funbook-pk Chapter 127 Ups and Downs
Chapter 127 Ups and Downs
Hearing Chen Er's words, Zhang Zhao experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. He inwardly cursed Chen Er, thinking, "Can't you speak without pausing for breath?" But he dared not say it aloud. However, Chen Er's words eventually put Zhang Zhao at ease. As long as there were enough to buy, no matter how many, as long as there were enough, it would be fine. At worst, he could just wait until he returned and have the craftsmen find a way to replicate them. This was originally part of the plan.
After Zhang Zhao left, Chen Er summoned Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai, and others, and told them about Zhang Zhao's intentions. When they heard that Zhang Zhao had come to buy cannons, Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai were first stunned, and then smiled. It was a universally acknowledged fact that Youzhou's firearms were the best in the empire, but this was the first time they had encountered someone who had come to buy cannons on their own initiative.
Xi Zhicai said to Chen Er, "Selling is possible, but only the original version of the Shenwu Cannon can be sold. There are still many retired Shenwu Cannons in the army. Andeli has said several times that he wants to remelt them, but his subordinates have not agreed, saying that they will still be useful in the future. Isn't this the opportunity?"
“Yes, this is indeed an opportunity.” Chen Er nodded and said, “I can also understand some of Sun Ce’s ideas. He just wants to sell some back to make imitations. But I’m not the kind of person who would suffer a loss. How about this, Zhicai, you quickly count how many of the sealed Shenwu cannons are still in normal use, and then sell them all to Zhang Zhao. We should make a profit.”
"Yes, my lord, I understand."
"That Xun Yu," Chen Er called out to Xun Yu as he was about to leave with Xi Zhicai and the others. Xun Yu turned to Chen Er and asked, "Does my lord have any further instructions?"
"So, I'm giving you a task. I'll leave all the negotiations and transactions with Zhang Zhao to you. What do you think?" Chen Er said.
Seeing Chen Er's hopeful eyes, Xun Yu had no choice but to nod in agreement. Besides, given Zhang Zhao's status, he really wasn't qualified to be personally entertained by Chen Er. Anyone randomly picked from Yuyang City would likely have a higher rank than Zhang Zhao. If it weren't for the influence of the Sun family, Chen Er might not have personally received Zhang Zhao today.
"In that case, I can go back to be with my wife with peace of mind." Chen Er laughed and left, leaving Xun Yu with a helpless expression. What could he do? He wasn't the lord. Xun Yu smiled wryly, then walked out of the meeting room, taking two attendants with him to the post station to prepare a banquet for Zhang Zhao. And, incidentally, to try and get some information out of Zhang Zhao.
The year 2189 in the Yellow Emperor's reign was a year of reform, but just as the reforms were in full swing, war suddenly broke out between the east and west of the empire. Gongsun Zan's plot against Liangzhou was known to all, so what was going on with Sun Ce at that time? Many people really couldn't understand it.
However, these matters were quickly overshadowed by another major event: another rumor, a seemingly detailed and substantial one, emerged from Shouchun: Yuan Shu had obtained the Imperial Seal of the State!
Yuan Shu obtained the Imperial Seal of the State. Who spread the news? When Yuan Shu learned that the news of his acquisition of the Imperial Seal of the State had been leaked, he was very surprised. He believed that it could not have been Sun Ce who spread the news, because doing so would not benefit Sun Ce (nonsense, only an idiot like you would think that way). Of course, the news was not spread by Sun Ce. It was spread by a spy under Chen Er.
However, since Yuan Shu didn't come forward to admit it, and no one else could provide evidence to prove it, why did Chen Er do this? No one knows, perhaps Sun Ce might know some of the reasons.
However, according to some astute analysts, the news that Yuan Shu possessed the Imperial Seal was bound to provoke hostility from surrounding warlords. Indeed, Liu Biao, the King of Nanyang, had already sent an envoy to inquire about the veracity of this claim. In any case, according to rumors—and these are just rumors—the servants of Yuan Shu's residence in Shouchun had already dumped the remains of vases and other objects three times, an act witnessed by many. This gives a glimpse into Yuan Shu's fury.
This will inevitably have a significant impact on Yuan Shu's next action plan, and his original expansion plan will be temporarily halted, which is what angers Yuan Shu the most.
Otherwise, Yuan Shu wouldn't have been so angry.
Time flies. In the last month of 2189, the world was generally peaceful. Yuan Shu's army, which had been restless, had stopped its war preparations. As for the other warlords, they were all actively preparing to digest the results of the reforms.
On the other side of the river, Sun Ce's annexation plan proceeded swiftly. Within half a month, he had captured most of the cities on the north bank of the river, leaving only Xindu, which was a little further away, unconquered. Many clans in Kuaiji Commandery had already sent envoys to pledge allegiance to the Sun family. It could be said that the originally loose Jiangdong alliance was gradually becoming more cohesive under the Little Conqueror's leadership. Although this cohesion was the result of military force, regardless of the process, the world only cared about the outcome.
Having occupied more than two counties, Sun Ce truly deserved to be called a warlord. Of course, in the eyes of the current empire, he was probably one of the weakest warlords.
Rome wasn't built in a day. Although Sun Ce didn't know this saying, he also knew that hegemony couldn't be achieved overnight. He was already very happy to have achieved such results in just over half a month. The first step in his grand ambition had finally been taken.
Moreover, Sun Ce received a message from Zhang Zhao that Chen Er had agreed to sell them the Shenwu Cannons, and sixty of them at once. This made Sun Ce very happy. Chen Er also promised to use his warships to transport these cannons to the Jiangdong region for Sun Ce to receive, thus eliminating the threat of land transportation. After all, sixty Shenwu Cannons were no small number, and the transportation difficulties and risks along the way were considerable. Now, Chen Er was willing to take the initiative to help him reduce these risks.
Sun Ce was a sentimental person. Chen Er treated him so well that he even swore that if he ever met Chen Er on the battlefield, he would follow the example of the ancients and retreat three times to repay Chen Er's kindness.
When Chen Er heard this, he could only sigh, "Sun Ce was sentimental, but who knows if it was a scheme at that time?"
The meaning of the idiom "retreat three she" is explained clearly in just a few words.
It seems that Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu are planning to take action against Xuzhou. Their objective is clear: to contain Chen Er.
"Tell me, how should our army respond?" Chen Er asked the people in the conference room.
The group exchanged glances, and then Xi Zhicai stood up and said to Chen Er, "The battle in Liangzhou is nearing its end. Although Gongsun Zan's army has suffered heavy casualties, with the replenishment of Liangzhou prisoners of war, I believe that Gongsun Zan still has the strength to fight."