Not long after, Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu arrived first at the same time. It turned out that they were both at Xu Shu's home, and they were worthy of being good friends.
Zhuge Liang accepted Zhou Buyi as his student, and Deng Ai also studied with him. He found that both of them were very intelligent, one was savvy and wise, the other was pragmatic and steady, and won the heart of Kong Ming.
Liu Qi told Sun Quan about Sun Quan's request for help. Before Pang Tong arrived, he discussed with the two of them. For the sake of Sun Quan's alliance with Liu, if it was not feasible, he would mobilize troops from Jiangxia.
Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "General, don't worry. Since Sun Quan wants our Jingzhou alliance's sincerity, why not go to Jiangdong in person?"
"Shall I go in person?" Liu Qi was startled, and couldn't help but think of Liu Bei who was persuaded by Zhuge Liang to go to Soochow to get married. He frowned and said, "What about the Xichuan incident?"
Zhuge Liang gently shook his feather fan and said with a smile: "Xichuan is dangerous and the troops are well-prepared. It cannot be decided overnight. It is also necessary to reserve food and fodder for carriages and horses. It will take at least half a year to dispatch. By then, Cao Cao has already withdrawn his troops. The general will turn back to Jingzhou and go straight to Xichuan. How can it be done? Isn’t it good?”
"Kong Ming's words are reasonable!" Xu Shu nodded and said: "Those who can refuse to control Jiangdong are the Yangtze River. Although Cao's army is strong, how can he succeed if he abandons his saddle and horse and rides a boat to compete with Soochow? A few months later, it will be the rainy season in the south of the Yangtze River again, and the Northern Army will After traveling far across the rivers and lakes, if they are not acclimated to the conditions, Cao Cao will withdraw his troops and take charge of the war in Guanzhong. When the battle between the two armies is in full swing, I will capture Yizhou and then I will have no worries."
Liu Qi suddenly looked like the sun was clearing from the clouds, and said with a smile: "In that case, I will go to Jiangdong in person, not only to show the friendship of the alliance and make Cao Cao's thieves jealous, but also to settle the marriage, so that we can work together to defeat Cao Cao."
Zhuge Liang said: "Although Jiangdong is in urgent need of help today, the general must be more careful when he leaves. He must be on guard against others. Liang is willing to accompany him."
Xu Shu smiled and said: "The continuous crossbow is about to be tested. Kong Ming needs to take charge of the workshop and prepare for taking Xichuan. It is enough for me to go with the young master!"
"I know the people in Jiangdong best, so it's best if I go there!" As he was talking, Pang Tong came in from the door, smelling of alcohol, and obviously hungover from yesterday.
Zhuge Liang frowned and said, "Shi Yuan has been drunk all day long, which is not only harmful to his body but also misses his official duties. You should exercise more restraint to avoid missing any official duties."
Pang Tong raised his eyebrows: "Do you think I am willing to drink? This is also for official business. If I hadn't accompanied Zhang Biejia to drink all night, how could I have obtained the treasure?"
Zhuge Liang asked: "What treasure is there?"
Pang Tong chuckled, took out a package from his arms, and patted it with his hand: "This is the topographic map of Xichuan!"
"Oh?" Liu Qi and the other three's eyes lit up, all staring at the package.
When I was preparing my plan to enter Sichuan, I got a map. Isn’t this a pillow if I’m dozing off?
It turned out that Zhang Lu couldn't wait to send troops half a month ago. Yizhou was shocked. Zhang Song took the initiative to request orders to go to Xuchang for help. He passed through Jingzhou and was discovered by Xizuo.
Liu Qi knew that this guy had a map, so he took him to Xiangyang and treated him hospitably. Zhang Song, on the other hand, looked cold and arrogant and insisted on going to Xuchang to meet the saint.
When he was helpless, Pang Tong went to see Zhang Song with a jar of wine. He probably sympathized with Zhang Song because he had the same appearance and the same illness. Anyway, the two hit it off and had a great conversation. They didn't expect the result to happen overnight.
"This is General Tianshu!" Zhuge Liang opened the map and his eyes suddenly lit up. "The mountains and rivers in the middle of Sichuan are connected, and the terrain is complicated. But if you look at this map, you can know the road in the middle of Shu."
Liu Qi was also watching. Although this picture was hand-drawn, it was extremely detailed. The size of the road, the direction of the itinerary, and the distance were all marked. Even how much food, soldiers and horses were recorded one by one.
This is already the top military secret. Special agents and sentinels cannot obtain this information at all. However, Zhang Song, as a special agent in Yizhou, naturally knows all this.
Xu Shu said: "Even if Zhang Song was drunk, he would not give up such secrets easily. Shi Yuan must have used other means."
Pang Tong chuckled and said, "It's just a grievance for Zhang Song and the people of Yizhou. Liu Zhang is an incompetent leader. With the wealth of Yizhou, he dare not compete with Zhang Lu, a mere Hanzhong. Wouldn't it make the world laugh at the lack of people in Xichuan?" "
Xu Shu nodded and said: "Since Liu Yan entered Shu, there have been many conflicts between the people of Dongzhou and the people of Yizhou. In addition, Liu Zhang is dark and weak, and people's hearts are scattered. They can't think of a clear leader. But Cao's army is far away in the Central Plains, and Guanzhong is not settled. It is beyond the reach of Zhang Song. There will be no results if you go here. Now that the general has made a splash, defeated Cao Cao's thieves, and has the ambition to correct the imperial court, Shi Yuan's words will make Zhang Song wake up like a dream and surrender happily."
Pang Tong caressed his beard and said with a smile: "Liu Zhang cannot use virtuous people, he is weak and hesitant, but he lives in the country of Yizhou and Tianfu. Zhang Lushang has the intention to annex it, let alone others?"
"Where is Zhang Song now? Please come and meet him!" Liu Qi was excited. If he had the opportunity to enter Shu, he would never let it go.
With his current identity and strength, he doesn't have to worry about fame and reputation like Liu Bei. In this era, the law of the jungle is the law. Brothers and sisters can kill each other, let alone the Han clan clan members who can't be beaten by eight poles.
Pang Tong smiled mysteriously and said: "Zhang Yongnian is in the water and clouds and is not thinking about Shu. Let me discuss the matter in Sichuan with him slowly. If the general summons him at this time, wouldn't it ruin his good things?"
Zhuge Liang shook his head helplessly, lit Pang Tong with his fan, and said with a smile: "Those who plan should follow the right path. Shi Yuan's move will inevitably take advantage of others' danger."
Pang Tong didn't care, waved his hand and said with a smile: "What conspiracy? The winner is king. If I can capture Xichuan for the general without spending a single soldier, why should I care about the clever means?"
Zhuge Liang shook his head slightly, but did not argue with him. In his opinion, in everything, one must learn from others and seek justice before planning. He disdained the use of these opportunistic and cunning tactics to gain control over others.
Xu Shu laughed and said: "Since both of you have official duties, it seems that this trip to Jiangdong is mine!"
Liu Qi said with a smile: "I am going to Jiangdong just to support the army. Why do I need to go out in person? If Yuan Zhi goes with me, we can investigate the intelligence of Jiangdong and kill two birds with one stone."
Zhuge Liang said: "When we go to Jiangdong, we cannot mobilize the troops of Jiangxia. Only when Yun Changhu is stationed at Xiakou can we intimidate Soochow."
Liu Qi thought the same thing. Liu Bei went to Soochow and was messed up by Zhou Yu so much. Although Jingzhou now has a slight advantage, he can't be too confident.
"In that case, let Gan Xingba come to Jiangdong to observe and learn. It may be helpful to train the navy."
Zhuge Liang said again: "If we can fight here, we will fight. If the Wu army can contain Cao's thieves and weaken Cao's army, Ma Teng and his son will have great potential in Guanzhong, and they will be able to enter Shu calmly in the future."
"Kong Ming and I coincided with this plan of two tigers competing for food!" Liu Qi nodded and said: "In this case, Jingzhou's military will be fully dispatched by the military. When the people, horses, money and food are sufficient, Xichuan will be taken as the base in one fell swoop. The world. Then map Hanzhong to the north and capture the Central Plains, then hegemony can be achieved and the Han Dynasty can flourish."
"Liang is willing to help the dogs and horses!" Zhuge Liang looked solemn and stood up to salute.
This was exactly what he had planned for Long Zhong, and his ambition was all contained in this move. How could he not be excited?
