Jia Xu woke up at dawn the next day. After washing himself with the well water in the village, he called his accompanying subordinates to do morning exercises. At midnight, Huo Tou cooked for three days with the millet left by Han Ji.
After cooking a pot of porridge and boiling the marinated mutton, the group held a bowl in each hand.
Squatting on the ground to eat.
When they had almost finished eating, Han Ji happened to arrive on horseback and informed Jia Xu: "Jia Gong, you can go. Your Excellency has made arrangements. Jia Gong will go to Didao to rest tonight and wait for Song Gong tomorrow.
It’s time for the conference.”
So everyone packed up and bowed again,
Continue walking north. Because the terrain is flat, they can finally run away on horseback.
The fifty-mile journey was easy under the hooves of horses, and it was covered quickly in two hours.
Didao City is the county seat of Longxi County. Because it was once the forefront of Pingqiang, it is also the most important town in Liangzhou after Gaoping. In people's imagination, Didao has been in war for many years after all. The so-called important town in the past is now
I'm afraid it's just a deserted high city with few people.
But when Didao City really appeared in front of them, they found that the place was unimaginably lively. Outside the city, warriors practicing archery, horses eating grass and roaming, and flags of various colors flying in the forts could be seen everywhere.
People in Hufu come and go in the city,
I couldn't tell whether they were Han or Qiang people, but when Jia Xu and his party passed by,
Most of them will stop,
Looking curiously at the flags of Jia Xu and his party,
Apparently they have never seen it before.
Jia Xu's flag is a yellow swan with a blue background, as if it is flying high in the sky. However, if you look closely, you feel that the yellow swan has lost its elegance and does not have the killing spirit of the battlefield. Instead, among the indigo, it looks more like flying high in the sky.
It seems a bit lonely and lonely. But among these flags of jackals, tigers and leopards, it can be considered unique and has a photographic memory.
Zhang Xiu greeted Jia Xu at the city gate early. When he saw Jia Xu from a distance, he led his horse to greet him and said, "Uncle Wen He said that there are countless heroes in Liangzhou, and I can count on seeing them today." Jia Xu just smiled, and then continued
I heard Zhang Xiu say: "It is said that the troops of the King of Heshou will arrive this evening, and it is impossible to discuss matters tomorrow morning. Therefore, Han Gong said, let us rest first and wait for the news tomorrow."
Jia Xu said "Oh" to show that he knew, but he was actually a little surprised.
This recruitment meeting was originally proposed by himself. Logically speaking, Han Sui should discuss it with him privately first. But Han Sui let him rest, which was really not in line with common sense. After thinking about it for a while, he already got the answer: more than
The Liangzhou Alliance is on the verge of collapse, and even Han Sui himself is not determined. It seems that he plans to throw all the pressure on himself for tomorrow's discussion.
This made Jia Xu laugh a little. After all, this was also a sign of weakness. Well, Jia Xu thought so, this was a good opportunity for me to take the initiative.
After a groggy night, at Mao o'clock the next day, a messenger came to the camp to inform them that Han Sui had summoned everyone for a meeting. Everyone was ready, and all the people attending the meeting were present. For example, Liang Xing, who was stable, still had a
Even if he was injured by an arrow and couldn't move, he was still carried by his family on chariots.
There were about thirty people in attendance, either the most outstanding leaders of the rebel armies from various parts of Xiliang, or the most famous among the Qiang and Di tribes.
The Han people have lived in Liangzhou for a long time. After advancing and retreating with the Qiang and Di for many years, many of them also wear Hu clothes, but their hairstyle is still the same as that of the Han people. They may wear futou, turban, or use hairpins to hold their hair, and wear brocade belts or gold belts around their waists.
, either kneeling or sitting cross-legged on the mat.
Han Sui, the general who led Liangzhou as a herdsman and suppressed the west, was wearing a red military uniform and a turban on his head, sitting in the middle with his head high.
The others sitting at the top are:
He took the right hand to Fufeng and conquered the general Ma Teng in the west.
He named himself the leader of the river and defeated the king of Han Dynasty, Jian of Song Dynasty.
Huang Yan, the governor of Jiuquan.
Called himself Hanyang Prefect Liang Xing.
Called himself Wuwei Prefect Zhang Heng.
Called himself the Grand Administrator of Jincheng, Cheng Gongying.
Those present are:
Called himself Ma Wan, the prefect of Zhangye.
Called himself the Northern Governor Cheng Yi.
Called himself Yang Qiu, the Grand Administrator of Anding.
Self-titled Southern Captain Liu Xiongming.
Self-titled Li Kan, Captain of the West.
The former Huayin school captain is now the prefect of Wudu, Jia Xu.
The entourage brought by each person was separated outside the courtyard. The guards in the house were Han Ji, son of Han Sui, and Ma Chao, son of Ma Teng. Ma Chao knelt at the door and put his sword on the mat on the right side. Han Ji wanted to protect his father, so he hugged him.
Sitting behind Han Sui with a broadsword. Although there were only two people guarding him, Ma Chao was well-known among the Liang people as a slayer of a hundred men and was very trustworthy. Although he was young, he had fought a life-and-death battle with Lu Bu on the battlefield last year, and the two actually
On par.
Because Lu Bu was known as a flying general in the enemy army, everyone called Ma Chao "Little Huo Hou". In fact, Ma Chao was in his early twenties, and Huo Qubing, who was the same age, had already sealed himself as a wolf.
Due to the language barrier, the remaining Qiang leaders sat on either side of the main room, with tribesmen who were fluent in Chinese and Qiang interpreting for them. They obviously intended to listen to the results of their deliberations and were not prepared to speak.
Han Sui personally presided over the meeting.
Everyone sat down and noticed that there was a new face named Jia Xu in the table. Jia Xu remained calm and let their eyes look up and down on him. In fact, everyone knew his identity, but their attitude was not clear, and no one took the initiative to ask him.
Greetings from Jia Xu.
Han Sui also met Jia Xu for the first time. He sat for a while with squinted eyes, as if he was pretending to sleep, but in fact he was secretly observing Jia Xu's expression, but there was only indifference and calmness on Jia Xu's face, which made him gain nothing.
.This forced him to first introduce Jia Xu to everyone. Then he introduced everyone around him to Jia Xu, and finally said directly: "I invite everyone to gather today. I mainly want to discuss matters in the North."
Although they all knew it in their hearts, everyone couldn't help but feel a little sad when they heard these opening words.
In the first year of Yanxing, Lü Bu led 20,000 soldiers into Liang. The two sides fought several battles at Shanggui and Longban. Lü Bu was defeated because of the small number of troops. Therefore, everyone thought that although they could no longer compete for supremacy in Guanzhong, they were still strong enough.
Cut off Longyou to defend yourself.
But two years after Yanxing, the situation suddenly changed. Lu Bu settled in the barren Beidi County and concentrated on training his troops in Ningwu and Niyang. It seemed that he no longer wanted to compete with the Liang people, but in fact he secretly sent people to recruit the Qiang.
With the full support of Chen Chong, gold, silver, brocade, and corn paste were continuously sent to Ningwu. Brothers Zhang Chang and Zhang Meng used this to bribe the Qiang in Lingwu.
As a result, within a year, Lu Bu was able to march into Fuping and Lingzhou.
Lingzhou is located in a gentle area in the middle and upper reaches of the river. The plains and ditches are intertwined like a network, and lakes are connected between them. It can grow wheat, millet and rice. It has always been known as the fortress in the south of the Yangtze River. Lu Bu immediately made Lingzhou the state government, recruited troops and organized
Train the Qiang people. In the winter of the third year of Yanxing, Liangzhou Prefecture had 40,000 soldiers and 80,000 horses, which was far better than the beginning of Liangzhou.
Lu Bu started the war again. Although the number of soldiers was still at a disadvantage, the heroes in Liangzhou were not united in their hearts. Therefore, they won more victories than lost in two years. So far, they have captured the northern part of Anding and the southern part of Wuwei. The military front threatens Hanyang and Jincheng.
County.
If Lu Bu is allowed to continue his campaign to the west and attack the two counties of Xia Yuzhong and Jincheng, he will be able to cut off the north and south of Liangzhou, preventing the heroes of Liangzhou from rescuing each other, blocking them in each county, and wiping them out one by one. Once he succeeds,
, I am afraid that in less than two or three years, the Liangzhou War, which has caused chaos for the Han Dynasty for more than ten years, will come to an end.
Everyone is undecided on how to resist.
After Han Sui made it clear, Ma Teng, who was second in rank, said something to make everyone unite. Song Jian, the king of the river, simply didn't say a word, and the others just echoed and perfunctory, which made Han Sui frown slightly. He
He coughed and then said: "To be honest, since the second year of Chuping, this is the first time for us to gather together to discuss matters like this. It can be seen that it is a matter of life and death right now. Everyone, we have been side by side on the battlefield for many years, so it is a good time.
It’s a matter of destiny. Let’s speak truthfully here. What do you think?”
After saying that, he looked around with sincere eyes.
However, everyone had their own plans in mind and were reluctant to speak. But Song Jian, who had been silent just now, sneered after hearing these words, met Han Sui's eyes and said, "Old Fox Han, you said these things
, have you forgotten how you murdered Brother Bian, Brother Beigong and Brother Li back then? You and the three of them still have a sworn relationship, and still like this, if I believe you, I can still bury the bones.
Loess?!"
Song Jian was one of the followers of the Yuan Dynasty who was involved in the Liangzhou Rebellion. Among the people present, only he and Han Sui participated in the rebellion in the first year of Zhongping (184). The others, such as Ma Teng, Huang Yan and other current Liangzhou giants,
He had to wait until the fourth year of Zhongping to join the rebel army. In terms of merit and qualifications, he was not enough to argue with Han Sui.
But what Song Jian just said is exactly what everyone is worried about: Although Lu Bu is terrifying, he can't swallow up his leader. If he and Han Sui work together, Han Sui may take the opportunity to annex. If it is just a annexation, that's it.
However, no one knows where Bian Zhang, Beigong Boyu, Li Wenhou, Guo Guo, and Yan Zhong, the leaders of the Liang Rebellion, are buried, so how can they dare to reveal their true feelings? In this way, Han Sui's reputation as a tycoon,
It’s really a genuine product.
When Han Sui was questioned, his face did not change, and he said slowly: "In these extraordinary times, we can only do extraordinary things. All the previous things were not what Han Sui wanted. They were just a matter of life and death. They had to do it because of the public opinion."
Er. Why is Brother Song doing this?"
Song Jian had a sarcastic look on his face, and then he closed his eyes and said nothing.
Han Sui saw that everyone looked strange, and knew that he had lost one after another and his prestige could no longer convince the crowd, so he simply retreated in order to advance, saying: "If you have any scruples about me and think that I am utilitarian, you are shameless and greedy."
People, then I am willing to abdicate in favor of talents. As long as I can save everyone's lives, what is there to regret about mere power?"
After Jia Xu heard this, he immediately looked around and saw that everyone looked embarrassed. He couldn't help but secretly admired: Han Sui is worthy of being a Xiliang falcon, he is indeed brilliant!
The position of Liangzhou Mu was obtained by Han Sui's hard work for several years. Now he has shown his willingness to abdicate, which shows that he is public-spirited. Anyone who is dissatisfied with Han Sui can no longer criticize him. But in the current situation, who can
Are you willing to face Lu Bu and the court? Once you sit in this position, it is impossible to surrender and beg for mercy.
Sure enough, except Song Jian, everyone else said no. Han Sui smiled, looked back at Song Jian, and asked, "Brother Song, are you willing to be the Patriarch?"
Song Jian was so relieved that he could help the case, and he replied: "I have been king at the head of the river for many years, and I have not been with you for a long time. How can I be qualified to give orders?"
The implication is that he has approved Han Sui's words and no longer dwells on the past.