Three Kingdoms

Qiusi coins.

It is extremely delicate and feels heavy in the hand, as if it contains some kind of power.

This is the power of wealth.

Some things are beyond the power of words.

A simple and superficial order that could be successfully accepted by these barbarians was established smoothly in the process of trade.

Feiqian Zhuyu was the first to educate the Southern Xiongnu in Yinshan. Therefore, the attitude towards the Hu people, at least in the concept of Sanfu in Guanzhong, can be divided and divided, and the concept of teaching and control has become the main factor. Thought patterns.

Xinpi's attitude and strategy towards these barbarians naturally stem from this.

The beginning of education is trade.

This is the simplest, clearest and most effective method.

Nothing, nothing, can be more effective than commercial penetration. As long as they have money, these barbarians will do it themselves.

This is something that has been confirmed by the Southern Xiongnu and Baishi Qiang. It is the same even at all times and in all countries.

Trade is a move that both sides are willing to accept.

These barbarian people in the desert want almost everything after experiencing disasters.

For the Han people, they also need livestock, oils, and leather products. Not only for military use, but also for civilian use, there is a huge gap. Xinpi followed Fei Qian's example and established a trading system, all at the expense of the high-end products created by the Han people. Added value items, salt, tea, dry food, linen, silk, and a small amount of white iron that cannot be made into weapons and can only be used as agricultural tools.

Salt and iron show an attitude.

Moreover, these materials are also urgently needed by the Hu people, but it is definitely not possible to sell steel that can be hot-processed again. Therefore, selling these cannot be hot-processed again, and it is difficult to cold-work. At most, it can only be recast white iron. It has become a more suitable product.

Of course, if white iron continues to be refined, it can become steel. But the problem is that there is no metallurgical technology in the grassland and desert, and this white iron is actually used in the steelmaking process. Because of the quality of some iron ore or the technology is not up to standard, it is difficult to remove impurities and cannot be smelted. Cast iron produced from steel

In other words, even if these barbarians get these white iron and build some blast furnaces to make steel, they still can't make it.

At the same time, according to the relevant trade regulations, in terms of weapons, if the Hu people really want to buy them, they can also buy them, but the price is quite touching, the kind that will make people's hands and feet tremble when they hear it.

The problem of smuggling is unavoidable, but Simpi has just begun to establish this trade order. There will be no smuggling for a while.

After all, this area is now under military control. Ordinary businessmen who come in for smuggling may die somehow.

Ugo and some of the surrendered Hu people acted as a lubricant, making the friction between the two sides less harsh and dry. Of course, Ugo and other Hu people also made part of the profit from the price difference, just like the Southern Huns and the Huns. The same thing Bai Shiqiang did.

In the whole process, trust cannot be established in a day, and the greed of the Hu people towards the Han people cannot be eliminated in a day. However, when these Hu people enter the set trade circle, there are actually many options. It looks like there is, is it actually the case?

In these transactions, money plays an important media role.

Qiusi coins.

Relying on the craftsmanship that was almost impossible to imitate in the Han Dynasty, coupled with the strong official endorsement, the Huqi coins have a strong advantage. Just like the rice yuan at a certain stage in later generations, it quickly defeated some Shapeless economic commodity equivalents.

The Hu land is bitterly cold and there is no food left. If there is heavy snow or a plague, the Hu people will have no food to eat and they will be in a miserable state. Nowadays, all the industries of the Han Dynasty are booming. Salt, tea, iron, silk, cloth, what kind of things are not abundant? What can Hu Man do?

Xinpi spoke slowly to the group of clerks behind him.

After all, Xinpi could not sit at the border every day and keep an eye on the trade with the barbarians. He also needed ordinary officials to carry out official duties, so the necessary communication, or teaching, was still very important.

Therefore, if you want to determine the victory of the Northern Territory, you must win it by people, by things, and by the land.

People are victorious, needless to say, things are victorious, which is convenient for the present. When the land is victorious, select arable land and solidify it with crops. The uncultivated areas will be left to graze for a long time. Everywhere in the desert is exhausted. Han native

Xinpi looked at the little officials around him who nodded, and then added that riding on the Yin Mountains in the north, educating the Hu people, speaking their language, writing their articles, and clothing them, can be said to be a great achievement of enlightenment, so he persevered. Treat him with justice, and he will be able to change it soon.

Remember, the beginning of education is not words of benevolence and righteousness, but profit first.

Xinpi looked around. If there is a bad Hussar here, he is only interested in profit and does not seek long-term future. Be careful, military law is strict, and the head is hanging at the gate!

All the petty officials claimed so.

This is a relatively long process, and it certainly cannot be completed in a short while. It is impossible to say that Xinpi alone may not be able to complete it, but at least the beginning must be done well to make the future smooth.

This will be the main goal of the Northern Territory Protectorate for a period of time. Treat the rebellious Hu people with iron blood, treat the surrendered Hu people with gentleness, promote education through trade, and devour the basis of the existence of the Hu people through education. When Like the Southern Xiongnu, these barbarians in the desert became vassal tribes with settlements, farming, herding, and mercenaries. Basically, as long as they didn't mess around, they could maintain a very stable situation for a long time.

After carefully asking some minor officials about the corresponding measures, countermeasures, etc. for certain issues, it was determined that these minor officials basically knew what was happening and why. Then, Xinpi began to transfer the border trade matters. These petty officials were injured.

There are still many things that need to be dealt with, such as the transfer of caravans, the relocation of people, and the replenishment of supplies and food, all of which need to be adjusted and arranged by Xinpi.

All this makes Xinpi busy and happy.

Although the speed of business penetration and destruction is not as fast as that of a sword, it kills without blood.

In this world, there is another person who kills people without blood, and that is the plague.

After Cao Cao defeated Changxi, he led his army into Xiapi and reorganized the county soldiers and private soldiers in Xiapi. He stood still in Xiapi and sent out scouts to investigate, but did not immediately continue to march south.

The area where the previous battles were fought was undoubtedly the hardest hit area by the plague, and the same was true for the place where a large number of people were massacred. But no matter what, the plague also needs a host. After all the people died, its infectivity will naturally be reduced. Like the natural immunity method of later generations.

And for Cao Jun, there are still some non-military things to arrange.

Now that summer is about to enter, all the Zhuanghe that can be replanted has been replanted. Fortunately, around Xiapi Donghai, although there was war before, they are close to the water system, and Zhuanghe can still be replanted. As for how much the autumn harvest can be When it comes to harvest, you just have to leave it to fate, and it depends on how much you have.

In Jiangdong, there was a plague. Because of the sudden incident, Sun Quan's hope of a quick victory was completely shattered. Cao Cao stood still in Xiapi and refused to easily set foot in the plague-infected area. For Sun Quan, there was also no way to stay in the plague area and could only shrink slightly to the south.

The two sides are like two fighting beasts, cautious, scrutinizing, saving up, waiting for the next fight.

Although Jiangdong Army occupied Guangling, Guangling was basically in a state of ruin and the farmland was abandoned. Zhuang He didn't even have to think about it. If he continued to stay, he would only consume food and grass. Under the stalemate, what was going on? What to do depends on Sun Quan's attitude.

Sun Quan's army is in the military tent.

Sun Quan tore into pieces the latest information delivered to him, and the muscles on his face twitched with uncontrollable anger.

Now the whole Jiangdong is talking about one thing openly or secretly, that is, comparing Sun Quan with his father Sun Jian and his brother Sun Ce, and then comparing them with those who have noses and eyes. As Sun Quan's eyeliner who stays in Jiangdong, from time to time, he will compare some things like this The information was sent to Sun Quan, which made Sun Quan not tired of taking the trouble and was quite angry.

You've been dead for so many years, why can't you still live with your father and brother? !

Sometimes Sun Quan couldn't help but have some dark thoughts in his heart. He thought that his father and brother had left early. If his father and brother had not died now, facing a situation like Jiangdong, he might not be able to do anything. How much better than myself!

It’s not that I don’t have enough talent, it’s just that I’m not at the right time.

When he was angry, the bodyguard came again and said: "Master, Gu Zitan asks to see you again."

Sun Quan said angrily: I won’t see you today!

At the moment, Sun Quan's resentment towards the Gu family has grown to the point where it is almost impossible for him to suppress it. When Sun Quan was preparing to launch the Northern Expedition, his opponent was the Gu family. Although Sun Quan later suppressed the opposition with a tenacious attitude, Sun Quan also knew that the Gu family was definitely involved in these secret affairs behind the scenes.

Now the Gu family sent people here just to persuade Sun Quan to withdraw his troops.

Indeed, from some aspects, Sun Quan is currently in a stalemate with Cao Cao, and there are many practical benefits to annexing rice. It is better to withdraw his troops. But the question is, what will Sun Quan get after the withdrawal is completed?

Regardless of Sun Quan's current Northern Expedition, it must be followed by the so-called waste of people and money preached by a lot of compassionate gentry disciples. Plus, if Sun Quan comes out for a trip, will there be any gains?

Yes, but I can't say.

After all, the transactions behind the scenes cannot be revealed to the public until the black money is laundered, otherwise it will cause trouble. Therefore, at this time, Sun Quan not only had no results, but actually protected Zhou Tai's defeat and attracted criticism.

Withdrawing his troops at this time, Sun Quan got nothing on the one hand, and on the other hand, he could have imagined with his feet that as soon as Sun Quan retreated, he would immediately win a great victory in suppressing the rebellion of South Vietnam in Jiangdong. Comparing the two, Sun Quan's face was completely thrown into the gutter.

Sun Quan, who didn't want to just wash in the gutter, finally pushed for the Northern Expedition, would he be willing to go back like this?

At least the Guangling area was conquered by Jiangdong. It was more or less the result of the Northern Expedition, but it was only Zhu Zhi’s meritorious service. Now that Cao Cao has arrived at Xiapi, he will have to fight a battle, and this battle is not only important at the military level. Meaning, it is also meaningful in another aspect.

Now the Gu family sent Gu Hui here, and he was like a fly, buzzing here every day, asking for an audience at every turn, and constantly lobbying, which made Sun Quan very disgusted.

And Sun Quan felt that whether it was because of Gu Hui's remarks or some other reason, Jiang Dongjun had no interest in continuing the fight.

Sun Quan understood that he could no longer fight.

However, this was a strategy he had laid out. If he retreated at this time, wouldn't that prove his own stupidity?

Zhou Tai was defeated, and Sun Quan understood that Zhou Tai's failure was excusable. Although there were some problems with Zhou Taiyu's subordinates. Zhang Yu's escape led to the leakage of military information, and he was attacked and defeated by Man Chong. He was more or less responsible, but the responsibility was not big.

Xie Zan was defeated, and Sun Quan also understood that Xie Zan's failure also had objective reasons. After all, no one can handle the plague.

But the defeat of these two men was indeed reflected on Sun Quan's face, a slap on the left and another on the right!

Withdrawing troops is indeed a good idea.

Guangling has achieved good results, which can be regarded as invading Cao Cao's strength. Sun Quan also knows that it is impossible to push it directly to Xu County in one go. The supply of grain and grass is a very big burden for Jiangdong, and this burden will increase with the Time is getting heavier and heavier.

But has it really reached the point where we can no longer fight?

The civil war between the Taishan Army has shown that Cao Cao's rule under his rule is not impeccable, nor is it so powerful that it cannot be resisted. So now, while the wound between Cao Cao and the Taishan Army has not completely healed, he wants to make a bigger attack , and mess it up a little bit, isn’t that what Jiangdong should do?

This battle is not only to defeat Cao Cao, but more importantly, to defeat Jiangdong!

Only by staying outside can we explain the situation in Jiangdong. If we are in Jiangdong, how can we talk about correction and governance?

Sun Quan couldn't help but sigh in his heart, why couldn't Jiangdong work together? Why are these Jiangdong nobles unwilling to move forward under the banner of the Sun family? why?

current situation

If Gong Jin were here

Sun Quan murmured in a low voice, feeling some regret rolling up in his heart. If Zhou Yu were here right now, Sun Quan wouldn't have to worry about military deployment or attack plans!

Zhou Yu can definitely arrange it properly.

However, Sun Quan could only keep these words of regret in his own heart, and it was difficult to express them to others.

He is the monarch and the lord of Jiangdong.

He is also a monarch who is shrouded in the authority of his father and brother.

The two adjectives have nothing to do with Sun Quan.

It is precisely because of this that Sun Quan cannot let go of his face.

When Sun Quan was in a dilemma and didn't know what to do, another personal guard came in, presented a letter, lowered his head and reported: My lord, a letter from Governor Zhou!

Sun Quan was like a drowning man grabbing a straw. He hurriedly grabbed it and opened it immediately without even waiting to test the lacquer seal.

But after Sun Quan read Zhou Yu's letter, his expression did not improve. Instead, he remained silent. After a while, he slapped the table angrily, slapped the letter on the table, then stood up and placed it on the table. The Chinese army was spinning in the big tent.

There was nothing wrong in the content of Zhou Yu's letter, and there was no satire on Sun Quan's current situation. What he said was about the battle situation in Jiangdong, military affairs, and suggestions and ideas on how to do the best in the face of the current situation. A lot of them, but one thing is missing.

There was no way for Sun Quan to protect his face and invade the Jiangdong nobles!

Zhou Yu even expressed his strategy of using war to promote peace in his letters, saying that it was no longer easy to fight. It was better to use this as a threat to negotiate peace with Cao Cao. On the one hand, he could gain immediate profits, and on the other hand, he could also promote Sun Quan. position

After all, Sun Quan is just a general in the court, and he is not popular at all. The so-called Lord of Jiangdong, the so-called Marquis of Wu, etc. are all self-proclaimed.

Zhou Yu suggested that Emperor Liu Xie has always been controlled by Cao Cao and must want to obtain certain foreign aid. Therefore, as long as Sun Quan expresses some attitude, he will definitely be accepted by Emperor Liu Xie. As for the future, it will naturally be discussed in the future.

Are these suggestions good?

very good.

very good.

But what is the situation now?

It's a pity that Zhou Yu's letter was not delivered before Zhou Tai and Xie Zan were defeated!

Now when we turn to peace talks, we are no longer negotiating after winning the battle, but seeking peace after losing the battle!

After a defeat, even if you find the emperor, what will you get?

And if you do this, what will the world think? Oh, when you see that you can't win, you immediately go to the emperor to ask for peace? Will the people in the world, especially those guys from Jiangdong, talk loudly again and trample Sun Quan's face under their feet? !

This is something Sun Quan absolutely cannot accept.

Although Zhou Yu's letter is indeed seeking for the country, it does not take into account his face as a monarch at all. How can this be accepted?

After getting angry, Sun Quan sat down again, picked up Zhou Yu's letter and read it again. Something suddenly occurred to his mind and he couldn't help but raise his head and smile.

Zhou Yu’s letter reminded him.

Withdraw your own troops, if not because you can't fight anymore?

What if the emperor thinks that Sun Quan is trustworthy and doesn't want to see Sun Quan and Cao Cao fighting, so he asks him to make a truce with Cao Cao?

Then when the time comes, it's not that he can't defeat Cao Cao, but that as a local prince, he wants to respect the emperor, so he retreats.

It is also a retreat, but it has a completely different meaning.

No matter what the current situation of Emperor Liu Xie is, everyone knows that the Emperor no longer has the power to command the princes. When Dong Zhuo enters the capital, the Emperor is just a tool. Whoever takes it can become what he needs, but No matter what, at least on the surface Liu Xie is still the Emperor of Han Dynasty and has supreme authority!

So if Cao Cao could use this tool, why couldn't Sun Quan use it?

In the past, when Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were fighting, didn't the emperor issue a truce edict?

At that time, he could retreat openly and preserve his own face, so that everyone in the world would say that he respected the emperor and had a reputation as a loyal minister. He would win the favor of the children of the gentry in Jiangbei and make them seek official positions in Jiangdong.

This is truly the best of both worlds!

But the current question is, how can we bypass Cao Cao's array in Xiapi and reach the emperor Liu Xie?