Soldiers come to the world

_up;

Liu Min bid farewell and left, and Sun Quan ordered someone to find Zhang Zhao. Not long after, Zhang Zhao rushed over, bowed and said, "Is Marquis Wu looking for an old minister?"

After Zhou Yu's death, Zhang Zhao was once again employed by Sun Quan, and gradually took control of Jiangdong's political affairs. In the power struggle in Jiangdong's officialdom, the Jiangbei faction represented by Zhang Zhao also had the upper hand, while Lu Su's Lujiang faction was in a weak position. Last year, in Jiangdong’s public selection of scholars imitating Jingzhou, the Jiangbei scholars recommended by the Zhang Zhao faction and the Wuyue scholars recommended by the Dongwu faction accounted for most of the places, while only three of the Lujiang and Yuzhang scholars recommended by the Lusu faction were admitted. , suffered a fiasco. ----,remember----

In fact, Sun Quan also hoped to follow the example of Jingzhou, regardless of the rank and file, and honor talents, but he couldn't do it, and all the officials under his command unanimously opposed it. In the end, he had to adopt a compromise method. Lian, and then take the exam to select the best.

In the end, various factions competed for officialdom resources, and Zhang Zhao's Jiangbei faction and the Wuyue faction represented by the Gu, Lu, and Yu families won a complete victory.

This made Sun Quan also realize that factional disputes in Jiangdong’s officialdom were deeply rooted and had become the biggest obstacle to his reforms. The most typical example was the failure of Jiangdong Craftsmanship. He enjoys the same treatment as officials and scholars, but this change was strongly opposed by Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, Yu Fan and others. When Zhou Yu passed away, Lu Su failed to save the artisan school. Eventually withdrawn.

It can be said that this is the bitter wine that Sun Quan brewed himself. In order to consolidate his power, he deliberately strengthened the awareness of factionalism in the officialdom. In the end, the factionalism in the officialdom became a big cancer in Jiangdong, and it was hard to eradicate.

Seeing Zhang Zhao enter the room, Sun Quan only greeted Lu Su indifferently. He was a little displeased, but did not show it on his face, and said gently, "Just now I received Liu Min, Liu Jing's permanent envoy, and he said Liu Jing intends to visit Jiangdong, the pretext is to accompany Princess Shangxiang to Jiangdong to visit relatives, Zijing and I speculate that Liu Jing must have come here with a plan, I wonder what Zibu thinks?"

Zhang Zhaolu pondered for a while, then smiled and said: "If the old minister is not mistaken, he came to Jiangdong in person to consolidate the alliance between Sun and Liu, but his real purpose is to send troops to Jiangdong to send troops to the Northern Expedition to echo him on the Western Front, in order to seek the greatest possible political advantage. Benefit. 5"

"Zibu agrees with what we think. It seems that Liu Jing really came here with a plan, so how should we deal with it?" Sun Quan asked again.

Zhang Zhao thought for a while and said, "Since Liu Jing came here to ask for Jiangdong, we also want to get the corresponding benefits. I suggest that my lord should not agree to any substantive request from Liu Jing, but to see his specific sincerity, and then come again." Show our attitude and seek the best interests for Jiangdong."

Sun Quan nodded, then turned around and asked Lu Su with a smile, "What does Zijing mean?"

Lu Su said slowly: "If Liu Jing treats each other with sincerity, we should also show sincerity, and we should not consider interests in everything, just like the Battle of Hefei, Gan Ning did try his best to come here, but the journey is far away, he It is not entirely the responsibility of the Jingzhou Navy for not arriving in time. I think Marquis Wu also needs to apologize to Liu Jing. This is the basis for cooperation between the two parties. This is the way for Sun and Liu to maintain long-term stability."

Lu Su's words were obviously aimed at Zhang Zhao. Zhang Zhao's face changed slightly. Just as he was about to refute, Sun Quan waved his hand and said with a smile: "Zibu is right, Jiangdong's interests are first, and Zijing is also right. The two sides should cooperate honestly, like this! Zijing will go to Chengdu to welcome Liu Jing on my behalf. Zijing will be fully responsible for all the etiquette arrangements, and Zibu will start preparing food and supplies. Once the two sides reach a consensus, Jiangdong will probably send troops .”

........

Just when Lu Su and Liu Min took a boat to Chengdu to meet Liu Jing, Cao Cao's secret agent in Jianye also found out the news, and immediately sent this important information to Yedu by pigeon letter.

The information that Liu Jing wanted to visit Jiangdong immediately made Cao Cao nervous. Cao Cao knew very well that Liu Jing's visit to Jiangdong at this critical moment must be to join forces with Jiangdong to plan the Central Plains. 3

In the inner hall of Tongque Terrace, Cheng Yu, Guoyuan, Liu Ye, Chen Qun, Mao Jie and other important counselors and officials gathered together. The eldest son Cao Pi and the third son Cao Zhi were also sitting. Cao Cao reported the news of Liu Jingyu's visit to Jiangdong. After telling everyone, he said worriedly: "Now that the Han army has taken the initiative in Guanlong, Liu Jing is defending instead of attacking. He just went to visit Jiangdong. Obviously, he wants to cooperate with Jiangdong to launch an offensive in the Central Plains. I want to fight with Jiangdong." Discuss, how should we deal with it?"

There was silence in the hall. This news really shocked everyone. They didn't know how to answer for a while. At this time, Cao Cao glanced at Cheng Yu, and seeing that he seemed to be thinking, he said, "Zhong De first!"

Cheng Yu sighed and said, "Frankly speaking, this news shocked me as well, but I'm not surprised. Liu Jing's intentions are already obvious. He has a strategic advantage in Guanzhong, but he didn't attract it. Instead, he joined forces with Sun Quan. Preparing to attack the Central Plains in the north, we are facing enemies from both sides. Wei Chen thinks that he obviously wants to attack the Central Plains, but in fact it is for Guanzhong. What makes Weichen feel helpless is that he has to be restrained by him even though he knows that he is for Guanzhong. , Guanzhong is important, but the Central Plains is even more important."

At this time, Shangshu Guoyuan interjected: "Even if Liu Jing is going to attack the Central Plains, it will take at least four or five months for him to visit Jiangdong back and forth. It will be autumn when they launch a war against the Central Plains, but it is only May now." In the middle of the month, can we use the few months when Liu Jing is not on the front line to concentrate our forces to recapture Chencang and Long County, drive the Han army out of Guanzhong, and even retake Longxi, I wonder if Mr. Mao thinks it is feasible?"

Mao Jie was a counselor who escaped from Chencang, and he knew the situation of Chencang and Long County very well. Although Guoyuan sincerely asked for advice, Mao Jie's face was still red, he felt deeply ashamed, and bowed his head for a long time without saying a word.

Cao Cao understood his feelings, so he smiled and said: "I also have this kind of thought, Xiaoxian might as well say it frankly!"

Mao Jie had no choice but to say slowly: "Although Liu Jing is not in Chencang, Jia Xu is in Chencang. There are 5 elite troops stationed in Chencang, and 3 in Long County. In addition, Sanguan is also firmly held by the Han army. Control it, I heard that the first thing Liu Jing did after capturing Chencang was to strengthen the city, widen the moat, and strengthen the defense. If we want to conquer Chencang, we need at least 15 troops. In addition, to prevent the Han army from Longxian from attacking Chang'an, we need to be in Chang'an The garrison is [-], which is [-] troops, which is more than half of our army. Chang'an can no longer afford the food and materials that need to be consumed. It must be transported from Bingzhou. This is still under the premise that Chen Cang can be conquered. We were hit back by the Han army in Longxian and Chencang, [-] against [-], we are not sure of victory, once defeated, the consequences will be serious, I think everyone should understand."

Cao Cao's expression changed. Mao Jie was right. With Jia Xu guarding Chencang, Huang Zhong and Zhao Yunzhiyong, if Chencang could not be captured and the army was defeated instead, the consequences would be serious and he couldn't bear it.

At this moment, Cheng Yu continued: "Continuing what I said just now, although Liu Jing is falsely attacking the Central Plains, once the Central Plains has a chance, he will definitely turn the falsehood into reality and really march towards the Central Plains. Shocking, I hope the prime minister will pay full attention to this."

Cao Cao nodded silently. Although he didn't want to admit it, he had to face the reality. He sighed in his heart and asked, "Then according to Zhongde's opinion, what should we do?"

"Weichen proposed a plan called: guard the point in Guanzhong, cloth the border in the Central Plains. Specifically, 15 heavy troops will be stationed in Chang'an to confront the Han army. Only [-] troops will be sent in Guanzhong, while the central principle will deploy [-] troops. There are four points, Nanyang, Runan, Hefei and Xuzhou. Another [-] troops stationed in Xudu will support wherever there is a crisis. able to recover."

Cao Cao also felt that this plan was feasible, so he said: "Zhongde stay here for a while, everyone step down first!"

Seeing that the eldest son hesitated to speak again, he also nodded, "Pi'er can stay too."

Everyone retreated, and only Cheng Yu and Cao Pi were left in the inner hall. Cao Cao asked Cao Pi first, "Does Pi Er have anything to say?"

"Father, I want to remind my father that there were many heroic men in the Longxi and Guanzhong battles who were not rewarded for a long time. This is not good for the morale of the army. For example, Jiang Ping would rather commit suicide than surrender to Liu Jing. How heroic. Why didn't father reward him generously?"

"My son is right. I didn't think it through. Jiang Ping was brave and loyal, but he was given the posthumous title of 'Zhong'. He was granted the title of Marquis of Jieting and his son inherited it. There is a bounty of one thousand taels, so you can handle this matter."

"My son obeys!"

Cao Cao praised the eldest son for his thorough consideration. He pondered for a moment, then sighed to Cheng Yu and said, "To be honest, the most urgent thing for me now is to restore my reputation. Zhongde succeeded in counterattacking Nanyang. Although he saved a lot of reputation, but Not enough, if I can win another victory and my prestige will increase greatly, I can continue to recruit troops and increase my strength. Now that Liu Jing is going to visit Jiangdong, I wonder if we can use these few months to do something and recruit troops as soon as possible. "

Cheng Yu was very aware of the pressure Cao Cao was under, and he stayed here because he hoped that he would share his worries. After thinking about it, Cheng Yu smiled and said, "There is a way to increase the prestige of the prime minister."

Cao Cao was overjoyed, and quickly asked: "What way?"

"As the saying goes, persimmons should be picked and squeezed softly. Apart from the southern forces, there is also a soft persimmon. Has the prime minister forgotten?"

Cao Cao was startled, but suddenly realized, "Zhongde is talking about Liaodong?"

Cheng Yu nodded, "The remnants of the Yuan family retreated to Liaodong. Although they defeated the forces of the Gongsun family, I heard that they fought fiercely among themselves and fought against each other. They must have a civil war, but if the prime minister wants to improve his prestige, it is better to send a strong army to defeat them in one battle."

Cao Cao happily stroked his beard and said, "Zhongde knows my heart! I don't know who to send?"

Cheng Yu looked at Cao Pi, and Cao Pi immediately bowed to salute, "My son is willing to share his father's worries and lead the army to pacify Liaodong."

Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu, then at Cao Pi, and said with a slight smile, "Okay! Let Pi'er lead the army. I hope you won't disappoint me."