Chapter 56 Conquering the Yellow Turban Happy Mid-Autumn Festival
Chapter 56 Conquest of the Yellow Turbans (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)
In the end, Zhang Xiu agreed to all the conditions proposed by Deng Hong.
He was stationed in Wancheng, and several surrounding counties belonged to him. He contacted the surrounding Yellow Turbans, helped Liu Biao resist the northern princes, and made several other minor requests.
The conditions for cooperation proposed by both parties were satisfactory to both parties. Zhang Xiu gained territory and a chance to breathe, Liu Biao gained peace, and even Deng Hongchenchen and others benefited from it. Only Zhang Ji's injured world was achieved.
After reaching an agreement, Deng Hong said goodbye to Zhang Xiu, and Zhang Xiu personally sent him back to Rangcheng.
The two of them talked and laughed along the way. At least this trip had a good result for both parties.
The next day Deng Hong said goodbye to the guard general Wenpin and set out on the road.
Grandfather and grandson were in the same car again.
It was a drizzle in spring in early February. There was a bamboo canopy on the car to cover up the drizzle.
The roads on both sides in the distance have gradually regained some popularity. Since the recent war in Rangcheng, many villagers have gone into hiding.
After Zhang Ji's death, the two sides made a truce and peace became more peaceful, and the villagers rushed back to continue taking care of the crops.
Seeing the farmers working in the fields in the light rain, Deng Hong sighed: "Fortunately, Zhang Ji died in a stray arrow, otherwise countless people in Jingzhou would have been displaced this time."
Shen Chen nodded in agreement and said: "Yes, it's fortunate that our Huangmen Pavilion is east of Nanyang and not close to Wuguan. Otherwise, with our current strength, if we want to resist the invasion of the Xiliang army, we will probably end up with nothing but chickens and dogs." The fate of."
Deng Hong said in a deep voice: "Achen, you are right. I used to think that since I have joined Liu Shijun's account, there is no need to develop the clan's strength. Now it seems that without soldiers and horses, we will be nothing in this world. .”
"Sixth uncle finally understands this truth."
Shen Chen was very happy about Deng Hong's awareness. In this troubled world, let alone the common people, even aristocratic families are at risk of being destroyed in an instant. For people like Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Zhang Yang, there are countless aristocratic families that have been destroyed. If there are no soldiers and horses to defend the enemy, how can they survive? Keep your home safe?
However, Deng Hong still said with some hesitation: "But if you really do what you said, Achen, wouldn't it mean that you have deceived Liu Shijun? If he finds out about it in the future, he will probably blame us."
"Blame?"
Shen Chen snickered and said, "What's there to blame? Uncle, don't forget, my great-uncle is still here. If you want to blame Deng, ask your great-uncle to talk to Mrs. Cai, and everything will be over. Not to mention this It's not a big deal in the first place, it's Zhang Xiu's order, not our intention."
Deng Hong pondered for a moment, nodded and said: "Okay, let's do this for now."
The grandfather and grandson successfully completed their mission and returned.
Under the escort of Gan Ning, they returned to Xiangyang. They also promised Gan Ning on the way that a war with the Yellow Turbans would break out in Nanyang soon, and they would definitely give him a chance to perform.
In mid-February, Deng Hong returned to his residence in Xiangyang. This time, Shen Chen did not follow him. Instead, he went back to the academy to ask Song Zhong for a period of leave.
After briefly informing Mr. Cai that he was safe, Deng Hong washed himself and changed his clothes before going to the Prefectural Shepherd's Mansion.
When Liu Biao learned that Deng Hong had returned, he immediately summoned him in the middle hall.
Deng Hong came in and saluted Liu Biao first. After Liu Biao expressed his consent to sit down, he sat down on the seat under the right hand of Liu Biao.
"Youshuo, how about it?"
After he sat down, Liu Biao immediately asked about the situation.
Although the Xiliang army was not large in number and he had no problem annihilating it, no one wanted his army to suffer heavy losses.
Deng Hong replied: "Ming Gong, everything goes well. The leader of the Xiliang army now is Zhang Ji's nephew Zhang Xiu. He also understands that he is now at a loss of ground and cannot return to Guanzhong. If he does not surrender in Nanyang, he will die.
, so I am willing to surrender to Duke Ming."
"That's good, that's good."
Liu Biao stroked his beard and laughed happily and said: "Jingzhou can be saved from the war, and the young master's contribution is indispensable."
Deng Hong handed over his hand and said, "It's just a trivial thing to do for Ming Gong. If Ming Gong hadn't understood the righteousness, I'm afraid things wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
"Youshuo is so humble."
Liu Biao could feel that Deng Hong was making more and more progress. At the beginning, Deng Hong couldn't even recite the meaning of the scriptures, but in just one and a half years, he had become very calm and courageous in doing things, which was even more admirable.
Moreover, both parties are related. Deng Hong's wife is Mrs. Cai's niece, so Deng Hong calls Liu Biao his cousin.
With this relationship and the meritorious service of recruiting Zhang Xiu, he originally wanted to promote him to an official position. However, Deng Hongcai was already working in the state government less than two years after he became an official. It would not be reasonable to promote him anymore, so Liu Biao thought about it.
, preparing to give him some gold, silver, Shu brocade and other property.
Just as he was thinking about it, Deng Hong said again: "Ming Gong, on the way there, I discussed with Ah Chen for a long time and thought about a lot of things. So when I was negotiating peace with Zhang Xiu, I made some decisions without authorization and made some plans.
Please forgive me, Ming Gong."
"oh?"
Liu Biao frowned slightly and said, "What plans have you made?"
Deng Hong said: "Back to Ming Gong, after Huangmenting moved from Xuzhou to Xinye, it was often harassed by the Yellow Turbans in the mountains because it was close to the Dabie Mountains. Not only Huangmenting, but also the surrounding Huyang, Pingshi, Biyang, Wuyin, etc.
The land, as well as the bandits in Gaoling Mountain northwest of Nanyang, often invaded Nanyang, causing peace in the surrounding cities."
"Um."
Liu Biao nodded: "These remnants of the Yellow Turbans are hiding in the mountains, forming strongholds on steep mountains, which are easy to defend and difficult to attack. They are also entrenched around Nanyang, and there are so many of them. It is very difficult to clean them out one by one, so I am also quite troubled by this matter.
"
Deng Hong smiled and said: "So I discussed with Zhang Xiu and asked him to contact the Yellow Turbans in Yingchuan, Runan, Nanyang and other places, saying that he had defeated the army sent by Ming Gong to conquer him and occupied Wancheng, and he was willing to invite them to join him.
If we jointly occupy Nanyang and participate in the grand event, when the decisive battle comes, if we defect again before the battle, we can eradicate the remaining Nanyang clique entrenched around Nanyang. What do you think?"
Let Zhang Xiu contact the remaining Yellow Turbans around Nanyang?
This strategy seems familiar.
Liu Biao thought for a while and finally remembered, wasn't this the plan proposed by Kuai Yue when he first arrived in Xiangyang four years ago?
When he came to Xiangyang, Jingzhou was not at peace, and all the cities and counties were occupied by others.
To put it bluntly, these people were the so-called local powerful forces, running rampant in rural counties and cities in clan-based units, and were called clan thieves by the people of the time.
Before Liu Biao came to Jingzhou, hundreds of cities in the seven counties of Jingzhou were all occupied by them.
Strictly speaking, the major families in Jingzhou once belonged to this group, but they were more powerful and smarter.
In the beginning, they also dominated the mountains and became kings.
After Liu Biao's arrival, major aristocratic families valued the legitimacy given to Liu Biao by the court and supported Liu Biao's rise to power.
In return, Liu Biao also gave them feedback and gave them certain official positions.
Those who disobeyed Liu Biao were designed by Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Cai Mao and others to kill them all.
From then on, Liu Biao completely pacified Jingzhou.
Time flies so fast.
Liu Biao remembered that at that time, Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Cai Mao and others planned to get rid of those clan traitors by calling them together for a meeting.
In the name of jointly fighting against Liu Biao, they discussed resisting the imperial court and then beheaded all the thieves.
How similar is Deng Hong's plan to this one?
Just as Kuai Yue and others summoned the clan traitors in the name of working together to fight against themselves, Zhang Xiu also summoned the remnants of the Yellow Turbans in the name of working together to fight against themselves.
It's just that the original clan thieves have become the remnants of the Yellow Turbans entrenched around Nanyang, Zhang Xiu has become Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang and Cai Mao, but he is still the same person.
For a moment, Liu Biao felt a little emotional. He looked at Deng Hong and nodded approvingly: "Yes, this plan is very clever. It reminds me of Yidu, Zirou, Degui and others when I first came to Jingzhou a few years ago.
Plan to destroy the Jingzhou sect traitors."
Deng Hong quickly said: "After I arrived in Jingzhou, I learned that Ming Gong's deeds were widely circulated, so Shouling Yuzi studied in Handan, thinking that if I could get rid of all the remaining Yellow Turbans, I would share my worries with the Lord."
"good."
Liu Biao said happily: "Youshuo's plan is very satisfactory to me, so let's do it according to your ideas. I will inform Wenpin and Zhang Yun then and ask them to fully cooperate with you."
"Thank you Ming Gong."
Deng Hong cupped his hands and said, "Hong has one more thing to do."
"you say."
Liu Biao listened attentively. A good subordinate is one who can share his worries.
Deng Hong said: "I thought it would be a good idea to let Zhang Xiu be stationed in Nanyang. But if Xiangyang supplies all the money and food for the soldiers and horses every year, it would be inappropriate. If you give him too little, Zhang Xiu will be dissatisfied, and if you give him too much, he will be easily dissatisfied.
grew, so Hong thought of another way to solve this problem."
"oh?"
Liu Biao asked: "What can I do?"
Deng Hongdao said: "I am referring to Zhang Xiu as the Grand Administrator of Nanyang."
Is Zhang Xiu the Grand Administrator of Nanyang?
Liu Biao frowned and said, "What's the explanation?"
Deng Hong said with a smile: "Our purpose of recruiting Zhang Xiu is to let him help us guard the gate of Nanyang. But as Bei just said, if all the food and grass are provided by Xiangyang, I'm afraid he will be greedy. It's better to give him Nanyang, but it's not all.
Give."
"Not all? What do you mean?"
"Hong thinks that Wancheng and several surrounding cities can be handed over to Zhang Xiu to manage and let him manage people's livelihood. In this way, all his military expenses will come from the local county towns, and we will not need to provide him with money and food. By then Nanyang
Zhang Xiu will take care of the north, and the Ming Dynasty will take over Caiyang, Fancheng, Deng County and Zhangling as Xiangyang's barrier. From then on, the north will be stable."
"The Xiliang army has always burned, killed, and looted. How can they manage people's livelihood?"
Liu Biao sneered and said, "Don't rob the people again and cause chaos in Nanyang."
Deng Hong then said: "Think about it, if the government is good, the tax revenue will be high. If the government is not good, the people will naturally move to Zhangling and other places. If it doesn't work, Ming Gong can also send counties
He ordered us to go and help him govern, so his military expenditures still have to be controlled by us. Even if Zhang Xiu is criticized by us, we have nothing to say. We can only blame him for not having the ability to govern the place."
"Um."
Liu Biao thought for a while, nodded and said: "The Book of Han says: If you don't cultivate your virtue, you will be punished. What you said is somewhat reasonable. I have given him several cities, but he can't manage them well by himself."
That is his business. Even if he governs well and only has a few cities in total, he will not be strong and will still have to be used by me. Young Shuo, this plan is very good."
Deng Hong said modestly: "These are all due to Ming Gong's wise teachings. Since Achen and I came to Jingzhou, we felt that we had little knowledge when we were in Xuzhou, so we focused more on learning. Whether we studied in the academy or in the
Ming Gong, everyone has gained a lot. Just like the strategy I thought of before, it was only because of Ming Gong that I thought of it."
"very good."
Liu Biao praised him and said, "You helped me surrender Zhang Xiu, and you also helped me get rid of the remaining Yellow Turbans in Nanyang. I don't know how to reward you."
Deng Hong said quickly: "I am very grateful to Duke Ming for allowing my clan to return to its ancestral land. Hong does not ask for a reward."
"I see."
Liu Biao thought for a moment and said, "You go ahead. I will discuss this matter with Zirou first and I will give you an answer in two days."
"only."
Deng Hong retreated.
．
．
While Liu Biao was still thinking about taking action against the Nanyang Yellow Turbans, Cao Cao was also thinking about it in Yanzhou.
Ever since Lu Bu attacked his rear the year before last, Cao Cao had been in great embarrassment.
At one point, he almost sent his family to Jizhou to be used as hostages by Yuan Shao in exchange for Yuan Shao's support of him.
Fortunately, with the heartfelt support of the elders in Cheng Yu's hometown, food and grass were finally replenished.
Finally regaining his strength, he finally defeated Lu Bu last year and regained the entire territory of Yanzhou.
After a year of rest and recuperation, Cao Cao's food and fodder were finally able to barely cope with the military.
In the first month of this year, he began to send troops to Chen and Liang to squeeze Yuan Shu's living space.
Yuan Si, the Prime Minister of Chen State sent by Yuan Shu, surrendered to Cao Cao. From then on, the territory of Chen State and Liang State was captured by Cao Cao.
And his next target is Yingchuan County and Runan County.
These two areas are not Yuan Shu's territory, but they are currently occupied by a large number of Yellow Turban remnants. They have formed an alliance with Yuan Shu and threaten Cao Cao's rear.
Therefore, as early as the beginning of this year, Cao Cao had already considered getting rid of these Yellow Turbans.
Jiyin County, Dingtao County, Cao Cao's Yanzhou Mu Mansion.
Chen Gong rebelled and followed Lu Bu to Xuzhou. Xi Zhi had recently caught a cold and was recuperating at home. At this time, there were only Cheng Yu and Xun Yu in the hall.
Cao Cao looked at the empty hall and felt a little disappointed for a moment, and said, "How is Zhicai's illness?"
Xun Yu just visited Xi Zhicai yesterday, shook his head and said, "It's not good."
"It's better to have more decoction."
Cao Cao was very concerned about his men's health and carefully warned: "You must not hide your illness and avoid medical treatment."
"Well, thank you General for your concern. I will tell Zhicai."
Xun Yu nodded to express his understanding.
Historically, during this period in history, he always called Cao Cao a general. Even when he died, he did not call him Ming Gong. At most, he was someone like Cao Gong.
Because Xun Yu always considered himself a Han official rather than a subordinate of Cao Cao, to a certain extent, they had an equal relationship.
"That's good."
Cao Cao finally started talking about business: "Zhongde, Wenruo, I want to conquer Yingchuan and Runan Yellow Turbans south. What do you think?"
Cheng Yu frowned and said, "Now that we have just a little surplus of food and grass, should we send out troops now?"
"Time waits for me."
Cao Cao sighed and said: "Yuan Shu has colluded with the Yellow Turbans in Yingchuan, Runan. If we cannot defeat them, we may be attacked from both sides."
Xun Yu thought for a while and said: "That's true. It seems that we can only send out troops and defeat them one by one."
Cao Cao nodded and said, "I want to conquer Runan myself, so I'll leave Yanzhou to you two."
"only."
They both handed over at the same time.
During this period of Cao Cao's campaigns in the east and west, it was always two people guarding the home, and this time was no exception.