Wancheng.
On the three-story building of Shangmeng Mansion Office, there was a middle-aged scribe looking at the scenery outside Wancheng.
In spring, the earth returns to life, and the wilderness shows a vibrant vitality.
The green grass spreads out like soft green carpets, swaying in the wind.
In the distance, smoke rises from the village, filling the air with a homely aroma.
The people were busy and busy, the farmers working in the fields were sweating, and their children were running and playing in the fields.
'His Highness's policy of calming the people has worked in Nanyang. '
On the high platform, Xu Shu stood with his hands behind his hands, his face delicate and slightly bookish. The slightly thin face has soft and delicate outlines, like the harmonious notes of a harp. The shallow eyebrows are curved and raised slightly, showing a hint of thoughtfulness.
In particular, his eyes are clear and bright, as deep as the stars, revealing intelligence and wisdom.
The original Nanyang was first flooded once and baptized by war several times. Then banditry in the territory continued. More than half of the people were killed or injured, and all the food and grass were plundered. The people were so exhausted that they were about to eat each other. .
It is precisely because His Highness has attracted the Nanyang nobles, attached great importance to agriculture, fought against corruption, developed business alliances, relocated people, and enriched the population of Nanyang that Nanyang is now prosperous.
"Sir, His Highness's secret message has arrived."
Xu Shu's mind was far away. At this moment, an official came downstairs, holding a letter in his hands.
"oh?"
Hearing this, Xu Shu immediately became energetic.
He hurriedly took the letter from Zaoli and opened it. There were only four big words on it:
Mr. commit suicide!
This suicide naturally does not mean suicide, but self-determination.
Xu Shu's bun was neatly tied on top of her head, and a strand of black hair gently fell from the bun and touched her forehead, looking clean and neat.
But at this moment, he frowned slightly and thought to himself: What does your highness mean?
"Your Highness's letter has arrived. Why are you still looking so sad?"
Zong Ziqing walked up from the second floor and bowed to Xu Shu first.
"Look, Ziqing, what does your highness mean?"
Zong Ziqing looked at those four words. He was confused at first, then smiled softly and said: "Since you have committed suicide, Your Highness has given full power over the business alliance to you. Now it is up to you to turn the tide."
It's just that this storm is not so easy to control.
Xu Shu smiled bitterly, shook his head and asked, "What does Ziqing think I should do?"
Zang Ba's rebellion has become a fact.
Originally, the merchant alliance was able to conduct business in the Wei State under the name of Zang Ba. The caravans in the Wei State were also guarded by Zang Ba.
Now that Zang Ba has rebelled, this sign will no longer work.
Public business has been suspended for more than a month.
certainly...
The reason why it is said that the official business has been cut off, not that the business has been cut off.
It's because under the huge profits of the business alliance, some people took the risk to smuggle.
Glass objects, beautiful porcelain, perfume...
These are very popular in Wei State.
By reselling, five or six times the profit was earned.
Even beheading can't stop those daring people from wanting to make a fortune.
but...
Mere smuggling cannot satisfy the appetite of the merchant alliance.
Naturally, it cannot satisfy the appetite of the Nanyang nobles.
Wei's business has been cut off for more than a month, dividends have become smaller, and the Nanyang gentry can no longer sit still.
As the saying goes, if you are used to living a good life, and you suddenly make him live a hard life, can this person bear it?
Many nobles have already begun to put pressure on Zong Ziqing.
certainly...
Not only did they put pressure on them, they also mobilized their own network and contacted many buyers in Wei Guozhong.
Some of them have very loud signs!
After all, the profits of the business alliance are really too great.
Zang Ba had the advantage of the merchant alliance, so he could use money and silk to bribe the powerful people in Xuzhou and Qingzhou and let them be used by him. This rebellion could respond to a hundred responses.
In addition to his own reputation, it was all made by spending money.
Faced with this huge profit, even if they take certain risks, there are still people who want to succeed Zang Ba and eat this piece of meat.
"If we talk about the stability of the business, then this business must be left to the Cao family and the Xiahou family. It is naturally the safest. But if it is done by these people, it will not be able to use the business alliance to attract the Wei State. Without the purpose of chaos, the business alliance will become a tool for pure profit-making."
Just talking about making profits, that's fine.
But the key is, can I exchange the necessary supplies for them?
For example, food and grass, beef tendons for crossbows, and fine horses from the Western Regions.
"Actually, I already have a candidate."
Xu Shu said quietly from the side.
Candidate?
Zong Ziqing was stunned for a moment and asked, "Who is this candidate?"
"Cao Pi's younger brother, Cao Zhang, the Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"
"Huang Xu'er?"
Zong Ziqing's eyes flickered, but he said: "Didn't he leave the country? Does he still have such influence in the Wei Kingdom?"
Cao Pi took the throne, and Cao Zhang and the princes each went to their own feudal states. Cao Pi issued an edict saying: "The way of ancient emperors is to use meritorious deeds to make relatives harmonious, and to divide the mother and younger brothers, establish a state to inherit the family business, so they can protect the great clan. Resist invasion and prevent disasters. Cao Zhang was previously ordered to make a northern expedition and pacify Shuofang's land. He made great achievements and gave him an additional 5,000 households, adding together with the previous ones, a total of 10,000 households."
Even though he was a Marquis of Wanhu and Cao Pi's brother, he knew all about Cao Wei's feudal system.
Under the feudal system, the person who was enfeoffed should have greater power in the land to which he belonged. Not only could he command the army and people within the feudal state, but he could also set up subordinate officials within the feudal state. Although in daily life It's not as good as the royal family, but there's no problem saying it's glorious and wealthy.
However, the feudalism during the Cao Wei period was a scene in which "the princes of Wei only had the name of a land but no reality of a country."
For these enfeoffed clan members, even their basic material needs are difficult to meet.
Cao Zhi complained in his "Preface to the Ode to Moving the Capital": "We are constantly encountering barren soil, and we cannot survive on food and clothing."
It is worth mentioning that, perhaps due to the dispute with Cao Pi in his early years, Cao Zhi was targeted the most seriously among the kings, and his complaints became relatively more frequent.
As for the power to participate in politics and lead the army, it is even more out of reach for these clan members. Even the only soldiers who are used to decorate the appearance are often recruited by the government, leaving only the old, weak, sick and disabled.
Taking Cao Zhi as an example, even though the army within his feudal kingdom fell into the dilemma of "only the children who are seven or eight years old, and those who are sixteen years old, and more than thirty people", Wei Ming Emperor Cao Rui still chose to continue to recruit his army.
Generally speaking, when a prince is entrusted to a certain area, he naturally needs to carry out a certain degree of management in the local area to cultivate his own power and better promote the development of the local area.
However, for the kings of Cao and Wei, this was impossible to achieve.
Throughout the entire history of China, the frequency of the kings moving around during the Cao and Wei Dynasties was actually among the highest.
Take Cao Gun, who is well-known among the Cao Wei clan as an example. He was named Pingxiang Marquis in the 21st year of Jian'an, and was renamed King of Zhongshan in the 6th year of Taihe. Turned five times.
Xu Shu was naturally well aware of Cao Wei's feudal system, but at this moment he raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "Isn't this the reason why we choose Cao Zhang?"
Who is Cao Zhang?
Huang Xuer!
In front of a weak crown, he likes to fight fierce tigers, has great arm strength, and is not good at writing.
When he became an adult, he led an army to conquer Wuhuan and surrendered to Kebineng, the leader of Xianbei in Liaodong.
With the goal of sealing the wolf as Xu, and with Wei Qing and Huo Qubing as your idol, you imprisoned him in a feudal country?
Everyone will feel dissatisfied.
And Xu Shu gave Cao Zhang a chance!
An opportunity to vent your dissatisfaction!
Zong Ziqing's eyes lit up and he said: "Sir, you want the Wei brothers to invade the country? But, does Huang Xu'er have the courage? Even if he has the courage, does he have the ability?"
Xu Shu smiled softly and said: "Hearing that Zang Ba was defeated in Shouchun, Cao Pi prepared to move the main force of the Wei army to Runan to attack His Highness. He led his troops outside, so Luoyang was naturally empty. In addition, Cao Zhang was quite powerful in the army. He has great influence, and the merchant alliance has given him funding. While Cao Pi is far away in Runan, do you think he can succeed?"
After hearing this, Zong Ziqing's eyes lit up.
"Sir, this plan really sucks the fire out of the cauldron!"
Regardless of whether Cao Zhang can succeed or not, Cao Pi is not stable outside.
With His Highness' ability, not to mention defeating the main force of the Wei army of 200,000 people, it is always possible to delay.
The longer the delay, the more anxious Cao Pi became.
"Hahaha~"
Thinking of the end, Zong Ziqing burst out laughing.
"Through the business alliance, let Cao Zhang transfer grain, grass and materials. I will wait for the civil war in Wei and let His Highness lead the army into the Wei State. If the Wei brothers are jealous, they may become Yuan Shao's sons, and the world will be under the control of Your Highness. Got it!"
If the situation is really like this.
wonderful!
Wonderful!
"Sir, if you leave this matter to your subordinates, they will definitely do it beautifully."
Xu Shu nodded and said: "This matter is of great importance. I leave it to Ziqing. I feel relieved. However, it must be arranged as soon as possible."
Nowadays, time is very tight!
Not only are the Nanyang nobles pressing hard, but they also want Cao Zhang to get the benefits of the business alliance as soon as possible so that he can do things in Wei.
Xu Shu was wearing a light-colored robe, blowing in the breeze, feeling relaxed and relaxed.
"Your Highness, this is me, Xu Yuanzhi, the only one who can help you."
Far away in Nanyang, all he could do for Liu Chan was to cause chaos within the Wei state.
After saying this softly, Xu Shu frowned again.
"It's just Kong Ming... If you don't go to Runan to assist His Highness now, where will you go?"
With Zhuge Kongming's magical calculation ability, he will surely become His Highness's right-hand man when he arrives in Runan. However, now there is no trace of him in Nanyang, and there is no trace of him in Runan. Where did he fly to?
...
Of course Zhuge Liang can't fly.
At this moment, he has arrived in Runan, or in other words, he has been staying in Runan these days.
In Xinxi City.
Liu Chanzheng, Xu Ming and others, as well as his own team, were discussing how to win over the Runan gentry and let them use them.
At the critical moment of the discussion, a steward came outside the hall.
"Your Highness, Military Advisor Zhuge is outside the hall asking for an audience."
Zhuge Military Advisor?
Liu Chan was stunned for a moment.
My dear Zhuge, why are you here just now?
Liu Chan stood up and said quickly: "Hurry and invite Military Advisor Kong Ming!"
Everyone in the hall was aware of Zhuge Liang's demeanor. When they heard that Zhuge Liang was about to come, the sadness on their faces immediately disappeared.
"Mr. Zhuge is here. His Highness's problem will be solved easily. This strategy..."
Zhang Bao looked at Liu Chan pitifully and asked with a guilty conscience: "Your Highness, don't you need to write it?"
He was holding a pen in his hand and his mouth was black.
When this guy was thinking about the problem, he just put the tip of the pen to his mouth and almost drank the ink.
"It's very true, Your Highness, policy making is the job of advisers. The generals and others are all rough men who go into battle to kill the enemy. This...writing policy making is too difficult for us."
The little Lu Bu E Huan from Nanzhong also had a sad look on his face.
My God, he has only become fluent in Chinese these days, and he doesn’t know a single Chinese character. You told me that you want me to write policy papers?
It's better to just kill me.
Zhao Yue, who was a knight-errant, was somewhat capable, but his ability was not in writing policy papers.
"Your Highness, there are specialties in the art industry. Let me wait..."
Guan Xing chuckled and said, "What's the use of just fighting? Especially for someone, tsk tsk tsk, in the future I'm afraid he can only be a general who kills enemies, and he is not lucky enough to be a prime minister or something."
Although Guan Xing is not as good as Zhang Bao in martial arts, he is still good at policy making.
certainly...
This is also because his father likes to read "Spring and Autumn". He has been educated at home, so there is nothing he can do about it.
"Everyone is so lazy! If Military Advisor Kong Ming has a clever plan, he won't need you fools. If not, a strategy review is indispensable!"
After being angrily scolded by Liu Chan, Zhang Bao and others were all stunned like eggplants beaten by frost.
What else can be done?
Mr. Zhuge, come and save me!
After scolding these idiots, Liu Chan stood up to greet them, but before he could walk out of the hall, he saw a man in white slowly walking into the hall.
This man in white is naturally Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang has a well-proportioned figure and is slightly tall. He has a delicate face and slightly yellow skin, exuding an otherworldly temperament. Those eyes are deep and bright, seeming to contain endless wisdom and thoughts.
A strand of black hair was pushed to one side from her forehead, and when the breeze blew by, the ink-like hair danced gently.
He really has the appearance of a god.
"Liang, meet His Highness."
With that said, Zhuge Liang bowed and saluted Liu Chan.
"Sir, there is no need to be like this. Please get up quickly."
Liu Chan quickly stepped forward to support Zhuge Liang.
"Sir, I have been in Jingzhou for many days. General Zilong has made great achievements, but there is still no military advisor. If he doesn't come back, he will be very worried."
Fei Yi had two dark circles under his eyes. In order to relieve Liu Chan's worries, his hair was about to fall out. Now that he saw Zhuge Liang, he was so moved that he almost cried.
If the sky falls, a tall man will hold it up.
After the military advisor comes, His Highness can't catch me and pick me up, right?
"I heard that His Highness wanted to win over the Runan nobles, so I found someone for His Highness."
Zhuge Liang turned sideways and gave way, revealing a middle-aged scribe in Confucian robes.
Perhaps Zhuge Liang was so dazzling that no one in the hall noticed him.
"Who is this person?"
Liu Chan looked at Zhuge Liang and already had a guess in his mind.
"This is Meng Jian from Runan. Meng Gongwei is handsome, elegant and has the style of a king!"
Is it Meng Jian?
Zhuge Liang, when did you become Song Jiang?
What a timely rain!
