Jingzhou.
After Liu Biao received the emperor's flying cavalry edict, he once again garrisoned troops on the edge of Nanyang to supplement the defense.
More than ten passes were added to block Zhang Ji's advance, and the people were taken into the passes for protection. Households and merchants were all afraid of the bad reputation of the Xiliang cavalry, and they all attached themselves to Liu Biao's rule.
Compared with the notorious Xiliang general, they trusted Liu Biao, a relative of the Liu family.
After Liu Biao entered Jingzhou, he indeed benefited the people and strived for peace and good governance.
Therefore, although Zhang Ji led his army to occupy many cities in Nanyang, he encountered an extremely difficult problem to solve - no food to survive the winter.
There was not enough food to feed the army, and he could not take care of the civilian refugees. Zhang Ji remained in a stalemate for sixteen days. Seeing that the weather gradually became colder, the morale of the army was shaken, and many people had the intention of retreating and wanted to break away from the army.
In desperation, they also knew that they could no longer sit still and wait for death.
Therefore, Zhang Ji ordered an attack on Rangcheng to plunder the food of the people everywhere. Because Liu Biao had already taken care of the people, even the plundering had little effect, and he was forced to rebel.
He could only attack Rangcheng brazenly, which caused great turmoil and turmoil. Liu Biao finally couldn't bear it and started a war by fighting back.
Before winter, when attacking Rangcheng, Zhang Ji was hit by a stray arrow.
His tribe was in panic and could only retreat.
It was difficult for Zhang Ji to recover from his injuries, as he had been shot in a vital part, but before he died, he called Jia Xu and Zhang Xiu.
He entrusted the only relative in front of him to Jia Xu.
Zhang Xiu threw herself in front of her uncle and cried, looking very sad. Most of the soldiers around looked at them with complicated expressions, not knowing where to go.
Zhang Ji's beard was stained with blood and his face was extremely pale. He panted and looked at Jia Xu, forced a smile and said: "Mr. Wenhe, I am not going to die soon. Can I entrust my nephew Xiu to you?"
"Xiu is impulsive and has excellent martial arts skills but lacks strategy. He still needs guidance from his teacher to survive in this troubled world."
Jia Xu bowed his hands in agreement, with a somewhat sad look on his face, and sighed: "General, the war is like this, life and death are ruthless, and I can't predict it. It is really helpless to take Rangcheng, but Liu Biao must be guarding us tightly, so he must have some secrets..."
"Alas, I estimate that it was the emperor who issued an edict that prevented Liu Biao from joining forces with us."
"Liu Biao is a clan member of the Han Dynasty. The only thing he cannot refuse is the emperor's will."
Jia Xu was keenly aware of the changes and quickly figured out the possibility.
He has never underestimated the ability of that Duke Cao, and besides, there are a lot of capable people and strangers under him. It can only be said that they are all good at stirring up troubles.
"General, although Rangcheng cannot be conquered, the young general can return to Liu Biao. You can rest assured at this time. I have determined that Liu Jingsheng's reputation for benevolence is widespread in Jingxiang and everyone knows it."
"He has seriously injured the general, and he will feel guilty towards the major general. We should do the next best thing and negotiate with him to defend Wancheng for Jingzhou. Liu Biao will definitely agree."
After Jia Xu finished speaking, Zhang Ji let out a long sigh and looked at the thin and mature Confucian scholar in front of him with great satisfaction.
"Thank you all the way, sir."
"The general is so complimentary."
"I know that your husband has a plan to use my uncle and nephew to leave the muddy waters of Chang'an. But along the way, your husband has tried his best and worked for me. I don't blame you."
Including, the situation that Jia Xu had just analyzed at this time made Zhang Ji feel at ease.
In fact, why he didn't tell him before, Zhang Ji also had suspicions in his heart, because Liu Biao would not be able to negotiate peace unless Zhang Ji died.
So the current situation is that if he dies, he can save his nephew and the people who follow him, but he can be saved.
Thinking of this, he turned to look at Zhang Xiu, stretched out his blood-stained hand to hold Zhang Xiu tightly, and said hoarsely: "My family is entrusted to you, Xiu'er."
"Uncle!!!" Zhang Xiu cried and shouted angrily, but Zhang Ji used his last breath of strength to hold his palm tightly.
"Xiu'er, don't be angry. In troubled times, surviving is victory. At the same time, you must obey Mr. Wenhe and treat him as your uncle."
Jia Xu was moved when he heard this, and he held his hands aside to see him off. Listening to Zhang Ji's breath, he understood that he didn't have many breaths left.
Zhang Xiu burst into tears and could only nod.
Zhang Ji looked at the sky and said everything that needed to be explained. God had treated him well. At this time, the pain in the wound was slowly numbing and his body was getting colder.
"Actually, I understood early on that I didn't have the strength to fight for troubled times, but I just wanted to earn a fortune."
"General," Jia Xu suddenly raised his hands and said, "Because of this, if it weren't for the accidental arrow, I'm afraid you are the only one who can make a successful retreat."
"Haha," Zhang Ji smiled and closed his eyes, his body hanging down weakly.
Amidst Zhang Xiu's painful cries, the surrounding soldiers not far away had complicated expressions, and they seemed to have lost all their strength.
After a night of preparation, Jia Xu came to the tent, walked up to Zhang Xiu who was drinking to ease his mood, and said: "Major General, in a day or two, you should calm down the sadness and anger of the officers and soldiers, and then go to Xiangyang in person. Please meet Liu Jingsheng."
"Why do you want to see him?" Zhang Xiu had a curious look on his face, "Do you think, sir, that if I ask Liu Biao now, he will let me settle in Jingzhou?"
"Yes, he will definitely be willing," Jia Xu said with a stern look on his face, and solemnly handed over his hands, saying: "Now, General Zhang Ji has been killed in the battle, and the greatest danger he thought has been eliminated. The real reason for us to fight is actually the military. There is no food to eat.”
"The young general should be aware that there are still more than 20,000 people following him. If they mutiny because of lack of food, there will be 20,000 bandits in Jingzhou."
"Therefore, when the Major General used this reason to ask for peace with Liu Jingsheng, he would definitely consider it, so he gave up one of the cities in Nanyang to the Major General to garrison troops, and to support the general with grain, grass and baggage, so that the general could defend against Cao Cao's attack from the north. "
"Beware of Cao Cao?"
Zhang Xiu's delicate face froze, and his brows formed the character "Chuan". Among the sharp outlines, there were bulging cheeks, which looked quite sharp.
He has never met Cao Cao, but he has heard about his deeds over the years. This man can be called a hero in the world. He should have the ambition to dominate the world, use his troops like a god, and kill bravely.
Moreover, benevolence spread throughout the world, and within a few years, millions of people have been settled. His achievements can even be recorded in history books for future generations to admire.
Such a person will come to attack Nanyang sooner or later. How can he stop it with his soldiers and horses?
When my uncle went south, was he waiting for something?
Zhang Xiu thought for a moment and asked sincerely: "Sir, please tell me clearly, what should I do if Cao Cao comes to attack me?"
"Fight to the death to show the general's style, and make the army's officers and men unite and not let Cao Cao break the city even half a step," Jia Xu's straightforward answer made Zhang Xiu stunned.
Is he really planning to let me guard the door for Liu Biao? !
From this, Zhang Xiu felt a sense of irritation for no reason. He turned away and picked up the wine glass with half interest, and took a sip gently.
Jia Xu glanced at him and said, "This has two advantages."
"Sir, please tell me..." Zhang Xiu sighed. He no longer wanted to hear it, but it prevented his uncle from entrusting himself to Mr. Wen He before leaving, so he couldn't be rude so quickly.
He himself has also stated that he must obey Jia Xuyan and not fall out immediately.
Jia Xu said: "First, when Liu Biao sees us resisting vigorously, he will put more emphasis on us and allocate money and food, so that the young general can support his troops and horses, as well as the families of the officers and soldiers."
"Secondly, Cao Cao couldn't attack for a long time, so he decided to appreciate it and knew that he would have to suffer heavy losses if he wanted to break the city, so he would try to recruit him to surrender."
"At that time, the young general can follow the advice of Duke Cao and surrender to the Han Dynasty, so that he can defend the south for him."
Zhang Xiu frowned and asked in confusion: "Are you still going to surrender to Cao Cao?"
"Well," Jia Xu nodded straightforwardly without any reason, "This is the current situation. The best outcome for the young general is to return to the Han Dynasty, that is, the current Cao Gong can be granted the title of marquis and general, and continue the family. "
"Most of these loyal people who have followed the Major General and have not abandoned him will have a good ending."
"You actually want me to surrender to Cao Cao and temporarily seek peace and live in Nanyang so that Liu Biao can fund my troops."
Zhang Xiu understood Jia Xu's plan and put down the wine glass in his hand. He suddenly felt that this thin and serious-looking gentleman had a profound strategy in his heart, but as his uncle said, he was an expert in the world.
"Sir, please teach me," Zhang Xiu's attitude became respectful, "Why did Cao Cao immediately recruit people after being unable to attack for a long time?"
Zhang Xiu invited Jia Xu to sit on the futon in front of him, held hands and asked sincere questions.
Jia Xu showed a faint smile and said softly: "Because of Yuan Shao."
"Major General, you know the current situation. Cao and Yuan each have their backs to the Yellow River. Yuan is in the north and Cao is in the south. Sooner or later there will be a battle."
"However, the Major General probably doesn't know that when the two first became successful, they were actually indestructible allies, because if any one of them fell, the other would face the joint efforts of several princes."
"Initially, along the tributary of the Yellow River in Guandu, Yuan Shao only occupied Wei County as his base, and recommended Cao Cao as his base in Dong County. The two formed an alliance, one in the north and the other in the south. Around them, Tao Qian, Yuan Shu, Gongsun Zan, Chu Yan, Zhang Yang, Sui Gu, Yu Du, Wu Jing, and many other Yellow Turban thieves can be said to be all enemies."
"The two of them fought together for more than ten armies, and gradually expanded north and south to reach today's situation. At the moment, the hero of the north is fighting for victory between these two. Whoever can win the other in the end will get Henan and Hebei, the seven states of Ji, You, Qing, Bing, Yan, Xu, and Yu dominate the world."
Zhang Xiu's heart trembled when he heard this. Such a vast territory could probably govern tens of millions of people and produce countless amounts of food every year.
If we can really capture it, how will it be different from the emperor of a country today?
This was the first time that Zhang Xiu heard Jia Xu analyze the world situation so clearly, so he was even more surprised, as if he had been pulled into this general trend without knowing it.
He even felt that Jia Xu seemed to be standing on a higher place, overlooking the world. Most people would never have such a gaze and mind.
"Sir, Cao Cao came to recruit rebels because he was fighting with Yuan. Should I go to the battlefield for him to attack Yuan Shao?"
"No," Jia Xu smiled, picked up all the wine bowls on the slips, and placed bowls in the west, south, and northeast.
Then he pointed to the south and said: "This is Jingzhou. Liu Jingsheng is training troops here day and night, recruiting talents, and has a reserve of 300,000 powerful soldiers. The role of the young general is to defend Cao Cao from these 300,000, so that he has no worries."
Then, he pointed to the west and said: "Previously, Chang'an was reduced to scorched earth. Li Jue and Guo Si were unable to pursue the emperor, so they must return to Chang'an. However, without the emperor in hand, they would be attacked by the princes outside the pass. Therefore, this There will be Xiliang princes occupying everywhere, threatening Cao Cao's west."
He then pointed to the bowl in the northeast direction and said: "Here, at the junction of Qingxu and Qingxu, it is easy to attack and difficult to defend. Mount Tai is entrenched by bandits. In recent decades, bandits have been suppressed continuously but have not been eradicated. Why? Because the mountains are deep and difficult to raid, The bandits can hide in the mountains to avoid the army, and when they come out again in the future, they can be regarded as a force."
"Cao Cao will definitely find a way to settle these three places before he can give it a try. If he cannot settle them, he will never dare to fight Yuan Shao."
He picked up the wine jar again, placed it directly in the east-south position, pointed here and said: "Major General, in addition to what I just said, there is another biggest hidden danger."
When Zhang Xiu saw the direction, he immediately clapped his hands and said, "Yuan Shu from Huainan, Yangzhou!"
"Yes, Yuan Shu claims to have gathered 400,000 people to occupy Jiujiang in Huainan and is planning to seize Jiangdong. If he can succeed, no matter who is the lord in the north, he will eventually come to compete with him. At that time... the north has been at war for many years and is weak and empty. The south is a land of plenty. He has outstanding people, and he has stepped up internal governance for many years and made judgments."
"Moreover, the Yuan brothers have been at odds since the troubled times, but if one day the two secretly join forces, Mr. Cao will die without a burial place."
"The Major General's army may still be waiting to see the North-South War in the Yellow River, but I can firmly assert that the war has already begun! Start by roping in each other!"
"Cao Cao died without a burial place..." Zhang Xiu was greatly shocked and pondered for a long time, looking at the thin, tall but energetic middle-aged counselor in front of him.
Suddenly he felt extremely scary.
So he asked softly: "Sir, since Cao Cao is very likely to be defeated, why do you still persuade me to surrender?"
Jia Xu raised the corner of his mouth and said with a smile: "Because of this, we can sell it to the Yuan family at a higher price."
"Young General, this is the order of the world. If you want to surrender to any family, you have to make every move. I have few talents and little knowledge. I cannot assist the general in conquering the world and make great achievements. I can only live in wealth and seek a share of glory." At this point, Jia Xu held his hands down with a serious look on his face.
But after hearing these words, how could Zhang Xiu not be shocked? He had really planned every step of the way, and he just needed to keep going as hard as he could, and he would definitely have a good future.
From the Xiliang rebel general to a hero, Ke can really survive in troubled times.
You can even have both sides of the situation and control the choice in your own hands.
"Sir!" Zhang Xiu hurriedly sat up on his knees, became more obedient, and bowed to Jia Xu with clasped fists, "Xiu, go and ask Liu Biao for peace now, listen to what you say, sir!"
"In the future, Xiu will definitely treat Mr. Xiu as his uncle with respect and obey his advice."
This time, he said this sincerely.
…
The next day, Zhang Xiu sent an envoy to see Liu Biao. He did not ask about Zhang Ji's death, but only asked for peace. He asked Liu Biao to allow him to gain a foothold in Jingzhou because his family had protected the emperor's return eastward. land.
When Liu Biao heard that Zhang Ji had died in battle, he felt relieved and even felt guilty.
Immediately he remembered the edict sent by the emperor, which only mentioned precautions and did not accuse Zhang Ji of being a traitor and tyrant.
Unable to bear it, he consulted with many civil and military officials, and finally decided to thank Zhang Xiu for his kindness and righteousness, and to bear the lives of his soldiers. For the sake of long-term peace and stability in the territory, he assigned a city to garrison and manage.
This city is Wancheng.
(End of chapter)
