In Chengdu, it’s hibiscus blooming season again, and the weather is getting cooler, which is particularly refreshing. Although the war between Qin and Feng was in full swing, it did not prevent the princes and ladies of Chengdu from visiting gardens, admiring the scenery, and reciting poems and composing poems.
Between the pavilions and pavilions, flowers are in full bloom and there are crowds of tourists. Of course, the scholars and the people were not completely numb. There were also flashes of swords and shadows in the poems, and there were also discussions and rumors among the common people.
In a small tea shop, the aroma of tea could not mask the strong smell of copper in the air. A group of porters struggling in poverty gathered together to have tea and rest.
It was inevitable to chat and brag, and it was inevitable to mention the war in the north.
One person sighed: "The two countries have gathered more than 200,000 troops. They have been fighting for so long, and there is still no winner. I don't know when the result will be achieved!"
"If there is no result, that's a good thing! I heard that the Han army was as ferocious as tigers and wolves, and they traveled across mountains and rivers as if they were walking on flat ground. Otherwise, how could the Han general named Wang Renfan easily break through our eight fortresses... ." The short man sitting opposite shook his head and said with a bit of pessimism in his tone.
A person on the side agreed: "In the past few years, the imperial court sent troops to the Northern Expedition twice, but both returned with great defeats and lost troops and generals. This time, the Han army has invaded our country in a large scale. I don't know how long they can resist it!"
"If you can hold off the enemy army for three months, you can hold it off for half a year. For one year, the Han army will not be able to attack. When winter comes, the mountain roads and plank roads will become even more difficult, so they will naturally retreat!" The words of several people aroused the attention of a salesman. He paid attention and said loudly: "You porters, if you don't concentrate on your hard work, you still dare to talk about military and national affairs. Aren't you afraid of official investigation?"
The salesman travels all over the country, and he obviously has enough experience. In fact, he is showing off when he says this, saying: "A certain person just returned from Xingyuan Prefecture. I heard that in Fengzhou, the Han army attacked me and launched a series of attacks on the city. After no less than twenty attacks, over ten thousand troops were lost, and we are no longer able to fight anymore. As long as it waits until winter, heavy snow seals the mountains, and the Han army retreats, otherwise his army of one hundred thousand will be wiped out in the mountains!"
The salesman's words made everyone feel more energetic, and they quickly asked for details. Impatient with the public's invitation, his eyes flashed. A slight smile appeared on the corner of the shopkeeper's mouth, and he stroked his beard and said: "Now, the armies of the two countries are fighting fiercely in front of Weiwu City. Weiwu City is the strongest stronghold in the north of Fengzhou. Han Dynasty Although the army is fierce, our Shu army has no men, and we rely on Guancheng, which naturally makes it difficult for the Han army to move forward."
"That's not right. I heard someone say the day before yesterday that the Han army's weapons are sophisticated and sharp, and its soldiers are not afraid of death. Our army has suffered many casualties. The mighty city is crumbling and is about to be breached!" someone retorted.
Faced with the doubts, the salesman seemed a little confused, and with a straight face he scolded: "This must be a rumor, just spreading rumors!"
"I have a fellow countryman who went to Weiwu City to escort grain and grass. He saw the attack and defense of the city with his own eyes. Under the wall, the Han army left corpses everywhere..."
"The last person also said that his friend was a garrison officer who returned injured..." The man who raised the question immediately refuted: "Everyone, I think this person's words are exaggerated and untrue. He What you say is unbelievable!”
"Look, old man, you were just in the north and heard some rumors, but I came here to show off and brag, right?"
Being stared at and questioned, the salesman felt embarrassed that his trick had been revealed. A flash of shame and anger flashed across his face, and he argued: "Everything I said is true. Do you people just expect that our city gates will be in danger? Was it defeated by the Han army?"
The salesman's rhetorical question was surprising. It seemed that from the beginning, they felt that the Han army was strong and the Shu army was weak, so it would be easy for the Han army to win and the Shu army to lose easily. Seeing this, the salesman continued: "We in Shu have generals such as Li, Gao, and Han, commanding a hundred thousand soldiers and horses to garrison the pass. How can we be afraid of the Han army?"
"It's just -" As he said that, the salesman stopped a little deliberately.
"Just what?" someone asked.
"The Han army has suffered too many losses. I'm afraid that the Emperor of the Han Dynasty in the Central Plains will increase his troops to attack when he is angry!" The salesman sighed: "It is said that the emperor of the Han Dynasty had a strong personality, and his literary and martial arts were unparalleled in the contemporary era. In recent years, the Eastern Han Dynasty has The expedition to the west will be invincible. How can he be willing to lose at the front? The Northern Han Dynasty has hundreds of thousands of powerful soldiers. If we really attack with all our strength, even if we have strong cities and dangerous passes, it will be difficult to deal with it..."
"Yes!" the salesman said, and some people agreed.
As he spoke, the salesman's tone naturally changed. He lowered his voice and continued: "Let me tell you the truth. The Han army's crusade against us this time is to avenge the two Northern Expeditions and recapture the Qin Fengjie Chengdu. Four states!”
"Yes, the four states of Qin and Feng are originally from the Northern Han Dynasty. No wonder the emperor of the Northern Han Dynasty went to war and raised troops to attack!"
"But!" The salesman changed his tone and said, "The war in the north has nothing to do with you, and it will not affect Chengdu. Not to mention that it is difficult for the Han army to break through the defense line, and the retreat is imminent. Even if the mighty city is broken, there is still Qingni Ridge. , from Xingyuan Prefecture to Chengdu, there are thousands of mountains and passes, and there are many dangers and obstacles, and the Han army cannot enter..."
"Why is there no impact? During this period, food prices have risen, letters have been sent home, autumn taxes have also increased, and the government is still recruiting laborers and recruiting troops to prepare for war..." One person couldn't help complaining: "I just hope This war should be over as soon as possible. I’m afraid this winter won’t be any more difficult than usual!”
"That's right, I already intend to return to my hometown to farm..."
A group of low-level people were emotionally affected. When the salesman saw it, he hurriedly said: "Everyone, what I said today was just impromptu. You are not allowed to spread it randomly. Otherwise, I will be punished by the government for spreading rumors and confusing people. I will be punished." I can’t afford to talk.”
"Everyone, rest in peace. I'll take my leave!" After saying that, he drank up a large bowl of tea with all the tea foam, put down two iron coins made by the Shu Kingdom, picked up the load, left the tea shop, and quickly entered. The crowd disappeared into the market.
However, the discussion in the tea shop did not cool down with the departure of the shopkeeper. These common people do not really care about national affairs. They are just a topic for conversation after tea. On the other hand, it does involve their livelihood. .
The wealth of Shu is mainly due to the treasury and warehouses, and the bureaucrats, landlords, and merchants. For the common people at home and abroad, they are still struggling at the bottom, with food and clothing uncertain. But once the war goes unfavorably and the treasury overspends, no matter the tax burden or corvee, the first targets will be these small people of Shu.
It is almost foreseeable that as long as the war in the north has an outcome, if the Shu army is defeated but the Han army does not give up, a large number of common people in Shu will go bankrupt.
In the city of Chengdu, there are many discussions similar to those in teahouses, restaurants, bookshops, chess rooms, and even Goulan prostitutes, with various versions, all specious.
In fact, the war between Qin and Feng is not over, but rumors and discussions are already spreading in the country of Shu. From north to south, from Xingyuan Prefecture to Chengdu Prefecture, the more they travel, the more outrageous and distorted the news becomes, but many people believe it more.
Of course, behind the trend of heated discussions, there are naturally people who are adding fuel to the flames and stirring up trouble.
In the city of Chengdu, there is a private house with quiet lanes and few people going there. The apricots in the courtyard are already golden, and with the autumn wind, fallen leaves fall from time to time.
A little man in linen clothes knocked on the door and entered the room under the guidance of the people in the house. In the simple house, more than a dozen men dressed in different costumes were already waiting, and the salesman was among them.
The little man entered, glanced around, and glanced at only one person.
"For more than ten days, we have been traveling around the inner and outer cities, spreading rumors according to the occasion, and confusing people. Rumors have spread among the people in Chengdu!" The man stood up and replied, with a Sichuan accent in his voice.
The little man nodded, with almost no expression on his lean face, and said directly: "Very good! However, such a big movement will definitely arouse the vigilance of the Chengdu officials. Next, you can stop taking action and lurk." Those who have met should go out of the city to hide first and pay attention to their whereabouts. The remaining people should continue to hide in the city and spy on the Chengdu city defense!"
"yes!"
After giving some capable instructions, the little man left, and the remaining spies dispersed in an orderly manner.
These people belong to the Military Intelligence Department under the Privy Council of the Han Dynasty, specializing in spying on internal and external affairs, as well as the political and military intelligence of various countries. In terms of functions, they have a small overlap with the Wude Department. It was established earlier than Wudesi, but in terms of fame and status, it is obviously lower than Wudesi. After all, Wudesi was directly responsible to the emperor.
Even so, with the support of the Privy Council, the Military Intelligence Department continues to grow and develop, and there are dozens of spies lurking in Chengdu City of Houshu alone.
But this time, after the start of the Qin-Feng War, a series of news about the domestic developments in Houshu, including the mobilization of troops and horses, the transshipment of grain and grass, and the defense of checkpoints, continued to spread northward. Spreading rumors is just a part-time job.
Of course, Wude Si also plays a significant role in this.
