Mikuni convenience store

"Sun Ce of Jiangdong?" Zhuge Tian did not expect Zhuge Liang to make such a suggestion.

"Well, Lü Bu now controls Xuzhou and northern Yangzhou, and his power is growing significantly," Zhuge Liang analyzed. "And if my cousin wants to seek refuge in Jingzhou, he must ensure a balanced power structure across the world, with mutual influence."

There was excitement in the eyes of the still somewhat immature Zhuge Liang.

"Cao Cao is now facing off against Yuan Shikai and Lu Bu. Once Lu Bu realizes he can't defeat Cao Cao in a short period of time, he will turn his attention to the south."

"Although Sun Ce of Jiangdong has gained the recognition of the Jiangnan gentry, he still has one major problem that he has not solved: the Shanyue."

"Shanyue?" Zhuge Tian had heard of this force in past stories.

At first he thought it was an alien race, but later he found out that it was not entirely true.

To be precise, Shanyue should be a general term for a bandit armed group in Jiangnan.

Among them, the larger forces include Pan Lin, Peng Qi, You Tu, Fei Zhan, Zu Lang, Yan Baihu and many other teams.

Not only did these people not pay rent or taxes to the king, they also often plundered everywhere.

Take Zu Lang for example.

When Sun Ce was just starting out, he was unable to ask Yuan Shu for troops, so he turned to his uncle, Wu Jing, the prefect of Danyang, and recruited soldiers locally.

Zu Lang was a powerful man in Jing County, Danyang Commandery, and was known as the Marshal of Jing County.

Seeing that Sun Ce was recruiting soldiers, he led his army to attack Sun Ce directly. In that battle, Sun Ce almost died at Zu Lang's hands.

Later, Sun Ce attacked Zu Lang again and was surrounded again. If Cheng Pu had not led his troops to rescue and break out, the little overlord of Jiangdong would have died again.

With these Shanyue people around, Sun Ce was restricted everywhere in the early days of his time in Jiangnan.

Zhuge Liang analyzed the entire Jiangdong situation to Zhuge Tian and the others: "So Sun Ce of Jiangdong will definitely be willing to pay a good price for these things."

"Plus, Cao's army captured the Wuyin area years ago, leaving Jiangxia isolated. Liu Biao ordered Huang Zu to retreat, leaving only a few hundred men to garrison Jiangxia."

"Now is the best time to go to Jiangdong via Xiakou, while the news of Wuyin's capture hasn't spread yet."

Zhuge Liang said, looking at Xu Shu: "And Yuanzhi has made a new discovery."

"A new discovery? What is it?"

"Don't some of Cao's spies have tattoos of the Golden Man offering sacrifices to heaven, and some don't?"

Zhuge Tian nodded. Among the ten spies, only six had tattoos.

"The four people without tattoos have dark skin and are probably from the South."

"That's not right."

Liao Hua said: "I remember that many herdsmen in the north had very dark skin because they were exposed to the sun frequently."

Through Zhuge Tian, ​​everyone now knows why the skin can be tanned by the sun.

"It's different." Xu Shu said, "I looked at the feet of those four people. If they were from the north, they would be exposed to the sun for a long time, but when the weather gets cold, they will wear shoes and socks. In winter, their feet should not be as dark as their faces."

"But the four men's feet, apart from the marks of their straw sandals, have dark skin. So they must be from the south."

Zhuge Tian nodded, he understood what was said.

It turned out that he knew an adventurer from the south who loved wearing flip-flops.

Except for the area where the slipper strings were, the rest of the feet were completely black.

"South? So you think... it has something to do with Shanyue?" Liao Hua asked.

Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu nodded at the same time.

Coming from the south, the only armed group there was the Shanyue.

You can't say that a few southerners suddenly appeared and sneaked into Cao's camp as spies, right?

"Although I don't know why the Shanyue people are mixed with the Xiongnu people, but if I can find some new clues, I think I should be able to get a good price from Boss Cao!" Zhuge Liang said with a smile.

Xu Shu sighed on the side.

He was originally a proud and arrogant person, and had been familiar with military tactics since childhood.

He initially stayed in Wolong Village because the other party saved his mother, and he stayed there with a grateful heart.

It turned out that Zhuge Liang, who was only sixteen years old, was as strategic as himself.

In particular, his overall view of treating the world as a chessboard amazed him.

It's a pity that I was led astray by my cousin Zhuge Tian. I only think about making money in everything I do...

Is this what it means when people are close to vermilion, they become red; when people are close to ink, they become black?

"Okay, then we'll go directly to Jiangdong!"

Zhuge Tian’s advantage is that he listens to advice.

Since both Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu, two top strategists, said that we should go to Jiangdong, then let's go.

"Xingba, call all your men here. Let's transport the goods to Jiangdong and make a fortune!"

"Hahaha, no problem!" Gan Ning laughed happily. "We made a lot of money last year, and we built a lot of ships. In fact, even if Huang Zu was still in Jiangxia, he might not be able to stop us."

"Besides, the shipbuilding technology for those sand ships, Fu ships, and Guang ships you gave me last time, Han Xing, is incredibly advanced. Once our shipbuilders figure it out, we can build dozens or even hundreds more. Then, we'll have the final say on everything between the rivers and the seas!"

The Tang and Song dynasties were the second peak period of ancient Chinese shipbuilding technology, especially the use of watertight compartments, which greatly improved the safety of various ships.

After Zhuge Tianneng exchanged for Tang and Song Dynasty technology, he certainly did not forget Gan Ning's Jinfan thief.

But the time was still short and there was not enough time to build a new ship.

Otherwise, with the new warships, they would definitely be able to crush the Three Kingdoms navy of that era.

"When we go to Jiangdong this time, you brothers can also find a place to secretly acquire a shipyard and build these new warships."

When it comes to shipbuilding, Jiangdong is more developed.

"Well, I'll keep an eye on it." Zhuge Tian said, "Are you going to let Yuan Zhi guard the house again this time?"

"I'll go back to Wolong Village." Zhuge Liang said with a smile, "Brother Yuanzhi has traveled extensively and has seen a lot."

"And..." Zhuge Liang felt a little embarrassed when he said this.

"And there's that girl surnamed Huang who keeps coming to look for him." Liao Hua took over the conversation: "How sad she would be if she couldn't find him!"

"Hahahaha!" The others rarely saw Zhuge Liang looking embarrassed, so they all laughed.

Ever since Zhuge Tian revealed to Zhuge Liang that Huang Yueying had a crush on him, things between the two seemed to be developing quite rapidly.

After arranging all these, everyone prepared to rest in Wuyin, and when Gan Ning's ship arrived, they would head directly to Jiangdong.

At this time, a soldier came to report: "Two children came outside the camp and said they wanted to see Brother Yuanzhi."

Xu Shu was slightly stunned, then smiled and said, "It's the two children from that day, Mengge and Axiong."

He nodded to the soldier and said, "Didn't Mengge say he was going to Jiangdong to seek refuge with his brother-in-law?"

"Meeting is fate, let's give them a ride."

Zhuge Tian nodded. If it weren’t for that child, they really wouldn’t have encountered the events that followed by accident.

Soon, two children were brought in.

"Mr. Yuanzhi!" Mengge held up the clothes of the four people and said, "These clothes are all sorted..."

Before he finished speaking, he took Ah Xiong and knelt down.

Then he was grabbed by Liao Hua.

"Okay, we don't need to worry about this, and you guys have really helped us this time!"

He had a good impression of the child.

When several people were surrounded by Li Dian and Le Jin, the child was protected by Xu Shu behind him, but he was not too panicked.

You have to know that at that time there were only a few of them, while the other side had nearly a hundred people. Anyone who didn't understand would think it was a dead end.

"Well, are you still going to Jiangdong now? We will be going to Jiangdong soon. If you want to go, we can take you part of the way."

Zhuge Tian looked at the two children and asked.

"I..." Mengge hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I... I want to become Mr. Yuanzhi's disciple."

Later that day, Xu Shu took him to stay in the horse feed depot to guard the spies.

At that time, Mengge was impressed by Xu Shu's knowledge.

In addition, the few people who faced Cao's army of a hundred men later were brave and resourceful, which was really cool in Mengge's eyes.

After saying this, Mengge seemed to have made up his mind and bowed to Xu Shu again: "Please accept me as your disciple, Mr. Yuanzhi."

Several people did not expect things to develop like this, and they all looked at Xu Shu with interest.

"I..." Xu Shu was just a young man and he never expected that someone would want to become his disciple.

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "You can follow me for a while."

Although I had a good impression of this child at that time, I didn't really understand him.

In this era, accepting disciples is a very serious matter.

Hearing Xu Shu's words, Mengge grinned happily: "Yes, I will do my best."

He was not disappointed because Xu Shu did not agree directly.

"Do we still need to take this kid to Jiangdong?" Liao Hua rubbed Mengge's head.

He really liked this child, but it was a pity that he didn't let him see his wise and brave side, otherwise he would have worshipped him as his teacher.

"Take him with you." Xu Shu nodded. He originally wanted to see more of the child's character, so of course he had to keep him by his side.

Plus, the child looks to be about ten years old and can take care of himself on the road.

"Let's take this child named Axiong back to Wolong Village first."

The other child was too young, and Zhuge Tian and the others didn't want to bring a nanny, so of course they couldn't take care of him.

Mengge comforted Axiong. Although Axiong was reluctant to leave, he agreed when he heard that there would be food and meat to eat in Wolong Village.

"By the way, what's your last name?" Liao Hua asked with a smile, "You won't let me call you Mengge from now on, will you?"

"Ah Xiong's surname is Tan, so his full name is Tan Xiong. My surname is Lü, so my name is Lü Meng."

"Lü Meng..." Zhuge Tian looked at the child in silence.

Going to Jiangdong to seek refuge with his brother-in-law's child...

His name is Lu Meng...

So is this the Lu Meng from history?

Zhuge Tian was not very clear either, after all, it was possible that there were people with the same name and surname.

I remember this kid also said he was from Fupi, Runan...

Fortunately, Zhuge Tian can now buy books before the Tang and Song dynasties from the system.

This includes the "Three Kingdoms" written by Chen Shou in the Western Jin Dynasty.

You'll know when you go back and flip through the book.

"Brother? What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Zhuge Tian shook his head.

Who cares? No matter whether he is the Lu Meng in history, he is following Xu Shu now and will probably be a member of their Wolong Village in the future.

After a few days, the heavy snow finally stopped.

When Liu Biao's group learned that Huang Zhong had captured Wuyin City without bloodshed, they were all stunned.

"How did they do it?"

"I don't know. At the time, everyone thought that Old Man Huang was sent to Wuyin, saying that he was to attack the city, but in reality, he was lucky enough to be able to hold back the Wuyin defenders."

"This time, in the battle to recapture Jingzhou, Huang Zhong from Deng County surprisingly made the greatest contribution."

"I'm afraid that person is at his wit's end this time. He'll probably be very angry..."

"Humph, stealing credit is a big taboo in the military. He deserved the beating he got last time."

"By the way, who beat him? Haven't you found out yet?"

"No, he's done a lot of things that have incurred hatred over the years. Who knows who did it?"

Because Wuyin was recovered and Cao Cao had no intention of continuing to occupy Jingzhou, his focus was still on defending his Xu Du.

Therefore, Wancheng and other cities in Nanyang County were quickly captured by Liu Biao.

However, the affairs of Jingzhou have little to do with Zhuge Tian and his men. They have already boarded a boat and headed to Jiangdong.

"The weather here is still warmer." Zhuge Tian stood at the bow of the boat.

The last time they went to the north to sell grain, they also took this route.

But the scenery is completely different.

At that time, Gongsun Zan, who controlled Youzhou in the north, and Yuan Shu, who proclaimed himself emperor in Shouchun, had both withdrawn from the stage of history.

"Are we just going to Sun Ce directly to sell things?" Liao Hua asked from the side.

"Xingba said he has a way. Didn't you see he's been one step ahead these days?"

Liao Hua nodded, even though the two of them usually teased each other.

But when something really happens, Liao Hua still believes in Gan Ning.

As the two were talking, they saw a smaller boat coming back.

Who else could the person at the bow be but Gan Ning?

"Haha, speak of the devil and he will appear!" Zhuge Tian had just finished speaking when he realized something was wrong.

As expected, Liao Hua looked at him strangely: "Cao Cao? Where is Cao Cao?"

"..."

"Let's go and ask Xingba what happened!" Zhuge Tian could only change the subject.

"Cao Cao...what's the connection with Cao Cao?"

Liao Hua frowned. "Could it be that Han Xing is thinking of how to cheat Cao Cao out of his money again? Hmm... Boss Cao is so pitiful!"

"What happened?" Zhuge Tian asked Gan Ning who had boarded the boat.

"It's done!" Gan Ning made an OK gesture, which made Zhuge Tian look strange.

"I found Wu Jing." Gan Ning took the water from Lü Meng and drank two sips. "Didn't I want to steal your things at that time? It was to give them to Wu Jing."

"He is Sun Jian's brother-in-law, and Sun Ce's uncle. He is greedy for money and has some influence over Sun Ce."

"What's even more coincidental is that Sun Ce's task for him now is to purchase supplies, and he's having a headache!"

"I approached him as the Jinfan thief, but he was so happy. He didn't care where these materials came from, he just..."

"What is it?" Zhuge Tian asked.

“It’s just that paying is a bit troublesome.”

"Trouble? Their price is very low?"

"It's not a matter of price." Gan Ning shook his head. "Wu Jing did talk about the price, but it's still within the price range you gave."

"The main problem is that Sun Ce can't come up with that much cash right now, so they offered another solution."

"Okay, stop keeping us in suspense!" Liao Hua said unhappily.

"Wu Jing said there's money somewhere, but we have to go get it ourselves."

"Where?"

"Shan Koshi!"