Three Kingdoms: I help Liu Bei grow thousands of miles

Xu Chu didn't dare to do a body search at first, but when he saw the look in Cao Cao's eyes, he instantly understood. He swung his big rough hands and carefully groped outside Yang Xiu's clothes, and finally shook his head slightly to the north.

"If you can't find it, let's forget it first. I just took advantage of the rain to talk about the tactics." When Cao Cao waved his hand, he took the opportunity to give Xu Chu a slight nod, and the other party retreated out of the tent after comprehending.

Cao Ren, Xu Huang and the others saw Zhang Liao and Yang Xiu's mutual acting skills just now, and they thought that you are really masters in this way, and you even deceived the king of Wei. This should be the end of the matter, right?

The tense atmosphere in the Chinese tent gradually subsided, and Cao Cao also settled down to discuss the battle with the generals. After a while, Xu Chu returned, followed by two tiger guards, carrying a charcoal basin in their hands.

Chapter 6: The officials invite Yang Xiu to die

Seeing that the charcoal basin looked familiar, Yang Xiu took a closer look and saw that it was in his tent. Why did Xu Chu bring it over? Could it be that he found some clues?

Absolutely impossible. It was cleaned up very well in the morning. As long as I am calm enough, I will be fine. Yang Xiu's eyes are firm and fearless.

"Huh? Zhongkang, what do you mean?" Cao Cao asked suspiciously.

Xu Chu clasped his fists: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the general will search according to General Zhang and Master Yang's wishes. After questioning the patrolling guards around, it turns out that Master Yang burned the letter..."

"Your Majesty must have been framed by a traitor, please believe me." Yang Xiu argued anxiously.

"Which battalion of guards is it?" Cao Cao frowned.

Xu Chu glanced at Cao Xiu, bowed his head and whispered, "Leopard Camp..."

Yang Xiu, an ordinary guard, was not afraid, but Tiger and Leopard Cavalry was Cao Cao's confidant, and things suddenly became difficult. Yang Xiu's eyes widened, and he said that I was doing things for you, but in the end he wanted to betray me?He quickly used his brain to think of countermeasures, but in the end he still chose to be stubborn.

"As the saying goes, 'Catch thieves and take stolen goods, catch traitors and take doubles', General Wen Lie, what kind of hatred do your people have against me? How dare you frame me as a king? If you don't give me a reasonable explanation, I'm afraid this matter will not be good." Yang Xiu first set the fire on Cao Xiu.

Cao Xiu was also very helpless. He left in a hurry and forgot to tell the guards of the Leopard Camp. He didn't know how the reckless Xu Chu could get out of his words. Seeing Yang Xiu's aggressiveness, he could only bite the bullet and answer: "Maybe it's a misunderstanding? Why don't I do it myself?" Ask again?"

Just as Cao Xiu was about to leave, he heard a bang. Cao Cao slapped the table with one hand, and he shouted sharply: "What else do you need to ask? Zhongkang is investigating with my token. The guards of the Leopard Camp dare not tell the truth." ?”

"Uh...the end will be saved..." Cao Xiu retreated back to his original position in desperation.

At this time, Cao Cao stared straight at Yang Xiu, with a murderous look in his insidiousness, "Tell me, why did you burn Gu's letter?"

"I...I didn't..." Yang Xiu replied subconsciously.

"Boran, privately stealing military aircraft is like treason. You are familiar with the laws of the military. What crime should you punish?" Cao Cao didn't bother with Yang Xiu's answer, but directly asked Zhao Yan to convict him.

In the eyes of Cao Cao, Yang Xiu is already dead, because the secrets in the book have been leaked, "Brother forced Cao Zhi to compose poems", "Cao Pi abolished the emperor and usurped Yan Liu", the two prophecies are closely related to Cao Zhi, if Yang Xiu unites those aristocratic families Cao Pi may not be able to successfully succeed the king of Wei in the fight for the throne among the great clans.

The Hongnong Yang family was a prominent family in the Han Dynasty. After Cao Cao pacified the north and eliminated Yuan Shao, the declining gentry gathered behind them and joined forces with them to fight against the Henan gentry, and sided with Cao Zhi in the battle for the reserve.

Cao Zhi's articles are world-renowned and his talents are open. He has been deeply loved by Cao Cao since he was a child, but his political cultivation is far behind Cao Pi.

Cao Cao was worried that if he was chosen to inherit, he would be easily ostracized by the gentry headed by the Yang family. Therefore, for the sake of Wei Guo's continuous succession, Cao Cao finally chose the prudent Cao Pi. In this way, suppressing the Hongnong Yang family was to cut off the disaster for Cao Pi's succession.

The existence of Yang Xiu is a threat. Removing him will not only make Cao Pi more stable, but also prevent brotherhood. So when such a good opportunity arises, Cao Cao naturally has to make use of it.

Seeing Cao Cao's serious face, Zhao Yan knew that the matter might become serious, and he replied hesitantly: "According to the law...he should be punished...but Dezu may have some difficulties..."

"Difficulties? So you don't have to obey the law?" Cao Cao sneered.

Cao Ren's eyes widened and he was puzzled. What is the reason for this time?Seeing that Cao Cao had already shown his killing intent, he said before Yang Xiu could defend himself, "Your Majesty, I am guilty of the crime..."

Cao Cao was shocked and said, "Zixiao? What's the matter with you?"

"Your Majesty has been depressed for the past two days, leading to limited command on the battlefield. I was worried that you would be affected by the letter, so I asked Dezu to persuade you. I didn't expect him to be so extreme..." Cao Ren bowed his head and pleaded guilty.

"Huh?" Cao Cao frowned.

"Your Majesty, General Zixiao has been working hard, please don't punish the enemy at present, everyone suspects that the letter is 'not clean', so..."

Cao Xiu didn't finish his words of support, and Cao Cao directly grabbed the handle, and the anger on his face didn't weaken in the slightest: "Everyone? Who else?"

Sima Yi secretly scolded Cao Xiu as an idiot, how could you sell everyone like this? He dared to stand up and explain: "The day before yesterday, the king broke up the tent. We were worried, so we waited outside the tent. Burn it, my colleagues in the tent were all there at the time, General Xu should have seen it..."

"Zhongkang?"

"The last general can indeed testify. They discussed at the door and said that the letter was 'filth'. Master Yang said that you are full of yang and will not be affected..."

Sima Yi was quick-witted and decisive, he quickly changed his concept, and directly prevaricated the faction, so he would give up on himself, and Yang Xiu was dumbfounded.

"Yang Xiu, what do you have to say?" Cao Cao's tone became more serious.

"Your Majesty... Actually, I didn't read it..." Yang Xiu just wanted to slap his own mouth when he said the words, and he was so flustered that he didn't call himself. How could Cao Cao keep himself.

"Guling the army depends on strict laws and regulations. Dezu has committed a serious crime now, even if he is alone, he will not be able to protect you. What do you think?" Cao Cao threw the multiple-choice question to the crowd again, and he wanted to see if Yang Xiu was in the same party.

At this moment, everyone in the tent didn't say a word, Yang Xiu saw the behavior of these white-eyed wolves, and suddenly laughed wildly: "Hahaha, Yang Xiu, Yang Xiu, what a failure you are..."

"Your Majesty, although Yang Dezu's crime is unforgivable, it was only his own fault..." Sima Yi cupped his hands to remind him.

Sima Yi said nonsense on the surface, because the Hongnong Yang family has a profound background, and it is not so easy to uproot it. What he said was in favor of Cao Cao's execution of his political enemy Yang Xiu.

Yang Xiu recalled the mention of Sima Yi in the prophecy, and sneered: "Sima Zhongda, you are good, you are very good...hahaha..."

Sima Yi was sweating profusely, I'm not bad, do I need you to remind me?Isn't this guy trying to drag me into the water?

"Master Yang is out of his mind and has started talking nonsense, look, my lord..." Cao Xiu clasped his fists to remind him.

"Cao Xiu? And you...hahaha..." Yang Xiu continued to laugh.

"Enough is enough, drag it down for me immediately, and execute according to the law." From Yang Xiu's sneer, Cao Cao confirmed that the other party had read the prophecy, and in order to prevent him from continuing to speak nonsense, Cao Cao took the initiative to stop him.

After saying that, Xu Chu called two tiger guards to support Yang Xiu.

Yang Xiu struggled twice, unable to escape at all. He looked at Cao Cao with grief and indignation on his face: "Please be kind to Marquis Linzi, even if Yang Xiu dies, he will have no hatred."

"I have my own calculations, why don't you go out?" Cao Cao's eyes were cold.

"Wei." Xu Chu tugged Yang Xiu lightly, and pushed Yang Xiu out of the tent staggeringly.

Yang Xiu knew that he was going to die, so he overcame his fear and walked forward with his head held high. When he passed by Cao Ren and others, his face was full of disdain, and he said to himself that you bunch of trash invited me to die, how will your ending be better in the future?

Sima Yi and Cao Xiu looked at each other, and said to themselves that you have been polluted by 'filth', everyone let you die, and they didn't want to implicate other people, why did you only pay attention to us?

Yang Xiu was punished in the light rain, and when Xu Chu returned to the central army, Cao Cao frowned and asked, "Did Dezu leave any last words?"

Xu Chu thought for a while before answering: "Master Yang left a message 'Those with chicken ribs, there is no meat to eat, but it tastes good to throw away'..."

Cao Cao frowned, thinking that this guy is not optimistic about this war?Then he said angrily, "I don't know why."

He didn't understand the meaning of the words at first, but he was already a person in the words. After Cao Cao made Cao Pi his son, how could Yang Xiu's situation be tasteless?

Chapter 611 Doing Business Asking Extraordinary Prices

The rain seemed to be crying for Yang Xiu. After a while, the thick clouds dispersed and the warm sun reappeared.

In the afternoon, Cao Cao mobilized tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, braved the cold wind and headed south to Deng County to find a battle. Guan Yu had already been ready for battle.

Lan Tian has a great advantage in strategy because of his vision of the pattern, but he is very awkward in actual battle. All the battles he participated in were commanded by Gao Shun, so after Xu Shu replaced him, he cooperated seamlessly with Guan Yu.

Because of the occasional rain disturbance, Cao Cao and Guan Yu basically fought for a day and rested for a day. Although Cao Jun was superior in numbers, he was suppressed by Guan Yu's side in terms of individual soldier quality, tactics, and formation.

After several bitter battles, both sides suffered a lot of damage, but the balance of victory gradually tilted in favor of Guan Yu, and it gradually became a luxury to capture Guan Yu back to Lantian to ask the prophecy.

At this time, Cao Cao remembered Yang Xiu's dying words. He found that the situation in front of him was like chicken ribs. There was no meat to eat, but it was delicious to throw away. The people of the big county moved north to fill the depression of Cao Rentu Wancheng, and ordered Sima Yi to be responsible for the supply of the relocated people.

Cao Cao adopted the same method as Huainan. When he finally had to withdraw his troops, leaving a large number of empty cities and land with solid walls and clearing the fields, and then using Wancheng as a base to help defend Guan Yu, this was the most helpless compromise.

As for Sima Yi in the Lantian prophecy, Cao Cao is confident that he can restrain the civil servants who have no military power, and he will make detailed arrangements when he returns to the rear.

At the beginning of the first month of the 25th year of Jian'an, Guan Yu was still working with Cao Cao in Deng County, while Lan Tian, ​​accompanied by Gao Yuan, returned to Jiangling by boat to meet Liu Bei.

The transport ship in Yangshui shuttled back and forth. After inquiring, they found out that they were captured Jiangdong captives. Their destination was Jiangxia. It seemed that Liu Bei was preparing for negotiations.

The two of them had just stepped off the boat, and found that the young general riding a red horse on the pier was very eye-catching. When they got closer, they found that it was indeed Lan Ji.

"Father, are you here?" Lan Ji happily rolled over from the little red rabbit, and the Canglong Pojun halberd was kicked on the ground, making a crisp sound.

"If you're not training in the camp, what's the point of wearing your armor on the pier?" Lan Tian asked suspiciously.

Lan Ji smiled and replied: "Uncle is transferring prisoners to Jiangxia for the past two days. He heard that I have some tricks to deal with the prisoners, so he asked the boy to be awe-inspiring at the pier, so that the prisoners who were transferred to the ship would not dare to make mistakes."

"It's a bit capable, remember not to be complacent, then you should perform your duties well now, and I will go to the city first." Lan Tian nodded and instructed, at this time Gao Yuan had brought the horses from the pier.

"My son is leading the way for father. This is the last batch today." Lan Ji showed his white teeth.

"Okay." Lan Tian waved his hand.

After Xu Shu's return, Jiangling quickly returned to its former state, but patrols and vigilance were strengthened, and the common people took it for granted for safety.

Originally, Liu Bei was discussing with city officials in the state capital, but when he suddenly heard the news that Lantian had arrived in Jiangling, he hurriedly ended the conversation and went to greet him outside the mansion gate.

"Ziyu." Liu Bei waved with a smile on his face.

Lan Tian got off his horse a few feet away, then trotted towards Liu Bei's direction, followed by Gao Yuan and Lan Ji, who dismounted and walked.

Walking outside the gate of the mansion, Lan Tian cupped his hands in salute: "Your majesty is a respected king, how dare I greet you at your door, it's really..."

Liu Bei grabbed Lan Tian's left hand with a smile, and said, "Ziyu is my brother, let alone a brother's identity?"

"Ah, this..." Lan Tian didn't know what words to respond to when he saw the surprise on the faces of others.

"Let's go into the mansion, Ziyu has worked hard all the way, prepare some drinks to relieve fatigue first." Liu Bei pulled Lan Tian and walked in, and those Jingzhou officials followed behind with their own concerns.

Pan Jun was sensible and gave Lan Tian the top position. Seeing everyone sitting down, Liu Bei kindly asked, "How is the battle in Fancheng going? If I replace you with Yuan Zhi, it won't be a big deal, right?"

Lan Tian shook his head, "It was originally Yun Chang who was in charge. Now the time, place and people are in harmony. I think Cao Cao can be repelled in a few days. Yuan Zhi is good at mobilizing troops, and he complements General Guan even more."

Liu Bei affirmed: "Ziyu's talents are different from Yuanzhi and Xiaozhi's. They are very proficient in tactics, while Ziyu is good at the overall strategy. You are transferred back to deal with Jiangxia affairs. Among the generals, only Ziyu is the most suitable."

"It's my duty as a subject." Lan Tian answered with hands clasped.

"Sun Quan has repeatedly tried to plot against me in Jingzhou, and he wanted to attack Jingzhou many times. However, all the officials in Shuzhong opposed it. Now that Kongming's Longzhong confrontation is at a critical moment, how to deal with Jiangdong in the future, I really want to hear Your opinion." Liu Bei asked expectantly.

Lan Tian didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "What's Zhuge's plan?"

"Kong Ming still insists on uniting with Sun to fight against Cao. Gu just communicated with Chengming (Pan Jun) and others. Everyone thinks that we should continue to form an alliance with Jiangdong to fight against Cao. After all, Cao Cao's strength is still not to be underestimated, but the two sides are now in conflict. The alliance is also a dream in the same bed, if you want to reconcile, you may have to make concessions on the prisoners..." Liu Bei frowned.

"Concession on the captives? Is it Pan Zhizhong's best idea?" Lan Tian turned his head and asked curiously.

Pan Jun nodded slightly: "This time Sun Quan suffered a disastrous defeat in Jingzhou. He captured more than a dozen generals and tens of thousands of soldiers. If we want to resolve the hatred between the two families, we must make greater concessions. Otherwise, the two families may not die. Sun and Cao join forces to attack, and Jingzhou will never have peace..."

Liu Bei nodded affirmatively after listening, "Cheng Ming's worry is also Bei's worry. Ziyu's insight has always been from a strategic position, so what's the best way?"

Lan Tian sneered and said, "The Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Seven Heroes of the Warring States Period. How can there be eternal friends in politics? I don't suggest going to war with Sun Cao at the same time, nor do I suggest giving up my own interests to seek peace from Sun Quan. Don't forget that we are the victors." .”

"But General Lan's request is really... If Sun Quan wants to redeem all the captives, he needs Jiangdong's output for five years without food or drink. This... This is simply impossible..." Pan Jun shook his head.

"Negotiation is business. Asking prices and paying back the money. If you pay the money and deliver the goods, why do you still need to negotiate? We can make a little concession. I didn't let them cede the land. It is always necessary to pay some war losses. One year If you can’t get it out, you can spend two years, if you can’t get it out after two years, you can get it for ten years, but those captives must be returned in proportion…” Lan Tian smiled slightly.

Pan Jun was dumbfounded when he heard it. According to Lan Tian's current intention, it seems that the concession is just to allow time, and the compensation that should be paid does not seem to be reduced much, wondering if this is too cruel.

"Will it be too tight? If Sun Quan is to die with us, wouldn't the gain outweigh the loss?" Pan Jun asked.

Lan Tian snorted coldly: "The fish is dead and the net is broken? General Guan fought fiercely in Fancheng, didn't they also take action? It's just a bluff. Now Jiangxia is under our control. As long as we guard the mouth of the Yangtze River, it is a joke for Sun Quan to want to go west easily. If it is from Jianchang, Luling and other places invaded, and they never came back."

Chapter 612 It's Reasonable to Forcibly Seal Marquis Liu Bei

Pan Jun was embarrassed when he heard that, Lantian had become determined after eating the weight, and he secretly sweated Jingzhou. With this powerful person around, it is impossible to keep the peace with Sun Quan as before.

"General Lan's heroic spirit, I admire his humble position, but Jingzhou has saved his wealth for several years. This time he fought against Jiangdong and Cao Cao, and his vigor will be greatly damaged in the final victory. If the war continues, this is a hard-won situation..." Pan Jun hesitated to speak.

Pan Jun served as the prefect of Jiangling as the governor of Jingzhou. He knew the money and grain storage in the state well. The money, grain and tax revenue of Jingzhou mainly came from Changsha. The two counties of Guiyang have a surplus, but they also fully supported this battle.

The counties in Jiaozhou are making drastic reforms, building cities, building schools, shipbuilding, raising soldiers, ordnance, water conservancy, etc., all of which need enough money and food to support them. Even though Lantian has a very high level of governance, it can only guarantee self-sufficiency in Jiaozhou. Pan Jun is worried about the war If it continues for a long time, the finances of Jingzhou's counties will be beyond their means.

Lan Tian saw Pan Jun's hidden worries, and comforted him with a smile: "Chengming wants to broaden his horizons. This time we will take Xiangyang and Jiangxia, and the entire Han River Basin will be integrated with Jingzhou. We can’t waste farming anymore, with so many people and land, are you afraid that Jingzhou will be unable to make ends meet?”

"Uh... I didn't think about it for a while..." Pan Jun had an embarrassed expression.

Seeing this, Liu Bei smiled and made a siege: "Gu Ye hasn't fully adapted yet, and Nanjun is complete now. When the war at Yunchang is over, he has to go to Xiangyang to pay homage to Liu Jingsheng. Ziyu's judgment on the overall situation is really unmatched. .”

"Your Majesty praised it..." Lan Tian nodded modestly.

Liu Bei waved to the crowd and said, "Let's not talk about that, Ziyu's return needs to be celebrated. Uncle Zhi, ask someone to arrange a banquet. I just want to clean up Ziyu's dust."

"Wei." Chen Dao clasped his fists and walked out of the hall.

This time Liu Bei returned to Jingzhou with a light car and simple convoy. He didn't have any civil servants and military generals in Yizhou, only Chen Dao and more than a thousand Baimu soldiers accompanied him.

Because there were many officials invited, the banquet did not last long. During the banquet, Liu Bei had to deal with officials at all levels to toast, show loyalty, report on work, etc., and there were not many opportunities to talk to Lan Tian during the banquet.

In the early morning of the next day, Liu Bei and Lan Tian boarded the boat and rushed to Jiangxia, and they had a chance to be alone on the boat.

The warm sun in the morning reflected golden light on the water. Liu Bei and Lan Tian stood by the deck railing, watching the ships below them ride the wind and waves.

"I remember that it was New Year's Eve a few days ago. My brother-in-law should also spend the New Year on the boat, right? Why don't you come here after spending the New Year with A Dou in Chengdu? With Yun Chang, Yuan Zhi and I in Jingzhou, there shouldn't be any major problems." Lan Tian asked curiously.

Liu Bei was relieved: "Adou has also grown up slowly, and the two brothers Boyang and Zhongling are far away, so they let Huo Jun's son Huo Yi play with him. Now Adou's words, deeds, and homework are quite decent, thanks to you This uncle reminded him when he was young, and A Dou would benefit him for the rest of his life.