(Five hundred chapters, it’s not easy, please encourage me)
Zhou Yu begged to surrender?
This was unprecedented news. Mei Zhoulang, who flooded Shouchun and caused Liu Bei to lose Huainan, actually asked him to surrender.
Liu Bei was so surprised that he rolled his eyes a few times and quickly understood what was going on.
"Could it be that after Yan Liang pacified Jiangdong and showed signs of marching into Huainan, Zhou Yu felt helpless and just remembered to ask for help from us?" Liu Bei's tone did not conceal his sarcasm.
Zhuge Liang smiled slightly and said: "It is exactly what my lord said. Zhou Yu sent people, claiming to be attached to the lord, and asked the lord to send troops from Xuzhou to the south to aid Huainan."
Attachment?
When he heard these two words, Liu Bei's expression became unhappy.
There is a big difference between attachment and surrender, and Liu Bei knew this very well.
At that time, whether Liu Bei defected to Gongsun Zan, Tao Qian, Lu Bu, or Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, he was nominally dependent rather than surrendering.
Dependence represents the relationship between Liu Bei and the one being attached, which is just the relationship between guest and host, while surrender represents the relationship between minister and host.
As a guest, Liu Bei can continue to have retainers such as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, as well as a team that is completely his own.
Moreover, once Liu Bei finds a new opportunity, he can openly leave his dependents without having to bear too much infamy as a traitor.
Being attached but not surrendering is the secret of Liu Bei's success in maintaining his reputation despite defecting to countless employers over the years.
It's a pity that Liu Bei's reputation that he has maintained for many years has been mostly destroyed by the letter of divorce that Yan Liang forced him to write.
Now, Zhou Yu also played a trick of dependence with Liu Bei. Liu Bei, who was good at this technique, could see through Zhou Yu's intention at a glance.
Seeing Liu Bei's displeasure, Zhuge Liang said calmly: "How could Zhou Yu's intentions be hidden from my lord's eyes? However, Liang thought that my lord agreed to his dependence and sent troops to assist, but it would be a hundred benefits and no harm."
"How do you say this?" Liu Bei suddenly became interested.
"If Yan Liang destroys Zhou Yu and takes all of Huainan, he will definitely send troops northward to attack Xu Yan. Now that the Lord is focusing on fighting for Hebei, how can he spare the troops to deal with Yan Liang's massive attack? In this case, why not support Zhou Yu
In Huainan, to stop Yan Liang's threat, we only need ten thousand troops to ensure the safety of the rear. For my lord, it is a great deal."
Zhuge Liang had a clear mind and calculated an economic account for Liu Bei.
As Liu Bei listened, his thoughts gradually changed and he began to nod secretly.
"Furthermore, Zhou Yu's coming to rely on us just gave us the opportunity to get involved in Huainan. Taking advantage of the opportunity to fight against Yan Liang, we can slowly encroach on the land of Huainan and win over the people of Huainan. Once the time is right, the lord can send troops to go south,
Then we can annex Zhou Yu in one fell swoop and easily seize the land of Huainan. In this way, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds?"
After Zhuge Liang's words, Liu Bei's vision suddenly became brighter and his spirit became excited.
After pacing for a moment, Liu Bei said happily: "What the military advisor said is very true, so I will agree to Zhou Yu's request for attachment, send someone with my order to Xuzhou, and order Yunchang to send troops to Huaihe immediately."
Zhuge Liang nodded slightly and agreed with Liu Bei's move.
After talking about the affairs in Huainan, Zhuge Liang changed the topic and said: "Now in detail, Cao Cao has defeated the Shangdang and has great intentions of going south to invade Hanoi County. If Hanoi is lost, Luoyang will not be protected. If Cao Cao gains these two places,
, our land of two rivers will be exposed to Cao Cao's military front, the matter is of great importance, my lord must be on guard."
Liu Bei's expression, which had just improved, could not help but become solemn again, and he hurriedly asked Zhuge Liang for advice on how to deal with it.
"Now that the city of Ye has been captured, Yuan Shang is at the end of his path and cannot pose a substantial threat. In Yi Liang's opinion, the lord can postpone the attack on Yuan Shang. It is better to keep him in the north and let him block Yuan Tan's threat. In this way, the lord can
Draw out troops and horses, accept Han Meng's surrender as soon as possible, and increase troops in Hanoi and Luoyang to prevent Cao Cao from gaining the upper hand."
Zhuge Liang, on the other hand, took his time and stated his strategy calmly and confidently.
Liu Bei thought about it for a moment and thought deeply about it. He then said: "What the military advisor said makes sense. All we have to do is act according to what the military advisor said."
Zhuge Liang shook his feather fan, his handsome face showing confidence and calmness.
…
Hanoi County, Wen County.
In the backyard of that wealthy mansion, a man in his thirties was playing chess with a young man in his twenties.
Those thirty men were gentle and elegant, with a kind temperament and a loyal attitude.
But that young man in his twenties had a pair of sharp eagle eyes, and there was a hint of depth in his knife-like face.
The two men, black and white, were fighting each other on the chessboard, and it was hard to tell them apart. Although the older man had a slight advantage, his brows were furrowed and his expression was quite anxious.
As for the young man, despite being at a disadvantage, his eyes were calm and he didn't even frown.
Unknowingly, the young man came from behind, making camp everywhere, turning from defense to offense, and gradually regained the advantage.
After a few more chess moves, the older man threw the chess piece in his hand into the chess basket, shook his head and sighed with a smile: "Zhongda, I didn't expect that after several months of not seeing each other, your chess skills have improved so much, and I am no longer your brother."
rival."
The Zhongda mentioned by the older man that year was none other than Sima Yi, one of the Sima Bada of a wealthy family in Wen County.
And that older man was Sima Lang, the leader of the Bada.
"My eldest brother works in the county and is busy with official duties. He has no intention of studying chess. He is not like my foolish brother who is idle. If I can't improve my chess skills, my time will really be wasted."
Sima Yi was picking up the chess pieces while laughing at himself.
"Second brother, don't be humble. You are not an idle person. You are the number one think tank of our Sima family. If you hadn't concluded that Yuan Tan would be defeated and Xu's capital would be lost, and persuaded me to resign and return home, what would I do now?
I'm afraid that I have fallen into the hands of Yan Liang, and it will be difficult for me to play this game of chess with you, my second brother."
"It happened a long time ago, it's not worth mentioning." Sima Yi said with a faint smile.
Sima Lang, however, looked serious, "Last time you persuaded me to resign because you believed that Yuan Tan would be defeated, then this time you persuaded me to resign from the county, but why?"
"Luoyang is the site of the Fourth War, and Hanoi is separated from Luoyang by the Yellow River, so the location is sensitive. Now Han Meng has surrendered two counties to Liu Bei. I expect that Duke Cao will not accept it. I am afraid that the two armies of Liu and Cao will soon have a battle.
Before the outcome is uncertain, it is best for me to resign and return home, and not to rush to express my position."
After hearing what his brother said, Sima Lang suddenly realized.
"If it hadn't been for the reminder from my second brother, I almost missed the important event. When the army at Guandu was defeated, I was forced to surrender to Yuan Dynasty. Now if I follow Han Meng and submit to Liu Bei, if Liu Bei is defeated by Cao Gong, and Hanoi is captured by Cao Gong, then Cao Gong will bear his hatred.
Get up, as a brother, aren't you bringing trouble to the Sima family?"
Sima Lang suddenly woke up and broke into a cold sweat.
Sima Yi only smiled faintly: "That's why Foolish Brother said that he would rather have a quiet reputation than be tempted by fame and hastily stand in line before the situation becomes clear. The eldest brother still plays chess and reads with Foolish Brother, stealing a moment of leisure.
Just wait and see what happens before making plans."
Sima Lang nodded repeatedly and said with a smile: "My second brother is right, come on, let's continue playing chess."
In the quiet courtyard, the sound of falling pieces began again.
…
Yingtian, Da Sima Mansion.
"Ziyuan, are you the Chief of the Guda Sima Prefecture?" Yan Liang asked.
Xu You at the bottom of the stairs was startled and said with a smile: "Of course."
Yan Liang pointed to the couch under his buttocks and ordered unhappily: "Then please change a couch for me. This couch is too small, I can't move my body, and it's not comfortable at all."
"Every furnishing in the Grand Sima's Mansion was designed according to the laws and regulations, including the couch." Xu You said with a wry smile.
"It doesn't matter what the rules are. If you don't like it, just change it." Yan Liang said disapprovingly.
Xu You said: "Then I don't know what specifications the master plans to change to?"
"What does the one in the Jinluan Hall of Xudu look like? Just make it for Gu Zhao." Yan Liang waved his hand.
Xudu? Jinluan Palace?
Xu You was stunned for a moment, and then he was surprised to understand that Yan Liang was actually changing into the emperor's throne.
"Well... in that case, it seems to be a violation of the rules, I'm afraid people will talk about it." Xu You reminded with a smile.
Yan Liang sneered and said disdainfully: "You have followed Gu for many years, don't you understand Gu? Those mediocre people's comments, Gu always thought they were just farts. Gu just likes the spaciousness of the throne, but he wants to
Sit down, who can do anything to me?"
Xu You shook his head and smiled, then said nothing more.
Having followed Yan Liang for many years, he knew his lord's temperament best. Back then, he dared to betray Yuan Shao, who owned eight states, with only more than a thousand soldiers and horses. Moreover, with today's situation, not directly proclaiming himself emperor was considered very restrained.
Well, what's the big deal if you sit on the emperor's throne in advance.
Acting casually and treating the world's reputation as rubbish is exactly Yan Liang's superhuman charm.
While smiling and sighing, Xu You cupped his hands and said, "Well, as long as the lord is happy, just think of those mediocre people talking behind their backs as farts."
The old Xu You, under the influence of Yan Liang, couldn't help but use "foul language" at this time.
Yan Liang was then satisfied and asked: "Ziyuan, you are here in such a hurry. Do you have something important to report?"
Only then did Xu You remember, and he hurriedly handed over a silk letter, "Your Majesty, I have come to report my detailed work in Huainan. There are various signs that Zhou Yu may have colluded with Liu Bei."
Yan Liang frowned slightly and unfolded the silk information presented to him to take a closer look.
The information contained in it was described in great detail. More than a month ago, Zhou Yu sent an envoy Kan Ze to Xuzhou to meet Guan Yu, and Guan Yu sent Kan Ze to Yecheng, obviously to meet Liu Bei.
Since Kan Ze's return, there have been constant exchanges of envoys between the two parties, and the originally hostile relationship has become extremely close for a while.
In recent days, the Xuzhou left-behind legion led by Guan Yu has also begun to intensify training, and Guan Yu is still requisitioning a large number of merchant ships, obviously preparing for war.
All signs from Guan Yu indicate that Liu Bei is probably ready to assist Zhou Yu.
Snap!
Yan Liang slapped the case fiercely and said coldly: "The noble Zhou Lang is so shameless that he knelt down and asked for help from Liu Bei. It seems that the time for the Northern Expedition must be brought forward." (To be continued. Please search Piao Tian Literature, novels.