Just when Yuan Shu moved his troops to Yangzhai and rewarded all the troops, Chen Chong had sent a message to Guandong, ordering Yin Guanyu of Henan to recruit 60,000 soldiers from Henan to guard the eight passes of Luoyang. Cao Cao, the herdsman of Yanzhou, fortified the walls and cleared the fields, moved his troops to support ditches, and defended
Yuan Shu went north. General Zhendong Zhang Xian led 20,000 troops to garrison Jibei to monitor the movements in Qingzhou.
At the same time, Chen Chong also communicated with Liu Bei through letters and began to prepare for war. Jinyang Bafu mobilized troops and the Chang'an court adjusted food. It was planned to recruit 70,000 soldiers and send troops to Yuzhou in mid-April.
The strategy of Yuan Shu's western expedition was mostly planned by Zheng Hun. Zheng Hun was the younger brother of the famous Confucian Zheng Tai and served in the imperial court. After Dong Zhuo's death, he felt that Guanzhong was difficult to determine, so he led his family members and fled Guanzhong overnight.
, settled in Wuhu, Yangzhou. When Yuan Shu heard about it, he was treated as favorably as the three princes many times, and finally invited him to come out last year. When Zheng Hun entered the government, it was the time when Yuan Shu was recruiting talents. Zheng Hun sighed to people: "Yuan Shu
The highway is tolerant and generous, without losing the Taifu family tradition."
So he made up his mind to serve Yuan Shu. As soon as he entered the government, he analyzed the situation for Yuan Shu and said that after the Linzi Rebellion, the moth thieves lost power and their defeat would be a matter of time. But the people's hearts are still there, but it cannot be defeated in a hurry in Guanzhong.
It will still take years to defeat it. Now if we want to achieve hegemony, we can use this as the basis to form three strategies: upper, middle and lower. If we make an alliance with Yuan Shao to rebel against Cao Cao and form an alliance, first pacify Heluo and then pacify Qingxu, this is the best strategy;
Make a pact with the moth thieves, go up the river, capture Jingyi, sit south and look north, and act according to the opportunity. This is the middle strategy; without using troops or external aid, just sit back and wait for the enemy to arrive. This is the worst strategy and will surely lead to defeat.
After hearing this, Yuan Shu felt greatly embarrassed. He was unwilling to form an alliance with Yuan Shao, but he was also unwilling to give up the well-known strategy of attacking Heluo directly. After thinking about it again and again, he took it upon himself to form an alliance with the Gengcang Army and paid a large sum of money.
He was ordered to send troops to regain Yuzhou in order to control Heluo.
Zheng Hun was greatly puzzled by this approach. He tried to dissuade Yuan Shu several times and analyzed the pros and cons: Since he had regained Heluo, he must have great justice. If he formed an alliance with the moth thieves and claimed to revive the Han Dynasty, wouldn't he be doing the world a favor?
The laughing stock? Cao Cao had a deep hatred with the moth thieves. Even if there was a gap with the central government, how could he respond? Cao Cao would not resist. The two states of Henan and Yan are connected to the border for thousands of miles. How could the army ignore the left and right and attack the eastern capital directly? However, Yuan Shu did not do anything.
Move.
This incident greatly disappointed Zheng Hun. From then on, he changed his cautious attitude and turned to eating well and spending the day in a muddle-headed manner. In private, he said to his clansmen: "Yuan Shu can accommodate people but not employ them, and he can raise scholars."
If we can’t listen to tricks but still don’t know how to reflect on ourselves, sooner or later we will have to live in seclusion in Jiangdong!”
Therefore, Yuan Shu's army's march plan this time relied heavily on Yuan Shu himself. When he saw the news that the Han army had fortified its walls and cleared the country, and clung to the pass, he did not take it seriously at all. He also laughed at Zheng Hun and said: "Previously, Duke Wen was too worried and said that there would be no peace.
It is difficult to fight with a man. Who would have thought that after I arrived with my troops in person, tens of thousands of soldiers from Guandong feared me as much as a tiger? How difficult would it be to achieve a great cause?"
Regardless of the sarcasm in Zheng Hun's heart, considering that he was now in a mansion and it was difficult to leave in a hurry, he still said that Chang'an was mobilizing troops and generals, and they must be dispatched soon. The most important thing in using troops is to take advantage of the opportunity.
At this time, it is time to take advantage of the weakness of the Eight Passes to "pace Luoyang quickly and cut off the river bridge."
Unexpectedly, Yuan Shu still refused to listen. He replied: "If I capture Luoyang at this time, I am afraid that the two thieves will be too scared to send troops to fight. At that time, how will I break through the pass and march westward to regain Chang'an?"
The implication is that Chang'an is already considered a treasure.
After listening to the words, Zheng Hun looked at Yuan Shu as if he were an inhuman being. He could not speak for a moment. He bowed again and then slowly left. When he returned to the camp, he sighed and said: "An arrogant and incompetent person was born in the family of the Taifu! It's unfair."
!Heaven is unfair!”
Naturally, Yuan Shu did not take any action. He summoned his generals and ordered Zhu Zhi to lead 3,000 men to station in Kunyang to prepare for Liu Biao's actions. He also ordered Qiao Rui to lead 7,000 men to Bo County to monitor Cao's army. Then he called on his generals.
"Temporary measures, wait for the decisive battle." After hearing this, the generals were very dissatisfied, but each refused to go to the base camp and held a banquet. Yuan Shuze would either have a banquet with the Yingchuan nobles, or go on an outing in the mountains and rivers of Yingchuan with him.
It's so unpleasant to enjoy the flowers. It seems that Jinyang's reinforcements about to go south and the imminent war have nothing to do with it.
This just gave the accompanying Sun Ce an opportunity. Previously, he had been with Yuan Shu in the formation and had never had the opportunity to act independently. Once he received the military order, he immediately went to find Zhou Yu, who had also come to Yuzhou, to discuss important matters with him.
Zhou Yu was born into a well-known family. He was a descendant of the Zhou family in Lujiang. He was also the son of Zhou Zhongzhi, the Guanglu official who had just become an official. When Sun Jian was fighting against Dong, he moved to Shu County in Lujiang, and Sun Ce and Zhou Yu got to know each other. Since they were the same age, they had similar interests.
They were like each other, and they were both young men with great ambitions, so they became brothers and planned big plans together. The important thing Sun Ce and he wanted to discuss at this time was also the first step in a long-term plan.
Sun Ce suppressed his excitement and said to Zhou Yu: "Yuan Shu is incompetent and missed the opportunity to fight. He also tried to fight the dragon head. I think his ending will be cut into pieces and thrown into the river to feed the fish. But this is also my achievement.
What a great opportunity for success! Gong Jin, do you think I should hesitate and not fight to win over people's hearts, or should I plot and surrender to the imperial court?"
Zhou Yu was the same age as Sun Ce at the time. He was only twenty-one years old. He grew up with fair skin, handsome appearance, and very good looks. He was good at music. Although he went out with the army, he still carried the harp and harp. Listening to Sun Ce's words, Zhou Yu had a smile on his face.
As I thought, I lightly hooked the strings with my fingers and played "Fish Playing with Lotus Leaves" slowly. The music was like ripples and water smoke on the leaves.
Sun Ce was originally agitated, but when he heard Zhou Yu's music, his anxiety gradually calmed down. He sat on the banquet and played the music in harmony with Zhou Yu. After the song was played, Zhou Yu slowly said: "Bo Fu, hesitating without fighting cannot win people's hearts. Anyway, the imperial court
, it is also difficult to start a business on your own, which is not a good idea."
After Sun Ce heard this, he said "Oh". He looked at Zhou Yu before and saw his calm and confident look. He knew that he already had a plan, so he smiled and said, "Then how can Gong Jin teach me?"
Zhou Yu was indeed prepared, and said to him with a smile: "Look at this." After that, he took out a roll of yellow silk from his arms, which was the kind used to convey secret messages from the military and the state.
In order to use it. Sun Ce took it and unfolded it. It was a letter written by Zhao Wen, the shepherd of Yangzhou, to Chen Chong.
The letter said that Yuan Shu was rebellious and was being held hostage by him, but he still had his heart set on the great responsibilities of the imperial court and did not dare to relax. Fortunately, there were still loyal ministers in Yangzhou and young people with lofty ideals.
Committing himself to the bandit camp, he really wants to take the opportunity to make great achievements. The dragon head can be used as an internal agent, and he can entrust his confidants with important tasks. He will definitely be able to defeat Yuan's army and restore Yangzhou.
At the end of the yellow silk, Zhao Wen's private seal and fingerprints are printed.
Sun Ce was overjoyed and said: "When did Gong Jin get in touch with Zhao Gong?"
Zhou Yu raised his hand in a low voice and whispered to him: "Among the people Yuan Jiuji arranged to monitor Duke Zhao, there are my fellow countrymen. Before joining the army, I had made an agreement with Duke Zhao. As long as I send someone to hand over this silk letter,
At the imperial court, Chen Shijun has an old relationship with you, Bo Fu, and you are not afraid of not getting a title. By then, you and I will go to Lujiang to raise troops, cross the river south, and we will definitely be able to occupy six counties and establish a business!"
Sun Ce nodded repeatedly, clenched his fists and said, "Uncle Ting Jian and I haven't seen each other for several years, and I don't know if he still misses the old relationship!"
Zhou Yu said softly: "General Polu and Longshou were as close as brothers, and they died before Longshou. He knew that the general was loyal to the court and would not be in trouble."
Talking about Sun Jian, the atmosphere in the tent was a little depressing for a while. Sun Ce patted the table and said: "My uncle and uncle couldn't agree on the death of my father. Some people said that it was Uncle Ting Jian who planned it and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to annex. But now it seems that Yuan Jiujiu
But the suspicion is the greatest."
Zhou Yu looked at Sun Ce's eyes and saw a bright light shining in them. Sun Ce suddenly came over and said, "Gong Jin, have you ever heard that Yuan Jiujiu would take out a seal from time to time in his house to look at it?" p>
"It is true, but it is not surprising that the famous clan would like to receive the seal." Zhou Yu gently pulled the string again, making a business sound, and said: "What is important is what seal it is."
"Ha!" Sun Ce sneered and said word by word: "I heard that the corner of the seal was filled with gold and it was colorful. I'm afraid it was a national seal! My father once wrote a letter home, saying that he accidentally got a seal from Dongdu.
.If it is true, well, I will cut Yuan Shu into a hundred pieces with my own hands!"
Zhou Yu smiled softly and continued to play the piano. At this time, he switched to playing "Wuguan Luozhao Yue". This music was originally magnificent, and Zhou Yu's superb fingering skills. For a while, the sky and earth were vast, the sea of clouds was flowing, and the setting sun was majestic.
It illuminated the surrounding scenery. It was obviously noon, but when the soldiers around heard such beautiful music, they seemed to see a red sunset setting over the Western Mountains. They couldn't help but gather around them, so intoxicated that they didn't know the taste of meat.
Seven days later, when Guan Yu was feeling very strange about Yuan Shu's movements, Quan Xiu, who was guarding Shenyuan Pass, suddenly secretly reported that someone from the rebel army had come to report the news, and it was extremely important. Guan Yu did not dare to underestimate him, so he ordered him that night.
The man pretended that he was studying at home, and secretly left the city to meet the envoy outside Luoyang.
The envoy was Sun Ce's general Deng Dang. He handed the yellow silk to Guan Yu. After Guan Yu looked at it, he explained in detail the current generals in Yuan Shu's army and their troops and horses, and talked about Yuan Shu's preparations for a decisive battle with the Han army.
Deng Dang's plan was helpless when he told it, and Guan Yu heard it was ridiculous, but after telling the details, Guan Yu couldn't help but not believe it.
After hearing this, Guan Yu stroked his long beard and smiled at Deng Dang: "I know everything you said, and I will also forward this yellow silk to the court. You go back first and tell your general that you have such loyalty as a general."
, The general will definitely not treat you badly. I will send an envoy to reply as soon as the general arrives."
The two made an appointment for the location and slogan of the secret meeting, and asked Sun Ce to report the movements of Yuan Shu's army every ten days. Sun Ce had already given this order before, and Deng Dang also agreed to it.
When Deng Dang left again at night, Guan Yu couldn't help but open the yellow silk paper written by Zhao Wen and read it again. He still felt ridiculous in his heart and couldn't help but said to himself: "According to Sun Ce's words, he has fought a lifetime of war.
, this is the first time I have encountered such a fool as Yuan Gongli. Is it true or false?"
The implication was that he still couldn't believe it. After all, the general is where the morale of the army lies. If one general is incompetent, the three armies will be exhausted. Yuan Shu comes from a famous family, but there is such a big gap between him and Liu Bei. The victory or defeat has already been decided when the war begins.