Three Kingdoms

Is it a good thing to pay tribute to the envoy from Jiangdong?

For some people, it may not be a good thing, but for ordinary people, it is a huge melon. Kuacha fell in front of them, and the original Kong Rong incident was instantly washed away.

It's like some serious events in later generations have just started to ferment, and then they announced that a certain loving celebrity couple officially announced their divorce, or a similar celebrity lover broke up, or who and whom As soon as the scandal spread, countless trolls and platforms rushed in front of the ordinary people, snatched the previous melon with their hands, and then pushed the new melon into the hands of the people, "Don't eat the last one, now this melon" Sweeter! 』

If someone asks why it is such a coincidence, it seems that something big happened, and a big star appears?

Eh! What a coincidence!

Otherwise, why were celebrities called actors in ancient times?

actor.

Play, fool.

Those who are being played are fools.

The emperor Liu Xie was considering whether he should get involved in the Kong Rong incident, so that some people should not forget that he was the emperor and could decide everything about the Han Dynasty. Then Liu Ye sent a request for peace from Jiangdong and a tribute request. emergency report.

Liu Xie actually pays close attention to the changes in the situation in Dahan every day. Compared with his father, or his grandfather's generation, well, they are much more diligent in terms of blood or ethics. He even cultivated a group of small Huangmen who specifically brought him all kinds of information from outside the palace, not just information from the market.

In addition, Liu Xie also required the Shangshutai and other officials to report various news every two or three days, such as the changes in Guanzhong, the disputes in Jiangdong, the resettlement of Qingzhou, the post-war war in Xuzhou, etc. Liu Xie will read it and even ask.

Such behavior is understandable.

No one can accuse Liu Xie of looking for trouble. After all, this big man is still Liu Xie's name in name, so as the emperor, is there any problem in taking the initiative to understand the changes in various places? Who would go out of their way to obstruct it? Even if Prime Minister Cao knew about it, he could only say hello.

As for the intelligence information, it is generally true, with only a few parts false, and these people will also mark the information as not very true as personal speculation. As for whether it will reduce the overall incident, That's a matter of opinion.

Therefore, Liu Xie was somewhat aware of the chaos in Jiangdong, and he was also very interested in the chaos in Jiangdong.

Of course, some people had some speculations about why Liu Xie was interested, but everyone remained silent, did not say a word, and provided Liu Xie with the changes in Jiangdong.

In Liu Xie's view, although Jiangdong is a trouble, it cannot be considered a big trouble. Because these Jiangdong soldiers seem to be a little bad at fighting. Of course, this is reflected in the report Liu Xie received. Whether it is really bad or not will be supplemented by subsequent information from other aspects.

Who knows whether Jiangdong will cause a war? After all, the people of Jiangdong may also know that the northerners like to watch and hear that they don't train at 32 degrees, drown people at 1.5 meters, and don't even know what vegetable leaf eggs and mustard shreds are, so they specially make them to entertain the public, or they are called What about monkey fishing?

However, judging from the reports Liu Xie has received, it is estimated that it will be difficult to attack Jiangdong, but it is not easy for Jiangdong to pose a threat to the north. In other words, the north is not afraid of Jiangdong in general, whether it is the total number of soldiers or equipment. In terms of configuration, as long as Jiang Dongbing comes ashore, it will be a meal.

Among the reports, the only one who left a deep impression on Liu Xie was Jiangdong's navy. However, the number of Jiangdong naval forces is not very large, and they have many limitations. They can only move on waterways and stretch their hips when they go ashore. In comparison, there is obviously more land in the north, so no matter how powerful the Jiangdong navy is, what's the use?

This is what Liu Xie thinks, and it is also what most monarchs on land think. Of course, they never imagined that one day in the future, enemies would come from the sea...

But this is not Liu Xie's problem. After all, Liu Xie's vision is limited to the current situation of the Han Dynasty.

As soon as news of the rebellion within the Sun family in Jiangdong came back, Liu Xie was very interested. Although many details cannot be confirmed due to the chaos of the overall war situation in Jiangdong, it is still certain that a large number of Jiangdong troops were involved in the rebellion. In Liu Xie's view, this rebellion virtually destroyed Sun's long-term construction in Jiangdong. Moreover, the fact that Jiangdong's army was so deeply involved in the rebellion was bound to intensify the internal divisions in Jiangdong and also put Jiangdong in a difficult situation. More and more difficult.

Therefore, Jiangdong sent an envoy to pay tribute and ask for surrender, and the delivery was obedient.

This rebellion is equivalent to Liu Xie, well, even Liu Xie eliminated some hidden dangers in Jiangdong without spending a single soldier.

This makes Liu Xie feel a little bit like "my destiny is mine"...

Now, Jiangdong wants to go up to the table, express his submission, and ask for trade with the imperial court.

"Let's talk, let's talk!" 』Since it is a surrender, it is certainly worthy of a serious discussion. Liu Xie immediately held a court meeting to inquire about the specific process of the matter, and immediately stated that Jiangdong could surrender, and Cao Cao was the plenipotentiary representative.

Originally, Liu Xie wanted to come forward on his own, but after thinking about it, he controlled his impulse. He ordered the post house to prepare, make arrangements to welcome the envoys, etc. Although Liu Xie did not need to explain these things specifically, it was only after he said it that Liu Xie felt that he had a sense of participation in this incident.

"There is Jiankun in the north and Jiangdong in the south." Liu Xie stood on the high platform in the palace with his hands behind his back, smiling in the warm wind, "Okay, very good..."

Perhaps, on a certain level, this is "the coming of foreign vassals" or "returning to one's home from all over the world"?

This sweet feeling is naturally wonderful.

Then Liu Xie forgot that there seemed to be someone else in the prison...

Who is it?

who is it?

It’s like the ordinary people of later generations are eating melons that have been forced into their hands by platforms, media, and trolls one after another. They happily talk about this star or that idol, and then forget about some of the things that made them feel the same before, and feel inexplicably sad. Some things are happily immersed in the sweetness of xylitol.

Under such circumstances, Lu Su went to Xu County.

The ceremony was not small. There were cavalry in front to clear the way, soldiers to guard behind, and officials who came to guide...

The momentum is huge.

The people along the way and the surrounding people all got a brand new big melon.

Lu Su was usually cautious about his words and deeds, so he was watching and thinking at the moment, without deliberately saying anything to others along the way.

This visit to Xu County is not completely risk-free.

He wants to pay tribute on behalf of Jiangdong and deliver the order, but it does not mean that he has to give up all the sovereignty of Jiangdong. It is just a nominal submission. Jiangdong is still Jiangdong. No matter how bad or chaotic Jiangdong is, it still belongs to Jiangdong. At most, the central court can only send a patrol envoy or something. It is okay to make suggestions, but for the rest, Jiangdong should take care of it himself. idea.

Such a "surrender" would obviously not satisfy the Emperor Liu Xie and the Prime Minister Cao Cao.

It is even possible to anger Liu Xie and Cao Cao, and then he will either be imprisoned, or if it is more serious, he may even lose his head!

Therefore, Lu Su must not only be humble in attitude and give in in name, but also preserve his real power, and even obtain more practical benefits. This job is not something that just anyone can do. However, after joint analysis by Lu Su, Zhou Yu, Zhang Zhao and others, they believed that it was unlikely that Cao Cao would fall out directly.

After all, Cao Cao has not yet formed an overall advantage, and Prime Minister Cao's reputation is not very great. Even if he knew that Jiangdong was just trying to gain power, he might not immediately become furious or turn against him immediately.

On the other hand, the emperor is currently in a state of "thirsty for talents." If Lu Su showed some inclination to the emperor Liu Xie, other issues should be ignored for the time being, and there should be no problem in saving his life.

The most important thing is, between Cao Cao and Fei Qian...

This is the gap where Lu Su can move.

Therefore, on the whole, even if Lu Su showed Liu Xie and Cao Cao that Jiangdong was only nominally submissive, the possibility of being killed for this was extremely small. On the contrary, it was more likely that everyone would compromise with each other under certain conditions. .

Even so, Lu Su must proceed with caution. After all, the envoys sent by the court back then were all captured by Yuan Shu and imprisoned. Even the envoys who went to Yuan Shao encountered bandits on the way. Do you really think that the messenger is made of iron and will not touch or kill anyone?

Lu Su cooperated and made the gesture expected of a Jiangdong envoy asking for surrender, just like making an appearance on the stage. As for the melody that will be sung next, that is another matter. At least it is going smoothly at the moment. .

On the side of the "stage", there was a person who did not pay attention to Lu Su's appearance. Instead, he quietly went to the prison and found Kong Rong.

There are also differences between prisons and prisons.

Some prisoners have small cells, and they don't have to pick beans every day. For example, Kong Rong has private cells, and the living conditions are not bad, but they are relatively simple.

"Brother Wenju, are you okay?" 』

Guo Jia said hello to Kong Rong while signaling for the jailer to open the cage.

"why you? "Kong Rong was a little unkempt, but he was not tortured in prison. "Why did you come here to serve me? Could it be that you want someone to plead guilty? 』

It's normal to think about something for a while, but it's rare for someone to be brought back after being half-dead. Kong Rong didn't even bother with the kind of people who shouted to commit suicide or seek death every day without doing things three or five times a day.

"Brother Wenju is in prison, Jia naturally comes to visit," Guo Jia smiled and motioned to his entourage to take out the food and wine he brought from the lunch box and put them on the table one by one, "A little thin wine is not respectful... In addition, There is some news, I wonder if Brother Wenju wants to know? 』

Kong Rong glanced at the food and wine, then stared at Guo Jia and said, "If I don't drink, will Fengxiao not say anything?" 』

Guo Jia smiled and did not answer, but extended his hand to invite him.

Kong Rong frowned, and after a while, he also sat down. His entourage first helped Guo Jia and Kong Rong pour the first drink, then bent over and retreated, closed the cell door and left temporarily.

The surrounding area was quiet, except for the small chirping of insects hidden somewhere.

"please. ” Guo Jia raised the wine baron and said, “Brother Wen Ju is strong and iron-clad. 』

Kong Rong nodded, raised the wine glass, and drank the wine in one gulp.

Guo Jia personally gave Kong Rong a second cup, and then drank it again, but Kong Rong held down the third cup, "Wait a minute... Fengxiao doesn't want to get someone drunk before talking about something?" 』

Guo Jia put down the small bamboo tube he was using to make wine and was silent for a while. "The envoy from Jiangdong wants to return and pay tribute to Dan Jie." 』

Kong Rong was startled for a moment, then nodded and said with a smile: "This is the emperor's joy!" The great man’s joy! Drink it, drink it! Kong Rong smiled, then he poured a glass of wine for himself and filled it for Guo Jia. Then he drank the wine without waiting for Guo Jia's response.

Guo Jia did not drink, but just watched. When Kong Rong put down the wine baron, he slowly said: "The emperor's joy is not the joy of brother Wenju." 』

"..." Kong Rong paused, and after a moment of silence, he suddenly became angry, "I'm not rebellious!" 』

"I know. ” Guo Jia said, with a calm voice and a calm attitude, as if he was saying that a schoolmate is just a schoolmate and has absolutely no other ingredients.

"You...you know?" ! Kong Rong originally wanted to defend himself, but when he heard what Guo Jia said, he suddenly got stuck, "You said you knew that I... wasn't treasonous?" 』

Guo Jia still smiled indifferently, "Many people know. 』

Kong Rongteng stood up immediately, shaking his hands, pointing at Guo Jia, and shaking his mouth, but he didn't know what to say. After a while, he suddenly sighed, put his hands down, and sat down again. He picked up the small bamboo tube for pouring the wine into the wine cup, but half of it was poured with shaking hands and half was spilled. So Kong Rong simply put the wine cup away and poured the wine directly with the bamboo tube.

"Brother Wenju, is what you insist on worth it?" Guo Jia said slowly, "Your fellow countrymen and compatriots knew that you were wronged, but none of them came forward because they were afraid of being implicated... These close friends in Shandong also knew that you were innocent, but they did not People stand up, because they are using you as a bargaining chip... Who is there in the court, at the alchemy level, who doesn't know that your charges are fabricated? That's it, what are you still insisting on? 』

Kong Rong didn't answer, he just laughed a few times, threw away the bamboo tube, hugged the small wine can and drank heavily, his chest was wet with the wine. What can Kong Rong say? He just felt that he was full of words, but could not say anything, and his heart was full of fire, but he could only use cold wine to quench it.

Guo Jia looked at Kong Rong.

To be honest, for someone like Guo Jia, who is addicted to alcohol, willing not to drink and let Kong Rong drink is already a big sacrifice, and it also represents Guo Jia's love for people like Kong Rong. of respect.

Kong Rong was pedantic and full of untimely things. He could not lift his shoulders, lift his hands, mount a horse to fight, and it was difficult to serve the people as an official. No one wrote the article well. He only had the name of a descendant of Confucius, but it cannot be said that Kong Rong was a bad person. , just useless...

"In two days..." Guo Jia looked at Kong Rong and said, "Your two children will be here..."

With a clang, the wine can fell to the ground. Kong Rong rushed forward and grabbed Guo Jia's collar.

Guo Jia continued expressionlessly, as if he was not affected at all, "Lu and Zhao came to the State of Lu, and were secretly notified by someone that they had found Brother Wenju's two sons, and they will arrive in Xu County soon..."

"Dark, medium, clear, retribution?" Kong Rong gritted his teeth and said, "Where is Kong Zhengchang?" Where is he? 』

"It is said that I went out to visit friends. ” Guo Jia said.

"Visiting, visiting friends...ah, haha, hahahaha..." Kong Rong let go of Guo Jia's collar, and then laughed nervously, grinning at the corners of his mouth, his eyes widening, and the muscles on his face twitching. "Okay, okay!" Hahahaha, visiting friends is so good! 』

After laughing wildly for a moment, Kong Rong suddenly rushed forward again, his voice trembling, "Fengxiao, I beg you, please can you let my second son go... They, they are still young, they don't understand anything, they are all Innocent... I can die. Although I die without any regrets, the children, the children are still so young... Fengxiao, I beg you..."

Guo Jia sighed, "Brother Wenju, if your child can survive, you should not beg me, but you." 』

"beg me? ” Kong Rong didn’t understand.

Guo Jia nodded.

"How can you beg me?" ” Kong Rong was not a very quick-witted person to begin with, and in the current situation, he was even more confused. He said in confusion, “Fengxiao, don’t be joking! I'm locked up here, what else can I do? 』

Guo Jia slowly shook his head, "No, you know..."

Kong Rong collapsed, holding his body up with his hands, as if he would collapse otherwise, "You mean... you want me to be like Chen Kongzhang?" Begging for mercy? 』

"..." Guo Jia was silent.

Although it is a bit excessive to use the word "begging for mercy", there is nothing wrong with it in general.

Cao Cao is actually a bit petty, but Cao Cao doesn't like his stinginess to be seen, so sometimes, he will deliberately endure his temper and show generosity like the "Gong of Zhou", just like him Cao Cao deliberately showed his magnanimity in pardoning Chen Lin, showing tolerance to Xu You, and even in many small things.

As long as Kong Rong bows his head and "admits his mistake", everything will be easy to talk about.

"But, I'm not wrong..." Kong Rong smiled, but seemed to be crying, "I'm not wrong..."

It's a pity that in this world, it doesn't mean everything is fine if you are right, just like why should you help someone if you are not hit.

Guo Jia looked at Kong Rong and suddenly remembered a sentence he heard in Guanzhong, and couldn't help but say it slowly, "Things have changed..."

"..." Kong Rong's head lowered.

"Brother Wenju, if you die, your child will die." Guo Jia stood up and sighed slightly, "If you beg for life, you will have a chance to live... Now that Jiangdong is here, most other things will not be taken care of... But when Jiangdong's matter is settled... Brother Wenju, You... still have some time, just think about it..."

If Kong Rong really committed a crime, then Cao Cao would have generously pardoned Kong Rong's wife and children. But if Kong Rong was not guilty, he would not have forgiven him.

The reason is very simple.

Kong Rong wants to survive, and the opportunity is now.

As long as Kong Rong gives up his original persistence, he can survive, and so can his wife and son.

Guo Jia walked out, but Kong Rong could no longer hold up his body and lay down on the ground.

"Life is worse than death..." Kong Rong's voice was weak.

Guo Jia paused for a moment, glanced slightly sideways, then raised his head and walked forward.

Behind Guo Jia, there is dim light, chaotic blackness, and the humanity of Mo Hu locked in a cage...