Chapter 219 - Wolves offer to the sheep (1/2)
Chapter 219 Wolves offer to the sheep
Translated by Gamer @ endlessfantasytranslations.com
(TN: Because describing a person as ‘x.x.x’s Elder Daughter’ like the direct translation is a pain when trying to get the sentence to flow right, I will just call then Lady x.x.x like google or w/e names Wikipedia and Koei decide to give me like from here on. Lu Lingqi. I am looking at you.)
The Jiangdong Army is fast and Zhang Zhao is also afraid of long delays. Their s.h.i.+ps were also more developed. That is why when Zhang Zhao sent the letter back, the whole of Jiangdong started to move. The family of the Danyang soldiers and the dead soldiers were all gathered into several hundred s.h.i.+ps. The s.h.i.+ps went back and forth several times as there were over 70,000 people from different areas to transport.
The 19,000 gold have also arrived and was transported to the government office. The 4,000 craftsmen were also sent over already. The Jiangdong Army was very fast but now they were also hungrily waiting for Lu Bu’s reply.
The Lu Bu’s Army under Yang Hong’s command did not disappoint Zhang Zhao. Lu Su and the n.o.bles were already freed. They could go back to Jiangdong whenever they want. The same was not applied to the normal soldiers. This was Zhang Zhao’s loss as Yang Hong said they could leave if they want to. The unwritten rule was if they were unwilling to go, n.o.body would force them to go. In the end, Zhang Zhao was only able to bring back 5,000 soldiers. Among the 5,000 soldiers, 1,000 soldiers were seriously injured. Zhang Zhao could on endure it as he placed the 5,000 soldiers in the boat. The more important thing was the ballistae blueprint!
The Lu Bu’s Army did not go back on their words. As soon as everything from Jiangdong was sent over, they took out the blueprint and gave it to Zhang Zhao. He quickly took it as if it was a precious treasure. Lu Su looked at the blueprint from the side. He immediately studied the mechanism. The blueprint also contained all the spare parts and the description of the parts. Lu Su was extremely fascinated.
“So it was like this!” Lu Su’s eyes glinted. This is because it is written on the drawings as how to make the ballistae shoot rapidly. At the bottom of the ballista was a place that was filled with arrows. These arrows were all drawn beforehand, allowing each shot to be done easily with the help of the mechanism.
“How is it? Zhang Zhao and Lu Su. Is this blueprint wrong?” Yang Hong asked while smiling.
(TN: I really wished the blueprint was done on a really fragile piece of paper that will immediately tear when it gets wet from the rain of miraculous timing.)
“Not wrong! Not wrong! This is it! This is it!” Lu Su was now eager to go back to Jiangdong and make the craftsmen build this weapon. With this weapon, the capture of Jingzhou would not be far away. They would gain full control of the Yangtze River.
“In that case, then Zhang Zhao and Lu Su, this Yang Hong will take his leave now!” Yang Hong then left.
“Many thanks to Yang Hong for the past few days of your hospitality.” They were very happy when they got the weapon. Zhang Zhao’s mission went better than expected. All there is now was to leave Wan Cheng City. At the water camp of Wan Cheng, there were no s.h.i.+ps. Zhang Zhao felt it was somewhat strange as he received news that Gan Ning’s navy has indeed withdrawn from Jiangxi and was not anywhere near Jiangdong. Zhang Zhao was not clear as to where Gan Ning disappeared to but it was not his problem. In another half month, all of it would no longer be a problem. In fact, he hoped that Gan Ning would appear again at that time.
At that time, the Jiangdong navy would happily drop all of them into the river.
The Jiangdong s.h.i.+ps recovered their anchor and left one by one. They slowly left the Yangtze River. In this war, Lu Bu has earned 20,000 gold, 4,000 craftsmen, along with soldiers. Given enough time, the surrendered soldiers would eventually become elites as well.
“Have they left?” After the Jiangdong s.h.i.+ps left, a youth in magnificent clothes suddenly appeared in the vicinity of Yang Hong. This person is a ninja Lujiang’s Little Lord and Lu Bu’s son-in-law Liu Mang Liu Hanyang! He came to accept those 70,000 civilians and 4,000 craftsmen.
“Yes, they are gone!” Yang Hong nodded his head. Yang Hong was now a middle-aged man who has seen a lot of things and understood a lot of things. He was able to see through a lot of people except the person in front of him. Right now, Liu Mang is one of Yang Hong’s superior. Even then, Yang Hong is very troubled because he was not able to see Liu Mang’s character. It could be said that Liu Mang was a person with strong mind and body however, Liu Mang does not bother to hide his expression. Everything that was in his heart could be seen from his face. Grief, anger, joy, and the other human feelings were all there.
It could also be said that he was an ordinary person but there are no ordinary people who could fight back an invasion from Sun Ce. Ordinary people would also not be able to obtain the allegiance of warriors. Good examples were Huang Zhong, Gan Ning and Xu Sheng. Although these officers were all serving Lu Bu, their true allegiance is with Liu Mang. Fortunately, Lu Bu does not have a son. If he had one, there is a chance for Liu Mang and Lu Bu’s son to fight each other and split up the Lu Bu’s Army.
There was also the invention known as the ballistae. Yang Hong has also seen its power and its rapid fire capabilities. Its more powerful compared to ancient warriors. Even the Mohist pract.i.tioners have to give him the thumbs up!
“I have troubled you!” Liu Mang smiled towards Yang Hong. He initially looked down on Yang Hong because in the original history, Yang Hong did not gain any respect. There were times that Yuan Shu made stupid moves but Yang Hong was still extremely appreciated by Yuan Shu. In that case, the next possible reason was that Yang Hong was a small man who needlessly praise others to gain their affection. How could Liu Mang respect that?
Yang Hong himself said that he would become a retainer to take care of Yuan Shu’s daughter. As the advisor, he was supposed to do his best but Yang Hong was like Xu Shu in Cao Cao’s camp. He did not say anything and was more a waste of food and resources.
Old man Chen Gong said that Yang Hong was responsible for the peace talks and Liu Mang did not have any confidence in Yang Hong. He did not believe in Yang Hong’s ability. However, Liu Mang was pleasantly surprised. 20,000 gold and 4,000 craftsmen was enough for Liu Mang to go to Shouchun. The construction of the docks, development of the sites and restoration of the walls of Shouchun all requires the spending of money. Liu Mang have killed the n.o.bles in Lujiang and seized their property but those also needs to stay in Wan Cheng City as the army also requires money to spend.
This is great. Originally, the requirements were 10,000 gold and 2,000 craftsmen. Now Yang Hong has doubled that amount. These was Yang Hong’s credit. Chen Gong’s ability to recognize talent was good. He could even recognize this fatty’s skills.
“House lord! I…!” Yang Hong hesitantly asked as the question might be too sensitive. Although he is one of Liu Mang’s retainers, he did not truly enter Lu Bu’s Army. This is why Yang Hong’s question might make Liu Mang uncomfortable.
“Did you want to ask me why I gave the technology of the weapon to the enemy? Am I a prodigal or an idiot? This kind of weapon was supposed to be the final trump card against the enemy?” Liu Mang said all of Yang Hong’s thoughts in one breath.
When Liu Mang said out all of his doubts, Yang Hong’s heart felt at ease. This is because if Liu Mang knew about the problems, it would mean that he is really sure that this is business transaction is not a loss.
“Could it be that the blueprint given to the Jiangdong Army is a fake?” Yang Hong’s brow wrinkled. If the blueprint was a fake, the Lu Bu’s Army’s reputation would drop so much that n.o.body would believe the Lu Bu’s Army anymore. Then again, as this was a weapon, to fail to keep their own words is excusable.
“How could I give them fake blueprints? The blueprints were real. As long as the guys in Jiangdong aren’t idiots and followed according to the blueprint, their ballistae could be equipped to the Jiangdong military as well!” The blueprints given to the Jiangdong Army was the same as the one given to Gan Ning. Gan Ning was asked to find part time craftsmen to build the ballistae. Jiangdong would definitely be able to create it. The only reason they have not done so is because they did not have the knowledge to do it.
“Why!?” If it was the real blueprints, why give it to others instead of using it as a deterrent. Even the Lu Bu’s Army expect to fight Jiangdong and Jingzhou again. If not, they would not require any craftsmen for build s.h.i.+ps! They wanted Jiangdong which is why the craftsmen are making s.h.i.+ps at Shouchun.