On the eve of a war, it was common in the troubled times of the late Han Dynasty to ask powerful families to borrow money, grain, and troops.
Cao Cao often did this, and in the years when Liu Biao and Yuan Shu were at odds, they relied on the support of the aristocratic families behind them. The aristocratic families also used such opportunities to grow bigger little by little.
There is no free lunch in the world. This principle is eternal. If you want others to lend you money or even directly support you, you must use relative conditions in exchange.
Under the current overall situation, if there is one person who does not need to speak to the family, it is Yuan Shao.
As the highest representative of the family's community of interests, it already has the potential to engulf the world. At this time, external investment will be very fierce.
My lord, I heard that there is not enough food and grass? I still have 50,000 dan at home, so just use it, my lord. Please worry about the dog being appointed as the county magistrate.
Are there half a million soldiers and horses? Not enough, far from enough. The Guo family is willing to reinforce three thousand troops and horses, and they are all well-trained and come with their own armor and weapons, so the lord does not have to worry.
Now, all the northern families are staring at this daily limit. As long as Yuan Shao opens his mouth, there is really no need to worry about money, food, soldiers and horses, and most of them will even spend all their wealth to support it.
At this point, Lu Bu's situation is far from that good. He is far worse than Cao Cao. Although he has set foot in the two states and defeated Yuan Shu, Sun Ce, and Cao Cao in a row, his strength is on a steady upward trend, but Yuan Shao is determined to harvest in the autumn. The news that he later went south spread, which had a huge impact on the powerful families in Xu and Yang.
After walking around for a long time, the gap of more than 100,000 gold in military expenditure was barely closed. The condition was that the county magistrates and county magistrates of the twenty-six counties, and the county magistrates, Biejia, and Cao Yuan of the three counties were all replaced by new people.
In essence, this is selling an official position, but it looks better on the surface.
But anyway, the most troublesome thing has been solved temporarily.
During the spring plowing season, fertilizers stored in various places are also being distributed in an orderly manner. Since the effects cannot be directly put on the table like those previous inventions, all inorganic fertilizers are given away to the people for free.
Lin Mo has carefully considered this point, and it is not a big problem. First of all, it will only be distributed to people who have registered, excluding serfs from aristocratic families, so as to avoid being hurt by the autumn wind.
Secondly, the common people's tax per acre of land was paid according to the harvest of that year. As long as their output increased, the taxes collected would naturally increase.
The most critical point is that after the first year, word of mouth will be formed immediately. Subsequently, these fertilizers can be priced and sold, and they are not only sold in Xuyang and Yangzhou, but also sold throughout the country.
This kind of monopoly is a business for the common people across the country and powerful families. In terms of profits, none of the ten glazed factories can compare. Once an industrial chain is formed, it will flow like a spring.
When all the internal affairs were finalized, all kinds of ordnance were being stepped up, and the army was intensifying training, Lin Mo took Lu Bu to the border between Dongguan and Qiguo County, which is the area between Linqu and Guangxian.
According to Lin Mo's estimation, the battle with the Northern Army after the autumn harvest should have started in this area.
It is worth mentioning that unlike the hinterland of Xuzhou, Qingzhou has many hills, especially south of the Yellow River. In addition to rich water veins and tributaries, hills and plains coexist.
This kind of terrain will allow for more tactical choices in battle. There are many mountains and forests where you can ambush, and there are also good weather and opportunities that you can use by chance. Naturally, you have to be familiar with these places.
"Send someone to draw all the mountains, rivers, waterways and wilderness in this area. You must be careful not to miss even a dense forest!"
"Here!"
After a few days of shopping with their generals and advisors, Weng and his son-in-law already had a general understanding, but the map was still the most important.
There are still a few months until the war starts, so take it back and study it slowly.
"Do you have any ideas?" On the way back, Lin Mo, Chen Gong and Jia Xu walked side by side, while Lu Bu chatted with Zhao Yun, Gan Ning and Zhang Xiu.
Chen Gong's expression was solemn and he shook his head and said: "Bao Yuanxi is in danger. Whether it is stationing troops or fighting here, if you are not careful, everything will be lost. It is not very difficult."
This is true. Although there are not as many high mountains as those in Jingnan, with this hilly terrain, the Tibetan troops of 10,000 or 20,000 people can still leave no trace.
"I have some ideas, but I have to wait until the eve of the war to see the enemy's and ours' strength, formations, and camps before we can make a conclusion." Since he appointed the governor of Donghai, Jia Xu has indeed not been as silent as before.
After all, no matter whether you like it or not, after claiming the post of governor, you have entered the core level of Lu Ying. It is impossible to imagine the independent and calm choice as before.
"I also have some ideas. Let's see who will lead the army in Qingzhou and the geometry of the troops before making a final decision." Lin Mo also replied with a smile.
There were too many uncertainties in this kind of thing, so the three of them made a tacit understanding not to find out what the other person was thinking.
"There's something I'm curious about."
Chen Gong, who was riding a horse, looked at Lin Mo, "I don't doubt whether Yuan Zhi and Prefect Zhang can enter the Qingzhou front. After all, you should be sure of setting up this situation, but even if they arrive in Qingzhou, how will you contact them? Woolen cloth?"
This is what Chen Gong cannot understand the most. Once the station is opened, it is not easy to get in and out of the entire camp. It is absolutely impossible to send a fast horse to communicate privately.
Moreover, the person who has just defected will definitely not have too much trust, and even his actions may be monitored, but if he cannot be contacted, then the false surrender will lose its original meaning. Chen Gong has never understood this.
"They only have one chance to contact me." Lin Mo smiled bitterly. This was indeed the drawback of pretending to surrender.
once?
Chen Gong and Jia Xu looked at each other, and both thought this was quite interesting. Is it a one-way connection? There is only one chance, and after spending such a price to enter, then this only chance must be used when winning. .
The usual means of communication in this era, using smoke by day and fire by night, such a blatant method is definitely not possible, is it a homing pigeon? It's not very likely either.
Not understanding, Jia Xu gave up and said casually: "Gongtai, since Yunwen's Quyuan plow was put into use, the stock of Xuzhou's cattle should have been greatly increased."
"Yes, this is really a lot of praise."
Chen Gong nodded and said with a smile: "In the past, two oxen were used to fight, but now one oxen plows directly, saving half of the oxen's power. Although the farming area has been expanded several times, the number of plowing oxen is still sufficient.
No, Chen Deng also wrote a letter asking the treasury to lend two thousand cattle to Anfeng to help him carry out spring plowing. Marquis Wen has already approved it. "
"I lent two thousand heads at once, and Marquis Wen is much richer now." Jia Xu sighed while stroking his white beard.
"Why did Wen He suddenly ask about this?"
"I have some plans."
Jia Xu looked at Pinghu and said in a deep voice: "After the spring plowing, we can mobilize to Dongguan County first. I hope to make some achievements on the eve of the war."
Did you become the Riddler too? Chen Gong looked at Jia Xu suspiciously.
Lin Mo chuckled and did not go into details. Jia Xu was now a prefect. Not to mention preparing for the war, his status alone qualified him to ask for such a request. He was happy that after the old scumbag accepted this position, he began to Take the initiative.
In this battle, the Yuan family outclassed Cao Lu in terms of military strength, equipment, food, and logistics. If his own camp could no longer work together, Lin Mo felt that the world might really fall to Yuan Shao. hand.
You know, in the face of absolute strength, the chance of strategy to turn the tide is slim.
Now, Lin Mo only hopes that Cao Cao has lost so many powerful generals and his territory is not as large as in history. When facing Yuan Shao, it would be better not to collapse at the first touch.
The Battle of Guandu in History
After remembering certain things, Lin Mo's eyes sank slightly.
"What's wrong Yunwen?" The old father-in-law on the side caught a glimpse of the slight change in his expression.
"It's nothing. I think I might need to send a letter to Cao Cao, but it's still early, and it doesn't matter if it comes later."
The three-legged situation, once Cao Cao collapses, even if these counselors have a few more heads, they may not be able to compete with the Northern Army. We have to think about him. It is really like chess in the world.
Jingzhou, outside Xinye City.
Liu, Guan, and Zhang rode their horses slowly toward the city.
The word "frustration" or "dejection" was written on all three of their faces.
With Yin Ji's introduction, the three of them finally met Huang Chengyan. He didn't let them turn away, and he was also very kind and easy to get along with. It was supposed to be something to be happy about.
However, Huang Chengyan had no interest in helping Liu Qi rise. He said that he was already an idle heir and did not want to get involved in the battle for the heir again.
After getting along with him several times, I also learned some information about the Huang family from Huang Chengyan.
There are currently two members of the Huang family, one is the younger one who obeys Huang Zu's orders, and the other is the older one who follows Huang Chengyan's lead. Now that Huang Zu was defeated in Yangxian, Sun Ce's fighting spirit has been exhausted, and in the family The right to speak is no longer what it used to be.
As for Huang Chengyan, he only wanted to grow old in the mountains and forests all day long, without any ambition at all. Even Liu Bei choked up several times and cried about the emperor's blood edict, but the other party also stood still, obviously without any chance.
The Huang family road is probably blocked too.
If this situation continues, staying in Jingzhou will only be a waste of time, but if you leave Jingzhou, where else can you go? Yizhou?
"Come and take a look at Lin Mo's collection of poems, a collection of Lin Mo's poems written by a famous artist!"
Just when Liu Bei was heartbroken, he heard a small vendor in a uniform hawking deep in the street.
There were many people around. The inner layer was mostly students wearing Confucian uniforms, while the outer layer was people watching the excitement.
After the news of Lin Mo's poetry meeting spread, someone had already written his poems on silk cloth.
Zhang Fei snorted coldly, Guan Yu squinted his eyes and did not look at him, but Liu Bei became more interested, got off his horse and walked over.
The business seemed to be pretty good, a lot of people bought it, and the vendor was quite smart. He even painted a portrait of Lin Mo in white at the poetry party on the silk cloth.
"A handsome gentleman is really elegant."
Liu Bei picked up a piece of silk cloth and murmured, then shook his head and said with emotion: "It's a pity that the mind is too vicious."
After asking the price, he put down a bunch of five baht coins and turned around and left.
"Brother, the poems written by this boy are nondescript. Even if you don't read them, they are still worth spending money on." Zhang Fei muttered, thinking that this guy could be the son-in-law of a slave with three surnames, and he was also a man who didn't know loyalty. , people who have no lower limit.
Liu Bei carefully put away the silk cloth in his hand and said with a wry smile: "Third brother, you don't know. I suspect that Lin Mo did this deliberately."
"What's the matter?" Zhang Fei suddenly became defensive.
"Use these collections of poems to build momentum and attract scholars from Jingxiang and Xiang to seek refuge." Liu Bei said casually.
Guan Yu Danfeng, who had been silent until now, suddenly opened his eyes and said attentively: "This kid's mind is really amazing. He is in Xuzhou and even reached out to Jingzhou."
Liu Bei smiled and said nothing. It didn't matter. Back in Pengcheng, he could still offer advice from thousands of miles away to help him defeat Cao Cao.
It's a pity that I don't own such a genius. With his help, Lu Bu, who couldn't hold up the wall, became a prince who could compete with Cao Cao head-on.
If you assist me, with the bravery of my second and third brothers, their honor as royal descendants, and their names of benevolence and righteousness, there is no need to worry about failing to achieve great things.
Liu Bei is actually right to think so. Judging from the initial plate, he is thousands of times better than Lu Bu.
It was precisely because of this that he felt extremely sad when he thought about this.
Because if he got Lin Mo, he might even have saved the emperor.
"In that case, I went to drive away the vendor!"
This was the only way Zhang Fei could think of to vent his anger, but of course he was stopped by Liu Bei and Guan Yu.
What I just said is just a guess. Even if it is true, you can't drive away the vendors, otherwise no one will dare to come to Xinye in the future.
What's more, Xinye is just a borrowed temporary residence.
After returning to his house, Liu Bei knelt and sat in front of the couch. The silk cloth with Lin Mo's portrait and a poem was spread on the table, and he kept in a daze.
Of course, it's not that he has any strange feelings for Lin Mo, but Liu Bei couldn't control his thoughts after seeing this portrait and this poem.
Especially now that he has repeatedly hit the wall and is seeing the war between Yuan, Lu and Cao about to break out. It is obviously a God-given opportunity to achieve great things, but he can only sit in the new field.
If God is merciful and can gift him such a unique talent, the Han Dynasty can be supported and prosperous in his own hands.
"Brother."
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei came in, "I heard that you haven't eaten a grain of rice all day. Are you still worrying about the young master's affairs?"
"I'm just a little confused, a little hesitant, and a little powerless." Liu Bei deeply felt the weakness coming from his heart.
"Brother, I heard someone say that this guy knows the Six Ding Liujia magic arts. You'd better look at less of his portraits."
Zhang Fei originally wanted to say a few words, but when he turned around Lin Mo's portrait, he was stunned.
It’s strange, I seem to have seen it somewhere.
Looks familiar, very familiar.
"Third brother, what's wrong?" Liu Bei asked curiously after noticing Zhang Fei's abnormality.
(End of chapter)
