Although there were some twists and turns, Zhuge Liang still visited the thatched cottage three times before leaving the mountain.

Compared with Lan Tian, ​​who only had some historical experience, Zhuge Liang was profound in knowledge and far-reaching intellect. When Liu Bei chatted with him, he was in a state of being fascinated by his younger brother for a long time.

Although I didn’t understand much, I was very shocked.

Returning to Xinye, Liu Bei appointed Zhuge Liang as military advisor and Xu Shu as deputy military advisor.

With Lantian Zhuyu in front of him, Xu Shu accepted this adjustment very calmly.

After Zhuge Liang took over the military affairs, he generously accepted refugees from Xinye and even nearby counties and villages, and brought them to farm and farm. The original passive strategy was directly transformed into an active strategy.

Zhuge Liang knew very well that fighting for the world was about hard power, and the competition was about the productivity of each family. No matter how brave the generals, the strongest soldiers, and the best strategies, it would still be useless if there were not enough supplies.

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang spent more time together than Guan Zhang, and often said to others: "You are like a fish in water."

Due to the close relationship between the two, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were very displeased and often went to Lantian to drink.

At the beginning of April, Zhang Fei came to Lantian's house again carrying wine. He happened to meet him about to go out, so he asked Ziyu, "Where are you going? I, Lao Zhang, bought some good wine. Let's have a taste."

"Let's drink later. Where is my brother-in-law?" Lan Tian asked.

"Where else can we go? We went out with Shui early in the morning. I heard we were going to Dengjiazhuang." Zhang Fei said unhappily.

Lantian said to himself: "I have been living in Xinye for a long time these days, and I don't know how Xiaolizi and his friends are doing with their spring plowing."

"I don't think there is any problem. Ziyu, you have been teaching me how to farm for so long, and I have almost learned it." Zhang Fei complimented.

Lan Tian looked at the wine jar in Zhang Fei's arms and said: "Send the wine to the opposite side. I said that I could invite Kong Ming to come out and hold a shabu-shabu banquet. The place at home is too small, so I'd better go to the county government to hold a banquet. I'll hold a banquet later."

You call your sister-in-law, and we can have some fun."

Zhang Fei was delighted when he heard this and said: "That's great, I'll prepare some drinks."

Gan Qian's daughter was one hundred days old, so she and Mi Zhen carried their daughters to the banquet. Xinye's main staff and generals gathered together, including Lu Lingqi, Xia Houjuan, Xu's mother and other family members. There were also tables.

Two people sit in front of each table, with copper tripods, wine utensils, raw meat, vegetables, cold dishes, dipping dishes and other items placed on them. A shabu-shabu feast initiated by Lan Tian begins in a lively manner.

Shabu-shabu was originally only popular among a few people in Xinye. Now, after everyone tastes it in the temple, they all think it tastes better than stewing. It is simply delicious when paired with Lantian's dipping sauce.

After several rounds of toasts, small groups slowly began to form in the palace. Generals such as Guan, Zhang and Zhao mainly drank wine and ate meat, while Lan Tian, ​​Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu sat around to discuss the situation.

Zhuge Liang said: "My lord and I went to Dengjiazhuang today. Ziyu's farming is very organized. The yield per mu of land should be much higher than that of ordinary farmers, right?"

Lan Tian nodded and said: "Agriculture is like running an army. It also has its own methods. If you take care of it carefully, you will definitely gain something."

"You have Ziyu working in the fields and growing grain. My lord has a great chance of helping the Han Dynasty. Now we should widely recruit refugees. If there is grain, there will be people, and if there are talents, there will be soldiers." Zhuge Liang sighed.

"If Liu Jingsheng hadn't interfered, Xinye would have cultivated a large area long ago. Ziyu is more cautious than you." Xu Shu shook his head.

Zhuge Liang said: "Ziyu is worried that Liu Biao will be suspicious? This man has a good reputation as a virtuous man. After the incident in Jiangxia, even if he is afraid of the Lord, he should not be in trouble again."

Lan Tian shook his head and said: "Although Liu Jingsheng will not be in trouble again, Xinye is a small area after all. After Yuan Shao's death, Hebei will return to Cao Cao sooner or later. Once the north is pacified, Jingzhou will be in danger. Xinye is the north gate of Xiangyang, won't it bear the brunt?"

"Liu Biao is old and probably doesn't have a few years to live. We can only cultivate the fields to support the people. We can only hope that the Yuan brothers will be more tenacious, otherwise the new people will be unable to capture Jingzhou." Zhuge Liang analyzed.

Lantian said: "We must find a way to get a place for our lord to establish his business."

"Guanzhong to the north of Nanyang and Runan to the east are both under Cao Cao's jurisdiction. Even if we use the new people to occupy Dezhou County while Cao Cao is fighting with the Yuan family, it will be difficult to hold it. This will only make Sun Quan and Ma Teng

Others can reap the benefits. Only Zhang Lu in Hanzhong and Liu Zhang in Xichuan can plan, but the mountains are high and the roads are far away and it is difficult to plan..." Zhuge Liang shook his head and said.

"What do you think of Jingnan?" Lan Tian said suddenly.

After hearing this, Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu were puzzled that there was still Nanjun between the four counties of Jingnan and Xinye.

"What does Ziyu mean?" Zhuge Liang asked curiously.

"I think that Xinye does not have the conditions for stable development. If we want to go north to the Central Plains at this time, we will marry Sun Quan and others as Kong Ming said. If we continue to farm and grow grain in Xinye, Cao's army will go south in the future.

Pao Ying. The four counties in Jingnan are separated by the Yangtze River, so they are good places for development." Lantian said.

"Not to mention the wilderness in Jingnan, if we raise troops to take it, how can Liu Biao turn a deaf ear?" Xu Shu said worriedly.

Zhuge Liang looked at Lan Tian with suspicion, "Since Ziyu said this, is there some clever plan?"

"Of course it's not possible to raise troops to fetch them, but it's different if Liu Biao takes the initiative to send them," Lan Tian said.

"Liu Biao has always been afraid of my lord, so how could he take the initiative to send him?" Xu Shu asked.

"This requires Kong Ming's efforts." Lan Tian said meaningfully.

Zhuge Liang looked confused when he heard this. He thought to himself: How can I contribute?

Lan Tian continued: "Liu Biao is old and faint. Jingzhou is now controlled by Cai, Kuai and others. The relationship between your uncle and Liu Biao and Cai Mao is very unusual. Pang Degong also calls you Wolong. Kong Ming, you can start with them and think from behind."

Find a way."

Zhuge Liang is so smart, he immediately understood that Lan Tian asked him to practice nepotism and wife diplomacy. Although he had used these relationships to enhance his reputation, he had no intention of relying on it. He shook his head and said: "Liang never does anything for this kind of people."

seek..."

Lan Tian smiled and said: "History is written by the victor. As long as the goal can be achieved, no matter how high or low it is, it is a good strategy. There is a saying in my hometown, 'Corrupt officials will be treacherous, and honest officials will be even more treacherous.'"

After hearing this, Xu Shu also advised: "What Ziyu said makes sense, Kong Ming, please think about it carefully."

"Time waits for us not, Cao Cao doesn't have much time left for us..." Lan Tian reminded.

Zhuge Liang struggled for a long time before saying: "A corrupt official is more treacherous than an honest official. Liang will give it a try."

After the shabu-shabu banquet, Zhuge Liang was escorted by Zhao Yun to Xiangyang. Lantian did not need to remind him of what happened next. Mr. Wolong was much more resourceful.

In two months, Zhuge Liang and Huang Chengyan had close contact with the Pang family, the Huang family and the Cai family. Calls gradually emerged in Jingzhou to transfer Liu Bei away from Xinye, and Liu Biao was blown away by Mrs. Cai's pillow wind.

.

Liu Biao called his adviser Kuai Yue and asked: "Liu Xuande is recruiting refugees in Xinye and his momentum is growing. How do you think we can stop it?"

Kuai Yue said: "After years of war in the north, refugees from Guanzhong and the Central Plains often fled into Jingzhou through Nanyang, and Xinye is at the key point of Nanyang. Only by transferring Liu Bei away can he stop his growth."

"It's easy to invite gods but hard to send them away. Where do you think it would be better to transfer him?" Liu Biao asked with a false eyebrow.

"The long history of Guiyang was killed by barbarians a month ago. Why not transfer Liu Bei to Guiyang to garrison?" Kuai Yue suggested, stroking his beard.
Chapter completed!