Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 234 On the eve of civil strife, Jingzhou is stormy (2)

Shonan is very close to Liling, the distance is about 80 kilometers, and the waterway is direct.

Take Lianshui to enter Xiangjiang River, then walk south for a section of waterway to the entrance of Lushui, and go east to Liling.

Zhuge Liang set off on the night of February [-]th, and arrived at Liling County after sailing for about eight hours at noon on February [-]th.

The county seat is surrounded by mountains, and there is a large area of ​​fertile soil outside the city. It is the spring of February, and the mountains and fields are full of flowers and green, and the trees outside the city are dense and the branches are luxuriant.

In the Han Dynasty, rice was the main food in the south. Now along the banks of the Lushui River, it is the time of spring plowing, and countless people are busy in the fields, which is a busy scene of farming.

At this time, there was no one around the pier, but there were some soldiers guarding them. Seeing a ship bearing Liu Bei's flag approaching suddenly, the lazy soldiers just took a look and didn't pay much attention.

Because Liu Bei and Liu Pan lived very close to each other, they walked a lot with each other. Liu Bei and Liu Biao maintained a superficial relationship, and both of them were better friends with Liu Qi, so they gradually became acquainted with each other. hostile.

However, the soldiers quickly went to the city to report to Liu Pan. When Zhuge Liang disembarked, a Qu Junhou from the pier greeted him and asked about the situation. When he learned that he was here to see Liu Pan, he led the way with him They pass.

On the way, Liu Pan came quickly on his horse. Zhuge Liang and Liu Qi had a good relationship, and Liu Qi was Liu Pan's cousin, so they had known each other for a long time. He hurriedly dismounted to meet him, and said with a smile, "Kong Ming."

"Brother Yijian!"

Zhuge Liang cupped his hands with a smile and said: "If you interrupt me rashly, please return Haihan."

"Why did Kong Ming come to Liling?"

After meeting Liu Pan with him, he was a little puzzled. He knew that Zhuge Liang was following Liu Bei now, but Liu Bei had gone to Xichuan now, so he didn't know why Zhuge Liang made a sudden visit.

"Let's talk about the advanced city."

Zhuge Liang smiled, and walked with Liu Pan on the road into the city, looked around and said, "It's also spring plowing."

"Yes."

Liu Pan said: "This year has been very busy. After evacuating from Yuzhang, we have moved many people to Changsha County, and we have to open up a lot of fields. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the people and the army to maintain."

Zhuge Liang asked strangely, "Didn't Xiangyang bring food and grass?"

Liu Pan shook his head and said: "Originally, it was transported every six months. Last year in September, a new batch was supposed to be transported next month, but after my uncle became seriously ill, there seemed to be no approval. I have already submitted a form to Xiangyang. If the food doesn't arrive next month, I'm afraid there will be insufficient food."

"I see."

Zhuge Liang thought to himself, Liu Pan had [-] troops stationed there, and it would be difficult to support him with Liling's population.

It used to be transported from Xiangyang by water, but now there is no response. It seems that Xiangyang is likely to be stuck with food and grass from various places.

But at present, there is no shortage of food in Liu Bei. Liu Bei helped Liu Biao fight in the north and south, fight Cao Cao and Liu Zhang, and put down the rebellious Jingnan barbarians. Although in order to prevent him from growing stronger, Liu Biao consciously controlled the supply of food and grass. Less and more in stock.

While the two were talking, they had arrived in Liling County, and after they sat down in the county government hall, Liu Pan asked, "Kong Ming, what's the matter?"

"Brother Yijian, please take a look."

Zhuge Liang handed over the letter in his arms and Liu Qi's sealed letter.

Liu Pan took it and opened it. Due to the perfection of papermaking, paper took root in Jingzhou and gradually replaced the bamboo slips in the upper layer, so it is much lighter.

He took out the letter, and his face was already very solemn while reading it. After waiting to read it, he looked at the seal letter again, and said silently: "It turns out that Uncle has passed away. I don't even know about it."

"Cai Mao, Kuaiyue and others blocked the news. If someone in Xiangyang City risked his life to send a letter to the eldest prince, I am afraid that the eldest prince would have met with disaster."

Zhuge Liang said in a deep voice: "Brother Yijian, how should we deal with it?"

Liu Pan smiled bitterly and said, "I don't know either."

Zhuge Liang said: "Brother Yijian should understand that the second prince is weak by nature and controlled by Cai Mao Kuaiyue and others. Once he ascends the throne, Jingzhou will be completely controlled by the two of them, and His Majesty's foundation will also be destroyed. Could it be that Brother Yijian has the heart to do so? ?"

Liu Pan hesitated and said, "But...you want me to go to war with Xiangyang? How can this be done?"

Zhuge Liang persuaded: "The eldest prince has no heirs. The reason why he raised troops was to take back the Liu family's foundation. Even if the throne is passed on in the future, he will be the heir of the second prince. Jingzhou should belong to the Liu family. How can it be controlled by outsiders?"

"Let me think."

Liu Pan hesitated.

Zhuge Liang didn't force him either. After all, although Liu Pan and Liu Qi have a good relationship, they must be cautious when it comes to such a big matter.

Once Liu Qi and Liu Cong turn against each other, the entire Jingzhou will be plunged into civil strife.

Just like Yuan Shao in the north, Kong had such great power, and after his death, his two sons fought each other, so that everyone in the world knew that the north must be owned by Cao Cao. This is something that the Liu family in Jingzhou did not want to see.

More importantly, Zhuge Liang expected that Xiangyang would definitely send someone to persuade Liu Pan, and Liu Pan would definitely not want to get involved in the dispute between the two slave brothers.

So the worst result is that he doesn't help each other.

But it's hard to say that Xiangyang may make a bad move, such as seizing Liu Pan's military power.

The two chatted about other things.

After waiting for two hours, at three quarters in the afternoon, Liu Pan invited Zhuge Liang to have dinner in the hall.

"Report!"

While eating, someone came in suddenly: "An edict from Xiangyang came from an angel."

"Oh?"

Liu Pan looked at Zhuge Liang suspiciously: "Kong Ming?"

Zhuge Liang put down the bowl and chopsticks, lightly shook the feather fan and said with a smile, "Yi Jian might as well go and see him."

"it is good."

Liu Pan got up and said, "I'll go and have a look."

He went out to greet him.

After a while, Liu Pan came in with a strong man and several followers.

Seeing Zhuge Liang, the strong man asked suspiciously, "General Liu, who is this?"

"This is the master book in the army."

Liu Pan lied and said, "It's not an outsider."

The strong man nodded and said: "That's just right, I will ask him to report the number of troops, horses and luggage in the army later."

As he spoke, he took out a roll of silk and said loudly: "Your Majesty has an edict. In the third year of Changping, the Emperor Liu Biao issued an edict."

The front is the edict format, Changping is Liu Biao's year name, he ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor in 206 AD, and it is now the third year, and the latter is the content.

It probably means that because of his illness, it is necessary to arrange for the clan to return to Xiangyang to take charge of the overall situation and stabilize the situation, so Liu Pan was asked to unload military affairs and set off for Xiangyang immediately.

As for Liling's army, it will be handed over to that strong man.

The strong man named Yuan Long was a general of Cai Mao's department. Historically, he surrendered to Cao Cao with Cai Mao. After the Battle of Chibi, he belonged to Jiangdong and was stationed in Liling.

Now that Liu Pan had heard the edict, his complexion changed drastically. At this time, he already knew the news that Liu Biao had died of illness, but Xiangyang still sent Liu Biao's edict, and any fool would know what was going on.

He had a strong personality, and wanted to explode on the spot, but Zhuge Liang said: "The general should thank God for his grace."

As he spoke, he gave him a wink.

Liu Pan endured his displeasure, took the roll of silk with both hands, and said, "Respect the edict of the Son of Heaven."

After speaking, he opened the imperial edict and confirmed that the handwriting on it was not written by Liu Biao himself, but there was the emperor's seal carved by Liu Biao, so he frowned and said, "Why is this not written by His Majesty?"

Yuan Long explained: "Your Majesty is seriously ill and cannot carry a pen, and can only be done by a close servant."

"I see."

Liu Pan said: "Since it is the handover of military affairs, General Yuan is also invited to rest in the backyard. I will immediately call all the generals and hand over on the spot."

"That's work."

Yuan Long was quite polite and had no doubts, he was led to the backyard cheerfully.

After he left, Liu Pan said angrily: "Kong Ming, I wanted to tie up this guy and kill him, why did you stop me?"

If Liu Biao seizes his military power, Liu Pan will naturally have no complaints or regrets. The problem is that it is clear that Cai Mao, Kuai Yue and others are causing trouble, trying to deceive him in the name of Liu Biao.

Anyway, he is also Liu Biao's own nephew, and he has made great achievements in fighting Jiangdong. He not only wants to seize his military power, but also tricks him into Xiangyang. He doesn't know whether he will be killed or imprisoned, so Liu Pan is naturally furious.

Zhuge Liang smiled and comforted him: "Brother Yijian, don't be impatient, just listen to me speak slowly."

"You said."

Liu Pan sat on the table unhappily.

Zhuge Liang came to his side, the feather fan lightly shook and said with a smile: "Isn't Yijian going to make plans when he hears about them? The four Han and Xuan must have been acquired by Cai Mao and Kuaiyue, if you kill the angel at this time, you cannot take Jingnan for the eldest son."

Liu Pan's expression changed, he nodded slightly and said, "What does Kong Ming mean?"

"Yijian and listen to me."

Zhuge Liang whispered a few words beside him, Liu Pan nodded frequently, and his eyes shone brightly.

"it is good."

Liu Pan was overjoyed and said, "That's it."

Now Cai Maokuai wants to seize his military power more and more, and even tricks him into going to Xiangyang to die.

If Liu Pan hadn't been informed of the news by someone sent by Liu Qi in advance, he might have been fooled.

Now it becomes life and death, even if he wants to remain neutral, he can't do it.

So I immediately decided to join Liu Qi's team to conspire for great things.

And when Zhuge Liang successfully persuaded Liu Pan to join Liu Qi's camp, power transfers were also taking place in other places in Jingzhou.

In the next few days, there were couriers running around in Jingzhou, even as far away as Jiaozhou. The couriers from both sides were rushing for time, and there were even several incidents of fighting with weapons.

Among them, many generals and prefects in Nanyang and Jingnan were most affected by the struggle between Liu Cong and Liu Qi for military power.

The four prefectures in Jingbei are Nanyang County, Zhangling County, Nanjun County and Jiangxia County.

This Zhangling County did not exist in the territory of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It was during the Liu Biao period that the original Nanyang part was cut and changed to Zhangling County.

Its approximate location is in the area from Zaoyang City to Suizhou City, Hubei Province in later generations, around Tongbai Mountain and Dabie Mountain, adjacent to Jiangxia, Nanjun, and Nanyang, and belongs to the traffic arteries of the three places.

Needless to say, Jiangxia County, after Huang Zu became Sikong, Liu Qi was promoted to the prefect of Jiangxia and took control of Jiangxia County.At this time, the prefect of Zhangling County was Huang She, Huang Zu's son, so Zhangling County joined Liu Qi's camp.

Wang Yi, the prefect of Nanyang, is Liu Biao's confidant, and has a good relationship with Shen Chen and Huang Menting. He was the magistrate of Xinye County at first, and later he was promoted to the prefect of Nanyang County. He made great contributions to Zhang Xiu, Cao Cao and others. He became the prefect of Nanyang.

But he did not defect to Liu Qi because of his relationship with Huang Menting, but chose to obey Xiangyang's order.The main reason is that his attitude is not important. The situation in Nanyang Basin is extremely complicated, and he can't make any decisions.

Now the forces in Nanyang Basin are criss-crossed, and there are a lot of soldiers and horses. It is the target that Cai Mao, Kuaiyue and others are trying to fight for. Among them, Wenpin's attitude is temporarily unknown. Han Xi and Lu Jie support Liu Cong, Gan Ning and Huang Menting support Liu Qi, Zhang Xiu remained neutral.

However, Wenpin has always been loyal. If Liu Cong's successor is a fact of succession, then he will most likely follow Xiangyang.Therefore, the four prefectures in Jingbei are now Nanyang County and Jianan County, which are opposite to Zhangling County and Jiangxia County.

Needless to say, the four counties in Jingnan defected to Liu Cong.Liu Pan was also successfully replaced by "Yuan Long", but when Liu Pan went north to Xiangyang, he suddenly fell ill and temporarily recuperated in Liling.

For a while, until the end of February, except for Jiaozhou, which had not yet given a clear answer due to its remoteness, most of the soldiers and horses in Jingzhou were controlled by Xiangyang.

And this secret confrontation is still going on, from prefects and generals from all over the country, to aristocratic families and powerful people from all over Jingzhou.

Except for the Pang family and the Huang family who were out of business from the very beginning, and there were elders in the family like Pang Degong and Huang Chengyan who had high prestige among scholars, officials and aristocratic families, Cai Mao Kuaiyue and others were not easy to persecute, the rest of the family The big family is threatened by them.

This led to turmoil in the Jingzhou matter. Many aristocratic families and powerful families had to choose to stand in line. Prefects and generals in various places also had to choose which side to stand with a clear-cut stand.

By the beginning of March, the turmoil had swept through the entire Jingzhou and Jiaozhou, and even affected the south, causing changes in the wars in Yizhou and Jiangdong.

The first is Sun Quan.

After forcing Huang Zu out of Jiangxia, he stationed troops in Yuzhang. Now he heard that there were changes in Jingzhou, so he secretly sent more troops, hoping to win in the chaos.

Followed by Liu Bei, Liu Bei has not yet entered Xichuan, and has become the object of both sides' struggle.

Although many people know that Liu Bei and Liu Qi have a good relationship. In the early years, Liu Bei stationed troops in Wancheng and often went to Xiangyang to visit Liu Biao. Every time Liu Qi received him, the two sides had a deep friendship.

But Liu Bei is a very strong force at this juncture, so Cai Mao Kuaiyue did not dare to offend rashly. struggle between.

It's just that Liu Bei has been stationed in Baidi City, Wu County, Zigui County and other places in the Three Gorges on the grounds that the follow-up food and grass have not arrived, so as to wait and see the situation. Obviously, for him, arrangements have already been made.

Finally, there is the chaos of Xichuan.

Zhang Lu drove Cai Mao out of Xichuan, and began to besiege Chengdu without stopping.

Liu Zhang defended his forces around Chengdu, and the two sides have been in a stalemate for a long time, and have been in a state of confrontation.

Taking advantage of the civil strife in Jingzhou and having no time to worry about Xichuan, Zhang Lu obviously planned to completely wipe out Liu Zhang's forces and expand his Five Dou Rice Sect to the entire Bashu.

However, Liu Bei has been fighting for two years in history, let alone him, so the progress is slow, and even the outer barrier of Chengdu, Niudang County, has not yet been broken through.

By the end of March, the competition between the two sides had basically come to an end, and both sides accused each other of treason.

For a while, both sides are dispatching troops, and the war will be imminent.

(End of this chapter)