Shu Chen

Chapter 364
"Prime Minister, Zijin, this is just my temporary opinion. If there are any omissions, please feel free to speak up."

Ma Di, who finished talking dryly, bowed his hands again and made a humble speech.

The Prime Minister and Zheng Pu, who were listening carefully, had a look of reminiscence in their eyes at this moment.

Ma Di, who has gray beard and hair, although his temperament is more prudent and humble than before, but when he is sitting on the army, his words still faintly have the vigor of the past, which also reminds people of the old days.

After moving left for many years, his edges and corners have been smoothed by the years, but it has not made him complain and mediocre.

The prime minister felt even more deeply about this.

Because of Ma Liang's early death, the prime minister had a feeling of being both a teacher and a friend to Ma Di, and was once regarded as the best candidate to succeed him.He did not hesitate to praise and promote, but in exchange for deep disappointment.

Now, seeing that he has finally acted prudently, how could he not be more gratified?

"Youchang's words are almost the same as what I think!"

For a moment, the prime minister, who had been thinking about it for a while, stroked his beard with a smile, nodded approvingly and said, "I also think that the rescue of Shuyin City Fortress must not come against Wei's strategy. Otherwise, our army has lost the opportunity. If there is no special opportunity I am afraid that it will be difficult in the future! However, there are two differences between what I think and what you think."

At this point, seeing Zheng Pu and Ma Di sitting upright and listening respectfully, the prime minister couldn't help but smile, waved his hands before continuing, "Collective efforts are for the benefit of the country, you don't have to be so respectful."

"One of the things I think is different is to ask Sun Wu to respond to one or two. Sun Wu is planning to attack Huaiyou in the dark, so he is planning to use troops in Jingxiang for years, and now he is going against Wei to attack me. It is he who sent troops. It’s a good opportunity! I intend to present to the imperial court that Sun Wu’s five hundred war horses will be exempted from food and fodder, instead of sending troops after the spring plowing.”

That's it!

After listening, both Zheng Pu and Ma Di understood.

Previously, when Jiangdong purchased [-] war horses from Dahan, the grain and fodder paid for was not a one-time transfer.

Even though Jiangdong is vast and sparsely populated, and the people have no hunger years, a large number of acres and population are controlled by aristocratic families, and Sun Wu's treasury reserves cannot afford to suddenly take out so much food and fodder. After all, they are also driving nearly [-] people. During the conquest of soldiers—there are still [-] war horses in exchange for grain and fodder, which are agreed to be transported after the autumn harvest.

If the prime minister avoided it, Sun Quan would be overjoyed, and he would change Jiangdong's habit of using troops when the water level rose sharply at the turn of summer and autumn, and start sending troops after spring plowing.

Helping others is self-interest.

And why did Ma Di not mention Sun Wu?
Everyone in the big man has a comprehension of Sun Wu's style of work.

According to the consistent speculative temperament of Jiangdong's monarchs and ministers, seeing the anti-Wei aggressively attacking the Han army, not only will they not rush to send troops to respond, but will wait and watch the Han-Wei war until it is in full swing, and then prepare to send troops, hoping to reap the benefits of the fisherman Ear!
And the food and fodder exchanged for five hundred war horses is not a small sum.

At a time when food and fodder are in short supply for the big man, with Ma Su's identity and the mentality of finally reinstating his post, it is impossible to make such remonstrance.

"The other is that I want to personally oversee the army stationed in Xiaoguan."

The prime minister continued to speak slowly, "Hanzhong County and Wudu County both have dangerous passes and valley roads to defend. Even if the rebellious Wei invades aggressively, I don't need to worry about it until the soldiers from Longyou come back to help. The horse went to the rescue, but it was weak in the end, and it was hard to change the strategy of being surrounded by Ni Wei. If I had not sent troops to Xiaoguan, I would have threatened Gaoping City in Anding County, so that Sima Yi would not dare to send troops to fight with Xia Houru Let's join forces to fight Wei Wenchang. And when I move troops to Xiaoguan, it is only to let the tiger infantry stationed in Ayang City go with the Juxiaoxing Department of Xiaoguan Road, and will not increase the loss of food and fodder and delay the army's spring plowing."

"The prime minister's thoughts are so secretive that I am ashamed of myself!"

As soon as the prime minister said it, Ma Su immediately praised him, "If we act like this, our army's spring plowing will be right, but the enemy's rebellion against Wei will be wrong, and there will be the danger of Jiangdong invading Jingxiang, how can we make the war last?"

"Hehe~~"

Hearing this, the Prime Minister shook his head slightly and smiled, "We have discussed the military affairs in total, but I want to check the legacy and make up for it. You Chang should not say such flattering words."

Ma Su also had a good time, "I'm so impressed, how can I say flattery? Hahaha~~"

The reappearance of the jokes after many years is heart-warming, and it makes people suddenly feel that the seemingly cold spring is not so freezing.

After the two laughed for a while, they all set their eyes on Zheng Pu again.

Without him, he, who is known for his ability to plan, has not said a word since entering the council hall.

Since he didn't have the opportunity to speak, it was also the intention of the prime minister to make him listen to everyone's opinions before speaking.

Perhaps, the prime minister is already used to it, and Zheng Pu's strategies during military disputes not only often have unexpected remarks, but also have the final say.

"Zijin, is it okay to think about it?"

Therefore, the prime minister said with a little expectation, "Whatever you think, you can say as much as you want. If you have any thoughts or indecision, you and I will discuss it for you."

Ma Su on the other side also held his breath and waited.

Whether it was Zheng Pu's tolerance for exonerating him for the first time when he left Longyou for the first time, or Zheng Pu's kindness in admonishing him to return to the prime minister's house, he will always engrave it in his heart.Moreover, seeing that Zheng Pu's plans have worked all these years, he has already felt sorry for himself.

"What the prime minister and brother Youchang think and say is exhaustive, how can I say anything else?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Pu cupped his hands and said with a gurgling smile, "However, what I think is contrary to what the Prime Minister and Brother You Chang said. I secretly thought that our army does not need to send troops to save the fortress of Shuyin."

Can't help? !

As soon as Zheng Pu finished speaking, Ma Su was stunned.

The prime minister's reaction was a little calmer, but he couldn't help being slightly taken aback, and when he saw Zheng Pu's eyes were calm, he rolled his eyes and thought to himself.

After getting along for many years, the prime minister knew that Zheng Pu would never say anything negligent in military and state affairs, and he also knew that Zheng Pu would not unknowingly fail to save the fortress of Yuyin, which would lead to consequences.

If you know it and say it, you must hold it.

Could it be that I and Xiaochang have missed something in our thinking?

The Prime Minister, who thought himself a little thoughtful, asked with doubts, "What is the reason for Zijin's words?"

"Returning to the Prime Minister, the person who Pu's words are based on is Liu Xiuran, the current general of Yuyin!"

Without thinking, Zheng Pu replied loudly, "Brother Xiu Ran and I have known each other for many years, and I know his strengths well. In terms of defensive ability, my big man used to be headed by the old prefect of Zitong, but now Pu thinks that brother Xiu Ran may be comparable. Furthermore, the fortress of Yuyin is small and strong, and the [-] soldiers guarding it are all veterans who have been in the army for a long time, and there is no shortage of food, fodder and luggage. Therefore, Pu dared to say that our army does not need to go to the rescue, and is willing to be the leader with the item Guarantee: Within half a year, there is absolutely no chance that the city of Shuyin will be captured!"

(End of this chapter)