The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 384: Sword Pointing to Hanzhong
Huang Chengyan and his daughter returned to their residence, and Huang Yueying asked the questions in her heart.

"The prime minister's main focus is still on the Central Plains. Although the grasslands are a threat, they will not affect the overall situation in the short term." Huang Chengyan explained: "But this cannot affect the prime minister's layout. When those grassland leaders are accustomed to using luxurious things, will they still have the mind to go south to the Central Plains?"

Huang Yueying nodded. She had a deep feeling about this. When she was living in Huang Chengyan's mansion, she had a good life. But after she married Zhuge Liang, her life became worse, and she felt a little dissatisfied.

How can people who are used to living a good life go back to the past?
The same must be true for the grassland nobles.

"Although it takes a long time, this time allows the Prime Minister to calmly plan the affairs of the Central Plains." Huang Chengyan praised: "The Prime Minister's move is very wise. The nobles who only know how to enjoy the grassland tribes have no time to care about the changes in the Central Plains."

Huang Yueying nodded, a thoughtful look on her face.

"Daughter, forget Zhuge Liang!"

Huang Chengyan suddenly said: "In order to deal with the Prime Minister, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang actually bribed the Xianbei and Xiongnu to attack Youzhou in order to delay the Prime Minister's troops. This has a very bad impact."

Huang Yueying turned pale after hearing this. This matter had spread throughout Guanzhong. For a time, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang's reputations were so bad that they were known to the whole street. More importantly, Liu Bei, who was born in Youzhou, claimed to be the emperor's uncle. Didn't he know what consequences would be caused if the Xianbei foreigners moved south to Youzhou?
Rumor has it that the people of Youzhou have dug up Liu Bei's ancestral tomb. His reputation was so bad that Huang Chengyan was ashamed.

Huang Yueying listened, bit her lip lightly and nodded silently.

She also knew that Zhuge Liang had become notorious because of this incident, but Huang Yueying had no choice but to stay away from him.

Huang Chengyan sighed and said, "I'll have someone send the divorce documents to Jingzhou when I get back."

He had no choice but to do this. The overall situation of the world had been decided. Even if Zhuge Liang had the talent to save the world, what could he do? He couldn't change the overall situation. If the other party had honestly written books and articles, Huang Chengyan might not have done so. But the other party was still involved with Liu Bei, so he took the opportunity to divorce.

"As for what will happen in the future, let's talk about it later!" Huang Chengyan shook his head. It was useless for him to regret now. Huang Zu was dead, and everything the Huang family had in Jiangxia had vanished into thin air and was taken by Cao Cao.

All that was left of Huang Chengyan was the title of a famous scholar.

This is something Huang Chengyan would not allow. Thinking of this, he could not help but glance at his daughter. Some things could be considered, depending on what Qin Shou thought.

In the city of Chang'an, as Liu Bei occupied the four counties of southern Jing, the atmosphere suddenly changed. Everyone seemed to think that war was about to break out, and if nothing unexpected happened, this would be the last major war.

The six ministries of the imperial court also began to count the food, soldiers, horses, equipment and other supplies that could be mobilized from across the country in accordance with the requirements of the cabinet, waiting for Qin Shou's order to launch the war of unification.

While Qin Shou in Yecheng received the heads of Yuan Tan and others sent by Gongsun Kang, he also received news from Qin Feng that Liu Bei had occupied the four counties in southern Jing.

"This Liu Bei is truly a hero. Even in this situation, he still has a chance to turn the tables." Qin Shou gathered everyone together and shared information with a smile on his face, without any worry or anger.

"My lord, the four counties in southern Jing have fallen into Liu Bei's hands. The next step will be Nanjun, and then he will swallow up the entire Jingzhou. We must be on guard!" Sima Yi said loudly.

"Liu Bei has joined forces with Cao Cao, one controls Jingzhou and the other sits in Jiangdong. Liu Bei's next step will definitely be Jingzhou. The question now is how we should deal with this situation. Do you have any suggestions?" Qin Shou also understood the reason, so he asked everyone.

"My lord, since the two of them have joined forces, let them fail." Pang Tong said, "My lord, you can annex 80,000 to 100,000 troops in Lujiang to force Cao Cao not to divide his troops. Then garrison 80,000 to 100,000 troops in Nanyang to monitor Jingzhou. In this way, Cao Cao and Liu Bei will lose the possibility of joining forces." "Raise another 100,000 troops and station them in Chang'an. I am ready to seize the land of Bashu." Qin Shou suddenly said.

Pang Tong's strategy reminded himself that the Yuan Dynasty in later generations, in order to seize the world, fought to the death in Xiangyang, suffered heavy casualties, and later seized Dali, Bashu and other places, completely breaking the defense of the Southern Song Dynasty.

"My lord is wise." Everyone's eyes lit up.

He used Jianghuai and Nanyang to confuse Liu Bei and Cao Cao, but in fact, his main force was aimed at Bashu.

"Yang Song, an important official under Zhang Lu in Hanzhong, is extremely greedy for money. My lord, you can lure him with money, fame and fortune to persuade Zhang Lu to surrender. His brothers Yang Bai and others are generals under Zhang Lu and hold military power. When our army advances, they can help us reduce a lot of trouble." Jia Xu said immediately.

"That's even better. What does he need? Money? Official position? Title? Whatever he needs, I will give him. If Zhang Lu surrenders, or if we enter Hanzhong, I can make him a marquis, but it has to be quick." Qin Shou snorted coldly, "Within three months, he will be a marquis, in half a year he will be a marquis of Guannei, in seven months he will be a governor or a general, and if it's more than seven months, I will take it myself."

"Lord Shengming."

Everyone knew that seven months later would be the best time to deploy troops in Bashu, and at this stage, the deployment of troops could be completed.

"Confer the title of Marquis of Liaodong on Gongsun Kang."

"Also, pass the order down and return to Chang'an."

Qin Shou finally decided to return to Chang'an. His order spread far and wide, and the armies began to gather, waiting for the war next year.

But apart from the people present here, I'm afraid no one knows the direction of Qin Shou's attack.

At this moment, in Xiangyang City, Cai Mao and Kuai Liang knelt together, both of them looked unhappy. They led the army to rescue Jiangxia, but were plotted against by Cao Cao and suffered heavy losses. After returning to Xiangyang, they found that Liu Bei had already begun to swallow up the four counties in southern Jing.

Pan Rui was sent as an envoy to the Wuxi Barbarians and easily dealt with Jingnan. By the time the two men reacted, Liu Bei had already occupied the four counties of Jingnan and appointed himself as the General Zhennan. He appointed Zhuge Liang as the Military Advisor General to take charge of Jingnan affairs, while Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and other generals led the army to attack Nanjun.

"Can the general resist Zhuge Liang?" asked Kuai Liang.

Cai Mao gave a bitter smile upon hearing this. If things were so simple, he would have seized the entire Jingzhou long ago and would not have been in such a situation.

"How is your brother doing in Chang'an?" Cai Mao suddenly asked.

After hearing this, Kuai Liang immediately understood what Cai Mao was thinking, and a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.

Is it really possible to surrender to the imperial court at this point?

(End of this chapter)