At the end of the fourth year of Xingwu, Liu Yu changed the Yuan Dynasty in the Luoyang court, and the reign name was Yonghan. Therefore, in January 197 AD, the second year of Jian'an in history, the Han Dynasty officially entered the early year of Yonghan.
In February of the first year of the Yonghan Dynasty, the spring breeze blew, and the fertile fields outside the city of Pingan County in Guangling County were thousands of miles away. Countless farmlands were irrigated and lush on both sides of the Hangou ditch.
Hangou next to Pingan County is the Baima Lake in Jiangsu in later generations. Jiangsu people should all know that Taihu Lake, Hongze Lake, Gaoyou Lake and Baima Lake Chengzi Lake are all the most important lakes in Jiangsu. Jiangsu is known as the land of plenty.
These lakes have contributed a lot.
The scope of Guangling County in the Han Dynasty was probably northern Jiangsu. Gaoyou Lake, Baima Lake and Chengzi Lake were within the territory of Guangling County. However, these lakes had not yet completed their formation at this time. They were only a group of small and medium-sized lakes and were not connected to each other.
Together.
For example, Baima Lake is currently an ancient lagoon. In the northwest of Ping'an County, dozens of large and small lakes are formed by pits and pits. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, these lakes were communicated and sorted out by King Wu Fucha, and channels were dug and built to become Hangou.
Hangou connects the Huai River and the Yangtze River and has always been the only way for people from Yangzhou to go north. Later, Chen Deng during the Cao Wei Dynasty and Yang Guang, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, expanded the Hangou to form the famous Grand Canal.
.
At this time, the spring breeze is gently caressing, the water of Hangou is rippling, and the lakes on both sides are shining with golden light under the warm spring sunshine. Occasionally, big fish jump out of the water, rolling the lake surface with sparkling light.
Guangling was a fairly prosperous county before it suffered from the disaster of Zhe Rong.
During the period of Emperor He, Guangling had a population of more than 100,000 households and about 500,000 people. Like Xiapi, Guangling was extremely rich in products.
Later, Zuo Rong became the prefect of Guangling. Because he was a local wealthy man and believed in Buddhism, he plundered the people, built Buddhist temples, and promoted Buddhism, which made the people miserable.
After Cao Cao killed Zuo Rong, he ordered the demolition of a large number of Buddhist temples, suppressed Buddhism, restored official order, and organized production. In April last year, a large amount of Champa rice was planted, and in August last year, Guangling was
After harvesting a crop, a large amount of Champa rice was retained in various government offices.
Champa rice can be harvested in one crop from March to April, so it can form a double crop with ordinary rice. During spring plowing this year, ordinary rice was planted, planted in January, harvested in June, and then planted in Champa again in June.
Rice can be harvested again by the end of September.
In Cao Cao's vision, if he can continue to do this, then his food problem can be fully solved. By then, Xiapi will follow the same method, and the two places will be able to gain a full harvest.
Unfortunately, at the end of last year, Lu Bu took advantage of the melee between Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Jian, Yuan Shu and other warlords to seize this place and brought the entire Guangling County under his command.
After Lu Bu occupied this place, Wei Jian was responsible for handling the internal affairs. He first spread the Anmin notice to appease the villagers, and at the same time he supervised the spring plowing matters and completed the double-cropping rice process as soon as possible. It was considered that he was continuing to follow Cao Cao's plan, but he only gained some
Food and supplies are none of Cao Cao's business.
Lu Bu, on the other hand, set up defenses on the south bank of the Huai River and garrisoned troops in Xutai, Huaiyin and other places, using the big waves of the river to block the troops of Cao Jun and Zhang Fei Dianwei.
Then why is he in Ping'an County now?
Because Ping'an County is located behind Huaiyin in Xutai and is a grain and grass transportation center, he himself is stationed here and can also defend Cao's army from the west from the direction of Xiapi, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.
You read that right.
Guangling County, there really is a place called Ping'an County.
Moreover, Ping'an County is located on the east bank of Hangou, guarding the north and south of the Huaihe River. The south can prevent the enemies from the north from the Yangtze River, the north can prevent the enemies from the south from the Huai River, and the west can prevent the enemies from attacking from Xiapi, Jiujiang and other places.
It is not a battleground for military strategists, but it is an important transportation thoroughfare, a canal hub connecting the north and the south.
Historically, in order to deal with Sun Quan, Cao Cao moved all the people from Huainan to Huaibei. Ping'an County lost its role in connecting the north and the south, so it was abandoned. But that was twenty years later, at least now it is still connected to Han
The ditch and canal were very important to Lu Bu who wanted to defend Guangling.
At this moment, Chu...oh no, Lu Bu has just completed the garrisoning of several important towns south of the Huaihe River. Wei Ji has been arranging spring plowing in Guangling County last month, and this time he rushed non-stop.
Arriving at Ping'an County, the three giants Zhang Yang and Lu Bujun gathered here at the same time.
In the past month, Lu Bu and Zhang Yang kept the enemy at bay, and the Wei Dynasty stabilized the hearts of the counties and temporarily controlled Guangling County. But at this time, everyone had to gather here, because Cao Cao returned to the army, and Liu Bei also sent Zhang Feidian Wei south.
, this will be a big crisis for Lu Bu.
The three of them sat in the hall. After the servant who poured the wine left, Lu Bu raised his glass and said to the two of them: "Uncle Zhi, Bo Xi, this month, thanks to you two, we have been able to temporarily settle down. Let's work together."
Let’s have a drink and discuss important matters later.”
"good!"
The two raised their glasses and drank together.
After he finished drinking, Lu Bu wiped his mouth and said to Wei Ji: "Bo Ji, although we have gained Guangling, the enemy is still on the side. Cao Cao and Liu Bei are coming with menace. What should we do?"
Wei Jian pondered: "General, do you still remember what I said to you before?"
"What words?"
"When I was still in Puyang that year, I told the general that you are not a local prince like Cao Cao, Yuan Shu and others, but a high official serving the imperial court. You are here not to represent yourself, but to represent the imperial court.
It's disrupting their power, do you understand?"
"Of course I understand."
Lu Bu nodded quickly.
This is also the reason why Lu Bu and Zhang Yang followed Wei Xiyan's advice.
Because Wei Jian gave them both hope.
Historically, Lu Bu was considered one of the princes of the Central Plains, but he was caught in the dilemma of fighting for Xuzhou with Liu Bei and was beaten by Cao Cao. At the worst time, he only had a few hundred soldiers and horses around him. He eventually lost his fighting spirit and died in Baimenlou.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! And now that Wei Xi has arrived, it naturally gives him hope. After all, compared to wandering around with no fixed place, he can be recognized by the court, and he will naturally become a
Something he desperately needs.
"Then the general should know that the imperial court is behind you, and the imperial court is the general's confidence."
Wei Qian said calmly.
Lu Bu sighed: "It's just that the imperial court cannot help me send troops. Now Liu Bei and Cao Cao are close at hand. They have united and have tens of thousands of troops. How can I defeat them?"
Wei smiled covetously and said, "The general still doesn't understand what I mean."
Zhang Yang said: "Bo Xi, please don't show off. Just tell us clearly what you mean."
"yes."
Lu Bu said: "Now the enemies are waiting around like tigers and wolves, and they are about to attack. If we don't think about countermeasures, we may not even be able to stay in Guangling."
Wei Jian smiled and said: "I mean, since the general is here, it is the imperial court's wish. Does the general think that the imperial court will sit back and watch Liu Bei and Cao Cao's coalition forces deal with the general?"
"you mean?"
Lu Bu vaguely guessed something and asked tentatively: "Will the imperial court help?"
"nature."
Wei Jian smiled slightly and said: "The imperial court will never sit idly by and ignore it."
Lu Bu's existence is in the interest of Liu Yu, Yang Biao, Zhao Wen, Zhu Jun and other veterans, and it is also in the interest of Qingzhou. Naturally, both parties will not watch him die.
But Liu Bei didn't know this, so Chen Mu would only help Lu Bu secretly, but the court could help him openly.
So how to help him?
Lu Bu was also curious about how the imperial court would help him, and asked: "Is the imperial court planning to send troops to help?"
Wei Jian shook his head and said: "This is impossible. The soldiers and horses of the imperial court must be on guard against Yuan Shao. Moreover, although the military power in Luoyang is in the hands of the Taiwei, it is only in name. The main force is still in the hands of Guan Yu. If Liu Bei openly helps, Liu Bei They will definitely be suspicious, so they can only help secretly."
"How to help secretly?"
Lu Bu asked again.
"Of course I'm helping the general mobilize Liu Bei's troops."
Wei Ju smiled and said: "I told the general before that people like Cao Cao listen to orders but not announcements, while Liu Bei wants to take into account the face of his Han clan relatives, so he obeys the imperial court's advice. If there is an edict from the imperial court, he will definitely We will withdraw our troops."
"oh?"
Lu Bu hurriedly asked: "What kind of edict is it?"
"Of course it's the letter that the general thinks about day and night."
Wei Jian smiled and said nothing.
Lu Bu and Zhang Yang looked at each other, and Zhang Yang asked, "Does it belong to me?"
"Both."
Wei Jian said: "As early as January, I submitted an offering to the imperial court in the name of the two generals. I believe the edict should not be far away."
"Ouch."
Lu Bu put his hands on his hands and laughed and said, "Bo Xi, you still have the foresight. I really don't know how to thank you."
Wei Qian cupped his hands toward the northwest and said with a smile: "If the general wants to thank you, just thank the court. This is the court's grace. When the world is peaceful in the future, the court will not forget the general's contribution."
"I naturally care about the court's grace, but I will not forget the merits of the imperial court. Come, let's drink and drink."
Lu Bu was very happy and raised his wine glass. He was going to get drunk today.
A few days later, Xutai was in emergency.
The combined forces of Cao Cao, Zhang Fei, Dian and Wei crossed the Huai River and headed towards Ping'an.
They had not attacked before, but were blocked by the Huai River.
If Cao Cao did not gain Jiujiang, he would not be able to bypass the Huaihe River and attack from the south of Guangling. He could only bypass Pei State, return to Xiapi from Pei State, join Cao Ren's Xiahou Dun tribe, and then go south from Xiapi.
Before Liu Bei returned to the plains, he left Zhang Feidian and Wei Tianfeng to deal with Lu Bu's problem. Their combined troops and horses were close to 20,000 people. Adding Cao Cao's 30,000 to 40,000 troops, the total number was almost 50,000 to 60,000. It was a mighty force.
, Lu Bu's more than 10,000 troops cannot resist it.
Therefore, there was almost no resistance in Xutai. Lu Bu's troops who stayed behind simply abandoned the city and fled. Lu Bu sent Cheng Lian and Wei Yue to lead 3,000 people in Huaiyin. He himself led 10,000 troops and stationed them in Ping'an County to guard Hangou and stop the coalition forces.
attack.
On this day, the coalition forces arrived to the west of Hangou and were blocked by the canal. After a few more days of delay, they crossed the river one after another from the downstream ferry. Tens of thousands of troops surrounded Ping'an County. The two camps were connected for several miles, and they would
The small town of Ping'an County was surrounded by water.
"strangeness."
Two days later, the camp was built. Guo Jia and Cao Cao were watching the situation inside the city on the hillside outside the city. They saw that the gate of Ping'an County was closed and the soldiers on the city tower were heavily guarded. They had no intention of leaving the city to harass, which made Guo Jia very puzzled.
Cao Cao nodded and said, "It's a little strange, but Lu Bu didn't expect that much, so it's normal."
Guo Jia shook his head and said: "Looking at Lu Bu's previous whereabouts, it doesn't look like a common man's behavior. I suspect there is an expert behind him. Otherwise, he will never be able to secretly attack our Yanzhou and finally seize the land of Guangling."
"What does filial piety mean?"
Cao Cao wondered.
Guo Jia said: "Ping'an County guards Hangou, which is an important transportation route from south to north. If Lu Bu was smart, he would never let us come. Under normal circumstances, he would definitely destroy the ferry and destroy all the ships to prevent us from crossing the river.
. They even sent out cavalry to roam around and stop us outside Hangou. This is the right way."
"But Lu Bu did nothing."
Cao Cao took over his words.
Guo Jia nodded: "Yes, this is very strange. And after our army arrived, he remained unmoved at all, as if he had already accepted his fate. If he accepted his fate, wouldn't surrendering to Kaicheng be the best choice?"
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and looked at the city in the distance with a thoughtful expression.
Lu Bu had made many surprise attacks before, finding the right opportunity to hit his weak points, and drove him out of Yanzhou. No matter how you look at it, he doesn't look like an incompetent person.
Especially escaping Yanzhou and going straight to Guangling is a wonderful way to survive in death.
After all, Lu Bu was in Yanzhou, surrounded by enemies on all sides, and even Yuan Shao didn't want to see him. He would only end up being surrounded and killed by all parties.
Escape to Guangling now is a fish in the sea. You can go to the east of the Yangtze River in the south, take Yuzhou in the west, and take advantage of the entanglement between Liu Bei and Yuan Shao in the north to seize the foundation of Xuzhou. At least you won't be as passive as in Yanzhou.
But before, he had many clever tricks, but now he suddenly got smart and just watched them coming without trying to stop them. There was something really wrong.
But the arrow is on the string and must be fired.
No matter what, the army has already been dispatched, so naturally it can only be fought to the end with one stroke, not to mention that he has already dispatched troops.
After the army arrived in Pingan County, Cao Cao immediately made several deployment arrangements, sending a group of troops north to take Huaiyin, and another group of troops going south to take Gaoyou, and attack Guangling, Hailing and other places.
One was to prevent Lu Bu from escaping, and the other was to control the north-south artery, fearing that Lu Bu's ally Yuan Shu would take this opportunity to go north from Hangou to aid him.
Cao Cao kept Yuan Shu in order to make things worse in Yangzhou, but he didn't want him to cause trouble at this juncture.
The army rested for a few days, and the subsequent supplies of food and grass gradually arrived.
Since losing Yanzhou, Cao Cao has had a big problem with his grain and grass. Although Yanzhou was lost and recovered, all the grain stored before was taken away by Lu Bu. He originally hoped that the rice from Champa would be effective, but in the end he only harvested one season and was taken away by Lu Bu.
Taking Guangling, Cao Cao was almost short of food and grass.
Fortunately, last year's autumn grain was harvested, because the war in the south occurred in June last year and lasted until the beginning of this year. For more than half a year, when Lu Bu left Yanzhou, he only took the spring grain with him, and the autumn grain.
Sumai is still in the ground.
Cao Cao finally breathed a sigh of relief after last year's harvest of wheat was harvested. However, as Yanzhou was still in the recovery stage from the war, the harvest of wheat was still not much. Even if Xi Zhicai managed to maintain it in many ways, it would only be enough for the army for a few months. Moreover, before
Cao Cao has already wasted a lot of time in Runan and Jiujiang, and now he only has about three months of food left.
Therefore, Cao Cao had to get rid of Lu Bu within three months. He was still full of confidence in this, because Liu Bei sent Zhang Fei and Dian Wei to assist him. The cost of the attack was shared equally between the two families, and he took all the profits in the end.
Is there anything better than this in the world?
After everything was ready, in mid-February, the coalition forces of Cao Cao and Liu Bei officially prepared to attack the city.
Tens of thousands of troops gathered outside the city. During these days, they were not idle. They built a large number of siege equipment and prepared to burn the small Pingan County town to the ground.
Lu Bu came to the top of the city to take a look. He saw flags fluttering outside the city and tens of thousands of troops arrayed in order. The crowd was so dense that he could not see the end of the city at a glance.
"Boxi, they are attacking the city."
"Um."
Wei Zhu smiled and said: "General, don't worry, we can't fight this battle."
Lu Bu asked: "Is the news confirmed?"
"Don't worry, the messenger has arrived and should arrive today."
Wei Jian made a guarantee.
This made Lu Bu feel a little relieved. Standing on the top of the city, he suddenly looked into the distance and asked, "Is that the messenger's chariot?"
Wei Zhu looked over and saw a cavalry slowly approaching on the official road in the southwest.
What is strange is that the cavalry has no vehicles and is all cavalry, about two to three hundred people. The leader is a young general. He has a long sword in his hand. Judging from the appearance, it looks like Guan Yu's Qinglong Yanyue Sword.
"That should be it."
Wei Zhu nodded. It was not easy to go back and forth from Xuzhou to Luoyang, but according to the distance, it should take about the same number of days.
Over there, Cao Cao and Zhang Fei gathered their troops and prepared to attack the city.
But at this time, Cao Cao's scouts on the outside came back and reported: "Report, Duke Ming, the imperial envoy is here."
"Messenger from the imperial court?"
Hearing that an envoy from the imperial court had appeared at this juncture, Cao Cao was startled and asked hurriedly: "Where is the envoy?"
"Just crossed the river, coming towards Ping'an."
"Take me to see it."
"only."
The scout took Cao Cao there.
Cao Cao went to the envoy, and Zhang Fei and Dianwei also got the news.
Hearing that he was an envoy from the imperial court, Tian Feng asked Dian Wei to stay and lead the army while he and Zhang Fei went over to see what was going on.
The two parties of people and horses headed towards the envoy. Before their horses could get out a hundred feet away, the gate of Ping'an City suddenly opened, and Lu Bu and several knights ran out.
"Stop the fight, stop the fight!"
The city gate on his side opened, which immediately startled the soldiers who were waiting attentively outside the city. Thinking that the people inside the city were about to make a surprise attack, they all took down the weapons they were holding and formed a gun-shield formation outside.
However, Xiahou Dun and Dian Wei, who were leading the army here, both asked the soldiers to stop because they saw that Lu Bu only came out with a few people and no large army was accompanying them.
If the soldiers can't restrain themselves and attack at this time, Lu Bu returns to the city again and may be disrupted.
Anyway, as long as Lu Bu doesn't go after Cao Cao, it will be fine.
Cao Ren of Xiahou Dun secretly ordered some soldiers to block in the southwest direction so that Lu Bu could not pass.
But after a while, the soldiers opened a path, and accompanied by Cao Cao Guo Jia, Zhang Fei and Tian Feng, a young general walked into the military formation in a swagger and walked towards the empty space outside the city.
"This guy is quite impressive."
Zhang Fei looked at his nephew and muttered: "When you finish reading the edict, my third uncle will spank you hard!"
Tian Feng glared at him and whispered: "Keep your voice down, Guan Ping is now the imperial envoy!"
Yes, the imperial envoy this time is none other than Guan Ping.
Most people think that it must be a eunuch who goes to announce the decree, but in fact it is not.
Regardless of whether it was the Han Dynasty or later imperial courts, eunuchs announcing decrees were only one of the methods. In addition to eunuchs, court ministers could be envoys. Even if the status was very high, even the three ministers and nine ministers could be envoys of the imperial court.
For example, in history, Liu Bian once appointed Taiwei Ma Rixi and his imperial servant Zhao Qi as envoys to Runan, but was detained by Yuan Shu, causing Ma Rixi to vomit blood and die. This is a typical example.
Guan Ping is twenty years old this year. In order to win over Guan Yu, Liu Yu gave Guan Ping the title of Xiaolian. Now he is a minister of the imperial court, so he can naturally go on missions.
Then he saw him, surrounded by people, coming to the center of the open space and shouting: "Where is Lu Bu?"
"hateful."
Lu Bu cursed secretly in his heart.
I am over 40 years old, but it is really uncomfortable to be called by my first name by a young kid.
But there is nothing you can do. He is an envoy of the imperial court and his status is respected. Even if he is very disrespectful, you will have to bear it. Who asked him to represent the imperial court?
Lu Bu got off his red rabbit horse and walked over with Zhang Yang, Wei Zhu and others. He reluctantly bowed his hands and saluted, saying, "Bu has seen the envoy."
"In the first year of Yonghan, Emperor Liu Yu issued an edict!"
Guan Ping took out the edict and read: "Although Lu Bu was a traitor to the country in his early years, he woke up in time and cut off Dong Zhuo with his own hands. He has made great contributions to the country, is brave and good at fighting, and is resolute. Now that he is willing to serve the country, I should encourage him."
.I moved to Wenhou and paid homage to Xuzhou Mu. I hope you will have a good life and govern the place and take care of the country's worries."
"Thank you, Emperor!"
Lu Bu was overjoyed. Now he was finally justified.
Cao Cao, who was next to him, opened his eyes wide and felt a splitting headache, his steps were shaky, as if he was going to faint.
Although Lu Bu had made a surprise attack on Yanzhou before and proclaimed himself the shepherd of Yanzhou, he was not recognized by the court.
The official Yanzhou Shepherd of the imperial court has always been Cao Cao.
Now that this edict was issued, Lu Bu became the legal Xuzhou Shepherd.