Han Xiang

Chapter 641 Before the grass is cut, spring comes again

Although Liu Bei is nearly fifty years old, he is full of energy and heroic spirit, which fits Sun Shangxiang's thoughts very well.

I thought I could keep the clouds clear and see the moonlight, but Liu Bei was in a high position at this time and had necessary political considerations in everything he did.

Nasun Shangxiang can help Long Xiang stabilize Yangzhou, but personal safety is the top priority.

After Liu Bei and Sun Shangxiang got married, they only occasionally came to practice sword practice with their bride during the day. They often stayed in Gan and Mi's room at night, or held candlelight talks with Zhang Fei, Zhuge Liang and others.

As officials from Jingzhou and Yangzhou entered Beijing, the reorganized court in Chang'an gradually became operational.

Cao Hong tried to make up for it and defended the Luoyang area tightly. Liu Xie's wife and children could no longer cross the war zone. However, because Cao Cao forced Xun Yu to die, he spared the Yingchuan nobles, allowing Fu Hou and others to hide in the countryside.

When Xun Yu hanged himself at home, Cao Cao appointed Hua Xin as his minister.

However, although Hua Xin was famous and outstanding in talent and learning, he did not enter the core circle of the Yingchuan gentry and was unable to help Cao Cao integrate the Henan gentry.

In view of this, Cao Cao recalled Xun You from the front line to assist Hua Xin in taking charge of the Shangshutai.

Guan Yu and Long Xiang had telescopes to help them and could effectively grasp battlefield information. Cao Cao, with his superior strength, could only order his troops to temporarily defend and passively accumulate supplies for the war. He also sent agents deep into Nanyang, Huainan and other places to find ways to imitate them. Telescope turns the tables.

However, it was not easy to raise war supplies. People in various places cited the recruitment of civilians last year as an excuse for the lack of strong men and the waste of production, which caused the fields to become barren.

Refugees were spreading all over the counties in the Central Plains. It was difficult for them to be self-sufficient, let alone turning in sufficient grain to the government. Even if Xun You was transferred to the position of minister, it would not be easy.

It happened that at this time, an urgent report came from Bingzhou. Zhao Yun, the newly appointed governor of Hedong by the Chang'an court, sent his deputy general Pang De to station troops in Yong'an (Huo County), with the intention of moving along the Fen River to Taiyuan.

Although Liang Xi, the current governor of Bingzhou, came from a close confidant of Sikong Mansion, he was lacking in troops. It was really difficult for him to deal with the two powerful generals Zhao Yun and Pang De.

Cao Cao could not sit idly by and ignored the situation, so he sent Zhu Ling to send more troops to Bingzhou.

He originally wanted to use this as an excuse to move the Yecheng court to Xudu and compromise with the Yingchuan gentry, but he was afraid that the Hebei gentry would create a rift and not please both sides.

After much thought, I could only sit in the Central Plains to stabilize people's hearts and supervise the preparation of strategic materials, but unfortunately, the results were little.

It is a fact that natural disasters and man-made disasters lead to food shortages. Faced with the constraints of the powerful nobles, we cannot kill people like Sun Ce.

Cao Cao's detailed operations sent to various places yielded nothing, especially those unlucky ones who sneaked into Huainan. Their secrets were quickly exposed under the ID number verification mechanism, and they were then sent to Moling to participate in the construction.

It is a pity that Liu Fu, who was deeply reformed through labor, died of illness in Xudu two years ago, otherwise he would have warned Cao Cao to be careful.

In March of the 15th year of Jian'an, the construction progress of Moling New City slowed down.

There was continuous spring rain in Moling in March, which was not very friendly to the craftsmen building the city.

Longxiang's purpose in building the city was not to set up a project, but to provide relief through work. When he saw the spring rain and did not want to waste time, he organized the refugees to divide their land to open up wasteland, and distributed grain seeds for spring plowing.

No matter how much money you spend in the summer, it is better to save some money than to live in vain.

Moreover, men can continue to participate in the construction of Moling New City after spring plowing is over, while women, children and the elderly can take time off to take care of the crops.

When the new homes are built, the people will have their own fertile land and have a life of food and clothing.

There is hope for the future and hope for the people.

The drizzle was like a line, and Long Xiang stood at the top of Moling City in the rain to watch the busy farming. These words came to his mind for no reason, as if he had returned to the abandoned Hefei city wall more than ten years ago.

Similar scenes, as if in a dream.

History always has amazing coincidences, but this is not the Mandela Effect.

Suddenly looking back, I saw Lu Su holding an umbrella, waiting not far away.

"Zijing?"

Long Xiang strode away holding an umbrella, and asked as he walked: "Why did you come back if you didn't stay in Xiangyang?"

"I heard that Sun Kuang failed in persuading him to surrender?" Seeing Lu Su talking about him, Long Xiang took hold of the handle of the umbrella and twisted it gently, causing water droplets to dance on his head.

"It's to be expected. You're back so soon. Do you have something important to do?"

"I know I can't hide it from you, and I know you like to watch the spring rain, but we still go back to the city to talk. The cold wind in spring blows too much, and it's still easy to catch a cold."

"Forget it, let's talk as we walk."

"Ah."

Lu Su talked about the peace in Jingzhou, while Guan Yu was resting and preparing, and Cao Ren was staying in Wancheng without any movement. Long Xiang reported that Zhuge Jin was allowed to serve as the prefect of Lujiang, but his suggestions for the four counties in Jingnan were unexpected. the result of.

"What? Ask me to supervise the four counties in Jingnan? Isn't that right?"

Long Xiang suddenly stopped, implying that he was a Yangzhou shepherd, and supervising Jingnan seemed a bit out of line.

Even if Guan Yu can't make a move, Xiangyang has three top resourcers in Liu Ye, Xu Shu, and Pang Tong. Wouldn't any one of them be qualified for the job?

Lu Su stopped and turned sideways, with a mysterious smile on his face.

"Both His Majesty and the Emperor's uncle are very optimistic about Yun Qi. The Emperor's original words were 'One thing does not bother two masters'. He even asked you to recommend him to the post of Jiangxia Governor."

"This"

After hearing this, Long Xiang was stunned. He paused for a moment before continuing to move forward. However, after walking a few steps, he stopped again, turned around and asked: "Since the emperor has taken Miss Sun as his concubine, and is related to the Sun family by marriage, what do you think if he is right?" When Sun Quan uses troops, do you need to ask for instructions in advance?"

"Ugh."

Lu Su replied bitterly: "It's all my fault for talking too much at the time. If she hadn't been sent to Beijing, she wouldn't have had this trouble. Regardless of whether she asked for instructions or not, she should have sent an envoy first before persuading her."

"Okay, I'll send Sun Kuang as an envoy again."

"In addition, the governor of Jiangxia has been vacant for several months. Yunqi must recommend someone to take office as soon as possible. This will help integrate Jingnan and get Lingling back early. Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Well, there have been years of war in Jiangxia, and most of the people have been displaced elsewhere. The top priority is to restore people's livelihood, but this place is at a key waterway. The county guard must not only be proficient in internal affairs, but also know something about military affairs."

At the end of his words, Long Xiang suddenly paused while stroking his beard, then raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said with a smile: "I know who to recommend."

"Ok?"

Seeing Long Xiang smiling at him, Lu Su thought that the other party was planning to recommend him. After all, the Yangzhou navy wanted to support Guan Yu.

But the candidate in Long Xiang's heart was Lu Dai. If Lu Su was transferred from Wu County to Jiangxia as the prefect, it would feel like a demotion in the eyes of outsiders.

A few days later, Sun Kuang and Lu Dai came to Moling one after another.

Lu Dai was deeply moved by Long Xiang's support. After making some preparations, he took Bu Qu to Jiangxia to take up his post. However, Sun Kuang's refusal surprised Long Xiang.

When he understood Sun Quan's true thoughts, Long Xiang agreed on the spot to send Sun Kuang and Sun Lang to Chang'an, and sent Yu Fan to report to Liu Bei and ask for instructions. At the same time, he also sent orders to all armies to prepare for war.

Long Xiang had not planned to use troops against Sun Quan immediately due to the shortage of food due to the disaster, but the imperial court asked him to supervise the four counties in Jingnan, so he had a source of food and grass.

Chopping the grass does not remove the roots, but the spring breeze blows and regenerates.

In spring and April, the bright sun replaces the drizzle and takes over the sky.

Yu Fan left for Chang'an but did not return. Lu Dai from Jiangxia rushed to report that he had arrived first.

Lingling's soldiers and horses have marched towards Guiyang.

Sun Quan used practical actions to show that he would not surrender.

(End of this chapter)