Compared with other states, Qingzhou did not have a major military disaster after quelling the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Occasionally, some bandits and bandits appeared, and each county would send troops to suppress them.

A stable environment will stimulate the recovery of people's livelihood and economy.

Especially after the bumper harvest ushered in Qingzhou last year, handicraft industries such as iron smelting, lacquerware, copper casting, and textiles have also begun to recover.

The sea salt mill built by the state governor was also sold to salt merchants in need.

Among them, the Qingzhou salt merchant escort fleet, which is closely related to Haiyanfang, has also gradually taken shape.

The predecessor of this salt merchant's escort fleet was a pirate Guan Cheng who was active in Dongrae County.

Guan Cheng has a small island inhabited overseas, with 5,000 soldiers under his command and 300 large and small ships, which is the strongest water thief force in the sea of Qingzhou.

Now they choose to cooperate with Qingzhou to protect the salt merchants in Qingzhou and fight other pirates at sea, which is also quite pleasant for both parties.

After all.

This can bear the benefits, and there is no need to worry about the conflict between the robbers and Liu Bei.

When you go out to seek wealth, who will have trouble with money?

Before Tai Shici went to Yangzhou, Guan Cheng had not cooperated with Qingzhou, and he was quite surprised at this time: "Xianmou, did you surrender Guan Cheng?" ”

On the ground of Qingzhou, the only water thief who can compete with the navy is Guan Cheng.

Zheng Ping shook his head: "It's not a surrender, it's just some cooperation in interests." ”

"The salt chamber in Qingzhou sells the prepared sea salt to other places, while Guan Cheng is responsible for guarding the sea and waterways."

Tai Shi Ci was surprised: "I didn't expect Guan Cheng to be willing to be the salt merchant's guard." ”

Zheng Ping said with a smile: "Being a salt merchant's escort makes more money and has less risk than robbing a house, how can Guan Cheng be unwilling?" ”

"Ziyi can take my letter to Donglai to see Guan Cheng, if you can bring those fifty warships back to Qingzhou, you can give them five warships as a reward."

Tai Shi Ci was taken aback: "But this Wu County's warships are more sophisticated than those of Guan Cheng, doesn't this make Guan Cheng's forces more uncontrollable?" ”

Zheng Ping shook the feather fan gently, his eyes burning: "Even if you raise a tiger, you have to give the tiger a bite of meat to eat before you can take care of the home!" ”

"If this warship of Wujun can't attract Guan Cheng, why does Guan Cheng bring those fifty warships back to Qingzhou for us?"

Tai Shici was still a little worried: "What if Guan Cheng detains all these fifty warships?" ”

Zheng Ping smiled: "Then in the future, the salt of this salt merchant will not take the sea and water routes." If I am not benevolent, I will be unrighteous and hurt each other, and it is the one who suffers. ”

There are warships, which can always dominate only at sea and on the water.

But if Qingzhou gathers all the soldiers and horses along the coast, it is not a good thing for Guan Cheng to not be able to get supplies on the ground in Qingzhou for a long time.

Guan Chengneng chose to cooperate with Qingzhou and become the salt merchant's escort, which proves that this person is good at weighing the pros and cons.

It is very unwise for Guan Cheng to give up the interests of the salt merchant escort for the sake of fifty warships, and then make a mortal enmity with Qingzhou.

Tai Shici was skeptical, but he still took Zheng Ping's letter to Donglai County to see Guan Cheng.

"Do you want to pay me five ships?" Guan Cheng's eyes glowed.

The warships of Wu County are much stronger than the ships built by the original dockyard in Qingzhou.

It is priceless in the market, and if you want to buy it, you have to find a relationship.

Tai Shi Ci nodded: "Wu County has a heavy blockade by Liu Xuan, the assassin of Yangzhou, as long as you can bring back these fifty warships, the five warships promised to you will not be less!" ”

Guan Cheng laughed: "On the sea, who can win my Guan Cheng?" I'll take care of this business! ”

"Recently, a group of salt merchants' ships are going to Yangzhou, and I personally lead a team to escort them, is General Taishi with me, or is he appointing someone else to hand over the warship?"

The reward for five warships is enough to manage the risk.

Tai Shi Ci said awe-inspiringly: "I'll go myself." ”

First, Tai Shi Ci was responsible for docking with Wu County's ship merchants, and second, Tai Shi Ci also wanted to see the command level of Guan Cheng on the water.

Although Guan Cheng is now an ally of Qingzhou, there may also be conflicts of interest in the future.

Only by knowing oneself and knowing one's opponent can one win a hundred battles.

The other side.

After all, Gongsun Zhan still remembered his past friendship with Liu Bei, gave up the original intention of letting Liu Yu stay in Zhuocheng, and handed over Liu Yu, Xian Yufu, Xian Yuyin, Zhao Yun, Tian Feng and other civil and military personnel, as well as the frustration of the angry resignation, along with hundreds of family members, to Guan Yu and others to escort to Qingzhou.

Gongsun Chan also made a good gesture with Liu Yi, and let Liu Yu recuperate in Zhuxu County.

Because there are old and weak women and children, Guan Yu and others can only walk ten to twenty miles a day, and they have to rest for three days, and Liu Yu, who is depressed, has to go to the beach to see the sea.

So much so that it was almost a month before the team arrived in the Bohai Kingdom.

Although Guan Yu wanted to arrive in Linzi City earlier, he didn't dare to rush too much.

After seeing Lu Zhi's white head overnight, Guan Yu had some new understanding of these old ministers of the Han family.

Liu Yu's mood at this time will not be much better than that of Lu Zhi in the past.

was entrusted by Liu Bei to keep the jade seal of the country, but because of his own light enemy, he fell into the calculations of Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zhan.

Not only did the jade seal of the country be lost, but also made Liu Ye, the king of Hejian, the new son of heaven.

One country, two sons of heaven.

It's split!

And all this was caused by Liu Yu's mistakes.

Self-blame and remorse made Liu Yu feel depressed.

"General Guan, the march is too slow."

"Su is worried that Yuan Shao may use trickery."

Lu Su was a little worried.

Since Chen Deng had not yet come to Qingzhou, the post of military advisor of the first camp was temporarily held by Lu Su, who was at the age of a weak crown.

Guan Yu admired this "Confucian scholar" who was skilled, could shoot a hard bow, and was heroic.

Guan Yu knew Zheng Ping's intention of letting Lu Su come to be the first military division to enter the camp, so he often instructed Lu Su on the practical skills of marching and setting up camp.

"Zijing, if you can persuade Da Sima, this march will naturally be faster." Guan Yu half-squinted Danfeng's eyes, but his gaze did not leave the "Lu's New Book" in his left hand.

Lu Su shook his head: "If Su can persuade him, he will not come to General Guan." ”

Guan Yu stroked his beautiful hair with his right hand and said, "Since you can't persuade you, you can only come to the enemy with soldiers and water to the earth weir." ”

"Yuan Shao wants to use tricks, but he is nothing more than assassinating Da Sima in the name of Gongsun Zhan, and then blame Gongsun Zhan."

"In this way, Yuan Shao can take the opportunity to get rid of Gongsun Zhan, the great general, and take the opportunity to integrate the soldiers and soldiers of the two states."

"Only Yuan Shao can enjoy this meritorious service."

Right now.

Guan Ping arrived wearing small armor: "Father, there is a group of homeless people in front, I heard that Da Sima is here, and I want to ask for some food." ”

Lu Su was taken aback: "What about Da Sima?" ”

Guan Ping said: "Da Sima ignored the obstruction, and also went to the position of the homeless. ”

Lu Su exclaimed: "Not good, this may be the enemy's trick!" ”

Guan Yu's Danfeng eyes suddenly opened.

And at the front.

A group of ragged homeless people, all with yellow faces and thin muscles.

Liu Yu couldn't bear it, so he asked people to carry some food and distribute it to the displaced people.

And in the group of displaced people, a pair of fierce eyes quietly appeared.

Liu Yu looked at this group of homeless people and couldn't help but sigh: "Jizhou is rich, and there are so many homeless people. The country is in turmoil, and the old man can't please the thief, how sad. ”

And on the side.

Tian Feng glanced at the homeless people with sharp eyes, and whispered to Zhao Yun: "Sima Zhao, beware of assassins hidden among the homeless people. ”

Zhao Yun understood, and quietly walked a few steps closer to Liu Yu.

Just as the grain was being carried over and ready to be distributed to the displaced people, the group of displaced people suddenly began to loot the grain like hungry wolves seeing sheep, as if they were afraid that they would not be able to grab it when it was too late.

"Folks, don't mess around, everyone has it!" Liu Yu hadn't noticed anything unusual.

But in the crowd, someone had already pulled out a sharp blade.

"On the orders of Yuan Gong, kill the traitor!"

In a flash.

More than a dozen dead soldiers rushed towards Liu Yu.

The green light on the edge of the knife looked like it was soaked in poison.

If this is stained, it is basically immortal and crippled.

"How daring!"

Liu Yu's personal guards hurriedly blocked in front of Liu Yu, and Tian Feng also drew his sword.

But this group of dead soldiers was not afraid of death, and in the face of Liu Yu's personal guards, who were several times their own, there were even three people who rushed to kill Liu Yu.

"Die!"

Three dead soldiers rushed towards Liu Yu.

But before he met Liu Yu, he saw a burst of silver light in front of him.

The sharp tip of the sword instantly slashed through the throats of the three dead soldiers.

It was Zhao Yun who made the move.

Zhao Yun searched out a token with the word "Yuan" in the arms of the three dead soldiers.

"Is it Yuan Shao's man?" Zhao Yun handed the token to Tian Feng with some doubts: "When the assassin deliberately left a token to identify himself, Mr. Yuan Hao, will this be a fraud?" ”

Tian Feng looked at it carefully, and already had a guess in his heart, but he didn't answer Zhao Yun's inquiry, but looked at Liu Yu: "Da Sima, we have to rush back to Qingzhou as soon as possible." ”

"If the assassin assassination fails, there must be a follow-up move."

Liu Yu's face turned pale: "The old man has left Zhuocheng, do you still want to put the old man to death?" ”

At this time.

Guan Yu, Lu Su and the frustrated people who heard the news also rushed to hear the shouts of killing.

As soon as they saw the Yuan token, everyone's expressions were weird.

Especially Lu Su, at the beginning, he judged that Yuan Shao would pretend to be Gongsun Zhan's person to assassinate Liu Yu and then blame Gongsun Zhan.

As a result, the evidence present pointed to Yuan Shao.

But, would Yuan Shao be so stupid as to report his home and leave the word "Yuan" token when he was assassinated?

"What a thief shouts to catch a thief." Frustrated and snorted: "Yuan Shao is a thief, he will play this kind of little trick." ”

Fu Zhu had already seen Yuan Shao's intentions clearly.

Because Guan Yu brought the first camp, most of this first camp was withdrawn from the Luoyang battlefield and survived the battle of Fengqiu City.

It's the best of the best.

If Yuan Shao wanted to send soldiers and horses to intercept and kill Liu Yu, he had to at least let Yan Liangwen Chou bring several times the elite soldiers from Jizhou.

But in this way, it is impossible to hide his whereabouts, and he will also make enemies against Liu Bei.

Therefore.

It is better to send soldiers and horses than to send dead assassins.

Shouting "On the orders of Yuan Gong, kill the traitor!" ", and left the word "Yuan" token, just to make people conclude that this was an assassination to blame Yuan Shao.

And the person who blames the blame, Gongsun Chan is the most suspicious.

Regardless of whether he killed Liu Yu or not, Yuan Shao could use this reason to kill Gongsun Chan and take away all the power of Gongsun Chan.

"Da Sima, go back to Qingzhou quickly." Guan Yu half-narrowed Danfeng's eyes, and didn't pay much attention to these dead assassins: "There won't be only one wave of assassins, if they assassinate their families instead, it will be difficult for us to take care of them." ”

Liu Yu stopped talking and agreed to Guan Yu's proposal.

Without Liu Yu going to watch the sea from time to time to relax, the next journey became much lighter.

Arrived at Leling.

Zhang Fei's Ruishi Battalion also followed.

"Xuande's soldiers and horses are so elite!" Liu Yu couldn't help but secretly marvel.

The elite who first entered the camp, Liu Yu has seen it all the way.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Fei also commanded an elite army of soldiers and horses!

"Perhaps, Xuande can fulfill the old man's long-cherished wish." Liu Yu secretly sighed while observing Qingzhou Ruishi.

Arrive in the territory of Linzi City.

It's already August.

Qingzhou's second-year grain crops were growing vigorously, and Liu Yu was amazed for a while.

And the frustration who has never been to Qingzhou is also quite admiring.

"I didn't expect that Qingzhou, which still needed money and grain relief from various states last year, would have cultivated so much fertile land. Incredible! Frustrated exclaimed.

Looking at the villagers working in the fields, humming cheerful Yuefu songs one by one, Liu Yu's depression for days gradually dissipated with the peace of Qingzhou.

"Xuande governs Qingzhou, which can be called a model for all states." Liu Yu also praised it from the bottom of his heart.

Zhang Fei on the side was happy to hear this, and leaned closer and said: "Big Sima Ling doesn't know, but the eldest brother personally went to the field to work with the villagers. ”

Liu Yu was slightly surprised: "Xuande personally went to the field? ”

Although Liu Yu is also benevolent in Youzhou and advises farmers to teach mulberry, Liu Yu is more at the decision-making level, and will only listen to the reports of the civil and military forces and will not personally visit the fields, let alone work in the fields.

Zhang Fei said proudly: "I won't deceive people!" If Da Sima doesn't believe it, he can ask a villager near Linzi City casually, and it can be confirmed. ”

Liu Yu thought about it, so he asked everyone not to follow, and only took Zhao Yun to a field alone, dismounted and asked: "Uncle, do you know how this Qingzhou herdsman is?" ”

The old farmer glanced at Liu Yu and chuckled: "Listen to the accent, you are from Youzhou, right?" ”

Liu Yu nodded: "The old man is indeed from Youzhou and wants to defect to a virtuous nephew in Linzi City." ”

"The virtuous nephew said in the letter that this Qingzhou herd loves the people the most, and even went to the field himself, and the old man was quite surprised."

The old farmer smiled: "This is not strange, outsiders will be surprised when they come to Qingzhou for the first time." ”

"Lao Yu won't talk nonsense to you, last year, Lao Yu not only farmed with Xuande Gong, sat on the same field, and ate the same coarse grain cakes, but also the angels from Chang'an also ate together."

The old farmer recounted the past when he farmed with Liu Bei last year and met the angel Liu Ai.

Speaking of highlights, they also danced with their hands.

And the surrounding villagers also gathered, and in front of Liu Yu, they praised Liu Bei.

There is no sycophancy in the words, but the tone is full of pride!

Liu Yu could see that this group of villagers was not the people arranged by Liu Bei in advance.

The reverence in the eyes, and the smooth narration, could not have been so natural if he had not experienced it himself.

"Xuande's reputation in Qingzhou makes the old man ashamed."

"It seems that the old man has to talk to Xuande well."

(End of chapter)