Shu Han Confucian General of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 113 The Great Drought
No. 15 days after Liu Biao fled to Jiangxia, that is, the day when Gan Ning raided Cai Xun and returned to the army.Shi Lusu, head of Taiwei's house, was invited to Jiangxia to meet Liu Biao.The meeting between the two sides did not finalize too much content, it just means that Liu Bei will fully assist Liu Biao to put down the Jingxiang rebellion.Specifically, how to enter the army on a large scale will have to wait until the road is cleared in the spring. Now we can only confirm that Guan Yu, Zhao Feng and others will enter the army at that time.Although the navy had supported Li Yan along the Xiangshui River before, the land route was not yet suitable for large troops to enter.

Liu Biao welcomed Lu Su's arrival very much. He personally received him without saying anything, and even promised on the spot that he would cede several counties to Liu Bei after the event was completed, but Lu Su declined all of them.Lu Su has repeatedly stated that Liu Bei's attack this time is only to eliminate the rebellion, and has no intention of embezzling Jingxiang.After Liu Biao heard about Lu Su's attitude, he was not very surprised, nor was he too grateful for Liu Bei's "benevolence and righteousness".After entertaining Lu Su with great hospitality, Liu Biao also began to deploy troops, and he was ready to fight Cai Mao and others as soon as the spring began.

But before Liu Biao and Liu Bei entered the army, an unexpected incident made many people restless: In 201 AD, since the New Year's Eve, there was no rainfall in a large area of ​​the north.In addition, there was no rain for nearly a month a year ago, and there has been no rain in the entire north for nearly two months.Part of the farmland has started to dry out, and the wheat seedlings are dying one after another.

Specific to the thirteen prefectures of the Han Dynasty, that is, the northern prefectures of Yongzhou, Sizhou, Jizhou, Qingzhou, Yanzhou and even Xuzhou will obviously be embarrassed by this drought.Yuzhou will also be affected, but not too much.Yangzhou, Jiaozhou in the south, and Yizhou in the west are almost unaffected.The most special situation is Jingzhou, which is known as the world's furnace.

Jingzhou is very long in depth from north to south, connecting Jiaozhou in the south, Yongsi in the north, and the Yangtze River running through the east and west.The Jingbei counties in the north have a climate similar to that of Yongzhou, and are deeply affected by drought.However, the four counties in southern Jingnan, which have passed the Yangtze River, mostly have a southern climate, with abundant rainfall and intersecting river networks, so this drought is hardly affected.In other words, there is nothing wrong with Liu Biao's current territory, but Jingbei occupied by Cai Mao and Kuai Yue may be in danger.

"There was a severe drought in the north. Both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao stopped recruiting troops and could only rest and recuperate. Cao Cao has repeatedly ordered Taoist priests to set up altars to pray for rain, but so far it has not seen any effect." Zhang Zhao, Diannong Xiaowei, in the Taiwei's mansion in Shouchun Some gloat.Zhang Zhao has always been happy and angry, and this kind of tone is relatively rare today.

"How is Xuzhou?" Liu Bei is most concerned about his own rule, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao's troubles are their own business, and it will not be fun if they are in trouble together.

"The situation in Xuzhou is not bad. My lord ordered to dig channels to divert water from the Huaihe River to irrigate Xuzhou's farmland a few years ago. In addition, keel waterwheels have been widely used. This year, Xuzhou's summer grain will be affected very little." Zhang Zhao replied, and then frowned slightly. Dao: "But Taishan County and Shanyang County in Yanzhou, and the four counties of Qingzhou will be greatly affected. The three generals and General Wei may not have a good time there."

"Quickly allocate food and grass to prepare for disaster relief in these two places!" Liu Bei was not too flustered, after all, only these counties were affected by the disaster, and the combined population is only about 50, so the situation is not too bad.Immediately, Liu Bei seemed to think of something, and hurriedly asked again: "How is the situation in Jingzhou?"

"Jingbei was severely affected, but Jingnan was almost unaffected." It was not Zhang Zhao who answered the question, but Zhuge Liang with a smile on his face.But Zhang Zhao was not angry either. After contacting the magistrate of Shouchun many times in the past month, Zhang Zhao deeply felt that Zhuge Liang's talents and learning were far superior to his own, but he was humble and polite, which also made the stubborn and even a little arrogant Zhang Zhao had to admire.

"Since this is the case, life for Kuai Yue and Cai Mao will not be easy!" Liu Bei also laughed when he heard the words.At this time, Guan Yu said: "Brother, since there is a severe drought this year, Cao Cao must not be able to raise troops. Why don't you take the opportunity to recover the five counties of Yuzhou?" , this tone is unbearable anyway.

"Huh?" Liu Bei was also moved when he heard the words, and Pang Tong on the side smiled and said: "Junhou's words are true, but Tong thinks that Junhou may not necessarily need a big war, and Cao Cao may voluntarily give up these counties. At least, he does not will take it all."

"Give up?" Guan Yu was puzzled when he heard this.Zhuge Liang on the side explained in detail: "If Cao Cao is short of military supplies this year, he will definitely not be able to maintain the troops and horses he needs in Yuzhou. With Cao Cao's unscrupulous methods, he is very likely to rob the people of these counties of money and food, shrink the troops and return to Yanzhou , and leave a few empty shells for us to bear the burden on us.”

"How could he do this?" Guan Yu was shocked. This kind of behavior made it difficult for Guan Yu, who has always loved the people, to accept it. "It is indeed possible. Cao Cao claims that he would rather let the people of the world suffer than teach the world to defeat me." Liu Bei also sighed.

"Since that's the case, what should we do now?" Guan Yu was also a little undecided.Pang Tong pondered for a while, and then said: "The road has been civilized, but whether it is Cao Cao, or Kuai Yue and Cai Hao, there is no danger of food shortage at the moment. We should wait until the summer grain is harvested. Cao Cao and the people in Jingbei Let’s talk about the lack of food. Besides, when our army marches, we have to wait until the summer grain is collected.” Pang Tong has always liked to take risks, but now even he agrees to wait, and Liu Bei understands that there are indeed many times to send troops.At the same time, Liu Bei also informed Liu Biao who was in Jiangxia, stated the stakes and asked him to wait.

It wasn't until the end of March in the lunar calendar that there was some rainfall in the north, but this year's summer harvest in the north has already been severely damaged.Although it will not be completely impossible to harvest, but the lack of harvest is certain. "This year's grain output is expected to be less than [-]% of last year's. Among them, Qingzhou's harvest is almost complete. Right now, it is inappropriate to fight any more." The general's mansion in Yecheng, who is in charge of the examination and distribution of money and grain, also introduced this year's grain production with some optimism. Condition.

"Since that's the case, let's rest for the time being and wait for next year!" Yuan Shao waved his hands wearily after hearing the words.At this time, the counselor Guo Tu rolled his eyes and said, "My lord, now that Liu Bei is occupying Yangzhou, there is no one in the world with more grain and grass. Why don't you borrow food from him?"

"Huh? Liu Bei?" Yuan Shao was taken aback when he heard the words, then frowned and said, "It's just that Liu Bei and I are enemies, not friends, how can we help?"

"My lord, Liu Bei is known for his benevolence. My lord only needs to use the name of the common people to send an eloquent person to negotiate with him, and Liu Bei will definitely agree. What's more, the reason why Liu Bei became an enemy of the lord was the result of Cao Cao's previous bewitching. Right now, they are just fighting in Yuzhou, and the alliance between the two has long since disappeared." Guo Tu laughed, and then said: "Furthermore, Zhang Fei and General Zhang Jaw have confronted each other in Linzi for a long time, my lord can promise Qingzhou, the Yellow River and the In the southern counties, there is no reason why Liu Bei will not agree."

"You want me to cede the land?" Yuan Shao's tone was not very good when he heard the words, Guo Tu quickly said: "My lord, don't worry, just now the trial is correct, Qingzhou is a complete harvest this year. Even if Liu Bei gets south of Qingzhou, he will only recite it." It’s a big burden. Besides, General Zhang Jaw can still rely on the natural danger of the Yellow River to defend himself. I just wait to get through the current difficulties, and next year I will destroy Cao Cao first, and then Liu Bei, wouldn’t it be fun?”

"This statement is reasonable, and the rules are fair. You can go to Xuzhou as an envoy to borrow food from Liu Bei." After thinking about it, Yuan Shao didn't think there was anything wrong, so he decided to send Guo Tu to Shouchun to meet Liu Bei.

Yuan Shao didn't have enough food, so Cao Cao didn't have enough.Although Yongzhou Guanzhong is a land of grain production, it is still worse than Jizhou.In addition, the water conservancy facilities under Cao Cao's rule are not very good. Even if the method of intensive cultivation is adopted, there is still a lack of food this year.

"My lord, this year's food is probably half of last year's. Yongzhou and Yanzhou are still self-sufficient, but Sizhou is a bit difficult." Xun Yu said a little less optimistically.Cao Cao frowned slightly when he heard this, and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table. "This year's army is no longer able to fight, and Yuan Benchu ​​is also unable to do what he wants. Wen Ruo needn't worry too much."

"My lord, even if we are recuperating, I'm afraid there won't be enough food for the last two months." Xun Yu hesitated, but still told the worst.

"What?" Cao Cao was a little moved now. "It cost a lot to move the people of Yuzhou to Yanzhou. In addition to the large army fighting, there is not enough food left." Xun Yu said sadly.

"Wen Ruo has a good plan?" Cao Cao asked Xun Yu hurriedly.Xun Yu was silent for a long time, finally looking at Cao Cao's expectant eyes, he sighed and said, "Runan is the former administrative center of Yuzhou, where money and food were hoarded. Now we can transfer food and grass from Runan to save Yanzhou's urgent need."

Cao Cao was also taken aback when he heard the words, and then took a deep look at Xun Yu, then nodded and said: "Just as Wen Ruo said, the order will be filial to Zi Xiao, and all the grain and grass in Yuzhou will be transported to Yanzhou!" After a pause, Cao Cao said again: "Let Wen Ze retreat to Xiangcheng, and Zixiao retreat to Liang County. These two are the gates of Yanzhou, and they need to be guarded. Isn't Liu Xuande benevolent? I will hand over the people of the three counties in Runan to him. .”

"My lord, Shanyang County is now occupied by Wei Yan. General Cao Hong has attacked many times, but he has not done anything. Right now there is not enough food, it is better to withdraw the troops as soon as possible!" Xun Yu remonstrated.

"Since that's the case, tell Zilian to withdraw!" Cao Cao said helplessly, "Liu Da'er's subordinates are really full of talents. Wei Yan's family name is unknown, but he doesn't know where he came from, so Zilian is at a loss. Li Yan, Yangzhou Zhao Feng, really hateful!"

"What? Ruyin's Cao army has withdrawn their defense?" Liu Bei heard the news that day, and for a moment even wondered if his ears had heard it wrong.

"That's right, my lord, and when Cao Jun withdrew, he took all the surplus food. It seems that Cao Cao wants to use the people of these three counties to hold us back!" Chen Qun said bitterly.

"My lord, don't worry, Sun Quan, the pastor of Jiaozhou, sent people to send 30 shi of rice, which can be used by the army for conquest and disaster relief!" Zhang Zhao quickly advised.

"It's so good!" Liu Bei was a little surprised that this gentleman would suddenly help him now, but he was quite happy, and then he said with some concern: "30 shi? Will Jiaozhou still be self-sufficient in this way?"

"My lord, don't worry. Jiaozhou has three crops of rice a year. The population is sparse, and there is no danger of food shortage. These are accumulated income over the years. Sunzhou Mu heard that Xuzhou was hit by a disaster, so he specially ordered someone to send it!" Zhang Zhao laughed.As Sun Quan's teacher, this student's behavior undoubtedly made him more gratified.Seeing this, Liu Bei was relieved and asked Guan Yu to lead his army to Ruyin and other places to take over the defense. At the same time, he was preparing to rescue the victims of the disaster this year, and sent Zhuge Liang to deal with all civil affairs with the army.

Only a few days after Guan Yu's army set off, Guo Tu came to Shouchun to borrow food from Liu Bei on behalf of Yuan Shao.As a price, they are willing to cede all counties and counties south of the Yellow River in Qingzhou.This condition is quite generous, at least it is more than enough to fool ordinary people.But what he met was Lu Su. Under the latter's pressure, Guo Tu was forced to agree to give Liu Bei another 50 war horses in exchange for [-] shi of grain.

Another month passed, until the end of July.Liu Biao, who was in Jiangxia, and Liu Bei, who was in Shouchun, issued an edict at the same time, announcing a crusade against Cai Mao and Kuai Yue who "colluded with the country's thieves and caused chaos in the local area."Among them, Liu Biao sent his nephew Liu Pan to lead an army of [-] from Wuling to attack Yidu, and Liu Bei sent Guan Yu to lead an army of [-] to attack Yiyang after opening up Runan, and at the same time, he supported Li Yan who was in Nanyang.In addition, General Fenwei Zhao Feng who was in Lujiang also led an army of [-] to attack Nanjun from Jiangxia.

(End of this chapter)