Xu Shu and the others did not know what it was, but after Liu Mang explained it to them, they knew that it was a request for medical officers in the army. Xu Shu had no reason to stop it. Although the position of medical officer required a lot of medicinal herbs, he knew that if anyone objected to using medicinal herbs as a reason, they would offend the entire army. After all, no one could guarantee that they would not be injured on the battlefield. Medical officers were not only for themselves, but also to reduce the casualties of the troops.
"My lord, it's enough to select two thousand strong men. It's better to have as few women as the army!" Xu Shu was still staring at Liu Mang. This was because Liu Mang said that he wanted to find some gentle and considerate women. These few words had a lot of ambiguity. It was better not to say that Liu Mang was pretending to be a medical officer. His real purpose was to enjoy life in the army.
"No!" Liu Mang did not know what Xu Shu was thinking, but he still resolutely refused. It was not that men could not be medical officers, but one should not forget that men were originally rough, especially these soldiers. They did not know how to control their strength. It was okay to let them be medical officers, but to let them bandage the wounded was really a kind of boorish behavior. They also did not know how to control their strength.
Sure enough, it was like this. Xu Shu's face was gloomy. Although Liu Ye did not express his opinion, he also did not want the existence of prostitutes in the army. "My lord, once prostitutes are opened, my lord's reputation will be ruined!" Xu Shu tried to dissuade him. He had already made up his mind to remonstrate. He also knew that prostitutes in the army could improve the morale of the troops and even increase their fighting strength. It was also helpful in maintaining the stability of the army. However, one should not forget that there were always losses. Liu Mang's current reputation in the world was that of the Holy King, benevolent and righteous. However, once he opened prostitutes in the army, then this benevolence and righteousness would be finished. The people would not care whether you increased the strength of the army or not. They only knew that Liu Mang, the King Of Shu, was forcing women to become prostitutes. No woman would be willing to be a prostitute in the army! If some people were to exaggerate, then Liu Mang would really become the most evil person in the world.
"My lord, I also think that the military advisor is right! We are benevolent and righteous troops, the army of the emperor. This army and the brothels belong to the borderlands, left behind by those barbarians. We, the army of the emperor, cannot do that! "Since Xu Shu objected, Liu Ye naturally would not sit back and watch.
"Outsiders from the Wildlands?!" Liu Ye's words made Jia Xu frown a little. He, Jia Xu, did not care if the prostitutes were in the army or not. However, Liu Ye should not have said that they were left behind by the barbarians. This was because Jia Xu had once advised Li Gui and Guo Si to establish a battalion of prostitutes in the army to maintain morale. It was also to reward his subordinates and make them work harder. Liu Ye's words were akin to saying that he, Jia Xu, was a barbarian!
"My lord, I believe that there is nothing wrong with the establishment of the army and the brothel! This move can boost morale and maintain the stability of the army. The brothel can reward those who have performed meritorious deeds and ensure the loyalty of the army to my lord! "Jia Xu and Jia Wenhe also stood out.
"Jia Xu, what do you mean!" Xu Shu was angry. He pointed at Jia Xu and glared at him, "Once the army and the brothel are established, my lord's reputation will be completely ruined! Do you want to see my lord's reputation ruined?! "
"Ruin my reputation? I think it's the military advisor who is soft-hearted! " Jia Xu also wanted to increase his presence, "My lord wants to establish the army and the brothel. Firstly, it can boost morale. Secondly, my lord is not establishing the brothel in the name of the army or the brothel, but in the name of the medics. How can there be ruined?! I'm afraid that the military advisor is soft-hearted and cherishes the chastity of those two thousand women. That's why you think that way! Furthermore, military advisor, don't you know that you have to give up something to gain something?! Can't the military advisor see whether exchanging two thousand women for the stability of the army is a gain or a loss?! "
"You!" Xu Shu really didn't know how to refute Jia Xu. He was indeed selfish. The lord that he, Xu Shu, wanted to assist naturally had to be someone who had a heart for the world, could prioritize benevolence and righteousness, and dominate the world. However, such a person didn't exist. In this chaotic world, if you really cared about benevolence and righteousness, then you would be the first to die, or it could be said that you wouldn't have a good ending. For example, Kong Rong, Kong Wenju, as a descendant of Confucius, was benevolent, righteous, and virtuous. He really did it, but in the end, he lost his foundation in Qingzhou and became a fish on the chopping board. According to the original trajectory, Xu Shu had chosen Liu Bei. How could he not know that Liu Bei was a hypocrite? He knew. However, among the wise lords in the world, only Liu Bei was a little benevolent, righteous, and virtuous. Others like Sun Ce were tyrannical, but Cao Cao was simply the way of the king. The winner was the king, the loser was the bandit, and the king was unscrupulous in order to achieve the great cause.
Xu Shu's eyes were a little gloomy. In this chaotic world, etiquette, righteousness, integrity, and shame had been thrown aside. Jia Xu was right. The lord used the name of medical soldiers to recruit women into the army as prostitutes. Not only could it raise morale, but it also didn't need to care about reputation. It was killing two birds with one stone. What reason did he have to reject it?
"Prostitutes for the army!" Liu Mang looked at the dispute between the two sides. He was simply baffled. When did he say that he wanted to establish prostitutes for the army? Liu Mang also knew about prostitutes for the army. They could indeed raise morale, improve the combat effectiveness, stability, and vent the depression of soldiers. However, don't forget that Liu Mang wanted an army, not a group of beasts! Once the prostitutes for the army were opened, then the entire Liu Mang Army would no longer be human. They would develop in the direction of beasts. Once a person's desires were seduced, it was impossible to get rid of them. It was like a child who had never seen the world. Once he came into contact with the luxury of the big city, he would be exposed to a large amount of temptation and enjoyment. Do you want him to return to his previous life of hard work? They would become indifferent and cold-blooded. If they took over a city, they would massacre the city, plunder, and rape. This was not what Liu Mang wanted. Although it was now a chaotic world, he had many enemies, such as Cao Cao, Jiangdong, and Liu Bei. It could even be said that he wanted to unify the world and for the future of the Lvbu's Army. All the feudal lords in the world were his enemies. However, Liu Mang also knew that the people in the land of Huaxia were also his people. They had a fixed name, the Han people! If he did not force Liu Mang to a certain extent and force Liu Mang to a dead end, he would not raise the butcher's knife in his hand.
The reason why Liu Mang massacred the private soldiers in Wan Cheng was because he knew that even if Liu Mang spared them, they would not be grateful to Liu Mang. It might even lead to a greater hatred. This was because their husbands or sons were involved. Now that their husbands and sons were killed by Liu Mang, how could they not hate Liu Mang? If they were not careful, Wan Cheng would fall and the Lvbu's Army would have no way out. Liu Mang could not let the Lvbu's Army perish. He could not let his own family and subordinates be annihilated. Therefore, he could only invite them to die!
However, Liu Mang was still very kind to his compatriots. For example, outside of Guangzhou, when Liu Mang defeated Hu Che Er's Xiliang Cavalry, the first thing he thought of was to keep Hu Che Er. This was because Hu Che Er was a barbarian. He was very smart to the point that Liu Mang could not keep him alive. Later, when it came to the captives, Liu Mang also killed all the Qiang cavalry. Those who had Han blood in their hands were also beheaded.
This showed Liu Mang's attitude towards the Han people. If the 2000 women were foreigners, then Liu Mang would still be fine. However, if Liu Mang wanted to take out 2000 Han women as prostitutes, unless Liu Mang was dead, it was absolutely impossible.
"Milord, you don't want to form an army?" Xu Shu's face was full of surprise. There was also an expression of disbelief and doubt.
"Who told you that I want to form an army?" Liu Mang did not know whether to laugh or cry as he looked at Xu Shu's excited expression.
"Milord, if you don't want to form an army, then why?" Xu Shu's face was full of surprise and doubt. What Xu Shu meant was that if you don't want to form an army, then why do you need 2000 women as medical officers? Moreover, they also need gentle and considerate women. One must know that there were also strong women. Those fierce women were not inferior to men and were even stronger. Other than their second characteristic being that they were women, there was no difference between them and men.
"Who do you think is more meticulous, the men or the women?" Liu Mang asked. His words were directed at the generals. The generals couldn't help but think about it. To be honest, if the soldiers were to bandage each other, there would be times when the bandage was wrong. Dislocation of the bones was very normal. There were also times when the bandage was not in place. Not only did the bandage fail to stop the bleeding, there were also times when the bandage almost killed the soldiers.
"Women are still better!" The generals below were speaking from the bottom of their hearts. The work that the women did at home was needlework and the like. It was all delicate work, while the men did rough work. When it came to taking care of the wounded, they really weren't as good as the women.
"But, but Milord!" Xu Shu still wanted to say something, but Liu Mang behind him pulled his ally back. It was enough. As long as they knew that Liu Mang did not want to form an army and prostitutes, it was enough. If they continued to bargain with Liu Mang, it would only annoy Liu Mang.
"Yangzhou has already been distributed. What we need to think about now is how to repay our good neighbors!" Liu Mang narrowed his eyes. The killing intent on his body also increased. This time, when the three sides besieged Yangzhou, Liu Mang defeated Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu. In the end, Zhang Xiu died and Liu Bei was defeated. However, Liu Mang could not do anything to Sun Ce. This was because Sun Ce and Liu Biao were the same. Their bases were on the other side of the Yangtze River. Therefore, it was difficult for Liu Mang to do much damage to him unless Sun Ce lost his mind and attacked Lujiang.
However, if he could not shake Jiangdong's foundation, he could still get some interest!
"Starting from Chengde, I want Linhuai and Zhongzhong to fly my banner!" Liu Mang wanted to get his interest back. Linhuai and Zhongzhong could be said to be dependent on Jiangdong's Sun Ce. This was because Linhuai had the White Horse Lake and Hongze Lake. The waterways were very developed. Previously, Liu Mang did not take them because he did not want to provoke Jiangdong's Sun Ce. At that time, Liu Mang did not take them because he did not want to provoke Jiangdong's Navy. Moreover, at that time, Liu Mang's navy had not been handed over. If he took them, it would not be good to provoke Jiangdong's Navy. After Hongze and White Horse Lake, it would be Qu Ah. After that, it would be Sun Ce's 30,000 elite navy. Liu Mang did not want to be harassed all day. But now, it was different. Jiangdong's Sun Ce's army was pinned down by Jingzhou's Navy. The alliance between the three sides ended with one dead and one injured. Now that he had taken these two cities, Liu Mang could get a natural lake that could be used to train his navy. It could also be used as a bridgehead to enter Jiangdong and Xuzhou.
"Zhang Liao, Ge Jun, Zhang Hu, listen to my orders!" Liu Mang issued one order after another to Zhan Jiangfeng. "I order all of you to be the vanguard, build bridges and clear paths for the army to advance!"
"Yes, General!" Zhang Liao, Zhang Hu, and Ge Jun cupped their fists and said. Although Zhang Liao had just received the command of the Xiliang Cavalry, his fighting strength was not much weaker than Ge Jun and Zhang Hu's. In fact, because Zhang Liao had the air of a general, he could better display the strength of the Xiliang Cavalry. Ge Jun and Zhang Hu were also smiling. They also knew that Linhuai and Zhongzhong were dependent on Jiangdong. It would not be difficult to take them down. Moreover, they had just joined Liu Mang's Army. Of course, they would be eager to gain merits.
"Xu Sheng, Wang Wei, listen to my orders! You will be the Central Army and set off later to take down Linhuai! "Liu Mang issued a second order.
"Yes, General!" Xu Sheng and Wang Wei nodded and were about to accept the order.
"Little Lord!" Hearing that Liu Mang wanted Xu Sheng and Wang Wei's Black Flag Army to go to Linhuai, Zhang Liao was a little dissatisfied. Although there were Linhuai and Zhongzhong, Zhang Liao did not put these two cities in his eyes. He had five thousand Xiliang Cavalry and ten thousand people in addition to the Black Flag Army. Wasn't it just two small cities? Was there a need to make such a big move? Was he looking down on Zhang Liao? "Liao alone is enough. Little Lord only needs to wait in Shouchun for good news from Liao!"
The merits of two cities were not much and could not be shared. Ge Jun and Zhang Hu also cupped their fists and said, "My Lord, we will definitely help General Zhang Liao to take down Linhuai and Zhongzhong!"
Xu Sheng was dissatisfied with being ignored. Whether it was Zhang Liao, Ge Jun and Zhang Hu, Xu Sheng wanted to vent his anger when Zhang Liao was disrespectful to Liu Mang. Zhang Hu and Ge Jun were both surrendered generals. What qualifications did they have to say such things? "Do you want to go against my Lord's orders?" Xu Sheng glared at him angrily. Fortunately, his deputy general, Wang Wei, was a calm person and pulled his general back.
Liu Mang waved his hand to calm Xu Sheng down. He then looked at Zhang Liao and said, "General Wen Yuan, this time I am going to Linhuai, not just Linhuai and Zhongzhong!" Liu Mang explained to Zhang Liao. Linhuai and Zhongzhong were only the interests that Liu Mang wanted. Liu Mang wanted two things. The first was to attract the attention of Jiangdong's Sun Ce. If Jiangdong's Sun Ce was calm, then it would be fine. If Liu Mang could not hold back and wanted to come to the two cities' aid, then sorry, Liu Mang would be in trouble. As the Central Army, the Black Flag Army was not there to deal with Linhuai and Zhongzhong. Instead, they were there to wait for Jiangdong's reinforcements. Liu Mang was preparing to besiege them.
This was only Liu Mang's first idea. His other idea was to cross the river and go to Xuzhou to fish in troubled waters and obtain Guangling and Huaiyin. This way, Liu Mang would be able to obtain the port that he dreamed of.
"Is that so?" Zhang Liao could not help but look at Liu Mang. Liu Mang had two small cities on the way to Linhuai, but he was prepared to scheme against Jiangdong's Sun Ce and Cao Cao. He was really ambitious. Zhang Liao subconsciously became vigilant because his Lord was Lü Bu. Liu Mang was only a subordinate of Lü Bu. It was not a good thing for a subordinate to be so ambitious. However, he immediately remembered that his Lord only had one daughter, the Eldest Miss. In the end, the foundation would be left to the person in front of him. Only then did he feel relieved.
"General Wen Yuan, during this trip to Linhuai, the three armies will have to rely on you!" Liu Mang said to Zhang Liao with a smile.
"Hm?" Zhang Liao was stunned. Liu Mang wanted to acknowledge him as his general! As expected, Liu Mang's military order came immediately. "Xu Sheng, Wang Will, and the others must listen to Wen Yuan's orders. Seeing General Wen Yuan is the same as seeing me!"
"My Lord, you!" Xu Sheng was anxious. Who did this Zhang Liao think he was? What right did he have to be the commander? Even if he was, it should have been Liu Ye or Old General Huang Zhong as the commander of the army, not Zhang Liao!
"Xu Sheng, can't you hear me?" Liu Mang frowned and said coldly to Xu Sheng.
"Yes, this General obeys!" Xu Sheng could only clasp his fist and bow helplessly.
"Zilong, how is your White Horse?" Liu Mang asked Zhao Yun who was the quietest at the side.
"Hm?" Zhao Yun was stunned for a moment but quickly reacted. "My Lord, the selection of the White Horse has been completed!" Three thousand White Horses were the troops that Zhao Yun was most proud of.
"Good! Zilong, after Xu Sheng and the others leave, you will lead the White Horse as the rear guard. Cover General Wen Yuan's tracks and transport the provisions to protect the supply route! "Liu Mang said to Zhao Yun.
"My Lord, the White Horse has just been formed. Wouldn't it be a loss to act so hastily?" Zhang Liao was originally a cavalry general and the Bing Province Wolf Cavalry was trained by him. Therefore, the Xiliang Cavalry's strength was not much weaker and might even be a little stronger. On the other hand, Zhao Yun's White Horse Cavalry was different. Although there were more than a hundred original White Horse Cavalry officers and some of the original Xiliang Cavalry, there were still a thousand new recruits. These new recruits might have just learned how to ride a horse. How could they fight in a war? Zhao Yun's White Horse Cavalry was different. Although there were more than a hundred original White Horse Cavalry officers and some of the original Xiliang Cavalry, there were still a thousand new recruits. These new recruits might have just learned how to ride a horse. How could they fight in a war? Zhao Yun's White Horse Cavalry was different. The gains did not make up for the losses. It must be known that although the White Horse only had three thousand men, they had six thousand war horses. If they lost Yangzhou, it would be heartbreaking!
"Haha, Ziyang, you are thinking too much! It is precisely because the White Horse has been formed that I need Zilong to lead them into battle! There is nothing better than war to temper soldiers! "Liu Mang smiled and explained to Liu Ye and the others. Liu Mang had Zhao Yun lead the troops not only because he trusted Zhao Yun, but also because Liu Mang trusted himself. The White Horse was originally a heavy cavalry. However, Liu Mang did not have much heavy cavalry left, especially the aluminum armor that Liu Mang had brought. Instead of making them look neither fish nor fowl, it was better for Liu Mang to abandon the possibility of forming a heavy cavalry and turn it into a light cavalry.
Because it was a light cavalry, Liu Mang had given Zhao Yun two war horses! This was to allow the light cavalry to have mobility when charging. You might be wondering how a light cavalry could deal with a heavy cavalry! For example, Cao Cao's Ferocious Cavalry, the Xian Deng Cavalry and the Jizhou Cavalry. To be honest, the White Horse is not a match for them in a frontal assault. Moreover, the White Horse had already fallen in front of the Xian Deng Camp. Now, it is even more impossible to fight them in a frontal assault. However, it does not matter. Liu Mang's main enemy is not the heavy cavalry. His opponents are the infantry and the light cavalry. If the heavy cavalry were to come, he can just avoid them and rely on the horsepower of the two horses to shake them off.
Moreover, Zhao Yun's White Horse could be considered the most luxurious cavalry unit. Although they did not have any heavy armor, they had a nickname that other cavalry units did not have. This nickname was given to them by the other heavy cavalry units because they were jealous of the White Horse. That nickname was the Embroidered Clothing Unit. All of the White Horse wore silk products. In order to let three thousand people wear silk clothes, Liu Mang had almost emptied all of Lujiang's silk products. Now, even Lü Bu did not have many silk clothes. They were all bought by Liu Mang.
Liu Mang did not want the White Horse to wear these embroidered clothing because he wanted the White Horse to wear comfortable clothes. It had nothing to do with luxury. This was because after the soldiers were shot, the arrowheads would be wrapped in silk and enter the body. The barbs on the arrowheads would not be able to do anything. The arrowheads could be easily removed, thus greatly reducing the casualties of the soldiers.
One must know that before the invention of synthetic materials, silk was one of the raw materials used to make bulletproof vests.
Liu Mang even took out the stirrups for the White Horse. This was something that Liu Mang had only used once during the breakout outside of Kaiyang City. After the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry broke out of the encirclement, he kept it again. This was because Lü Bu knew that this was their trump card. Now that he had less than ten thousand soldiers, he did not have many cavalries. If this was leaked, it would only bring him trouble. He was especially afraid that it would be leaked to the outside of the Great Wall and be obtained by other tribes. The reason he took it out now was because the Lü Bu's Army had three cavalries. Two of them were heavy cavalry and one of them was light cavalry. Moreover, these three cavalries, whether it was the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry or the Xiliang Cavalry, were all from the frontlines. With them, Lü Bu was confident that these foreign tribes would tremble in fear. Those new recruits who only knew how to ride horses would be able to ride better with Liu Mang's simple stirrups.
Seeing that Liu Mang was still not convinced by Liu Mang, Liu Mang could only ask Zhao Yun. "Zilong, let me ask you. Are you confident in this battle?" Liu Mang asked Zhao Yun to go out because he wanted to let Zhao Yun practice the usage of the light cavalry.
"Yes!" Zhao Yun looked at Liu Mang and nodded heavily. He had a book in his arms. This book was given to him by Liu Mang. It was about the cavalry techniques used by the Mongolian Cavalry. Zhao Yun was originally a humble person. After receiving this book, he carefully studied it, hoping to gain some inspiration from his peers. But after reading it, he realized that he had obtained a treasure! The Manguzai tactics written in the book made Zhao Yun obsessed. Now that Liu Mang had given Zhao Yun such a chance to train, how could Zhao Yun give it up?
"Ziyang, did you see it?" Liu Mang pointed at Zhao Yun and said to Liu Ye. If even Zhao Yun was so confident, then as a strategist, what could Liu Ye say? In terms of cavalry tactics, Liu Ye was not valiant. He and Xu Shu were both scholars from the south of the Huai River. South of the Huai River, most of the waterways and plains were fought on foot. The only scholar who truly understood cavalry tactics was Jia Xu.
"Ziyang, you have a heavy responsibility! The industrial area is the center of our Yangzhou. You cannot neglect it! "Liu Ye also had things to do.
"I will definitely not disappoint the Lord's trust!"
"Haha, with such civil and military officials, there is no need to worry about peace. Our Yangzhou will definitely conquer the world!"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
