cao Wendao!" I agreed to let him call me earlier, but I didn't expect it to be so late.Cao Wendao came in at the sound and said, "Control, you're awake." I said, "Why didn't you call me so late?" Cao Wendao said: "I saw that you were sleeping soundly, so I didn't call you. Anyway, we won't be leaving until after noon. Everyone else is ready, so you can leave when you come together." I hurriedly got dressed and said, "Quick, let's go to the shipyard right away." When I walked out the door, there was already a neat team lined up outside. Qian Wenyi led the team and stood outside the door. When he saw me coming out, he bowed and said, "Control, the final preparations are complete, are you going to go?" Although I slept a little late, it seems that there will be no delay.I nodded and said, "Okay, let's go to the shipyard." The shipyard is located in Dinghu, three miles away from the east gate of the imperial capital.There is a canal in Dinghu that directly connects to the open sea, and it is also seven miles wide in radius, and there are no big storms, so it is very suitable for building ships.When we arrived at the shipyard, Li Yaotian greeted him before he entered, and said, "General Chu, you are here. Lord Wenhou hasn't come yet, please go inside and have a rest." He turned his head to a young general beside him and said, "Scholar Excuse me, from today onwards you are General Chu's subordinate, and you will obey General Chu's orders in everything." That Pu Shifang was not a few years older than me, urged the horse to come over, and immediately gave me a deep salute and said: "Gu Luo Pu Shifang has met General Chu Xiuhong." His imperial language is not as good as Li Yaotian's, and it is somewhat blunt , but there is no problem talking.I also bowed back and said: "Thank you, General Pu. There are a lot of people who have relied on General Pu along the way, General Pu, please don't be too polite." I looked at a big boat anchored in the water and said, "Is this the boat I want to take?" Li Yaotian said: "That's right, the name of this ship is Tianchi, it's newly launched." This ship is of the same type as the Feihu, and it is also twenty feet long. It seems that it has not been completed for a long time, and the paint color is still very new.We jumped off the horses, I asked Qian Wenyi to take 30 soldiers from the Vanguard Battalion to rest aside, Tang Kai was also wearing the uniform of the Vanguard Battalion, and he and Li Yaotian went to sit in his barracks.Starting today, Li Yaotian will live here too, but his barracks is very simple, worse than my residence.Just after sitting down, Shao Fengguan, Zhang Longyou and Xue Wenyi all came over.They are very busy now, but they still found time to see me off, I was very touched.When talking about Wu Wanling with Xue Wenyi, Xue Wenyi said that he is now under Bi Wei's command and has recently been promoted to Captain.After two more upgrades, he will also become a general.After chatting for a while, a loud horn sounded outside the door, Li Yaotian stood up and said, "My lord is here, let's go." When we walked out, Qian Wenyi had already led someone to stand outside.Li Yaotian and I stood in front of the queue, welcoming the arrival of Marquis Wen.After the carriage stopped, Marquis Wen came out of the carriage, we immediately knelt down and said, "My lord, Wanan." Marquis Wen glanced at us and said, "Get up, Chu Xiuhong." I stepped forward and said, "The end is here." Walking out from behind Marquis Wen, an official in court uniform was holding a box wrapped in yellow silk.When I saw this man, my heart skipped a beat.I also have a relationship with this person, Ding Yushi from the Procuratorate.It turned out to be him.I still remember that time when the Second Crown Prince accused me of assassinating him, and he was one of the officials of the Three Jurisdictions who interrogated me. I didn't expect to meet again today.This Yushi Ding is very smooth and good at talking. When it comes to debate, he is probably better than me. Marquis Wen opened a scroll and read: "Emperor Tianbao issued an imperial edict on July 17th in the 27th year: From now on, appoint Shi Ding Ximing, the governor of the Inspectorate, as the canonized envoy, and Chu Xiuhong, the commander of the Qianfeng battalion, as the canonized deputy envoy. , to deal with the canonization of He Congjing, Lord of Wuyang City, hereby." Both Ding Yushi and I saluted and said, "Obey." Marquis Wen handed over the imperial decree to his entourage, and said: "Master Ding, General Chu, you two are setting out now, and you have a heavy responsibility. Remember to put the state affairs first, and you must complete the task no matter what the cost." Ding Yushi raised his voice and said: "I am blessed by the emperor, and I am willing to do the work of dogs and horses. Please rest assured, Lord Wenhou. I will definitely fulfill my duties and return to my majesty." His words were catchy and his bearing was uncommon, and I immediately felt a little ashamed of myself.To be canonized as the Lord of Wuyang City, a partial general like me is not qualified enough.It is indeed much more appropriate for Du Yushi of the Procuratorate to be a senior official of the second rank in the dynasty. Ding Yushi also has twenty or thirty followers.These people are all strong and strong, with long knives on their waists, full of style.When they were all on board, I was about to go up, when Marquis Wen suddenly said, "Chu Xiuhong, come here." I walked up to him, knelt down and said, "My lord, what else can I order?" Marquis Wen took out a cloth bag from his arms and said, "Chu Xiuhong, this matter is extremely difficult. If you are desperate, you should open this bag and act according to the instructions without making mistakes." I took it with both hands and said, "Of order." As soon as he received it, Marquis Wen whispered again: "Also, don't open it until you are desperate, remember." When I took the bag, I was very curious. I originally planned to open it and have a look in my room immediately after boarding the ship, but Marquis Wen said so again. I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, and said: "I obey." The Tian Chi can carry about 500 people, but because the journey is too long, most of the cabins are loaded with food, rice and water, and there are only more than 100 passengers in total.Among them, there are thirty-one people from Qianfeng Battalion, twenty-seven people from Ding Yushi's group, and one hundred people from Pu Shifang's subordinates.Pu Shifang's subordinates were all sailors, and they probably lived more comfortably on the ship than on the shore. As soon as they got on the ship, they split up and got busy, untied the sails, and prepared to sail.I looked at the people on the shore from the bow, Shao Fengguan, Xue Wenyi and Zhang Longyou were waving to me, while Marquis Wen on the other side was standing by the lake, motionless. Let's say goodbye today, I don't know when I will see you again, I will definitely come back.I looked at the figure of Marquis Wen, thinking silently in my heart. I was on a boat when I reinforced Dongping City last time, but it was in a big river inland, which is not the same as going to sea. It took about two and a half days to travel from the imperial capital to the seaport, but we walked faster, and we were out to sea in only two days.I only saw the sea once when I passed through Wuyang City, but it was the first time to cross the sea by boat.Once out of the estuary, seeing the vastness of water and sky, stretching as far as the eye can see, one can't help feeling relaxed and happy. There is no big deal on the boat, Pu Shifang will take care of all matters big and small, we are very free.I wanted to have a chat with Ding Yushi, but his airs were scary, and he always hugged me when he came in and out. When he saw me, he would only talk in an official tone, and there was nothing to say at all.He seems to remember me too, probably looks down on me as a former prisoner, and doesn't want to talk to me, which is a good thing for me, I don't bother to talk to him, usually chat with my subordinates, sit down and practice Qi in my spare time, tired After that, I took out the wood to carve, but it's also a good place.Although I don't have the talent to play the flute, I didn't expect to be very handy in carving. The carving knife and the waist knife are both knives. Although there are differences in small and big, the principle is still the same.After just trying a few pieces of wood, I've been able to carve small things that still look good.Sitting on the side of the boat, listening to the sound of the waves, looking at the blue sky thousands of miles above my head, while carving something, I felt an indescribable peace and joy in my heart.It's just that on the first night when we went to sea, we encountered some wind and waves.I heard from people in the Water Legion that this kind of wind and waves are considered small on the sea, but I couldn't bear it a little bit. , What come and go in my mind are all water monsters and the like. Fortunately, the wind subsided the next day, so I was able to catch my breath.I knew in my heart that if I couldn't adapt to the life on the boat as soon as possible, I was afraid that I would have to give up half of my life when I arrived at Wuyang City.Go to the steerage of the soldiers, Qian Wenyi and the soldiers are hiding in it to gamble and play.Gambling is very popular in the army, and there is no money at sea, so I don't know why they still enjoy it.Qian Wenyi saw me and asked me to play a few hands, but I have never been interested in gambling, so I declined, went to the deck alone, sat on the bow, and took out a carving knife to carve.This piece of wood was carved by hand when I went to sea. I wanted to carve the appearance of Feiyu, but I am not very familiar with the technique after all. Although the carved horse has the appearance, it lacks the meaning of a divine horse. Feiyu has knowledge, Must not admit that this is what it looks like.The boat that was dizzy all day yesterday left it there without moving.Although my hands were still a little weak, after engraving for a while, I gradually forgot that I was on the boat, and I couldn't feel the bumps. He was concentrating on engraving, when someone beside him said softly: "General Chu, are you doing wood carving?" I raised my head, it was Pu Shifang.Although I just met Pu Shifang for the first time, he is very respectful to me, and it's good to hear him talk about the customs of the sea.It's just that his imperial language is not very fluent, and it sounds a bit difficult.I stood up and said, "General Park, please sit down. I'm studying, I'm sorry." Pu Shifang looked at the wooden horse in my hand and said, "It's very well carved." I smiled and said, "General Park, please don't be too polite, it's probably pretty good for a beginner." Pu Shifang said: "General Chu, you have already engraved it very well, but there is a little lack. If you don't mind being presumptuous, the general wants to correct it for you, General Chu?" After he finished speaking, he hesitated and said: " The last general is really arrogant, and I hope General Chu will forgive me." I said, "Okay. Will General Park engrave it?" Pu Shifang said: "The last general's ancestors were also carpenters. Although the last general joined the army, he has carved a lot since he was a child." I handed him both the carving knife and the wooden knife, and when he took the carving knife, he was a little moved and said: "Good knife! This is a carving knife made of snowflakes and iron, it penetrates wood like rot, it is really a good knife. " I am a little proud.Xue Wen is also one of the most skillful hands in the empire, and what he gave me must be the best.I said: "General Park, tell me, why does my horse lack a little bit of a horse?" Pu Shifang said: "My father said that the way of carving can be divided into three types: divine grade, high grade, and capable grade. The capable grade is similar in shape, the top grade is similar in meaning, and the divine grade is similar in spirit. The last general is arrogant, but General Chu's carving skills are exquisite. , but only to the level of quality." He stretched out his hand to carve a few knives on the wooden horse, sawdust flying, but after just a few knives, the wooden horse changed a lot, it looked quite like a horse. I am a little dumbfounded.I have only really learned sculpture in the past two days, and I practiced it by myself. Although Pu Shifang called him "arrogant", I still have self-knowledge. How can I be considered a "skillful product", at best, I am just a beginner.But seeing Pu Shifang's carving technique is so brilliant, he couldn't help sighing: "General Pu, don't make fun of me, you carve well, you can be said to be similar." Pu Shifang said awkwardly: "The last general is rude, please forgive me, General Chu." "Okay, General Park, you General Li Yaotian is a person I respect very much. If he never abandons me as a friend, General Park is General Li's right-hand man, then we are also friends. What's more, we are in the same boat. If General Park treats me No matter how much you talk about etiquette, I won't dare to talk to you anymore." Pu Shifang was stunned, and Fang said: "Yes, the last general is arrogant and rude, I hope General Chu will forgive him." I sigh.Pu Shifang is too rigid about etiquette. It is probably impossible for him to talk to me like Cao Wendao in his whole life.I said: "Okay, General Pu, I want to learn how to carve. How about I take you as my teacher. If you count me as my master, you probably won't say that you are arrogant and rude. I can't help but ask for advice." I bent down to salute him, but Pu Shifang was so frightened that he supported me and said, "No way! General Chu, the last general has nothing..." He probably wanted to say that he was "disrespectful", but he swallowed it abruptly. went back.I smiled and said: "Since General Park doesn't think I'm rude, then accept me as an apprentice. Excuse me, what am I missing?" Pu Shifang thought for a while, and then said: "General Chu wants to learn, and the general will teach it all." He thought for a while, and said: "Although the general has some experience in carving, it is only top-grade at best, and the spirit is not bad." I can’t talk about it, I can only guess. How about this, General Chu, your sword handling skills are a bit blunt, but fortunately, you have not learned much, and there is still time to correct it in time, so I will tell you eight ways of handling swords.” I wondered: "Eight ways of handling the knife?" I only said that carving is nothing more than using a knife to carve wood. How could I have imagined that there are so many techniques. Pu Shifang said: "That's right. Juluo carving is the same as that in the Central Plains. There are eight methods of picking, picking, cutting, peeling, wiping, retreating, cutting, and gathering. These eight methods are the basic techniques. After practicing proficiently, use them Wonderful, I care about it.” He explained to me the eight methods of knife movement in detail.I never knew that sculpture is so profound. Listening to his explanation now, Deng felt his eyes widened, but he also felt a little dizzy.Pu Shifang is good at carving, but after he joined the army, he probably couldn't find anyone to learn from him, his skills were embarrassing, and he talked tirelessly, as if he begged me to learn from me. Before he knew it, he had finished explaining the eight techniques of knife handling, and said again: "General Chu is really smart. After you have mastered the eight techniques of knife handling, I will explain the methods of use to General Chu at the end." 有这么一个好老师，我对雕刻的兴趣大为增长，每天除了一早一晚的打座，几乎所有时间都用来练刻刀了，连兵书都读得很少。好在海上没什么事，我倒有闲做这些事。朴士免教得很是上心，不过五天时间，我就已经初窥门径，雕出来的东西与以前大不相同，朴士免对我赞不绝口，听他的口气，倒不尽是礼数。而我专心刻着木头，倒也不再晕船了。 这一日一大早，我正坐在船头专心刻着一只海鸥。现在我的刀法已相当纯熟，不过数刀就刻出了轮廓，只等雕琢细部。想让朴士免指点一下，但朴士免却忙上忙下地加固船上设施。我笑：“朴将军，今天天气不错，不用这么急吧。” 朴士免看了看天边，道：“朝霞如血红，不雨就是风。现在天气好，天擦黑时多半要起风了。” 我看了看天空，东边旭日初升，头顶的天空一碧万里，连云都很少，不象会起风的样子。正看着，突然船桅上负责了望的士兵叫道：“前面有船！” 这年头海上还有船？多半是些不要命的客商吧。我站起来，手搭凉篷向前望去。海涛起伏，水汽弥漫，隐隐的似在前方有船向这儿驶来。朴士免急匆匆地上来，攀上桅杆看了看，突然翻身下了桅杆，冲到我跟前道：“楚将军，快请回舱去。” 他说得很是急切，我诧道：“怎么了？” “前面那船有点象五峰船主的船。” 我莫名其妙，道：“五峰船主是谁？” “海贼。” 朴士免只说了这两个字，便指挥水军团士兵将雷霆弩架上来。这船本就是战船，雷霆弩虽然带得不多，也有七八架。我疑心重重，道：“这真是海贼么？” 朴士免道：“五峰船主的旗是双月烈火旗，我见来船的旗上隐隐有两个月光，而这一带正是五峰船主时常出没之地，不可大意。” 我道：“五峰船主名气这么大么？连你们句罗都知道他。” 朴士免点点头道：“他是受倭岛支持的，十几年前还是个商人，但后来渐渐在海上劫掠过往船只。倭人攻我句罗之前，他时常在露梁津出没，当初李将军令尊便丧生在他手下。” 我吓了一跳，道：“哪个李将军？李尧天么？” 朴士免道：“是。那是李老将军是句罗水师提督，五峰船主初起时只有十只战船，老将军奉王命征讨，一时大意，在海上中了他的埋伏。后来倭人攻来，李将军初时官职太微，无法提兵出征，待邓将军来援我国，这五峰船主又已退到这一带了，李将军未能将其擒获，引为终身之恨。” 李尧天的水战本事是当今之世最为顶尖的，帝国第一水军将领邓沧澜只怕还在他之下，虎父无犬子，李尧天的父亲即使不及李尧天，也非弱者，居然会丧命在此人手下，我真不曾想到。我盯着来船，道：“好，前锋营虽非水军，却也非怯战之辈，今日我要为李将军复杀父之仇。” 朴士免道：“楚将军，五峰船主不是好对付的，我们力量不足，还是暂且放过他吧。” 他的话中隐隐已透出惧意。我正有些不悦，但扭头一看，却见朴士免额头已有冷汗流下。我道：“朴将军，你觉得我们斗不过他么？” 朴士免张了张嘴，道：“楚将军，请恕末将无能，末将以为，我军勇锐……” 我打断了他的话，道：“朴将军，不要说这些没用的话，我不是刚愎自用之人。你水战娴熟，我却不懂水战之道，你就实话实说，省得我想岔。” 朴士免吞了口口水，道：“五峰船主眼下大约有二十余艘战船，虽然都没有我们这战舰大，但船上海贼也有五六十个上下，总数大约有千人以上，我军未满两百，如正面迎击，实属不智。” 一千多人！我吓了一大跳。我没到过海上，没想到海盗的势头会这么大。我道：“难道我们死定了？” 朴士免倒是松了口气，道：“海贼所长为接舷进攻，不在远击，因此所乘之船尽为轻舰，甲板远不及我船之厚，短程内速度很快，但时间一长，船速也未必能超过我们。我军若是避其锋芒，与海贼平行而过，因船上有雷霆弩，海贼见无法靠近，便会放我们过去。若是挑起战事，惹起海贼凶焰，反为不利。” 我想了想，道：“是，你说得有理。”海贼要的是船上的东西，不会象水军一样击沉对方，因此他们船上的远攻之器定不会多，抢夺时也是将两船靠上，再让人冲过对方船只近身格斗。象朴士免说的，让海贼知道我们船上有远攻武器，他们权衡之下，多半会知难而退。只是知道此人是杀李尧天之父的仇人，眼看要碰面了，却轻轻放过他，未免心有不甘。 朴士免道：“楚将军，您是册封使，末将之责便是保护使臣安全，还是请您下舱去吧。放心，水军团都是好汉，不会输给海贼的。” 我道：“好吧，我让人下去。不过我要留在甲板上，别忘了我身负保护丁大人之责，若有战事，岂有躲避之理。” 朴士免见说不服我，想了想道：“好吧。不过还请楚将军自己注意，海贼颇擅近身格斗，不能让他们攻上船来。”