In March of the third year of the Republic, Xiahou Shang and Yang Xiu arrived in Qiantang. Knowing that his father was coming, Xiahou Hui was very happy, and specially went out of the city to the dock to greet them, and Sun Shao immediately held a welcome banquet for them. Yang Xiu and Sun Shao are old acquaintances, but they haven't seen each other for a few years, their status is very different from the beginning, but Xiahou Shang is the first time to see his son-in-law, and he really looked at him a few times, Sun Shao was very polite and gave Xiahou Hui enough face.

After the banquet, Dahonglu Kong Zhu and Xiahou Shang and Yang Xiu began formal talks, and after learning that Wei intended to conquer Xiqiang and needed some weapons from Yue Guo, Kong Zhu smiled: "Is Wei really ready to go to Xiqiang?" ”

Xiahou Shang didn't say anything, but Yang Xiu heard the sound outside the strings, Kong Zhu didn't seem to believe their words at all, he exchanged a look with Xiahou Shang, and smiled slightly: "The major affairs of the soldier country, how can there be child's play?" ”

Kong Zhu nodded, and said with a faint smile: "Yang Changshi has been involved in the military for many years, and this sentence should be experienced." Although I am a scholar and do not know much about military affairs, I also know that fighting a war is not only about having weapons, especially the expedition to Xiqiang. At that time, Duan Cheng wrote to ask the Qiang people, and it was estimated that he would step 10,000, ride 5,000, spend more than 500 million in three winters and two summers, and I don't know how many steps Wei was prepared to ride, and how much money was he going to spend? His gaze swept over the faces of Yang Xiu and Xiahou Shang, the corners of his mouth twitched, and he said very unceremoniously: "According to my plan, I'm afraid that Wei State won't be able to come up with five billion dollars in military spending, right?" ”

Yang Xiu was speechless, he always felt that Kong Zhu was an old Confucian student, and he didn't understand these things about the war at all, just because his Kong family was a big family of Huiji, so he made one of the nine kings, and he never thought that Kong Zhu was not confused at all, and he said that he couldn't take out so much money at all.

Kong Zhu said it is not bad at all, although the Han Dynasty was in internal and external difficulties, but before the Yellow Turban Uprising, the foundation of the Han Dynasty was still there, and Emperor Huan could still get so much money, but the current Wei State is not, although the Central Plains is rich, but after thirty or forty years of war, now only Jizhou and Yuzhou are left, Si Li was taken away by the Son of Heaven, Qingzhou and Xuzhou are equivalent to autonomy, and Cao Ying's treasury does not support the military expenses of Xiqiang at all.

"What Kong Jun said is reasonable, but it is not necessarily true." Xiahou Shang put down the cup and said calmly: "Today's Han is no longer the Han of the past, with the power of Wei as a country, it cannot be compared with the Han of the past, but the Qiang people of today are not the Qiang people of the past. General Zhengxi (Xiahou Yuan) Tiger Walk Northwest, a few years of the Qiang people fled from the wind, in recent years I Wei and the people rested, Qiang people took advantage of the gap to recover, the strength has been much less than before. As long as a general leads 10,000 people on foot, plus the sharp weapons provided by the Yue Kingdom, what is the difficulty of leveling the Qiang people. ”

Kong Zhu's eyes when he looked at Xiahou Shang changed a little, firstly, he knew that Xiahou Shang's identity was different from Yang Xiu, and secondly, Xiahou Shang also said the point, which made him have to be impressed. He pondered for a moment and said: "General Xiahou is reasonable, but although the Qiang people are no longer what they used to be, but they are conquests of thousands of miles, and the preparation of materials is always not a child's play, what I want to know is that the Wei State is fully prepared in terms of aspects?" How can you convince us that you have what it takes to deal with this war? ”

"This ...... Doesn't seem like a convenient way to tell you? Xiahou Shang frowned: "The military deployment of my Wei State, that is confidential. We came to Yueguo just to buy some weapons, not to cooperate, Kong Jun seems to have misunderstood. ”

Kong Zhu didn't think it was wrong, he just smiled: "General Xiahou, it's not that I want to spy on the secrets of the Wei State, I just don't want the sharp blade produced by my Yue Kingdom to end up on my Han people." If you can't convince us that you really want to conquer Xiqiang, hehehehe, I'm afraid we won't be able to sell you a knife. ”

"How can it be?" Xiahou was still angry, and he stood up: "I want to see your king and ask what happened." ”

"The general is calm and don't be bored, this is exactly the rule set by the king of my family." Kong Zhu said unhurriedly: "And it is the unanimous opinion of the ministers of my Yue Kingdom, even if General Xiahou and the king are in-laws, they can persuade the king to help, but if the minister's resolution cannot be passed, this business will still not be done." ”

"Humph! "Xiahou Shang sneered...... thinking that Kong Zhu was really a bunch of nonsense, if Sun Shao didn't agree, this business couldn't be done, then he still believed it, saying that Sun Shao agreed, the minister didn't agree, this business still couldn't be done, it became a joke, this Yue country is still not Sun Shao's Yue country?" He waved his hand impatiently: "Gossip Huti, I will see when I see your king." ”

Yang Xiu also felt that Kong Zhu was a little tricky, and stood up with a cold face: "Please let Kong Jun report." ”

Kong Zhu nodded: "Those two will stay in the post house for a while, and when the king is free, he will naturally meet the two." After speaking, he politely saluted and left. Yang Xiu felt uneasy, and he said to Xiahou Shang, who was huffing, "General, are you trying to find a way to meet Ling Ai?" ”

Xiahou Shang nodded in response, and then sent someone into the palace to ask for a meeting, and after a short time, Xiahou Hui sent someone to invite Xiahou Shang into the palace to meet. As soon as the father and daughter met, before they spoke, Xiahou Hui's eyes turned red, and he threw himself into Xiahou Shang's arms, crying with joy. Xiahou Shang sighed, stroked his daughter's shoulders and said, "Child, I've hurt you." ”

"It's not bitter." Xiahou Hui said with tears and a smile: "The king is very good to me, but I just miss Ah Weng, my mother and my brother. ”

Xiahou Shang was also a little gloomy, he wiped away the tears on Xiahou Hui's face with his rough hands, stared at Xiahou Hui's eyebrows for a while, suddenly frowned, took Xiahou Hui's hand and said nervously: "Child, doesn't he like you?" ”

Xiahou Hui was inexplicable: "Where do you start with this, the king is very good to me." ”

"That'...... Then why are you still ...... now" Xiahou is still experienced and experienced, and he can see at a glance that his daughter is still a virgin, but he is not embarrassed to say this in front of his daughter. Xiahou Hui is also smart, she quickly understood what her father meant, blushed, hesitated for a while, and then said softly: "The king said that his daughter is still young, and she wants to ...... Wait for your body to grow into ...... Just...... It does not hurt the body. ”

"Where's the?" Xiahou Shang said half of his words, swallowed it back, he was silent for a long time, and looked at Xiahou Hui in disbelief: "He really thinks so?" ”

Xiahou Hui's face was so red that it seemed like she was about to drip blood, and she turned around coquettishly: "Ah Weng, will my daughter still lie to you, he did say so." ”

Xiahou Shang breathed a sigh of relief, relieved, and said with some joy: "I didn't expect you to be a blessed person, to be able to find such a husband who knows how to hurt people, although it is not a wife, it is worth it." ”

Xiahou Hui looked at Xiahou Shang in surprise, and quickly knew the answer from Xiahou Shang's undisguised joy. She originally thought that Sun Shao was perfunctory to her, so she never had sex with her, but she knew that Xiahou was quite familiar with this, if he said that there was indeed such a thing, it meant that Sun Shao really did it for her sake, and she couldn't help but feel a burst of sweetness in her heart, and her demeanor was even more shy, and she still had a charming charm of youth.

Xiahou Shang is a person in Fengyue, and he can naturally guess one or two about his daughter's thoughts at the moment, he shook his head with a smile, and said his intentions again, especially explaining the important surname of Cao Pi in this matter, hoping that Xiahou Hui can help say good things. Since Sun Shao cares for her so much, she should be able to help a little.

Xiahou Hui frowned, and while pouring tea for Xiahou Shang, he asked, "The two uncles Zihuan and Zijian are still fighting?" ”

Xiahou Shang smiled bitterly: "If you don't distinguish between winners and losers, how can it end?" ”

Xiahou Hui looked at Xiahou Shang solemnly: "Ah Weng, tell me the truth, if Uncle Zihuan becomes the King of Wei, what will he do with Uncle Zijian?" ”

Xiahou Shang opened his mouth, but when he saw Xiahou Hui's serious expression, he hesitated again, he picked up the teacup, thought about it by drinking tea, and said: "This is the matter of the Wei State and the Cao family, why are you so worried?" Besides, is there any other choice for my family? ”

"I'm not worried about them, I'm worried about you." Xiahou Hui sighed faintly: "I don't know why, the king has always had a bad impression of Uncle Zihuan, you came this time and made it clear that it was a brotherly fight, the king definitely didn't like it, he was most disgusted with this kind of brotherly wall." If you have to help, it is to help Uncle Ziwen more. ”

Xiahou Shang waved his hand and interrupted Xiahou Hui's words: "I just know that he has a good relationship with Ziwen, so I specially came to the palace to find you, can't you help me intercede?" Son, this is about the future of my family. ”

"I know, but I'm not sure I'm going to convince him." Xiahou Hui shook his head helplessly: "He is a good person, but he will definitely not support Uncle Zihuan to deal with Uncle Zijian, I can assure you of this." He never wanted his own people to kill each other, and King Wu bullied him to that extent, and he didn't fight with him. ”

Xiahou Shang sank his face, he felt that things were a little difficult to do, the reason why Cao Pi asked him to come was because Xiahou Hui was in Yueguo, but now Xiahou Hui does not support Cao Pi, let alone Sun Shao. He kept silent, and the atmosphere became a little depressing.

Xiahou Hui is very embarrassed, she has been by Sun Shao's side for more than two years, she has experienced a lot of things in the past few years, and she has heard Sun Shao talk a lot of things, her eyes have been opened, and she has invisibly exceeded the previous realm of the rise and fall of a family, although she doesn't understand why Sun Shao is so disgusted with Cao Pi, but she also doesn't approve of Cao Pi using this opportunity to fight with Cao Zhi, similarly, she doesn't want Cao Zhi to fight with Cao Pi in this way, she hopes that her father Xiahou Shang and the brothers of the Cao family are the same as Sun Shao, Really focus on foreign conquests, not on dealing with your own family.

"Ah Weng, I can't convince him, and I don't want to convince him, but since you are here, you must be on a mission, and I can't help you. Well, I'll take the time to meet him for you, and you can hear what he himself has to say, how about it? ”

Although Xiahou Shang was very angry, he was reluctant to be angry with his daughter, so he had to nod. Xiahou Hui was trustworthy, and quickly explained to Sun Shao that after Sun Shao asked some information, he knew that Yang Xiu and Xiahou Shanglai were exactly as he guessed, the Western Expedition was fake, and the brotherly rivalry was true, so he sighed, and then asked Xiahou Hui to invite Xiahou Shang into the palace for an interview.

As soon as they met, Sun Shao said straight to the point: "Dahonglu Kong Jun and Yuanrong have already conveyed your meaning to me, and I don't support the Cao family brothers to fight." ”

Xiahou Shang was very embarrassed, sitting there with red faces.

"Aside from this factor, I also think that it is not realistic for your Wei State to go west alone." Sun Shao's words changed, "If Cao Zihuan really wants to make meritorious contributions, tell me what he plans to do?" How does he plan to solve the problem of grain and grass, who is he going to send as a general, what strategy is he going to use, is he going to fight a quick battle and cut off some heads to repay his merits, or is he going to fight steadily and steadily, gradually advance, and truly occupy Xiliang and further occupy the Western Regions? ”

Xiahou Shang was stunned for a moment, and raised his head to look at Sun Shao in surprise. Sun Shao smiled: "I don't support the Cao family brothers fighting, it doesn't mean that I don't approve of their conquest of Liangzhou and the Western Regions." Of course, if Cao Ziwen wants to expel the Xianbei people, then I will be even happier. ”

Xiahou Shang had an idea: "Why does it have to be Ziwen to expel the Xianbei people?" I can do it too. ”

Sun Shao looked at Xiahou Shang, and after a while, he patted his head and said, "I forgot, I forgot, the general can indeed conquer Xianbei." By the way, I heard Yuanrong say, when His Royal Highness the King of Wei went on an expedition to Liucheng, you seemed to be among them? ”

Xiahou Shang stroked the short beard under his chin, revealing a little self-satisfaction: "When His Royal Highness conquered Liucheng, I was a military Sima and would ride more than a thousand horses, that is, when Ziwen conquered Karasuma, I joined the military in the army, and I am also very familiar with the Xianbei people and Karasuma people, and I have also hung a few Hu people's brains next to my saddle." ”

"Hahaha......" Sun Shao laughed, got up and walked in front of Xiahou Shang, and bowed: "I'm ashamed, I've always been ashamed, I didn't know that my father-in-law was so heroic, disrespectful." ”

Xiahou Shang was a little surprised by Sun Shao's reaction, but remembering the eventful years of chasing the dead and chasing the north, a burst of pride also surged in his chest, and he laughed loudly, and inadvertently shortened the distance between him and Sun Shao a lot. The more the two talked, the more enthusiastic they became, and Xiahou Hui, who was so intimate that he was hiding aside and eavesdropping, was inexplicable, and he didn't know how things could have developed like this.

"Let me tell you the truth, Zheng Xiqiang, Wei State does not have this strength at present, I can only treat you as if you are blinding me, so I can't sell the war knife to you, whether it is Cao Zhi or Cao Pi, they are brothers fighting, I can't control it, but if I don't sell the knife to them, I can still call the shots." If you join forces with Cao Ziwen to fight the Xianbei people again, then I will support it to the end. Sun Shao patted his chest and said very righteously: "I dare not say more, I still have the ability to equip you with a full set of weapons for 5,000 cavalry." There were not only knives, but also halberds, and even waistcoats. ”

"What's the use of a halberd?" Xiahou Shang said with a smile: "Not to mention ordinary soldiers, even if it is Zhang Zhengdong's Bingzhou Iron Cavalry, there are few who can use spears and halberds on horses, it is good to be able to match the sword, it is more than enough to deal with those Xianbei people." ”

"It's different." Sun Shao squeezed his eyes proudly: "You really have the heart to fight the Xianbei people, I can give you a sharp weapon to ensure that your cavalry is thousands of miles away, and they are more stable than the Xianbei people on horses." ”

"Really?" Xiahou was still skeptical.

"Can I lie to you?" Sun Shao laughed: "You go back to discuss first, when will it be decided, when will it tell me, I will prepare the equipment of 5,000 people, as long as your army is assembled, I will hand over the things to you in Youzhou, and ensure that you are like a tiger." ”

Xiahou Shang saw that Sun Shao was serious, and he couldn't help but feel excited, like a tiger with wings, he didn't dare to hope that it would be great to have 5,000 cavalry equipped with the sword of the Yue Kingdom, not only would it be much easier to make meritorious contributions, but it would also be much more powerful to help Cao Pi fight for power in the future.

"Then I'll discuss it with Yang Xiu." Xiahou Shang groaned.

"I have one condition." Sun Shao smiled, and Xiahou Shang was startled with a serious expression, and then he came back to his senses, this Yue Wang in front of him was not a fuel-efficient lamp, so be careful when playing tricks in front of him. He cautiously asked, "What conditions?" ”

"Yuanrong is here alone, often homesick." Sun Shao had a smile on his face, but there was no trace of a smile in his eyes: "Before you go on the expedition, send Taichu (Xiahou Xuan) here, let him accompany Yuanrong for a while, when you are triumphant, when I will send him back." ”

Xiahou Shang's face sank: "You don't believe me? Why do you want me to send Taichu here as a hostage? ”

"Definitely." Sun Shaoyi shook his hand: "I can trust you, but I can't trust Cao Pi." Besides, I did this to reduce your trouble, and with the hostages, he won't force you to be untrustworthy anymore, right? ”

Xiahou was still speechless, and secretly smiled bitterly in his heart, Sun Shao was really ruthless enough, in order to prevent them from playing tricks, he actually put forward such a condition. If Xiahou Xuan arrives in Qiantang, he can only follow the prior agreement and honestly fight the Xianbei people, and he can no longer play any tricks of stealing beams and changing pillars. Otherwise, Sun Shao would not have killed his son, but it was entirely possible to hold him and not let him go back.

"Don't be in a hurry to answer me, you might as well go back and discuss first, and at the same time, you can also discuss with Yang Xiu to see what he plans."

Xiahou was still helpless, he wanted to reject Sun Shao in one go, but he knew that Cao Pi was likely to agree to Sun Shao's conditions in order to have five thousand well-equipped cavalry in his hands, and as for Yang Xiu and Cao Zhi, they were probably more happy to see it happen.

"Actually, if you want to conquer Xiqiang, it's not completely impossible." Seeing that Xiahou was still embarrassed, Sun Shao changed his words and returned to the issue of conquering Xiqiang: "I suggest that you cooperate with Shu. ”

"Return to Shu to cooperate?" Xiahou Shang sneered: "How is it possible!" ”

"What's impossible?" Sun Shao said with great confidence: "If Xiao An is Xiao An today, it is not appropriate to use swords again, the battle line on the Western Front has stabilized in the Hanzhong area." Shu is unable to go north, and you are not able to go south, so it is better to go westward than this. Don't forget, the general of Shu is my other father-in-law. ”

Xiahou Shang looked at Sun Shao like an idiot, you can think of this kind of idea, I really don't know how your brain grows, Wei Shu has fought for so many years, Liu Bei was almost beaten by Cao Zhi and hung up, at this time, he can join hands with Wei to go west, who believes whom? I'm afraid that the front line has not yet started, and the rear has already begun to fight.

"You're not interested? It doesn't matter, I'll go to Yang Xiu, he must be interested. Sun Shao was full of confidence, he immediately asked people to invite Yang Xiu, said this suggestion, and then added: "Considering the contradictions of Wei Shu for many years, I suggest that this western expedition should be issued by the Son of Heaven, Wei Shu will listen to the orders of the generals assigned by the Son of Heaven, and the relevant resources of the Western Front will also be uniformly deployed by the Son of Heaven. ”

Yang Xiu hadn't spoken yet, but Xiahou Shang was shocked into a cold sweat, and he found that he had inadvertently been put in by Sun Shao again. The Son of Heaven sent a general to command the Wei-Shu coalition army? Doesn't this make the relationship more complicated? Don't think about it, the Son of Heaven must be a hundred willing, he only needs to send a general, and then send a little army symbolically, and he can get this opportunity in a grand manner. Of course, the strength of the coalition will not fall into his hands, but if he wins, his prestige can be improved, and if he loses, it will be Wei Shu who is unlucky. Is it okay not to participate? I'm afraid it won't work, the Son of Heaven is marching westward, you are sitting by and watching? Then you are still shouting about the Western Expedition, which is clearly a lie.

When Xiahou was still in a cold sweat, Yang Xiu quickly made a decision, he said very cautiously: "I don't know if the King of Wei and the King of Shu can agree, but I think this is a good plan, not only to show the world that although my Han has four kings, but these four kings are the Optimus Prime of the Han Dynasty, not the princes of the separatist territory, but also can take advantage of this western expedition to reconcile the contradictions between Wei and Shu, eliminate the misunderstanding between the two sides, and truly join hands to create a peaceful and prosperous world." ”

Xiahou Shang smiled bitterly angrily, this Yang Dezu really reads well, and his words are high-sounding, which makes it difficult to refute. But what about the facts, who doesn't know that your Lao Tzu is the prime minister of Luoyang, he is over eighty years old, and he is still working hard for the Son of Heaven, and he is always making suggestions to expand the strength of the Son of Heaven, can he let go of such a good opportunity? Sun Shao's idea was not so much for Wei as for the Son of Heaven.

"Dezu, this matter is too involved, it's better not to draw conclusions too quickly." Xiahou Shang knocked on the side and said: "In my opinion, we should send the news back to Yecheng as soon as possible, and let His Royal Highness King Yue decide." As for the Son of Heaven and the King of Shu, it will be up to His Royal Highness the King of Yue, as the courtiers of the Wei State, we do not have such power. ”

Yang Xiu smiled slightly: "What the general said is very true, I am indeed a little too excited. ”

Sun Shao's mouth was crooked, and he said in his heart that Yang Xiu was bad enough, and his opinion was expressed, and then he apologized, there is no silver three hundred taels here. But that's okay, this matter is really too wide-ranging, and it won't be able to be done in a few months, so let them toss it slowly, I just have time to arrange the affairs of Yuejun. Yu Tuo seems to have been stimulated after returning from Zhuya, and made a vow to double the population and rent of Yue this year.

(To be continued)