"You, go in person?"
Cao Cao asked uncertainly. Of course, he asked just to be sure. He was afraid that Zhang Han would one day figure it out and stop going.
After all, although Zhang Junhou has outstanding military exploits, high prestige in the military, and wide connections, he really believes in the principle that "a son with a lot of money cannot sit down in court". When one day he feels that his life is too valuable, he will try his best not to leave.
Maybe when you wake up in the middle of the night and think back to today’s solemn and impassioned statement, you might even give yourself a slap in the face.
"Sure, if I don't go, it might be difficult for someone else to lead the team along the way."
This road crosses to Qingzhou, which is difficult and dangerous, and life and death are unknown.
However, it is not that no one did similar things during the late Han Dynasty in history.
Zhang Han remembered that in the original history, Cao Wei and Deng Ai sneaked across the Yinping Trail, entered Shu for a surprise attack, and struck a decisive blow with the plan of divine soldiers descending from the sky.
They spared no effort to cross mountains and ridges, setting out with thirty thousand troops, but in the end only a few thousand arrived, and the rest were injured or fell off the cliff to death.
It can be seen that his march was brutal, but it was precisely because of such extraordinary troops that he won the great victory later.
Today we take the Qingzhou Mountain Road from Xuzhou, cross the mountains and forests, and enter the Qingzhou Pass. It is definitely not as difficult and dangerous as crossing the middle of Sichuan.
But it's not easy to achieve.
Zhang Han felt that it was not only a matter of physical strength, but also that if he were here, the spiritual pillars of this army would be more cohesive, making it easier to complete this move and promote the magic weapon descending from the sky.
"Okay," Cao Cao squinted his eyes and thought for a long time. He seemed to be struggling in his heart. He wanted Zhang Han to attack and make a name for himself, but now that he thought about it carefully, Zhang Han had actually hidden himself under many strategies.
After this year, his name and information will gradually disappear from the spies' sight. Coupled with the various confusions in the letters, Yuan Shao will definitely lose his guard and turn to inquire about other characters.
So, under such circumstances, of course, the fatal blow cannot just appear on the battlefield, but must play a decisive role.
Detouring, making a detour and raiding the area, reaching Qingzhou as a breakthrough point, threatening Jizhou, and perhaps truly catching Yuan Shao off guard.
This plan is exactly what I just thought.
"The strange plan should be here."
Cao Cao tapped the location of Qingzhou on the map a few more times. The map was rough and not detailed. It only showed the rough locations of the mountains, rivers, cities and counties in the northeastern part of the Central Plains.
Needless to say, it must have been written by Zhang Han. At this moment, Zhang Han also looked solemn and said with emotion: "My lord is really a genius in the world. He actually thought of this marching route just by seeing the flying army I was training in secret." .”
"And I have been thinking about it during this period. It took me a full month to think of Qingzhou. My lord and I have surprisingly the same thoughts."
"Go, go, go," Cao Cao laughed and cursed a few times impatiently, but they were surprisingly consistent. Is that what you just said?
Now that I know how to post a smiley face, it still takes a full month.
Cao Cao seriously suspected that Zhang Han would be on vacation in Nanlin Mountain this month, hunting, fishing, and listening to music. If he was given another half a year, it would not be impossible for him to move Lefang Yashe here.
I was really drunk to be moved by his generous words just now, bad luck! Cao Cao complained bitterly in his heart.
At noon, almost all the civil and military personnel in Cao's camp were discussing the training of flying troops. Nanlin Mountain was originally a small camp among several large military camps near Xudu.
The result is that now, several important figures under Cao's command are here.
And the discussions were in full swing.
To the south is the mountain camp. Judging from the topography, it is surrounded by mountains and rivers, but it is not too close to the camp. There is no need to worry about a surprise attack at the back. There is Xudu in front, and besides Xudu, there are also three clan garrisons.
It seems as if the people here in Nanlin Mountain are the most important.
After Cao Cao arrived here, he had this strange feeling when he looked at the terrain: It was said that he was guarding from the south, but in fact he was located in the southeast and was not on the main road. It seemed that many of them were guarding him.
Damn it, if we go north, the emperor and I are still standing in front of him.
It wasn't until the evening that Cao Cao asked Zhang Han about his original arrangements for the front lines in Anhui and Shucheng, as well as his profound intentions.
"Bo Chang, you expected that Sun Ce would attack, so you arranged everything early?"
The moment Zhang Han and Jia Xu heard this, they inhaled at the same time and slowly looked at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The two of them knew it best, Zhang Han was the person involved, and Jia Xu knew it well.
Don’t think too much about the main reason why he went to Wancheng, it must be for beauty! And after Shu Cheng heard about Er Qiao's good reputation, he had already started planning half a year in advance.
For this reason, they accidentally stopped Sun Ce and Zhou Yu who were preparing for a sneak attack.
This is all luck, and the luck on the king really has something to say.
Zhang Han nodded and said: "That's true. I had known that he had great ambitions. He would not be willing to surrender to the land east of the Yangtze River and rely on the natural moat to defend himself. Instead, he would compete in the Central Plains."
"But Sun is also a person who has made great contributions to the Han Dynasty. Sun Jian also made great contributions when he attacked Dong, so he can't turn against him directly, he can only be careful."
Zhang Han's rhetoric is quite reasonable. Sun Jian's great achievements are still written in the merit book. This is to be recorded in the history books, and he cannot break with the Sun family for the time being.
"In this case, the arrangement of troops and horses and the construction of fortifications have been regarded as leisure and waiting for work, so there is no need to be afraid of Jiangdong." Cao Cao smiled and nodded, and then said relaxedly: "Then I can safely and boldly ask the Shangshutai to send Sun Ce the general appointment to Jiangdong. The great commander he asked for."
"I think it works," Zhang Han nodded in agreement, "and it would be best to let him accept the reward and then send an envoy to deliver tribute as a token of gratitude."
"The envoys who sent the edict can also win over with clever words. They can accept the noble clans suppressed by the Sun family in Jiangdong and accept their requests."
"Okay, it's up to you."
…
Koto.
In Danyang County, Sun Ce slammed the table in the lobby with a loud bang like thunder.
"snort!!"
"I asked Emperor Xu Du to be appointed Grand Sima, but Cao Cao refused!"
All the civil and military officials from all around came closer, but they didn't know how to persuade him.
"He himself is in critical danger and a war is imminent, yet he can still be so arrogant. He is really arrogant!!"
"Pass me an order to order all the generals and their troops to rush to Qu'atun Army immediately!!"
"I will attack Guangling at any time. Once the war starts, I will march straight in, break through Guangling, enter Xuzhou, and go straight to Xudu!!"
"Cao Cao, Cao Cao!"
Sun Ce cursed several times, and then a civil servant came next to him. He had a thick and neat beard, half-white hair, and a majestic figure. He wore a blue robe, and his hair was tied in a bun at the top. He had broad ears and a dignified appearance. color.
"My lord, please don't get angry because of this. It seems to me that Cao Cao actually saw through our purpose of asking for the position of Sima."
"Mr. Zibu, since he has seen through it, why doesn't he just go with the flow and follow our wishes?"
This adviser was Chang Shi Zhang Zhao and Zhang Zibu. When Sun Ce started his business, he had been with him and was entrusted with important responsibilities. He was appointed as the Chang Shi, and almost all internal military and political affairs were left to him to take care of.
In just one year, Zhang Zhao has gradually become an indispensable figure in Jiangdong, and is respected by Sun's subordinates both civil and military.
"After Yuan Shu's defeat in Yangzhou, many people defected to me. Zhou Shangjun even offered Danyang to surrender, and Gong Jin became my brother. Sooner or later, I will be able to suppress them all in Jiangdong." Sun Ce still couldn't figure it out, and at the same time he felt in his heart Also angry.
If I were still the descendant of the Sun family who had to rely on others, it would be normal for me to be looked down upon.
But now, I, Sun Bofu, am also a hero who has experienced hundreds of battles, conquered cities and strongholds, and is a powerful hero in Jiangdong. Am I not worthy of Cao Cao's high regard?
Sun Ce was looking forward to Xu Du's response with joy, because he knew that last year, Cao Cao had begun to send envoys to appease and win over the princes from various places.
He even subdued a group of bandits entrenched in Mount Tai, which meant that Cao Cao was preparing to be diplomatic and ensure that he would have no worries when fighting Yuan Shao.
War is not something that can be ended in one battle. This knowledge before and after the war is bottomless. No matter how perfect and excellent the work is, accidents will always happen.
In order to prevent such accidents, Cao Cao will not reject his request.
After all, if Jiangdong is safe, it means that Liu Biao will also be restrained. Isn't Cao Cao afraid of being attacked by Liu Biao?
"The problem lies in this late morning," Zhang Zhao said in a deep voice with a very rich voice: "In the land of Jiangdong counties, the lord has currently acquired four counties. Although the territory is vast, it still needs to be stabilized, especially the people's hearts and the minds of the people. Human dependence.”
"Otherwise, if a powerful enemy comes in the future, some people may defect first and seek to surrender to the enemy," Zhang Zhao said seriously.
"It is precisely because of this that Cao Cao also understands that we need to stabilize Jiangdong. The appointment of this great Sima to the court is no less than Yuan Shu's recruitment of troops with Fujie. They are all using the name of the Han court to expand the power within the territory."
Sun Ce took a deep breath and calmed down a little, but the order just now had been sent out. He wanted to chase it back, but he couldn't say it.
In order to avoid damaging his prestige and being ridiculed by others, he thought for a while and said: "So, sir, do you think it is feasible to station troops in Quyang?"
"Youquyang was captured by Liu Bei during the Battle of Yangzhou, and then handed over to Chen Deng, the prefect of Guangling. Two generals in our army, Wu Jing and Sun Ben, both entered and returned to Yangzhou via this road."
"If we talk about capturing Youquyang and then stationing in Guangling, in fact, it should be what the lord has always wanted." Zhang Zhao asked tentatively.
Sun Ce raised the corners of his mouth, smiled, and breathed out easily from his chest. The reason why he valued Zhang Zhao so much and even relied on him was not because this talent was truly unparalleled in the world.
But in addition to being talented and knowledgeable, he also knows how to be a minister. These words are a stepping stone for Sun Ce. Such a sentence can make Sun Ce's military orders seem logical.
"Yes, Mr. Zibu really understands me. Guangling is managed by Chen Deng and has no famous generals stationed there. I have been itching for a long time."
"Cao Cao asked Xu Du's court to send such an edict, just to arouse the anger of the generals in the army, and use the anger of the army to capture Guangling!"
Jingzhou is difficult to attack, but Hefei is also difficult to attack. The Xiaoyaojin military camp is now almost abandoned, and the waterway there has long been destroyed by Zhang Han.
"It's just Chen Deng who is famous for internal governance, but he may not be able to do it with military horses. I have never heard of his achievements." Sun Ce was very confident about this. Of course he had heard of Chen Deng's name, and he also sent many spies to inquire and collect information about Chen Deng. various information.
In the end, it can be judged that Chen Deng is just a person who is good at internal governance. There are no talented people under him, and the civil and military personnel stationed in Guangling are not famous people.
Planning to seize Guangling might be a good choice.
"Well, lord, there is one more thing you need to keep in mind. You must be on your guard."
"What's the matter?"
Sun Ce looked over with serious eyes.
"The envoy who came this time is a member of the Dingtao Dong family, named Gongren. This person is eloquent and sincere in his treatment of others. He has made many achievements for Cao Cao when he was in Chang'an before."
"He came all the way to deliver the edict, and along the way he also made contact with some noble friends from Jiangdong. He was very generous with his money and prepared gifts very generously. He didn't seem to have any plans."
Zhang Zhao discovered Dong Zhao's behavior during a few days of detective work. He didn't think there was anything wrong with it at first, but then it happened like this for several days in a row, and he had already hosted four family banquets.
Among them were the Lu family, the Wu family, and even the Yu family, a wealthy family, who had long conversations with him at night, but he didn't know what they talked about.
When Zhang Zhao heard the news, he fully understood Zhang Zhao's purpose.
"This person is obviously trying to win over people from Jiangdong, but secretly he is just trying to spread Cao Cao's intention to win over scholars and talented people in Jiangdong."
"Coaxing may not be effective, but the spread of this news, combined with the fact that Emperor Xu Du refused to grant the lord Sima, is equivalent to telling the civil and military officials in the six counties in Jiangdong that if they are not compatible with the lord, they can secretly surrender to Xu Du Emperor, return to the Han court."
"Once this happens, he can control the name of morality and constantly put pressure on the lord, such as urging the delivery of tribute. Once there is any neglect, he will use these scholars to cause trouble."
"In this way, the forty-three counties in our hands now will either lose tax revenue and benefit Cao Cao, or they will be charged with disrespecting the emperor's orders and attempting to rebel, thus making the territory more chaotic."
"I think this matter is quite strange..."
"Where is the trick?" Sun Ce asked seriously after hearing half of it.
"It seems that how Jizhou treated Xudu, now Cao Cao is imitating how he treats Jiangdong... It is because of this chaotic situation that it does not allow the taxation, agriculture and business of Jiangdong to thrive, and his mind is cunning."
"Such a strategy that harms one party without caring about the life and death of the people and separates families can be called a poisonous plan. I don't know who under his command thought it."
Sun Ce's first reaction was naturally Zhang Junhou. It was Zhang Han who stopped them in the first place. He could put down iron locks, abandoned boat hulls, and various sandbags on the river bank to guard against an enemy who didn't know whether it would come.
How could such a hard-hearted person not be able to think of such a vicious plan to cause trouble?
And through the information obtained during this period of time, Zhang Han should be a "no taboo" person, and he is involved in everything.
"It can't be Zhang Han, right?" Sun Ce asked with a troubled face. He didn't speak confidently at all. Thinking of this person made him feel uncomfortable.
If it hadn't been for him, he might have crossed Hefei and captured many cities in Jiujiang County by now.
Zhang Zhao let out a long sigh, with a look of recognition on his face, "Well, I think it's him too. This Zhang Han is not simple."
He spoke slowly and elegantly, and said with a curl of his lips: "In the information I got, it is said that Zhang Han is the most capable of charging into battle among the counselors, the best strategist among the generals, and the best among the ministers in the court. The person who knows the sufferings of the people best is also the person who understands politics best among the petty officials."
"This is an all-rounder!" Sun Ce took a deep breath and couldn't help but marvel. He had seen Zhang Han from a distance before and knew that this was a young man. It was not easy to have such abilities at such an age.
"That's right..."
Zhang Zhao felt that this was right.
But you are right to say that he is very good at mixing things up... because doesn't this evaluation just mean that he is not top-notch in any area?
Maybe Zhang Han wants to make money everywhere, accumulate connections, reputation, etc.?
"My lord, Zhang Han's temperament is more comprehensive than these talents."
Sun Ce was stunned for a moment, then became interested and asked hurriedly: "Tell me about it."
(End of chapter)
