Liu Meng, Zhang De, Bao Zhong, and the other nobles were released. Lu Su was also with them. Lu Su did not say a word along the way. His face was very ugly. Who told him to become a captive? Lu Su originally thought that he could follow a wise lord and achieve hegemony. After the defeat of Wan Cheng, Lu Su gave Sun Ce a plan to cut off all means of retreat. But in the end, he was defeated and captured. Sun Ce who had occupied Wan Cheng had no choice but to withdraw his troops. The Lujiang battle was a complete failure.
This was Lu Su's first time stepping on the stage of the world. It was his first time showing himself to the world and letting the world know his name. However, the first battle ended in such a manner! This was a humiliation to Lu Su.
On the other hand, the other nobles were rejoicing that they were still alive and that Sun Ce's Army had sent a messenger to pick them up. However, the nine nobles looked at each other with disdain. Especially Liu Meng and Zhang De. The two looked at each other with anger in their eyes.
Although Liu Meng was wearing a scholar's robe, one of his sleeves was empty. This was Zhang De's masterpiece. Zhang De had slashed his sleeves in order to escape. Fortunately, Liu Meng's ancestors had accumulated a lot of good karma. Liu Meng was not directly killed. Moreover, because he had fainted in the crowd, he was not burned to death by the fire. In addition to the nine nobles, several other nobles died on the walls of Wan Cheng.
Now that Liu Meng was alive, he naturally would not give Zhang De a good face. Zhang De was the same. At that time, everyone was running for their lives. Zhang De regretted it now. He regretted that he did not directly kill this old thing. Now that he returned to Jiangdong, he would be scolded by his elder brother. The Liu family and the Zhang family were both prominent families in Jiangdong. Although they could not directly turn hostile, they still had to take revenge.
The same thing happened to the other nobles. Originally, they wanted to face a common enemy. But now, they wanted to dig the graves of the other party's eighteen generations of ancestors. This way, they could relieve the hatred in their hearts.
Bao Zhong didn't join this hatred because he had surrendered at the beginning. At that time, the city walls were blocked by the black-armored soldiers. Where could he escape to? Was he supposed to jump off the city walls? Bao Zhong is not stupid. Jumping down is the same as courting death. At most, he will be taken captive. His family can take out some money and grain to exchange for him. He is the Bao clan's young master. His father only has one son. Of course, he will be willing to do so. Now, he is thinking about that young archer from Lu Bu's army. Originally, Bao Zhong thought that his archery skills have reached the pinnacle of perfection. Even if there is someone who can defeat him, it will be an old general. For example, Lu Bu. If it is Lu Bu, then Bao Zhong can ask him for advice. Even if he loses, it will be an honorable defeat. But who would have thought that before he could even meet Lu Bu, he would be beaten by a young archer from Lu Bu's army. Although Bao Zhong is arrogant, he also admitted that he is not the opponent of that young archer. Bao Zhong had been thinking about this question since he was captured.
Only these 10 captives were given a change of clothes. The rest of the captives were not so comfortable. They were still in Wancheng city's prison. However, they were given more food now. Previously, Wancheng city did not allow these enemies to live. If Sun Ce's Army was not afraid, then Lu Bu would not mind secretly killing all of these enemies. After all, the Lvbu's Army did not have extra food to feed the enemy.
"Nephew Bao Zhong, Brother Zhang De, Brother Liu Meng …!" Zhang Zhao greeted these people. Among these people, only Bao Zhong and Lu Su were worthy of Zhang Zhao's attention. The others were all useless in Zhang Zhao's eyes. They were all good at fighting for power and scheming against others. They were also very good at taking advantage of others. However, when it came to the real thing, each one of them was more cowardly than the other. These nine people were money! However, Zhang Zhao had no choice but to greet them. This was because these nine people represented nine big clans. Even if Sun Ce's army occupied Jiangdong, he still had to give face to these nine clans. The most obvious thing was the taxes of these nine clans. The taxes of these nine clans were exempted by Sun Ce.
"Uncle Zhang!" Bao Zhong was obviously out of his mind. He cupped his fist and responded.
"Brother Zhang Zhao!" "Brother Zhang Zhao!" Zhang De and Liu Meng also began to greet each other. The two spoke in unison, but then they both snorted coldly.
"What is this situation?" Zhang Zhao looked at the two people who were acting strangely. It was obvious that the two were not on good terms. However, he did not think about the specific reasons. He still had important things to do. So he let it go.
"Zi Jing!" Lu Su was at the back of the group of ten. Zhang Zhao only saw him now. He approached Lu Su and was about to speak to him, but Lu Su had no intention of being courteous. Instead, he went straight to the point. "Mr. Zhang Zhao, I would like to ask, how much did Milord pay in exchange for us?"
Lu Su's words were very harsh, it directly made the nine people very angry. Even Bao Zhong frowned at Lu Su's words. What did he mean by this sentence? Were they trash? Bao Zhong also knew that there weren't many talented people in the group, most of them were just idiots. But Lu Su, don't include Bao Zhong. Bao Zhong and Lu Su are both ambitious.
Trash hated being called trash the most. This was especially true for Zhang De. He was the eldest son of the previous Patriarch. According to reason, he should be the one to inherit the Zhang Family. However, because of Zhang De's lack of ability, his father directly deprived him of the position of Patriarch. Instead, he pulled someone from the outer branch to inherit the position of Patriarch. One must know that the outer branch used to respectfully call Zhang De 'Young Master'. Now, Zhang De had to call him 'Patriarch' or 'Elder Brother'. How could Zhang De not sullen? This time, Zhang De took the initiative to lead the troops to show others that he was not bad. Zhang De even wanted to take this opportunity to serve under Sun Cejun. He wanted to leave the original Zhang family. However, he was captured in Wancheng city. Now, Lu Su's words directly made Zhang De angry.
"We are trash. Are you saying that you, Lu Su and Lu Zi Jing, are not trash?" Zhang De directly sneered.
"I did not say that I am not trash!" Lu Su was very indifferent. The battle in Wancheng city's navy camp had directly stunned him. After that, Lu Su has been forcing himself to calm down. He thought, he thought, how did Sun Cejun lose? A small city like Wancheng city was really that difficult to fight! In conclusion, it was because he, Lu Su, was too weak. He, Lu Su, had to learn too many things. Although he was a little smart, he still could not take charge alone! Gong Jin's recommendation made Lu Su even more ashamed.
"You!" Zhang Deyu choked. Lu Su had already admitted that he was trash. You can't say anything else, right?
"Good. Mr. Zhang Zhao, please tell me. What price did the head of the family pay in exchange for us trash?" Lu Su directly asked Zhang Zhao.
This kind of tone made Zhang Zhao very uncomfortable. It's fine if you think you're trash, but why do you have to involve others? I, Zhang Zhao, came all the way here to rescue you. If you're trash, then I, Zhang Zhao, am blind! Even trash has to be rescued at a high price! Although Lu Su cupped his fist and asked, his tone was completely questioning. Zhang Zhao was not Lu Su's subordinate. His official position was higher than Lu Su's, and his age was enough for Lu Su to call him uncle!
Even if you want to ask, now is not the time! Here is Wancheng city's main street. You are in public. Zhang Zhao held back his anger and said: "Let's go back to the mansion first. We will talk after dinner!"
Lu Su saw that Zhang Zhao was unwilling to answer and did not insist. He could only nod his head. The other nine people also followed Zhang Zhao to the mansion. They drank and talked about the suffering of these days. Only Lu Su did not say a word. Finally, when the banquet was over, Lu Su followed behind Zhang Zhao. "Mr. Zhang Zhao, the problem during the day!"
"A total of nineteen thousand gold, plus four thousand craftsmen who can build and repair ships!" Zhang Zhao said the number that was agreed upon by both sides!
"What!" Lu Su could no longer remain calm. This number was nineteen thousand gold, not nineteen thousand coins. This was enough to buy tens of thousands of dan of provisions. This was the sum of the entire wealth of an aristocratic family. Moreover, this aristocratic family had to be a very old aristocratic family to be able to have such wealth.
Of course, this is not the key. The key is the craftsmen who can build and repair the ships. Is the Lord crazy? Although the Lu Bu's Army was strong, it was only on the surface. They were just paper tigers. As long as Sun Ce's Army suffered heavy casualties, they would be able to wipe out the thousands of Lu Bu's Army. Even if they did not start a war, they would only need to wait for an opportunity. The Lu Bu's Army only had 20 warships and they needed to be repaired. The Lu Bu's Army did not have anything and their warships would not last long. However, the craftsmen who built the ships were completely different. The Lu Bu's Army did not need to worry about their warships being destroyed because they could build new ones. One must know that the Lu Bu's Army had ballistae.
The Lord is giving away his foundation in Jiangdong for nothing!
"No, absolutely not, we will not go!" Even if Lu Su dies here, I am not willing to let the Lord do this! Lu Su's determination made Zhang Zhao smile bitterly. If it is only Lu Su, how can he have nearly twenty thousand gold? How can he have four thousand craftsmen? Jiangdong has less than ten thousand craftsmen. If it was only Lu Su, even if the nine nobles were included, Zhang Zhao would still not be willing to give away the craftsmen. The reason why he could make this decision was because the bargaining chip given by Lu Bu's army was also very big.
"Rest assured, Zijing. I, Zhang Zhao, am willing to pay this price because the Lu Bu army also gave us good things!" Zhang Zhao stopped Lu Su.
"Gave us good things?" Lu Su was puzzled. What can the Lvbu Army give to the Jiangdong Army? Warhorses? Heavy armor? These are the only two things that Lu Su can think of. These are also good things for the Lvbu Army. But they cannot be exchanged for craftsmen!
"It is the weapon that destroyed you in front of the Wan Cheng Navy!" Zhang Zhao said the most shocking words to Lu Su.
"What?!" Lu Su did not dare to believe that Lu Bu's army had gone crazy! Ballistae! Zhang Zhao is talking about the ballistae. Lu Su has the right to speak about the power of the ballistae. Lu Su has seen the power of the ballistae with his own eyes. The ballistae are not only powerful, it can penetrate a warship, but it can also fire continuously. This is the scariest part of the ballistae. Although the ballistae are powerful, it needs dozens of people to pull it open. That is why the cities outside the Great Wall have ballistae. Deterrence is better than practicality. But now it is different. The Lvbu Army's ballistae can fire continuously. They do not need to be strung. At least when Lu Su saw it, it did not need to be strung.
The ballistae do not need to be strung together with the ballistae! If he can get the ballistae from the Lvbu Army, then it can increase Sun Cejun's fighting strength by a lot. Sun Ce's navy has already given Sun Cejun a demonstration. Then there is the army. Although the ballistae are heavy, they can fire continuously!
The more Lu Su thought about it, the more excited he became. The Lvbu Army really wants money more than their lives. Previously, Lu Su felt that Zhang Zhao was not good. He actually let the trash exchange for 20,000 gold and 4,000 craftsmen. But now, he felt that he made a profit. The 4,000 craftsmen are not like other things. If you want to build a warship, then you must have a dock. Jiangdong has already used the ballistae in battle. They will first destroy Jingzhou and then go down the river. Jiangdong's overall strength is not as good as Lujiang County. When the time comes, Lü Bu will have to spit out whatever he swallows.
"Mr. Zhang Zhao, could the Lvbu Army be cheating?" Lu Su still can't believe it. It is so easy to teach the country's weapon to others. Just like how Lu Su knows how to build a well, do you think Sun Cejun will teach it to others? Absolutely not! Happiness came too suddenly and Lu Su could not accept it. He now suspects that the blueprint given by the Lvbu Army is fake!
"No!" Zhang Zhao smiled and shook his head. Although Lü Bu's reputation is not good, he still needs to pay attention to credibility when doing business. Otherwise, who would want to do business with Lü Bu in the future? Even if Jingzhou and Jiangdong are at war, there is no cheating in business!
"Mr. Zhang Zhao is really a genius!" Lu Su thought that this was due to Zhang Zhao's diplomacy. He used his mouth to get the ballistae from Lü Bu. Zhang Zhao did not try to explain himself. It would be a waste if he did not take the credit. With Lu Su praising him, it is much better than asking for credit in front of the Lord.
The two of them closed the door and chatted until the end of the night. Zhang Zhao was thinking about when to bring Jin Zi and the captives over, so as to avoid nightmares. Lu Su, on the other hand, was thinking about how to use the ballista in various ways! To strengthen the Jiangdong Army.
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