Three Kingdoms

Chang'an is located to the north of Meiyang, a grassland at the southern foot of the mountain.

The war horses injured some time ago are recovering here, and on the other side of the war horses are groups of cattle and sheep. Although they are not as large as the Hu tribe, they have accumulated a lot in the past two years. Small amount.

Although commerce cannot directly produce a variety of production and living materials like agriculture, commerce can promote the production of these materials, because more and better materials can be exchanged for the generals who conquered the west, and the Hu people produced The enthusiasm of farmers has also been increased, and the number of cattle and sheep raised has gradually increased.

In the past, it was not that the Hu people could not raise so many cattle and sheep. First, they had to migrate frequently, and it was difficult to take care of the numbers beyond their capabilities. Second, the bearing capacity of the pasture was limited. The more cattle and sheep, the more cattle and sheep they could eat up. The faster the migration, the more frequent the migration, and cattle and sheep needed hay reserves for the winter. In the Han Dynasty, when there was no large machinery, everything was done by hand, which naturally limited the scale of the Hu people's breeding.

But things are different now. After autumn, the weaker and older cattle and sheep can be sold to the Han people, leaving the strong cattle and sheep for the winter, which can be exchanged for supplies and reduce the consumption of hay in winter. And there is no need to be as worried and laborious as before, and the Hu people are naturally happy.

For the Han people who were under General Zhengxi, it was common practice to sell high and buy low, just as the price of grain before and after the autumn harvest can be very different, and the prices of cattle and sheep also fluctuated with the seasons. The pastures of the Hu people in the north are bitterly cold in winter, but the temperature in the southern foothills of Lishan Mountain is much better. The old and weak cattle and sheep that the Hu people think cannot survive can often survive here where the temperature is better...

Even if there are signs of being unable to survive, the huge consumer group in Chang'an is enough to maximize the value of these cattle and sheep. The skins, bones and meat of cattle and sheep can all be fully utilized.

Therefore, over time, the number of cattle and sheep in the pastures at the southern foot of Lishan Mountain in Chang'an gradually increased, and the value of Bingbei's commercial prosperity can also be seen here.

However, Jia Xu and Xu Shu finally got together here, not just to see the cattle and sheep coming, but because they were eyeing the meat.

Eating meat is so comfortable. If you are used to eating meat, will anyone turn around and chew dirt?

Xu Shu glanced at Jia Xu sideways, turned back to look at the farmers who were cutting the last wave of grass, and then looked at the sheep grazing in the distance. After a while, he said: "The pit ahead is very big." It’s obvious…”

This time the suggestion of digging holes was put forward by Jia Xu, and then Pang Tong implemented it.

Compared with Xu Shu and Jia Xu, Pang Tong is indeed very confusing, after all, he is young! In the Han Dynasty, when people got married and had children at an early age, although Pang Tong was considered an adult at this age, the surrounding officials were seven or eight years older than Pang Tong, and some were even twenty or thirty years older. On the surface, there was not much difference between the faces of General Fei Qian and Pang Degong, but everyone knew that someone must have been very unhappy when they saw Pang Tong's thin face and his chin, which did not have much beard.

However, those who are close to Mo are black, um, no, those who are close to Zhu are red. It is not unreasonable. Pang Tong has been hanging out with Jia Xu and Xu Shu for a long time, and he is also a smart person. This deception, um, his planning skills will naturally improve. A lot...

However, what Xu Shu considered was that although Pang Tong's age was somewhat confusing, he had just tricked the nobles of the Third Auxiliary clan not long ago. Even if these guys didn't remember to eat, they still had to remember to fight. Even if the trap was well dug, Well, if not many people fall in, there won’t be much left to eat.

Jia Xu squinted his eyes, laughed a few times, and then said: "Man perishes for wealth, and birds perish for food. Everyone knows it, but why do you do it!"

Xu Shu thought for a moment and nodded. It is true. It is said that it is easier to know than to do. Everyone knows that if you are not greedy for petty advantages, you will not be deceived so easily. But don't those who are deceived understand this superficial truth?

"Then let's see if Shi Yuan can perform this play well..." Xu Shu was still worried about gains and losses.

"Hehehehe..." Jia Xu laughed unkindly and said, "What are you afraid of? Anyway, even if the performance fails, we will not lose anything... I said, your dual relationship is really good, you are quite good Worried about him..."

"What do you mean by duality..." Xu Shu retorted, "They are all under the command of Zheng Xi, how can they be ours? Besides, there are quite a lot of people with the word '文' and 'zi'. , speaking of which, there are quite a few... Haha, it is true that mosquitoes are the most numerous..."

Jia Xu rolled his eyes covertly. Anyway, his eyes were long and slender, so it would not be easy to be noticed if he rolled them. After a moment of pause, he said, "What's going on in Tongguan?"

The direction of Tongguan is Xu Shu's main job. When it came to business, Xu Shu also stopped talking and joking, stroked his beard and said: "I have sent more than ten teams of people to patrol day and night. I will definitely not leak any information..."

"Well..." Jia Xu nodded.

Yang Biao of Tongguan actually couldn't hold on any longer a few days ago. After receiving the news of Guanqiu Xing's defeat, he had no room for struggle and immediately chose to retreat. However, this news is still being withheld by Xu Shu and Jia Xu, and has not been directly announced with great fanfare.

"As for Longyou..." Xu Shu looked at Jia Xu. This matter was the project that Jia Xu was mainly responsible for.

Jia Xu was silent for a moment and said with a hint of melancholy: "With Li Changshi sitting there...those little bugs can't make much waves..."

"So, Li Changshi will be stationed in Longyou permanently?" Xu Shu keenly grasped the key point and said.

Jia Xu sighed slightly and nodded.

Xu Shu was silent for a moment, then sighed and said, "That's okay..."

Although both of them knew that when Dong Zhuo wanted to poison Liu Bian, Li Ru strongly opposed it, but the problem was that Dong Zhuo was already somewhat ill at the time, and it was Li Ru who finally carried out the execution. Because of this, Li Ru basically had nothing to do with the central court. Although there were many ministers who killed the emperor in the history of the Han Dynasty, it did not mean that Liu Xie could tolerate Li Ru wandering around under his nose. Even though Li Ru was now The appearance of the two people is already the same, but it will be troublesome if someone finds out.

But it's different under the court.

Li Ru was somewhat benevolent to General Fei Qian of the Expedition to the West. Xu Shu and others also knew this, so General Fei Qian of the Expedition to the West took Li Ru in and granted Li Ru the title of Changshi. At a time when the laws of the Han Dynasty blatantly allowed shielding behavior, Xu Shu Naturally, the others had nothing to say, and even felt that it was a blessing to have such a superior who remembered old feelings and was willing to take risks for his subordinates.

Therefore, Li Ru became the best choice to take charge of Longyou.

On the one hand, Longyou, like Bingbei, Jiaozhou, Youbei, Annan and other places, was a place of exile for the Han Dynasty. Li Ru's stay in Longyou was equivalent to actively serving his sentence. From another aspect, originally Longyou Li Ru is very familiar with him and has some connections and reputation. With him in charge, he is naturally more reassuring than others.

"Okay... now let's see how much meat there is in the pit..." Xu Shu turned his gaze to the distance again and looked at the large group of cattle and sheep.

Jia Xu also nodded, licked his lips, and smacked his lips...

…………………………

Jingxiang, Kuai Mansion.

Kuai Yue walked in with his sleeves waving, cupped his hands towards Kuai Liang, and then sat down, looking angry.

Kuai Liang raised his eyelids slightly, glanced at Kuai Yue, and then ignored him. Instead, he slightly twirled his beard and continued to read his book.

After sitting for a while, Kuai Yue finally couldn't sit still anymore. He turned around and was about to say something, when he met Kuai Liang's narrowed eyes.

"Uh..." Kuai Yue opened his mouth, then swallowed the words, and then sat aside silently.

After another half while, Kuai Liang placed the scroll in his hand on the table, and then said slowly, "What's the matter?"

"Another group of people from the Cai family and Huang family left..." Kuai Yue put his hand on the table and leaned forward slightly.

"Going to Hanzhong?" Kuai Liang frowned and asked.

Kuai Yue nodded, and then whispered: "It is said that Liu Jingzhou accidentally dropped a cup in the hall..."

The beard on the corner of Kuai Liang's mouth was slightly raised, and he said: "So, it's not just the Cai family and the Huang family who are going? Who else is there?"

"Eldest brother, I can't hide anything from you..." Kuai Yue said with a smile, "...we are also traveling with the Ma family and the Fei family..."

"Ma's family? Fei's family?" Kuai Liang's eyebrows moved, then nodded and said, "No wonder Liu Jingzhou dropped the cup... Hanzhong, Hanzhong is indeed a good place... Ma's family and Huang's family have always been good, too. They are family friends, so it’s not surprising that they go together... But this Fei family... um..."

Kuai Liang's eyes quickly moved left and right, and he suddenly thought of something and said: "Oh, I understand..."

Kuai Yue blinked, a little stunned, what do you understand?

Kuai Liang glanced at Kuai Yue and saw his expression, knowing that he hadn't thought clearly, so he gave a little thought and said, "The Fei family is different from the Ma family. It's their own relationship..."

"My relationship?" Kuai Yue still couldn't figure it out. When he wanted to ask again, Kuai Liang shut his mouth and was glared at. He could only press it down for the time being, and then said with some words. : "Is General Zhengxi really that powerful? I really didn't see it at all in Jingxiang..."

nonsense!

Kuai Liang frowned and said, "Tell me, what exactly do you want to do?"

Kuai Yue chuckled twice and said in a low voice: "Didn't Liu Jingzhou drop the cup? Brother, look, is it okay..."

Kuai Liang glared and slapped the table with a "bang" sound: "Nonsense! I thought you were older in the past few years and could handle things more calmly, but I never thought you would still be so reckless!"

"Brother! Why did the eldest brother say this? The younger brother is also thinking about the Kuai family..." Kuai Yue was startled and said somewhat aggrieved.

"Hmph!" Kuai Liang waved his hand and ordered all the attendants around him to step back. Then he stared at Kuai Yue and said, "For the sake of the Kuai family! You deserve to say it! Anyway, if you don't make it clear today, I'm afraid you won't be able to tell me clearly in the future. It will bring trouble! Kuai Yue, kneel down!"

Kuai Yue trembled, not daring to show his hair, and obediently left the table and knelt on the ground. In the Han Dynasty, the saying that an elder brother is like a father was not just said casually.

"When Liu Jingzhou first arrived, you only offered advice, but you actually invited the thieves in the name of the Kuai family!" Kuai Liang said in a deep voice, "Although these clan thieves deserved their death, you don't want to think about why these clan thieves came?! If something goes wrong with the Kuai family in the future, what will be the consequences?!"

Kuai Yue subconsciously wanted to reply, "How could our Kuai family do such a thing?" However, when he looked up, he saw Kuai Liang's face sinking like water. He couldn't help but swallowed a mouthful of saliva and swallowed back the words he was about to blurt out.

"A certain person gave Liu Jingzhou some advice. Although the effect was slow and very safe, the operation was even more mysterious. If Liu Jingzhou handed over all the matters to the Kuai family, the Kuai family could take the opportunity to seize the military power and control the place. ..." Kuai Liang said in a deep voice, "And apart from gaining the reputation of being a 'convict', have you brought much benefit to the Kuai family?"

Although it was autumn and the weather was dry, a lot of sparkling water quickly gathered on Kuai Yue's head, and soon a drop of sweat fell on the bluestone on the ground.

"More on, you want to borrow a knife, but it is used as a knife by others!" Kuai Liang sighed and said, "Although I was aware of it at the time, I was a little slow, and I am half at fault..."

Kuai Yue quickly kowtowed and said, "This is the younger brother's fault and has nothing to do with the elder brother..."

"It has nothing to do with me, but does it have anything to do with the Kuai family?" Kuai Liang glared at Kuai Yue, and was so angry that he picked up the book on the desk and smashed it on Kuai Yue, "You said it doesn't matter if it doesn't matter? You Is it great that you can take responsibility for yourself? Others will not blame the Kuai family? You...are so angry!"

"Brother, calm down! Brother, calm down..." Kuai Yue kowtowed repeatedly and said, "It was the younger brother who was wrong, the younger brother was wrong, it was the younger brother who was reckless..."

Kuai Liang took a few deep breaths, calmed down, and then said slowly: "Since you know your mistake, why do you still take the bait this time? The official career is originally uneven, and it is not surprising to fall and bump, but You actually fell in the same place twice or three times, and you still have the nerve to claim to be smart?"

"What? Brother, what you mean is..." Kuai Yue suddenly raised his head, widened his eyes, and said, "Yes... Liu Jingzhou meant..."

"Otherwise?" Kuai Liang closed his eyes, shook his head and said, "You must know that Cai is Liu Jingzhou's inner chamber! Liu Jingzhou accidentally dropped the cup... Haha, if this really happened, do you think you would be the first to do so? Do you know or does Cai know first?"

Beads of sweat rolled down Kuai Yue's head.

"Our Kuai family is not the knife of the Liu family, let alone the lackeys of the Liu family!" Kuai Liang lowered his voice and said, "General Zhengxi is now gaining momentum. The Cai family and the Huang family are just borrowing the momentum of General Zhengxi to fight with Liu Jingzhou Checks and balances, why do we in the Kuai family need to be villains in vain?"

"Brother... then, what should we do..." Kuai Yue said hesitantly.

"Zhengxi created a new paper, called Snow Bamboo Paper, which is as white as snow and as tough as bamboo..." Kuai Liang said quietly, "Now Zhengxi has taken Hanzhong, and there are many bamboos in Sichuan and Shu... Tomorrow you will Take the Kuai family's paper mill, contracted personnel, etc. to Huang's Hermitage and say that they are congratulated by General Zhengxi!"

"This..." Kuai Yue was somewhat reluctant to give up.

"It doesn't matter. If the momentum of Zhengxi can be maintained, what does this small loss count?" Kuai Liang said with a smile, "I know you have some differences with Zhengxi, but for the sake of the Kuai family, we need to take a long-term view. Some..." Zhengxi and Huang join forces, and with the bamboo from Sichuan and Sichuan, it will be easy for Huang to expand the production of snow bamboo paper in Jingxiang, so Kuai's Paper Mill will definitely have difficulty in the future, and it is not as good as it is now. Be a favor and soften both sides' positions.

Kuai Yue lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and nodded in agreement.

"After you finish this matter tomorrow, go back to your room and copy the Book of Rites 31 to me ten times. You are not allowed to leave the house until you finish copying it! You need to improve your memory!" Kuai Liang continued.

Kuai Yue had no choice but to nod in agreement...