Uncle Emperor, I am really not Wolong Zhuge!

Chapter 124 Xiangyang, military strategy

Inside the prefect's mansion.

Liu Bei sat on top, military advisor Zhuge Ming sat on the side to accompany him, and Zhang Fei, Chen Dao, Liu Feng, Ma Liang, Mi Zhu and others stood in two rows below.

A tense and solemn atmosphere made everyone in the lobby feel suffocated and unable to breathe.

"My lord, brother military commander, I was slightly delayed in sending Cheng Pu off today. I hope you will forgive me."

Zhuge Liang followed Jian Yong and hurried to the lobby, raised his hands and said.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Wenpin standing at the foot of the steps, his face solemn and dusty. It seemed that he had been running all the way from Fancheng without rest.

Liu Bei waved his hand and ordered Kong Ming to join the queue.

Zhuge Ming nodded slowly towards Wenpin.

"My lord, military advisor!"

"The food supply in Fancheng has bottomed out. I'm afraid we won't be able to wait for ten days!"

Wenpin took out a letter written by Zhao Yun from his arms, handed it to Liu Bei, and said anxiously.

"The Southern Barbarian soldiers consume a huge amount of food every day. Nine out of ten of the food and grass delivered last time were sent to the Southern Barbarian King's camp. On the contrary, my original guards in Fancheng were starved of food..."

Liu Bei was shocked!

He also knew that the Southern Barbarians' troops and horses consumed a huge amount of money, but he didn't expect it to be so huge!

"The soldiers under Zilong defended Fancheng and worked extremely hard. How could they not be rewarded and suffer from hunger instead? If this is true, how can I, Liu Bei, be worthy of those soldiers who fought bloody battles, and how can I be worthy of my heart!"

Liu Bei threw the letter in his hand on the table, his eyes turned red, and he said sadly.

"The batch of food and grass that was just delivered ten days ago, even if it contains 30 troops, is enough for one month. How come it is almost exhausted after today?"

Ma Liang was still happy yesterday. Zhuge Wende and Zhuge Liang made a little plan and got such a large sum of food and salary from the Jingxiang clan, which solved the supply problem of Fancheng's army for more than a month.

But I didn't expect that Wenpin would come to Xiangyang Inventory to call the police today.

According to Zilong's character, if there was a way to solve the problem, he would definitely not order Wenpin to deliver the letter to Xiangyang personally and hand it over to Liu Bei.

Everyone knows exactly what it means to run out of food and grass!
For the defenders of Fancheng, their combat power is sluggish. They cannot hold on to the city and have no choice but to retreat!
But for those soldiers and horses of the Southern Barbarian King who came from the barbaric land, once they are hungry, they may become wild and disown their relatives. When the time comes, the soldiers and horses mutiny, even if the Southern Barbarian King wants to protect them, they will be unable to do so!
After all, food and fodder for 20 soldiers and horses is no small matter, and the daily expenses are huge. Even if they return to southern Xinjiang, it will be too late!

"I, the defender of Fancheng, only have [-] soldiers, but the Southern Barbarians have more than [-] soldiers and horses. These soldiers and horses are just fine. The elephants, lions, tigers, leopards and wolves in the Elephant Camp and the Beast Control Camp have surprisingly large appetites. One elephant can feed a dozen people."

"We are scrimping on food and clothing and making overall plans. However, the soldiers of the Southern Barbarians only focus on eating with open bellies. Even if a jackal cannot eat enough, it will cause trouble in the prefect's mansion..."

"Zilong was grateful to the Nanman King for relieving the siege in the past, and ordered the defenders in the city to tighten their clothes and save food and grass expenses, but this is not a long-term solution!"

Wenpin's dusty face showed a hint of exhaustion, and he said worriedly.

Zhuge Liang came in a hurry. At this time, he had just regained his composure. When he heard Wenpin's words, he suddenly remembered the prophecy of brother Zhuge in the past, and couldn't help but feel frightened.

That day in the Military Advisor's Mansion, he vaguely remembered that Zhuge Wende once said to Ma Liang and himself that Cao Cao would not march immediately, he would wait for civil strife in Jingzhou!

At that time, he could not fully understand what Brother Zhuge meant, but now, he suddenly smelled a strange and unyielding aura.

Could it be that civil strife in Fancheng is really coming!
Zhuge Liang couldn't help but look up at his brother Zhuge Wende, who was sitting in the side seat. He saw that his brother had a calm face and was holding the letter written by Zhao Yun in his hand. After folding it a few times, it turned into a small boat. .

Zhuge Ming held the mast of the ship between the index and middle fingers of his right hand, as if crossing the ocean, cruising back and forth in the air in front of him.

"Ma Liang, how much food and grass are there in Xiangyang's treasury?"

Liu Bei glanced at Zhuge Ming, confused, and turned to look at Ma Liang, who was in charge of Jingxiang's economy and taxation.

"In the treasury in Xiangyang City, there are still some grains and grass that Cai Mao had no time to transport before he escaped. In addition, since we entered the city, the military advisors have planned and actively supplemented taxes. Now the total grain storage in Xiangyang can supply the expenses of the military and civilians in Xiangyang City for a year. But if it is shipped to Fancheng, I am afraid that it will be exhausted within three months, and it will be a drop in the bucket and will not help..."

As soon as Ma Liang heard what Liu Bei said, he knew what his lord meant and had no choice but to report the truth.

His meaning was also very clear, not to put millions of soldiers and civilians in Xiangyang to death just to delay the supply of food and grass for the Southern Barbarians for three months!
"military adviser……"

Liu Bei frowned in thought. After a long time, he still had no idea, so he had to turn around and ask Zhuge Ming.

"Cao Cao's million-strong army is stationed in Wancheng, watching with eager eyes. If the Southern Barbarians retreat, Fancheng will definitely be lost! But if the 20 Southern Barbarian soldiers of the Big Stomach King continue to be stationed in Fancheng, even if we have a million stones of surplus food in Jingzhou, we will be far away. It’s not enough!”

The paper boat in Zhuge Ming's hand was cruising back and forth, as if it was a merchant ship busy transporting goods back and forth. When he heard Liu Bei asking for help, Zhuge Ming finally stopped.

"My lord, it is obvious that the Southern Barbarians cannot retreat for the time being. Even if they retreat, the food and grass they need on the way is far beyond the burden of Jingzhou."

"There is only one way, which is to find someone who has food and borrow it from him!"

Zhuge Ming placed the paper boat on the table, like a large ship docked at the dock, waiting to be loaded with food.

"Borrow food?"

Liu Bei, Ma Liang, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu and others couldn't help but repeat it.

Who is willing to borrow such a huge amount?Who has so much grain and rice to borrow?
What the military advisor said was true, but unfortunately it was nonsense...

Although Chen Dao, Zhang Fei, Liu Feng and other generals stood there and did not dare to say anything, they were thinking in their hearts, could it be that I, Zhuge Military Advisor, have become exhausted when I get here?In order to drive away Cao Cao, Military Advisor Zhuge summoned the three armies of the Southern Barbarian King. I wonder if this matter is finalized. Is it right or wrong?
It is true that the Southern Barbarian soldiers succeed and the Southern Barbarian soldiers fail!
"My dear brother, do you have a plan to relieve the Lord's worries?"

Zhuge Ming suddenly turned his head and looked at Zhuge Liang who was standing next to Wenpin.

Zhuge Liang was shocked at first, and then began to think about countermeasures, as well as what brother Zhuge sent him to do recently, and learned from it the method to solve the problem.

His hard-working brother would not order him to do meaningless things for no reason, nor would he be unaware of the potential danger brought by the Southern Barbarian King, nor would he make appropriate plans.

At this moment, he already had an idea in his mind.

"The land of fish and rice in the east of the Yangtze River is extremely rich. There are even merchant ships transporting undigestible grain and rice out to sea in exchange for rare things from the barbarians."

Kong Ming smiled slightly and continued:

"My lord wrote a letter to Sun Quan and asked Lu Su to come. As long as Lu Su arrives, food and grass will naturally be solved, and it will all be taken care of by Kong Ming!"

Zhuge Liang turned around and bowed deeply to his lord Liu Bei, and said confidently.

"Kong Ming, as long as you can raise food and grass to relieve our difficulties in Fancheng, everything is at your disposal."

Liu Bei had already run out of ideas at this moment. When he heard that Zhuge Liang proposed to write a book for Jiangdong, he could raise funds and supplies, so he complied.

Zhuge Ming turned around and looked at Zhuge Liang: "I will entrust you with this matter. You must remember that you must not be too weak in front of Jiangdong. Let him know that I am the master of Jingzhou and do not need to rely on anyone." ! As soon as Jiangdong moves to Jingzhou, we will not be able to resist Cao Cao’s army. But I, Jingzhou, have nothing to ask for. Even without Jiangdong’s help, we are not afraid of Cao Cao’s thieves!”

Zhuge Liang nodded and agreed. He and Zhuge Ming were both dragons and phoenixes, and they had the same mind. With just a few words, they had completely understood each other.Zhuge Ming pondered for a while, put his hands behind his back, walked back and forth slowly, and arrived in front of Wenpin.

"Zhongye, you should go back to Fancheng. Tell Zilong that the top priority is to defend the city. He can take care of the overall situation and avoid chaos. My lord and I are very relieved."

"In addition, you can convey my original words to the Southern Barbarian King: The eagle strikes the sky and spreads its wings for thousands of miles because it is not comfortable. If his tiger and wolf army becomes a pig and dog army. I will be very disappointed!"

Zhuge Ming's eyes were suddenly full of murderous intent, and everyone present could feel the tremendous pressure. Even veterans such as Zhang Fei and Chen Dao were able to kill the enemy like chopping melons and vegetables. , hearing Zhuge Ming's words, he shuddered involuntarily.

Wenpin was even more shocked by these words that contained strong murderous intent, and was speechless for a long time.

In the eyes of everyone, the 20 soldiers and horses of the Southern Barbarian King Meng Huo were untouchable.

In Fancheng, they were like a superior army, enjoying the best food and grass, the best camp, and the best housing facilities.

But Zhuge Ming's words did not seem to take the Nanman King to heart.

"military adviser……"

"If your words reach the ears of the Southern Barbarian King, it might anger him. I'm afraid if a war breaks out in Fancheng, not only Zilong will be in danger, but if the situation expands, Xiangyang and Jiangxia will also be implicated..."

Liu Bei had many worries in his heart, lest this matter should not be handled properly, which would arouse the Southern Barbarian King's temper and command 20 troops to disown his relatives and turn against him.

With the bravery and ferocity of the southern barbarians, if they really turn against the enemy, the entire Jingzhou may not be able to resist them!

"Southern Barbarian King?"

Zhuge Ming suddenly clicked, unfolded the folding fan in his hand, and shook it gently to fan the breeze.

"In my eyes, those southern barbarian soldiers are like nothing! But when I raise my hand, they turn into dust!"

"Since I have led him north, as a former enemy, I have a way to control him. If he obeys obediently, I will naturally find a way to supply food and grass to ensure that he has food and clothing. If you are proud of your achievements and are arrogant, look at me in Jingzhou, I will let him Can’t go back to southern Xinjiang!”

Zhuge Ming raised the corner of his mouth, sneered, and said.

If these words come from the mouth of a second person, I am afraid that anyone who hears them will make them a joke!
But when it came out of Zhuge Ming's mouth, everyone present was shocked. No one thought he was joking.

I am afraid that if there is anyone in the world who is not afraid of the brave and invincible Southern Barbarian soldiers and horses, this person can only be the military counselor Zhuge Wende!

"it is good!"

Liu Bei stood up and clapped his hands on the table vigorously, as if he had made a great determination.

"The comfort of the Barbarian King in the south of Fancheng is left to Zhuge Military Advisor. As for the food and grass, Kong Ming has to work hard!"

……

afternoon.

Liu Bei left the Prefect's Mansion, rode on horseback, and headed towards the Military Advisor's Mansion.

He started his career as a commoner and served as a soldier. Although he now controls nine counties in Jingxiang and Xiangzhou, he still does not forget that he is from the military. Whether he is on patrol or traveling, he always rides a horse, never a sedan or a carriage.

There is no military advisor in the military advisor's mansion.

I don't know where Zhuge Ming went, or he was not in the military advisor's mansion at all.Did Liu Bei get off? When he entered the Military Advisor's Mansion, he saw Zhuge Liang writing on the desk under the big willow tree in the courtyard, writing like a dragon and a snake.

When Zhuge Liang saw Liu Bei coming in, he nodded slightly. The pen and ink in his hand did not pause at all, and he finished it in one go.

"I didn't expect Kong Ming's calligraphy to be so excellent."

"Compared to the military advisor, your brother's calligraphy is several times better."

Liu Bei stood to the side, looking at the handwriting on the paper in front of Zhuge Liang. While admiring, he was also thinking in his heart, no one is perfect, and no gold is perfect!
Zhuge Wende's military advisor planned the world like a ghost.However, his calligraphy is mediocre, which seems to be inconsistent with his temperament and the abilities of contemporary scholars.

"Brother, all your wisdom and wisdom are in your heart, not in your writing."

"Officials with swords and pens are everywhere. But Zhuge is the only one in the world who is virtuous. If the lord chooses him because of his lack of pen power, then he is really judging a person by his appearance and losing his son Yu."

After Zhuge Liang finished writing, he handed the letter to Liu Bei and said with a gentle smile.

"What Mr. Wolong said is very true, but Liu Bei is superficial. If Zhuge Military Advisor is such a great talent, how can he use his calligraphy skills to discuss it?"

Liu Bei took the letter Zhuge Liang had just written and studied it carefully.

The letter was written in his name to Sun Quan of Jiangdong, sincerely inviting Sun Quan to send people to Jingzhou to discuss the hunting of the Central Plains.

"Liu Bei is now sitting in Jingxiang. He sincerely hopes that Wu Hou will come and discuss important matters together. You and I are allies. We should start well and end well. Bei will be the most trustworthy and will never be a person who breaks his promise."

"If it is inconvenient for Wu Hou to come, you can send capable people to Jingzhou. Although I am not talented, I am willing to go hand in hand with Wu Hou to hunt the Central Plains!"

"But if the princes don't believe it, or don't want to come, then Bei will not break his faith. In the future, the world will compete, and you and I will talk about heroes!"

There was no mention of food and grass in the letter, but there was a smell of gunpowder between the lines.

Not a single word mentions war, but every word is inseparable from war, and every word contains murderous intent and a strong will to fight.

"Mr. Wolong. Is your letter true?"

Liu Bei took out his printer from his arms and stamped the end of the letter to confirm that the letter was indeed written by him.

"Of course!"

Zhuge Liang put down his pen and ink, waved his long sleeves, and looked proud.

"Cao Cao is the fattest and strongest elk in the Central Plains. If my lord is willing, he can ride his horse across the Central Plains and hunt it!"

Liu Bei was shocked!

The big seal on the letter was as heavy as a thousand-mile river. In an instant, he felt that it was too heavy to pick up.

Not long ago, he was wandering around Xuzhou, Yuzhou, and Beidi all his life.Being chased by Cao Cao everywhere, he was as confused as a bereaved dog...

He finally came to Jingzhou and attached himself to Liu Biao, but it happened that the Cai family took power and sidelined Liu Biao, and Liu Biao was seriously ill. He was gradually alienated and placed in Xinye County to endure hardships.

The past has become empty, but also a dream!

Liu Bei never dreamed that one day he would be able to compete with Cao Cao, or even take the initiative to challenge Cao Cao's authority!

"Without military advisor Mr. Zhuge, Liu Bei would not be where he is today!"

(End of this chapter)