A few days ago, Longbian Prefecture was in Jiaozhi County.
Shi Xie was hesitant after receiving Lan Tian's letter. He surrendered first to Sun Quan and then to Liu Bei, just to live a stable life in Lingnan. He really didn't want to participate in the battle in the Central Plains, but he couldn't refuse Lan Tian's order, so he summoned Discussing matters at the houses of brothers and nephews.
After everyone gathered, Shi Xie raised the letter in his hand and said: "Lu Fan and Wei Jing have recently sent troops to attack Xiaopu Pass. General Lan wrote a letter ordering me to send troops to the South China Sea to cooperate with the governor Lai Gong to attack Cangwu. I don't know how to refuse now. Do you guys have any ideas?"
Hepu Chief Shi Yi first said: "Regardless of whether there is General Lan's order or not, judging from the timing, it is indeed a good time to regain the South China Sea. Wei Jing and he have taken away almost all the soldiers and horses in the county, and can capture Panyu with only a few thousand soldiers." city."
Jiuzhen Taishou shook his head quickly: "Brother, what you said is inappropriate. This will completely break with Jiangdong. If Liu Bei loses to Sun Quan, we will be the ones who suffer in the future..."
"It is rumored that Liu Xuande has captured Xichuan and now controls Jingzhou and Yizhou. Lai Gong has been secretly communicating with him. I think his strength has surpassed Sun Quan." Shi Yi analyzed.
The scholar argued: "Because Liu Bei sent troops from Jingzhou to attack Xichuan, Sun Quan took advantage of the emptiness in the rear. This is very similar to the current situation in the South China Sea. I think it is unclear who will win and who will lose. Isn't Lan Ziyu's intention the same?" To contain Wei Jing? I think the outcome of these two families is unpredictable..."
"In short, this opportunity cannot be missed. It is up to my elder brother whether to send troops or not." Shi Yi said, cupping his fists.
Shi Xie is now in a difficult situation. He must either send troops to seize the South China Sea or provide money and food to Wei Jing. It is very difficult to remain neutral. According to what Lantian's letter said, Lai Gong will attack Cangwu at the same time. It seems that he wants to completely drive Jiangdong away. Surrender to Jiaozhou.
Now that the news of Sun Liu's rebellion has spread, it is difficult to predict the outcome of who will win and who will lose. Shi Xie sets his sights on the juniors. .
"Zhi'er, Hui'er, Qian'er, Song'er, Kuang'er, don't be silent and give the Shi family advice." Shi Xie frowned and ordered.
The third son, Shihui, was the direct descendant of Shiren, the hostage of Jiangdong. He had the highest status among the second generation. Everyone was waiting for him to speak, so he stood up and asked, "May I ask my father, who is the author of General Lan's letter?" Deliver it?"
"Lai Gong sent someone here." Shi Xie answered truthfully.
"If the letter is true, then Lai Gong may have defected to Liu Bei, otherwise he would not be so obedient." Shi Hui analyzed.
Shi Xie waved his hand: "What does Hui'er want to say?"
Shi Hui stroked his beard and said: "My family is located in the south of Lingnan. Neither Liu Bei nor Sun Quan can afford to offend me. Naturally, I have to choose a strong man to join me. However, I can't tell the pros and cons in my hurry. However, there is a nursery rhyme and prophecy on the streets of Longbian recently." , maybe there is some deep meaning in it..."
"Nursery rhymes and prophecies?" The three brothers Shi Xie were surprised at the same time. Nursery rhymes and prophecies usually imply important events, so they all took it seriously.
The younger son Shisong added: "Brother is right, I just heard the children singing."
"Tell me and listen." Shi Xie looked puzzled.
Shisong looked at Shihui and dared not speak, fearing that his brother would say that he was taking the spotlight. He just blurted it out unintentionally, but in fact he regretted it just after he said it.
Unexpectedly, Shi Hui was not angry. He smiled slightly and said, "Since Brother Song knows, I will tell everyone."
Shisong looked around and finally said: "The prophecy says: There is a sycamore tree in the south of Lingnan, with eleven spring branches. Birds stand beside the tree, and the weeping blood is the juice of the phoenix tree."
Wutong, birds, weeping blood, Wu juice...
Everyone in the hall was confused when they heard it. They all felt that it meant something, but they couldn't guess what it meant.
Shi Xie loved academics and studied the fine arts, but he was puzzled by the somewhat mysterious prophecy. He looked around at the crowd and asked, "Which one of you can interpret this prophecy?"
Everyone was silent at first, then Shi Yi suggested: "Mr. Cheng Guo is a great scholar in Confucian classics. He lives in Hepu now. Why don't I send someone to invite him?"
"It takes several days to get back and forth from Hubu. If Mr. Chengguo travels abroad, wouldn't it be a waste of time?" Shi Xie frowned.
At this time, Shi Hui saw that Shi Zhi was about to speak but stopped, so he snorted coldly: "I think brother seems to have realized something. This is a major event for the Shi family for a long time. Why doesn't brother say a word?"
"Zi'er?" Shi Xie frowned.
"Father, although I can't interpret this prophecy, there is a guest in my house who has seen a lot of people. Maybe I can call him to give it a try..." Shi Zhi lowered his head and said.
Although Shi Zhi was the second son of Shi Xie, because he was a commoner, he had little say in the family. He himself was happy to be a rich man who could not compete with others.
"The guest in your house? Where is he from?" Shi Xie frowned, obviously not believing it.
Shi Zhi cupped his hands and replied: "This man's surname is Hu. He was originally a merchant traveling throughout the Central Plains. Recently, the Yangtze River waterway has been closed to trade because of Sun Liu's rebellion. When he had nothing to do, he came to Jiaozhou with Usdin to relax..."
"What insights can merchants have?" Shi Xie asked doubtfully.
He lowered his head and whispered: "Mr. Hu has traveled all over the world. Because he traveled all over the world, he has seen a lot. Of course, he may not be able to solve it..."
"Father, since it was recommended by my brother, why not call him and give it a try?" Shi Hui suggested.
After his eldest son Shi Yan was sent to Jiangdong, Shi Hui became Shi Xie's heir, so he used this method from time to time to beat his second brother who was a concubine.
"Then please come and give it a try." Shi Xie set the tone.
"Wei." Shi Zhi nodded.
During the break when Shi Zhi sent people to invite Hu Ke, more than ten people from Shi Xie's family spoke enthusiastically, speculating on the outcome of Sun and Liu's battle for Jingzhou. Many people believed that Sun Quan won in the end, and Shi Zhi himself went to Quanling as an envoy. He was extremely impressed by Lan Tian, so Aiwujiwu believed that Liu Bei could win.
Hu Ke walked into the Longbian Prefect's Mansion and found that the people in the house were all very old. As expected, they were believed to be longevity people.
Shi Xie was determined to test Hu Ke. After meeting him, he did not directly ask about the prophecies. Instead, he chatted with him about the world. In addition to inquiring about news, Hu Ke's main job was to spread the Yangtze River News, so he had easy chat materials at his fingertips and talked endlessly. It feels like one can become rich through learning.
Shi Xie was shocked after hearing this and thought that Shi Zhi had probably found a treasure. Hu Ke was really unqualified as a businessman, so he solemnly asked him for advice on Long Bian's nursery rhymes and prophecies.
After Hu Ke finished listening, he pretended to close his eyes and meditate, and after a while he explained in front of everyone: "The people from Lingnan are called Jiaozhou, and the eleven people are scholars. The first two sentences of the prophecy say that the flourishing branches and leaves of the scholars are the giant trees in Jiaozhou. "
Shi Xie felt deeply and hurriedly asked: "What do you mean by the last two sentences?"
Hu Ke looked at Shi Xie, then shook his head and tried to catch him: "The last two sentences are not auspicious, I am just confused..."
"Sir, how can there be a beginning but no end? Our family is willing to pay a lot of money for advice." Shi Hui added.
Hu Ke shook his head and seemed unhappy: "Although I am not as rich as the young master, I still have good land and a big house. I will not have to worry about food and drink for a lifetime, and I do not covet your family's rewards..."
Seeing this, Shi Xie glared at Shi Hui, then raised his hands and solemnly said to Hu Ke: "My son Wu Zhuang, please forgive me, sir. Since this prophecy is related to my family, please be sure to clarify Xie's doubts. I will never thank you for your kindness..." .”
"For the sake of Mr. Zhi's hospitality, I will interpret the last two sentences, but they may not be correct." Hu Ke said modestly.
"Mr. Hu, please speak." Shi Xie bowed his hands.
Hu Ke had a serious look on his face: "雚 is a water bird. It is good at catching fish in the water for food. The tree standing next to the 雚 is for power. This sentence refers to the cavalry general Sun Zhongmou, which just echoes the benefits of the Jiangdong navy. The last sentence is for Wutong." Weeping blood, this prophecy is a sign of great disaster. If we are not careful, the Shi clan may be harmed by Sun Quan..."
