Three Kingdoms: I, Liu Feng, do not want to die

Chapter 176 Tianshui Qilin, Zhuge Liang's fanboy (6K)

Ji County.

Sheriff's Mansion.

The banquet has not yet ended, and the candlelight is swaying red.

The sound of stringed instruments disturbs the ears and the hum of swords.

The air is filled with luxury and joy.

Ma Zun, the governor of Tianshui, staggered, looking drunk, chanting: "The autumn wind is bleak and the weather is cold, the grass and trees are shaking and the dew is turning to frost, the swallows are leaving and the swans are flying south, I miss you so much that I am heartbroken."

Every time he recited a line, the scabbard of the sword struck the ground with a sound.

There were also some famous people at the banquet who clapped their hands as a token of greeting, as if they were flattering each other.

It was not that the famous scholars admired Ma Zun's poetic talent, but that the poem Ma Zun recited was Cao Pi's "Yan Ge Xing", and the flattery was also flattery to Cao Pi.

I was in high spirits.

Gongcao Liang Xu came in a hurry.

"Fu Jun!"

Liang Xu exclaimed softly.

Seeing that Ma Zun seemed not to hear him, Liang Xu moved closer and called out again.

At such a distance, even if there were vocal noises, Ma Zun could still hear them.

however.

Ma Zun continued to dance with the sword and recite Cao Pi's "Yan Ge Xing" as if he didn't hear anything.

Liang Xu had no choice but to shout loudly.

The vocal music gradually stopped.

All the famous scholars looked at Liang Xu with dissatisfaction on their faces.

Ma Zun's expression also turned ugly, and he shouted in a deep voice: "Liang Xu, didn't you hear me reciting the "Yan Ge Xing" of His Majesty? Who disturbed you for no reason?"

Liang Xu secretly clenched his fists.

Am I alright?

If there was really nothing to do, I wouldn't bother to come!

Restraining his anger, Liang Xu leaned closer and whispered, "My Lord, urgent military information, the Han army has launched a surprise attack on Qishan and has already entered Shanggui."

Ma Zun glanced at Liang Xu strangely, then smiled at all the celebrities at the banquet: "Everyone, Liang Gongcao just said, 'The Han army launched a surprise attack on Qishan and has already entered Shanggui', hahahaha!"

All the celebrities at the banquet also laughed.

"Where did Liang Gongcao go to drink alone? Why did he start talking nonsense when he was drunk? Governor Guo has deployed a brave general Shi Zhong to garrison Qishan. Qishan is strategically located, so even a thousand or ten thousand people can stop them!"

"My Lord, Liang Gongcao is blaming you for not inviting him to the banquet. Although there are many people of lower rank in Tianshui, with Liang Gongcao's talent and family background, he can barely be promoted to middle rank and can also be invited to the banquet."

"Since Liang Gongcao is here, please let him take his seat, and continue the music and dancing!"

"."

The laughter of the celebrities and the resurgence of the music made Liang Xu even more angry.

Liang Xu was no longer humble, he raised his head and said: "My Lord! I am not talking nonsense! Zhang Qing, the commander of the Qishan garrison, fainted at the city gate, and was shot in the arm!
Before he fainted, he said, "Xi County Magistrate Hu Lin rebelled and colluded with the Han army to launch a surprise attack on Qishan. The defending general Shi Chong was killed by the Han general Wei Yan!"

The words fell.

The vocal music that had been revived suddenly became quiet, and the laughter of the celebrities also stopped abruptly.

Ma Zun's face darkened again, and he threw the sword in his hand fiercely to the ground: "Hu Lin, you bastard, how dare you rebel? How can this be justified!"

Two days ago.

Ma Zun received a message from Shanggui defender Zhou Tai claiming that "something might happen in Xi County", but Ma Zun did not take it seriously. Instead, he felt that Zhou Tai was too rigid.

In the cold winter, it is not even warm enough to stay in the house by the fire. How could the Han army possibly attack Tianshui County?

Aren’t the Han army afraid of the cold?

Ma Zundu has already planned to take in two more concubines this winter, specifically to warm their beds.

result.

Liang Xu ran to tell Ma Zun: The Han army launched a surprise attack on Qishan and has already entered Shanggui!
There was also a Qu Chang from Qishan who came with an arrow wound to prove the authenticity of the information.

"Call the troops immediately!"

Ma Zun gritted his teeth, and anyone could hear the resentment in his voice.

We were staying well in Ji County, enjoying the music and dancing, but now we have to put on our armor and go to the battlefield with our troops to rescue Shanggui!

Deep down, Ma Zun really doesn’t want to save him.

It is much easier to defend Ji County than to run sixty or seventy miles to rescue Shanggui.

however.

The Han army launched a surprise attack on Qishan and reached Shanggui with great momentum. It was unreasonable that Ma Zun, the prefect of Tianshui County, did not send troops to reinforce Shanggui.

You might even be suspected: Could it be that you, the prefect of Tianshui, have also been lured into surrender by the Han army?

An hour later.

Ma Zun led 5,000 soldiers out of the city to Shanggui, leaving Gongcao Liang Xu, Zhubu Yin Shang, Zhuji Liang Qian and others to guard Ji County.

Just started not long ago.

A rider from the back caught up and shouted, "General Ma, slow down!"

Ma Zun stopped his horse and took a closer look. It turned out to be Jiang Wei, a doctor from the county.

"Bo Yue is not at home taking care of his mother, why are you looking for me?" Ma Zun frowned secretly, and there was a bit more suspicion in his eyes when he looked at Jiang Wei.

Although Jiang Wei was talented, Ma Zun did not have much good impression of him.

It was because when Ma Zunchu took office, he planned to recommend Jiang Wei as a general in order to win over the powerful families in Ji County.

As a result, Jiang Wei rejected Ma Zun on the grounds that "he is a well-dressed man in the county and is unwilling to be a general."

The subtext is: Although I lost my father at a young age, my Jiang family is also of status. What do you want to do by appointing me as a general?
Although Ma Zun felt greatly humiliated, he had to greet him with a smile. He could only recommend Jiang Wei to the position of Langzhong again, giving him the right to participate in military consultations.

Ma Zun originally thought that he could win over Jiang Wei in this way, but he never expected that Jiang Wei "secretly raised assassins and did not cultivate the business of a commoner" and that when he chatted with others in private, he only talked about "fame and fortune".

Good guy!
I recommended you to be a general, but you said you didn't want to be one; I recommended you to be a doctor, but you secretly raised assassins.

What do you want to do?
Ma Zun was suspicious to begin with, and from then on he became even more suspicious of Jiang Wei.

"Does the governor want to reinforce Shanggui?" Jiang Wei seemed unaware of Ma Zun's change in expression and asked directly.

Ma Zun snorted coldly: "I am the governor of Tianshui County. The Han army has successively seized Li County, Qishan County and Xi County, and has also invaded Shanggui. How can I not help?"

Seeing that Ma Zun had not yet realized the seriousness of the problem, Jiang Wei said in a serious tone: "Although Shanggui has few soldiers, the garrison commander Zhou Tai is highly regarded by Governor Guo and will definitely defend Shanggui to the death; the Han army must be short of siege equipment as they have made surprise attacks along the way.

The art of war also says: The best military operation is to attack the enemy's plans, the next best is to attack their alliances, the next best is to attack their soldiers, and the worst is to attack their cities. Attacking cities is a last resort.

Therefore, I guess that the Han army's entry into Shanggui was just a decoy, with the purpose of luring the governor to lead his troops out of the city and then setting an ambush on the road.

The families of officials and soldiers from various counties are all in Ji County. If the prefect is ambushed or the Han army secretly sends a troop to take advantage of the opportunity to steal the city, Ji County will be in danger!
If Ji County is lost, all the counties in Tianshui will surrender without a fight!

Governor, think deeply! "

Seeing that Jiang Wei spoke so sincerely, Ma Zun suddenly became hesitant.

Ma Zun had originally intended not to rescue Shanggui, and after hearing the reasons given by Jiang Wei, he became even more determined. However, he was also worried that he would be held accountable if he did not rescue Shanggui.

For a moment, Ma Zun found it difficult to make a choice.

See this.

Jiang Wei advised again: "Governor Guo is a man who values results over process. As long as we defend Ji County, the Han army will retreat. Even if we don't save Shanggui, it will only be a minor fault, but defending Ji County will be a great achievement.

Furthermore, Hu Lin colluded with the Han army to launch a surprise attack on Qishan, and even the brave general Shi Chong was killed. A small Qishan Quchang was only wounded by an arrow and escaped all the way from Qishan to Ji County.

I just went to see that Qu Chang. The arrow wound was indeed caused by a strong bow. Judging from the location and angle of the wound, it can be determined that he was shot by the enemy on the battlefield, and the time of the shot was within the past two days.

But what is strange is that this person did not come through the Mumen Road, but took a detour to Shanggui. He chose the longer route instead of the shorter one. Isn't this suspicious?

If this person really had the ability to break out of the encirclement and reach Shanggui to report to Ji County, then he would definitely be able to break out and take the Mumen Road to come to Ji County to report.

This person must be a spy!"

Ma Zun still had doubts: "But how did the arrow wound on his arm come about?"

Jiang Wei snorted, "It's nothing more than that the Han army knew that the Mumen Road was dangerous and there were soldiers stationed there, so they took a detour to Shanggui and wanted to have the commander of Nagqu to seize Shanggui by fraud, but Zhou Tai saw through it.

The arrow wound on his arm must have been shot by the garrison of Shanggui. Shanggui is less than a hundred miles away from Ji County, and it can be reached within two days. This also fits my judgment of the time when he was shot."

Ma Zun finally put aside his doubts and cursed: "How dare this bastard lie to me! If Bo Yue hadn't seen through the thief's evil plan, Ji County would have been lost!"

There was a pause.

Ma Zun bowed again and said, "I know that Bo Yue has always had great ambitions to achieve great things, and I also know the reason why Bo Yue is unwilling to be a general, but the current situation is dangerous, so I hope Bo Yue can lend me a helping hand."

Seeing that Ma Zun had understood, Jiang Wei secretly breathed a sigh of relief and responded with a cupped hand: "I am originally from Ji County, and I am also a doctor in the county. It is my duty to defend my home and the city. I have a plan that can help the governor repel the enemy!"

Ma Zun laughed loudly: "With Bo Yue's help, I have nothing to worry about. I would like to hear Bo Yue's good advice."

Jiang Wei signaled Ma Zun to dismiss his attendants, then stepped forward and whispered: "The main force of the Han army is in Jingzhou, and there will not be too many Han troops coming to attack Tianshui County. The advantage lies in a quick battle.

The governor can first lie that the road is difficult to travel and return to Ji County, and close the gates to guard the city. Then I and Liang Gongcao and others will urge the governor to send troops to rescue Shanggui and deliberately argue with him.

Let the chief of Nagqu mistakenly believe that the prefect is at odds with the civil and military officials in the city, and lure him to persuade us to be the internal support. After the Han army arrives in Ji County, we can lure the Han army into the city, and then ambush them inside the city to destroy them.

Then the Han army can retreat!"

Ma Zun clapped his hands and said, "This is a brilliant plan! People in the county often privately say that I am suspicious. This must be a spies of the Han army deliberately spreading it to ruin my good reputation. If we can fight back and destroy the Han army in Ji County, the rumors will be broken!"

Jiang Wei's mouth twitched, but he did not refute.

But in his heart, he felt a little more contemptuous: Aren't you suspicious? Aren't you suspicious that the Han army could advance so quickly without any decent resistance?

Although Zhang Qing's words could not be taken seriously, Qishan City was built halfway up the mountain, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Without internal support, it would be impossible to capture Qishan City in a short period of time. Jiang Wei judged that someone in Li County and Xi County must have been instigated by the Han army to rebel!
Jiang Wei's suggestion of "deliberately fighting" was based on the reputation of Ma Zun among the officials, soldiers and civilians of Tianshui County. In this way, the Han army could be made to believe that Jiang Wei, Liang Xu and others were really at odds with Ma Zun.

Ma Zun did not hesitate any longer and immediately led his troops back to Ji County on the grounds that "the road was difficult to travel."

The sudden change made Zhang Qing in the city panic.

If Ma Zun did not leave the city, not only would Wei Yan's ambush fail to execute, but Zhang Qing himself would also face the danger of being suspected.

Just when Zhang Qing was hesitating whether to sneak out of the city, he heard Jiang Wei and Liang Xu coming cursing, and Zhang Qing quickly closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.

I only heard:
"Too good to hear such a reason as 'the road is difficult to travel' come from the mouth of Governor Ma! If you are afraid of death, then you are afraid of death, but you still say it in such a high-sounding way. It is really hateful!"

"Alas! While the soldiers were fighting bloody battles at the front, Governor Ma was singing and dancing in Ji County. Bo Yue just gave the governor some advice, but Governor Ma called him a 'thief' and even scolded him for 'raising assassins secretly and having bad intentions'."

"Humph! There are always wars in Longyou, all because of the incompetence of the governors of the counties. My father died in the rebellion of the Qiang and Rong people. I kept some knights at home just to protect my widowed mother and wife. I have no regrets!"

"Alas! Bo Yue has great ambitions for fame and honor, but Governor Ma is jealous of talented people and suspicious by nature. It will be difficult for Bo Yue to achieve fame and honor!"

"Humph! You are just a mediocre person. You think you are a top-grade talent because you are from the Ma family of Fufeng and are of the same clan as Duke Jichang (Ma Rong). And because I studied the classics of Duke Kangcheng (Zheng Xuan), you think I am greedy for the reputation of the Ma family and want to recommend me as a general to become his vassal. How ridiculous!"

"Now that Bo Yue's ambitions are difficult to achieve, have you ever thought about finding another wise master?"

"I heard that Han Prime Minister Kong Ming Gong also lost his father at a young age and studied on his own to become a talented person. I respect him deeply. I also heard that Han Emperor Xuan De Gong was a student of the great Confucian Zi Gan Gong (Lu Zhi) and had a close relationship with Kang Cheng Gong. I also studied Confucian classics with Kang Cheng Gong. If I could meet the two of them in this life, I would be happy! I only regret that I have no way to introduce them. I am afraid that I will be suspected and will not be able to achieve success."

While talking.

Jiang Wei and Liang Xu looked at Zhang Qing intentionally or unintentionally.

at last.

Zhang Qing couldn't help it, he stood up and shouted: "You two actually have the intention of rebellion!"

Jiang Wei's face changed drastically. He quickly drew his sword and placed it across Zhang Qing's neck, sneering: "Do you want to die?"

Liang Xu quickly came to the door, looked around, and pressed the hilt of the sword. He shouted, "Boyue, kill him! If you lie again that he died of his injuries, throw him outside the city to feed the wild dogs."

Seeing Jiang Wei and Liang Xu being so decisive, Zhang Qing's face changed drastically, and he hurriedly said: "Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding! If the two heroes don't have any connections, I may be able to introduce them!"

Jiang Wei sneered: "You? You are just a small composer, and you dare to talk about recommendation? You are just trying to delay time so that you can secretly inform on me. Do you really think I don't know?"

Looking at the sharp blade hanging in front of his neck, Zhang Qing felt his scalp tingling. He signaled Jiang Wei with both hands not to be impulsive and quickly explained: "To be honest, I have already joined the Han army, and I helped the Han army capture Xi County.

It was only because I failed to deceive Shanggui that General Wei ordered me to deceive Ji County. I can also tell you that the commander of the Han army this time is the crown prince of the Han Dynasty! If you two really have similar intentions, you can help the crown prince take Ji County, and you will be valued in the future!"

Jiang Wei and Liang Xu looked at each other and were both shocked.

"Liu Chan is only sixteen years old this year, how can he be the commander-in-chief? You have to make up a good excuse!" Jiang Wei said in a low voice.

Looking at the sword getting closer, Zhang Qing became even more nervous: "I really didn't lie to you! Although the prince is the commander-in-chief, the one who issues the orders is the Prime Minister of Han, Zhuge Liang! The Zhuge Liang you deeply respect!"

Jiang Wei slowly put down his sword, with suspicion still in his eyes: "Really?"

Zhang Qing heaved a long sigh of relief and swore to the heavens, "I am not lying!"

Liang Xu approached and said, "Bo Yue, judging from his expression, it doesn't seem fake, it should be real, and he has no right to lie to you and me."

Jiang Wei then sheathed his sword, bowed to Zhang Qing, and said, "I was rude just now, please forgive me, Zhang Quchang."

Zhang Qing quickly responded: "It's all a misunderstanding, but now Ma Zun has closed the four gates, I can't leave the city, I hope you can help me."

Liang Xu chuckled: "How difficult is this? I am the Gongcao of the county. It is easy for me to let someone out of the city. As long as Zhang Quchang can recommend us to the prince and the prime minister, I will definitely reward you in the future!"

Zhang Qing was surprised: "Could there be other people who also want to serve the Han Dynasty?"

Liang Xu nodded: "Zhou Bu Yin Shang, Chief Recorder Liang Qian, and County Official Shangguan Zixiu are all good friends of the two of us, and we can work together as an internal supporter."

Zhang Qing was delighted: "If so, I will definitely recommend you to the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister. But words are not enough, please give me a token."

Liang Xu hesitated and was about to make up an excuse to shirk responsibility, but Jiang Wei responded directly: "You have just surrendered. Without a token, it is indeed difficult to convince others. I can write a letter for you to take back."

immediately.

Jiang Wei found a pen, ink and silk and began to write at will. Hundreds of words appeared on the silk.

[Wei Ben was a commoner from Longyou. He received family education since childhood. He had heard that a gentleman should choose a wise ruler to live under when he establishes himself in the world.

However, since Dong Zhuo's rebellious rule, the Yongliang area has been repeatedly ravaged by wars, and the people have been in dire straits. Then Cao Pi usurped the Han Dynasty, and the scholars and people were all in grief.

Whenever I think of it, I can't help but feel sad and shed tears.

Looking at the general situation in the world today, I secretly believe that although the Han Dynasty is in decline, His Majesty the Han Emperor has raised his three-foot sword and revived Jing and Yi, and his benevolence and virtue are spread throughout the world. I have great respect for him.

I heard that the Crown Prince personally led the royal army, and the Prime Minister made plans and conquered the three cities in Qishan in succession. This is truly a sign of Guangwu's revival!
Wei once observed the sky at night and saw the Purple Star shining in the Southern Dipper. This meant that the Mandate of Heaven was with the Han Dynasty. How could the false dynasty of Cao Wei reverse this?
Ma Zun was a common man, suspicious and indecisive by nature. When he heard that the Han army was powerful, he suspected that I had two minds.

Now the Gongcao Liang Xu and Zhubu Yin Shang in the city are both loyal and righteous men, and they have agreed to surrender the city.

If you do not mind that we have brought disgrace upon our Lord, we will open the north gate to welcome the royal army.

Ji County has enough grain and fodder to last for three years, and the armory has 100,000 arrows. If we capture this city, the door to Longyou will be wide open, and Chang'an will be in our hands.

Wei Su admires the Prime Minister's talent and wisdom, and respects the benevolence of His Majesty the Han Emperor even more.

I am willing to serve as a vanguard soldier, holding the whip and stirring the stirrup, and I will not regret it even if I am struck by an axe.

If you don't mind, I would like to ask for a ring-handled sword. One day I will kill the generals on the battlefield and let the rebels know that there are still passionate men in the Han family!

I burst into tears while writing and didn't know what to say.

Tianshui Jiang Wei bows his head again]

Subsequently.

Jiang Wei handed the letter to Zhang Qing and asked him to keep it safely. Finally, he threatened: "Zhang Quchang, I'm a fair man. If you dare to tell on me with this letter, I don't care whether I live or die, but I will kill you!"

Liang Xu also threatened: "Even if a confrontation really comes, you have to think clearly whether Governor Ma will trust you, a mere composer, or us county officials."

Zhang Qing glanced at the silk quickly and saw that the handwriting was clear and difficult to understand. Although he had doubts, he did not dare to question it anymore: "Don't worry, I have no such intention. This letter will definitely be delivered!"

That night.

Liang Xu secretly opened the north gate and let Zhang Qing out of the city, and agreed on a secret signal for the Han army to arrive.

Jiang Wei stood on the top of the city wall, watching the direction in which Zhang Qing fled.

Liang Xu climbed up the tower and came to Jiang Wei. He glanced around and asked in a low voice: "Bo Yue, is your letter really just to lure the Han army into the city?"

Jiang Wei remained calm: "What does Bocheng mean by this? Could it be that Bocheng suspects that I have other plans?"

Liang Xu sighed, "I was just thinking, if Bo Yue really lured the Han army into the city and destroyed it, Liu Chan and Zhuge Liang would be furious and would definitely ask Ma Chao to lead the Qiang and Hu tribes to cause chaos again.

The old war disaster in Ji County is about to happen again.

The imperial court has always been suspicious of us, and Ma Zun has held our families hostage in Ji County. There will be trouble if we fight, and there will be trouble if we don't fight. What can we do?"

Jiang Wei was silent.

During the Ma Chao and Han Sui Rebellion ten years ago, Ji County was the hardest hit area.

First, Ma Chao killed Wei Kang, the governor of Liangzhou, and occupied Jicheng; then Jiang Xu and Yang Fu raised an army in Lucheng and killed Ma Chao's wife and children in Ji County. Then Ma Chao returned and killed Jiang Xu's mother and brothers.

During this period, Jiang Wei's father, Jiang Jiong, died in rebellions by the Qiang and Rong tribes.

Although it was not directly caused by Ma Chao, it was indirectly caused by the Rebellion of Ma Chao and Han Sui.

a long time.

Jiang Wei's eyes were filled with indifference. "If Zhuge Liang can't see through my plan, why not destroy him? If the Qiang and Hu dare to cause trouble again, I will personally lead the troops to destroy them!"

Liang Xu wanted to say something but stopped, and then turned into a sigh.

It is not easy to survive in troubled times.

Whether to fight or to make peace is not something that can be determined by the power of one individual.

the other side.

Zhang Qing took Jiang Wei's letter and hurried back to Shanggui to meet Wei Yan.

Upon learning that Ma Zun had returned to Ji County and stayed there to defend it because of the "difficult road", Wei Yan was speechless.

I was lying in ambush here, waiting for Ma Zun to come, but Ma Zun went back to the city?

Is this treating military affairs as a joke?
Zhang Qing saw that Wei Yan looked angry, so he quickly took the letter and handed it to Wei Yan:

"General, don't worry. County Gongcao Liang Xu, Langzhong Jiang Wei and others want to be the traitor. There is a letter written by Jiang Wei as proof. I personally saw what Jiang Wei wrote, but I don't recognize the content of this letter."

Wei Yan glanced at the contents of the letter suspiciously, his expression changed: "Tell me the details quickly!"

Zhang Qing then told Wei Yan the details of how he accidentally overheard the conversation between Jiang Wei and Liang Xu in Ji County and how he was threatened by the two.

Wei Yan was secretly delighted: "As the previous intelligence indicated, Ma Zun does not trust the county officials, nor the soldiers in the county. This is God's will for me to accomplish this great feat!"

Think of this.

Wei Yan wanted to go to Ji County first to enjoy the credit alone, so he discussed with Zhang Yi: "I will attack Ji County by surprise, and you stay here to contain Shanggui. If we capture Ji County, I will share half of the credit with you."

Zhang Yi hesitated and said, "You and I only have 2,000 soldiers. If we need to send more troops to Ji County, you can only take 1,000 men at most.

Jiang Wei, Liang Xu and others are just clerks. Even if they manage to enter the city, they will not be able to suppress the troops in the city. Why not send a letter to the Prime Minister first, and then you and I will go to Ji County together, so that we can be sure of success. "

Wei Yan was unconcerned: "Ma Zun is a mediocre person. Even if his troops are several times more than mine, what is there to fear? If Jiang Wei and others are not careful in their plans, and Ma Zun finds out after a long delay, wouldn't that be bad? If you are worried that you can't contain Shanggui, I will only take 500 soldiers with me."

Seeing Wei Yan so arrogant, Zhang Yi felt even more worried and insisted, "I think we should report this to the Prime Minister first."

Wei Yan got angry and said angrily: "Zhang Yi, I am the commander! Do you want to disobey my orders?"

Zhang Yi shook his head: "General Wei, I don't mean to disobey your orders, but we have too few soldiers to carry out our plan."

Wei Yan shouted: "I said, I only want 500 people!"

Seeing that Zhang Yi refused to agree, Wei Yan became even more angry: "If I go to see the Prime Minister, Meng Da will definitely fight with me! Do you want to give the credit to someone else?"

Zhang Yi was silent.

We all came here to make contributions, and we can't let Wei Yan take all the credit.

If Wei Yan didn't say anything, then he would get all the credit.

Wei Yan said that they would have to draw lots again.

(End of this chapter)