When Jiao Zhongqing introduced the situation in Danyang, he mentioned several famous bandits in Danyang, including Zulang. Sun Ce was not unfamiliar with the name Zulang. He had had an intersection with Zulang in history, and more than once. Before he got Sun Jian's old subordinates, he went to Danyang to recruit soldiers, but he was attacked by Zulang, but he was attacked by Zulang. He was almost killed by Zulang. Later, he conquered Jingxian and fought with Zulang, which was extremely dangerous. Zulang later surrendered to Sun Ce. After Sun Ce's death, he disappeared from the history books. I don't know if he died of illness or death in battle. In short, there is no record.

During Sun Ce's campaign against Jiangdong, even if Zulang was not the one who gave him the most headache, he should be in the top three and had the longest time to be an enemy, almost from his debut until not long before his assassination.

Chen Duan said that Zulang might be the reinforcement that Zhou Xin expected, and Sun Ce felt that it made sense. Compared with the reinforcements from Wujun and Yuzhang, Zulang is closest. Compared with the Wujun prefect Xu Gong and Yuzhang prefect Zhou Shu, Zulang himself has a stronger combat power and needs to be treated with care. If he cannot quickly conquer Shicheng and Niuzhuji, when Zulang arrives, he will face the danger of being attacked from both sides.

Guo Jia had different opinions. In terms of distance and combat power, Zulang certainly had a threat, but why did Zulang fight for Zhou Xin? Moreover, the reason why the bandits were difficult to settle is because they lived deep in the mountains. After leaving the mountains, they would feel psychologically insecure. If it was not necessary, they would not leave the familiar environment, and would not fight with Sun Ce for a long march of two or three hundred miles to save Zhou Xin.

Who is Zhou Xin? Party member. Even if he and Zulang have contact, their friendship will not be so good that Zulang will risk his life to save him. Zulang may come, but he will never be for Zhou Xin, but wants to take advantage of the situation. This is not a bad thing. The bandits will have to fight sooner or later. Instead of going to the mountains to conquer, it is better to lure them out and fight on the battlefield he chose. Zhou Xin is too weak to shock Jiangdong. Zulang is more suitable to be Sun Ce's first opponent in the battle against Jiangdong.

Sun Ce looked at the others. "What do you think?"

Chen Duan said: "Guo Jijiu is reasonable. But in this way, we must be careful in planning. Once we make mistakes, we may backfire and be attacked from both sides. I suggest taking Niuzhuji and Shicheng before this."

Guo Jia shook his head. "No. Doing this will not only scare Zulang away, but also cause unnecessary burdens to our army. The newly surrendered soldiers cannot be of great use. If they mutiny at the time of the battle and work with Zulang, our army will be difficult to win even if they are not defeated. Instead, it is not beautiful. Zhou Xin is a scholar and does not know how to use troops. Thousands of people are enough to trap him on Niuzhuji. There are only two thousand people in Shicheng, and there is no leader, so there is no need to worry about it. If they attack them now, they will rely on reinforcements and will definitely hold on. Our army may be futile and lose their strength. Defeat Zulang, first cut off their hopes, and then take Shicheng, Niuzhuji, it is easy to get rid of his hands."

Chen Duan was silent, and Pang Tong didn't say anything, but from his expression, he could see that he supported Guo Jia's suggestions.

Sun Ce stared at the map for a long time. Guo Jia’s suggestion was to siege the city and attack the aid. If it succeeds, it would be of course a good thing, but not attacking Niuzhuji and Shicheng is also a hidden danger. Especially Niuzhuji, there are five or six thousand people on it. Once Zhou Xin becomes impulsive, he wants to attack Zulang from front to back. Even if Li Shu’s troops can block it, the losses will be very heavy.

The bigger problem is how many people will Zulang bring? He and Cheng Pu's army are only more than 10,000. If Zulang has a lot of troops and a miserable victory or defeat, it will also affect morale. Instead, it is better to capture Shicheng first, at least there will be a city to defend at that time.

As soon as the thought came, Sun Ce suddenly remembered a voice in his heart: "Who will defend the city, wait for who will come to rescue me? Zhou Yu wants to attack Jiangnan, and his father Sun Jian wants to defend Yuzhou, but he cannot easily mobilize him. Besides, if a general in Jingxian cannot defeat him, why not conquer the entire Jiangnan? Guo Jia's plan seems risky, but when he thinks about it, it is reasonable and hits the point. There must be risks, but how can you not take risks in marching and fighting?

"Send more scouts to choose a suitable battlefield and attack Zulang first. Within ten days, Zulang will not come, and then attack Shicheng. It is not too late for Niuzhuji." Sun Ce said to Pang Tong and Chen Duan: "According to this plan, be as careful as possible. The logistics camp seizes the time to build siege equipment and prepare for siege."

"Here." Chen Duan bowed and took the order.

——

In the evening, Cheng Pu crossed the river and received Sun Ce's latest order to camp on the spot. He had a map drawn by Jiao Zhongqing and a guide around him. It didn't take much effort to know where to stay in the camp. When the moon rose, the camp was ready. The soldiers entered the camp, each performing their own duties, in an orderly manner.

The next morning, Cheng Pu asked his son Cheng Zi and deputy general Li Heng to guard the camp, and he took his personal guard to Niuzhu Mountain to meet Sun Ce. After discussing the military situation in detail and understanding Sun Ce's plan, he made a request to Sun Ce, hoping that Sun Ce could assign one or two scholars to him as a counselor, help him provide advice, and assist in the clerks.

Sun Ce was surprised that Cheng Pu and others didn't study much and were somewhat repulsive to scholars. It was beyond his expectations that he could take the initiative to make this request. But he welcomed this. Cheng Pu was a veteran of Sun Jian's subordinates. He was quite loyal and steady, and was a person who could stand alone. After consulting Guo Jia and Chen Duan's opinions, he arranged for Chen Duan to assist Cheng Pu, in charge of the clerks and counsel military operations.

Cheng Pu was very grateful and took Chen Duan back to the camp and asked Chen Duan to sit down and salute him very politely. Chen Duan did not dare to neglect and quickly avoided the seat and returned the salute.

"Mr. Cheng, you must not be able to bear it."

Cheng Pu laughed and gently pressed Chen Duan's shoulder. "I am a martial artist. I used to only know how to charge and do not know what kind of military strategy. Last time I followed the General of the East to seize Lujiang, but I was helpless. Qin Wen came and gave advice to General of the East to provide advice. Lujiang responded to the sound. I already had some insights. This time I went to fight with the General of the Against Rebellion. With the map drawn by Jiao Zhongqing, although it was the first time to go to Danyang, it was like returning home. The general responded to the situation and commanded like a god. I was overwhelmed. Without a scholar to help me with the staff, I was afraid that I would not be able to keep up with the general's ideas. Now that Zi is here, I don't have to worry."

Chen Duan was also very excited. He knew that Cheng Pu's position among Sun Jian's old subordinates, and that Sun Ce's trust in him was that he could counsel Cheng Pu's military aircraft. He came to Sun Ce's command with Qin Song. Qin Song is now assisting Sun Jian, so he can't fall behind too much. "You are polite to Cheng Gong. Since I am ordered to assist Cheng Gong, I will naturally do my best."

"Thank you Zizheng." Cheng Pu said with a smile: "In addition to Zuozan's military aircraft, Pu also has a reluctant request, hoping that Zizheng will fulfill his wish."

"Please speak with Mr. Cheng."

"Most of the generals in my camp are rude and seldom, and only know how to use brute force and have no knowledge. The dog has followed me since I was a child and has no time to study. I want to ask my son to take some time to teach them to study, understand some stories, and understand the principles of being a person and doing things. In the future, he can make less trouble and better serve the general."
Chapter completed!