Soldiers come to the world

Liu Jing stood at the bow of the boat and watched Yang Xiu's boat go away, then turned around and asked Liu Min with a smile, "Why do you think Cao Cao wants to see me?"

Liu Min sat by the side when he met with Yang Xiu, and he had been thinking about this question. Since Liu Jing asked himself, he said frankly: "If I guess correctly, Cao Cao's move is to provoke the alliance between Jingzhou and Jiangdong, so that the king What Sun Quan thinks about meeting Cao Cao may be detrimental to the alliance of the two armies."

Liu Jing smiled and asked again: "This is the downside, what about the upside?"

Liu Min pondered for a long while, then shook his head and said, "Forgive me for my lowly position and stupidity, I just feel that this matter will do harm but not benefit."

Liu Jing smiled slightly, "Everything has advantages and disadvantages. How can there be harm but no benefit? I can spend a while with Cao Cao. As for greatly improving my reputation and status in the world, why not do it? Besides, Cao Cao has a heart." Seeing me, why do I have to be too petty, and it doesn't matter to him gradually?"

Liu Min originally wanted to say, 'Why should Zhou Mu go to learn from those who are trying to catch fame! ’ But his lips moved, but he couldn’t say the words, he still said worriedly: “How can Jiangdong explain?”

Liu Jing stared at the other side of the river, and said calmly after a long while: "I hope you can understand one thing, the alliance between Sun Quan and me is not because he has given me any favors, nor is it that I have taken advantage of him. I have formed an alliance with him only because we There is a relationship between lips and teeth.

When I met with Cao Cao, he might be annoyed, but in the end, he had to win over me twice and give me real benefits. At the beginning, a fake Xun Yu asked him to come to Lishui to meet me in person, let alone a real Cao Cao today. ?

Besides, when I met Cao Cao, I just hoped to persuade Cao Jun to retreat. This is also beneficial to Jiangdong, so what can't be understood? "

Only then did Liu Min finally understand that Liu Jing was looking at the general situation of the world from a high place, but he looked forward and backward, and only saw a tree in front of him, but did not see a big mountain behind the tree. He felt ashamed and bowed and said: " The humble job has been taught!"

Liu Jing patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile: "I'm not in my position, I don't care about politics. In fact, you can see the impact on Jiangdong, which is already very good. It is estimated that Cao Cao is for this purpose. Can you go on a mission for me? Go to Fancheng and discuss the details of the meeting with Cao Cao?"

"The humble job is willing to go!"

. . . . . . .

In the camp of Fancheng, Yang Xiu reported the meeting with Liu Jing to Cao Cao in detail, but only concealed the matter of Kong Rong, and finally said: "Although Liu Jing's words were rude, he still expressed his willingness to meet the prime minister."

Cao Cao chuckled, "If he was really rude, he wouldn't agree to meet with me. He called me Cao thief, but he was just showing off to his subordinates. How could he use tricks to get Liu Biao's position? ?”

At this time, a soldier reported, "Mr. Xiao Xun is here!"

Mr. Xiao Xun is the counselor Xun You. Although he is Xun Yu's nephew, he is six years older than Xun Yu. Xun You is also one of Cao Cao's core advisers and is highly trusted by Cao Cao. He followed the army to Fancheng.

When Cao Cao heard that Xun You had arrived, he was overjoyed and said quickly, "Please come in quickly!"

After a while, Xun You walked into the room with a smile, "I heard from Zhong De that the prime minister wants to meet Liu Jing?"

Cao Cao also smiled and said, "Gongda is not here to oppose me!"

"This is a good thing, why should you object?"

Although Xun You is highly trusted by Cao Cao, the courtesy of respect and inferiority cannot be dismissed. He saluted, then sat down and continued: "What I mean is that while meeting with Liu Jing, we must also send someone to the people of Jingzhou. Especially the Jingzhou aristocratic family made it clear that the prime minister is trying to solve Jingzhou’s problems with the utmost sincerity and does not want a war in Jingzhou.

Cao Cao pondered for a while and said, "Gongda thinks that if you say this, will the Jingzhou family believe it?"

Xun You said slowly: "It doesn't matter whether they believe it or not, what matters is the attitude of the prime minister. The prime minister's explanation to them is actually to make them feel that the prime minister attaches importance to them. As a result, the Jingzhou aristocratic family followed Liu Jing to retreat eastward, if they could be appeased earlier, they wouldn’t have faced Xiangyang’s empty city.”

It was only then that Cao Cao realized that he had not considered thoroughly politically. He wanted to destroy Liu Jing, but he did not take into account the will of the people of Jingzhou. If it is changed to negotiation, it can be postponed for two days, and Jingzhou spies can visit the major families in Jingzhou as soon as possible.”

Xun You said again: "I heard that Liu Jing showed signs of giving up Xiangyang. If I guessed correctly, this must be a trick to kill with a knife. I wonder if the Prime Minister intends to take Nanjun?"

Cao Cao sneered, "The big-eared thief is the person I hate the most in my life. If I get Xiangyang, why don't I take Jiangling? Even if Liu Jing borrows a knife, I will do what he wants."

Speaking of this, Cao Cao hesitated, "Could it be that Gongda told me not to take Jiangling?"

"No! If Mr. Cao wants to take Jiangling, I have a plan to let Liu Bei catch him without a fight."

Xun You said a few words to Cao Cao in a low voice, Cao Cao clapped his hands and laughed, "Xun Gongda won't let Jia Xu!"

Everyone continued to discuss the details of the meeting with Liu Jing. At this time, a guard reported outside the hall, "I want to report to the Prime Minister, Liu Jing sent an envoy to ask for an audience."

Cao Cao cheered up, it was a coincidence that he came, and he asked again: "Who made it?"

"It's the young man the prime minister met in Yi County last time, named Liu Min."

"It was him!"

Cao Cao had a good impression of Liu Min, so he smiled and said, "Please come and see me."

． ． ． ． ． ． ． ．

While Cao Cao and Liu Jing were actively arranging their first meeting, Liu Bei in Jiangling was worried. He had received information that Liu Jing was moving all the people of Xiangyang to Jiangxia, which meant that Liu Jing would give up Xiangyang.

Once Xiangyang is occupied by Cao's army and the gates of Nanjun are wide open, Cao's army will inevitably go south in a large scale. How can he keep Jiangling?

Although Cao's army occupied Xiangyang last time, their strength was not large enough to threaten Jiangling. But this time Cao's army went south in a big way. With Cao Cao's character, how could he not take Jiangling?

For two days in a row, Liu Bei couldn't sleep or eat. Early in the morning, a soldier came to report, "Army Zhuge is back!"

Liu Bei was overjoyed. Zhuge Liang went to Jianping County. He sent someone to urge him yesterday, but he didn't expect to come back today. "Quickly ask the military division to come in!"

Not long after, Zhuge Liang walked in quickly. He was full of travel and dust, obviously just came back, "See you, my lord!" Zhuge Liang saluted deeply.

"There is no need to be polite, military commander, please sit down!"

Zhuge Liang sat down, and before Liu Bei could speak, he smiled and said, "My lord, would you like to hear about the situation in Jianping County?"

Although Liu Bei was eager to talk about Xiangyang, he still restrained his inner urgency, "Sir, please tell me!"

"Seventy percent of Wucheng has been built, and it will be completed in two months. Mr. Feng is really dedicated. The city is solid and solid, with a circumference of fifteen miles. It can store 40 troops and [-] shi of grain, which is completely in line with our plan. request, and Zilong..."

Without waiting for Zhuge Liang to continue, Liu Bei waved his hand, "Don't mention him, talk about other things."

Zhuge Liang knew that Liu Bei had too much prejudice against Zhao Yun, so he wanted to persuade Liu Bei, but now that Liu Bei was preoccupied, it seemed that it was not the right time, so Zhuge Liang could only sigh secretly, and changed the subject.

"There is one more thing. When I came back, I met Liu Zhang's envoy Fazheng on the way."

This news aroused Liu Bei's interest. It was about Bashu. He temporarily put aside his worries and asked, "Who is Fa Xiaozhi going to see?"

"Naturally, I went to see Cao Cao. He refused to say the details, but from the tone of his voice, my subordinates could tell that I should seek peace with Liu Zhang and Cao Cao."

Liu Bei sighed, "When the war comes, there are resisters, peacemakers, and me who is at a loss. I am not surprised that Liu Zhang wants to surrender."

Zhuge Liang smiled, "Fazheng not only went to see Cao Cao, but also Liu Jing when he came back."

Liu Bei's eyes widened suddenly, and he was taken aback by the news, "Is this what Liu Zhang meant?"

"No, Fazheng refused to admit it, but his subordinates revealed that they were caught by Liu Jing's patrol when they came back."

Liu Bei heaved a sigh of relief, he thought for a while and asked again: "Could it be that Liu Jing is also playing Bashu's mind?"

"It is very possible that Yizhou is fertile and wild, but its master is incompetent. With the ambitions of Cao Cao, Liu Jing, Sun Quan and others, how could they not want to seek Bashu, but in comparison, the master has a first-mover advantage, and If it is used skillfully, Liu Zhang can surrender Yizhou to the lord."

Liu Bei was overjoyed, at this time he could not care about the danger in Xiangyang, he said quickly: "I would like to hear the details!"

Zhuge Liang smiled slightly, "The delicate thing is that Liu Zhang hasn't noticed Liu Jing's ambitions yet. Before that, the lord must find a way to get rid of Liu Zhang's wariness, so that Liu Zhang is convinced that the lord will not seek his Yizhou. Once Yizhou is in danger, Liu Zhang will naturally come to ask the lord for help, isn't Yizhou within easy reach?"

Liu Bei nodded again and again, and only then did he understand the importance of Zhuge Liang's insistence on building Wucheng, which was actually the logistics center for him to take Bashu.

Liu Bei praised secretly in his heart, he pondered for a while and said: "Liu Zhang's father, Liu Yan, once recognized me as a nephew. I can use this relationship to communicate with Liu Zhang, build alliances, support each other, and gradually gain Liu Zhang's trust."

Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "This is a yang plan, and it must be complemented by conspiracy. Yin and yang work together, and great achievements can be made."

Speaking of this, Zhuge Liang said in a low voice: "I heard that there is a witch god at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, who claims to be a golden witch. She can predict the future and has countless believers. Liu Zhang obeys her. I also heard that this girl is very greedy for gold and silk. My lord can buy this witch with a lot of money. With her as the internal response, why worry about Liu Zhang not taking the bait?"

Liu Bei was overjoyed, got up and bowed deeply, "I have Kongming, just like a fish in water!"

Only then did Zhuge Liang turn the topic back, "Liu Jing's withdrawal from Xiangyang is a foregone conclusion, and Cao Cao's attack on Jiangling is also inevitable. This is Liu Jing's plan to kill people with a sword. It is extremely vicious. Jiangling cannot be protected. My lord wants to evacuate the people to Wuling County immediately."

Liu Bei nodded silently, with a sad expression on his face. Zhuge Liang comforted him again: "Jiangling is just giving up temporarily. If Cao Cao is defeated, we can take it back. In addition, I plan to go to Jiangdong."

Liu Bei was startled, "Why is the military division going to Jiangdong?"

"Didn't Sun Quan tell the lord last time that if the lord is in trouble, he will fully support him. Now is the time for his support. The lord can't go anymore, so let me go to see Sun Quan."

Liu Bei was in a state of confusion, and hurriedly said, "If the military division is not in Jiangling, what should I do?"

Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "As long as my lord follows my plan, nothing will go wrong. Jiangdong's action is of great importance, and it is related to the division of interests in Jingzhou after the war. If there is no foresight, there must be near-term worries. The subordinates must go."

Liu Bei had no choice but to compromise and said: "Okay then! The military adviser will tell me first, how is Jiangdong's strategy arranged?"