The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 209 The Food Was Borrowed in vain
Huainan, Shouchun.

During these days, the entire Yangzhou has been trying its best to stockpile food.

The carriages formed a long line, almost blocking all the city gates of Shouchun.

In many cities, a large number of warehouses are rising from the ground at this moment, and grain is piled up like mountains.

People living here seemed to feel a different atmosphere than usual. Soldiers patrolled the streets day and night, and the troops originally stationed outside the city were also drawn in to protect the granaries in various places.

Inside the Zhendong General's Mansion.

Guanqiu Jian was sitting at his desk, looking at the memorials from various places in front of him, and writing something on the map beside him.

At this moment, Wen Qin rushed into the house with a smile.

"General! Good news! Good news!"

Guanqiu Jian raised his head and put down what he was holding. "What's the good news?"

Wen Qin laughed out loud, "The Wu Kingdom is willing to help us."

"The envoys have returned, saying that Sun Jun has promised to give us enough food to defend us against Sima Shi. He also said that if we can't withstand their attack, we can ask for help from them, and they will definitely come to our aid."

A smile also appeared on Guanqiu Jian's face.

"This great general of Wu is also in great need of military merit, and Wu is not short of food. Well, send someone again and tell him how grateful I am for his help."

Wen Qin hurriedly asked, "General, should we simply ask Wu to send troops to help?"

"We are currently outnumbered. If only the Wu army could come to our aid..."

Guanqiu Jian glanced at him and asked, "Does Governor Wen want the soldiers from Huainan to lead the people of Wu to kill the people of Wei?"

Wen Qin was speechless and said awkwardly, "That's not what I meant."

"I'm just saying that if the five armies were to unite, the Wu Kingdom could also help block one of them."

Guanqiu Jian said sternly, "Governor Wen, we are stationed in Huainan and were ordered to defend against the Wu Kingdom. How can we join forces with them?"

Wen Qin didn't say anything more.

Guanqiu Jian said, "Let's continue to gather food, train the troops, and prepare for battle. Spring is almost here, and Sima Shi will surely be heading out."

Just as Guanqiu Jian was confidently analyzing the time of Sima Shi's attack with Wen Qin, a soldier suddenly came to the door and said he had something important to report.

"What happened? Did Sima Shi attack?"

"Master Sima has sent an envoy."

"Hmm? Didn't they just send an envoy from Huabiao Sima Shi?"

Guanqiu Jian was suddenly stunned. He looked at Wen Qin beside him, and Wen Qin was also looking at him blankly.

"Let him in."

"only!!"

Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin sat in the upper seats, both with serious expressions.

Soon, several soldiers led a man in here.

Compared with the previous Huabiao, his treatment was even worse. He was pushed in directly by the soldiers, and his hands were even tied behind his back.

The man walked into the study and looked at Guanqiu Jian, who was sitting in the upper seat. He said, "General, my hands are tied. I'm sorry I can't bow to you."

Guanqiu Jian had no intention of untying the ropes, but instead looked at the man in front of him.

The man standing in front of Guanqiu Jian now was tall and handsome. Even though he was tied up, there was no fear on his face. He faced Guanqiu Jian with neither humility nor arrogance.

Guanqiu Jian recognized his identity.

"Hu Fen, it's you."

Hu Fen is the son of Hu Zun, the current General who conquers the East.

But Hu Fen became famous not because of his father. He loved martial arts since he was a child. He was born into the Anding Hu family, but he joined the army very early and started from the bottom. He told the outside world that he was an ordinary boy from a good family. Later, he followed Sima Yi to fight. Sima Yi admired him very much and promoted him many times.

As a result, he became a die-hard supporter of the Sima family.

Now he follows the general Sima Shi and serves as the general Sima.

Among Sima Shi's many subordinates, he is also a very important one.

Guanqiu Jian knew him because Hu Fen also participated in the Battle of Liaodong.

"Long time no see, is the general well?"

"I'm fine, Hu Xuanwei. You came to Huainan at this time, aren't you seeking refuge with me?"

Guanqiu Jian asked calmly.

Hu Fen and his father Hu Zun were both Sima Yi's old generals. Hu Zun, in particular, followed Sima Yi for many years and fought in many battles.

Hu Fen said seriously, "General, we are both ministers in the same dynasty. How can we talk about surrendering to each other?"

"What on earth are you doing here? Do you think we're afraid of your father?!"

Wen Qin couldn't help it anymore. He had a hot temper and immediately asked loudly.

Guanqiu Jian shook his head at him and looked at Hu Fen again. "Then what is your purpose in coming here, Your Excellency?"

"General, I'm here to bring you a letter from the General."

"Also, I'm here to solve your confusion." The soldiers had searched him long ago, and immediately one of them handed the letter they found on him to Guanqiu Jian.

Guanqiu Jian lowered his head and began to read.

It started with the same old-fashioned greetings. After a few pleasantries, Sima Shi suddenly said, "The imperial court has summoned me as the Grand Marshal, which is a waste of my talent. I am willing to give up the position of Grand General to you..."

Guanqiu Jian's eyes were a little dull.

Wen Qin hurriedly asked, "General? What's in the letter? What nonsense did Sima Shi say?"

Guanqiu Jian put down the letter and said, "He said he would summon me to the imperial court with the title of Grand General."

"what??"

Wen Qin was also stunned at this moment.

In order to trick us into entering Luoyang, Sima Shi really did everything he could, even using his position as a general to recruit us?

Guanqiu Jian looked at Hu Fen in front of him.

"I appreciate the general's kindness, but I really don't have the talent. I'm afraid I can't take it over."

Hu Fen said seriously: "The general did not deceive you, he really wants you to be the general."

"You may not know that things have changed in the temple."

"The ministers colluded to seize control of the imperial court"

Hu Fen slowly told the story of what happened in the temple, without hiding anything.

Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin listened to his story. Only after he finished did Wen Qin throw his head back and burst into laughter.

"Master Sima has truly lost his mind."

"Does he think we will believe him just because he makes up some random words?"

"Go back and tell Sima Shi to stop using these treacherous schemes! We've made all the preparations. Let him lead the troops to attack, and we'll be waiting for you at any time!"

Hu Fen was silent for a long time.

The people sent out by the general encountered this problem to a greater or lesser extent. They told the truth, but no one believed them.

Hu Fen has always had a good reputation, and his relationship with Guanqiu Jian was not too bad in the past. But once he contacted Sima Shi, he no longer believed what he said.

Can credibility really be this bad?

Hu Fen explained, "General, I have never lied to you. I have spoken the truth. The government has undergone a major change. The general is seriously ill and no longer has the strength to control the government. He only hopes to find a capable person to take over his position and curb the ministers. You probably also know what the consequences will be if the policies just now are implemented."

"You have been deeply indebted to the Emperor Liezu. Are you going to watch the Great Wei perish at the hands of these villains?"

Guanqiu Jian is different from Wen Qin.

When Guanqiu Jian heard Hu Fen talk about those policies, he believed most of them in his heart.

Because the policies he just mentioned might really lead to such consequences. Guanqiu Jian was very familiar with these people, and in fact, he was now one of them.

He knew what benefits these policies would bring to the aristocratic families, but at the same time, he also knew what disadvantages they would bring to the Wei Dynasty.

Guanqiu Jian immediately frowned.

He was one of the few loyal ministers in the court. He attacked Sima Shi not to gain power for himself, but for the Great Wei. Now, the actions of these ministers may endanger the Great Wei, and Guanqiu Jian will not tolerate it either.

Wen Qin scoffed, and seeing Guanqiu Jian deep in thought, he quickly warned, "General, Sima Shi is cunning and cannot be trusted! Have you forgotten the lesson of Cao Shuang?"

These words made Guanqiu Jian less confident.

Hu Fen opened his mouth wide. If he didn't have something important to do, he really wanted to scold Wen Qin.

Seeing Guanqiu Jian hesitate again, Hu Fen hurriedly said, "General, your son has been released. He has even sent someone to send him to Huainan. He will appear before you soon. If you don't believe me, you must believe him, right?"

"The Wei Dynasty is currently in turmoil. The ministers are holding high the Queen Mother's edict, ignoring Your Majesty and causing chaos in the court. You cannot turn a blind eye!"

Guanqiu Jian asked, "What does Sima Shi want me to do? Go to Luoyang?"

Hu Fen lowered his head and said, "I know you don't trust me yet. You can send someone to investigate Luoyang first. Once you have found out, I will tell you."

Guanqiu Jian nodded and said, "Take this man away. Do not beat or insult him. Treat him well."

The soldiers took the order and took Hu Fen away.

After he left, Wen Qin and Guanqiu Jian looked at each other in bewilderment.

Wen Qin still didn't believe what Sima Shi said. He firmly believed that this was a scam to deal with him and Guanqiu Jian.

Guanqiu Jian analyzed, "Master Sima didn't need to do this. If, as you think, he wants to make us relax so he can attack, then isn't his current behavior going in the opposite direction? Far from relaxing our composure, his actions will actually make us prepare in advance and more cautious."

"Master Sima would never do such a stupid thing."

"I think this is very likely true, and it is very likely that it was done by His Majesty. His Majesty deliberately pushed these things in order to trip up the general."

"If this is really the case, then we have to change our strategy. Our future enemy will no longer be Sima Shi, but the ministers in the court."

When Wen Qin heard Guanqiu Jian's words, he was confused.

"Then did we borrow the grain from Wu State for nothing?"

"Well"

(End of this chapter)