Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3562: No cure?

Gangneung area.

Zhuge Liang looked at the burned old military camp on the north bank and frowned.

It is always easier to destroy than to build, and this statement is true no matter where it is.

The burned military camp on the north bank was the former water camp of the Jiangdong Army. Now it has become a ruin after being burned and destroyed.

It is obvious that no matter how powerful the Jiangdong navy is, at least there is no problem with the selection of the site for the water fort.

The location of this ruin is the best place to set up camp. Other places either have problems here or are insufficient there.

But if we really want to rebuild a new military camp on this ruin...

That would be too troublesome.

Not to mention whether there is enough manpower and time to clean up the remaining ruins and debris, just the Cao Zhen troops who are eyeing them covetously on land would make it impossible for Xu Huang and Zhuge Liang to have enough time to rebuild the water fort.

Cao Zhen's decisiveness surprised Xu Huang and Zhuge Liang, and they also felt the situation was difficult.

Now Cao Zhen gave up the confrontation with the Sichuan navy on the north bank of Jiangling, and instead directly burned the remaining Jiangdong water fort and retreated directly to the land.

The navy led by Cao Zhen was not large, so it was impossible for him to rely on warships on the water to intercept the Sichuan navy like the Jiangdong navy. If he continued to fight with the Sichuan navy on the river, it was very likely that he would lose part of his forces today and another part tomorrow, and finally be completely defeated.

After Cao Zhen gave up the water fort, he gained the initiative.

Next to Jiangling is Yunmengze.

Although the Yunmeng Lake was shrinking due to the accumulation of silt, it was still a huge lake even if it had shrunk by nearly half. Cao Zhen hid the remaining naval warships in the Yunmeng Lake, and even if Xu Huang and Zhuge Liang had omnipotent powers, they could not find them.

The current situation is that if Xu Huang and Zhuge Liang, no matter they rebuild the burned-down water fort or choose another place to build a forward base on the north bank, they may be ambushed by Cao Zhen's navy fleet at any time.

It’s okay to guard against thieves for one day, but it’s impossible to guard against thieves for a thousand days.

Cao Zhen is just delaying time now.

If Xu Huang and Zhuge Liang had attacked Jiangling City without any hesitation, they might have been ambushed by Cao's army from the side. Moreover, although the Jiangdong navy had retreated, it did not mean that they would not attack again.

No matter which dynasty it was, once one fell into a conspiracy of exchanging space for time, it would be very difficult.

Xu Huang and Zhuge Liang could either design a plan to lure out Cao Zhen's hidden navy and then destroy it before they could boldly attack Jiangling, or they could only advance step by step in a steady and cautious manner.

But now, Cao Zhen is obviously not that easy to catch...

It's a steady and cautious approach. It doesn't matter if it wastes time, but it's mainly a waste of manpower and material resources.

After all, the supply line from Sichuan and Shu along the river is too long.

Just when Zhuge Liang couldn't think of a way to have the best of both worlds, Cai's men appeared...

Xu Huang did not know anyone from the Cai family, but he knew that Zhuge Liang knew them, so he asked someone to find Zhuge Liang who was thinking about countermeasures by the river.

When Zhuge Liang was at Lushan Mountain, he also met Cai An, but the relationship was not close and they did not have much contact. However, Zhuge Liang could tell the authenticity of the secret letter from the elder of the Cai family.

"This belief is 80% true."

Zhuge Liang didn't say he would die, but there was basically no problem.

"It's a pity that there is no defense map of Jiangling..." Xu Huang hummed, feeling somewhat regretful.

After all, they are now facing Cao Zhen, their opponent in Jiangling, not Cao Ren in Xiangyang.

Zhuge Liang also nodded.

However, there is nothing to blame the Cai family for this. After all, considering the current situation of the Cai family, they cannot get the defense map of Jiangling.

"Xiangyang, Fangling." Xu Huang looked at the defense map sent by Cai, "Kong Ming, what do you think?"

Zhuge Liang looked at the defense map and suddenly an idea came to his mind. He raised his head, his eyes revealing the vigor and vitality of a young man. "General, since we have this map, why not feint to attack Jiangling and attack Fangling from the side!"

Xu Huang frowned and said, "Isn't it too risky? From here to Fangling, we may not be able to avoid Cao's mountain sentries! If we are not careful, I am afraid..."

Zhuge Liang shook his head, took a step forward, and pointed to a place on the map. "Don't go from here, but... from here!"

……

……

When Xu Huang and Zhuge Liang were preparing to throw a left hook, Liu Xie in the Xu County Palace was staring at an unfinished painting on the table. He looked at the crooked bamboo and hesitated while holding the pen.

A drop of ink dripped from the tip of the pen, forming a diffused ink stain on the paper.

"This is Guanzhong paper..."

Liu Xie suddenly sighed and threw the pen on the table.

Thanks to Fei Qian's vigorous development of some daily necessities, not only precious spices and exquisite clothes, but also low- and mid-end products like paper have become popular and used in the Central Plains region of the Han Dynasty.

Of course, this kind of "low-end" is still the low-end for the children of the nobles, and ordinary people still can't afford it. For ordinary people, such a piece of paper, the cheapest one costs one or two copper coins, it is better to buy a bowl of soup noodles.

The eunuch silently stepped forward to clean the table, while Liu Xie stood by the window with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.

Unconsciously, there are already too many things in Shandong that are made from Guanzhong...

How do we fight this, how do we contend for this, how can we win?

As for this paper, if Guanzhong stops supplying it in the future, can Liu Xie adapt to it?

Without paper, there would be no painting.

How about continuing to paint on slate and wooden boards?

Liu Xie picked up the jade halberd hanging around his waist and stroked the coldness of the halberd with his fingers, just like the cold night in his memory.

The spring nights of that year seemed particularly damp and cold.

He saw himself in the bronze mirror. His own emaciated face overlapped with the image in the bronze mirror. He couldn't tell who was the living and who was the dead.

He gave up a lot for the throne...

Even including his original ideals and the emotions in his heart.

Liu Xie still remembered the rare red peony Dong Cheng brought him. Under the layers of petals, there was a suppressed echo of loyalty, "Your Majesty, do you remember the fire in the sixth year of Zhongping? We are willing to be the kindling for the fire."

Cold sweat broke out on Liu Xie's palms.

Of course, he remembered how the raging flames devoured Jian Shuo's screams when he was nine years old, and he remembered the bloody smell that filled the air when Dong Zhuo slashed the Zhongping sword in front of him.

He fought hard, but failed.

"My crown has twelve jade strings..." Liu Xie whispered to himself, "But I can always see the shadows of two more..."

One was the cold light of Cao Cao's sword, always standing between him and the court.

The other one is in Guanzhong...

When Cao Cao and Yuan Shao went to war, many people thought that Cao Cao would lose, and secretly told Liu Xie that he could show goodwill to Yuan Shao earlier. However, Liu Xie felt that how could a guy who couldn't even tolerate his own brother tolerate the trapped dragon of the Han Dynasty?

So what now?

Liu Xie also felt that Fei Qian could not accommodate him...

Fei Qian seemed to be building a new world, but he was the former emperor of the Han Dynasty.

The eunuch whispered beside him, "Your Majesty... the desk has been tidied." Liu Xie recovered from his distraction. He saw the desk had been tidied up again, and walked back. He was silent for a moment, "The desk can be tidied up again... Can the big man do the same?"

The eunuch lowered his head and shrank his neck.

Nowadays, Liu Xie can more or less understand Cao Cao's thoughts.

For example, issuing an imperial edict to reward Zhao Yun.

Liu Xie also wanted to see whether Zhao Yun would accept the call and how Fei Qian would react.

"He Luo...what reports have you made recently?"

Liu Xie asked the eunuch.

The eunuch shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I haven't received any new news in the past two days...but..."

"But what?" Liu Xie glanced at the eunuch, "You have been following me for such a long time, do you still need to be so careful?"

The eunuch whispered, "I heard that... the cavalry has left Hangu Pass... and is preparing to attack Luoyang..."

"Luoyang." Liu Xie repeated these two words without any emotion.

Luoyang seemed to be a place that Liu Xie was obsessed with, but was afraid to think about.

"Who do you think will win?" After a moment, Liu Xie couldn't help but ask this question again, but after asking it, Liu Xie laughed at himself and waved his hand, "It's okay, go and get busy..."

The eunuch swallowed his saliva, kowtowed, and then left.

Before, Liu Xie thought that it would be best if Cao Cao and Fei Qian could both suffer losses, but now he realized that the possibility of both sides suffering losses was very small, so small that it could almost be ignored.

Even if it is a temporary stalemate, one side will eventually lose.

If the two sides are truly evenly matched, then war will not start easily.

It's like when wild beasts meet each other in the jungle, the roars are always loud, but they rarely actually fight.

Unless the other party really invades your territory.

Now, the Hussars are about to enter the territory of Shandong...

So, will the people of Shandong give in?

……

……

Sima Hui's study in Chang'an.

The spring in Guanzhong is still not very warm, but in Sima Hui's study, the charcoal fire makes the room warm, and the fragrance of sandalwood floats gently in the room.

The skinny Sima Hui listened to Sima Min talking beside him with his eyes half closed and half open.

"Uncle..." Sima Min whispered, "The news from Tongguan is that the cavalry has gone to Hanguguan... If the cavalry army takes Heluo, I'm afraid... the outcome will be decided this winter..."

"Okay, okay, let's recover Heluo." Sima Hui patted his knees twice.

After Zheng Xuan's death, Sima Hui suddenly felt like he had lost his lifelong enemy and was bored. Since he was young, Sima Hui had regarded Zheng Xuan as his rival and tried desperately to surpass Zheng Xuan in his words, books and achievements. However, after Zheng Xuan really died, Sima Hui suddenly felt that everything was meaningless and withdrew from Qinglong Temple.

Sima Hui even gradually handed over the duties originally given to him by the Cavalry to his deputies, and he did it half-heartedly.

Generally speaking, Sima Hui stayed in his own manor and rarely went out.

However, even if he does not go out and does not participate in government activities, it does not mean that Sima Hui is not concerned about the current war situation.

If the Cavalry really recaptured Heluo, it would be a great event for the entire Cavalry Group.

Sima Min looked at Sima Hui's expression.

Now Fei Qian is marching into Heluo. If he really takes Luoyang, with the military strength of the Cavalry Army, I'm afraid the next step will be to march into the Central Plains. I don't know how Shandong will react...

Moreover, if it comes to that, how will we treat the current emperor?

Like Huo Guang?

Or……

Is Huo Guang awesome?

As long as one is still a Han Chinese, when talking about Huo Guang, even if he looks down on him on the surface, most of them are actually envious in their hearts.

"Well... Uncle..." Sima Min said in a low voice, "A few days ago, when I was reading, I saw the old story of Bolu Xuancheng Hou, and I was somewhat touched..."

Sima Hui's eyebrows moved slightly, "Oh? What do you feel? Tell me."

Sima Min bowed his hands, "Huo Zimeng was entrusted by Emperor Xiaowu with the responsibility of taking care of the orphan. He was in charge of the key affairs for twenty years, and he carried out the work of Yi Yin to ensure the safety of the Liu family. When Emperor Zhao ascended the throne at a young age, the country was exhausted. Huo Guang abolished the liquor monopoly, stopped border conflicts, and gave the people a rest, which eventually led to the restoration of Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan. When Changyi was in chaos, Huo Guang took the power of Tai'a, abolished the tyrant and established the wise, and chose Emperor Xuan from the common people. This was truly a contribution to the survival of the country. Ban Mengjian praised him for "helping the country and ensuring the safety of the country", which was not empty words... It can be said that he was the pillar of the country, and the contribution of Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan was it."

Sima Hui nodded, "Good, good, good. Continue, continue."

Sima Min said in a low voice, "However, Guang has been in power for a long time, and the officials in the imperial court are all from the Huo family. His son Yu is the General of the Central Army, and his daughter is the Empress. The family faction is as intertwined as an ancient vine around a pillar. Although he did not have the intention of usurping the Han Dynasty, he entered and left the imperial palace and pretended to be the emperor. When Emperor Xuan visited the temple, he was afraid of "a thorn in the side", which laid the root of the disaster. After his death, his wife Xian poisoned Empress Xu, and his son Yunshan plotted rebellion, which eventually led to the extinction of the family. Isn't this the proof of "the arrogant dragon will regret"? When the Huo family controlled the Yin and Yang, it was the beginning of the disaster. "

"Hmm..." Sima Hui stroked his beard with his hand and pondered for a moment, "If it were your opinion, what would it be?"

Sima Min raised his head slightly, with a look of young people's unique spirit of pointing out the country's problems. "In the past, during the Salt and Iron debate, although Huo Guang dismissed Sang Hongyang's harsh policies, he used Du Yannian's "lenient and harmonious" policy, which was actually in line with Huang Lao, and was still a dust from the Confucianism of virtuous literature. His governance of the country was still like that of Shang Yang. Although it was steady, it lacked benevolence. Therefore, when Emperor Xuan took power, he issued an edict to "mix the hegemony and the kingly way", which was probably a lesson from Huo Guang's gains and losses. Therefore, he can be said to be a capable minister in governing the country, but also a powerful minister in endangering the country. In the past, Taishigong said, "Rely on the last light of the sun and the moon." Isn't the cause of Xuancheng not based on the remaining power of Emperor Xiaowu and shining with its brilliance? However, he was not like Zhou Gong who spit out food to feed the people and won the hearts of the people, and finally his portrait on the Kirin Pavilion was covered with dust. This is a warning. If a pillar minister forgets the way of "retiring after success", even if he is pardoned for ten generations, can he avoid it?"

"Well said!" Sima Hui raised his eyebrows and praised, "This statement shows that the advantages and disadvantages of Xuancheng Hou are great."

Sima Min wanted to laugh, but held it back.

Young people always like to give pointers to big shots to show their presence.

From a certain perspective, Sima Min's comments were quite pertinent and indeed a good summary. He also captured the merits and demerits, as well as the key points to learn from, very well. However...

Sima Hui coughed twice, "But... have you ever thought that it's not that I don't want to retreat, but that I can't!"

"This..." Sima Min was stunned.

"As the ancients said, 'When you step on the frost, you know when the ice will come,'" Sima Hui said slowly, "Emperor Xiaowu entrusted his son to me before his death, which was a plot of 'Duke Zhou betraying King Cheng'. It was nominally a regent, but in reality it was a return of power. Hongyang once ridiculed Huo Zimeng for wanting to follow Yi Yin's example of releasing Taijia. Although Huo Zimeng defended himself by saying that it was for the sake of 'safeguarding the country', is there a way to return power to the country of the Han Dynasty? Emperor Zhao died early, Changyi was rebellious, and Emperor Xuan rose from the people. The three generations of monarchs were like candles in the wind. If Huo Zimeng suddenly retired, the chaos of the Lü clan might reappear! This is one of the reasons."

"Second, at that time, the three dukes and nine ministers were all disciples of the Huo family. When Emperor Xuan was first established, the Shangshu reported matters to Bai Guang first! Whether Huo Zimeng was reluctant to leave or not is not the point, are his disciples willing to leave?"

When it came to Huo Guang's situation, it was no longer a problem involving just Huo Guang, but a collection of the survival anxieties of the entire Huo Guang group.

When Huo Guang felt that he was about to die, he also tried to retire. He wrote in a memorial that he was willing to "divide the kingdom and counties with 3,000 households to enfeoff his brother's grandson as the commander of the imperial chariots at Shan." This was by no means a humble statement, but rather an attempt by Huo Guang to prolong the life of the Huo family.

When Huo Guang was in power, his son Huo Yu "served in the carriage when he went out, and served as an attendant when he came in", his son-in-law Fan Mingyou was in charge of the Weiyang Guards, and his granddaughter was Empress Shangguan. The entire Huo family had parasitized the Han court like a vine entwined around a tree.

Perhaps when Huo Guang was still young, he also thought about relying on the "wisdom of future generations", but it is obvious that Huo Guang's descendants only thought about the blood and sweat of their ancestors. Isn't it their due honor now? Even if Huo Guang really wanted to retire, his family wings had already become an accomplice structure, just like Shang Yang sighed that he was killing himself before being torn apart by a chariot. Moreover, after Huo Guang's mistress came to power, she arrogantly poisoned Queen Xu and declared that "the general leads the world, who dares to say anything?" It can be seen that the Huo family at that time was actually riding a tiger and fell into collective madness.

Huo Guang ruled for more than 20 years. Although he inherited the cruelty of Emperor Wu and was lenient, he never established a stable power transition mechanism. Before his death, he recommended Zhang Anshi, Tian Yannian and others to assist in the administration. It seemed that he was arranging his affairs after his death, but in fact he intended to continue his political inertia. After Emperor Xuan took power, although he executed the Huo family, he continued to use Huo Guang's policy framework and even listed Huo Guang's portrait first in the Kirin Pavilion. The contradictions also reflected this prisoner-like dilemma.

"Third... If Huo Zimeng leaves early, he will be beheaded. If he is forced to stay, he will be like An Hangong." Sima Hui raised his head slightly and sighed softly, "It is said that if you don't learn the lost art, you will be ignorant of the great principles. I am afraid it is not that you don't want to learn, but that there is no system to learn! In front of the Weiyang steps, the blue bricks are square, but you can't see the blood and tears under the majestic blue stone!"

Sima Min's eyes widened, and he was at a loss for a long time. He thought that what he said before was well-organized and quite good, but after listening to Sima Hui's words, he felt that his head was like a paste, and it was a stirred paste. "So, is it true that Piao... no, Huo Zimeng's evil is incurable?"

Sima Hui sighed softly, "I don't know either... This kind of disease is hard to cure with medicine! However, in the past, Huo Zimeng did not have a Hundred Medical Clinics... Perhaps..."

"Uncle, then we..."

Sima Hui nodded slightly, then shook his head slightly, and remained silent in Sima Min's confusion.