Three Kingdoms: Liu Bei seeks the master and seeks to conquer the world

Chapter 204 Entering Qingzhou for the first time, Liu Yu was shocked

Compared with other states, after the Yellow Turban Rebellion was put down in Qingzhou, there was no major military disaster.

Occasionally some bandits and bandits appear, and all counties will send troops to suppress them.

A stable environment will stimulate the recovery of people's livelihood and economy.

Especially after the bumper harvest in Qingzhou last year, handicraft industries such as iron smelting, lacquerware, copper casting, and textiles have also begun to recover.

The sea salt workshop built by Zhoumufu was also sold to salt merchants in need.

Among them, the escort fleet of Qingzhou salt merchants, which is closely related to Haiyanfang, has gradually taken shape.

The predecessor of this salt merchant escort fleet was the pirate manager who was active in Donglai County.

Guan Cheng has a small island inhabiting overseas, with 5000 soldiers under his command, and [-] large and small ships, he is the strongest water thief force on the sea of ​​Qingzhou.

Now choosing to cooperate with Qingzhou to protect the salt merchants in Qingzhou and fight against other pirates at sea, both parties are quite happy.

after all.

This management is profitable, and there is no need to worry about conflicts with Liu Bei.

Going out to ask for money, who would have trouble with money?

Before Tai Shici went to Yangzhou, Guan Cheng hadn't cooperated with Qingzhou, so he was quite surprised at this moment: "Xianmou, did you recruit Guan Cheng to surrender?"

On the ground of Qingzhou, the only water thief who can rival the navy is Guan Cheng.

Zheng Ping shook his head: "It's not a surrender, it's just some cooperation in terms of interests."

"The Salt Chamber of Commerce in Qingzhou sells the prepared sea salt to other places, and Guan Cheng is responsible for the security of the sea and waterways."

Tai Shici was surprised: "I didn't expect Guan Cheng to be willing to be the salt merchant's guard."

Zheng Ping said with a smile: "Being a salt merchant's guard earns more money and takes less risk than robbing a house. How can Guan Cheng be unwilling?"

"Ziyi can take my letter and go to Donglai to see Guan Cheng. If he can bring the fifty warships back to Qingzhou, he can give them five warships as a reward."

Tai Shici was taken aback: "But the warships of Wu Commandery are more sophisticated than those of Guan Cheng. Doesn't this make Guan Cheng's power even more uncontrollable?"

Zheng Ping gently shook the feather fan, his eyes were burning: "Even if you raise a tiger, you have to give the tiger a bite to eat before you can take care of the house!"

"If the warships from Wu Commandery can't attract Guan Cheng, why did Guan Cheng bring those fifty warships back to Qingzhou for us?"

Tai Shici was still a little worried: "What if Guan Cheng detains all these fifty warships?"

Zheng Ping chuckled: "Then from now on, this salt merchant's salt will not go by sea or water. If Guan Cheng is unkind, I will be unrighteous and hurt each other. The one who suffers is Guan Cheng."

With warships, you can only rule the roost at sea and on the water.

But if Qingzhou gathers all the soldiers and horses along the coast, it will not be a good thing for Guan Cheng to be unable to get supplies on the ground in Qingzhou for a long time.

The fact that Guan Cheng chose to cooperate with Qingzhou as the salt merchant's escort proved that he is good at weighing the pros and cons.

It is very unwise for Guan Cheng to give up the interests of the salt merchant escort for the sake of fifty warships, and then form a deadly feud with Qingzhou.

Tai Shici was skeptical, but still took Zheng Ping's letter to Donglai County to see Guan Cheng.

"Do you really want to pay me five warships?" Guan Cheng's eyes sparkled.

The warships of Wujun are much stronger than those built by Qingzhou's original shipyard.

It belongs to the market and is priceless. If you want to buy it, you have to find a relationship.

Tai Shici nodded: "Wu County is blocked by Liu Yao, the governor of Yangzhou. As long as these fifty warships can be brought back, the five warships promised to you will not be missing!"

Guan Cheng laughed loudly: "On the surface of the sea, who can win my Guan Cheng? This business, I will take care of it!"

"Recently, a group of salt merchants' ships are going to Yangzhou. I personally lead the escort. Will General Taishi accompany me, or appoint another person to hand over the warships?"

The reward for five warships is enough to take care of the adventure.

Tai Shici said sternly, "I'll go in person."

Firstly, Tai Shici was in charge of docking with Wujun ship merchants, and secondly, Tai Shici also wanted to see Guan Cheng's command level on the water.

Although Guan Cheng is now an ally of Qingzhou, there may be conflicts due to interests in the future.

Knowing yourself and knowing your enemy can help you win a hundred battles.

the other side.

After all, Gongsun Zan still thought about his past friendship with Liu Bei, gave up his original intention of letting Liu Yu stay in Zhuocheng, and sent Liu Yu, Xian Yufu, Xian Yuyin, Zhao Yun, Tian Feng and other civil and military officials, as well as Ju Shu, who had resigned angrily, together with his family members. Hundreds of people were handed over to Guan Yu and others to escort them to Qingzhou.

Gongsun Zan also made enough gestures with Liu Kai to let Liu Yuhao live in Zhuxu County to recuperate.

Due to the elderly, weak, women and children, Guan Yu and others could only travel ten to twenty miles a day, and they had to rest for three days. Liu Yu, who was in a depressed mood, had to go to the beach to see the sea.

So much so that it was almost a month before the team arrived in Bohai State.

Although Guan Yu really wanted to arrive in Linzi City earlier, he didn't dare to rush too much.

After seeing Lu Zhi grow old all night, Guan Yu had some new understanding of these veterans of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Yu's mood at this time will not be much better than that of Lu Zhi in the past.

Entrusted by Liu Bei to keep the Chuanguo Yuxi, but because of his underestimation of the enemy, he fell into the schemes of Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan.

Not only was the Chuanguo Yuxi lost, but it also made Hejian King Liu Kai the new emperor.

One country, two emperors.

This is split!

And all of this was caused by Liu Yu's mistake.

Self-blame and remorse made Liu Yu feel depressed.

"General Guan, the marching speed is too slow."

"Su is worried, Yuan Shao may use tricks."

Lu Su was a little worried.

Since Chen Deng hadn't come to Qingzhou yet, the post of military adviser who entered the camp first was temporarily held by Lu Su, who was at the age of weak crown.

Guan Yu admired this "Confucian scholar" who was skilled in bowing horses, could draw a hard bow, and was heroic.

Guan Yu knew Zheng Ping's intention for Lu Su to be the first to go to the camp, so he would often give Lu Su practical skills in marching and setting up camp.

"Zijing, if you can persuade Da Sima, the marching speed will naturally be faster." Guan Yu squinted his Danfeng eyes halfway, but his eyes did not leave "Lu Shi's New Book" in his left hand.

Lu Su shook his head: "If Su can persuade him, he won't come to find General Guan."

Guan Yu stroked his beautiful beard with his right hand, and said, "Since we can't be persuaded, then we can only use soldiers to overwhelm the enemy and water to weir."

"Yuan Shao wanted to use a trick to assassinate the chief Sima under the guise of Gongsun Zan, and then put the blame on Gongsun Zan."

"In this way, Yuan Shao can take the opportunity to get rid of the great general Gongsun Zan, and take the opportunity to integrate the soldiers and militias in the two prefectures of Youji."

"Only Yuan Shao can enjoy the merit of support."

Just now.

Guan Ping arrived wearing a small armor: "Father, there are a group of refugees in front of us. I heard that Da Sima is here and want to ask for some food."

Lu Su was taken aback: "Where is Da Sima?"

Guan Ping said: "Despite the obstruction, Da Sima also went to the position of the refugees."

Lu Su exclaimed: "No, this may be the enemy's trick!"

Guan Yu's Danfeng eyes suddenly opened.

And in the front.

A group of vagrants in ragged clothes, all of them were yellow and emaciated.

Liu Yu couldn't bear it, so he asked people to carry some food and distribute it to the refugees.

And among the refugees, a pair of fierce eyes appeared quietly.

Looking at the group of refugees, Liu Yu couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Jizhou is rich, yet there are so many refugees. The country is in turmoil, and I can't beg for thieves, how sad it is."

And on the side.

Tian Feng glanced at the refugees with keen eyes, and told Zhao Yun in a low voice: "Zhao Sima, be careful that there are assassins hidden among the refugees."

Zhao Yun understood, and walked a few steps closer to Liu Yu calmly.

Just as the food was being transported and ready to be distributed to the refugees, the group of refugees suddenly started looting the food like hungry wolves seeing sheep, for fear that they would not be able to grab the food if it was too late.

"Folks, don't make a mess, everyone has it!" Liu Yu hasn't noticed anything strange yet.

But in the crowd, someone has already pulled out a sharp knife.

"Under Yuan Gong's order, kill the traitors!"

In an instant.

A dozen dead soldiers rushed towards Liu Yu.

The green light glowing from the edge of the knife can be seen to be soaked in poison.

If it sticks to it, it will basically not die or be disabled.

"How brave!"

Liu Yu's personal guards quickly stood in front of Liu Yu, and Tian Feng also drew his sword.

But this group of dead men were not afraid of death, and facing Liu Yu's personal guards, which were several times their own, three of them rushed to Liu Yu's front.

"die!"

The three dead soldiers rushed towards Liu Yu.

But before he met Liu Yu, he saw a silver light in front of his eyes.

The sharp sword tip cut the throats of the three dead soldiers in an instant.

It was Zhao Yun who made the move.

Zhao Yun found a token with the word "Yuan" in the arms of the three dead men.

"A man from Yuan Shao?" Zhao Yun handed the token to Tian Feng with some doubts: "As an assassin, you still deliberately leave a token to show your identity, Mr. Yuan Hao, is this a fraud?"

Tian Feng looked carefully, and already had guesses in his mind, but instead of answering Zhao Yun's question, he looked at Liu Yu: "Da Sima, we have to go back to Qingzhou as soon as possible."

"If the assassin fails in the assassination, there must be another way."

Liu Yu's face turned livid: "The old man has left Zhuocheng, so you want to put the old man to death?"

at this time.

Guan Yu, Lu Su and Ju Shou who heard the news also rushed over when they heard the shouts of killing.

Seeing the Yuan character token, everyone had weird expressions.

Especially Lu Su, at first judged that Yuan Shao would pretend to be Gongsun Zan to assassinate Liu Yu and then blame Gongsun Zan.

In the end, the evidence of the presence pointed to Yuan Shao.

But, would Yuan Shao be so stupid that he would report his family name and leave a token with the word "Yuan" when he was assassinated?
"What a thief is calling catch a thief." Ju Shou snorted coldly: "Yuan Shao is a thief, and he knows how to play this kind of trick."

Ju Shou had already seen Yuan Shao's intentions.

Since Guan Yu took the first camp, most of the first camps were those who survived the battle in Fengqiu City after withdrawing from the Luoyang battlefield.

Is the elite of the elite.

If Yuan Shao wanted to send troops to intercept and kill Liu Yu, at least Yan Liangwen Chou had to bring several times more elite soldiers from Jizhou.

But in this way, it is impossible to hide his whereabouts, and he will also become enemies with Liu Bei.

therefore.

Sending soldiers and horses is not as good as sending dead assassins.

Shouting "Follow Yuan Gong's order, kill the traitors!", and leave a token with the word "Yuan", in order to make people conclude that this is an assassination that blamed Yuan Shao.

As for the person who set the blame, Gongsun Zan was the most suspicious.

Regardless of whether Liu Yu was killed or not, Yuan Shao could use this reason to kill Gongsun Zan and take away all of Gongsun Zan's power.

"Big Sima, hurry back to Qingzhou." Guan Yu squinted his Danfeng eyes halfway, and didn't care too much about these dead assassins: "There will not be only one wave of assassins. If they assassinate their family members instead, it will be difficult for us to take care of them."

Liu Yu hesitated to speak, and agreed to Guan Yu's proposal.

Without Liu Yu going to watch the sea from time to time to relax, the next journey will become much lighter.

Arrived in Leling.

Zhang Fei's Rui Shi Battalion also came to support him.

"Xuande's soldiers and horses are so elite!" Liu Yu couldn't help but secretly marveled.

Liu Yu had seen all the elites who boarded the camp first.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Fei also commanded an elite army!
"Perhaps Xuande can fulfill the old man's long-cherished wish." Liu Yu secretly sighed while observing Qingzhou Ruishi.

Arrived in Linzi City.

It is already August.

The grain crops in Qingzhou's second year were growing vigorously, and Liu Yu was amazed to see them.

And Jushou, who had never been to Qingzhou, also had admiration in his eyes.

"I didn't expect that Qingzhou, which needed money and food from other states last year, would cultivate so many fertile fields. It's unbelievable!" Ju Shou exclaimed.

Looking at the villagers working in the fields humming cheerful Yuefu ditties one by one, Liu Yu's depression for several days gradually dissipated with the peace of Qingzhou.

"Xuande's governance of Qingzhou can be called a model for other states." Liu Yu also praised him sincerely.

Zhang Fei on the side was delighted to hear it, and approached him and said, "Big Sima doesn't know anything, but elder brother went to the fields to work with the villagers himself."

Liu Yu was slightly surprised: "Xuande went to the fields in person?"

Although Liu Yu also implemented benevolent policies in Youzhou and advised farming and mulberry lessons, Liu Yu was more at the decision-making level. He would only listen to reports from civil and military officials and would not visit the fields in person, let alone work in the fields in person.

Zhang Fei proudly said: "I won't lie! If Da Sima doesn't believe it, just ask any villager near Linzi City and they will be able to confirm it."

Liu Yu thought about it, so he told everyone not to follow, and only took Zhao Yun to a field, dismounted and asked: "Old man, do you know how the Qingzhou Mushimin is?"

The old farmer glanced at Liu Yu, smiled lightly and said, "Listen to the accent, you are from Youzhou, right?"

Liu Yu nodded: "The old man is indeed from Youzhou, and wants to join a good nephew in Linzi City."

"The virtuous nephew said in the letter that this Qingzhou shepherd loves the people the most, and even went to the fields in person. The old man was quite surprised."

The old farmer said with a smile: "It's not surprising, outsiders will be surprised when they come to Qingzhou for the first time."

"I don't want to talk nonsense to you. Last year, I not only farmed with Duke Xuande, sat on the same field, and ate the same coarse grain cakes, but also the angels from Chang'an ate them together."

The old farmer will narrate the past when he farmed with Liu Bei last year and met the angel Liu Ai.

When it comes to the wonderful place, I dance with my hands and feet.

And the villagers who joined in the fun also gathered around, and praised Liu Bei in front of Liu Yu.

There is no flattery in the words, but all the tone is full of pride!

Liu Yu could tell that these villagers were not arranged by Liu Bei in advance.

The reverence in the eyes and the fluent narration, if you have not experienced it yourself, it is impossible to be so natural.

"Xuande's reputation in Qingzhou makes this old man ashamed."

"It seems that the old man needs to have a good chat with Xuande."

(End of this chapter)