Wei Ni

It's late spring at the end of March.

On both sides of the Huai River are hills and plains with luxuriant vegetation, houses and farmland.

Among the green seedlings, the sunshine lengthened the figures of the scholar-gentlemen and their busy figures. Many barefoot children were playing and laughing in the fields, occasionally accompanied by the crowing of cocks and the barking of dogs.

It’s that time of year when all things compete.

Xia Houhui, who no longer needed to work hard in the fields, stopped on a low hill and looked around at the busy people, but his mind was entirely occupied with the worry of the impending war.

Not surprisingly, in February, Shu soldiers entered Guanzhong from Baoxie Valley and stationed themselves at Wuzhangyuan south of the Wei River.

As soon as Sima Yi, the governor of Yongliang, arrived in Luoyang in a hurry, Qin Lang led the Chinese army in Luoyang, which had been ready to go, to leave the capital and rush for reinforcements.

The one who arrived in Guanzhong earlier than him was the edict from Emperor Cao Rui.

He then ordered Sima Yi to restrain the soldiers and generals, to fortify the walls and clear the fields, and not to engage in fighting. He could just wait until the soldiers of Shu ran out of food and the veterans of the division were tired and retreated.

Moreover, the Luoyang Central Army led by Qin Lang and others this time no longer subordinated their troops to Zhang He, but to Sima Yi's control. The previous rebellion of the pacifying and pacifying Wei Xiongnu Baosai Lord made Emperor Cao Rui feel that Sima Yi's prestige was obvious, so he should He will no longer be provoked by the generals of Yongliang to "fear Shu as much as a tiger".

Especially Wei Ping, one of the generals who clamored for this sentence, has been buried in the wooden gate of Lucheng.

And Sima Yi also obeyed the emperor's order.

Set up forts and beacons to garrison troops directly on the Wei River and Wugong River.

Guo Huai was stationed at Yangsui on the north bank of the Wugong River entering the Weiwei. Hu Zun guarded Chencang City with heavy troops. Niu Jin followed him to garrison troops on the east side of Wuzhangyuan. Zhang He led troops to stand by and respond randomly.

These military information were sent back to his home in Luoyang by Xiahou Ba in letters, and Xiahou He forwarded them to him privately.

Because Xiahou Ba is very free now.

In the tense and war-hungry situation, he was left behind to garrison in Chang'an, where he, together with Jing Zhaoyin and others, supervised the transfer of food and fodder for the army.

There is no way, he and Guo Huai don't get along.

To be precise, Xiahou Ba often slandered all the generals who had followed Xia Houyuan in guarding Hanzhong, blaming them for the death of his father and brother in battle.

This was originally nothing.

Personal grievances are private grievances. With Xiahou Ba's character, he couldn't do anything like fighting with Pao Ze when he was in battle.

But Sima Yi is not Cao Zhen.

When Cao Zhen was guarding Yongliang, he thought highly of Xiahou Ba, and used him as the vanguard during the battle against Shu.

Today, Sima Yi, who has gone through three thousand people in the city of Lu and wants not to have merit but to have no faults, is in urgent need of help from Zhang He and Guo Huai. Naturally, he will not let Xiahou Ba destroy the army on the front line. Medium atmosphere.

Therefore, Xiahou Ba, who was depressed and frustrated, wrote a letter to his elder brother Xiahou Heng when he was bored.

Whining is one thing.

He also asked about Xia Houhui's current situation.

Times have changed.

He is no longer the brother Zhong who wanted to return from retirement and teach Xia Houhui a lesson with a stick to refute Cao Zhen's strategy of conquering Shu.

Time not only softened his temper, but also made him feel that he was difficult for his brother.

He added scattered cavalry and led the backbone generals as before. He was given armor and honors, and was moved to the title of Bochang Tinghou and the first five hundred households.

This is the recent meritorious reward given to Xia Houhui by Emperor Cao Rui.

And he who entered the army early and was sent to Yongliang to garrison for more than ten years was still a partial general and Guanneihou awarded by Emperor Wen of Wei Cao Pi.

Comparing people with each other is a shame.

However, even though Xiahou Ba was stunned, he was still very pleased.

As the second son, it is difficult for him to live up to his father's achievements, but it is good to see Xia Houhui have the opportunity to do it.

Therefore, in his letter, he asked Xia Houheng in a soliciting tone, what should he do if he was unsatisfied in Yongliang.

Xia Houheng just looked at it, how could he not guess what he was thinking?
Why are you asking him?

And he, who has served as a redundant official in the government because of his reputation, can't give any advice!

It was clear that Xiahou Ba felt that Xiahou Hui was favored by the emperor, could speak well in front of the emperor, and was more talented than himself, so he wanted Xiahou Hui to find an opportunity to ask the emperor to transfer him to a place where he could easily accumulate merit. Well.

As for why brothers still hide each other?
He has used sticks to teach Xia Houhui and Xia Houhe since he was a child, but now he can't help but feel ashamed!

Of course, Xia Houheng still came to Huainan to write books as he wished.

Of course Xia Houhui is willing to help.

Although in his impression, this brother Zhong, whom he had not seen for many years, was conceited, full of martial virtue, bad-tempered, and prone to beating and scolding. Well, forget it, the family does not speak the same language.

And time passes easily.

A general is like a beautiful woman who is not allowed to grow old in the world.

My brother Zhong has wasted more than ten years and is almost forty years old. If he stays in Yongliang and is squeezed out, he may never have the opportunity to use military strategy in this life.

But, it will have to wait.

It was the time when Shu soldiers were attacking, so there was no reason to transfer the generals at this time.

When the war is over this year and I have a chance to meet with you, I will see if I can find a suitable time to speak. Xia Houhui, who put the matter aside for the time being, remembered Huan Fan's reply.

Because this letter from home also mentioned Xia Houhe's marriage, Xia Houhui wrote a letter to Huan Fan, General Dong Zhonglang and Commander-in-Chief of Qingxu.

I wanted to kindly remind Huan Fan that as an in-law's family, Jiangdong might invade Xuzhou this year.

However, it aroused Huan Fan's resentment.

Because Man Chong killed him and shot Wu Zhengbei general Sun Shao, the story spread to Huainan, Xuzhou and other places in order to boost morale and boost military power. This made Huan Fan, who had always had a high self-esteem, feel that Xia Houhui's letter at this time was not a kind reminder, but a way to boast and show off!
It is a subtle expression that although the lintel of the Xiahou family was lower than that of the Huan family before, it is not bad now.

It is more than enough for Xiahou and Huan's daughter to marry him.

"Young man actually boasted to me!"

This is what Huan Fan said angrily to his clan son Huan Yu beside him when he finished reading Xia Houhui's letter.

Huan Yu's sister was the Huan daughter who was engaged to Xia Houhe.

This also left Huan Yu speechless.

He also read the letter, but he didn't see Xia Houhui's intention to show off his achievements at all~
However, he also knew that the clan father was a proud man, and if he tried to persuade him directly, it would be counterproductive.

Huan Fan did not give him a chance to speak, and made a decision directly, "Earlier, Xiahou Boquan asked me in a letter if there were any talented people from Sangzi who could serve as Zhiquan's staff. My original intention was to belong to you, so I called you here." Xuzhou. Now, Xiahou Zhiquan is unruly and disrespectful. Let me find an opportunity and let the county appoint you as a filial and honest official."

What else can Huan Yu say about this?
I can only express my gratitude.

Huan Fan, who was still embarrassed and annoyed, wrote a reply to Xia Houhui, saying in one sentence: "I have my own plans, so don't worry about it!"

Well, everyone can feel his anger.

When Xia Houhui got the book, he was speechless for a while.

It was obvious that he only had good intentions, so why did he arouse so much resentment from Huan Fan?
We are both from the township party, and we are even married. Can't we talk to each other if we have something to say?
However, this matter is not too troublesome.

Anyway, the two of them have their own responsibilities, so there won't be a chance to meet in a short time.

However, after he learned that the Shu soldiers were out, he went to Shouchun City to look for Li Changshi. He claimed that the Shu soldiers were afraid that the Wu soldiers would also invade, so he wanted to ask Li Changshi if he could remind Man Chong to send the soldiers who had already taken turns to rest. Recall.

But Li Changshi refused.

It wasn't that he didn't believe Xia Houhui's prediction, but that he felt it was inappropriate.

Winter is the season when soldiers take the most turns, but last year Man Chong ordered all garrisoned soldiers not to take turns because he felt that Wu soldiers were about to invade. After the Wu soldiers were repelled at the beginning of spring this year, the soldiers of various ministries began to make up for their leave one after another. And now it is the spring plowing season, how can we recruit the soldiers back?
Furthermore, even if Jiangdong invades in the future, no one can say exactly when the troops will be sent!

He and Man Chong couldn't keep the soldiers on guard, right?
If Jiangdong waited until autumn before raising troops to invade, then the soldiers would not be able to breed complaints, which would lead to instability in the morale of the army.

Therefore, Xia Houhui could not stick to his point of view.

We can only return to Shijiabiwu to let the soldiers finish spring plowing as soon as possible and actively prepare for war.

He had planned to secretly inform Emperor Cao Rui.

I just thought about it and gave up.

Although he was promoted as a Sanqi official, he had the right to privately report to the emperor.

But he was worried about arousing Man Chong's dissatisfaction - Man Chong, who was supervising the battle in Huainan, did not ask his soldiers to prepare for war. He actually went to Emperor Cao Rui to request preparation for war. Isn't this provoking Man Chong's authority and questioning Man Chong's decision-making?
Sometimes being worldly is tiring.

In other words, it is inevitable to be depressed and frustrated when one is subordinate to others.

Whether it is Xia Houba, the elder brother Zhong who was ostracized in Yongliang, or he seemed to be successful in Huainan, there is essentially no difference.

Alas, I hope your majesty can allow me to accompany Gongsun in Liaodong.

If he can achieve the feat of pacifying Liaodong Gongsun, and then go back to Luoyang and serve for a period of time to gain qualifications, he can almost be able to arbitrate one side in the future, right?
With this thought, Xia Houhui sighed quietly in his heart and walked slowly down the hill.

"Let's go, Shidu, follow me to count the weapons, bows and arrows."

"only."

Wu Gang beside him responded and stepped to follow.

He also knew that Li Changshi rejected Xia Houhui's proposal, so he also knew what Xia Houhui was worried about.

Just a little confused.

The thief Wu Qianfan came and returned in vain, and the battle of Guangling greatly weakened the morale of the soldiers. Will they raise more troops this year?

Even if you still want to go to war, you should wait until after autumn, right?
Why is the general so eager to prepare for war?
Jiangdong, Jianye Palace.

In the small hall, a large cowhide map was spread out on the ground. Zhu Ran, Quan Cong, Zhu Huan, Zhu Zhi, Zhang Cheng, Liu Zan and others who were surrounded by it all had solemn faces.

Sun Quan, who was tapping the map on the ground with a wooden pole, had a face full of hatred and a voice full of anger.

"My lords, Bashu has already sent out a large number of troops, and the army from Luoyang against the Wei Dynasty has also marched towards Guanzhong. It is the time for our country of Wu to open up its territory and avenge Gongli! I hope you will work hard and increase the prestige of the country in one battle!"

"only!"

Everyone bowed when they heard the words and made a sincere promise, "I swear to live up to His Majesty's expectations!"

Among them, Zhu Ran's expression was the most generous.

Because more than ten days ago, he was designated by Sun Quan as the leader of the troops sent from Dantu, and he also transferred his private army back from Jiangling. (End of chapter)