"Yunwen, who was the woman in your house just now?"
It was still a long way to the banquet living room, so Zhao Yun asked casually.
"Cai Yan, Cai Zhaoji, the daughter of the servant Cai Yong, has just been ransomed from the Xiongnu tribe."
Lin Moquan seemed to satisfy Zhao Yun's gossip mentality and gave a brief introduction to Cai Yan's general situation, including the purpose of redeeming her.
The look in Zhao Yun's eyes changed from bright at first to sad, and finally became as dim as Cai Yan's.
He didn't expect that Cai Yan, who came from a famous family, would have such a tragic experience. He felt mixed emotions for a while. Zhao Yun didn't even know why he was affected by a girl he had only met once.
"Yunwen, besides asking her to help you stabilize Ziyang Academy, do you have any other ideas?"
Lin Mo rolled his eyes and shook his head, "I didn't expect it at the moment. It's hard to say now. Let's take it one step at a time."
As a talented woman, Cai Yan's influence cannot be underestimated after the great scholar Cai Yong. Maybe she can make other arrangements in the future, but she hasn't thought about it yet.
Zhao Yun sighed, "Yunwen, I see that she is in a rough situation, so it's best not to let her get involved in your power struggle."
Hearing this, Lin Mo stopped and looked at Zhao Yun playfully, "What, do you know her?"
Zhao Yun shook his head nervously, "I'm just feeling sorry for her life experience."
"Whether she will be involved in a power struggle depends on who said it." Lin Mo chuckled. In these troubled times, wars are everywhere. It cannot be said that Cai Yan's experience is not bitter, but he has witnessed the cruelty of the battlefield. Zhao Yun must know that there are many people in this world who are worse off than her.
"What do you mean?"
"Well"
Lin Mo showed a meaningful smile, "If you are just sentimental about her situation, then I advise you to mind your own business; if you are making demands of me in the name of your brother, then I have to weigh it carefully. "
Zhao Yun's face turned red when he was teased. He knew that Lin Mo would not notice the talk, so he immediately urged: "Marquis Wen is still waiting, so walk faster."
In the banquet room.
Xin Pi was treated as a distinguished guest and sat in the chief position, and he was accompanied by Chen Gong, the governor of Xuzhou, Jia Xu, the prefect of Donghai, Gao Shun and Wei Yue, the generals of Zhonglang, and Lu Bu, the leader of these two states. He was given a lot of face. of.
There were even five tripods and four guis placed in front of Xinpi. This was the standard for an important member of the imperial court with more than two thousand stones. Even in the Northern Kingdom, Xinpi was not able to enjoy this kind of treatment, and he felt a little arrogant for a while.
Of course, he had not forgotten the purpose of his trip.
After enjoying the singing and dancing, Xinpi started his performance.
First, he flattered Lu Bu. He was a pillar of the Han Dynasty and a pillar of the south. He was ordered to kill Dong Zhuo and the Han Dynasty was able to survive.
Then, he mentioned that after Yuan Shao's death, there were varying degrees of riots in various states and counties in the Northern Kingdom, and there were even internal divisions. Now the new master Yuan Shang is about to attack Yuan Tan, which is so bad that he can't look directly at it.
Why does the North seem so peaceful to outsiders, although it seems a bit chaotic? Isn’t it because we Xin family brothers are working hard to maintain it?
If it weren't for our Xin family brothers, Yuan Shang would have attacked Yuan Tan long ago, and there are forces in several counties in Jizhou that are ready to move, so they restrained themselves because of our face.
As for Yuan Tan's life and death, he never mentioned it.
This made Lu Bu a little overwhelmed, and he couldn't even say the lines he had prepared.
Chen Gong and Jia Xu were aware that this guy was exaggerating his own worth. It was a common tactic used by aristocratic families. The interests of the master could only be queued up behind the interests of the family.
"I have long heard that the brothers of the Xin family are the twins of the Northern Kingdom. If that is the case, if Brother Benchu had taken advantage of you earlier, the world would have been peaceful. Come on, come on, let me toast you." Lu Bu was a little impatient after hearing this. It wasn't over yet, so I almost asked for help.
Even Jia Xu couldn't help but shake his head. Why don't you take advantage of the wind and fly up to 90,000 miles?
While pushing the cup and changing the cup, Xinpi's face turned red, he was already a bit drunk, and he finally started to get to the point.
"Marquis Wen, great chaos is about to break out in the Northern Kingdom. Is it possible that Marquis Wen doesn't intend to take action?"
Lu Bu glanced at Chen Gong and Jia Xu, then smiled and said: "I have made it clear in the letter that if my nephew needs my help, I will do my best."
"otherwise."
Xin Pi waved his hands repeatedly, "Yuan Tanlian can't keep his position as the crown prince, how can he keep the land of thirty-five counties in the four states of the Northern Kingdom? It is planned by millions of people in the Northern Kingdom, and what the Han Dynasty wants, I think that Marquis Wen can do it. Replace it!"
"Oh, by the way, my Xin family is willing to stabilize the states and counties for Marquis Wen." At the end, Xin Pi did not forget to add.
These remarks frightened both Chen Gong and Jia Xu. Weren't you sent by Yuan Tan to ask for help? Why did you sell him after you changed hands? Is it true?
Before Xin Pi came, Lu Bu had thought up all kinds of polite words. He never expected that he would not stop talking without making a surprise, so he suddenly felt a little suspicious in his heart.
Are you testing me?
This is not possible. Yunwen has laid such a situation for me. If I show that I covet the Northern Kingdom at this time, and he goes back to report it, how can Yuan Tan dare to invite me to Qingzhou?
With the idea coming to his mind, Lu Bu suddenly slapped the table, stood up suddenly, and glared at Xin Pi, "I am willing to lend a helping hand to show my nephew that he respects his uprightness. Do you think I am a coward and an ambitious person? I think you are drunk and talking nonsense, no?" Don’t worry about me, if you make false claims again, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
When Xin Pi heard this, he was also startled. Everyone in the world knows that you, Lu Fengxian, are greedy for profit. How could you ever be so righteous? If you are so loyal, why did you rob Liu Bei's Xuzhou in the first place? Isn't he not upright enough?
Understand, I am an outsider, and he does not trust me enough. At this time, I must make my position clear so that I can have a way out in the future.
So, Xin Pi stood up from his seat and walked to the middle of the hall, held his head high and said: "Every word of what I said today comes from the bottom of my heart. I am not seeking fame and fortune, but I am actually invited by the people of the four states. If Marquis Wen refuses, Then please kill me!"
Hiss~
In order to test that I can achieve this level, well, I won't let you underestimate me anymore. Lu Bu shouted, "Left and right, drag him out and hit forty big boards again!"
"Here!"
So, Xinpi was pulled out in a daze. Until the sergeant raised his stick, he still felt that Lu Bu was testing him. Until he felt heartbreaking pain in his butt, he finally realized that he seemed to have misjudged the opponent. .
Lin Mo, who had just arrived, heard Xin Pi screaming repeatedly before entering the door.
"stop!"
Lin Mo quickly stopped the executioner's sergeant, "What happened? Why was the guest from the North Kingdom punished so severely?"
I'm just a little late for you guys, so don't cause trouble.
Then, Lu Bu came out and explained the general situation.
Lin Mo sighed helplessly. You can't blame Chen Gong and Jia Xu for not seeing the problem. You just did this trick when you came up. Who knows what you want to do.
If Lin Mo hadn't clearly known that in history this guy sold out Yuan Tan as soon as he met Cao Cao, he would probably have agreed to give him a beating.
At this point, Lin Mo could only help Xin Pi to the side hall and explained softly, "Sir, I am Lin Mo. There were many people in the living room at the banquet just now. My father-in-law did it as a last resort. Actually, It hurts my husband, but it hurts my father-in-law's heart."
Take a look, this seems to be a bit artistic. We don’t know that we want to eat the North Country, but the hint is already extreme.
Xinpi probably realized that he had gone too far. He lay down on the cushion, grinned in pain, and gasped: "Marquis Lanling should have arrived earlier!"
"I'm sorry for the delay. I apologize." Lin Mo bowed with a smile.
Lin Mo served as the spokesperson for the next negotiation, while the old father-in-law stood aside, just nodding or shaking his head when expressing his position.
No wonder the elder brother would say that Lu Bu followed Lin Mo's advice or was careless.
But with this level of confirmation, it would be much easier to talk about it.
No one has said it openly, but they have expressed their position openly and secretly. No matter what time, your Xin family will be the great contributors. You can keep this in your heart.
As for going north to Qingzhou, we have to go, but we have our own difficulties.
For example, you have to provide food and grass, right?
For another example, the most scarce war horse, Zuo Rong, has not come back yet. Counting Zhang Liao's 500 war horses in Xuzhou, there are no more than 2,000 horses. How can we fight?
As for other ordnance, the problem is not too big, but armor is in short supply. Is it reasonable to transport some iron ore?
Then the old father-in-law understood that this was what the negotiation was about. Although Xinpi couldn't make the decision on many things, Lu Bu also knew in his heart that Yuan Tan was now meat on the chopping board, and he could cut it how he wanted.
Food and grass were supplied until the end of the war, including 3,000 war horses and 20,000 shi of iron ore. When it came to the end, Lu Bu suddenly discovered that Lin Mo's asking price exceeded his original expectation of using Wen Chou to add more than 10,000 prisoners of war, and his heart was too dark. ah.
Finally, Xinpi lay down on the mat and said in a deep voice: "The requirements of Marquis Lanling are a bit high. Now in this corner of Qingzhou, I'm afraid I may not be able to afford it, but I will convince Yuan Tan with my brother when I go back." ,Do not worry."
Is this considered an agreement?
Lu Bu didn't dare to think, "Oh my god, the war hasn't even started yet, and my strength will surge first?"
It's a pity that Xinpi can't make a decision. Whether all this is a cake or not is still unknown.
"Yunwen, your price is a bit harsh. I'm worried that Yuan Tan may not be able to accept it." After walking out of the side hall, Lu Bu complained helplessly.
"Don't worry, my father-in-law. Yuan Shang's knife is almost on Yuan Tan's neck. He can't help but refuse to agree."
Lin Mo smiled and turned to look at the side hall, "What's more, it is reasonable to ask for a high price at this time. Only then will Yuan Tan believe that we just want to fight against the autumn wind, not against the Northern Kingdom."
Lu Bu then thought about it, and it seemed right. He was not a good person, and Yuan Tan would not be stupid enough to think that Lu Fengxian was an easy man. The higher the price, the more he felt at ease.
"Hahaha, you have considered people's hearts thoroughly enough." Lu Bu stretched out relaxedly, finally making up for the injustice in his heart about the war in the Central Plains.
It's not that Yunwen doesn't want it, all transactions are priced secretly. This drama is really beautiful.
"By the way, how many people are suitable for us to go then?" This question gave Lu Bu a bit of a headache.
After the Central Plains War, excluding the garrisons in Guangling and Lujiang, there were only more than 40,000 active troops. Although a group of strong men had recently been recruited, the total number was only 60,000. There were too many recruits and their combat strength was not increased.
If Yuan Shao had not died, he would have dared to take 40,000 to 50,000 people to Qingzhou with such arrogance, because Cao Cao would be afraid.
The same problem is that unless Yuan Shao dies, he will not have the chance to go north, and Cao Cao will also covet the Northern Kingdom because of Yuan Shao's death. At that point, the Cao-Lu alliance will no longer exist.
But if he went less, would Yuan Tan believe in himself?
There is a dilemma here.
"Twenty thousand people, but we all have to go north."
"Twenty thousand people? Is it a little less?" Lu Bu looked at Lin Mo with some surprise.
"Xuzhou is our foundation and must not be threatened. Not only 40,000 people must be left behind, but also elites. Fortunately, Yan Liang, Wen and Chou are all here, so the pressure on the generals will not be too great."
Lin Mo analyzed slowly, and then continued: "Besides, the number of people is a bit too small, so it depends on how you use it. Yuan Tan himself has an army of 100,000, and together they are almost enough."
"With so few people, aren't you afraid that we may not be able to escape unscathed after the success?"
This question made Lin Mo look at him with admiration. The old father-in-law finally began to think like a coach.
He smiled and said: "Master-in-law, don't worry, these sons-in-law have already made arrangements, and we still have reinforcements."
"Reinforcements?"
Lu Bu thought about it and didn't think reinforcements would jump out from anywhere. He shook his head and said, "No riddles allowed. Speak quickly."
When Lu Bu was holding Lin Mo away, a sergeant ran over and said, "Report, Marquis Wen, a letter from Zuo Rong."
"Ze Rong?"
Lu Bu frowned, took it and took a look, then he was stunned. It took him a long time to react, and he laughed twice and looked at Lin Mo, "Is this your reinforcement?"
"Why, doesn't he deserve it?"
Seeing Lin Mo smiling so calmly, he knew that his guess was correct, and he immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "Then I have to be lucky that I didn't kill him with a halberd. After so many years, I almost forgot about him. Thank you for letting Ze Rong go find him.
Although I don't look down on him, but let's face it, if he sincerely helps, he will indeed be a reinforcement from heaven. "
"This time, that time."
Lin Mo raised his eyes and looked into the distance. He had worked hard on this game of chess in the North Country, and it took more than a year, but it was finally put to use.
"He wants to go to Youzhou? Is he also looking for reinforcements?" Lu Bu glanced at the end of the letter and didn't think that Youzhou could pull out any useful people.
"Youzhou is not that important, it's just a precaution."
After Lin Mo said this, Lu Bu stopped paying attention and said with a smile: "This is enough. We can leave 40,000 elite soldiers for Xuzhou. In the end, as long as they stabilize Xiaoguan, Xuzhou will not be in chaos. We will see when the time comes." Zhu Wenhe, Yuan Zhi, and Boping all have to stay."
Lin Mo nodded slightly, his eyebrows tightened, and he said in a deep voice: "Xiaoguan is important here, but I don't know if things will be normal in the south once we leave."
"Are you talking about Sun Ce?"
Lu Bu laughed loudly, "He was killed by me and Wen Yuan in Guangling and fled. I guess it will be difficult for him to get over it in the next few years."
"My father-in-law has forgotten that Cao Jun can also march from Runan to Anfeng. Once Anfeng is lost, Lujiang and Jiujiang will change hands in an instant."
There is no way, this is because as the territory becomes larger, the points that need to be defended will also increase.
Lu Bu scratched his head and said in a low voice: "Indeed, it seems that the deployment of the troops and horses still needs to be considered."
It doesn't matter if Anfeng is lost, but if Jiujiang and Lujiang are also lost, the loss will be beyond Lu Bu's ability to bear.
Although An Feng has Chen Deng in literature and Cao Xing, Song Xian and Cheng Lian in military affairs, in order to stop Cao Jun's iron heel, he may need to send more troops.
There is one more chapter and I gave it to you this afternoon, sorry.
(End of chapter)
