Bai Xiaowen looked at the Jingzhou nobles who came to greet him and said with a smile: "There are so many talented people in Jingzhou." He immediately ordered that fifteen people, including Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, Han Song, etc., were all granted the title of Marquis of Guannei.
The Jingzhou nobles paid their respects one after another and surrounded Bai Xiaowen's six golden chariots as they entered Xiangyang City.
Xun You asked: "The nobles in Jingzhou have no great achievements, so why did the king suddenly increase the reward?"
Bai Xiaowen replied with a smile: "How can I be a person whose rewards and punishments are unknown? The reward for the Jingzhou nobles is just to buy horse bones for thousands of gold, which shakes the minds of the Jiangdong nobles. When the Jiangdong nobles see the Jingzhou nobles being granted the title, they will enthusiastically surrender and submit to the imperial court.
You are rebelling against Sun Ce again."
Xun You showed his sincere expression and praised: "Your Majesty has insight into people's hearts, and the Holy Bright Candle illuminates them."
Bai Xiaowen curled his lips without any trace, "It's fake, it's too fake. Xun You, Xun You, I didn't expect that you, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, would also learn this trick."
Joking aside, Xun You must actually know the reason why Bai Xiaowen granted the Jingzhou gentry the title.
The reason why he pretended not to know and asked was, on the one hand, to clear up the doubts and dissatisfaction of the civil and military officials under Bai Xiaowen, and on the other hand, to flatter King Yan.
Sitting down at the governor's office in Jingzhou, Bai Xiaowen received a report that Hefei's 30,000-strong garrison had rushed to Xiangyang to join the Yan King's army.
Leading the army were Jia Xu, Zhang Xiu, Zhang Liao, and Xu Huang. As for Cao Ren, he led the remaining 30,000 troops to guard Wancheng and rebuild Hefei New City.
Such allocation was also Bai Xiaowen's instruction.
When it comes to knowing people and making good use of them, Bai Xiaowen is only stronger than the major monarchs of the Three Kingdoms.
Jia Xu led the three generals and bowed down, holding the long box in their hands: "Jia Xu is fortunate to have fulfilled his orders and returned the king's sword."
This was the first time Bai Xiaowen saw Jia Xu. He went down the stairs in person, held Jia Xu's hand and said with a smile: "Jia Wenhe alone is better than a hundred thousand soldiers."
Jia Xu seemed a little uncomfortable with being the center of attention. He shrank back and said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty, your words are serious."
Seeing that Jia Xu was not used to it, Bai Xiaowen stopped insisting, took the sword case of the Yitian Sword, and ordered Zhang Xiu and other generals to stand up and then watch their seats.
After everyone sat down, Bai Xiaowen said: "With your resistance to Sun Ce, I can safely take over Erchuan. Otherwise, Xichuan will be occupied by Liu Bei, and Hanzhong will not be protected. Your hard work and merits are great, and you deserve a heavy reward."
How to award the reward had already been decided in Yedu.
Jia Xu was granted the title of Imperial Servant, one of the Nine Qings, which was one level higher than his title of "Zhi Jinwu" under Cao Cao.
Zhang Xiu was promoted to General Zhendong, Zhang Liao and Xu Huang were promoted to General Pingnan and Pingdong respectively. Cao Ren, who was guarding Wancheng, also had envoys go with Bai Xiaowen's edict and was named General Zhennan. Other gold, silver, silk and silk
, needless to say.
Everyone thanked him one after another.
Jia Xu smiled and said: "The king is so rewarded with an official position, he must have the intention to go to the south of the Yangtze River."
Bai Xiaowen nodded and said: "That's natural. Everything is settled in all directions, except that the south of the Yangtze River is not level. How can we allow others to sleep soundly on the side of the bed? I have already made a basic strategy."
Bai Xiaowen ordered people to beat drums, gathered the generals and officers, and lined them up in the hall.
"Zhang He, Jia Xu listens to the order!"
Both of them were slightly startled, and then hurriedly got out of the queue.
"Zhang He is the chief general and Jia Xu is the military advisor. They lead 20,000 Sichuan troops and go to Lingling to pretend to attack Luling!"
Although Zhang He was a little confused, he still accepted the order sternly.
When they were inspecting the troops, Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu parted and said, "Congratulations to Mr. Yan for being so valued by the King of Yan and for being granted the title of Jiuqing by Jin. However, why did the Sir find out from the official appointment by the King of Yan that he was going to the south of the Yangtze River?"
meaning?"
Jia Xu said: "There are two reasons. First, the King of Yan led one hundred thousand troops to the south. It would be too fussy if it was only for the four counties of Jingzhou; second, the generals awarded by the King of Yan were all 'Pingdong' and 'Pingdong'.
Nan' and the like are enough to see his intentions."
Zhang Xiu nodded and said: "Sir, you are in high spirits today, which seems to be very different from how you kept a low profile and bided your time under Cao Cao."
Jia Xu smiled and said: "With such a wise master, I dare to show my talents."
Looking around, Jia Xu said to Zhang Xiu in a low voice: "The King of Yan himself is a first-class wise man, and his strategy is even better than that of Cao Cao. We and other counselors have tried our best to come up with plans, but we can't even hope to see the King of Yan, so why bother?"
Keeping a low profile?"
While the two were talking, they suddenly heard Zhang He's voice: "Your Majesty, I have already inspected the troops and equipment. The military situation is urgent, so we should head south quickly."
Jia Xu agreed.
Zhang Xiu said: "Sir, he is General Zhang He's staff officer. I wonder whether he will be like me and obey your advice."
Jia Xu smiled and said: "You can think of it, how can King Yan not think of it? Zhang He is also a good general. He suppressed the banditry in Bingzhou and took over the defense of Jingzhou. He behaves in a measured manner and advances and retreats well. I am using a timer. I only need to explain the reason. Zhang He will definitely understand.
."
After a pause, Jia Xu added: "If Zhang He doesn't use my strategy, I'll just keep silent. Anyway, it's a feint attack. With Zhang He's ability, I won't suffer a big defeat. I'm one of the nine ministers now, so I don't have to worry about it."
It’s time to make achievements and gain wealth.”
…
Bai Xiaowen personally led the main force of 110,000 troops and deceived 300,000 troops to march into Jiangxia.
Wei Yan requested to be the vanguard, and Bai Xiaowen agreed, allocating him 10,000 troops.
Wei Yan's vanguard army came to Jiangxia City, set up ladders, catapults and flying cannons to attack the city.
In Jiangxia City, Lu Su and Lu Meng defended desperately, but they had no choice but to outnumber the generals. The main force of the army was used by Sun Ce in the battle of Hefei. They are currently stationed in Jiangdong to rest and recuperate.
In addition, Bai Xiaowen's role in conferring the title of Jingzhou gentry was reflected in the fact that the gentry people in Jiangxia City did not return to the Jiangdong army.
Lu Su and Lu Meng discussed.
Lu Su said: "There is a shortage of food and grass in the city, and the soldiers are weak. Jiangxia City cannot be defended."
Lu Meng said: "Fortunately, Wei Yan has few soldiers and horses. According to my estimation, we can still hold on for half a month."
Lu Su shook his head and said:
"Wei Yan has nothing to fear, but Yuan Xi's army of 300,000 will arrive in the near future. When Jiangxia is surrounded, not only will the city be lost, but you and I will become prisoners, and these 3,000 soldiers and horses will also be captured by Yuan's army.
Capture and kill them all."
Lu Meng said: "We are entrusted by your lord to guard the four counties of Jiangxia. These four counties were obtained by our army through bloody battles. It is a pity to abandon them."
Lu Su said: "If you save people and lose land, you will save both people and land; if you save land and lose people, you will lose both people and land. The four counties of Jiangxia are isolated outside, separated from the base of our army by a vast river. It is impossible to hold on, so we can only give up."
."
After listening to Lu Su's words, Lu Meng clasped his fists and said, "Listening to your words is like enlightenment. I then led my army to break out from the south gate and cross the river to return south."
The two of them had decided on a plan, so they opened the south gate at night and broke out. Wei Yan was not prepared and was overjoyed when he saw the soldiers and horses of Jiangxia City fleeing. He marched his army straight in, occupied the city, and sent people to report the victory to King Yan's army.