Liu Zhang gathered the civil and military forces to discuss the enemy, while Zhang Song led his officials to count the money and food, and first allocated most of the food and grass hoarded in Chengdu to transport out of the city.
Cang Cao said: "Chengdu is the seat of the state government. We should fill the treasury to prepare for unexpected needs. Don't drive them all out, just in case..."
Zhang Song scolded: "The Jingzhou army invaded from three sides, and there was insufficient defense in various places. It was just when money and food were urgently needed. The surrounding fortresses were lost. How can Chengdu be safe?"
Cang Cao wondered: "According to the law, the treasury is short of more than half of the money and food. When it is urgent to replenish it, do you want to report it to the lord?"
Zhang Song said angrily: "I was ordered to prepare money and food, how could your lord not know? How dare you arrogantly report it?"
Cangcao said hurriedly: "I didn't mean this by the official, but it was illegal and it's hard to bear responsibility."
Zhang Song took out a book, stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Today, the whole state and county are united to fight against the enemy. All officials and families with big surnames should donate money and provide food. I have already drawn up a list and collected it according to the size of the official position and the amount of land. It’s the treasury.”
Cansao took the book and hurriedly flipped through it. He couldn't help being shocked: "Don't drive, these are all famous surnames in the county. I'm afraid..."
Zhang Song said coldly: "Yizhou is in an emergency, and all the people should contribute. The people on this list are all those who advocate for the war, and they should lead by example. I will act according to the wishes of the lord, and there is an official seal. You don't need to worry. Dare to violate it? My order, he will be punished for rebellion and surrendering to the enemy, and he will be imprisoned first and I will interrogate him personally."
Cang Cao looked carefully and saw that it was indeed stamped with a big seal, and the first family to be collected was Zhang Song himself. He had nothing to say anymore, so he immediately summoned the officials to collect grain according to the book.
Seeing the officers and soldiers leaving one after another, a sneer appeared at the corner of Zhang Song's mouth: "Fa Xiaozhi's plan is really clever. Since you are in charge of the battle, you only talk big words and let the soldiers fight in blood. How can you be worthy of the suffering people without any blood?" "
In Zhang Song's view, Wang Lei and others were trying to gain fame and reputation, pretending to be loyal and good. Even if someone truly protects the Lord, they are using public property to make merit for themselves.
Once their own interests are involved, everyone will hesitate. Even if someone is selfless, the family members will object and they will not be able to act righteously.
This move is intended to dampen the enthusiasm of the main militant faction and allow them to cause dissatisfaction within the country. As long as there is internal turmoil, they can fish in troubled waters.
Zhang Song chose his own family as the leader, not to set an example, but because his brother Zhang Su repeatedly accused him in public, scolding him for being a traitor and seeking glory, and actually threatened to remove him from the family tree.
Since the elder brother is ruthless, don't blame him for being unrighteous. The Zhang family donated more money and food than the other officials combined. He not only set an example, leaving others speechless, but also avenged private revenge, killing two birds with one stone.
Anyway, those properties don't belong to him, and Zhang Song doesn't care about them. He just waits for Liu Qi to take charge of Yizhou and then establish another branch.
…
Liu Qi captured Hanzhong and took advantage of the victory to enter Yizhou. The news reached Chencang. Cao Cao, who was having a banquet for civil and military officials, was so shocked that most of the wine in his glass was spilled.
Cao Hong asked: "Why did the Prime Minister lose his composure?"
Cao Cao sighed with emotion: "If Liu Qi's dog son sits in Jingzhou and his father cannot show his full strength, I won't worry about it! Taking Hanzhong now is just the icing on the cake. However, this son did not take care of it and went straight to Yizhou, which is like the two rivers." If the land is obtained by him, it will be like a dragon entering the sea and a tiger returning to the mountains, and the trouble will be even worse than that of Sun Quan and Ma Chao."
Cao Hong said angrily: "Liu Qi's son is so greedy. Since he is a nuisance to the Prime Minister's confidants, why not take Shu with the victorious troops and counterattack Liu Qi's back?"
Cao Cao shook his head and said: "Yizhou is a dangerous place. Xiliang is still undecided, so we cannot rush to attack."
Xia Houyuan said: "Liu Qi has newly conquered Hanzhong and his foothold is not yet stable. Why doesn't the Prime Minister send troops to attack him and cut off his followers first? Liu Qi has no basis to advance and retreat, so he will fight to the death. When both Liu and Liu are defeated, Yizhou may be defeated at once!"
"Huh?" Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly and couldn't help but feel excited.
Liu Qi's threat is far greater than that of Ma Chao. If he is allowed to capture Yizhou, it becomes a climate, connecting Ma Chao to the west and Sun Quan to the east, the consequences will be disastrous.
After thinking about it, he finally sighed: "Ma Chao was defeated. We should take the opportunity to eliminate him in one fell swoop. Otherwise, if he resurfaces and associates with Liu Qi, he will be a big trouble in Guanzhong. Moreover, Han Sui has not retreated yet. We cannot rashly divide our troops, otherwise all our efforts will be wasted!"
Xia Houyuan asked for the order: "The Prime Minister just goes to capture Ma Chao. At the end of the day, the general only needs 20,000 elite soldiers to conquer Hanzhong and capture Liu Qi to relieve the Prime Minister's worries."
During the Battle of Nanyang, Xia Houyuan was guarding Xuzhou. He heard that Liu Qi had captured clan generals many times and suffered many humiliations, so he vowed to take revenge.
While he was still hesitating, someone suddenly reported that Han Sui had sent his general Yang Qiu to see him. However, Han Sui saw that Ma Chao had been defeated and was unable to support him on his own. In addition, since he had run out of food in late autumn, he was willing to cede territory and ask for peace, so both families stopped fighting.
Cao Cao ordered Han Hao to host a banquet to accompany him, and discussed countermeasures with Xun You and others: "Ma Chao fled to Xiliang. The land is vast and the road is long. It cannot be broken overnight. I had no intention of pursuing him. It was a bluff, just to eliminate this serious problem after attacking Han Sui. Today Han Sui If you take the initiative to seek peace, what will the public think?"
Xun You said: "Does the Prime Minister still remember the plan of serving Liaodong?"
"I will remember every word of your words of filial piety!" Cao Cao sighed with emotion and narrowed his eyes slightly: "Do you mean to let Han Sui go as a countermeasure?"
Xun You nodded and said: "The prime minister can give Han Sui and his troops the title of stationed in Hexi. Han Sui has wanted to stand on his own since he raised his army, so he will be tempted. Ma Chao will also be suspicious when he sees that Han Sui retreated safely and was promoted to a noble rank." At that time, he first sent people to spread rumors, saying that the prime minister secretly ordered Han Sui to kill Ma Chao and promise to be the lord of Xiliang. As long as Han and Ma are suspicious and fight, the governor of Liangzhou can also defeat him."
Cao Cao was overjoyed and rewarded Yang Qiu heavily. He praised Han Sui for knowing the general situation and told him to retreat with peace of mind and he would report the reward to the emperor. As long as the horses did not cause trouble, the two families would be in peace.
After sending Yang Qiu away, Cao Cao immediately presented Han Sui as the former general and the Marquis of Zhangye. Yang Qiu and Li Kan would be the prefects of Jiuquan and Wuwei, taking charge of all military affairs in Xiliang, eliminating violence, calming the people, and stabilizing the territory.
Xia Houyuan couldn't wait to say: "Morale is now strong and the military morale is available. Since there is no need to conquer Xiliang, why not march into Hanzhong?"
Cao Cao let out a long breath, looked at Qinling with his hands behind his hands, and laughed: "God has given me this opportunity, why not take it? I will conquer Hanzhong myself."
On the day when the army was about to be dispatched, Xia Houmao suddenly sent someone to send a secret report. Jiangdong naval forces were out of the East China Sea and their movements were unknown. They might intend to attack Huainan from the sea.
Xia Houyuan said disdainfully: "Zilin talks a lot but doesn't do things well. He only cares about making money. He doesn't understand military and national affairs. His words cannot be trusted."
But Cao Cao shook his head and said: "Zilin reported Liu Qi's intention to take Hanzhong before, but none of us were willing to believe it. Now Hanzhong is in his hands. There has been no movement in Jiangdong since the Battle of Ruxu. Zhou Yu's actions are extremely suspicious. This may be the case." Nine times out of ten.”
Xiahou Ba and other generals were eager to take Hanzhong and tried to persuade each other. Hanzhong was just around the corner, and Liu Qi had gone deep into Shu. If he didn't take it now, when would he wait?
While they were arguing, Zhang Liao sent an urgent report. Guan Yu led his troops north and was training troops in the Bowang Slope area, acting suspiciously.
Xun You was shocked and said: "This must be a plan to attack the east and attack the west. In order to support Dongwu, the prime minister needs to take precautions early. If Huainan is lost, the Central Plains will be shaken!"
Cao Cao didn't expect that the war in Hanzhong would end before it even started. He sighed sadly: "It's beyond your ability. Isn't it the worst?"
Then he ordered his troops to return to the court, leaving Han Hao to guard Chencang, while Xiahou Yuan stationed troops in Chang'an, and Du Xi was appointed as the capital Zhao Yin to help Xia Houyuan protect Guanzhong.
