Yuzhou, Xuchang.
In the Grand Sima Mansion in Xuchang City, Cao Xiu, the Grand Sima of Cao Wei who had just taken office, was playing chess with Wang Ji.
Wang Ji was Cao Rui's confidant, and he should have been making suggestions by Cao Rui's side.
But in order to increase his knowledge, Wang Ji took the initiative to ask Cao Rui to transfer him to Yuzhou.
Cao Rui finally agreed to Wang Ji's request.
So when Cao Xiu left Yecheng, Wang Ji followed the army southward with the military title of General Pingnan.
Cao Xiu knew that Wang Ji was Cao Rui's confidant. The most important thing was that Cao Xiu learned from Cao Rui the real reason why Wang Ji invited himself to Yuzhou.
When Mi Yang was still in Chang'an, most of the ministers in the Cao and Wei Dynasties believed that Mi Yang would not leave Chang'an lightly.
At that time, only a few Wang Ji people thought that Mi Yang would definitely come to Jingzhou in person in the future.
Before Mi Yang came to Jingzhou in the future, Wang Ji and others' ideas might have been considered ridiculous.
But when the news of Mi Yang's arrival in Jingzhou spread to Yuzhou, everyone would admire Wang Ji's anticipation.
Cao Xiu is no exception to this point.
Because he valued Wang Ji's talents, Cao Xiu had always taken Wang Ji with him as a think tank since he came to Xuchang.
Halfway through the chess game, Cao Xiu glanced at Wang Ji in front of him, and then looked at a young man beside him who was watching the chess game.
"Shiji, who do you think will win today's game between me and Boyu?"
Cao Xiu asked this sentence with a gentle face.
The young man who was questioned by Cao Xiu was named Wang Jun, also named Shizhi.
Wang Jun is from Hongnong County. He comes from a famous family in Hongnong County.
Wang Jun was well-read when he was young and had an extraordinary appearance. However, he did not practice etiquette as a child, so his reputation in the village was not prominent.
It was only after Wang Jun became an adult that he changed his ambition and became cheerful, ambitious and resourceful.
A few years ago, Wang Jun, who had just grown up, was recruited by the governor of the prefecture and county to work in Hedong. Because Wang Jun was a serious and dignified man, some officials with ulterior motives took the initiative to leave when they heard that he had taken office.
After Xu Miao, the governor of Later Youzhou, heard about Wang Jun's reputation, he took advantage of the opportunity of a banquet for young heroes to let his daughter secretly name Wang Jun as her husband.
Because he valued Wang Jun, he made him his son-in-law. Therefore, after his daughter married Wang Jun, Xu Miao has been using his influence to contribute to Wang Jun's career.
It happened that after Cao Xiu became the Grand Sima, he felt that the threat of Mi Yang was getting bigger and bigger, so he learned from Cao Cao's behavior of seeking talents and recruited young talents from Cao Wei to Xuchang with the respect of the Grand Sima.
It was by taking advantage of this good opportunity that Wang Jun was fortunate enough to become Cao Xiu's minister.
By chance, Cao Xiu realized that Wang Jun was a very talented person. In addition, Xu Miao had an old relationship with Cao Xiu, so Cao Xiu became closer and closer to Wang Jun.
In Cao Xiu's heart, Wang Jun's talents were not inferior to Wang Ji's.
After hearing Cao Xiu's inquiry, a normal person would definitely flatter Cao Xiu in order to please him.
But Wang Jun is different from ordinary people.
After taking a serious look at the chess game, Wang Jun said solemnly: "General Pingnan should win in the end."
Wang Jun came from a well-known family and had been proficient in chess since he was a child. He believed that his judgment would not be wrong.
After hearing Wang Jun's answer, Cao Xiu showed a look of dumbfounding on his face.
"You, you, you! Your personality is too upright, no wonder you have always had a bad reputation."
Cao Xiu's words seemed to be blaming Wang Jun, but it was easy to tell from his tone that he liked Wang Jun's unpretentious character very much.
After "criticizing" Wang Jun, Cao Xiu looked at Wang Ji again.
Cao Xiu asked Wang Jidao: "Boyu, do you think Gu should send troops?"
What Cao Xiu asked was exactly something that had been bothering him recently.
Xu Sheng had arrived in Xuchang a few days ago.
Just as Lu Xun ordered, as soon as Xu Sheng saw Cao Xiu, he eagerly asked him for help and asked him to send troops to Yiyang immediately.
But Cao Xiu did not immediately agree to Xu Sheng's request.
It’s not that Cao Xiu didn’t understand what Xu Sheng said.
There were just two places that made Cao Xiu hesitate.
The first point is: since Xu Sheng came to ask for help from the state of Wu, then according to common sense, Xu Sheng must have at least a formal official document in his hand.
It's a pity that Xu Sheng didn't.
This made Cao Xiu vaguely feel that there was something untrue in Xu Sheng's words.
The second point is: after several years of attacks by Mi Yang, the military strength of the Wei army has long been no longer comparable to that of the past.
In addition, it has not been a year since the Battle of Guanzhong ended, and when the current Wei army mentions Mi Yang, he still feels uncontrollable fear in his heart.
Military strength is declining and military morale is unstable.
Facing such an unfavorable situation, Cao Xiu didn't have many cards to play.
And Cao Xiu also knew that for the sake of the Wei Dynasty, he could not act like Cao Ren, Cao Zhen and Meng Lang before him.
If there is another disastrous defeat like the Battle of Guanzhong, I am afraid that the Central Plains will also fall into Mi Yang's hands.
Thinking of these two points, even Cao Xiu, who has always had a strong personality, had to hesitate.
Wang Ji was not unaware of Cao Xiu's hesitant look.
But his answer seemed very firm.
"should!"
After answering Cao Xiu, Wang Ji continued to express his views.
"Sun Quan has always known how to recognize people. If Lu Xun can be entrusted with an important task by him, he must be no mediocre person.
Although Lu Xun did not send a formal request for help to Da Sima, Lu Xun would not have contacted Da Sima rashly unless the matter was urgent.
Although the concerns of the Grand Sima are not unreasonable, we should stop being disturbed by them and hope that the Grand Sima will think about it."
After hearing Wang Ji's answer, Cao Xiu held the chess piece in his hand and couldn't put it down for a long time.
He was thinking over and over what Wang Ji said.
Just when Cao Xiu couldn't make up his mind, someone came in and reported:
"Da Sima, Wu General Xu Sheng is outside asking for an audience."
Cao Xiu frowned when he heard that Xu Sheng was coming again.
However, due to the alliance between the two countries, Cao Xiu still asked people to bring Xu Sheng in.
Xu Sheng, who looked anxious, was quickly brought to Cao Xiu.
After seeing Cao Xiu, Xu Sheng could not hide his eagerness and quickly bowed to Cao Xiu and said:
"Sheng Fangcai has received the official document from the general.
Han Zong rebelled and has now occupied Yong'an!"
"Cao Da Sima, please remember the covenant between the two countries and send troops to help as soon as possible!"
At this point, Xu Sheng burst into tears and handed over the document in his hand.
With his loyal and patriotic thoughts, he wished he could return to Lu Xun immediately and do his best for Wu.
Xu Sheng's words made Cao Xiu's expression change greatly.
He stood up suddenly, took the document from Xu Sheng's hand, and read it carefully.
After seeing that the above content was exactly what Xu Sheng said, Cao Xiu's face became increasingly ugly.
It's only been a few days, and the thief's actions are too fast!
And just after Cao Xiu read the contents of the document, Wang Ji, who was sitting on the couch, pushed the chessboard away from the table.
With the sound of chess pieces falling to the ground, Wang Ji came to Cao Xiu and advised him sternly:
"Indecisiveness leads to disaster.
Da Sima!"
After Wang Ji persuaded him, Wang Jun also bowed to Cao Xiu and persuaded:
"If we don't fight now, when the thieves succeed, we can all surrender!"
Wang Jun's words still sounded so harsh.
But it was Wang Jun's harsh advice that woke Cao Xiu up.
Cao Xiu slowly raised his hands and said:
"These hands were used to capture fierce horses and defeat ferocious tigers.
But now, why do you only dare to live in the same room, hesitate and act like a woman?"
A self-deprecating laugh came from Cao Xiu's mouth.
After the self-deprecating laughter gradually subsided, Cao Xiu firmly held the chess piece that had not yet been played in his hand.
He turned around and saw the chessboard that Wang Ji had pushed away. At this time, many chess pieces were scattered on the chessboard, as if they had formed the shape of an elk.
In a daze, Cao Xiu felt that the elk on the chessboard seemed to have come to life, and whispered in his ear:
"Do you dare to come?"
Unbridled ridicule!
However, he is qualified enough to ridicule.
Is it just that I don’t dare?
"You are the thousand-mile horse of my Cao family!"
Thinking of these words, Cao Xiu took a deep breath. He took a few steps forward and returned to the chessboard. He raised the chess piece in his hand and smashed it towards the heart of the elk on the chessboard.
At the same time, a decisive order came from Cao Xiu's mouth:
"Collect an army and fight against the thieves again!"
I will come.
...
Looking at the continuous rain curtain between the sky and the earth, Han Zong's expression was much more relaxed than the previous few days.
Stepping on the muddy ground made Han Zong feel even more secure.
But Han Zong was not in a hurry to express his inner pride to his subordinates. He was now standing at the gate of the city, waiting for someone to arrive.
The person who allowed Han Zong to brave the heavy rain to welcome him in person must have an extraordinary status.
That person was none other than Shi Bao.
After Mi Yang learned that Han Zong had captured Yong'an, he sent Han Zong his own handwritten letter the next day.
In the letter, Mi Yang stated that he had a premonition that the Wei army in the north would do something nefarious, so he would come to Yong'an City later.
But in order to reassure Han Zong, Mi Yang explained to Han Zong that he would let Shi Bao come to Yong'an City.
Shi Bao, Han Zong had heard some of his reputation.
Of course, this is not because of Shi Bao's identity. After all, Shi Bao's identity is not outstanding among the Han army.
This is because Shi Bao traveled thousands of miles to find the Lord of the Ming Dynasty.
Han Zong, who knew such a feat, naturally understood Mi Yang's thoughts.
"Da Sima is so generous. He is afraid that I will be uneasy and wants to put his faith in my hands!"
Han Zong, who read the letter at that time, expressed his sincere feelings to his subordinates.
And Han Zong, who could understand Mi Yang's intentions, would definitely pay great attention to Shi Bao's arrival.
Early this morning, Han Zong waited outside the city gate early, letting the heavy rain hit the hem of his clothes.
When the time came to noon, Han Zong finally vaguely saw the silhouette of a group of people in the rain.
When the team arrived and exchanged codes with Han Zong's subordinates to confirm their identities, Han Zong immediately came forward to greet them.
Han Zong looked at Shi Bao who was soaked all over, and he helped Shi Bao off his horse with an apologetic look on his face.
Later, Han Zong took an umbrella and personally covered Shi Bao.
Han Zong's enthusiasm and humility made Shi Bao a little uncomfortable.
According to the news he had received before, Han Zong's behavior was quite crazy.
How could he do this in front of him?
But Shi Bao would not ask such a question face to face.
When walking side by side with Han Zong into the city, Shi Bao took the lead and said to Han Zong:
"Before coming here, Da Sima once asked Bao to apologize to the general."
Shi Bao's words made Han Zong instantly flattered.
Of course he knew why Mi Yang expressed her apology to him.
If Shi Bao hadn't come, given his character, he would have been extremely irritable and even insulted Mi Yang.
But now Shibao is here!
As long as Shi Bao is in Yong'an, Han Zong is willing to believe everything Mi Yang says.
After listening to Shi Bao's words, Han Zong quickly bent over and bowed to the west:
"Da Sima is trying to destroy Zong!"
Da Sima was able to notice the subtle changes in the Northern Wei Dynasty and detect the changes in the Northern Wei Dynasty in advance, which just shows the wisdom of Da Sima.
With such a wise lord, it’s too late to be overjoyed, so how can you have other thoughts?”
Han Zong's words were indeed his true thoughts.
But Han Zong's words made Shi Bao feel a little chilly.
Before coming, Shi Bao had read all the information about Han Zong.
The Han Zong in the intelligence and the Han Zong he saw with his own eyes seemed to be completely different people.
But Shi Bao knew that this just proved that Han Zong was an extremely dangerous person.
After deepening his understanding of Han Zong, Shi Bao came to the city gate and soon discovered something was wrong.
I saw that at the Juma formation in front of the city gate, many Juma were damaged.
Shi Bao knew that this was due to heavy rains in recent days.
But Shi Bao wondered why Han Zong didn't step up the repairs?
Shi Bao asked the doubts in his heart.
"The war is about to begin, why doesn't the general repair the city defenses?"
Shi Bao's words made Han Zong laugh out loud:
"Don't worry too much before taking a step. All things considered, I have committed myself to Ni Wu and am fully aware of the shortcomings of Ni Wu.
"Although the journey from Xiakou to Yong'an is not far, Sun Quan has always been taboo about his subordinates making their own decisions.
Maybe Lu Xun had already received the news about my righteousness.
But under Wu's system, the first thing Lu Xun had to do after learning the news was to express his gratitude to Sun Quan.
After Sun Quan received the news, he also issued an edict to Lu Xun.
This cycle can last as long as a few days or as long as half a month.
Coupled with the current thunderstorms and muddy roads, the Wu army had been in peace for several years and was no longer as bloody as before.
Lu Xun would not lead his army until the rain stopped and the sun dried up the roads.
This will take at least another half month.
Adding all up, it would probably take a month for the Wu army to arrive here.
In January, when can’t Yongan’s city defense be repaired? When can’t soldiers’ weapons be polished?
Don't be in a hurry.
I will take my subordinates to the city first to have a good rest, and then tonight I will hold a banquet to gather the famous people in the city to welcome them."
After finishing speaking, Han Zong was about to pull Shi Bao towards the city.
But surprisingly, Shi Bao didn't just follow Han Zong into the city.
Han Zong's words sound logical and consistent, without any problems.
Normally, Shi Bao wouldn't feel any difference.
But before Shi Bao came, Mi Yang told him to be more careful about Lu Xun.
"Lu Xun's ability is not that of being alone."
Thinking of these words, Shi Bao's face became more and more solemn.
Since I was ordered by Mi Yang, I came here in the heavy rain.
So will Wu Jun do the same?
This chapter has been completed!