Can I get to the other side?

"Prime Minister, it's time to eat."

While Kong Rong was meditating on the imperial edict, Taishi Ci walked into the study carrying food on a tray.

After returning to Beihai County from Yecheng, Taishi Ci stayed.

Kong Rong was unable to distinguish the true and false of the two emperors, so his reputation was ruined and he was reviled by people all over the world.

Even back in Beihai County, people were throwing stones and cow dung at the Prime Minister's Mansion from time to time, and some radical literati even wanted to climb over the wall and enter the mansion to question Kong Rong face to face.

In order to protect Kong Rong's safety, Taishi Ci had to give up his plan to take his mother back to Liaodong and stayed in the Prime Minister's Mansion with his mother's support.

"Well, put it there."

Kong Rong said absently.

At this time, he could not think about eating. His eyes remained on the imperial edict, and his expression was sometimes happy, sometimes worried, and sometimes tangled.

Taishi Ci couldn't help but be a little confused when he saw this.

Because Kong Rong has stayed behind closed doors since returning to Beihai. He spends his days at home either dealing with government affairs or reading and writing. He has never shown a smile again. This is the first time he has seen Kong Rong have such complex mood swings in such a long time. .

"Why is the Prime Minister troubled?"

Taishi Ci's eyes fell on the imperial edict, which was sent by the emperor of Yecheng and had just arrived at his house this morning.

Faced with Tai Shici's inquiry, Kong Rong did not hide anything and said, "Has Ziyi recently heard that Yuan Shao and his son turned against each other and that Yuan Shao was driven out of Yecheng?"

"Have heard a little bit."

Taishi Ci nodded. Recently, all kinds of news about Yecheng and Yuan Shao have been spread a lot.

Nowadays, people in the streets are discussing whether Yuan Xi committed treason and killed his father, or whether Yuan Shao was really the traitor who held the emperor hostage.

Could the content of this imperial edict be related to this matter?

"Now that things have happened, I won't hide anything from Ziyi anymore."

Kong Rong calmed down his expression and said to Tai Shi Ci, "The emperor in Yecheng has always been hiding his clumsiness. Although he is controlled by Yuan Shao on the surface, he is actually planning very deep in secret."

"This incident in Yecheng was led by His Majesty behind the scenes. Now he has driven away the tiger and devoured the wolf, successfully driven away Yuan Shao, and captured Yecheng."

Regarding Liu Xie's hidden clumsiness, Kong Rong had always kept it in his heart and never told anyone, not even Taishi Ci, for fear that it would be accidentally leaked and put Liu Xie in danger.

But now he no longer has to hide it, because his majesty has successfully escaped from trouble and is soaring into the sky.

"What?"

Taishi Ci was shocked when he heard this, "This... Yuan Shao and his son killed each other, Yuan Shao was driven out of Yecheng, and it was actually the emperor of Yecheng who was behind it? How is this possible?"

He could not imagine how an emperor who was forced to flee to Yecheng, had no foundation, and was controlled by Yuan Shao could complete such a layout.

This is not something that can be summed up simply by the word "Zangzhuo".

"Absolutely true."

Kong Rong was filled with emotion and said: "The emperor has thunder in his chest but does not fire it. When he seizes the opportunity, he soars into the sky. He is truly a talented and powerful emperor! It is a great fortune for this man to have such a heroic leader!"

He could imagine that the emperor must have put in unimaginable forbearance and hard work behind the scenes and slowly accumulated strength to achieve the current results.

This method and this character are fully worthy of the four words "majestic talent and great strategy"!

Taishi Ci couldn't help but blinked when he heard Kong Rong's words. He could see that Kong Rong recognized the emperor more in his heart, and even said the words "the great man is lucky".

Kong Rong did not notice the change in his words and continued: "Now that your Majesty wants to take control of Ye City and return Jizhou to the Han Dynasty, he has ordered Lu Bu to send an army to station there to prevent Yuan Shao from returning."

"But if Lu Bu's army wants to go to Jizhou, it must pass through Yanzhou or Qingzhou. In order for the army to pass smoothly, your majesty asked me to raise troops in Beihai County and seize surrounding counties to attract Yuan Tan's attention so that Lu Bu's army can pass ”

"This is exactly what I am hesitating about right now... Ziyi, do you have any good suggestions?"

It was really difficult for Kong Rong to make a decision.

He seemed to have returned to the time when he was in Yecheng and faced Liu Xie's questioning. His heart was full of pain and struggle, which was even worse than killing him.

"Actually, the Prime Minister already has the answer in his mind."

Taishi Ci smiled at Kong Rong, "If the Prime Minister doesn't want to help the Emperor, then why bother? Your hesitation is your choice."

"I don't think the Prime Minister should think too much. It's better to follow his heart for once."

Taishi Ci threw the question back again.

Kong Rong fell into silence. He held the desk with one hand and rubbed the imperial edict in his hand with the other. The words Liu Xie once said to him flashed through his mind from time to time.

"Run Beihai County well after I return."

"I want you to see how I can kill Cao Cao's thieves and false emperors, wipe out the traitors, and reorganize the country!"

After a long time, Kong Rong's eyes became firm.

He turned around and took off the military talisman from his waist, put it in Tai Shici's hand, and then said in a deep voice: "Ziyi, I will give you the military talisman, and the five thousand troops in the county... will be given to you."

Having said this, how could Taishi Ci still not understand what Kong Rong meant? He immediately cupped his fists and said, "Don't worry, Prime Minister! Ci Ding will fulfill his mission!"

After saying that, he turned around and left the study.

Watching Tai Shici leave, Kong Rong felt relieved in his heart. He looked at the imperial edict on the table and murmured to himself: "Even if I am wrong, I am sorry for the previous emperors of the Han Dynasty, but I am also worthy of the Han Dynasty."

…

Youzhou, Yicheng, Taishou Mansion.

After reading the battle report from the front line, Gongsun Zan couldn't help but cursed: "I didn't expect that old thief Yuan Shao to escape from Yecheng so quickly. What a good luck."

When sending troops this time, he originally wanted to take advantage of the opportunity while Yuan Shao was still imprisoned by Yuan Xi to attack Yecheng with thunderous force and rescue the emperor.

But who knew that the army had just invaded Jizhou and encountered a sniper attack from Yan Liang's army. Now there is news that Yuan Shao has escaped from trouble and is visiting the front line in person.

I can only say that God helps Yuan but not Gongsun!

Jia Xu was also in the hall. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, Marquis Yi. Although Yuan Shao is out of trouble, his strength has been weakened a lot since he has lost the city of Ye as his base."

"Jizhou is currently suffering from internal and external troubles. As long as we, Yuan Shao, keep fighting, let him show his fatigue, and attract most of the troops, Cao Cao will definitely be unable to help but send troops to attack Jizhou. Under attack from both front and rear, Jizhou will be defeated."

This is all part of his plan.

Gongsun Zan said with a sad face: "Of course I know this truth...but in terms of my background, I am far inferior to Yuan Shao, how can I continue to compete with him?"

"In order to send troops to attack Jizhou this time, I even gave up farming. If I can't achieve results before winter, it will be unsustainable."

It would not be an exaggeration to say that this dispatch of troops was a desperate move.

But now he is neither up nor down, and even has to compete with Yuan Shao for consumption. If he continues like this for a long time, he will definitely lose. Then he may have to abandon Youzhou and return to his hometown in Liaodong.

Just when Jia Xu was about to continue persuading, Gongsun Xu hurried in, shouting as he ran: "Father! Father——!"

Gongsun Zan was already in a bad mood. When he saw his irritable son, he became even more impatient. He shouted: "How unbecoming is it to be in a panic! And I have said it many times, except at home, if you see me on weekdays, you will Call it a job!”

Gongsun Xu came happily but was scolded. He suddenly felt a little depressed and reluctantly replied: "Yes, general."

Seeing this, Gongsun Zan snorted coldly: "If you have anything to do, tell me quickly. Don't delay my discussion with Guang Luxun... What is that in your hand?"

He noticed that Gongsun Xu was holding a jar in his hand.

Judging from the style, it is only those of foreign races.

"This? This is good stuff!"

Gongsun Xu perked up, opened the jar, showed the contents to Gongsun Zan, and said excitedly: "It's all full of refined salt, much finer than the fine salt we usually eat!"

"I seized these from foreigners, weighing hundreds of kilograms!"

This time he led Baima Yi out of the border to sweep away the foreigners and seized many trophies, the most precious of which was undoubtedly more than a hundred kilograms of salt.

Salt is a strategic material at all times, let alone such fine refined salt!

"Hundreds of pounds of refined salt?"

Gongsun Zan was startled, took the jar, grabbed a handful of salt and looked at it carefully, and then tasted a little more. He felt that it melted in the mouth, without the bitterness and harshness of coarse salt, only the purest taste of salt!

Excellent goods!

Gongsun Zan couldn't help but ask: "Where did those vulgar foreigners buy this salt? I have never eaten such fine salt, how could they have hundreds of kilograms?"

The quality of this salt was the first he had ever seen in his life, and he didn't believe those aliens could make it.

"This...has not been clarified yet."

Gongsun Xu said with some embarrassment. He was just happy and forgot to investigate this. "Father, don't worry, I'm going to catch a few aliens and torture them!"

After saying this, Gongsun Xu was about to leave, but Jia Xu stopped him and said, "There's no need to go. I know who sold this salt to those foreigners."

Gongsun Xu and Gongsun Fan both looked at Jia Xu.

"Who is it?"

Jia Xu shook his feather fan lightly and said with a faint smile: "When I was in Jizhou, I heard that the Mi family had mastered a new salt-making method. This refined salt is the product of the new salt-making method. I didn't expect that they would all do business with foreigners." Gone.”

"Mi? Isn't this a coincidence!"

Gongsun Xu was very happy, gearing up and eager to try: "Mi's caravan is currently stationed in Yicheng to rest! Father, do you want me to take people to arrest them all?"

“I’m sure I can make a fortune this time!”

Smuggling salt and iron was a taboo during the war, especially salt of this quality. Selling hundreds of kilograms of salt to foreigners at one time would be a capital crime!

Of course, Gongsun Xu would definitely not kill anyone, but would take this opportunity to extort a sum of money to buy his life. Who made them break the law?

"Tell me about my duties!"

Gongsun Zan glared at him, and then said: "The Mi family is related by marriage to your uncle Xuande. If you arrest their people, how do you want me to explain to your uncle in the future?"

"Just bring someone to invite the manager of Mi's caravan. Don't touch the others. Remember not to be rude."

If they were other caravans, they would be arrested, but who let Mi have a relationship with his good brother Liu Bei? If you don't look at the monk's face and the Buddha's face, you have to give Liu Bei some face.

However, the person still has to be arrested and questioned.

"Yes, father!"

Gongsun Xu responded with clasped fists, turned around and left.

He came back again half an hour later.

However, when he came back this time, he was followed by a fat middle-aged man dressed in silk and satin who had an extraordinary bearing. He was the steward of Mi's caravan.

"The grass-roots people have seen Youzhou Mu."

As soon as he saw Gongsun Zan, the steward of the Mi family bowed to him respectfully, and then asked with a smile on his face: "My Mi family's caravan has just arrived at the precious land. I don't know that Youzhou Mu..."

"New to this treasure land?"

Before he finished speaking, Gongsun Zan interrupted him and threw the jar of refined salt directly into the arms of the Mi family's steward, "You have sold so much refined salt to the foreigners, and you told me that you are new to this treasure land?"

"Don't you know that selling salt and iron to foreigners without authorization is a capital crime!"

The Mi family's steward was immediately shocked and said quickly: "Please forgive me, Youzhou Mu, please forgive me!"

Gongsun Zan snorted coldly: "This general really doesn't understand, isn't the business of the Central Plains states enough for your Mi family? Do you have to go to the foreign races to do business? If you raise those foreigners outside the pass, what will happen if they violate the border in the future?"

"That is to say, this general and Jingzhou Mu Liu Xuande are classmates, and he has a close relationship with your Mi family. If it weren't for his favor, I would not let you off easily this time!"

Although he didn't plan to touch the Mi family's caravan.

But the intimidation was necessary.

Otherwise, how could Liu Bei accept his favor?

"Thank you, Youzhou Mu."

The Mi family steward was relieved. After hesitating for a moment, he continued: "Actually... Youzhou Mu doesn't know that we do business with foreigners just to help Jingzhou Mu."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

Gongsun Zan raised his eyebrows and asked with some confusion.

Doing business with foreigners to help Liu Bei?

The Mi family steward sighed: "Jingzhou Mu wants to form a cavalry, but there are no war horses, so we can only go outside the pass to purchase. Otherwise, how could we sell salt to foreigners?"

"We have been doing this in secret. Please forgive me for the sake of Jingzhou Mu. Our Mi family will not lose your benefits."

As he said this, he bowed deeply to Gongsun Zan.

After hearing his words, Gongsun Zan's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward to help the Mi family steward up, and then said kindly: "This general has a deep friendship with Liu Xuande. Since you are here to help him, how can this general not let you off?"

"But this general has a suggestion... You don't need to buy horses from foreigners in the future, how about trading directly with this general?"

The Mi family steward was stunned, and then asked in disbelief: "Youzhou Mu is willing to... sell us war horses?"

"That's right!"

Gongsun Zan said seriously: "How many war horses do you want, this general will sell you as many as you want, and it's cheaper than those foreign barbarians!"

He doesn't lack war horses at all!

He will lead his troops to the foreign territory to rob as many as he wants. Why spend money to buy from those barbarians? Isn't it a waste of money!

Just rob them directly!

The steward of the Mi family said excitedly: "Thank you, Mu of Youzhou! Thank you, Mu of Youzhou!"

"It's just a small favor. I have no choice but to help my classmate and close friend!"

Gongsun Zan said with a smile. In his eyes, the steward of the Mi family is no longer a person, but a walking cash cow!

This is a big customer!

Behind him, Jia Xu gently waved his feather fan, looking at Gongsun Zan who was chatting enthusiastically with the steward of the Mi family, with an imperceptible smile on his lips.

It's a trap.

——

(PS: I'm about to write the plot where the protagonist stands on the stage. I'll sort out the outline. Today, I'll only update 9,000 words.)