Liu Biao had seen countless people in his life, but this was the first time he had seen such an elegant and suave person like Zhou Yu. While secretly praising him, he turned to Lu Su. After all, this person was the official envoy, and asked casually: "You three come to Xiangyang, why don't you come to Xiangyang?"
But you came here to borrow food?"
Lu Su nodded and was about to speak, but Zhou Yu on the side smiled slightly and said boldly, "Not only to borrow food, but also to ensure peace in Jingzhou!" After saying that, he cupped his hands to Liu Biao and said: "Don't you know, I will be destroyed?
Disaster is just around the corner!"
Liu Biao was startled when he heard the words, but before he could speak, a general on the left was furious when he heard the words. He stood up without caring about his manners, pointed at Zhou Yu and scolded: "Presumptuous!"
"By spreading rumors to confuse the public and making false claims to deceive the emperor, do you think that since you are officials from Yangzhou, we, Jingzhou, cannot defeat you?" Then he shouted to the outside of the palace: "Come here, take down this bastard for me and tie him up."
Get fifty lashes before you go out!"
"No!"
As soon as the military general finished speaking, he heard a civil servant on the other side stand up hurriedly and said, "General Cai, if the two countries are at war, we will not kill the envoys. What's more, Liu Gong was an ally with Xuzhou Mu Shang before."
"Let him listen to what he has to say first. If he lies, he will be punished before it is too late."
"What's there to say!"
The general was Cai Mao. When he heard this, he snorted coldly and said, "The king and his bandits started a private war and used their troops to redeem their weapons, which led to the decline of people's livelihood. It's all the fault of the people. What does it have to do with me in Jingzhou? Now that I have sent an envoy here to ask for food, I am actually making alarmist remarks and trying to please the public. I am really bold and reckless."
"
"If you don't punish me, how can you tell the truth? There is no need for Wang Zuoli to say anything." After saying that, the soldiers who entered the palace turned around again and pointed at Zhou Yu fiercely: "Come here, kidnap this person out!"
"Here!"
Seeing that the soldiers were about to step forward to capture Zhou Yu, Lu Su was anxious and was about to speak, but he saw Gongsun Shu marching out of the queue with his chest raised: "Who are you trying to scare with a sword, a stick, and a powerful shout?"
"I miss you, the envoy from Jingzhou, who visited me in Yangzhou several times. How attentive my general is. He has a small banquet every three days and a big banquet every five days. The friendship he treats your envoy is profound!"
"Now, we have traveled thousands of miles, traveled across mountains and rivers, and come to Xiangyang. It's fine if you don't welcome us attentively. Instead, you just throw us away and don't even see us. Now that we have finally met, we still keep them outside.
Soldiers, forget about laying down your soldiers. Once you enter your palace, you still make noises, shout and kill, and now you still treat me with swords and sticks. "
As he spoke, he looked around and then turned to Liu Biao, who was in charge. He raised his arms and raised his eyes, and shouted: "Even though I am a common man, I have heard that Liu Jingzhou has always been kind, polite, and hospitable. How come, is this the way you treat guests?"
?”
"You guy"
Cai Mao became more and more angry and was about to explode when he saw Liu Biao on the throne suddenly waved his hand and said: "Degui, please be patient."
Seeing Cai Mao sit down angrily, he looked sideways at Zhou Yu and the others, smiled slightly and said, "What my ministers just said was just for fun. Fortunately, you three will not be blamed."
Looking at Zhou Yu again, he saw that he was refreshed and calm, with no trace of hesitation or embarrassment at all. He seemed not to be affected by the incident just now. His impression became even better. Wen Yan said:
"Your name is Zhou Yu? I heard that the Zhou family in Lujiang has a descendant who also has this name. I don't know?"
After Wang Mang usurped the Han Dynasty and established the new dynasty, the ban on two names was implemented. Although Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu later revived the Han Dynasty, this rule was still inherited and became a social trend, which led to the Eastern Han Dynasty and even the Western Jin Dynasty.
No matter high or low, everyone is named with a single character.
If a single surname is combined with a single name, the person's name will often be repeated. This also led to the Han and Jin Dynasties, when people reported their family status, they usually added their place of origin to avoid misunderstandings.
Zhou Yu replied in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "This is for Mr. Liu, I am from Lujiang."
"It turns out that you are Gong Jin's nephew. No wonder you are so majestic and divine."
Liu Biao's expression became more gentle, and he nodded repeatedly: "My nephew just said that the destruction of Jingzhou is imminent. I don't know what he meant?"
Since the other party was being polite, Zhou Yu didn't mind saying a few nice words first, "Yu went south all the way and passed through several counties. They were all covered with bones and weeds. The people's pity and misfortune made people cry. But when he entered Jingzhou, he couldn't
Seeing the merchant ships coming in, the faces of the common people being happy, and the young children being enlightened in the school, reading the Confucian scriptures of the saints, the sounds are heard, which shows that Liu Gong has made great achievements in government."
Hearing this, Liu was flattered on the surface, but he became humble: "The good nephew is too praised. The reason why Jingzhou is today is nothing more than respecting the emperor and loving the people. Wangzhou Muruo also behaves in this way, and Xu and Yangzhou also do the same."
Be safe and at peace."
"But if a person has no long-term worries, he will have immediate worries."
Zhou Yu smiled slightly, "There is peace within the country, but there are ambitious people outside the country who are always coveting it. This is why I came to Jingzhou with Lu Zhengshi today, not only to obtain food for the people of Yangzhou, but also to relieve Liu Gong's worries."
Come."
The meaning of this sentence is that lobbyists have different purposes. For example, those like Zhang Yi and Su Qin want to gain wealth, while those like Zigong want to solve problems.
At this time, another Jingzhou official stood up on the right side and said mockingly: "If you don't understand the chaos, Zigong will be ashamed of you. If you talk about it without being rich and honorable, you will be polite and Qin will be ashamed of you. You are thinking of yourself as Zigong. Don't you think so?"
Haven’t you heard the story of ‘Zigong debates wisdom but loses his wits’?”
Compared with Zhang Yi and Su Qin, the strategists who sought wealth and wealth, Zigong, who solved problems and resolved disputes, had a much better image in the hearts of Confucian scholars. However, the biggest stain in Zigong's life was when Qi attacked Lu. No matter how he lobbied, the Qi people
I just insist on a very simple point of view. What you said makes sense. However, what we want is land, not to listen to your reasoning. In the end, we attacked Lu in a large scale until we were ten miles away from the capital, and redrawn the border between the two countries.
This story was later introduced by Han Feizi into "Five Worms", saying that "Zigong's eloquence is not a way to protect the country. Only improving one's own strength is the right way to survive."
Zhou Yu smiled when he heard this and asked, "Who is your Excellency?"
The man replied proudly: "Servant Pang Ji."
"It turned out to be Mr. Pang who wanted to surrender the Jiangxia thief Zhang Hu."
Zhou Yu nodded: "The king's benevolence and righteousness led to Xu's death, and Zigong's debate on wisdom led to Lu's defeat. This is what Han Fei said in "Five Worms". Han Fei summed it up later: "In this way, husband's benevolence and righteousness argue for wisdom.
, is not the reason for holding the country.' Confucian scholars are also one of the 'five beetles' he said."
"I have heard for a long time that your name is a famous scholar in Jingzhou, with four literary names. If we follow Han Fei's "Five Worms", then he is among them. The Confucian classics he has studied and the words of the saints he has learned are all useless.
Also, I agree with Han Feizi’s statement that “Zi Gong debates wisdom but Lu cuts it.” Do you also agree with his view? Are Confucian scholars one of the five beetles?”
Pang Ji was speechless and speechless.
Zhou Yu added: "Han Fei's words are insulting to the gentlemen. 'Zigong cut down Lu', let's not say whether it is true or false. Even if it is true, 'Zigong said it all but did not do it'. However,
But another sage said, 'As soon as Zigong came out, he saved Lu, disrupted Qi, defeated Wu, forced Jin and dominated Yue'. What's the reason?"
Even if what Han Feizi said is true, Zigong did not succeed in his mission, which led to the consequences of "cutting Lu", but he did have the achievement of "preserving Lu". Why is this?
At this time, no one in the hall raised any questions, but all concentrated on listening to his explanation.
Zhou Yu looked around at everyone, paused, and then said: "Without it, it's because of the word "profit". In troubled times, everyone is seeking profit. Zigong's survival in Lu is indeed beneficial to the enemy country, so he can persuade the enemy country.
To achieve 'preservation of Lu'. Zigong's attempt to cut down Lu was indeed of no benefit to the Qi State. Therefore, he could not move the Qi State and 'cut down the Lu'."
Although the most fundamental purpose of Zigong's mission was to protect the Lu State, according to his strategy, it did have the side effect of "strengthening the Jin and dominating the country." In other words, his strategy was in "existence".
In addition to "preserving Lu", he does have the side of helping enemy countries. This is why he was able to persuade enemy countries and finally successfully "preserved Lu". It was both self-interested and beneficial to others.
Zhou Yu then bowed his hands to Liu Biao and said: "Zigong was a wise man in the Spring and Autumn Period. Today, Duke Liu occupies the heart of the world. In the Spring and Autumn Period, it was all the land of Chu. I would like to ask Duke Liu and all the gentlemen, in terms of the situation, who was the strongest in the Chu State in the past?"
Who is the enemy?"
Someone replied: "One part of the Spring and Autumn Period, and half of it Jin and Chu. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Chu's strong enemy was naturally the Jin State."
"That's right." Zhou Yu nodded and asked: "Then after the three families were divided into Jin, who was Chu's strong enemy during the Warring States Period?"
"Of course it's Qi and Wei."
"Then who is the Wei State today?" Zhou Yu stood in front of Liu Biao and asked with a compelling look: "Who is the Qi State today? Liu Gong must know it well."
"And the disaster that Yu just mentioned should be in these two places!"
Needless to say, the Wei State, what we are talking about is Cao Cao who now occupies the northern part of Yuzhou, Sili, and even Yanzhou. Its territory is almost a smaller version of the original Wei State. As for the Qi State, which occupies Shandong and southeastern Hebei.
Liu Biao looked uncertain for a while, then he looked up at Zhou Yu and asked in a deep voice: "Could it be that the other thing my nephew mentioned was Yuan Shao?"
"Exactly!"
Zhou Yu said loudly: "Liu Gong, Yuan Shao's son Yuan Tan has occupied Linzi in recent years, and his wolf ambitions are obvious! Once Gongsun Jihou in the north is eliminated, Jizhou's strong crossbows will surely move south in a big way!"
"If he goes south, Xuzhou will definitely bear the brunt. Once Xuzhou is lost, Yuan Benchu will be swept away, and Yangzhou will not be protected. May I ask Liu Gong, once Yangzhou also falls into Yuan Shao's control, what will he do next?
Could it be that Liu Gong’s reputation as a virtuous person and his status as a clan member have stopped him from moving forward?”
This is naturally impossible. Once Wang Zheng loses to Yuan Shao, the opponent will naturally come to Jingzhou next. What Liu Biao is most afraid of is that Cao Cao will take advantage of the situation, and then he will fall into a pincer attack.
Already.
After twists and turns, Zhou Yu mixed the matter of borrowing food with the cold lips and teeth, and told everyone the truth:
First, Gongsun Zan couldn't hold on for long, and Yuan Shao would definitely go to Qingzhou next, so Yuan Tan was asked to capture Linzi first.
Second, the safety of Xuzhou and Yangzhou is not Wang Zheng’s business alone. He and Liu Biao are now on the same side, working together to face the pressure of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. If Liu Biao refuses to borrow food, when Yuan Shao goes south in the future, Wang Zheng will also
It is bound to be unstoppable, not only unstoppable, but it may even lead to a quick defeat and rout!
Third, in this way, the Jizhou army will form a sweeping force. Even though Yuan Shao is far away from you now, under this situation, the Jizhou people will probably attack you at your door in a few months.
Ever since Cao Cao welcomed the emperor and moved his capital to Xu County, Liu Biao had been secretly wary and extremely defensive. However, Zhou Yu's remarks today made him wake up.
Yes, Gongsun Zan can't hold on much longer!
Once Gongsun Zan is solved, there has been analysis within Jingzhou about where Yuan Shao will attack next, either to attack Cao Cao or to attack Wang Zheng, and most people also think that Wang Zheng is more likely.
First, until now, Cao Cao is still Yuan Shao's younger brother, which is considered a good idea. Wang Zheng has fought with Yuan Tan before, and now he has taken away Yuan Shu's foundation. They are pure and mortal enemies, and there is a clear distinction between enemy and friend;
Well, although Cao Cao is not as powerful as Wang Zheng, he still has the emperor in his hands. Wang Zheng not only has a larger territory, but also has a black spot of yellow turban bandits.
Of course, because Wang Zheng's record in recent years has been extremely strong, even though most of the officials in Jingzhou are more optimistic about Yuan Shao, they still believe that this hunt between the two heroes will not be one-sided and will not be divided in a short period of time.
Victory or defeat.
But if food and grass are not available, it will be difficult to say.
And once Yuan Shao defeats Wang Zheng, it is indeed very likely that Jingzhou will face the threat of the Jizhou army, and this threat is ten times greater than Cao Cao!
Of course, Liu Biao also thought of another more critical thing.
If Wang Zheng is defeated, it means that both Xuzhou and Yangzhou have fallen into the hands of Yuan Shao. Then won't the result of this competition among heroes be achieved in advance? Yuan Shao is absolutely in the game. By then, let alone joining forces with Cao Cao, he will be alone.
Against this, Jingzhou has no chance of winning!
After a moment of silence, Liu Biao said: "Yuan Shao is so ambitious that he even dares to change the emperor. Of course I am worried about this." What he said was that in the first year of Chuping, Yuan Shao wanted to make Liu Yu, the shepherd of Youzhou, the new emperor, which caused a sensation.
For a while, it was not until Liu Yu himself jumped out to object that the situation gradually calmed down.
"What does that wise nephew think of me?"
Zhou Yu said: "If the dendrobium grain can solve Yangzhou's urgent need, Wangzhou Mu will be grateful. If there is an enemy in Jingzhou in the future, whether it is Yuan or Cao, he should spare no effort to repay his kindness. Jingzhou has civil rule and Yangzhou has military preparedness.
If the two families are in harmony, the world will be at peace, and the Liu family is in good hands!"
Cai Hao sat with him on one side and listened for a long time. Then he interjected disapprovingly and said, "Zhou Yu, you are going round and round like this, don't you still want to ask me, Jingzhou, to borrow food from Yangzhou?"
"Yangzhou is armed, and Wang Zheng's reputation for being good at war is now known to the world. I will not deny this, but don't forget that Yuan Benchu is a tiger and wolf, and Wang Yukou is a kind person? And you left Jingzhou but
Even closer!”
"Once I lend you food, even if you can defeat Yuan Shao's Jizhou army, you won't covet me in Jingzhou. If so, wouldn't my lord be raising tigers to cause trouble?"