Fazheng said goodbye and left, leaving Zhang Song alone in the room.
The huge room made Zhang Song's small figure even more strange. He leaned on the long desk, frowning, and fell into deep thought.
And how could Zhang Song not be clear about the current situation today?
The Han Dynasty has long existed in name only, and the Han Emperor in Xudu Imperial City is just a puppet who can be manipulated by others. He has long been ignored. However, no one can ignore that the Han Emperor is not taken seriously.
The owner of the Han Dynasty. This name alone is enough to make many people wary of him. With four hundred years of Han Dynasty, the blood of the Han Dynasty has already been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and integrated into the country.
It is precisely for this reason that no one dares to risk the disapproval of the world and rebel and proclaim himself emperor.
But how long can this situation last?
Since Cao Cao came to power, he vigorously promoted the new policy of farming, pacified the north, developed the Huaihe River, and restarted the Hexi trade route, and it became more and more prosperous under his rule.
In the Central Plains area, there are countless people who know Cao Cao but don't know who the current Han Emperor is. Similarly, in the Jiangdong area, the world has long been ruled by the Sun family, and the laws and regulations of the Han Dynasty are just in name and have no effect at all. If this continues,
Who can guarantee that Jiangshan will still be named Liu?
Zhang Song is not a pedantic person. Deep down in his heart, he always hopes to establish a career.
But Liu Jiyu is definitely not a wise master...
What Fazheng said just now revealed a lot of information, which made Zhang Song frightened. He knew that Cao Cao had set his sights on Yizhou, and even the price fluctuations and currency depreciation that had occurred in Yizhou in recent years were probably Cao Cao's hand.
What he did. If the fluctuations in Yizhou in the past two years were really caused by Cao Cao, then this Prime Minister Cao would be too terrible. Zhang Song knew that if the current situation continued, Yizhou would inevitably collapse in less than three years.
When the time comes, Cao Cao can capture Yizhou without losing any blood.
What a clever method, what a vicious method...
Fazheng reminded Zhang Song in this way that it was time to make a decision!
And Cao Peng is very likely the executor of Cao Cao's plan...
Speaking of which, Fa Zheng is a good friend enough to tell Zhang Song such confidential things. But in Zhang Song's view, things are not as simple as they seem. If Fa Zheng dares to tell Zhang Song these secrets, there must be Cao Cao behind them.
Peng's consent. Otherwise, how could Fazheng tell him these things easily? Moreover, Cao Peng also figured that even if Zhang Song went back to report Liu Zhang, it would be of no use. Let's not say whether Liu Zhang would pay attention to it. There was a very
The big question is that the situation has deteriorated. How does Liu Zhang deal with it?
Economic warfare is undoubtedly a new thing in this era.
Even if he is as conceited as Zhang Song, he dare not say that he can come up with countermeasures. If anyone in Xichuan is good at economic matters, Zhang Song can only think of Liu Ba. But can Liu Ba come up with countermeasures?
?At least in Zhang Song's opinion, Liu Ba may also be in difficulty...
why why?
Why did Cao Peng let Fazheng tell him these things?
Zhang Song thought for a long time and suddenly showed a strange smile. He seemed to have thought of something, but then he shook his head...
Stand up, walk to the door, and open it.
Late at night, very cold!
The chill mixed with the moisture from the river was so cold that it penetrated into the bone marrow.
Zhang Song shivered, walked down the porch, stood in the middle of the courtyard with his hands behind his hands, and looked up to the sky. After a while, he suddenly made up his mind and clenched his hands into fists.
"If you really have nothing to ask for, but I don't mind, I'll give you a surprise."
He muttered to himself, tossed his sleeves after a while, turned around and returned to the house!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++
Jizhou, Yecheng.
After Cao Cao captured Hebei, he valued Yecheng as a geomantic treasure.
It is located in the south of Zhang River, with a flat terrain. In 439 BC, Wei Wenhou granted Yecheng the title of Yecheng and made Yecheng the companion capital of Wei State. Since then, Yecheng has developed step by step, becoming a marquis capital, a royal capital, a national capital... and finally
The most famous allusion is that Ximen Bao was the order of Yecheng, where he practiced witchcraft on the river and built Yecheng into the most prosperous and prosperous city in Hebei. It is also the seat of Jizhou.
Cao Cao pacified Jizhou and bloodbathed Yecheng to avenge Cao Pi.
But after that, he did not neglect the construction of Ye City for a moment. Now the construction of the new Ye City has been completed. The entire city is seven miles long from east to west and five miles long from north to south. It has an inner city with four gates, and an outer city.
The city has seven gates. In the eleventh year of Jian'an, under the orders of Cao Cao, Jizhou Governor Cheng Yu dug an artificial lake outside the west gate of Ye City to train the navy. However, before the lake was built, the war in Jingzhou had begun, and the navy also
There is no way to train. This artificial lake has become a scene in Yecheng, attracting countless people to come and watch.
In August of the twelfth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao pacified Youzhou.
Cheng Yu was ordered again to build Tongque Tower, Jinfeng Tower and Bingjing Tower outside Yecheng, named Yecheng Three Towers, to celebrate the unification of the north.
It’s winter, and Jizhou is covered in ice for thousands of miles.
A heavy snowfall at the end of the year made Jizhou especially enchanting, covered in silver.
Guo Jia's body and bones have improved a lot after a period of recuperation. On this day, he was forced to take medicine by Dong Xiao. When he was lying on the bed and reading a book, he suddenly heard that a family member came to report that someone from Xiangyang was here.
Cao Peng, the commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, asked to see Guo Jia.
Guo Jia couldn't help but be shocked when he heard this.
He had a good relationship with Cao Peng, but he couldn't figure out why Cao Peng sent people to look for him at this time.
Could it be said that there are variables in Jingzhou?
"Please come quickly."
Guo Jia quickly sat up and ordered his family.
After a while, I saw my family leading a young man into the room in a hurry.
Guo Jia recognized the person and couldn't help but be even more surprised, "Wang Shuang, you are not in Liangzhou, why do you say you are from Xiangyang?"
Wang Shuang stepped forward to greet Guo Jia and respectfully replied: "Previously, the young master had an order to transfer the two from Liangzhou to Xiangyang. After the two arrived in Xiangyang, the young master was ordered to take charge of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. This time, the two came here on the young master's orders.
I have ordered you to submit a letter to the military advisor and ask the military advisor to go to Jingzhou as soon as possible."
"hiss!"
Guo Jia took a breath of cold air.
Based on Guo Jia's understanding of Cao Peng, if something serious had not happened, he would definitely not send someone here so rashly. So, he straightened up quickly and said in a deep voice: "Send the letter here."
Wang Shuang quickly handed the letter to Guo Jia.
Guo Jia opened the letter, glanced at ten lines, and quickly scanned it. His eyebrows were twisted into the character "Chuan", and a solemn look appeared on his face.
The content of Cao Peng's letter is very simple.
In addition to simple greetings and greetings, I also asked Guo Jia a few questions.
Are the Prime Minister's naval forces tyrannical?
Do you know the six counties in Jiangdong?
Now can we cross the river and unify?
Liu Bei, Sun Quan, Liu Zhang, Gao Gan, Zhang Lu, who should you choose?
The series of questions seemed incomprehensible, but they told Cao Peng one by one what he wanted to express. Guo Jia was not a fool, so how could he not see what Cao Peng meant. He frowned and was silent. After a moment, suddenly
He raised his head and shouted sharply: "Here comes someone!"
"exist."
"Pack your bags immediately and leave for Xiangyang before dark."
"ah?"
"Don't ask any more questions, just obey your orders."
After that, Guo Jia asked someone to get pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and quickly wrote a letter, calling his family over, "Send these two letters to the Shangshu Mansion in Xudu at a cost of six hundred miles, and submit them to
Attendant Xun. If the attendant asks, just say that I am on my way to Xiangyang."
After Guo Jia finished his instructions, he said to Wang Shuang: "Wang Shuang, you rest for now. We will set off for Xiangyang before dark."
Wang Shuang hurriedly responded to the order and reported back: "Young Master, before Shuang set out, he had ordered that if the military advisor wanted to go to Xiangyang, he must take two people with him. One is Dong Xiao and the other is Mr. Zhang Ji. At the same time, the Young Master has sent someone
Go to Xudu and ask Mr. Hua Tuo and Hua Yuanhua to rush to Xiangyang.
Shuang went to inform Mr. Dong first, and he will be waiting for the military advisor outside the city in the afternoon."
"That's fine, you can go down now."
Guo Jia asked Wang Shuang to leave, stood up and wandered in the room. He basically understood Cao Peng's thoughts. Although Cao Peng didn't say anything in his letter, it was telling him: The prime minister was a little complacent and a little forgetful.
...You have to come over and persuade the Prime Minister.
Cao Cao is a man who is easily proud.
Moreover, once you are proud, it is easy to forget yourself.
Guo Jia patted his forehead, and suddenly a smile flashed across his face, "It turns out that you, too, know the importance of human connection... I hope it's not too late."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On December 28, the twelfth year of Jian'an, the Yizhou delegation arrived in Xiangyang.
Different from the proud and arrogant Zhang Song in history, Zhang Song, who appeared in front of Cao Cao this time, behaved very low-key. As for Cao Cao, after receiving Cao Peng's letter, his attitude also changed. When Zhang Song and his party
, seemed very enthusiastic.
After Cao Peng sent Zhang Song to Xiangyang, he was ordered to station outside the city.
That night, he attended the reception banquet prepared by Cao Cao for Zhang Song. When he returned to the camp, it was almost midnight.
Just as he was preparing to take a rest, he suddenly heard someone from the primary school outside the tent reporting: "Military Commander Jia wants to see you."
Cao Peng was stunned for a moment and said quickly: "Please come quickly."
I felt confused at the same time. Why did Jia Xu come here in the middle of the night?
After a while, I saw Xiao Xiao leading Jia Xu into the Chinese army's tent. After greeting Cao Peng, Jia Xu was not polite and said straight to the point: "Youxue, we are in great danger.
You still need to plan early.”
"Sir, why do you say such ominous words?"
Jia Xu sat down and said with a wry smile: "The Prime Minister has been discussing with the princes recently and is preparing to send troops from Wulin to conquer Jiangdong after the beginning of spring.
However, Liu Bei occupied Changsha, Liu Qi in Jiangxia was not destroyed, and Liu Zhang in Xichuan was also at both ends, and his intentions were unclear.
At this time, the expedition to Jiangdong will inevitably lead to a situation of being attacked from both sides. Moreover, the Prime Minister has newly acquired the Jingzhou Navy and has not yet been able to fully control it. It is definitely not the best time to send troops to Jiangdong at this time. I would like to remonstrate with the Prime Minister and ask him to temporarily suspend the expedition to Jiangdong.
With this in mind, I will do my best to suppress Jingzhou and eliminate the remnants of Liu Bei... After Jingzhou has rested for three or four years, its troops and horses are strong, and the people's hearts have returned, it will not be too late to take Jiangdong again."
Hearing Jia Xu's words, Cao Peng was stunned.
Jia Xu disapproved of Cao Cao's attack on Jiangdong?
Was it a spur-of-the-moment idea on his part, or was it originally the case? Historically, after Cao Cao's defeat at Chibi, he once said: If Feng Xiao was here, why would he be defeated like this?
But now it seems that it is not that there is no one who understands, but that there is no one who can convince Cao Cao.
"gentlemen……"
Cao Peng stood up, walked to the door of the military tent, looked outside, and then came back and said to Jia Xu: "I am also opposed to this matter. However, the prime minister is of a very high nature. I am afraid that your advice may not be correct."
It's useful. To be honest, sir, I have sent Wang Shuang to Yecheng and asked Fengxiao to come. Now the person who can convince the prime minister is Fengxiao... Before that, you and I had better be cautious in our words and deeds, and try our best to
The pros and cons are stated in front of the Prime Minister. Please consider it yourself and do not make any suggestions. Otherwise, I am afraid it will be counterproductive..."
Since Jia Xu came to Cao Peng to discuss this matter, he was probably worried that he would not be able to convince Cao Cao.
But the problem is, Cao Peng is not sure that he can persuade Cao Cao to change his original mind. The reason why he persuaded Jia Xu not to remonstrate is because he is worried that Cao Cao will have conflicting thoughts when he is too proud. Cao Cao likes to confront others.
Come on. I will do whatever you don't want me to do, and it's a good thing. Even if I know I'm wrong, I won't admit it. In Cao Cao's life, this kind of thing happened more than once.
Lu Boshe, the old man who took Cao Cao in during his escape after he failed to assassinate Dong Zhuo.
Just because of a misunderstanding, he killed Lu Boshe's whole family. Later, knowing his mistake, he still insisted: I would rather betray others than others betray me...
During the Battle of Chibi, Zhou Yu planned and Jiang Qian stole the book, causing Cai Mao and Zhang Yun to be killed. Cao Cao later understood that he had been tricked by Zhou Yu, but he still insisted to the outside world that Cai Mao and Zhang Yun were conspiring to rebel. There are many such things, and
It explains Cao Cao’s temperament.
Regarding the expedition to Jiangdong, Jia Xu was not qualified to persuade Cao Cao, and neither was Cao Peng.
I am afraid that among Cao Cao's confidants, the only ones who are qualified to persuade him are Guo Jia and Xun Yu, but these two are not in Xiangyang yet.
This is a general issue, and it is no different than Cao Cao's previous attitude towards Zhang Song.
Attitudes can be changed, but once a strategy is formulated, it is not that simple to change it.
If Cao Peng and Jia Xu persuade Cao Cao at this time, it might make Cao Cao feel conflicted. Then when Guo Jia comes, he may not be able to convince Cao Cao. It is better to just state the pros and cons without making a decision. How to make a decision is Cao Cao's business.
We won't talk about anything else until Guo Jia comes.
Jia Xu thought about it and felt that what Cao Peng said made sense.
"In that case, let's follow what Youxue said."
The two discussed for a long time and decided on a specific plan before Jia Xu said goodbye and left.
After sending Jia Xu away, Cao Peng sat alone in the tent, completely sleepless. To be honest, the development of history seemed to have gradually escaped his control. How the future will develop has become his biggest headache now. What if
Without the Battle of Chibi, what would have been the ending? Guo Jia was saved by him, Zhang Song was persuaded by him, and history would develop along the original track as before?
Ten years after his rebirth, Cao Peng is no longer the ignorant boy who just came to this era ten years ago.
As his status changes, the things he has to consider are no longer as simple as before... What will happen once Cao Cao avoids the defeat of Chibi?
Cao Peng couldn't help but feel a headache when he thought of this.
Walk out of the military tent and stand in the camp.
Bang bang bang, with the three sounds of Diao Dou, the third watch has arrived... Cao Peng took a deep breath, looked up at the sky with his hands behind his hands, and did not move for a long time.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++
Zhang Song received very high treatment in Xiangyang.
Although he was ugly in appearance, he was extremely talented and eloquent, and he was quickly recognized by the scholars in Jingzhou. Cao Cao was also very enthusiastic about Zhang Song and often invited him to chat. In his words, he would inevitably talk about Yizhou.
customs, including the current situation.
Perhaps due to preconceptions, Zhang Song always felt that when Cao Cao talked about Yizhou, there was a hint of pride in his eyebrows...
This also made him more certain that the changes in Yizhou in the past two years were closely related to Cao Cao.
However, Cao Cao didn't ask, and he didn't tell either. After the two of them talked like this several times, Zhang Song gained a new understanding of Cao Cao.
On New Year's Eve, Cao Cao held a banquet in Xiangyang Prefecture to entertain civil and military officials and Jingxiang scholars.
Everyone was busy with the banquet, but Cao Peng seemed relaxed and comfortable... Just when he was staying in the military camp and training his troops, he suddenly heard that Cao Cao sent someone to ask him to go to the government office for questioning. Cao Peng quickly arranged things properly.
, followed Cao Cao's personal soldiers and went straight to Zhouli.
Mrs. Cai and Liu Cong have taken their families to settle in Xingyang.
Cao Cao did not send anyone to hunt down the mother and son. In his opinion, Mrs. Cai and Liu Cong were not in serious trouble. In addition, with Cao Peng as a guarantee, there was no need to eradicate the roots. Jingzhou had already surrendered, so why bother to sacrifice the butcher's knife?
Needless to say, Liu Biao had been in charge of Jingzhou for fourteen years, and Mrs. Cai herself represented the Jingxiang wealthy family. If she were to be killed, it might cause uneasiness among the Jingxiang scholars and cause unnecessary trouble.
In Xingyang, Mrs. Cai, mother and son have no foundation, what kind of disturbance can they cause?
Let her mother and son stay there...
After Mrs. Cai and her son left, Cao Cao moved into Zhoushe.
When Cao Peng rushed to Zhoushe, Dianwei was on duty.
Dian Wei was still very enthusiastic when meeting Cao Peng, which made Cao Peng feel relieved. Although he had less contact with the Dian family in the past two years, the relationship between the two families was not alienated at all. In fact, due to the opening of the Hexi trade route, Dian Wei
Encouraged by Cao Peng, he also sent people to participate and gained huge profits. On the surface, the two families did not move much. But in fact, the interests of the two families were tied together.
When Dian Wei saw Cao Peng arriving, he chuckled and said, "Ah Fu, the Prime Minister told you to go directly to the back garden to talk when you arrive."
"Uncle, how are you doing lately?"
"Very good."
"Then I won't disturb my uncle's work. I heard that my second brother is coming in a few days, and I will come and have a drink with my uncle then."
The conversation between Cao Peng and Dian Wei did not appear very intimate.
But in their words, they expressed clearly what each other wanted to say.
Cao Peng asked Dian Wei: The prime minister is looking for me. Is there any problem?
Dian Wei replied: It's okay, just go ahead.
After a few words, Cao Peng felt relieved. After bidding farewell to Dian Wei, he went straight to the back garden.
It was already the last day of the old year, and the new year was approaching. In the back garden, red plum blossoms were blooming, and the scenery was very beautiful. Cao Cao was wearing a black robe and sitting alone in the pavilion. Bamboo curtains were hung on all sides to block the wind and cold.
There is a three-crook wine cellar with warm jade syrup on it.
Before you even walk in, you can smell the aroma of wine.
Cao Peng stopped in front of the pavilion and said respectfully: "Nephew Cao Peng, please see your uncle."
When Cao Cao saw Cao Peng, a bright smile suddenly appeared on his face, "Ah Fu, don't be polite... The plum blossoms are blooming in the garden today, which is very touching. I suddenly remembered that after my triumphant return from Xuzhou, I was with you in Xudu
The matter of making green plums and making wine. Many years have passed, and Youxue has grown up and is no longer the ignorant boy he once was. You and I, uncle and nephew, have not been able to talk to each other for a long time, so I invite you to come and enjoy the plums and make wine together."
As he spoke, Cao Cao stood up and walked to the pavilion.
He looked at Cao Peng with a smile and said softly: "Ah Fu, you have indeed grown up... and you have done great things!"