Section 31 Grain and grass

The Xianbei envoy was a little uneasy when he saw Cao Chong and Zhang Zhao staying for a long time but still didn't come back. After waiting for a while, he saw Cao Chong coming back with a smile, but Zhang Zhao disappeared. He knew that he wanted to be bad. This young cavalry general was too arrogant. The man of the Han Dynasty was still an old scholar. He would not take him seriously at all. They wanted to fight every day.

"Mr. Zhang is a little uncomfortable, so I'll send someone to send him back." Cao Chong smiled and bowed to Cao Cao and Han Song.

Han Song seemed to wake up from sleep at this time and smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang has worked so hard for the ceremony these days, so it's time to rest."

Cao Chong nodded, turned his head to the Xianbei envoy and said, "I'm done with what I should say, follow Lord Han to receive the reward. Do you have any trouble? If there is nothing else, let's break up."

The Xianbei envoy was stunned and was about to speak. Cao Chong turned his head again, smacked his lips, as if he remembered something again: "I'm saying that Kirby can be with your family?"

"Of course...yes." The Xianbei envoy shouted bluffingly.

"That's a strange thing. Since it's a family, why should we send two envoys? You Xianbei people are really confused." Cao Chong shook his head, helped Lao Cao, and went out swayingly. When the Xianbei envoy saw it, he immediately became anxious and shouted to Han Song: "Do you Han people treat me Xianbei like this? How can you be so kind to the marriage? Do you think you have tens of thousands of troops in the northern border? We are afraid of you? If I go back to report to my king now, aren't you afraid of repeating the mistakes of the setting sun? You gang of untrustworthy Han barbarians."

"Bold!" Han Song was also angry. He saw Cao Cao and his son stopping. He knew that things were going to be big. He quickly shouted loudly to criticize the Xianbei people. The Xianbei people ignored him. He reached out and pulled Han Song and pushed him back a few steps. He sat on the ground with a thud. The Xianbei people didn't look at him, and chased Cao Chong, wanting to pull Cao Chong to tell me the truth. But before he could run to Cao Chong, Cao Chong suddenly shouted: "Come on, take it!"

Before he finished speaking, Wen Qin rushed over like a leopard, and stepped in front of the Xianbei people in two steps. Before he could pull out the sword, the knife ring was built on the chest of the Xianbei people. The Xianbei people walked in a hurry and couldn't hold back. They were beaten to the back. Before the person landed, a mouthful of blood had already spurted out. Wen Qin followed him, stepped on his chest, pulled out a long sword, pointed at the Xianbei people who followed and shouted loudly: "Don't the bold barbarians dare to attack my prince, do you want to die?"

As soon as he said this, everyone understood that Cao Chong did it on purpose. Everything in front was for now. He had no intention of letting the Xianbei people ask for it. Hu Chuquan turned his eyes to Gou Bei, fearing that the world would not be in chaos in an instant. Gou Bei understood it, stood up and shouted loudly, "You are too brave. Do you dare to attack the prince. Do you want to die?"

The Qiang people, who had a little slower reaction, also started to scream, rushed up, surrounding the Xianbei people.

The Xianbei people were stupid.

It was too late when the emperor received Zhang Zhao's report. The Xianbei envoy's head had been chopped off. The deputy envoy was beaten like a pig's head and drove out of Xu County. The emperor looked at Cao Chong, who seemed to apologize but had no apology at all. He had no choice but to have any marriage. The matter of marriage must have been ruined, so let's prepare to fight.

"My dear, it seems that you will have to work harder and go to the northern border to teach you a lesson for the ignorant Xianbei people." The emperor smiled helplessly. Cao Chong looked indignant and patted his chest and said, "The Xianbei people are arrogant and want to marry a princess. If they can't get married, they will attack the prince of my great man. How can they not teach him a lesson? Your Majesty is worried. I will make arrangements properly and the general will attack the Xianbei people who are overwhelmed and come to surrender, and ask them to send the most beautiful woman in the Xianbei to Your Majesty."

The emperor almost vomited blood. You stole the woman for me. If you really sent her to the palace, you can't let her enter the palace. The queen is your sister. You think I am a fool. Get out of here. The farther away, the better. I feel upset when I see you.

"When will you go to set off?" The emperor almost frowned his two thin eyebrows.

"Departure? Where to go?" Cao Chong asked in confusion.

"Go to the northern border." The emperor said naturally: "The northern border will fight against the Xianbei people. As the general of the cavalry, his beloved will lead the northern border, so of course he will go to the northern border to command the battle."

"Me?" Cao Chong's head shook like a rattle: "I don't go to the northern border. First, the army's food and grass are still being raised. It's useless to fight for the time being. Second, there are nearly 100,000 troops in the northern border, including former general Xiahou Dun, left general Cao Ren, Liao general Zhao Yun, Zhenbei general Cao Zhang, Liangzhou general Xiahou said, "The Qiang Captain Han Yin, the Xianbei people are no opponents, and there is no need for the Northern Army to go? The Northern Army is the guard of His Majesty and the capital, how can they go lightly? I guess it will be almost done to send Changqin Army and Dragon Cavalry out at that time. At most, let the Hu Qi Camp go around and express his majesty's wishes. The Northern Army will not need to participate in the war, and you can sweep the Xianbei royal court. This time I took the Danhan Mountain to see if they can come back."

The emperor looked at Cao Chong talking to himself. The boss was not very generous. This boy became an official and his temper grew. He no longer respected himself so much. He could think of him and he would be submitted. He could not remember him, but he was not as good as me. He had no honor at all. He was unhappy and had no mood to talk to Cao Chong. He said a few more words and coaxed Cao Chong to see the queen.

Cao Chong came to the harem in a swaying manner. The queen was teaching Xiao Liuxing to recognize words. When she saw Cao Chong coming, she smiled and gave her a seat and ordered someone to serve tea. Cao Chong sat down, glanced at the prince who stared at his two big eyes and looked at him with a timid look, and said with a smile: "What's wrong with Xing'er? It seems like she is a little afraid of me."

"Can he not be afraid? You made a good military parade and the prisoner ceremony so bloody that I couldn't stand it. Your Majesty vomited on the way back." Cao Jie glared at him with a angrily look, and hugged the prince in his arms lovingly. The prince was like a frightened rabbit. When he saw Cao Chong looking at him, he turned his head and avoided Cao Chong's gaze.

"How can this be done?" Cao Chong frowned: "Xing'er is a child, so it's fine. She shouldn't have taken her to see her. Your Majesty is also a person who has been suffering. She has seen many dead people for so many years, and there are many people who have seen them. How can you vomit when you see this? There are more people who die in Shangji City, and it's even more miserable."

"Can he compete with you?" Cao Jie blurted out, and then realized that this sentence was inappropriate, so he pulled back the following words. The two of them didn't know what to say for a moment, and the hall was a little deserted.

"This... Cang Shu, you have come too. I will go home to visit the couple in two days. You can talk to your father, don't be too grand. Anyway, you just take a look and leave." Cao Jie said without saying anything.

"I understand." Cao Chong responded casually. He thought about it, took out the draft revised by Xun Yu and Cao Cao from his arms, and pushed it to Cao Jie: "Sister, these are some of my thoughts, which I discussed with my father. I originally wanted to present it to Your Majesty directly, but I was worried that he was too impulsive and wanted you to take a look and give Your Majesty a breath first."

Cao Jie glanced at the draft, but did not turn it open, gently pushed Liu Xing aside and asked the wet nurse to take it away. Seeing that his mother's face was solemn, Liu Xing did not dare to act coquettishly, so he left obediently. Cao Jie's delicate hand stroked the soft rice paper and rubbed it gently, but did not open it. She hesitated and said, "Cang Shu, please breathe with me first. Where will this new policy place Your Majesty?"

Cao Chong stretched out his finger and scratched the corner of his mouth, and sighed softly: "Sister, we sisters and sisters are similar in age. Although we didn't have much contact when we were at home, I understand your nature. You have also known my nature. The Han Dynasty has been in the four hundred years, and the Xin Dynasty of Wang Mang was separated by the fifteenth year of Wang Mang. It has been more than two hundred years since then. According to the five virtues, the fire of the Han Dynasty should be extinguished."

"You..." Cao Jie's face turned pale immediately. She straightened her body. Just as she was about to speak, Cao Chong raised his hand and stopped her: "Sister, can you please wait until I finish speaking before expressing your opinion?"

"You said!" Cao said calmly.

"You also know that since Emperor Xiaoling, there has been no peace in the world. There are not only one or two people who are ill-hearted like the Yuan brothers. Even Song Jian dares to be called the King of Han when I reach this point today. Even if my father and I do not have the intention to usurp the throne, others may not believe it. Of course, there is no need to say anything about our Cao family. When you know it, you will not be able to say more. When my father is old, he will save the lives and wealth of hundreds of people in my Cao family, and on the other hand, he will not go against his conscience. In his words, he is a little greedy and wants to have both bear paws and fish. As a son, I can only help him imagine it. Of course, I also hope that through our efforts, the fire of the Han Dynasty can be brightened for another four hundred years, four thousand years, or even forever."

"Forever Immortal?" Cao Jie let out a long breath, and his stiff body gradually relaxed: "Forever Immortal Immortal is too extravagant. Four thousand people are too far away. If you can have another four hundred years, it will be considered that the merit will be fulfilled after 800 years in the week."

"Sister, why not take a look first." Cao Chong smiled and stood up to say goodbye: "Look at it slowly. Don't get angry if you have any ideas. If you have a better solution, we will accept it with relief. I said confidently that according to my method, it is definitely not a problem for the fire of the Han Dynasty to shine for another four hundred years."

"Look at your pride." Cao Jie smiled, waved his hand and said, "You go first, I'll see it before talking."

Cao Chong nodded and turned around and left. Cao Jie turned on the draft, just swept a few lines of words, his face changed. Just as he was about to attack, he remembered Cao Chong's words again. She suppressed the unhappiness and continued to read...

Cao Cao sat in the middle of the position, Deputy Prime Minister Cao Pi sat on one side of him, and General Cao Chong sat on the other side, and the Central Military Advisor Xun You, Henan Yin Liu Ba, the Grand Lu Han Song, the Grand Chief Person Liu Ai and others sat together. Xun Yue, as a special guest, also sat in it. Liu Ba and Liu Ai each had a stack of tents in front of Cao Pi, and there was also a large stack of them in front of them. The three of them looked not very good.

"You all tell me what happened. Now the Xianbei envoys have been slaughtered by us and the army has gathered. Do you think there is insufficient food and grass?" Cao Cao was obviously very annoyed, and his narrowed eyes shot out a cold light, swept around Liu Ba and others' faces, and fixed on the face of Liu Ai, the Grand Secretary's farmer: "Mr. Liu, you talk first."

Liu Ai was so nervous that he was sweating all over his head. He raised his wide sleeves and wiped his forehead, and said stammeringly: "Back to the Prime Minister, the grain reserves were enough, but... but last year the army consumed a lot and wanted to rescue the Huns. More than 10,000 more Northern Army, this...is a bit... not enough."

Cao Cao looked at Liu Ai unhappily. This Grand Marshal was really weak and could not even say anything. He used some vague numbers to make excuses. Xu County has been blessed with Jingyi in recent years. In addition, Liu Ba implemented a new policy last year. Although there was only one county and the weather was not very favorable, it was not enough for more than 20,000 people from Cao Chong to eat. Originally, there were quite a few people from the Northern Army. In fact, there were not many people. To be surprised, it was an accident, that is, it was an accident to save the Huns. But how could the Huns affect the grain reserves of the army to go to war?

Liu Ai felt Cao Cao's unhappiness, and he became even more nervous, so he couldn't even speak. Cao Cao became angry and turned his head to Liu Ba: "Zichu, tell me what's going on?"

Liu Ba responded, opened the account book in front of him, and said the grain revenue and expenditure of last year in an orderly manner. According to him, in the case of poor harvest last year, the grain earned in Henan was still quite considerable, and there should be a little extra to deal with the snow disaster and the army's expedition. Moreover, the food allocated to the northern expedition army was clearly remembered and there was no arrears. Cao Cao gradually frowned and said: "Zichu, wait, are there no arrears for the grain that should be allocated?"

"No arrears." Liu Ba said affirmatively: "By the end of last year, after the taxes from various places arrived in Beijing, the food and grass should be allocated to the army, and a single piece of food should be allocated. There is a complete handover document here, and the Prime Minister's Office can send someone to check it."

Cao Cao turned around and looked at Cao Pi: "Zihuan, why did General Zuo say that he had not received enough food?"

Cao Pi was a little confused. He had encountered such a thing as soon as he became the deputy prime minister, and he was indeed a little at a loss. The left general Cao Ren sent an urgent message, saying that the food and grass that he should have received at the end of the year had not arrived. Now their grain reserves are only three months left. If they cannot be replenished immediately, the army will collapse without fighting. Cao Cao became angry when he heard this. What's wrong? He ordered Cao Pi to summon relevant ministers to the Prime Minister's Office to discuss matters.

Liu Ba said that he had sent all the messages and had all the receipts. Cao Ren said that he had not received them. Obviously, it would not be a joke. There must be something wrong in the middle. Cao Pi said in embarrassment: "Since Lord Liu sent all the messages and General Zuo did not receive them, I'm afraid that it would be delayed on the road. Otherwise, I'll send someone to check along the line."

"Since that's the case, you can arrange someone to investigate." Cao Cao waved his hand, "The army's grain can only be until the end of March, and we can't just wait for the result. Lord Liu, see if there is still any remaining grain in Xu County?"

Liu Ba responded and said: "Xu County still has about 1.5 million stones of stored grain to be used. If you set out immediately, it should be able to alleviate the urgent needs of the army. However, if all this grain is transferred, then Xu County will have no stock of stored grain."

Cao Cao twisted his beard and thought carefully and said, "The northern border has gathered nearly 100,000 troops, mainly cavalry. The monthly consumption is nearly 500,000 stones. In addition, the consumption on the way is probably 1.5 million stones, which can only last for two months. By the way, Zihuan, Qingzhou allocated a year of grain last year. Liaodong fought so smoothly, and it should not have been consumed yet. Is there a problem of no food in Liaodong for the time being?"

Cao Pi thought for a while and said, "My father is right. Qingzhou's grain storage should be able to support three or five months."

Cao Cao nodded and then said to Liu Ba: "Then first allocate a million stones to General Zuo, transfer grain from Jing, Yi, and then make up for a year's reserves. How can the army fight without food and grass? Could it be that my old face was slapped by the Xianbei people?"

"Here." Liu Ba wanted to speak but stopped. Cao Cao said unhappily: "What's wrong, just say it."

"Here, go to Prime Minister, Jing Yi has been supporting the general of cavalry in recent years. Although Xiliang was pacified last year, he recruited a lot of refugees. Then there was a snow disaster and a lot of disaster relief was spent. I am afraid that it would be inconvenient to transfer grain for a while and it would not be so smooth. Xu County only has 500,000 stones of grain reserved. If there is something wrong, I am afraid that I can't handle it." Liu Ba said, looking at Cao Chong, and signaling him to think of a solution. Now the Prime Minister's Mansion treats Jing Yi as a granary and relocates endlessly, I am afraid that Jing Yi can't bear it.

Cao Cao understood what Liu Ba meant. He pondered for a while, turned around and said to Cao Chong, "Cang Shu, what do you mean?"

Cao Chong thought for a while and said, "The harvest of Jingyi in the past few years was good, and the yield per mu was high, but it was also true that he had been fighting. Last year, there was a snow disaster in the Qiang area in Xiliang, and there was basically no reserve for the court. All the reserves of Jingyi were used, and the consumption was amazing. But I think it was not enough to draw out large military grains. I don't know much about the situation now, so I'd better check the family's assets first."

Cao Cao nodded, but did not urge Cao Chong. Jing Yi did have a lot of expenses in recent years. The team transporting grain from Guanzhong last year had never stopped. It was indeed a bit inhumane to ask Jing Yi for grain. However, if tens of thousands of troops in the northern border did not have food, they would not only be unable to go to war, but they were even withdrawing immediately. This was also laughed to death by the Xianbei people?

Cao Chong saw Cao Cao's embarrassed expression and hurriedly comforted: "Prime Minister, please rest assured. Even if the government reserves are insufficient, it's okay. Those rich families must have surplus grains in their hands. Just buy some from them. They can't let the soldiers who went to war go hungry. However, I think the war in the Xianbei may not be resolved within one or two years. My father still makes long-term plans. Should Bingzhou and Jizhou also implement new policies? These two states are close to the northern border and transportation will be more convenient in the future. Youzhou has been taken down and it should be developed and developed. Youzhou cannot be asked for relief from the court every year."

Cao Cao sighed and nodded and said, "You are right. Of course, it is the best to be able to farm in Jizhou and Bingzhou. However, Jizhou has a large population and insufficient idle fields, so it is still possible to fall into Bingzhou. The situation in Youzhou is not very clear. You can first transfer some agricultural students to investigate and investigate, and see which crops are suitable for it. Zichu, your new policy has been good in the past two years. You should also take care of the farming in Jizhou and Bingzhou. In addition, Hongnong and Hanoi counties will also start. Fufeng and Fengyi will be left to Zhong Sili and others."

"Here." Cao Chong and Liu Ba nodded at the same time.

Cao Cao stood up and was about to leave, but turned around and said to Cao Pi: "Zihuan, find out this matter as soon as possible and report it to me."

Cao Pi nodded quickly: "Here."

Cao Cao waved to Xun Yu: "Wenruo, accompany me to play chess and relax. Let them go for these things." Xun Yu stood up and walked away with Cao Cao. Cao Pi and Liu Ba and Liu Ai said a few words, and left in a hurry, and the remaining people dispersed.

Liu Ba was two steps behind and walked to the door and came back again. Just as he was about to speak, Cao Chong had just gotten up and pulled him and said, "Let's go to my house. I haven't talked to you for a long time. Today I have a rare opportunity. Let's talk well."

Liu Ba followed Cao Chong back to his own courtyard. Cai Ji, Da Shuang and others were chatting in the courtyard. When they saw Liu Ba coming, they all got up to say hello. For a while, the sound of orioles was full of singing and singing, which was very pleasant. When he was in Xiangyang, Liu Ba was a regular visitor of the General's Mansion in Zhennan, and he didn't have to communicate with him. Now they are in Xu County, and there are fewer opportunities to meet each other. Liu Ba smiled and greeted the five wives, and even joked with Cai Ji. For the sake of the Cai family's business, Cai Ji often asked Liu Ba for his studies of calculation, and he had half a teacher-student friendship. When Xun Wenqian was in charge of Jingzhou, he also had a lot of dealing with Liu Ba.

"Zichu, there are no outsiders here. Just say anything." Cao Chong personally picked up two tea cups. Xiaoshuang walked in with a teapot and made tea for them. Liu Ba didn't say anything, so he picked up the cup and put it to his nose, sniffed it deeply, and said comfortably: "Young Master, this tea is new, it really smells fragrant. You know what tea the officials in Xu County call this, it's so frightening!"

"It's really vulgar, a good tea, this name." Cao Chong couldn't help laughing.

"It's a bit vulgar, but it's very appropriate." Liu Ba smiled and drank, put down the teacup, slowly faded the smile on his face, "Young Master, Jing Yi has made a lot of efforts in recent years. If Jing Yi has made efforts, it may cause uneasiness. Besides, I think there is a problem here. How come so much food has been on the road for more than a month, why haven't you arrived yet? Even if it's a bit difficult to walk on the road, General Zuo hasn't received the news yet."

Cao Chong was shocked, and his hand holding the cup was stunned in the air. He looked at Liu Ba suspiciously: "What do you mean?"

Liu Ba smiled, stretched out his finger and dipped some water from the tea tray, and drew a circle on the Zhuhong's desk: "This is Xu County, this is Yanmen and Dai County. What places do you have to pass through? Who are there in these places?"

"You mean..." Cao Chong suddenly understood.

"Young Master, don't make a name for yourself, wait for the eldest master to investigate." Liu Ba smiled in dismay: "Young Master, you should think about how to adjust the grain. If you transfer grain from Jing Yi like this, you will dig up the foundation that the young master has accumulated over the years."

Cao Chong frowned. This Liu Baduo's decent person was like Zhang Song and Pang Tong when he smiled. He was really the one who was close to the red, and the one who was close to the ink was black.
Chapter completed!