Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 338: Yingchuan Guo family came to ask Guo Jia for help!
After dealing with the rebels, Liu Xie turned to inquire about the situation of the people in Yanzhou, Yuzhou and Yangzhou.

"I heard that Cao Cao was moving the people and food supplies from the two states to Jiangdong. Did you succeed in stopping him?"

Recovering lost territory is certainly important, but if there are no people, food or supplies in the recovered territory, the benefits brought by recovering the lost territory will be greatly reduced.

Zhang Liao said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Although Cao's actions are swift, relocating the people is a huge project after all."

"According to my statistics, Cao Cao only managed to move less than 30% of the people and supplies across the river, and the remaining 70% were not successfully moved across."

"I have asked General Taishi to stay in Yangzhou to comfort the people and send them back to their respective places of origin."

If it weren't for this incident, he would not have led his troops to Huainan County, and he would not have been ambushed by Sun Quan.

However, Sun Quan's strategy of crossing the river in white clothes to seize the Tongling ferry was the biggest reason why Cao Cao stopped relocating the people.

So from this point of view, Sun Quan still has some credit.

Although the means used were despicable.

Liu Xie nodded and felt relieved a little, but at the same time he also felt a lot of pressure - with the addition of two more states, the pressure of governance was even greater.

“Talent, there is such a lack of talent.”

"We have to call Lu Su over first."

Liu Xie sighed in his heart.

It is difficult to conquer the world, and it is even more difficult to rule the world. Liu Xie currently has no shortage of military generals who can conquer the world, but he lacks civil officials who can rule the world.

Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang are certainly good at handling government affairs, but we cannot leave all matters to them.

At this time, Zhuge Liang cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the Cao army that was at Guandu has now entered Jingzhou and is stationed in Nanyang County."

"I suspect this is a conspiracy by Cao thief. He either wants to form an alliance with Liu Cong or to seize Jingzhou."

"But I think no matter what Cao's purpose is, it cannot be ignored."

Hearing this, all the ministers were shocked.

Jingzhou's strategic location is of vital importance. It is like a bond that closely connects the prosperous Yizhou and the Central Plains.

At the same time, it guards the throat of the Yangtze River Basin, like a towering barrier, controlling the lifeline of north-south transportation.

In addition, Jingzhou is one of the best in the world in terms of population and fertility, and is absolutely a battleground for military strategists.

More importantly, Liu Cong now supports the false emperor. If Cao Cao forms an alliance with Liu Cong and gets the support of the forces in Jingzhou, it will be even more difficult to deal with him.

As soon as Zhuge Liang finished speaking, Lu Bu could not wait to say, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the troops to attack Nanyang County and wipe out this Cao army!"

When he learned that Cao's army at Guandu had fled to Jingzhou, he wanted to lead his troops in pursuit, but both Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi opposed it.

But now he couldn't help but bring it up again.

There was no other way. Zhang Liao’s words today really made him so angry that he had to show his strength to slap Zhang Liao in the face.

However, just as Lu Bu finished speaking, Guo Jia said, "Your Majesty, the war has just ended and the results have not yet been fully digested. It is not appropriate to start a war again for the time being."

"Whether sending troops to attack Cao or Jingzhou, we need to plan carefully before we act. Both of these rebel forces are stronger than Sun Quan and are not easy to deal with."

War is not a joke. We cannot just start it.

To be honest, the reason why Sun Quan was destroyed so quickly this time was due to a certain amount of luck. After all, no one could have imagined that Cao Cao would choose to stab his ally in the back and cut off Sun Quan's retreat.

If Cao Cao had not stabbed Sun Quan in the back and had fought against the imperial court to the end, the war would have certainly lasted a long time.

"They are just a bunch of chickens and dogs!"

Lu Bu snorted coldly and said with some disdain: "No matter how strong you are, you are no match for my cavalry!"

"Last time I luckily let that fake emperor escape. This time I will personally lead the troops to Xiangyang City and capture that fake emperor and bring him before Your Majesty!"

Hearing Lu Bu's arrogant words, Zhang Liao on the side said suddenly: "Remember to bring General Zilong and Minister Zhuge with you, otherwise we will be stopped by Cao's Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation again."

He simply rubbed salt into Lu Bu's wounds.

"Zhang Wenyuan!"

Lu Bu was so angry that he gritted his teeth and glared at Zhang Liao, wishing he could drag him out and beat him up right now.

This guy must be itching for trouble!

Seeing this, Liu Xie said, "Let's put off sending out troops for now. Let's digest the results of this battle first. There are still many matters to be dealt with in Yanzhou and Yuzhou."

"Zhongda, Kongming, you need to pay more attention."

Although Jingzhou is very important, there is no need to rush this matter. The most urgent task is to deal with the two newly recovered states first.

Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi's expressions suddenly became solemn upon hearing this, and they said respectfully: "We will do our best to live up to your Majesty's expectations!"

Liu Xie nodded slightly and ended the court meeting.

……

On the way out of the palace, Guo Jia and Jia Xu came to congratulate Zhuge Liang on his promotion to the position of Minister of the Left.

"Kong Ming was so smart in breaking the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation this time. No wonder he dared to issue a military order. It turns out that he is a genius and has nothing to fear."

"Our worries are unnecessary."

Jia Xu smiled at Zhuge Liang.

At first they thought that Zhuge Liang was arrogant for issuing the military order, but now it seems that he dared to do so because he had the confidence.

Guo Jia also praised: "I didn't expect that Kong Ming is not only good at governing, but also proficient in Qimen Dunjia. He is really a versatile person. No wonder His Majesty values ​​him so much."

Facing the two's praise, Zhuge Liang said modestly: "Wenhe and Fengxiao are too flattering. It was General Zilong's bravery that enabled us to break the enemy's formation. I only played a supporting role."

"Your Majesty promoted me to the position of Minister of the Left, and I am truly unworthy of it."

Jia Xu smiled and said, "Kong Ming, there is no need to belittle yourself or feel panic. Since His Majesty values ​​you, you should just do your best."

"The position of Zuo Min Shang Shu is an important one. His Majesty has high expectations of you. You should know that during the time you were away, His Majesty talked about you every day."

Zhuge Liang couldn't help but be stunned.

He was already flattered to be appointed as the Minister of the Left, and now to hear Jia Xu say this, he was even more moved.

The emperor actually values ​​him so much!

After coming to his senses, Zhuge Liang stood still and bowed deeply to the imperial palace behind him. When he stood up again, his eyes were slightly red.

"Your Majesty treats me like a national hero, how can I not repay him like a national hero!"

Zhuge Liang said with a slight sob.

He has already made up his mind that he will devote himself to the country in the future to repay the emperor for his kindness!
"Just keep it in mind."

Jia Xu patted Zhuge Liang on the shoulder and then asked, "Your Majesty will definitely leave the governance of Yanzhou and Yuzhou to you and Zhongda."

"This is not an easy task. Although Cao Cao has evacuated, there are still many aristocratic families in the two places."

"They all supported Cao Cao to some extent in the beginning, so they cannot escape the crime of treason. How do you think we should treat them?"

When Cao Cao occupied Yanzhou and Yuzhou, he gained the support of many aristocratic families. Now Cao Cao has fled, but these aristocratic families cannot escape.

After the imperial court recovered the two states, it would certainly settle accounts with them.

Jia Xu received news from the Embroidered Uniform Envoy that many noble families in Yanzhou and Yuzhou had sent people to Yecheng, ready to take the initiative to plead guilty to the emperor. "Your Majesty needs to make a decision on this matter."

Zhuge Liang pondered for a moment before answering, "I think we must punish him, but we also cannot punish him too severely. We need to find a compromise."

There must be punishment.

These aristocratic families supported Cao Cao and were enemies of the imperial court. No matter what the reasons were, they could not escape the crime of treason.

How can it have a deterrent effect if there is no punishment?

But the punishment cannot be too severe either, as there are too many noble families involved. Even the sage Confucius said that the law cannot hold everyone responsible, and punishing them all too severely will have the opposite effect.

The best way is to pick a few chickens to kill, and then lift the rest high and put them down gently.

Of course, this is just Zhuge Liang's personal idea, and the final decision still depends on Liu Xie's opinion.

"I will ask your majesty tomorrow."

Jia Xu nodded, then smiled at Guo Jia and said, "To celebrate Kong Ming's promotion, how about going to my house for a few drinks?"

"I recently got a batch of fine wine. It tastes very intoxicating. I have already drunk several jugs of it."

When he heard that there was wine to drink, Guo Jia's appetite increased.

But after hesitating for a while, he sighed and said, "Next time. I'm taking the prescription that Doctor Hua gave me recently to regulate my body, so I can't drink alcohol."

When Hua Tuo wrote the prescription for him, he emphasized that he should not drink alcohol, otherwise the medicinal properties would conflict with each other and it would be fatal.

So he could only refuse reluctantly.

Jia Xu was amused and said mischievously: "Then you should take good care of your body. Kong Ming and I will enjoy this fine wine alone."

"Kong Ming, let's go, hahahaha!"

Looking at the backs of Jia Xu and Zhuge Liang leaving together, Guo Jia felt envious but helpless. He could only sigh and ride back home.

However, as soon as he returned to his mansion, he saw a rather luxurious carriage parked outside his house.

"have a guest?"

Seeing this, Guo Jia raised his eyebrows and asked the doorman who came forward, "Who visited your house when I went to court?"

The doorman said, "According to the master, two of your relatives from Yingchuan have arrived. They have been waiting in the hall for a long time."

"Yingchuan? My family?"

When Guo Jia heard this, he suddenly thought of something, his face changed slightly, and his expression instantly became gloomy.

He didn't say much and walked straight into the mansion.

Make your way to the lobby.

In the lobby, two old men in extraordinary clothes were drinking tea and waiting, chatting in low voices.

Hearing the footsteps, they both looked up.

When one of the old men saw Guo Jia, he showed a look of surprise on his face, stood up and greeted him with a smile: "Feng Xiao, it's been a long time since we last met."

The other old man was still sitting and drinking tea.

There was no intention of getting up.

Guo Jia recognized their identities as soon as he saw them, because these two people were indeed his relatives, the elders of the Yingchuan Guo family - Guo Rou and Guo Hong!
But when he saw the two elders from the family, Guo Jia did not show much joy on his face. He just asked calmly: "Why did the two elders suddenly come to visit us?"

"Humph, how rude!"

Guo Hong, who was sitting there, snorted coldly and looked at Guo Jia unhappily, "Don't you know how to bow when you see your elders? Are you standing there waiting for us to bow to you?"

This one sentence instantly cooled the atmosphere.

Guo Jia narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Guo Hong.

Guo Rou quickly tried to smooth things over, "It's okay, it's okay. We are family, why should we be so particular about etiquette? Besides, we are still guests."

"Fengxiao must be very tired after coming back from court. Don't stand. Come and sit down first."

Guo Jia stared at Guo Hong for a moment, but finally said nothing. He walked up and sat opposite the two of them.

"I have important matters to attend to. I will have to go to the palace to review government affairs later. It is inconvenient for me to stay in the mansion for too long. If you two elders have anything to say, please speak frankly."

There was a hint of stiffness in Guo Jia's tone.

Hearing the words "enter the palace to participate in government affairs", Guo Hong and Guo Rou's expressions changed obviously and they looked at each other.

"I've heard that Fengxiao is highly valued by the emperor. Today I see that it's true. Not everyone can participate in the review of government affairs. Fengxiao has really made great progress."

Guo Rou said with a smile. Seeing that Guo Jia did not respond, she stopped talking nonsense and said directly: "Feng Xiao, we are here to discuss something important with you."

"The clan is planning to transfer you from a side branch to our Guo clan. What do you think?"

Guo Jia was indeed from the Yingchuan Guo family, but the lineage he belonged to was a side branch of the Guo family and had long since declined.

Guo Rou meant to incorporate Guo Jia into the direct lineage of the Guo family. In this way, Guo Jia's status would be transformed from a member of the side branch to a direct lineage of the Guo family.

"unnecessary."

Guo Jia rejected Guo Rou's proposal without saying anything, and said calmly: "I am not interested in this kind of thing, the two elders should go back."

This answer caught Guo Rou off guard.

For a side branch to join the main line of the direct lineage is what countless children from side branches of aristocratic families dream of!
Because although they all have the same surname, the side branches cannot represent the family. Only the direct descendants can represent the entire family.

Moreover, as a direct descendant, one can mobilize a great many resources and connections, which are absolutely incomparable to those of the descendants of side branches.

Now this opportunity is in front of Guo Jia.

He actually rejected me?
"presumptuous!"

Guo Hong's face immediately showed anger, and he slammed the cane in his hand on the ground, and said with a sullen face: "Letting you join the direct lineage is the clan's recognition of you!"

"You are nothing more than a mere Imperial Censor now! Do you really think you can get carried away just because you are valued by the Emperor?"

"Young people, don't be ignorant of your own limitations!"

Facing Guo Hong's anger, Guo Jia was not angry at all. Instead, he smiled and said, "Yes, I am just a mere Chief Censor."

"My lowly official position is not enough to qualify me as a direct descendant, so I choose to refuse. How do you say that?"

"you--!"

Guo Hong was almost suffocated by the criticism.

Guo Rou, who was standing by, sighed and said to Guo Jia, "Feng Xiao, I know you have a grudge against the family because we didn't support you, the offspring of the side branches, enough."

"But you are a member of the Guo family after all. You have the blood of our Guo family flowing in your veins. We are of the same clan and origin."

"You should know why we are here today. How can you turn a blind eye to our family's misfortune?"

Guo Jia restrained his smile and sneered in his heart.

Of course, he knew the purpose of the two elders of the Guo family coming here today. After the emperor recovered Yanzhou and Yuzhou, he would definitely liquidate the families that supported Cao Cao. As a big family in Yingchuan, the Guo family would naturally be among them.

They came to him today just to ask for his help!
(End of this chapter)