cite Han

Chapter 255 Follow-up

"Wenxiu..." Cai Sheng patted Liu Zhu's shoulder with a heavy expression, and said, "I have some bad news for you, brother Zhu, brother Zhu... died in battle in Linxiang."

When Liu Zhu got off the boat, he heard the bad news. He felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and he froze on the spot. Tears gushed out of his eyes like a bank bursting.

Liu Zhu was originally from Nanyang County. When he was young, he followed his parents to escape the war and fled to Changsha.However, not long after, his parents both died of illness, and he became a helpless orphan.

Because he is still young and unable to support himself, he can only beg in the city for a living, living a life of starvation every day.

If Zhu Ah hadn't taken him in, at his age at that time, he would not have the ability to survive in the market for a long time, maybe one day he would starve to death, die of illness, or be beaten to death...

Zhu A not only gave him the grace of nurturing, but also the grace of life. Liu Zhu had long regarded him as a father and brother, and when he suddenly received the news of his death in battle, he couldn't control his grief for a while.

After a long while, Liu Zhu suppressed the grief in his heart and asked Cai Sheng with tears. When he learned that Zhu Anai was killed by a general of the Jingzhou Army, he immediately vowed in his heart to avenge Zhu A.

Liu Zong also felt sorry for Zhu Ah's death. The two had cooperated to open Changleju in the past, and they had money exchanges. However, because of the huge gap in their identities, the relationship between them was not close, and they only met during New Years and holidays.

Wang Qiang, on the other hand, was unmoved by Zhu A's death. You know, he lost almost everything in Changleju, so much so that he was forced to borrow usury and almost lost his life.

"That's Chu Ziping, isn't it?" Liu Zong's eyes fell on Chu Fang who was beside Cai Sheng. Among the crowd, he was the only one who had never met Chu Fang.Chu Fang was about seven feet three inches tall, which was actually considered short. After all, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu was only seven feet three inches.However, compared with his brave name, it is a little bit inconsistent, and his appearance is also a little ordinary, there is nothing extraordinary, only his body is strong, which is different from ordinary people.

"Exactly." Chu Fang nodded.

Liu Zongdao: "You are one of the best heroes in Changsha. You are famous. I have heard about it since I was in Zongjiao. You are filial to your mother. You have never left Ling County for many years. I often feel that I have no chance to know you. I am sorry, but today I finally got my wish.”

Chu Fang said: "I have heard the name of your step for a long time."

Liu Zong said again: "You are not only unparalleled in filial piety and bravery, but also unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness. In order to repay the kindness of Lord Zhang, he went north alone, broke through the enemy's encirclement and entered Linxiang, Changsha, and everyone paid attention."

Chu Fang said with emotion: "It's nothing, a man should avenge every grudge, and repay every kindness, that's all."

"Good." Liu Zong clapped his hands in praise, "That's exactly what a man should do."

Then, Liu Zong turned his gaze back to Cai Sheng and asked, "Brother Cai, I wonder how your preparations are going?"

Cai Sheng replied: "Everything is ready and ready to go at any time."

Liu Zong asked again: "Brother Cai, have you found any traces of the Northern Army in the past few days?"

"Yes." Cai Sheng nodded and said, "But they were all small groups of scouts, and no trace of the big team was found."

"This is the best." Liu Zong said: "It's not too late. Brother Cai, let's go back and mobilize the people and prepare to set off. This time, Zhongda sent all the ships that could be recruited. According to the previous plan, women and children The old and the weak travel by boat, while the young and old travel on foot."

"Okay." Cai Sheng also had a vigorous temperament, and immediately returned to Liling.

Liu Zong ordered Liu Zhu and Wang Qiang to stay and transport the people, while he led the fleet to continue northward to monitor the Northern Army.

Within an hour, countless people from Liling arrived with their families.

The so-called "a year's plan lies in spring." March is the time for spring plowing, but the people in Liling have no intention of farming, and they fled with their families one after another. Not even half of the people chose to stay.

When Liu Jing moved the people of Liling, Liu Biao, who was far away in Xiangyang, received the news of the fall of Linxiang.

"Congratulations General, Congratulations General..." Biejia Liu Xian, Zhizhong Pang Ji, Director Kuai Liang and other officials congratulated Liu Biao one after another.

Liu Biao couldn't help but heaved a sigh of relief.Although it is still early to completely pacify Jingnan, because there is still a very difficult Liu Jing in the south.But taking Linxiang, the prefecture of Changsha, is undoubtedly a big step forward. As long as Liu Jing is solved, Jingnan can be passed down.

To deal with Liu Jing, force is not necessarily required, and surrender is also the best choice.As long as Liu Jing agrees to surrender, he is even willing to let him serve as the prefect of a county.Of course, doing this will definitely make Cai Mao feel dissatisfied, but this is the fastest way to calm down Jingnan. At that time, Liu Biao can only temporarily make his wife and brother suffer some grievances.

Thinking of this, Liu Biao said to the officials: "Last year ago, Changsha didn't do anything. He dared to commit chaos and violated it. He had no choice but to raise his troops to fight against the rebellion. Now that Zhang Xian is dead and Linxiang has fallen, only Liu Zhongda of Ling County has not surrendered. He can't bear it alone." The people of Changsha continue to suffer from wars and chaos, so they plan to send people to surrender Liu Jing, how about it?"

All the officials in the hall couldn't help but look at each other, recruiting Liu Jing was a good way, Liu Biao had recommended Liu Jing as a talented person in the past, although the latter didn't accept it, it was considered old.Now that Zhang Xian is dead, Liu Jing has no reason to fight again, maybe it is really possible to surrender.

Liu Xian said: "Liu Zhongda used to live in Lai Boxing's mansion when he was young, and the two families are more in-laws. Now Lai Boxing happens to be in Linxiang, so he can test his heart." Liu Xian is from Lingling County, and he admires Liu Jing very much. , naturally strongly agree with this proposal.

Pang Ji frowned and said: "Before Zhang Xian died of illness, in order to stabilize the internal affairs, he was appointed as the prefect of Lingling. If we can't come up with the same conditions, I'm afraid Liu Zhongda will not easily surrender."

Liu Biao said lightly: "Zhang Xian still has such courage, how can Gu not be inferior?"

Kuai Liang said, "It's not impossible to surrender, but Liu Zhongda, who is Yingjie, has a great influence in Jingnan. If the surrender is successful, he must not be allowed to stay in Jingnan."

"Naturally." Liu Biao nodded lightly. Leaving Liu Jing in Jingnan is tantamount to breeding tigers. I'm afraid he will become the second Zhang Xian in a few years, even more difficult to deal with than Zhang Xian. .The position Liu Biao prepared for Liu Jing was the prefect of Zhangling.

Since Zhang Xiu surrendered to Cao Cao, Zhangling County has become Liu Biao's northern gateway. Liu Jing has literary and military talents, and Liu Biao asked him to defend himself against Cao Cao. Moreover, Zhangling is on the left side of Xiangyang, which is convenient for supervision. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

However, during the reign of Emperor Huan of this dynasty, the court discussed the "Three Mutual Laws" based on the prefectures and counties, and the relationship between them was compared with the week. According to the law, Liu Jing cannot serve as the prefect of Zhangling.

Now the world is in chaos, and the princes are in their own ways, but most of them insist on implementing the principle of avoiding the three mutual laws, but Liu Biao is an exception. He appointed Cai Mao from Nanjun as the prefect of Nanjun, and Huang Zu from Jiangxia as the prefect of Jiangxia.Liu Jing is only a married family, so naturally he doesn't care much.

After Liu Biao expressed his thoughts, all the officials fell silent.The prefect of Zhangling was Kuai Yue before, but he led the army all the year round and was unable to serve as governor, so Liu Biao made Huang She, the son of Huang Zu, the prefect of Zhangling.Huang's father and son were both prefects for a while, and their power was the highest in Jingzhou.

At the end of last year, Huang She followed his father, Huang Zu, to fight Sun Ce in Shaxian, only to avoid a major defeat.Now that Liu Biao wants to replace Huang She with Liu Jing, there is nothing wrong with it.But it is enough for Liu Biao to make a decision on this matter, and it is inconvenient for them to say more.

Since all the officials in the hall had no opinion, Liu Biao made a decision immediately.

To celebrate the capture of Linxiang, Liu Biao held a banquet in the main hall of the Governor's Department, and enjoyed the whole day.

However, for Liu Biao, the recent good news did not stop there. In mid-April, the news of Sun Ce's assassination and death spread back to Xiangyang.

Everyone in Jingzhou was suspicious from top to bottom, but Liu Biao didn't even verify it, and directly asserted that the news was true.

His father, Sun Jian, was driven by Yuan Shu to compete with him for Jingzhou. Sun Jian was so good at using troops that he forced him to defend Xiangyang. Killing him changed the situation of the battle in one fell swoop. After that, Yuan Shu could no longer fight against him, and was soon driven out of Nanyang.

Now, Sun Ce was assassinated by an assassin while hunting. The father and son are so similar.

Although Sun Jian, Sun Ce and his son were brave and good at fighting, they were all frivolous and reckless people, and they all died at the hands of villains without exception.

Now Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are fighting in the Yellow River in the north, Linxiang has fallen in the south, and Sun Ce is assassinated in the east, so there is no worry for the time being.It can be said that once Liu Biao changed his unfavorable situation last year, there were turning points in all three directions.

In this way, Liu Biao became more confident in recruiting Liu Jing, and unless the latter wanted to die, he would definitely lead the crowd to surrender.

In April, Yuan Shao's general Yan Liang crossed the Yellow River and was in a hurry to besiege Baima. Liu Yan, the prefect of Dongjun, reported to Cao Cao.Cao Cao personally led the army to the north. He used the strategy of the counselor Xun Yousheng to attack the west from the east, led his troops to Yanjin, and pretended to cross the river to attack Yuan Shao's rear. Yuan Shao really divided his troops into Yanjin.

Cao Cao took advantage of the opportunity to ride lightly, and sent Zhang Liao and Guan Yu as forwards to rush towards the white horse.

Guan Yu took the lead, rushed into the army and beheaded Yan Liang, beheaded and returned.Cao Jun attacked with the whole army and defeated Yuan Jun.

After Cao Cao lifted the siege of Baima, the migratory people retreated westward. Unwilling to fail, Yuan Shao sent generals Wen Chou and Liu Bei to pursue Cao Jun.

At that time, Cao Jun had few soldiers, so Cao Cao ordered his soldiers to unsaddle their saddles and let their horses go, and deliberately threw their luggage aside the road.Sure enough, Yuan Jun fell into the trick and scrambled for property one after another.Cao Cao suddenly ordered a counterattack, defeated Yuan Jun again, and beheaded General Wen Chou.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou were both famous generals in Hebei, but they were beheaded in the First World War, and the morale of Yuan Jun was greatly depressed.

However, although Yuan Shao was unfavorable in the war, he still had a considerable advantage over Cao Cao in terms of military strength, and he also achieved the strategic goal of crossing the Yellow River, and the two sides entered a stalemate again.

Henan Yin, Zhongmu.

Now Cao Cao is holding the Son of Heaven to command the lords, and his reputation is spread all over the world. People in the world have never heard of him, and they think he is a handsome and majestic husband. Unfortunately, the truth is the opposite. Cao Cao is only seven feet tall, with dark skin and narrow eyes. Long beard, no appearance.

As soon as Cao Cao retreated from the frontline battlefield, Henan Yin Xiahou Dun told him two news, one good and one bad.

The good news is that Sun Ce was assassinated to death. Guo Jia had asserted before that Sun Ce was "light and unprepared, quick-tempered and less resourceful. He is the brave ear of a man, and he will die of a villain in the future." This kind of "prophecy", he didn't quite believe it in his heart, but he didn't expect it to be really hit by Guo Jiayi's words.

Sun Ce followed his father, Sun Jian's bravery, and swept Jiangdong in just a few years. Cao Cao once lamented that "it is difficult to fight for the front." His son Cao Zhang married the daughter of Sun Ce's elder brother Sun Ben, and at the same time married his niece to Sun Ce's younger brother, Sun Ce. Kuang.

However, Sun Ce has different ambitions, which cannot be stopped by the so-called marriage. When Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were confronting the Yellow River, he heard that Sun Ce was raising troops in the east of the Yangtze River and wanted to attack Xudu. Cao Cao was very worried about this. Now he heard that he was stabbed You can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The bad news is that after two years of conquest, Liu Biao finally captured Linxiang, the prefecture of Changsha. Although Cao Cao had heard of Liu Jing, he didn't know him.He didn't think that Liu Jing could stop Liu Biao's army. In his opinion, Zhang Xian was dead, Linxiang had fallen, and Liu Biao's unification of Jingnan was unstoppable.

Liu Biaosu and Yuan Shao were of the same mind. Once Liu Biao pacified Jingnan and transferred his troops back to the north to cooperate with Yuan Shao to attack Xudu from behind, the consequences would be unimaginable.Both Yuan Shao and Liu Biao are among the most powerful princes in the world. Cao Cao already finds it difficult to deal with one of them, but if he faces both of them at the same time, he will definitely lose.

Xia Houdun said: "Meng De, Zhang Ziyun in Nanyang used to be in the capital, and he and Meng De worked hand in hand to help the country. Now, although Zhang Ziyun is facing a barren area, he can't come to the dynasty. He is also a vassal town of the country, which is enough for foreign aid."

Xiahou Dun is over forty years old this year. His body is tall and muscular. He wears a beam crown and official robes. He looks good, but his left eye is wrapped with a thick silk cloth.His left eye was shot by a stray arrow when he was fighting Lu Bu back then, he was lucky to be able to save his life.

However, he was originally a person with outstanding appearance, but suddenly he became blind in one eye, which made him very angry every time he looked in the mirror, and threw the mirror hard on the ground.The officials in the army secretly called him "Blind Xiahou". He was very angry, but there was nothing he could do.

Hearing Xiahoudun's words, Cao Cao's heart moved. To be honest, when it comes to friendship, Yuan Shao and Zhang Jin are even closer.

Fortunately, the relationship between Zhang Jin and Liu Biao is mediocre, and Cao Cao is no longer what it used to be. submit.Taking a step back, even if Zhang Jin ignored him, he would have nothing to lose.

Xiahou Dun said again: "Also, you can also order Sun Ben to send troops." Sun Ben's daughter married Cao Cao's son Cao Zhang.

Cao Cao immediately decided to issue an edict, "Give Sun Ben the title of Changsha, Ye Zhangjin with Ling and Guangxi." Liu Biao must not be allowed to rule Jingnan.

(End of this chapter)