The Three Kingdoms Voyage

Chapter 212

Sun Shao made a fortune this time. Not only did he get 2000 war horses for nothing from Cao Zhang, but he also got more than 5000 horses from Goguryeo King Daqi, plus Gongsun Gong’s original [-] horses. He got nearly [-] horses in total. This is a wealth that no one can ignore, not even the peoples on the grassland, let alone those who do not produce horses themselves.

Zang Ba and Sun Guan were jealous, but they were embarrassed to speak up. Sun Shao had done business with them and brought them to meritorious deeds. Do not open this mouth.

Sun Shao could see what they meant.

"Want a horse?"

Zang Ba and Sun Guan looked at each other and nodded in shame. Sun Guan, a rough old man, blushed for a rare time, and said in a sly way: "Wei king's war horses are very strictly controlled, and it is rare to reward dozens of horses. There are no shadows to be seen, and the foreign minister's stables are almost growing grass."

Sun Shao can understand their difficulties, because Jiangdong is similar.The generals in Jiangdong usually have 2000 soldiers when they are awarded troops, but they only have fifty horses, the ratio is forty to one, while the ratio in Cao Cao's army is roughly ten to one. If it is a general who is good at cavalry, such as Zhang Liao , the ratio can be even higher.Cao Zhang was in Youzhou, and it was easier to get war horses. Among the 2 people brought here this time, there were more than 4000 cavalry, not counting the guard cavalry, and the ratio was as high as five to one.

"How about this, I got more than 1 horses this time, of which [-]... sorry, I want to exchange them for my mother and son."

Sun Shao glanced at Sun Deng intentionally or unintentionally. Zang Ba and Sun Guan were very clear about the relationship between the Sun family's uncle and nephew, and they also had a hostage in Yecheng, so they instinctively sympathized with Sun Shao, but they didn't like Sun Quan, and even Sun Deng I didn't like it either, and the look at Sun Deng was naturally a little uncomfortable.

Sun Deng was restless and couldn't say anything, so he had to endure it.This time he was ordered by Sun Shao to lead Wei Wen and others to guard Mengliangjin. Although there was no war, it was scary enough. If Yangyi's [-] troops were to forcibly cross Mengliangjin, it would be a fierce battle.Not only Sun Deng was nervous for several days, but even Zhuge Jin and the others raised their hearts to their throats. If there is any calmness in this, it is Zhuge Ke, but he seemed a little excited.

Sun Shao asked Zhuge Jin to go back and report, hoping to exchange two thousand war horses for Daqiao and Ayi. Sun Deng very much hoped that Sun Quan would agree. In his letter to Sun Quan, Sun Shao specially exaggerated the tension on the battlefield, and there were many exaggerated words in it. Sun Deng knew that Sun Shao meant to scare Sun Quan, but this was what he wanted, so he turned a blind eye, and added a few words in his family letter, hoping that Sun Quan would take pity on his son. , agreed to Sun Shao's request, and took him back as soon as possible.

Although he knew that he would have to wait at least a few months for results, Sun Deng's heart had already flown back to Jianye.

"This great victory, thanks to the grace of heaven, I will send one thousand of the best war horses to the emperor." Sun Shao said with a sincere smile: "Anyway, the emperor is the master of the world, so he can't be too shabby. I heard It is really outrageous to say that although the fifth school of the Northern Army has been rebuilt, the Huqi Battalion, Yue Qi Battalion, and Changshui Battalion are all in name only, and there are no cavalry at all. Among the horses, I will take [-] horses, and you two will each have [-] horses, how about it?"

Zang Ba and Sun Guan felt a little regretful, although this was in their name, it did not fall into their hands after all.However, on second thought, if they presented horses with Sun Shao, the emperor would definitely reward them, maybe the governor could become a state shepherd.Thinking of this, they bowed to Sun Shao together: "Thank you for your support, Your Highness."

"It should be, we are comrades-in-arms, and we charge into the battle together, of course we have to share some of the spoils." Sun Shao didn't feel blushed at all, and continued: "I will sell some of the remaining [-] horses to Xishu. You don't know, my father-in-law has come to ask for war horses several times, I really can't save face."

"Understood, understood." Zang Ba and Sun Guan became more and more disappointed, splitting up and down, it seemed that they didn't have their share.

Sun Shao looked at their faces until the disappointment was fully revealed on their faces, and then said: "I will keep [-] horses, and you will share the remaining [-] horses equally. How about it?"

"Ah? Ah!" Zang Ba and Sun Guan, who were already in despair, suddenly climbed to the peak of ecstasy.A thousand horses?That's great, they only planned to ask for [-] horses, but they couldn't do it, and [-] horses would do. Unexpectedly, Sun Shao cried and cried for a long time, and finally gave them [-] horses each.

Zang Ba and Sun Guan exchanged a look of surprise, and at the same time bowed down in front of Sun Shao: "Your Highness's heart, I really admire it."

Sun Shao quickly helped them up, and said with a embarrassed smile: "You two envoys, what are you talking about? Although we are quite different in age, we hit it off right away. I am very grateful that you have crossed mountains and seas to help me fight Liaodong." Do it. If I am not really short of horses, to be honest, I plan to share it with you.”

Zang Ba shook his head again and again, grinning from ear to ear: "Your Highness, this is already very good, we can't bear any more."

Sun Guan also beamed happily, stroking his gray beard, and raised his thumb: "I, Sun Guan, have been disobedient all my life, and today I really admire Your Highness. Your Highness, don't talk nonsense. If you want to help in the future, just In a word, as long as I, Sun Guan, can still ride a horse and hold a spear, I will definitely travel thousands of miles to serve my life."

"With the words of the envoy, I am even more courageous." Sun Shao exaggeratedly raised his chest, making Zang Ba and Sun Guan laugh out loud.

"My lord, Qingzhou's textile industry needs to spend a lot of effort to restore it. Linzi is a famous silk capital in the whole country. I don't know how much money I made back when it was exported to Xiyi. I will travel across the ocean soon, and I will not be able to be empty by then. Let’s go by boat? You won’t even be able to collect the travel expenses.”

"Don't worry, Your Highness." Sun Guan patted his chest and said, "After I go back this time, I will definitely focus on this, and I hope that Your Highness can provide more looms, not too many, as long as there are thousands of looms, I guarantee that within three to five years, the grand occasion of the year will be restored."

"The loom is easy to handle. We still deal with it according to the old rules and barter." Sun Shao nodded again and again. He has made a lot of money on the loom.However, the looms given to Sun Guan are only the first generation of improvements, and there will be second and third generations in the future. With the stimulation of profits, he believes that technological progress will be leaps and bounds.

"That would be great." Sun Guan nodded in satisfaction.

The three of them talked very happily, and their interest in cooperation became more and more intense, and the scope became wider and wider. Zang Ba and Sun Guan wished to bring out all the things that could be cooperated with Sun Shao.It's good to do business with Sun Shao, Sun Shao doesn't cheat them, he thinks for them everywhere, many problems that they didn't consider, Sun Shao has thought of them for them.Where can you find such a partner, you must hold on tight.

While Sun Shao took care of Zang Ba and Sun Guan, he also began to cooperate with the big clans in Liaodong County. Liaodong's wood industry, fishery, mining, and animal husbandry all have great potential.In Sun Shao’s general impression, Liaodong should be one of the three provinces in Northeast China, which is a major coal-producing province. He wants to develop steelmaking, steam engines, and travel across oceans. Coal is a must. Before the importance is fully understood, he has to act first.

Who said that, if you want to get rich, the fastest way is to grab resources.Cultivated land is also a kind of resource, but to Sun Shao, the resource of cultivated land is far less important than other resources. One is that cultivated land is rare, and the other is that the population is small and the output of cultivated land is too low. Instead of competing with others for land, he Instead, focus on other resources.

A large number of people in Xiangping City were killed by assassins arranged by Sun Shao. Now there is no leader in the group, and no one can take the lead to compete with Sun Shao. Those small families with weaker strength just took advantage of the vacancy and offered various preferential conditions to attract Sun Shao attention.Sun Shao took advantage of the advantages and was soft, listening to the flattery made his ears itch. Gu Tan, who was in charge of these affairs, was so busy that he hit the back of his head, and finally said to Sun Shao with a bitter face, you should invite Aunt Shan to come, I am too busy alone Come.

At the beginning of December, Cao Zhang returned from hunting in Puyu, and this time he gained a lot.Because Fuyu King Wei Qiutai buried almost all the main force in the Liao Tunnel, and now only the old and the weak, women and children are left in Fuyu. Facing Cao Zhang's iron cavalry, they have no other choice but to catch Cao Zhang's iron cavalry.Cao Zhang returned with almost a full load, with nearly 5 war horses, more than [-] cattle and sheep, and a population of nearly [-]. Sun Shao even wondered if Fuyu had become an open space.

"No." Cao Zhang's black face was filled with a smug smile: "There are still some who escaped, and I am too lazy to chase them."

"There are so many horses, shouldn't I share more?" Sun Shao said with a smile.

"Your Highness has already caught so much, please leave some for me." Cao Zhang said with a bitter face, "These horses are either mares or young horses. Not many of them can really be used as war horses."

"Stingy." Sun Shao pointed at Cao Zhang's nose: "How about this, give me another thousand, and give you the rest of the horses, and give me more cattle, sheep and people, how about it?"

Cao Zhang smacked his lips, he knew he would be blackmailed by Sun Shao, but now that Sun Shao occupied Liaodong and refused to leave, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and let Sun Shao choose another thousand horses.Sun Shao immediately wrote a memorial to report the battle of Liaodong to the emperor. He deliberately praised the contributions of Zang Ba, Sun Guan and Cao Zhang, but did not mention his own affairs. Then he sent people directly across the sea and landed in Qingzhou. Six hundred miles to Luoyang urgently.

The emperor received the good news from Sun Shao when the New Year was approaching, and knew that the thousand horses he had donated had entered the Yellow River and would soon arrive in Luoyang. , With these thousand horses, the cavalry battalion of the Northern Army can finally be established, more or less like the Northern Army.

"Aiqing, I didn't expect Sun Qing to be such a loyal minister." The emperor praised: "I have been emperor for so many years with a thousand horses, and I have never received such a heavy tribute."

Yang Biao was very pleased. It was he who strongly recommended Sun Shao in front of the emperor, and it was he who strongly advocated making Sun Shao the king with the weakest strength. Now the facts have proved that Sun Shao has played a very good role in restraining the other three kings. Among the kings, he is the only one who sincerely regards the emperor as the emperor, and spares no effort to help the emperor strengthen his strength and restore his dignity.

"Your Majesty, having a subject like King Yue is a blessing to His Majesty, a blessing to a great man, and a blessing to the world."

"Yes, yes." The emperor nodded repeatedly.After recuperating this year, his face became more and more rosy.

"Your Majesty, how should King Yue be rewarded?" Yang Biao reminded.

"How to reward? My dear ladies, what do you think should be rewarded?" The emperor was also in a good mood and immediately asked for their opinions.

Yang Biao stroked his beard and thought for a while: "The land of Yue is small, and the king of Yue has too little room to display his power. If he cedes land from Yangzhou and Jiaozhou, I am afraid that Sun Quan will not agree. In my opinion, it is better to cut some places from Liaodong to increase the title." .”

"Additional title?" The emperor hesitated, "Where is it better to cut it off? Liaodong is within the scope of Youzhou. I'm afraid the king of Wei won't agree to it?"

Yang Biao was also in a bit of a dilemma: "Yes, King Yue is not strong enough to compete with King Wei now, but if he doesn't cede land, how will he develop?"

"In my opinion, leave this matter to the king of Yue and the king of Wei to negotiate." Jia Xu, who has been squinting his eyes and thinking silently, smiled slightly: "The king of Yue will definitely understand His Majesty's holy will, even if the matter fails, he will I will not resent Your Majesty. He is good at calculating and good at doing business, and he may be able to cut some land from King Wei."

The emperor thought for a while and nodded again and again: "A good plan, a good plan, leave this headache to them."

Yang Biao also showed a gratified smile.It was the emperor's decision to let Jia Xu be the captain, and Yang Xiu also suggested it. The emperor thought so because Jia Xu helped the emperor solve many difficulties when he was in Chang'an. The emperor trusted him and thanked him. Yang Xiu It is recommended to use Jia Xu because Jia Xu is good at guessing people's hearts, and he is inclined to Cao Pi. With him by Cao Cao's side, Cao Zhi will be at a disadvantage. Bringing him to the emperor's side will virtually weaken Cao Pi's strength.But Yang Biao himself didn't like Jia Xu very much at the beginning. He had dealt with Jia Xu very early. Lang Guan, and a very unremarkable Lang Guan, was too gloomy, and Yang Biao didn't like him very much.

But now he finds that although Jia Xu is a gloomy person, he does have unexpected good methods at critical times.Like the current method, it not only shows the emperor’s favor to Sun Shao, but also pushes the difficulties to Cao Cao’s side. Liaodong was defeated by them together. If Cao Cao refuses to give the land, then he must give other benefits, otherwise Sun Shao will definitely have a problem with him.

"King Yue doesn't have a suitable official position yet, so it's time to give him a title." Yang Biao further suggested.

"That's right." The Son of Heaven thought for a moment: "Eastern Yi and Western Qiang, Southern Barbarians and Northern Di, in my opinion, let him be given the title of General Fuyi. If he is also called Xiaowei, it seems a bit slow."

Yang Biao felt that something was wrong. Usually, this general would not do good things. In the history of the Han Dynasty, several generals ended up being disasters. Would it be the same if Sun Shao was appointed as the general of Fuyi?

"The captain is indeed too low, but the general is also high." Jia Xu said lightly: "It won't be too late for him to be named a general after he calms down Dongyi. Let's call him General Fuyi now, one grade higher than the captain. It is also in line with his status."

The emperor had no objection, and Yang Biao thought it was appropriate, so it was decided.The imperial edict was quickly drawn up, granting Sun Shao the title of Fuyi General, Envoy Chijie, who is fully responsible for the conquest of Dongyi, adding a county's territory, and reporting to Luoyang for the location he agreed with Wei Wang Cao Cao.Feng Zangba was named Xuzhou Shepherd, Sun Guan was Qingzhou Shepherd, and Cao Zhang was Youzhou Shepherd.Because this edict all involved the sphere of influence of Wei Wang Cao Cao, the emperor had to discuss it with Wei Wang Cao Cao before issuing it to Sun Shao, but he issued a secret edict to Sun Shao in advance, explaining his plan for rewarding, which means Tell Sun Shao that if the seal fails, it is not my problem, it is the old thief Cao Cao who is blocking it.

When Cao Cao received the draft edict sent by the emperor, he smiled contemptuously, knowing the emperor's intentions clearly.After Sun Shao captured Xiangping City, Cao Zhang sent the news to Yecheng with a fast horse. When Cao Cao marveled at Sun Shao's methods, he was puzzled. Figured out how Sun Shao captured Xiangping City in one day.He showed Cao Zhang's report to Zhong Yao, Dong Zhao, Cao Ren and other important officials, and they couldn't guess the intention. Finally, Cao Cao sighed, "If Feng Xiao (Guo Jia) is here, maybe he can know a thing or two about it." .” The several important ministers looked at each other in blank dismay, feeling extremely embarrassed.But they had to be convinced that Sun Shao's method of conquering Xiangping City was indeed unknown to ghosts and gods. Perhaps only the resurrection of the ghost of the year, Guo Jia, could guess one or two.

Facing the imperial edict that the emperor wanted to sow discord, Cao Cao thought for a while and made a decision. He asked someone to find Cao Zhen, the general of the guard, and asked Cao Zhen to go to Liaodong to discuss related matters with Sun Shao.Sun Shao has made such a great contribution, it is impossible not to give some benefits, but Liaodong County is too important. If Liaodong County is given to Sun Shao, it means that all the territory on the east side of Bohai Bay belongs to Sun Shao.He has strong financial resources, and his navy dominates the world. If he is allowed to occupy the horse farm in Liaodong, I am afraid that he will become a confidant in the future. Once he joins forces with Sun Quan and Liu Bei, he will directly land in Qingxu from Liaodong. It can attack the vicinity of Yecheng.

What worries Cao Cao even more is that Sun Shao made a contribution to Cao Pi in Qingzhou, and then made a contribution to Cao Zhang in another hand. Now his three sons are evenly matched, making it even more difficult for him to choose.He knew that Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi were closer. Between Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, Cao Zhang would choose Cao Zhi, but after Cao Zhi made great achievements in Bashu, he did not make any follow-up actions that satisfied him. Right now, he seems very quiet in Guanzhong.Cao Cao hesitated, and wanted to try Cao Zhi's details again. He was going to send Cao Pi to Liangzhou to stimulate Cao Zhi and see how he would react.

As for his body, after trying the fish oil presented by Sun Shao for a month, he felt that it would not be a problem for him to live for a few more years, and he could see more calmly and accurately.After all, his territory is now equivalent to half of the Han Dynasty, with Sun Quan and Liu Bei, two fierce tigers, and Sun Shao, a little fox who came from behind. several years.

Cao Zhen took the order and rushed to Liaodong with Cao Cao's handwritten letter.

At the end of December, when Zhuge Jin arrived in Jianye, Xu Zuo, the Central Sima who was responsible for escorting [-] war horses, did not follow. He and his fleet stopped at Lianyungang, waiting for Sun Quan's reply.

When Sun Quan saw Sun Shao and Sun Deng's letters, he was startled at first, and then his face sank.

"Is this a threat to me?" Sun Quan threw the letter on the case and sneered: "Does it mean that if I don't let Ah Yi go back, he will kill Arden? Well, let him kill, I want to see How did he explain to the Sun clan, isn't he treating people kindly, why can't he even tolerate his younger brother?"

Zhuge Jin was very embarrassed, he was a little unclear about Sun Quan's mentality.Could it be that he really intends to abolish the elders and establish the younger ones, and transfer his love to the younger generations?If this is really the case, his Zhuge family will hug the wrong thigh.Zhuge Ke is the prince's companion, and now he has accompanied Sun Deng for a while. If Sun Deng is going to fall out of favor, doesn't it mean that they are suffering for nothing?
"Your Highness, I have something to say, please read it for your Highness." Zhuge Jin tried his best to appear impartial.

"Tell me." Sun Quan said angrily.In front of a courtier like Zhuge Jin, he didn't need to hide his anger, nor did he need to pretend to be a respectful corporal.

"The king of Yue exchanged two thousand war horses for his stepmother and son. If His Highness refuses, others will think that His Highness cuts off the relationship between mother and child, which is against human relations. It will inevitably cause unhappiness among the clan. Last time in Fuchun, King Yue Just using this as an excuse to ask the old lady to call Mrs. Xu to Fuchun to have a meeting with the prince, the meaning of fulfillment, no one would disapprove, but His Highness does the opposite, what will others think?"

Sun Quan turned his head angrily, and said angrily for a long time: "I don't care what they think, anyway, they now believe that he is the heir of the Sun family. I have worked hard for so many years, and it is not in vain in the end?"

Only then did Zhugejin figure out what it meant. Sun Quan resented Sun Shao for taking away the hearts of the Sun family, and forcibly holding the bridge and the child. Even if it made Sun Shao unhappy, he also knew that it might not be of much use, but He just wanted to make trouble for Sun Shao, which was a bit of a temper.

In fact, he didn't know that Sun Quan was holding on to Daqiao and the child. Gu Ran had an element of anger, but there was another secret: Although Daqiao had always been indifferent to him, it was this indifference that made Sun Quan want to stop. The more he arrived, the more he was obsessed. He would rather let the child go than let the bridge go. He knew that once the bridge was gone, he would never see him again.

Objectively speaking, Sun Quan is a person who is more rational than emotional. He can give up a lot of emotions for the sake of profit, but he is also a person and a man after all. He has most of the problems that people have, although he can often restrain himself, but it is unavoidable that there are many times when he cannot control himself, not to mention that he has been driven a little crazy by Sun Shao.He often thought, could it be that he was really inferior to his elder brother, not only inferior to his elder brother, but also inferior to his son?He didn't believe it, he wanted to restrain Sun Shao, and see how Sun Shao could finally get the bridge and the child away.

When a person gets angry, it is inevitable to be unreasonable, and Sun Quan is like this now.Don't say that Zhuge Jin is not an eloquent person, even if he is, Sun Quan can't listen to anything now.

(End of this chapter)