People are knives and servants, and I am fish and meat.
However, some "fish and meat" often cannot see clearly their own situation.
Meng Da is such a fish.
Or, in other words, others are not willing to give up the power in their hands because of their lack of heart, and thus slowly lose the space to save themselves.
Since he deserted the Han and defected to Wei, the people who strongly recommended him were Wei Shangshu Ling Huanjie and Wei Zhengnan General Xia Houshang, and Cao Pi had different weapons, so he was able to take charge of the military and political affairs of the three eastern counties just by raising the counties and surrendering.
However, Huan Jie and Xia Hou Shang have now died of illness.
Cao Pi also died, and Chen Qun, Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu and Sima Yi, who were ordered to assist the government, had no friendship with him.
Moreover, within the elbow and armpit, there was Shen Yi, the prefect of Wei Xing, who was eyeing him and wanted to replace him.
Under such circumstances, as a second minister, if Meng Da wanted to protect his own safety and endanger the wealth of his descendants, he should take the initiative to request an order and be transferred to Luoyang.
Or, come from the west and join the big men!
In fact, he chose the second path.
However, he overlooked one point: to the big man, the three counties in the east were like useless!
The three eastern counties are hilly and mountainous, with few people and little land. The Han Dynasty pushed its territory to the Nanyang County area, and it was difficult to use it as an outpost to invade Nanyang County.
Moreover, the terrain of Nanyang County is flat and open, which is especially conducive to the long-distance driving of cavalry.
For example, Cao Cao of the Wei Dynasty personally led the tiger and leopard cavalry to pursue the late emperor Liu Bei, galloping for hundreds of miles day and night.
If the Han Dynasty sends troops from the three eastern counties to attack Nanyang and goes against the Wei Dynasty from Guanzhong to Wuguan, it can cut off the Han army's retreat!
Unless Sun Wu occupied Xiangyang and marched together with the Han Dynasty.
However, it was absolutely impossible for Bashu to trust Sun Wu with his back.
Therefore, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang had been exchanging letters with him, and his intention in persuading him to surrender was to let him move the soldiers and population of the three eastern counties back to Hanzhong County.
He was even allowed to continue to lead, with more than 10,000 soldiers under his command.
Naturally, there is no need to think about the power of the arbitrary party.
Therefore, Meng Da has always been hesitant.
These days, I rarely even write letters to the Prime Minister.
Perhaps it was because Xu Huang, the right general of Wei who was stationed in Xiangyang, had just died of illness, which made him feel that in order to maintain the stability of Jingzhou, the Wei Temple Hall would not make any unfavorable decisions for him.
Wei Yan, who had been stationed in Hanzhong for a long time, had always looked down upon Mengda.
I never believed that Meng Da would return to justice with all his heart.
Therefore, he took advantage of the situation when Meng Da was at both ends and proposed another route to the Northern Expedition to the Prime Minister.
Walk through Ziwu Valley and attack Chang'an!
The reason is that the governor of Guanzhong who is now rebelling against the Wei Dynasty is Xiahou Mao.
He is the neutron of Xiahou Dun.
An anointed son who gained the throne by relying on the merits of his father's generation and his childhood friendship with Cao Pi.
A talentless dandy who has never experienced World War I.
Cao Zhen, the general against the Wei Dynasty who originally led Guanzhong and controlled Yongliang, has been sitting in Luoyang to assist Cao Rui in the transition of power.
Even when war broke out again in Xiping County, Liangzhou, they did not leave Luoyang.
Well, in the first month of this year, Quying, a wealthy family in Xiping County (Huangshui River Valley), coerced the Qiang and Hu tribes to kill the Wei Linqiang order, the governor of the Western Capital, and rebelled again.
The surname Qu belongs to a wealthy family in Liangzhou and has great reputation.
As early as seven years ago, his clan Qu Yan had colluded with Zhang Jin from Zhangye County, Huang Hua from Jiuquan County, and the three major Qiang and Hu tribes, both of whom were powerful clans in Liangzhou.
However, they were destroyed by Su Ze, the prefect of Jincheng and the Qiang school captain, and Hao Zhao, the general stationed in Liangzhou, and Wei Ping.
Now that Qu Ying has rebelled, it is still General Hao Zhao who leads his deputy Lu Pan to fight against the rebellion.
The ending is no exception.
The surname Qu was no longer a wealthy family in Liangzhou.
Therefore, there are three reasons why Wei Yan claimed that he could capture Chang'an in one fell swoop by traveling through the Ziwu Valley.
The first is that Quying rebelled, and the rebel Wei troops would naturally rush to Liangzhou, leaving Guanzhong empty of troops.
Secondly, Meng Da, who was in charge of the three counties in the east, would not lead his army to Ziwu Valley to stop the Han army.
Thirdly, Xia Houmao and Cao Zhen, who was well versed in military affairs, were as different as clouds and mud. If they saw the Han army suddenly approaching the city of Chang'an, they would definitely abandon the city and leave.
This plan was presented to the prime minister, and Zheng Pu was summoned to accompany him on his tour.
Although in the prime minister's heart, he had long rejected Wei Yan's strategy.
However, he also wanted to hear whether Zheng Pu had other different opinions.
After all, in the eyes of the prime minister, Zheng Pu, although he was a bit headstrong and cruel, would definitely repay his harshness and not be called virtuous. And, well, he was good at planning and making plans.
"Prime Minister, I think that although Xiahou Mao is in a bad situation, there is absolutely no possibility of him abandoning the city and leaving."
Zheng Pu, who was riding beside the carriage, saw Wei Yan's suggestion and said without hesitation, "Pu also felt that Meng Da would not lead his army to return to our Han Dynasty. Moreover, if he continues to do so, he will be defeated in the future. However, he will be defeated."
, Pu actually thinks that when Mengda is defeated, if I, a big man, send out troops, I may be able to send some money and food and bring back the common people."
"Um"
Perhaps the Prime Minister is already used to it, and Zheng Pu often has unexpected plans.
When he heard this, he just nodded slightly and said in a light voice, "Zijin, why are you so sure that Xiahou Mao will not abandon the city and leave?"
"Back to Prime Minister, I have three thoughts."
Zheng Pude asked and said softly, "First of all, Chang'an is the old capital of the Han Dynasty. It is very fortified. After being occupied by the Wei Dynasty, it became an important town guarding Guanzhong. It was a place where grain and supplies were stored. The garrison strength was no less than 100,000.
Three thousand. Even if our army approaches the city ten times, it will still be difficult to defeat it in a short period of time."
"Secondly, it is strange to go through the Ziwu Valley! In order to catch him by surprise, our army must drive away. However, when we are attacking, we cannot carry siege equipment. Although the Xiahou Mao of the rebel Wei Dynasty is an untalented playboy, if he sees our army approaching the city
But you can't attack the city, how can you be afraid and abandon the city and leave?"
"Thirdly, although Xiahou Dun is the son of Xiahou Dun, he got the post of governor of Guanzhong because he and Cao Pi had a good relationship when they were young. Cao Rui is now in charge of the rebellion against Wei. If he dares to abandon the city without fighting, he will not die after returning.
If the crime spreads thousands of miles away and affects our descendants, why bother?"
"Heh~~~~"
With a chuckle, the Prime Minister looked sideways, stroked his eyebrows and praised, "I don't think Zijin is planning, but he is already scheming people's hearts."
After praising him, he asked again without waiting for Zheng Pu to speak modestly, "Zi Jin once again told me, if Meng Da is defeated, how can our army gain advantage?"
"Returning to the prime minister is not a simple thought, but a plan of filial piety and prosperity."
Hearing this, Zheng Pu smiled calmly.
"A plan for filial piety?"
Suddenly, the Prime Minister's eyes showed surprise and he paused slightly while stroking his hands.
This is not surprising either.
Jufu was brave and generous, and his specialty was leading troops to charge into battle.
Although he was familiar with hundreds of schools of thought, he mostly made decisions on the spot. No one had ever heard that he actually had an overall view of planning and planning.
"Of course."
Zheng Pu smiled gurglingly, but he did not dare to be negligent and quickly explained the reason.
It turned out that when Jufu returned to his hometown on leave, he was ordered by the prime minister to recruit some soldiers in Badi.
At that time, Jufu relied on his family's reputation in Hanchang and sent people to the Daba Mountains to recruit people who had not been registered and lived in the deep mountains and old forests.
Therefore, we also learned from the mouths of those newly recruited soldiers that from Xuanhan County against the Bucao River and into the Daba Mountains, there is a trail that cannot be walked by livestock, which can reach the Han River that winds in Weixing County! [Note 1
】
However, this trail is extremely rugged.
There are often abrupt partitions by large rocks more than a foot high, or they enter into narrow gaps in the rocks, requiring you to crawl through them on your hands and knees.
It was mentioned when Jufu returned from recruiting soldiers and invited Zheng Pu to a banquet.
At that time, Zheng Pu was extremely surprised after hearing this.
Because in his mind, an eternal saying came up in an instant, "The concubine Juechen laughed when she was riding on horseback, but no one knew it was a lychee."
I happened to be asked by the Prime Minister today, so I explained it in detail.
After saying this, he beamed with joy and said softly, "Prime Minister, Xiaoxing said that day, if he marches into the three eastern counties in the future, and uses Banzhen barbarians to climb over the mountains and ridges as if they were walking on flat ground, they can use this trail as a surprise. Today's Mengda
The plan cannot be concealed for a long time. After Wei Wei learns about it, he will definitely attack it with troops. Therefore, Pu thought that if our army sends three to five thousand soldiers and horses to the east along the Han River to build momentum, Ni Wei will see it.
When our army comes, we will definitely send troops to block it. At that time, we can use this trail to surprise and attack from the front and back, and in one battle we can pull back all the people and grain from Weixing County!"
"good!"
After hearing this, the Prime Minister clasped his hands and smiled, "I didn't expect that Ju Xiaoxing would get this news!"
After thinking for a while, he looked at Zheng Pu and said, "The three to five thousand troops Zijin mentioned are intended to be led by Wei Wenchang, right?"
Well, letting Wei Yan take the lead was to prevent Wei Wei from being surprised that the Han Dynasty was showing weakness and dormant, gathering strength for the Northern Expedition.
Since Wei Yan was the prefect of Hanzhong and had troops stationed in Chenggu County all year round, if he saw a military uprising in the three eastern counties, he would take the opportunity to lead his troops out, seeing that there was no gain. This was the common sense of military strategists to "take advantage of the situation".
No one would doubt otherwise.
Therefore, as soon as the Prime Minister finished speaking, Zheng Pu burst out with praise, "The Prime Minister heard the elegant sound of the string and understood its elegant meaning. Pu was impressed."
"Don't make such flattering remarks."
The Prime Minister waved his hand and his eyes were filled with joy.
However, after looking at him, he made a solemn look and told Zheng Puda, "Zijin should not inform others about the Bajun Trail. Discussing plans with You Chang, don't let it out either. Well, I'll tell you Xiaoxing, I'll go back later.
After Mianyang, Zijin will go and give instructions."
Well, the Jufu headquarters was also among those who came to Hanzhong, and is currently stationed in Mianyang County.
"promise!"
When Zheng Pu heard this, he quickly raised his hands and responded, "Pu, please remember this."
But the Prime Minister had already closed his eyes, raised his head, and sighed loudly, "Alas, the people and soldiers of the three counties are my subjects! How wonderful it would be if Meng Da stopped being greedy for power."
Well.
It turns out that the prime minister still had a desire to persuade Meng Da to surrender.
Even though Meng Da was sent by the late emperor Liu Bei, he led his army across the Daba Mountains to surprise Fangling County and killed the prime minister's brother-in-law, the prefect Kuai Qi.
However, with Meng Da's mind, how can he be as evil as the prime minister?
well.
Zheng Pu also sighed quietly in his heart.
The carriage and horseshoes slowly arrived in Nanzheng County in silence.
This is the place where the Prime Minister made his last inspection tour, where the families of the soldiers who were moved to Hanzhong were resettled, and it was also a military and civilian settlement.
Houses, acres of land, as well as grain for cattle, etc., were all granted free of charge by the government. The price was that within five years, the grain produced would belong to the government, and after five years, it would be given to the people.
Moreover, since there are soldiers in the family serving the country, the taxes levied are much lower than those of other households.
It can also be regarded as a means of both motivation and comfort.
After all, almost all of these relocated households are from various counties in Nanzhong, and most of them are not voluntary.
Ma Su is no longer in Nanzheng County.
Before General Zhao Yun of the Southern Conquest entered Hanzhong, he went to Mianyang County.
Together with Yang Yi, who had been sent by the prime minister to join the army, he jointly arranged the campsite for the generals of various ministries, and divided the fields for the soldiers and military camps.
It can be said that the Prime Minister intended to let Ma Su begin to experience the ability to coordinate the size of the entire army.
The people in charge of this place now are Wang Ping and Xi Zhong, as well as Liu Min, Zheng Pu's former supervisor.
After the Battle of Jinggu Road, the Prime Minister transferred Liu Min to the rank of Diannong School Captain.
Perhaps, he felt that Zheng Pu's ability to make decisive decisions before the battle no longer needed the prudent Liu Min to monitor him.
Wang Ping and Xi Zhong took the rebellious tribes from Nanzhong and stationed them all the way to Hanzhong. After the Nanzhong tribes settled down in Hanzhong, Liu Min was allowed to supervise the farming alone.
Spring and March are the farming season.
The fields in Hanzhong County have always been famous for their fertility. When Zhang Lu occupied Hanzhong County in the past, it already supported more than 100,000 households.
In addition, the government assigned each household a large field, and sent many old farmers to teach them how to cultivate crops in the Han farming way, which made these barbarians who grew up in the mountains all over the country happy.
Although it is painful to leave home, it can still provide food and clothing, so there is no regrets!
At this point, the prime minister abandoned the carriage and rode a horse instead.
Horse hooves walked slowly along the streets, witnessing the scene of spring plowing in full swing, and often stroking their beards with a smile.
The three armies have not moved, and the food and grass go first.
During the Northern Expedition against the Wei Dynasty, one dou of grain harvested from Hanzhong County was equivalent to five dou of grain transferred from Shuzhong!
Because people along the way ate horse chews, there was still a waste of manpower and material resources from collecting corvees.
Today, many acres of farmland in Hanzhong are still abandoned.
If not, follow Zijin's advice in the past, find out the illegal activities of the nephew of the Bashu wealthy family according to the law, and have him forcibly divided into households and come to Hanzhong?
The prime minister's mood was also fluctuating while he was jolting on the horse.
Alas, that’s all.
The Craftsmanship Department has already built the ropeway, let's see how efficient it is in transporting grain.
If the grain and fodder can be transferred as quickly as possible, three out of ten, there will be no need to worry about the grain and fodder being unable to continue during the Northern Expedition.
Thinking of this, the Prime Minister raised his eyebrows slightly, then waved his hand sideways, signaling Zheng Pu, who was half a horse behind, to come closer. "Zijin, please tell me, if the Northern Expedition is to take place at Longyou, how should we plan for it?"
"Returning to the Prime Minister, there is no need to plot anymore."
Zheng Pu, who drove his horse forward, grinned and said, "We originally thought that the Han Dynasty was in decline, so we didn't care about it. Now the troops in Guanzhong of the Wei Dynasty are only enough for garrison. And more of Yongliang's troops have been transferred to Liangzhou. Suppress and intimidate the Qiang and Hu tribes. It can be seen from this that the prime minister has isolated the people and showed weakness to the rebellious Wei, and he has already succeeded! He is so stupid that there is nothing more to say!"
"Heh~~~~"
Hearing this, the Prime Minister's eyebrows widened and he actually said jokingly, "How strange! Zi Jin has always been sharp in words and always finds trouble when there is no problem. Now he claims that he has nothing to say, which is very surprising!"
Uh~~
Am I just so messy?
However, after the Prime Minister mentioned it, I have something to say.
"Ahem."
Zheng Pu, who was coughing and thinking slightly, said, "Prime Minister, now Longyou has no defense against our big men, and Lu City and Licheng on the Qishan Road were all destroyed when the Marquis of Zhuxiang took Long. Our army can march to Longxi." Counties in Tianshui County. Therefore, Pu Tie thought that when his troops marched out of Longyou, the problem was not to conquer the city but to contain the rebellion and rush to help!"
——
[Note 1: This trail was not developed in the Han Dynasty. It was developed into a post road in the Tang Dynasty. It was part of a section where Feiqi from Bajun transported lychees to Concubine Yang.]
