Zheng Tai didn't know what Dong Zhong was feeling in his heart. He only knew that he failed miserably.
He lost an important strong support, and the loss of this strong support would have an indelible and significant negative impact on his plan to overthrow Liu Bei.
At the current stage, every army that is not under the command of Liu Bei is very important to them, and one is indispensable. Without one, the already low winning rate will become even more pitiful, which is not acceptable to them.
However, what they understand, others understand.
Coincidentally, Jia Xi, who went to visit Jian Shuo, also encountered a similar thing.
Jia Xi originally thought that as a powerful figure in the Yue family, he deigned to pay a visit to Jian Shuo in person. Jian Shuo should happily go out to greet him, and then make some big fights to put some money on his face.
But he never expected that he would be greeted by a lazy "waste".
When Jian Shuo met Jia Xi, he was wearing regular clothes made of Shu brocade, leaning lazily on a soft couch, surrounded by dancing girls and musicians playing hard. He was eating fried chicken legs and drinking peach wine. , while enjoying the dance music, as happy as a god.
And it should not be said that the current Jian Shuo has completely lost the heroic and strong appearance when Liu Hong was still alive. He is now a humanoid object piled up with soft fat.
Jia Xi didn't expect Jian Shuo's life to be so corrupt, and suddenly felt that his purpose might not resonate with Jian Shuo.
"Jia Gong is a rare visitor. Come and entertain me with good wine and food. Bring out the best things in the house. Don't neglect Jia Gong!"
Unlike Dong Chong, Jian Shuo did not have crucial tools for committing crimes, so he did not carry out any actions that were immoral, but he did not cause much irritation to Jia Xi in other aspects.
Jian Shuo welcomed Jia Xi's visit, so he came up with the most honorable reception combination - fried chicken legs and Jiuquan peach wine.
"This fried chicken leg is not to mention a famous palace dish. Now, in Luoyang City, if you have never had a bite of fried chicken leg, you will be embarrassed to go out, but this Jiuquan Pu Tao wine is not a simple thing. This Liu Xuande sent someone to deliver it last month, you can’t buy it even if you have money!”
Jian Shuo arranged a whole plate of fried chicken legs for Jia Xu, which was quite generous, but he only gave him a small pot of peach wine.
Looking at the food and drinks in front of her, Jia Xi didn't know whether to be happy or depressed for a moment.
This Jiuquan peach wine cannot be bought even if you have money. Except for the special offerings from the palace and important clan members, only Liu Bei is qualified to distribute it. Only an extremely rare amount can flow into the market every year. It takes luck and financial resources. To compete with hand speed, one is indispensable, otherwise you can’t buy it.
Liu Bei is also very particular about sending people away. They must be powerful personnel with whom he has a good relationship, his trusted subordinates, or people with high moral standards.
Within the ancient literature school, he only gave gifts to Lu Zhi and Zheng Xuan, and Ma Rixi could occasionally get some. He and Zheng Tai had not received gifts from Liu Bei since the second year of Jian'an.
If you want to drink Jiuquan Peach Wine, you either have to go to other people's banquets and have a few sips, or send people to guard in front of the salt shop. Whenever Jiuquan Peach Wine is released for sale, you can grab it as soon as possible.
It's hard to say how much of Jia Xi's and others' resentment towards Liu Bei was caused by not being able to drink peach wine.
However, this year, I couldn't drink more than a few sips of Jiuquan peach wine. In Jian Shuo's place, I could only drink this small pot at a time. Jia Xi was quite happy.
But the problem is that this was sent by Liu Bei...
Could it be said that the relationship between Jian Shuo and Liu Bei is quite good! ?
Eating fried chicken legs, drinking peach wine, and watching song and dance performances, this should have been the best combination in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, but Jia Xi was worried and unhappy.
Finally, after Jian Shuo had finished enjoying the meal and had enough to eat and drink, Jia Xicai finally explained the reason for his visit.
He told Jian Shuo what happened with Liu Bei before, and then asked Jian Shuo tactfully if he had any thoughts of resisting Liu Bei's "hegemony".
Resist Liu Bei's "hegemony"?
Regarding this question, Jian Shuo, who enjoys his current life, actually finds it quite funny.
"Liu Xuande has an army of more than 200,000 people. If you want to resist him, you must first ask whether his army will agree, ask his arrogant generals whether they will agree, and then ask Lu Ziqian whether they will agree, etc. They have all agreed, so you can try to resist him, otherwise, hehehe..."
Jian Shuo poured a glass of Jiuquan peach wine and drank it happily. He glanced at Jia Xi in front of him and did not finish his words.
Jia Xi looked unhappy.
"We all know that it is indeed difficult, but it all depends on man-made efforts. Although many people inside and outside the court support him, there are also many who oppose him, and his wolfish ambitions have not yet been exposed. Once exposed, those who are dissatisfied with him will They will definitely attack in groups!”
"Then it won't be too late for me to help them after they attack in groups, right?"
Jian Shuo had a smile on his face and did not let go.
"Captain Jian, that's not what you said!"
Jia Xi hurriedly said: "You may not know that Liu Bei's desire for power has expanded to an unstoppable level. He has a lot of power now, but he is still not satisfied. He also wants to have more power. If it is true, If he succeeds, won't he become the emperor?
Now you have 30,000 Xiyuan Army in your hand. This is the largest army in the world that is not controlled by Liu Bei. It is also the emperor's personal army left by the late emperor. It is such an important and justifiable army. Once this army is taken action, Liu Bei must not dare to act recklessly, because attacking the Xiyuan Army is attacking the emperor! "
"Perhaps Mr. Jia doesn't know that except for the commander's headquarters of the Xiyuan Army, which is still under my command, the other seven commanders' armies are no longer under my command."
Jian Shuo waved his hand, then picked up the fried chicken leg and chewed it deliciously: "I only have one army left, more than 3,000 people, less than 4,000 people. Even if I want, you let me take more than 3,000 people." How can we fight against Liu Xuande's army of more than 200,000?"
"What? The Xiyuan Army is already there?"
"Yes, the Xiyuan Army was no longer under my control a few years ago."
Seeing Jian Shuo speaking the terrifying words with a calm face, Jia Xi suddenly felt that his heart was about to be frozen by the icy cold and could not beat.
"How could this happen? The Xiyuan Army is the emperor's personal army, and you are the commander of the Xiyuan Army ordered by the late emperor. How could this happen? Are you...were you forced by Liu Bei?"
Jia Xi hurriedly said: "If this is the case, isn't this evidence of Liu Bei's wolfish ambition? He plans to seize the emperor's personal army to do harm to the emperor!"
Jian Shuo blinked.
"Oh, I can't say that. The main reason is that I can't support the 30,000 Xiyuan Army. The Xiyuan Army was originally the expense of the Shaofu. The military expenses were provided by the Shaofu. After the death of the late emperor, the Shaofu was managed by Liu Xuande. , the military expenses are also paid by him.
Later, I thought that it would be embarrassing to ask people to pay for it all the time, so I asked him if he wanted control of the Xiyuan Army. He declined a few times, and I gave it a few more times. He took it and I kept it. One army will be the pro-army, and the rest will be forgotten. "
Seeing Jian Shuo saying it didn't matter, Jia Xi felt bad all over.
Thirty thousand Xiyuan troops!
The Xiyuan Army, the emperor's own army, is stationed in Luoyang City with integrity!
What an advantage! An army that can turn the tide in a palace coup!
You just let it go?
Of course, we really can't blame Jian Shuo for this. It is really expensive to raise troops, and the Shaofu's finances are controlled by Liu Bei. The military expenses of the Xiyuan Army are all provided by Liu Bei.
After the Luoyang mutiny and Liu Hong's death, Luoyang was in chaos for a while. At that time, the court was in chaos and its finances were empty. Not to mention military expenditures, even the salaries of hundreds of officials were paid from the Shaofu to the treasury, and then from the treasury.
At that time, everyone knew that those who had money and gave money were the uncles, and those who had no money were stinky sweet potatoes that no one loved. After this, everyone knew that Jian Shuo had no money and Liu Bei had money, so people's hearts naturally moved closer to Liu Bei.
Within half a year, the other seven captains of the Xiyuan Army were all familiar with Liu Bei, and a group of mid-level officers were also very familiar with Liu Bei. Even Liu Bei had to be present during military meetings. If he was not present, the military affairs of the Xiyuan Army The meeting cannot be held.
How come Jian Shuo, a person who is so good at observing words and emotions, can't tell what people's opinions are?
If he doesn't take the initiative to attack, he won't even be able to drink soup. He can retain an army because Liu Bei has followed the rules. If Liu Bei doesn't follow the rules, he won't even be able to keep an army.
What is power?
Power is people plus money. If someone has no money, who will play with you?
Liu Bei has a lot of people and money. With a lot of money, he is also strong, so there is no doubt that the Xiyuan Army seeks refuge in Liu Bei. Jian Shuo finds it funny. He doesn't understand why Jia Xi still thinks that the Xiyuan Army is in his hands. .
How much does he look down on Liu Bei?
However, people like Jia Xi really don't have much to offer, and they think very highly of themselves. They feel that the noble clan is the most amazing existence in the world. No one can suppress them except the adult emperor, so they are so arrogant.
Although they were vaguely aware of how extraordinary Liu Bei was, they realized that Liu Bei might not be something they could defeat alone, so they looked for allies and helpers everywhere, but it was too late.
Jian Shuo just laughed and drank half a bottle of Jiuquan Pu Tao wine, ate two fried chicken legs, and then clapped his hands.
"Jia Gong, I understand what you mean, and I also know your thoughts, but I advise you not to do this. Isn't it good to live? Only when you live, you have a future. When you die, you have nothing. Just be with those who don't follow the rules." Just like the families under the slave restriction order, the fiercer the screams at the beginning, the more easily they will die later.
Liu Xuande is a man who keeps his word. If he says he wants to beat you, he will beat you. If he says he wants to destroy your three clans, he will destroy your three clans. He will never break his promise and he will do what he says. So I suggest you forget it and take a step back. What does Liu Xuande want? Just give him whatever you want, don't fight with him, you won't win. "
Jian Shuo said simply, but Jia Xi felt depressed.
"What you said is simple. This is not my personal matter. It is the matter of the entire Fufeng Pingling Jia family, as well as the Jia family's disciples and former officials, as well as their families. Do you know how many families are involved together? How many people?
If it were just a matter for me, I wouldn't care at all, but this is a matter for the entire family, and it's not something I can afford alone. It doesn't matter if I retreat. What do the family members and so many other families do to live on? "
"Liu Xuande won't drive you all away, right?"
Jian Shuo smiled and said: "If you cooperate fully, I think Liu Xuande is not the kind of person to kill everyone, and will leave some for you. Isn't that the case for the Hongnong Yang family? They gave up, and now they have saved the family, and there is still a person My son works as a general under Liu Xuande, and I heard he is quite well-received."
Jian Shuo mentioned the Yang family, which made Jia Xi stunned.
Not to mention, Liu Bei is really not the kind of person who wants to kill everyone. As long as they do what he says, most people will survive, even if they were enemies with him.
The most typical example is Hongnong Yang.
At the beginning, the Yang family, as the leader of the Jinwen school family, fought against Liu Bei with all their strength for several years. Two generations, Yang Ci and Yang Biao, fought against Liu Bei continuously, and Yang Ci even died for it.
But later on, I don’t know what happened. Yang suddenly changed his attitude and stood aside when the Modern Literature School was in the most danger.
After the Jinwen School destroyed themselves, they were captured by Liu Bei and interrogated in Luoyang, and their property was confiscated. At that time, everyone thought that the Yang family was finished.
You have offended Liu Bei, and you were the former leader of the Jinwen School. Don't you want to be punished to death by Liu Bei?
The unexpected result was that Yang was not tortured to death.
The identity of the Yang family was taken away, the family business was dismembered, and the network of disciples and old officials was also disbanded. Except for Yang Biao's son Yang Xiu who now serves as a general, the Yang family lives in simplicity, farming, studying and passing down the family. A person works as an official.
But the Yang family survived. In the Jinwen School team that was basically wiped out, the Yang family was one of the fish that no one expected to slip through.
So until the dust settled on this matter, no one thought belatedly whether it was because the Yang family had secretly reached some kind of agreement with Liu Bei, using family resources in exchange for the lives and survival of the family members.
Now it seems that the Yang family is successful. Although the family business has been almost dismembered and the century-old style of a distinguished family is gone forever. The family has begun the old path of farming, studying and passing down the family, but the hope is still retained and they can survive into the next era. .
So at that time, some people in the circle of the ancient literature school were also discussing that Liu Bei was really very organized in his affairs. As long as he really surrendered and gave in, even if he had offended him severely, he would still let him live and give him a chance to survive.
So everyone commented at the time that Liu Bei was broad-minded and tolerant, and that he was the material for great things.
Thinking about it now, Jia Xi suddenly felt that Jian Shuo was right. If he really gave up and lay down, Liu Bei would not kill everyone, but would leave a way for people to survive. will be completely eradicated by him.
But……
Is there really a way out?
Now that things have happened, can they still turn back?
With so many interests, so many relationships, and so many people pointing their fingers at one family, how could they just get rid of such a huge burden?
Thinking about it carefully, Jia Xi really admired Yang Biao. Under such circumstances, he was able to make such a heroic decision to cut off his wrist. How much pressure did it take to do it?
Jia Xi thought about it and felt that she could not resonate with Yang Biao.
"What Lieutenant Jian said is indeed reasonable, but I am not the only one who can make a decision on such a matter, and we are both members of a powerful family. He, Liu Bei, should not treat us like his lackeys." , he is too arrogant."
"Things without strength are called arrogance; those with strength are called confidence."
Jian Shuo laughed and said: "Liu Xuande is the most powerful person in the world. He is really confident, not arrogant. If you think what he said is arrogant, then... Master Jia, go back and discuss it with your clansmen." , there is no shame in admitting defeat to Liu Xuande."
Jia Xi was silent for a while, said nothing, and quickly left.
Jian Shuo bid farewell to Jia Xi and went back to the inner hall to drink rosewood wine for a while. Then he looked at the precious pot of Jiuquan rosewood wine, rolled his eyes, and called a servant to come in.
"Take my token and go to the General's Mansion, see the General in person, and tell the General that Zheng Tai, Jia Xi and others have evil intentions towards the General and are recruiting people everywhere to launch a mutiny. Please ask the General as soon as possible Take precautions.”
"only!"
The servant nodded, took the token, put it in his arms, and ran away immediately.
(End of chapter)
