Ji Han Liu Zhang

In the second year of Xingping, at the end of December.

After spring, summer, autumn and winter, the year has come to an end, and winter is the slack season. Whether it is the farmers who have worked hard in the fields for more than half a year, or the scholars who have been studying hard for nearly a year, their minds are no longer so diligent. , they all feel that it is time to take a rest and welcome the end of the year.

But Yizhou Mu Liu Zhang didn't have much free time. Every day when he opened his eyes, he was faced with a pile of affairs. The pile of documents and documents handed in from all directions was as high as a hill, and he needed to deal with them.

As a monarch, although some affairs can be handed over to trustworthy people, if the matter involves finance or military affairs, Liu Zhang will definitely hold the power to handle the affairs firmly in his hands.

At the moment, Liu Zhang was reviewing documents as usual. Since Hanzhong was settled, apart from Chencang, which was on the offensive, and Wudu, where the Qiang and Di occasionally rebelled, the only place in Yizhou that had any military action was Nanzhong. land.

Here Liu Zhang was reading the year-end report submitted by Gao Yi, the governor of Gaojiang. The document used for the report was very long. Gao Yi selected some of the more important matters to report based on the importance of what happened in Nanzhong this year.

Although the land of Nanzhong was negotiated by Liu Zhang last year and several powerful Nanzhong noble families and barbarian tribes were annihilated, once the army left, the barbarians in Nanzhong began to riot again, but there was no major rebellion. Not really, just small-scale wars and conflicts occurred one after another.

As for the problem caused by the rebellion of the barbarians in Nanzhong, it was not serious. After Liu Zhang secured Nanzhong, he followed Zhuge Liang's historical strategy of conquering Nanzhong and made several ambush moves. He appointed the governor to surrender and ordered the wealthy families to withdraw funds. Silk hired evil barbarians, allowed hereditary official positions for wealthy families, and gave Nanzhong counties and counties greater autonomy, taking into account the remoteness of Nanzhong. After a series of moves, although Nanzhong rebellions occurred from time to time, they were always It failed to form a large scale, so it was put down by the local soldiers from Nanzhong.

Nowadays, the relatively stable Nanzhong has become Liu Zhang's logistics base. Things needed by the military, such as gold, silver, elixir, lacquer, cattle, and war horses, are deployed by Gao Yi, the governor of Gaojiang, and are collected and transported to Chengdu every season. , it can be said that 'when military resources are produced, the country will be rich'.

As for the Yi people in Nanzhong, under the policy of "harmony with the barbarians" led by Gao Yi, the governor of Gao Yi, Liu Zhang, on the one hand, he used big sticks to beat the disobedient barbarian tribes, and on the other hand, he used tolerant policies to appease the semi-Chinese barbarian tribes. , causing the barbarians in southern China to gradually leave the mountains and forests, live on the plains, build cities, engage in farming and mulberry cultivation, and naturalize towards Han society.

After Gao Yi generally explained the affairs of Nanzhong in the document, at the end of the document, he removed the officials who had excelled in the high school entrance examination and suggested that Liu Zhang promote them to motivate the local officials of Nanzhong.

Liu Zhang scanned the list provided by Gao Yi. Li Hui, the magistrate of Qiongdu County, and Yang Hong, the magistrate of Hanjia County. These celebrities recorded in history were all on the top of the list. It can be seen that the list of officials provided by Gao Yi was true and unknown. Mixed with selfish motives.

"There are Gao Yi, Li Hui, Yang Hong and others in the land of Nanzhong, so I have nothing to worry about." Liu Zhang put down the document handed over by Gao Yi. He was very satisfied with the current situation of the land of Nanzhong and was very satisfied with it. The achievements made by Gao Yi, Li Hui and Yang Hong.

After thinking for a while, Liu Zhang started writing on the book and silk. As a monarch who holds rewards and punishments in hand, he always rewards meritorious deeds and will not delay and forget, so as to chill the hearts of those under his control.

While Nanzhong was thinking about the rewards for the officials in Nanzhong, he was writing. Occasionally, Liu Zhang stopped to think about it. Rewarding merit is necessary, but reasonable rewards are also important, so that after one reward is given again, there will be no more. Something that can be appreciated.

After spending a long time, Liu Zhang completed the reward document for the officials in Nanzhong. When the ink on the document was dry, he called Meng Jie, the clerk next to him, and asked Meng Jie to fold the document and put it into his document bag. Will be sent to Nanzhong soon.

After hearing the order, Meng Jie stood up quietly, took the document from Liu Zhang, handed it over and left, and went to deal with it.

Seeing Meng Jie leaving, Liu Zhang put down the pen in his hand and stretched and contracted his fingers, intending to relieve the fatigue in his palms. It took him a lot of effort to write just now, and he needed to rest for a while.

"Ming Gong, I am so happy."

Just when Liu Zhang was about to take a rest, a familiar voice came from outside the house. It was the voice of soldier Cao Pengyi.

'Great joy. Although he didn't know what the happy event was, Liu Zhang was already smiling. At the same time, he had a guess in his mind after a while, and he roughly deduced what Peng Yi said about the happy event.

"Could it be that Xingba has captured Chencang?" Liu Zhang asked the soldier Cao Pengyi who stepped into the house.

Peng Yi had a slightly surprised look on his face after hearing this. He said in a slightly admiring tone: "Just as Ming Gong said, Gan Zhonglang will hand over a document saying that he has captured Chencang." While speaking, he briefly told Peng Yi handed the document in his hand to Liu Zhang's hand.

Liu Zhang took the document and read it carefully. From the document, he learned about Gan Ning's heroic deeds of marching quickly through Chencang Road, and raiding Chencang at dawn before the light showed, and captured Chencang in one fell swoop.

"I am willing to be a hegemon. Although Chencang is strong, why use it?"

A sound of appreciation came from Liu Zhang's mouth. He had always felt that there was nothing to worry about whether Gan Ning could capture Chencang in a surprise attack. After all, Gan Ning's attack ability was quite powerful. Historically, Sun Wu could capture it. Wancheng relied on Gan Ning holding a rope to climb up the city in advance of the native soldiers, and was able to capture it before Zhang Liao arrived with reinforcements.

A mere old warehouse, guarded by rogues and bandits gathered by Li Jue, could not withstand Gan Ning's troops.

"Go and inform Mr. Xun to come." Liu Zhang wanted to share his joy, so he sent someone to greet Xun You, the general and chief secretary of the army.

Not long after, Xun You arrived unhurriedly. After the person who notified him briefly informed him of the news that Chencang had been launched, he entered the house and congratulated Liu Zhang: "Congratulations to Duke Ming, Chencang has been launched, and there is no more danger in Guanzhong. We need to wait for the next summer's harvest, and we will have enough troops and food to move northward to clean up the country and bring peace to Guanzhong. "As a planner, Liu Zhang said in front of Xun You's congratulations. Thanks to Xun You's plan, it was Xun You who took advantage of Li Jue and Guo Si's pursuit of the emperor who was returning to Luoyang to capture Chen Cang.

Xun You was humble, so he shied away: "You only said a few words, and the credit is small. Now it is snowy in the depths of winter, and the cold wind is biting. Gan Zhonglang led the soldiers to gather, brave the hardships of wind and frost, and march forward to seize Chencang. Those who have made great contributions will General Gan Zhonglang."

"Sir, there is no need to be so humble." Liu Zhang waved his hand and invited Xun You to sit down.

After Xun Youshi Shiran came to the table, he analyzed the situation as a military strategist and said: "When Li Jue and Guo Si heard that Chen Cang was missing, they would be shocked. They thought that these two thieves Li and Guo would give up chasing the emperor and return to Guanzhong. , try to take back Chencang and block the passage for our Shu army to go north. "

"Mr. Xun said that Liangzhou thieves like Li Que and Guo Si would be horrified when they heard that something was lost in Chencang and that it was acquired by Ming Gong. They would panic and run back to Guanzhong, fearing that Guanzhong was being plotted by Ming Gong. ." Peng Yi responded, but he did not explain in detail why Chencang was captured by Liu Zhang, which would frighten Li Que and Guo Si. He was afraid of causing Liu Zhang's sadness.

Hearing this, Xun You nodded. Although Peng Yi didn't say it clearly in his words, he knew what Peng Yi meant. For Li Que and Guo Bang, Chencang was acquired by Liangzhou Ma Teng, Han Sui, or other warlords in Liangzhou. , it’s not a big problem, but if Chencang is acquired by Liu Zhang, it will be a serious problem for Li Que and Guo Si.

Although Liangzhou warlords such as Ma Teng and Han Sui had conflicts and conflicts with Li Que and Guo Si, and fighting and killing were common, they were all from Guanxi. There will be a line left, just like last year when Ma Teng and Han Sui had a battle with Li Que and Guo Si, but soon Li Que pardoned Ma Teng in the name of the emperor, and worshiped Ma Teng as General Andi, and Han Sui as General Anjiang.

But as far as Liu Zhang and Li Que and Guo Si were concerned, the two sides had a blood feud. Liu Zhang's eldest brother Zuo Zhonglang, Liu Fan, and his second brother Liu Dan, the secretary-general and censor, both died at the hands of Li Que and Guo Si. Brother's hatred will not stop until we fight to the death.

Under this situation, Xun You expected that Li Que and Guo Bin would be frightened if they learned that Chencang fell into the hands of Liu Zhang, and worried that Liu Zhang would command the Shu army and come north to claim their lives. Therefore, in all likelihood, Li Que Guo Bin will lead his troops to capture Chencang.

The time for Liu Zhang to send troops north to Guanzhong is scheduled to be after the summer harvest next year. In the past two years, there have been several battles in Yizhou. Bajun, Nanzhong, and Hanzhong. Although Yizhou is known as the land of Tianfu, there are still some treasuries. If it can't hold on any longer, it will take a while to recover before it can support large-scale military operations.

Therefore, there will be a time gap of nearly half a year between Liu Zhang's northward march into Guanzhong and Li Que and Guo Bang's re-capture of Chencang. During this period, Gan Ning needs to hold on to Chencang and ensure that the city of Chencang is in the hands of the Shu soldiers.

The plan was settled, Xun You said: "Ming Gong, we should transport the heavy supplies of grain and grass to Chencang, and according to the time of dispatching troops after the summer harvest next year, we should store grain and grass in Chencang for at least half a year to avoid the shortage of grain and grass in Chencang and the loss of the city. The situation... but to be on the safe side, the more grain and grass the better.”

"Well, that's natural." Liu Zhang nodded in agreement: "I intend to transport all the grain and grass donated by the Hanzhong family, plus the Di Valley plundered by Wu Yi in Wudu, to Chencang, so that Chencang will not have to worry about lack of food."

Xun You smiled and said: "In this way, the city of Chencang is strong, there is sufficient food and grass, and there are brave generals such as General Gan Zhonglang and Lieutenant Lou. Even if Li Que and Guo Si lead Liangzhou's elite soldiers to attack, it will still be difficult for them to attack." Nothing can be done."

"In addition, when Li Que and Guo Si lead the troops to seize Chencang and camp under the fortified city, their soldiers must be old and tired. But our army will advance north to Guanzhong after the summer harvest next year. Our officers and men are brave and sharp. We can take advantage of their fatigue and defeat them in one fell swoop. Guanzhong will be easy to capture." Bing Cao Peng Ying added. He seemed to see the scene of Li Que and Guo Si surrendering with Guanzhong in their hands.

"It's true what you said. If there is a rising hegemon, Chen Cang will have no worries. If Li Que and Guo Bin don't understand the current affairs, they will be easily defeated by a strong army." Liu Zhang showed a gentle smile.

"Just wait until next year." Liu Zhang concluded his speech, looking northward, as if he saw the land of Guanzhong.

"Just wait for the next year." Xun You and Peng Yi each muttered. This year is coming to an end, and it is time to look forward to the next year. In the new year, the big man will have a new and different atmosphere.

The matter of Chencang was settled, and Liu Zhang and Xun You discussed the matter of Wudu: "Wu Yi sent a document, saying that the Di people in Baiqing were not welcome to the barbarians. He received the official envoys without etiquette, and even insulted the envoys. He intended to rule. After the war is over, firstly, we will exterminate this group of Di people, and secondly, we will collect their Di valleys to supplement the military use. What do you think?"

"The barbarians are ugly and arrogant. Don't let them breed their arrogance. Even if they are rude, we have a reputation for conquering, so we should go to conquer them... But you heard that the Di people in Baiqing live in Qiuchi Mountain, surrounded by mountains and rivers. , It is very dangerous, and Wu Zhonglang needs to pay attention." Xun You was resolute and agreed to Wu Yi's application.

Liu Zhang smiled and nodded: "My intention is also to order Wu Yi to conquer it. As for the place where the Di people live is dangerous and difficult to capture, there is no need to worry about this. Wu Yi is a stable person. If not, he is 70% or 80% sure. , he will not ask for orders to attack the Baiqing Di people."

After discussing the affairs of Chencang and Wudu, and chatting for a while, everyone dispersed, leaving Liu Zhang in the room, considering the situation of the world alone.

According to the news Liu Zhang received, the current situation in the world is almost the same as the second year of Xingping in his memory. First, the emperor Liu Xie returned east to Luoyang, and then Cao Cao expelled Lu Bu and reoccupied Luoyang. Yanzhou, and Liu Bei took Lu Bu in. In addition, Yuan Shu sent Sun Ce to attack Jiangdong. Yuan Shao, the partner of Yuan Shu's brothers and brothers, was on the road to unify Hebei. The white horse general Gongsun Zan was already a grasshopper in the autumn and could not jump for much longer.

If there is anything different in history, it is that Liu Zhang captured Hanzhong, Wudu, and recently Chencang, and the rice thief Zhang Lu fled to Yong. The situation in the southwest is different from that in history.

Generally speaking, the general situation of the world still relies on inertia, which is not much different from the history in Liu Zhang's memory, which gives Liu Zhang an inexplicable sense of familiarity and the confidence that he is in control.

However, following the planning of Guanzhong, Liu Zhang expected that the direction of history would no longer be the familiar one. He had stirred up troubles in Bashu in the past two years. Due to the dangerous mountains and rivers in Bashu, it had little connection with the outside world, so History has not changed much, but what may happen in the future cannot be foreseen by him.

Without the guidance of the familiar historical trajectory, Liu Zhang will need to explore the future on his own. The unknown means danger, but the unknown also means novelty. Regardless of danger or novelty, he will fall into the rolling world of the late Han Dynasty. There is no doubt that it has changed history, or will create a different history. (End of chapter)