Chapter 78 The dissipation of the old era and the beginning of a new era
At this time, Zhang He certainly didn't know that Chen Mu was setting a trap for him.
He is very angry now and wants to kill someone.
Everyone knows that Ling Shi who was pushed out and the low-level officials who committed suicide are just powerless scapegoats. The real person behind the scenes must be a high-ranking military officer, even to the level of a captain.
Just by the few people who guarded the warehouse, Shi Caoyu could have embezzled so much property without anyone noticing. He could understand what was going on here just by thinking about it with his toes.
But the vague involvement of the trusted generals around Zhang He also made him very worried, and he has been hesitant in the past few days.
Don't think that the rank of a captain is low. In fact, even a captain with a miscellaneous title is considered a middle-to-high-level officer in the army, second only to a general. Under normal circumstances, he can command thousands of soldiers and horses, and has great power.
Therefore, even though Zhang He knew that his trusted generals might be involved in reselling military supplies, he did not dare to order a thorough investigation into the matter.
The one involved is too big, and at such a critical time, it would be troublesome if a mutiny broke out.
Secondly, he really has no evidence.
The fire burned everything, and the dead could not speak, and everything was pushed on the heads of those scapegoats. The road to a thorough investigation was full of difficulties, and many close men had advised him not to continue the investigation, so as not to cause a lack of morale in the military.
stable.
Even Zhu Ling asked him to focus on the overall situation and not to cause trouble again.
Therefore, after thinking for a few days, Zhang He had no choice but to blame the officials who committed suicide, saying that they had neglected their duties and caused a fire in the warehouse, so they deserved to commit suicide.
As for the issue of subsequent accountability, now that everyone is dead and other people involved in the case cannot be investigated, there is naturally no need to pursue accountability.
In the final analysis, no matter what the reason was, this matter ended up being nothing more than nothing.
However, Zhang He was forced to press the matter, but the problem was still not solved.
That is, the shortage of food and grass cannot be made up out of thin air. The actual food stock in the city is a full one-third less than the estimated food and grass.
This means that the time they can hold on is reduced by one-third.
You must know that Ganling is in a very bad situation now. Qingzhou said it would send 60,000 troops. In fact, there are still a large number of heavy troops deployed around Pingyuan Kingdom, including troops in the direction of Yanzhou Pottery Hall.
In addition, Liu Bei only brought 30,000 main troops to attack Ping'en, and left 30,000 troops just to deal with Zhang He. They were scattered in Guangzong, Dongwucheng, Qixian, Lingxian, Taoguan, Qingyuan and other places.
Ganling was surrounded by troops with at least 50,000 troops.
In addition, the population of Qingzhou is only over one million less than that of Jizhou. Even with a soldier-civilian ratio of 30 to 1, it can still afford to support an army of 150,000. However, Qingzhou’s current standing army is only about 80,000, because Qingzhou left
It is an elite route, spending more money on training soldiers and improving weapons and equipment.
So in fact, the combat power of a Qingzhou soldier is much stronger than that of a Jizhou soldier, 40,000 to 50,000. In front of them are Liu Bei's 30,000 main force and Gongsun Zan's tens of thousands of troops, and the quality of the soldiers is slightly weaker.
, Zhang He naturally could only defend the city and did not dare to take the initiative.
Nowadays, the food supply has been reduced by one-third, which is not only adding insult to injury, but also killing people. It is roughly estimated that even if they live frugally and include the food stored in the shell mound, 40,000 people can only survive for more than two months.
Therefore, this period was also the most difficult time for Zhang He. He was young, only thirty years old, but he looked sad all day long, as if he had aged ten years.
This difficult period lasted for more than a month.
A war cannot be fought in three or two days. Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao faced off for two years in the Battle of Jieqiao, and Cao Cao and Lu Bu also faced off in the Battle of Puyang for more than three months. In the feudal cold weapon era, the two sides faced off for several months or even several months.
In 2007, it was not uncommon for the final battle to determine the outcome.
During this month, Yecheng finally reacted and sent more troops to the north. Unfortunately, their response was too late. At this time, Liu Bei had completed the deployment and formed an attack on Qinghe Kingdom according to the plan planned by the adviser group.
Surrounded and stationed troops in Ping'en, Guantao, Qingyuan and other places, and started a confrontation with the Jizhou army in Lieren, Kuzhang, Yuancheng, Wei County, Gexiang and other places.
In terms of total military strength, Jizhou still has a considerable advantage. Unfortunately, Wang Fen, the backbone of the army, is critically ill, so no one dares to make the decision. It is okay for ministers like Xun and Chen Yi to come up with ideas, but it is not enough to give them the courage to make decisions.
It means that only generals such as Gao Lan, Han Juzi, Lu Weihuang, and Zhao Rui should focus on defense and not dare to take the initiative to attack.
By September, Wang Fen's condition seemed to have suddenly improved. Not only could she get out of bed and walk, but her face was rosy and her vitality seemed to be back again.
But he had already passed the age of knowing destiny, and Wang Fen also vaguely felt that this might be a flashback. Therefore, after realizing this, he immediately ordered his servants to call Xun, Chen Yi and other ministers. In addition, there were
Yuan Shao, the servant who is currently serving Emperor Liu Ye in the palace all day long.
When a group of people arrived at the Taiwei's residence, they saw Wang Fen kneeling on the mat with a glowing face, looking at them with a smile.
Xun He couldn't believe his eyes and said in surprise: "Mr. Wen Zugong, have you recovered from your serious illness?"
Among the crowd, Yuan Shao looked even more surprised, a little doubtful about life.
Wang Fen smiled noncommittally, neither admitting nor denying it. He just said: "I called you here today because I have something to tell you."
"Please give me your instructions."
Everyone was busy.
"Liu Bei, Gongsun Zan, attacked our Jizhou. The traitor's ambition is so depressing."
Wang Fen said coldly: "Pass my order and order Xia Zhao, Lu Kuang, Gao Xiang, and Feng Li to lead 30,000 people to help Gao Lan, go north to meet Liu Bei, and recapture Qinghe."
"Okay, I'll go and deliver the order right away."
At that moment, some people wanted to go to the palace excitedly and issue instructions in the name of Emperor Liu Ye's edict.
"If Yecheng mobilizes 30,000 soldiers and horses, we will have to guard against Luoyang."
Wang Fen added: "Let me go to Yanzhou to call back my boy Lu Bu, and send troops to Dangyin and Linli to frighten the enemies of Luoyang."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Yi!"
Someone else left.
"The Black Mountain Army has repeatedly harassed our Jizhou. Now Jizhou is surrounded by enemies from all sides. They have also come to invade our Zhao Kingdom, Changshan Kingdom and other places. It is really abominable. Let Deng Sheng and Guo Yuan lead 20,000 people to attack them."
"clear."
"And Cao Cao, Liu Zihui is right. Dongjun is the main road connecting Qingzhou and Luoyang. If you want to cut off the connection between Liu Bei and Luoyang, you must eliminate Cao Cao, occupy Dongjun, and let Gao Lan divide his troops into two.
Wan, go south and take Yanzhou."
"good!"
Every time Wang Fen said something, the ministers below felt happy, because with the backbone of the army back, Jizhou would be stable, and they no longer had to worry about Liu Bei's attack on Jizhou.
After a while, when all the officials were sent away, only Xun, Chen Yi and Yuan Shao were left in the hall.
"You guys sit down first."
Wang Fen waved his hand and motioned for the three of them to sit down.
After they sat down, Wang Fen said to the servant beside him: "Go and take out the things."
After a while, the slave took out a tray from the back room. The tray was wrapped in cloth. He took it carefully and placed it on the table.
Wang Fen opened the cloth and saw a small square box placed on the tray.
"Mr. Wen Zugong, this is..."
Xun He frowned, he recognized it, it was the Jizhou Mu seal.
"Origin."
Wang Fen did not respond to Xun He's words, but looked at Yuan Shao, with a hint of melancholy and longing for the world, and sighed: "I will leave this Jizhou to you."
"ah?"
Yuan Shao was still a little confused about the situation and why.
Xun He and Chen Yi stood up directly, opened their eyes wide, and said in surprise: "Mr. Wen Zugong, aren't your health feeling better?"
"What's the matter?"
Wang Fen smiled: "It's just the last ray of light from the setting sun when Ruona is about to die."
Xun He and Chen Yi fell silent.
The idiom "returning to light and returning to light" did not exist in the Han Dynasty, but it does not mean that there is no such phenomenon.
Modern medicine explains this principle as the human body's stress response, which usually manifests as an increase in appetite, a happy mood, and good spirits. In a short period of time, it is no different from ordinary people, and the condition seems to improve.
But in fact, this is only a temporary thing. After the energy is used up, the human body will run out of oil and will die soon.
Xun He and Chen Yi are both nearly sixty years old. It's not that they have never seen the scene when their elders died, but they just didn't realize it in a hurry. Wang Fen mentioned it and woke up.
Maybe Wang Fen has really reached her end.
Wang Fen looked at the two of them, and then at Yuan Shao, who seemed to understand something from a puzzled look to a thoughtful one, and smiled calmly: "Benchu, you were born in the family of the Fourth Generation and the Three Gongs.
, you have not abandoned your family tradition of loyalty to the Han Dynasty. These days, I see you sincerely serving the emperor, and I am very happy."
Yuan Shaocheng prostrated in fear: "This is all because Yuan has been a minister of the Han Dynasty all his life, and I am willing to die for the emperor!"
"very good."
Wang Fen nodded with satisfaction: "Now there are bandits all over the world. As a veteran of the Han Dynasty, I can't help the Han Dynasty. It's my fault to watch the country suffer such a disaster. It's a pity that I can't live long. My destiny has come.
I can no longer see the revival of the Han Dynasty. In the future of Jizhou, I can only entrust you with blessings. After you take over as the governor of the state, please work hard for the heroes of Jizhou. You must always think of the emperor and restore the Han Dynasty as soon as possible. Can you
clear?"
"Shao, keep this in mind!"
Yuan Shao said seriously.
"It's good if you can remember it. Come over here and take some."
Wang Fen said with difficulty. It seemed that as time passed, it became more and more difficult for him to speak, and his energy seemed to become more and more depressed.
The originally rosy complexion gradually turned pale, and the appearance gradually withered.
Yuan Shao lowered his head and came to Wang Fen respectfully.
Wang Fen pointed at the great seal of Zhou Mu and said, "You can get it yourself."
Yuan Shao wanted this big seal in his dreams, but at this moment, he cried and said: "Mr. Wen Zu, you must not do this."
"Stop acting like a son or daughter. How can a man be so indecisive when he lives in heaven and earth?"
Wang Fen gasped hard and said again: "If I tell you to take it, you can take it!"
"Mr. Wen Zugong..."
"Primus, just take it."
"well."
Xun and Chen Yi also came over and sighed when they saw this scene.
Yuan Shao also knew that the show was done and it was time.
He touched the big seal of Zhou Mu, and after taking it, he knelt in front of Wang Fen, held it up high, and said: "Young Master has given me a great responsibility, and I am ashamed to accept it, so I can only repay it with death!"
"Okay, okay."
Wang Fen nodded happily, her eyes gradually became cloudy, and she looked past Yuan Shao and saw the setting sun outside the hall door in the distance.
As the sun set, a ray of setting sun shone in the hall. The nearest light and Wang Fen's feet were very close.
Time seemed to have frozen.
He slowly raised his hand, wanting to touch the ray of sunshine.
But when he stretched out his arms a little, the sunlight retreated a little, as if he was deliberately avoiding him.
As the setting sun sets, that little bit of light is also dissipating.
At the end, his hand finally stopped.
The fingertips were only a tiny distance away from that glimmer of light.
But this little bit seems like a world apart.
Then.
The old man leaned forward and fell slowly.
Yuan Shao had quick eyesight and quick hands, so he immediately rushed over to help him, but felt that the old man's whole body was cold and his body was limp and without any strength.
I took another breath and found that there was only outgoing breath and no incoming breath.
After a while, my body became completely cold.
Taiwei, Jizhou Mu, and Yehou Wang Fen died in the late autumn of September 193 AD.
Yuan Benchu, the fourth generation and the third Duke, succeeded as the new leader of Jizhou!