The Three Kingdoms Voyage

Chapter 300
Daqiao saw that Sun Shao was blushing and didn't speak for a long time, so he couldn't help laughing and said: "I know, you are a sensible person, I don't need to say more, it's just that you are in a high position and authority, and you are encouraging births. I don't think many people dare to talk about this issue. Advise you. Aunt doesn’t want to say too much, but just reminds you, from what you said about the origin of the Zen of Joy, or the starting point of Taoism in the room, it actually explains a problem, and this kind of thing should be done in moderation You know, if you don't control yourself, it will hurt your health. The Yue Kingdom was first established, and Ah Yi is still young, and you have to rely on yourself for many things. You can't indulge yourself and ruin your bright future."

After hearing this, Sun Shao nodded embarrassingly.Seeing that his expression was still unnatural, Daqiao couldn't help being a little surprised, and asked a few more questions, but Sun Shao answered vaguely, found an excuse, got up and left Changle Palace.Daqiao thought that he thought his words were not good, so he couldn't help sighing.

When Sun Shao returned to the palace, his face was still a little hot. Guan Feng and Xia Houhui, who were sitting and gossiping, saw each other and were very curious. Tsukuru chatted with them as if nothing had happened.Seeing this, Guan Feng didn't ask any further questions, and handed over a quick report: "News from Yizhou County."

"Really?" Sun Shao was trying to find something to cover up, and asked quickly, "How is the situation?"

"Everything went well. With the help of the Shan people and the Pyu people, General Zhang went smoothly. He defeated the main force of Meng Huo and others, captured Yong Kai and others alive, and basically pacified Yizhou County. The barbarians in Yongchang County heard that , also dispersed. It’s just that there are still many people scattered in the mountains and forests. It may take a lot of time to completely eliminate them. But the king of Shu is seriously ill, and I hope that the general and the crown prince will return to Chengdu as soon as possible. This is very difficult.”

Sun Shao licked his lips and thought for a while, then nodded and said: "In this case, it's time to go back. Those native-born barbarians, it's not realistic to completely eradicate them. We should show kindness and power. Now that the first evil has been eliminated, it's time to show kindness. Conquer Conquest, if there is power but no grace, it is only conquering but not conquering, protracted, and in the end it is futile, so it may not be a good thing.” He thought for a while, and then sighed: “It’s a pity, if there are enough people now, we can move him 100 people. If ten thousand people go there, no matter how many barbarians there are, they can be wiped out."

Guan Feng and Xia Houhui glanced at each other and smiled with their mouths pursed.Sun Shao is now focused on increasing the population. After defeating the Tianzhu Navy, he only sent more than 5000 people to Ceylon Island to help the Sinhala King Nimar to stabilize the situation. He did nothing else. Focus on taking care of Xinde Taizhou and Haizhou, and increase the population wholeheartedly.

"Your Majesty, you asked the officials to come up with ideas to increase the population of the Han people, shouldn't you also contribute?" Guan Feng smiled and glanced at Xia Houhui: "Yuanrong is already 16 years old, shouldn't it be time for you to think about it?" ?”

Xia Houhui's face flushed with embarrassment.

Sun Shao took a look at Xiahouhui. Xiahouhui has been by his side for six years, and has changed from a child to a budding little woman. Although in his opinion, the 16-year-old Xiahouhui is still a child, but in this era , It's too late to marry at the age of 16.Xia Houhui's appearance is not very pretty, she still has some baby fat, but a girl of this age has an enviable vitality.

"Don't think that Yuanrong is the only one responsible, and so are you. We have to work together to give birth to seventeen or eight children." Sun Shao laughed loudly and said, "Otherwise, in such a big world, how can Ah Yi alone manage it?" Gotta come."

Xia Houhui's eyes lit up, Sun Shao seemed to mean to distribute the titles to each son, that is to say, not only Ah Yi, but her sons would also have the opportunity to be divided into titles.She glanced at Guan Feng calmly, but saw that Guan Feng still didn't realize it, and still said with a smile on his face: "The king has an edict, how dare the ministers and concubines refuse to follow it. However, the king wants seventeen or eight sons, but the king wants seventeen or eight sons. He is not someone who can be achieved by two courtiers and concubines, so should the king also choose some Han women with good looks and virtues to enter the palace?"

Sun Shao laughed awkwardly, of course he knew what Guan Feng meant and who he was referring to.He thought for a moment, then changed the topic and said, "By the way, I heard that General Zhang's wife is the Xiahou family?"

"Yeah, it's Yuanrong's aunt." Guan Feng smiled and took Xia Houhui's hand: "I asked Yuanrong, but Yuanrong didn't know much about it at first, but later when her father came, I asked her to find out. Yes. Speaking of it, it’s been 25 or [-] years.”

"That's right." Sun Shao smiled: "Then you discuss it and write a letter to General Zhang. Tell him what we mean, and then ask him to tell the King of Shu and Prime Minister Zhuge that if we want to completely pacify Yizhou and Yongchang , it is best to start trade immediately, trade is also good for the barbarians, at least it can also be used to support soldiers, and slowly, this road will be considered open. If possible, it is best to let him station troops near Yongchang. Tianzhu is at war, and they can help."

Guan Feng and Xia Houhui agreed and nodded repeatedly.

In June of the sixth year of the Republic of China, Dianchi Lake was governed by Yizhou County.

Nearly sixty years old, Zhang Fei was stroking his gray beard, standing on the east bank of the vast Dianchi Lake, groaning silently.Hu Du, Li Hui, Fan Jiang and other generals surrounded the crown prince Liu Chan and stood not far behind him, each of them was full of vigor and nervousness.With the help of the Shan and Pyu sent by the Yue Kingdom, Zhang Fei's one-year-long southern expedition was finally completed. The chief culprit, Yong Kai, was crowned.Now Shu King Liu Bei is seriously ill, and Zhang Fei and Prince Liu Chan are required to return to Chengdu as soon as possible. If the army is to be left here, naturally one person must be left in charge of the affairs here.Although Yizhou County has a large area and few people, it is bordered by several vassal states of Yue State and Jiaozhou of Wu State. The Prime Minister's Mansion has decided to develop the southern part, and this will become a transit point for going south. It is conceivable that the oil and water in it will not It is less, and it is justifiably used to raise soldiers. It can make a fortune without any risk. It is much safer than being an official in Chengdu.Everyone knows that once the king dies and the prince succeeds, the power will fall into the hands of the great general Zhang Fei and the prime minister Zhuge Liang, the military power will be in the hands of Zhang Fei, and the political power will fall into the hands of Zhuge Liang.Zhuge Liang was a strict man who ruled the country by law and hated corruption so much that everyone in Shu feared him.In comparison, this place that can justifiably reap benefits is very rare.

Prince Liu Chan looked at the water of Dianchi Lake silently, but from the corner of his eyes, he was looking at the faces of the generals.After following Zhang Fei for a year, he has gained some knowledge and knows what these people are thinking.It's just that his mind is not here, he really wants to go to Funan to see that Yue Wang Sun Shao that everyone is talking about.It is said that the king of Yue was not a few years older than him, and he had already fought in the battlefield when he was his age. In less than a few years, he became the head of the four kings, even more prestigious than his father who had fought for 40 years.

He is very curious.

But he didn't dare to say it, he could only hide this thought in his heart.He knew that the general and his father-in-law would not agree. His father, Liu Bei, was seriously ill. As the crown prince, he wanted to rush back to succeed him instead of traveling around the world like ordinary scholars.

"Alas—" Liu Chan sighed silently, full of involuntary helplessness.

"Prince, the king is ill. The old minister wants to accompany the prince back to Chengdu. We have to stay here to preside over the overall situation. Which one does the prince think is more suitable?" Zhang Fei seemed to have heard Liu Chan's sigh, turned around, bowed and saluted, said respectfully.Although Zhang Fei is Liu Chan's father-in-law, he has always treated Liu Chan like a courtier. He is not as arrogant as the former general Guan Yu, and always speaks to Liu Chan in a preaching tone.

Liu Chan smiled. Zhang Fei had already discussed this matter with him, and the candidate had already been decided.

"You are all talents. You have made great contributions in this southern expedition. After returning to Chengdu, Chan and the general will report to the king and reward you." Liu Chan's words were not fast, giving people a very friendly feeling. There was no coercion in his eyes, as peaceful as a boy next door.The generals looked at each other, knowing that this was the foreshadowing ahead, and told everyone that even if they couldn't stay here, they would not treat you badly when they returned to Chengdu.They comprehended, cupped their hands, and said in one go:
"This is the duty of the ministers."

"It is a blessing for me to be able to go out with the crown prince and the general."

"Being able to attach the crown prince's tail will benefit the ministers a lot."

"Yizhou is the Yizhou of the Han Dynasty and the Yizhou of the Shu Kingdom, but it is also the Yizhou of the Yizhou people. If you want to govern this place well, you must know the folk customs here. Although the generals are very good at fighting, it is necessary to discuss De'ang is probably the most familiar with the people here." Liu Chan pointed to Li Hui, and Li Hui was suddenly agitated, even saying he didn't dare.

"Prince, under the old system of the Han Dynasty, local people are not allowed to serve as shepherds in the local area. Although De Ang is familiar with the people of Yizhou, I am afraid it is inconsistent with the law?" Zhang Fei said calmly, stroking his beard.When Li Hui heard this, he was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized, and quickly said: "The general is right. The minister is from Yizhou. As a rule, he is not allowed to be the governor of Yizhou. All the princes are talented. Please choose someone else for the crown prince." Right. I am not talented, and I am willing to do my best to do the work of a dog and a horse."

There was a custom in the Han Dynasty. In order to prevent localism and the self-improvement of local big clans, local people cannot be the highest officials of the locality. For example, Yizhou people cannot be Yizhou prefects, but can only be prefects in other counties.On this basis, there is also a three mutual law, that is, people with relatives cannot be county guards for each other, which is also to prevent the expansion of local power.This rule was once abandoned when the world was in turmoil, but with the general situation of the world calming down, this rule has been implemented again. Zhang Fei said that there is nothing wrong with it, and Li Hui can only agree.

"Yes, what a pity." Liu Chan nodded in satisfaction, and said, "Brazil and Yizhou have similar folk customs. Hu Du is loyal and talented, and he is also a suitable candidate. With De'ang's assistance, he will definitely complement each other."

When Hu Du heard it, he immediately understood, and hurried forward to salute. Li Hui also knew that he must have no chance, so he had to go forward to salute and accept the order.According to Zhang Fei's prior care, Liu Chan comforted him a few more words, and then formally appointed Hu Du as the prefect of Yizhou, and at the same time appointed Li Hui as a meritorious officer.Hu Du and Li Hui stepped forward to thank him, and then retreated.

Zhang Fei has been watching all this calmly. Regarding Liu Chan's performance, he has neither a happy expression nor an unhappy expression. He only showed a smile after waiting for the generals to prepare separately: Rixian, in the future, he will definitely inherit your Majesty's cause and manage the Kingdom of Shu in a smooth manner, with peace and prosperity for the country and the people."

Liu Chan raised his head and glanced at the southern sky, and said with a smile: "Chan is young, so I hope my father-in-law will support me a lot."

Zhang Fei smiled: "That's the job of a veteran, why use the crown prince's order."

Liu Chan glanced at him, feeling a little boring. These people treat themselves like children, but they say it very respectfully, but it's not like that at all in their hearts. It's really boring.Alas, when can I be like King Yue, who can decide everything by himself.

Zhang Fei followed Liu Chan and walked slowly along the water's edge. He looked at Liu Chan's lonely back and shook his head helplessly.His daughter is Liu Chan's concubine. He can roughly know Liu Chan's thoughts, but he can find a way. What was he thinking, he seemed very displeased with Hui Cheng, inside and outside the words, as if he wanted to go back to a cage.

"General, compared with the other three kingdoms, is our Shu Kingdom bigger or smaller?" Liu Chan suddenly asked indifferently.

Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment, and then said after a while: "Prince, although the Kingdom of Shu is not as good as Wei and Yue, it can only stand side by side with Wu, but the Crown Prince is the clan and the closest person to His Majesty the Han, so... In terms of importance, our country of Shu is no weaker than them."

Liu Chan turned half of his body, looked at Zhang Fei, the corners of his mouth were crooked, and he didn't say a word.He knew that Zhang Fei was comforting him again.

"Go back, Prince." Zhang Fei persuaded in a harmonious voice, "Your Majesty is looking forward to your prince's return in Chengdu."

"Well, let's go back." Liu Chan looked at the southern sky regretfully, turned around and got into the car. Soon, the convoy started slowly and drove north.

In the Palace of Shu in Chengdu, Liu Bei was half leaning on the bed, his sallow face covered with sweat. After hearing the news, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, General Zhao Yun of the Chinese Army and others knelt in front of the bed, not daring to breathe.Liu Bei was panting, and it took him a long time to calm down. He made a weak move: "Kong Ming, Zilong, come closer."

Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun quickly moved forward a few steps, put their hands on the edge of the bed, and looked up at Liu Bei who was throbbing.

"Kong Ming, I saw Xiaozhi." Liu Bei stared blankly at the bottom of the curtain, his eyes were full of anxiety and fear. Zhuge Liang thought for a while, and just about to persuade him, Liu Bei said again: "Gu also saw the moose." Madame, she is covered in mud, and she keeps telling Gu that she is cold, and she is shivering from the cold."

Zhao Yun's snow-white brows frowned, feeling guilty for a while.Mrs. Mi died in Changbanpo, which was the most painful time among Liu Bei’s countless defeats in his life. Mrs. Mi died, and her two daughters were lost. The 10,000+ people who followed him for their lives, and the thousands of troops who had accumulated for several years also lost their lives. Lost everything, if Guan Yu hadn't brought [-] sailors with him at the time, he would have almost nothing, and in the end he could only bow his head to Sun Quan.

"Your Majesty, Mrs. Mi has been buried properly." Zhuge Liang reminded softly, "The two princesses are living well in Wei, and they even sent a letter a few days ago."

"Zilong, can you go to Nanjun for Gu?" Liu Bei turned his gaze to Zhao Yun, Zhao Yun hesitated: "Your Majesty has orders, and I will obey them all."

"Go to Nanjun and bring Mrs. Gan's coffin to Gu." Liu Bei sighed, "Gu can't go back to Zhuojun, let her be a companion for Gu."

"I obey." Zhao Yun nodded and said: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Your Majesty has sent someone to the Yue Kingdom to invite Dong Feng, the most talented doctor, to come and treat your Majesty's illness. He will arrive in a few days. Your Majesty will definitely recover."

Liu Bei glanced at Zhuge Liang who was bowing his head, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, but he didn't speak.He looked at Zhao Yun with some regret, Zhao Yun is good at everything, loyal, brave, almost all the virtues of a courtier can be found in him, but unfortunately, he trusts Zhuge Liang too much.He is a perfect minister, but not a minister who can entrust important tasks.

"Prime Minister, where are the prince and the general?"

"The prince and the general learned that the king is ill, and they are rushing to Chengdu day and night. Now they have arrived in Han'an, and they will arrive in Chengdu in half a month." With tears in his eyes, Zhuge Liang forced a smile: "The general Lai Jun Bao said that during the Southern Expedition, the crown prince will come to the front line in person, and the command will be determined, just like the old king. If the king sees the prince, he will be happy, and when the time comes, some minor illnesses will heal naturally. Please rest assured, don't worry about it. excessive."

"Hehehe..." Liu Bei laughed lightly.When he thought of Liu Chan, there was a kind of fatherly kindness in his eyes.Of course he didn't believe Zhuge Liang's words. As a father, he knew what kind of person Liu Chan was.But from another point of view, he also hoped that Liu Chan would really make progress.The last time the East China Sea met, Guan Feng persuaded him to let Liu Chan go out to see the world. After returning, he intentionally took Liu Chan to a nearby county.Although Liu Chan did not show much talent in governing the country, it can be clearly seen that Liu Chan's temperament has become much more cheerful. He no longer only knows how to play some childish games with his servants as before, but is attracted by various new things. Fascinated, he began to take the initiative to care about various news, and began to look for books to read. His favorite was "New Book of Mountains and Seas" written by Sun Shao-he was very interested in the illustrations in it, and often asked him about it. Speaking of Sun Shao's situation, his words were full of longing, showing his interest in making contributions like Sun Shao, instead of not caring about governing the country as before.

This made Liu Bei very excited.

Liu Bei smiled to himself for a moment, looked at the back of Zhuge Liang's head and said, "Kong Ming, the Southern Expedition has been completed, and the commercial roads to Tianzhu and Funan have been opened. The strength of our Shu Kingdom should increase, right?"

Zhuge Liang nodded without hesitation: "According to my estimate, in the next five years, the commercial road to the south will increase the tax revenue of our Shu Kingdom by [-]%. In addition, the gold, silver, bamboo, wood and lacquered horses in southern Xinjiang will have abundant military resources. The strength of the country will increase significantly."

"If the imperial court marches westward, can my country of Shu also participate in it?" Liu Bei's eyes brightened.

Zhuge Liang thought for a moment, then nodded vigorously: "Yes." He paused, and then said: "In order to accumulate supplies, I suggest that you cooperate with Yue to buy some steam engines, and at the same time organize people to imitate them. The effect of coal mines may be good for the country."

"Steam engine." Liu Bei smiled and nodded: "Buy a few. Besides, let your brother come back too. After studying in Zhuya for so long, it's time to come back and contribute to my country of Shu."

"Here." Zhuge Liang nodded in agreement.

"Zilong, after Yide comes back, you can discuss with him and choose some young disciples, and you will take them to Funan for half a year. I heard that Sun Shao built a lecture hall in Funan, dedicated to To train generals. After the Southern Expedition, Shu Kingdom had a few years of peace. Peace is good for the people, but it is not good for the training of generals. You go and see, if it is really good, we will also build a lecture hall when you come back. De Shifan, you will be the first lecturer in the martial arts hall."

Liu Bei said a lot of words in one breath, a little out of breath, so he had to stop, gasping for breath, he raised his hand, and hooked his fingers to Li Yan who was kneeling in the distance.Li Yan hurriedly took a few steps forward and rushed to the back of Zhao Yun.

"Zhengfang, you are quite capable in military affairs and you are in your prime of life. I want you to be Zilong's deputy and help him share some affairs."

"Here." Li Yan replied loudly, "I obey."

The corners of Zhuge Liang's eyes twitched, but there was nothing unusual on his face.Liu Bei's arrangement seemed natural, but it faintly revealed a different meaning.

　I've been very busy recently, so I'm sorry for the lack of more. I'll make up for it after I've been busy for a while.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)