The Maojin knife from the late Jin Dynasty

Chapter 270 Gou Xi takes action

Compared to Gou Yuan or Li Ju, Zu Ti's vision of the overall situation is much stronger than these two.

Because both Gou Yuan and Li Ju only thought that since Liu Tai could integrate the entire Hebei province to dig the canal, the entire Hebei province would be twisted into a single rope and rush towards Xingyang, making Xingyang almost unstoppable.

As for Zu Ti, he was born into the Fanyang clan and was very aware of the changes and impact this canal had on Youzhou.

To be honest, if Zu Ti wanted to build a canal from Jijun to Jinkou, and then Jinkou would run through Youzhou City, basically no normal person would have such an idea.

Because the capital invested was even more exaggerated than that of Zheng Guoqu in the Qin Dynasty. Even if he did this kind of thing in the prosperous times, the entire country might be destroyed.

But Zu Ti didn't expect that Liu Tai would be so popular among the people. From the aristocratic families to the common people, even the captives would play their part in digging this canal under Liu Tai's leadership.

Zu Ti himself created the current situation bit by bit from scratch, so he knew how incredible Liu Tai was to be able to do this.

It's easy for the people at the bottom. In today's chaotic world, most people will give you their lives as long as you give them food, let alone dig canals.

But those aristocratic families, just because he was born into them, Zu Ti understood the troubles involved and how Liu Tai integrated the aristocratic families.

"Is it true that pure force can make these aristocratic families do their best?!" Zu Ti expressed doubts.

Because Zu Ti believed that threats could only make the aristocratic families work hard, but according to the information obtained by his scouts, these aristocratic families did not seem to be working hard. They were all very active, and some even borrowed money from the powerful people around them. went.

However, Zu Ti understood that compared with the power brought by Liu Tai's integration of the aristocratic families, the real opening of the Yongji Canal would pose the most serious threat to the overall situation of the Jin court.

Because Zu Ti understood that with the opening of the Yongji Canal, the foundations Liu Tai had laid in Qingzhou, Jizhou, and Youzhou would be completely revitalized.

But what about lack of food, lack of coal, and loss of war horses? If before the canal was opened, Liu Tai wanted war horses from Youzhou, fish and meat from the Bohai Sea, and food from Qingzhou, the consumption on the road alone was enough. Support no small war.

But when the Yongji Canal is completed and a canal from Bohai to Jijun is opened, Qingzhou grain can be transported to Yecheng within a week.

The logistical convenience this brought allowed Liu Tai to directly launch an attack south of the Yellow River in the second year after the opening of the Yongji Canal.

After all, the Yellow River is long. Even if Liu Tai's fleet takes the initiative, the fleet belongs to the fleet and he can deal with it by honestly guarding the main defensive nodes.

But Yecheng had no worries. Liu Tai concentrated his efforts to launch an attack on a certain city. No matter how many resources he invested in the front line, it would only serve as a warning.

"I'm afraid Yanzhou can't be defended anymore, and the best result is that it will just become a battlefield between myself and Liu Tai!

Although Liu Tai was famous for his tiger cavalry, he did not expect to be so good at using waterways to create a situation where he was overwhelming.

I need to build a second defense system besides Yanzhou! "Zu Ti couldn't help but think about it.

Zu Ti knew very well that the best way at this time was to make the Northern Expedition to interrupt Liu Tai's idea of ​​continuing to dig the Yongji Canal.

Otherwise, when the Yongji Canal is used and Liu Tai sends the resources of Qingzhou and Youzhou to the front line of the battlefield, the entire defense line he has deployed now may not be able to withstand Liu Tai's full-scale attack.

After all, there has never been any natural danger along the Yellow River.

But the reality is that I want to give this suggestion to Sima Rui, because I am afraid that Sima Rui will doubt that he is leading his army to surrender to Liu Tai, and will not believe that he is really preparing to expedition to the north to Liu Tai.

Because Liu Tai has won too much, enough to make people lose their courage.

From the moment Liu Tai debuted, no matter who he was fighting, he had been beaten too cleanly. Gou Xi didn't believe it and only escaped with his own body. Wang Jun didn't believe it. He died and his family was destroyed. Not to mention that he didn't know why Liu Yao suddenly went crazy and wanted to change the country. The number fell to three generals of the puppet Han Dynasty. One of them died and the other was captured.

Even if Zu Ti knew that the Yellow River would freeze in winter this year, it should be the best opportunity to attack Liu Tai proactively.

But Zu Ti asked himself, would he dare to have a decisive battle with Liu Tai in winter?

You know, Liu Tai's soldiers were all northern soldiers, so they had a slight advantage in winter.

Not to mention, if one's own side takes the initiative to attack, it means that all defenses have been lost and Liu Tai's army will have to fight hand-to-hand.

To be honest, if he really had a chance to win, Zu Ti wouldn't feel a headache now.

After all, at this moment, Liu Tai was moving forward step by step, and Zu Ti found that he had no chance other than waiting.

It’s not that I don’t want to fight hard, but even if I am willing to fight, what about the soldiers under my command? Where is the Jin court behind me?

From top to bottom, apart from the Beifu Army that he had built with his own hands, he probably had no one to support him.

At this time, Zu Yue came to Zu Ti's room and saw that Zu Ti's face was quite bad. He couldn't help but said,

"Brother? But what happened? You look very ugly!"

At this time, Zu Ti saw Zu Yue's arrival and said, "What do you think of our Northern Expedition to Liu Tai after winter comes?"

"Brother, are you crazy? But you have been infected with the cold these days?!" Zu Yue said and couldn't help but stretched out his hand to touch Zu Ti.

"It's okay!" Zu Ti slapped Zu Yue's hand away and said:

"I just feel that Liu Tai is now focusing all his energy on building the Yongji Canal, and the amount of food and grass he consumes is quite astonishing.

Under such circumstances, our northern expedition to Liu Tai this winter will definitely cause heavy damage to Liu Tai!

Even if Liu Tai cannot be defeated, he can at least consume Liu Tai's food to the maximum extent, thereby delaying his journey south! "

After hearing Zu Ti's words, Zu Yue's face turned a bit ugly. He thought for a while and said:
  "Brother, if there is a possibility for you to defeat Liu Tai, even if it means my death, I will still give it a try.

If we are just going to consume Liu Tai's strength, why should we work so hard?

Even if we consume Liu Tai, will Jin Ting reward us? ?

I'm afraid that if they see us returning without success, they will send people over to seize the military power in our hands! "

Zu Ti's expression changed, and he did not deny Zu Yue's words. He couldn't help but look up at the sky and said, "Do you think so?"

Zu Ti couldn't help but sigh, not only the soldiers and the court, but even his own clan did not support the Northern Expedition. This is the reputation Liu Tai gained through his battles all the way.

Unless there is a chance to defeat Liu Tai, or it is a city defense battle, even if he intends to interrupt Liu Tai's development rhythm, he will not be able to get support from above and below.

To deal with a famous general like Liu Tai, if he can't get the support from above and below, and if everyone is united, then his so-called Northern Expedition will really go to give Liu Tai military exploits.

At this moment, Zu Ti understood that it was likely that the Jin court's only chance to suppress Liu Tai had slipped away like this.

Zu Ti came back to his senses, looked at Zu Yue, and said, "By the way, why did you come here to find me?"

When Zu Yue heard Zu Ti's words, he quickly said: "Brother, Liangzhou Governor Zhou Fang has passed away due to serious illness!"

"What?" Zu Ti couldn't help but look serious when he heard Zu Yue's words.

He knew very well that with the death of Zhou Fang, his desire for the Northern Expedition was probably completely extinguished.

Zhou Fang was Sima's great help in balancing Wang Dun's military affairs. Without him stationed in Xiangyang to promote farming and train troops, Wang Dun was very afraid of Zhou Fang's powerful military power and did not dare to make any changes.

Although Zhou Fang had repeatedly made military exploits and was feared by Wang Dun, he was still modest and did not talk about his achievements. He even attributed all his achievements to the court. As a result, he gained the respect of the scholars and, most importantly, the trust of Sima Rui.

As for me, I could go on the Northern Expedition with peace of mind and reduce the pressure from the imperial court, and Zhou Fang would be able to do a good job for the imperial court in the rear.

Now that Zhou Fang passed away, Zu Ti understood that in order to compete for the power vacuum after Zhou Fang's death, he was afraid that the Jin court would be in chaos.

"God bless this man!" Zu Ti couldn't help but sigh, but he also understood that even if there was no mutiny, a political riot would inevitably sweep through the Jin court.

Because neither Wang Dun nor Sima Rui will give up the power vacuum left after Zhou Wen's death. This is a fight that neither the Wang family of Langya nor the Sima family will back down from.

As for Liu Tai... If I report the fact that Liu Tai is digging the canal at this time, neither the Langya Wang family nor the Sima family will have any thoughts of attacking Liu Tai.

On the contrary, the fight between Sima Rui and Director Wang will become more intense at this time.
  Therefore, Zu Ti chose to conceal this matter and no longer reported anything to Sima Rui.

But even if Zu Ti chose not to report this kind of thing, Gou Xi, who had been staying in Xuzhou, would reveal it without hesitation.

This information was reported to Sima Rui openly, saying that Liu Tai was now concentrating his efforts on building the Yongji Canal, and it was a good time to start the Northern Expedition.

Even if the Northern Expedition fails, Liu Tai's strength will be wasted by interrupting Liu Tai's rhythm of building the Yongji Canal.

It must be said here that although Gou Xi was spared twice by Liu Tai, Gou Xi was not Liu Tai's subordinate. Even Gou Xi himself knew that because of the exchange of trade with Liu Tai, his subordinates were controlled by Liu Tai. The intensity is getting higher and higher.

Therefore, the civil strife between Sima Rui and Wang Dun allowed Gou Xi to see some opportunities. It was not that Gou Xi wanted to become king and hegemon. After all, even if Gou Xi became king and hegemon, the position would still be passed to Gou Chun's son. , What do you try your best to do?

When Liu Tai joined forces and went south, he surrendered. Wouldn't it be nice to have a marquis who could pass on his legacy?

But Gou Xi wanted to kill Xu Gong, the one who betrayed him. Gou Xi wanted to cut him into pieces.

Compared with the original history, Xu Gong, as a semi-independent force, kept going back and forth between the Later Zhao Dynasty and the Jin court, and was abandoned by people.

At this time, because Gou Xi wanted to fuck Xu Gong, Xu Gong instead firmly hugged Sima Rui's thigh, without any back and forth, and obediently acted as Sima Rui's restraint on Gou Xi.

Just like this, Gou Xi hopes to use the conflict between the Sima family and the Langya Wang family to achieve his own goals.

If the conflict between the two sides really explodes, then I will decisively take the side of Xu Gong and kill Xu Gong first.

Of course, if Sima Rui and Wang Dun could put aside their old grudges in an instant and then command the Jin army to attack Liu Tai, then Gou Xi could just play along and purify his subordinates.

After all, Liu Taizhen was defeated, so he would naturally be able to purify his own army. Or should Wang Dao and Sima Rui fight, he would directly raid Xu Gong and seize the entire territory of Xuzhou, and he could also take advantage of the situation to reform his own army.

Anyway, if I submit this report, no one can say that I am disloyal!

Gou Xi knew very well that sending this memorial would definitely intensify the conflicts in the court and bring turmoil to the Jin court.

But for the border figures who have been marginalized by the Jin court and even feared by Sima Rui, they will only have a chance if Sima Rui and Director Wang fight until they are bloody.

Otherwise, I would still think about what posture I should use to surrender when Liu Tai sends his troops south, so that he will appear to be very powerful!
  Gou Xi knew very well that as soon as he and Liu Tai began to trade, his army had been completely infiltrated for some reason.

It's easy for me to fight against others, but if I want to fight against Liu Tai, I'm afraid that I won't be able to sleep safely in the military camp. Especially now that Liu Tai has raised the banner of the Han Dynasty and is really likely to revive the Han Dynasty, people's hearts are too high. There was turmoil.

And compared to other Jin court armies, the troops under his own command know the rules and regulations of Liu Tai's army best.

Among them, Liu Tai's army was allocated acres of land when he joined the army, but he followed the Jin court. At least he had to become a captain before someone would give him fields as a filial piety.

Under such circumstances, the troops under his command could only make ends meet, and they would have no fighting power against Liu Tai's army.

Not to mention, everyone has already surrendered twice. Even if they surrender once more, it doesn't seem to be very embarrassing.

Therefore, Gou Xi would not want to face Liu Tai if possible.

But what Gou Xi understands is that if he wants to survive, he must get rid of Liu Tai's control over him. At least when he is stationed in the city, his soldiers will not open the door, then he will be valuable!

"If I had known earlier, I would have surrendered at the beginning. Is there smoke coming out of the ancestral grave of the old Liu family? Wang Jun of Youzhou, Shile of Jizhou, and Liu Yao of Guanzhong are really useless. Even if they lose, even if they survive, they will not It will make it so difficult for me!"

Gou Xi couldn't help but shake his head, but in the end Gou Xi's eyes became firm.
  "Sima Rui received this report, what will you do? Choose the Northern Expedition and disrupt Liu Tai's rhythm, or..."

"In order to fight against the outside world, we must first make peace at home!" Liu Wei said to Sima Rui at this moment,
  "Now that the governor of Zhou has passed away, we have lost an important minister who can check and balance the Langya Wang family.

We happen to know that Liu Taitu spent people's energy digging the canal, and we can take advantage of the situation to rearrange the loyal generals who check and balance the Langya Wang family.

We never wanted to harm the Langya Wang family, but we just wanted to prevent the Langya Wang family from making mistakes!

"What Aiqing said is true!" Sima Rui nodded fiercely at this moment. He was becoming more and more unhappy with the Langya Wang family, especially the one named Wang Dun.

　Unexpectedly, AR actually won the championship. Although there was no Sprite participating, it was the first DOTA champion that China has not had in several years. It really boosted morale.

　　
  　
  (End of this chapter)