After Yang Xiu returned from Jiaozhou, he did not adopt the method suggested by Sun Shao, he felt that the method was too risky, once he missed, Cao Zhi would certainly lose the possibility of fighting for the heir, and his Yang family would also be unlucky, so he chose a relatively safe method, and asked Cao Zhi to follow Cao Shao's expedition to the west, waiting for the opportunity to make meritorious service, with merit and strength, even if the final struggle for the heir fails, at least he can keep his surname and glory and wealth, so as not to be disposed of by others as Sun Shao said, and there is no power to fight back.

Things went well, and after Cao Zhi was doing paperwork by Cao Ying's side for a while, Cao Hong was defeated by Zhang Fei, and the left army was not going well, at which point Cao Zhi took the initiative to ask for support. Cao Ying didn't believe it at first, but he couldn't stand Cao Zhi's insistence, so he sent him. In order to take the lead, Cao Zhi listened to Yang Xiu's advice, took a risk, and took 300 Hushi assigned to him by Cao Ying to climb the mountain and cross the danger, advanced more than 300 miles, successfully cut off Zhang Fei's grain route, and forced Zhang Fei to retreat to Langzhong to hold on.

This battle restored the advantage of Cao Jun, and at the same time made Cao Zhi's status in Cao Ying's mind greatly rise, followed by Cao Zhi to surprise again, trying to surprise the Sword Pavilion, but unfortunately this time the luck was not good, they got lost in the mountains and mountains, and were discovered by Liu Bei's scouts, after a fight, Cao Zhi retreated to Langzhong with only a dozen people left. The danger along the way goes without saying, Cao Zhi was injured, Cao Ying heard the report, he was surprised and delighted, surprised that Cao Zhi was too risky, and almost gave his surname to life, and he was happy that he used soldiers and wrote articles as informal, and had an unexpected pen. Therefore, he ordered Cao Zhi to be the general of Pingnan Zhonglang and preside over the war of the Left Route Army.

From this order, Cao Zhi felt his father's love and affection for him, and the pain he suffered was rewarded, and everything seemed very valuable, so he obeyed Yang Xiu's words, and he had a very wonderful premonition of war, but this premonition was very vague, and Yang Xiu needed to supplement it through precise analysis, and the two complemented each other and cooperated very well.

Now he had this premonition again, but Yang Xiu said that it might be that Xiahou Yuan, the general of Zhengxi, had a problem, not him, and he felt a little incomprehensible.

Yang Xiu put away the chess pieces on the chessboard one by one, and thought for a moment before saying: "Our army is a strategy, the general of Zhengxi is the main force, Zhang Fei is stuck in Langzhong, we basically have no possibility of advancing, Zhang Fei's pressure is not great, he doesn't need to make any surprise troops, just honestly defend Langzhong City." And the army of the general of Zhengxi is tightly attached to the Sword Pavilion, he is bold with his soldiers, he has always been as anxious as the wind and thunder, this time the Sword Pavilion of the Soldiers, will definitely attack with force, Liu Bei does not dare to relax at all, he will naturally bear the brunt of the problem of General Zhengxi. And ......" Yang Xiu was silent for a moment: "General Zhengxi is probably a little angry this time. ”

Cao Zhi laughed, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, a little complacent. Xiahoudun and Xiahou Yuan are both Cao Pi's cronies, Xiahoudun's son Xiahou Nan and Xiahou Yuan's son Xiahou said that they were Cao Pi's sworn friends, and Zhu Cao probably did the same, both had a good relationship with Cao Pi, and did not tend to him. This time he was able to go on the expedition, but Yang Xiu said that Cao Hong was moved. Cao Hong and Cao Pi have contradictions, for his own interests, he is willing to give Cao Zhi a chance, this time Cao Hong was defeated by Zhang Fei, it was the opportunity that Cao Hong gave him, and he seized this opportunity very well, and became the general of Pingnan Zhonglang in a short period of time, and his subordinates also had nearly 10,000 people. His partial army has sprung up, but Xiahou Yuan, as the main force, has been unable to break through the Sword Pavilion for a long time, and some anger is inevitable.

When people are in a hurry, they will inevitably show flaws. Yang Xiu also has his truth when he says this.

"Shall we remind him, then?"

"Be warned, but don't be too sure." Yang Xiu smiled: "Let's just say it's the general's speculation, believe it or not." ”

Cao Zhi rolled his eyes, and immediately understood what Yang Xiu meant, he got up, sat down in front of the bookcase, and wrote in a hurry, it didn't take long, a book was written, he handed it to Yang Xiu, Yang Xiu glanced at it, raised his thumbs and praised: "The general is really Wensi Quanyong, every word is beautiful, very good, I don't think a word can be changed." ”

Cao Zhi laughed: "Then Sun Fengxian could have written such an article?" ”

Yang Xiu shook his head: "He is a martial artist, how can he be compared to a general." ”

Cao Zhi blew the ink and arranged for someone to send it out immediately, then he smiled and said to Yang Xiu: "What's the use of literary talent?" A literati without military merits are worthless. Although Sun Fengxian's literary talent is not as good as mine, how can I dare to hope for his military exploits? Brother Dezu, I don't know until today how boring it was to be obsessed with articles and ink. ”

Yang Xiu pouted and did not speak. He thought of Kong Rong, Kong Rong is amazing, has good knowledge, and writes well, but unfortunately in front of the butcher's knife, learning and articles are useless, and he only ends up with a clan punishment. Cao Zhi is right, without military merit and strength, no matter how good his literary talent is, he can only use it to express his own pain, and cannot solve any practical problems.

…… Xiahou Yuan received Cao Zhi's urgent letter, glanced at it, and disdained it, he was very disdainful of Cao Zhi's self-righteous approach. You've only been fighting for a few days, and you dare to teach me how to do it.

Seeing that Xiahou Yuan's face was wrong, Xiahou Rong picked up the book and looked at it, and put it back on the case: "Father, I think Zijian has a point. ”

Xiahou Rong is the fifth son of Xiahou Yuan, only thirteen years old this year, he is a child prodigy, seven years old can write, and he has the ability to never forget. Cao Pi admired him very much, once invited him to a banquet, there were more than 100 guests to participate, each of them had a famous thorn, written with the name of each person's township, that is, the so-called Jueli thorn, Cao Pi let Xiahou Rong look at them one by one, and then inquired, the result was not a mistake, and the audience was surprised. Xiahou Yuan's sons are all talents, and Xiahou Rong is the most happy, Xiahou Yuan has been fighting abroad all the year round, taking him with him to relieve his boredom. Hearing him say this now, he had a rare laugh: "Why do you say that? ”

Xiahou Rong looked at Xiahou Yuan with big black and bright eyes, revealing a sweet smile: "Father, Zijian has built this book, you can advance or retreat." ”

Xiahou Yuan's eyes rolled, and he somewhat understood what he meant. Cao Zhi reminded him that Liu Bei might send someone to sneak attack, if this incident really happened, and Xiahou Yuan did not have any preparation, that is, Xiahou Yuan was looking for death by himself, and did not listen to people's persuasion, if Xiahou Yuan was prepared, it was also Cao Zhi's foresight to help Xiahou Yuan get through a difficult time. If Liu Bei didn't send someone to sneak attack, then he would not be ashamed, it is always better to be careful in fighting, and there is no harm in being more vigilant.

"He's very attentive." Xiahou Yuan pursed his lips and laughed secretly.

"Does Father think this is possible?"

Xiahou Yuan smiled faintly: "It's possible, of course it's possible, it's just that Liu Bei is now guarding the Sword Pavilion, is it possible that he can still spare the strength to sneak attack me?" ”

"It doesn't take a lot of people to sneak attack." Xiahou Rong shook his little head: "Zijian only used three hundred people to intercept Zhang Fei's grain road, if he wasn't familiar with the terrain, maybe the sneak attack on the Sword Pavilion would have been successful." Father, you must be on guard. ”

Xiahou Yuan rubbed his chin, nodded, turned his head and called Sima Guohuai, and asked him to take three thousand people to pick up the baggage team carrying grain.

"Father, wait and ask for credit for the son." Xiahou Rong said with a smile, his face showing the childishness unique to this age.

"Are you sure he's right?"

"If it's right or not, you have to ask for credit." Xiahou Rong nodded vigorously: "Father, Cao Gong asked Zijian to make meritorious contributions, haven't you seen his thoughts?" These two battles have shown that Zijian has the ability to use soldiers, and even if he can't be established as an heir, he will be a heavy general in the future. Now that he has taken the initiative to show affection, why do you refuse people thousands of miles away? ”

"Is that appropriate?"

"Yes, you're just reporting according to the truth, and it's not a false beauty, don't worry about what the Cao Guild thinks." Xiahou Rong said confidently: "Father, as an important minister trusted by Duke Cao, should report the true situation to Duke Cao. ”

"You don't like Zihuan?"

"It's not that I like it or not." Xiahou Rong shook his head: "It's because Duke Cao doesn't like it, otherwise, Jian'an should have an heir in the sixteenth year, why wait until now?" ”

Xiahou Yuan thought for a moment and nodded.

Two days later, Guo Huai sent back the news that he had received a baggage team more than 100 miles away, and the baggage team was besieged by Huang Zhong and Wei Yan, and it was in danger. Xiahou Yuan was taken aback and rejoiced, he didn't say a word, and immediately reported the incident to Cao Ying, and vigorously praised Cao Zhi's ability to fight like a god.

Cao Ying, who received the report, was overjoyed and sent someone to praise Cao Zhi, asking him to guard against arrogance and rashness, make persistent efforts, and at the same time send heavy troops to guard the grain and grass to avoid being attacked by Liu Bei again.

When the sneak attack failed, Liu Bei was very frustrated, so he had to grit his teeth and stick to it, looking forward to the news from the East.

Three days later, Zhuge Liang sent Fei Yuan to escort a batch of grain and grass to the Sword Pavilion, and Liu Bei urgently summoned Fei Yuan: "How is the situation in Chengdu?" ”

"The situation is critical." Fei Yuan said straight to the point: "So far, all the grain stocks in Yizhou have been transported to the front line, and there will be no more grain before the autumn harvest." ”

Liu Bei sank his face: "This bit of military food is only enough for me to support one month at most, and there are still three months until the autumn harvest, and the remaining two months will make me unable to drink the wind?" ”

Fei Yuan bowed and saluted: "Lord, Chengdu is really out of food, and the military advisor has used all the methods, almost scraping the ground." Not only food, but all the men who can be soldiers in Chengdu have been requisitioned, and there are no soldiers in Chengdu. ”

"How can it be?" Liu Bei couldn't hold back any longer, he was furious: "If you want soldiers but no soldiers, if you want food but no food, do you want me to surrender to Cao Ying?" You go back and say to Kong Ming......"

Fa Zheng coughed, and Liu Bei, who was furious, turned his head to look at him, and saw that Fa Zheng was glaring at him, so he had to suppress his anger. Fa Zheng beckoned to Fei Yuan, Fei Yuanjin hurriedly walked in front of Fa Zheng and bowed down: "What does the general command?" ”

"In the face of the current predicament, what arrangements does Kong Ming have?"

Fei Yuan glanced at the terminally ill Fa Zheng, and sighed secretly, Zhuge Liang couldn't compare to Fa Zheng's position in Liu Bei's mind, if he was here, it would be impossible to make Liu Bei quiet with a cough. And only Fa Zheng can appreciate Zhuge Liang's good intentions. He leaned forward, and said in a loud voice, not too small.

The military advisor said that there is a shortage of soldiers and food at the moment, but Cao Ying has also reached the end of the crossbow, and whoever can hold on to the end will be the final winner. Moreover, Cao Ying's soldiers are exhausted, Xu County and Yecheng are empty, and it is inevitable that things will change, and maybe the turnaround is just around the corner. ”

Fa Zheng nodded, he knew all this. "Is there a way to solve the matter of soldiers and food?"

"There is no way for soldiers, but there is a way for food."

"What's the solution?"

"Buy grain from Jiangdong."

Fa Zheng and Liu Bei glanced at each other and felt a little unreliable. Although the food in Eastern Wu is not as tight as that in Yizhou, they do not have extra food to support Liu Bei, and they are also preparing for a big war. Although it is an ally, they have already cheated this ally many times, and Sun Quan is willing to cooperate with him to send troops this time, it is for his own consideration, and it seems a bit too much to ask him for food.

"Okay." Liu Bei gritted his teeth, and his face was scoundrel: "If he doesn't sell it to me, I will defeat him, and he will not be good." ”

Fa Zheng smiled bitterly, Liu Bei is in a hurry to play this kind of shameless trick, but you still have to see if Jiangdong has any food, he can't tighten his belt to support you.

"Does he have any food?"

Fei Yuan smiled: "There is food." The military adviser received news that Sun Shao and Buqi pacified Jiaozhou last year and brought back a large amount of grain from Jiaozhou, and not only did they start all the rents from last year, but the Shixie brothers' 30 years of savings also became their spoils......

Before Fei Yuan's words were finished, Liu Bei's eyes turned red: "Sun Quan's vertical hair is gone!" ”

Fa Zheng also came to the spirit, and he sat up strongly: "Lord, Kong Ming's plan is feasible, it is okay to buy grain from Jiangdong, or it is okay to borrow grain, it can help us get through the difficulties." With food, the morale of the army will be stable, and we can hold on for a longer time, waiting for the world to change. ”

Liu Bei touched his chin and said with some worry: "I'm afraid that Sun Quan will take the opportunity to bite me, as soon as I buy this grain, I'm afraid that all the money in Yizhou will go to Jiangdong." ”

Fa Zheng couldn't cry or laugh, when is it, do you still want to bargain? I don't know if people are willing to sell it. Liu Bei saw that his expression was strange, and he also felt that he was thinking too off-topic, so he had to laugh dryly: "Since Xiaozhi thinks it is feasible, it is naturally feasible." ”

Fei Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, took out a brocade box from his arms, and sent it to Liu Bei with both hands: "Lord, this is the sharp weapon that the military advisor asked me to give to the lord." ”

"Sharp weapons?" Liu Bei's eyes lit up, what he needed most now was sharp weapons, but how many sharp weapons could be in a brocade box? He opened it and saw that it was a beautifully carved brass pipe. He looked at Fei Yuan with some suspicion, "What's the use of this?" ”

"My lord, please see." Fei Yuan fiddled with the copper pipe, and then handed it to Liu Bei, Liu Bei took it and looked at it suspiciously, and suddenly showed surprise: "Good thing, really good thing, this is something made by the military advisor?" ”

"Exactly." Fei Yuan laughed.

"Hehe, with this thing, we can anticipate the enemy prophet and take advantage of a lot of advantages." Liu Bei looked at it again and again, couldn't put it down, and finally handed the copper pipe to Fazheng, who glanced at it and nodded again and again: "It is indeed a sharp weapon, Kong Ming is really ingenious and full of whimsy." ”

"Is this the only one?" Liu Bei looked Fei Yuan up and down, as if he suspected that he was still hiding on him. Fei Yuan laughed: "This is the first one, and the military division is stepping up supervision, and it is estimated that ten more will be sent to the lord within a month." ”

"Good stuff." Liu Bei rubbed his hands, a little excited: "Go back and let him hurry up, he can arrive earlier, and he can play a role a day earlier." In addition......" He thought for a while and waved his hand: "As soon as the thing comes out, immediately send one to Guan Yunchang and Zhang Yide, especially Guan Yunchang, with this thing, he may be able to go more smoothly." ”

"Whoa." Fei Yuan nodded yes.

...... "Sit." Sun Quan pointed to the seat opposite, motioned for Sun Shao to sit down, and then looked at Sun Shao's face with a smile: "How is it, how do you feel home?" ”

Sun Shao smiled and nodded: "Thank you Supreme for your concern, I am fighting abroad, and what I miss most is that Supreme and his family are homesick together, it is really sleepless." When I got home yesterday, I finally got a good night's sleep. ”

Sun Quan smiled, will you miss me? The ghost of the heart believes you. "You're sleeping at home, and we've been busy all night. I discussed your plan with Ziming and others, and I think this plan is very good, if it can be implemented smoothly, we can not only strongly support Liu Bei, but also expand our strength. But ......" Sun Quan stopped talking and looked at Sun Shao intently: "There is a lot of difficulty in this. ”

Sun Shao's eyelids were raised, looking at Sun Quan, who wanted to speak and stopped, but he didn't speak. When Sun Quan said this, he simply looked like he wanted to set him up, he couldn't speak easily, otherwise he would definitely suffer.

Seeing that he was silent, Sun Quan had no choice but to continue: "In addition to the Qingxu Naval Division, Xiahoudun has nearly 40,000 horses, including nearly 5,000 cavalry, and we only have more than 40,000 people, and there is no formed cavalry, even if you defeat the Qingxu Naval Division, but once we go deep into the Jianghuai, I am afraid we will still not be able to win quickly." ”

Sun Shao nodded, still without saying a word, and listened quietly.

"Therefore, we feel that the most anxious thing at the moment is not Jianghuai, but Jingzhou. If Guan Yu can quickly defeat Cao Ren, he will be able to take Nanyang directly and approach Xu County, and at that time, Cao Ying can only withdraw troops from Hanzhong to protect the Beijing Division. ”

"What does the Supreme mean?" Sun Shao gradually heard a little meaning, Sun Quan still didn't seem to want to take risks, he wanted to let Guan Yu contribute first, and then see if he wanted to make a move according to the situation. If Guan Yu wins, either Xiahoudun retreats, then he can take advantage of the weakness and take Jianghuai directly, or Cao Ying withdraws his troops, then Liu Bei is also preserved, the entire strategic task is completed, and Jiangdong has no loss. In case Guan Yu loses, then what he thinks may be to give up Liu Bei directly, seize Jingzhou in front of Cao Ying, and prepare to protect Jiangdong.

"I was going to send Sun Jiao to assist Guan Yu, but Sun Jiao and Guan Yu have been facing each other for many years, and I am afraid that they will not be able to trust each other. So, I hope you can go to Jingzhou to assist Guan Yu in the battle. ”

Sun Shao thought for a while: "That's where I go with more than 10,000 sailors?" Is there anyone else cooperating? ”

Sun Quan shook his head: "Aurora sailors can't all go, I still need you to leave a part to help me guard the river, during this time, the generals' ships have lost a lot, and it is not easy for them to defend the river." He smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have arranged another trustworthy person to cooperate with you to go to Jingzhou." One is Zhou Xun and the other is Sun Huan, how? ”

Sun Shao smiled, and said in his heart that Sun Quan was really well-intentioned. On the one hand, he divided the Aurora Sailor into two, and on the other hand, he mixed sand with himself. Zhou Xun is his quasi-son-in-law, and Sun Huan is the commander of the military guard beside him, both of whom are his direct cronies. And these two people have a relationship with themselves, Zhou Xun is his cousin, Sun Huan's father Sun He is his brother Sun Shao's uncle, Sun Huan and Sun Shao are brothers, that is, their own brothers, if they don't accept the two of them, then they will offend the Sun clan and the Zhou family, making people think that he is selfish and disregards family affection. In this era when the concept of clan is extremely heavy, it is a very serious crime to disregard family affection.

However, is it so easy to mix sand in the Aurora Water Master? Sun Shao smiled faintly: "It's all up to the Supreme Arrangement." ”

(To be continued)