This gorge, which has always been known as the eastern gateway to Yizhou, has always been a heavily guarded place.
It became a strategic point as early as the Warring States Period. The Ba State built Jiangguan here to resist the invasion of the Chu State; when Gongsun Shu separatized Yizhou, it was renamed Baidi City.
The Geyin River flows out of Jingchu from Bashu, and the narrowest part of the waterway is this gorge.
The river flowing from the land of Bashu was originally hundreds of meters wide, but when it entered Kuimen, it suddenly shrunk to less than a hundred meters! With the force of the river opening this gate, it surged eastward, and the cliffs on both sides were like knives.
Chopping with an ax, looking up is a line of clouds and sky. [Note 1]
You don't need to see the rapidity of the water, you can understand it just by listening to the roaring of the river and the deafening sound of hitting the gorge walls on both sides.
After the Battle of Yiling, the dividing line between the Han and Wu territories was divided here.
Or it could be said that after the former emperor Liu Bei was defeated, he stayed in Baidi City dragging his sick body and did not return to Chengdu until his death. This was because once this pass was returned to Wu, there would be no peace in Bashu in the future.
Nowadays, Han and Wu are allied to fight against Wei, which has eliminated the fierce fighting in the past, allowing people to appreciate the uncanny craftsmanship of nature.
For example, the mountains are high, the gorges are narrow, and the waves are turbulent and thrilling.
For example, you can feel the heroic and comfortable feeling of the ape cries on both sides of the bank, and the boat passing the Ten Thousand Mountains.
However, Zheng Pu, who was sent as an envoy to the state of Wu, was not interested in enjoying the scenery.
He never thought that growing up on the banks of the Shiting River since childhood, he would not have frostbite in the bitter cold Longyou, nor would his skin be chapped by the wind in the Hexi Corridor where the sand was everywhere. However, when he was riding a boat through the mouth of the gorge,
Holding the mast of the ship, he vomited all sorts of things and was in such a miserable state!
Fortunately, Kuimen is less than twenty (Han) miles long.
After passing Kuimen, the water flow calmed down a lot, and the boats no longer swung up and down, bumped and undulated.
Moreover, most of the attendants were vomiting, including Chen Zhi, the deputy envoy.
Chen Zhi, who had many skills and mastered the art of mathematics, was a close minister of the emperor. He was very popular with Liu Chan and often ordered him to accompany him. Now he is sent as a deputy envoy. On the one hand, he comes from a noble family and can show his majesty. On the other hand,
Emperor Liu Chan intended to ease his relationship with Zheng Pu.
Zheng Pu killed prisoners and built a palace in the capital, which made the emperor feel that it was inappropriate to call him "similar to the former Yihou".
It should be "more than the former Yihou" is correct!
What's more, in recent years, he and Prime Minister Zhuge Liang often exchanged letters and heard each other. He also vaguely inferred from the words the Prime Minister Zheng Pu's future power arrangements, so he was afraid that Chen Zhi would be made things difficult for him in the future.
Although, with his protection, no matter how violent Zheng Pu becomes, Chen Zhi will not fall into a place of no return.
But wouldn't it be more comfortable if one could live in harmony with the direct ministers whom he regarded as friends, and the other with close ministers whom he admired?
Furthermore, the prime minister always admonished him to use the skills of an emperor and the way to control his subordinates.
Just try it with the two of them.
Naturally, Emperor Liu Chan was overly concerned.
For Zheng Pu, he had no resentment towards Chen Zhi for a long time.
Gai Yin's previous act of expelling guests had already cleared the grievances, and at that time he was of humble status and did not have to worry too much about his actions. But now he is already a member of the Central Guards, with a humble name and powerful position, and his every move will attract the attention of others.
Or you can interpret it privately, and you should be more cautious about people and things. Moreover, Chen Zhi is so smooth and has no intention of caring about being humiliated in the past, so Zheng Pu doesn't need to bother to target him.
"Zheng Hujun, the ship is about to arrive at Wu County, and people from Wu State are waiting."
Just as Zheng Pu took the water sent by the retinue from Qiyacuo to rinse his mouth, the captain in charge of the boat came over to ask for instructions, "Everyone is very busy. I wonder if the escort needs to move to the cabin to change clothes now?"
It was said to be a change of clothes, but in reality it was a reminder to Zheng Pu to clean up his appearance due to vomiting and avoid dishonoring the state.
As for the people waiting in Wu State, the documents for the visit from the envoys sent by the Han Dynasty had already been submitted in advance.
According to etiquette, after entering Wu County on the border of Wu State, Zheng Pu and his party will board Wu State's boat and sail all the way to Yangzhou Jianye under the escort of Wu State Navy. Zheng Pu would like to take the land route to see the defenses or passes of Wu State's counties.
Or maybe you could get a glimpse of Lu Xun, the great governor of Wu State, when passing through Wuchang.
But unfortunately, there is no chance at all.
"good."
Zheng Pu nodded with a smile and asked the people accompanying him to tidy up their appearance.
The whole journey was silent.
Arrive in Jianye in mid-spring and late March.
Arriving at the dock and disembarking from the ship, Wu Yousi greeted him politely on the shore and led him to the official post.
As soon as I arrived, I saw many musicians already lined the train, playing sheng, drums and harp to greet them.
Zheng Pu was also surprised.
It was just a normal mission, and he was not a highly respected person. Why did Sun Wu spend so much time on it?
Furthermore, the prosperity of etiquette will not make him lower the price when discussing the war horse trade~~
At this time, a man who was not yet thirty years old came out of the crowd, stepped forward, saluted with a smile, and said, "I am Zhuge Rong, named Shu Chang. I have met Mr. Zheng." After saying this, Zheng Pu did not wait for a return greeting.
, and continued, "My brother is very happy to know that Zheng Jun is the envoy. But he is out of office and dare not return without permission. It is difficult to practice what he said in Longyou in the past, 'When Zheng Jun comes to the east of the Yangtze River, he should come out from hundreds of miles away to greet him with drums, harps and shengs.'"
He said, so he wrote to me and asked me to replace him. I hope Mr. Zheng will not be surprised."
Well.
After listening, Zheng Pu understood.
Zhuge Ke, who had always been favored by Sun Quan, repeatedly claimed that he could level mountains and cross mountains and asked for military assignments. Therefore, last year he was awarded the title of General of Fuyue and was appointed as the governor of Danyang. Therefore, he was no longer in Jianye. But Zhuge Rong was
Although Zhuge Jin's youngest son had been an official for a long time, since his father and brother were both leading the army, Sun Quan stayed in the center as a close servant.
"I am so honored that Mr. Ge is waiting here!"
Zheng Pu quickly returned the gift with a smile and held his hand, and then sighed with emotion, "Brother Yuan Xun still remembers the joking words in the past. This shows the kindness of Ge Jun's family tradition. In the past, Ji Buyi promised more than a thousand gold, and it is not surprising that
That’s how it is outside!”
"What Mr. Zheng said is too much! It's too much!"
After hearing Zheng Pu's praise, Zhuge Rong, who had been pampered since childhood and had a huge body, suddenly smiled like a thread with his eyes and quickly waved his hands in humility.
Immediately, he turned sideways and stretched out his hand to say, "Mr. Zheng, our Majesty knows that Mr. Zheng has come from a long way and is very tired along the way, so he has set the meeting date for three days later. When I was standing by, I boldly suggested that there would be no slaves in the official post."
In order to obtain your majesty's approval, I invite Mr. Zheng to live in a humble residence for a few days. I will show my friendship as a landlord on behalf of my brother, and I hope Mr. Zheng will not find it too shabby."
The envoy of a country actually stayed at your home?
It seems that Sun Quan's favor to Zhuge's family is beyond measure.
Zheng Pu had a vague realization in his heart, "Ge Jun's words are wrong. I am lucky to be able to enter the general's mansion! How can I say it is too simple?"
"Hahaha~~~"
Zhuge Rong laughed loudly, waved his hand to clear the way for his subordinates, and said with a smile, "Brother of my family often calls Mr. Zheng's talents as the heroes of Bashu, so this time I also invite the talents from Jiangdong to hold a banquet to welcome Mr. Zheng!"
——
[Note 1: After the Three Gorges Project, the water level rose. The entrances and exits guarded by the Kuimen garrison in ancient times have been submerged, and Baidi Mountain also needs to be bridged. If you are interested, you can see the pattern printed on the back of the 10 yuan RMB. 】
