Sun Quan dealt with it in a timely manner, Liu Bei, who had long been tormented by his conscience, heard the news that Sun Quan was willing to go north together, regardless of Zhuge Liang's dissuasion, and immediately agreed, and the two sides quickly agreed that Liu Bei would take the land route from Jiangling, and Sun Quan would take the water route from Chaisang, and go to Xiangyang together, and then join forces from Xiangyang and march into Wancheng. As soon as the two sides negotiated, Liu Bei left Chen to guard Jiangling, and he and Zhuge Liang set off with a large army. At the same time, Sun Quan ordered Lü Fan to rush back to Jianye to arrange the defense of Wu County. He knew that Lu Fan couldn't cure Su's thick legs at all, so he told him a thousand times and told him that you should guard the shore well, and don't go to the sea to attack the enemy, if there is anything, wait until I come back from Wancheng.

Lu Fan had been hit hard by Su Thick Legs, and now Su Thick Legs' strength was better than before, he was already a little apprehensive, of course he would not disobey Sun Quan's instructions, but in this way, he was very passive.

Fast horse sent the news of Liu Bei and Sun Quan going north to Wancheng, a stone in Guan Yu's heart finally fell to the ground, he called Sun Shao over, and praised with a smile on his face: "Fengxian, there is really nothing you can't do, you talk about it, how could Sun Quan suddenly agree?" ”

Sun Shao smiled secretly. Su Qiang's legs turned against the water and stabbed Sun Quan in the back, Sun Quan would definitely not say that although this dumb man was more bitter than Huang Lian, he could only swallow it back into his stomach. Guan Yu still doesn't know the inside story of this matter, and when he knows, he probably won't think so. This person is a little stunned in reading, the righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Period, loyalty and filial piety are more important than anything else, if he knows that he let people make a black hand on Sun Quan, he will definitely be stupid again.

"Uncle Yue, don't be too happy." Sun Shao was not as happy as Guan Yu, he knew that Liu Bei might really come to save Guan Yu, but Sun Quan would definitely not really come to save him, he was already jealous, and now he suffered such a loss, Sun Quan didn't want to kill him. And if Sun Quan didn't take the initiative, Liu Bei would definitely not dare to go all out, and there was no trust between him and Sun Quan now. "Although Jiangdong and Yizhou have nearly 50,000 troops together, they are suspicious of each other and distrust each other, but they are afraid that they will not be Xiahoudun's opponent when they fight."

How could Guan Yu not understand the truth, he sighed depressedly, and patted his thigh in frustration: "Then what now?" ”

"It doesn't matter, as long as they come, Xiahoudun will be attacked on both sides, and the situation will develop in our favor." Sun Shao smiled faintly: "Only now is it called that there is me among the enemies, and there are enemies among me, and no one can swallow anyone." ”

Guan Yu smiled bitterly, he couldn't be as happy as Sun Shao, although Liu Bei and Sun Quan were coming, they still couldn't break the siege, and Wancheng's food was about to be unable to support, and the road in front of them seemed to be surrendering in addition to breaking through, and the defense would definitely not be able to hold it. Surrender is unacceptable, but it is not easy to break through, once out of the city, if you can't quickly break through Xiahoudun's blockade, then he is likely to be defeated under the attack of Xiahoudun and Cao Ying, and from the overall situation, although Liu Bei and Sun Quan came together, the total strength is slightly superior, but considering their internal friction, Cao Ying still has a slight upper hand. If we really want to fight, it will be a tragic battle, and the hope of victory is very slim.

At present, Guan Yu no longer has the heroism that advanced into Xu County a few months ago and was like a bamboo, and after months of perseverance and hard waiting, he once again experienced the bitterness of following Liu Bei in the past.

"I want to meet the Son of Heaven." Sun Shao said suddenly.

Guan Yu was very surprised, Sun Shao had been in Wancheng for almost two months, he had never thought of going to see the Son of Heaven, the Son of Heaven summoned him to see him, but he was excused by him for various reasons. Later, the Son of Heaven was not interested, and stayed quietly in Wancheng, and ordinary people really didn't think that the Son of Heaven was in Wancheng now.

Sun Shao suddenly proposed to meet the Son of Heaven, Guan Yu was a little confused for a while, but he still said happily: "Fengxian, you should have gone to meet the Son of Heaven a long time ago." The Son of Heaven mentioned you many times in front of me, and he admired you very much, especially your exploits in recovering Zhuya, and he was full of praise. ”

Sun Shao snorted, retreated from Guan Yu's mansion, and then took Shuai Zeng and others to the Taishou Mansion where the Son of Heaven lived. Wancheng is divided into large and small cities, Taishou Mansion is in the small city, ordinary people live in the big city, before the Son of Heaven came, Cui Qian lived in the Taishou Mansion, after the Son of Heaven came, he moved out, Guan Yu slightly modified the Taishou Mansion, as the palace of the Son of Heaven, and also named it Nan'an Palace.

This is the royal spectrum.

Sun Shao stood in front of the dilapidated Nan'an Palace, squinting at a crow perched on the ridge of the roof and looking at it, a smile on the corner of his mouth. The crow suddenly turned its head and tilted its head, as if to look at him, and after a while, with a "whoosh" call, spread its wings, and flew to its death.

Hu Ben Zhonglang saw Xun Yun standing at the door, hesitated for a moment, but still rushed over, bowed, and said in an inquiring tone: "General Sun? ”

"General Xun." Sun Shao returned the salute, pointed to the crow that had just flown away, and said, "Did the general see that crow?" ”

Xun Yun is Xun Yu's eldest son and Cao Ying's son-in-law, his family is in Xu County, and this time he was brought to Wancheng by Guan Yu. He glanced up and smiled: "I've been used to seeing it for a long time, and at first I started to let people catch up, and slowly I didn't have that heart." ”

"Can the general know 'Zhan Wu's house'?" Sun Shao asked casually as he walked inside.

Xun Yun was stunned for a moment, and was just about to answer, but felt a little difficult to answer. Xun Yun's family history, of course he knows that the two sentences that Sun Shao said are "The Book of Songs? The literal meaning of the poems in "Xiaoya" is very simple: "Look at whose roof this crow flies to", but the Han people pay attention to poetry, and the Book of Poetry must not be explained simply according to the literal meaning. The crow also represents the three-legged black, that is, the sacred bird in the sun, so it also represents the sun, and the sun is the symbol of the emperor, that is, the symbol of imperial power, so the crow and the deer in the deer have the same metaphor - representing the regime. During the Zhongping period, these two poems were used by Yuan Shao as a proverb as a prophecy that the Yuan family should represent the Han dynasty - because in the Han Dynasty, Yuan and Zhan could be used universally, so this sentence can be interpreted as "the crow flew to the roof of the Yuan family", that is, the contemporary Han of the Yuan family.

So what does Sun Shao mean by saying this now, does he also have this ambition? Xun Yun couldn't help but look at Sun Shao and felt a little funny. Sun Shao is now besieged in Wancheng by Cao Ying, and there is only one way to die except surrender, what qualifications does he have for this ambition?

"I have long heard that General Zhang Zibu studied the Spring and Autumn Period under Mr. Zhang Zibu, but I didn't expect the general to be so clear about the Book of Poetry." Xun Yun replied very slippery: "No wonder Cao Gong has always praised the general, saying that the general is young and studious. ”

"Cao Gong appreciates my studiousness?" Sun Shao laughed: "I can't compare with Cao Gong, it's just that he is promoting his juniors." However, I also appreciate Cao Gong's poems, such as his sentence 'The moon is bright and the stars are scarce, and the black magpie flies south.' Three turns around the tree, what branches can be followed', I think it is very good. ”

Xun Yun was startled, and there was a faint fear in his eyes when he looked at Sun Shao. He knew these lines of Cao Ying's poems, but he didn't think about them deeply before, but now that they were read by Sun Shao, they suddenly had another meaning. "Black magpie flying south", is it in response to the sentence "There is a son of heaven in the southeast"? He hesitated for a moment, lowered his head and did not dare to say a word. Sun Shao's poem used Cao Ying's poem to correspond to the sentence "Zhan Wu Zhan stops, in whose house", which can be said to be more appropriate, is this really a foreshadowing in the dark, even Cao Ying himself can't escape the fiddling of fate? Otherwise, there is really no way to explain the defeat in his thirteenth year of Jian'an, and there is no way to explain his reversal in a good situation now.

Only providence can explain it.

Xun Yun was led astray by Sun Shao's two words, and the more he thought about it, the more he thought about it, his thoughts were a little confused for a while, but he didn't pay attention to Sun Shao's face. The two walked to the door of the hall, Sun Shao stopped, and said with a smile: "Please also ask the general to say a word, and the general Sun Shao wants to see Tianyan." ”

Xun Yun responded and waved his hand to let people in to report. He himself looked at Sun Shao's face suspiciously, hoping to see some clues from his face. It's a pity that Sun Shao only has a faint smile on his face, and he can't see any surprises. He was thinking about it, and Sun Shao suddenly asked, "I heard that the general's wife is the daughter of Duke Cao, but is there such a thing?" ”

Xun Yun didn't think too much about it, and nodded: "Exactly." ”

"The current queen is also the daughter of Duke Cao, and the general is really a national relative." Sun Shao quipped: "So, Cao Gong has four daughters in Wancheng? ”

Xun Yun's face changed and he nodded, but he was afraid in his heart. Yes, including his wife, Cao Ying has four daughters in Wancheng, and if he really wants to fight, Sun Shao may not dare to touch the Son of Heaven, but it is completely possible to take these four women under the knife. He stared at Sun Shao, Sun Shao nodded thoughtfully, which confirmed Xun Yun's guess, and he couldn't help but be shocked.

After a short time, a tiger Benlang ran out of smoke and humbly saluted Sun Shao: "General Sun, Your Majesty has an edict, please enter the palace to pay respects." ”

"General, I'll go to see the Son of Heaven first, and then come out and talk to the general." Sun Shao arched his hand, followed Hu Benlang and strode away, leaving Xun Yun alone and standing at the door in a daze. After being in Wancheng for so long, he had heard a lot of things about Sun Shao, but today was the first time he talked to Sun Shao, although it was only a few short words, it made him shiver a few times one after another.

Liu Xie, the Son of Heaven, is exactly forty years old today, he is of medium height, with a fair complexion, a long round face, two sparse eyebrows, a light beard, and he looks very good-looking, but his eyes are a little listless, which makes the whole person look lacking a bit of spirit. He sat upright in the hall, but he didn't have the kind of aura that the Son of Heaven had, lifeless, no different from a clay puppet.

Sun Shao stepped forward to pay homage and bowed three times and bowed nine times. The Son of Heaven looked at him blankly, and a sneering light suddenly flashed in his dull eyes, but this light flashed and disappeared, and when Sun Shao stood up after saluting, he returned to his stunned appearance.

"Aiqing saw me, what happened?" The Son of Heaven said lightly, his tone so indifferent that he couldn't see any emotion.

Sun Shao smiled slightly, raised his head, and looked directly at the Son of Heaven very rudely. The Son of Heaven's eyelids jumped, and a wave of anger arose, but then suppressed it again. He looked at Sun Shao very calmly and listened to his intentions. Sun Shao raised the corners of his mouth and showed a very kind smile: "I have heard for a long time that Your Majesty is in danger and has a royal bearing. ”

The Son of Heaven was stunned for a moment, Sun Shao's words surprised him a little, he hesitated slightly, and responded lightly: "Gossip and common sayings, how can you be trusted." The general must have heard it poorly, I am not virtuous, and I am in a big position, thanks to the assistance of a virtuous person like the general and Cao Gong, if you want to talk about bearing, you should be a general. ”

Sun Shao was also not modest, he shook his head: "Your Majesty is humble. In Yichen's opinion, among the twenty-four emperors of the Han Dynasty, although His Majesty is not as talented as Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Xiaowu, he can be regarded as a rare hero. Please forgive your majesty for being arrogant, and the minister thinks that your majesty can be compared to Emperor Guangwu. ”

The Son of Heaven glanced at Sun Shao in surprise, a little unclear about his intention, he came to see him today, is it just to praise him? Or is he looking for some official position or title? He looked at Sun Shao and thought for a moment before smiling: "How dare I compare myself with the ancestor. The ancestor used cloth to carry a three-foot sword, pacified the world, and became the emperor of the world, I did nothing, living in the land of Wancheng, life and death are not known, how dare I compare with the ancestor. ”

"Not really." Sun Shao shook his head solemnly: "I think that when Emperor Shizu was cultivating in Nanyang, how could I have thought that he would one day be able to reign in the world?" Heavenly Dao cycle, although my Great Han has experienced many disasters, but now that His Majesty has returned to the land of Emperor Shizu Longxing, do you know that it is not an opportunity for Your Majesty to revive the Great Han? The saint saw the opportunity, why should His Majesty be so depressed. ”

The Son of Heaven was stunned and looked at Sun Shao without speaking.

Sun Shao continued: "Since Zhongping, there have been countless people in the world who have divided the states and counties, Dong Zhuo is rebellious, the lives are devastated, and His Majesty has moved to Xijing, which can be described as nine deaths and a lifetime, and there are several people who are on the verge of death. But His Majesty can get out of trouble from Li Dao and Guo Duo and return to Xu County, which means that tomorrow will not destroy my Han Dynasty, now Cao Gong is leveling the Central Plains, Liu Gong is guarding Yizhou, my Sun is pacifying Jiangdong, the world is calm, Your Majesty has come to Wanyang again, sitting in the world, as long as it is properly adjusted, how do you know that it is not the opportunity for the Han Dynasty to prosper? ”

The Son of Heaven scoffed, he somewhat understood what Sun Shao meant. Sun Shao wanted to use his name to mediate with Cao Gong, Liu Bei, Sun Quan and others, so that he could not only occupy the moral height, but no matter which side he threw himself on in the future, he would not bear the infamy of surrendering, because everything was done in the name of him, the Son of Heaven. At the end of the day, he was just trying to borrow a fig leaf. The Son of Heaven looked at Sun Shao with some contempt, it seemed that he couldn't hold it anymore, and he was ready to surrender to Cao Ying, but he didn't want to be regarded as betraying Sun Quan, so he remembered to meet him.

It's a shame that he didn't listen to Guan Yu, and issued an edict announcing that Cao Ying was a traitor, otherwise it would be troublesome now, once Cao Ying broke the city, he would definitely die. The death of the Han Dynasty is doomed, but he doesn't want to be martyred, in addition to inheriting the bloodline of the Liu family, he has not enjoyed the glory brought by the throne for a day, and some are just humiliation and fear, he can persist to this day, and he can be regarded as worthy of the ancestors of the Liu family, and there is no need to accompany another surname.

Give him whatever Sun Shao wants, as long as he doesn't endanger his surname, although Cao Ying is terrible, but he is outside the city, Sun Shao is in the city, once he disobeys him, he is afraid that he will immediately have a surname to worry about his life.

"Everything depends on General Sun and General Guan." The Son of Heaven said excitedly.

"Whoa." Sun Shao responded: "The minister dares not to do his best to serve His Majesty." ”

The few waiters and waiters standing next to them all showed disdain. The courtiers should be called "only" instead of "喏", this is the truth that the children of the family should understand, Sun Shao was born in the Sun family in Jiangdong, and he started to fight for 30 years from Sun Jian, and now he has become one of the overlords of the world in Jiangdong, but after all, no one in their Sun family has ever been an official in the court, and he doesn't even understand these simple truths.

They looked down on Sun Shao, but they didn't dare to show such a look on their faces, the dignity of the court officials had long since lost their courage after Dong Zhuo and Cao Ying's continuous suppression for thirty years, although this Sun Shao in front of him was young, he was a murderous martial artist, and it would definitely not end well if he was annoyed.

Although Sun Shao felt that those people looked a little weird, but he didn't take it to heart, he didn't have time, and he didn't have any interest in talking nonsense with a bunch of idlers, he said to the Son of Heaven straightforwardly: "The minister implores His Majesty to send an edict to Prime Minister Cao Cheng, Liu Yizhou and Sun Yangzhou, asking them to strike a truce for the country and come to Wancheng to discuss the great plan of Zhongxing." ”

The Son of Heaven pursed his lips, and said in his heart, You also think too highly of me, I have an edict, and they can come to Wancheng to negotiate? Whether it is Cao Ying, Liu Bei, or Sun Quan, who doesn't want to reign in the world, how can they lay down their arms and come to Wancheng to negotiate because of an edict. He looked at Sun Shao with a three-point sarcastic smile: "Does Sun Qing think they will come?" ”

"Will come." Sun Shao seemed confident, and then added: "I will definitely come." ”

"Oh?" The Son of Heaven was confused by Sun Shao's affirmative look, he licked his lips, and wanted to ask Sun Shao where his confidence came from, but when the words came to his mouth, he swallowed them back. He glanced at Zhang Yin, the imperial historian, and Liu Ruo, the auxiliary general, who were next to him, and motioned for them to ask. Although Liu Ruo, an auxiliary general, has no soldiers, just an ornament, he is a clan, and he can still do this for the Son of Heaven.

"General Sun is so stable, what is the best plan?"

Sun Shao turned his head and glanced at Liu Ruo: "Dare to ask what the foot is?" ”

Liu Ruo smiled: "Liu Ruo, the general of the Auxiliary State and the Marquis of Qingyuan." ”

"It turned out to be Liu Junhou." Sun Shao looked suddenly enlightened, and bowed down to give a salute: "Doesn't the prince know that Liu Yizhou and Sun Yangzhou have arrived with an army of 50,000?" ”

Liu Ruo was stunned for a moment, then turned his head and glanced at Tianzi and Zhang Yin. The Son of Heaven and Zhang Yin also felt very strange, they stayed in this Nan'an Palace every day, how could they know the news of Liu Bei and Sun Quan's arrival. The Son of Heaven reacted the fastest, and he immediately understood what Sun Shao meant. Sun Quan and Liu Bei arrived, their strength and Cao Ying's strength are similar, and now it has become a stalemate that no one can swallow anyone, at this time his position as the Son of Heaven is very important, if he declares Cao Ying to be a traitor, then Sun Quan and Liu Bei can have the upper hand, if he declares that Sun Quan and Liu Bei are rebellious, then Cao Ying is justified. In this delicate situation, the 20,000 troops led by Sun Shao and Guan Yu in Wancheng may affect the overall situation, they fall to Cao Ying, then Cao Ying will inevitably win, if they fall to Sun Liu, then Cao Ying's future is worrying.

Now Sun Shao has come to ask for the holy decree, precisely to combine these two advantages into one, so as to increase the bargaining chips in his hands and strive for greater interests for himself. Sun Shao's thoughts are obvious, but what about himself? The Son of Heaven suddenly became a little excited, could he also use this opportunity to get out of Cao Ying's control from now on?

Suddenly, he understood the true purpose of Sun Shao's saying that "the sage sees the opportunity to do it", and he was reminding himself that the situation in front of him was a good opportunity. If the Zhongxing Dahan is too vain, it is entirely possible to use the situation of the three parties to strive for a better situation than the current one. As long as they can break away from Cao Ying and then use the contradictions between their three parties to check and balance it, don't dare to say anything else, it is always possible to continue the Han Dynasty for a few more decades, right?

The Son of Heaven forcibly suppressed his excitement, he had been living in danger since he was nine years old, and he had known the dangers of rash action for more than thirty years, so although he heard a glimmer of life from Sun Shao's words, his face did not show even a trace of excitement. He nodded: "I haven't heard of this yet, have they really come to King Qin?" ”

Sun Shao smiled slightly: "The minister dares to deceive Your Majesty, this matter is true, the military report has just been sent to General Guan's hands, and he has not had time to report the good news to His Majesty, the minister is anxious, so he rushed to report in front of General Guan, and by the way, he will see His Majesty, and ask His Majesty to adjugate." ”

The Son of Heaven waved his hand: "Aiqing is loyal and commendable, and I am very relieved." I will entrust this matter to General Guan and the general, if God bless the Han and it is really done, I will definitely not forget your merits. ”

Sun Shao hurriedly bowed: "The minister thanked Your Majesty for the reward first." Then he said: "However, the ministers are humble and are afraid that they will not be able to undertake such an important task, and I ask Your Majesty to issue an edict and send important ministers to take charge of this matter, so as to overcome the full merits." ”

The Son of Heaven smiled disdainfully, and said in his heart, who else can do this except you? I'm afraid that Guan Yu can't even think of such an idea. Anyway, if you want someone to do something, you have to give some benefits, anyway, I don't have anything else, this official position is very much, give you an empty official position, you can do it yourself.

"Aiqing is young and promising, both civil and military, and is the best person to serve in this matter. Aiqing don't shirk it, the fate of my Han depends on Aiqing. Aiqing, I have appointed you as an envoy and a hussar general, and I am fully responsible for the matter of dismissing the army and negotiating peace. ”

Sun Shao was happy in his heart, this is good, I have become a hussar general all of a sudden, one level higher than Sun Quan's chariot general, I don't know what Sun Quan will think in his heart when he knows. He hurriedly shook his head and said: "The minister has no merit yet, how dare he accept this heavy reward, please Your Majesty take back the order, and it will not be too late to reward after the minister promotes a joint discussion." If you can invite heaven to be fortunate and assist Your Majesty to achieve this great achievement, the ministers will be able to accept it. ”

The Son of Heaven's eyes narrowed, hesitated for a moment, but did not insist. Sun Shao immediately made another request, asking the Son of Heaven to issue an edict to suspend the army, and then asking the Empress Cao Jie to give a decree to Prime Minister Cao Ying, persuading him to respond first. The Son of Heaven didn't say a word, and immediately agreed.

(To be continued)