I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 198 Conspiracy

"I have never received it before, and I don't know why Sun Jian wrote to me." Yan Xing answered truthfully without any unnecessary explanation.

In his view, an upright person is not afraid of a slanted shadow, and explanation is a cover-up.

Han Sui immediately laughed and said: "It's just a small stratagem to create a wedge. Sun Jian has no strategy, nothing more. He doesn't even think about it, you are my son-in-law, how could I doubt you!"

Yan Xing immediately agreed: "What you said is absolutely true!"

Han Sui said again: "I called you here because there is one more thing. The person leading the attack this time is Huangfu Song. He is not a mediocre person. He did not take advantage of him in the two battles. This time you are here." Leading the troops from the front, be sure to be cautious. If necessary, I will lead the troops to support you."

Yan Xing hesitated for a moment and suggested: "Huangfu Song has just arrived with his new army, and he must be eager to win. I suggest you stay away from the front for the time being and wait for the work."

Han Sui sighed and said: "Yan Ming's response is fine in terms of military strategy, but when fighting a war, you can't just consider military strategy! In fact, what worries me the most is not Huangfu Song and Sun Jian, but Fu Xie!"

"If Huangfu Song and Sun Jian's army becomes stronger, the worst I can do is retreat into the Qiang. Even if they kill all the Qiang people in Liangzhou, there will still be Qiang people outside the Great Wall."

"But Fu Xie's approach to win over the Qiang people is to draw fire from the bottom of the cauldron. It's easy to retreat, but it's difficult to come back."

As Han Sui spoke, his eyes were fixed on Yan Xing's expression, trying to discern something.

The conflict between the two is itself a manifestation of Ma Teng's dissatisfaction with the status quo.

Ma Ying later met Ma Chao and others. Although they were young, they knew Han Chinese etiquette well and were very satisfied.

Yan Xing suddenly understood that this plot looked like a conspiracy but was actually a conspiracy, targeting the suspicious Han Sui.

Yan Xing bowed and retreated, safely leaving the county where Han Sui lived.

On this day, a man dressed as a soldier quietly entered Ma Teng's mansion. After entering, he was greeted by Ma Teng personally.

He was overwhelmed by Han Sui from beginning to end. Han Sui occupied the former county seat of Jincheng County, Yunwu County on the bank of Huangshui River, but Ma Teng could only be stationed in Lingju County on the bank of Lishui River.

He felt that this trip was more comfortable than accompanying Guan Yu to Hanoi County.

When it comes to the output within the territory, it is comparable to the difference in water output between Huangshui and Lishui.

Regarding the issue of letting Ma Teng recognize his ancestor and return to his clan, Ma Rixi believed that it would be best to let an influential official in the Ma clan serve as the emperor's envoy.

Ma Ying's first two words silenced Ma Teng.

He suddenly sighed: The person who came up with this vicious plan has such a dirty heart!

……

When he first started working as a minor official at the age of fifteen or sixteen, he followed Han Sui, and later became Han Sui's son-in-law. When he received Sun Jian's letter, he didn't think it was a big deal, it was just a clumsy alienation plan.

Based on Yan Xing's understanding of Han Sui, he felt something was wrong - his father-in-law had always been resourceful, so why didn't he even have the slightest idea to use it after discovering this alienation plan?

The so-called Qiangzhong refers to the vast area south of Liangzhou and west of Yizhou, where a large number of Qiang people live, belonging to the outside of the Great Wall. In later generations, it is a collection of parts of Qinghai, Tibet, western Sichuan, and southern Gansu. A large part of the Qiang people in Liangzhou, Yizhou, and Sanfu are difficult to survive among the Qiang people due to the colder climate, so they migrated from high-altitude areas Migrated here.

Although the Qiang blood in Ma Teng once prevented him from being accepted by the clan, it also helped him gain the support of the Qiang people. But even so, in terms of reputation among the Qiang people, he still couldn't compare to Han Sui.

Ma Ying was appointed as an admonishment official on the recommendation of Guan Yu. From time to time, she would be summoned by the emperor to inquire about local affairs. As a result, he gained more and more attention from the clan and lived a very comfortable life.

After accompanying Guan Yu on his inspection tour of Hanoi County, his life underwent major changes.

The most suitable person is undoubtedly Ma Ying, who is the emperor's adviser but has no routine.

Ma Ying is not very good at being a lobbyist. He speaks openly and honestly when he opens his mouth: "I am favored by your majesty and appointed as an admonishment doctor. I belong to the same clan as your father and are of the same generation..."

Yan Xing suddenly bowed and said, "No matter where I am in the world, I am willing to follow you, sir, and I will never leave you until death!"

Then he took Ma Ying's hand and asked Ma Ying to sit in the main seat.

When Yan Xing left, he did not take away the letter Sun Jian wrote to him, but only glanced at it subconsciously.

But his mind was hesitant and cast a layer of haze.

In the low-altitude areas of Qiangzhong, there are still many Qiang people outside the Great Wall.

Liu Bian and Huangfu Song adopted his opinion.

He added: "No wonder my nephew thought of his late father when he saw his uncle. Since it was my uncle in person, he just wanted to call me longevity."

In fact, if the oppression of the Han army was not too strong, the conflict between the two would have broken out long ago.

"In addition to being your Majesty's envoy, I am here on a personal matter. I would like to ask Shoucheng. I wonder if Shoucheng would like to be included in the family tree?"

But now, Yan Xing suddenly realized that this alienation plan was clumsy, but effective.

Han Sui noticed it and comforted him: "You are still needed on the front line, so don't take this matter to heart."

Han Sui helped Yan Xing up and said, "The winner has not yet been determined. There is no need to say so."

Ma Teng was the successor of General Fubo, but when he was born, his father had already lost his official position and settled in Longxi. Because his family was poor, he made a living by chopping firewood and experienced the warmth and coldness of human relationships.

He said to Yan Xing: "I have written to Ma Teng to exchange protons with him. I will know his attitude in a few days."

Yan Xing reminded again: "Sir, since Sun Jian can write to me, he may not be able to write to Ma Teng."

Obviously his parents and wife are all in this city, why do you still have doubts about him?

Of course Han Sui understood that in the past, the two tribes had many conflicts due to the competition for territory.

Afterwards, he asked his servants to tell his wife and children to come to see Ma Ying. Ma Ying was very pleased with his respectful attitude.

Ma Ying never thought that she would one day be a lobbyist.

Ma Teng was stunned, and immediately bowed to Ma Ying, calling "uncle" repeatedly.

Of course Ma Teng is not willing to be small.

There was unconcealable joy on Ma Teng's face: "The clan calls, how dare Teng disobey! My nephew now calls his wife and children to pay homage to his uncle."

After meeting Ma Teng's family, Ma Ying continued: "His Majesty wants to make you the prefect of Jincheng. What do you think?"

Is there such a good thing?

Now that most of Jincheng County is occupied by Han Sui, and the reward from the imperial court exceeds his psychological expectations, Ma Teng has no reason to be unwilling.

He immediately patted his chest and promised: "My nephew is willing to swear to Lishui that he will never let down your majesty's trust!"

Ma Ying smiled and said: "There is no need to swear. It's just that people of the same clan will be prosperous and suffer losses. If you live a long life, you should remember today's resolution."

Ma Teng solemnly promised.

Ma Ying continued: "Originally, when the governor's term was over, Yin Yizi could be appointed as a Langguan. Now, with His Majesty's grace, Shoucheng can appoint Erlang as a Langguan without having to complete his term. Moreover, Your Majesty values ​​the Imperial College, and both Sanlang and Silang can come back with me. They went to Beijing to study at Imperial College. I just saw that they are very smart and they will definitely have a bright future in the future."

If Ma Ying had come a few days earlier, Ma Teng would have hesitated before deciding to send away his three sons. However, a few days ago, Ma Teng received a letter from Han Sui, hoping to exchange protons.

There is no harm without comparison.

Ma Teng really wanted to grab Han Sui's neck and ask him now - it's the same as sending a proton, look at how generous your majesty is, but you, you only have a letter, and you won't even give me a hundred sheep!

And his uncle is a close relative whom he has never met.

Speak well and sound nice.

Everyone in Luoyang is talented, and Ma Teng believes that his sons will be as good as home when they arrive in Luoyang. Ma Teng immediately replied: "Being in the capital naturally has more prospects than the backwaters of Jincheng. In the future, Chao'er and the others will have to worry more about their uncle!"

The man on both sides was interested in his concubine, and they hit it off immediately.

As he was talking, he said: "Uncle, please sit quietly while my nephew goes to prepare a gift for his uncle."

Not long after Ma Teng finished instructing the servants, Ma Ying saw a servant holding a wooden box, passing by Ma Teng and appearing in front of Ma Ying.

Ma Ying didn't think too much and opened the lid casually, only to see a pair of eyes that were fixed in death.

Especially with the lime used to treat human heads, he was a civil servant. He was so frightened that the lid in his hand fell to the ground.

"Uncle, don't panic. When my nephew heard about Your Majesty's grace, he was overjoyed and confused. He forgot to tell his uncle what was inside first. This is my nephew's fault." Ma Teng sincerely apologized and introduced, "This is Han So the thief’s messenger will be killed now to reveal his true intentions!”

"It's okay." Ma Ying looked at Ma Teng's sincere face. His ability was limited and he couldn't tell whether Ma Teng made an honest mistake or did it on purpose.

The next day, Ma Teng sent his confidants to escort Ma Ying and his three sons to the location of the Han army. It was stated that once General Zuo arrived with his army, he would definitely respond with troops.

Of course, he did not forget to bring the head of Han Sui's messenger.

……

Longxi County, Didao County.

The Han army has arrived here.

"Ma Teng has some thoughts." Huangfusong commented while looking at the box in front of him after listening to Ma Ying's story about what he had seen at Ma Teng's place.

He turned to the generals in front of him and asked: "What do you think?...Yun Chang, you speak first."

"Yes!" Guan Yu answered with his hands raised towards Huangfu Song, "The general thought that Ma Teng's move was not only to show his goodwill, but also to cut off the possibility of betrayal before the battle and to prevent our army from sitting back and watching him fight with Han Sui."

Huangfusong heard the contempt for Ma Teng in Guan Yu's words and emphasized: "It's not a betrayal, it's about bringing order out of chaos!"

Guan Yu said yes.

Sun Jian said: "General, Ma Teng wants to become the governor of Jincheng even if he doesn't want to contribute? How can there be such a good thing in the world!"

The generals all agreed.

Huangfu Song stood up and everyone fell silent.

He pointed to the map hanging in the camp and said: "Han Sui's Yunwu County is in the south, Ma Teng's Lingju County is in the north, and Ma Teng's reliance on Lishui is enough to prevent Han Sui from escaping to the hinterland of Liangzhou."

"Go tell Ma Teng that if Han Sui crosses Lishui before the army arrives, my general will question him!"

"Even if Han Sui escapes, he can only escape to the Qiangzhong outside the Great Wall!"

At this time, Ma Teng still wants to preserve his strength? Beautiful thought!

Huangfu Song said again: "Han Sui relied on the Qiang people and thought he was powerful. It seems that the Qiang people have not remembered what Duan Gong taught them back then!"

"Tomorrow, I, together with Grand Administrator Sun, will lead the elite infantry and cavalry in two groups to attack the Qiang villages of Longxi and Wuwei Chongqiang."

The generals all understood Huangfu Song's thoughts.

The Han army came from an expedition, and they were all elite. There was no need to get into a siege battle with the rebels.

Liangzhou has a vast territory and sparsely populated areas, and there are only a few cities. The Han army does not need to attack the city. It only needs to lead its troops to attack the Qiang villages that are following the thieves.

Han Sui could either allow the Qiang soldiers from the border tribes to return for reinforcements, or he could only lead his army to a decisive battle with the Han army.

If Fu Xie were here, he might have some persuasion, but he was sitting in the rear, and the generals had no objection to Huangfu Song's decision.

After that, the Han army divided into two groups and attacked Qiangtun based on its attitude towards the Han army.

Five days later, Guan Yu, an expert in art, was brave enough to lead two hundred cavalry out to the southwest of Longxi County to investigate the situation. They were almost outside the fortress.

Halfway through the journey, I suddenly saw a village that was different from the Qiang villages. There were acres of fields around the village. Although it was not half-cultivated and half-grazed like the Qiang people, its clothes were not like those of the Han people.

The local guide assigned by Sun Jian next to him said: "General, this is a Di person."

"Di people and Qiang people have different customs, but there are also those who are rebellious."

While they were talking, some Di people in the village had already discovered the traces of Guan Yu and his party, and soon a small group of troops with shabby equipment came out of the village.

The leader was riding a thin horse. When he saw the flag beside Guan Yu, he suddenly broke away from the Di army and galloped towards Guan Yu.

When Guan Yu saw this, he waited where he was.

After the visitor approached, he got off his horse and went forward to bow before him. He said in fluent Chinese: "Young man Yang Azhen, I would like to pay my respects to the general. I dare you to ask if the general is a Han general?"

Guan Yu heard that his surname was Yang. Did he go first? He asked, "Are you a Han or a Di?"

"Don't dare to deceive the general, the villain is a traitor."

Guan Yu didn't know if he was disappointed or not, he said: "This general is Yu Lin Zhonglang."

Yang Azhen was overjoyed when he heard this. Although he didn't understand the rank of General Habayashi, he felt very high when he heard it.

So he asked more respectfully: "General, what orders do you have here? We have already handed over this year's food!"

Guan Yu looked at the guide next to him who also dismounted, and the latter shook his head.

Guan Yu asked: "Who gave it to you?"

Yang Azhen said doubtfully: "Leave it to the people who come to collect grain every year..."

Suddenly, Yang Azhen became nervous and said, "General, could it be that the grain collectors stole our grain and ran away with it? General, you have to believe us!"

Guan Yu understood in his heart and comforted him: "I came today for other reasons."

Only then did Yang Azhen feel relieved and said, "General, why don't you go to the village to rest first? My King Di is in the next village. Should I send someone to call him to pay homage to the general?"

While he was talking, a small group of Di people's army was approaching. Guan Yu looked at the wooden spears with curves in their hands, and he had a deeper understanding of this Di people tribe. .

Yang Azhen did not forget to shout: "Come and pay homage to the general from Luoyang!"

Guan Yu thought for a while and decided to meet the so-called King of Di.

After entering the village, Guan Yu found that the farming skills of the Di people were much better than those of the Qiang people, but the farming tools were still generally made of stone and wood.

Not long after, Yang Agui, the king of Di, came. He was Yang Azhen's brother.

After Yang Agui visited Guan Yu, he immediately asked impatiently: "General, are you going to move us somewhere else?"

Guan Yu asked curiously: "I think this place is quite remote, but you actually know about the farming?"

Yang Agui and Yang Azhen asked questions on their foreheads, what kind of farming? They don’t know!

(End of this chapter)