Three Kingdoms: I help Liu Bei grow thousands of miles

Page 206

"But we still have to be careful not to sneak in..." Gao Shun reminded.

"The military area and the artisan area are heavily guarded, and the city's administrative area and cultural and educational areas have guard posts. In fact, only the trade area is fully open, plus the street guard boxes under the command of Ling Ming (Pound). I don't believe in fine work. The things that can retrieve useful information and can really be discovered by careful work are what I intentionally let them discover." Lan Tian said confidently.

Gao Shun nodded affirmatively: "I know that Mr. is always cautious, but I just got the news from General Pang that the sentry in the trade area found several strange people. They have been following Shizhi for two days. Do you think these people are Going for Hu Ke?"

Lan Tian was taken aback when he heard that, he felt that Gao Shun's analysis was very reasonable, so he immediately told Gao Shun: "These people are probably sent by Jiangdong, the purpose is to verify Hu Ke's identity, you go there in person at night See Shizhi, let him reveal some 'secrets' on purpose."

"I'll do it when it gets dark, so that means Hu Ke is still safe?" Gao Shun asked.

Lan Tian nodded and replied, "It's absolutely safe, and it has successfully attracted Sun Quan's attention."

Gao Shun had a serious face, and he said that he had to help him pass the test. That night, he secretly found Shi Zhi and told him.The next day, Shizhi encountered "Xiaozuo" in the trade zone, making contradictory excuses, but all of this was under Lantian's control.

Jiangdong Xizuo stayed in Guangzhou for five or six days, and initially found out the details of Hu Ke. Some of them returned to Jiangdong to return to their orders, while the others took a merchant ship bound for Jiaozhi to Longbian. They were very cautious in order to find out the reason.

The first spy returned to Jianye in August and told Sun Quan the details of Hu Ke. Sun Quan planned to personally go to the prison for interrogation. Hu Ke had been imprisoned for nearly a month.

Since Sun Quan was defeated in Hefei last year, his mood has been in an extremely depressed state. On the battlefield, it is difficult for all the ministries to fight independently, making him the laughing stock of tens of thousands of people. It can be seen that these 10 people really obey his orders. Only those [-] chariots got off the tigers.

Without an army under his own direct control, Sun Quan worried that he would still not be able to win battles in the future, so he sent his confidant Hu Zong to various counties to recruit soldiers. , appointed Xu Xiang as the governor of the left department, and appointed Hu Zong as the governor of the right department.

Although there were not many casualties on the frontal battlefield in the Battle of Hefei, as many as [-] people died of the epidemic after returning to Jiangdong. The soldiers who were infected with the epidemic for a short time caused some panic. The Jiangdong gentry did not even allow General Huaisi to enter the city.

The news of Cao Cao's capture of Hanzhong spread to Jiangdong. Sun Quan worried that Cao Cao would avenge Hefei and go south at any time, so at Zhang Zhao's suggestion, he asked Lu Su to show his favor to Guan Yu in Jingzhou, and used the excuse of resuming trade to eliminate the estrangement between the two.

In fact, Sun Quan was very reluctant to do business with Jingzhou, because once the business was done, the Yangtze River newspaper would flow into Jiangdong, and famous scenes such as the Battle of Hefei would not be unreported by the opponent, so he used the excuse of interrogating spies to search the cargo ships, and increased the secret sentry of Jianye City. The purpose is to prevent the Yangtze River from reporting into Jianye.

Hu Ke was arrested and imprisoned under such circumstances, but what he committed had nothing to do with the Yangtze River News, because there was no such thing in the goods he brought to Jiangdong, except that the specialty of Jiaozhou was the promotional poster "Guangzhou Impression', he inquired and approached Shiyan (xin), who was demoted to a commoner and placed under house arrest in the outskirts of Jianye, and finally touched Sun Quan's minefield.

4Chapter 16 War of words

Sun Quan suffered a big loss in Jiaozhou. His confidants Bu Zhi and Wei Jing died, and Pan Zhang's general Ma Zhong died in battle.

Therefore, after Hu Ke was "innocent" in prison, he received a severe beating very quickly, but he was beaten very hard in the army that fell into the formation, and this physical pain is completely acceptable.

Although Hu Ke complained repeatedly on the surface, he never admitted that he was a spy.

Sun Quan found out that Hu Ke belonged to Shi Xie, so he called Zhang Zhao to discuss and asked, "Zi Bu prevented me from killing Shi Qian (xin) before, but now that Yu Xiu (Hu Ke's pseudonym) has been identified, he can be beheaded." Is this person going to vent his anger on Shi Xie?"

Zhang Zhaolu has to analyze: "Wei Ziqi poisoned Shiwu before, and he was killed by Shihui later, it should be a causal cycle..."

"But Buzishan also died unexpectedly..." Sun Quan argued.

"Didn't the leader of the Yue people who offered the medicine also die? The old minister thinks that Yu Xiu is just an insignificant person. My lord, don't get angry and make mistakes for the sake of convenience." Zhang Zhao advised.

Sun Quan frowned after hearing this, and then asked coldly: "I'm not a three-year-old child, since Yu Xiu is insignificant, why should I have any scruples if I kill you?"

"I think Yu Xiu's appearance is from the Central Plains. If he is willing to risk his life for Shi Xie, there must be a price. As long as the lord bids more than Shi Xie, then he can be used by me..." Zhang Zhao continued.

Sun Quan's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he thought that Shi Xie let this person lurk beside Lan Tian, ​​and Lan Tian sent him to Jiangdong to promote Guangzhou City. Maybe there is something special about him?

If he succeeds in instigating his rebellion, when the old Shi Xie dies, let Shi Qian (xin) bring back the cochin to seize the throne, and then he can backstab the owl (Lan Tian) from the South China Sea.

Thinking of this, Sun Quan's mouth showed a smile, so he decided to follow Zhang Zhao's suggestion and go to the prison to meet this spy in person.

Jianye's cell was dark and dark, and Hu Ke was locked in a separate cell because of his special status.

Sun Quan strode to the prison door, then turned his back and squinted at the blood-stained Hu Ke. Hu Ke looked at the blue-eyed and purple-bearded man through the faint light, and knew that Jiangdong's rightful lord had arrived.

He immediately stepped forward and grabbed the cell door and shouted, "Let me out quickly. I'm just an ordinary businessman. Why should I be locked up here? Is this how you treat guests?"

Sun Quan laughed when he heard his self-examination: "What an ordinary businessman, what a marching chief Hu Ke..."

Hu Ke pretended to be flustered, "I don't know what you're talking about, I'm Yu Mingxiu from Jingzhao, a businessman from Jiaozhou..."

Sun Quan took two steps closer, staring at Hu Ke with green eyes and sneering: "Jingzhao Yuxiu? Hahaha, maybe this is your real name, but when you were in Jiaozhou, your name was Hu Ke, and you were the marching commander of Jiaozhi prefect Xie (xie)... ..."

"You...you...how do you..." Hu Ke continued to act flustered.

Sun Quan looked up to the sky and laughed proudly: "Am I a Shixie that can be compared to a mediocre lord? The chariot general Sun Quan is here..."

Hu Ke suddenly changed his flustered attitude, and sneered, "So it's you? It's nothing special..."

Sun Quan looked at him squintingly: "Er is a prisoner under the rank. Now that your identity has been ascertained carefully, what is waiting for you is a decapitated body. It is extremely stupid not to kneel down and beg for forgiveness, but to speak quickly here."

"Hmph, 'Having a son is like Sun Zhongmou, Hefei gives away a hundred thousand heads', you are so majestic? If you want to take my head, do it as soon as possible, frown and count me as an idiot." Hu Ke said awe-inspiringly.

Sun Quan's hair was going to stand on end when he heard this, and he glared at Hu Ke and shouted, "You are about to die, and you still dare to insult this general, just wait until you die tomorrow."

"The fourteen words 'praise' to you are known to women and children in Jiaozhou. Since you are so angry, why don't you go and slaughter the whole place in Jiaozhou?" Hu Ke shook his head and walked back to his dark corner.

Sun Quan was about to leave, but suddenly turned around and approached, his voice was low and dark, "Women and children in Jiaozhou know it, what do you mean by that?"

"It turns out that General Sun didn't know about the Lingnan Daily? The first issue described the Battle of Hefei very well, and the title was just the fourteen words." Hu Ke said flatly.

The furious Sun Quan became calm after hearing this explanation. He had been secretly observing the Yangtze River News. The strange thing is that the Changjiang News mentioned the battle of Hefei, only saying that Jiangdong lost in the attack on Hefei, and did not list the strength of both sides at all. For the specific data, Sun Quan thought that Guan Yu was taking care of the overall situation, but unexpectedly, an unknown "Lingnan Daily" popped up.

"What is "Lingnan Daily"?" Sun Quan asked with a frown.

"It seems to be a newspaper circulating in Jiaozhou. Most of the content in the newspaper is local affairs in Jiaozhou. This is very different from the Changjiang Daily." Hu Ke said impatiently.

Sun Quan finally understood that it was because Lan Tian deliberately disgusted himself, he closed the door and slandered Jiaozhou wantonly, thinking of this, he punched the prison door.

"If you want to kill, you can kill, and you don't need to vent your anger in prison." Hu Ke spoke contemptuously.

Sun Quan tried his best to control his emotions and recalled his real purpose today. He looked at the dark prison cell and said in a low voice, "Shi Xie asked you to stay in the South China Sea to work as a spy. It must have been discovered by the owl? Otherwise, why would he send you to Jiangdong? Borrow the knife in my hand to kill you?"

"Owl? What is that?" Hu Ke showed a surprised expression.

Sun Quan sneered: "That's Lan Tian's code name, this guy is as vicious and cunning as an owl..."

"People in Jiaozhou call General Lan Mr. Xuan Xiao. It is said that Liu Yizhou called him that for the first time. As for Sun Cheqi's borrowing of a knife to kill people, I don't know. I asked myself if I didn't show any flaws..." Hu Ke replied calmly.

"Mr. Xuanxiao? Liu Xuande actually changed this guy's nickname, and he really took good care of this wife and brother, but judging by Lantian's cunning, how could you be trusted in Jiaozhou? He sent you to Jiangdong now. If you work carefully, you have no intention of letting you go back at all." Sun Quan slowly found the feeling of persuading surrender, and he stroked his purple beard and analyzed it accurately.

"What exactly does Sun Cheqi mean?" Hu Ke frowned.

"Your lord, Shi Xie, sent you to the South China Sea to be your eyes and ears. Now you are in Jiangdong's prison, and your life is in danger at any time. You can't extricate yourself like a carrot. This is the time when you are in a dilemma. Why don't you serve me in Jiangdong? I must be more sincere than Shi Xie in giving you the glory and wealth." Sun Quan looked at Hu Ke and solemnly promised.

"It's so-called that a strong woman will not marry two husbands, and a loyal minister will not serve two masters. Although Yu comes from a humble background, he will not easily betray his old master. Sun Cheqi should give me a good time." Hu Ke refused sonorously.

Sun Quan clapped his hands and nodded, "I admire the loyal and righteous people the most, but Shi Xie is already a rare age, how many years does he have left? Now that he has come to Jiangdong under orders, how can he let you go easily? Ruo Shi Xie will pass away soon, who can you pledge allegiance to?"

Hu Ke pretended to be stunned, and pretended to be deep and did not answer. He knew that Sun Quan should be hooked soon.

4Chapter 17 Rhetoric establishes its sincerity

Sun Quan has a suspicious personality, and it is not easy to win his trust.

After repeated analysis and derivation, Lan Tian finally asked Hu Ke to respond by raising first and then suppressing, showing loyalty, and playing hard to get.

In fact, there is a lot of risk in this process. Once Sun Quan kills for no reason, the subsequent strategies will not be used. Fortunately, Zhang Zhao assisted at a critical moment.

In fact, Zhang Zhao was also very helpless. The Huaisi faction pushed to expand outwards many times. Whether it was Jingzhou, Jiaozhou or Hefei, they all ended in failure. The conflict between them and the Jiangdong gentry became more and more serious, and the feeling of living under the fence was very uncomfortable. Yes, Zhang Zhao just wanted to leave a way out.

Seeing that Hu Ke didn't refute anymore, Sun Quan thought that the other party had been directly persuaded. Thinking of this, he was a little proud of his purple beard.

"I don't care if you are Yu Xiu or Hu Ke, as long as you are willing to serve Jiangdong, you will be fine. If you want to make achievements, you must have a big tree. After all, Shi Xie is old, and it is impossible to protect you for the rest of your life." Sun Quan continued. advice.

Hu Ke hesitated for a long time, and finally said slowly: "I want to think about it..."

"It's fine to think about it, but no one around here is thinking about it. I'll come back in a few days." Sun Quan turned and left after speaking.

Hu Ke cupped his fists and bowed lightly without saying a word. He knew that something would happen if he readily agreed just now, because Lan Tian said that this was not in line with Sun Quan's "personal design", and he would be very suspicious of things that were obtained too easily.

Sun Quan has not dispelled his doubts about Hu Ke for the time being. He was testing the other party in every sentence of the conversation in prison just now. This is very familiar to a veteran who is well versed in politics. He is still waiting for the other two to have sex. It will be confirmed by many parties before deciding whether to keep Hu Ke.

After all, it can be reused by Shi Xie, and the secret work that can survive under Lan Tian's subordinates still has some means. When Sun Quan left, he ordered the prison head to take special care of Hu Ke for the time being. In addition to not continuing to use torture, he should also pay attention to food. full.

Back in the palace, Zhang Zhao was still waiting. He asked Sun Quan expectantly, "My lord, what did Yu Xiu say?"

Sun Quan replied casually: "Yu Xiu said to think about it."

Zhang Zhao frowned, "My lord condescends, and this guy doesn't know what is good or bad? Such a person who doesn't know the current affairs, even if he subdues him, he can't do great things..."

"My opinion is exactly the opposite of Zibu's. This person is loyal to the old master Shi Xie and is unwilling to betray at will. Such a righteous man can set an example for the officials in Jiangdong." Sun Quan said meaningfully.

In the golden autumn and September, the secret agents sent by Sun Quan to Jiaozhi went back to Jianye, and finally found out all the details of Hu Ke.

Sun Quan heard that Hu Ke was quite strategic, and was highly valued and appreciated by Shi Xie and Shi Hui. In the end, Shi Xie worried that Lantian would annex Jiaozhi, so he sent Hu Ke to the South China Sea to monitor, which made Shi Hui very angry. That's why Sun Quan's careful work can find the entry point.

Sun Quan once again came to the cell to persuade him to surrender. For nearly a month, there was no news from both parties, as if there had never been an agreement before. Sun Quan was quite satisfied with Hu Ke's actions.

When they met again in the prison, Hu Ke's spirit was much better than the last time because of the better food, and his washed face became less disgusting.

"Have you figured it out?" Sun Quan asked.

Hu Ke nodded and said: "I can play for Jiangdong, but I must meet one condition."

"Tell me and listen."

Sun Quanxin said that it is time to talk about conditions. I have lived for so many years and this is the first time I have seen him. Do you really think you are as talented as Lu Zijing?

Hu Ke quickly said: "Mr. Weiyan has shown me kindness. If I decide to work for Jiangdong today, can you return to Jiaozhou?"

Sun Quan asked playfully, "What do you think? Wei Ziqi, the general of my Ministry of Defense, was killed innocently. It is my benevolence and righteousness that Shi Qian did not execute him."

Hu Ke swallowed after hearing this: "Then can I take care of him in the future? You see, the eldest son is almost sixty years old, and he really doesn't have much time to live..."

Most of the scholars lived a long life, Sun Quan thought that this fellow Shiyan didn't know how long he would live, but it would be of great use to him to keep him in Jiangdong, so he responded with a smile: "If you know your kindness and never forget your master, I will naturally fulfill you. "

Hu Ke was so excited that he bowed down on one knee, clasped his fists and shouted loudly: "I, Yu Xiu, finally met the Ming Lord. From now on, I am willing to go through fire and water for my Lord."

Seeing that Hu Ke had surrendered to him, Sun Quan asked the jailer to open the door of the cell, and then ordered Hu Ke to take a bath and change clothes.

Hu Ke went to Jiangdong for a 'business trip' this time, and he has been in prison since he started working. Now he finally sees the moonlight when the clouds open. He bathes and changes clothes and then enters the palace to meet Sun Quan.

Because he is a professional soldier, Hu Ke is tall and strong, and after changing his prison uniform, he looks extra energetic. Not only his eyes are full of energy, but also he walks boldly and dignifiedly.

"The general has seen the lord." Hu Ke cupped his fists and saluted Sun Quan.

Sun Quan was very happy to see Hu Ke reborn. He smiled and said, "Let me introduce you. This is Zhang Zibu, my Jiangdong military advisor..."

"I have admired the great name of a military advisor for a long time." Although Hu Ke was paying homage to Zhang Zhao, but comparing him with those military advisors like Liu Bei, it was really a judgment call.

Zhang Zhao cupped his hands in return, and asked falteringly, "I don't know how to call it..."

Just as Hu Ke was about to answer Zhang Zhao, Sun Quan quickly interrupted and asked, "You called yourself Yu Xiu in Jiangdong, and you used Hu Ke in Jiaozhou. What is it..."

"My original name was Yu Xiu, and my courtesy name was Zecheng. I was from Jingzhao. When Li Jue was in chaos in Chang'an, my family fled south to Jingzhou where all the people died. I changed my name to Hu Ke from then on. Later, Cao Cao went south and moved to Jiaozhou to survive. Going down to start sailing and doing business, and finally being appreciated by Wei Yangong in Jiaozhi, he has continued to use the name Hu Ke, and the lord knows everything about it..." Hu Ke explained.

Zhang Zhao nodded after hearing this and said, "Rhetoric establishes sincerity, so sincerity should be well-known in Jingzhao?"

"Xiu is a humble person, so he should be from a poor family..." Hu Ke lowered his head and cupped his fists, looking a little uncomfortable.

Seeing this, Sun Quan comforted: "Zecheng, don't underestimate yourself. There are also many children from poor families in Jiangdong. As long as you work hard, you will have a bright future."

"Thank you, my lord." Hu Ke clasped his fists.

"What is Zecheng's intention in going to Jiangdong?" Zhang Zhao asked curiously.

Hu Ke was taken aback for a moment, and then explained: "General Lan built a new Guangzhou city next to Panyu. The city is larger than Chang'an, but the population is very sparse, and there are barren spaces everywhere in the city, so he printed The publicized 'Impression of Guangzhou' is used to attract people from other states and counties to go..."

Sun Quan snorted coldly and said, "The owl is a fool's dream. Even looting may not be able to take away the people. What's the use of relying on these low-handed means? I think he's still borrowing my hand to murder Zecheng's life."

"I'm afraid when I think about it now..." Hu Ke followed Sun Quan's words.

Sun Quan frowned, "I've already read the "Lingnan News" that Zecheng said, and the owl loves to use this kind of method, and it's the same with me and Cao Cao. After thinking about it, it's really hateful. This person treats me Jiangdong With such hatred, we must find a way to grasp the movement of Jiaozhou, if we don’t know, can you teach me a clever strategy?”

"Of course." Hu Ke replied confidently.

Chapter 448 The acquaintance who came to meet me

Lan Tian had been hiding in the dark before, and Sun Quan couldn't find a point of focus after suffering several times. Except for a few people who were unhappy, Lan Tian was still not valued by the Jiangdong officials.

Because the land between Jiaozhou and Jiangdong is mixed with hundreds of Yue, Sun Quan has an endless Shanyue rebellion, and there is no direct military threat between the two. The focus of the entire Jiangdong is on the north and Jingzhou.

At this time, Hu Ke answered sonorously with confidence, and Zhang Zhao and Sun Quan were aroused at the same time.

"Then come quickly."

Hu Ke gently cupped his hands, and then said leisurely: "I wrote to Lord Weiyan before I came to Jiangdong, and said in the letter that we must find a way to rescue the eldest son and ask him to find a way to send people to support him. Lord Weiyan will probably buy the caravan in Jiaozhou. Merchants will be able to do things for the Lord in the future."

Zhang Zhao twirled his beard and thought, "It's not difficult for a businessman to make a profit, but it's just that Owl (Lan Tian) won't find out..."

Hu Ke waved his hand and replied: "The new construction of Guangzhou City needs popularity, so Xuan... Owl is very willing to promote trade in order to activate the city. The investigation is far less powerful than our Jiangdong. It is not difficult for me to buy some ordinary news."

Sun Quan nodded, "Since Xuande called that person Xuan Ou, we will also call him Xuan Ou uniformly in the future. Anyway, there is a word "Ow" in the middle, so you don't need to change your mouth if you are used to it. As for what you said just now, it is very reasonable, Shi If Xie's people really come, they will immediately instigate rebellion and use them for me."

"Wei." Hu Ke answered with cupped fists.

Sun Quan then asked about Jiaozhou's garrison and administrative policies, and Hu Ke picked up non-core things and told them truthfully.