Chapter 306

The warships were also seized by Sun Jian's troops; now, Lin Yang could only sigh across the river, unable to do anything.

"Alas, what a pity!"

Watching the surging Yangtze River, Lin Yang could not help but let out a sigh!

This time, Sun Jian had escaped!

In the short term, it would be impossible for him to capture his opponent!

"My lord, although Sun Jian is holding the river, we can still dispatch troops from Jiujiang Commandery to attack. Why sigh so heavily?"

Guo Jia was a bit confused!

Now, the four commanderies of Yangzhou were all in their hands!

It could be said that Lin Yang occupied the majority of Yangzhou's area and population!

The mere remaining Lujiang Commandery and Jiujiang Commandery were only two commanderies, after all!

This Yangtze River could isolate the troops of Yuzhang, Danyang, and Wu commanderies!

Could it really block an army sent from Guangling Commandery?

"Fengxiao, time waits for no man!"

Glancing at the sky, Lin Yang sighed, but did not elaborate!

The reason he insisted on finishing off Sun Jian this year and occupying the entirety of Yangzhou!

Actually had a reason!

Beyond the reasons of Yuan Gonglu and others launching their own campaigns!

There was another cause!

That was natural disaster!

The current Emperor Xian had been taken away by the two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si, and the era name had not yet been changed!

If it remained unchanged next year, it would be the fourth year of Chuping!

The fourth year of Chuping—this would be a year of many disasters!

In the history Lin Yang remembered, it had been recorded!

In the fourth year of Chuping, there were earthquakes in Guanzhong, great droughts in the Central Plains, locust plagues; the people could not survive, they traded children to eat, and finally, a plague broke out, causing countless deaths!

Even Cao Mengde, who had established the Gold-Touching Colonel and obtained countless gold and silver, had to disband the new recruits he had just enlisted!

Because at that time, one hu of grain cost five hundred thousand cash, and one hu of beans or wheat cost two hundred thousand cash!

In the original history, that year Cao Mengde also sent troops to Xuzhou, attacked Tao Qian, and went on a killing spree in Xuzhou, slaughtering hundreds of thousands of civilians!

This caused a plague to break out in Xuzhou as well, leaving the people in misery!

Now that Lin Yang had arrived!

This slaughter of Xuzhou would naturally not happen!

But the earthquake in Guanzhong, and the drought and locusts that might sweep through Xuzhou, as well as the plague, were things Lin Yang needed to worry about!

There was no other way!

In ancient times, whenever such disasters occurred!

The only way out for the people was to flee!

Places like Xuzhou, Yangzhou, and Jingzhou, where people lived and worked in peace, were always places the people flocked to!

In the original fourth year of Chuping, Xuzhou had taken in hundreds of thousands of refugees!

With these refugees pouring in, they brought not only an increase in population, but potentially the plague!

In ancient times, with extremely poor medical standards, once a plague broke out, Lin Yang dared not imagine how many people would die!

Once a plague broke out, it was fundamentally impossible to treat!

Because in ancient times, "plague" was just a general term!

It involved smallpox, bubonic plague, diphtheria, cholera, and so on!

Therefore, Lin Yang had to settle the war this year and then immediately return to Xuzhou to take charge!

"Let's go, Fengxiao. In a few days, we will withdraw our troops and return to Wuxian!"

Glancing at the opposite bank, Lin Yang remained silent for a long time before choosing to retreat!

With the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, training a navy was inevitable!

There was no need to rush for the moment!

With the white porridge, pickled vegetables, steamed buns, meat, and various supplies provided by the Reputation Marketplace, this world would eventually be his!

Moreover!

These Jiangdong noble families were not at peace either!

After speaking, Lin Yang turned and left, while handing the letter sent by Gu Yong to Guo Jia, who was standing to the side!

Looking at the contents of the letter Lin Yang had brought, Guo Jia's eyebrows arched, and then his expression turned solemn!

"The lord is about to take action against the noble families!"

Muttering to himself, Guo Jia seemed to understand why Lin Yang had chosen to retreat!

Yangzhou, Wu Jun, Wuxian.

"Master, it's bad! Lin Yang's great army has already captured Yuzhang and Danyang commanderies!"

In the Zhang family mansion, the head of the Zhang family listened to the steward's report, his face already looking extremely ugly!

Damn it!

That Administrator of Kuaiji Commandery, Chen Yu, had actually sent him false information!

Didn't he say that Lin Yang had already retreated?

How did it turn into one great victory after another?

First, he crushed Sun Jian's thirty-thousand-strong army, then he defeated Zhou Yu at Chaisangcheng and recovered Danyang Commandery!

With these good news reports coming in one after another, he could no longer sit still!

"Have the confidants I sent out recently sent back any replies?"

Looking at the steward before him, the head of the Zhang family felt an ominous premonition for no apparent reason!

"Master, no, there has been no reply at all!"

The steward spoke tremblingly, his own heart becoming uneasy as well!

"Then, is there any movement of the great army near Dantu?"

"No, Master, there is no movement of any great army at the port near Dantu!"

The head of the Zhang family slumped into his seat, deep despair and anxiety appearing in his eyes!

The more this was the case!

The more uneasy he felt!

His own letters had already been sent out!

But there was not the slightest movement!

This was impossible!

Even if the other party had received the letters and was unwilling to send troops, they would still reply to him!

Such a bizarre scene made his heart flutter with anxiety!

"Send word down: say that I am ill, and close the mansion to all outsiders!"

After a long silence, the head of the Zhang family finally spoke in a deep voice!

Now, he could only wait quietly for the situation to change!

Late September, third year of Chuping, Wuxian.

"Yuantan, this time the lord has pacified Yuzhang and Danyang commanderies; Yangzhou is already in the lord's pocket!"

Beside Gu Yong, the heads of the Zhu and Lu families were all speaking with smiles on their faces!

During this period!

They had first experienced the turmoil of Lin Yang's retreat, and then the surprise of Lin Yang's great victory; it was truly a bit too much to bear!

Now that Lin Yang had returned leading his great army, they were finally completely at ease!

"Indeed, the lord has finally returned!"

Gu Yong glanced at the plains outside Wuxian, but in his heart, there was a trace of unease!

During this period!

Everything regarding Wuxian had been within Lin Yang's calculations!

From the moment he received Lin Yang's message, the movements of the noble families of Wu Jun had been firmly under his control!