Chapter 72: Southbound! Southbound!

  Thanks for the support from Da Meng, Zhao Wu Xu 2014, Mei Ying - Bing Xin, and Piao Xiang Feng Liu 4!

  In mid-April, Taishi Ci set out first and headed to Liaodong. Ma Han led 200 wolf-toothed flying cavalrymen, fully equipped with horses, to the island of Juehua (Ma Han's renamed). Here, all soldiers had to learn how to swim within half a month and take small boats back and forth between the coast and the islets every day. No matter if you vomited, felt dizzy, had weak legs or diarrhea... in short, they had to adapt to the tossing of the sea as soon as possible. Those who couldn't adapt would be replaced by others from Baima Castle; after all, there were still 200 White Wolf Cavalrymen available for replacement.

  No one wants to be replaced, the White Wolf Gang is 100% from the Han Gou tribe, the Han Gou tribe is a tribe that values bravery and honor, being chosen by the tribal leader, following the tribal leader to conquer, this is the greatest honor. If they were driven back, the eyes of their tribesmen and comrades would be ashamed to death. Moreover, going to Qingzhou this time, it's not just about honor, the tribal leader also promised that all spoils of war will be divided into seven parts for the tribe and three parts as rewards. Isn't honor and wealth the source of a warrior's courage?

  Tian Yu guarded the White Wolf Castle, assisted by Tang Nu and Wu Zhui. In addition to defending against external threats and maintaining internal stability, there was another task: to rebuild Guang Cheng, so that the iron triangle of White Wolf, Guang Cheng, and Wen Cheng could reappear in western Liaoning.

  Liu Yi's movements were faster than expected, and in just ten days, the three warships from the Liao Dong Shan family arrived at Bohai Bay. Ma Hong received the report and immediately ordered the entire army to prepare for battle, rushing to the mouth of the Fengda River fifty miles away.

  After a half-day gallop, Ma Yun finally saw what the ships of this era looked like. This is a large civilian sea ship, 7 zhang long, 2 zhang high, with three masts, the widest part in the middle is 2 zhang, and the head is narrower. The tail is slightly wider, the bottom is V-shaped, and both ends are curved upwards. It's called "槛" because the ship has two layers, which can carry people and goods.

  The shipbuilding industry was quite developed during the Han Dynasty, and Emperor Wu of Han had made seven maritime inspections. The ships he rode on were all large vessels with palaces on top that could carry thousands of people. The most convenient passage between Liaodong and the Central Plains is the sea route, from Dandong to Huang County in Donglai, which is only over 250 miles away. With favorable winds, one can reach there overnight. Therefore, during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, large numbers of refugees from Qing, Yan, Yu, and Ji provinces fled to Liaodong by sea to escape disaster, and the shipbuilding industry in Liaodong also flourished as a result.

  As Ma Yun knew, Gong Sun Du had no less than 300 ships, of which 50 were warships, and there were also large tower ships. In the Duan family, there were several shipyards. Ma Yun planned to go take a look when he had the chance.

  The leader of these three ships was also an old acquaintance - Zheng Gao, who had led Ma Xun and his party into the White Wolf City at the beginning.

  Zheng Gaoyuan stood far away at the bow of the ship, raising his sleeve in greeting: "It's been half a year since we last met, and the city's defenses are as majestic as ever, while your reputation has spread throughout Liao territory - it's truly something to be celebrated."

  Ma Xian laughed: "Zheng from official, last time I troubled you to take the land route, this time I will trouble you to take the sea route."

  Zheng Gao sighed with a bitter smile: "Gao is just a laborious life... Alas. Never mind, Ma Cheng, gentlemen, please board the boat."

  The Wolf Tooth Flying Cavalry Warriors dismounted one by one, placing their personal belongings, weapons, and dry rations on the back of their warhorses. They led their horses in silence, walking in a line. Stepping onto the deck with a slight tremble. The standard equipment for the Wolf Tooth Flying Cavalry was one person to two horses. Since breaking through the old nest of Wujin, they had captured a large number of good horses from the Wuhuan people, and White Wolf Castle had an abundance of horses. However, this time at sea, the ship's load capacity was limited, so items were minimized as much as possible. One person to one horse was already the limit. Nevertheless, the dual riders were mainly used to deal with cavalry, which was sufficient for the infantry-based Central Plains army.

  In the team of two hundred flying cavalry, there were also two inconspicuous Xianbei people. The people were unremarkable, but the two bright feathers on their shoulders and the large male eagles were particularly eye-catching.

  Man is an eagle slave, eagle is a letter eagle.

  This is the second of four hawk slaves that Ma Chao demanded from Su Li after the Battle of Pingyuan. After the practical experience of the Battle of Pingyuan, Ma Chao felt that this method of communication with hawks was still very useful in some short-distance battles. Su Li was then allied with Ma Chao and communicated with each other, so he naturally did not begrudge a few hawk slaves.

  Ma Hu's action this time is a bit like the amphibious special warfare of later generations. Communication is the top priority, and it is precisely the time to test the combat performance of the messenger eagle.

  In April, it is just the time when the southeast wind blows strongly. Releasing a boat and going downstream is just right for the season.

  The sun rises over the vast ocean, with huge waves surging forward, the sea and sky merging into one, with a heroic spirit that spans ten thousand miles.

  On the top of the building, Ma Xun stood facing the wind, gazing at the sky where the swallows were flying and chasing each other. His heart was dancing with the birds, and he let his spirit soar to the east of the sea.

  Ma Huan's expedition this time was not just because of the order from the governor of Liaodong. The White Wolf Camp is one that only listens to orders but not declarations, and under normal circumstances, it would only follow the main army and attach itself to its wings. If you, Gongsun Du, want to attack Donglai, fine! If you want me to send troops to fight at the forefront, fine too! But you can't just send my troops alone, you also have to contribute a share, and it has to be a big one. What Gongsun Du did was a bit like asking for trouble, Ma Huan could have completely refused to send troops or symbolically sent a small number of soldiers. But he still sent troops, and very enthusiastically at that, even personally leading the army.

  Liu Yi was overjoyed and grateful at the time, otherwise why would he give away three brand new ships? It's worth noting that each ship cost no less than a million dollars to build, plus the experienced sailors who came with them. The three ships were almost equivalent to the annual expenses of the White Wolf Battalion's 2,000 soldiers. Liu Yi still thought it was worth it, after all, Liaodong had many ships and wouldn't miss these three.

  Ma Xun already had a preliminary plan for this trip, which was based on the currently known intelligence. He still needed more intelligence to maximize the benefits of this trip. All of this could only be done after infiltrating Qingzhou and then acting accordingly. The task entrusted by Gongsun Du was just a casual thing, like beating the grass to scare the snakes.

  From the mouth of the river to the sea, sailing southeast with the wind and current, it takes two days to reach Dangshi. After replenishing at Dangshi, set sail again, release the boat downstream, and land in Laizhou Bay on the afternoon of the next day.

  According to the agreement between Ma Yuanyi and Taishi Ci, whoever arrived at Donglai first would wait for the other. After Ma Yuanyi disembarked, he did not see Taishi Ci, so it seemed that he had arrived first. From a time perspective, it was indeed likely that they had arrived first, after all, Taishi Ci had taken a big detour from Liaoxi to Liaodong, then to the eastern part of Liaodong, and finally boarded the ship at Duoshi. Looking at the map, it was almost a 270-degree turn, which shows how convenient and important it is to take the sea route.

  Ninety-nine percent of the wolf-toothed flying cavalrymen had never been out to sea. Although the heavens opened their eyes, these three days at sea were calm and sunny, with no great winds or waves, but they still caused this group of grassland men to have stomach cramps, nausea, and dizziness, eating half and vomiting half, suffering greatly. If it weren't for the fact that getting on the ship was easy but getting off was hard, I'm afraid many warriors would rather give up their glory and wealth and retreat.

  At that moment when their feet touched the ground, many warriors crawled on the ground, thanking the heavens and the sea god for letting them live to see the mountains, rivers, and trees.

  Ma Hong did not say a word, looking at these guys who were like dragons on horseback and worms on the boat. He made up his mind that after returning, he would take all the soldiers of the White Wolf Camp to Juehua Island for training, and they must be trained to death. Next time when crossing the sea, such situations will not be allowed to happen again.

  Tai Shi Zi hasn't arrived yet, just in time to let the Wolf Tooth Flying Rider warriors and war horses rest. These guys are all soft-shelled shrimp at the moment, if a troop came now... Oh, no need to say it's a troop, even the Yellow Turbans could effortlessly drive them into the sea.

  Three ships sailed back to the island tens of miles away and anchored. If necessary, Ma Han would send someone to contact them at sea. From Laizhou Bay to Lushun in later generations, this section of the sea route is vertically distributed with large and small islands, totaling dozens. These Liaodong sailors have been sailing on this route for a long time and are familiar with the nearby islands that are not too far away and suitable for anchoring.

  The two hundred cavalrymen were ordered to carry five days' rations and disperse into the nearby mountains and forests for rest and recuperation.

  Three days passed in this way, and finally Tai Shi Ci arrived.

  Even Tai Shi Ci, who had just experienced several days of tossing on the sea. When he got off the boat, he was still in high spirits, his eyes shining like the tip of a halberd behind him, and his waist straight as a bowstring. As if he had just returned home from a trip to play in the mountains and waters. Indeed, Tai Shi Ci, who grew up by the sea!

  Ma Xun smiled, and at this moment, he had made up his mind about who would be the training instructor for Juehua Island.

  Behind Taishi Ci was a man in his forties, with a long beard and an air of dignity. From Taishi Ci's expression, he showed great respect for this person, needless to say, this person was the political refugee Liu Zheng.

  When Liu Zheng heard Tai Shi Ci introduce the young man in front of him as Liao Dong's cavalry commander, Ma Yuan, who led the defense of White Wolf City, he was first surprised and his hand stroking his beard stopped, then slowly turned into a slight smile, just proudly nodding in response, and then ignored him.

  Ma Feng knew a thing or two about the aristocratic atmosphere of the Three Kingdoms era, which was also an era where one's background determined everything. If you had a poor family background, then you were inferior in every way, no matter how talented you were. Others would look down on you. Taishi Ci's life experience is the best proof of this. Even someone like Taishi Ci, who came from a respectable and honest family, was not considered to be much in the eyes of the aristocratic scholars, let alone Ma Feng, who had a dubious background.

  Ma Xun's subordinates still lacked strategists, but he also knew that some people, no matter how talented they were, would not be used by him even if they became friends. So Ma Xun wouldn't bother with such useless efforts. Since you want to show off your M skills so much, just do it yourself slowly.

  "I went to find Donglai County Magistrate Guan Jili's letter, and in the past few days, I have been fortunate enough to receive your instruction, and many thanks for that." Liu Zheng said, raised his sleeve slightly, turned around with his hands behind his back, and walked away, as if Ma Han and others did not exist.

  Tai Shi Zi's face was as usual, he bowed his waist and made a courtesy, watching Liu Zheng leave from afar.

  Ma Xun remained calm and motionless, raising his hand to stop the angry rebukes of the Wolf Tooth Flying Cavalrymen behind him. Liu Zheng's attitude made Ma Xun realize for the first time that his humble origin would be a weakness in his future ambitions. He needed to think carefully about how to make up for this shortcoming.

  Ma Chao's landing point was less than twenty miles away from Huang County, which is also the hometown of Taishi Ci. It was impossible to let someone pass by their own home without entering, especially when it had been three years since they last returned home.

  At dusk, before the city gate was about to close, Ma Chao led four guards with Taishi Ci and arrived at Huang County.

  Huang County (now Longkou City, Shandong Province) was first established in the Qin Dynasty. At the beginning of its establishment, a famous person emerged: Xu Fu. Moreover, when Xu Fu set sail eastward, he chose his hometown as the starting point, and it was here in Huang County that he created his thousand-year legend.

  Huang County was the seat of Donglai Prefecture, only three hundred miles from Beihai. At this time, bandits were pressing in on Beihai, and Huang County's officials and people were also frightened and on high alert. Suddenly, six robust men appeared outside the city walls, each carrying weapons and bows on their backs, causing everyone to be extremely tense, almost to the point of sounding the alarm bell.

  Taishi Ci gazed at the dense arrows on the city wall and smiled, saying to the county magistrate: "County Magistrate Chen, do you recognize Taishi Ci?"

  The county lieutenant stared for a long time before regaining his composure and exclaiming: "Taishi Ziyi, it's you! You've returned..."

  "Yes, just to visit my mother, no other intention."

  "Oh, I see... As Taishi Ziyi, who even Bian Gong of Beihai praised as a righteous man, how could we dare to make things difficult for you? Please enter the city."

  Tai Shi Zi entered the city, walking in the long and narrow city gate tunnel. Ma Hong clearly felt that this usually calm and composed, daring to face the deadly arrow's powerful assistant, at this moment, his body slightly trembled.

  In Huang County's East Gate, a knock on the door of an old and quiet courtyard revealed a white-haired elderly person.

  The old servant narrowed his turbid old eyes, looking at the six tall and robust young men in front of him with a surprised expression, and said: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, what brings you here?"

  Tai Shi Zi took a step forward, with a smile on his face: "Ping Shu, is your mother well?"

  The old servant closed his eyes for a while, then suddenly burst into tears and stumbled towards the courtyard: "Master's wife, master's wife, young master is back..."

  In the courtyard, under the peach tree, Taishi Ci's straight body bent like a bow, kneeling in front of an old woman with a walking stick: "Mother, I'm back..."