Zhu Nao

At night, Xie Wuji returned to the house, took out a list with several names written on it and handed it to Jun Nao.

"These are people from Jiangnan who have come into contact with recently." Xie Wuji said.

This time the Xie family sent people, of course they would not only target Quan Yu alone.They communicated everywhere, wanting to inquire about Shu's plan against Liang, and at the same time inquire about Shu's confidential military affairs, and they would better plot against Xie Wuji.But Zhu Nao and Xie Wuji had already known their intentions, so naturally they immediately started to make arrangements.

What kind of people will the Xie family attack?One must be those officials who may have access to confidential and important affairs, and the other is that they are more inclined to win over those who are born in Jiangnan states and counties, or those who have Jiangnan origin in their relatives, friends, and family members.Xie Wuji and Zhu Nao only need to infer from this to know who is the most likely target for them to win over.

Most of Xie Wuji's subordinates were loyal, and there was a few people who wanted to be slick and slick, and Xie Wuji beat him a few words, and he didn't dare to have other thoughts immediately.

Ever since, the Xie family had just tentatively contacted those officials, and the news spread to Xie Wuji's ears in a blink of an eye.

Xie Wuji said: "I have told them not to startle the snake, if there is any news, report it to me immediately."

Zhu Nao said, "That's really great."

To fight against the enemy, it is necessary to confuse the enemy. Originally, they had to deliberately release false news and try to let the enemy know.Now the enemy's eyes and ears are sent to their doorstep, which directly saves them a lot of energy in spreading doubts.

Zhu Nao looked at the list again, and said, "It seems that this time, those people in Jiangnan really panicked."

This time, the officials they tried to bribe involved various departments and ministries, and their actions were big, and their handwriting was also big, which shows their urgency.

Like the Shu Mansion, merchants in Jiangnan, especially Huizhou, are all over the world, and their business scope is extremely wide, and their contacts are naturally very extensive.It was precisely because of this that they were able to establish relationships with some important officials under Xie Wuji in such a short period of time.But unlike the Shu merchants, in the past few years, the merchants from Jiangnan were not particularly interested in government affairs. Even if they cared about political affairs, it was only to make more profits.Junao had secretly observed this point a long time ago.

Seeing that the situation in Liang State is unfavorable, and Chen State is about to die, these rich and powerful families from the south of the Yangtze River are finally in a hurry, so they want to enter the officialdom.But it's already here, how can there be time?

But even if he knew in advance Chen Guo's intention to unite Liang against Shu, it was still bad news for Zhu Nao.

Originally, because the national treasury was empty, Liang Guo's court had been very difficult to maintain.Coupled with the fact that the two big defeats had dealt a huge blow to Tao Bei's reputation, it is very likely that in the next period of time, Zhu Nao only needs to watch the fire from the other side, and he can watch Tao Bei build a tall building and see his building collapse!But now that the rich Jiangnan suddenly intervenes, it will definitely give Tao Bei a lot of support, which gives Tao Bei time to breathe a sigh of relief, and also makes it more difficult for Zhu Nao to disintegrate the Liang Kingdom's court.

Xie Wuji knew this very well, and asked, "What are your plans next?"

Zhu Nao said: "The top priority is to consolidate Hezhong and Henan first. Others..." He paused, "Let's play by ear."

Xie Wuji didn't know what he thought of, so he couldn't help but smile.

Back then, when he didn't know Zhu Nao, he only heard that there was a reckless man in Sichuan.

Is Junao really lucky?It does seem to be so.In many cases, he is obviously more conservative than the princes from all walks of life.I think back when the imperial court delegated military power and the princes from all walks of life were eager to recruit soldiers, and tens of thousands of troops could be recruited with one move, he took his time in Sichuan and only recruited a few thousand people to train slowly every year. Nao occupied half of the country; when Qin Wang met, many princes came with large armies and wanted to take the opportunity to seize power, but he only brought thousands of people to do business, and in the end he gained both fame and fortune; every time he won a state and a county, So he stopped and managed well, and was never eager to expand the results of the battle.His enemies jumped up and down, and often ended up accidentally knocking down his own city walls. Where can one reason?

But are these really just his luck?Everyone thought so back then, but now no one dares to have such an idea anymore.

What Zhu Nao is best at is the words "play by ear".He can always capture the enemy's weakness at the right time, and then kill him with one blow!

Now that they have first won Hezhong and then Henan, the military expenditure is huge, and the people in the new jurisdiction have not yet returned, so even if the situation is good, Zhu Nao has no plans to take advantage of the victory to pursue.He was waiting, when Tao Bei or Jiang Nan made a wrong move, then it was time for him to continue to attack.

Zhu Nao thought for a while and said, "If you have eyes and ears in Jiangnan, you should keep an eye on them. If they only plan to support Tao Bei, that's fine. I'm afraid they have two hands."

Xie Wuji was puzzled and said: "Prepare with both hands?"

Zhu Nao said: "The wall fell down and everyone pushed and beat the dog in the water. Maybe they will save a hand."

Xie Wuji understood.The situation in Liang State is now in a precarious situation. Although Chen Guo intends to help Tao Bei stabilize the regime, if it fails, they may take the opportunity to carve up Liang State's land and expand their own territory.If they have such a plan, they will definitely make preparations from now on.If Zhu Nao can find out the news, he can also deal with it in advance.

"I will find a way to find out the news. But..." Xie Wuji paused for a moment, and sneered firmly, "They can't have a backhand!"

Junao was slightly taken aback.He hadn't heard Xie Wuji speak in such a firm tone for a long time.

Do the dignitaries of the aristocratic families in the south of the Yangtze River really have no second-hand plans?

=====

On the other side, Jiangning Mansion.

In the imperial city, beside the Green Bamboo Pond, a group of noble children are sitting around the bamboo, reciting poems and composing Fu.

Today, Han Rushan ordered the disciples to compose their own poems.Liu Jingfeng finished writing first, and quietly handed the rice paper on which he wrote the poem to the side: "Lao Qi, how do you write this sentence?"

Xie Wuchen was frowning and thinking, when he interrupted his thoughts, he pushed him away in displeasure: "Don't make noise."

Liu Jingfeng pouted, and took the rice paper back angrily.

Another person came over from the side: "Brother Liu, have you finished writing? Come, let me give you a review."

Liu Jingfeng lacked interest: "No need, write your own!"

The man had no choice but to retreat angrily.

After a while, everyone finished their poems one after another.Seeing that everyone had put down their pens, Han Rushan was about to ask everyone to chant, when suddenly a valet hurried towards the Green Bamboo Pond.

"Your Majesty," the valet leaned close to Han Rushan's ear and whispered, "General Ma came to the palace to ask for an audience. He said he had something important to report to His Highness, and he is waiting outside the palace right now."

"Horse bundle?" Han Rushan was disturbed by someone, and frowned displeasedly, "I'm going to fly flower orders with all my lovers, you can let him wait."

"Yes." The valet hurriedly withdrew.

Someone heard the attendant's report, and pushed Liu Jingfeng like watching the excitement: "Hey, that good brother-in-law of yours is here again. What is he trying to do this time?"

Liu Jingfeng laughed dryly, shrugged his shoulders and said that it had nothing to do with him.

When he turned his head, he found that Xie Wuchen was also looking at him with mocking eyes, and felt more and more helpless.

Ma Shu was born in the Ma family in Suzhou, which is regarded as a small rich family in the local area, and cannot be compared with the major wealthy clans in the south of the Yangtze River.Because of his shrewdness and ability, he became an official in the imperial court at a young age. His official position was not high and he had no hope of getting ahead, but he was quite handsome and had a heart to climb upwards. Gradually, he was able to attend the banquets of some noble children.

Five years ago, due to his luck, he was fortunate enough to meet the Liu family's prostitute, who is also Liu Jingfeng's younger sister, and was caught by the Liu family's daughter, who insisted on marrying him.Liu's father saw that he was really talented, so he agreed to marry his daughter to him and gave him great support in the officialdom.

Due to the fact that this place in the south of the Yangtze River has been peaceful for a hundred years, it has not been warped for a long time, and the rich and powerful families with deep roots have long been unable to lose their heads.During the previous dynasty, the officials of the state capitals in the south of the Yangtze River were replaced every three or four years, and they were appointed by the imperial court. The imperial court could also use the officialdom to check and balance the local powerful forces.But since the world was in chaos and the imperial court devolved power, the tyrants in the south of the Yangtze River quickly colluded with officials, controlled the officialdom, and abolished the legal system of official rotation.

As a result, Chen Guo in the south of the Yangtze River has formed a situation of "the upper class has no poor families, and the lower class has no aristocratic families". From the officialdom to the army, it has been completely controlled by the aristocratic families.

If Ma Shu hadn't become the son-in-law of the Liu family, he might not have had the opportunity to climb up the ladder in his life. After relying on the power of his wife's family to get ahead, he really did a few great things.

A few years ago, when Tao Bei had not usurped power, the Central Plains was ruled by Liu Ping, governor of Guangjin Prefecture.Liu Ping set his sights on the prosperous Jiangnan early on, hoping to gain a lot of wealth after occupying Jiangnan.So how can the army in the south of the Yangtze River be the opponent of the experienced Central Plains army?Immediately he was beaten back steadily.Seeing that the country is about to be lost, Ma Shu took the initiative to invite Ying to go to the border to train troops and defend himself, and he actually blocked the Central Plains Army's offensive!

After that, based on his achievements and the support of the Liu family, Han Rushan named him General Jianwu.

However, Ma Shu is not popular among the children of the family.Firstly, he was born too lowly, and he was very snobbish, relying on the cover of his wife and family to get his current status, it is inevitable to be ridiculed by others; People hate.

Even Han Rushan didn't like this person very much, but because of the Liu family's face and the fact that this person could be used, he endured him.

Today Lu Qinghui is also sitting among the noble children.Lu Qinghui was born in the Lu family in Lin'an, and the Lu family is also a big family in the south of the Yangtze River.Therefore, after the establishment of Chen Guo, the Lu family also had a place in the imperial court. Lu Qinghui, who had many years of experience as an official, was appointed as Duzhi Shangshu, in charge of persuading farming and mulberry, water conservancy, and famine relief.

Lu Qinghui looked at Han Rushan hesitating to speak, then looked at the noble children around him who were full of jokes, and finally shook his head slightly.He sighed silently, swallowing everything he wanted to say.

All the disciples paid no attention to the harness until the Feihua order was over and everyone was free, and someone jokingly said: "Your Majesty, General Jianwu is still waiting outside. Would you like to invite him to come in and write a poem?" ?”

Han Rushan thought for a while and said, "Then invite him in."

Not long after, the eunuch brought Ma Shu to the Green Bamboo Pond, Ma Shu saw Han Rushan sitting with the children of all the aristocratic families, and frowned calmly.

Han Rushan said: "I am carrying out the flying flower order with all the Aiqings. Is Ma Aiqing interested in composing a poem?"

Ma Shu didn't respond, but said: "I have important matters to discuss with Your Majesty."

Han Rushan sighed at first, and then said: "What's the matter? Aiqing tell me."

Han Rushan didn't intend to avoid the crowd, neither did Ma Shu.It is a good thing for him that the children of the aristocratic families are here - he knows very well in his heart that the real ruler of the Chen country is not Han Rushan, but these aristocratic families.Even if he could convince Han Rushan, Han Rushan couldn't be the master. In the end, he still had to negotiate with these people.It's better to take advantage of everyone's presence and talk together, which saves effort.

So Ma Shu said: "Your Majesty, I have submitted the memorial for many days, but the memorial has not been approved by Your Majesty. I don't know why?"

Han Rushan said: "What Aiqing is referring to is that you want to secretly increase troops to the Huaihe border?"

Ma Shu said, "Exactly."

After hearing this, someone beside him laughed.

Han Rushan said helplessly: "Ma Aiqing, I have already said that the situation of Liang State is now in critical condition. We should join forces with Liang to fight against Shu, lest the Shu army grow up and threaten our country. But you want to secretly increase troops to the border of Huaihe River, coveting Xuzhou , what does this mean?"

Ma Shu said: "Your Majesty! The situation of Liang State is in critical condition. We will unite Liang to fight against Shu. This is a good strategy, and I also fully support it. But in case Liang State cannot escape the end of the country, we can make arrangements in advance so that we can occupy it as soon as possible." The land of Huaibei in Xuzhou! If we can get Huaibei, we can look at Zaozhuang in the north, enter Henan in the west, and defend the Huaihe River in retreat. In case the Shu army attacks, we will have an extra door in the north!"

Everyone looked at each other.

One of the disciples said, "General Ma, since you also know that we plan to join forces with Liang, we are now allies with Liang. If Liang finds out that we secretly covet their Xuzhou, isn't our national policy of joining Liang Is it all in vain?"

Ma Shu's face remained unchanged, and he said: "I said that it is a secret increase in troops, and we must keep it strictly confidential, so that Liang Guo cannot find out the news. Besides, soldiers are not tired of deceit. Could it be that Liang Guo won't count us when we form an alliance with Liang Guo?"

Another disciple said disdainfully: "Huaibei is a barren land. Over the years, there have been many wars and famines, and refugees and bandits are rampant. If we really win Huaibei, instead of increasing taxes, we will have to allocate a lot of money and food from the treasury every year to help the people. It will cost a lot of military expenses for the troops guarding the border. Can General Jianwu settle this account?"

Everyone nodded.

Even though there is only one Huai River across, Huainan people often look down on Huaibei people, just because Huainan is rich and Huaibei is poor.Not only is there no benefit to ruling Huaibei, but it also costs extra money. Of course these children are unwilling.Rather than being afraid of being discovered by Tao Bei, this is the real reason why they are not interested in Huaibei - Chen Guo's court is completely in the hands of these aristocratic families.A full treasury means a wealthy family, who spends their own money to support others?

"It's really unwise to waste people's money!" Another person praised, then turned to Lu Qinghui and asked, "Lu Shangshu, don't you think so?"

The reason why he sought support from Lu Qinghui was because Lu Qinghui was the Minister of Duzhi, who was in charge of the national treasury.He thought that Lu Qinghui would definitely support him.

However, Lu Qinghui didn't make a sound, his expression was numb.

Someone next to him secretly pushed the guy who asked Lu Qinghui, and gave him some color, indicating that he was asking the wrong person—two years ago, Lu Qinghui had already suggested that they should not favor Jiangnan and blindly defend, but should work hard He trained troops and took the initiative to attack Huaibei, Changsha and other places, but was dismissed by everyone, so he never mentioned it again.

Ma Shu retorted: "However, Xuzhou is a military center. Even if it costs something, it may keep the Jiangnan in peace for a long time. Isn't the cost worth it?"

One person sneered: "If you win Xuzhou, you will have long-term peace and stability? General Ma, although you have won a few battles, you are not too arrogant, right? If you want long-term peace and stability, you can only make the three pillars of the world stand together, and the Liang Kingdom and the Shu Kingdom check and balance each other. That's a good strategy! If we don't fully support Liang Guo, once Liang Guo is destroyed, you can stop the cavalry of the Shu army with only Xuzhou?"

Ma Shu looked at the man, and couldn't help but feel that this statement was very absurd: dare you also know that our army is too weak, is it not a match for the Shu army?So instead of stepping up military training, pin your hopes on other countries?

But suddenly, looking at the indifferent and disdainful faces around him, he realized a truth that he hadn't figured out before: he thought that the children of these aristocratic families resisted going out because they were reluctant to spend the money from the treasury.But apart from the reason of money, there is a more important reason!

——These aristocratic families are extremely powerful in the south of the Yangtze River, but outside of the south of the Yangtze River, they don't have such power.In the early years, they intermarried with the powerful and powerful in the Central Plains, and they stretched out their hands, but with the chaos in the Central Plains, their stretched hands were cut off long ago.Once the country is bigger, the forces mixed in from all over the world will be bigger.In other words, the more places they govern, the less powerful these people will be!

Therefore, they only want to dominate the south of the Yangtze River, how can they care about the outside world?

Just when Ma Shu came to his senses, a young man who had long been at odds with him stood up and said coldly: "General Ma, you are fighting all the way, and you don't care about wasting people and money. I think you really have bad intentions! Are you coveting?" Xuzhou, is he still trying to embezzle military expenses?!"

Undoubtedly, as a general, the more battles he has to do, the more military expenses he will receive and the more power he will have.

Facing such accusations, Ma Shu's face instantly turned livid!