I seek economic hegemony in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 38 The Han and Wei Dynasties Robbery Contest
Early the next morning, Meng Yan submitted a battle report to Zhuge Liang.

The Han army suffered nearly 500 casualties, which has reached [-]%, and it was almost on the verge of collapse.

More people were injured.

Zhuge Liang arranged for Yang Yi to handle these funeral affairs.

At noon, Fei Yi came back.

"Prime Minister, all the Wei troops have withdrawn, and there is no movement today." After saying that, Fei Yi sighed, "It's a pity that Sima Yi held back this time. If the Wei troops came out in full force, our army could severely damage the Wei army."

"If the Wei army comes out in full force this time, it is not certain who will win." Zhuge Liang said, "After all, our army cannot use crossbows in large numbers on rainy days."

"Prime Minister, what should we do next?"

"Sima Yi, who has been unable to retreat, can't help but send troops this time, which shows that what we are doing now indeed makes him feel threatened. In this case, we should continue to implement this strategy."

Fei Yi laughed and said, "The Prime Minister is wise."

Zhuge Liang suddenly said: "You should also pay more attention to the situation over at Li Heng."

"Here."

On June 25, Luoyang was prosperous, and groups of soldiers lined up outside the city.

The armor is bright, the flags are like clouds, and the momentum is huge.

Emperor Cao Rui of the Wei Dynasty stood on his chariot and passed between the three armies. After he reviewed the central army, the forward battalion set off.

Since Sun Quan smashed the Chaohukou defense line in May this year, people in the counties on the eastern front have been panicked and mourned.

At least Sun Quan did an excellent job on the surface, which really shocked the hearts of people in the southeast of Cao Wei.

At this time, the occupation of the Western Front was still in a stalemate. In order to prevent long-term changes that would affect the overall situation, Cao Rui decided to go to Hefei in person.

That day, [-] troops spread out on the banks of Luoshui.

The emperor's personal expedition naturally included more than 5 people, but summoning [-] from Luoyang would be detrimental to the defense of the capital and would consume a lot of money.

When they reach the southeast, Cao Rui will continue to replenish his troops.

But that evening, Cao Rui received an urgent military report from Sun Zi.

After reading this military report, Cao Rui frowned.

Liu Shao took a sneak peek, then stepped forward and asked, "Why is your Majesty worried?"

"Sima Yi has sent troops!" Cao Rui's tone contained anger, but more of helplessness.

Liu Shao was surprised.

Sima Yi sends troops?
how can that be!

Liu Shao knew very well who Sima Yi was. That guy acted extremely cautiously. How could he send troops again when the imperial edict had already arrived?
General Cao Rui handed over the report. Liu Shao was stunned for a moment, then took it and looked at it.

After reading this military report, Liu Shao also frowned.

The matter of Zhi has not yet been investigated clearly, yet another Qu Yuanli comes!

Cao Rui had a bad feeling in his heart. The changes on the Western Front were really strange.

But now he is on his way to conquer Hefei.

Liu Shao saw Cao Rui's worry and comforted him: "Your Majesty, even if Zhuge Liang adopts the strategy of encircling the fields now, it will take time. I think that for now, we will deal with the military affairs in Hefei first, and then we can discuss it after the situation on the eastern front stabilizes." West Line."

Cao Rui asked: "Do you know the consequences of letting the Shu army gain a foothold in Guanzhong?"

"Of course I know that in fact, the strong walls and clear fields mentioned by Sima Zhongda in the memorial can delay Zhuge Liang's strategy of encircling the fields. This is the best strategy to buy us time. Your Majesty must not worry about the head and the tail. In the end, both sides appeared. crisis."

Cao Rui nodded and said: "Sun Zi also agreed with Sima Zhongda's strong wall and clearing the country, but he raised a question. If Sima Zhongda moved all the people to the city, or to the north of the Wei River, the Shu army could easily go west and capture Longyou. .”

"Even if the Shu army captures Longyou, it will take time. The Shu army is stationed in Guanzhong, and it will take even more time. After Your Majesty has finished dealing with Sun Quan, you can send troops to Guanzhong for reinforcements. For now, just leave it to Sima Zhongda. He is a cautious person. man of."

"But he disobeyed my imperial decree. If I don't punish him, no one will dare to disobey my imperial decree in the future!" Cao Rui frowned, his eyes sharp, "Tell me, how to punish him?"

"It's better to fine him a year's salary and demote him one level, but still let him control the Yongzhou army." Cao Rui knew well that at this juncture, the punishment must not be too heavy, as it would be detrimental to the overall situation.

The punishment was just for the emperor to regain his face.

How could it really be possible for him to be like the emperor of the late Ming Dynasty who, for the sake of the emperor's face, smashed the overall situation into a sieve, and when he was hanged in the end, he still said that I was right and you were wrong.

"Okay, it's up to you. Send someone back quickly to notify Sun Zi and ask him to draft an imperial edict!"

"Here!"

Looking at the mighty Luoshui, Cao Rui slowly calmed down.

This was not the first time Cao Rui faced this situation, and he did not appear to be panicked.

But he always felt something strange. This was the first time he had seen this kind of strategy.

It was already July in the blink of an eye. Since the last time Sima Yi took advantage of the heavy rain to attack the Han army and failed, except for scouts, neither side had sent out a single soldier.

However, Li Heng's Chencang County has recruited more than a thousand people.

Not only was his yamen completely built, fences were also erected in some places, and there were even piles of earth in some places.

On this day, Li Heng ran to rest next to Tian Meng's blacksmith shop under the big tree.

Xue Liang hurried over and asked, "Mr. Lang, why aren't you at the Yamen?"

"Disperse the smell of wood."

"Wood smell?" Xue Liang looked confused, what's so good about this?

"Sit, sit next to me." Li Heng changed the subject, "How are those ramie trees soaking?"

"It has been soaking for more than half a month, and there are more than 300 in total."

"Where's the stem bark?"

"They have all been picked out, soaked in water, and then dried. A lot of them are now in storage. Yesterday, Wang Fugui came to me to get some, saying that his wife can weave."

Li Heng nodded, he was relieved that Xue Liang was doing the work.

"How much have you saved?"

"It is said that he can weave at least thousands of linen garments."

"Okay, come with me and call Dong Hong over."

After a stick of incense, Dong Hong arrived at the designated place. He frowned and looked at Li Heng and asked, "Why did you call me here now?"

Li Heng asked: "How many people are there in our county now?"

"There are 830 people in total, 190 of whom are farming..."

"Okay, I didn't ask so clearly. We have a mission now." Li Heng said.

Dong Hong said: “The biggest task now is to create enough farm tools.”

"No, no, just leave the farm tools to Tian Meng. There are enough craftsmen in the manufacturing house. It is only a matter of time before enough farm tools are available."

"Ming Gong, please tell me, what other tasks do we have now?" Dong Hong was a little tired. He was busy doing paperwork when he was called over urgently.

Li Heng said: "We will attract more people before the end of the year."

"Where are you coming from?"

"Of course, come to us." Li Heng said.

"Why is Duke Ming so anxious to gather people?" Dong Hong asked, "We have just enough food now. If we have more, I'm afraid it will be halved."

Li Heng did not answer Dong Hong's words directly, but said: "I expect Du Yu will give me definite news at the end of August. If we can confirm that we will exchange some grain by then, we can go ahead and do it, but now we must start preparing."

(End of this chapter)