The Three Kingdoms: The Cold Gate World

Chapter 298 God-given opportunity
The defeat at Guandu was a major blow that Yuan Shao had never experienced in his life. It was even worse than his defeat by Guo Jia in Guanzhong. Yuan Shao could find many reasons to comfort himself in the defeat in Guanzhong, including Cao Cao's sniper behind him and the geographical location of Guanzhong. , the difference in strength in the decisive battle is not too big and so on.

However, in the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao defeated Cao Cao in almost every aspect, strategy, art of war, human strategy, and even in the end, Xu You, who Yuan Shao knew since childhood, betrayed him!

Zhang Zhagao rebelled before the battle, Yan Liang died in the battle, his counselors advised against him going south, and so on.

The mental blow was extremely heavy. After Yuan Shao fled back to Hebei, he became ill for [-] months and died of vomiting blood.

"Yuan Benchu ​​is ashamed of the family power run by his ancestors for four generations."

Guo Jia looked as usual, Yuan Shao was doomed to end today after losing.

This kind of news has a great impact on Xu Shu and others. After all, the fall of a prince who has attracted the attention of the world cannot be treated calmly.

"After Yuan Shao's death, the faction under his command was divided into two factions. The faction of Fengji and Shenpei supported Yuan Shang, and the faction of Guo Tu and Xin Ping supported Yuan Tan. Yuan Shang inherited Yuan Shao's official position. General, Jizhou Mu, and concurrently governor Ji Qingyou merged The military of the four states. Not to be outdone, Yuan Tan proclaimed himself General of Chariots and Riders."

In the past, the three sons of the Yuan family were fighting, but when Yuan Shao died, only the two sons would be supported by his subordinates.

The eldest son, Yuan Tan, is the eldest brother, so it is normal for someone to support him.

The youngest son, Yuan Shang, is Yuan Shao's favorite son. If he has support, he is more likely to inherit Yuan Shao's behest.

Yuan Xi, who was caught in the middle, was the one who received the least attention. He wanted to raise the banner, but he had neither status nor popular support, so he was naturally defeated in the battle for sons and daughters.

No one in his subordinates suggested that Guo Jia go to Hebei or the Central Plains at this time.

After Cao Cao reorganized his army, he must guard against Guo Jia. Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, who had just taken over the position, formed an offensive and defensive alliance at this time. Yuan Tan led the army to Liyang to defend Cao Cao, and Yuan Shang stayed in Yecheng. Come and beat them, whoever comes to snatch their territory, they will fight to the death with whoever.

The best time to send troops is to ease the tension in the early stage. After the two brothers think that there is no external threat, they will start a civil war. At that time, it is the best time to be taken advantage of by others, and Guo Jiahe Of the two Cao Cao, Cao Cao obviously has the upper hand than Guo Jia.

After the Battle of Guandu, Guo Jia was mentally prepared to face the situation where Cao Cao dominated the Guandong and north of the Yangtze River.

And Guo Jia can't be idle, he wants to conquer the northwest and unify Kansai, and then he will recuperate and work hard. After the new generation of troops has been drilled and formed a strong combat force, he will compete with Cao Cao again.

This year was an uneasy year for the Northwest. First there was a severe drought, and then there was a locust plague. Guanzhong was less affected, but it would certainly have a lot of impact on the harvest compared to previous years.

At this time, Zhang was tirelessly explaining the importance of water conservancy construction in Guo Jia's ear, as if even the heavens were supporting his previous proposal with Tianwei.

It's not that Guo Jia doesn't understand the importance of this, it's just that he can't use all the budget of the government to invest in Guanzhong, and other places have to be comprehensive, how can it be so easy?
While reviewing official documents in the government, Guo Jia planned to mobilize some grain and grass from Hanzhong to Guanzhong in case another natural disaster would affect the harvest in the coming year.

Fazheng stepped into the hall, cupped his hands at Guo Jia and said, "My lord, Ma Chao sent Pound here. At the same time as Meng Da in Fufeng, there was news that Han Sui also sent his subordinate Liang Xing. Pound has already entered Chang'an. Liang Xing has just passed Fufeng and is expected to arrive in Chang'an in a day."

Putting his hands on the low table, Guo Jia asked, "Xiao Zhi, you said that both of them sent people to Chang'an, what's their purpose?"

Fazheng blurted out: "Borrow food."

The drought and locust plagues in the northwest were much more serious than in Guanzhong. Although the autumn harvest was coming, the harvest in the northwest was definitely not optimistic. Han Sui and Ma Chao sent people to Chang'an at this time, and Fazheng knew the answer without even thinking about it.

"Well, after Pang De comes, you can call Zhang Ji to me. He is in charge of the grain storage in the Guanzhong government warehouse. He should be the clearest about these accounts."

After Guo Jia finished speaking, he continued to bow his head and devote himself to official duties.

After half a day, Pang De came to meet Guo Jia.

It has been nearly two years since the last time we parted. Pound is in his prime, and he looks much calmer and more mature than before. When he saw Guo Jia, he was polite and behaved very respectfully.

"My lord, I came here to ask for something. This year, my lord's land harvest is expected to be less than [-]% of previous years. With this little harvest alone, many people under his rule may be in danger of starving to death. Please lend your hand to help. Let me help you through this difficult time.”

Pound bowed and bowed sincerely, not only for Ma Chao, but also for those people who were in danger of starving to death.

He has always been a person who can't speak beautiful words on the scene. When facing Guo Jia several times, he always speaks straight to the point. Guo Jia likes this kind of dialogue very much. Taking a step back, Pang De actually doesn't have the confidence to bargain with Guo Jia verbally. Intrigue, after all, he is asking for help on behalf of Ma Chao.

"Ling Ming, can you give me some time to think about this matter?"

Guo Jia did not fully agree, but his attitude was still as gentle as before.

Perhaps it was the impression that Guo Jia was vigorous and resolute in the past deeply impressed Pang De. When he heard Guo Jia's words this time, his first feeling was that Guo Jia politely refused.

"My lord, the 20 people under my rule are in danger of life and death..."

Pound's expression changed drastically. The reasonable Guo Jia in his heart would not use an official tone to shirk him, but at this time, he had no room to think deeply.

Guo Jia smiled lightly, and gestured to him, telling him to be calm.

"Lingming, I understand what you said, but you should let me figure out my family's wealth first, right? The harvest in Guanzhong this year is also much lower than in previous years. If I can't protect myself, how can I be generous?"

Hearing this, Pang De breathed a sigh of relief, Guo Jia did the right thing.

Guo Jia is not a person who will swell his face to make himself fat. Even if he wants to lend food to Ma Chao, he must do what he can, and will not deliberately show his strength and capital because of his status today.

Not long after Pound's arrival, Zhang Jie walked in.

"De Rong, you came at a good time. Let me introduce you. This is Pound Pang Lingming, a fierce general under Xiliang Jinma Chao. Lingming, this is Zhang Ji, Zhang Derong. He is my good housekeeper in Guanzhong."

Guo Jia introduced the two to each other with a smile, and then asked Zhang Ji: "De Rong, Ling Ming's visit this time is to borrow food for Ma Mengqi's territory to survive the famine after autumn. I would like to ask the people in Guanzhong How much grain is there? How much can be squeezed out to support Meng Qi?"

Pang De looked sideways at Zhang Ji, full of anticipation, hoping that Zhang Ji could say something that would reassure him.

It's a pity that Zhang Ji shook his head slightly with a heavy expression, and said in a deep voice: "To tell you the truth, if Guanzhong hadn't been supported by the grain and grass that the lord brought in to leave the Guandong two years ago, I'm afraid Guanzhong would also fall into a famine after autumn. Now the merchants in the city are taking the opportunity to raise the price of grain, and I am dealing with this matter."

"Huh! De Jong, there are really profiteers who dare to make huge profits at this time. You should keep an eye on them all. I don't mind killing the rich and helping the poor."

Guo Jia's face was a little gloomy. There are all kinds of birds in the big forest. There must be restless people in the Yizhou Chamber of Commerce. The fringe families like the Zhang family in Shu County and the Zhen family who really dominate the chamber of commerce have long seen the morals of the world clearly, who to fight against, and don't fight against the ruler who dominates life and death. Qian Liang still wants to make trouble, what is the difference between courting death?
Pound looked anxious on the side. He didn't care what the rich and powerful under Guo Jia wanted to do, and he didn't have the mind to explore it. He only cared about whether Guo Jia could give Ma Chao a hand in this critical moment.

"My lord, can I really just stand by and watch?"

In fact, Pang De had a malicious idea in his heart, thinking that Guo Jia might be acting with Zhang, and using such a helpless way to refuse to borrow money would prevent the relationship between the two families from forming a rift.

Guo Jia's anger disappeared quickly from his face, he smiled at Pang De again, and said: "Don't worry, Ling Ming, there is no surplus grain in Guanzhong to lend you, I will mobilize grain and grass from Hanzhong to give you, but it may take a long time." Delay for a few days."

Pang De was taken aback for a moment, staring blankly at Guo Jia, feeling ashamed suddenly in his heart.

Once again, he measured the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain!

After getting Guo Jia's personal guarantee, Pang De first resigned and went to live in the post in the city. After Guo Jia dispatched the grain and grass, he would send someone to escort the grain and grass back to Xiliang with him.

After Pang De left, Guo Jia tilted his head and looked at Zhang Ji with a slightly surprised expression.

"De Jong, who taught you to say that?"

There is grain in Guanzhong, and even if there are merchants in the city driving up the price of grain, it must be a trivial matter. If the impact is not small, Guo Jia will not be unaware.

Zhang Ji was also taken aback, and instead asked Guo Jia: "Didn't the lord ask Master Fa to tell me so?"

Ha ha ha

Guo Jia chuckled lightly and said, "Don't be led astray by him."

Before evening, Guo Jia went around the Chang'an barracks, and because it was Guo Ye's turn to rest at the battalion headquarters for the past two days, Guo Jia took him home by the way.

On the way back to the mansion, Guo Ye, who was wearing a soldier uniform, followed Guo Jia. Suddenly, he looked up at Guo Jia suspiciously, because Guo Jia was looking at him.

"Ye'er, the Northwest is about to face a famine. Both Ma Chao and Han Sui have sent people to borrow food. Do you want to borrow food for the father or not?"

After pondering for a while, Guo Ye replied, "It doesn't matter if you borrow it or not."

Guo Jia put one hand on his shoulder and continued walking forward with a smile on his face.

"Oh? My father would like to hear about it."

Guo Ye cleared his mind and opened his mouth and said: "Borrowing food is a kindness, but the two families can get along well and live in peace with each other. If you don't borrow money, you can wait until the two families run out of food and gradually die out."

The upward curve of the corner of the mouth was getting bigger and bigger, Guo Jia didn't take Guo Ye's words and continued.

For him, the opportunity to attack the Northwest has actually appeared. As long as he does not lend food to Ma Chao and Han Sui at this time, it is only a matter of time before the two heroes of the Northwest fall. , can also drive them to a dead end.

However, Guo Jia still decided to lend food to Ma Chao and Han Sui.

(End of this chapter)