Ever since Zhou Yu sent troops to the north, Sun Quan had been hesitant in making military decisions and always felt uneasy.
In the past, Zhou Yu and Lu Su were planning, and they thought they had the same views. Now that Zhou Yu is not around, we understand its importance.
Now that such talents suddenly appear, how can Sun Quan not be surprised?
Full of expectation, Wu Guotai smiled and said: "Zhong Mou, don't be too eager. This is not an outsider, he is also a descendant of the Sun family, so there is no need to visit."
"Oh?" Sun Quan was greatly surprised and thought: "Everyone in the clan is in office, and the rest are young and ignorant. Who has this ability?"
Wu Guotai said: "It is your brother's national ceremony!"
"Is it him?" Sun Quan's eyes widened in disbelief, and he frowned and said, "Guoyi didn't show any talent when he was in Kuaiji, how could he have such foresight?"
Sun Fu and Sun Quan were from the same clan. He was the son of Sun Jian's brother Sun Qiang, named Guoyi. Both his parents died when he was in infancy. He was raised by his elder brother Sun Bi. The two brothers helped Sun Ce pacify the three counties in the south of the Yangtze River and served as the prefect of Luling.
After Sun Quan took over Jiangdong, he gave up his Kuaiji governor to Sun Bi and made Sun Fu the captain, preparing to assist Bu Zhi in contacting Jiaozhi governor Shi Xie to capture Jiaozhou.
Unexpectedly, Liu Qi took the lead. Shi Xie admired Liu Biao's reputation and sent people to Jingzhou to pay tribute. The matter of Jiaozhou was put on hold for the time being, so he had to order Sun Fu to be the governor of Jiaozhou to save face.
In the past few years, the two brothers have been in charge of Kuaiji and pacified Shanyue. Although the territory was stable, there was nothing out of the ordinary, which surprised Sun Quan.
Wu Guotai said with emotion: "In the past, Guoyi was young and vigorous, and he only knew how to lead troops to fight. After arriving in Kuaiji, he heard the words of 'Wu Xia Amen' and was greatly touched, so he studied the art of war and strategy. It was useless to follow his elder brother in politics. Wu Zhi, after hearing about the defeat in the war in Huainan, he dispatched five thousand troops from Kuaiji to defend Dajiang. He came here to pay homage to me and had an extraordinary talk. As the saying goes, we have been apart for three days, so we should treat him with admiration!"
"It turns out that the national ritual has changed like this!" Sun Quan was quite proud that he encouraged Lü Meng to learn from him and became a popular talk among the people. When he heard this, he was secretly happy and said with clasped fists: "Since my brother has such a high opinion, I will discuss it carefully with him tomorrow."
Wu Guotai nodded happily. After all this trouble, both mother and son were tired, so they ordered Sun Quan to go back to rest and recuperate.
The next day, Sun Fu received a secret report and visited Wu Guotai's residence. He met Sun Quan in the study. Sun Fu bluntly said that Cao was weak and Liu Qiang was not curbed at this time. Once the Central Plains was captured by them, the tripartite power would be destroyed, Cao's family would be destroyed, and Jiangdong would be destroyed. There is no guarantee.
Sun Quan had long been jealous of Liu Qi's repeated victories in battles and expansion of territory. He thought that this sick man was scolded as a dolphin and dog, but now he wants to climb on top of him. How can he bear it?
The two brothers conspired to imitate King Huai of Chu and put Liu Qi under house arrest. They first captured Jingzhou and used the naval force to defend the south of the river. Then they forced Liu Qi to issue orders and captured Yizhou and Guanzhong to achieve great success.
After discussing for most of the day, they actually forgot about tea and rice. After the discussion, Sun Fu said: "This matter is related to the Sun family's great cause, the success or failure of Jiangdong, and you must not talk about it with other people."
Sun Quan nodded and said: "This is a foreign matter. Zhou Yu is not here today, and there is no need to discuss it with Zhang Zhao. It does not violate my brother's entrustment."
Sun Fu couldn't help but clasped his fists and said: "Guotai has deceived everyone in Jiangdong by pretending to be sick. It will be a success. We can act according to the plan."
Sun Quan couldn't help but feel a surge of blood, and secretly clenched his fists, "I can't defeat Cao's army in a land battle, but I can't defeat the Jingzhou army in a water battle?"
The plan was decided, and that day he ordered his confidant Xu Xiang to go to Jingzhou with a letter from Guotai. After attending the funeral for Liu Biao, he secretly persuaded Sun Shangxiang to take Liu Qi back home to visit relatives and visit the old lady.
Three days later, Sun Quan gathered the civil and military officials to discuss matters, and re-appointed officials, large and small, according to the suggestions of Lu Su and Zhang Zhao, to govern the country, bring peace to the people, and recuperate.
Bu Zhao was appointed as the prefect of Kuaiji, Sun Bi was appointed as the prefect of Yuzhang, and Sun Fu was appointed as the general of Annan. He was in charge of the Chaisang Navy and secretly prepared to send troops.
…
Compared with the silence in Jiangdong, Jingzhou is full of joy at this time, the people are happy and the weather is smooth.
There were boats and ships on the Xiangjiang River, and there was an endless stream of merchants. There were rice fields on the north and south river banks. The output of this military camp alone was enough to meet the grain and grass expenditure of the Central Plains.
Although Liu Biao died, he was happy to mourn, and the officials and the people all praised him. On the contrary, it was Liu Qi who conquered the East and West capitals and returned to Xiangyang, and his reputation increased again.
After the coffin was buried and all matters were taken care of, Liu Qi had a rare leisure time at home and finally lived the life of a hands-off shopkeeper that he had dreamed of.
Xun Yu secretly handled the rear affairs with full authority. He had Liu Pan in Yizhou, Xu Shu in Guanzhong, and Zhong Yao was transferred to Chang'an. Zhang Fei and Pang Tong were in Luoyang, and Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang in the Central Plains. He did not need to worry about it at all.
On this day, I was practicing swordsmanship with Sun Shangxiang in the garden. Suddenly Liu Neng hurried in and said with a bright smile: "My lord, please stop playing swordsmanship. There is a big happy event."
Liu Qi put away his sword and saw Du Ling'er hiding her mouth in the corridor with a big belly and snickering. He was dissatisfied and corrected: "This is sword practice!".
"Competing with the generals is just sword practice, but sparring with the lady is just swordplay."
Liu Neng explained seriously that since Liu Fu died of illness last year, he has been taking care of all affairs in the government. Because he is smart and well-spoken, he has won the favor of several ladies and is no longer as reserved as before.
Liu Qi shook his head helplessly, but there had been too many happy events recently, and he was already a little numb. He asked lightly: "What's the matter?"
Liu Neng smiled and said: "Cao Pi sent Xiahou Mao to Xiangyang. He is waiting in the mansion and brought many gifts."
"This Xiahou Mao was lost in Guanzhong, but he was still valued by Cao Pi?" Liu Qi was a little surprised. He had already guessed his purpose, and after changing his clothes, he came to the government office.
I saw eight carriages parked in the backyard. Yi Ji and Pang Hong were directing the guards to unload the boxes. Xia Houmao's face was full of pain as he listened to the people next to him checking the goods with pens and paper.
"Two strands of Western Region agate beads, five Kushan red gold ingots, five Saibei tiger whips, a pair of jade biscuits, a purple Ying necklace, a white jade bracelet..."
"Is it true? Is it true? Is it true?"
Liu Qi strode into the courtyard, pointed at the dazzling boxes, and said sternly: "How unbecoming is it to accept bribes in broad daylight?"
Xia Houmao was startled, and when he saw Liu Qi coming in, he changed his face and greeted him with a smile: "General Liu, I haven't seen you for several years, and he has become more and more powerful. I came here to visit you. I am giving you a small gift, which is not respectful."
Liu Qi said in a deep voice: "You don't know that I am in a period of mourning? What is the meaning of giving me this pleasure?"
Yi Ji hurriedly came to the rescue and said: "General Xiahou is really doing business, my lord should not go too far."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Xia Houmao suddenly remembered the business and quickly ordered someone to take the imperial edict and hold it in both hands: "I also came here with the edict. Liu Qi will accept the edict."
Liu Qi was a little surprised and quickly ordered people to prepare the incense case and receive the order from Yi Ji and others. However, it was the emperor who commended Liu Qi for his contribution in pacifying the Qiang people in Longxi and Han Sui's rebellion, and granted him the title of Grand Sima to lead the military forces in the south of the Yangtze River.
"Your Majesty is so kind to you, and I will repay you with all my heart and soul, even if I die." Liu Qi received the imperial edict and ordered people to prepare a banquet.
Xia Houmao rubbed his hands and said, "The prince ordered me to bring these gifts. They are not bribes to the general. They are actually to redeem my second uncle and his son, and I hope the general will accept them."
