Xi Zhicai smiled bitterly and said: "Lu Shijun, my lord has just stabilized Yanzhou, and there are not so many war horses. Once all the horses are given to Lu Shijun, if there is turmoil in Yanzhou, my lord will be in danger."
Lu Xuan leaned forward and said confidently: "My father-in-law is too cautious, there is no need to worry at all. Don't you know that I, Lu Xuan, have always valued love and righteousness, and am anxious for justice? If something happens in Yanzhou, I will immediately send troops to help. .”
Xi Zhicai's cheeks twitched.
It's so cool for you to help us with your troops.
Although Lu Bu was killed in the last attack on Lu Bu, the Bingzhou cavalry under Lu Bu's command, as well as tiger generals like Gao Shun and Zhang Liao, and even Lu Bu's woman Diao Chan were all packed away.
He is simply a master at plucking feathers and skinning geese.
Do you value love and justice?
But now, when I talk to you about feelings and ask you to help your father-in-law provide food and grass, you have to talk about business directly, and you can't abandon the official business for personal reasons.
Where is the emphasis on love and justice?
Xi Zhicai cursed in his heart, but could not refute Lu Xuan. After all, he was asking for help now. He smiled slightly and said: "Lu Shijun's reputation for benevolence and righteousness is well known all over the world. However, when it comes to war horses, it is really difficult for Yanzhou."
Lu Xuan said: "The difficulties in Yanzhou are not a problem at all. If Yuan Shao attacks my father-in-law, I will be the first to disagree. If Yanzhou is in turmoil, I will be the first to send troops to help. In short, my father-in-law can just relax."
"I have always had a view that people's livelihood must be developed first, and when the people are stable, everything will be fine."
"So my father-in-law's idea of exchanging food first is absolutely correct."
"A little war horse, in exchange for the stability of Yanzhou, is a good deal. I believe that if my father-in-law were here, he would definitely agree. So, why should Mr. Xi worry about this."
Lu Xuan raised his right index finger and said solemnly: "With one thousand war horses, I will provide Yanzhou with one hundred thousand shi of food."
Xi Zhicai frowned and said: "This condition is too harsh. A thousand war horses are also the elite of Yanzhou."
Cao Cao's situation is not optimistic.
Otherwise, there would be no need to ask Lu Xuan for help.
Lu Xuan shrugged and said: "I have done my best to be kind and righteous, but Mr. Xi is still unwilling. That's all. I will give my father-in-law 10,000 shi of grain to express my feelings. This batch of grain will go north with Mr. Xi."
Xi Zhicai's cheeks twitched.
It was really difficult to deal with Lu Xuan.
This man is too difficult to deal with.
Xi Zhicai was so anxious that he suddenly started coughing. He kept coughing, his face turned red, and he felt extremely uncomfortable. By the end, his back was bent, his hands were covering his mouth, and his chest was rising and falling.
Lu Xuan looked at Xi Zhicai's condition, quickly stepped forward and patted Xi Zhicai's back. After a while, Xi Zhi stopped coughing. He removed his hand covering his mouth, and a pool of blood appeared in his hand.
Lu Xuan saw this scene and said, "Mr. Xi's illness is very serious. I'll ask someone to diagnose you."
"It doesn't matter!"
Xi Zhicai waved his hand.
Lu Xuan said: "Your health is very important and cannot be delayed. Lu Meng, go and ask the doctor here."
In Lu Xuan's prefectural pastorate, although there were no miracle doctors like Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing, there were doctors stationed on site to respond to emergencies at any time.
After a while, the doctor came.
The doctor made a diagnosis for Xi Zhicai and sighed: "I am reporting to you that the disease has penetrated deep into the heart and invaded the bone marrow. I am unable to recover from my humiliation. Even if Hua Tuo comes here in person, there is nothing he can do about this condition. Drag your body and try to recuperate as much as possible.”
Lu Xuan waved his hand and the doctor stepped back.
He looked at Xi Zhicai and said: "Mr. Xi's body can't support the travel, so he might as well stay in Shu County. I will immediately arrange for people to find Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing for you. Zhang Zhongjing appeared in Jingzhou in the south before, and I will arrange for people Go look for it, there is always a chance.”
"unnecessary!"
Xi Zhicai shook his head firmly.
His eyes were bright, without the slightest trace of decadence or fear, and he smiled and said: "Tai Shigong said that everyone is destined to die, and it may be heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather. I, Xi Zhicai, stayed in Shu County due to illness, that is, my death will be lighter than death." Hongmao. Even if I am ill, returning to the Lord's side and practicing my loyalty is more important to me than Mount Tai."
Lu Xuan was in awe and sighed in his heart.
What a pity Xi Zhicai.
Lu Xuan asked: "Lu Xuan admires Mr. Xi's spirit. My conditions remain unchanged, will you agree?"
Xi Zhicai solemnly said: "Lu Shijun, my lord's Yanzhou is exhausted and in a difficult situation. It really can't afford a thousand war horses. Six hundred war horses is already the limit."
"Please make it happen, Mr. Lu."
Xi Zhicai clasped his hands together and pressed them to the ground, his breathing became even more rapid.
Lu Xuan heard Xi Zhicai's gasping breathing caused by difficulty in breathing. After thinking for a while, he said: "Mr. Xi, you are seriously ill and yet you are so loyal, which is admirable."
"That's all, I'll make it happen for you."
"I agree to the condition of six hundred war horses. In addition, I will give you another discount and allow merchants from Yanzhou to go south to buy grain. At that time, both parties will hand over the grain and deliver it at the border."
Xi Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, took a deep breath, and saluted again: "Thank you so much, Mr. Lu, for Chengquan."
Xi Zhicai stood up and left.
Lu Xuan looked at Xi Zhicai's leaving figure, shook his head and sighed. If Xi Zhicai goes back, Lu Xuan may not be able to see this wise man. After Lu Xuan pondered for a while, he called Mi Fang and asked Mi Fang to arrange for the food to be escorted to the border.
After the food and grass were arranged, Lu Xuan arranged for someone to call Gu Yong and asked, "Brother-in-law, how do you feel about serving as the imperial censor during this period?"
Gu Yong sighed: "It would be easy if you were just serving as a censor. However, it is very difficult to set up an intelligence network, even if you have some channels from the Mi family and some brothels."
"As of now, my most intensive intelligence network is in Lujiang and Jiujiang counties. In addition to a small part of Danyang County and Wu County, other places are still very difficult. It is not easy to spread it further."
Lu Xuan said with relief: "Brother-in-law, take your time, don't be in a hurry. And now that we are married to the Zhen family, in the next step, brother-in-law and the Zhen family will also get closer, and strive to open up the situation in Jizhou and Yanzhou as soon as possible."
Gu Yong said: "I understand the humble position."
Lu Xuan smiled and said: "I invited my brother-in-law to come. There is one more thing. Cao Cao sent Xi Zhicai to ask for help. I agreed to give him 100,000 shi of grain in exchange for 600 war horses. In addition, I agreed to Yanzhou merchants coming to Yangzhou to buy food."
"Given the famine situation in Yanzhou, they can't even buy food even if they have money. There must be a large number of people coming."
"When the time comes, you arrange for people to contact you and develop some of our people."
Lu Xuan ordered: "In the long run, this is definitely worth it, and brother-in-law must make plans early. The earlier the time, the more beneficial it is to us. There is a conflict between these powerful families in Yanzhou and Cao Cao. This is our You can take advantage of this opportunity.”
"I understand the humble position."
Gu Yong answered respectfully.
Lu Xuan asked about the situation of the place again, and Gu Yong answered them one by one, and finally Gu Yong left.
Lu Xuan stayed at home to handle government affairs and spend time with his family. It was mid-December and the weather was getting colder.
On this day, when Lu Xuan was handling government affairs in the study, Lu Meng entered the study and reported: "Master, a maid came outside. She said she was sent by Diao Chan. Please go to the Shuxiang Pavilion in the city to discuss something with you."
