novelAbuy Chapter 52 Danyang Strategy
Chapter 52 Danyang Strategy
What Liu Bei's group needs most now is to quickly occupy the central and southern parts of Danyang.
We need to accelerate the training of the new army, and we also need to command troops in battle.
Therefore, Lu Yong allocated all his attribute points to military and leadership.
Then, he silently recited in his mind, "Use [Lu Ban's Secret Manual]",
[Ding! Host has successfully activated "Lu Ban's Secret Records"!]
[Analyzing...Analysis complete!]
[Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Water-powered Overturning Chariot (Song Dynasty) - Complete Blueprint x1]
[Note: This represents the pinnacle of hydraulic machinery in the feudal era, capable of irrigating upstream in hilly and river valley areas, day and night.]
"Wow, this is awesome!" Lu Yong exclaimed, closing his eyes as he read the new blueprints in his mind. "With this thing, our development speed will at least take another step forward."
After looking at the blueprints, Lu Yong couldn't help but start thinking about the future development path.
The terrain of Danyang Prefecture is such that it is backed by the Yi and She Mountains to the south and bordered by the natural barrier of the Yangtze River to the north.
The middle section is a hilly area carved out by the Shuiyang River, Qingyi River, and Zhang River.
The county seat, Wanling, is located on a small plain in the middle reaches of the Shuiyang River, which is the most open plain area in the entire county.
From this point south, the terrain rises abruptly.
Countless small fields are scattered among the myriad valleys.
The saying "seven parts mountains, two parts water, and one part farmland" is the most accurate description of this place.
Danyang County has been a place occupied by the Yue people since ancient times.
Han Chinese mostly live along the northern riverbanks and in the central river valleys.
In the deep mountains of the south, there lived the Yue people, who carved mountains into fields and practiced slash-and-burn agriculture.
They were not subservient to the king, but they were also brave and skilled in battle.
The "Danyang soldiers" are famous throughout the world, and the root of their fame lies in these mountain people.
Liu Bei noticed that Lu Yong seemed to be deep in thought.
He didn't interrupt immediately, and even stopped Guo Jia from challenging Lu Yong to a drinking contest.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lu Yong finally came to his senses.
Seeing this, Liu Bei squeezed next to Lu Yong and asked softly, "Huai'an, what were you thinking about just now?"
Lu Yong smiled and replied, "It's nothing, I just suddenly had a feeling and thought about our future development direction."
"Oh?" Liu Bei suddenly became interested.
But he didn't want to spoil the lively family dinner atmosphere tonight, so he pulled Lu Yong to the side hall.
It was drizzling outside, and the weather was gloomy and chilly.
There was no charcoal fire in the side hall.
The night breeze blew in through the cracks in the half-open window, instantly invigorating Lu Yong.
Liu Bei didn't beat around the bush and asked, "Tell me about it."
Seeing the expectant look in Liu Bei's eyes, Lu Yong didn't keep him in suspense and said directly:
"We must take Liyang and Guzhang counties as soon as possible."
"Liyang connects to Wu Commandery and is connected to Taihu Lake. If Sun Ce defeats Liu Yao, his next step will definitely be to take Liyang."
Therefore, Zhanglin Qu'a is the throat of the southward route to Wanling.
As for Yuqian, it is too far located in the heart of the mountainous region.
Although it is the gateway to Yi and She, our men are unfamiliar with the Yue people in the mountains, and we may be harmed if we go in rashly.
Therefore, Yu Qian need not rush to retrieve it.
Liu Bei pondered for a moment, then asked, "Sun Ce and Liu Yao are currently locked in a stalemate at Niuzhuji. If we take Liyang, won't that force them to join forces?"
"No," Lu Yong shook his head and explained, "Liu Yao sees Sun Ce, Wu Jing, and others as a major threat."
His army was mainly concentrated along the Moling, Jurong, and Qu'a line, and he couldn't attend to Liyang for the time being.
As for Sun Ce
His attack on Niuzhuji failed.
Even with the men Zhou Yu brought, the current force at hand probably doesn't exceed two thousand.
"My lord only needs to send General Guan to attack and defend Liyang; he will be powerless to stop him."
Liu Bei nodded slightly and asked, "Then who would be better for Gu Zhang to send?"
"Therefore, Zhang can send Wen Xiang to retrieve it," Lu Yong replied.
Liu Bei nodded slightly, then suddenly looked up at Lu Yong and asked, "You were lost in thought in the hall for quite a while just now; I suppose you were thinking about more than just these things?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yong got up, took a map of Danyang County from the bookshelf next to him, and spread it on the table.
He drew a circle with his finger around the area of Wanling, Jingxian, Chungu, and Wuhu, and said:
"Wanling, Jingxian, Chungu, and Wuhu are some of the few contiguous plains in Danyang Prefecture."
The Shuiyang River, Qingyi River, and Zhang River also flow through the area.
The terrain here slopes from north to south, with large alluvial plains along both banks of the river, making it ideal for cultivation.
"I have a method to make a machine called a 'water-powered tipper'."
Using water power to drive the axle, river water can be lifted up to the bank and sent to higher ground along the canal.
It can irrigate thousands of acres day and night without ceasing.
Liu Bei exclaimed in surprise, "You even know how to manufacture machinery?"
"I've learned a little bit in my spare time," Lu Yong replied casually.
Liu Bei really wanted to open Lu Yong's skull to see what was inside.
But Lu Yong's words interrupted his thoughts.
"My plan is to recruit soldiers from the refugees to settle down and cultivate the land, and to set up military settlements on the hills along the river."
The garrison soldiers trained while simultaneously cultivating land, which solved the problems of food, lodging, and management for displaced people, allowed them to reclaim large amounts of land, and they could also serve as soldiers during wartime.
And most importantly, these newly reclaimed fields are all publicly owned, not privately owned!
Liu Bei suddenly remembered that when Lu Yong had persuaded Lu Su, he had mentioned the issue of powerful families and gentry annexing land.
Is this one of Lu Yong's methods for resolving land annexation?
Liu Bei did not press further, but waited for Lu Yong to explain the subsequent strategy.
Lu Yong drew another circle on the map with his finger and said:
"South of Danyang, from Jing County to Lingyang, She County, and Yi County, is all mountainous Yue people."
The mountain people are brave and skilled in mountain warfare. If we can incorporate them into our army, our combat strength will be elevated to a new level.
The reason why the Danyang soldiers are famous throughout the land is precisely because of these men.
Liu Bei seemed to suddenly realize something, and glanced sideways at Lu Yong, asking, "Huai'an, you're not planning to personally lead the army to take these four counties, are you?"
Lu Yong's thoughts had been seen through, and he couldn't help but touch his nose, laughing, "You've found out, my lord..."
"No!" Liu Bei refused decisively, saying, "You can go and guard Liyang and Guzhang, but I'll send my second brother to take the southern part of Danyang!"
"My lord, I know you're worried about my safety. But the situation in the mountains is complicated, and I really don't trust anyone else to help me." Lu Yong reassured him, "Isn't there General Zhang? Let him come south with me; his safety will be guaranteed."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's expression finally calmed down somewhat.
"That's good. You have a good relationship with Yide. With him helping you, I can feel more at ease."
Seeing that Liu Bei agreed, Lu Yong continued, "In the second year of Xingping, the war in the Central Plains will likely be even more severe."
More and more refugees from Yuzhou and Xuzhou will flee south.
Population is wealth.
therefore,
I plan to establish refugee camps in key riverside locations such as Wanling and Wuhu to receive these refugees.
"Can you accommodate everyone?" Liu Bei asked with some concern.
"No problem," Lu Yong explained. "We don't directly distribute food to refugees; instead, we have them work in exchange for food."
The displaced people either participated in construction or reclaimed wasteland... In short, they had to work to earn a living.
After a certain period of time, the migrants can officially become subjects under the rule of their lord.
In this way, a large labor force can be obtained.
It also makes everyone cherish their hard-won status.
Enhance their sense of belonging, honor, and self-confidence.
Liu Bei suddenly realized, and sighed softly: "He who controls Huai'an controls the world!"
Lu Yong smiled but did not reply.
Outside the window, the winter rain had stopped sometime earlier.
The sound of firecrackers echoed throughout the city.
A loud shout came from outside the door: "My lord, Huai'an, where have you been hiding? Come and have some wine!!"
Lu Yong and Liu Bei exchanged a smile and walked out from the side hall.