"Prime Minister, Zijin, this is just my opinion at the moment. If there are any omissions, please feel free to make it clear."
After saying this with a dry mouth, Ma Su once again raised his hand and made modest remarks.
The Prime Minister and Zheng Pu, who were listening carefully, had a vague look of reminiscence in their eyes.
Although Ma Su, who has gray hair and beard, has a much more prudent and humble temperament than before, when he was sitting in the military discussion, his words still had the spirit of the past, which also reminded people of the past.
He has been migrating to the left for many years, and his edges have been smoothed by time, but it has not made him resentful and mediocre.
The Prime Minister felt deeply about this.
Because of Ma Liang's early death, the Prime Minister had a feeling of being both a teacher and a friend to Ma Su, and he was once regarded as the best candidate to succeed him. He once did not hesitate to praise and promote, but in exchange for a deep love
of disappointment.
Now, seeing that he is finally acting resolutely, how can we not be happy?
"You Chang's words are almost the same as what I think!"
The prime minister, who was thinking about it for a moment, stroked his beard with a smile, nodded approvingly and said, "I also feel that the rescue of Guanyin City cannot go against Wei's strategy. Otherwise, our army will have lost the opportunity. If there is no emergency,
I’m afraid that my trip will be difficult in the future! However, there are two differences between my thoughts and those of You Chang.”
After saying this, he saw Zheng Pu and Ma Su sitting upright and listening attentively. The prime minister couldn't help but smile and waved his hands before continuing, "We are working together to benefit the country. You don't have to be so respectful."
"The first thing I thought of was to ask Sun Wu to respond. Sun Wu was planning to attack Huaiyou in secret, so he was planning to use large-scale troops in Jingxiang in recent years. Now he is rebelling against Wei and attacking our Han Dynasty, so he is the one who sent the troops.
What a good opportunity! I intend to go to the imperial court and spare Sun Wu’s five hundred horses from the food and fodder, and make an appointment with Sun Wu to send troops after the spring plowing."
I see!
After listening, both Zheng Pu and Ma Di understood.
Previously, Jiangdong purchased 2,000 war horses from the Han Dynasty, and the grain he paid was not a one-time transfer.
Even though Jiangdong is vast and sparsely populated, and the people are never hungry, a large number of acres and population are controlled by wealthy families, and Sun Wu's treasury reserves cannot bear to suddenly come up with so much grain. After all, they are also driving nearly 100,000 soldiers.
The soldiers are on an expedition - there are still 500 war horses in exchange for the grain, and the agreement is that it will be transferred after the autumn harvest.
If the prime minister exempted him, Sun Quan would be very happy. He would also change the habit of Jiangdong to use troops when the water level rises at the turn of summer and autumn, and instead send troops after spring plowing.
Helping others is self-interest.
And why did Ma Di not mention Sun Wu?
Everyone in the Han Dynasty understood Sun Wu's style.
According to the consistent opportunistic temperament of Jiangdong's monarchs and ministers, when they saw the counter-Wei attack the Han army in a large scale, they would not rush to send troops to respond, but would wait and watch until the Han-Wei conflict was in full swing before preparing to send troops in order to reap the benefits of the fishermen.
Ear!
And the food and fodder exchanged for five hundred war horses is not a small sum of money.
At a time when the Han Dynasty was in extremely short supply of food and fodder, Ma Su, with his status and mentality of having finally been reinstated, could not offer such advice.
"The other is that I want to personally supervise the troops stationed in Xiaoguan."
The prime minister continued to speak slowly, "Both Hanzhong County and Wudu County have dangerous passes and valley roads that can be defended. Even if they rebel against the Wei Dynasty and invade in large numbers, they can support them until Longyou's troops return to reinforce them. I don't need to worry. Therefore, Wei Wen will lead the army all the way."
The horse went to rescue, but in the end it was too weak, and it was difficult to change the strategy of encirclement and reinforcements against the Wei Dynasty. What if I stationed troops at Xiaoguan and threatened Gaoping City in Anding County, so that Sima Yi did not dare to send troops to fight with Xiahou Ru
Let's join forces to fight against Wei Wenchang. Furthermore, I am moving troops to Xiaoguan. I am only ordering the Tiger Infantry stationed in Ayang City to go with Ju Xiaoxing's troops at Xiaoguandao. This will not increase the loss of food and fodder and delay the spring plowing of the military camp."
"The Prime Minister's thoughts are so meticulous that I am ashamed of myself!"
As soon as the Prime Minister said this, Ma Su immediately raised his palm and praised, "If we act in this way, our army will make a mistake in spring plowing but they will make a mistake in rebelling against Wei, and if Jiangdong is in danger of attacking Jingxiang again, how can the war be prolonged?"
"Haha~~"
Hearing this, the Prime Minister shook his head slightly and smiled, "Let's discuss the military affairs together, but I hope you can make up for it. I will never make such flattering remarks."
Ma Di also expressed his feelings, "If you feel something, how can you say flattery? Hahaha~~"
The reappearance of the joking words after many years warmed people's hearts, making people suddenly feel that the seemingly harsh spring cold was not so freezing anymore.
After the two of them laughed for a while, their eyes fell on Zheng Pu again.
Without him, he, who is known for his ability in planning, has not said a word since he entered the council chamber.
Since he had no chance to speak, the Prime Minister deliberately ordered him to listen to everyone's opinions before speaking.
Perhaps the Prime Minister is already used to it. When discussing military disputes, Zheng Pu's plans and strategies are not only often unexpected, but also have the final say.
"Zijin, can you think about it properly?"
Therefore, the Prime Minister said with some expectation, his tone was earnest, "If you have any thoughts, just say it. If you have any doubts about your thoughts, Youchang and I will review it for you."
Ma Su on the other side also held his breath and listened carefully.
Whether it was Zheng Pu's tolerance for exonerating him when he first sent troops to Longyou, or Zheng Pu's kindness in admonishing him to return to the prime minister's palace, he was engraved in his heart. And seeing that Zheng Pu's plans have been effective in the past few years, he has already made him He felt ashamed of himself.
"What the Prime Minister and Brother Youchang have thought and said are already exhaustive. How can I say anything else?"
Upon hearing the question, Zheng Pu cupped his hands and said with a gurgling smile, "However, what I think is contrary to what the Prime Minister and Brother Youchang said. I secretly believe that our army does not need to send troops to rescue the Mangyin City Fortress."
No help?!
As soon as Zheng Pu finished speaking, Ma Su was immediately stunned.
The Prime Minister's reaction was more calm, but he couldn't help being slightly startled. When he saw Zheng Pu's calm eyes, he lowered his eyes and thought to himself.
Having known each other for many years, the Prime Minister knew that Zheng Pu would never neglect important military matters, and he also knew that Zheng Pu would not be ignorant of the consequences of not saving the Fortress of Guanyin.
Now that you know it and say it, you must hold on to it.
Could it be that I and Youchang missed something in our thinking?
The prime minister, who had thought a little on his own, asked directly with doubts, "Why do you rely on Zijin's words?"
"Reporting back to the Prime Minister, the person behind Pu's words is Liu Xiuran, the current commander-in-chief of Hanyin!"
Without thinking, Zheng Pulu replied loudly, "Brother Xiuran and I have known each other for many years, and I know very well what his strengths are. In terms of defensive capabilities, in the past, I, the great man, was led by the late Grand Administrator of Zitong, but now Puchi thinks that brother Xiuran may be comparable to him. Furthermore, the fortress of Guanyin is small but strong, and the three thousand soldiers who are guarding it are all veterans who have been in the army for a long time, and there is no shortage of food, fodder and baggage. Therefore, Pu dares to say that our army does not need to go to the rescue, and is willing to be honored with his head. Guarantee: Within half a year, there is no chance that the Fortress of Manyin will be captured!"
