On January 15th of the 16th year of Jian'an, Huang Quan, Liu Xun's envoy from Nanzhong, arrived in Xiangyang.
"Don't drive Huang Quan in Yizhou and pay homage to the Marquis of Chu."
"Excuse me, I have long admired the name of Mr. Gongheng. However, I have a question. Both Mr. and Liu Xun have been driven to Nanzhong, why do you still call yourself Yizhou Biejia?"
Perhaps because of Liu Bei's attack on Xichuan, strands of gray appeared in Huang Quan's black hair.
Faced with Liu Cong's inquiry, Huang Quan said with a serious face, "Inform the Marquis of Chu that Liu Bei has launched an unjust army to attack Yizhou. Although my lord's father is covered in dust, my lord is still here. I will respect my lord."
As a shepherd in Yizhou, in this way, I will serve as a driver for Yizhou, which is in line with the law!"
What he said was convincing and powerful.
Liu Cong didn't say anything. Han Song, the minister in charge of the province, stood up and cupped his hands to Huang Quan and said, "Nanzhong is remote, the land is small and the people are weak, and there are also Southern barbarians who are causing trouble. Even if Liu Xun runs there, how can he counterattack Liu Bei?"
?I’m afraid it’s difficult even to protect yourself?”
Huang Quan returned the courtesy and asked, "Who are you following?"
"Han Song, the provincial minister under the sect."
Huang Quan chuckled, "As far as I know, Mr. De Gao (Han Song) also persuaded the Marquis of Chu to surrender when Cao's army went south, right?"
Han Song's expression changed, "So what?"
"Just like the original Marquis of Chu would not surrender to Cao Cao, Liu Bei is a thief by taking advantage of our lord's property! Naturally, my lord will not surrender to Liu Bei! Even if he dies, his family will be destroyed in vain!"
After hearing this, Han Song didn't say anything more. He handed over to Huang Quan and sat down.
Then, Fei Shi, the Minister of Rites, raised his hand to Huang Quan and said, "Fei Shi, Fei Gongju. Mr. Gongheng, although Han Shizhong made inappropriate remarks at the beginning, what he said was reasonable. Nanzhong was not enough to counterattack Liu Bei. What's more,
What's more, your lord now only controls a mere Zangda County."
Huang Quan returned the courtesy and said, "I have also heard of Gongju's reputation. You also came from Shuzhong to Jingchu. Why can't you say a few good words to my lord?"
Fei Shi shook his head and said with a smile, "If it's not right, I won't talk about it. I just discuss the matter."
"In this case, if we talk about the matter, if Liu Bei invades Yizhou, should my lord sit still and wait for it?"
"this……"
Li Hui, who came to Jingchu with Fei Shi, saw that Fei Shi was defeated, stood up and said, "Li Hui, the minister of the Ministry of War, may I ask Mr. Gong Heng why he came here to ask for help?"
"Yes and no!"
"Want to hear the details."
Huang Quan swung his sleeves and robe, not only facing Li Hui, but also looking around Jingchu Wenwu and said, "My lord occupies Xangqi County. Regardless of whether the Marquis of Chu helps or not, my lord will not compromise with Liu Bei. I am here to ask for help."
, also to promote our Lord’s integrity to you!”
Ma Liang, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, could not sit still. "Mr. Gongheng, our Lord has just pacified Jiangdong. There are still Shanyue barbarians in Jiangdong who need to be suppressed. Jingchu's expenses are already huge. Do you think I, Jingchu, can still support you?"
?”
As Liu Cong's chief steward, Ma Liang really tried every means to help Liu Cong save money. Now he was really worried that Liu Cong would send troops to support Liu Xun. He would have to enter Nanzhong from Jiaozhou. Nanzhong was remote and it was impossible to provide food and grass for the army.
This means that from Jingchu to Nanzhong, and even after arriving at Nanzhong, Jingchu’s army needs to be responsible for its own logistics supply.
Huang Quan had no way to refute now, so he could only raise his hands and said to Liu Cong, "It depends on what the Marquis of Chu wants."
However, Ma Liang was unreasonable and said, "What a joke, what can my lord get from helping you? I have paid money, food, soldiers and horses, but my lord will not get any benefits at all!"
Huang Quan bit the bullet and said, "If we can counterattack Liu Bei, we are willing to give up Hanzhong to the Marquis of Chu."
"That's even more nonsense. If our lord wants to attack Hanzhong or even Xichuan, won't we attack it ourselves?"
Huang Quan was completely speechless now. During diplomatic negotiations, others would not consider how pitiful you are. Interests are the first priority, and weak countries do not have the power to lead diplomacy!
"Okay." Liu Cong finally spoke, "There is no need to embarrass Mr. Gongheng anymore."
"Brother Dao Chu's integrity is really touching to me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have sent Jin Yiwei to help him. But to help you, sir, it's not that I don't want to help you. It's because I'm really powerless."
(Daoqi is Liu Xun's calligraphy. His handwriting cannot be examined. I picked this one myself. If you don't like it, don't spray it.)
"thump!"
Huang Quan knelt on the ground and knelt down and said, "I hope the Marquis of Chu can help my lord. Even if you don't send troops, please give me some other supplies!"
"If my lord establishes a foothold in Nanzhong, he can also help the Lord of Chu to restrain Liu Bei. I hope the Lord of Chu will think twice!"
Constraining Liu Bei, this is what Liu Cong wanted. Fa Zheng saw this and sent people to rescue Liu Xun.
But at this time, Liu Cong was really powerless. From Jiangdong, Zhou Yu led 40,000 troops to the north by sea. There were 30,000 troops stationed in various places. Pang Tong's 100,000 troops who were attacking Huainan must not be used.
What about Jingchu? The 50,000 troops and horses in Wancheng cannot be used. That is the front line. There are only less than 80,000 troops stationed in Jing, Gui, Jiang, and the three states. But these troops are also stationed in various important places. What else is going on?
, is even more stretched.
Before attacking Jiangdong, Liu Cong had an army of more than 200,000. After taking Jiangdong and recruiting Jiangdong soldiers, Liu Cong's army could reach 300,000.
Despite this, he was not sure whether Huainan needed reinforcements and whether a war would break out with Cao Cao after capturing Huainan.
To support Liu Xun in establishing a foothold in Nanzhong, it would take at least 10,000 to 20,000 people. Liu Xun only occupied a county in Nanzhong. Which one of Meng Huo, Yong Kai, and Gaoding is not stronger than him?
And where could Jingchu now mobilize 20,000 people to support Liu Xun? As for the supplies Huang Quan mentioned, transporting them from Jiaozhou would be time-consuming and laborious, and it would not be of much use.
To constrain Liu Bei, Liu Xun had to unify Nanzhong to play a small role. Giving him some supplies would only be enough for Liu Xun to gain a foothold in Xangqi County.
If not, Liu Cong really wanted to support Liu Xun. In the meeting hall, no one spoke anymore. Everyone was looking at Liu Cong, waiting for his decision. Huang Quan even felt it in his hands.
Sweat!
"solitary……"
"My lord, I have a way to support Liu Xun." Just when Liu Cong was about to speak, Shangshu Ling Jiang Wan also spoke.
"What's Gong Yan's clever plan?" Liu Cong's eyes lit up. If he could give Liu Xun some support, he would be very happy.
Jiang Wan replied, "My lord, Shi Xie from Jiaozhou is also my lord's vassal. Why doesn't my lord ask him to send troops from Jiaozhou to help Liu Xun?"
Yes, the Shi family in Jiaozhou has surrendered. The Shi family has 30,000 troops in Jiaozhou. Although it is not many, it can intimidate Baiyue in Jiaozhou with these 30,000 people.
Moreover, after the Shi family surrendered to Sun Quan in history, it was Shi Xie who contacted the barbarian leaders in Nanzhong to resist the Shu Han. Sun Quan even sent Liu Chan to Jiaozhou to prepare to take over Yizhou.
(Historically, after Liu Bei captured Chengdu, he moved Liu Zhang's family to Gong'an. After Sun Quan captured Jingzhou, Liu Zhang's family surrendered to Sun Quan.)
"My lord, I dare not agree with the minister's order. If we send troops to Jiaozhou, how can the scholar family deter the Baiyue barbarians? Furthermore, we will not be able to get the money and food because of the barrenness of Jiaozhou."