Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 920 Secret thoughts

Guan Yu's letter was quickly sent to Fancheng. After Liu Bei learned about it, he found someone to raise food and grass, and at the same time summoned Xu Shu and showed him the contents of the letter.

After Xu Shu read it, he frowned and said, "If it is true that embezzling military rations during the war is a serious crime that violates military law, do you really intend to investigate thoroughly?"

Liu Bei shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I didn't mean that."

"Everyone knows that there can be no problems with the accounts of grain, grass and baggage during wartime, especially in a place like Jingzhou where the prices of sales fluctuate greatly with changes in conditions, and there are losses in all links. How can it be so bad? Conclusive evidence?”

"Besides, the Mi family dedicated most of their property to me so that I could make a comeback. Now, for this trivial matter, are we ignoring our previous friendship?"

Xu Shu nodded and said, "That's what I said, but I heard that General Xinyeguan was in front of everyone, and he was investigating Master Mi's crime. I'm afraid the matter will get bigger, and it will be bad for both sides."

Liu Bei sighed: "I understand, let me think about it carefully and settle this matter first."

A few days later, Mi Fang walked out of the house dejectedly. He had just had a quarrel with Mi Zhu and the two broke up unhappy.

Mi Fang did do some tricks and withheld a small part of the grain and grass accounts, which he could not deny.

He now regrets following Liu Bei. In the past few years, Liu Bei's territory has become smaller and smaller. The Mi family's investment has been wasted. Now it only occupies a few cities in Nanyang to survive. This is different from Mi Fang's original The expectations were too far behind.

"His men are not simple either."

Zhang Zhao had been released by Shouchun. He did not return to his mansion, but came to see Sun Quan in a hurry. When he met, he accused him of not doing things well. Sun Quan stepped forward to help him up and said, "In fact, Chang Shi has suffered a lot." What kind of crime is there for an innocent disaster?”

Moreover, Mi Fang did not use the remaining part for herself. It was either to support the expenses of the Mi family, which was already far worse than before, or to manage relationships. This was a common situation in the officialdom of the late Han Dynasty. In addition, Liu Bei was a generous man, so for this Turning a blind eye, Mi Fang didn't feel anything was wrong.

Mi Fang had also wavered about this, and even wrote to Yuan Xi privately to test it out, but it seemed that the other party did not understand the hint in her letter, and simply replied to the letter to say hello, leaving it alone.

"But this is also a good opportunity to get to know the ferocious tiger. After some contact, what do you think of Chang Shi Qi?"

Sun Quan frowned and said: "Then Chang Shi thinks that if we attack Shouchun now, what are the chances of Jiangdong winning?"

He regrets it very much now. If he had followed Yuan Xi instead of Liu Bei in Xuzhou, would the situation have been much better?

He led Zhang Zhao, who was full of gratitude, to sit down and said, "Chang Shi has been suffering in Shouchun these past few months."

However, the price of grain in Jingzhou has increased recently, and the amount of grain raised by Mi Fang was not large. As a result, it fell far short of Guan Yu's expectations, so Guan Yu became angry and demanded investigation. After Mi Zhu heard about this, he went to apologize to Liu Bei overnight, but Liu Bei said he had no intention of pursuing it. this matter.

Zhang Zhao hesitated for a moment and said, "Fiehu is not a simple person."

Zhang Zhao suddenly thought, "Why would you want to fight Shouchun now?"

Mi Fang knew that Xu Shu had also mentioned the plan to take Xichuan to Liu Bei. Liu Bei was hesitant about it, and Mi Fang was not optimistic. With Liu Bei's current military strength, could he defeat Liu Zhang?

Apart from anything else, Chen Deng, who was an official under Liu Bei with him at that time and whose status was not much higher than his own, is now the governor of Xuzhou!

Having said that, Mi Zhu came back and warned Mi Fang sternly. Mi Fang was naturally unhappy and had a vague idea of ​​giving up the job.

Mi Fang was very angry, but he always felt that the world did not give him a chance to display his talents. After missing several good opportunities, he even began to seriously consider the possibility of joining Cao Cao or Jiangdong.

Not to mention, both parties had contacted him privately, but Mi Fang speculated that if she wanted to change the family, she might have to pay a considerable price. The price was so high that Mi Fang hesitated and could not make a decision.

Jiangdong, Wujun.

But this practice has been around since Xuzhou. After all, people in this position work hard and retain some for other purposes. This is already an open unspoken rule. Even if Mi Fang doesn't do it, others will do the same. will do.

Mi Fang also thought about relying on Mi Zhen's relationship, but she gave up after thinking again and again. If her little sister was disgusted by Yuan Xi because of this, she would be self-defeating and harm her little sister!

Forget it, just wait and see, Mi Fang thought.

Sun Quan asked: "Don't Chang Shi think that now is a good opportunity?"

"That fierce tiger overestimates his capabilities and goes to attack Bingzhou before spring begins. Now that he has no time to spare, isn't this our best chance?"

After hearing this, Zhang Zhao said in a pensive voice: "It is true that Xiuhu did not have heavy troops deployed in Shouchun, but Xiuhu is really difficult to figure out. Every time he looked at his territory, there were flaws, but in the end, it proved to be a trap every time. ." Sun Quan was silent, and finally nodded: "I understand, Chang Shi will go back and have a good rest."

When Zhang Zhao saw it, he knew that Sun Quan still had other ideas, and he knew it was hard to persuade him, so he immediately sighed and walked out.

When he returned to his residence, Jiangbei gentry officials kept coming to congratulate him. Zhang Zhao asked carefully and understood why Sun Quan was interested again. It turned out that he didn't know when, Wu County, especially Qu'a, rumored that Yuan Xi was planning to abandon Jianghuai and go all out. Competing with Cao Cao for the Central Plains is naturally a great opportunity for Jiangdong.

Zhang Zhao sneered after hearing this. He thought with his buttocks and understood that someone must be sowing discord and luring Jiangdong to attack Shouchun. The person who benefited the most from this strategy was Cao Cao, so it is self-evident that such rumors were spread.

Zhang Zhao is indeed a capitulator, but his so-called surrender is based on his insistence on knowing that nothing can be done. There is absolutely no benefit for Jiang Dong to enter the situation at this time!
He thought for a long time and wanted to go directly to Zhou Yu, but in the end he changed his mind and asked someone to invite Lu Su. After Lu Su arrived, Zhang Zhao did not mince words and stated his thoughts directly. Lu Su said : "Chang Shi really has a sharp eye, and I also suspect that Cao Ying is spreading rumors."

"I also know Chang Shi's intentions, but my lord is young and energetic, so I'm afraid it's hard to persuade him."

Zhang Zhao spoke up and said: "Jiu Hu is too cunning, and his actions must have consequences. Now when it comes to foreign affairs, my lord doesn't trust me very much, so I still rely on Zijing to persuade me."

Lu Su asked in confusion: "Why didn't Chang Shi go to Gong Jin?"

"Master, don't you trust him the most?"

Zhang Zhaodao: "That's why I came to see Zijing."

"Gong Jin and I are both from Jiangbei. If we have the same opinions, our lord will be suspicious of him. Therefore, I have to disagree with Gong Jin from time to time, and I cannot be too close to him, lest I be criticized by the scholars in Jiangdong."

"But Zijing can be a middleman. My idea is to send troops, but fighting the fierce tiger is really not worth the loss. In comparison, whether it is to fully pacify Yuzhang, or to capture Jiaozhou, or even to fight against Jiangxia, it is better than going to Jiangxia." The attack on Shouchun must be strong.”

After hearing this, Lu Su laughed and said, "If I hadn't known that Chang Shi was loyal to my lord, I would have thought that Chang Shi had secretly taken refuge with Fierce Tiger."

Zhang Zhao sighed: "You haven't seen that person with your own eyes."

"If it was you who went to Shouchun at that time, you would be able to understand the powerlessness of being manipulated in the palm of your hand. My lord is still young and does not know how difficult the fierce tiger is. Only when my lord grows up can you fight against it."

After hearing this, Lu Su nodded and said: "I understand, I will go find Gong Jin now."

After Lu Su left, Zhang Zhao looked at the door with a gloomy expression. He knew that Sun Quan was a very suspicious person. During the time he went to Shouchun, it was difficult to eliminate the suspicion that he had taken refuge with Yuan Xi. But in this situation, Shouchun was still It was done deliberately.

In this situation of suspicion, Zhang Zhao objected to attacking Shouchun. Is it for his own sake or for other reasons? This secret may never be made public. Zhang Zhao can only understand it in his heart, and he cannot clarify it to Sun Quan. However, Zhang Zhao can no longer look back now. No matter what he chooses, he will be suspected. He can only choose the one that benefits him the most.

After Lu Su discussed with Zhou Yu, he went to Sun Quan for advice several times, but found that he could not dispel Sun Quan's desire to take advantage of the situation, so Zhou Yu had no choice but to put forward a suggestion that seemed to be the safest at present.

Fight Jiangxia.

The reason for this choice is natural. Liu Biao is being attacked by Cao Cao. Most of Jingzhou's soldiers and food supplies have been mobilized to defend the northern gate. Jiangxia will definitely not get much support.

If Jiangdong sends troops to Jiangxia at this time, Liu Biao will be attacked from both sides and will be forced to make a choice. He may give up on Jiangxia at that time. After all, Jiangxia and the hinterland of Jingzhou are still separated by a large swamp. But if Xiangyang is lost, Jingzhou will really be lost. .

What's more, compared to attacking Shouchun, attacking Jiangxia is less risky, because the fierce tiger has already caused psychological shadow to everyone in Jiangdong, and no one dares to say that they can be sure of victory in the face of the fierce tiger.

As for whether the attack on Jiangxia is a disguised attempt to help Cao Cao, or whether it breaks the agreement with Shouchun, no one in Jiangdong cares. After all, the alliance is going to get benefits. If Jingzhou Shouchun doesn't give benefits, then don't blame Jiangdong for turning his back on him. People.

So half a month later, Jiangdong worked hard to gather a group of soldiers and went to fight Jiangxia.

The two sides soon started fighting in Jiangxia, and the news spread to Xiangyang. Liu Biao convened everyone to discuss countermeasures. Kuai Yue, who had just returned to Xiangyang, cursed Jiangdong for not being a thing, and the peace talks organized by Shouchun were meaningless. It's a waste of time.

Liu Biao reluctantly stopped Kuai Yue and said, "Now that Jingzhou is in danger, what should we do?"

Everyone thought about it, and they actually felt that Huang Zu was in charge of Jiangxia, and Jiangdong might not be able to defeat it. However, Jiangdong's move definitely restricted Jingzhou's defensive energy, especially since the Jingzhou Navy was originally deployed in the Xiangyang area. If they were transferred at this time, Part of it goes to aid Jiangxia, which will undoubtedly create loopholes in Xiangyang's defense line.

So everyone discussed for a long time, and someone said: "How about asking Shouchun for help?"

After Liu Biao heard this, he knew he had no choice, so he sent a letter to Lu Xun in Shouchun, asking him to provide help. After receiving the letter, Lu Xun was also undecided. Jingzhou was being attacked on both land and water. Which side should he support mainly?

(End of this chapter)