In Wancheng, Zhang Xiu quickly stationed troops in the city and began to treat the refugees for Liu Biao. At first, many people did not dare to trust him and were unwilling to return.
After waiting for more than ten days, I found that everything was fine and there were thousands of dan of food delivered from Xiangyang, so I gradually returned home to prepare for the winter.
Zhang Xiu also consulted Jia Xu day and night, wanting to know more about the situation in the world.
When he first heard it, he thought that Jia Xu had just gained an insight into the situation. The more he listened to it, the more frightened he became. He felt that Jia Xu was not having an insight into it, but running around in it, striving to shape the current situation.
After listening for a few more days, Zhang Xiu was surprised to find that Jia Xu actually understood the situation, but not after the situation was settled.
But before!
Jia Xu had long ago concluded that the situation would be like this. As for the secret strategies, they were just pushing the tide away. He could swim between the tides as flexibly as a fish.
The erudition, intelligence, and courage required for this ability are even more shocking, and he is truly ruthless and indifferent, as if human life is not in the calculation at all, and he will never be hampered by the word "benevolence and righteousness" for the sake of winning or losing the situation.
He is a truly master, ruthless to the depths, and only then can he develop such a piercing vision, which can see the world.
After the winter solstice, Zhang Xiuguo received several more soliciting letters, and envoys from Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao arrived one after another.
Yuan Shu was close, so he came quickly. He had old friends in Nanyang and had governed for several months. Sun's old tribe had once put down the Yellow Turban rebellion in Nanyang, made great achievements, and won the support of the people.
He wanted Zhang Xiu to join him and inherit Sun's responsibilities, and the benefit he gave was to express his merits to the emperor and invite Marquis Wancheng.
Zhang Xiu thought for a while and felt that Yuan Shu might be overthinking, or maybe he knew that it was impossible to surrender, so he casually wrote a letter to express his good intentions.
After all, there is no difference between the conditions given and the conditions not given.
Yuan Shao's letter was generous. In addition to the Marquis of Wancheng, he was asked to serve as the governor of Jingzhou or the equivalent official position in Jizhou in the future.
These two people were both princes in the world, and they relied on the reputation of the Yuan family, so they would not deceive him. However, Yuan Shao also added that if he was willing to form an alliance, he would send Zhang Ji's family to Jizhou, and he would definitely have a good life. treat.
This is a hostage situation. Using the uncle's family as hostages, Zhang Xiu can be restrained from now on. Even if Zhang Xiu's uncle's family has no feelings, Zhang Xiu still needs to respect filial piety and has to be on good terms with Yuan Shao.
After Jia Xu analyzed it, he told him not to worry and to wait and see. The wooing at this time was like valuing a piece of jade. The more people bid, the more bids would be added.
You can wait until the spring begins to see what Cao Cao will do. Whether it is as Jia Xu expected, he wants to go south to break Wancheng and take advantage of it, and set the south of Xudu.
If this is the case, it would take fourteen days of marching from Xudu to Nanyang. If there is no rain, it would take about twelve days.
If we take into account Cao Cao's habit of marching both ways, he should be able to arrive in the eighth day, which means he only has to wait for about two months.
After Jia Xu made up his mind, he asked Zhang Xiu not to store grain in the near future, but to directly distribute it to the people to calm the people's hearts. When spring comes, he will ask Liu Biao for half a year's grain wages in Wancheng to be used for the war.
Liu Biao may not agree, no, it is very likely that he will agree.
After taking the first step, Zhang Xiu finally settled down this winter. Zhang Xiu no longer dared to grieve for Zhang Ji's death. In the words of Mr. Wenhe, he was recharging his strength and waiting for Cao Gong's troops to conquer. Can.
If you calculate mentally but not intentionally, if others don’t know me but I know others, you should be in an invincible position.
Jia Xu had made far-sighted plans and calculated every strategy, and he was very confident.
He has been walking on thin ice in his life, never seeking credit or fame in front of others. Most of the time, he lives behind the scenes and is willing to give credit to others.
Therefore, many old acquaintances only know that he is talented and knowledgeable, but they do not know how deep his background is.
In Jia Xu's view, the civil and military personnel under Cao Cao may not have heard of his deeds, and they are least aware of him.
Jia Xu, on the other hand, had made inquiries in many ways and knew about the civil and military talents around Cao Cao in the past few years.
Guo Jia, Xi Zhong, Xun Yu, and Zhang Han should be the main ones. Among them, Guo Jia came later, and Zhang Han's background was not a concern.
Therefore, it should be based on Xi Zhong's marching strategy and Xun Yu guarding the rear. These two are the most important.
But these two people have never had any interaction with him, Jia Xu.
No one would ever notice me.
…
This winter is happier than last year for Zhang Han.
Because this year the main room around the fire has been larger, enough to accommodate a hundred people, and there are countless fruits, wines, and delicacies in the room.
Late at night, when I'm drunk, I can really express my feelings.
During this period, Xijijiu received a lot of wine from vendors and borrowed Dianwei's money. Since Dianwei sold his house, he heard that the price of Xudu's mansion has increased at least six times.
He was so angry that he sold it when it had only doubled. He was complacent at first and thanked Zhang Han a lot for his original advice. But now he scolds him every day. Why didn't he stop it when he sold it.
So Dian Wei followed the advice of Xi Zhicai and others and started to stock up on wine, because they said that there would be more dignitaries in Xudu in the future, and the price of wine would definitely rise sharply.
Dian Wei immediately found someone to buy it. Through the relationship between Dong Zhao and Sun Qian, he bought a lot of old wine, which was worth a lot of money.
He thought he could make money, and actually he could, but he couldn't stand Zhang Han and the others and asked him to take it out and drink it every day.
Dianwei was so bold that he took it as he asked. The wine that had been well stored in the cellar was basically not in short supply every day.
It snowed in winter, and the courtyard was a pure white world. The servants and maids were allowed to build snowmen in the courtyard. Zhang Han guessed that Cao Xian and Gan Mei were also playing in the snow in the backyard.
In fact, according to Cai Yan's talent and learning, she would be able to blend into these banquets at home, but she still couldn't help it as a daughter.
Zhang Han usually only goes to her in the afternoon to brush up [Learning]. Improving knowledge can improve [Intelligence], so Cai Yan is quite important to Zhang Han.
After drinking until midnight, several people sat around and talked about plans for this year and next year.
Speaking of this, Zhang Han turned to look at Guo Jia and asked, "Fengxiao, if I remember correctly, after the spring of next year, my lord will definitely attack Wancheng."
"Well, we just decided on the strategy the day before yesterday." Guo Jia, wearing a black robe with wide sleeves, his eyes sparkling in the firelight, "We are still deciding on the civil and military forces, generals, and marching strategy."
"Many generals want to go. The military information reported last month clearly stated that Zhang Ji is dead. Now his nephew Zhang Xiu is leading the army. After surrendering to Liu Biao, he is stationed in Wancheng."
"And he is stationed in Wancheng and has no people to rely on, so the food and grass must come from Liu Biao."
"In this way, his situation is quite difficult. If the lord sends an imperial edict to surrender, Zhang Xiu will most likely choose to surrender."
“It’s a feast that everyone wants to take a bite of.”
After saying this, everyone here nodded. The lord must choose someone with little merit.
People like Zhang Han were not even considered at all. From time to time, the number of factions around the Lord gradually increased, and he needed to feed others.
We can't let Zhang Han take all the benefits.
Zhang Han chuckled and said, "That won't work. We really need to go to Wancheng together."
Both Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai knew that he was not someone who was greedy for power and power, so they both looked over calmly and asked lightly: "Why."
Zhang Han thought for a while and signaled Ji Boxiao to pour them wine. At the same time, he said to Xi Zhicai: "Beside Zhang Xiu, there is an adviser named Jia Xu, whose courtesy name is Wenhe. He is from Guzang County, Liangzhou. He has changed hands several times. He has no benevolence in his heart, but his intelligence is actually not inferior to those of you here."
"As for how to evaluate...it should be that he is proficient in the art of war, has an insight into the general trend, and is ruthless and unintentional. His plan is certainly vicious."
"I'll tell you a few things so that you can understand." Zhang Han licked his lips and said: "After Dong Zhuo's death, the soldiers of Chang'an and Xiliang fled in all directions. Generals such as Li Jue and Guo Si thought that the situation was irreversible and wanted to He disbanded and fled, but was persuaded by him to come back, gathered his troops to counterattack Chang'an, killed Wang Yun and others, and took the emperor into his hands to control the foreign princes."
"Later, the Chang'an court fell apart, and Li and Guo fought for power inexplicably. He surrendered to Zhang Ji and followed him to Wancheng in Nanyang."
"You two, you are both people who often deal with military affairs, and you have the world's situation in mind. Have you ever heard of this person?"
Xi Zhicai and Guo Jia glanced at each other subconsciously, nodded silently, and said, "I know."
"I only know its name, but don't know many of its deep deeds. How can Bo Chang determine these things?"
Why do I conclude? Just believe me, don’t ask why! ?
Who can believe the reason I tell you?
"Of course I also have my own intelligence network." Zhang Han smiled mysteriously, without leaking any information.
At this time, Dong Zhao, who was sitting on his knees opposite the three men, put down his glass of wine. He was having a lively conversation with Sun Qian, but when he heard their words, his smile dropped and he suddenly became serious.
He immediately interrupted and said: "Bo Chang's words are correct. I'm afraid you don't understand. Jia Wenhe is the military advisor behind Li Jue and Guo Si."
"The two of them obeyed his words. When he was still in Chang'an, Zhong Zhongcheng was baffled by the undercurrent of the situation. He even realized that there were people behind Li Jue's willingness to release those envoys back to Guandong to appease the princes. thing."
"According to my many observations, if Li Jue and Guo Si hadn't listened to what others said, they might not have changed at all."
"There is one more thing that I must tell you."
Dong Zhao looked around at the people present, and at the same time recalled that he had met many old Han generals in Chang'an, and that all his correspondence had been passed on under the eyes of Chang'an's spies.
But no one arrested or reported him, and no guards even came to disturb him.
"Why not disturb?"
Dong Zhao looked at Zhang Han, smiled, and said confidently: "Because once you disturb me, it will be equivalent to telling Li Jue and Guo Si that there are foreign enemies uniting the ministers in the court, and your Majesty's return eastward will definitely not be possible. "
"So, the person who controlled the spying in Kyoto knew about it but did not disclose it. He continued to cause Li Jue and Guo Si to fight among themselves, which made it easy for me."
"Zhang Junhou, you said that I have accomplished great feats, with exquisite appearance on all sides, and heroic feats of combining vertical and horizontal lines. In fact, it was the person behind the scenes who was helping me. Later I went to investigate and found out that the person in charge of Jinwu in Chang'an at that time was Jia Xu. "
Everyone in the hall took a deep breath almost instantly, and then didn't speak for a long time.
In other words, if he is really involved in the emperor's return to the east, then such a character would be terrifying. His plan is not for fame and fortune, but for a better life.
Slowly jumping from one place to another, changing owners several times, stirring up the situation in the world.
In his eyes, people, life and death, benevolence and righteousness do not exist. These are all means to stir up troubles.
After a moment of silence, Guo Jia was the first to laugh and said with a proud smile: "It has nothing to do with conspiracy. Since he is such a talented person, how can he not go and meet him for a while? One of the great pleasures in life is, isn't it?"
"Bo Chang, then go and make this contribution."
"I'm not going, I want to guard Xudu," Xi Zhicai took a sip of wine with a slight regret in his eyes. His position was too high and he couldn't leave the rear, and his body was not too strong. He had not been with the army for a long time. .
Zhang Han touched his chin and said: "But the sacrificial wine can make suggestions here."
"What strategy can come from here?" Xi Zhicai said calmly. He knew that Zhang Han still had an explanation, but this question was also to elicit the next words.
Dong Zhao smiled directly and said: "I suddenly understood something. If Jia Xu acted like this, he would not push himself to a dead end. How could he end up in a devastated place like Nanyang?"
"Twenty years ago, Nanyang had a million-person Ding County. How many counties in the world could compare to it?! It could be compared to Luoyang. But what else is there now? Withered grass!"
"Not bad!" Guo Jia slapped his leg. Dong Zhao's words aroused his thoughts of gold and jade again, and he immediately said with a smile: "I'm waiting for a price. If you want to get a sky-high price, you can occupy both ends of Wancheng in Nanyang." Whether he returns to my Cao in the north or to Liu Biao in the south, we must not treat him lightly."
"In this way, based on this plan, I dare to say that Jia Wenhe will definitely surrender, but after resisting, it will be different if he leaves."
"But!" After Guo Jia finished speaking, he said in a high and steady tone: "Both of you have also said that this person has many tricks and is good at hiding behind others. He may not be a treacherous person. If you are talking about it at this time, I will definitely say that he is a fake surrender! "
"Okay!" Another person raised his hands and stood up. He was drunk. Hearing Guo Jia's words, he immediately became interested. Everyone saw that it was General Zhang Liao.
Zhang Liao grinned and said: "So, let's say I am the leader! After attacking the city, I will surrender according to the emperor's order. If I can surrender, I will lead the army into the city, lead 800 soldiers, set up defenses everywhere, and order the defense to be changed within one day."
"Okay!" Guo Jia thought deeply after hearing this. Zhang Liao handled it properly. He did not threaten or make any lies. He entered the city without carrying all his weight and would not cause a mutiny.
After thinking about it, he said loudly: "Then I am the counselor of Wancheng. Now that I have surrendered, I should think about my status. I should ask the emperor for rewards and placement! Perhaps, at this time, I have letters from many princes in my hand! I should compare them with others. , make plans again!”
The people in their room have long been accustomed to playing this kind of game. Zhang Han was the first to mention it, calling it "Paper Talk", although the name is not a good word.
But later on, everyone stopped thinking about the game on paper, and instead used their talents and skills to think deeply about the game, just to plot and kill the other party.
Now, everyone is extremely enthusiastic about this trick. Sometimes it is a review, sometimes it is an illusion, and they never tire of it.
Because of this, Guo Jia and Xi Zhi had to abstain from sex for a while, just to have a winner and loser. In the end, each of them had a winner.
At this time, after Guo Jia thought deeply, he paused for a moment and said loudly with a smile: "Therefore, I will host a banquet and welcome you with a smile, but I will still use the convenience of one day and not withdraw the troops from Wancheng, and the results will be achieved overnight. "
At this time, Zhang Han's eyes lit up, he raised his chopsticks and said, "Okay, just one night! How to do it? Just pretend to surrender, what's the excuse?"
Everyone fell into silence, what other excuse could there be, it was just that they couldn't agree on the price.
Zhang Han's judgment was not good, but indeed, if it was so smooth, there would be no need to argue anymore.
Everyone thought for a long time, but no one thought of the reason. Zhang Han clicked his tongue and said: "Then let's pretend that Zhang Xiu deliberately faked surrender to deceive us into entering the city, and then killed the leaders and offered them to Yuan Shao from the north in exchange for great achievements!"
"good!"
Guo Jia waved and shouted: "Do you have a map of Nanyang?!"
"Yes, yes!"
Everyone in the room became more and more excited, and had already attracted the interest of each other's deputy, Su Wei. At this time, General Youbi brought a map and brought it up immediately. A large circle of people gathered around, wanting to see how to use offensive and defensive strategies.
This "paper talk" trick was undoubtedly the most popular at the banquet at Zhang Han's mansion this winter.
(End of chapter)
