Zhu Nao

The Black Horse Army Chen Bing Jizhou border, not to invade Jizhou, but to contain the Central Plains soldiers and horses, so that Tao Bei dare not send troops to the southwest.As long as Tao Bei doesn't take away the soldiers and horses from Jizhou, the two armies will only confront each other at the border instead of fighting; but if Tao Bei dares to transfer people away, leaving the north empty, then the dark horse army will not be polite up.

Jizhou must not be lost. Once Jizhou falls, Yedu will lose its door, and the enemy can drive straight into his capital!

But if he wants to guard Jizhou, it will be difficult for him to send troops to rescue Puzhou.With the treasury empty, no matter how much Tao Bei tried to tighten his belt, it was impossible for him to start a war on both fronts at the same time.Fighting on two fronts would wear him down quickly, and it would be tantamount to suicide.

Is it possible to deal with the dark horse army first, and then deal with the Shu army?I'm afraid it's not very likely.Although the Black Horse Army is not as powerful as the Shu Army, they are not idlers, and they are backed by Youzhou.As soon as Tao Bei ordered to send troops, the dark horse army retreated back to Youzhou; when Tao Bei withdrew, the dark horse army ran back again, and Puzhou would have already fallen before the tossing was over.

This move made Tao Bei extremely uncomfortable, but he couldn't think of a way to break it!

He pressed the blue tendon hard and twitched his forehead, restrained his temper, and said: "Bring in all the staff, and then invite the grand master. I want to discuss countermeasures with them."

Not long after, Zhang Ling and others were invited into the lobby.

Tao Bei told everyone the news of the Black Horse Army's dispatch, and everyone was taken aback. They soon understood the intention of Zhu Nao's arrangement, and immediately complained secretly.

Someone suggested: "General, the dark horse army is not loyal to Zhu Nao when they see that they are open to money and use other people's money to do things for others. We might as well lure them with profit and make them retreat."

Someone else suggested: "Zhu Nao once expressed that Wei became the shepherd of Youzhou and defeated the general, because Wei Bian was willing to do things for him. The general might as well write a memorial to the emperor and add an official to him. Wei Bian will certainly betray Zhu. Nao, switch to the general's command."

However, some people disagree with these words, and that is Zhang Ling.Zhang Lingke once hired Wei Bian himself, and he knew that although Wei Bian was rich, although he didn't have the word "loyalty", he was still a man of righteousness.It's fine if Wei Bian doesn't accept the deal, but if the dark horse army has already been dispatched, he won't change his mind halfway.Otherwise, the dark horse army would have been unable to survive in this troubled world.

Tao Bei was noncommittal.He has also dealt with the Dark Horse Army, and he also knows that it is not so easy to change Wei's mind.Besides, even if Wei Bian could really be bought, how could he have the money to buy Wei Bian?Raising military expenses has already made him the first two big bosses!

So he turned to Zhang Ling and asked, "I don't know what the Grand Master thinks?"

Zhang Ling smiled and said: "General, although I don't know the art of war, I also know that there is a saying in the art of war that 'soldiers never tire of cheating'. As you all said, the general first sent someone to win over Wei Bian and stabilize the dark horse. The army let them relax their guard. They secretly mobilized troops and horses to rescue General Shangguan. Wei Bian thought that our Central Plains army was still restrained by him in Jizhou, but he didn’t know that the army had already run into the river.”

Tao Bei pondered.

It's really a good idea to stealthily act after blinding the enemy.Just a little more adventurous.In case Wei Bian found out after his army went south, and Wei Bian really launched an offensive against Jizhou, Jizhou's border defense would be in danger.It's just that I really can't think of a better way right now.

After a while, Tao Bei made a decision and said, "Just like what the Grand Master said, immediately arrange people to go to Jizhou to lobby Wei Bian!"

……

……

In the general's tent, Wei Bian was half lying on the Hu bed, surrounded by several close subordinates, and an official responsible for receiving the envoy stood at the bottom.

"Your Majesty," the official said, "the envoy sent by General Tao said that they are willing to pay twice the price that the Shu army paid us to return to Youzhou. General Tao is willing to act as the emperor of Jin and crown you king."

Although Wei Bian was known as the Dark Horse King, it was only a secret of his own, and it was not recognized by etiquette.Tao Bei's move this time was bold enough, as long as the black horse army was willing to retreat, he would let the little emperor he supported really confer a title on Wei Bian, which was much more generous than the Youzhou Mu and General Polu given by Zhu Nao.

Lin Shen's eyes widened immediately: "Are they really willing to pay twice the price?"

This Lin Shen is the most obsessed with money. When he was in Fenyang, he was the one who saw the money and almost sold the Dark Horse Army.It's just that Zhu Nao didn't expose the matter later, and Wei Bian and others still don't know about it.

Just as Lin Shen finished speaking, someone slapped him on the head.The person who beat him was another officer under Wei Bian. He scolded Lin Shen and said, "Are you stupid? Do you believe what he said? You don't know about Tao Bei's background? Don't say twice, he will even take half of it." don't come out!"

Lin Shen rubbed the painful place embarrassingly.

In the past few years, the Dark Horse Army has had the most contact with various forces in the Central Plains, and they really know Tao Bei's family background.These words are obviously deceiving, so it's fine to listen to them, if you think they will take it seriously, you will look down on them too much!

Wei Bian curled his lips and said, "General Tao seems to want to paralyze us, and then come to secretly hide Chen Cang!"

All the officers also laughed.The Black Horse Army may not be the most powerful in fighting, but in the past few years they have dealt with all kinds of ghosts and monsters, and if they play tricks, there are really few who can coax them.

Wei Bian turned over and sat up, sneering, "Go and answer the messenger, want to buy me? Yes! 20 shi, grain and grass plus 1 taels, silver and copper coins are all fine, and they will be shipped to me within half a month. Pay in full , No credit! I received the money and rations, and immediately withdrew the troops, no matter what! Otherwise, the black horse army will not retreat even half a step!"

Not to mention half a month, even if Tao Bei was given three months, he might not be able to scrape together so much money and food.Even if he got it, he couldn't use it to bribe the dark horse army, his own army is still tight!

The official got the order and hurried out to answer.

……

……

half a month later.

Tao Bei stood in the yard, pacing anxiously.

In the past half a month, several fast horses have traveled between Yedu and Jizhou every day to exchange the latest news.If Tao Bei hadn't been unable to leave in Yedu, he wished he could go to Jizhou to preside over it himself.Today, the envoy from Jizhou has not arrived yet, and it is already an hour later than usual, which makes him quite anxious.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of horseshoes came from outside, and he knew that he was coming, so he quickly won out without waiting for anyone to come in.

Outside the mansion, the person who just jumped off the horse turned out to be the envoy from Jizhou.The envoy saw Tao Bei and was about to salute, but was interrupted by Tao Bei waving his hand.

"How is the situation in Jizhou?"

"Back to the general," the envoy's expression was not very good, "General Gao followed the general's wishes and secretly gathered troops and horses, and was about to go south. But today in the early morning, the black horse army suddenly launched an offensive and burned a watchtower."

Tao Bei's face froze instantly.

He ordered Gao Hong who was stationed in Jizhou to deal with the black horse army while secretly withdrawing his defense.I don't know if the news leaked out, or the dark horse army guessed his intentions.Although a sentry tower is nothing, it is a warning to them from the Dark Horse Army - don't think they are paper tigers, although they are only restraining Jizhou soldiers and horses, but they will conscientiously restrain them, they are real It is possible to launch a full-scale offensive!

Under such circumstances, Tao Bei really couldn't make up his mind to rescue Shangguan Xian regardless of the safety of Jizhou.

After a long time, he pressed his forehead with a livid face, and said slowly: "Order Gao Hong to let him stand still temporarily and strengthen the border defense. Jizhou must not lose anything."

"Yes!"

Tao Bei paused again and said: "Send someone to Hezhong to deliver a letter, tell Shangguanxian, stick to Puzhou. I will find a way to send reinforcements as soon as possible."

"Yes……"

……

……

Jizhou border.

"Your Majesty, Gao Hong has brought back the withdrawn troops and strengthened the border defense." The spies reported to Wei Bianhui.

Wei Bian laughed, and turned to ask the people around him, "Brother He, are you satisfied?"

He Mu is the envoy sent by Zhu Nao, responsible for negotiating terms with Wei Bian and monitoring the movements of the Black Horse Army.A few days ago, Gao Hongming still insisted on the frontier defense on the surface, but in fact he secretly took away the troops and wanted to go south, but he didn't know whether it was the Shu people or the Wei Bian, they had set up many eyes and ears in the Central Plains in recent years.It is impossible for such a big matter of mobilizing troops to remain silent, so the news quickly reached Wei Bian's ears.

So under He Mu's urging, Wei Bian immediately sent troops to capture a watchtower. Although the action was not big, it was enough to serve as a warning to Gao Hong and Tao Bei.

Sure enough, Gao Hong didn't dare to act rashly anymore.

He Mudao: "Your Majesty really promises so much. I will immediately write a letter to His Majesty to report what happened here. Your Majesty will definitely thank Your Majesty!"

When Wei Bian heard that there was still a lot of thanks, he was immediately enraged: "Then please, Brother He, please speak kindly to His Majesty for me!"

"sure!"

Wei Bian accepted Zhu Nao's money and food, so he would not rebel easily.Originally, if he had fooled things, pretended not to know the movements of the Jizhou army, or deliberately delayed, Zhu Nao might not be able to do anything to him.However, Wei Bian was willing to take over the deal. Apart from the fact that Youzhou is really short of money and food, he also carefully considered the way forward.

Now the world is no longer in the muddy waters of the past, and his original way of fishing in troubled waters is unsustainable, he must have a longer-term plan.Although it is too early for him to immediately choose a side among the three major vassals, he is still worried that if he makes a wrong step, he will be doomed.But the current situation does not allow him to hesitate for too long - after all, there are so many mouths waiting to eat in the Dark Horse Army!

He may not have such a good eye to see who is the real life of the dragon, but it is not difficult for him to make a choice-as the saying goes, if you have milk, you are a mother!

So what if Tao Bei had more and stronger soldiers?He was already so poor that he couldn't afford to feed his own soldiers and horses, and he couldn't afford to support the black horse army at all.On the other hand, Zhu Nao, not to mention being extremely rich, at least keeping his dark horse army from starving to death in the past two or three years, wouldn't it be difficult?

And Han Rushan from Jiangnan... It's not that Wei Bian doesn't consider him, but that he prefers Jiangnan, and he doesn't intend to have anything to do with the dark horse army thousands of miles away!

In this case, even if Zhu Nao didn't come to win over Wei Bian, Wei Bian planned to send someone to show his favor to Zhu Nao.As for what to do if Tao Bei is the one who wins the world in the end...Wei Bian doesn't think about it now, let's talk about it after living these two years, I hope Zhu Nao won't let him down.

Wei Bian turned his head and told his subordinates: "Be sure to keep an eye on those Jizhou soldiers for me. If there is any change, report to me immediately! If something goes wrong, there will be no place for my old face!"

=====

Puzhou City.

Shangguanxian stood on the city wall, looking to the northeast—that was the direction of Yedu.The strong wind blowing the wild sand blinded his eyes, making him squint involuntarily.

After an unknown amount of time, a soldier ran up from under the tower.

"General, the messenger from Yedu has arrived, and he just came in through the southwest gate."

It has been more than a month since Puzhou city was besieged by the Shu army, and before the city was besieged, Shangguan Xian had already sent someone to Yedu for help.For more than a month, he has been waiting for Yedu's reply.

However, when he heard the news that the long-awaited messenger had finally arrived, his face was not happy, but a little worried.He asked in a low voice: "Have you confirmed your identity? Could it be that the Shu army sent someone to pretend?"

In wars, methods of forging letters and disseminating news are very common. Shangguan Xian has led troops for many years, and he has seen such methods before.

Qin Bing hurriedly said: "I have checked carefully, and it is the Yedu messenger."

Shangguan Xian was still frowning.Even if he hadn't read the letter, he already knew that it might not be good news—one hundred thousand troops surrounded Puzhou City, and it was not easy for the messenger to sneak in.If it wasn't for the messenger's outstanding ability, it was because the Shu army deliberately let people in.

After a while, Shangguan Xian took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, turned around and said, "Let's go, take me to see him."

The worry on his eyebrows just now has disappeared, and his expression has become extremely calm.It doesn't matter what message the messenger sent.He had already made up his mind, and he would fight to the end.If the Shu army wanted to trap him to death, he would try his best to drain the blood of the Shu army before he died, and never let the Shu army take advantage of it.

Even if he had to be buried with Puzhou in the end, he would not hesitate!