On the fifteenth day after Liu Biao fled to Jiangxia, that is, the day Gan Ning raided Cai Xun's return army. Shi Lusu, the governor of Taiwei Mansion, was invited to Jiangxia to meet Liu Biao. The meeting between the two sides did not finalize much, but only meant that Liu Bei would fully assist Liu Biao in quelling the Jingxiang rebellion. The specific way to march on a large scale will have to wait for the road to open the spring to be cleared, and now it can only be determined that Guan Yu and Zhao Feng and others will march at that time. Although the naval division had supported Li Yan along Xiangshui before, the land route was not suitable for a large army.

Liu Biao welcomed Lu Su's arrival very much, and did not say anything about the personal reception, and even promised on the spot that he was willing to cede several counties to Liu Bei after the matter was completed, but Lu Su politely refused. Lu Su repeatedly stated that Liu Bei's march this time was only to clear the rebellion, and he had no intention of encroaching on Jingxiang. After hearing Lu Su's attitude, Liu Biao was not surprised, nor was he too grateful for Liu Bei's "benevolence and righteousness". After entertaining Lu Su, Liu Biao also began to arrange people, and only waited for the beginning of spring to prepare for war with Cai Mao and others.

However, before Liu Biao and Liu Bei entered the army, an unexpected incident made many people restless: in 201 AD, since the end of the year, there was no rain in a large area of the north. In addition, there was no rain for nearly a month a year ago, and the whole north has not had rain for nearly two months. Some farmland has begun to drought, and wheat seedlings are dying one after another.

Specific to the thirteen states of Dahan, that is, Yongzhou, Sizhou, Jizhou, Qingzhou, Yanzhou and even Xuzhou, the northern states are obviously going to be embarrassed by this drought. Yuzhou will also be affected a little, but not too much. Yangzhou and Jiaozhou in the south and Yizhou in the west are almost unaffected. The most special situation is Jingzhou, which is known as the world's furnace.

Jingzhou is extremely long in depth from north to south, connecting Jiaozhou in the south, Yongsi in the north, and the Yangtze River runs through the east and west. The climate of Jingbei counties in the north is similar to that of Yongzhou, and it is deeply affected by drought. However, the four counties of Jingnan that have crossed the Yangtze River have a mostly southern climate, with abundant rainfall and a cross-river network, so the drought is almost unaffected. In other words, there is nothing wrong with Liu Xian's territory, and Jingbei, which Cai Mao and Kuai Yue occupy, is afraid that it will suffer.

"There was a great drought in the north, and Cao Ying and Yuan Shao both suspended their recruitment and could only recuperate. Cao Ying has repeatedly ordered Taoist priests to set up altars to pray for rain, but so far it has not been effective. "In the Taiwei Mansion of Shouchun on this day, Zhang Zhao, the captain of the Diannong School, was a little gloating. Zhang Zhao has always been moody, and today's tone is relatively rare.

"How is Xuzhou?" Liu Bei is most concerned about his own rule, Cao Ying and Yuan Shao toss again is their own business, and it will not be fun if they are unlucky together.

"The situation in Xuzhou is acceptable, the lord ordered the digging of channels to divert water from the Huai River to irrigate Xuzhou farmland a few years ago, and the keel waterwheel has also been widely used, and the impact of Xuzhou's summer grain this year is minimal." Zhang Zhao replied, and then frowned slightly: "However, Taishan County and Shanyang County in Yanzhou, as well as the four counties of Qingzhou, will be greatly affected. The third general and General Wei are afraid that it will not be easy to do so. ”

"Quickly allocate grain and grass and prepare for disaster relief in these two places!" Liu Bei was not too panicked, after all, these counties were affected, and the combined population was only about 500,000, and the situation was not too bad. Immediately, Liu Bei seemed to remember something, and hurriedly asked again: "How is the situation in Jingzhou?"

"Jingbei was severely affected, and Jingnan was almost unaffected." It was not Zhang Zhao who answered, but Zhuge Liang with a smile on his face. Zhang Zhao was not angry, after many contacts with this Shouchun County Commander in the past month, Zhang Zhao felt that Zhuge Liang's talent was far above him, but he was humble and polite, which also made Zhang Zhao, who had always been stubborn and even a little arrogant, have to admire.

"That being the case, then Kuai Yue and Cai Mao's words are not very good!" Liu Bei also laughed when he heard this. At this time, Guan Yu spoke: "Big brother, since this year is a big drought, presumably Cao Ying will not be able to raise troops, why not take the opportunity to recover the five counties of Yuzhou?" "It's never Guan Yu's style to just be beaten and not fight back, and most of his Yuzhou pasture land has been robbed, and this breath can't be swallowed no matter what.

"Huh?" Liu Bei was also thrilled when he heard this, and Pang Tong on the side said with a smile: "The prince is true, but he thinks that the prince may not need a big war, and Cao Ying is likely to take the initiative to give up these counties." At least, he won't occupy them all. ”

"Give up?" Guan Yu was a little puzzled when he heard this. Zhuge Liang on the side explained in detail: "If Cao Ying's military rations are insufficient this year, he will definitely not be able to maintain the needs of soldiers and horses in Yuzhou. With Cao Yingzhi's unscrupulous means, it is very likely that he will rob the money and grain of the people in these counties, shrink his forces and return to Yanzhou, and leave a few empty shells for us to carry the burden on our backs. ”

"How could he be?" Guan Yu was shocked, this approach made it difficult for Guan Yu, who has always loved the people, to accept. "It's really possible, Cao Yingqi is known to be saying that he would rather let me bear the people of the world than teach the people of the world to bear me." Liu Bei also sighed.

"If that is the case, what shall we do now?" Guan Yu was also a little undecided. Pang Tong pondered for a moment, and then spoke: "At present, the road has been civilized, but whether it is Cao Ying, Kuai Yue and Cai Mao, there is no danger of food shortage at the moment. Let's wait a little longer, when the summer grain is harvested, and Cao Ying and those people in Jingbei are short of food. Besides, when our army marches in, we will have to wait for the summer rations to be collected. Pang Tongyi likes to take risks, but now even he agrees to wait, and Liu Bei understands that there are indeed many times to send troops. At the same time, Liu Bei also informed Liu Biao, who was in Jiangxia, and stated the stakes and asked him to wait.

It was not until the end of the third lunar month that there was some rain in the north, but this year's summer harvest in the north has been greatly damaged. Although it will not be completely lost, it is certain that it will not be harvested. "This year's grain output is expected to be less than 60% of last year's, of which Qingzhou is almost out of harvest, and it is not suitable to fight again now." The General's Mansion in Yecheng, who is responsible for the trial and distribution of money and grain, is also a little not optimistic about this year's situation.

"If that's the case, let's rest and recuperate for next year!" Yuan Shao waved his hand a little tiredly when he heard this. At this time, the strategist Guo Tu's eyes rolled, and he stepped forward and said: "My lord, now that Liu Bei occupies Yangzhou, there is no one in the world who has more abundant grain and grass, why not borrow grain from him?" ”

"Huh? Liu Bei? Yuan Shao was also stunned when he heard this, and then frowned and said: "It's just that Liu Bei and I are not friends or enemies, how can we be willing to help?" ”

"Lord, Liu Bei is known for his benevolence, and the lord only needs to send a good debater to negotiate with him in the name of the people, and Liu Bei will definitely agree. What's more, the reason why Liu Bei is an enemy of the lord is because of Cao Ying's bewitchment before. Now that they are just fighting in Yuzhou, the alliance between the two has long been gone. Guo Tu said with a smile, and then said: "Moreover, Zhang Fei and General Zhang Jaw have been facing each other in Linzi for a long time, and the lord can allow the counties south of the Yellow River in Qingzhou, but Liu Bei will not agree." ”

"You want me to cut the land?" Yuan Shao's tone was not very good when he heard this, and Guo Tu hurriedly said: "Don't worry, don't worry, just judge Nanyan, Qingzhou will be a harvest this year." Even if Liu Bei is south of Qingzhou, he will only carry a big burden. Moreover, General Zhang Jaw could still rely on the Yellow River to defend himself. I have only waited for the immediate difficulties, and I will kill Cao Ying first next year, and then get rid of Liu Bei, wouldn't it be happy? ”

"This statement is reasonable, the public rule, you will send an envoy to Xuzhou and borrow grain from Liu Bei." Yuan Shao thought about it and didn't think there was anything wrong, so he decided to send Guo Tu to Shouchun to meet Liu Bei.

Yuan Shao's food is not enough, so Cao Ying is even more insufficient. Although Yongzhou Guanzhong is a place of grain production, it is still worse than Jizhou. In addition, the water conservancy facilities under Cao Ying's rule are not very good, and even if the method of deep cultivation is adopted, there is still a shortage of grain this year.

"My lord, this year's grain is probably only half of last year's. Yongzhou and Yanzhou are still self-sufficient, but Sizhou is a little difficult. Xun Yu was a little not optimistic. Cao Ying's brows furrowed slightly when he heard this, and his fingers tapped rhythmically on the table. "This year's army is no longer good, and Yuan Benchu is also powerless, so Wen Ruo doesn't need to worry too much."

"My lord, even if you are recuperating, I am afraid that in the last two months, the food will not be enough." Xun Yu was a little hesitant, but he still said the worst.

"What?" Cao Ying was a little moved now. "It took a lot of money to move the people of Yuzhou into Yanzhou before. Coupled with the large army fighting, the surplus food was already insufficient. Xun Yu said a little gloomily.

"Wen Ruo has a good plan?" Cao Ying hurriedly looked at Xun Yu and asked. Xun Yu was silent for a long time, and finally looked at Cao Ying's expectant eyes, and then sighed and said: "Runan is the former governance place of Yuzhou, where money and grain are hoarded. At present, grain and grass can be transferred from Runan to save Yanzhou's urgent needs. ”

Cao Ying was also stunned for a moment when he heard this, then glanced at Xun Yu deeply, and then nodded and said: "According to what Wen Ruo said, the herald Wen Ze and Zixiao will transport all the grain and grass in Yuzhou to Yanzhou!" After a pause, Cao Ying said again: "Let Wen retreat to Xiangcheng, and Zixiao retreat to Liang County." These two places are the gateways to Yanzhou, and they need to be guarded well. Isn't he Liu Xuande benevolent, so I handed over the people of the three counties of Runan to him. ”

"Lord, Shanyang County is now occupied by Wei Yan, and General Cao Hong has attacked many times, but he has not made any contributions. At present, there is a shortage of food, so it is better to withdraw the troops as soon as possible! Xun Yu admonished again.

"In that case, let's order Zilian to withdraw his troops!" Cao Ying said helplessly: "Liu Da'er's command is really full of talents, this Wei Yan is unknown, but he doesn't know where he came from, so Zilian is helpless." And that Nanyang Li Yan, Yangzhou Zhao Feng, really hateful! ”

"What? The Cao army in Ruyin was withdrawn? When Liu Bei heard the news that day, he even wondered if his ears had heard it wrong.

"That's right, lord, and when Cao Jun evacuated, all the surplus grain was looted, it seems that Cao Ying wants to use the people of these three counties to drag us down!" Chen Qun hated and said.

"Don't worry, my lord, the pastor Sun Quan of Jiaozhou sent someone to send 300,000 stone rice, which can be used by the army for requisition and disaster relief!" Zhang Zhao hurriedly admonished.

"That's great!" Liu Bei was a little surprised that this duke would suddenly help now, but he was still relatively happy, and then said with some concern: "Three hundred thousand stones? In this way, can Jiaozhou still be self-sufficient? ”

"Don't worry, Jiaozhou rice is harvested three times a year, the population is sparse, and there is no risk of food shortage, which is the income accumulated over the years. When Sun Zhoumu heard that Xuzhou had suffered a disaster, he specially ordered someone to send it! Zhang Zhao said with a smile. As Sun Quan's teacher, this student's behavior undoubtedly made him more pleased. Seeing this, Liu Bei also put his mind at ease and asked Guan Yu to quickly lead the army to Ruyin and other places to take over the defense, and at the same time prepare to relieve the victims of this year's disaster, and send Zhuge Liang to deal with all civil affairs with the army.

Not after Guan Yu's army set off, Guo Tu came to Shouchun and borrowed grain from Liu Bei on behalf of Yuan Shao. In return, they were willing to cede all the counties south of the Yellow River in Qingzhou. This condition is quite generous, at least it is more than enough to fool ordinary people. However, he met Lu Su, and under the latter's pressure step by step, in the end, Guo Tu was forced to agree to give Liu Bei another 2,000 war horses, which was exchanged for 500,000 stone grain.

Another month passed, and it was the end of July. Liu Biao, who was in Jiangxia, and Liu Bei, who was in Shouchun, issued an edict at the same time, announcing a crusade against Cai Mao and Kuai Yue, who "colluded with national thieves and caused trouble in the place". Among them, Liu Biao sent his nephew Liu Pan to lead an army of 50,000 from Wuling to attack Yidu, and Liu Bei sent Guan Yu to lead an army of 30,000 to attack Yiyang after opening up Runan, and at the same time to respond to Li Yan in Nanyang. In addition, Zhao Feng, a Fenwei general in Lujiang, also led an army of 30,000 to attack Nanjun from Jiangxia.

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