Three Kingdoms

It's not surprising that everyone has their own opinions, but if these people don't care about the opinions of others and only want their own, it will lead to a very strange direction.

Is it difficult for Emperor Liu Xie?

Disaster.

Cao Cao also knew it, but the problem was that it was also difficult for Cao Cao.

Then the Shandong gentry also felt that it was very difficult for them...

So the most interesting situation has emerged now. In Shandong, every level is considering its own difficulties, while turning a blind eye to other difficulties.

Even now, the entire Shandong political group still has different views on the important matter of establishing the Guanzhong Defense Line.

Cao Cao naturally needs manpower and material resources to establish an overall preparatory defense system, but others do not have such a sense of urgency. Many people think that there is still not much threat in Guanzhong, saying that Fei Qian can only be arrogant in Guanzhong, as long as After leaving the customs, Fei Qian will definitely be completely defeated.

What are the reasons? For example, people's backlash, etc., old events from the former Qin Dynasty, etc.

Some people even say that the former Qin was able to conquer the world because the six kingdoms fought among themselves, so all it takes is "the six kingdoms don't fight themselves, and the Western Qin has no way to take advantage of it"...

Such an obvious meaning was almost slapped in Cao Cao's face with these dozen words.

It's not that Cao Cao doesn't understand what these people mean, it's just that Cao Cao doesn't think there will be any good results in placing his hopes on these people.

Cao Cao already had a deep understanding of this when he was in Suanzao.

It is true that if the Shandong nobles and the powerful rightists from various counties can unite as one, they will be able to compete with Guanzhong. But the question is, when did this gang of Shandong people ever unite?

Even if Emperor Guangwu was popular in the world, didn't he have to give up Yin Lihua to gain the support of the big families in Jizhou? Have these people forgotten? Jizhou and Yuzhou have been at odds since Emperor Guangwu, and this is still the case today. Is it possible that Cao Cao is looking forward to the day when these two guys will be as harmonious as one family?

Isn't this more difficult than expecting public intellectuals to speak human words? Indeed, this possibility is not completely impossible, but it is almost non-existent.

Although Cao Cao didn't understand what public knowledge meant, he felt that he would be stupid if he listened to those words of "unity."

Cao Cao didn't trust these guys.

Not trusting at all.

Yes, that’s right, Cao Cao now has a BUFF of "There are always unruly people"...

Cao Cao doesn't even believe in Xun Yu now.

Or to be more precise, Cao Cao still believed in Xun Yu in matters of affairs, but in terms of strategic direction, he had an attitude of scrutiny and doubt. The main reason for this is that Xun Yu pinned his hopes on mutual coordination and compromise, while Cao Cao felt that coordination and compromise were only temporary strategies and would only ultimately bring the other party's growing appetite.

The meanings of the two are quite different.

Cao Cao believed that he knew that the strength of Fei Qian's army was far from what it showed. All the information and intelligence he obtained showed that Fei Qian still had many inexplicable trump cards in his hands, and what exactly were these trump cards? What, and what effect it would have, made Cao Cao very anxious.

In the decisive battle, everything is good if it succeeds, but once it fails, it means that all the Central Plains will be lost. At that time, Cao Cao will either have to surrender his entire family, or he will end up like the two Yuan brothers.

When you reach such a level, looking back, you will see that there is no way out and you can only continue to move forward. There is no second way to choose from.

In this world, life and death are extremely difficult. The only simple thing is time. You don’t have to do anything, you can see time running by itself...

This time, asking the emperor Liu Xie to issue an edict was actually Cao Cao's preparation for the move.

If you want to win an external war, you need to make some preparations, and if you want to win an internal war, you also need to prepare in advance.

Money, food, supplies, weapons...

As early as the past two years, the trade between Guanzhong and Shandong had become vaguely weird. However, at that time, Cao Cao's main energy was focused on consolidating the territory. For these trade items, he often only focused on some war preparation materials. , Cao Cao didn't pay much attention to it at other times, but when he paid attention now, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.

Many of the items shipped from Shandong to Guanzhong are ordinary goods, such as ores, burlap, even coarse salt, vinegar cloth, etc. At first glance, they seem to be items of low single value, while those shipped from Guanzhong are all They are expensive goods, especially the spice products in the past six months...

At first, Cao Cao thought this was nothing. After all, it was a business. Cao Cao himself also needed to import some horses and armor from Guanzhong, but then he realized something was wrong.

Without further ado, let’s just look at one thing.

ironware.

Because the ore was transferred to Guanzhong, iron smelting in the Nanyang area almost came to a standstill. Instead, iron ingots and finished products were bought from Guanzhong...

In the past, the iron ore and metallurgy in Nanyang area were stagnant, and could still be returned because the war was uncertain and the local area had no intention to engage in production. However, now most of Jingzhou has been in Cao Cao's hands. The Nanyang area can be said to have become a hinterland, and of course it is relatively safe in terms of security. It was guaranteed, but normal smelting still did not return to normal, and even some metallurgical craftsmen had nothing to do. In the end, they probably changed careers or went to Guanzhong!

Cao Cao was greatly puzzled. After sending someone to find out more, he realized that Nanyang Metallurgy was losing money by making iron, so those guys would rather sell the ore and then buy back the finished product. Even if they had to pay the round-trip freight, it would be better than opening the furnace themselves. Ironmaking and casting are a bargain...

After listening to the report, Cao Cao suddenly felt cold sweat on his back!

If Guanzhong and Shandong are in peace, that's fine. If a war breaks out and trade routes are cut off, what will Shandong do? Is it possible to use wooden sticks to dig the soil instead in Chengdu? Or are you hoping that after the war begins, the other party will send some iron farm tools?

Nanyang was already the largest metallurgical iron production area in the Han Dynasty. It cannot be said that the rest of the counties did not have iron smelting, but the scale was relatively small, and the sponge iron produced by ordinary metallurgy was used for forging. The cost of manufacturing ironware is still too high, and the production cycle is very long. After all, it is made bit by bit manually.

Therefore, it is almost the consensus of everyone except Cao Cao to use ore to go to Guanzhong in exchange for finished products.

When Cao Cao discussed these matters with Xun Yu and others, Cao Cao got a surprising result...

Xun Yu actually said that exchanging ore for finished products and iron ingots was the result of a trade-off.

One is that the people of Shandong can have a large number of cheaper agricultural tools, and then the recovery and development of the elite places of the Han Dynasty such as Yuzhou and Jizhou will naturally be faster.

Secondly, if you make iron by yourself, each item will cost more. Now the annual income is very tight, and almost every penny needs to be allocated reasonably, so we adopt a lower-cost procurement method. It is almost equivalent to saving money. These savings are equal to free income, which can be used for other expenses.

The third thing is that metallurgy requires "professionals" to do it. Most people can't do it well even if they want to. And when it comes to the professionalism of craftsmen now, probably no one can compete with Huang's Workshop in Guanzhong for a high-level job. Down.

At the same time, it is also a very critical point. If we ask for the development of this metallurgical industry from a political level, it will easily lead to the consequences of "the lower class will complain and complain to the higher class". Once there really is "there are soldiers on the border, they will hold grudges and not fight"... …

In this way, it seems that it does meet the needs and is a comprehensive consideration.

It seems that such a transaction can not only bring faster recovery and development to Shandong, but also benefit the people, and at the same time increase the income of the court. It is like a hundred benefits and no harm.

But Cao Cao is Cao Cao after all.

Perhaps it was because Cao Cao was suspicious by nature, or because he knew Fei Qian better than others, so Cao Cao finally asked, "Since these things are all beneficial to Shandong, why did Hussar Are you willing to do it? Is it purely to benefit the world? 』

Xun Yu said at that time, "Maybe he is the same as a bachelor of agriculture and engineering?" In order to win people's hearts. 』

Cao Cao sneered.

The sneer is for Fei Qian and Xun Yu.

Cao Cao didn't believe that Xun Yu couldn't tell, but he just felt that Xun Yu was pretending to be confused.

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Buying people's hearts?" But I don’t know whose heart it is to win over? 』

Xun Yu's answer was also very clever, "He is someone who resents the prime minister..."

After hearing this, Cao Cao couldn't help but want to applaud Xun Yu.

"But doing this is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst!" "Cao Cao said in a deep voice, "Wen Ruo is so smart, how could he not know? 』

It seemed that when the Shandong man was extremely thirsty, Fei Qian gave him a glass of sweet wine.

In fact, this sweet wine is poisonous, and it is extremely poisonous that once drunk, there is no cure.

It's just that at this time in the world, there are not many poisoners and the few "doctors" who can see through the poison, especially these upper-class people who can be said to have grown up in wealth and are arrogant in complacency. Among the powerful Shandong nobles, how many people can understand the dangers involved?

Xun Yu then said to Cao Cao: "If you don't drink it, you will die immediately." The national treasury is empty, so we can only take this temporary measure. 』

Cao Cao stroked the table gum as if stroking the edge of a sharp knife, still squinting at Xun Yu, "Then why is the treasury empty?" It is already September, and the hussars must not be sent out this year. The Hebei and Henan areas are relatively stable and provide good opportunities for upright policies. 』

"My lord..." Xun Yu handed over his hand and said, "It's too early at this time... I have ordered more iron weapons to be purchased to fill the warehouse, and we can return in autumn... During this period, the south of Xu County was also built. The place where iron is smelted will be able to produce its own products next year... My lord, if you can endure the pain for a while, you will be able to survive for a lifetime..."

There was still a chill in Cao Cao's slender eyes, "A gentleman in battle never knows what will happen!" 』

"My lord, if it were this time... wouldn't it actually contribute to the theory of the correct solution to Qinglong Temple?" ” Xun Yu urged again.

"Could it be that if I don't kill people, I will have a serious and correct answer to something?" ” Cao Cao burst into laughter, then threw up his sleeves and walked away.

……\u003c(￣﹌￣)\u003e……

In September, the weather in the north gradually became cooler, but in Wu County near Dajiang, it was still sweltering.

This city, which later generations may call heaven on earth, was built not too long ago. Just like its owner, he was still relatively young.

Wujun was the pinnacle of Sun's pioneering work in Jiangdong, and perhaps also the tomb of his pioneering work.

Ten miles south of the city, there is an unknown mountain.

Sun Quan was on the mountain, looking at the land of Wu Commandery.

In order to prevent flooding in the Yangtze River, Wu County is more than ten miles away from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. However, the nearby lakes have rich water systems, and Jiangdong is popular for boating, so transportation is convenient. Because the Yangtze River brings abundant irrigation, coupled with its natural dangers, Jiangdong seems to have both benefits...

Goods from all directions gather here, and large ships and small boats come in and out every day.

It was precisely because of these convenient transportation conditions that the powerful Jiangdong nobles controlled the vast territory of Jiangdong that was originally impossible to control.

Jiangdong is far from being as developed as it was in later generations. There are still many places with mountains, forests, hills and other places that are not conducive to farming. Of course, there are not many Han people. Since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Yue people living in these areas have been constantly fighting against each other with the Kingdom of Wu and the Kingdom of Chu...

The most famous one is Gou Jian, King of Yue.

This Yue King Gou Jian, who was sung by the Yue people and even believed in by many people in later generations, actually advocated victory and did whatever it took to win. After Gou Jian was defeated by the King of Wu, he immediately wanted to sacrifice his wife. He ordered the official Zhong Xingcheng to come to Wu. He knelt down and said, "The king's deceased minister Gou Jian sent his accompanying minister Zhong Dare to sue the deacon: Gou Jian invites me to be my minister, and my wife." "As a concubine"..."

After being rejected by King Wu, Gou Jian immediately wanted to kill his wife, burn all the belongings, and bury him with him, but Wen Zhong offered a plan to save her life. But after Gou Jian succeeded, he gave Wen Zhong the sword and said: : "Zi taught me nine skills to defeat Wu, and I used three of them to defeat Wu. The sixth is in Zi, and I tried it on my ancestors." 』

Such a king cannot last long.

After King Gou Jian of Yue, he could never rise again. Later, the Yue State was destroyed by the Chu State, but after the country was destroyed, the hatred remained.

Just like Sun Quan, the leader of Jiangdong, although he bowed his head at the moment, his hatred has not disappeared.

His father died violently, and Sun Ce was forced by the situation to temporarily put aside his blood feud and kneel down to lick him.

When his brother was assassinated, Sun Quan was forced by the situation to temporarily hide his hatred and lowered his head to lick it.

But the more I lick this egg, uh, gall, the more I feel hatred.

The conflict between Sun Quan and the powerful Jiangdong gentry was like the conflict between princes and nobles in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. The nobles did not support any reforms that might affect their own interests, and the princes could only rely on their previous inertia and compromise to bargain with the nobles. Even though Sun Quan supported some new people, these people still did not have enough strength to negotiate with these people. The nobles and nobles resisted.

What Sun Quan could do before was to enfeoff all members of the Sun family, large and small, like a lord, but this kind of enfeoffment made these "royal branches" more and more powerful and powerful. Bloated and difficult to control.

Some of these "princes" who were enfeoffed not only failed to give Sun Quan enough support, but even colluded with certain nobles and nobles, posing a great threat to Sun Quan's own position.

Amid internal and external troubles, the sense of crisis brought about by this instability in Sun Quan's heart naturally deepened.

But he was helpless. It wasn't that he didn't want to reform, or that he didn't know how to reform. It was just that every time he moved a little, countless voices surged over him, and countless people rushed to hug his thighs and arms. …

His current situation is even worse than when his brother ascended the throne. Now let alone reform, it is still unknown whether he can keep his throne. Sun Ce, who was already dead, never thought that he would die, so he didn't make much preparation at all, let alone explain too many funeral arrangements.

Sun Quan recalled a time when he and his brother Sun Ce were walking by the river and saw lush reeds all over the river. At that time, Sun Ce once lamented: "How can we get rid of these spear grasses, which are so complicated and support the Tao?" 』

"Cut it with a knife and burn it with fire." ” Sun Quan said at that time.

"Eliminate it today and revive it tomorrow," Sun Ce shook his head and sighed, "It can be said that it has deep roots..."

Sun Quan might still be a little angry at the time, saying, "If it can be eliminated this year, it will be eliminated again next year!" 』

Sun Ce laughed, "But whose hand is this spear-weeding knife handle?" What's more, this sword may also become dull sometimes..."

Thinking about it now, maybe Sun Ce realized that relying solely on pure force could not solve Jiangdong's problem.

So, a fire must be started from it…

Burn it!

A bottle of wine was brought to Sun Quan by a servant.

Take a sip, and the sugar after the microorganisms decompose the starch gives the slightly shallow drink a slight sweetness.

Sun Quan put down the wine bottle. He felt that every sip he took now was like drinking poison.

In order to prevent himself from being poisoned by this bottle of "poisonous wine", Sun Quan planned to replace the "craftsman" who made the wine.

"My lord, school affairs have arrived..."

"please. ” Sun Quan ordered calmly.

Not long after, Ji Yan reached the top of the mountain and visited Sun Quan.

"Zixiu," Sun Quan looked at the city of Wu Commandery. Shanlan lifted up Sun Quan's robe, and he seemed to have a somewhat mundane demeanor, but the words in his mouth were deep in the world, "Would you like to relieve my worries?" 』

"minister! I am willing to die for my lord! 』Jiyan naturally grabs the ground with her head.

Sun Quan nodded, then went up to help Jian Yan up very kindly.

In fact, Sun Quan was not very satisfied with the previous performance of Ji Yan and others, and could even be said to be very disappointed. Ji Yan and others failed to suppress the Jiangdong nobles, and even failed to restrain them. Instead, they were defeated by Jiangdong. The nobles had the upper hand, so that Sun Quan was ultimately very passive.

But now, Sun Quan smiled very kindly, as if looking at a huge "gall", he almost went up to lick it twice, waved his hand and asked his confidants to deliver the wine, "Zixiu has this heart!" God gives someone a son, just like the ovary reincarnated! Fortunately, fortunately! Come and drink this bottle together! 』

The two of them laughed and drank with joy on their faces.

"Now that the autumn harvest is over..." Sun Quan put down the wine bottle and looked at Ji Yan with a smile, "Now that we have harvested the crops, it is time to burn the weeds... Does Zixiu understand?" 』

Jie Yan's eyelids twitched, but she quickly replied: "Chen... understand..."

Sun Quan smiled, patted Ji Yan's shoulder, and held it tightly, as if it was buckled into Ji Yan's body, "Remember, you have to find those weeds...find them...and then, Burn it all! 』

Ji Yan swallowed a mouthful of saliva, "My lord!" Take the order! 』

Ji Yan knew that if he couldn't find some "weeds" for Sun Quan to burn this time and let Sun Quan vent his anger, then he himself would become the bundle of "weeds"...