Pei Gai and Zu Ti entered Henan, garrisoned Chenggao, and did not plan to continue westward for the time being, in fact, the reason was very simple, they were all looking forward to the main force of the Hu army crossing the river to the south, so as to fight a decisive battle near Luoyang.

Now that the Chenggao Pass has been taken, the Yuzhou army in the south should also be able to take the Yuyuan Pass without risk, so if the main force of the Hu army reaches Henan, there will be no danger of the enemy to defend, and the Jin army will wait for work at ease and occupy the absolute initiative, which is beneficial to the decisive battle of the main force. If he was in a hurry to point to Luoyang, Liu Cang was likely to garrison troops on the north bank of the Yellow River and would not dare to cross south easily, resulting in the Jin army having to garrison Henan to prevent blockage, and the situation would not be optimistic.

You must know that the Hu army's road is quite short, but the Jin army's road is long, then once the confrontation across the river, both sides are easy to defend and difficult to attack, no one dares to move, after a long time, the Jin army must be overstretched first - unless the Jin army has a Xiongcheng to rely on as a basis, but the problem Luoyang has been almost burned into a blank ground by Liu Cang, and the nearby Henan, Yanshi, and city defenses are also broken, and it is difficult to consolidate in a hurry.

Therefore, if he does not continue to move forward, Liu Cang will inevitably cross south, and he can fight knife to knife and gun to gun on the Great Plains, and win or lose; If he was in a hurry to move forward, Liu Cang did not dare to cross south, and the Jin army was tantamount to handing over the initiative to the enemy. Henan has been repeatedly warned, the household registration is scarce, the acres are broken, even if it is occupied, it is difficult to recover without three or five years, but it is a big burden, so why bother?

And if Liu Can's main force can be defeated in Henan, not only can he smoothly enter Luoyang, but he can even leave only part of the soldiers and horses to garrison Henan, and the main force will continue to advance westward to rescue Guanzhong.

If you don't break the main force of the Hu army, you won't be able to hold Henan if you take it; If the main force of the Hu army can be broken, the entire plate will be alive. Therefore, Pei and Zu temporarily stopped at Cheng Gao, listened to Liu Cang's news, and refused to move forward.

Liu Yetang thought about it for a few days, and roughly guessed the thoughts of the two, and immediately said it during the banquet, and all the generals suddenly realized that they were all amazed - only Zhen followed the child next to him and lowered his head and drank stuffy wine. Pei Gai immediately poured three glasses of wine in person, rewarded Liu Yetang, and allocated ten brocades and twenty pieces of auspicious money.

After drinking from the afternoon until dark, the generals went back to rest, leaving only Pei and Zu, and chatting secretly. Pei Gaijiu also drank a lot of wine today, and he felt a little dazed, considering that he had to talk with Zu Shizhi all night, he didn't dare to drink it anymore, so he ordered someone to make a pot of strong tea.

When Zu Ti was still in Xuzhou, he was invited to drink Pei Cai's "new tea method", which is not unfamiliar. Seeing that there was no one around, he leaned closer, lowered his voice and asked, "Wen Yue, how did the grain that Qing provided me get into the hands of the two thieves Lu and Dai?" ”

Pei Gai sighed lightly: "There is nothing to be done about this." They came to the official document of the governor of the capital, how dare I resist the little officials of Xuzhou......"

To put it bluntly, there are still few talents under his hands, especially the county officials, most of whom are temporarily recruited by the children of local wealthy families, who are timid and shallow-visioned, and have not yet had time to cultivate enough loyalty to Pei Gai himself and the Xuzhou Group, so Dai Yuan bluffed and obediently obeyed. Pei Cai's northern expedition almost brought out all the elite soldiers and strong generals, and the rest also focused on ensuring their own grain routes, who would have thought that there would be problems with the grain and grass transported to Yuzhou......

Pei Gai said: "I have written to the king of the East China Sea to impeach Lu and Dai, and ask the king to quickly allocate the remaining grain to the ancestors." Just ......"

"How?"

Pei Gai smiled bitterly and said: "The king of the East China Sea has always valued me for his letter, and if he gets the letter, he will blame the two thieves." However, I am afraid that he will be young after all, and if he is held hostage by the two thieves, he may not be able to see my letters......"

Zu Ti couldn't help but slap the edge of the couch fiercely: "The villain is really annoying!" I don't know why Jiankang sent the two of them? ”

Pei Gai laughed and said: "Zu Jun thinks that if there is no intention of Jiankang, how dare he do this? ”

Zu Ti hung his head and was silent - in fact, it was Wang Dao who was standing behind Lu and Dai, and even King Langya, Zu Shizhi was not a chick in the political arena, he had already realized it, but he didn't dare to believe it.

Pei Gai asked tentatively: "Why didn't Zu Jun send a sentry and horse to Suiyang, detain the two fangs, and grab the grain?" ”

Zu Ti rolled his eyes: "I won't do anything about this traitor's trip!" ”

Pei Gai persuaded: "The cause of the Northern Expedition or the life of Jiankang, which is greater? ”

Zu Ti sighed: "I always want to think of a way to do it...... I am waiting to discuss with Wen Yue, send an envoy to the capital, please get the edict of the Son of Heaven, and I can take the life of the other two fangs! ”

Pei Gai smiled and said in a low voice: "Zujun, even if the other two fangs are removed, Jiankang will also send people again, but it is just to raise the soup to stop the boiling." Have you ever thought that instead of inviting the edict of the Son of Heaven, it is better to invite the festival? ”

Since the end of the Han Dynasty, in order to make the assassination of the history of the general army, the imperial court often gave the scepter, which was divided into four categories, such as the envoy holding the festival, holding the festival, the false festival, and the false envoy. According to reason, Zu Ti is the governor of Yanyu, and Pei should be the governor of Qingxu, and he naturally has the authority below the false festival, and since he has a thorn history at the same time, he is the one who is in charge of the army in the history of the thorn, how can he also give a branch of the festival, at least give a "holding festival" number; However, Chang'an deliberately refused to do so for fear of irritating the Jiankang regime.

The intention is that as a governor, the military can be arbitrary; But as a history of assassination, you still have to listen to King Langya, and you must not kill without permission.

Of course, in peacetime, theoretically, from the head of the county to the assassin history, there is no authority to kill without permission, even if you kill civilians, you must also report to the central government for approval and approval; In troubled times, who will care about this? Theoretically, Zu and Pei can punish generals and soldiers in accordance with military law - or even self-determined military law - in the army, as for the officials and civilians along the march, they have no authority to torture and kill, that is, if they do not report to Chang'an, they must also report to Jiankang first.

Although it is a false name, what Pei should want is a false name, which can invisibly enhance the authority of Zu and Pei, and cut off from Jiankang to a certain extent. If the two of them have a knot in their hands, I believe that Director Wang and the others should weigh it if they want to pull it back. Jiankang may not be worried about Zu and Pei killing Lu and Dai, and if he really dares to do it, once the situation allows, he can declare Zu and Pei guilty; But if you come to one, I will kill one, and it will be lawful on the surface? How many high-ranking officials did Jiankang really send to Jiangbei to supervise the division? Do you want Director Wang to come over in person?

Therefore, when Zu Ti heard this, he groaned slightly, and then bowed his head: "Good plan...... It's just, Chang'an Ken or not? ”

Pei Gai said with a smile: "I'm waiting for Keyun, when the army is marching, every time there are more constraints in the place, if there is no moderation, it is difficult to save Chang'an." Today, the son looks at me like a cloud of hope for a great drought, and when he sees me suddenly in battle, his heart will be anxious, so what can he ask for and not get? I am only afraid that Suo Juxiu will be in power, and I don't want to make Jiankang sit big, but we can be independent of Jiankang, and I don't think he will be allowed to do so. ”

In fact, when it comes to political struggles, although Pei Gai has insight, he lacks experience after all, and this idea was put forward by Pei Wei first, and only with his approval will he take the opportunity to discuss with Zu Li. If Pei Gai asks for a temperance alone, his domineering attitude will inevitably make people look sideways, and if he is involved in Zu Li, he will not be so conspicuous personally - and the possibility of success is also greater.

At that moment, the two of them discussed the words of an official document side by side, to show that they were neither humble nor arrogant, not only to give people the impression of blackmailing the imperial court, but also to make the imperial court pay attention to this request. By the way, he made a request: "There is no one in Xuzhou, if the scholars in Zhongzhou are willing to come to my command, I hope that the ancestors will recommend it." ”

Zu Li agreed, and then changed the topic: "Today, I saw the strength of Wenyue's army, and sure enough, the world is strong, which makes Zu ashamed - I know that the vicious battle on the bank of the ditch is not fortunate." I don't know how I can train such an elite? Can there be a covenant to teach me? ”

Pei Gai took a sip of tea and replied lightly: "Why did the ancestor ask knowingly? "What did I do in Xuzhou, you don't know, the question is whether you can copy it in Yan and Yu? Are you willing to copy?

Zu Ti couldn't help but sigh: "In this Northern Expedition, I want to scatter those dock forts, gradually cage them under my command, cut them and reorganize, and strictly reorganize them." I was too indulgent to them before, and it took a lot of time and good words to get these more than 30,000 soldiers and horses. Then he said to Pei Gai: "Chen Wubu will Feng Longqian lead 800 horsemen to join him, listening to his words, it is quite effective...... If I had left Li Tou in the past, I would not have been poisoned by Chen Chuan, and every time I reflected, I was really annoyed. Then you can't refuse Feng Long today! ”

When Chen Chuan was mentioned, Pei Gai couldn't help but grit his teeth, so he said: "Chen Chuan lowered Hu and led Hu Kou to go against my teacher, which is really the biggest evil, and heaven and man are angry." I want to blame Chen Wu for this, and even send troops to attack Junyi, can Zu Jun allow it? ”

Zu Ti hesitated for a moment: "Chen Chuan is guilty, not as good as his nephew...... The text is written to blame Chen Wuke, and it is not necessary to send troops to attack. And come and go two or three hundred miles away, although we are here to wait for Hu Ko, we should not divide the troops for the time being. After thinking about it, he said, "Let's see Chen Wu's reply, and then do the district." ”

Pei Caixin said I know...... After taking a sip of tea, he suddenly laughed again: "Zujun, 'Sai Weng lost his horse, but he didn't know if it was a blessing', in fact, Lu and Dai Erfang's seizure of Jun's grain and grass may not be a pure bad thing." ”

Zu Ti raised his eyebrows: "What does Wen Yue mean by this?" ”

Pei Gai explained: "If we can't stay here, not only Chang'an may be suspicious, but Liu Cang will also hesitate - how could he not expect our plan?" However, if it is preached that Lu and Dai have detained the grain of the ancestors, resulting in a lack of food in the army, so they dare not continue to advance, perhaps the court and Hu Kou will believe it. When Liu Cang heard about this, he would rush to lead his division to attack, so we didn't have to wait for a long time in Chenggao. "Otherwise, if Liu Cang is timid, hesitant, and refuses to cross south, we will have to waste time and food here in vain.

"It's a pity, our army's grain has not been met by the police, it is difficult to say, I can only hope that Liu Cang mistakenly thinks that Xuzhou is a widow, and the ancestor does not move forward, and I dare not ......act rashly."

——————————

Pei Cai felt that his mouth was simply poisonous, and he could say whatever he wanted...... Early the next morning, he received an urgent report that Chen Wu was dead, and Chen Chuan led his people out of Pengguan and Junyi, and actually attacked the grain convoy in Xuzhou everywhere in the Bianshui Valley.

When the generals heard the words, they all gritted their teeth, especially Zhen followed his mouth full of foul language, and put the ancestors of the Chen family ten times. So they asked for orders to go to conquer Chen Chuan.

In the end, Pei should order Lu Yan's "Pengshan" left battalion to go to exterminate and protect the grain route, and if he had the opportunity, he could also take down Junyi and Pengguan - there were a lot of "beggars", and they were all sent to Tuntian, Xuzhou. I don't care if I can eat or not, you crashed into the door by yourself, you have to blame me - in front of Zu Li, naturally I have something to say.

However, Pei Gai immediately ordered Pei Wei to spread the news, saying that Chen Chuan was raging, causing the Xuzhou army grain route to be cut off, and he was forced to send half of the army and turn around to conquer. Then, after informing Zu Ti, he ordered the "Pengshan Left Battalion" to bluff the flag, pretending to be three times the number, and going out of the city - followed by the three battalions of "Lifeng", planning to drive to Xingyang, engage in a hundred miles of training, and then secretly return to Chenggaoguan Tunzha at night.

Of course, in fact, Pei Gai paid great attention to the smooth passage of the route, and the grain ships traveled along the Bianshui, with the military escorts provided by Xiapi and Pengcheng, and forts were set up along the way to meet them, and it was difficult for thousands of people to loot them—unless you also drove the same number of ships over. The previous emergency report only said that Chen Chuan had robbed grain, but it did not mention that he had already succeeded, and if he had not captured one or two "begging for life", how could he know that Chen Wu was dead?

Chen Chuan's head is big, he thought that the Xuzhou army had already driven to Henan, and the grain route must be fragile and could be easily captured, who would have thought that the combat effectiveness of "begging" was too poor, and most of the elite were taken by Feng Long to meet Zu Li, and the rest were also hesitant and unwilling to do their best, and the rest of the old and weak were almost useless. As a result, they attacked three times in a row, all of which lost troops and lost their generals, but did not get a grain of rice.

However, as the saying goes, "not afraid of thieves stealing, afraid of thieves remembering", although the Xuzhou grain road is guaranteed, but it is not foolproof, the fourth time, Chen Chuan finally reluctantly succeeded, killing more than 30 grain soldiers - "begging" The loss is nearly twice as much - seizing 14 grain ships and more than 500 stones of miscellaneous grains. But Chen Chuan really didn't dare to do it again, and estimated that if Pei should believe it, it would almost be time to send troops and horses to come out, so he immediately summoned the generals to discuss the next step - according to his meaning, it was naturally to cross the Yellow River north and go to Hu Han.

In fact, before that, all the generals gathered at the general Wei Shuo to discuss secretly. Someone said: "The Xuzhou army is very elite, the grain road is consolidated, and it is easy to take it, I can barely get it today, but I can't ...... it again" The person next to him said angrily: "Don't you take revenge on the first general?!" The man who spoke earlier spread his hands: "How to report?" Do you want to wait for the Xuzhou army here, and you can't use the mantis arm as a car? ”

Wei Shuo waved his hand, lowered his voice and said, "Actually, don't you think that the first general was killed inexplicably, and Chen Chuan returned, is there nothing strange in this?" Everyone was shocked when they heard this, so they heard Wei Shuo say again: "The day before yesterday, someone surrendered to our camp, and he went north with Chen Chuan, saying that Chen Chuan was on the bank of the ditch water, and he actually descended to Hulu, and was driven back to attack the Xuzhou army, but he was defeated and was chased and killed by Hulu......8)