Although Kong Niao was considered mediocre among the princes, he was not lacking in foresight. Sun Jian used the lame excuse of borrowing grain to kill Zhang Zi, and then used Cao Yin's forged memorandum as an excuse to kill Wang Rui...
Although there are many reasons for this, such as luck and alienation, it is nothing more than a conflict of interest.
Yuan Shu's ambitions are not small. He has the reputation of being the fourth generation and the third prince, so it will not be difficult for him to take over Nanyang County.
In the first year of Chuping, that is, AD 190, it was not yet the time for the heroes to compete, and the population base of the Han Dynasty was still relatively considerable.
At this time, Nanyang County had hundreds of thousands of registered residents and a population of more than 2.4 million, which was almost more than the population of a state. Looking at the world, there was no other county to its right. With such a large population, Yuan Shu had more soldiers, more taxes, and more.
Endowment and productivity are no longer lacking.
In less than a year, Yuan Shu's power will far exceed that of all the princes.
The land of Yuzhou under Kong Niao's jurisdiction was close to Yuan Shu. With such a powerful neighbor on his side, he couldn't afford to offend him, so he could only let others call him around. This feeling made Kong Niao feel suffocated just thinking about it.
But he still wanted to keep it simple.
If the pottery merchant told Kong Niao now: Yuan Shu was not satisfied with Nanyang, his strategic goal was probably to sit across the three states of Yangzhou, Jingzhou, and Yuzhou and sit as the King of the South, I wonder if Kong Niao would think sadly.
To commit suicide.
……………………
"My dear nephew, the world has begun to be in chaos. Although Dong Zhuo is a great villain of the Han Dynasty, your father and I may not be the most terrifying enemy in this troubled world. Dong Zhuo may not be the most terrifying enemy." Kong Min seemed to feel sad in his heart, sighing.
But sigh.
Tao Shang said respectfully: "Uncle Shi's spirit of being prepared for danger in times of peace is admirable. Now that Zhang Zi and Wang Rui are dead, Yuan Shu has become powerful, and Sun Jian is also his arm, what can we do?"
Kong Ni stood up and said: "My dear nephew, I have a method, I don't know if it is possible... Your father Tao Gongzu had many meritorious deeds in the court. When Kong was young, he was also recommended by Shi Fu Rong to become an official. To put it bluntly, we are both the same.
Dear ministers of the imperial court! In this time of crisis, why don't you and I join forces and form allies to advance and retreat together to prevent future crises? What do you think, my dear nephew?"
The pottery merchant heard this and said curiously: "Uncle Shi can just write a letter and ask my father. It is not convenient for the younger generation to make the decision on this matter."
Kong Ni waved his hand and said with a smile: "I have never met your father, so I don't have the nerve to write to him casually."
The pottery merchant raised his eyebrows: "Isn't Uncle Shi a family friend of my father?"
"Cough cough cough!"
Kong Niao's face turned red, and he accidentally said that he was bald and told the truth... This incident made him a little embarrassed.
However, celebrities are still thicker-skinned than ordinary people. He came back to his senses in just a few seconds and said with a smile: "My nephew, I don't know, but your father and I are... close friends! Yes, close friends! We have been close friends for a long time! Although we are far apart, we are...
They also admire each other, because even though they have never met, they know their nature."
The potter was a little unhappy because he was recognized as his eldest nephew in vain, and he sarcastically said: "It's too romantic."
Kong Ni opened his eyes and told lies: "You are still young and don't understand! Famous men and virtuous ministers are usually close friends...so you call me uncle, it's not a loss!"
The potter suddenly nodded: "Uncle Shi and my father are in a spiritual state that no one can match. They are really tender and affectionate. My nephew is moved beyond measure."
Kong Ni smiled, coughed to cover up his embarrassment, and said, "My dear nephew, I've almost finished drinking. I'm in a good mood today. You and I might as well go to your military camp and take a look at the military appearance of Tao Gongzu's command. How about it?"
?”
Kong Min's words played into Tao Shang's wish. He winked at Mi Fang secretly, and saw Mi Fang hurriedly cupping her hands and saying: "Why don't Governor Kong go to check it out in person? You might as well allow Mi to go back first and light up the most elite soldiers of our Xuzhou Army." Soldiers, first set up a formation at the foot of the city, and then invite the governor to come and review."
Kong Ni laughed heartily and said: "In that case, there will be General Laomi. The general will go first. Mr. Tao and I will arrive later."
Mi Fang said yes, secretly gave the pottery merchant a wink, and went to make arrangements first.
After Mi Fang left, the pottery merchant continued to talk to Kong Min about the previous topic: "Uncle Shi, my nephew will naturally report to my father about the alliance between Yuzhou and Xuzhou. Uncle Shi is famous, so this matter is definitely not difficult. It's just that According to Uncle Shi, even if Xuzhou and Yuzhou unite, can they compete with Yuan Shu and Sun Jian in the future?"
Kong Niao gave a bitter smile, shook his head and said: "Let alone Yuan Shu and Sun Jian joining forces, even one of them is enough to defeat you and me."
The pottery merchant smiled and nodded, and said: "So, our alliance is just a bad idea. My nephew has a way, which may be more effective."
Kong Min's face looked a little happy: "What can my nephew do? Why don't you tell me?"
Tao Shang said calmly: "According to my nephew's opinion, Sun Jian may not be sincere in being a vassal of Yuan Shu. Although Sun Jian was appointed as the governor of Changsha, I heard that because he forced Wang Rui, the governor of Jingzhou, to death years ago, Sun Jian had forced Han officials to death. It was difficult to find a place in Changsha. I heard that the imperial court had sent a new governor of Jingzhou named Liu Biao, and ordered Su to lead the governor of Changsha on his behalf. Sun Jian had no choice but to rely on Yuan Shu, but I felt that this was just a temporary measure. Just imagine that he even dares to beat up and kill his old boss. What can't such a white-eyed wolf do?"
Kong Min blinked and said, "What do you mean by the wise nephew?"
Tao Shang said calmly: "Sun Jian will arrive in Yingchuan in a few days. You and I might as well show weakness and express our willingness to be Sun Jian's vassal. Sun Jian has the support of the governors of Xuzhou and Yuzhou. I'm afraid it won't be long before he will not be willing to live in this country." Yuan Shu is under control. If Sun Jian's attitude is unclear, we will find a way to join Yuan Shu and then look for opportunities to provoke. As long as we find a way to make Yuan Shu think that Sun Jian is a repetitive person, how can Yuan Shu have time to think about you and me?"
Kong Niao looked at the pottery merchant dumbly, never expecting that such a tactic of kneeling down and alienating people would actually come from the mouth of this weakling.
"My dear nephew, I am afraid that this plan is not right and does not resemble the behavior of a gentleman."
The pottery merchant raised his eyebrows slightly: "Uncle Shi, please speak nicely."
"Cough, cough." Kong Min coughed twice and said, "Well, a gentleman will not stand under a dangerous wall. There are some things that you should turn a blind eye to."
The potter bowed deeply: "Uncle Shi is wise!"
"…………"
The pottery merchant and Kong Niao sat for three more cups of tea before they hailed the carriages and horses and slowly headed towards the edge of the city.
When they came to the edge of the urn city, Mi Fang and Xu Chu had already led 500 people to the scene. They saw these 500 people standing in a row. They were all as dry as sick chickens, sparse, loose and shapeless, and the clothes on their bodies also had more pieces and fewer pieces. Yes, some even have their arms and arms exposed, and there is a faint sour smell emitting from their whole bodies, just like scavengers who have come back from the desert, with all the suffering and vicissitudes deeply etched on their faces, which is very desolate.
Kong Nao felt pity in his heart and said in a low voice: "My dear nephew, why are there suddenly so many beggars in this city? It's not easy to see these refugees. I will give out porridge and alms no matter what."
The pottery merchant turned to the scavengers and said, "I don't want to thank Governor Kong enough for the gift of grain."
These scavengers, who couldn't be more miserable, knelt down on one knee: "Thank you, Lord Governor, for lending me food!"
"…………"
Kong Ni's pupils suddenly enlarged, and he glanced at the potter in disbelief, and said: "My dear nephew, could these people be...?"
Tao Shang pointed to the 500 people who had been specially selected and whitewashed by Mi Fang and Xu Chu from the Yellow Turban surrender, and said to Kong Niao: "This is a powerful force that has just been formed under my command.
Uncle, you might as well comment on the work."
Kong Ni took a deep look at the pottery merchant, then glanced around the group of skinny and wizened beggars, with a wry smile on his lips.
He had some doubts about whether it was a good decision to form an alliance with the Xuzhou Army.
"My nephew, these soldiers under your command are indeed... heroic figures! My nephew can train such elite soldiers, he is really a hero... that is..."
Kong Ni pointed at the clothing of these soldiers and said, "Isn't this appearance a little too miserable?"
A deep sorrow appeared on the pottery merchant's face, and he sighed sadly: "Uncle Shi, actually I don't want to do this either. It's just that these soldiers are different from the soldiers of Xuzhou headquarters. This year, the Si River flooded and flooded a fertile farmland, causing many victims to lose their ability.
However, the victims had no choice but to join the army and serve the country. The problem is that Xuzhou is also facing internal and external troubles. In addition to the state's soldiers and horses, there is really no extra armor and equipment to arm them. And this time, the headquarters' food and grass are not available for this expedition.
It’s just enough for these disaster soldiers to barely fill their stomachs. Every time my nephew thinks about this, his heart is as sharp as a knife, but there is nothing he can do..."
Hearing this, Kong Min showed some sympathy and said: "My child, thank you for having such a kind heart. However, no matter whether these soldiers defected to the army due to disaster or not, how can the officers and soldiers of the three armies be divided into superior and inferior status? How can this be done for so long?
Not easy to cause mutiny? How many of the soldiers under your command are like them?"
The pottery merchant sighed and said: "At least there will be four to five thousand people."
Kong Ni nodded and said: "My dear nephew, although this Yingchuan is not a land rich in soldiers and armor, it still has enough food and grass. In addition, I still have some old leather armor and ordnance in my arsenal. If you don't mind it,
You might as well use it for a moment, as it shows my sincerity in wanting to form an alliance with you in Xuzhou."
The pottery merchant hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Uncle Shi, how did you do this?"
Kong Min touched his beard and said, "I have always been a kind-hearted person, so I can't help it! Just use it."
Sure enough, a child who cries gets milk... a truth that remains unchanged through time.
The pottery merchant cupped his hands towards Kong Ni and said, "In that case...thank you, Uncle Shi!"
Turning his head, the pottery merchant said to the miserable-looking yellow turban soldiers: "Why don't you say thank you!"
Five hundred people knelt down on one knee and shouted in unison: "Thank you!"
The potter frowned and said dissatisfiedly: "Who are you thanking?"
"Uncle Xie Shi!"
Kong Niao touched his beard hand, exerted force, and couldn't help but pull off a big handful.