Chapter 474 Liu Xie: I don’t accept it! My second uncle is just a county marquis!

"This matter has been handled very well."

Yuan Shao looked at the statistical document in his hand. His depressed mood of the past few days seemed to improve at this moment.

He couldn't help but calculate the cost of food. It should be enough to last until next year's autumn harvest, right?

Yuan Shao turned around and thought about the food and grass he had promised to Lu Bu.

Faced with many wise ministers, he did not think that Lu Bu's demands were excessive. It did not matter if he asked for more food and grass. After all, Jizhou was rich, and Ju Su's ability was enough to prevent him from worrying about food and grass.

After thinking it over carefully, Yuan Shao came to his senses.

The number of people who eat horse chaff far exceeds that of the rest of the troops, and it is not a small number either.

Lu Bu's soldiers were treated too highly, while the rest of his troops remained the same.

What should the rest of the people think?
It’s okay for the Shi family, but what about his personal soldiers?
Therefore, when Lu Bu was mentioned, the other troops had to be mentioned as well.

The consumption of food and grass went up in just a few words. It is impossible to regret now. Words spoken cannot be taken back. If you want to deny it outright, it will probably cause dissatisfaction and rebellion.

Yuan Shao shook his head and decided not to think about it any more. He would hold out as long as he could. If he ran out of food, he could borrow some food from the nobles of Jizhou.

"The most urgent task now is to let Lu Fengxian resist Huang Hansheng and Guan Yu."

"Gongsun Bogui, if we defend the city, we should be able to resist their cavalry, right?"

Yuan Shao murmured to himself. As for surrendering, he had never considered it. He believed that fate was in Yuan's hands. Even if he was not as obsessed as Yuan Shu, he had invested too much, so he would never give up easily.

If it succeeds, the Yuan family will be able to gain control of the world.

If it fails, it won't bring disaster to the clan, at least the clan won't be destroyed.

He was in Jizhou, Yuan Shu was in Huainan, and the Yuan clan's land was in Runan.

How could it be related?
In addition, Liu Bei made Yuan Shao feel at ease.

He often denounced Jia Xu as a vicious scholar who deceived Liu Bei, cheated the emperor, seized power in himself, and harmed the world.

But he knew in his heart that it was unfair to say that Jia Xu was a vicious scholar. The person Jia Xu was loyal to from beginning to end was Liu Bei.

Therefore, he knew very well that his opponent was always Liu Bei.

Novelists who have emerged in recent years have said, "The person who knows you best is often not your friend, but your opponent."

Yuan Shao thought this was quite reasonable, but he could not guarantee that he could clearly distinguish the words of his subordinates and generals.

But focus on Liu Bei
Yuan Shao dared to pat his chest and say, "No one knows Liu Xuande better than me."

Since the Battle of Hulao Pass, Yuan Shao began to focus on studying Liu Bei.

It is really unbelievable that a simple scholar from a humble family could achieve such a point.

What surprised Yuan Shao even more was that this man had a temper as fiery as fire. He punished corruption and even dared to confront the Governor of Liang Province in his capacity as a county governor.

No matter how you look at it, he is a passionate person, and people of passion often act on their emotions.

But when dealing with the cholera thieves, Liu Bei's handling of the situation made him feel inferior.

If the thief's clan gains benefits, the person who gains benefits will often receive a greater punishment depending on his or her status and power.

The punishment for the common people who receive the same benefits will be much smaller.

Even if he checked all of Liu Bei's deeds, Yuan Shao could not find a time when Liu Bei's words and actions were inconsistent.

Ugh.

Just thinking of this, Yuan Shao couldn't help but sigh. Why are there people like Cao Mengde all around him?

That’s all.

Yuan Shao shook his head and stopped thinking about it. He stretched out his fingers and tapped the documents lightly, muttering to himself, "Is the food and grass we have now enough to support the offensive of Huang Zhong and Guan Yu?"

Then Yuan Shao's eyes drifted to the venison placed on the desk. This was the venison that the guards had killed in the woods today, and it tasted delicious.

For some reason, Yuan Shao had no appetite. He called the guards and ordered them, "The venison is extremely delicious. Send it to Fengxian together with the food and fodder!"

"Deer meat? Lord Yuan ordered you to deliver it to Yu Bu?"

Facing Yuan Shao's envoy, Lu Bu opened his eyes wide, stood up, walked quickly to the envoy, took the venison with great solemnity, and said with tears of gratitude: "Lord Yuan has been very kind to me, and now he has sent me venison again. I will never forget it, and I will definitely help Lord Yuan defeat the enemy!"

After seeing off Yuan Shao's envoy, Lu Bu changed his expression. He casually placed the venison on the desk and sat down in front of it. He snorted coldly, "You are just a traitor. Do you think you can get rid of me with a piece of venison?"

As he spoke, Lu Bu picked up the chopsticks and started eating the venison with the wine.

Although he expressed his disgust for venison, Lu Bu's eyes lit up when he ate it. It was really delicious.

"General."

When Lu Bu was having a meal, a familiar voice suddenly rang out. He looked up and saw that it was Mi Fang.

"Hahaha, it turns out to be Zifang!" Lü Bu pointed at the venison with his chopsticks and said with a smile, "This venison is extremely delicious, Zifang, come and try it!"

"This meat was given to the general by Yuan Gong. I..."

"What's the point of giving it away?" Lü Bu waved his hand to interrupt Mi Fang's words, "Give it to me and it's mine. Zifang, you can try it without worry! Someone, come! Prepare chopsticks for Mr. Zifang!"

Mi Fang couldn't persuade Lu Bu, so he took the chopsticks handed to him by the guard, picked up some venison and tasted it. Just as Lu Bu said, it was indeed very delicious.

At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart that Yuan Benchu ​​really took Lu Fengxian to heart.

Looking at Lu Bu now, Mi Fang couldn't help but feel a little worried, worried that Lu Bu would really join Yuan Shao.

He was just about to open his mouth to test the waters.

Unexpectedly, Lu Bu was one step faster. His face was full of eagerness. He lowered his voice and asked, "Zifang, when do you think we will rebel against Yuan Benchu?"

what?
Mi Fang was caught off guard by Lu Bu's sudden change, and he didn't quite understand why Lu Bu said such a thing.

Normally, Yuan Benchu ​​thinks highly of you. He even sent someone to deliver venison to you. Your first reaction shouldn't be that you are rebelling against Yuan Benchu, right?
Is it
A bold guess emerged in Mi Fang's mind. He looked at Lu Bu suspiciously and thought: Is he used to rebelling?
Lu Bu did not see Mi Fang's eyes. Although he felt a little strange that Mi Fang did not speak, he did not take it to heart.

As a counselor, it's normal for him to have more thoughts!

If he answered whatever he was asked, he would be afraid that it was a soldier pretending to be an advisor!
After waiting for a few breaths, Lu Bu saw Mi Fang slowly shaking his head, "No."

"No? Why is that?"

"It's not the right time yet. General, you might as well imagine that if you hand over the soldiers to a foreign general, will you not keep an eye on the foreign general?"

"Of course we have to keep an eye on it."

Lu Bu felt that what Mi Fang said was absolutely right, but he was still a little confused, "Zifang, when do you think we should rebel against Yuan Benchu?"

"Wait a moment, it's almost over."

Hearing Mi Fang say "wait" instead of "can't rebel", Lu Bu had no doubts at all.

Mi Fang might not be right sometimes about some small matters, but he had never made any mistakes on big matters.

Lu Bu had no doubts, but Mi Fang was puzzled. He asked, "General, why are you so anxious to rebel against Yuan Benchu?"

"Why?" Lu Bu grinned, "Because I am a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty! How can I associate with a traitor?"

Ok?
Mi Fang's first reaction was that it was strange, extremely strange. But then he thought, what Lu Bu said seemed to be right?

Lu Bu continued, "Yuan Benchu ​​is trying to use the two states to fight against the crazy court. Isn't this the act of a fool? Although I am not good at making brilliant plans, I am not a fool. Who is willing to accompany Yuan Benchu ​​to death?! Although there is enough food this time, in my opinion, it is far less than that of the court. How long can it last? A year?!" "So that's the case. The general is wise. I am ashamed of myself." Mi Fang said with emotion.

Lu Bu laughed, "Zifang is too modest. Without Zifang, I am afraid I would not be able to hold back today. Well, since Zifang wants to wait, let's win a victory for Lord Yuan first! This way, it won't be considered a breach of trust!"

"I just don't know what Huang Hansheng and Guan Yu are like!"

Huang Hansheng and Guan Yu?
Mi Fang couldn't help but click his tongue, thinking to himself: I don't know about Huang Hansheng, but I heard that he is very good at archery. Even if he is even better, he should be on par with Fengxian, right? Guan Yu has heard his brother and Mr. Yuanlong talk about it.

He is the second brother of General Wei and the second brother of Zhang Yide
Besides that, it seems that I was the one who killed this person, and caused my brother to fail to realize his great wish.
If Guan Yu is harmed again this time, wouldn't it be adding insult to injury?

No, I have to persuade Fengxian!
Mi Fang flattered him, "Huang Hansheng? Guan Yu? In my opinion, none of them are as good as the general. The general's courage is comparable to that of the Flying General!"

"Haha" Mi Fang's words really touched Lu Bu's heart, making him feel a little embarrassed.

However, Mi Fang changed the subject and said, "General, please remember not to kill Guan Yu!"

"Hmm?" Lu Bu hesitated for a moment, then he quickly realized what was happening. He nodded repeatedly, "Zifang means that Guan Yu is Liu Xuande's brother, so I can't kill him?"

"That's right." Mi Fang nodded.

Lu Bu lowered his voice and asked, "What if I kill that bastard Yuan Benchu ​​and bring his head to see General Wei?"

"It's useless." Mi Fang shook his head and said in a complicated way: "No matter how great his achievements are, Liu Xuande will never forgive the hatred of killing his brother. He will have to die before he can give up. Not to mention Yuan Benchu's head, even if the whole world is placed in front of Liu Xuande, Liu Xuande will not waver."

Lu Bu's first reaction was, "Zifang, are you kidding me?"

However, after Lu Bu saw Mi Fang's expression, this idea was immediately dispelled.

Mi Fang's expression did not seem fake, as if he had experienced it personally.

Considering that Mi Fang had never been wrong about major events before, Lu Bu was inexplicably convinced by Mi Fang's words.

Lu Bu couldn't help but gasp, "There are actually people in the world who are so loyal?! Don't worry, Zifang, I've got this in mind. If I ever meet Guan Yu, I'll give him some respect!"

"Yuan Benchu ​​wants to fight with me for three to five years."

With the help of a telescope, Xu Shu couldn't help but sigh as he saw Yuan's army fortifying their cities and retreating into the city.

"Protracted war, speaking of protracted war, Yuan Benchu ​​is far inferior to us. I don't know..." Guan Yu, stroking his long beard, said with a little disappointment, "The matter of Zuo Rong."

Ok?
Zuo Rong?

Xu Chu's eyes suddenly lit up, he was familiar with this name!

Zuo Rong is a greedy person, and the Second General doesn't like people who are greedy for money.

Since it’s not about greed for money, then there is only one possibility!
That is Buddhism!

So he hurriedly asked, "Second General, are you talking about Tao's fellow countryman Zuo Rong? I never thought you wanted to join the Buddhist religion! I don't know much about it, but I do have some connections!"

Xu Chu was afraid that Guan Yu would not believe him, so to ensure the accuracy of his words, he patted his chest hard.

However, what Xu Chu did not notice was that everyone present, except Mi Zhu and Guan Yu, had a gloomy look on their faces.

Mi Zhu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Buddhist religion? Did my second brother need to join Buddhist religion?
Mi Zhu knew that Xu Chu did not do it on purpose, so he stepped forward to explain: "Second General, Zhongkang was just joking."

Ok?
Xu Chu scratched his head in confusion. It seemed that he had said something wrong again.
He wanted to find out the truth, but considering the previous experience, he just kept his mouth shut.

Mi Zhu patted Xu Chu on the shoulder and consoled him: "Zhongkang, Second General, it's just that Yu Zuorong has some personal grudges."

Xu Chu was somewhat glad that he didn't ask any further questions.

Mi Zhu turned his gaze towards Guan Yu and explained, "Second General, please be at ease. Zuo Rong has long been controlled by Yuan Long."

"Yuanlong." Hearing this word, Guan Yu's heart was finally at ease. He stroked his beard. If a protracted war delayed the capture of Zuo Rong, it would really go against the original intention.

'Controlled by Yuanlong'

Xu Chu was completely confused. He didn't understand why Guan Yu was no longer worried when he heard that Zuo Rong was controlled by Chen Deng.

In a protracted war, the loss of food is extraordinary, especially for them who have come from far away.

In view of the joke that had just happened and even before, Xu Chu did not ask the crowd loudly, but instead pulled Mi Zhu's arm and asked in a low voice: "Mr. Mi, isn't the Second General worried about food and grass?"

"Of course, there is no need to worry."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"Zhongkang, do you know Zhao Zilong?"

"I seem to have heard that he is also a general?"

"Yes, General Zhao has brought back the good rice. Why should we worry about food and grass?"

"I see!"

Xu Chu suddenly realized that although he didn't know what the quality of the rice was, he could tell from Mi Zhu that this rice was extraordinary!
Changan.

Chang'an today is much more lively than in the past, with every household decorated with lights and colors.

The knights in cotton armor galloped along the long street, as if they were going to crush the ground under their feet.

The knight's figure was as fast as an arrow. He rushed out of the city gate, passed through the countryside, and spread the great news in all directions.

The children playing in the mud in the fields looked at their mothers in confusion, "Mom, what happened today?"

His mother smiled and said, "Xiangrui, Xiangrui is back. You don't have to go hungry anymore."

Hundreds of officials even went out of the city hundreds of miles away to welcome him. Everyone stretched their necks, extremely nervous, hoping that the figure would appear.

After an unknown amount of time, there was a loud neigh, and Zhao Yun, wearing a white robe and white armor and riding a white horse, returned from afar, leading thousands of elite soldiers carrying double halberds, escorting cartloads of goods.

!

Everyone looked at each other, and saw excitement on each other's faces.

Someone even shouted, "General Zhao, it's General Zhao! The good rice is back! The good rice is back!"

Amidst the cheers, Zhao Yun rode his horse to Liu Bei, dismounted, clasped his fists and said, "Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission!"

"Good, good, good!" Liu Bei laughed. He grabbed Zhao Yun's hand and pulled Zhao Yun into the same carriage. The carriage went straight into the palace unimpeded.

When Liu Bian saw Zhao Yun and Liu Bei returning, he was overjoyed and his face was flushed, without any sign of weakness at all.

Zhao Yun handed the detailed records of Champa rice to the usher, who read them aloud. When the officials heard about its drought resistance and double harvests a year, they clenched their fists excitedly.

Liu Bian, the emperor, laughed out loud without caring about his dignity. Then he waved his hand and appointed Zhao Yun as Minister of Agriculture and promoted him to the rank of Marquis of Xiang.

All the ministers had no objection, except one son who was dissatisfied.

Liu Xie stood up and shouted, "My second uncle is the Marquis of Xiang, why is General Zhao also named the Marquis of Xiang? I don't accept it! This is unfair to my second uncle!"

However, facing Lu Zhi's punishment, Liu Xie smiled awkwardly and said, "It was just a joke."

Lu Zhi: Do you think I believe it?

Then Liu Xie's loud singing could be heard in the palace. The new guard was puzzled. He muttered, "Huh? Why are pigs being killed in the palace?"

Another guard rolled his eyes, thinking that his colleague was being too surprised. "What's so strange? I heard that the general's mansion has several killings every month."

(End of this chapter)