The work responsible for the secret agents of Hongxiu Zhao is never simply to inquire about military intelligence. It may also be assassination, framing of blame, and instigating rebellion. In order to achieve these goals and get close to the target person, they not only have to be outstandingly beautiful, but also have to be dedicated and learn to play music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. , disguise, dance, etc.
The most important thing is that their identities and origins are almost impossible to find out, and the identities of each person have been carefully arranged.
Because of this, for Cui Xian, Lin Mo's instinct was evil from the beginning. What he can do, others can do.
Therefore, Cui Xian, who is about to become a member of this family, always has to pass the most basic test first. If she is really innocent, she can provide for her like a little mother in the future.
"How did they check?" Lin Mo could clearly smell Guo Zhao's orchid aura from face to face.
"I checked the genealogy and interrogated the maids who took care of her daily life. We couldn't find any problems in these aspects. The Cui family said that she had never left the house since she was a child, so outsiders couldn't find any valuable clues."
Lin Mo's words made Guo Zhao slightly nod, "There is really no point in checking like this. Don't worry, sir. If I go to Qinghe, I will definitely be able to check everything clearly."
"but."
Lin Mo paused, "The Cui family is the leading family in the North after all, so you can only investigate secretly and cannot enter the Cui Mansion openly."
Can't enter the house?
Guo Zhaoxiu frowned, this was a bit difficult to handle. After thinking for a while, she nodded, "It's a bit difficult to handle, but there is a way, but I need some time."
While kissing Guo Zhao, Lin Mo slurred: "Time is running out. The Cui family will marry someone in one month. You have to be faster."
Even riding a fast horse from Yecheng to Qinghe would take two days. It would take three days to get there at normal speed, which meant that there were still more than twenty days left.
After calculating in his mind, Guo Zhao said, "That's enough."
"By the way, Hong Xiuzhao arranged for two of them to go to Taihang Mountain."
"Against Zhang Yan?"
Guo Zhao is no longer the submissive little girl in the past. After taking charge of the Red Sleeve Move, he has to know all the killing skills. In addition, the work of this hidden line itself makes Guo Zhao well aware of all the forces in the world.
"Bring the people over to the house then. They are going to the Taihang Mountains. You don't have to worry about being exposed if they come in contact with me. Besides, I have something to teach them."
"It's a small matter, Zhang Yan is just a bandit, there is no problem at all in getting along."
The two of them talked about work and did not delay any serious matters. It looked like they had been chatting for a long time. In fact, it was only half a stick of incense. But looking at the charming Guo Zhao, Lin Mo gave up on giving birth to Lu Lingqi. Lin'er's news was immediately shared with his old father-in-law, and the bed curtains shook again.
Compared with Ling'er, who lowers her head and can't see her toes, Guo Zhao's figure with a black belly and small hooves does not have such a big impact, but it can't stand up to her indifferent paddy field-like attractiveness, which makes people unable to extricate themselves.
Therefore, the matter to be informed to the father-in-law was delayed from noon to dusk, and then from dusk to night, and finally became the next day.
When he woke up the next day, it was almost noon. Lin Mo left the room with difficulty while holding on to the wall, causing Guo Zhao to purse his lips and smile mischievously.
The little hooves are quite powerful, but I can't handle her. Lin Mo felt frustrated and vowed to take revenge when she came back from Qinghe.
When the old father-in-law saw Lin Mo's appearance, he originally wanted to teach him a lesson, but when he heard that Lu Lingqi had given birth to a big fat boy, he was so happy that his laughter echoed throughout the Yuan Mansion.
On this day, the old father-in-law opened a granary directly in Yecheng, and all the refugees in the city could eat as much as they wanted.
After all, things are different now. They are much richer than before. In order to celebrate Lu Lingqi's birth of a son, the whole city is taking advantage of it.
In fact, the current conditions are far from being able to spend money like water. Although there are curved shaft plows and keel waterwheels, and although there is a fertilizer business, due to the policy of enriching the people, the taxes collected are not as harsh as before. In addition, the territory is larger. The cost is actually quite high.
Lu Bu is not a man from a super wealthy family like Yuan Shao, who can ignore the life and death of the people. In name, he actually occupies the three states of Ji, Qing, and Xu and half of Yangzhou. The territory is so large that there will be a locust plague today, a flood tomorrow, and an epidemic the day after tomorrow. , if you want relief, there are many places to spend money.
Moreover, as his strength increased, Gan Ning also wrote a letter asking Guangling to quadruple military expenditures next year. This is understandable. Gan Ning was responsible for building the navy, and he only gave him a few thousand when he left. People only use a few merchant ships in the Zuorong dock.
If you want to truly develop a navy that can compete with Jiangdong and Jingzhou, the money you have to spend and the distance you have to travel are too long.
Of course, Lin Mo did not stop Lu Bu's indulgence, so he just regarded it as a blessing for that boy Lin Chuan.
In the Yecheng military camp, Yan Liang Wen Chou's efficiency was really high. When more than 800 people were removed from the camp, they filled the vacancies almost seamlessly. In fact, most of the people who filled the vacancies were not the people who had been removed previously. , but was promoted separately.
I guess that many of those people should have been promoted by Zhang He and Gao Lan. These people can only accept their bad luck.
As soon as the report they submitted was approved by Lu Bu, Zhao Yun took Xu Sheng to order troops.
"Brother, there's going to be a war soon." Xu Sheng went to order the troops, while Zhao Yun walked to Yan Liang Wen Chou's side, as if he was talking about an insignificant matter.
"Where? Bingzhou? Yanzhou?" Yan Liang asked.
"Bingzhou."
The two of them just breathed a sigh of relief when Zhao Yun continued: "There is also Youzhou."
Youzhou is Yuan Xi's territory. Many of the 50,000 troops he has are former generals of Yan Liang, Wen Chou, so he subconsciously frowned and wanted to say something.
Zhao Yun pressed his hand directly, signaling the two of them not to be nervous, "Don't worry, Yunwen said he promised you something, and he means what he says."
"In the battle against Bingzhou, we brothers will be the vanguard." Wen Chou felt that this was a kind of compensation for his trust in Lu Lin's son-in-law.
The replacement of generals resulted in the selection of more than 800 people at once, which caused great repercussions in the Northern Army.
In any case, it gave them the illusion that Yan Liangwen Chou was back, so they were able to show off their ambitions.
But from Yan Liang Wen Chou's point of view, they knew very well that this was Lu Lin Weng's son-in-law's sincerity to them, his heart-to-heart sincerity. If he didn't regard them as his own, how could a general in this position let them make the decision?
However, they could not do anything to Yuan Xi after all, because that would mean killing their former brothers.
"I suggest you guys go ahead." Zhao Yun crossed his arms and looked at the two of them seriously.
"Why, Marquis Wen will express his anger?" Yan Liang asked with a frown.
"That won't happen."
Zhao Yun shook his head, "Marquis Wen and Yunwen have always made promises, and this is just my personal suggestion."
"Why?" Wen Chou asked this time.
He was convinced of Zhao Yun. Not only his superb marksmanship, but also the way he behaved during these days together proved that he was a brother worth talking to.
"Yunwen makes a move, but Yuan Xi can't resist it at all. When the time comes, I will be the first to charge into the battle. There will be a killing."
Zhao Yun let out a long sigh and looked at the horizon with a deep look, "If you go, Yuan Jun will be wary. In the end, the killings will be reduced a lot."
After such an explanation, both of them understood in their hearts that Youzhou today is Liyang yesterday.
The question is not whether they go or not, but whether Lin Yunwen wants to take it. If he wants to take it, who in the north can stop him? The difference is just how many people will die.
The two looked at each other, and they could see a trace of uneasiness in each other's eyes.
What a good boy from the Northern Kingdom, they really couldn't bear to have their bones buried because of the Yuan family's power struggle.
Anxiety, confusion, and embarrassment were entangled together, lingering in the hearts of the two brothers.
On the one hand, he is the son of the late lord Yuan Shao. To attack him would be unjust;
But on the one hand, the lives of 50,000 northern brothers and sisters are at stake. If he doesn't take action, they will be forced to fight to the death. By then, he doesn't know how many people will die.
"Don't worry, Yunwen said that if we want to use troops, there will still be some time, probably after Marquis Wen takes the concubine." Zhao Yun patted Yan Liangwen's ugly shoulder, turned and left.
This matter was really difficult for the two of them to choose, and they probably couldn't make up their minds for a while.
Fortunately, according to what Lin Mo said, the war will not start until next year, so there is still plenty of time.
In Jingzhou and Changsha County, a mourning hall was set up in the main hall to commemorate Liu Biao's tomb.
"Father, my child is unfilial, so I can only give you peace of mind here. Please forgive me, father." Liu Qi knelt down in front of the memorial tablet with tears in his eyes.
Liu Cong sent a letter of condolences and asked him to go to Xiangyang City to support Liu Biao's spirit, but Zhuge Liang stopped him.
Previously, when Liu Biao was critically ill, he wanted to go to Xiangyang. Zhuge Liang didn't stop him because Liu Biao was still alive at that time and the major families in Xiangyang saw it. Cai Mao didn't dare to openly attack Liu Qi. It would be unfilial if he didn't go. .
But the situation is different now. Liu Biao is already dead. Of course, Cai Mao will not dare to kill him again when he goes to Xiangyang, but house arrest is not a big problem.
Now Liu Bei can live in Changsha under Liu Qi's name. If he is under house arrest, another governor can drive Liu Bei out of the city in minutes.
Dove occupying magpie's nest? That obviously doesn't work, because it is morally unacceptable, not to mention that Liu Bei is based on benevolence and righteousness and is unwilling to do such a thing. Even if he is willing, the major families in the city will turn against him.
Therefore, Liu Qi must not go to Xiangyang City now. If he goes, he will die.
After learning about his interests, Liu Qi was also a sensible man, so he could only further his filial piety by erecting a memorial tablet for Liu Biao in Changsha.
"Sir, Brother Jing Sheng left the second son as the master. In the future, the military and political power will inevitably fall into the hands of Cai Hao. He has long regarded the young master as a thorn in his side. How should he deal with himself in the future?" Outside the hall, people wearing mourning clothes Liu Bei held his hands in front of him with a melancholy look on his face.
"Big brother is right."
Guan Yu, who was also wearing filial piety, sighed, "Now they are using grief as a lure to lure the young master to Xiangyang. It is a conspiracy. If he goes, he will be placed under house arrest by Cai Mao. If he doesn't go, it will be a breach of filial piety. Cai Mao will If we make a big fuss about this, I'm afraid that the civil and military forces in Changsha County will also become disloyal."
The second brother who studied in the Spring and Autumn Period is not a reckless man. In addition to being a bit arrogant, he is a capable commander who can stand alone. His vision is naturally very unique and he can clearly analyze the interests and risks behind this sorrow.
Zhuge Liang cast a praising look at him, nodded and said: "What General Guan said is true, but the young master had already been to Xiangyang before but was turned away by Cai Mao. There were many people who witnessed this at the time, so even now If you don't go, it can be said that Cai Mao is causing trouble."
"No wonder sir agreed with the young master to go to Xiangyang. I think he had already thought of a countermeasure before coming. I admire him. I admire him."
Zhuge Liang just nodded slightly, then glanced at the hall behind him to make sure no one was paying attention, and then he whispered: "Actually, Cai Mao is not scary, and Liu Cong is not scary either. The scary thing is Cao Cao.
If I guessed correctly, he would definitely take advantage of Liu Jingsheng's mourning period to put pressure on Jingzhou. How could Cai Mao, a reckless man, stop him? He would probably open the city and surrender immediately. "
Liu, Guan, and Zhang were startled at first and looked at each other. They were obviously frightened by Zhuge Liang's reasoning.
This kind of prediction of the future is not based on imagination, but an accurate judgment based on the analysis of the general trend of the world. Therefore, after only thinking about it for a few moments, they knew that this would probably happen.
Who is Cao Cao? He has been coveting Jingzhou for a long time. As for Cai Mao, a reckless man trained by a noble family, how can he be Cao Cao's opponent? He can be dealt with with just a few tricks.
"Sir, do you have any clever ideas to defeat the enemy?" Liu Bei became a little panicked now.
"Yes, I'm afraid my lord will not obey." Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Bei with stern eyes.
"Sir, tell me."
"If Cao Cao wants to take control of Jingzhou, it will take two to three months at the earliest. Therefore, we must take advantage of this time to strengthen ourselves to cope with this war."
Zhuge Liang took a deep breath and continued: "Although we have expanded the troops in Changsha County to more than 30,000 people this year, we are unable to defeat Cao Cao's Central Plains army. What's more, once Cai Mao surrenders, Cao Cao will be able to recruit Liu Jingsheng. The strength of the old department has increased dramatically.
The only way is to take advantage of this time to take Guiyang with the Xiang River as the boundary, so that we can connect the three counties of Jiangxia, Changsha and Guiyang into one, and at the same time send envoys to make peace with Sun Ce.
Although Sun Ce captured Jiaozhou, he had also long been interested in Jingzhou. If our two families could form an alliance, we could form a confrontation with Cao Cao along the Xiang River and the Yangtze River. "
This strategic choice is indeed a good one. After connecting the three counties, the troops and horses can also be improved. In addition, Sun Ce is in Jiaozhou to support him. Cao Cao should not dare to take action rashly.
The problem is that Zhao Fan, the governor of Guiyang, was Liu Biao's post after all. Although he was not a wise man, how could he kill him without any major fault? This was an unkind and unjust move.
But if Guiyang is not taken, with the current strength alone, let alone Cao Cao, even Cai Mao has the ability to deal with them.
What's more, if you want to form an alliance with Sun Ce, you must hold Guiyang in your hands. Only in this way can you form a regional alliance to fight against Cao Cao who will take over Jingzhou in the future.
"Let the young master make the decision on this matter." Liu Bei shook his head.
"Brother, this matter is related to our survival. Master, if you don't want to listen to me, just make your decision." Zhang Fei said that there was no problem. Liu Qi had always been very good.
"no!"
Liu Bei glanced at Zhang Fei with a falcon-like gaze, "Only the young master can make the final decision on all matters in Jingzhou, we are just assisting him!"
Zhang Fei, who was given a blank look, could only lower his head and remain silent.
Zhuge Liang showed a deep smile. If it were left to Liu Qi, then this matter could basically be done.
"Military advisor, even if the young master agrees, there are more than ten thousand defenders in Guiyang City, and the city's defense is solid. Unless we send out all the troops, it will be difficult to break through. What if Cai Mao attacks from behind?" Guan Yu asked, stroking his long beard. road.
"General Guan, don't worry."
After winter came, Zhuge Liang no longer held the feather fan in his hand. He folded his hands in his sleeves and said in a deep voice: "The governors of all counties will go to Xiangyang to attend the funeral for Liu Jingsheng. When Zhao Fan returns to Guiyang from Xiangyang, he will definitely pass through Changsha. .”
There is no need to say the rest of the words, but everyone understands that Zhuge Liang wants to take advantage of this opportunity to directly control Zhao Fan and then enter Guiyang City.
After hearing this, Liu Bei sighed and shook his head. This approach was of course extremely efficient and almost impossible to miss, but it ran counter to his consistent principles.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei nodded with satisfaction. It seemed that the military advisor was quite capable, so it was a happy decision.
(End of chapter)
