Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 227
In September of the 11th year of Jian'an, after nearly a year of confrontation, Cai Mao finally launched an offensive.

At present, Liu Biao's army is very strong. In addition to deploying about [-] troops in Nanyang to guard against Chen Bingyingchuan and Cao Cao in Runan, there are still more than [-] troops left to fight outside.

Around Xiangyang, there is also his nephew Zhang Yun holding 5 elite soldiers, and then the Jiangxia navy Huang Zu. After the last defeat, he lost more than [-] people and added another [-]. Now there are about [-] people. Zhang along the Yangtze River, launched an attack on Jiangdong.

Liu Pan in the south still had 2 people, and finally Cai Mao had [-] troops, but Zhang Lu had [-] more troops than Cai Mao, so from last year to now, Cai Mao has only controlled the southern part of Berkshire, and has not moved north. attack.

Until the end of this year, Liu Biao added another 6 troops to Cai Mao, bringing his total strength to 22.In this way, counting the county soldiers all over Jingzhou, Liu Biao's total force is about [-].

Although weaker than Cao Cao, who gained the entire north before the Battle of Chibi, he was almost the same as Yuan Shao before the Battle of Guandu. After Yuan Shao's defeat at Guandu and Cangting, his strength dropped sharply, and only 20 troops remained. There are more than [-] people, so Liu Biao at this time has become the head of the princes in the world.

However, Liu Biao's problems are also very serious. One is that he is too old and has no successors.The second is that he made too many enemies, Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu in the west, Sun Quan in the east, and Cao Cao in the north. Except for Jiaozhou in the south, which was occupied by Lai Gong, the governor of Jiaozhou, and Wu Ju, the prefect of Cangwu, he had enemies on three sides.

Therefore, there are not many people who are optimistic about him from the major families in Jingzhou. Except for Cai Kuai and his family who are wholeheartedly devoted to Liu Biao, the other major families have other plans.It's just that Liu Biao's power is now so powerful that no one dares to oppose, no one dares to disobey, and no one dares to rebel.

Liu Biao has been recruiting soldiers for these years. He has a population of tens of millions, and 20 troops are still more than enough.It's just that the conscription still needs training, so even after the war, it is necessary to hurry up and train the newly recruited soldiers in the rear.

Now Liu Biao recruited another [-] soldiers. After a year of training, he sent more troops to Cai Mao, so that Cai Mao's total force finally overwhelmed Zhang Lu, and he finally had the courage to fight Zhang Lu to the death.

In fact, there is no shortage of soldiers or food in Jingzhou, only time.

Soldiers need training, food and grass also need to be transported, but Liu Biao can't afford to wait. Since this year, Liu Biao has felt very unwell. recover.

Therefore, Liu Biao repeatedly urged Huang Zu and Cai Mao on the front line to achieve results as soon as possible, not to mention destroying Jiangdong and Yizhou, but at least defeating Sun Quan and Zhang Lu to complete the strategic suppression of Yizhou and Jiangdong.

However, Sun Quan occupies a natural danger and cannot overcome it in a short time.Only Zhang Lu went south from Hanzhong and occupied Hanchang and Xuanhan. Hanchang's geographical location is relatively superior, easy to defend and difficult to attack, but Xuanhan is the later Dazhou City, and there is no danger to defend, so the two sides fought here.

It's just that Cai Mao was too small to be able to defeat him. Instead, he was beaten back by Zhang Lu, and Qu County was lost, so he had to retreat to Dianjiang, that is, Guang'an City and Hechuan City in Sichuan Province continued to confront Zhang Lu in later generations.

Now that the number of troops has increased greatly, Cai Mao decided to launch a full-scale attack.

So the troops were divided into three groups. One route sent Han Xi across Huaying Mountain to Linshui County in Sichuan, and went north by land to attack Dangqu County and Xuanhan County.

A route led by general Liu Hu went northward from Dianjiang, and attacked from the southwest of Dangqu County by land.

The last route was led by Cai Mao himself, going up the river by water, along the diving, which is the later Bashui River Qujiang, entering the diving from the Dianjiang River, and heading towards Dangqu County.

The situation on both sides is very similar to the battle of Wakou Pass where Zhang Fei and Zhang He fought later.

It's just that Zhang Lu did not organize troops to defend at Wakou in the south of Dangqu County. Instead, he chose to fully shrink and retreat all the troops in Dangqu County to Pingxiang, which was later established in Pingzhou County in the Western Jin Dynasty. Chang County.

At that time, this place was an important pass of Micang Road, which was easy to defend but difficult to attack, and Cai Mao could not overcome it.The only choice is to attack Xuanhan in the east, but at that time Xuanhan was also a checkpoint, an important pass of the Bashu Road, located in the east of Fenghuang Mountain in the north of Dazhou City in later generations, guarding Bucao River and Iron Mountain, that is, Dazhouzhou River and Fenghuang Mountain in later generations .

The Bashu Road was the later Lychee Road, excavated in the Han Dynasty, and it is the most difficult of the three roads leading to Bashu from Hanzhong.At this time, Liu Zhang guarded Baishuiguan and Jiamengguan, and occupied the best Jinniu Road. Zhang Lu captured Bajun, and then went south from Micang Road and Bashu Road to fight Cai Mao.

Now Zhang Lu's troops have fully shrunk to Pingxiang and Xuanhan, which is equivalent to controlling the troops at the intersection of Daba Mountain and entering Ba County. It is somewhat similar to Zhuge Liang once he left Qishan. Great strategic initiative.

Once Cai Mao retreats to attack Liu Zhang, Zhang Lu can send troops to join in at any time.

So if you want to get Yizhou, you must beat Zhang Lu back to Hanzhong. At least Liu Biao's army must control Hanchang County and Xuanhan County, that is, Bazhong City and Dazhou City, so as to prevent Zhang Lu from going south again. attempt.

In this case, Cai Hao had no other choice but to choose to attack by force.His idea is to put the easy ones first and then the difficult ones, and concentrate on defeating Xuanhan first.

There were not many defenders in Xuanhan. After being besieged for nearly a hundred days, the defenders really couldn't resist and fled north into Badong Pass. Badong Pass was also a pass. source city.

By the beginning of the 12th year of Jian'an, Cai Mao had already taken down Xuanhan, and the soldiers pointed directly at Hanchang.

And at the same time.

Huang Zu also went south to Jiangdong again, and launched an attack on Jiangdong in the second half of August of the 11th year of Jian'an. The two sides fought in Wankou for more than [-] days, and finally Jiangdong was defeated and retreated to Zongyang Hulin.

In October, Huang Zu took advantage of the victory to pursue, and the two sides fought again in Hulin. At the beginning of the 12th year of Jian'an, Jiangdong was defeated again and retreated to Nanling. At the same time, Sun Quan followed Zhou Yu's suggestion to meet the Yangtze River at the Ruxu River, a tributary of the Yangtze River. A city was built here, named Ruxukou.

By the beginning of the 12th year of Jian'an, both Cai Mao and Huang Zu's offense had achieved considerable advantages.

Huang Zu even sent people to attack Lujiang to drive away Liu Fu, the governor of Yangzhou who was appointed by the imperial court. .

For a while, Liu Biao's power was extremely expanded. He won Yuzhang and Lujiang in the east, and almost wiped out Jiangdong.Taking the entire Berkshire from the west, Bingfeng is even threatening Hanzhong.Almost the entire south seems to be taken by him.

"Hahahahahaha."

In Xiangyang, Jingzhou, in the palace where Liu Biao lived, in the hall, Liu Biao was very happy when he got the report of Cai Mao and Huang Zu's battle.

Accompanied by Jia Xu and Kuai Yue, he looked at them and said with a smile: "Degui has already captured Xuanhan, and now he is attacking Hanchang. Once Hanchang is captured by me, Zhang Lu will have no way to go south." , I can easily defeat Liu Zhang."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Kuai Yue said quickly: "In less than a year, Yizhou will be your Majesty's possession."

"Cough cough cough."

Liu Biao coughed twice because of his excitement, and the servant serving beside him hurriedly offered water, took a sip to moisten his throat, and then said: "Not only that, Yuanyang has newly acquired Lujiang River, and there are tens of thousands of powerful people in Lujiang River who have come to join him. There are more than [-] people, and they are about to conquer Jiangdong."

Jia Xu smiled and said: "Cao Cao is still at war with the two Yuans, and has no time to go south. After your Majesty gets Yizhou and Yangzhou, you can send a general out of Wuguan to take Guanzhong, and then attack Hanzhong from Yizhou and Guanzhong. The world has been divided into two-thirds, and when the time comes, we can divide our troops into three groups, one out of Guanzhong, one out of Nanyang, and finally out of Jianghuai, to eliminate Cao Cao's two Yuans, go north to Dingding and Guandong, and rejuvenate the ambition of Yan Han!"

"Well"

Liu Biao murmured, "Since Cao Cao is fighting with Er Yuan, why don't I send troops to Nanyang directly, destroy Cao Cao first, and then defeat Er Yuan?"

Jia Xu shook his head: "Guanzhong and Hanzhong are easy to get, but Cao Cao and Eryuan have so many troops that they can't conquer them in a short time. It is safest to send troops from three directions. If Cao Yuan join forces in a hurry, it may take more time. "

"I know."

Liu Biao waved his hand noncommittally.

The three of them discussed some other matters, and after the meeting was over, Liu Biao turned his eyes slightly coldly on Kuai Yue.

He has also thought a lot recently. Although the eldest son Liu Qi is wise and powerful, having no offspring is a big problem after all.

Liu Cong only had one son, so it would be impossible to adopt Liu Cong's son to Liu Qi.

So in the end, Liu Biao plans to pass the position to Liu Qi. After all, if Liu Qi really has no heirs in the future, he can only leave the position to Liu Cong's son in the end.

But this Liu Cong's son was born to a daughter of Cai's family, so in order to avoid future troubles, Liu Biao planned to kill Cai Mao and Kuai Yue after he got the whole south, so as to prevent Liu Cong from being controlled by Cai Kuai in the future and affecting his grandson .

And the reason why he didn't do it in one step, let Liu Cong succeed after Cai Mao and Kuaiyue died, was mainly because Liu Cong was too cowardly, and his talent was not as good as Liu Qi. I'm afraid he couldn't subdue Jia Xu and Shen Chen.

Yes.

Jia Xu and Shen Chen are the two legacy that Liu Biao intends to leave for Liu Qi.

Although Jia Xu has a high status now, he has no family and no foundation in Jingzhou. Even if he dies, it is impossible to control the government.

Shen Chen, on the other hand, has a close relationship with Liu Qi, and has extraordinary abilities, he is a talent for helping the world.

In this way, the older generation has Jia Xu to assist the government, and the younger generation has Shen Chen to manage military affairs, so Liu Qi will not be out of favor.

In the future, even if he dies of illness, the new big man he created will continue.

such a pity.

If I can live a few more years, even ten years.

Liu Biao looked at the back of Jia Xu Kuaiyue leaving, and finally couldn't bear the discomfort he had been suppressing all this time. He coughed violently, his face was so pale that he seemed to have lost all color.

Every winter he felt that his health was not good, and his health went from bad to worse.

Although I don't know how long I can live, but my body knows that I am afraid that my destiny will not be long.

Liu Biao's face was full of gloom.

"Master."

After Kuai Yue left the palace, he saw Jia Xu getting ready to board the carriage, and said with a smile: "The Tai Tuo lives alone at home every day when he goes to court, and his colleagues can't refuse to come when they have gatherings. It's not good to be so lonely."

When Jia Xu heard these words, she stopped her pedaling, turned her head and said with a smile, "I like to be quiet and not active, so some unimportant gatherings are usually pushed away."

"If I invite Tai Tuo to sit at home, is it an unimportant gathering?"

Kuai Yue asked.

Jia Xu laughed and said, "If Situ invites you, it's all right."

"Please."

"Please."

Kuai Yue got into the carriage.

The carriages of the two people headed towards Situ's Mansion in Kuaiyue, one behind the other.

Jia Xu never made enemies in Jingzhou, but rarely made friends either.

Because he knows one thing.

That is, where there are people, there are rivers and lakes.

Especially in this land of Jingzhou where there are many aristocratic families and their relationships are intricate.

If you make friends with this person, his enemies will think that you are in collusion with him and make enemies for no reason.

So being alone seems helpless, but because of this, others will not take a huge risk to provoke the most valued person around Liu Biao.

Even Cai Mao and Kuai Yue were unwilling to offend Jia Xu.

Jia Xu has no family and roots. Although he is valued by Liu Biao, it will not threaten their family interests, so the two sides maintain a relationship that does not violate the river.

But now.

Kuai Yue took the initiative to invite, obviously with the intention of wooing him.

The carriage soon arrived at Situ's mansion.

At the invitation of Kuai Yue, Jia Xu followed him all the way to the back garden of Situ Mansion.

The two sat facing each other in the back garden pavilion, and a servant served boiled wine and tea, as well as some pastries.

When there was no one around, Kuai Yue raised his teacup and said to Jia Xu: "I don't know if Taifu likes to drink tea or wine. Jingzhou used to drink tea, but recently it's fried tea. I don't know if Tai Fu likes it or not."

Jia Xu also raised her teacup and said with a smile: "This tea tastes bitter at the beginning, but the aftertaste is sweet. I am also very happy."

"As long as Taifu likes it, please."

Kuai Yue raised his teacup as a gesture of invitation, and then took a sip. After Jia Xu also took a sip and put down the cup, he said again: "Your Majesty is a little anxious now."

"I'm in a hurry."

Jia Xu nodded slightly and said: "These days, General Cai and General Huang have been repeatedly urged to attack, and they have issued many warrants. Although the two generals have achieved little results, such urging may make mistakes."

Kuai Yue frowned and said: "Sir, taking the south and then capturing Guanzhong and Hanzhong is the best strategy. We can first watch Cao Cao fight with the two Yuans, and then take the Guandong three times. But your majesty seems to mean that after capturing the whole south, immediately Sending troops north to attack the Central Plains, wouldn't this force Cao Cao to join forces with the two Yuans?"

Jia Xu raised his head. The first two months of the 12th year of Jian'an was the time when the sky was bright and clear, but it was always a bit cold. He said softly: "Your Majesty is very old, and the palace is cold. It is said that every winter there will be minor illnesses." It’s normal to be a little anxious.”

"I'm afraid that His Majesty's haste will be bad."

Kuai Yue smiled wryly and said, "There are so many soldiers and horses in Jingzhou now, it's the best policy to plan them slowly."

"But His Majesty can't afford to wait."

Jia Xu sighed: "The destiny is so many, how can human beings do it?"

Kuai Yue pondered for a long time, then suddenly said: "The Grand Tutor thinks, among the three princes of His Majesty, who can inherit the great responsibility?"

"Don't you think that the second prince can inherit?"

Jia Xu's words were impeccable. In fact, he never suggested to Liu Biao who should be the prince. At first, he only suggested that Liu Biao ask Shen Chen what he meant.

Later, every time Liu Biao asked, he always refused with excuses, and he never expressed his opinion even during court meetings.

Therefore, the Jingzhou court did not know who Jia Xu supported.

Although Jia Xu is not regarded as an enemy because of his lack of foundation and participation in Jingzhou interest groups, his attitude will not be underestimated because of this.

After all, he may be the only one who can influence Liu Biao's decision.

Kuai Yue invited him here today, in fact, because Kuai Yue knew that Liu Biao's health was getting worse and worse, and he was likely to die within a few years, so he wanted to win over Jia Xu and let him support Liu Cong.

Unfortunately, Jia Xu didn't want to participate in it, so her words were ambiguous.

Kuai Yue frowned and said, "The Great Prince sits in the town of Xunyang. Recently, His Majesty has conferred rewards many times. It seems that he intends to be crowned king. What do you think of this matter?"

Jia Xu said with a smile: "The First Prince defeated the Jiangdong Army in Yi County and rescued General Huang. Such a great achievement, it's normal to be rewarded."

"Teacher should understand that the First Prince has no offspring."

Kuai Yue stared at him and said, "Once His Majesty is ill. Even if the First Prince has the heart to take over the throne, he may not be the Lord of the South in the future."

"Of course I know that."

Jia Xu looked up at the sky, stood up and said, "It's just that this is His Majesty's family business after all, and it's hard for us courtiers to interfere. It's getting late, how about we come here today?"

Kuai Yue hurriedly said: "Teacher no longer sit around?"

"never mind."

Jia Xu smiled wryly and said: "Situ should also be aware that I have risked being suspected by His Majesty by coming to the banquet today. This is the greatest kindness I can give."

Kuai Yue naturally knew, pondered for a moment, and then said: "I will send the Tai Tuo off."

With that said, the two of them went out of the pavilion.

The two of them just walked, chatting while walking.

After a while, I arrived at the entrance hall, seeing that Jia Xu was about to leave Situ's mansion, Kuai Yue suddenly stopped him and said, "Teacher, I still have something unclear, I would like to ask Grand Tutor to clarify my doubts."

Jia Xu said: "Situ is also a wise man in the world. I am just a fool from Xiliang. What can I do for Situ?"

Kuai Yue said to Jia Xu with a serious face, "I just want to ask, does the second prince really have no chance of ascending the throne?"

"Have."

Jia Xu looked left and right, and the guards around him were far away. After pondering for a long time, he said in a low voice: "Only the second prince can be enthroned."

Both Kuai Yue and Cai Mao are now enshrined by Liu Biao, so Jia Xu used the word "薨".

But it was also the word "薨" that made Kuai Yue's face somber.

He is a smart man, he naturally knows what Liu Biao is worried about, but he thought to himself that he had been loyal to Liu Biao for many years, Liu Biao would not be so heartless.

But now that I think about it, how can an emperor have an affair with his mind?

I have a very deep relationship with Cai Mao and the second prince Liu Cong. Once Liu Cong ascends the throne, the entire south will be in the hands of Kuai Yue and Cai Mao.

No matter how stupid Liu Biao was, he knew how to be prepared.

So once the whole south is in hand, the north is still in the midst of war. After Liu Biao's foundation is stabilized, he and Cai Mao can be freed up to kill him.

If they are killed before the south is in hand, they are self-destructing the city wall.

But after occupying the entire south, as long as he does not immediately use troops against Cao Cao, there will be no worries about foreign aggression. It is a simple matter to kill him Kuai Yue and Cai Mao.

Then he will definitely die when the time comes.

a time.

Kuai Yue's mood seemed to sink to the bottom of the sea, and the haze in his heart lingered.

"Situ, that's all I have to say."

Jia Xu clasped his hands in his sleeves, bowed to Kuai Yue, and said with a slight smile, "Farewell."

Then he turned and left.

Kuai Yue, who was left with a cloudy face, was still in a daze.

Seeing him rise up tall buildings,

Seeing him feasting guests,

Seeing him..

The building is ruined.

(End of this chapter)