Shu Chen

Chapter 175
Autumn and July.

Hanzhong County, Mianyang County.

The breeze is gentle, the mountain flowers are brilliant, and the birds are singing and the butterflies are dancing.

Looking around, they are all the Li Shu in the head of Guizhou who are busy in the fields.

They are not afraid of the poison of the sun at all, let the sweat drip into the yellow waves of the wheat field, exaggerating the joy of the farm family.

Close your eyes and listen, there are indistinct sounds of chickens crowing and dogs barking in the distance, the sound of nearby fishing boats casting nets, the sound of pennies hitting water, the sound of playing, and the sound of running water. Melt into a natural piece of music, echoing in the water of Mian above.

Zheng Pu, who had been busy training soldiers and stayed overnight in the barracks for several months, rode his horse slowly along the Mianshui to return to the city.

He was summoned by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang to discuss matters.

Although the official sent by the prime minister did not tell what was going on, Zheng Pu could vaguely guess.

When the rebellion against the Wei Dynasty caused Liangzhou to be devastated, the big man also ushered in a little helplessness.

One is that the price of war horses sold to Sun Wu has been reduced a lot.

Sun Quan not only stopped exchanging Shanyue prisoners of war with Jiaozhou natives, but also took a tough attitude in the letter of credence, setting the price to half of the previous price.

It's not that the Han-Wu alliance broke down.

But two years ago, when Sun Quan proclaimed himself emperor, he sent envoys Zhang Gang and Guan Du to Liaodong.

Today, a war horse trade has been reached with Gongsun Yuan in Liaodong.

With the source of war horses from other places, Wu Guo is naturally unwilling to bear the high price of the big man.

In this regard, the prime minister did not refute anything.

On the grounds that Sun Wu is now needed to contain the forces against Wei, he agreed to Wu's price.

That is to reduce the number of war horses sold by five or six out of ten, and when appeasing the courtiers, he showed his wisdom and said: "Let's allow it first, and wait and see."

It reminds people of the distant sea routes between Jiangdong and Liaodong, and the changeable wind and waves on the sea.

The other was Li Hui, the governor of the southern and central counties, who died of illness at the end of June.

Originating from the special geography and complicated power entanglement of the land of Nanzhong, Li Hui's death is not just as simple as the loss of a loyal and straight minister of the great man.

Because once an inappropriate successor is selected, it may cause disturbances in Nanzhong again.

The imperial court appointed Li Hui's son, Li Yisijue, as General Anhan and Jianning Prefect, to demonstrate to the southern nobles that the big man would not disregard their interests and treat meritorious officials lightly.

And let Ma Zhong, who is quite prestigious in Nanzhong, succeed him as the governor of Yu Jiang.

Well, Ma Zhong stepped down from his post as the prefect of Zangzhang last year.

Due to the death of Shi Zhangyi, the former head of the prime minister's mansion, when the prime minister promoted Shi Jiangwan, the deputy chief, to take charge of Yizhou affairs, he also called Ma Zhong to Chengdu to lead the prime minister's mansion to join the army and concurrently work in the state administration to act together.

Now that Ma Zhong is rushing to take up a post in Nanzhong, there are vacancies in Chengdu Prime Minister's Mansion and State Shepherd's Mansion.

In any case, the land of Bashu was the foundation of the Northern Expedition, and the Prime Minister's Mansion also led the state affairs.

Such as balancing the interests of the wealthy families in Bashu, providing food and supplies for Hanzhong and Longyou, daily cumbersome garrisons in Jiangzhou and Yong'an, and coordinating the forces of Han and Barbarians in South Central, etc.

There are many affairs, and the governor Shi Jiangwan alone cannot be busy.

Moreover, stimulated by the death of Li Hui in his old age, Zhao Yun, who had been promoted to General Wei and was based in Chenggu County, even wrote a letter to ask the prime minister for orders to lead troops to station in Xiaopingdi (Taibai County) in Baoxie Valley of the Qinling Mountains.

That little flat land was the outpost.

Whether you attack Hanzhong from Guanzhong or vice versa.

As long as they pass through Baoxie Valley, they must first occupy this place.

Just like last year when Wei Da Sima Caozhen attacked Hanzhong, he had hoarded a large amount of grain, grass and luggage here.

Zhao Yun now wants to lead the army to occupy it, but it is a preparation for attacking Liangzhou.

In order to contain the troops who went against Wei and rushed to aid Liangzhou in the future.

Because as long as the big Han marches into the Baoxie Valley, Niwei will have to station heavy troops in Mei County and Chencang City for defense.

However, everyone in the big man knew that there was another reason for Zhao Yun's request.

Already old, he worried that he, like Li Hui, would die suddenly of illness at some point, and he would regret that he would never have the opportunity to lead the army to fight for the recovery of the Central Plains.

Alas, the old minister who followed the late emperor Liu Bei when he was in his infancy.
No need for words, it will be awe-inspiring.

The request of a strong man in his twilight years, and the sincerity of the old minister who does not want to die in bed and hopes to return the body of the horse to return to the country, the prime minister is not easy to refuse.

Therefore, Zheng Pu was recruited to discuss the matter of attacking Liangzhou.

Those who fight in the army are pulling one to mobilize the whole body.

If Zhao Yun led the army into Xiaoping in Baoxie Valley, other soldiers and horses would definitely follow suit.

Because Ni Wei will not remain indifferent, and the prime minister will not let Ni Wei take the lead.

Besides, the autumn harvest is coming soon.

Once the harvest is in the warehouse in autumn, grain and fodder from all over the country will start to be transported to Longyou, and the attack on Liangzhou will also be on the agenda.

Now let's discuss and plan first, which can be regarded as a rainy day.

In fact, the prime minister did not need Zheng Pu to refer to the general strategy for attacking Liangzhou.

In other words, in terms of the current confrontation between the Han and Wei dynasties, everyone can vaguely understand where there are places where troops can be used.

It is nothing more than Baoxie Valley in Hanzhong, Xiaoguan in Hanyang County, Yuzhong County in Jincheng County, Jishi Gorge in Xiping County, and Siwang Gorge that can cut off Xiping and Jincheng County in Niwei.

Zheng Pu felt that when the prime minister summoned him, what he really wanted to discuss was how to dispatch the feint attack and the main force.

Think and act all the way.

When the sun was about to culminate, Zheng Pu entered Mianyang City.

Just when he rushed to the office set up by the prime minister, he was told that the prime minister had not returned yet.

In recent months, the prime minister has been busy with resettling the Qiang Qiang who were forcibly relocated to Hanzhong County, and inspecting the autumn harvest and food protection of the troops stationed in various ministries, so he was hardly in the office.

However, the soldiers and petty officials on duty in the office seemed to have been instructed by the prime minister.

He not only welcomed Zheng Pu into the office and sat down in the office, but also presented the statements of the troops stationed in various places and the military situation of the detailed investigation, and also carefully sent some food to satisfy his hunger.

After about half an hour, the prime minister returned.

It is still the richness of the Eguanbo belt, but between the eyebrows, a ray of tiredness can be vaguely discerned.

"Pu, I met the prime minister."

Zheng Pu, who had finished reading the military newspaper a long time ago and was closing his eyes to rest his mind, got up and saluted quickly when he heard footsteps.

"You don't need to be too polite, just sit down."

After waving his hand, the prime minister walked towards the main seat, cast his eyes over him for a while, and jokingly said, "I haven't seen you for a long time, I don't want Zijin to become more energetic and Xuanzhu. Could it be that the soldiers performing martial arts made Zijin even more so?" Are you happy?"

"Prime Minister Lao is concerned."

With a smile on his face, Zheng Pu bowed his hands and said, "It's because Pu has not had any papers to worry about recently, and the soldiers are practicing and performing martial arts, and there are generals under his command to supervise him, so he is quite free."

"Heh~~~"

The prime minister laughed lightly, pretending to be angry and reprimanded, "As a general, you don't want to share the suffering with the soldiers, and you don't care about the previous court's expectation that you will be the general of Pingbei!" After speaking, he nodded slightly and asked, " Zijin should know that Ma Dexin has been transferred to the governor, right? Jiang Gongyan is the only person in charge of the affairs in Sichuan, and many affairs are cumbersome, and I am afraid that the work will be too much. Zijin thinks, who can help him?"

Huh?
Why do you ask me about the candidates who stay in the government administration?
Zheng Pu, who had never been involved in political affairs since Jianxing came to Hanzhong five years ago, couldn't help being surprised.

For a moment, he forgot to answer.

Seeing that he was stunned and silent, the prime minister couldn't help laughing, saying, "As a different governor in the past, he dared to talk about Zheng Zijin, a senior general in the Han army, but now he dare not speak out after being relocated?"

"Ashamed."

Zheng Pu, who came back to his senses, quickly handed over his hand and confessed, "Pu lost his mind for a while."

After thinking for a while, he said, "Back to the prime minister, Pu thought that if brother Youchang went back to assist him, brother Gongyan would relieve his worries and fatigue."

"Young Chang?"

Hearing this, the prime minister's eyes narrowed slightly, and a ray of relief quietly flashed across.

His facial expression remained unchanged, and he asked with doubts, "Is it just Youchang? Why doesn't Zijin mention a few more people?"

"Pushang wants to Tibosong brother."

Zheng Pu smiled, and replied softly, "It's just that after thinking about it, I felt that the Prime Minister would definitely not allow it, so I only mentioned Brother Youchang."

"Heh~~~"

Involuntarily, the prime minister lowered his head and smiled slightly.

As Zheng Pu said, Zhuge Qiao cannot return to Shu.

He disciplined Zhuge Qiao very strictly, and now the sons and nephews of other Liao Zuo also stayed in Hanzhong and Longyou to work. As the son of the prime minister, how could Zhuge Qiao not set an example?
"Bo Song will not mention it."

When he was young, the prime minister stopped his smile and urged, "But I don't understand, why didn't Zijin mention Fei Wenwei? Wenwei is diligent and humble. Why is he not as good as Xiaochang?"

"Prime Minister, Pu does not dare to say which of the two of them is superior."

Zheng Pu restrained his face and said in a respectful voice, "Brother Youchang was mentioned because Pu felt that Brother Youchang joined the army in the prime minister's mansion in the past, and later led the army and managed the people's livelihood in Hanzhong. There is no need to express the many trivial matters here in the letter about going to Zuofu in the middle of Shu, he knows it well."

"Um"

The prime minister made a nasal sound, stroked his beard and fell into deep thought.

After a while, he smiled suddenly, "Forget it, let's follow Zijin's recommendation."

But without waiting for Zheng Pu to open his mouth, he fixed his eyes and asked, "Zijin thinks, if he sends someone to Zuoma Dexin in Nanzhong, who can take it?"

This time, without hesitation, Zheng Pu opened his mouth and said, "Back to Prime Minister, Pu thought that Huo Shao could be the first."

"Hahaha~~~"

It also made the Prime Minister laugh heartily, nodded approvingly, and said in a very gratified tone, "What Zijin said won my heart!"

It's about power.

When the Nanzhong rebellion was crusade, the imperial court delegated a lot of power to the southerners in order to gather strength for the Northern Expedition.

Now that the situation is gradually stabilizing, some authority should be taken back.

For the stability of the court.

Li Hui, the former governor of the Tuojiang, was from the south, and now Ma Zhong is from the Naiba. If Huo Yi is sent to accumulate prestige now, and he becomes the governor of the Tuojiang in the future after Ma Zhong, the authority can be slowly transferred back.

After all, Huo Yi is the second generation of the Jingxiang family, and he is also the companion of the emperor Liu Chan.

There is no lack of talent and learning, and there is no lack of loyalty to the big man.

After laughing for a while, Prime Minister Fang Lianrong finally asked about the purpose of calling Zheng Pu here: to discuss the plan to conquer Liangzhou.

Yes, see details.

Because the prime minister already had a rough plan, he wanted Zheng Pu, known for his resourcefulness and decisiveness, to pick up what was left and make up for it.

In the prime minister's plan, Longyou and Hanzhong County will send troops at the same time.

Moreover, the army of Hanzhong was not a feint attack.

Instead, the prime minister and Zhao Yun will each lead [-] cavalry and march from Chencang Road and Baoxie Valley to Guanzhong; and Wei Yan will be transferred to Xiaoguan to join forces with Wu Ban to march into Anding County.

If Ni Wei uses a large army to block it, then confront it.

The right should be to restrain the main force in Niwei Guanzhong, so that it cannot detour to help Liangzhou, and create opportunities for the army supervised by Di Dao and Li Yan in Longxi County.

If Wei Wei dared to send troops to help Liangzhou and only guard Guanzhong with light soldiers, the prime minister would have Li Yan restrain Liangzhou's troops and let Wei Yan's troops lead the troops of Longyou to attack Anding County, separating Liangzhou and Guanzhong. Cut off, and then he and Zhao Yun first defeated Chen Cangcheng and Mei County first!
Once successful, the big man will no longer attack Liangzhou.

Instead, they turned to Chencang and Mei County as outposts, marched into Guanzhong, and restored the old capital!
This is the advantage of having Xiaoguan in hand: if you want to cut off the connection between Guanzhong Sanfu and Liangzhou, you only need to attack Anding County.

You can advance and retreat freely, and take advantage of the battlefield.

Naturally, Cao Zhen, the Great Sima against the Wei Dynasty, has been in the army for decades, and it is absolutely impossible to put the cart before the horse and make the second choice.

Therefore, what the Prime Minister thinks most about is the dispatch of Longxi County.

If you want to enter Liangzhou, you must first capture Jincheng County and Xiping County; but if you want to occupy Jincheng and Xiping County, the dangerous pass Siwang Gorge cannot be avoided.

The prime minister planned to let Li Yan supervise the headquarters, and Gao Xiang's department stationed in Daxia County to attack!

Wu Yi's troops were transferred to Pingxiang City to replace Wei Yan's troops who had been transferred to Xiaoguan to prevent Wei from "surrounding Wei and saving Zhao".

As for Jiang Wei's tribe, they attacked Xiping County from Heguan County at the head of the river via Jishi Gorge.

Xiping County is the Huangshui River Valley, which has always been the habitat of various Qiang tribes.

However, Jiang Wei's headquarters is dominated by Qiang and Hu, and he has just traveled thousands of miles to attack the Shenlang Qiang and the Huawai Zhongcun Qiang, deterring the Huawai White Horse Qiang from submitting, and his reputation is faintly similar to the old "Liangzhou Sanming" .

Using him to lead the attack on Xiping County may achieve miraculous results.

Even if it is limited by the lack of troops and unable to make achievements, it can be regarded as the main force of Li Yan to contain the troops against Wei.

Ma Dai, the general who conquered the north, was the most difficult.

He will lead the Xiliang iron cavalry of the headquarters and the Shaodang Qiang Qiang King Mangzhong of Xihai, along the western line of the Silk Road through the Datong-Daban Mountains, and then attack Zhangye County from Lenglongling in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains.

Don't ask him to attack the city and conquer the land, or how many Ni Wei beheaded.

As long as he can overcome the difficulties of marching along the way, he can reach Zhangye County to show off his might and cause panic in the four counties of Hexi.

Because of this move, the prime minister is aiming at the disadvantages of "the people on the side governing the side" against the Wei Dynasty!

Those who are proud and right, their family is bigger than their country!

The tyrants who formed a separatist regime can abandon the country for self-interest!

When Ma Dai appeared in Zhangye County, those separatist Haoyou would inevitably call back the soldiers and horses sent to Jincheng and Xiping counties to guard their own territory.

It doesn't matter how Xia Houru and Guo Huai are blocked by the anti-Wei governor.

It doesn't matter whether Ma Dai and Shaodangzhong Qiang are capable or not, they can capture their lair.

In their minds, when it comes to their own interests, they will not be willing to take even the slightest risk.

Moreover, they have already formed a separatist regime, and they will not be willing to die too many soldiers and horses for fighting against Wei.

As long as there is a suitable time and a reasonable reason, why don't they withdraw their troops?
(End of this chapter)