"The elders will fix it, and then the king will consider it." [Mandarin·Zhouyu Part 1]
The emperor immediately cheered up. Although he had been busy with the disaster in Guanzhong and the new attachment of Yizhou these days, he had never neglected the situation in Guandong for a moment. He had no spare time to intervene in the current situation in Guandong at the moment, but on the surface he had Former general Zhu Jun, Runan prefect Liu Ai and others worked for him to maintain the presence of the imperial court; privately, there were Pingzhun spies sent by Jia Xu with the help of knights wandering around, and they were constantly transported to Hebei, Jingzhou and other places. Hidden message.
Relying on the knowledge and memories of his previous life, the emperor could be said to have a clear understanding of the situation in Kanto without leaving home.
"Liu Ai has sent a memorial, saying that Cao Cao has left Mount Tai and marched south to Langye." Liu Ai, the governor of Runan, and Tianchou, the prime minister of Pei, are the emperor's confidants in Yuzhou. They are not only the front line of Yangzhou to defend Yuan Shu, but also the restraints between Xuzhou and The nail in Yanzhou. Although the former general Zhu Jun still served as the governor of Yuzhou, he was also a shrewd man. He took the initiative to hand over the civil affairs of Yuzhou to Liu Ai. He only looked after the Henan area, so Liu Ai often sent messages to the emperor. Serve as eyes and ears.
Liu Ai's memorial came to the palace yesterday afternoon. It was sealed in the form of a secret memorial, so it was placed on the emperor's desk immediately without going through the process of Chengming Palace. The emperor was in a depressed mood just now, except for praying for rain. The other reason was because of this. He thought of Xun You's hesitant expression, and his face couldn't help but dim. He sighed softly: "Cao Mengde is worried after all. Seeing that Yuan and Yuan are joining forces to fight against the imperial court, he still wants to wait and see. The situation... this so-called 'loyal minister' is still like this, let alone others?"
"Back then, Cao Cao had nothing and only a few soldiers and horses under his command. With his passion, he dared to pursue the Dong thieves alone." Jia Xu smiled softly and said: "Now Cao Cao is sitting in Yanzhou with tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, just like a prince. It may not be possible for him to sacrifice his wealth and devote himself to protecting the country."
The emperor picked up the tea bowl, took a sip, and said in an understatement: "People's hearts are like this. Once they have a foundation and power, they will look forward and backward, and be timid. In those days, those who were brave and courageous, and said, 'Even if there are thousands of people, I will go', are now There’s no coming back.”
Jia Xu was silent for a moment. The emperor's words seemed to have some meaning, which made Jia Xu's back slightly cold. However, his silence was only for a moment, and he soon returned to normal: "Cao Cao's wealth at this time is entirely dependent on the donations from the Yuan family. Yuan Benchu He was not allowed to enter Qingzhou territory on the pretext of helping Yuan Tan several times, which can be said to be as guarded as a tiger. Cao Cao knew the interests first, so how could he be willing to offend the Yuan family? This time he went south to Langye and tried to block Xuzhou. I would like to show favor to His Majesty if possible."
Nowadays, the situation in the world is gradually becoming clearer, forming a situation where the two Yuans intend to merge, open up the connection between Jizhou and Yangzhou, communicate with each other, and compete with the imperial court sitting in the west. If the two Yuans occupy Qingxu, then the two families can If they are connected together and attack and defend against each other, it will become difficult to deal with them. Xuzhou, which is in between the two, has become the most critical position, and Cao Cao's actions have made no secret of his intention to easily affect success or failure. , the ambitions of key forces.
"I already have Liu Bei in Xuzhou. If he wants to kick him away and take over himself, is this a sign of goodwill to the court?" The emperor put down the tea bowl and saw Jia Xu lowering his eyes, so he motioned to the other party not to be restrained and just drink tea to quench his thirst. Then he said coldly: "Cao Cao has a good sense of proportion. He knows the bottom line of the court's tolerance of him. If you say that he is just guessing out of thin air, I don't believe it."
In fact, Jia Xu was not thirsty. Due to the king's order, he had to symbolically pick up the tea bowl as if he wanted to drink. At this time, he put the tea bowl back in his hand and said slowly: "Liu Bei is not good at military affairs. It is difficult to resist Yuan Shu."
, why is it enough to entrust the affairs of the East? Mr. Xun is also thinking about the court."
The emperor did not say who was secretly connected with Cao Cao, but the Xun family and Cao Cao's disciples all came from Yingchuan together, and Xun Yu was Cao Cao's confidant. In order to win over Cao Cao, the emperor acquiesced in the exchange of information between the Xun family
, Jia Xu knew this. However, the Xun family had managed so much, but it still did not make Cao Cao completely determined to leave the Yuan family's camp. The function of this could not help but make the emperor a little disappointed, and he even revealed it unconsciously in his tone.
mood.
But Jia Xu opened his mouth to excuse Xun, which surprised the emperor slightly, but when he thought about it, Jia Xu was such a cautious person, and he would be so impatient if he didn't talk about people's rights and wrongs easily.
The emperor calmed down for a while and said: "Just now I ordered the princes of Chengming Palace to discuss the control of locusts. Lord Xun wanted to stay and deal with me alone. At that time, I was tired of this matter, so I didn't want to see him. I'll wait for him to show off.
After a while, I ordered him to come in again and asked him to contact Cao Cao privately. But if he forgets who he is working for, I won't allow it."
"I promise, Mr. Xun is wise and wise, so he will not let you down." Jia Xu rarely said a few good words for Xun You, then gently dropped the subject and asked, "I don't know about your majesty's affairs in Guandong, but can you?"
Have you made a plan?"
The emperor stared for a moment and said: "Cao Cao wants to test the ambitions of me and Yuan Shao this time. How can I fail to fulfill his wish? He immediately ordered Liu Ai and Tian Chou to lead the army south, and the first general was still in Yuan Shu's hands.
Peiguo and some counties in Runan have been recovered, so don’t interfere in Xuzhou affairs.”
Jia Xu did not drink the bowl of tea after all. He put down the tea bowl, cupped his hands and echoed: "Your Majesty, if Liu Ai and others do not move, Cao Cao will inevitably have scruples and dare not let go. This can both cope with the situation."
Liu Bei's war in Huainan and his attack on Yuan Shu could also reassure Cao Cao and understand the generosity of the imperial court."
The emperor sneered: "If he was wise, he would not push Liu Bei too far. When the court then gives him the title of General Zhendong, Liu Bei can transfer him to another position. I am sure that with Yuan Shao's mind, he may not tolerate Cao Cao.
Take away what he has in his bag. If Cao Cao still can't make a decision at this time..." As he said that, the emperor's eyes suddenly turned cold: "I don't have to do it with him!"
After thinking about it for so long, Jia Xu finally said this, and he breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a little satisfied.
Jia Xu is well aware of the plans of the Xun family and even the Yingchuan scholars. Although he and Xun You have been fighting without defeat, he will not watch the other party's power grow. What's more, what he is doing now is
Even if the emperor knew clearly in his heart that he was planning for the emperor step by step and would benefit the court, he would not say anything. As for King Langxie's small actions in the country, they were within the emperor's tolerance, and it was not the time to reveal them now.
Jia Xu squinted her eyes and stared thoughtfully at the reflection in the tea.
"There have been many difficulties in Guanzhong recently. There was an earthquake and a solar eclipse last month. There is no guarantee that someone will not take the opportunity to cause trouble and slander the imperial court. You have to keep an eye on the material discussions among the people, especially in Hebei." The emperor meant.
He gave Jia Xu a long look.
Jia Xu's body was shaken, he immediately came to his senses, left the table and accepted.