Liu Daogui frowned: "What do you mean, you want Brother Ashou and I to occupy Jingzhou and Qingzhou and serve as foreign aid to each other. If there are changes, we can respond to my brother at any time?"
Tan Zhi said sternly: "That's right, Brother Daogui, you have to know that if Brother Jinu wants to stand on his own in Jiankang, there is a possibility of falling out with the high-ranking family and starting a war, and it is very possible. If something happens, If it is critical, we will need the troops and horses from foreign vassals to come to our aid. The reason why I advise you to stay in Jingzhou forever and not leave is for this reason."
Liu Daogui sighed: "What do you mean, the noble family may turn to support Brother Xile in the future, as a helping hand, so that when the elder brother may be able to stand on his own in the future, it will turn into a civil war in Beifu?"
Tan Zhi nodded: "Yes, not only Brother Xile, but other young marshals may also be attracted by them. Xiang Wang Zhene, the Shen brothers, Zhu Lingshi and the others, although they were promoted by Brother Jinu But in the face of huge interests, nothing can be said. We, the Tan family brothers, have specially discussed this matter. We even discussed this matter in secret before I was transferred to Jingzhou."
Liu Daogui's expression changed: "Have you discussed this kind of thing a few years ago? You are really brave."
Tan Zhi shook his head: "To be precise, we have discussed this matter since Brother Rabbit died of illness and the Wei family withdrew from the top family in the Beifu Army, and my fourth brother was sent to Jingzhou to take charge. Jingzhou It is so important to the Jin Dynasty. If we win Jingzhou, we will have almost half of the Jin Dynasty. Whether it is the Northern Expedition or the desire to be independent, it is a huge bargaining chip. After the success of the Western Expedition, Xi Lege also suggested many times that Let Brother Afan become the governor of Jingzhou, but Brother Jinu and Fatty never agreed. The two sides were in a stalemate for a long time before Brother Rabbit, a person who has a good relationship with both parties, was allowed to sit in this position."
Liu Daogui laughed: "You know these things better than me."
Tan Zhi nodded: "That's because your Daogui brother is not greedy for fame and wealth, and he doesn't care about these things. At that time, my fourth brother led the troops to stay in Jingzhou and was very concerned about who would be the governor. Our qualifications Du Qian, it is not the turn of people of our level to be the governor, so the position of governor must go to Brother Jinu, Brother Xile and other eldest brothers of this generation. In fact, we really hoped that Brother Wuji would sit here. Where’s the location?”
Liu Daogui frowned: "But Brother Wuji suffered a defeat in the Western Expedition, and his prestige was affected. Otherwise, he should have been in charge of the Western Expedition against Shu, but the last chance was given to Brother Ashou. And Ashou If I had done well, I might have been able to take the position of governor of Jingzhou, but as luck would have it, I didn’t expect that the Later Qin Dynasty would send all its troops to support Qiaoshu, and Brother Ashou also failed. Alas, I feel ashamed to say that, Brother Wuji In the two defeats against Brother Ashou, I followed them as the deputy commander, and I was the one who dragged them down."
Tan Zhi smiled and said: "Brother Daogui, you have to think this way. In fact, you have been appointed as his deputy in two such critical battles. This is also Brother Jinu's plan early on. No matter which victory is won, you will either be Yongzhou." Either the governor of Jiangzhou or the governor of Yizhou will give you a big state. Although Brother Wuji and Brother Ashou are both people whom Brother Jinu absolutely trusts, after all, blood is thicker than water. He trusts the most. , or you, my own brother."
Liu Daogui laughed: "So what you want to say is that after the death of Brother Rabbit, I will serve as the governor of Jingzhou. This is also a situation that my eldest brother laid out in advance. It must be controlled by our Liu family. From this matter, your Tan family Are you sure that my eldest brother has some ideas?"
Tan Zhi smiled slightly: "This kind of thing should go without saying. No matter whether Brother Jinu had this idea at the time, at least his intention to control Jingzhou in his own hands was very obvious, so at that time we had to face It's a choice to take sides, whether to stay in Jingzhou with Brother Jinu or follow Brother Xile. If you want to follow Brother Xile, then my fourth brother will write a letter and request to be transferred to Yuzhou or Yanzhou."
Liu Daogui nodded: "I really want to thank you for bringing this up after all these years. However, I was a little surprised that Xile agreed so easily."
Tan Zhi said calmly: "That's because Yanzhou gave it to Liu Cui, and Yuzhou gave him brother Xile. Not only that, he also made Meng Huaiyu his deputy general and sent troops to guard Yuzhou. In this way, he also strengthened his The relationship with Meng Chang was the best result he could get under the circumstances. As for Jingzhou, a lot of food and ordnance were looted for him, and tens of thousands of the original Chu army surrendered, which was also acceptable. the result of."
Liu Daogui smiled and said: "It's just that Daoji didn't follow him, he was still a little disappointed. Regarding this matter, I want to thank you, the Tan family, for always standing on our side over the years. In fact, if the Shenjian Assault Battalion can stay in Jingzhou, I'd be happier."
Tan Zhi smiled slightly: "That is the legacy left by my uncle, and it is also the starting force of our Tan family. However, as well as the beard that conquered Jiangzhou, and also made the old Huan Chu tribe in Jingzhou and Jiangzhou feel at ease, just take it away. Take it away. We can recruit ten times more troops here in Jingzhou, and our three brothers have also been entrusted with important positions and have heavy troops to guard one side. This is Brother Jinu’s reward for us. We, the Tan family, must make a determined decision to follow. Brother Jinu, it is only natural to follow your brother Daogui's decision."
Liu Daogui sighed: "Actually, I'll tell you the truth. When I came to Jingzhou, my eldest brother didn't tell me that I would use this place to make use of the manpower and troops to do something in the future. He just said Jingzhou is the foundation and top priority of the country. For the sake of the Jin Dynasty, we must firmly defend this place and appease the people of Jingzhou. We cannot let the tragedy of Jingyang's confrontation happen again. If there is a chance, in the future during the Northern Expedition, Jingzhou It takes a lot of effort.”
Tan Zhi said sternly: "Of course there is no problem with these words, but only when the internal relations of the Jin Dynasty are fully sorted out and the south is unified, can we talk about the Northern Expedition. Now it seems that the biggest enemy of the Jin Dynasty is not the external Hulu, but the Northern Expedition. It's the internal demon thieves, the Tiandao Alliance. Even if they are dealt with, the high-ranking families behind them, and even our other generals in Beifu, may become new resistance. As long as the two important towns of Jingzhou and Qingzhou are controlled, then Brother Jinu has the confidence to do things, so you can go ahead and do it. Brother Daogui, I am here to express my attitude to you. If you sit in Jingzhou, our brothers will definitely listen to your orders with all our strength. No matter what brother Jinu wants to do, we will support it. his."
