Hu Ke explained: "Several mineral deposits have been excavated in Guiyang County in recent years, including copper, iron, gold, silver and other items. These twenty carts of property are what is left for making armor. The gentleman said that if it is not enough, it will be replenished next year."
Liu Bei looked confused when he heard this, and Zhuge Liang sighed: "If it weren't for the troops and armor this time, it would be impossible to maintain such low battle losses. The Quanling workshop consumes a lot of gold and silver, but Ziyu can actually squeeze out the gold and silver to send labor. He Really thoughtful..."
"Even if there is a mine in Guiyang County, it will be difficult to mine it. It is not easy to keep the workshop running normally. My lord, it is better not to let him give it away. We should think of other ways." Zhuge Liang added.
Liu Bei nodded, "The military advisor is right. We can't put all the burden on Ziyu. The ability to continue transporting food has exceeded my expectations."
Zhang Fei heard that Lantian sent people to Chengdu, so he excitedly ran to meet in the tent. He happened to hear a few people talking. He walked up and asked doubtfully: "Since there is a mine in Guiyang County, let Ziyu find more people." Dig and give more to the soldiers when the time comes."
Hu Ke replied with a smile: "Mr. once said that the wealth of a country is like a mine. If it is exploited and used in a controlled manner, it can last for thousands of years or even longer. If it is excavated blindly and disorderly, the mine may collapse, which will harm the people and the people." It’s not good for the whole country.”
"Is mining so particular?" Zhang Fei scratched his head and said he didn't understand.
"Ziyu's words are thought-provoking, but now Chengdu has not been conquered. Before we can discuss merits and reward them, let's talk about the Yangtze River News." Zhuge Liang nodded and said.
Liu Bei fell into deep thought. No wonder Ziyu asked me to plan carefully. He was warning me not to award rewards blindly? Let's go back and have a good discussion with some military advisors.
Hu Ke continued to answer: "Looking at the Yangtze River newspaper, you can know the world affairs. I have won the trust of Liu Zhang by delivering newspapers to Liu Zhang many times last year, so the Lord was in danger and could be sent back to Jingzhou in time. The previous issues were also sent to Chengdu through various channels. The tenth issue It’s what Mr. used to break the city.”
"Lan Ziyu used this thing to destroy the city? Did my ears hear it wrong?" Zhang Fei looked confused.
"Sir said that some military advisors must have a solution." Hu Ke explained.
Liu Bei frowned, "Ziyu must have had deep intentions after planning for a long time, but why didn't he tell him clearly? If the military advisers didn't guess correctly, wouldn't it be a waste of his efforts?"
"Sir's original words were that he would forge the sword. As for how to use the sword to defeat the enemy, it all depends on the skill of several military advisors." Hu Ke responded with a smile.
"Ziyu is just like you. He doesn't enjoy doing anything. He is not as good as his youngest son." Zhang Fei said impatiently.
The three military advisors laughed at being squeezed by Zhang Fei. Zhuge Liang asked meaningfully: "Yi De's words make sense. Liang decided to do things more happily in the future. Later, he will ask Lieutenant Hu to tell the truth. From now on, Ziyu will get oysters." When I go there, I should also think of you, right?"
Zhang Fei was startled when he heard this, and then grabbed Hu Ke's hand: "You are Gao Boping's soldier. You should understand the importance of discipline. I order you to forget what you just said."
"Uh...only..." Hu Ke replied innocently.
Only Zhuge Liang and Zhang Fei in the tent had eaten steamed oysters. Liu Bei, Fazheng and others were confused when they heard this.
"Third brother, what is an oyster?" Liu Bei asked curiously.
"Uh... Military advisor, please stop laughing at me. Come and tell me, it's almost winter. Why don't Ziyu get some oysters to help the army? Isn't transporting twenty carts of oysters better than gold and silver?" Zhang Fei said.
Hu Ke was sweating profusely after hearing this. The output of oysters was low and transportation was inconvenient. What would happen if the entire army divided the oysters?
Zhuge Liang introduced the delicacy of oysters to everyone, but Liu Bei, Pang Tong, and Fazheng were not ordinary people and could not be controlled by their appetite. They knew that Zhang Fei was just talking, so they laughed it off.
After the interlude, Zhang Fei invited Hu Ke to have a drink, while Liu Bei and three military advisers stayed to discuss countermeasures.
When Fazheng was deep in thought, he had an idea, "We besieged Chengdu for two months, and Liu Zhang completely cut off contact with the outside world. Since he firmly believes in the Yangtze River News, why don't we fill in the blanks with rumors, weaken his will, and then send people to persuade him to surrender?" Maybe that’s what General Lan meant, otherwise he wouldn’t have given half a newspaper.”
Zhuge Liang shook his head: "The Yangtze River Newspaper can be modified with words, but the content is always true. If you use rumors to trick Liu Zhang into surrendering, you will be ridiculed by the people of Shu in the future, and the Yangtze River Newspaper will be useless..."
"General Lan is running this Yangtze River newspaper, isn't it for the Lord's benefit to Yizhou?" Fa Zheng asked curiously.
"Xiaozhi, you are so shallow. The Yangtze River News is not just for Yizhou. Internally it can stabilize people's hearts and govern, and externally it can destroy opponents. It is a pity to use it only in Yizhou. We cannot ruin Ziyu's hard work." Zhuge Liang said.
"Rumors may not work. What can scare Liu Zhang?" Fazheng said to himself.
Pang Tong pinched his beard and guessed: "I remember during the Xingping period, Liu Yan's eldest son Liu Fan, second son Liu Dan and Ma Teng conspired to attack Li Jue and were executed. It was at that time that Liu Zhang was escorted into Yizhou by Pang Xi. You said Liu Zhang saw his brother being killed. If you kill someone, will you care more about family ties?"
Fazheng shook his head quickly, "Liu Mao passed away thirteen years ago in Jian'an. The brotherhood has long since ceased to exist. Now the eldest son Liu Yi and the second son Liu Chan are both in Chengdu. What is there to worry about?"
Pang Tong sighed and said, "My lord practices benevolence, so these people are not afraid. If Cao Cao was known as a thief, Liu Zhang would be frightened and surrender early..."
When Fazheng was discussing with Pang Tong, Zhuge Liang had been listening and thinking carefully. When he heard the names of Ma Teng, Li Jue, Cao Cao, etc., he was vaguely inspired.
At this time, the scouts came into the account and brought two pieces of news. One was that Cao Cao had built the Sheji and the ancestral temple in July, and the other was that Ma Chao was defeated in Jicheng and surrendered to Zhang Lu in the south. His wife and children were killed by his enemy Yang Fu.
Liu Bei sighed after hearing the news: "The horse is brave and good at fighting, just like Lu Fengxian in the past. It's a pity that he is no match for Cao Cao. Now the whole family has escaped from Longyou, but Cao Cao has usurped the throne and established the country. How unfair is it?"
Fazheng took advantage of the situation and said: "After my lord captures Chengdu, he can sit in Yizhou and Jingzhou and work hard to govern, and he can also create immortal achievements."
Although Fazheng spoke very cryptically, everyone in the tent could understand it.
Liu Bei waved his hands and laughed: "Bei doesn't envy Cao Mengde at all. If you want fame, just let him go..."
The three military advisors were very puzzled when they saw this, and admired Liu Bei's broad-mindedness, but they did not know that he had kept the nine-character mantra in mind and planned to make Cao Cao's traitor despised by the world first. Now it is best to build walls high and store up grain.
"Ma Chao defected to Hanzhong, will Zhang Lu plot Yizhou? After all, there are too few defenders at Jiameng Pass..." Pang Tong was very worried.
"I don't think so. The first thing Cao Cao wanted to do to conquer Xiliang was to plan for Hanzhong. How can Zhang Lu care about Yizhou? We have to capture Chengdu as soon as possible. When Cao Cao really sends troops to attack Hanzhong, the entire Yizhou will also be destroyed." It's dangerous." Fazheng reminded.
Zhuge Liang suddenly looked relaxed, and then said happily: "Liang has a plan to conquer Chengdu."
