Three Kingdoms

Yecheng. m

Generally speaking, winter in the Han Dynasty was relatively peaceful, because in an era dominated by agriculture, there was no need for farming or harvesting during this period, and there were relatively few laborers in the winter, so most people Winter can be a bit boring, with a feeling of having nothing to do.

I don’t know which day started, but a shocking news spread quickly. In the blink of an eye, it spread in this relatively large city, and everyone seemed to know it clearly in every corner, whether it was tea houses and restaurants, books and shops, or government offices, streets and alleys, and small living rooms. Basically, everyone is rumoring, discussing, panicking, angry, calculating, observing...

In the Youbei region, several major transportation routes were blocked. It is said that the remnants of Gongsun and the Hu people colluded with each other to invade Jizhou, and there were also generals in Jizhou who colluded with the Hu people with the intention of rebelling.

All the news seems to have a nose and eyes, and people can't help but believe it.

The whole Yecheng seemed to be agitated all of a sudden, sending up flying dust all over the sky.

Ordinary people don't know what's going on, thinking that all events are as clear and easy to understand as a seven-o'clock TV series. At least they have to curse the Hu people a few times, and also curse the so-called Jizhou general who is so evil that he wants to have sex with the Hu people. , but for the Jizhou nobles, they have more information and will not follow what others say. Of course, those who understand the mystery are naturally a little frightened and inexplicable.

However, there are still a minority of old monsters after all, and most people still cannot have the knowledge of old monsters, especially the freshly minted little monsters among the Jizhou nobles.

Scholars, Jizhou is the origin of a long-established gentry. Naturally, there are many people who claim to be the future talents of the country, and feel that they are qualified to guide the country. It seems that as long as they come out to serve, the world will be peaceful and worry-free. In addition, you can't go out in winter, and there is no entertainment. When you are really bored, when such a commotion suddenly occurs, almost everyone starts to criticize and talk about it.

What's more, they hold sword-wielding gatherings in the tiles of wine shops and teahouses every day. The impassioned people have already begun to prepare a letter to General Yuan Shao, asking General Yuan Shao to severely punish those who collaborate with the enemy and fund thieves, and to select famous commanders and generals. Hurry up. It is only right to defeat the Hu people who went south to protect Jing and Anchuan.

Yuan Shao came forward and accepted the petition of these young nobles with a high profile. On the one hand, he praised these people for their concern for the country and the people. On the other hand, he also expressed his intention to investigate and punish them severely and kill them as a warning. At the same time, he patted his chest, saying that they would definitely be expelled. The army defeated the Hu people who went south, and they must protect the elders of Jizhou from being harmed...

Tian Feng didn't pay much attention to it at first, because he had just received a letter from Qu Yi before. However, after two or three days, the situation became worse and worse. When he sent people to Youbei again, he found that all the roads were blocked. , finally got around it, and then brought an amazing news!

Yan Liang and Wen Chou accepted Qu Yi's camp and soldiers. Qu Yi and a group of his men were all killed!

"The general is discussing important matters, and no one else is allowed in!"

Tian Feng's nose was almost crooked with anger. When did I become an idle person? He immediately picked up his new cane, forcefully drove away the guards at the entrance of the government office, and then walked in proudly.

Yuan Shao was discussing something with Guo Tu Fengji in the lobby. When he saw Tian Feng walking in angrily, they exchanged glances with each other, and then said to Tian Feng: "Ah, Yuan Hao, you feel better today. Some?"

A few days ago, because Tian Feng beat the chief clerk Geng Bao in front of Yuan Shao and forced Yuan Shao to kill the chief clerk Geng Bao, of course he wanted to avoid the limelight, so he excused himself from illness and stayed behind closed doors for a few days. Unexpectedly, he came today , and was blocked by Yuan Shao.

Tian Feng pretended not to hear Yuan Shao's sarcasm, and bowed his hands to Yuan Shao in greeting, but turned a blind eye to Guo Tu and Feng Ji. He immediately said straight to the point: "Mr. Yuan! How can you blame General Qu!"

Anyone else might not have the confidence to confront Yuan Shao head-on, but Tian Feng does. Because Tian Feng knew that Yuan Shao could not completely break away from him now, and he was so angry that he no longer had so many worries.

Yuan Shao smiled and did not pursue Tian Feng's rudeness, but he did not answer directly. Instead, he waved to Tian Feng to come forward, and then asked the attendant to hand Tian Feng a military intelligence briefing...

Tian Feng frowned and took a look at it inexplicably, but was startled. He looked at Yuan Shao doubtfully, and then focused his attention on the military intelligence briefing again.

Although it is said that Gongsun Zan had this or that problem, at least when Gongsun Zan was in Youzhou, there was no large-scale invasion of barbarians from the south. Now that Gongsun Zan is dead, it seems that this mainstay is missing, not to mention that he has been defeated. Even the defense seems to have some problems. I don’t know if it is because of this reason. The Xianbei people north of Youzhou are ready to move and have begun to go south and invade many counties in Youbei. Yuan Tan is organizing people to defend. Ask Yuan Shao for urgent help.

After all, Youzhou and Jizhou are actually connected together. In addition, many rivers are frozen in winter, which means that if Youzhou completely collapses, then the Xianbei people will most likely just rush into the plains. Come to Jizhou!

"The evil thief Qu Yi ignored the Lord's great kindness and gathered soldiers in Youbei to control government affairs. He was arrogant and domineering. He seemed to refuse Yuan Youzhou's military orders and ignored the disasters suffered by the people of Youzhou. He only pursued his selfish desires and harmed the place... My Lord repeatedly persuaded me. , and still turned a deaf ear!" Guo Tu said slowly from the side, "Although Qu Yi has meritorious service, he also committed an unpardonable crime. In order to avoid the devastation of the people of Jiyou, although the lord is reluctant to give up, the national affairs are too important and cannot be forgiven. …”

When Tian Feng heard this, he was so angry that he almost threw the military intelligence briefing in his hand at Guo Tu's face!

However, Yuan Tan's military intelligence briefing also made it clear that the military morale was unstable after entering Youbei, so the Xianbei people took advantage of it. If the army could occupy key points and hold the defense line, the war in Youbei would naturally turn around. room. If you just rely on the remnant troops of Youbei Gongsun to defeat and monopolize the army in the future, it will probably not only be unable to resist Xianbei, but it may actually encourage Xianbei's arrogance and cause Jizhou to suffer as well.

Tian Feng took a few deep breaths, gritted his teeth and said, "Mr. Yuan! Xianbei's journey south is no small matter! Are you serious about this?" Everything has its priorities, and Tian Feng doesn't just ignore everything when his emotions get the better of him. Country shrew, Qu Yi’s affairs are important, but the safety of the Jizhou nobles is even more important!

If Xianbei really goes south, or if he and Yuan Shao fall out at this juncture...

Yuan Shao naturally knew what Tian Feng meant, so he nodded calmly and said: "Of course it is absolutely true."

"Good!" Tian Feng paused his cane and said: "State affairs are the most important thing. General Qu's matter... we will not discuss it for the time being. It is important to retreat from Xianbei first..."

Yuan Shao smiled, pointed his hand in vain, and said: "Just like this, I am discussing this matter with Gongze and Yuan Tu. If Yuan Hao is free, why not come with us?"

Tian Feng raised his head, looked at the sky, sighed secretly, and finally nodded and sat down aside...

…………………………

Tian Feng is not the only one who also needs to compromise. Xu Shu, who is far away in Hanzhong, is also facing a compromise.

Although he hurried and hurried slowly, Xu Shu did not catch up to save Liu Dan's fate of failure, because when the army was dispatched, it not only required soldiers and horses, but also a large amount of grain, grass and other expenses. When these things were added together, they were often not what they wanted. You can set off immediately, but it always takes some preparation time.

By the time Xu Shu arrived, Liu Dan had already withdrawn from the Bashan area and brought back a large number of disabled soldiers. The "disability" of these soldiers was mainly caused by insect pests encountered in the mountains and fields. In addition, coupled with hunger, their body functions needed to be recuperated for a period of time. It will take time to recover, but in terms of food and grass, it has been completely exhausted.

Due to various reasons, Liu Dan, who had his grain and grass burned, left a huge shortfall in this regard. If he still wanted to fight in central Sichuan, he would not only need to replenish his soldiers, but also need to replenish a large amount of grain, grass and related materials.

Xu Shu's face was as dark as water as he looked at Liu Dan, Ma Heng and Wei Yan.

Before we sent out troops, we had 3,000 regular soldiers, 2,000 auxiliary soldiers, and 4,000 civilians. However, when we came back, there were less than 2,000 regular soldiers left, less than 1,000 auxiliary soldiers, and the civilians were even worse, with only a few left. One hundred, almost the entire army was wiped out! Of course, it is possible that these civilians took advantage of the situation and fled into the mountains, but after all, it is an indisputable fact that the number of people eventually reduced to such an extent.

The food and supplies were even more miserable. Most of them were burned, and the remaining supplies were consumed during Wei Yan's stay. Basically, there was nothing left!

Wei Yan overestimated the willingness of the Sichuan and Shu soldiers to fight and waited for three or four days. In the end, no one was waiting. He fed many mosquitoes and leeches in the mountains in vain, and at the same time, all the remaining food and grass were lost.

It was originally enough money and food to last for about three months, but in less than a month, it was completely gone. When seeing these statistics, at a certain moment, Xu Shu really wanted to drag these three people out and kill them...

"Liu Shijun, have you gained anything from this battle?" Xu Shu put down the briefing, turned to look at Liu Dan, and asked.

Xu Shu's previous identity was actually a fugitive, and he never had any family history of ruling. But after all, he had been alone under Zhengxi for a long time, and his demeanor was naturally cultivated. When asked immediately, although his voice was not It was big, but it still put a lot of pressure on Liu Dan.

"Xu Shijun," although both of them were mentioned as envoys, Liu Dan also knew in his heart that he was not on the same level as Xu Shu's envoy, so he said more respectfully, "The mountain roads in central Sichuan are rugged. , the mountains and forests are dense, and if you are not careful, you can easily be ambushed..."

Xu Shu's eyebrows moved slightly. Although it was as expected, I was still a little disappointed. Xu Shu nodded slightly and did not make any comments. Instead, he turned to look at Ma Heng and said, "Uncle Chang, please tell me..."

Ma Heng cupped his hands towards Xu Shu and said: "A certain leader arrived at the outpost of Hanchang. At the Baishi Ridge, not only the migration of people had been completed, but also all the reeds planted were filled in the soil... From this point of view, Brazil The people are still on guard, and it may be difficult to attack quickly. We can choose another season, or we may be unprepared to attack, so it is not suitable to besiege the city and fortify it..."

Xu Shu still didn't comment, and finally turned to Wei Yan and said, "Wei Sima, please tell me."

"Follow the order!" Wei Yan's partial general was only temporarily sealed during the war. In the end, he didn't get anything. After he came back, he naturally returned to his original position. It was considered good to be able to maintain the position of Sima. "Sichuan and Shu soldiers, victory Although he is short in stature, he is nimble in movement and good at climbing and crossing mountains and ridges, but this is also a disadvantage. If he can be lured to fight, he will definitely win."

Wei Yan also finished speaking, Xu Shu also nodded slightly, then waved his hand to let Ma Heng and Wei Yan go ahead. He turned his attention to Liu Dan and was silent for a long time.

Although it was still winter, Liu Dan's forehead was slightly sweaty.

"I will report the matter of this battle to General Zhengxi of the Ming Dynasty..." Xu Shu said slowly, "The first battle in central Sichuan, let's call it a draw..."

Liu Dan exhaled a breath.

"...The severe winter has arrived, the mountain roads are difficult to travel, and there is no food and grass available..." Xu Shu continued, "We might as well postpone the offensive and send people to Sichuan to negotiate peace..."

"Negotiation?" Liu Dan said.

Xu Shu nodded.

Liu Dan was a little anxious. Fortunately, he worked hard to pretend to be a junior here just so that he could be a big boss one day. In the end, he had a fight and had to negotiate a peace. How could he fulfill his ultimate dream?

"Xu Shijun Mingjian, this..." Liu Dan rolled his eyes and said, "...there is no difference between us and the Sichuan army, and the people in Sichuan and Shu don't know how powerful we are. We may be at a disadvantage when negotiating a peace, so we might as well... ...This, a certain person has a plan, I don’t know whether to talk about it or not..."

"Liu Shijun, it doesn't matter if you say it." Xu Shu said, stroking his beard.

Liu Dan said: "Wei Wenchang is quite brave and is good at fighting in the mountains. This defeat is not due to the battle, but due to lack of food and grass... If Wei Wenchang is allowed to lead an army alone and sneak into the Sichuan to cause chaos and destruction, he can show off his power." When the military power comes and peace talks come, we can advance and retreat..."

Xu Shu smiled and said, "Yes. In this case, I will help Liu Shijun prepare this matter."

Liu Dan quickly accepted the offer and said, "It's as it should be."

Xu Shu sent Liu Dan out with a smile, and then made the final call at the gate of the courtyard. Then Fang turned around and came back, the smile on his face gone. Xu Shu's evaluation of Liu Dan was very low. At least Ma Heng and Wei Yan could talk about some specific problems they discovered and analyze some gains and losses, but Liu Dan just made excuses for his failure.

But so what?

Fei Qian, the general who conquered the west, only wanted to go through Liu Dan's name, so to a certain extent, Xu Shu still had to make a compromise, as if he agreed with Liu Dan's nondescript strategy.

The mountain camp is still intensively training in Shangyong, where is the real trump card.