Zhou Yu smiled slightly and said: "If you don't help Yangzhou, your lips will be dead and your teeth will be cold, and the disaster of overthrow is right in front of you. If you help Yangzhou, you will be able to defend against powerful enemies outside the country. If you are just worried about raising tigers in the future, you will ignore the imminent danger."
I really don’t know what to say. Don’t you know that things adapt to their needs, don’t love the past, don’t mess with the present, and don’t welcome the future?”
Liu Biao was silent, and Zhou Yu looked at him again and said: "General Cai's words are not unreasonable. Although I am an envoy to Yangzhou, I dare not guarantee it. Now Yuan Cao is an acquaintance of the general government, but Yuan Shao him
If the sun really shines, how can Qi and Cao Cao continue to coexist peacefully? This is the case for this moment and that moment."
"The same is true for Wang Zhoumu and Liu Gong. What will happen after Yuan Shao's threat is lifted? It's hard to predict. This is no longer something I can guarantee to Liu Gong. But even in the future, there may be cases where Jingzhou and Yangzhou are our enemies.
Given the situation, given the virtuousness of the public, the wealth of Jingxiang, and the bravery of the people of Chu, don’t you have the slightest confidence in winning? Just like in the past, when Wu and Yue were at their strongest, how could they ever pose a real threat to Chu?
"
Sometimes the most touching thing in this world is the truth. If Zhou Yu said that Wang Zheng and Liu Biao were practicing together, just like the Qin and Jin Dynasties in the past, then neither Liu Biao nor Jingzhou Civil and Military would believe it. After all, Yuan Shu, a former ally,
The end is right in front of them. Ordinary people may believe Wang Zheng's lies about eliminating the emperor's rebellion and reviving the king of Fuling. In the eyes of the real aristocratic family, this is Yuan Shu leading the wolf into the house, and Wang Zheng's fake way to destroy Guo. This is
A naked backstab that steals a man's fortune!
But Zhou Yu said it very frankly. You are helping Yangzhou not because of Yangzhou, nor because Wang Zheng is reliable, but to help yourself and solve Yuan Shao's immediate worries when he goes south. As for whether there will be an enmity with Yangzhou in the future and the two sides will become enemies.
No one knows this.
But even if this happens, doesn't Jingzhou have the power to fight Yangzhou? The Northerners have been able to fight since ancient times, so they are afraid of it. Is Yangzhou, the land of Wu and Yue, also afraid?
Liu Biao laughed heartily. He still looked like a king. "My dear nephew, you are a real person. This is true. Please continue."
"If Liu Gong is willing to help Yangzhou, it will be a 'high righteousness'. Yangzhou can be a gateway. He can resist Yuan Shao in the north and resist Cao Cao in the west. The Duke can sit on a mountain and watch the tigers fight. It will be a great benefit. If he only goes to the millet, it will be a waste.
Corn is too much for the national economy."
"Liu Gong and Wangzhou Mu are both Han ministers. Now they are sitting in Jingxiang and rich people. Seeing that Yangzhou is short of millet but turning a deaf ear and refusing to help, Yangzhou will definitely be suspicious. If the public guards a millet, they may fear that one country will have powerful enemies on three sides in the future.
"
After telling Liu Biao the benefits, he also told him the dangers. The focus of Zhou Yu's words was the "both Han ministers" in the first sentence, but he was reminding Liu Biao that if Jingzhou refused to lend food to Yangzhou, it would be a complete offence.
After Wang Zheng, even if Yuan Shao does not go south, Cao Cao will take action against Nanyang County sooner or later. Don't forget that the other party has Emperor Xian in his hands. If he invades Jingzhou in the future, he will definitely bring the emperor's edict. Then Wang Zheng will have
Maybe he joined forces with him to capture Jingzhou, which is also a famous example.
The words were not clearly stated, but who among the people present could not hear the threat?
Liu Biao's expression changed slightly. Kuai Liang, who had been sitting silently on the side seat, let out a sneer and stood up: "Wang Yu's bandits have deposed their troops. I am afraid that not only Yangzhou is short of food, but also Xuzhou is in the current situation."
Is that so?"
"In addition, all the nine counties under his rule are in dilapidated condition. If Cao Cao wants to invade, from my point of view, it is better to go south than west. Without the help of Jingzhou, no matter how many troops and horses the king has, he will not be Cao Cao's opponent.
"
Having said this, Kuai Liang paused, raised his eyes and stared at Zhou Yu, and said solemnly: "You have no time to take care of yourself, your life is in danger, and you still want to deceive my lord with your lies?"
Cai Mao on the side also sneered again and again: "What Mr. Kuai said is true. Yangzhou can't protect itself, and you still want to threaten our Jingzhou?" He said teasingly, imitating Zhou Yu's tone and said, "Zhou Yu, I would like to ask a question,
If I, Jingzhou, refuse to lend you food to Yangzhou, and if Cao Cao invades at this time, will Wang Zheng be afraid?"
Lu Su's heart skipped a beat. He had seen Zhou Yu wanting to attack Liu Biao before. He was secretly happy at the side, but unexpectedly, the situation suddenly changed. At the last moment, he over-spoken. These threatening words directly aroused the anger of the Jingzhou people, and they hurriedly
I turned to look at Zhou Yu, wondering if he could respond.
Zhou Yu stood in the main hall. The cold wind came from outside and rolled up his sleeves, making a rustling sound. He did not panic. He nodded slightly to Kuai Liang, then looked at Cai Mao calmly and said with a smile: "
What should a gentleman worry about and fear?"
"What do you mean by this?" Cai Mao was stunned and then laughed, "Is Wang Zheng considered a gentleman?"
"The Master said that if you introspect yourself without feeling guilty, you are called a gentleman!" Zhou Yu looked solemn, and suddenly shouted sharply: "General Cai is also a son of a high family, has he not read the books of sages?"
"you..."
When Zhou Yu speaks harshly, he has an intimidating aura when speaking, which makes people dare not to refute at will. Cai Mao was also frightened by this, and was speechless for a while.
"So what if we don't have enough food?" Zhou Yu sneered, looking around with an extremely threatening look in his eyes: "So what if we don't pay attention to the morning or evening?"
"Jingxiang gentlemen must not forget that when Wang Zhoumu was in Qingzhou that day, wasn't he in the same situation? Not only was he short of food and clothing, he also had no city or soldiers, and his opponent was also Cao Cao. What was the result?"
"Wangzhou Mu was able to capture Linzi from Cao Mengde back then, let alone today?"
"If they dare to invade Yangzhou, who will die? I will kill you!"
Hearing this, everyone in the hall couldn't help but remain silent.
Yes, no matter how bad Wang Zheng's situation is now, can it still be worse than when he started the uprising?
A Qingzhou native who had just been defeated by Cao Cao and surrendered. He was no longer as old as the weak champion and had only been in the position for a long time. He dared to rise up against the former winner again in less than a year and brazenly rebelled against him.
It would be ridiculous for such a fierce person to say that he would panic because of the current shortage of food in Yangzhou!
Seeing that Cai Mao was speechless, Zhou Yu stopped looking at him and focused his eyes on Liu Biao again:
"It is clumsy not to have the ambition to plot against an enemy country, but to make people suspicious of it. To have the ambition to plot against an enemy country, and to make people aware of it, is dangerous. The two of them are in great danger. Since we are short of food in Yangzhou, we are ready to be invaded by the enemy.
The preparations, whether this person is Yuan or Cao, are also known to me, so I know that they are 'almost'."
"Liu Gong is kind-hearted and has no ulterior motives in my Yangzhou. If he wants to make Yangzhou suspicious just to guard Yangzhou, it can be called 'clumsy', and he may even create powerful enemies on three sides of the country. This is a wise man who will not take it."
Liu Biao was silent.
Zhou Yu added: "Everyone knows that Cao Cao covets Nanyang. If Liu Gong doesn't lend me Yangzhou grain today, he will have set up a powerful enemy besides Cao Cao in vain. And if you are willing to lend it to me,
On the one hand, Yangzhou grain can make Yangzhou the gateway to defend Yuan Shao from the north, and on the other hand, it can once again adhere to the alliance. In the future, we can help each other and fight against Yuan Cao."
"In this case, if something happens in Jingzhou, just like when I asked for food in Yangzhou today, you only need to send an envoy with a horse and a bicycle to Shouchun. How can Wangzhou Mu not reciprocate the favor? Whatever you ask for,
There must be no objections! What is "fortifying distant aid"? This is to make friends with strong aid from afar! Liu Gong not only made friends with strong aid from afar, but also was able to measure the national strength internally, then the "trouble of weakening the country" will naturally occur.
The land will be eliminated. It's my fault."
"If the king's government is defeated by Yuan Cao and it is beneficial to the public, Liu Gong will ignore it and stick to the rice and millet. However, Liu Gong also knows that the two families are now closely interdependent. The result of the changes in Yangzhou is that Yuan Cao's power has grown again.
The growth of their power represents a further threat..."
Seeing Liu Biao's brows furrowed, Zhou Yu knew that the heat was coming, so he immediately bowed and said softly: "This is what Yu has said. Whether you want to borrow or not, whether you want to help or not, please make your own decision, Mr. Liu!"
After the words fell, the huge hall fell into silence for a while. You could hear the drop of a needle. The candlelight flickered in the four corners, and you could see the different expressions of the people in Jingzhou. Some were shocked, some admired, or lowered their heads in deep thought.
Lu Su and Gongsun Shu, on the other hand, were very happy and excited.
Liu Biao was silent for a long time, looking at the tall and handsome young man in front of him with a complicated expression, and sighed with emotion: "A good nephew is really an eloquent person. Brother Mingjing has a son like this, and I am already under the spring."
No regrets.”
"Mr. Liu is too praised."
Zhou Yu, who lowered his head, replied calmly. No one saw that his eyes suddenly narrowed at this time, giving off a dangerous cold light.
You, an old dog with no etiquette, have the nerve to mention my father?
The humiliation of being rejected yesterday will be avenged with your blood in the future!
...
On the morning of the next day, Liu Biao came out and issued an order directly from the Prefecture Mufu. He agreed to Lu Su's request and borrowed 300,000 hu of dendrobium from Yangzhou.
Three hundred thousand is not a small amount, but it is actually not enough for Yangzhou at this time, so in response to Lu Su's request, Liu Biao also agreed to allow the two sides to open the city, that is, the official allowed Yangzhou people to come to Jingzhou to purchase grain.
Of course, Wang Zhengfang and the merchants in Jingzhou had to negotiate privately with whom to buy and at what price.
After hearing the news, Lu Su looked at Zhou Yu with admiration: "Gong Jin's talent is ten times better than mine. If my lord can win your heart, great achievements will be achieved!"
He had known Zhou Yu for a long time, so he naturally knew that this man was both civil and military, especially in military strategy, and he was a genius. But only today did he know that the other person's rhetoric was also so sharp. After returning to the embassy yesterday, thinking about it carefully, he still felt
It was hearty and hearty, and I was truly convinced.
"Zijing, don't get me wrong." Zhou Yu shook his head: "This effort is for you, but not for the royal government, and it does not mean that I have become a minister of Yangzhou."
"After all, going to Yangzhou as an envoy is the first important task you take on. If things don't go well, your future will be affected. You and I have a close relationship, how can I just sit back and watch?"
"Gong Jin..."
Lu Su was still waiting for persuasion. At this moment, Gongsun Shu pushed open the door and came in. He said that a visitor was coming and asked to see Zhou Yu by name.
"see me?"
Zhou Yu was startled. He had no old friends in Jingzhou except Taishi Ci, whom he had just met. He couldn't help but take the name card and opened it. He saw a line of dragons and phoenixes dancing on it.
"Xiangyang Pang Tong."
...
In the private room of the inn, the lights were bright. Taishi Ci was slightly bowing on the couch. Opposite him was a middle-aged man sitting cross-legged. He was the owner of the inn, Huang Chengyan.
"This new friend of yours is quite amazing."
Huang Chengyan sat on the cushion, quickly flipping through the book in his hand, and said with a smile: "I have already convinced Liu Gong without me having to say anything."
"My uncle has lived in Jingzhou for a long time. Naturally, he doesn't know that Gong Jin is famous in Yangzhou. He is the most outstanding figure among the younger generation in Jiangdong."
Taishi Ci smiled and said: "But three hundred thousand dendrobium is still not enough."
"Wang Zheng has been in constant war in the past two years. I think all the savings in the official warehouse have been exhausted. I am afraid that 300,000 dendrobium may not be enough for him to use."
Huang Chengyan squinted his eyes, thought for a moment, and said: "Since he is short of food, and my family has food, it is not impossible to sell some to him."
What Taishi Ci valued was Zhou Yu, but what he valued was Wang Zheng. Since ancient times, it was better to provide icing on the cake than to provide help in times of need. Moreover, Liu Biao had already opened up the market. It was a favor, so why not do it?
"Besides that," Tai Shici said, "perhaps my uncle needs to come forward to introduce him to the local food giants."
For figures like this, it would be too slow to go from shop to shop and negotiate with the stewards one by one. This was the real purpose of Zhou Yu's request to Tai Shi Ci in the first place.
"Can."
Huang Chengyan nodded, glanced at Tai Shici again, stroked his forehead and smiled softly: "Ziyi, since you have come to Xiangyang, it just so happens that you can come with me to see Mr. Liu in two days."
"Forehead..."
Taishi Ci deliberately refused. Although Liu Biao was famous, he was not his clear master. However, since Huang Chengyan was his uncle and had just sold a favor, it would be inappropriate to refuse him outright.
While they were hesitating, a sound of ringing rings came into their ears. The two of them looked up and saw Qiao Shuang walking in with light steps.
Seeing Qiao Shuang saluting, Huang Chengyan nodded with a smile. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Qiao Shuang had already come to Tai Shici's side and said softly: "Senior brother, have you finished the matter with the little thief?"
"I'm still waiting for him to tell me the story of General Tiangong."
Taishi Ci hadn't spoken yet, but Huang Chengyan who was standing aside laughed and said, "Are you talking about Zhou Yu? I heard that he will return to Yangzhou with the mission tomorrow to prepare for trade. How can he have any free time to tell stories?"
"What?"
"Then he's tricking me?" The girl immediately raised her eyebrows, "Thanks to me for waiting eagerly, so I went to block the door to prevent him from leaving."
"Don't mess around!"
Taishi Ci turned his eyes and scolded in a deep voice: "You have already reached the age of hair this year, and it is time to develop a virtuous character. If this continues, when your sister comes, she will inevitably have to deal with you!"
"Sister is coming to Xiangyang?"
When she heard this, Qiao Shuang not only had no expression on her face, but her face immediately fell.
"good."
Huang Chengyan on the side nodded: "You sisters have been separated for a long time, and Qiao Wan has been very anxious. During this time, she traveled to various counties in Yangzhou, but there was no news. So when you and Ziyi came to Xiangyang on the first day, I Immediately send someone to send a message to her. It must be on the way now and will arrive soon."
Uncle Master, why are you so busy?
The girl rolled her eyes at Huang Chengyan with some dissatisfaction, but Huang Chengyan didn't mind at all, and the smile on his face became warmer: "What, Shuang'er, aren't you happy to see Wanwan?"
"No."
Qiao Shuang replied feebly, then lowered her head and kept rolling her eyes, wondering what she was thinking, and suddenly a sly chuckle appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"Damn little thief, don't even think about escaping!" She secretly clenched her fists.