Soldiers come to the world

At dawn the next day, a large ship slowly left Fancheng Wharf and headed southeast along the Han River.

This is a five-hundred-stone boat, five boatmen, two upper and lower floors, and a special cabin for mules and horses. It is most suitable for a family or a few friends to charter a boat. On the Yangtze River and the Han River, this kind of boat is also the most expensive. common.

Liu Jing and Xu Shu stood at the bow of the boat, with the river wind blowing their sleeves and headscarves. Liu Jing had already removed his military uniform, and was wearing a blue robe, a brocade belt around his waist, and a white headscarf on his head. He looked like a scholar. It also feels a bit like a jade tree facing the wind.

Xu Shu was wearing a half-worn white Confucian gown, wearing a study tour crown, and holding a feather fan, with a refined and clear demeanor. Last time at the Huangfu family banquet, Huang She took a feather fan, and Xu Shu also took a feather fan today. .

This overturned one of Liu Jing's thinking. It turns out that the lupine is not Zhuge Liang's patent. In this era, most scholars and literati are basically feather fan towels, which can be regarded as a trend.

"Young Master Jing, you are going to Jiangxia, did Zhou Mu give you any tasks?" Xu Shu smiled slightly while shaking his feather fan.

Xu Shu is of course a wise man. During the martial arts competition in Huang's mansion, he discovered some clues. When Huang She was hit and fell to the ground, Liu Biao's face was not shocked or anxious, but there was a cold smile on his face. It passed by in an instant, but was still keenly captured by Xu Shu.

He suddenly realized that the relationship between Liu Biao and Huang Zu was not as close and unbreakable as in the legend, and there was also a kind of intrigue and secret struggle between them.

Especially this time when Liu Jing went to Chai Sang Tao's house to attend a birthday party and asked for leave for 20 days, Liu Biao agreed without hesitation. I am afraid that there is a hidden scheming of Liu Biao.

Liu Jing nodded, "Of course there is a task, my uncle asked me to take a closer look at Jiang Xia during this trip."

If it is said that Liu Jing invited Xu Shu to Chai Sang this time, it was only out of good intentions, then it is really a bit of self-deception, who is Xu Shu, can Liu Jing not know?

In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he was as resourceful as Zhuge Liang, but it was a pity that Cao Cao caught his weakness and his talent could not be implemented, which became the biggest regret in the Three Kingdoms.

In history, Xu Shu also had to go to Cao Ying because his mother was captured, but because he had followed Liu Bei, he could not be reused for life, and died in depression. He can be regarded as a tragic figure in the Three Kingdoms. One thought is to decide not to let the tragedy of history repeat itself.

At this time, Jingzhou was full of talented people, and famous scholars from the north gathered in Xiangyang, but they were rejected by the local gentry, and most of them could not be reused. They stayed in Jingzhou only because Liu Biao had food and rice.

The same is true for Xu Shu. Judging from his clothes, he is indeed not doing well, and he can even be said to be poor.

But scholars have their own high ground, no matter how poor Xu Shu is, he will not go to pay homage to the old man of the Tao family just because of Tao Zhan's invitation.

After all, the Tao family is a businessman, and it is okay to chat with the daughter of the Tao family and make friends, but if he is asked to go to the Tao family to pay his birthday, and other scholars know, he will be ridiculed.

Xu Shu also had his own ideas. In fact, if Liu Jing hadn't invited him, Xu Shu would never have gone to Chaisang. He would rather go to Boling with Cui Zhouping. Even Wei Yan could see that Liu Jing was a blockbuster. Tianfeng, could Xu Shu not see it?

Xu Shu initially considered joining Liu Qi, Liu Biao's eldest son, and becoming Liu Qi's staff, but Liu Qi, like Liu Biao, only superficially valued the northern gentry.

He still relied heavily on the big clan of Jingzhou in his heart, and he had never arranged a job for any northern noble clan in the past few years, which made Xu Shu disappointed in him.

It was because of the cold reception in Jingzhou that both Cui Zhouping and Shi Guangyuan decided to return to the north to look for opportunities, but Xu Shu became Liu Jing's friend by chance, and Xu Shu began to think about his future.

Xu Shu smiled again and said: "Everyone says that Zhou Mu and Huang Zu have a deep friendship and can share the world, but in fact, the person Zhou Mu fears the most is probably not the Cai family, but this Huang Zu."

Having reached this point, the two parties already knew it well, Liu Jing cupped his hands and said with a smile: "I would like to have a detailed discussion with Brother Yuanzhi over warm wine, please enlighten me!"

Xu Shu shook his feather fan, squinted his eyes and smiled...

In the cabin, the little bun was humming a ditty, like a little sparrow nesting, busy folding Liu Jing’s clothes. Warm a pot of wine with Mr. Xu, and ask for some small teas!"

"it is good!"

The little bun agreed, and flew away like a bird. Liu Jing and Xu Shu sat by the window, facing the small table, and had a panoramic view of the vastness of the Han River, which made people open-minded.

Liu Jing poured a cup of herbal tea for Xu Shu and himself, and sighed slightly: "Actually, last time I killed Huang Yi in Wuchang County, I felt that the relationship between Uncle and Huang Zu was a bit delicate, and it seemed that the harmony was not as imagined. Last night, Uncle suddenly came to look for me, and I realized Uncle's resentment towards Huang Zu."

Xu Shu hesitated for a moment, "My lord, is it appropriate to tell me this?"

Liu Jing smiled, "Brother Yuanzhi and I have a heart-to-heart relationship, and we conspired to marry Kong Ming, and now we are sitting on the same boat, why is it inappropriate?"

What Liu Jing said was humorous, Xu Shu immediately burst out laughing, all doubts in his heart were swept away, he got up and gave a deep salute, "Young Master treats each other with sincerity, Yuan Zhi is willing to listen attentively."

At this time, Xiao Baozi came in with a food box, put a jug of wine and some side dishes on the table, and said with a smile: "A wind chicken, a plate of sauced mutton, a stewed fish, and some vegetables, my son. It's definitely not enough, I'll make some more mutton pies."

"Enough! Enough!"

Liu Jing waved his hands and said with a smile: "Go and make us another pot of tea, and I will ask Mr. Xu to teach you how to read in the evening."

The little bun happily agreed, and ran out. Xu Shu looked at her back and said with a smile, "This little bun is quite cute."

Liu Jing shook her head and said with a smile, "You don't know her little thoughts. I joked with her early in the morning, saying that if she didn't obey, I would send her back to Fancheng halfway, so she wanted to show that she was useful."

Xu Shu pointed at Liu Jing and said with a smile, "You! Isn't this bullying children?"

"It's okay, just tease her and have fun along the way."

The two drank a glass of wine, and the topic returned to the main topic. Liu Jing pondered for a while and said: "Uncle told me that Jiang Xia's army has become Huang Zu's private army. In the past three years, Jiang Xia's army has been transferred to Xiangyang several times. Huang Zu always declined for various reasons.

Moreover, the eighteen generals in Jiangxia's navy are all Huang Zu's confidantes. They promoted them to high positions one by one under the pretext of fighting Jiangdong's army. Uncle's intention is to let me regain Jiangxia's military power and even kill Huang Zu. , at all costs. "

Xu Shu also thought about Huang Zu's matter in the past two days. He raised his glass and smiled slightly: "Actually, the disadvantage of Huang Zu is that the aristocratic family occupies the county position. The Huang family is the largest family in Jiangxia. Huang Zu's clansmen, disciples, private soldiers, family There are more than [-] slaves in total, and Jiang Xia responded with a wave of arms. In addition, Huang Zu, as the prefect of Jiangxia, has controlled Jiangxia's officialdom for many years, which has allowed the Huang family's power to expand without limit. The taboo of the imperial court, the tyrannical separatist rule more than ten years ago is all rooted in this."

Liu Jing frowned, "Since the consequences are serious, why does Zhou Mu continue to use Huang Zu in such a way that it has become a difficult situation that cannot be lost today?"

"There are three reasons for this. The first is that Zhou Mu and Huang Zu have a very close personal relationship. Back then, Zhou Mu received Huang Zu's full support when he settled Jingzhou. In addition, if Zhou Mu wants to stabilize Jingzhou now, he also needs the support of the Huang family.

Like other Jingzhou aristocratic families, Zhoumu and Huang's family have formed a unity of interests, especially Cao Cao's fierce eyes on the south, and Jiangdong's snake peeking at Jingzhou, so no matter whether it is reciprocating love or stabilizing Jingzhou, Zhoumu dare not act rashly against the Huang family and the aristocratic family.

The second is a special reason. Sun Jian died at the hands of Huang Zu, so Jiang Dong and Huang Zu had a feud. Anyone could surrender to Jiang Dong, but Huang Zu would not, so Zhou Mu decided to let Huang Zu guard Jiang Xia, and Jiang Xia It is the gateway for the Jiangdong army to enter Jingzhou westward, and only Huang Zu guarding Jiangxia can reassure Zhou Mu.

Thirdly, Huang Zu used his family to guard Jiangxia, and all the people in Jiangxia responded desperately. This is also the reason why the Jiangdong Army repeatedly attacked Jiangxia. Yes, in order to protect the interests of his family in Jiangxia, Huang Zu will of course resist the Jiangdong army with all his might.

It's just that there are advantages and disadvantages in everything, but now it seems that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Huang Zu has almost become a separatist prince, so Zhou Mu finally couldn't bear it. "

The analysis of Xu Shu's words was very thorough, which made Liu Jing admire secretly. He is worthy of being a brilliant person who has completely seen through Jiang Xia's interests. Complete the task assigned by your uncle?"

Xu Shu picked up the feather fan and shook it with a smile: "It's not a day's cold to freeze three feet. Huang Zu has been in Jiangxia for a long time, and his power is very deep. When you first arrived in Jiangxia, your strength is weak, so you must not rush forward. You should slowly plan it. Get a firm foothold first, fight with Huang Zuxu, gradually disintegrate, and when the time is right, you can break it with one blow."

Liu Jing nodded, stood up and saluted, "Brother Yuan Zhi's teachings can be described as good words, Liu Jing has been taught."

. . . . . . . . .

The boat went all the way south. At noon that day, the boat arrived in Jingcheng Town, which was the first market town to enter Jiangxia. It needed to replenish food and vegetables here, and the big boat slowly docked.

"Young master, the boat lady and I are going to buy some fruits and vegetables!" On the pier, the little bun waved to the big boat from a distance and shouted,

Liu Jing stood on the bow of the boat with his hands behind his back, and said with a smile, "Go! Don't be playful and miss the boat."

Liu Jing watched from a distance as the little girl hopped up the hillside with the boatman who was cooking, and picked a bunch of wild flowers in her hand. Rather than saying that she was going to buy fruits and vegetables, it would be better to say that she wanted to go shopping.

After staying on the boat for two days, the little girl lost her interest in getting on the boat for the first time. She counted her fingers every day, trying to figure out when she would arrive in Chaisang.

"This area is not safe!"

Xu Shu walked forward slowly and looked at a cliff about a hundred feet high in the distance. The cliff was cut like a knife, and there were rolling mountains behind. a little."

Before Liu Jing could answer, the boatman next to him laughed and said, "Mr. Xu is right. There is a group of bandits in this area. The leader is called Jiang Xia Zuo Wang. I heard that he is also from Xiangyang. He is very good at martial arts. He gathered thousands of people. Huang Zu The second time I sent people to suppress the bandits, I failed, but don’t worry, my lord! They usually don’t come to the riverside. Within two hundred steps of the river, it’s all Jinfan’s territory. They don’t violate the river, so they just buy something at the market above. , as long as you don’t leave the market, you’re generally fine.”

As soon as the words fell, there was a slight commotion on the hillside, and someone shouted, "Jiang Xia Zuo Wang is here!"

Immediately afterwards, more than a dozen boatmen selling fish came rushing from the hillside with their burdens.