Shu Chen

Chapter 448 Li Xue
In Jixian County, Luo's family gathers together, and Lu's family is surrounded by mountains.

The continuous heavy snow approaching New Year's Eve did not fill people with the joy of "auspicious snow heralds a good year", but made people feel bitterly cold and sad.

With a deeply tired face, Zheng Pu walked out the door slowly, looking up at the snowflakes flying all over the sky in a daze.

When I was young, I took a slice with my open palm, and watched the thin crystals melt away and disappear with the heat of my palm, as if I had never come to this world.

Some things, such as the short-lived epiphyllum or the passing comet, disappear in a blink of an eye after years.

Only those who have been lucky enough to meet are left to praise its brilliance and mourn its ephemerality.

"Lang Jun, it's time to set off."

The servant Qiyacuo, who had been waiting by his side for a long time with his horse, reminded him softly.

"it is good."

Zheng Pu nodded slightly, took the reins and helped the saddle on the horse, but turned his head to look back at the house and did not ride the horse forward.

He just came out from the sick bed of his wife Zhang Yan.

When she heard the bad news, Zhang Yan couldn't control her grief, and she was bedridden with a runny nose.

If it weren't for the doctor's repeated persuasion with the fetus in the womb, she wouldn't even eat.

Zhang Bao, who is much older and has a younger father, has always been the object of her father's yearning for her orphaned child, but now she has no one to rely on.

No one can comfort this kind of grief.

Therefore, these days, Zheng Pu can only be by the bedside at all times, giving her a shoulder to rely on and let her vent her emotions freely.

Zhang Zun, who also lives in the other courtyard here, has already been ordered by the emperor Liu Chan to help his coffin and embark on the journey back to Chengdu.

Empress Zhang begged.

Like Zhang Yan, when she heard the news, she who was already lingering on the sick bed let her tears be silent and wet the brocade quilt for a while.

But unlike Zhang Yan, she wiped away her tears after a while, called the palace servants to serve the meal, and swallowed it without any regard for etiquette, with a face full of tenacity and stubbornness.And also begged the emperor who was in front of the sick bed to keep Zhang Zun in the palace and study with the prince Liu Zhen, and she wanted to teach herself.

Because of Zhang Shao, the second son of the Zhang family, his muscles and bones are too weak to be capable of martial arts, and his office documents are also like a man.

In other words, she, who was worried about her family, burst out her potential to survive.

But everyone knew that if possible, she would rather just lie down and leave.

"drive!"

Gently clamping his legs, Zheng Pu rode his horse towards the prime minister's office in Ji County.

The prime minister came to Ji County a few days ago.

But on the grounds of physical discomfort, it is enough to ask everyone to perform their duties, and do not come to see.

However, looking at his increasingly haggard wife, Zheng Pu couldn't help but beg to see her after all.

Because before he went out, he was still hugging Zhang Yan in front of the couch, and whispered a promise in her ear, "Wen Dai, take care of yourself, and see me avenge Brother Wen Rong when I turn one year old!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yan, with red and swollen eyes, abruptly stopped her tears.

He also forced himself to straighten his body, straightened Zheng Pu's slightly messy temples that had already been frosty white, and nodded heavily, "Well, my husband, I'll wait!"

Chenshi, to Ji County.

Zheng Pu stepped into the other office, and after tidying up his appearance, he came to the prime minister's office to look for a small official on duty and said, "Please inform me, I would like to see the prime minister."

It also made the little official on duty look embarrassed.

The prime minister had said something earlier, so he didn't dare to disturb him.

But Zheng Pu was the Prime Minister Si Zhi, who was in charge when the prime minister was not in Longyou, so he dared not refuse.

"Let's go and report."

Zheng Pu also knew that he was trying to make things difficult for others, so he comforted him softly, "Just say that I have something to ask to see, whether the Prime Minister sees or doesn't see you, I won't blame you."

The little official on duty felt as if he had received an amnesty, and after saluting, he turned around and left.

Zheng Pu, on the other hand, avoided the side of the eaves, and stood quietly with his eyes closed.

Because he knew that the prime minister would not see him, but he also knew that he had to.

Inside the office house, several braziers with burning charcoal fires warmed the room, but they couldn't warm the prime minister's body and mind.

Victory or defeat is standard issue.

Although it is regrettable to be successfully laid in an ambush against the Wei Dynasty and lose nearly [-] soldiers, it still cannot shake the morale of the big Han in the Hexi Corridor.

However, the martyrdom of Zhang Bao, who was also a hero and his relatives, made the prime minister sad when the rate of the young and strong generals fell, and also disrupted the prime minister's plan of "successors".

The world has been in turmoil for decades, with the example of Yuan Shu and Cao Cao first, the death of the first emperor and the rebellion of the Nanzhong counties later, the prime minister, who has always been cautious, felt that he needed to prepare for the emperor Liu Chan to control the military power before he died.

I just didn't expect the accident to come earlier than tomorrow.

And because of his identity, Zhang Bao is irreplaceable.

Whether it was Guan Xing, Zhao Guang or Huo Yi, without the bondage of his relatives, his prestige in the army could not match that of Zheng Pu.

Yes, the Prime Minister had no intention of letting Zheng Pu replace Zhang Bao.

Although Zheng Pu and the Son of Heaven are brother-in-law, the big man does not need to usher in another courtier who holds great power.

I dare not welcome it again.

Because no one dares to conclusively welcome the person, after decades, he will give the festival to Huo Guang or follow the example of Wang Mang.

Therefore, the prime minister came to Ji County after hearing the bad news.

Suppress Jiang Wei's plea, send officials to appease the Shaodang people, and think about a proper plan and put it into practice.

For example, who should choose the most appropriate family for the concubine of the prince Liu Zhen; and the princess of the emperor Liu Chan who will reach Ji in a few years later, which family's nephews and nephews will be lucky enough to welcome home.

This situation is just like when the first emperor died, he tried his best to order the Bashu nobles to use their orders for the Northern Expedition.

The difference is that today's prime minister has white beard and hair.

"Duh! Duh!"

A slight knock on the door interrupted the Prime Minister's thoughts, "Prime Minister, Zheng Sizhi is asking to see you."

Zijin?

Raising his eyebrows slightly, a gleam of helplessness flashed in the prime minister's eyes.

With Zheng Pu's temperament of vengeance, it is obvious why he came this time: it was nothing more than asking the warlords to attack Helan Mountain Wei Jun to avenge Zhang Bao.

"not see."

There was a slight silence, and the prime minister's voice was a little tired, "Tell him not to come again."

"promise."

The little official on duty walked out from the long eaves to Zheng Pu who was standing outside the eaves, and said in a low voice, "Zheng Sizhi, the prime minister is gone, and you are not allowed to invite me back."

郑璞
"Well, I know."

After saying that, he continued to close his eyes and rest his mind.

The guard on duty was dumb.

But he opened his mouth, but he still didn't dare to say anything to persuade Zheng Pu to go back, so he had to go back to his duty station and snuggle up to the brazier to keep warm.

As time passed slowly, the snow fell more and more heavily.

A gust of new wind howled.

The little official on duty who was leaning against the brazier couldn't help shivering.

He is from Shu, and he has been in Longyou for several years, but he always feels that winter and spring are difficult.

It's just that not everyone is as afraid of the cold as he is.

He shrank his body, tightened his collar, turned his head slightly and peeked at Zheng Pu who was still standing outside the eaves with his eyes closed.

I saw that snowflakes had already accumulated a thin layer on his shoulders, and a lot of them were also stained on his beard, which reflected the frosty temples that had been frosty earlier, coupled with the deep tiredness on his face, it looked like a white snowflake. old man.

Zheng Sizhi is really not afraid of the cold
A ray of admiration floated in the little official's heart.

Immediately, another sigh came out: Zheng Sizhi was aging before he was old, which shows the hardships of working hard for the country on weekdays.
If not, I will ask the servant to send a charcoal stove to Zheng Sizhi?
Putting his hands on the brazier to keep warm, the guard on duty hesitated in his heart, but soon, his hesitation was interrupted by the sound of low footsteps.

It turned out that it was Pao Zai who came with the food table.

Eat less, eat more.

This is the suggestion given by the imperial physician after the prime minister recuperated in Dingjunshan Hospital in Hanzhong County.

In this regard, the prime minister gradually developed a habit under Huang's care and persistence, even if he lost his appetite, he would force himself to eat a little bit.

Take the food table, walk through the long eaves corridor and knock on the door.

The little official who entered the room gently put down the food table and did not immediately bow and retreat, but a few strands of struggle flashed across his face, and turned into a soft voice, "Prime Minister, Zheng Sizhi is still waiting outside."

Hearing this, the Prime Minister, who was about to pick up the bamboo chopsticks on the food table, paused for a moment.

When he was young, he waved his hand lightly.

"Let's go with him."

The little official didn't dare to say anything more, and after saluting silently, he quickly turned around and closed the door and left.

After returning to the duty station again, I no longer have the thought of calling someone to bring a charcoal stove.

The days in late winter are short.

Not long after entering the You, the sky was pitch black.

Torches or braziers were lit at the outposts and eaves of the prime minister’s office in Jixian County. The fake assistants and Lingshi who had been busy for a day left in twos and threes, and were replaced by valiant guards.The little official on duty who took over the food table sent by the chef again and sent it to the prime minister, did not forget to glance to one side from the corner of his eye when he walked forward.

In the dim light, Zheng Pu, dressed in white, could only vaguely see the outline, as silent, tall and firm as the stone sculptures standing in the small courtyard.

There is also the arrogance of standing between the sky and the earth, despite the wind and rain, and not afraid of the cold and heat.

"The prime minister invites you to dinner."

Putting down the food table, the guard on duty bowed and stepped back to the door, but did not leave.

The prime minister, who was about to eat, noticed something, looked up, and asked aloud, "Nai Zijin is still waiting outside?"

"Back to the Prime Minister, yes."

Still bowing his head, the clerk replied in a low voice, "It's snowing heavily today, and the snow is close to Zheng Sizhi's knees."

"This stick!"

Immediately, the seldom angry prime minister cursed in a low voice.

It made the guard on duty panic for a while, while bowing his head and holding his breath, he secretly blamed himself for being troublesome.

Just as he was pondering whether it was appropriate to resign at this time, the prime minister sighed in his ears again, "Oh, that's all, let's go and ask the chef to add another meal."

"promise."

When he was young, Zheng Pu opened the door and walked in, bowed his head and bowed, "Pu, I greet the prime minister."

"Well, let's eat."

With a soft nasal sound, the prime minister who was eating didn't look up.

"Thank you, Prime Minister."

Unlike before, Zheng Pu ate very slowly this time.

Even though the prime minister had already finished eating and got up to rinse his mouth and hands, he didn't put down the bamboo chopsticks like before, and still chewed slowly.

The prime minister didn't urge him, he walked slowly to the window and opened it a little, allowing the cold wind to escape in and dilute the smell of charcoal in the house.

After a while, Zheng Pu put down the bamboo chopsticks.

After the small official on duty entered and removed the food table, the prime minister who had closed his eyes and rested his mind for a long time said directly, "If Zijin came here for a fight, he wouldn't waste his time talking." After saying that, he paused, not waiting for Zheng Pu After answering, he sighed again, "Oh, it's really impossible if I don't want to."

Hearing this, Zheng Pu left his seat, stepped forward and bowed with both hands, "Returning to the Prime Minister, although Pu is dull, he also knows that 'the Lord can't provoke a teacher in anger, and the general can't attack a war', 'If you can't bear it, you will make a big mess. Mou' and so on. This time, when I violated Yan and came to ask for a visit, it was Pu who asked to go to the post of director and asked to be the governor of Hexi."

Ok?
Involuntarily, the prime minister's long eyebrows trembled, and there was a little consternation in his eyes.

Because Prime Minister Si Zhi is the central position, Zheng Pu's resignation is also a veiled statement: he does not want to serve in the temple central in the future, but wants to be like Guan Xing or Huo Yi to supervise the town and serve as the country's fence.

In this way, the "success" that the prime minister was worried about just now can be easily solved.

Even the great man who can put down the Seven Kingdoms Rebellion, as long as the temple center remains unchanged and the emperor's festival talisman checks and balances all parties, there will be no worry of rebellion by the governors of the outer towns.

Moreover, the disadvantages of foreign relatives being generals have been proved by the big man at the cost of several times of court bloodshed.

As for why Zheng Pu begged to be the governor of Hexi?
It is also easy to understand.

Zhang Bao died, and Jiang Wei, the governor of Hexi, was bound to be demoted.

Regardless of whether the battle of Qu Wushan was the fault of scheduling.

In fact, the candidate to supervise the war in Hexi is also a matter of uncertainty for the prime minister.

It's not that there are no suitable candidates.

For example, Ma Dai, who has not yet announced his return to Chengdu, and Wu Ban, who is guarding Ayang City in Longyou, can even transfer Deng Zhi back from Jiangzhou.

But none of them are as suitable as Zheng Pu.

Needless to say, Ma Dai submitted a petition a long time ago to ask for a retreat and the court agreed, and then added heavy responsibilities.

Wu Ban is also old.

Although he is still in good health, who can be sure that he will remain in good health after being sent to Hexi, where the environment is harsh?

And Deng Zhi hadn't worked in Jiangzhou for many years, and the prime minister didn't want him to tire himself out until there was no one to choose from.

In this situation, it is most appropriate for Zheng Pu to supervise the battle against Hexi.

But after getting along for many years, the prime minister knew Zheng Pu too well.

For example, after Zheng Pu supervised the battle in Hexi, could he bear not to attack the Wei army in Helan Mountain?
For a moment, the prime minister was overwhelmed with thoughts.

After quietly looking at Zheng Pu who was still bowing his head for a while, he said calmly, "Get up, Mo Yanli. Well, if Zijin is in charge of Hexi, what will he do?"

Zheng Pu straightened up according to his words, but did not return to his seat, and replied solemnly, "Return to the Prime Minister, as the previous conclusion. If it is possible to fight, Pu will fight; if it is impossible to fight, Pu will guard the border to protect the peace of Li and Shu, and urge the soldiers to perform martial arts in the fields."

Alas, sure enough.

What can be fought is fought, and what is not fought is defended.
When you arrive in Hexi, "unable to fight" will become "fightable"!

The prime minister sighed softly.

"Zijin, the expansion of our army's cavalry has not yet been completed, and more than a thousand cavalry have just been lost."

"Returning to the Prime Minister, when our army first left Longyou, there were not many cavalry, but we were able to return to Longyou and Liangzhou. And there is a saying in the art of war that 'the soldiers are more expensive than the many'. Our infantry are invincible in field battles. The cavalry are long-distance and supporting soldiers, and five thousand cavalry from Xiliang and Zhao Yihong are enough!"

"Our army is short of food and fodder."

"Returning to the Prime Minister, Pu also thought so. Just now Pu said that the opportunity to fight is based on the calculation of the grain, fodder and soldiers and horses of the counties and counties in Hexi, and it is not for the support of Longyou."

"The people's livelihood in our country is dying, and we urgently need to rest with the people; the state treasury is not rich enough, and it is not time to send troops!"

"Returning to Prime Minister, Pu secretly thought that Ni Wei also deduced the same way. If Pu's troops move quickly, he is well versed in the art of war by surprise! It is not difficult to win a battle!"

"Military struggle is related to the life and death of the country, so it is not a joke!"

"Returning to the Prime Minister, Pu dare not have such a heart. And Pu just said that if you can fight, you can fight, and if you can't stand, you can defend."

"Stop slandering and arguing! Wenrong died, and Zijin was mourning. I am not so evil! However, I was entrusted by the late emperor, and Zijin was close to the emperor. When thinking about the difficulty of starting a business and the difficulty of the Northern Expedition, how can I be angry? Raising troops to the detriment of the nation's merits!"

"Prime Minister, Pu dare not miss the merits of the country, but it is."

"You! Presumptuous!"

The prime minister, who had always been so earnest, could no longer restrain the annoyance in his eyes, and scolded Zheng Pu before he finished arguing.

But Zheng Pu was not afraid.

He bowed his head again, still arguing, "Prime Minister, why don't you wait for Pu to say what's on your mind, and then decide whether it's acceptable or not?"

The prime minister said nothing, but stared angrily at Zheng Pu's shoulder.

He has been so angry for a long time, and if he didn't see Zheng Pu's meritorious service, his willingness to sacrifice himself to serve the country, and knowing that his temperament has always been headstrong, he couldn't help but call in soldiers to beat him up.

There was a long silence.

The prime minister's eyes slowly softened.

But the helplessness in my heart did not diminish, and I still felt a little unbearable pain in my knees and legs.

Simply, he got up and opened the window eaves, let the Shuofeng howl into the house, to see if the chill that dominates the world can make Zheng Pu clear-headed, and let the annoyance in his heart disappear with the wind.

"call"

When he was young, the prime minister exhaled deeply.

Closing the window, he stepped back to his seat again, and his voice returned to its usual gentleness, "Let's talk about how you think."

"No, thank you, Prime Minister."

After saluting and pleading guilty, Zheng Pu straightened up and told the plan that he had been thinking about for more than a month.

"Prime Minister, after the battle of Qu Wushan, I have asked the soldiers who returned home carefully. I know that the Zahu tribe who attached to Ni Wei was not a false surrender, but Ni Wei was able to set up an ambush in advance. From this, it can be seen that the Zahu tribe must be deliberately forced by Ni Wei. It can also be seen that those who rebelled against the Wei Dynasty were so greedy for merit that they already regarded soldiers as worthless! Since he was greedy for merit, Pu fulfilled his wish, sending him once can make both sides attack and defend in battle! , is the gate of Hexi, and it is also the reliance for the enemy and us to attack and defend and change shape.

At this point, the prime minister raised his hand to interrupt him, "Stop here, Zijin. In the battle of Qu Wushan, against Wei Neng's plot to this point, it can be seen that he is a man who is full of schemes. Tricked by evil?"

"Prime Minister, this is also the reason why Pu Qiu supervised the war against Hexi."

Hearing this, Zheng Pu said without hesitation, "Those who are good swimmers will drown in the water. Since Pu Du's army followed the conquest, they have been cunning and cunning, and they know this against Wei. Since he is a man of planners, he knew Pu Du's battle in Hexi." Therefore, we must carefully plan to find out the deceitfulness of Pu's use of soldiers! If Pu uses his troops first to lure, then to make the truth, and to keep the plan in the midst, so that he can hold his own and understand what he wants, and at the same time have the idea of ​​greed for merit, he must They will drive soldiers into my trap!"

Premeditated to lure, and then conspired to be true?
Calculated?
Slightly drooping his eyes, the Prime Minister thought for a while while twirling his beard, and then continued, "Zijin is good at planning and planning in military battles. Since the conquest, he has succeeded in many schemes. I believe that Zijin will be able to fight against Wei Helan Mountain's soldiers and horses." Destroy the enemy and show off our might as a great man. However, Zijin, has he ever thought that, based on our army's current grain reserves, even if we defeated the Wei army lingering in Helan Mountain, would it be of any benefit to our country?"

Yes!

Now defeating the Wei army lingering in the Helan Mountain area will not benefit the big man.

Because of the national strength of the Han Dynasty, all the farmlands against the Wei Dynasty, such as Lingzhou, Dingxi City, and Fuping County, were brought down.

After all, Liu Bao of the Southern Huns is now lingering in Shuofang County, and counties such as Yunzhong and Wuyuan have also been restored by the State of Wei.

At that time, the big Han occupied Helan Mountain, and Ni Wei walked from Guanzhong to Kushui River to attack Shuofang County and Wuyuan County in Bingzhou. The old capital is the most urgent need of the Han court, and there is no need to waste the already stretched troops and food and supplies in the battle without gain.

Let Jiang Wei and the others harass them before, but to hone the cavalry.

To take a step back, the purpose of Wei Guo's farming in Helan Mountain was to contain the strength of the Han army in Hexi.

Even if you want to attack and destroy, you should wait until the battle to enter the main pass begins.Because the attack was destroyed in advance, Wei Guo could wait for the Han army to retreat before sending another army to garrison the fields for self-defense, so that the Han army would continue to consume the war heritage.

"Returning to the Prime Minister, you have thought about it."

Zheng Pu clasped his hands in salute, and said in a loud voice, "This is also the reason for Pu's plan! Gai Yinpu's sword dance on Helan Mountain is aimed at Gaoping City in Anding County! Prime Minister, Pu secretly thinks that our army will not be able to fight against the Wei Dynasty now." If soldiers leave the Guanzhong for food and fodder, they will focus on Huainan and Jiangdong to compete for the new city of Hefei within one or two years of age, this is a good opportunity for our army to take this city!"

"Besides, Brother Wen Rong knows my family history against Wei, and knows that I will retaliate. If I supervise the soldiers in Hexi, and the troops in Longyou and Hanzhong are not transferred again, they will think that I am seeking revenge, and they will not be strict. Be on guard against Gao Ping!"

"If things go well and our army goes down to Gaoping City, we will be unable to defend Longdong against Wei Wei. If we cannot defend Longdong against Wei Wei, then Guanzhong will have no danger to defend! The only thing we can do is to hide in the city and wait for it with strong walls and clear fields, while our army can go to Baoxie Valley, Chen Cang and Xiao Guan entered the Guanzhong, occupying the open land to farm fields, fighting for help from the besieged city, and slowly making plans."

"In this way, our army will never be short of food and fodder! It can also be said that our army can enter Guanzhong three years in advance!"

Silent night.

The heavy snow that had lasted for several days finally stopped, but Shuofeng was still howling wantonly.

The prime minister's office still had lights, and although the cold and sleepy guard on duty had been told to go back to rest, he still insisted on staying outside, and he had quietly entered to add charcoal fire many times.But the meal served was cold and brought back to be hot again. After repeated several times, he dared not speak out to invite the prime minister to eat.

Zheng Pu had already gone back.

The prime minister left alone, holding a bronze grease lamp in his hand, standing in front of the huge map and meditating.

He knew what Zheng Pu said about entering Guanzhong three years in advance, because in the previous plan, Gein needed to stay in Guanzhong for "three years of state-owned reserves" when sending troops to Guanzhong.

He also knew that Zheng Pu's scheme was not about quick success.

As long as Gaoping City can be captured, with the Han army's field combat capabilities, no matter how many soldiers and horses the Wei State has, it will not be able to prevent the Han army, which has no worries about the future, from entering Youfufeng, occupying the fertile fields and farming for self-sufficiency, and will no longer be trapped in the difficulty of transporting food and fodder!

It will also make the long-cherished wish of "returning to the old capital" come true ahead of schedule!

Therefore, the prime minister did not feel sleepy at all.

Just when he suddenly remembered the opportunity of this planning, the prime minister couldn't help but feel sad, "Woohoo, Wen Rong"

(End of this chapter)