the enlightener says

"Second brother, shut up first." Liu De calmly waved his hand to stop Guan Changyu's scolding, then turned his gaze to Cao Meng, and said in a voice that Uncle Ji could hardly hear: "My lord..."

At this moment, Cao Meng looked so calm, standing in the vast snow in a dark cloak, his back straight, his deep eyes seemed to have absorbed the dazzling pure white in the snow, making it hard to see what was going on in his heart at this moment. thought.

"Let's not talk about it. I came out for hunting. I'll find a drink first, and put those things aside for the time being." Cao Meng waved his hand suddenly, walked to Uncle Ji casually, and clapped vigorously with one hand. Uncle Ji's shoulder, smiled and said: "My fellow, may I go to the village to ask for a drink?"

The snow-covered valley is empty and quiet, and the surrounding mountains seem to be embracing the clear sky.

The three of them led the horses and followed Uncle Ji over several low hills. From a distance, they saw the smoke from the cooking villages in the distance slowly rising into the sky.

At this time, most of the villagers were still burning firewood for warmth at home, and few people were walking outside, so a few of them walked all the way to Uncle Ji's house.

At the beginning, Aunt Qing was also nervous when she saw the expensive clothes and the horse of the Beiman, but under Uncle Ji's explanation, she quickly accepted the three of them, and even took the initiative to give the three of them a hand. I sent a jar of home-brewed rice wine.

Because she didn't sleep all night, Aunt Qing looked haggard, smiled at the three of them, and said, "I don't want to bear so much food to brew wine, so the brewed wine is also weaker, don't mind."

Liu De shook his head, smelled the smell of rice wine, and said with a smile on his face: "Where, warm some rice wine in winter, just to warm up, and strong alcohol is not necessary."

"That's good, that's good." Aunt Qing showed a simple smile of a peasant woman, and said, "I'll go and cook two dishes for you, so you can eat with wine."

Then he lifted the cloth covering the door and walked out.

Inside the house, Liu De greeted the two to sit down slowly, and at the same time put the wine jar on the charcoal stove that had just started to blaze. The movements were so skillful that they were obviously used to such things.

Chapter 6 and Three

Canghai is located in a bitter and cold place in the north, and the folk customs are unrestrained and brave. From the court to the people's homes, most of them like strong wine. Chase away the chill.

In comparison, yellow rice wine is slightly sweet and bland, which is quite inferior. Therefore, it is rarely popular, and some people even make a bitter evaluation of "bland and tasteless".

However, Liu De, who was born in Chu, did not have such a prejudice against rice wine.

I still remember that he was poor in Jianye in the early years, and he couldn't even buy a thick cotton coat for the winter. There was no firewood at home, and it was as cold as an icehouse, so he could only go to a dilapidated tavern with a book in his arms and order a pot Inferior rice wine, sit cheeky for a day.

At that time, Ziyun was still around, he hadn't broken up with the man in Jingwu's deep palace, and his second brother Guan Changyu was not the famous grand master and general he is today, they sat together at the same table drinking the rice wine brewed by the farmhouse, Take a sip of wine into your throat, and spit out a trace of warm white smoke. When dispelling the severe winter cold, you can feel the sweet taste permeating your chest, which is really an excellent enjoyment.

What made him even more happy was that the people around the same table were as close to each other as brothers, and they were family members that could be truly trusted.

Unfortunately, there is no going back.

In Liu De's eyes, the flames danced gently, and the hand on the wine jar gradually felt the hot and humid breath rising, so he lifted the wine jar, put it on the table, and smiled at the two of them. He smiled and said: "This is just right. If it is overheated and the smell of the wine dissipates, it will be dull and tasteless."

Cao Meng and Guan Changyu couldn't wait for a long time, and without waiting for Liu De to make a move, they immediately grabbed it. Guan Changyu's cultivation was profound, and just flicking the bottle of the wine jar with one finger made Cao Meng's palm go numb, and he couldn't help it. let go of his hand.

And Guan Changyu laughed out loud, and was about to pour wine into his own bowl, but the pottery bowl was copied by Cao Mengxian, and he had to stop the wine jar in mid-air embarrassingly.

With a smug smile on Cao Meng's face, he handed over his pottery bowl, and scolded with a smile: "It's against you, dare to use your cultivation to suppress me. Shake my hand away from the wine jar with one finger, but it won't hurt the wine." It's really a good trick to use the jar, but do you think I will praise you for your cleverness? Hehe, look at me and Liu De, who is not older than you? There are no rules."

Guan Changyu raised his chin, snorted coldly, and said arrogantly: "When he came out, the lord himself said that there is no need to talk about the stinky rules of the monarchs and ministers today. Why, now that you have drunk, you want to go back on your word? You If the ruler of the country is so insignificant in his words, how can he order my soldiers in the three armies in the future? Return the bowl to me!"

As he said that, he reached out to grab the bowl in Cao Meng's hand.

How clever Cao Meng was, he naturally knew in his heart that if it was a contest of force, he would definitely not be Guan Changyu's opponent, so he took the bench and took three steps back abruptly, forcing a distance from Guan Changyu.

Now, no matter how deep Guan Changyu's cultivation is, it's impossible for him to make a big move to get up and grab it, and he cursed angrily, "You're so stupid..."

It's just that when he lowered his head, he had a trick in mind, and picked up the bowl he was going to give to Liu De, and took it as his own bowl, then poured the wine on his own and drank it. While drinking, he raised his eyebrows in protest at Cao Meng.

Cao Meng's face darkened immediately, and then he stared at Guan Changyu for a long time, finally laughed and put the wine bowl back on the table, shaking his head helplessly, "You bastard, I gave you so much wine in the sea, but I haven't seen you like this." Hurry up."

Guan Changyu grinned, and poured himself another glass with a wine bowl: "There is no shortage of wine in the sea. Now that you are away on an expedition, it is so convenient. The times are different."

"It's a different time." Cao Meng laughed heartily, waiting for Guan Changyu to pour him wine, shaking his head and saying, "Even if what you said makes sense, I'll let you drink a few more bowls today."

Liu De sat down slowly at this time. In fact, he saw the fight between the two just now, but he didn't speak to persuade the two of them to behave childishly. He smiled softly and pretended to be serious: " Second brother, don't worry about drinking by yourself, pour the wine for the king first."

"Yes, brother." Guan Changyu nodded, and then obediently poured two full bowls.

"Brother, you often don't listen to my words, but obey your advice..." Cao Meng looked at Guan Changyu's appearance, and couldn't help sighing: "It seems that I am not as effective as a big brother like you."

If this situation were changed to another country, and there was such a dialogue between the monarch and his ministers, I am afraid that the ministers would have to kneel down on the spot and kowtow to explain it. Everyone knows that once the minister is in power, it is tantamount to arrogance .

However, the pair of monarchs and ministers in Canghai seemed to be really different.

Liu De smiled and said calmly: "I am a subject of the lord, and if he listens to me, he listens to the lord, there is no difference."

As he spoke, he raised his wine bowl, and his eyes just met Cao Meng's. Their wine bowls touched each other tacitly, and everything was kept silent.

Tujia rice wine has a unique sweetness. After being warmed on the fire, it will turn into a warm current flowing into the stomach and intestines. It is paired with pickled radish washed with water. The more the three drink, the more enjoyable it will be. .

The people around the wine table will definitely not remain silent, perhaps because the three of them always have something in their hearts, the topic is naturally pushed to the war.

"Is there a letter from Xiahou?" Cao Meng drank the warm rice wine and looked at Liu De with a distant look in his eyes, "It has been more than ten days since we captured Hongguan. It is impossible for the Mohist family to remain silent all the time, there are more than 5 people with more than 5 mouths, if we are to support him every day, there is no such good thing in the world, don’t you think?”

Liu De nodded slightly and said: "The letter arrived last night, now the Mohist court is divided into two factions, one faction advocates fortifying the walls and clearing the country, thinking of delaying our army for another month, until our army is short of food and grass, and can't get any supplements." , will naturally withdraw from Hongguan; while the other faction advocates a quick battle to regain Hongguan and revive the prestige of the Mohist great country... During this period of time, the court has debated no less than ten times, but there has never been a unified result. "

"Let me guess, the faction that is leading the battle should be Master Zhong?" Cao Meng smiled playfully.

"Yes." Liu De calmly replied: "If it were me, I'm afraid I would be like him, right? If the Mo family really did nothing, it would really chill the hearts of [-] soldiers, and it would also chill the hearts of the people." Heart, the morale of the army and the people are so unstable, how will the Mohists deal with themselves in the future?"

"That's what you say, but if they really go to battle, they are also not sure of winning, right? Otherwise, why would the court have to fight?" Guan Changyu smiled indifferently, and said: "I want to see, if he personally leads the troops to fight , Is that natal lightsaber really as terrifying as it is rumored to be?"

"It seems that the entire Mohist court is the main battle, and the point of debate is only on offense or defense?" Cao Meng didn't care about Guan Changyu's words, and tapped lightly on the table with one hand, "In this way , the matter of land cession is considered dirty, it still sounds a little disappointing."

He said disappointment, but Liu De clearly saw the playful smile on the corner of Cao Meng's mouth, and knew that he, the lord of the country, didn't really care much about it.

Liu Dedao: "If the Mohists really cede land to send food, it is equivalent to opening a hole for us in their own land. At that time, my iron cavalry will gallop across the Mohist territory, and we can make waves at any time. Who in the Mohist family would be willing to be this eternal sinner... ..."

In fact, from the very beginning when Cao Meng and Liu De decided on this strategy, they didn't really expect the Mo family to cede land and send food.

The reason why Xiahou was sent to Jishang School Palace alone to make a fuss was just to make things bigger and take advantage of the public anger of the Mohist people to force the Mohist to fight quickly.

Chapter 6 and Four

In terms of field battles, I am afraid that there is no country in the world that is the opponent of Canghai. After all, neither the Mohist black cavalry nor the Qingzhou ghost cavalry have inherent advantages like the Canghai cavalry.

The northern grasslands have bred the best war horses in the world. They not only run like thunder, but also have the stamina for prolonged battles, enough to support long-distance raids.

Moreover, the barbarians who grew up on the prairie have a natural affinity and dominance for horses. Their equestrian skills are almost innately carved in their bones and in their blood. Compared with the Central Plains people, their horsebacks are like their The cradle of life is everything they depend on for survival.

In addition to the number one tiger and leopard cavalry in the world, Canghai also has a Qingqi Juechen army that has been formed for many years. Not only are they exquisite in sword skills on horseback, they also have excellent riding and shooting skills. Even on undulating horseback, they can still hit the bullseye.

That is to say, in these years, the cavalry armies all over the world began to equip hand crossbows, which limited the power of the Juechen army to a certain extent, but it was only a limitation, far from being easily defeated.

But the problem is, if the Mohist army keeps shrinking and defending and refuses to fight, then both the tiger and leopard cavalry and the Juechen army will have a headache. After all, no matter how strong the war horse is, it is not a battering ram after all. city ​​gate.

Although the Mohist Hong Pass has been captured, there are still dozens of fortified city passes all the way to Jicheng. Not only are there sufficient food reserves, but also many Mohist city defense organs and equipment, which are easily invincible.

If Cang Haijun needs to make a surprise plan or attack everywhere, Cang Hai will definitely not be able to bear such damage. Now food and grass are in short supply. Once they are dragged into the quagmire of a protracted war, the Mohists will continue to send troops to harass them. Canghai will face a big defeat.

Looking at it now, Sun Boling forcibly blocked Chaotang's push, and the main force of the Mohist family still forbears, unable to hold back, and it may be difficult to fight a big battle as Cang Hai expected in a short time.

"It's a pity." Guan Changyu slapped the table with his palm, and said a little angrily, "If the Mo family has been so cowardly, wouldn't we have returned without success? With 10,000+ cavalry, we can only look at Jicheng and cannot move forward. People are depressed."

Cao Meng smiled lightly: "It's not easy to fight? The problem is to fight for value. It's like we traveled long distances and went through hardships, but finally bypassed the Mohist pass and hit Hongguan directly. Even if we fight another battle like this Ten times and twenty times are also willing. The problem now is that although Hongguan had stockpiled a lot of food and grass before, Wenliang's cronies wrapped themselves in boiling oil and lit sky lanterns, burning most of the granary, and now there is not enough food and grass. If we continue to spend like this with the Mohists, one is that the morale of the army will be unstable, and the other is that the combat power will be weakened, no matter which point, we are not happy to see it."

"Since this is the case, why does the lord of the country need to keep those Mo family captives? The Mo family themselves are indifferent to their lives, but we waste rations in vain, letting them eat and drink well...the soldiers are all suffocating. "Guan Changyu thought of the criticisms in the army and asked.

"In your opinion, what should we do? Kill them? Or let them go back?" Cao Meng pointed at the table with two fingers, shook his head and said, "Neither the former nor the latter is a good choice. I'm not Xiang Chu. I don't want to kill prisoners. If I do this, I'm afraid it will be even more difficult to take down the Mohist family in the future. But if we let them go back, it's equivalent to sending back another [-] elite soldiers to the Mohist family. ...you said, what should I do?"

Guan Changyu actually knew it was difficult, but after Cao Meng explained the pros and cons so clearly, he finally sighed heavily and stopped talking.

Lowering his head, he ruthlessly drank the rice wine in the bowl, but he still felt that his chest was suffocated, something was suffocating and refused to dissipate, he couldn't help being discouraged and said: "It's really troublesome. It's hard to lose, but it's still so hard to win." , is there really nothing we can do?"

Cao Meng couldn't give Guan Changyu a clear answer, so he could only look at Liu De, frowning and asked, "How long can the remaining food and grass support our army?"

In the army, Liu De's cultivation is not bad, enough to be a strong general in the battle, but since he has invincible strong generals such as Guan Changyu, Zhang Yi, and Dian Wei, he doesn't need to go into battle himself. But at the same time, Cao Meng also handed over all logistics matters to Liu De. At present, only Liu De knows this issue best.

When Liu De heard this question, he hesitated for a while, and then replied: "Ten days."

"Ten days?" Guan Changyu was taken aback by this answer, "Is the grain in stock short to such an extent? I remember liquidating the grain in Hongguan, and collecting grain and grass from the Mohist counties. It shouldn't be a problem to last for a month, right?" .”

"The sauced meat and kumiss have already been eaten on the way to raid Hongguan. What's more scarce are salt and horse grass. Our army has a lot of war horses. Not only do people need food, horse grass is also an indispensable thing. Hongguan's Although a lot of stored food has been saved, it is only a drop in the bucket after all, and it is not easy to feed and drink 20 troops. As for the food and grass collected by the counties..." Liu De glanced at the rice wine in the bowl, and there was a pair of melancholy eyes in it. While watching him, he said frankly: "My order is to collect only [-]% of the rations, adding up... it is only enough for our army for five days."

"Thirty percent?" Cao Meng looked at Liu De, feeling a little confused for a moment. He remembered that he told Liu De that [-]% would be collected. Where did the remaining [-]% ​​go?

Liu De looked at Cao Meng, was silent for a moment, stood up after taking a deep breath, bowed his head and said: "I haven't informed the lord of this matter in time. This year there is a slight drought in the Mo family, and there is another cold wave in autumn and winter. The harvest of the people is not as good as in previous years. If it is true that [-]% of the grain and grass are collected, I am afraid that many people will not be able to survive this winter. Therefore, I have the courage to change the [-]% to [-]% so that the Mohist people can spend this winter safely. This is my private decision. So I have not informed the lord of the country, if the lord wants to punish him, the minister... is willing to bear it with all his strength."

"Brother, what are you doing?" Guan Changyu shouted in a low voice with an ugly expression on his face.

Of course he knows that this kind of thing is not a joke. He tampered with the emperor's order privately, and less than [-]% of the food and grass will affect the army's expenditure. No matter which one, Cao Meng has a reason to chop off his head. The common people should be helped by the Mohists, so why should Cang Hai be such a good person?

Cao Meng didn't speak, but his dark eyes just stayed on Liu De's body, so deep that he couldn't see the bottom.

Guan Changyu also knew that this matter would definitely arouse Cao Meng's anger, so he also stood up and excused Liu De: "The lord, calm down, you know that elder brother is always benevolent and righteous, he refused to expropriate [-]% of the grain and grass, and took away the people's winter grain. Acting in violation of military law, but there are excusable circumstances..."

At this time, Cao Meng suddenly laughed, waved his hand to interrupt Guan Changyu's words, and said with a happy smile: "What are you doing so seriously, sit down, sit down, I don't even blame it for such a small matter. You can't do it?"

Guan Changyu was also a little shocked. He didn't understand why Cao Meng made such a statement. You must know that food and grass are the most important thing in the current battle between Canghai and the Mohists. Twenty percent of the grain is enough for Canghaijun to eat for a few more days. The key to victory or defeat, but Cao Meng said it was just a trivial matter?

"Sit down. Do you think I don't know your elder brother?" Cao Meng also stood up, patted Guan Changyu's shoulder lightly, and then complained, "You are too tall for your body, and the patting is exhausting. "It caused Guan Changyu to laugh.

Cao Meng looked at Liu De again and said with a smile: "Since I entrust this matter to you, I have given you the right to make your own decisions. There is a saying that the king's order is not acceptable when the general is away, isn't it?"

Liu De still lowered his head, and said solemnly: "Although there is a reason for the incident, it is ultimately a major event of delaying the military aircraft. The minister should be punished because of a small loss, otherwise the three armies will not accept it."

"It's too small to lose the big? A joke." Cao Meng sneered and said, "What's small and what's big? Of course it's a big thing to fill the stomachs of 20 troops, but the people are hungry and cold. Such a thing is small? Liu De, you too You underestimate me, Cao Meng."

Chapter 6 and Five

For some reason, Liu De, who lowered his head, showed a slight curvature at the corner of his mouth, then raised his head and looked at Cao Meng, as if he understood what Cao Meng wanted to say.

Cao Meng used some strength on his arms, and finally pushed Guan Changyu back on the stool, and then said to Liu De with a smile: "I still remember when we sat in the pavilion together and drank green plum wine, how did I What do you mean? The world is now falling apart, wars are raging everywhere, and the people are exhausted. A hero must rise up with his sword, sweep the universe, and make the world unified. Only then can the people return to their hometowns without suffering the pain of parting from life and death."

Liu De nodded, and there seemed to be light shining in his eyes: "The king is such a hero."

"Fart." Cao Menghao laughed, and suddenly stretched out a hand, pointing at Liu De and pointing at himself: "It's not that I am such a hero, but you and me, as well as Chang Yu, are all such heroes!"

Before the surprise in Liu De's eyes faded, Cao Meng continued, and his voice became more determined: "If we didn't have such ambitions, how could we work together at the same table? Yes, 20 troops Naturally, military supplies are a big deal, but compared to the common people, they are small. If what I want to do is to be a vassal, I can do everything I can to get rid of the marsh, expropriate all the way, and return all the property to the soldiers. But if I want to be the master of the world in the future , then the Mohist people are all my people. If your father doesn’t love his own people, is he worthy of being the lord of all peoples? If your father wants to harm his people and make them die of hunger and cold, then what? Let the people love me and support me as a father?"

The last sentence is almost on the ground.

Both Guan Changyu and Liu De were silent, but their eyes were full of admiration.

It sounds easy to rule the world and let the people recuperate, but it is not an exaggeration to say that it is difficult and dangerous to sit up.

But Cao Meng dared to be a prince, with the heart of an emperor, and the hearts of the people of the world, so how could people not feel admiration?

Perhaps it was because of this that Liu De followed him wholeheartedly, and refused to turn back no matter how difficult or dangerous it was.

"The Lord is wise." Liu De lowered his head and bowed again, his eyes buried under his arms were slightly rosy.

Cao Meng held Liu De's hand tightly with both hands, as if he wanted to transfer the heat of his hands to Liu De, and at the same time said softly: "It is my ambition to stabilize the people. I know Liu De you have doubts, but I'll answer you now, I didn't intend to make the matter of Jebig smaller."

After a pause, he seemed to have seen the tall northern barbarian warrior in his eyes, and there seemed to be a sharp sharp edge in his voice: "I think Zhebig already knows that Pei'er's people are here, and it won't take long. It's time to follow Peier's news and come to me."

Liu De's heart moved, he raised his head to look at Cao Meng, and seemed to understand something: "The king's plan is..."

Cao Meng looked at Liu De, nodded with a sneer, and said, "That's right. These days, I've seen that our army's military discipline is also a bit lax. At this moment, I just need to use such a head to win the hearts of those people and let them You know, I will reward you for your merits, but if you are guilty, I will never tolerate it."

While the three of them were drinking and discussing matters, there were occasional quarrels in the bedroom of the owner of the yard. More precisely, it was Aunt Qing who was unilaterally criticizing Uncle Ji.

"If you asked a doctor, you just prescribed a few packs of medicine? Then what did you do on this trip to the county? Erwa didn't know what kind of disease she had. With just a few packs of medicine, who knew it would work? use!"

Uncle Ji was also a little ashamed that he came back after running in vain, and said cowardly: "The doctor in the county said... the snow is too heavy, and his legs and feet can't come now. I also begged several times. He Only then did I prescribe a few packs of medicine according to the illness I said, and I have nothing to do..."

"Where's Dr. Qiu from Yishan Hall in the south of the city? He should be able to come, right? You didn't go to him?" Aunt Qing continued to ask.

"I'm looking for it." Uncle Ji's voice was a little hesitant, and he sighed when he arrived, "But these days, after the people from Canghai called, a lot of wounded and sick people went in, and now Yishantang is full. ..."

"Where's the gold cake left by Ah Ke? Have you brought it? Let's beg him, no matter how much it costs, just invite him to take a look and feel his pulse. It's not too much..."

"I brought them with me, but there are still so many sea savages, all of them staring at me. I heard that they saw something they liked on the road and it was a violent robbery. How dare I..."

"Then you just came back like this!" Aunt Qing finally said angrily, "Old Ji, you are such a loser! You have no guts at all! I have been with you for so many years, and all I know is that your own son is sick. I don’t know, I thought it was a wild dog on the side of the road!”

Speaking of this, Aunt Qing looked at her son who was sleeping with closed eyes on the bed, her eyes suddenly turned red, and her voice was choked with sobs: "Look, I've been in a coma for so many days, and I still haven't woken up, my body is burning like charcoal, two If there is something wrong with my baby, Lao Ji, I must fight you hard!"

Aunt Qing's low cry sounded in the room, Uncle Ji also lowered his head, blamed himself in shame, kept apologizing to Aunt Qing, even gritted his teeth, and planned to go to the county again immediately, and put everything in his mouth. Take out the gold cakes, and you have to invite the doctor if you die.

But Aunt Qing just punched Uncle Ji hard a few times, and finally buried her head in his chest, like a drowning man holding the last log tightly.

They have been husband and wife for many years, and the two have already been united in one mind. Although Aunt Qing often bosses and complains to Uncle Ji, she will never let her man go into danger again.

Now that Canghai has invaded the Mohist family, the frontline army is retreating like an ebb tide, even those former officials and lords are all in shock, they can only live their lives submissively, how can they control the common people.

At this moment, there was a gentle knock on the door, and after the two of them tidied up in a hurry, Uncle Ji with red eyes opened the door and saw Liu De's not tall figure, after taking off his cloak , Liu De was only wearing a thin Confucian gown. Although the cold wind was howling, he still had a bit of dignity.

"Mr. Liu, what's the matter? Do you need anything else? I'll prepare it for you." Facing the guests, Uncle Ji tried his best to show a welcoming smile.

Liu Dewen smiled gently, and said: "It's a bit ashamed to say, we've already finished a jar of rice wine, so we had to be cheeky to ask for another jar. Don't worry, we won't eat and drink for free. I heard that Mr. Ling I'm sick, and it happens that although I'm not a doctor, I have read some medical books and know a little about medicine, if you don't mind, I can help you."

How could Uncle Ji not agree to such a request?Even judging from his shining eyes, it was almost overjoyed.