"Since the army cannot move lightly, the defense in Guanzhong must be even more cautious. Now that Chencang has a general personally stationed there, there is no need to worry."
"I just don't know if Wang Shuang, the guard of Qian County, can defend this place? And who should be sent to Xinping County?"
After all, Cao Rui was not a simple person. After learning that there might not be enough food and grass to support the army's stability, he forced himself to calm down and began to turn his mind to defense.
"Although Wang Shuang is brave, he was first defeated by Soochow in the past few years, and then captured by Soochow's soldiers. His prestige in the army is not enough. Although he can protect Qian County in the short term, it is not a long-term solution. I think
, Your Majesty had better send another confidant to frighten the whole army."
Liu Fang suggested.
Cao Rui listened and nodded, feeling that it made sense, so he asked, "Who can go?"
"Qin Lang, the valiant cavalry general, is cautious by nature and well versed in military strategy. More importantly, he has a deep hatred against the Shu captives. Your Majesty can send him to guard Qian County."
Qin Lang's father, Qin Yilu, served in Lu Bu in his early years and was sent as an envoy to Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu married a Han Dynasty clan daughter to him, while his original wife, Mrs. Du, and his son Qin Lang stayed in Xiapi.
Later, Cao Cao besieged Lu Bu in Xiapi, and Guan Yu asked to marry Du. Cao Cao saw Du's beauty and took her as his concubine.
After Qin Yilu returned to Cao Cao and learned about this, he didn't even dare to let out a fart.
Later, Zhang Fei persuaded Qin Yilu to rebel against Cao Cao because he wanted to take away his wife. Qin Yilu then ran away with Zhang Fei. However, he didn't go far before he regretted it again and wanted to return to Cao Cao's camp.
Zhang Fei couldn't bear his violent temper, so he killed him on the spot.
That's why Liu Fang said that Qin Lang "had a deep hatred against the Shu captives".
Qin Lang lived with his mother in the Cao Mansion. Cao Cao liked him and made him his stepson, sharing the same clothes and food with the young masters in the mansion.
Qin Lang's appearance was inherited from his mother. He was very handsome and cautious and low-key by nature. He won the heart of Cao Rui and often accompanied Cao Rui on his travels.
Even after Cao Rui ascended the throne as emperor, every time he summoned him, he would affectionately call him by his nickname "Asu".
Now when Cao Rui heard that Liu Fang recommended Qin Lang, the first reaction in his heart was to give up, "Although Asu is talented, I am afraid that he is still young and will not be able to convince the public."
"Your Majesty, General Xiaoqi is your Majesty's confidant. Everyone knows that going to Qixian County to lead the army shows that Your Majesty attaches great importance to Qixian County. Who dares to disapprove?"
"Besides, Wang Shuang is quite brave. Chencang is more than two hundred miles south of Qian County, and there is a general to rely on. Even if the Shu captives come over Longshan, the general will have time to lead his troops to reinforce him. What is there to worry about?"
After hearing this, Cao Rui still hesitated a little and looked at Sun Zi, "Does Sun Aiqing think so?"
Sun Zi nodded, "The General Qiaoqi has traveled to various places for a long time and traveled among the princes. He has extraordinary knowledge and is cautious by nature. Now the most suitable leader for Your Majesty is him."
This time when the Shu invaders were on the border, Cao Rui originally thought that having General Cao Zhen guarding Guanzhong and General Zhang leading the reinforcements would be enough, so he did not mobilize generals from various places to follow him, and only brought his trusted followers to Chang'an.
Nowadays, we are losing troops and generals one after another, and for a while there is no suitable candidate to lead the army.
Cao Rui saw that both of his confidants recommended Qin Lang. Even if he was reluctant to give up, he could only agree, "Forget it, let Asu go. What about Xinping County?"
At the same time, he thought that Asuna was the person closest to him. If he could make a contribution in the military this time, he would be promoted in the future, which would be considered a good thing.
"Your Majesty, now that the main force of the Shu captives is on the right side of Longyou, Anding County is only disturbed by the chaos. Reinforcements from Hebei will arrive in the near future, and their leader is Xian Yufu, the general of the auxiliary country."
"He knows the strength of the army well. If the time comes, we only need to let him garrison Xinping and wait for the opportunity to move. Then there will be no worries in Guanzhong."
Liu Fang said confidently.
Cao Rui nodded, "That's the only way."
Liu Fang and Sun Zi came out of the palace and walked to a deserted area. Sun Zi asked in a low voice, "Has General Anxi ever offended you?"
Liu Fang shook his head, "Of course not."
"Your Majesty will know about the food and fodder matter sooner or later. Since he has not offended you, how can you say this?"
Sun Zi asked with some confusion.
"I'm just being entrusted by others."
Liu Fang smiled calmly.
"who?"
"Princess Qinghe."
When Sun Zi heard this, a look of horror appeared in his eyes. He took a breath, looked around, and then asked quietly, "Is this Princess Qinghe actually trying to harm her husband?"
Liu Fang and Sun Zi had worked together for many years, and they were both in charge of secrets. They had already established an alliance with each other, and there was no need to hide their words.
When Liu Fang heard Sun Zi's words, his face turned slightly gloomy, "Xia Houmao has been in Guanzhong for many years and has many beautiful talents. The eldest princess of Qinghe has long been resentful."
"Unfortunately, he has no military skills and is easy to make a living. In the past two years, he has not only sold grain from Guanzhong to the wealthy families of Longyou, but also resold grain from Guandong."
"Now that the army is short of food, this person should be the first to blame. Since the eldest princess of Qinghe is willing to kill her relatives out of justice, I just push her from behind, which can be regarded as eliminating harm for the country."
As soon as the two of them said this, they saw someone running in front of them in a hurry. Who wasn't Xia Houzhi?
The two sides passed each other and said goodbye. Looking at Xia Houmao's back, Liu Fang and Sun Zi looked at each other and smiled.
After everyone else had gone away and confirmed that no one could hear them, Sun Zi asked softly, "Qin Lang has been temporarily transferred away from His Majesty, and there is still Cao Zhao. What should we do?"
"This matter cannot be rushed. Cao Xiu, the father of Cao Zhao, is now the Grand Sima and can be regarded as the most important minister in the Wei Dynasty. Let us avoid his influence for the time being and look for opportunities later."
Liu Fang's eyes flashed and he said slowly.
"That's the only way."
Sun Zi nodded.
At the same time, Xiahou Mao entered the palace and just bowed, "I have met your Majesty, Xiahou Mao."
I could hear the emperor's angry voice asking above, "Xia Houmao, let me ask you, how much grain is left in Guanzhong?"
When Xia Houmao heard this, he felt a loud "buzzing" sound in his ears, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.
Seeing that Xia Houmao's face was pale and he didn't dare to look up at himself, Cao Rui finally confirmed what Liu Fang said. He immediately picked up the inkstone on the case and smashed it over, and asked angrily, "I ask you where the Guanzhong treasury is now."
How much food is left!"
The sharp corner of the inkstone hit Xia Houmao's forehead, causing blood to flow down immediately.
Xia Houmao didn't dare to hide, he just lay on the ground, trembling.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I have ordered people to purchase grain from Guandong and are now speeding up the shipment..."
"Is that what I'm asking?"
Cao Rui stood up suddenly, rushed to Xia Houmao, and kicked him out, hitting Xia Houmao in the heart and knocking him over.
I saw Cao Rui's face was extremely ferocious, and he gritted his teeth and asked, "I'm asking how long the food and grass in Guanzhong can be supplied to the army now!"
The troops at the front were insufficient and the military capital was defeated, so there was little concern for stabilizing the chaos among the people.
Now that the Kwantung reinforcements have arrived, the Shu captives have focused all their attention on Longyou and have no time to look eastward. It is the best time to calm down the civil unrest, but they are constrained by food and grass.
By the time grain is transported from Guandong, Longyou will be gone long ago, and even Anping will belong to the Shu captives!
When Cao Rui thought of this, he felt that his fortune had been extremely bad after arriving in Chang'an, and even his uncle, who was a royal clan member, was holding him back. The more he thought about it, the more angry he became, and he kicked him again.
Xia Houmao felt his eyes darken, his throat felt sweet, and blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth.