At night, the smell of medicine in Changsha Taishou Mansion was lingering, and Taishou Zhang Xian's face was sallow, and he leaned on the soft collapse, holding a silk handkerchief in one hand, and a doctor in his fifties in the other hand took his pulse. Suddenly, the old man on the couch only felt a cramping pain in his abdomen, his throat was sweet, and he vomited a mouthful of blood on the futon with a "wow".

The snow-white bedding was set against the red bloodstains, which was very shocking under the light. Seeing this, Zhang Xian's eldest son Zhang Yi hurriedly stepped forward to help, but was thrown aside by his father. I saw Zhang Xian coldly wiping the blood from the corners of his mouth with a silk handkerchief, and calmly asked the doctor beside him, "Zhongjing, tell you the truth, how much time does the old man have?" ＂

The doctor in front of him, who was called "Zhongjing" by Zhang Xian, was the famous medical saint Zhang Ji in later generations, Zhang Zhongjing. His father, Zhang Zonghan, was an official in the court. Due to the special family conditions, he was exposed to many classics since he was a child. After he saw the story of Bian Que's visit to Cai Huangong from the history books, he had admiration for Bian Que. Throughout his life, he diligently studied ancient teachings, learned from all sides, collected the best of his predecessors, and collected the essence of four generations, and wrote the immortal medical masterpiece "Treatise on Typhoid Fever and Miscellaneous Diseases". This medical book melts theory, law, prescription and medicine into one furnace, opens a precedent for syndrome differentiation and treatment, and forms a unique system of Chinese medical thought, which has played a huge role in promoting the development of medicine.

It's just that Zhang Xian is obviously terminally ill at the moment, even if Zhang Zhongjing has the ability to reach the sky, he has to reluctantly and truthfully say at this time, "It won't be out of the moon." ”

Zhang Xian seemed to have been prepared, and did not show surprise at Zhang Zhongjing's diagnosis of "not more than ten months". Zhang Yi, who was on the side, refused to accept the reality, and knelt down in front of Zhang Zhongjing with a plop and prayed, "Please uncle save my father's life, and I wish to repay my uncle for saving his life." ”

Zhang Zhongjing and Zhang Xian are brothers, if they can really save Zhang Xian, how can they stand by and watch. saw that he hurriedly stepped forward to help Zhang Yi and said, "Gongzi Mingjian." If you don't want to save the king. It's that the illness of the prince has no medicine, and it can't be cured by manpower. ”

Zhang Xian heard Zhang Zhongjing say so truly, and knew that his time was indeed numbered, so he scolded his son, "Don't embarrass Uncle Zhongjing. Thou hast gone and brought Zhuge Kongming with him, and asked for his father to see him. ”

Zhang Yi originally wanted to grind with Zhang Zhongjing to see if the other party could renew his father's life. After all, Changsha is now surrounded by strong enemies, and if Zhang Xian dies suddenly, the hearts of the army and the people in the city will inevitably be in chaos. So even if he left aside the love of licking calves, Zhang Yi also hoped that his father could live a little longer. At least it will be delayed until the three families outside the city have withdrawn. But who would have thought that at such a critical juncture, the first thing that my father thought of would be to see that Zhuge Kongming.

In fact, Zhang Yi has heard of Zhuge Liang's fame in Jingzhou. What "Zhuge Kongming, Wolong", "Confucian layman". Do you know the current affairs? Those who know the times care about Junjie. There are Wolong and phoenix chicks here. Zhang Yi admitted that Pang Tong, who was as famous as Zhuge Liang, was indeed called the name of "Phoenix Chick", and he assisted the Cai clan in destroying Yuan Shao in the north. made the children of Jingzhou, who had always been despised by the Central Plains Shilin, raise their eyebrows. It is said that many students went to Lumen Mountain to learn from Pang Degong. In the hope that one day he will be as famous as Pang Shiyuan. But for Zhuge Liang's name of "Wolong", Zhang Yi expressed doubts.

Zhang Yi's suspicion came from Zhuge Liang, not from Jingzhou. Second, it is rumored that Zhuge Liang is quite close to Liu Biao's eldest son Liu Qi in Nanyang. So three days ago, in the face of Zhuge Liang, who came to Changsha to see Taishou, Zhang Yi had the urge to blow him away. But Zhang Yi didn't do that in the end. In his opinion, Zhuge Liang was a lobbyist sent by Liu Qi, and most of them came to seek peace and withdraw from the army. Although the current situation in Changsha City is not good, it is always better than Liu Biao, who is fighting at both ends. So Zhang Yi immediately decided to detain Zhuge Liang first, and then let him go back to bring a letter to Liu Qi when the time was ripe.

However, at this moment, his father's poor physical condition and his attitude of seeing Zhuge Liang in person. But it made Zhang Yi feel a wordless anxiety in his heart. This anxiety made him wipe away a handful of tears and blurted out, "My father is so sick that he should recuperate." How can you see visitors! ”

Zhang Xian waved his hand a little impatiently and said, "You Xiu wants to ask more, just bring people." ”

Seeing that his father's attitude was so resolute, Zhang Yi dared to speak back, so he had to give up his orders and leave. Seeing this situation, Zhang Zhongjing, who was on the side, knew that Zhang Xian would have something important to talk about next, so he also got up and retired. It's just that when he was leaving, seeing Zhang Xian's expression, and thinking of the more than 100,000 troops stationed outside the city, Zhang Zhongjing couldn't help but secretly pray in his heart that the people in Changsha City could avoid this military disaster.

When Zhang Yi led Zhuge Liang into the bedroom, Zhang Xian's clothes and bedding had been renewed, and the maid even lit incense in the house to cover up the bloody smell. However, no matter how much Zhang Xian took care of it, he couldn't hide his dying breath. Therefore, as soon as Zhuge Liang saw Zhang Xian, he knew that this person was indeed as rumored to be alive soon. It must be known that although Zhang Yi was conceited and blocked the news of his father's serious illness, how could there be a secret in the Taishou Mansion in such an extraordinary period now. No matter how many people in the house talk about, even the dregs poured out every day are enough to make all kinds of rumors spread on the left and right. And this is also the basis for Zhuge Liang to implement a series of plans.

"Zhuge Liang has seen Zhang Fujun." But seeing Zhuge Liang stepping forward, he saluted Zhang Xian loudly.

Zhang Xian, who was on the sickbed, looked Zhuge Liang up and down, raised his hand and motioned for him to sit down, "Zhuge Langjun, please take a seat." ”

"Xie Fujun." Zhuge Liang bent over and sat opposite Zhang Xian without humility or arrogance.

After his son Zhang Yi sat down suspiciously under his hand, Zhang Xian asked Zhuge Liang, "I don't know Zhuge Langjun, what is the important matter of asking to see this mansion?" ”

"Don't hide it from the king, Liang is here for the people of Jingzhou today." Zhuge Liang straightened his waist and replied loudly.

Coming for the people of Jingzhou? The corners of Zhang Yi's mouth raised a disapproving smile. Zhang Xian shook his head secretly in his heart, he had never seen such a scene after living for such a long time, how could he be frightened by such clichés. So Zhang Xian immediately asked bluntly, "When does Liu Qi plan to withdraw from the army?" ”

"Fu Jun thinks that only if Liu Qi retires, Changsha can rest easy?" Zhuge Liang asked noncommittally.

Zhuge Liang's rhetorical question can be said to hit the weakness of the Zhang family's father and son. Indeed, for Zhang Xian's father and son, the person who really threatens Changsha at the moment is not Liu Qi, but Sun Ce and Liu Bei, who came uninvited under the "rescue banner". But being told the center of things by the other party in the here and now is not a pleasant thing after all. Zhang Xian's face immediately sank, and he snorted coldly at Zhuge Liang, "Even if Liu Qi takes Changsha." It may not be able to hold Changsha! ”

"Of course." Zhuge Liang echoed, "As far as Liang knows, Liu Gongzi has no intention of seeking Changsha. ”

Seeing Zhuge Liang frankly saying that Liu Qi would withdraw his troops, and deliberately pointed out Sun Ce and Liu Bei's threat to Changsha, Zhang Xian suddenly realized that the young man sitting in front of him might not be Liu Qi's lobbyist, but a lobbyist from the other two families. After thinking about it, Zhang Xian slightly restrained his contempt, and asked tentatively, "Who is Lang Jun here?" ”

"Liang has made it clear before that Liang is here for the people of Jingzhou today." Zhuge Liang emphasized again with a solemn face. Seeing Zhang Xian's father and son on the other side with suspicious expressions, Zhuge Liang cleared his throat again and said eloquently, "Cao Cao has millions of people today. The soldier pointed to Hannan and wanted to swallow Jingyang. On the other hand, the princes of Jingyang saw each other for the Changsha soldiers, and regarded the edict as nothing. Don't you hear that the snipe and the clam compete for the fisherman's profit, even if the prince can keep Changsha today. How can he resist Cao Cao's army going south in the future! ”

Zhuge Liang's generous words made Zhang Xian's father and son blush. It is undeniable that Zhang Xian's father and son still have feelings for the Han family in their hearts, and they have already heard of the edict. It's just out of a personal grudge against Liu Biao. Zhang Xian ignored the edict. He also gloated over Cao Cao's southern expedition to Liu Biao. But Zhuge Liang pierced Zhang Xian's Spring and Autumn Dream with a word. The fall of Liu Biao can certainly relieve Zhang Xian's hatred, but after Cao Cao goes south, how can he have the good fruits of his father and son to eat. It is said that Cao Cao was in the north in order to rectify and merge, and the powerful sect was killed to the point of blood. Although the wealthy families in Jingzhou are not as deep-rooted as the clan in the Central Plains, they have been operating in Jingzhou for several generations, and they are not inferior to the north in terms of annexation. In fact, the reason why Zhang Xian opposed Liu Biao this time was also because Liu Biao interfered in Changsha's government affairs and clashed with the local wealthy families led by Zhang Xian. Now Zhang Xian's time is running out. Once he died, how could the young Zhang Yi deal with Cao Cao, who was a hundred times stronger than Liu Biao.

After figuring out the pros and cons, Zhang Xian's father and son were no longer blinded by personal grievances, and they no longer dared to underestimate Zhuge Liang. I saw Zhang Xian muttering for a moment, and then turned to ask Zhuge Liang for advice in a polite tone. "In Langjun's opinion, how should this government act?"

Zhuge Liang smiled with relief, "Zhang Fujun still remembers Xuzhou Taogong?" ”

Liu Bei's camp was encamped on the banks of the Liuyang River east of Changsha, and claimed to have 60,000 troops, excluding the exaggerated and temporarily recruited people, the actual number of soldiers and horses was about 20,000. Compared with the original history, Liu Bei's strength in this time and space is undoubtedly more than one or two times stronger. But at this moment, he is not much easier than the original history. Changsha City is like a huge vine that tightly entangles the four forces of Liu Bei, Sun Ce, Liu Qi, and Zhang Xian. No one could go any further, and no one dared to be the first to retreat.

Because he was afraid that he would be attacked by the other two families when he retreated, and he was unwilling to return empty-handed, Liu Bei had been grinding and soaking on the banks of the Liuyang River for nearly half a year. In the past six months, Liu Bei has not only wasted a lot of grain and grass, but even his reputation has been affected. Zhang Fei, who stayed in Lujiang, even bluntly said in his letter that some scholars in Lujiang had openly criticized Liu Bei's behavior of not honoring the edict. There are even people who say that Liu Bei forgot his righteousness for profit, and disregarded the Son of Heaven for help in order to seize Changsha.

The only thing to be thankful for is that Liu Bei himself is not in Lujiang, otherwise he would have to use his temper to slash a few people who chew the root of his tongue. If that's the case, Liu Bei can be regarded as a big disaster. It is important to know that the killing of soldiers is a great evil in this day and age. The reason why Cao Cao and Sun Ce have a different reputation is also related to their killing of soldiers. Therefore, whether it is Zhang Fei, or Xu Shu and others who are following Liu Bei, they all agree that it is better for their father-in-law to stay in Changsha for the time being.

But just because you can't see it doesn't mean your mind will be still. At this time, Liu Bei was sitting under the pergola, looking at Guan Yu, who was training soldiers not far away, and asked Xu Shu beside him, "Yuan Zhi, you said that Zhang Xian will really give up Changsha City to Gu Hu as Kong Ming said?" ”

"Don't worry, my lord. Kong Ming has always been rigorous, and if he is not 100% sure, he will not leave a book for the lord. Xu Shu nodded in affirmation.

It turned out that just ten days ago, Zhuge Liang asked Xu Shu to bring a letter to Liu Bei. In the letter, Zhuge Liang first gave Liu Bei a general explanation of the situation in the world and Liu Biao's appearance in Xiangyang Xinye. The second is to persuade Liu Bei to focus on the overall situation, so as to abandon his previous suspicions and form an alliance with Liu Biao, Sun Ce, and Zhang Xian under the city of Changsha. Zhuge Liang even said frankly that he would persuade Zhang Xian to give up Changsha City to Liu Bei. It is undeniable that Zhuge Liang's letter is written in a brilliant manner, which makes people feel enthusiastic after reading it. But when he thought that he had heard Zhuge Liang's Jianyi send troops to Jingzhou before, but now he was in a dilemma, Liu Bei couldn't help but beat a drum in his heart. So I heard him mutter, "Before, he also left a book for Gu and asked Gu to go to Jingzhou, but who would have thought ......?"

Xu Shu saw Liu Bei complaining, and couldn't help sighing and said, "Lord Mingjian, Kong Ming only persuaded the Lord to enter Jingzhou last time, and did not let the Lord Gong and Liu Qi and Sun Ce seize Changsha. ”

Liu Bei was said by Xu Shu, and his face immediately showed shame. As he said, the siege of Changsha was Liu Bei's single-minded decision. In fact, Xu Shu and others had opposed Liu Bei's direct participation in the battle for Changsha City. felt that Liu Bei should continue to win over Jingzhou Haoqiang in the name of rescuing Changsha, instead of directly clashing with Liu Qi and Sun Ce. But at that time, Liu Bei used the name of rescuing Changsha to annex the two counties of Xia Pheasant and Xia Jun in succession, and it was just when the limelight was in full swing, and he completely regarded the words of Xu Shu and others as a deaf ear. It wasn't until the army fought all the way to Liling and met Sun Ce who was heading north, that Liu Bei realized that he would face a tough battle. Sun Ce's martial arts are not inferior to Guan Yu, and Zhou Yu is scheming. Liu Bei suffered repeated setbacks at the hands of the two, and had no choice but to retreat north of the Liuyang River.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei immediately got up and apologized to Xu Shu Chengcheng, "Yuan Zhi, it's a lonely mistake." ”

"The lord must not do it." Xu Shu hurriedly leaned over and bowed back, but he was very relieved in his heart. Liu Bei may have many shortcomings of one kind or another, but he knows how to reflect and have the courage to admit his mistakes, and this alone is far better than many princes.

Just when Liu Bei and Xu Shu were in harmony, they suddenly saw Jian Yong rushing all the way to Liu Bei and clapping his hands and saying quickly, "Lord, Zhang Xian sent an envoy to ask for a meeting!" (To be continued......)