Ji Han Liu Zhang

Chapter 315 Disputes in Guanzhong
In the first year of Jian'an, at the end of February, Nanzheng.

Like the princes Wuhou who had been stationed in Hanzhong during the Northern Expedition in history, Liu Zhang did not return to Chengdu after conquering Hanzhong. Instead, he stationed in Nanzheng, on the front line of the war, preparing for the northern expedition to Guanzhong.

Under the corridor of Nanzheng Temple, Liu Zhang, who was heading to the meeting hall, suddenly stopped. He looked at the courtyard in front of the corridor. Although there was still a small layer of white snow on the ground in front of the courtyard, the snow was gathering momentum. It is not as good as in the cold winter. It is as thin as a piece of silk cloth, and a few green grasses have broken through the cover of snow, revealing a touch of green.

"It will be late in the spring, and the flowers and trees will be luxuriant." Liu Zhang looked back and said to the bodyguard Wu Ban behind him.

At the same time, Liu Zhang secretly said to himself that now that the winter snow has disappeared and spring is approaching, it is time for him to show off his grand ambitions.

Wu Ban nodded and responded with a smile: "Ming Gong said that in just a few days, the ice and snow will disappear and everything will be revived and full of vitality."

Not long after, Liu Zhang came to the door of the meeting hall of Nanzheng Temple. In the hall, he saw Huang Quan, the prefect of Hanzhong, Xun You, the military counselor, the general and chief secretary, Peng Yi, the military officer, and Zheng Du, the officer, all sitting in the hall, waiting quietly. With the arrival of Liu Zhang.

"Ming Gong."

"Ming Gong."

As soon as they saw Liu Zhang, everyone stood up one after another and bowed their hands to Liu Zhang. Some people knelt down and bowed down and saluted him.

"The two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si shouldn't just be stationed under Chencang City, waiting for Ming Gong to be killed." Bing Cao Pengyi expressed doubts.

"But if the two thieves did not hesitate to sacrifice the lives of the soldiers in the tent and attacked Chencang, causing the strong soldiers under the tent to wither. In this case, even if the two thieves got Chencang by luck, but without strong soldiers under their command, the two thieves would be like a tree without roots. The sourceless water will no longer be as domineering as it used to be, and it will have to run away alone. At this time, a pavilion chief can also tie it up and kill it. "

"For now, according to the news reported by the scouts, envoys from Li Jue and Guo Si's tents are going out to lobby the military leaders in various places, including Li Kan, Candidate, Cheng Yin, Liang Xing and others nearby, and those from far away. Among them are Duan Xuan and Zhang Ji who are stationed in Hongnong, and Han Sui and Ma Teng in Longyou. Although the two thieves are old enemies, they have also sent envoys at this critical moment. "

"We should divide the other groups, prevent them from uniting, and weaken their power, so that Guanzhong can be easily conquered."

Liu Zhang waved his hand as usual and asked everyone to take their seats, saying that it didn't have to be like this. This etiquette can distinguish between superior and inferior, and maintain superiority and inferiority. But the etiquette of going back and forth is just red tape. Nowadays, the military and state have many things to do, and everything should be kept simple.

"The city of Chencang is strong, easy to defend but difficult to attack... and the foundation of the two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si is the strong soldiers under their tents. The two strong attacks failed, so they naturally gave up the attack. How could the two thieves give up? Our troops were trapped under the city wall of Chencang... If they lose their elite soldiers, the two thieves will really be like forest bandits, how can they run rampant across the county?" Zheng Du, the leader, thought about it.

There was a trace of worry between Peng Yi's brows. If Li Jue and Guo Bin could really contact Han Sui and Ma Teng from Longyou, Duan Xuan and Zhang Ji from Hongnong, and invite the big and small military leaders from Guanzhong, they could unite with them. Although the people of Shu are competing against each other, they are still a big force and will bring trouble to his Ming Gong.

Xun You nodded. He first coughed lightly to attract everyone's attention, and then told the latest news that he, the boss, had: "After the two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si returned to Chang'an, they sent troops non-stop to the gates of Chencang City with the intention of We took advantage of the fact that our army had just captured Chencang and the situation was not very stable yet... It was just snowy and it was difficult to use troops. In addition, General Gan Zhonglang and Lieutenant Lou were very guarded, and the two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si Except for one or two desperate attacks, which showed no results, they just harassed Chencang in a small way. "

"Sir, let me tell you about the situation in Guanzhong." Liu Zhang motioned to Xun You.

"It's really embarrassing." Peng Yi said disdainfully. Li Jue, Guo Bang, Han Sui, and Ma Teng were constantly arguing and fighting several times. The hatred was very deep, but they didn't expect that at this time, Li Jue and Guo Si were able to bear the humiliation and sent envoys to invite Han Sui and Ma Teng to join the coalition against Shu.

"Thieves are thieves. Once they suffer a small setback, they will stop moving forward." Bing Cao Pengyi chuckled: "Once Chencang is lost, the gate of Guanzhong will be opened wide. The two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si are not fighting hard at the moment. Seize back Chencang and keep fighting, are you planning to wait until we have enough food and supplies to send troops to Guanzhong?"

"With Xingba and Zichu in Chencang, even if the two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si risk their lives to attack, Chencang will be as safe as Mount Tai and will not move." Liu Zhang said with a smile on his face, he interjected to express his feelings for Gan Ning and Lou Fa’s confidence.

Xun You shook his head: "The two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si are not so stupid. Now one of them is besieging Chencang, and the other is summoning friends to attack Chencang and intend to attack Guanzhong. The big and small military leaders are united to fight against Duke Ming."

After Liu Zhang walked to the top position and sat down, everyone who had stood up walked back to their respective positions and sat down safely.

Hearing Zheng Du's words, Xun You nodded and said: "We can save it with You, or as Zheng Zhi said, Li Jue and Guo Si were worried about losing too many men and horses, so they did not let go and stormed Chencang... After losing Chencang, Li Jue The two thieves Guo Si and Guo Si led the strong troops in the tent and fled to other places. "

Xun You nodded, and followed Peng Yi's suggestion and said to Liu Zhang: "Ming Gong, what Peng Bingcao said is true. We should try our best to weaken the coalition forces gathered by Li Jue and Guo Si. Otherwise, if Guanzhong, Longyou, and Hongnong When combined into one body, it is indeed difficult to settle down in Guanzhong.”

Liu Zhang nodded, glanced at everyone in the hall, and signaled a group of counselors to make suggestions for him.

After a while, Huang Quan, the governor of Hanzhong, took the lead and said: "Ming Gong, I heard that although Han Sui and Ma Teng of Longyou are brothers, they are at odds with each other, and fights will occur from time to time in their respective tribes. , the hatred between the two sides is like a pile of dry firewood, it only needs a spark to light it... According to the authority, a messenger can be sent to Longyou to light this pile of dry firewood, so that Han Sui and Ma Teng can light it. The two tigers are fighting in Longyou and are unable to take care of Guanzhong. "That's what you said, so we should act like this." Liu Zhang affirmed. He was very satisfied with the strategy given by Huang Quan. This strategy was also in line with his ideas.

Some of these sworn brothers in the late Han Dynasty had a stronger love and unswerving determination. After they became sworn brothers, they became like real brothers, and even surpassed real brothers. For example, Liu, Guan, and Zhang, as younger brothers, they had to pass five levels and kill six. General, just to return to my elder brother. Being an elder brother means that I will not avenge my younger brother. Even though I have thousands of miles of land, it is nothing valuable. 'Dazzled by grief and anger, he attacked Wu regardless of the overall situation.

And some sworn brothers are one thing on the surface but another behind the scenes, such as Han Sui and Ma Teng. At first, they were very affectionate and friendly, but if they had the slightest disagreement, they would be reduced to a situation where they could use knives and guns. He took the head of his sworn brother and then died.

Even if Han Sui and Ma Teng failed to live up to their expectations and could not become a pair of close and sworn brothers, then Liu Zhang would have the opportunity. As for how to provoke and fan the flames to make Han Sui and Ma Teng fight each other, it depends on Liu Zhang The envoys sent out have the skills of persuasion and rhetoric.

After Huang Quan finished speaking, the military commander's lieutenant general Xun You held his hand and said: "Ming Gong, Hongnong, Duan Xuan and Zhang Ji are two generals. Although Duan Xuan is an old general under Dong Zhuo, he is not a poisoner like Li Jue and Guo Si." Duan Xuan worked diligently in Huayin to encourage farmers and got along well with the people. The scholars and common people were very happy. Moreover, when the emperor passed through Huayin last time, Duan Xuan provided meals and served all officials without any second thoughts. He was also a good minister of the Han Dynasty. You...he may be able to say that he will settle down in Huayin and not join forces with Li Jue and Guo Si."

"As for Zhang Ji of Hongnong Shaanxi County, he is probably not a kind person. He once joined forces with Li Jue and Guo Si to defeat the emperor's chariots and retinue in the Hongnong East Stream. If Li Jue and Guo Si sent envoys to lure him with letters, , I am afraid that I will join forces with Li Jue and Guo Si."

"As for the military leaders in Guanzhong, such as Li Kan, Candidate, Cheng Yin, Liang Xing and others..." Xun You frowned slightly. For these military leaders in Guanzhong, he had no good way to stop the generals in Guanzhong and Li Jue. , Guo Si gathered troops together.

Although his Ming Gong soldiers entered Guanzhong under the banner of going to King Qin personally for the emperor, and at the same time in the name of avenging their father and brother, making it clear that they were only targeting Li Jue and Guo Si and had nothing to do with others, as soon as the Shu soldiers stepped in In Guanzhong, the generals in Guanzhong must be terrified. They don't know whether Liu Zhang will attack them after killing Li Jue and Guo Si.

With the tiger lying beside him, the generals in Guanzhong could not help but feel hesitant and uneasy.

Under this situation, Xun You expected that the generals in Guanzhong would most likely lead their troops to help Li Jue and Guo Si. The generals were afraid that if Li Jue and Guo Si were defeated, they would be in a desperate situation, one after another. One, was destroyed by his Ming Gong.

"Ming Gong." After some consideration, Xun You finally had an idea, and he said: "Ming Gong's people are coming to Guanzhong, and all the generals in Guanzhong will be frightened, because Ming Gong wants to seize the three auxiliary counties they occupy. Without their foundation, the generals in Guanzhong will definitely contact Li Jue and Guo Si to form a coalition to prevent Duke Ming from entering Guanzhong."

"Sir, what you are saying is that the generals in Guanzhong are all based in counties and counties. There is no imperial control above them, and there are no soldiers and common people below them to disobey orders. They are happy and contented all day long. Naturally, they are unwilling to give up the power in their hands." Liu Zhang affirmed Xun You's words.

Power is a poison, but it is also a poison that cannot be quit. People who have tasted this poison will not give up the power in their hands until they have to. And sometimes, even if it is a last resort, some people will not give up the power in their hands. .

For example, in history, Cao Cao attacked Hanzhong. The ten generals in Guanzhong, led by Han Sui and Ma Chao, did not want Cao Cao to march through Guanzhong to attack Hanzhong. They were afraid that Cao Cao was pursuing a false plan to destroy Guo, taking away the power in their hands and losing their control. One party was pleased and formed a coalition to fight against Cao Cao.

And there is an extremely important premise, that is, after Zhong Yao, who was in charge of guarding the Sili school and supervising the troops in Guanzhong, advised and stated the pros and cons, Han Sui had a son as a hostage in the court, and Ma Chao was his father. Ma Teng served as a guard in the imperial court, but in his madness to ensure his power, any father or son could be abandoned.

The crazy factor that power injects into people led Liu Zhang to deduce that, just as Xun You said, the generals in Guanzhong must form a coalition to fight against his real dragon and tiger who wanted to enter Guanzhong.

"Although this is the case, we can also use strategies." Envoys may persuade them, either by luring them in the name of wealth or by threatening them with the power of the public, so that they will not become Li Jue and Guo Si's help, and also weaken the power gathered by one or two Li Jue and Guo Si. "

"To intimidate them, you can make it clear that those who surrender will not be pardoned, so that the generals in Guanzhong will be frightened." Zheng Du, a young poisonous man, said: "When the generals in Guanzhong hear this, they will definitely be frightened, lose ground before and after, and dare not lead troops to compete with Duke Ming. ”

"No." Huang Quan retorted: "Those who surrender later will not be pardoned. Although it can deter one or two timid people, it will also make them determined to fight and refuse to surrender. This is not in line with the art of war. The art of war says: surround three The purpose of missing one is to give hope to the defenders in the city and make them give up holding on to the city... Moreover, those who surrender later will not be pardoned, which damages the name of Ming Gong's benevolence. Others may think that Ming Gong is fond of killing and has no intention of saving the people. It’s not enough to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the world.”

"What Mr. Fu said is true, but Du didn't think twice about it." Huang Quan retorted face to face, but Zheng Du accepted it calmly, without getting into a dilemma where his face turned red and he couldn't get off the stage, because he knew that Huang Quan He is an upright person and a quick man, without any pretense, not for the words he said, but only for the suggestions he made.

Finally, Xun You concluded his speech: "The generals in Guanzhong sent envoys to tell them, try to make them join forces with Li Jue and Guo Si, and Han Sui and Ma Teng in Longyou sent envoys to urge them to engage in war, so that they would have no time to take care of Guanzhong and Hongnong Duan. "Zui and Zhang Ji can stabilize their minds and prevent them from leading troops into Guanzhong to form an alliance with Li Jue and Guo Si."

Liu Zhang understood that he needed to wait until after the summer harvest, when the troops would be well-prepared, and then he would be able to lead the army into Guanzhong. But before that, he did not do nothing, but needed a group of smart-talking and persuasive lobbyists. He tried to divide the size of the coalition forces that might appear in Guanzhong for Li Jue and Guo Si, so as to pave the way for him to lead his army into Guanzhong after the summer harvest and more easily secure the land of the three auxiliaries.

When the two forces compete, strength is certainly important, but diplomacy is also a very important weight, which can put a lot of pressure on the other party in the balance of victory and defeat. Moreover, now it is not just one force that is entangled, but the entire Guanzhong. There are more than a dozen small forces that do not belong to each other and do not interfere with each other.

Guanzhong failed to be unified. This was Liu Zhang's opportunity. He could take advantage of the chaos in Guanzhong and work together to seize this strategically beautiful place in Guanzhong. Otherwise, if he waited until the north was unified and Guanzhong was unified, he would have entered the Martial Arts Temple. Zhuge Wuhou could only look at Guanzhong and sigh.

(End of this chapter)