After Jiangdong compensated the losses of the Sichuan army, it was severely weakened. The naval army was left with 30,000 soldiers, and a new army of 40,000 people with no combat power was formed to face Wei Yan's 100,000-strong army in the west.
But at this time, news suddenly came out that Sun Quan sent an order to find all the wise men in the world, to find miraculous elixirs and boys and girls to help them cultivate immortality in order to live forever.
When this news came out, Jiangdong was in an uproar. They all thought that Sun Quan was disheartened and had no fighting spirit because of his failure in the battle with the Sichuan army, so he became addicted to alchemy.
Lu Su, Zhang Hong and others were also puzzled that Sun Quan could not be addicted like this at such a young age.
But soon they were shaken. Sun Quan actually opened a Xiuxian Valley, left all the government affairs to Lu Su and Gu Yong, and practiced immortality with the alchemists in the Xiuxian Valley.
The valley was uninhabited, but it looked shrouded in clouds and mist, and the area was also very small. Zhang Hong and Lu Su really weren't worried about Sun Quan's actions in it.
As a family of alchemists, the Xu family heard that the master of Jiangdong was cultivating immortality, so of course they sent a superb alchemist to help. However, this alchemist actually proposed a dehumanizing alchemist. If a mortal wants to cultivate immortality, he must use mortal blood as a sacrifice to reach heaven, which means that he wants human beings to cultivate immortality.
sacrifice.
Lu Su, Zhang Hong and others would definitely not agree to this, but Sun Quan insisted on cultivating immortality.
Lu Su, Zhang Hong and others repeatedly weighed the pros and cons. If only a few people could prevent Sun Quan from coming out of the valley, a lot of things would be saved.
You must know that although the military base of Jiangdong is now controlled by the four Jiangdong families, the Sun family has a deep foundation, not to mention the Qiao family and other families who overwhelmingly support the Sun family. It is impossible to pull them out. Even if the soldiers, money and food are in their hands, Sun Quan
The appeal is also huge.
If Sun Quan didn't come out in the valley, there would be no threat at all. And in such a valley, it was impossible for Sun Quan to make any small moves. In the end, Lu Su and Gu Yong agreed.
They just sent the captured Shanyue prisoners and prisoners to the valley.
From then on, Sun Quan and the Xu family's alchemists were cultivating immortality, refining elixirs, and making blood sacrifices in the valley. It was like a sect of cultivating immortals. The soldiers watching could see blood flowing in the blood sacrifice place every day, and they couldn't help but feel that it was very cruel.
In this way, Jiangdong was completely stabilized. The Sichuan army did not attack outside, Sun Quan cultivated immortality in the valley, and Lu Su and Zhang Hong began to slowly restore the family's strength.
……………………
After Cao Jun negotiated peace with the Sichuan Army, it was of course impossible for him to make Chenliu his capital. If Yingshui was captured, it would be a nightmare for Cao Jun. Cao Jun would move his capital to Yecheng.
It is undeniable that a skinny camel is bigger than a horse, especially with the full support of the family, even if Cao Cao was defeated in Guanzhong and Xuchang, he recovered very quickly, far beyond what Jiangdong can match.
Now Cao's army is recovering. Sichuan's army is also building in Guanzhong. At the same time, Jingzhou, Yizhou and Dianzhou are recuperating. You won't have any major battles in the short term.
After hearing that Liu Zhang attacked the Western Regions, Cao Cao's army settled down. Cao Cao proclaimed himself King of Wei in Yecheng and held a grand king-proclaiming ceremony in Yecheng.
Sun Quan, who was the first to be granted the title of king, has now become a marquis, and his status is lower than that of Liu Zhang and Cao Cao.
This is the first time after the defeat of Cao Cao's army that there is a festive ceremony, and it is also considered to be a celebration for Cao Cao's army. So Cao Cao made it very prosperous, and this has been regarded by Cao Cao as a new beginning. From now on, recovery will not necessarily
There is no chance of defeating the Sichuan army.
However, for such a grand ceremony, several people were absent. Two of them were high-ranking officials in Cao's army. Xun Yu, the highest-ranking counselor in Cao's army, and Xun You, Xun Yu's nephew, did not come.
Looking at the empty seat in the front row, Cao Cao remained silent.
Chen Qun stepped forward and said: "My lord, Sir Zhang Hao and Sir Zhang Qian are all high officials of the imperial court, but they are still late. Could you please send someone to hurry up?"
Sima Yi on the side shrank his pupils and cursed Chen Qun in his heart. Chen Qun is usually serious and seems to be a great scholar, but there are too few real cities. He used to point at Guo Jia, but now he points at Cao Cao. What kind of clever tricks are you trying to do?
But Cao Cao seemed to be fine and laughed and said: "Maybe he is sick. We won't wait for them. Let's start the ceremony now."
Cao Cao felt the same as Ming Jing. The reason why Xun Yu and Xun You didn't come was because he was dissatisfied with his title of king. However, he had to make him a king. The confrontation between kings and marquises was not as simple as the title. As long as the Han Dynasty was still there, The title of the Han Dynasty is of practical use. A marquis or prince would not have enough confidence to fight against a king or prince.
Cao Cao at this time was different from Cao Cao of the Bronze Bird Society in history. Although both were defeated, Cao Cao's army had fallen to second place in the world, and Cao Cao was not as arrogant as before.
On the contrary, Cao Cao desperately hoped that his uncle and nephew Xun Yu would understand him. Cao Cao thought to himself that he must find an opportunity to communicate with Xun Yu and Xun You. Both of them were great talents and he was indispensable.
The most important thing is that Cao Cao knows that many officials from aristocratic families are now in a group, and the power of Cao Cao's army must not be concentrated on these people without restrictions, and must be restrained. Xun Yu and Xun You are his cronies, as well as Guo Jia. Cao Cao knows that Guo Jia is really sick.
As for Chen Qun, he used the words of several other adults and made insinuations about Xun You and Xun Yu. If Cao Cao couldn't see through this trick, then he wouldn't be Cao Cao.
And I'm afraid Chen Qungen didn't intend to hide it, he was just impetuous. Sima Yi looked down on him, Cao Cao also looked down on him, and at the same time he was even more afraid of the world.
The ceremony was held in an orderly manner. Nineteen-year-old Cao Pi and fourteen-year-old Cao Zhi composed poems respectively, and Cao Zhang performed riding and archery.
Sima Yi whispered to his third brother Sima Fu: "Go back and spread the word. Cao Cao did not get the Queen Mother Chang'an's decree to make him king. Xun Yu and Xun You did not come to attend the king's ceremony because they were loyal to the Han Dynasty."
"Well? Doesn't this increase the prestige of Xun You and Xun Yu?" Sima Fu asked doubtfully, but when he saw Sima Yi's look, he gradually understood and nodded.
"Remember, we must make Xun Yu and Xun You the most loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty." Sima Yi said firmly.
Sima Yi has made up his mind that as long as Cao Cao is still alive, he will not make any big moves, but some things just happen casually, so he will not let it go.
As for other things, let people like Chen Qun do it.
Now Sima Yi has become the representative of the world's famous families. If Cao Jun wants to obtain the support of money, food and personnel, he must go through Sima Yi. Therefore, although Sima Yi's time of effectiveness is very short, Cao Cao has to pay attention to it.
But even so, Sima Yi was the most respectful to Cao Cao. Sima Yi never disobeyed Cao Cao's orders. Even the last time Cao Cao asked Sima Yi to hand over the new soldiers composed of aristocratic families to Xiahou Yuan, he didn't say anything and went to handle the handover in person.
With this kind of performance, even the suspicious Cao Cao felt that he could send Sima Yi to serve as the commander-in-chief of the front line to resist the Sichuan army. However, although Cao Cao now uses the Shi clan, he is increasingly wary of the Shi clan. No matter how good Sima Yi pretends to be, Cao Cao still has it in his heart.
A steelyard.
At this time, in Guo Jia's courtyard, two guests came to visit. They were Xun Yu and Xun You. They even brought wine. Xun Yu and Xun You never drank except for banquets.
Guo Jia was already very drunk. He vaguely saw Xun Yu and Xun You coming in. He wanted to get up, but failed to stand still and stopped breathing. He kept coughing. Xun Yu saw a clear blood spot on the ground.
My heart is in one place.
After retreating from Xuchang, Guo Jia fell into despair. His condition became worse day by day until he could no longer manage. Xun Yu knew that Guo Jia was depressed.
The Battle of Guanzhong and the retreat from Xuchang were a huge blow to Guo Jia. Guo Jia used to predict things like a god and hit every target, but this time he suffered two major defeats, which completely ruined Cao's army. It was impossible not to be touched.
Guo Jia coughed and took out a white pill and put it into his mouth. Xun Yu quickly took it away: "Fengxiao, you can't take any more pills. If you continue like this, you will die. It doesn't matter if you die. What will happen to my lord's great cause?"
"
"Great cause? Can I, Guo Jia, still be able to plan a great cause for my lord?"
In fact, Guo Jia was not only defeated twice, but from Chenliu to Xuchang, Guo Jia couldn't stand all kinds of gossip.
, that is completely without scruples.
If it were ordinary gossip, Guo Jia would not pay attention to it, but he had indeed ruined Cao's army. Now that he was being said to be incompetent and just trying to gain fame, Guo Jia could only admit it.
If Cao Cao had not fought hard and turned a deaf ear to the advice of other military officers, he would not have been able to continue to be an official.
But the more Cao Cao behaved like this, the more Guo Jia felt guilty, and his condition became worse and worse.
"The defeat of Xuchang in Guanzhong is definitely not your fault. Sima Yi's so-called prophecy is completely illogical. Although he was right twice, I, Xun Yu, will never believe anything without reason." Xun Yu was determined.
typical.
"That's right." Xun You said: "The root reason for the defeat in Guanzhong was that we did not expect that the Sichuan Army had the Tengjia Army and so many powerful military services. It was so powerful. The Sichuan Army General's military force was beyond imagination, let alone you Guo Jia.
Who had expected it? Did Sima Yi expect it?"
Xun You paused and then said: "Xuchang retreated because the Fu family's plan was exposed. If it were a real offensive and defensive battle, it might not be that easy to break. Maybe after ten days of defense, we can still save Xuchang.
How did Sima Yi know that Xuchang would be defeated? Even if the Xu family sent out alchemists, he wouldn't have expected it. Victory or defeat is a common matter for military strategists. Seven parts of it are man's plans and three parts of destiny. Don't take it seriously. The Lord needs you now. Can you?
You must not fall down."
"Need me?" Guo Jia smiled: "I'm afraid the master doesn't even need you anymore."
Guo Jia picked up a book on the stone table, and Xun You saw that it was the Sichuan Army's official examination questions. In fact, they also knew that Guo Jia had always been interested in Sichuan Army stuff.
"Today is supposed to be my lord's grand ceremony for enthroning the king. Since none of you are going, who does my lord need?" Guo Jia smiled, then picked up the jug and started drinking.