Chapter 41 Things have gone big

In March of the third year of the Republic, Xiahou Shang and Yang Xiu arrived in Qian Tang. Knowing that his father was coming, Xia Houhui was very happy and went out of the city to the dock to greet him. Sun Shao immediately held a welcome banquet for them. Yang Xiu and Sun Shao are old acquaintances, but they haven't seen each other for a few years. Their status is already very different from the beginning, but Xiahou Shang saw his son-in-law for the first time. He really looked at him several times. Sun Shao was very polite and gave face to Xiahou Hui.

After the banquet, Kong Zhu, Dahong, began formal talks with Xia Houshang and Yang Xiu. After learning that the State of Wei was interested in conquering Xiqiang and needed some weapons from the State of Yue, Kong Zhu smiled and said, "Is the State of Wei really ready to go to Xiqiang?"

Xia Houshang didn't say anything, but Yang Xiu heard the sound outside the string. Kong Zhu didn't seem to believe their words at all. He exchanged a look with Xia Houshang and smiled: "How can there be a joke about the major event of the country of soldiers?"

Kong Zhu nodded and said with a faint smile, "Yang Changshi has been involved in the military for many years. This sentence should be experienced. Although I am a scholar and I am not good at military affairs, I also know that war does not only need to have weapons, especially the expedition to Xiqiang. In those years, Duan Hao wrote a letter to recruit Qiang people. It was expected to take 10,000 yuan, ride 5,000 yuan, and spend more than 5 billion yuan in winter and summer. I don't know how many steps the State of Wei is going to ride, and how much money he is going to spend? His eyes swept over Yang Xiu and Xia Houshang's faces, raised the corners of his mouth, and said rudely, "In my own way, I'm afraid the State of Wei can't afford 5 billion yuan in military expenses, right?"

Yang Xiu was speechless. He had always felt that Kong Zhu was an old Confucian student and did not understand these wars at all. It was only because the Kong family was a member of Huiji, that he became one of the nine Qings. He never thought that Kong Zhu was not confused at all and broke the mystery in it. You couldn't afford so much money at all.

Kong Zhu said something good. Although the Han Dynasty was in domestic and foreign affairs, before the Yellow Turban Uprising, the foundation of the Han Dynasty was still there, and Emperor Huan could still get so much money. Now the State of Wei is not. Although the Central Plains is rich, after 30 or 40 years of war, now there is only the strength of Jizhou and Yuzhou. Wrong, Sili was asked to leave by the emperor. Qingzhou and Xuzhou are equivalent to autonomy. Cao Qian's treasury did not support the military expenses of fighting Xiqiang at all.

"What Kong Jun said is reasonable, but it is not true." Xia Hou Shang put down the cup and said calmly, "Today's big man is no longer the big man in those years. With the power of the State of Wei, it can't be compared with the big man in those years. However, today's Qiang people are not the Qiang people in those years. General Zhengxi (Xiahou Yuan) walked in the northwest. For several years, the Qiang people fled looking at the wind. In the past few years, the State of Wei has been resting with the people, and the Qiang people have taken advantage of the gap to return, and their strength has been much worse than before. As long as a general leads tens of thousands of people, plus the sharp weapons provided by the State of Yue, why is it difficult to flatten the Qiang people?

Kong Zhu's look at Xia Houshang changed a little. On the one hand, he knew that Xia Houshang's identity was different from Yang Xiu, and on the other hand, Xia Houshang also came to the point, which made him look at it with new eyes. He thought for a moment and said, "General Xiahou's words are reasonable, but although the Qiang people are no longer old, they can't play with the preparation of materials for thousands of miles of expeditions. What I want to know is that the State of Wei is well prepared in this regard? How can you convince us that you have enough strength to deal with this war?

"This... doesn't seem to be convenient to tell you, right?" Xia Houshang frowned: "The military deployment of the State of Wei is confidential. When we came to Vietnam, we just wanted to buy some ordnance, not cooperation. Kong Jun seemed to have some misunderstanding.

Kong Zhu didn't think so. He just smiled and said, "General Xiahou, it's not that I want to spy on the secrets of the State of Wei. I just don't want the sharp blade of my country to be cut on my big Han people in the end. If you can't make us believe that you really want to conquer Xiqiang, hey hey hey, I'm afraid we can't sell you a knife.

"There is no such reason." Xia Hou was angry, and he stood up and said, "I want to see your king and ask what's going on."

"General, don't be dry for a moment. This is exactly the rule set by my king." Kong Zhu said slowly, "And it is the unanimous view of the Duke of Yue. Even if General Xiahou and the king have in-laws, they can persuade the king to help, but if the Duke's decision can't be passed, this business can't be done."

"Hmm! Humph..." Xiahou Shang sneered and felt that Kong Zhu was really nonsense. If Sun Shao did not agree and this business could not be done, he still believed it. He said that Sun Shao agreed, and Gongqing did not agree, and this business still could not be done. That would be a joke. Is this Yue still not Sun Shao's Yue? He waved his hand impatiently: "Don't gossip. I'll know when I see your king."

Yang Xiu also felt that Kong Zhu was a little mysterious, and stood up with a cold face: "Please inform Kong Jun."

Kong Zhu nodded: "The two will stay in the post hall for a while. When the king is free, he will naturally meet them." After saying that, he saluted politely and left. Yang Xiu felt uneasy. He said to Xia Houshang, who was angry, "General, are you trying to meet Ling Ai?"

Xiahou Shang nodded and answered, and then sent people to the palace to meet him. It didn't take long. Xia Houhui sent people to invite Xiahou Shang to the palace to meet him. As soon as the father and daughter met, before they could speak, Xia Houhui's eyes turned red. He threw himself into Xia Houshang's arms and cried with joy. Xia Houshang sighed, stroked his daughter's shoulder and said, "Son, you have suffered."

"It's not bitter." Xia Houhui said with a tearful smile, "The king is very good to me. I just miss A Weng, his mother and brother."

Xia Houshang was also a little gloomy. He wiped the tears on Xia Houhui's face with his rough hands and stared at Xia Houhui's eyebrows for a while. Suddenly, he frowned and took Xiahou Hui's hand and said nervously, "Son, doesn't he like you?"

Xia Houhui is inexplicably: "Where do you start with this? The king is very kind to me."

"So... Then why are you still..." Xia Hou was experienced for a long time and experienced. He saw at a glance that his daughter was still a virgin, but he was embarrassed to say this in front of his daughter. Xia Houhui was also smart. She quickly understood what her father meant. She blushed and was cowardly for a while. Then she whispered, "The king said that her daughter is still young, and she wants to... wait for her body to grow up... so that it doesn't hurt her body."

"Where did the nonsense come from?" Xia Hou Shang said half of the words and swallowed it back. He was silent for a long time and looked at Xia Houhui in disbelief: "Does he really think so?"

Xia Houhui blushed as if she was about to drip blood. She turned her body delicately: "Aweng, my daughter will lie to you. He really said so."

Xia Houshang breathed a sigh of relief, relieved, and said with some joy, "I didn't expect you to be a blessed person. You can find such a husband who knows how to love people. Although you are not a right wife, it's worth it."

Xia Houhui looked at Xia Houshang in surprise and soon knew the answer from Xia Houshang's undisguised joy. She originally thought that Sun Shao was perfunctory, so she never had sex with her, but she knew that Xiahou was quite familiar with this way. If he said that there was indeed such a thing, it showed that Sun Shao really did it for her. He couldn't help but feel a burst of sweetness in his heart, and his expression was even more shy, and he was still a little green. Astringent and charming charm.

Xia Houshang is a man in the wind and moon. He can naturally guess one or two of his daughter's thoughts at this moment. He shook his head with a smile and said his intention, especially explaining the important surname of this matter to Cao Pi. I hope Xia Houhui can help him say good things. Since Sun Shao cares about her so much, she should be able to help more or less.

Xiahou Hui moth frowned and poured tea for Xiahou Shang and asked, "Are the two uncles Zihuan and Zijian still fighting?"

Xia Houshang smiled bitterly: "If there is no difference between victory and defeat, how can it end?"

Xia Houhui looked at Xia Hou Shang solemnly: "A Weng, tell me the truth, if Uncle Zihuan becomes the king of Wei, what will he do with Uncle Zijian?"

Xia Houshang opened his mouth, but as soon as he saw Xia Houhui's serious look, he hesitated for a moment. He picked up the teacup and thought about it by drinking tea: "This is a matter of the State of Wei. It's the matter of the Cao family. Why do you worry so much? Besides, is there any other choice for my family?

"I'm not worried about them. I'm worried about you." Xiahou Hui sighed faintly: "I don't know why the king has always had a bad impression of Uncle Zihuan. It is obvious that you are competing with brothers this time. The king must not like it. He is most disgusted with this kind of brotherly wall. If you have to help, it's also more to help Uncle Wen.

Xia Houshang waved his hand and interrupted Xia Houhui's words: "I just know that he has a good relationship with Ziwen, so I came to the palace to you. Can't you help me explain? Son, this is related to my family's future.

"I know, but I'm not sure to convince him." Xia Houhui shook his head helplessly: "He is a kind person, but he will definitely not support Uncle Zihuan to deal with Uncle Zijian, which I can promise you. He never wanted his own people to kill each other. The king of Wu bullied him to that point, and he didn't meet him.

Xiahou Shang's face sank. He felt that things were a little difficult. The reason why Cao Pi asked him to come was that Xiahou Hui was in Yue, but now Xia Houhui did not support Cao Pi, let alone Sun Shao. He said nothing with a gloomy face, and the atmosphere became a little depressing.

Xia Houhui is very embarrassed. She has been with Sun Shao for more than two years. In the past few years, she has experienced a lot of things and heard Sun Shao talk about a lot of things. Her vision is open, and she has invisibly exceeded the previous realm of the rise and fall of a family. Although she doesn't understand why Sun Shao is so disgusted with Cao Pi, she doesn't like it. Cheng Cao Pi took advantage of this opportunity to fight with Cao Zhi. Similarly, she did not want Cao Zhi to fight with Cao Pi in this way. She hoped that her father, Xia Houshang, like the brothers of the Cao family and Sun Shao, would really focus on the foreign expedition, rather than dealing with her own family.

"A Wong, I can't convince him, and I don't want to convince him, but since you are here, you must be on the task. I can't help you. Well, I'll take time to ask him for you to meet. How about what he said?

Although Xia Houshang was very angry, he was reluctant to get angry with his daughter and nodded. Xiahou Hui said and believed it. He quickly said to Sun Shao. After Sun Shao asked about some information, he knew that Yang Xiu and Xiahou Shanglai were exactly as he guessed. The Western Expedition was fake, and the brothers' competition was true. He sighed and then asked Xiahou Hui to invite Xiahou Shang to the palace for an interview.

As soon as they met, Sun Shao came straight to the point and said, "Da Hongqi Kong Jun and Yuanrong have conveyed your meaning to me. I don't support the competition between the Cao brothers."

Xia Houshang was very embarrassed and sat there with a red face.

"Abolish this factor, I also think it's not realistic for you Wei to march to the west alone." Sun Shao's words turned around, "If Cao Zihuan really wants to make contributions, can you tell me what he plans to do? How does he plan to solve the problem of food and fodder? Who is he going to send as a general? What strategy is he going to use? Is he going to fight quickly and cut off some leaders to repay his merit, or do he plan to fight steadily and gradually, truly occupy Xiliang and further occupy the Western Regions?

Xia Hou Shang was stunned and looked up at Sun Shao in surprise. Sun Shao smiled and said, "I don't support the fighting between the Cao brothers. It doesn't mean that I don't approve of their conquest of Liangzhou and the Western Regions. Of course, if Cao Ziwen is going to expel the Xianbei people, I will be even happier.

Xiahou Shang had an idea: "Why does Ziwen have to expel the Xianbei people? I can do it too."

Sun Shao looked at Xia Houshang and patted his head after a while and said, "I forgot, I forgot that the general can indeed conquer Xianbei. By the way, I heard from Yuanrong that His Royal Highness the King of Wei went on an expedition to Liucheng, and you seemed to be among them?

Xiahou Shang stroked his short beard under his jaw, showing a little complament: "When Your Highness conquered Liucheng, I was a military commander and rode more than a thousand horses. That was the time when Ziwen conquered Wuwan, I joined the military in the army. I was also very familiar with the Xianbei people and Wuwan people. There were also several Hu people's skulls hanging next to my saddle."

"Hahaha..." Sun Shao laughed, got up and walked to Xia Houshang, bowed and said, "I'm ashamed. I don't know that my father-in-law is also a hero all the time. He is disrespectful."

Xia Houshang's reaction to Sun Shao was a little surprised, but when he remembered the years of chasing the north, a burst of pride surged up in his chest, laughed loudly, and inadvertently the distance between him and Sun Shao was much closer. The more the two talked, the more enthusiastic they became. Xia Houhui, who was so close that he hid and eavesdropped, was inexplicable. He didn't know how things could develop like this.

"To be honest, Zheng Xiqiang, the State of Wei does not have this strength at present. I can only think that you are fooling me, so I can't sell the sword to you. Whether it's Cao Zhi or Cao Pi, their brothers compete with each other. I can't control it, but if I don't sell the knife to them, I can still make the decision. If you join hands with Cao Ziwen to fight the Xianbei people again, it's nothing to say. I support it to the end. Sun Shao patted his chest and said righteously, "I dare not say that I have the full set of weapons of 5,000 cavalry for you. I still have the ability. There are not only knives, but also halberd and even vests.

"What's the use of a halberd?" Xia Hou Shang smiled and said, "Don't mention ordinary soldiers, even Zhang Zhengdong's Bingzhou iron cavalry, few of them can use spears on the right side. It's good to be able to match the battle knife. It's more than enough to deal with those Xianbei people."

"It's different." Sun Shao squeezed his eyes proudly: "You really have the heart to fight the Xianbei people. I can give you a sharp weapon to ensure that your cavalry is thousands of miles away and more stable than the Xianbei people on the horse."

"Really?" Xiahou is still skeptical.

"Can I lie to you?" Sun Shao laughed and said, "You go back and discuss it first. When will you decide? Tell me when. I will prepare the equipment of 5,000 people. As long as your army is gathered, I will give you the things to you in Youzhou to ensure that you are like a tiger."

When Xiahou Shang saw that Sun Shao was serious, he couldn't help but be moved. If a tiger adds wings, he dare not expect it. It would be amazing to have 5,000 cavalry equipped with Yue's swords. Not only has it much easier to make achievements, but it will be much more powerful to help Cao Pi fight for power in the future.

"Then I will discuss it with Yang Xiu." Xia Hou Shang muttered.

"I have a condition." Sun Shao closed his smile, and Xia Houshang was shocked by his serious look. Then he came to his senses. The King of Yue in front of him was not a fuel-efficient lamp. Be careful when playing tricks in front of him. He asked carefully, "What are the conditions?"

"Yuanrong is here alone and often homesick." Sun Shao had a smile on his face, but there was no smile in his eyes: "Before you want to go on the expedition, send Taichu (Xiahou Xuan) here and let him accompany Yuanrong for a period of time. When will you triumph, when will I send him back?"

Xiahou Shang's face darkened: "Don't you believe me? How dare you ask me to send Taichu here as a hostage?

"It's not." Sun Shaoyi shook his hand and said, "I can trust you, but I can't trust Cao Pi. Besides, I did this to reduce your trouble. With hostages, he will no longer force you to distrust, will he?

Xiahou was still speechless and smiled bitterly in his heart. Sun Shao was really cruel enough. In order not to let them play tricks, he actually put forward such a condition. If Xia Houxuan arrives at Qian Tang, he can only follow the prior agreement to fight the Xianbei people honestly, and can't play any more tricks of stealing beams and pillars. Otherwise, Sun Shao would not have killed his son, but it was completely possible not to let him go back.

"Don't be in a hurry to reply to me. You might as well go back and discuss it first. At the same time, you can also discuss with Yang Xiu to see what he plans to do."

Xia Houshang had no choice but to refuse Sun Shao, but he knew that Cao Pi was likely to agree to Sun Shao's conditions in order to have 5,000 well-equipped cavalry in his hand. As for Yang Xiu and Cao Zhi, they were probably more happy to see it.

"Actually, it's not completely impossible for you to conquer Xiqiang." Seeing that Xiahou was still in a dilemma, Sun Shao changed his words and returned to the issue of Zhengxi Qiang: "I suggest that you cooperate with Shu."

"return to Shu for cooperation?" Xiahou Shang sneered: "How can it be!"

"What's impossible?" Sun Shao said confidently, "Now that the world is safe, it is not appropriate to use swords and soldiers. The front of the western front has stabilized in the Hanzhong area. The State of Shu is powerless to attack the north, and you are also powerless to march south. Instead, it is better to march westward. Don't forget that the general of Shu is my other father-in-law.

Xia Hou Shang looked at Sun Shao like an idiot. You can come up with this idea. I really don't know how your brain is. Wei Shu has fought so many years of war, and Liu Bei was almost killed by Cao Zhi. At this time, he can join hands with the State of Wei in the west. Who believes who? I'm afraid that the front line hasn't started yet, and the rear has begun to fight.

"Are you not interested? It doesn't matter. I'll go to Yang Xiu. He must be interested. Sun Shao was full of confidence. He immediately asked someone to invite Yang Xiu, said this suggestion, and then added: "Considering the contradictions of Wei and Shu for many years, I suggest that this western expedition should be issued by the emperor. Wei and Shu will obey the orders of the generals appointed by the emperor, and the relevant resources of the western front will also be uniformly allocated by the emperor. Our Yue Guo is too far away from Xiqiang. I'm sure I can't send troops, but I can support some supplies. Of course, these supplies are also distributed by the generals sent by the emperor.

Before Yang Xiu could speak, Xia Houshang was shocked into a cold sweat. He found that he had been inadvertently put in by Sun Shao again. Did the emperor send a general to command the Wei and Shu allied forces? Isn't this relationship more complicated? Don't think about it, the emperor must be a hundred willing. As long as he sends a general, and then sends a little army with a symbolic surname, he can get this opportunity. Of course, the strength of the coalition will not fall into his hands, but if he wins, his prestige can be improved. If he loses, it is also Wei Shu who is unlucky. Is it okay not to participate? I'm afraid it won't work either. The emperor marched to the west. Do you sit next to watch? Then you are still shouting about the Western Expedition. It's obvious that it's a lie.

When Xia Hou was still in a cold sweat, Yang Xiu quickly made a decision. He said cautiously, "I don't know if the king of Wei and the king of Shu can agree, but I think this is a good plan. It can not only show the world that although I have four kings in the Han Dynasty, these four kings are the pillars of the Han Dynasty, not The separatted princes can take advantage of the contradiction between this Western Expedition and Wei and Shu to eliminate the misunderstanding between the two sides and truly join hands to create a peaceful and prosperous world.

Xia Hou Shang smiled angrily. Yang Dezu really reads the book well and said it loudly, which is difficult to refute. But the truth is that who doesn't know that you are the prime minister of Luoyang. He is more than 80 years old, and he is still working for the emperor. He is always making suggestions to expand the strength of the emperor. Can he miss such a good opportunity? Sun Shao's idea was not so much for the State of Wei as for the emperor.

"Dezu, this matter is too involved. It's better not to jump to a conclusion too soon." Xia Houshang said sideways, "In my opinion, we'd better send the news back to Yecheng as soon as possible, and it's up to His Royal Highness the King of Yue to decide. As for the emperor and the king of Shu, let His Royal Highness the King of Yue go up. As ministers of the State of Wei, we do not have such power.

Yang Xiu smiled and said, "What the general said is very true. I'm really a little too excited."

Sun Shao's mouth was crooked, and he said that Yang Xiu was bad enough. His opinion was expressed, and then he apologized. There were no three hundred taels of silver here. However, it's okay. This matter is really too broad. It can't be done in a few months. Let them go slowly. I just make time to arrange the affairs of Yue County. After Yu Fan came back from Zhu Ya, he seemed to be stimulated. He made a vow to double the population and rent of Vietnam this year. During this period, he was giving the field boldly. He, the originator, could not just watch the play and not help.

(to be continued)