Three Kingdoms: Ancestors of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 166 Wei Yi Liangzhou
After the court meeting, Cao Rui gave a banquet with General Cao Zhen.

Although the hall is simple and dilapidated, it has been redecorated. It is not gorgeous, but neat and simple. There are several banquet tables for the courtiers Cao Rui has an audience with.

Right now, apart from the two servants, there are only Cao Rui and Cao Zhen.There are wine, meat and vegetables on the food table, three meat and two vegetables, four dishes and one soup, very simple.

Cao Zhen picked up the dishes with chopsticks very cautiously, and sipped his wine from time to time, not daring to reveal his true nature.

Cao Rui was preoccupied and had a bad appetite. After a few mouthfuls, he put down his chopsticks, pondered for a moment and said, "I don't know how the General thinks my Great Wei should guard against Xishu right now?"

Hearing this, Cao Zhen took the wet towel on the case, wiped the corners of his lips, cupped his hands and said, "I think that our army is short of rations, so it is difficult for us to go west at present, but it is also difficult for Xishu to go east. West Shu goes out of Xicheng in the east, goes north to Guanzhong, and goes west to the west." To seize Longyou, without a hundred thousand soldiers, how can we make a living?"

"Besides, several counties in Longyou have just been pacified, and spring plowing is just around the corner; Tang Fan's rebellion in Longxi County is still undecided. How can Xishu say that it will go out of Guanzhong in the east? After this war, it will be difficult for Xishu to regain its vitality for countless years. Please rest assured, Your Majesty!" Cao Zhen replied.

Cao Rui sighed, and said: "To tell you the truth, General, I am worried about Liangzhou! Longyou was captured, Guanzhong was uneasy, and Liangzhou was terrified. It is okay to have a large army guarding Guanzhong, and the people's hearts can be at ease, but Liangzhou is thousands of miles away. Soon after the attachment, there will be Hulu all over the land, if Shu colludes in Longyou, I'm afraid there will be other thoughts."

"If a large army is stationed in Liangzhou, only the narrow and long Xiaoguan Road can connect the two places. As Sikong (Chen Qun) said, if you transport grain for thousands of miles, you will be plundered by Western Shu when you cross Xiaoguan. It takes one stone to reach Liangzhou, and I worry about it!"

Cao Zhen got up and went out, and said seriously: "Please call the governor of Yongzhou, Guo Boji, into the palace to make a countermeasure."

"Huh? Boji also came to Chang'an with the general." Cao Rui asked curiously.

"A few days ago, I talked with Boji about this matter. Boji is familiar with the situation in the northwest, the Qiang people are convinced, and his military strategy is outstanding. He can serve as a barrier against Shu. Knowing that His Majesty called his ministers to discuss, he dared to let him enter Chang'an with his ministers." Cao Zhen Said.

"Xuan!"

Not half an hour later, Guo Huai walked into the hall slowly, and respectfully saluted: "Yongzhou Inspector Guo Huai pays his respects to His Majesty."

Cao Rui sees Guo Huai, who is tall and powerful in appearance, but has a refined style and piercing eyes. He is worthy of being a hero of the Guo family in Taiyuan.

Cao Rui couldn't help but nodded secretly, and said lightly: "Get up! I called you into the palace because I wanted to ask you about Liangzhou. I don't know how you think about the matter of stationing troops in Liangzhou and transporting food for thousands of miles?"

Guo Huai stood in the hall, peeping at Cao Rui on the steps, and said in a deep voice: "Although Liangzhou is attached, the people's livelihood is poor, and the garrison is not easy, but I think this matter is not difficult to solve. If Shu attacks Liangzhou, it must pass Jincheng County, Jincheng City He is tall and strong, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and he has been appeased by Su Wenshi (Su Ze), the governor of Liangzhou and former prefect of Jincheng (Su Ze), the Qiang people in Liangzhou are convinced of the court, and the Qiang people can help our great Wei."

"As for the troops stationed in Liangzhou, they transported food thousands of miles away. I think Liangzhou is not a poor town. Taking Jincheng County as an example, it was ten years ago that Jincheng was restored by the Wei Dynasty. Su Wenshi, the prefect of Jincheng, entered Liangzhou to gather homeless people and share with the common people. We share weal and woe, and recover Jincheng. In addition, Jincheng has fertile soil, irrigation and circulation, so that grain can be produced for military use.”

"Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan and other counties are not as rich as Jincheng County, but the land is vast and sparsely populated, the water and grass are suitable, and the livestock are the best in the world. Regardless of whether the Later Han Dynasty or the generals went to the Qiang Hu, they all captured tens of thousands of livestock. , why do you say that Liangzhou is poor?"

Cao Rui nodded repeatedly, pointed at the desk, and said in a gentle voice, "Boji can take a seat!"

"No!" Guo Huai showed joy and sat down.

"I don't know how Boji thinks the imperial court is stationed in Liangzhou?"

Guo Huai pondered for a moment, then said: "Xihe Qiang people are stationed in Liangzhou to guard the main roads."

Cao Rui tapped the table with his finger, frowned and said, "Bo Ji can explain it in detail."

"One is the Qiang people in Xihe. In Liangzhou, there are many Qiang and Hu people, but few Han people. Therefore, we should appease the Qiang people and use them as help to fight against Xishu. Hexi has little rain and often suffers from lack of food, but Wuwei can be repaired. , Jiuquan Yanchi and friendly Qiang tribes exchange food and grass, and accumulate military rations for military use.”

"The second army stationed in Liangzhou. Liangzhou has a vast land and few people. They can move their households to the counties of Liangzhou. They serve as the army in wartime and the people in leisure time. The counties dig water canals to nourish good fields and raise livestock. Although it takes time , but once and for all!"

"The third important way of guarding is that the minister said that Liangzhou's livestock are the best of the world, so merchants can be allowed to go to the Central Plains, and Liangzhou's cattle, sheep, dogs and horses can be exchanged for food, grass or money in the Central Plains to subsidize Liangzhou's military expenses. Our troops can be stationed There are many passes outside Longshan Mountain, just guard the main roads to prevent the Shu army from raiding and disturbing."

"These three strategies are the results of my hard thinking and meditation, and I will dedicate them to Your Majesty and the court." Guo Huai bowed to the ground and replied in a deep voice.

When Cao Rui heard this, he clapped his palms and smiled, and went down the steps, helped Guo Huai up, and said, "Earlier when Western Shu seized Long, some people said that it was Qing's fault, and they almost lost a great talent if they wanted me to transfer Qing to someone else. I believe that the loss of Longyou is not the fault of everyone, but the cunning of Xishu."

"Qing was not on a tour, but went as far as Longyou to inspect government affairs. With such dedication, I would be indifferent! Your strategy today can make Liangzhou worry-free." Cao Rui said with emotion.

After a pause, Cao Rui continued to ask: "You also know that Liangzhou scholars have been at odds with the imperial court since the Later Han Dynasty. There was Dong Zhuo's rebellion before, and Ma Chao's rebellion later. I don't know what you think, how the court treats Liangzhou Scholar?"

Guo Huai pondered for a moment, then said hesitantly: "Later Han despised Liangzhou for a long time. The people of Liangzhou were aggressive, the people were brave, the scriptures were no better than that of Kanto, and there were few high-ranking officials in the imperial court. The scholars and people of Liangzhou had long been dissatisfied with this. Whether it was Bian Zhang, Han Sui, etc. Chaos in Longyou, or Ma Chao's chaos in Guanzhong, are all the results."

"It's the old minister who thought that Liangzhou scholars could be conscripted to increase the number of officials in order to soothe their hearts. If it doesn't work, they can avoid the three-mutual law, and treat Liangzhou with Liangzhou people, so as to calm their hearts." Guo Huai added .

When Cao Rui heard this, he patted Guo Huai on the shoulder, and said with a soft smile, "Qing is truly an all-rounder in civil and military affairs, and can be the pillar of the Northwest!"

Obviously Cao Rui was very satisfied with Guo Huai's answer. Guo Huai's answer this time not only solved the problem of Liangzhou's garrison, but also proposed a policy to regain the hearts of Liangzhou's gentry.

Although under the pressure of the Kanto family, it is difficult for the central government to recruit and increase Liangzhou scholars, but it is also a moderate view when Liang people rule Liangzhou.

Cao Rui turned to Cao Zhen and said, "General, why don't you let Bo Ji also serve as the commander of the general, and assist the general in defending against Western Shu?"

Cao Zhen had nothing to do, and respectfully replied: "No!"

Cao Rui turned his head again, looked at Guo Huai, and said with a smile, "Qing offered the policy of Liangzhou. I want you to be transferred to governor of Liangzhou to carry out this policy. I don't know what you think?"

Guo Huai had a happy expression on his face. Although he was the governor of Liangzhou in a flat tone, the depth of it was different. Yongzhou lost Longyou, and his rights were greatly reduced. Moreover, Cao Zhen was the governor of Chang'an, and Cao Zhen was basically the main one.When I transferred to be the governor of Liangzhou, I basically entrusted Liangzhou to myself and let myself take charge of it alone.

Guo Huai responded, "No!"

Not long after Chang'an made the right decision, Cao Rui returned to Luoyang.Guo Huai, the governor of Yongzhou, was ordered to be the governor of Liangzhou, and he was promoted to the general who conquered Shu, and concurrently served as the commander-in-chief of the general to govern Liangzhou.Xu Miao, the governor of Liangzhou, was transferred to the governor of Yongzhou to assist the general Cao Zhenzhen in his administration.Zhang He returned to Jingzhou from Liangzhou.

Cao Zhen arranged for generals to defend the fortress on the east side of Longshan, such as Fei Yao stationed in Qian County, Hao Zhao stationed in Chencang, Dai Ling stationed in the first city of Gaoping (Xiaoguan), and Xia Houba stationed in Wushi County.

Then he led the army back to Chang'an. Yang Tiao, who caused chaos in Anding County, had been beheaded in Yuezhi City, and his head was sent to Luoyang by Cao Zhen.

(The map is being made and will be sent out together!)
(End of this chapter)