In July of the second year of Zhangwu, Hanzhong.
After more than four years of governance, Hanzhong has slowly regained some of its vitality.
Although it is still not comparable to when Zhang Lu governed Hanzhong, today's Hanzhong can finally see that the villages are organized and the people live and cultivate in peace.
Before the Battle of Hanzhong came to an end four years ago, Cao Cao ordered people to move nearly 80% of Hanzhong's population to enrich Guanzhong, leaving Liu Bei with an empty Hanzhong.
This actually has good and bad aspects.
Needless to say, there are disadvantages. If there are not enough Dingkou, there will not be enough sources of tax revenue. If the land is uncultivated, it will only slowly become barren.
Today's Hanzhong is indeed incomparable with the Hanzhong governed by Zhang Lu.
But this does not mean that Zhang Lu is more capable. There are many factors responsible for this.
One, it is indeed due to Zhang Lu’s governance method that integrated politics and religion.
Zhang Lu inherited the Five Dou Rice Road, reformed the teachings, and formed a governance method that integrated politics and religion. He attracted a large number of landless refugees into Hanzhong and enriched the population of Hanzhong.
In addition, at that time, the Liangzhou princes headed by Ma Teng and Han Sui were wreaking havoc in Guanzhong. I don't know how many people in Guanzhong fled into Hanzhong, which also gave Zhang Lu a wave of population benefits.
In this way, when Zhang Lu governed Hanzhong, he relied on his special system to make Hanzhong prosperous and give Zhang Lu the capital to separate Hanzhong and stand on his own. Liu Zhang conquered one county from one state, but there was nothing he could do against Zhang Lu. They even had to bring in foreign aid, giving Liu Bei the opportunity to enter Shu.
Let me digress. With Liu Zhang's ability, sometimes I really can't understand how thick-skinned those people are who say Liu Zhang is better than Liu Bei.
The second one is Liu Bei's little thought.
Although the world is in chaos now, the land of Shu is still relatively stable.
Although under Liu Zhang's rule, Shuzhong aristocratic families and Dongzhou faction often jumped out to make troubles, they basically did not last long. Except for Zhao Shi's rebellion, their influence basically did not exceed one county, and they soon became It can be pacified, so both the political structure and land distribution in Shu have been relatively solidified.
Although a big fish named Liu Bei later came into this solidified pond, if Liu Bei wanted to gain a foothold in Shu, he had to consider the interests of these aristocratic families in Shu. Some things should not be overdone.
For example, redistributing land or something like that is a bit difficult to do.
Therefore, after Liu Bei captured Hanzhong, he deliberately prevented the Shuzhong aristocratic family from intervening in Hanzhong's affairs, just to use Hanzhong as a private area to reward meritorious officials.
Shuzhong really can't afford so much land to motivate his soldiers, and Hanzhong happened to be relocated by Cao Cao. Isn't this ready-made ownerless land? !
Of course, we must also thank Cao Cao for this, because Cao Cao relocated 80% of the population, and he packed up all the wealthier families, including some of the powerful and powerful people in Hanzhong, and those who stayed were basically It is some old, weak, sick, disabled or poor people who are not even worthy of being a slave, so they are left to fend for themselves.
This is the only benefit of Cao Cao's relocation of Hanzhong's population - without the constraints of powerful family members, Liu Bei can safely and boldly run Hanzhong according to his own ideas.
It may take longer and more money and food will be invested, but this place is the private land of Liu Bei Group, and no one from the Shuzhong family is allowed to come and interfere.
Now, after more than four years of development, Zhongshu ordered Zhuge Liang and Zhang Xi, the Minister of War and former general, to finally take time to inspect Hanzhong together.
Zhongshu Ling personally went on patrol, which represented Liu Bei's importance to Hanzhong and also sent a signal to the outside world.
The main reason why Zhang Xi came together was because Hanzhong was the base for the entire Liu Bei group's northern advance. The next time they wanted to march into Guanzhong, the army had to start from Hanzhong, so Zhang Xi, the Minister of War, also had to come to inspect military affairs.
Therefore, it is not a big deal for these two people to patrol Hanzhong together.
But both Zhuge Liang and Zhang Xi knew that this matter was not as simple as it seemed.
Along the way from Chengdu to Hanzhong, Zhuge Liang and Zhang Xi had chatted with each other a lot. Both of them had basically guessed Liu Bei's intentions, so they were not in a good mood.
As soon as the two people arrived in Hanzhong and met Huang Quan, the prefect of Hanzhong, they immediately roped in Huang Quan and started a secret discussion.
This made Huang Quan confused.
Huang Quan understands that these two want to inspect local civil affairs or military affairs, or inspect the work of the planning department. What's going on when they pull him into a secret discussion? !
Since when can central officials conspire with local officials? !
Are you really not afraid of violating taboos? !
But Huang Quan looked back and thought about the temper of the current Han Majesty, and then thought about the identities of Zhuge Liang and Zhang Xi. It seemed that there was really no need to be afraid.
The emperor had a straight temper and knew how to use people well. He knew what kind of people deserved what kind of treatment. No one would doubt Zhuge Liang and Zhang Xi.
Zhuge Liang and Zhang Xi were both people who had followed the emperor during the Xinye period. It could be said that they had gone through thick and thin with the emperor. Their personalities and tempers did not make it possible for them to collude with local officials and rebel against the emperor.
But Huang Quan still couldn't figure out what he wanted to discuss secretly? !
Therefore, when he arrived at the inner room and dismissed the servants, Huang Quan first asked, "Kong Ming, Yuan Chang, why is it so secret?!"
"Brother Gongheng, please forgive me!" Zhuge Liang apologized first, and then said to Huang Quan, "Hanzhong is an important place, and it is related to your Majesty's Northern Expedition. The affairs are very close, so we have to be cautious."
Huang Quan was stunned for a moment, and then his face gradually became serious, and he quickly captured the key words in Zhuge Liang's words.
Northern Expedition? !
Why did you start the Northern Expedition? !
"Quan is guarding Hanzhong and doesn't know the important affairs of the court." Huang Quan followed his own thoughts, carefully considered it, and said, "It's just that Quan thinks that now that people's livelihood has not been restored, it is not appropriate to go to war in the past two years!"
There are some things that Huang Quan is not easy to say clearly, and there is no need to say them clearly.
The last Northern Expedition was only two years ago!
The Northern Expedition was launched with almost all the strength of the country. Although a lot of territory was conquered, the northern part of Yongzhou and Liangzhou were places where money and food were squandered. To ensure stability in the past two years, it was the result of a large investment of manpower and material resources. How could it be possible to launch the Northern Expedition at this time? !
Another thing is that Liu Bei has only been on the throne for his second year, and the actual time he has been on the throne is only one year and three months. Shouldn't it be a time to consolidate internal forces, eliminate unfavorable factors, and recuperate? !
The use of troops at this time is a big burden for both the court and the people, right? !
Huang Quan didn't understand why Zhuge Liang and Zhang Xi came to Hanzhong and actually said such things as the Northern Expedition.
But Zhuge Liang and Zhang Xi were helpless. Some things were really beyond their expectations, and they couldn't be persuaded.
Zhuge Liang had no choice but to say to Huang Quan, "Brother Gongheng's words are reasonable. However, at the beginning of the year, Guan Junhou of Jingzhou fell seriously ill. He had been in bed for nearly a month before he recovered. After he recovered, Guan Junhou wrote a letter to His Majesty. , request to conquer Wancheng again."
Huang Quan was stunned for a moment, as if he thought of something.
Zhang Xi also took advantage of the situation and said, "After Guan Junhou's seal was sent to Chengdu, Zhang Cheqi heard about it and also went to the table to report, saying that after a year of formation, the northern and southern armies were worthy of a battle. He also made a request to the table. Northern Expedition.”
Huang Quan's brows wrinkled.
Zhuge Liang went on to say, "At the beginning of the year, Deng Bomiao returned from his mission to Soochow, bringing a letter of greetings from Sun Quan of Soochow and an agreement on mutual trade between the two families. Sun Quan spoke sincerely in the letter, asking his Majesty to claim to be a junior. He carefully explored the north. According to reports, Cao Wei has gathered troops and horses in Yanzhou and Yuzhou to do harm to Qingxu."
Zhang Xi then added, "We also conducted detailed investigation in the north. In March this year, Cao Ren, the governor of Cao Wei and Yongliang, died of illness. Cao Pi transferred the veteran general Cao Hong back to Yecheng. After depriving him of his military power, he ordered him to shut up and think about his mistakes. Cao Pi sent Cao Zhen as his new commander. Governor of Yongliang, stationed in Chang'an."
Okay, needless to say, Huang Quan understood everything.
First, Guan Yu almost failed to survive a serious illness. This probably made Guan Yu aware of his age and wanted to capture Wancheng for Liu Bei and intimidate Chang'an while he was still able to fight.
For a proud man like Guan Yu, he could accept dying in battle, but dying in bed was not the way Guan Yu wanted to die.
Perhaps he was aware of Guan Yu's thoughts, so Zhang Fei also submitted a letter. The Northern and Southern Army, which had only lasted one year from recruitment to training, was suddenly considered by Zhang Fei to be able to participate in actual combat.
Second, Jiangdong's current situation is very bad.
I heard about it at the beginning of the year. Sun Quan sent an envoy to Yecheng to congratulate Cao Pi on his ascension to the throne. Cao Pi was driven out of Yecheng without even seeing Cao Pi's face, losing an adult.
At the same time, Cao Pi also issued two proclamations to inform the world, denying the legitimacy of Liu Bei and Sun Quan's proclaimed emperor one by one, and at the same time sent envoys to both families to condemn them.
I heard that Sun Quan was so angry with Cao Wei's envoys that he walked away from the reception banquet.
Now Cao Wei is stationing troops in Yanzhou and Yuzhou, and the purpose of attacking Qingxu is obvious. Therefore, Sun Quan deliberately calls himself a junior to Liu Bei. He acknowledges the fact that the two families call each other by their names, and at the same time agrees to the request to establish a mutual trade without thinking. Sun Quan Obviously he didn't want to start a war on both sides. He wanted to stabilize Liu Bei and then defend Qingxu with all his strength.
For Liu Bei, Soochow should fully respond to Cao Pi's attack, so there is no need to worry about Soochow's ulterior motives and a backstab to sneak attack Jingzhou or something.
Cao Ren, the guard of Chang'an, died of illness. Cao Hong, who had great prestige and could replace Cao Ren, was recalled to Yecheng because he offended Cao Pi. He was even relieved of his military power and asked to think about his mistakes behind closed doors. He was replaced by Cao Zhen, who had little battle experience.
There is no pressure on Soochow, while Cao Wei focuses on the struggle for the Central Plains, and the guard of Chang'an has been replaced by a junior. Even if Huang Quan stood in Liu Bei's position, he would still think of the Northern Expedition.
But the problem is that it’s okay to think about it, but you can’t actually do it.
Our foundation is weak, and two years of rest is simply not enough. We do not have that much troops and food to launch the second Northern Expedition.
The Northern Expedition was too much of a waste of time and money.
(End of chapter)
