In a corner of Xuchang City, a wine shop stands quietly on the corner of the street.

The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the wooden lintel of the wine shop, and the mottled light and shadow revealed a sense of the vicissitudes of time.

In the liquor shop, the fire beats slightly, the tea boiled on the stove exudes a faint aroma of tea, and the rising steam looks particularly soft in the dim light.

In stark contrast to this softness, the group of merchants sitting around the stove, their faces reflecting the warm light of the fire, but one by one they showed embarrassment.

They were dressed in gorgeous brocade robes and delicate jade pendants hanging from their waists, these high-spirited, treacherous and evil black market merchants in the past, at this moment, only their brows were tightly locked, as if they had encountered some thorny problem, and encountered a difficult problem that they couldn't solve!

"You can't do this errand..."

A middle-aged businessman sighed, his voice revealed exhaustion and helplessness, "Send grain from the Central Plains to the battlefield in Hanzhong, and send it to Uncle Liu Huang's army, how many checkpoints are there in between, how many soldiers will be checked, if it is really discovered, it is a clear rebellion against Great Wei!" Although we are black market businessmen, what we do has always been a headless business, and we are not above board, but this time it is too risky! One is not good, maybe he learned that Jiangdong's Zhou Lang 'lost his wife and broke his soldiers'! ”

"That's right," echoed the other merchant, his brow furrowed, as if he was thinking about how to solve the dilemma in front of him, and after thinking for a moment, he opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them all back.

But look at the wandering, hesitant eyes of the big guys.

It's like, what he's going to say... The big guys all understand, and it is also the most worried and hesitant of all the businessmen here.

It is true that if it is just a checkpoint along the way, then there are ways to solve it, such as bribery, such as buying, and then hiding food under handicrafts to get by, as long as you deal with people, as long as you make good use of the word "greed", there is always a way.

But the hardest thing is the mind of all the black marketeers here!

Speaking of which, anyone who can come here has more or less traded arms with Fu Shiren before, and they have also made a huge amount of money in Fu Shiren's business in the follow-up.

There's nothing wrong with trusting each other...

But I can't stand the special situation now, even if there are businessmen who can have this relationship with the sky and can get through the checkpoints along the way, they don't dare to take it, because once they are connected... It is bound to become a thorn in the eye and a thorn in the flesh of all other businessmen, and it is bound to be harmed by the combination of other businessmen.

It is precisely for this reason that at this moment, in this wine shop, next to the tea brewing around the hearth, all of them are frowning, although you are talking about it, but they obviously have ghosts... Everyone has their own mind.

Their voices reverberate through the restaurant, intertwined with the "crackling" of the fire, creating an extremely unique atmosphere.

But everyone's face is full of unwillingness, and their eyes are flashing with the light of 'not giving up' and 'unwillingness'.

Seem... They are sincerely sighing, they don't want to do this batch of Shu brocade, but Fu Shiren gave it, the profits of this business are too much!

So much so that even if they take risks, they don't seem to be unacceptable!

I still have to do it-

Finally, one of the oldest black marketeers stood up and said, "Actually, although it is not easy to transport grain, it is not completely impossible!" Different from the generosity of the great general Xiahoudun, the commander-in-chief of the Western Front battlefield, Xiahou Yuan, is a simple person, to put it bluntly, he is a person who picks the door... He not only picks on himself, but also is extremely strict with his subordinates! ”

"It is precisely because of this that the soldiers and officials on the Western Front are generally not high, and there is not much oil and water to be desired, but it is either in Guanzhong, or in Yongliang, or in Hanzhong after hundreds of miles of Qinling... It's all cold, hard places! Based on this, we bought the soldiers along the way, promised heavy profits, and then disguised the grain in the chariots and horses as some handicrafts, and it was easy to get through the customs in the dark! ”

Speaking of this, a cadre of businessmen bowed their heads one after another.

Different from traditional merchants, they are black market merchants, they are dancing on the tip of a knife, and every order they earn must be rewarded several times, and this kind of risk is commonplace for them.

It's just that...

All the businessmen raised their eyes, these words... It doesn't get to the bottom of it.

However, the old businessman's words continued, "You don't dare to promise General Fu Shiren in vain, this... I know, you know, we know... We are afraid that the business will not be done, but it will be overshadowed. So... I have a proposal! ”

"What?" Everyone asked urgently.

The old merchant Jia paused for a moment, "General Fu sold Shu brocade to me at the original price, as long as it was transported to the Central Plains, it would be twenty times or thirty times the profit, and even... If we join forces, it may not be impossible to make fifty times the profit, have you all forgotten the story of Emperor Han Ling's good donkey in the past, and the price of donkeys soared a hundred times? With such a huge profit, there are less than ten full seats present, I have an idea, let's do it together? Profit equalization, how? ”

The meaning of this could not be clearer... In order to prevent being yin by other businessmen, that simply... The big guys all participated, and together they sent food to Hanzhong and Uncle Liu Huang's barracks, everyone was a grasshopper on the same boat, one was prosperous, and the other was lost... Or in other words, to send together, to die together-

This...

Not to mention, this old businessman's proposal is a little creepy and incredible, but think about it carefully... But it's also a good idea!

Many businessmen lowered their heads and began to think silently... I wonder if the risk and reward of this order can be proportional! It's not worth the risk.

The answer is yes, in the eyes of the capitalists, just three times the profit is enough for people to trample on the law and risk hanging, let alone the twenty or thirty times the profit.

Who's going to be right with money?

"This proposal is good, I'll join this order! I already have a lot of dry goods there, and it doesn't take extra time to raise food! ”

A businessman's opening immediately caused a chain reaction.

"Count me in, I have some connections over there in Guanzhong, as long as the dots are in place... It's not too difficult to ship a batch of goods in the past! ”

"I have a lot of grain in Shangyongtun, and it's easier to transport it there... As long as it is checked, it can be delivered to Uncle Liu Huang in 20 days! ”

"I must be counted, I will make a specific carriage, and ensure that the grain can be hidden in it, so that the soldiers who check along the way will think that it is an ordinary handicraft, and it is harmless..."

In this way, these black marketeers have begun to divide labor and cooperate.

They are all human beings in this world, relationships, routes, methods... Everything you need, as long as the profit is big enough, they can take any risk!

On the other hand... Fu Shiren's conversation with these businessmen still reached the ears of Guan Yu and Xu Shu.

The two stood at the head of the city, and naturally they couldn't avoid this topic.

At this time, Guan Yu stroked his long hair and said lightly: "Use the grain from the Central Plains to solve the problem of my eldest brother's food supply... I don't know if Yunqi and Shiren are taking it for granted? Still ingenious, but undoubtedly... It's a risky move! It's not easy to succeed! ”

Xu Shu asked softly, "How do you say it?" ”

Guan Yu's strength in brushing his beard increased, and then he said lightly, "With so many merchants and dispatching such a large amount of grain, how can the Central Plains and the northern border be unaware, if it is discovered, it will not be able to escape the bamboo basket to draw water, but if this method does not work, it is not necessarily... If it were me, there would be nothing to lose, as long as there is a 10% chance of winning, I will do the same... Such as Yunqi, Shiren do this! ”

I heard Guan Yu say this.

"Haha..."Xu Shu suddenly laughed, and the smile was very relaxed.

This smile made Guan Yu stunned, and he hurriedly asked, "Yuan Zhi?" How to laugh? ”

"Yun Chang, take a look at this..."Xu Shu handed over a letter.

Guan Yu took it and looked at the letter and exclaimed, "Yunqi's letter? ”

"I just received it, and I came to look for Yun Chang, and the righteous Yun Chang is sentimental here..."

Following Xu Shu's words, Guan Yu quickly unfolded the letter.

It doesn't matter if this is not expanded, as soon as it is expanded, Guan Yu swept it over, and was immediately startled...

He became a little surprised, no... It was rare, and there was a great look of surprise in his jujube-like complexion.

"Yuan Zhi... The cloud banner means..."

Without waiting for Guan Yu to finish speaking, Xu Shu preemptively said: "The meaning of the cloud flag could not be clearer, two days later will be the first day, and when the time comes... The situation in Luoyang will change, and Cao Cao is especially busy taking care of himself, not to mention taking care of the actions of these merchants in the Central Plains, and there is..."

Speaking of this, Xu Shu's eyes changed from gentle to serious, sharp, and sharp.

"Yun Chang, you should be fully prepared in two days, Luoyang will change... It is very likely that there will be a short-lived fighter, Yun Qi has said so, Yun Chang, you must grasp this fighter! ”

Call...

With Xu Shu's words, Guan Yu let out a long breath...

After this breath, he suddenly felt that the long-lost blood suddenly stirred, and the resonance of his heart and the "cold saw" constantly collided.

Seems... The time when the army will take the lead will be reshaped again in front of us, reshaped at this moment!

That is the glory that belongs to him Guan Yu;

That's the glory that belongs to the Guan family's army!

…

…

The night was hazy, and the moonlight sprinkled on the desolate Yangping Pass, reflecting Xiahou Yuan's lonely figure.

Finally, he led the remnants of his defeated army and returned here with heavy steps.

In the past, the majestic and 8,000-strong Shensu Battalion now had less than 500 people left, and all of them were ragged and tired.

Defeated, defeated, routed.

This was a rare defeat that Xiahou Yuan had encountered in the past few years, and his mood was also extremely heavy, his eyes flashed with anger and unwillingness, and he rode on the horse all the way, almost always sighing.

At this moment..."crunch", the gate of Yangping Pass slowly opened like a dormant beast.

Jia Xu, Zhang Ji, Zhang He, and Cao Xiu quickly went out of the customs to welcome Xiahou Yuan.

"Dad..."Xiahou Heng, who had arrow wounds on his body, pointed to the open door of the cave and said loudly: "Mr. Jia and the soldiers have come to greet Dad..."

When Xiahou Yuan saw Jia Xu's quiet figure under the city tower from a distance, he finally couldn't help but sigh, turned over and dismounted, and then sat down on the ground.

"Tick... Tick..."

His emotions could no longer be contained, and a tear poured out like eyes, wetting the land in front of the Yangping Pass, but it was quickly dried by the night wind.

With a "bang", Xiahou Yuan slammed his fist on the ground.

At the same time, "Alas! Alas...", a sigh came out of his bowed head...

Bitterness, helplessness, hesitation, helplessness...

Xiahou Yuan slammed his fist into his chest fiercely, "I am ashamed of my trust in the lord, and I am ashamed of the brothers of the Shensu Battalion!" ”

When Jia Xu heard this, his brows furrowed slightly, he knew Xiahou Yuan's pride and conceit, and he could see him so out of shape at this moment, which showed the tragedy of the battle.

He stepped forward, helped Xiahou Yuan up, and persuaded softly: "General, victory and defeat are a common thing in soldiers, if you lose this time, you will fight back in the next battle, isn't it also the first defeat and then the victory against that Liu Feng before?" It's just that I'm a little curious, what happened? How could the general be defeated so badly? ”

Jia Xu is also puzzled...

It stands to reason that although Xiahou Yuan was a little suspicious of underestimating the enemy, his marching speed was famous in Cao Wei, and he definitely should not fall into disadvantage in the speed of competing with Huang Zhong for Micang Mountain.

But... Whether it is the previous emergency report or the appearance of Xiahou Yuan's fiasco in front of him, it proves a fact... This battle is a fiasco, it is a fiasco with no chance of winning at all, and even this rapid battalion collapsed and was subdued!

"Hmph..."

On the other hand, Xiahou Yuan snorted coldly, a trace of anger flashed in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth and said, "It's Huang Zhong!" The old thief was extremely cunning, with 800 troops to cross the Micang Mountain, and actually set up an ambush at the place where the water was wet, our army was caught off guard, and was attacked by the half-crossing, so the losses were heavy... Even... Even my Naba fell into the hands of the enemy. ”

Xiahou Yuan gritted his teeth in a word.

After Jia Xu heard this, his heart was shocked.

Although he knew that Huang Zhong was brave and good at fighting, he also imagined... Perhaps in the decisive battle at the top of Micang Mountain, Xiahou Yuan was not Huang Zhong's opponent.

But... Defeat the Eight Thousand Divine Speed Battalion in such a speedy way... That's kind of it!

No wonder, these returning soldiers were extremely depressed.

Such a battle not only loses the battle, but also loses morale and confidence...

Listening to Xiahou Yuan's words, Jia Xu was silent for a moment, and then comforted while helping Xiahou Yuan up: "The top priority is to regroup as soon as possible and prepare for the next battle. ”

Xiahou Yuan nodded heavily, he knew that what Jia Xu said was right.

And he knows... In today's situation, the only person who can turn the tide on the battlefield in Hanzhong for him is this poisonous man of the Great Wei - Jia Xu Jia Wenhe!

"Mr. Jia..."Xiahou Yuan solemnly bowed his hand to Jia Xu after getting up, "From now on, Yuan will definitely act according to Mr.'s plan, and will never have the slightest contempt for the enemy and make assertions again!" ”

This...

You must know that Xiahou Yuan's words were originally nothing, but when he said it in his capacity, it would be meaningful... In other words, he wants to completely pin his hopes on Jia Xu and Jia Wenhe for this Hanzhong battle.

Hearing Xiahou Yuan's words, Jia Xu groaned slightly, in fact, this was what he expected.

Winning, of course, is good for the situation;

It's not a bad thing to lose this battle, at least... can make Xiahou Yuan no longer careless and underestimate the enemy, and it can also make his Jia Xu's voice more important.

Old poison - in the shade!

Thinking of this, Jia Xu hurriedly helped up Xiahou Yuan, who was arching his hand, "The general has said it, since the old man is here, how dare he not do his best?" ”

"Mr. Najia..."Xiahou Yuan couldn't wait to ask. Now, what should our army do? Is it to defend the military mountain? Still is... Take the initiative? ”

"Micang Road has been lost, Liu Bei's army has arrived, Dingjun Mountain is too big, with the existing strength of our army, in addition to Dingjun Mountain, it needs to be divided into three, Jinniu Road, Chen Changdao need to send troops to garrison... Therefore, it is better to defend the military mountain than to learn from the previous deal with Liu Feng, only to defend the mountain pass, where to build protection and hold on to the enemy! ”

Yes...

Listening to Jia Xu's proposal, Xiahou Yuan's expression was a little complicated, and he didn't know whether to be surprised or disappointed...

Or, Xia Houyuan's expression seemed to be asking rhetorically: "That's it?"

It seems that in his opinion, Jia Xu's insistent strategy is substandard, and it is more than his previous plan to besiege Liu Feng and Ma Yan... There are a lot of substantials!

Who would have thought, Jia Xu saw what Xiahou Yuan was thinking at a glance, and he slowly stroked his beard while saying lightly, "Does General Xiahou know how much the population of Shu is?" ”

This...

Xiahou Yuan shook his head.

Jia Xu then asked, "Then does General Xiahou know how many miles of grain was sent from Chengdu to Dingjun Mountain?" How many miles are mountain roads? ”

This one...

Xiahou Yuan scratched his head, but still shook his head.

Jia Xu smiled, he explained with a smile: "There are a total of 200,000 registered households in Shuzhong, 900,000 people, this number of people is too far from the Central Plains, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang implemented apportionment into the mu and abolished the poll tax?" So? Where does the food come from in their treasury? And how many? ”

Hiss...

Xiahou Yuan seemed to understand it all at once, what Jia Xu meant... The grain and grass reserves in Shu simply cannot supply the Northern Expedition of this 200,000-strong army!

Jia Xu's words continued, "And from Chengdu to Dingjun Mountain, there are more than 1,500 miles here, and there are more than 300 miles of mountain roads. Throw away the wear and tear along the way, how much more is left? Hehe... Hehehe..."

In the end, Jia Xu smiled shallowly, and this smile made people look full of madness.

On the other hand, Xiahou Yuan, he suddenly realized: "According to Mr. Jia's story, the food of this big-eared thief can't support such a big war at all!" At most, three months, as long as I clear the wilderness and defend the danger, they will leave in disgrace, and then the situation will change, and they will run out of food, it is a good time for our army to beat the water dogs! ”

Because of Jia Xu's words, Xiahou Yuan, who was still gloomy just now, seemed to have a completely cloudy expression all of a sudden, "Hahahaha..."

"Hehe..."Listening to Xiahou Yuan's praise, Jia Xu also laughed lightly, he said lightly, "Fighting a war is never about who wins more, but who lives longer!" This long... It is the 'long' of the elongated front of the Shu army, and the 'long' of the Shu army's long journey, hehe... Sometimes, we don't do anything, and it's easier to live longer! ”

…

…

(End of chapter)