I seek economic hegemony in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 199 War is a prerequisite for financial stability

"Why send an envoy to see Zhuge Kongming?"

Sima Yi said: "When the Wu army captures Yizhou, Kong Ming will definitely send troops to help. If we can negotiate at this time and make Kong Ming withdraw all his troops, wouldn't it be better if we take back Guanzhong without spending a single soldier?"

Cao Rui said: "Zhongda might as well speak more clearly."

"Kongming wants Guanzhong, but it is impossible to give up Yizhou. Tell him that as long as he can withdraw from Guanzhong, I, the Wei Dynasty, will immediately send troops to the southeast to force Wu to withdraw."

"Wouldn't that protect Yizhou?"

"No! The Wei Dynasty sent troops to the southeast, but the Wu army has already penetrated into Yizhou. A fierce battle between the Wu army and the Shu army is inevitable. By then our army will take the opportunity to capture Hanzhong. With Hanzhong's hand, the northern barrier of Yizhou will be lost. The state was again attacked by the Wu army and its vitality was severely damaged. It was only a matter of time before we captured Yizhou."

Cao Rui thought for a moment and smiled: "Hahaha! It makes sense! Zhongda is worthy of being a good minister of Wei!"

Chen Qun said, "Your Majesty, Baidi City is a dangerous place for military strategists, and the Wu army may not be able to defeat it!"

"Hey, at this moment and that moment, the Wu army may not necessarily capture Baidi City." Gao Tanglong said, "So what if we bypass Baidi City and go straight to Jiangzhou. Yizhou is empty now, but the army can go deep!"

In ancient times, it was said that the city could not be bypassed because if it was bypassed, it would be easy to be attacked by the enemy from the front and back, or it was taboo to go deep alone.

But the art of war is the art of war, and reality is reality.

Water has no permanent potential, and soldiers have no permanent shape. This is the truth.

Before Chen Qun could say anything else, Cao Rui said, "Who wants to see Kong Ming?"

Liu Fang immediately came out and said: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go."

This time, Cao Rui did not agree to Liu Fang, but looked at Gao Tanglong.

Gao Tanglong immediately realized what the emperor meant and said, "I am willing to go!"

"allow!"

On November 27, five days after the battle of Baidi City, the Wu army returned to Xiling. After resting in Xiling, they went down the river.

On November 29th, Zhuge Jin, the governor of Nanjun, looked at the battle report from Baidi City with a solemn expression.

After reading it, he asked Qin Huang: "Are you saying that General Wei was stabbed to death by the Shu army's spear?"

"Yes."

Zhuge Jin repeated: "Our army was at Kuimen, and the Shu army fired a flaming spear from Baidi Mountain and stabbed General Wei to death?"

"Yes."

"Do you think I would believe it?"

Zhuge Jin looked very bad.

He disagreed with Wu Guo's westward advance this time. In his memorial to Sun Quan, he clearly expressed his analysis of the situation in the Three Kingdoms.

He believed that advancing westward to Yizhou would not only destroy the balance of the Three Kingdoms, but also give Cao Wei an opportunity.

But he never expected that less than a month after launching the army, the famous Wu general Quan Cong would die in Kuimen.

Moreover, the battle report given back was that his death was so unbelievable.

"The last general did not dare to deceive Duke Zhuge. All the generals on board saw this."

Zhuge Jin started walking back and forth, frowning. He was not doubting Qin Huang, but felt that this was really unbelievable.

"You immediately go to Wuchang to see the Governor and report truthfully. The imperial court will take action on Quan Zihuang's funeral."

"Here."

Qin Huang stood up and was about to leave, but hesitated and said with some confusion: "Is it His Majesty's wish that we attack Yizhou this time?"

Zhuge Jin said, "All the Dukes of Jiankang agree with this matter, so don't think too much about it.

"I will say goodbye."

Zhuge Jin sighed. Quan Cong is dead. I am afraid that the whole situation will cause a new round of huge changes.

He immediately wrote a letter to his son Zhuge Rong.

That afternoon, the letter was delivered to Zhuge Rong of Gong'an County.

"What! Quan Zihuang was killed in battle!" Zhuge Rong jumped up on the spot when he saw this letter.     Yes, he did jump up.

"How is this possible! What kind of weapon is this from the Shu army!" Zhuge Rong asked in shock.

But no one answered his question.

After a while, Public Security Chief Huang Yuancai said: "The battle of Baidi City is related to the initiative of trade between Wu and Shu. I'm afraid..."

He didn't say anything, but everyone present understood.

Next, the Shu Kingdom will raise troops to investigate.

Why send troops to attack Baidi City?

On the grounds that Jiangling's chief secretary was killed?

This reason applies to the strong.

If you win, the reason stands.

If you lose, it’s okay if you don’t mention this reason, but if you mention it, it will become a political disaster.

This is the logic of politics and military.

"I have long said not to go to war with Yizhou!" Zhuge Rong scolded angrily, "Those idiots in Jiankang started to be selfish after receiving some small favors from Cao Wei! Seeing Kong Ming's elite in Guanzhong, they felt that they You can do it! Stupid pigs! A bunch of stupid pigs!"

"Uncle, please be careful, this Western Expedition is your Majesty's responsibility..."

"It seems that we can't stop Shu Qian!" Zhuge Rong sighed.

Lu Xun received the news early in the morning on November 30th. Lu Xun was still sleeping when he was woken up.

In the twelfth lunar month of winter, heavy snow was falling in Wuchang. Next to the stove, the governor of Wu State saw the battle report that Quan Cong died in battle, and his face turned pale on the spot.

"Grand Governor, if this matter reaches Jiankang, someone in the court may make a case against the Grand Governor," Xie Jing said.

Lu Xun smiled bitterly and said: "The soldiers came to block the water and cover it up with earth. It seems that God will not destroy Shu. All we have to do is report Jiankang truthfully."

"Would you like to write a letter to Prime Minister Gu first..."

"No, it has already happened. I advocated conquering Shu at the beginning, and I will bear the consequences."

Lu Xun knew that Sun Quan would not do anything to him.

When the expedition against Shu failed, Sun Quan's first reaction was definitely not to hold him accountable, but to quickly re-strengthen his defenses to prevent Cao Wei from taking the opportunity to go south.

Lu Xun, who was sitting by the stove, his eyes gradually calmed down, reflecting the bright light, and said in a light but unquestionable tone: "In addition, send people to Yizhou to find this weapon no matter what method is used. I want it!"

"Here!"

Lu Xun also knew that after the Battle of Baidi City, the way of trade between the two countries would change.

In winter in Chengdu, it is mostly cloudy and there is no sunshine.

Just like Liu Chan's mood at this time, Liu Chan had no intention of drinking wine, let alone watching beautiful women dancing.

He grimaced.

He also knew that the current situation was very serious. Many nights, he wondered whether Li Heng's approach was right.

He offended the powerful Yizhou family, spent huge sums of money to establish a navy in Jiangzhou, and also established a capital university that was hated by the scholar-bureaucrats.

Every step here is to create enemies for yourself and consume the power within Yizhou.

Originally, foreign trade increased the revenue of the treasury and also supplemented the frontline military resources.

But the policy of forcibly linking refined salt with copper coins created a huge crisis.

If Liu Chan can still keep eating and drinking with his head down, then he is really stupid.

Huang Hao hurried over: "Your Majesty, this is your letter from the Prime Minister."

Liu Chan seemed to have found a treasure. At this time, only the Prime Minister could calm his nervous heart.

(End of this chapter)