Chapter 196: Little Sword and Sword

The wild geese send messages and play the song of triumphant.

In December of the seventh year of Jian'an, the offensive and defensive battle in Shuzhong, which had been ongoing for a whole year, finally ended. Supported by the strong financial resources of Jingyang and the two prefectures, Gao Chong took advantage of the opportunity that Liu Bei had not yet obtained the hearts of the people in Shuzhong to advance westward. Although there were some setbacks and dissatisfactions in the process, the result was still quite satisfactory.

Liu Bei's "death" put an end to the battle, but Gao Chong actually felt in his heart that heroes like Liu Bei should not die so unknown.

Chengdu, Liu Zhang's Mansion, the governor of Yizhou.

After Gao Chong occupied Chengdu, this place became a temporary residence.

On the seventh day of the twelfth month, the night is like stars, and there is still a while before the fifteenth day. In the elegant and quiet courtyard, there are low brocade tables. On the table are simply listed a small plate of cinnamon fruit and a few pancakes, and there are two verdant porcelain cups opposite. The porcelain filled with fresh and beautiful wine is exquisite and elegant, with a scent of mist.

"Boyan, sit down. There are no one else tonight, so how about you and I drink and enjoy the moonlight?" Gao Chong smiled and walked into the courtyard with Lu Xun's hand.

"My brother-in-law urgently summoned me to come. I won't just drink and enjoy it. There must be something important." Lu Xun said.

Gao Chong laughed and sat down and said, "Bo Yan is smart, it's true that I can't hide it from you. The war in Shu has come to an end for a while. The army will turn back to Jiangdong soon. I want to hand over the burden of staying behind to you. How about?"

Lu Xun hurriedly said, "Sun is favored by his brother-in-law, and he must do his best to do his best to do his duty."

"Okay, but you may not be able to meet the strength of your army. I have sent another Ganning Jinfan Army to garrison Jiangzhou. You two must get along well and ensure the stability of Yizhou." Gao Chong ordered.

Lu Xun said happily: "With the assistance of General Gan Ning, there is no worries in Shu, but brother-in-law, Liu Bei's death is really strange, Xun's doubts are hard to solve. You must be more careful about Zhuge Liang." Taking off his armor, Lu Xun also got rid of the constraints of his power in the daytime. This time it was a private banquet set up by Gao Chong, so Lu Xun followed the title of kinship.

The pacification of Shu allowed Gao Chong to remove the threat from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Looking at the general trend of the world, Zhang Lu, Hanzhong and Gongsun Yuan from Liaodong were not worth worrying. The only one who could pose a threat to Gao Chong was Cao Cao from the north.

According to the information secretly sent by "Wu Gou", while Gao Chong was conquering the west, Cao Cao in the north carried out a very smooth military operation against Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, Hebei. The two sons were killed by each other. Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang, who was defeated by Guo Jia's plan to alienate, quickly lost Yecheng and Nanpi and other important military towns. A team of capable strategists, Shen Pei, Feng Ji and others died in a bad life. After losing most of Hebei, the two Yuan Fang woke up and fell into Cao Cao's treacherous plan. Unfortunately, it was too late. In the end, they suffered a crushing defeat and fled to Liaodong almost alone. By the end of the twelfth lunar month of the seventh year of Jian'an, Cao Cao completely occupied a large area of ​​territory in Hebei's three prefectures. Except for the senior officials of Bingzhou and Wuhuan Tadun, who were still resisting unnecessary, Cao Cao had no opponents.

It can be foreseen that in the near future, Cao Cao who unified the north and Gao Chong who unified the south will sooner or later have an earth-shaking battle. Whoever does the preparations thoroughly will win the final victory. Therefore, Gao Chong cannot stay in Shu for too long. Jing and Yang states bordering Cao Cao are the foundation for the competition.

In view of the initial decision of Shuzhong, in order to prevent the remnants of Liu Bei from causing trouble after the army returned to the east, Gao Chong decided to leave two troops of Lu Xun and Gan Ning. In addition to stabilizing Yizhou, their mission was also responsible for blocking the infiltration of Zhang Lu's forces in Hanzhong.

"Come on, Bo Yan, the wine from Hanjia County is clear and sweet, and it is fragrant. I really can't bear to leave this Tianfu Capital!" Gao Chong raised his wine glass and drank it all in one go.

Qionglai County, a county belonging to Hanjia County, produces fine wine. Emperor Wu of Han even had talented Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun lived in seclusion in this county. Wenjun skillfully used the spring water in the mountains to make fine wine, which was filled with fragrance. Later generations then sang a famous piece: A song called phoenix and a thousand years of Wenjun wine!

"Brother-in-law, there is no one else here. You should give me a brief explanation. Do you have no doubts about Zhuge Liang at all?" Lu Xun put down his wine glass and said with a heavy face.

Gao Chong smiled slightly, stood up and pointed to the crescent moon that had just risen on the treetops in a corner of the courtyard, and said, "Boyan, look at the crescent moon, which is clear and white, unrestrained, is really enviable. In fact, it should be the same as human beings, with a open mind and clear mind. No matter what the real intention of Zhuge Liang surrender is, I use him now because he has an irreplaceable role. If Liu Bei really dies, then the murderer who killed him is Zhuge Liang first, not me. Therefore, those who are still loyal to Liu Bei will not let him go. Use such a target that can be obtained by helping to attract the remaining attention of Liu Bei, thus exposing these people's behavior. Wouldn't it be better than killing Zhuge Liang; and if Liu Bei is not dead yet, then where is he hiding, and what tricks he and Zhuge Liang will play next? Don't you want to know?"

Lu Xun suddenly realized and said, "Brother-in-law, it turns out that he has been prepared for a long time, so Xun is too worried!"

Gao Chong shook his head and said, "Boyan can remind me that it is a good thing. Even if I can predict some things, they may not prevent adverse situations from happening. Zhuge Liang's talent is obvious to all. Whether he serves his life sincerely or agrees it in a false way, since he surrenders, I will use him, because compared with Cao Cao's abundant talents, the south has a very thin foundation and insufficient talent reserves. If we want to defeat Cao Cao, we must open our minds, tolerate everything, and choose the strengths of others and use them."

Although the result of this attack on Shu was quite satisfactory, Liu Bei's two counterattacks in Tuoshui and Qingyi River still made Gao Chong alert. In particular, Zhuge Liang's ability to spy on intelligence made Gao Chong happy. After the secret exposure of the Yue girl He Zong, only Wu Gou was left in the north. Xu Shu was straightforward and lacked the ruthlessness of using any means to achieve his goal. Therefore, the work of Fu Jian and the division of Cao Cao's subordinates has not made any major breakthroughs. Perhaps Zhuge Liang would be a more suitable candidate.

"I have to use it and guard against it for Zhuge Liang. As long as he does not make any actions that are unfavorable to me, I will promote and reuse this person. If he makes any secret attempts, then I can just use the trick and capture Liu Bei's remaining forces in one place."

On the tenth day of the first lunar month of the eighth year of Jian'an, Gao Chong led Xu Shu, Wen Pin, Liu Ye and other generals of the Western Expedition to the east. Li Yan, Yan Yan, Huo Jun, Zhuge Liang and others who had not been in service for a long time were accompanied by Li Yan, Yan Yan, Huo Jun, Zhuge Liang and others.

Among the left-behind generals, Lu Xun served as the governor of the Western Expedition, stationed in Chengdu, Ganning as the prefect of Ba County, and stationed in Jiangzhou, Zhang Yi and Huang Quan guarded the Jinniu Road and Micang Road that entered Shu in Hanzhong respectively, and curbed the infiltration of Zhang Lu's forces.

When the army passed Jiangling, Zhou Yu, who had already received the news, led a group of civil servants to greet him. After a while, Zhou Yu reported to Gao Chong about the situation in Xinye, Wancheng, in the past few months.

As early as when Gao Chong became a general, Cao Cao and Gao Chong, who had been in alliance, had completely broken their faces. Whether it was Gao Chong's attack on Shu or Cao Cao's Northern Expedition, the ultimate goal was only one - to prepare for the final decisive battle.

Under such circumstances, Jingbei, which is at the forefront, will naturally not be too calm.

Cao Ren, who was guarding Wancheng, learned the lesson of Xiahou Dun's defeat this time. In August and September of the summer, Cao Ren was allowed to challenge Zhou Yu several times and did not leave. In autumn, Cao Ren immediately went against the norm and repeatedly sent small groups of cavalry to harass Xinye, Huyang and other counties. The fast-moving cavalry robbed and damaged the villages, causing the fields to be deserted, and the people fled their homes one after another.

The cruelty of Cao's army aroused strong resentment among the military and civilians in Jingbei. With the advice of generals such as Taishi Ci, Huang Zhong, Zhu Huan, etc., Zhou Yu decided to severely attack Cao's army's arrogance.

On November 15th, the weather was cold and the whistling north wind was filled with bone-breaking cold air. On the Quewei Slope, 30 miles away from Xinye City, there were high mountains and mountains, and huge rocks were everywhere. The road was surrounded by mountains. The terrain was very dangerous, and it was an excellent ambush place.

If a small group of cavalry in Cao's army wanted to invade Xinye, they must pass through this pass. If they tighten their pockets here, the advantages of the cavalry of Cao's army would not be able to be exerted. On the 18th, Taishici led his army to endure hunger and freeze in the dense forest of Queweipo for three days, and finally waited for the cavalry of Cao who returned north after looting Xinye.

This is a small cavalry team of more than 200 people. Cao Bing, who returned with a full load, was very familiar with Queweipo because they had been coming and going from here several times.

But this time, they obviously miscalculated.

Under the leadership of Taishi Ci, Danyang Elite, who had been dormant for a long time, first blocked the front and back exits of the valley one by one, and then the shouts of shouts all over the mountains could flood the entire mountain road.

The rugged mountains are nightmare for the cavalry and heaven for the infantry.

A killing happened completely asymmetry. Under the encirclement of thousands of Danyang soldiers, none of this Cao army team escaped from the valley of death. When Cao's scouts searched here two days later, they saw a lodged and stiff corpses.

After this attack, the Cao soldiers in Wancheng restrained a lot. They no longer had the courage to cross the Quewei Slope and go deep into the suburbs of Xinye City. With the arrival of winter, the ice and snowy climate made travel extremely difficult, and the small-scale contact battle on the front line of Jingbei also temporarily stopped.

The stability of Jingbei made Gao Chong feel very relieved. Now there is Lu Xun in Bashu and Zhou Yu in Jingzhou. Everything is as expected. What Gao Chong has to do next is to have a good New Year and at the same time let the soldiers of the Western Expedition go home and reunite as they wish.

On the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, Gao Chong finally returned to Jiangdong. Lu Su and Gu Yong led ordinary civil and military officials to wait at the pier to greet him. After several months of separation, people were as good as yesterday and things were no longer there. When Gao Chong set foot on the brand new Jinling Post Road, he couldn't help but feel in full bloom.

When he returned to the mansion, he knew that Gao Chong liked Musa had long since left the maids, Lu Ti and Da Qiao surrounded him with the lively and active Qingyue, and had a peaceful and peaceful holiday with his family. For Gao Chong, it was a scene that he had to look forward to in countless dreams.

Calm days always pass quickly. In the blink of an eye, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month has arrived. The economy is prosperous and developed, and the treacherous chaos in the country are all over the country. The people of Jiangdong enjoy a rare peaceful and prosperous era. In the streets and alleys that are passed down by the mouth, Gao Chong's civil and military achievements have been compared by the people to Emperor Gaozu Wu, which is in sharp contrast to the northern court's criticism of Gao Chong.

"Look at the pampered handsome man, Wang Lang's manifesto has no real words in it, it's simply nonsense." For the first time in the new year, Cao Cui Yan, who was advising to learn, held a scroll of silk, said angrily.

Gao Chong took it with a smile, and looked at it, and it turned out to be the "Three Orders of the Anti-Thief" written by the new Grand Marshal Wang Lang. Wang Lang, who had become a tool of Cao Cao, simply gave up his face this time. The first word of the beginning is the word "Han Thief" that is naked and eye-catching. No wonder Cui Yan, who is upright, was so excited to see it.

"Well, Wang Jingxing's literary thoughts are surging, his words are gorgeous, his writing is passionate, and he is not as popular as Chen Kongzhang's manifesto back then. Ji Gui can use this article as an example and send it to various schools. I don't know who is sitting in such a good mood. I will close the article and criticize the old man Wang." Gao Chong was happy instead of anger and laughed.

Before he finished speaking, a man sat down and said, "I would like to accompany one article, and I will ask Wang Lang, the old thief in the dark beard, to leave with shame!"

Gao Chong looked at him, but saw the person who was talking was fluttering and his handsome face was full of spirit. Who else could he have been without Zhuge Liang?

"I heard that Mr. Zhuge is quick in literary talent for a long time. We admire him very much and are about to pay tribute to him." Hearing Zhuge Liang's arrogant words, Liu Ye, Cui Yan, Zhang Zhao and other advisers all showed dissatisfaction on their faces. Zhuge Liang's behavior of "betrayal and murdering the master" was despicable. Although Zhang Zhao was also a surrender, he had to do it.

When Zhuge Liang saw the crowd rising up and attacking him, he smiled calmly and replied: "Wang Lang lives in the shore of the East China Sea for generations. He first promoted filial and honest officials to the official position, and later became the prefect of Kuaiji. In the early years of Jian'an, he entered the court. I looked at his words and deeds, but he just shrank his head and fed him to eat flattering ministers, rotten wood officials, and servile servants. Now I denounced him with great righteousness, so what are you afraid of!" After saying that, Zhuge Liang bowed to Gao Chong and retreated from the lobby of the court.
Chapter completed!