The last month of the fifteenth year of Jianxing passed quickly.
According to tradition, the three kingdoms of Han, Wei and Wu would hold great court meetings on the New Year's Day at the beginning of the year.
The new emperor of Wei State ascended the throne in Xuchang, officially announcing the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty.
First, it is announced to the world that Wei Dynasty is still the righteousness of the world.
Secondly, it also implicitly expresses to the people of Wei that where the emperor is, the country of Wei is righteous.
At the same time, a general amnesty was granted to the whole world, and all ministers and workers were promoted to nobles and received rewards.
Taifu Sima Yi and General Cao Shuang both served as ministers. Both of them were responsible for military affairs, commanding the Chinese and foreign armies, recording ministerial affairs, and commanding three thousand elite troops each to govern the government.
Among Sima Yi's descendants, three are princes and four are cavalry captains.
Cao Shuang's younger brothers Cao Xi, Cao Xun, Cao Yan and others also received rewards.
Apart from these two people, the most eye-catching ones are Liu Fang, the Supervisor of the Zhongshu, and Sun Zi, the Superintendent of the Zhongshu.
These two were each added to the title of Guanglu Dafu (left and right), with gold seals and purple ribbons. They had the same rituals as the three divisions, and three hundred households were added to the city.
At the same time, each of his beloved sons was granted the title of Marquis of Tingting, the second son was granted the title of Captain of Cavalry, and the remaining sons were all granted the title of Langzhong.
Everyone in the world is paying attention to the extremely precious moment of these people.
But they didn't notice that Sima Yi's son Sima Shi, Liu Fang's son Liu Xi, Sun Zi's son Sun Mi and others were all involved in the "glorious case" in the early years.
Nowadays, these people are either granted the title of marquis or occupy the position of confidants around the emperor.
This means that Cao Rui suppressed these people in his early years to curb the trend of flashy talk.
At the same time, the arrogant actions of warning the aristocratic family or the powerful people who moved closer to the aristocratic family have all been in vain.
At the same time, it also announced that family politics had once again won victory in Cao Wei.
Compared with the funerals held in Wei State, the great court meeting held in the 16th year of the founding of the Han Dynasty was another lively event.
Because of the great victory in the Battle of Guanzhong, Emperor Liu Chan of the Han Dynasty held a grand court meeting in his palace in Hanzhong.
Seven minutes before the end of the night, the bells and drums in the palace were ringing, and all the officials in the court came to court and lined up in front of the palace.
I could only hear Xiaohuangmen shouting: "The auspicious time has come, His Majesty is coming to court!"
Officials with more than two thousand stones took off their shoes and swords one by one, and ran into the hall with small steps.
The second one stood in the hall corridor, and the third one stood outside the hall.
Just waiting for the gatha reader to call the police, all the officials shouted long live.
After receiving the congratulations, the emperor gave a banquet and at the same time performed a great feast.
The little fat man was very happy today. He spent his own money to buy a lot of wine and meat, and drank with his ministers until night.
The two countries of Han and Wei each had their own lively activities.
The great court meeting in Wu State seemed much deserted.
Emperor Wu used to like to hold banquets and drink with his ministers. He even ordered that he could not leave the banquet unless he was drunk.
Logically speaking, it was Emperor Wu's favorite time to hold a banquet for legitimate reasons, such as the Great Court Meeting.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Wu only had a few drinks after accepting the congratulations from the ministers, which was more like a routine matter, and then hurriedly left the table.
The ministers saw that the emperor was in a bad mood, so naturally they did not dare to indulge in drinking - otherwise, wouldn't this be an obvious attempt to bring trouble to the emperor?
When Sun Quan returned to the palace, his face looked irritable. After walking back and forth, he began to sigh again.
After a long time, he seemed to have made up his mind and ordered:
"Where is Zhongshu Lang?"
Zhongshu Lang, who was on duty, trotted in quickly: "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"I have something that I haven't decided for a long time. I want to ask the Prime Minister for advice. You can go to the Prime Minister's house for me."
"promise."
Gu Yong was not surprised at all when he learned that the emperor had sent Zhongshu Lang from the palace.
In other words, he made himself look calm.
As the nominal chief minister, Gu Yong sat closest to the emperor. Naturally, he could see that his majesty was full of worries.
After asking everyone in the family to leave, Gu Yong asked;
"May I ask Zhongshu Lang, what kind of instructions does your Majesty have?"
Zhongshu Lang quickly replied:
"Exactly, Your Majesty asked me to come here just to ask the Prime Minister: Over the years, Wu and Han have joined forces to fight against thieves, and Shu has succeeded many times. Now Liangyong and the three states have all fallen into their hands."
"And Da Wu spent countless money and food, but made no progress. Every time I think about this, I can't help but gnash my teeth and feel heartache."
Now that I heard that Cao Rui, the puppet emperor of Wei, died suddenly after being sent by heaven, wouldn't it be a good opportunity for the Northern Expedition? Therefore, I want to join forces with the Lord of Han again this year to attack the thieves together, is that okay? "
After listening to what Zhongshu Lang relayed, Gu Yong just sat back in his seat silently and remained silent for a long time.
Zhongshu Lang waited for a long time, but when Gu Yong didn't speak, he had to ask carefully: "Prime Minister?"
Gu Yong was still sitting there with his head down, as if he was asleep.
Zhongshu Lang had no choice but to speak louder: "Prime Minister?"
"Oh? Oh, it turns out to be Zhongshu Lang, why haven't you left yet?"
Gu Yong finally raised his head and asked with some confusion.
When Zhongshu Lang heard this, he was immediately stunned:
"Prime Minister, Your Majesty is still waiting for your reply."
Gu Yong shook his head: "I am already old and stupid. I am afraid that I cannot give your Majesty too much advice on this matter."
"Ah, this..."
It was the first time for the young Zhongshu Lang to be sent to the Prime Minister's residence. How could he have known that he would encounter such a scene?
But seeing him dumbfounded, Na Na didn't know what to say.
"Don't worry, just tell the truth when you go back, and His Majesty won't blame you."
Gu Yong seemed reluctant to say anything. After saying this, he stood up and prepared to see off the guests.
Zhongshu Lang had no choice but to leave the palace uneasily and return to the palace uneasily.
Before he could speak, Sun Quan asked him directly:
"You're back so soon? The Prime Minister didn't prepare any food or drinks for you?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, the Prime Minister didn't want to say that he was hosting a banquet, and he didn't want to say much. He only said that he was too old to give His Majesty advice on this matter."
As Zhongshu Lang spoke, he looked at His Majesty carefully, for fear that His Majesty would be angry.
That's the Prime Minister!
His Majesty personally sent him to ask for advice on state affairs, but he dared to say that he was old and fatuous and ignored state affairs?
Unexpectedly, Sun Quan was not angry after hearing Zhongshu Lang's words. Instead, he sighed:
"So the Prime Minister doesn't agree with my idea!"
Gu Yong is a man who does not drink alcohol and is taciturn.
If the memorial is accepted and used, it will be attributed to the superior; if it is not accepted, it will be kept secret.
If the emperor asks him for advice and he thinks it can be implemented, he will prepare food and drinks for Zhongshu Lang who comes to his residence, and he will take the opportunity to study it repeatedly to avoid any omissions.
If he didn't agree with the emperor's idea, he would remain silent, and naturally he would not entertain Zhongshu Lang.
So when Sun Quan heard that Gu Yong did not entertain Zhongshu Lang, he already knew in his heart that Gu Yong was opposed to this matter.
But when he remembered that the two countries had joined forces to defeat the thieves, and the Han State had already gained the territory of Yongzong and merged the two states, its national strength had greatly increased.
But he was still blocked in Hefei, and he couldn't help but feel jealous and anxious.
The one who is jealous is Han, and the one who is anxious is himself.
As a close confidant of the emperor, Lu Yi, secretary of the school affairs office, had long noticed that his majesty was in a bad mood these days.
Now that I finally knew what His Majesty was thinking, I took the opportunity to suggest:
"Your Majesty, it is right for the Prime Minister to consult the Prime Minister on the government affairs of the DPRK. But everyone says that the general knows the military situation, so for Chinese and foreign military affairs, you have to ask the general."
"What's more, during the Northern Expedition last year, the General advised your Majesty to retreat. Your Majesty has not yet understood what he really meant. Why don't you send someone to Wuchang to inquire now?"
When Sun Quan heard this, he frowned.
During the Northern Expedition last year, Lu Xun, like others, persuaded himself to withdraw at the most critical moment.
The so-called knowing the strength of the army, doesn't it mean that there is no time when the prediction is wrong?
Besides, I asked him to sit in Wuchang so that he could take charge of everything west of Yuzhang.
This is already considered extremely trustworthy.
This does not mean that he has to make decisions on matters east of Yuzhang.
After thinking for a long time, Sun Quan finally wrote a letter and sent someone to Wuchang.
After all, the Prime Minister does not agree with his own ideas. If he insists on the Northern Expedition this year, it will seem a little insistent.
If Lu Xun could be made to agree to this matter, it would be a good choice.
After Lu Xun of Wuchang received the letter from Sun Quan, he immediately found Zhuge Jin, the general guarding Jingzhou, and showed Zhuge Jin a handwritten message.
At the same time he said with some worry:
"Over the past few years, His Majesty has been planning to go north almost every year. He has spent a lot of money and food, and has had to make a lot of money repeatedly. Nowadays, the prices among the people are soaring, and the people are quite complaining."
"I heard that in the Jingzhou area, many people don't like to use big money. They either barter with grain or silk. Large families would rather use Shu money notes. This shows that the disadvantages of big money are serious!"
"Therefore, I think it is better for Your Majesty to rest for the people and not to use weapons anymore. What do you think, Ziyu?"
At that time, the generals stationed in Jingzhou included Zhuge Jin, Lu Dai, Zhu Ran, Bu Zhi and others, but they were only in charge of military affairs and not civil affairs.
Who has the qualifications to be like a general who can write letters to discuss matters between the DPRK and China at any time?
Not to mention, regarding the current affairs in Jingzhou, even if Zhuge Jin has the power to take care of it, he has to think twice and dare not take it.
Shu's money notes are much more valuable than large coins made of iron, forcing others to use big money instead of money notes.
Not to mention whether the army generals who have made a lot of profits every year by using the cultivated fields to grow sugar cane in recent years will cause trouble.
(In the fourth year of Jianxing, Lu Xun ordered his generals to increase the number of acres of land because Jingzhou had experienced long wars, the land was deserted, and there was too little grain.)
Even the folks in Jingzhou wanted to poke his spine.
Without the support of the folks in Jingzhou, where would the army's food come from?
Do they all count on the fields cultivated by the generals in the army?
Or is it enough for everyone to just eat sugar cane?
Zhuge Jin pointed to the letter in Lu Xun's hand and said lightly:
"Your Majesty only allows me to lead the army. I can only talk about the political affairs of Jingzhou lightly. However, I see that Your Majesty has a lot of regrets about last year's Northern Expedition. How should I respond?"
In the past few years, when Lu Yi's arrogance was at its most arrogant, Lu Xun repeatedly wrote letters to speak out about the shortcomings of the school affairs office.
But Zhuge Jin, Lu Dai, Zhu Ran, and Bu Zhi, all the leading generals outside, all remained silent to avoid suspicion.
Lu Xun also knew Zhuge Jin's concerns, he just sighed:
"Man Chong is an old man from Cao Cao's time. He is brave and resourceful. Hefei has a good location and Wei has the advantage of fine cavalry. I dare not say that we will win."
(Historically, Lu Xun was once forced to retreat by Manchu Chong)
"Last year in the Northern Expedition, Your Majesty was hesitant at first, and then left Chao Lake and went ashore. He underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly. This is a taboo for military officers. For your Majesty's safety, I have to act cautiously."
"Who could have expected that Cao Rui would suddenly die suddenly after we retreated? This is an unpredictable act of God."
Zhuge Jin was silent.
Indeed, with hindsight, it is unclear what the situation would have been like if the army had been able to stay under the walls of Hefei for one more month.
But who in this world could have predicted what would happen a month later?
Thinking of this, Zhuge Jin whispered:
"Bo Yan had better explain it to His Majesty in detail."
Lu Xun nodded: "I know it."
If it had been anyone else, after reading the letter and knowing that the emperor was slightly dissatisfied, he would definitely not have gone against his wishes. At most, he would have been vague about the Northern Expedition.
Maybe that's what Sun Quan thought.
But who is Lu Xun?
How can you tolerate sand in your eyes?
In the past two years, Lu Yi, Qin Bo and others in the school affairs office have been much more low-key.
Lu Xun only said that the emperor was still the same majesty who was willing to listen to advice for the great cause of the world.
But they were completely unaware that it had been nearly ten years since Sun Quan proclaimed himself emperor and moved the capital to establish a new capital, and he himself had been guarding Wuchang for nearly ten years.
The past ten years have been enough to turn many people into things that they don't even recognize.
In Lu Xun's reply this time, he not only stated his thoughts during last year's Northern Expedition, but also told Sun Quan clearly and emphatically:
In recent years, the people have complained about the continuous use of weapons and weapons. I implore Your Majesty to think of the world and the common people.
But he didn't expect that after the letter got into Sun Quan's hands, Sun Quan would clear everyone out with a calm expression.
After the door was closed, his expression suddenly changed. He suddenly drew his sword and chopped it on the desk, gritting his teeth and saying:
"Gu Yuantan (Gu Yong, also known as Yuantan) opposed my Northern Expedition, but he still didn't say anything because he knew he wanted to save my face."
"What do you mean by what Uncle Lu said? You said that people are complaining, which is no different from pointing your nose at me and calling me a fool!"
After he finished cursing and venting his anger, Sun Quan felt a little troublesome when he thought about the lack of support from the prime minister at home and the opposition from the generals at home.
At this time, Lu Xiaoshi, a loyal person who wholeheartedly considered the emperor, once again offered his words:
"In my opinion, defeating the bandits is a major issue between Wu and Han. In the past, Han took the initiative to make an agreement with Wu first, asking us to help detain the Wei bandits."
"Now that Han has benefited, Wu has not gained an inch of land. It is unfair. If your majesty writes a letter and sends it to Shu, the Han people will not be embarrassed to refuse."
"Your Majesty, all the internal and external ministers are opposed to the Northern Expedition, but they have forgotten that Wu and the Han State joined forces to defeat the bandits, and it is clear to the world."
"I guess that the Han Kingdom may not have the intention to continue to advance eastward when it is just about to win a great victory. If the Han Dynasty has the intention, but the ministers of Wu are opposed to His Majesty's Northern Expedition, wouldn't that be trapping His Majesty in a place of treachery?"
Lu Yi had been thinking about Sun Quan's heart for a long time, and his sentence "Han has gained benefits, but Wu has not gained an inch of land" simply spoke to Sun Quan's heart.
But Sun Quan finally nodded and made a decision:
"Of course! I'll write a letter first and ask the Han Lord what he wants."
Having said this, he glanced at Lu Yi and emphasized:
"This matter will be sent personally by the school affairs office and will not go through the hands of the general."
I went to General Lu Xun and there was a seal sent by Sun Quan.
In the past, letters sent to Shu were always sent to Lu Xun first, and he was asked to read and revise them before stamping them with a big seal.
Obviously, Sun Quan was beginning to prepare to take back Lu Xun's rights.
Lu Yi knew what he meant. Although he tried his best to conceal his inner ecstasy, the corners of his mouth still couldn't help but curl up:
"promise!"
After returning to the school affairs office, when all the school officials learned about this, they all held their hands in celebration.
Qin Bo, a school official, praised:
"Why did I, Dao Zhongshu, suggest to Your Majesty to ask Lu Xun in the first place? It turned out that I knew that Lu Xun would object to this matter?"
Lu Yi looked proud, but said modestly:
"How could I expect that Lu Xun would object? I just made two preparations."
Qin Bo really knew what was going on, so he came up and asked:
"But I don't know what kind of foolproof plan Zhongshu has taken?"
Lu Yi grinned:
"If Lu Xun approves of this matter, our school office can use the name of preparing food and grass to collect more money."
"Not to mention that we can take the opportunity to grow some sugar cane in Jingzhou and exchange for more food from the Shu people."
A few days ago, the Xinghan Society personally sent a man named Xu You over, saying that he was a brother of Xu Xun, one of the top ten members of the Xinghan Society.
At the same time, he is the person in charge of the route of Dongfeng Express from Jincheng to Yongan and finally to Jingzhou.
On behalf of the Xinghan Association, this person reached an agreement with the school affairs office and promised to deliver a batch of military rations to Dawu every year, enough to feed 30,000 soldiers.
If the cooperation is happy in the future, or if there is a war, it is not impossible to discuss additional additions.
Shu was originally a land of abundance. Coupled with the improvement of farming technology, there was an increase in cultivated land due to the reclamation of wasteland and the use of oxen to clear wasteland.
Dahan's grain output has nearly doubled compared to previous years.
Liangzhou is already self-sufficient in food, and the Hanzhong army is supplied by Hanzhong, Longyou and other places. In addition, there is a highway in the Yuexisun River Valley plain leading directly to Jincheng.
Not to mention that the Han Dynasty has now captured Guanzhong - this is another land of abundance.
It can be said that as long as the Han Dynasty is willing, the Xinghan Society can completely mobilize most of the grain from the Shu plain to enter the Wu Kingdom to cause trouble in the later stage.
The Kingdom of Abundance supports only 50,000 horses and horses. If it were anyone else, they might have to consider the issue of food transportation.
But what would Xinghan be afraid of?
Dongfeng Express must achieve its mission.
What's more, Han Dynasty Military Food 2.0 greatly reduces the burden of transportation-it's not for the soldiers under his brother's command anyway, it just wants to eat without killing anyone.
The worst case scenario is to give the Wu people some dry food mixed with brown sugar and let them use it to feed their elite troops.
Calculated this way, part of it is grain and part is dry food, so the transportation pressure is not that great.
In the original history, the Han Dynasty Prime Minister's Northern Expedition was difficult to transport grain through the Shu Road, and he could provide about 100,000 troops.
And from Jincheng to Jiangling, everything can be transported by water, which is very convenient.
Anyway, in Lu Yi's opinion, the deal between the school affairs office and the Xinghan Association was a huge profit.
If the land used to grow sugar cane in Jingzhou is used to grow food, it is hard to say whether it will eventually be able to supply the needs of the army.
Not to mention that everyone can still make so much money.
It's not like now, when you can grow sugarcane and sell it for money, supply military supplies, and make money at the same time. Where can you find such a good thing that kills two birds with one stone?
"If Lu Xun disagrees, I will take the opportunity to make some provocation in front of His Majesty. Even if I can't defeat Lu Xun for a while, I will keep His Majesty away from this person."
Speaking of this, Lu Yi couldn't help but sneered:
"People like General Zhuge Jin don't dare to do anything to us. They only protect themselves wisely. However, Lu Xun dared to go up and slander the school affairs office many times. I have long hated him to the core!"
