Seeing Ma Teng's reaction, Sun Qian felt relieved. Just as Liu Qi had expected, the father and son Ma were brave but not wise, and they failed to see through Cao Cao's conspiracy.
"I am here to ask you to follow the example of our ancestor, General Fubo, to restore the Han Dynasty and build a great cause together!"
Ma Teng clasped his fists and said, "I am devoted to the country and would like to wipe out the whales and pacify the country for the Han Dynasty. However, Cao Cao has many good generals and millions of infantry and cavalry, so it is difficult to compete with him. Master Liu won a great victory in Nanyang, but he did not hurt Cao the thief at all. Do you have any good strategy?"
Sun Qian said: "Cao Cao is monopolizing power and his power is already established. If we don't destroy him soon, all the princes will be like Lu Bu and Yuan Shao. Only by working together can we defeat Cao Cao! Now General Liu has risen in Nanyang, and you are supporting him in Xiliang, just like when Emperor Guangwu revived the Han Dynasty, General Fubo helped him. Together, we will achieve the great cause of rejuvenation. Isn't this the will of heaven?"
Ma Teng's eyes lit up at these words, and he clapped his thigh and laughed, "Sir, you are absolutely right. Cao is as tyrannical as Wang Mang. We should get rid of him for the country."
Although Ma Teng claimed to be the descendant of General Fubo Ma Yuan, many people did not agree with him. This was always a concern for him. If he could really conquer the world like Ma Yuan and become the second General Fubo, who would dare to question him
Sun Qian said with a smile: "If the general can lead the troops of Xiliang to attack Cao's right, General Liu should lead the troops of Jingxiang to advance into the Central Plains. Sun Quan of Jiangdong has been at odds with Cao and has been planning to attack Huainan for a long time. When he sees me sending troops, he will definitely take the opportunity to go north. If the three routes attack at the same time, the traitor Cao can be captured, the traitors can be destroyed, and the Han Dynasty can be revived!"
"Great plan!" Ma Teng was delighted and sneered, "Although Cao is powerful, he can't stop the three-pronged attack. This move will surely make it difficult for him to protect both ends and turn him into ashes."
Sun Qian said: "Now that General Liu has taken Wuguan, he is holding the throat of Guanzhong. Cao's army will surely march in a big way to retake this place. After the spring comes, all the troops in Chang'an will be out. General, you can take the opportunity to take Chang'an."
Ma Teng asked, "The thief Cao has sent Cao Hong to Chang'an and sent troops to attack Wuguan. How about sending troops now?"
Sun Qian shook his head and said, "It is freezing cold, Cao's army may not mobilize all of its troops. General Liu has his own strategy to resist the enemy. When the spring comes next year, Cao's army will attack the pass in a big way. General Liu will pretend to march to Yangping Pass, train the troops and horses, and prepare enough food and grass. The cavalry can reach Chang'an from Chencang overnight, and break the city with thunder and lightning, and then great things can be accomplished!"
"Sir, that's a good idea!" Ma Teng couldn't help himself and raised his glass, saying, "I am willing to help General Liu restore the Han Dynasty, even if I die."
Regardless of how the defeat of Cao would unfold in the future, with Liu Qi taking Chang'an, he would have a foothold and no longer have to fear Cao Cao and be bullied by him.
Sun Qian added: "Although the general and Han Sui have stopped fighting, they are still at odds. Han Sui is willing to join forces with Cao Cao. The general will send troops to Chang'an, but he must also be on guard against Xiliang."
"Sir, you worry too much!" Ma Teng laughed and said, "My son Ma Chao has the potential to be a great general. He will guard Xiliang. No one dares to disobey him!"
"I have also heard of the name of Jin Ma Chao for a long time!" Sun Qian completed the task and took out another brocade bag: "General Liu ordered me to bring a brocade bag. If the general encounters obstacles when taking Chang'an, he can open it and read it. If he acts according to the plan, he will surely succeed."
"Thank you!" Although Ma Teng was disdainful in his heart, he thought it was Liu Qi's kind gesture after all, so he took it with both hands and ordered Ma Xiu to prepare a welcoming banquet.
Sun Qian said, "I came here in secret, and must not make it public. If Cao's spies find out, all my efforts will be wasted. When you take Chang'an, General Liu will come to meet you. It won't be too late to get drunk then!"
Ma Teng clasped his fists and said, "It's a deal!"
Sun Qian stood up to say goodbye, and suddenly said, "General Liu has a message for you before he leaves."
Ma Teng smiled and said, "I'm all ears!"
Sun Qian said slowly: "Winter has arrived, how far is spring?"
Ma Teng was startled, then nodded and said, "Thank you for your advice!"
In fact, what Liu Qi said was: Winter is here, can spring be far behind
Although this statement contained some truth, Sun Qian felt that it was too straightforward and it would be beneath his dignity to say it out loud.
After seeing Sun Qian off, Ma Teng stuffed the brocade bag into Ma Tie's hand and said, "Keep this item safe and return it to Liu Qi when you meet him in the future."
Ma Tie asked curiously, "Father, why don't you open it and take a look first?"
Ma Teng sneered, "Liu Qi was lucky enough to win against Cao Cao, so he thinks he is right. Young people are really too arrogant. It is easy for me to take Chang'an. Why do I need the guidance of a young boy? Once we are separated, no matter what the strategy is, taking Chang'an is not Liu Qi's achievement."
…
There was wind and snow in Guanzhong, and the clouds were unpredictable, but the sun was shining brightly in the south of the Yangtze River, and the city of Xiangyang was full of joy.
In half a month, it will be Liu Qi's wedding day. He was suppressed and depressed half a year ago, but suddenly became famous all over the world. Such an inspirational story has also become the object of admiration for young people in Jingzhou.
Just as Liu Qi said: A golden fish cannot stay in a pond; it will turn into a dragon when encountering wind and clouds.
People who are not successful use this to encourage themselves and wait patiently for the opportunity. The many recent initiatives in Jingzhou have allowed many talented people to give full play to their abilities. As long as they have real talent and knowledge, they can stand out.
In particular, carpenters, blacksmiths, painters and other people with special skills were all recruited into the government. Not only were they paid monthly salaries, but they were also given higher official positions. It was like a dream.
On this day, Liu Qi was discussing the matter of getting married with Kuai Liang. According to the etiquette of the princes and various courteous exchanges, it would have to wait three years.
But Liu Biao's health was deteriorating, and the war was tense, so he kept things simple and wanted to get married as soon as possible, hoping to have a grandson.
Zhuge Liang strode in and said with a loud smile: "Congratulations, General, on your double happiness."
Liu Qi wondered, "Where does the other happiness come from?"
Zhuge Liang took out a letter and said, "My brother has written to me from Jiangdong, saying that he wants to come and visit my brothers and sisters. I heard that the general is getting married, and Lu Su has also come to congratulate him. The anti-Cao alliance has been formed. Isn't this a good thing?"
Liu Qi was startled, and Kuai Liang asked in confusion: "Liu Mu and Sun Quan have a grudge against each other for killing their fathers, so why would he send someone to congratulate? Could it be that he is a weasel wishing a happy new year to a chicken, with ulterior motives?"
Zhuge Liang laughed and said, "Zhizhong is wrong! Lu Su came here with the intention of forming a marriage alliance. It must be that Sun Quan intends to join forces with the general to fight against Cao."
"We need a marriage alliance?" Liu Qi was a little confused and asked in astonishment, "Who?"
"Of course it has to be the general!" Zhuge Liang said with emotion: "Dongwu originally wanted to take over Jingzhou, but the battle of Nanyang was enough to make them afraid. If they fail to take it, they will come to join forces. This is the only way to ensure the stability of Jiangdong."
"Uh..." Liu Qi shook his head and laughed, "This really is the case of a weak country having no diplomacy!"
Liu Biao was guarding Jingzhou, Liu Bei was secretly coveting it, Cao Cao was determined to obtain it, Sun Quan was aggressive, and even Zhang Xian of Changsha and Zhang Jin of Jiaozhi were ready to rise up in rebellion.
In order to occupy Jiangxia, Sun Quan used the excuse of avenging his father to send troops many times, bullying Huang Zu and his descendants who had no support.
In fact, Sun Jian had been dead for more than ten years, and his body had turned to ashes. However, Sun Ce was assassinated, and his body was still warm, but no one cared about it. It was clearly a case of taking advantage of his power to bully others.
Now seeing that Liu Qi was strong and Guan Yu was guarding Jiangxia, the people of Soochow felt guilty and, having made things worse, they offended Cao Cao and had no choice but to compromise and form an alliance.
In fact, isn't it true that human relationships and worldly practices are all about bullying the weak and fearing the strong
When you have no strength, anyone can step on you. But once you have power and status, you will be surrounded by close friends and good brothers.
It is true: A poor person living in a busy city has no one to care about him, but a rich person living in a remote mountain area has distant relatives.
If you don’t believe it, just look at the wine at the banquet. The rich are always served first.