Da Luo, the ancestor of the Qin people, originally lived in Quanqiu. His eldest son, Cheng, inherited Da Luo's legacy and still lived in Quanqiu. His second son, Feizi, was granted the title of Qin because he was favored by the king of Zhou. So when it comes to Zhengzong, Qin wants to call Quanqiu daddy. At that time, the source of the Han River was near Quanqiu and was called "Tian Shui". Today, Tianshui flows southeastward into the Jialing River, but at that time, Tianshui made a big turn and flowed eastward. After converging with Baoshui, Yangshui, and Yudai Rivers, it formed an alluvial river in a relatively wide valley between Micang Mountain and Qinling Mountains. A fertile basin, Nanzheng is located on the south bank of the Han River in this basin.
It turns out that there was a small country called Baoguo at the mouth of Baoshui Valley. King Zhou You went on an expedition to Baoshui, destroyed the Bao country, snatched Bao Si, the beauty of the Bao country, into the palace, and made her his queen. This is how the story of "playing with the princes with beacon fire" came about.
During the reign of King You of Zhou, his uncle Zheng Huangong was in power. Of course, the ruling Zheng Huan Gong saw the decline behind the prosperity of Zhou Dynasty. Although he had left a way out for himself early and moved the country to "Luodong" which was still wild at the time, the defeat of the Zhou Kingdom was still too rapid. He only They had time to transport some women, children and property out of Hulao Pass, but they were martyred for their country inexplicably. The remaining Zheng people fled to the ruined hometown of Baoguo along the road that King Zhou You had marched on, and settled there. This may be the origin of Nanzheng.
The Han River continues to flow eastward, passing through a canyon and entering another open valley, where it also accumulates a basin. This basin, together with the surrounding mountains, once belonged to a powerful country - Yongguo. Yongguo did not build its capital on this basin, but on an isolated hill - maybe Yongguo was not an agricultural society at that time. Led by the king of Chuzhuang who "soared to the sky and shocked the world with his thunder", the Chu people took advantage of mediocre people's rash advancement and launched a decisive blow in the dilemma of famine inside and powerful enemies outside. They fought with Qin and Ba The National Alliance destroyed the Yong State and established Shangyong County. From then on, the ugly duckling turned into a white swan. Later, Xicheng County was established on the basin; and because this basin was located in the middle part of Hanshui River, it was called Hanzhong. It was an important line of defense against the Qin army in the west and an important starting point for entering and exiting Qin. Not only can it go up the Han River and enter Yixian County in the Qin Dynasty through the Baoxie Valley, but it can also go directly to Xianyang through the Ziwu River, another tributary of the Han River.
In Chu State, Hanzhong was the front line, and Shangyong was the rear. Therefore, Chu's Hanzhong County included Shangyong, and even relied on Shangyong. But after Qin captured Hanzhong, the situation was somewhat different: although Hanzhong was still the front line, the rear support became Nanzheng, so Qin's Hanzhong County included Xicheng and Nanzheng, while Shangyong was placed under Nanyang County by Qin.
When the Qin army invaded Shu, Sima Cuo should have stayed here for a long time to accumulate military supplies, rest and reorganize troops, and prepare reserves. After the Shu was conquered, the Shu people rebelled many times; at that time, the Qin State returned Shangyong to the Chu State, and the pressure from the Chu State in the east was equally huge. Therefore, when Wei Ran became the prime minister of Qin for the first time, he recommended Ren Bi, a famous strongman at the time, to be the guard of Hanzhong. After Ren Bi's death, King Qin personally visited Hanzhong southward.
After hard work, Qin finally established Nanyang County two years ago. With Nanyang County, the threat to the east of Hanzhong County is basically eliminated. To the south is Shu County and to the north is Qin itself. Hanzhong has changed from a border county to an inland area. A large number of soldiers in Hanzhong will be useless. At this moment, Sima Jin's messenger arrived.
Sima Cuo was in charge of the military affairs of Shu for decades, and Hanzhong was an important base. Although Sima Cuo has passed away now, his shadow is still there. Although the messenger was only a retainer of the Sima family, he was warmly received by the Hanzhong Shou. After opening Sima Jin's letter, the guard of Hanzhong fell silent and said for a long time: "I dare not resign from the public order. However, Hanzhong is in an offensive and defensive position, with many dangerous passes. Although there are many soldiers, it is still difficult to prepare; It’s up to him to take care of you!”
The messenger said: "The Duke took advantage of his words. With the establishment of Nanyang County, Hanzhong will not have to worry about looking eastward. By praising and slanting, Hanzhong will have the advantage of receiving help from the north. This is the benefit of Hanzhong."
Hanzhong Shoudao: "The words of public chariot are naturally true. However, after the Baoxie Road is opened, it will be beneficial. The Baoxie Road will be opened, perhaps after a few years, when the divisions and veterans here are tired, can we guarantee that there will be nothing difficult to say?"
Mang Wei said: "The process of praise and oblique treatment can take as little as a few months or as long as a year. There is no reason why it will take several years."
Hanzhong Shoudao: "What you said is wrong. The Baoxie Road is very steep. In the past, the wrong public led the army to the south. It was also difficult to pass through the road. If you can't repair it, it will be difficult to repair it. The hairpin curls up from the Xie Valley. To, it may be easy to see the danger of Bao Valley. The slope valley is incomparable to Bao Valley, and it is really a deep abyss. Although the slope water is dangerous, the flow is slow and the banks are flat. This is not the case with the Bao River. The turbulent current hits the rocks and the two banks are hanging. The wall is always endless for hundreds of miles. People here have nothing to stand on, no way to know what to do, no eyes to see, and no ears to hear. Hairpin Xiao has experienced it personally, and you should know that what you say is true!"
Mang Wei said: "Shou Jun's words are true. At that time, my hands and feet were frightened, and I was unable to do anything for myself. I closed my eyes and stabilized my mind, which is how I got over it. However, the traces of the predecessors are obvious. Although I am incompetent, I am willing to sneak up on you. And follow it.”
Hanzhong Shou said: "You are here, do you want to sneak up on me?"
Mang Wei said: "That's not true! The one who comes to you is actually protecting the king!"
Hanzhong Shoudao: "Who is for me?"
Mang Wei said: "In the former, the Han Dynasty rejected Chu in the east, conquered Shu in the south, pacified the Rong in the west, and used Qin to guard the border, which was a great achievement. Now that Chu in the east has been settled, don't fight with Yan when you are guarding the king; the Shu county is stable, don't fight with Yan when guarding the king. ; Xirong has no escape, the surroundings are peaceful, and all the people are cheering for peace, but guarding the emperor has done nothing. Now, the king has passed the road to Shu, and the public rides with Yan; Lord Wu'an personally sent the prisoners to think that after that, Huayang The king personally gathered grain and fodder for his aid; the King of Qin came to Zhangtai, and Marquis Rang set up in Xianyang; his power has been extended to thousands of people, and his merits will last for thousands of years. There is a decree in the public chariot: those who guard the king have old ties with the Sima family, and their achievements cannot be ignored. Therefore. The ministers and other ministers came across the mountains and rivers through dangers and obstacles. They sincerely want to protect the emperor and accomplish this thousand-year career, which will be a contribution to all generations. The road of praise is five hundred miles up and down. From Xie to praise, it is necessary to do something, and the prisoner will die. , the cost of food and fodder, transporting food to and from front and back, is worth a thousand gold per day. If the guardian can praise himself and welcome him, if he welcomes one foot, he will gain one foot of merit, and if he welcomes one foot, he will gain one foot of merit. It will be obvious to his eyes. In the heart. Because of this, Ke Qing established his merits early, Wu'an was left with few expeditions because of it, and Huayang suffered from food shortages. What the King of Qin expected, and what Marquis Rang set out to do, all showed the virtue of guarding the king. This is the achievement of success in one fell swoop. . The public vehicle is still not enough. I want to ask the Shoujun to write a letter to the king, so as to see his sincerity and his effectiveness. The king knows the virtue of the Shoujun when he sees the letter, not the discussion of the public vehicle. Shoujun thinks about it!"
These eloquent words were naturally not something Mang Wei came up with on the spur of the moment. They were the result of joint discussions between Zhang Lu, Mr. Che You and Sima Jin, etc. Mang Wei just acted them out.
After hearing this carefully prepared speech, Hanzhong Shou was a little bit smitten and asked: "How can I take advantage of you and benefit my ministers so deeply?"
Mang Wei said: "In the past, Cuo Gong sent his troops to Longyou and followed the river to the east. The food supply was not updated and the soldiers and armor were incomplete. They relied on the virtue of guarding the king and achieved great success in central Guizhou. Cuo Gong did not dare to forget it. Yes. However, God does not fake the year, and does not receive any reward, but at the end of the day, he earnestly teaches his descendants that the virtue of guarding the king should not be forgotten. The king guarded Hanzhong for several years, and the public chariot could not be seen. Although, he was mistaken for the public. I don't dare or forget the instructions. Now that I have the convenience, I will send my close friends to come with the letter to guard the king."
The guard in Hanzhong said: "The Duke of Cuo entered Shu from Longxi. When he passed through Hanzhong, I should prepare for the east route. I dare not claim to be virtuous. If the Duke of Cuo committed it, he would be reported to the public on another day. I dare not bear the intention of the public transport and carry the mistake. As a public servant, I would like to send a letter to the king. The ministers and others will stay in the post office while I discuss the meaning of the Eastern Road."
Hearing this, the retainer replied: "You will definitely be happy when you hear this." The guard of Hanzhong summoned the post officials and ordered them to be taken to the post office, and an additional level of supply was added as usual. The retainers and fifty guards were all noble people, but Mang Wei has no title. However, the people of Qin are generous and have the tradition of "taking the same robe as their sons". Those with high titles naturally share their meals with everyone.
After a day's rest, Hanzhong Shou took out a document, read it with his retainers and Mang Wei, stamped it, and ordered the post officials to send it to Xianyang. Mang Wei said: "We should not wait for a long time. Gong Gong takes the opportunity to watch from a distance. These scribes and others are willing to take them to Yi County and deliver them to Xianyang in turn."
The guards in Hanzhong stayed there for a few days, but Mang Wei waited and refused. He set off on the same day and embarked on his return journey. The way back, on the one hand, I was familiar with the road conditions and gained experience; on the other hand, I was in a happy mood after completing the task, so the speed was faster than when I went there. In addition, I stayed in Hanzhong for nearly a month. Arrived at the construction site.
At this time, the second batch of prisoners had returned after completing their terms, and the third batch of prisoners was heading to the construction site. Due to extremely poor working conditions this month, the construction progress has been very slow. However, everyone was very happy to learn that Hanzhong Shou was willing to submit a letter to the King of Qin and express his willingness to build a plank road from Bao Valley to the north. While letting the messenger rest, he sent Zheng Anping to deliver the letter to Xi County.
When Zheng Anping arrived in Yi County, he met Wang Ji first. When the prisoners were changing shifts, Zhang Lu and others visited Wang Ji to inquire about Lord Wu An's attitude towards Hanzhong's involvement. According to Wang Ji's observation, Bai Qi read the letter and didn't say much, but just fell into deep thought. Wang Ji went to the palace again to meet the King of Qin. The King of Qin's attitude was more positive, saying that as long as the court report was obtained, it would be accurate.
Zheng Anping came back as a postman to deliver the letter. He met Wang Ji first to find out whether he would deliver the letter or not. If Mr. Wu An is not very interested or even resentful, then it would be better to wait for a while and clear Mr. Wu An before sending him away. However, according to the news received in the past few days, this matter was not discussed at the court meeting, and Wu Anjun's attitude is not yet clear. Wang Ji thought that he might as well send the report of Hanzhong Shou up as usual to speed up the matter and not let it sink.
The next day, Zheng Anping delivered the report from Hanzhong Shou to the Yi County Post Station. After the post official verified the seal and the place of origin, he loaded it on the car with a bunch of other documents, transported it to the ferry, and then shipped it to Xianyang.
The report from Hanzhong Shou delivered by Xi County arrived in Xianyang that day and entered the Prime Minister's Mansion.
