Chapter 125 The Threat of Cao Cao and Lu Bu
At this time, Liu Feng's generals are listed as Xu Sheng and Pan Zhang on the land, Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin on the water, but they lack cavalry.
Uncle Zhao and Uncle Tian are naturally very good candidates, but Liu Feng's status is not enough now, and Liu Bei may not be willing to let them go. This is all emotional.
In this case, Liu Feng simply decided to target Taishi Ziyi.
You must know that this man is a marksman, good at riding and fighting, has an overall view, can lead an army on his own, has a calm personality and attaches great importance to friendship. In the future, he will be self-taught and become a famous mountain general. It is really incredible. Many good generals.
Liu Feng naturally wanted to put such a person on his plate early.
As for the death of Taishi Ci in his prime, firstly, it was because of the rampant epidemics in the Yuzhang jungle with a harsh climate, and secondly, it was because of the hardships he suffered during the years following Liu Yao.
With Hua Tuo here and his own cheating, Liu Feng was confident that he could change the tragic situation of Taishi Ci who died in his prime.
In fact, since Liu Feng arrived in Xuzhou, he and Liu Bei have certainly had a deep love for each other, a loving father and a filial son.
But within this relationship, there are also many interests.
It can be said that Liu Feng is now Liu Bei's angel investor, and he also occupies a large portion of the original shares.
In addition to being the natural share of the eldest son, this share also includes returns from various investments, such as helping Liu Bei divide Cao Bao, such as helping Liu Bei win over the Mi family and increasing investment. Before Liu Feng came, Although Mi Zhu tried his best to help Liu Bei, he had no plan to spend more than 100,000 shi of grain and millions of money to help him farm. This credit is not attributed to Liu Feng. Could it be attributed to Liu Bei himself or Liu Bei? On Mi Zhu’s head?
In the past, Cao Ren invested in Cao Cao, so he brought eight or nine hundred troops to the north to join him.
Liu Feng is not counting Cao Bao. He just recruited Lu Su, Xu Sheng, Zhou Tai, and Jiang Qin. Together, there are four to five hundred people, not to mention the high-quality Liu Erying. More than a hundred people.
Not to mention the hundreds of people from Taishi Cina who are already on the way.
This credit, coupled with Liu Bei's love for Liu Feng, and Liu Bei's deep tolerance, these together gave Liu Feng the confidence to openly ask for military power.
Besides, the Three Kingdoms era is very different from the later ones. Whether military power is sensitive depends on what kind of military power it is.
Because in the Three Kingdoms era, powerful nobles could raise their own troops and own troops openly and openly. This was allowed by the state.
Even the powerful Cao Wei and Shu Han can still have tribes. As for the Great Wu Kingdom, it is an empire formed by an alliance of small warlords.
Only the real Forbidden Army and the Central Army, these military powers are sensitive and will arouse the jealousy and suspicion of the Lord.
"You know how to choose the right one."
Liu Bei leaned on the bench and laughed and scolded: "Ziyi is a talented general. How can you control a mere kid?"
Liu Feng chuckled and said, "How about I make a bet with you, my son? If my son can get Ziyi's service, how about my father spare me ten sets of armor?"
"Fart!"
When he heard that Liu Feng actually wanted to pierce his armor, Liu Bei was furious: "You brat, you wanted to kill Naigong's baby as soon as he came back."
Seeing Liu Bei's angry expression, Liu Feng felt secretly happy.
On the way back, he had already intercepted more than 70 sets of armor in Mi Fang's motorcade with the help of Mi Zeng's letter. Liu Bei didn't know about this yet.
Because the convoy carried a large amount of property and supplies, Mi Fang could only follow the convoy slowly behind. Although they left a few days earlier than Liu Feng and the others, it would still take several days to reach Tancheng.
I just hope that Mi Fang won’t let the news out by then, which would lead to her father chasing her, which would be bad.
This is a total of seventy-eight sets of armor, almost using up the Mi family's stock of iron armor blades. It can really trigger a murder.
After Liu Feng returned, he had already begun to improve the efficiency of blast furnaces, steel filling methods, flow production lines and other secret records about the steel and military industry.
When these things are ready, after discussing with Liu Bei, he will ask the Lu family, Mi family, and Chen family to jointly operate and integrate the entire pig iron industry in Xuzhou.
The conservative goal is to more than double Xuzhou’s ironmaking output in the short term and triple it in the long term.
In this case, it is expected that Xuzhou will be able to produce 300 to 400 sets of iron armor every year. In three to five years, the number will increase to 800 to 1,200 sets, which can almost equip a Sima Department. This is quite astonishing.
“I am your father, why should I bet against you.”
Liu Bei had long understood that Liu Feng was young and cunning, so he was not willing to fall for the trap: "You can do your best with Ziyi. If you can talk about Ziyi, then you won't stop him as a father. If you can't talk about Ziyi, then as a father you can't stop him." I will help you.”
“There is another matter that I am waiting to discuss with you when you come back.”
Liu Bei quickly changed the topic: “Zi Yang came to see me a few days ago. , I cannot sit back and watch Lu Wenhou's defeat in Yanzhou. Cao Cao is a hero with great ambitions and outstanding talents. Once he regains control of Yanzhou, he will definitely expand outwards, and we, Xuzhou, will be the first to bear the brunt."
" What Mr. Yang said is correct."
Liu Feng nodded in agreement, but he was not too worried: "Does Mr. Yang have any specific concerns?"
"Zi Yang is worried that Marquis Lu Wen is not Cao Mengde's opponent, and suggests that I should not take Guangling first, but directly capture Cao Cao, form an alliance with Marquis Lu Wen, and isolate the north and the south."
Liu Bei frowned. The reason why he was troubled was also because of his heartbeat. If he thought Liu Ye's talk was nonsense, he wouldn't discuss it with Liu Feng at all.
Liu Feng felt funny in his heart, what was going on with Liu Ye? When he was at Cao Cao's place, he tried his best to persuade Cao Cao to kill Liu Bei.
Now that we are in Liu Bei's camp, we are urging Liu Bei to stab Cao Cao.
Not to mention, this proposal is actually very tempting. No wonder Liu Bei is so entangled.
However, after Liu Feng thought about it carefully, he decided to persuade Liu Bei not to adopt this opinion.
It's not that Liu Feng has any special feelings for Cao Cao, but that Lu Bu is really even worse than Cao Cao.
No matter what Lu Bu did before or what he did after that, he only wanted to accept the fact that Liu Bei was the only one in the world who was willing to take him in and settled him in the country of Pei. Lu Bu could not betray it no matter what. Assassin Liu Bei.
This is not only about interests and morality, but also about brains.
Guo Jia scolded Yuan Shao for being cunning and indecisive, forgetting his life when he sees small gains, and cherishing his life for big things.
In fact, these few words couldn't be more appropriate for Lu Bu.
And Cao Cao is at least a normal person in diplomacy and can reach some contracts and abide by them.
But Lu Bu really has no integrity at all and doesn't care about credibility at all. Not to mention Liu Bei, how many times has Yuan Shu been tricked by Lu Bu in history?
They regard diplomacy as child's play. Being a neighbor and ally with such a person is really scarier than a pig teammate. After all, the pig teammate will not be tricked into stabbing you in the back with just a few words.
“The child feels that there are three indispensables.”
Liu Feng thought so in his heart, but he couldn't say these words directly to Liu Bei. He could only try to cover it up before trying to persuade him.
"Although Lü Bu had made great contributions to the Han Dynasty, he was a wolf in nature, and he forgot his righteousness when he saw profit. He was really a beast. Ding Yuan appointed him as chief secretary, what kind of confidant did he have? But he backhandedly killed Ding Yuan. , the seller seeks glory."
"He followed Dong Zhuo, who was in love with his father and son. Because of his personal grudge, he framed Hu Zhen in battle, causing Xu Rong and the Liangzhou army to be defeated."
"Then he turned against Dong Zhuo. Although he was worthy of the country and the common people, his nature was not to be righteous, but to pursue profit."
Liu Feng objectively analyzed Lu Bu's motives and did not deliberately smear him. , Liu Bei nodded repeatedly.
"Father, such a person looks like a human from a distance, but looks like a beast from afar."
Liu Feng really doesn't hate Lu Bu. He knows very well what Lu Bu did. He was just a frontier warrior helplessly forced to do so. move.
Of all the warlords, probably only Lu Bu was truly loyal to Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty. From the beginning to the end, he only had the intention of separatism and no ambition to become emperor.
But now, Lu Bu is threatening the Liu family in Xuzhou. He is a potential enemy and must be guarded against.
"The second thing is that Xuzhou has just established a good alliance with Jizhou, and then stopped fighting with Yanzhou. It is inevitable for each other to play small tricks and small conspiracies in private, even if they are reported to Yuan Jizhou will only be looked down upon, and will even attract Yuan Jizhou's contempt. But there is only one thing, that is, you cannot directly use troops. With Yuan Jizhou suppressing him, whoever turns his back and stabs him first will be the culprit. Attracting Yuan Jizhou’s full attack.”
Liu Feng speculated maliciously: "No, maybe the child is wrong. Only if we turn against him first, will Yuan Jizhou attack with all his strength, but Cao Yanzhou's side is different. After all, he and Yuan Jizhou’s relationship is beyond comparison with ours, and his status in Yanzhou is also the result of Yuan Jizhou’s full support.”
“To put it bluntly, even if he turns against us and stabs us first, Yuan Jizhou may end up doing it. After talking to Xini, if he gains the upper hand, then Yuan Jizhou will not stand up for us."
"I'm afraid Cao Yanzhou has seen through this a long time ago, and that's why he is so confident. ”
Liu Bei’s face was also extremely gloomy. He obviously agreed with Liu Feng’s opinion. At first, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao could only wear a pair of trousers, but now the two sides are supporting each other and acting as horns for each other. As Huanghe resisted the attack of Yuan Shu's camp, there were even signs of a comeback.
It is no exaggeration to say that at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, after the heroes rose up against Dong Dong, the entire Central Plains became a civil war between the Yuan family.
Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Liu Biao formed a party, with Yuan Shao as their leader, against a party of Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, Gongsun Zan, and Sun Jian, with Yuan Shu as their leader. The surname Zhong in the world is well deserved.
Liu Bei was angry and angry. He never concealed his emotions in front of Liu Bao.
"Is there nothing we can do? Can we just watch Cao Mengde be so proud?"
"Of course not."
Liu Feng decisively relieved his father's worries: "Father, there is no need to be angry. The child has also prepared a gift for Cao Yanzhou and will send it to Marquis Lu Wen soon."
When Liu Bei heard this, his eyes lit up and he asked curiously. : "Oh, what kind of gift is it? Tell me about it as a father?"
Liu Feng was suddenly confused. His gift was not to warn Cao Lu about the decisive battle a few months later, but also to make Lu Bu watch out for ambushes in the embankment. ?
How to tell Liu Bei this? You can't just say that the immortal told me that this happened, right?
Liu Feng is not worried about whether he will scare Liu Bei. Now Brother Big Ears treats himself as a treasure. Even if he knew about it, he would only think that his son's immortal encounter was too great.
But what Liu Feng was worried about was that if his wings shook too much, it wouldn't matter. When Liu Bei asked him, how would he explain it?
When you say that the secret of heaven cannot be leaked, you have said too much, so it is no longer effective?
Isn’t this blocking your own future?
After his brain raced, Liu Feng made up a reason at least: "Cao Yanzhou used his troops to take risks and deceive, but he followed deceitful tactics of war. Therefore, if Cao Yanzhou did not win a big victory, it would A great defeat. Except when we ran out of food, there was rarely a time when we were indifferent. I wrote these summaries on silk and sent them to Lu Bu and Chen Gong in Yanzhou, pretending that they were written by my father, hoping to provide them with advice. Wake up. "
There is no way to say that it was written by Liu Bei. If it were really said that it was written by himself, I am afraid that Lu Bu and Chen Gong would not even read it.
Even if they don't listen, it doesn't matter, it will just be used to teach and suppress them in the future.
Although Lu Bu is stupid, he still has a lot of good things in his hands.
Whether it is an armored collar, Liang and Bing war horses, or Gao Shun or Zhang Liao, these are all good things.
Zhang Liao never expected that he was actually the major shareholder and owner of the Lu Bu Group.
How can anyone poach the majority shareholder?
But Gao Shun can think of a way.
But this strength has to be exerted on Lu Bu. Gao Shun is very loyal and if you exert strength on him, it will be in vain for him to look down on you.
"Well...this plan is acceptable."
Liu Bei thought it was good. Although the probability of success was low, once only one of Lu Bu and Chen Gong believed it, Cao Cao would have to It was a huge defeat.
Even if it fails, you will still benefit from it. It is equivalent to selling Lu Bu and Chen Gong a big favor in advance. It is your own inability to live up to my clever plan.
Liu Bei became interested, but he also deeply hated Cao Cao for not remembering the old relationship and being too cruel: "You can send the letter back later, and I will write a copy myself, use the Xuzhou seal, and send it to Lu Bu."
Liu Bei. Feng quickly reminded: "Father is not afraid of using the seal of Zhou Mu. If it falls into the hands of Cao Cao..."
"What are you afraid of him doing!"
Liu Bei said with a strong momentum: "Even if Cao Mengde finds out, what can he do to me."
This familiar scene reminded Liu Feng of the first time Liu Bei abandoned his wife and son, with the same success and arrogance.
Liu Feng, who was afraid that Liu Bei would randomly establish FALG, quickly changed the subject: "The third problem is that I, Xuzhou, are already on the same level as Yuan Shu. If I fall out with Yuan Benchu again, the world is so big that I will no longer be able to find allies to rely on. What's more, once Xuzhou falls into a dilemma between north and south, if Lu Bu suddenly turns against us and attacks from east to west, we will lose everything."
The two major camps in the world are the Yuan family, and Liu Beizhen. If you want to offend Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu at the same time, I'm afraid the only way is to surrender.
But Guanzhong is so far away, and it is really beyond the reach of Xuzhou.
Not to mention that at the end of this year, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty will successfully escape. By then, Li Jue and Guo Si will immediately turn traitor. If they form an alliance with the Liangzhou Army at this time, wouldn't it mean that they have been traitors for four to five years? Joined the Chinese army in nine years?
Liu Bei nodded and sighed: "Hey, it seems that we can only let Cao Mengde go. Cao Mengde is a hero, and we can't take advantage of him to chase him when he is in trouble. Wait for him to recover, but then They are going to cause trouble for us.”
Liu Feng was convinced, but he had no idea.
If possible, he also wants to kill Cao Cao first.
But taking action now will not only directly destroy his strategic layout, but also most likely not kill Cao Cao, allowing him to escape across the Yellow River and join Yuan Shao.
When Yuan Shao's strength increases greatly, his side will become a big joke that harms himself and helps others.
Liu Bei listened to Liu Feng's opinion and finally made a decision: "Okay, that's the case, then I will summon Ziyang tomorrow and inform him of your suggestion to see what strategy he has. If so, If it’s feasible, let’s discuss it. If it’s not possible or it’s not feasible, then give up.”
Liu Feng nodded in agreement.
Then the father and son chatted about some things. When Liu Feng wanted to leave, he realized that he had almost forgotten the most important thing.
So, he sat down again.
"Father, there is something else that requires your consent."
Liu Bei was a little surprised. His precious son's expression was a little nervous and timid, which made him very curious.
Remember the last time your son looked like this, he still found himself a daughter-in-law, right?
A side room was replaced with four thousand pieces... No, it should be twenty thousand pieces now.
This kind of good thing shouldn’t happen again, right?
Liu Bei sorted out his random thoughts and asked: "What is it?"
Liu Feng coughed dryly: "This time I went to Qu County to discuss the salt policy with the Mi family. . Suddenly the head of the Mi family, Zeng Lao, asked about Cao Jianwei.”
"The elder asked, but he couldn't refuse. The boy could only tell the truth once."
"I never thought that Mr. Zeng would..."
Liu Bei's expression became weirder and weirder as he listened. I can't do it again.
Is this coming?
Seeing that Liu Feng didn't come out for a long time, Liu Bei became impatient and simply interrupted: "You actually want to marry a girl to be your side wife?"
Liu Feng seemed to be relieved and nodded repeatedly: "My father is wise, that's exactly what happened."
For a long time, before Liu Bei's follow-up words, Liu Feng quietly raised his head and looked directly into Liu Bei's face. Looking at himself complicatedly, he was suddenly startled.
Liu Bei's faint voice also sounded at this time.
"How much dowry did the Mi family promise to give you?"
Liu Feng's expression changed, and he hesitated and didn't want to say much.
You must know that he has just hacked nearly eighty sets of iron armor, and he has a guilty conscience, so he dare not say anything more.
As the saying goes, there is no better son than a father. Liu Bei now understands Liu Feng more and more.
Liu Bei frowned even more: "Did you do something behind my father's back?"
"Absolutely impossible!"
Liu Feng knew today Some blood was drawn no matter what, but one had to avoid the most important and focus on the less important. The matter of piercing the armor was the most important, and everything else was secondary.
"Lao Zeng promised 80 million yuan in dowry, 40 million of which was converted into the shares of the salt industry that the Mi family deserved, and asked the Mi family's daughter to bring it over."
"Eighty million yuan?"
Liu Bei rarely broke through his defenses, with a look of disbelief on his face.
You know that there are only a few million dollars left in the state capital now. It is thanks to Xiao Jian and Zang Ba that they have saved a large sum of money.
But the Mi family is actually given 80 million to marry a daughter. No wonder they are so rich that they can rival the country.
(End of this chapter)