Three Kingdoms: I help Liu Bei grow thousands of miles

Page 162

When the situation was extremely critical, Xu Shuang led [-] trapped soldiers to arrive in time. Relying on the elite equipment and training gap of the trapped troops, they repelled the attacks of Lu Fan and Wei Jing many times. Thousands of new recruits were recruited with a lot of money, and the total frontline strength reached [-] at its peak.

Suipu Pass is a dangerous pass that cannot be opened by one man. Considering the small number of guards, Xu Shuang ordered to stick to the pass and never go out to pursue it. This tenacious attitude made Lu Fan and Wei Jing very helpless. It can only carry out a strong attack at the risk of huge losses.

Wei Jing worried that it would take a long time like the battle of Moon Fort, so before the war, he sent someone to Jiaozhi to ask Shi Xie to borrow grain. In the past two years, Jiaozhou has a favorable climate and a lot of grain production. .

Lu Fan and Wei Jing attacked regardless of the cost, and the number of defenders at Weipu Pass decreased by the same proportion. On the seventh day of the war, Hao Pu's original [-] garrisons were all killed. He could only transfer the last [-] soldiers from Chen County They came over, and the number of enemy troops was still about [-].

Wounded soldiers and corpses can be seen everywhere in Guanliguan. Every day after the war, there are special personnel to carry away and burn the corpses. Xu Shuang worried that if they were not treated in time, there would be a plague.

After the pass, the people of Suipu Pass, in addition to sending food, rice, melons and fruits to the defending soldiers, also took the initiative to carry supplies for the defenders, such as lifting stones and repairing the city walls. Many people also sent the stored feces to burn gold juice. An important fertilizer they use for spring topdressing.

The population of Guiyang County dropped sharply during the plague at the end of Han Dynasty, and it was once the least populated and poorest area in Jingzhou. After Liu Bei arrived, he used the cultivation of blue fields to restore the population. The local people recognized the current officials very much.

In order to protect the hard-won life, the people at the border gates in Guiyang have given away people and food.

Before Quanling set out for the expedition, Lantian made a special confession that war is something that professional soldiers do. Try not to drag the people directly into the flames of war. This will not only indirectly delay production, but also overwhelm the army's supply system.

As a last resort, Xu Shuang did not plan to temporarily recruit civilians to join the army. Later, more and more defenders died in battle, and Xu Shuang was already preparing to send people to Linwu County, when the Jiaozhou Army's offensive suddenly weakened.

The news came from Cangwu County in the rear that Lai Gong used his identity as the governor of Jiaozhou to recover the lost land as an excuse to raise troops from Moon Fort to Guangxin. Lu Fan could only draw [-] soldiers from the front line to defend.

Lu Fan originally wanted to lead the troops back to defend Cangwu himself, but Wei Jing had to leave to go back to the South China Sea because of important matters, so he could only stay at Weipu Pass to direct the attack.

Because Lu Fan sent troops to Cangwu to resist Lai Gong, the total remaining troops in front of Weipu Pass were less than [-]. The number of troops directly affected the strength of the siege, and Xu Shuang's pressure dropped sharply.

Lu Fan was not in a hurry when the attack was weak. After all, Sun Quan gave them the task of supporting Cheng Pu. As long as they kept the pressure on the border, it would be an effective support for Cheng Pu.

The reason why Wei Jing wanted to go back to the South China Sea in person was because Shi Xie not only readily agreed to borrow food, but also promised to send [-] soldiers and horses to help in the battle, so he was overjoyed and went back to Panyu to wait.

At this time, Shi Hui was departing from Longbian by boat and headed towards Panyu along the sea. Because of the strong wind and waves on the sea, his speed was slow. His fleet arrived in the South China Sea at the end of March.

The officer at the bow of the boat had stern eyes, and he didn't have the flattery of sending food and soldiers.

Chapter 336 Wutong Weeping Blood

A few days ago, in Jiaozhi County, Longbian Taishoufu.

Shi Xie was hesitant when he received the letter from Lantian. He voted for Sun Quan first and then Liu Bei like grass on the wall. He just wanted to live a stable life in Lingnan and really didn't want to participate in the battle in the Central Plains. However, it was inconvenient for him to refuse Lantian's order, so he called Brothers and nephews go to the house to discuss matters.

After everyone came together, Shi Xie raised the letter in his hand and said: "Lv Fan and Wei Jing recently sent troops to attack Weipu Pass. General Lan wrote a letter ordering me to send troops to the South China Sea to cooperate with the governor Lai Gong to attack Cangwu. I don't know how to refuse now. Do you all have ideas?"

Hepu prefect Yi said first: "Regardless of whether there is an order from General Lan, but judging from the timing, it is indeed a good time to recover the South China Sea. Wei Jing almost took away all the soldiers and horses in the county, and he can take down Panyu with only a few thousand troops. city."

Huang You, the prefect of Jiuzhen, quickly shook his head: "Brother, this statement is inappropriate. This will completely break with Jiangdong. If Liu Bei loses to Sun Quan, we will suffer in the future..."

"It is rumored that Liu Xuande has won Xichuan, and now he is sitting in Jingzhou and Yizhou. Lai Gong has been secretly communicating with him. I think his strength has surpassed Sun Quan." Shi Yi analyzed.

Shi Huangyou argued: "Because Liu Bei sent soldiers from Jingzhou to attack Xichuan, Sun Quan took advantage of the emptiness in the rear. This is very similar to the current situation in the South China Sea. I think it is unknown who will win and who will lose. Lan Ziyu's intention Isn't it also to contain Wei Jing? I think the outcome of these two families is unpredictable..."

"Anyway, the opportunity is not to be missed, and whether to send troops or not is entirely up to the eldest brother." Shi Yi said with his fists clasped.

Shi Xie is now riding a tiger, and now he has to send troops to seize the South China Sea, or pay Wei Jing money and food. It is very difficult to remain neutral. According to Lan Tian's letter, Lai Gong will attack Cangwu at the same time, and it seems that he wants to drive Jiangdong away completely. Out of Jiaozhou.

Now that the news of Sun Liu's rebellion has spread, it is hard to predict who will win and who will lose. Shi Xie turned his attention to the younger generation.

"Zi'er, Hui'er, Gan'er, Song'er, Kuang'er, don't keep silent, and give advice to the Shi family." Shi Xie ordered with a frown.

The third son, Shi Hui, and Shi Qian, who is hostage to Jiang Dong, are descendants of the descendant. He is the highest status among the second generation. Everyone was waiting for him to speak, so he stood up and asked, "Dare to ask father, who is the letter from General Lan?" Send it?"

"Lai Gong sent someone to bring it here." Shi Xie replied truthfully.

"If the letter is true, then Lai Gong may have voted for Liu Bei, otherwise he would not be so obedient." Shi Hui analyzed.

Shi Xie waved his hand: "What does Hui'er want to say?"

Shi Hui stroked his beard and said: "My family is located in the South of the Five Ridges. Neither Liu Bei nor Sun Quan can afford it. Naturally, I have to choose a strong man to join me. However, I can't see the pros and cons in a hurry. However, there is a nursery rhyme prophecy on the streets of Longbian recently. , maybe there is some deep meaning in it..."

"Nursery rhyme prophecy?" The three Shi Xie brothers were surprised at the same time. Nursery rhyme prophecy usually implies important events, so they all paid more attention to it.

The youngest son, Shi Song, added: "Brother is right, I also heard my son singing it just now."

"Let's hear it." Shi Xie was full of doubts.

Shi Song looked at Shi Hui and didn't dare to speak, he was afraid that his brother would say that he was overwhelming, he blurted out just now, but in fact he regretted it just after he finished speaking.

Unexpectedly, Shi Hui was not angry, he smiled slightly: "Since brother Song knows, let everyone know."

Shi Song observed from left to right and finally said: "The prophecy said: There are sycamore trees in Lingnan, with eleven branches, and birds stand beside the tree, and the weeping blood is sycamore juice."

Indus, bird, weeping blood, sycamore juice...

Everyone in the hall was dumbfounded when they heard it, and they all felt that it meant something, but they couldn't guess what it meant for a while.

Shi Xie loves academics and studies subtleties, but he was puzzled by some mysterious prophecies. He looked around and asked, "Which of you can understand this prophecy?"

Everyone was silent at first, and then Shi Yi suggested: "Mr. Cheng Guo (Liu Xi) is a great scholar of Confucian classics. He lives in Hepu now. Why don't you send someone to invite him?"

"It will take a few more days to come back to Pupu. If Mr. Cheng Guo travels abroad, wouldn't it be a waste of time?" Shi Xie frowned.

At this moment, Shi Hui saw that the scholar was only hesitant to speak, so he snorted coldly and said, "I see that elder brother seems to have realized something. This is a great event for the scholar's family. Why is elder brother unwilling to say a word?"

"Ji'er?" Shi Xie frowned.

"Father, although my son can't understand the prophecy, there is a guest in my mansion who has seen people, maybe he can call him to have a try..." Shi Zhi bowed his head and said.

Although Shi Zhi is the second son of Shi Xie, but because he is a concubine, he has little say in the family, and he himself is happy to be an indisputable rich man.

"A guest in your house? What's his origin?" Shi Xie frowned, obviously not convinced.

Shi Yi clasped his hands and replied: "This man's surname is Hu. He used to be a merchant who traveled all over the Central Plains. Recently, because Sun Liu rebelled against the Yangtze River waterway, he couldn't do business. He came to Jiaozhou with Ustin to relax when he has nothing to do..."

"What insights can merchants have?" Shi Xie asked suspiciously.

He lowered his head and said in a low voice: "Mr. Hu has traveled all over the world. Because he has traveled far and wide, he has seen a lot. Of course, he may not be able to solve it..."

"Father, since it was recommended by your elder brother, why don't you call him and have a try?" Shi Hui suggested.

After the eldest son, Shi Qian, was sent to Jiangdong, Shi Hui became Shi Xie's successor, so he used this method from time to time to beat his second elder brother.

"Then please come and have a try." Shi Xie set the tone.

"Wei." Shi Zhi nodded.

Shizhi sent people to invite Hu Ke to take a break. More than ten members of the Shixie family spoke enthusiastically, speculating on the outcome of Sun and Liu's struggle for Jingzhou. The impression of Lantian was very deep, so Aiwu and Wu believed that Liu Bei could win.

Hu Ke walked into the Longbian prefect's mansion, and found that the whole family of Shijia was not young, and they were indeed long-lived masters as the legend said.

Shi Xie wanted to teach Hu Ke, so he didn't ask the prophecy directly after the meeting, but chatted with him about the world. Apart from inquiring about news, Hu Ke's merchants mainly spread the Yangtze River News, so the chat materials were at his fingertips, and he talked eloquently. People have the feeling of being rich with learning.

Shi Xie was very shocked when he heard this, and thought that Shi Zhi had probably picked up a treasure, and that Hu Ke was really inferior as a businessman, so he solemnly asked him for the nursery rhyme prophecy compiled by Long.

After hearing this, Hu Ke pretended to close his eyes and meditate, and then explained in front of everyone: "The people in the south of the Lingnan are Jiaozhou, and those in the eleventh are scholars. "

Shi Xie took it seriously and hurriedly asked again: "Then what are the explanations for the last two sentences?"

Hu Ke looked at Shi Xie, then shook his head and tried to catch him: "The last two sentences are not auspicious, I just don't understand..."

"Sir, how can there be no beginning and no end? My family is willing to spend a lot of money to ask for advice." Shi Hui added.

Hu Ke shook his head in displeasure: "Although I'm not as rich as my son, I still own a mansion with fertile land, and I don't have to worry about eating and drinking for my whole life, and I don't covet rewards from your family..."

Seeing this, Shi Xie glared at Shi Hui, then cupped his hands and solemnly said to Hu Ke: "My son is innocent, please forgive me, since this prophecy is related to my family, please be sure to clear up the confusion for Xie, thank you for your kindness... "

"For the sake of Mr. Zhi's hospitality, I will explain the last two sentences, but what I said is not necessarily correct." Hu Ke said modestly.

"Mr. Hu, please tell me." Shi Xie bowed his hands.

Hu Ke has a serious face: "The squid is also a water bird. It is good at catching fish in the water for food. Standing next to a tree is power. This sentence refers to Sun Zhongmou, the chariot general, and it just echoes the benefits of Jiangdong's water army. The last sentence is for Wutong. Weeping blood, this prophecy is an ominous omen, if not handled carefully, the Shi clan may be harmed by Sun Quan..."

337 Octopus Leaping Over the Dragon Gate

The members of the Shi clan were all stunned when they heard Hu Ke's words, and Shi Xie was also speechless for a long time. They did not compete with the world in Lingnan, and humbly paid tribute to the powerful regime in the Central Plains, in order to imitate Zhao Tuo as the local emperor.

"May Mr. Hu's words be alarmist?" Jiuzhen prefect Huang You asked doubtfully.

Hu Ke said with a smile: "This is the literal meaning. As for whether there are other meanings, I don't know if Hu is superficial..."

After all, Shi Xie was old and serious, so he calmed down first and told Shi Zhi: "Mr. Hu has come from a long way, so you should greet him with your heart and not neglect."

"Wei." Shi Zhi nodded in response, and personally led Hu Ke out of the prefect's mansion.

After Hu Ke left the prefect's mansion, the three brothers Shi Xie continued to argue. It was difficult to decide whether to fight against Sun Quan. They could not make a hasty decision based on a prophecy.

Hepu, where the second elder Shiyi is located, is adjacent to the South China Sea, and he has to directly face Sun Quan's gradually encroaching power, so he strongly advocates taking advantage of the emptiness of the South China Sea to send troops to seize the old land.

The old Sanshi Huang You's Jiuzhen County is in the territory of later Vietnam, and there has never been any worries about the princes of the Central Plains coming to attack, so he suggested to continue to remain neutral and not to provoke Sun Quan or Liu Bei easily.

Shi Hui heard that he would quarrel and leave under the pretext of arguing, but just now he found that Hu Ke had a clear mind and outstanding eloquence. He was a rare talent who had learned a lot. Hu Ke invited him to his mansion.

The dignitaries of Shi Hui dared not refuse, so Hu Ke went hand in hand with Ustin.

"Mr. Hu, I have offended you a lot before, and my father has been troubled recently, so I ask Hui to clean up the dust for you." Shi Hui greeted him personally in front of the mansion.

Hu Ke clasped his fists and smiled: "Hu is a vulgar person, how can he deserve the courtesy of Duke Weiyan (Shi Xie) and Mr. Hui..."

"Mr. Hu's witty words are worthy of explaining the prophecy, and the shopkeeper of Wusi, please come to the banquet together." Shi Hui issued an invitation.

Ustin wanted to refuse at first, but he looked at Hu Ke and bowed again and said, "Then let me bother you..."

Shi Hui prepared a sumptuous long-made food, and there were two girls next to each table to add dishes and dishes. This made Hu Ke and Ustin very flattered. They had never had such an enjoyment before, but Shi Hui couldn’t stand it. Enthusiasm had to accept it frankly.

Shi Hui and the two exchanged warm greetings at first, and after a few glasses of wine, they asked: "Mr. Hu has seen people well. He can understand nursery rhymes and prophecies. Can you give me an idea for our family? Should Sun Quan and Liu Bei choose?" Who? Or continue to be neutral?"

Hu Ke straight shook his head: "You can't make good friends with Sun Quan in public or private, otherwise the scholar's family may fall into a catastrophe..."

Shi Hui frowned: "I would like to hear the details."

Hu Ke raised his right hand and stretched out three fingers: "There are three reasons. One is the warning of nursery rhymes and prophecies that must not be ignored, the second is that Han family officials must not be disloyal, the third is that family feuds must be reported, and disloyalty and filial piety are the world's intolerance..."

"Mr. Nursery Rhyme Prophecy has been solved, so what about the second and third?" Shi Hui sat upright and looked at Hu Ke curiously.

Hu Ke got up and said: "The Han Dynasty has been in decline and the princes have been attacking for many years. At present, the Central Plains has formed a three-legged situation of Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan. Cao Cao has now usurped the government and established the country. He has long wanted to usurp the emperor. Such country thieves People should be punished; Sun Jian secretly hid the jade seal because he had a disobedient heart, and later died under random arrows. Sun Quan is now in the southeast and has no ambitions and power to attack the Central Plains; Liu Xuande has the heart to help the Han family..."

"Now that Cao Cao has two-thirds of the world, Liu Xuande has to meet too late after all. Even if he has the heart to help the Han Dynasty, he may not be able to defeat Cao Cao and Sun Quan, right?" Shi Hui asked curiously.

Hu Ke waved his hand and said: "It's not true. You will understand when you go outside. The people, army, and officials under Liu Xuande are very different from those in the other two places. Sooner or later he will be able to help the Han Dynasty. If the scholars first leaned over and voted for Sun Quan , in the future Sun Quan is destroyed and then transferred, wouldn't he become a repeated villain?"

Shi Hui has lived in Jiaozhi for a long time, and after being analyzed by Hu Ke, he suddenly felt "suddenly enlightened". .

"What about the third point? What personal enmity do we have with Sun Quan?" Shi Hui nodded frequently, as if he forgot to spill the wine in his glass on his clothes.

Hu Ke smiled mysteriously, pointed at Ustin and said, "Hehe, the shopkeeper Us has an old relationship with the young master, why didn't he dare to tell the truth for a long time?"

Shi Hui frowned instantly, Ustin hurriedly walked to the seat, cupped his hands and replied with an apologetic face: "The prefect Shishi has a close relationship with Jiangdong, I really dare not gossip behind my back..."

"What's the matter?" Shi Hui raised his voice a little.

Wu Siding said embarrassingly: "my son knows that my merchant ship travels around Jiaozhou, and I heard a lot of weird rumors on the way. Once when I was doing business in Panyu, the prefect's mansion got drunk and unintentionally revealed that the former prefect did not die of natural illness, but Drank the poisonous wine from the prefect Wei Jing..."

Shi Hui slapped the table and stood up, pointing at Ustin with glaring eyes and asked, "Is that procurement still in South China Sea?"

Wu Siding nodded, "I often go to Panyu to buy goods, and every time I have to donate some property to the purchaser, the purchaser has already been promoted to the head of the mansion..."

Shi Wu, the former governor of the South China Sea, died of a strange illness. At that time, some family members suspected that he was poisoned, but Bu Zhi died after taking the green pill presented by Shi Xie. He also generously gave up Nanhai County.

"Uncle Wu's death is indeed related to Jiangdong, but now he has been dead for several years. The so-called catching thieves, filth, and traitors, this matter..." After all, Shi Hui had never experienced a major event. He became indecisive again for a second.

Hu Ke said with a smile: "This matter is easy. As long as you capture that Bibi, and then use tricks to capture Wei Jing, the confrontation will be clear in the first trial. Why should you be timid?"

Shi Hui pondered for a moment and couldn't think of any superiors in Longbian, but then he thought that Hu Ke might be conspiring, and he asked meaningfully: "I think Mr. Hu is a great talent, why don't you vote for a bright master? Although you can do business everywhere It's not easy to get some money, but it's not easy to keep a wife and son..."

Hu Ke shook his head and smiled wryly: "I come from a humble background, and I am satisfied with living a prosperous life. In addition, I have no power to restrain a chicken. In this world full of aristocratic families, I dare not extravagantly seek power..."

Shi Hui heard the unwillingness in Hu Ke's tone, so he laughed and said: "Although there are many famous people in Jiaozhi, few are as talented as Mr. Hu. If you don't think this place is remote, how about you come here?"

"Could it be a joke, son?" Hu Ke looked very excited.

"Hui sincerely asks you to help me. My eldest brother has already entered Jiangdong as a hostage, and my father is now very old. I will take over the family sooner or later." Shi Hui revealed his pride when he spoke.

Hu Ke was overjoyed: "If I can get an official position, wouldn't I, Hu Ke, be glorious in the family? I am fortunate to be recommended by the shopkeeper of Wusi..."

Ustin cupped his hands and said congratulations: "Congratulations to Mr. Hu, and congratulations to Mr. Hui for meeting a talented person."

After hearing this, Shi Hui was very satisfied. He raised his glass and said, "Everyone is not drunk today, and I will go to my father tomorrow morning."

Chapter 338 Shi Hui's Revenge

Shi Hui told Hu Ke's words to the family members, and everyone was indignant because Shi Wu was poisoned and killed. Shi Xie decided to send troops to seize the South China Sea and kill Wei Jing to avenge his deceased brother Shi Wu.

Shi Hui took the initiative to invite Ying to take command of the expedition, and strongly recommended Hu Ke in front of Shi Xie, and Hu Ke was appointed as the chief secretary of the march to accompany the army.

At the end of March, Shi Hui's fleet arrived at the port of Panyu, and he used Hu Ke's plan to lure out the principal Wei Bai.