Liu Zhang gathered civil and military officials to discuss how to deal with the enemy, while Zhang Song took his subordinates to count the money and grain, and first allocated most of the grain and fodder stored in Chengdu and transported them out of the city.
The warehouse officer said, "Chengdu is the seat of the state, and the treasury should be filled to prepare for emergencies. The deputy driver should transport all of it out, just in case..."
Zhang Song rebuked: "The Jingzhou army invaded from three sides, and the defenses of various places were insufficient. At this time, money and food are urgently needed. If the surrounding fortresses are lost, where will Chengdu be?"
The warehouse officer said in embarrassment: "According to the law, the treasury is short of more than half of its money and grain, and it is urgent to replenish it. Should I report it to the lord?"
Zhang Song said angrily, "I was ordered to prepare money and food. How could my lord not know this? How dare you report this to me?"
Cang Cao hurriedly said: "I did not mean that, but this action is illegal and I cannot bear the responsibility."
Zhang Song took out a booklet, stroked his beard and smiled, "Now the prefectures and counties are united in fighting the enemy. All officials and wealthy families should donate money and grain. I have already drawn up a list. Collect money according to the size of the official position and the amount of land, and add it to the treasury."
The warehouse officer took the book and flipped through it quickly. He was shocked: "My dear, these are all famous families in the county. I'm afraid..."
Zhang Song said coldly, "Yizhou is in danger, and all the people should contribute. Those on the list are those who strongly advocate going to war, and they should set an example. I will act according to the will of the lord, and I have the official seal, so you don't have to worry. Anyone who dares to disobey the order will be treated as a traitor and surrender to the enemy. He will be thrown into prison first and I will personally interrogate him."
The warehouse official looked carefully again and saw that there was indeed a big seal on it, and the first family to be collected was Zhang Song himself. He had no more words to say, and immediately summoned the officials to collect grain according to the list.
Watching the officers and soldiers go out one after another, Zhang Song sneered: "Fa Xiaozhi's plan is really brilliant. Since you are in favor of war, you just talk big and let the soldiers fight bloody battles. How can you be worthy of the people who suffer if you don't bleed a little?"
In Zhang Song's opinion, Wang Lei and others were all seeking fame and pretending to be loyal and good. Even if someone really wanted to protect his master, he was using public property to build his own achievements.
Once their own interests are involved, everyone will hesitate. Even if someone is selfless, family members will oppose it, and he will not be able to stand up for justice.
This move is intended to dampen the enthusiasm of the war faction and cause them to cause dissatisfaction within the country. As long as there is internal unrest, they can take advantage of the situation to fish in troubled waters.
Zhang Song was chosen to be the head of the family, not to set an example, but because his brother Zhang Su had accused him in public many times, calling him a traitor and even threatening to remove him from the family tree.
Since your brother is ruthless, don't blame him for being ungrateful. The money and grain donated by the Zhang family is more than the sum of the money and grain donated by other officials. Not only does he set an example and leave others speechless, he also avenges personal grudges, killing two birds with one stone.
Anyway, those properties did not belong to him, and Zhang Song was not interested in them. He could just wait until Liu Qi took control of Yizhou and then set up his own business.
…
Liu Qi captured Hanzhong and took advantage of the victory to enter Yizhou. When the news reached Chencang, Cao Cao, who was feasting civil and military officials, was shocked and spilled most of the wine in his cup.
Cao Hong asked, "Why did the Prime Minister lose his composure?"
Cao Cao sighed and said, "If Liu Qi, my dear son, had stayed in Jingzhou and his father had been unable to expand his territory, I would not have worried about him! Taking Hanzhong now would only be the icing on the cake. However, this son did not make any effort to seize Yizhou. If he took the two Sichuan provinces, it would be like a dragon returning to the sea or a tiger returning to the mountains. He would be a greater threat than Sun Quan and Ma Chao."
Cao Hong said angrily, "Liu Qi is such a greedy boy. Since he is a threat to the Prime Minister, why don't you use the victorious army to take Shu and counterattack Liu Qi?"
Cao Cao shook his head and said, "Yizhou is a dangerous place. Xiliang is not settled yet, so we cannot attack it hastily."
Xiahou Yuan said: "Liu Qi has just taken Hanzhong and has not yet established a firm foothold. Why don't you send troops to attack him and cut off his rear first? Liu Qi has no way to advance or retreat, and will surely fight to the death. When the two Lius are both defeated, Yizhou may be taken in one fell swoop!"
"Hmm?" Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and couldn't help feeling excited.
Liu Qi's threat is far greater than Ma Chao's. If he is allowed to take Yizhou and become powerful, he will ally with Ma Chao in the west and Sun Quan in the east, and the consequences will be disastrous.
After thinking it over, he finally sighed: "Ma Chao has been badly defeated. We should take this opportunity to eliminate him in one fell swoop. Otherwise, he will revive and collude with Liu Qi, which will surely be a great threat to Guanzhong. Han Sui has not yet withdrawn his troops. We must not split our forces rashly, otherwise all our previous efforts will be wasted!"
Xiahou Yuan requested the order, saying, "Prime Minister, just go and capture Ma Chao. I only need 20,000 elite soldiers to pacify Hanzhong and capture Liu Qi, thus relieving the Prime Minister's worries."
During the Battle of Nanyang, Xiahou Yuan was guarding Xuzhou. Upon hearing that Liu Qi had captured clan generals many times and suffered humiliation from him, he vowed to take revenge.
While he was hesitating, someone suddenly reported that Han Sui had sent his general Yang Qiu to meet him. It turned out that Han Sui saw that Ma Chao was defeated and could not hold on alone, and it was late autumn and the food was running out, so he was willing to cede land and ask for peace, and the two families would withdraw their troops.
Cao Cao ordered Han Hao to prepare a banquet to accompany him, and discussed countermeasures with Xun You and others, saying: "Ma Chao fled to Xiliang. The land is vast and the road is long. It will not be defeated overnight. I have no intention of pursuing him. I bluffed only to attack Han Sui and eliminate this great threat. Now Han Sui has taken the initiative to seek peace. What do you think?"
Xun Youyan asked, "Prime Minister, do you still remember Feng Xiao's plan to pacify Liaodong?"
"I have engraved every word of Fengxiao's words in my heart!" Cao Cao sighed, his eyes narrowed slightly: "Gongda's intention is to let Han Sui go and use a sowing of dissenters?"
Xun You nodded and said, "Prime Minister, you can confer titles on Han Sui and allow his people to station in Hexi. Han Sui has been planning to establish himself since he started his army, so he will surely be tempted. Ma Chao will also be suspicious when he sees Han Sui withdraw his troops safely and is promoted. At this time, send someone to spread rumors that the Prime Minister secretly ordered Han Sui to kill Ma Chao and promised him the title of Lord of Xiliang. As long as Han and Ma are suspicious of each other and fight, the Governor of Liangzhou can also defeat them."
Cao Cao was overjoyed and rewarded Yang Qiu handsomely. He praised Han Sui for his sensible thinking and told him to withdraw his troops without worry and he would report to the emperor for the reward. As long as Ma Er did not come to cause trouble, the two families would live in peace.
After sending Yang Qiu away, Cao Cao immediately recommended Han Sui as General-in-Chief and Marquis of Zhangye, and Yang Qiu and Li Kan as prefects of Jiuquan and Wuwei, to be in charge of all military affairs in Xiliang, eliminate violence, bring peace to the people, and stabilize the territory.
Xiahou Yuan could not wait to say: "The morale of the army is high and the army is ready. Since there is no need to attack Xiliang, why not march into Hanzhong?"
Cao Cao let out a long sigh, put his hands behind his back and looked towards Qinling Mountains, and laughed: "This is a God-given opportunity, how can we not seize it? I will personally lead the expedition to Hanzhong."
When the army was about to set out, Xiahou Mi suddenly sent someone to deliver a secret report that most of the Jiangdong navy had come out of the East China Sea and their movements were unknown. It was feared that they intended to attack Huainan from the sea.
Xiahou Yuan said disdainfully: "Zilin is a good talker and a bad worker. He only cares about making money and has no knowledge of military and national affairs. His words cannot be trusted."
Cao Cao shook his head and said, "Zilin reported earlier that Liu Qi intended to take Hanzhong, but we all refused to believe it. Now Hanzhong is in his hands. Jiangdong has been quiet since the Battle of Ruxu. Zhou Yu's behavior is extremely suspicious. This is probably the case."
Generals such as Xiahou Ba were anxious to take Hanzhong and urged the emperor to do so, saying that Hanzhong was close at hand and Liu Qi had penetrated deep into Shu territory. If they did not take it now, when would they take it
While they were arguing, Zhang Liao sent someone to deliver an urgent report that Guan Yu was leading his troops north and was training in the Bowangpo area, and his behavior was suspicious.
Xun You said in surprise: "This must be a tactic of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west. In order to support Dongwu's actions, the Prime Minister needs to take precautions early. If Huainan is lost, the Central Plains will be shaken!"
Cao Cao did not expect that the battle of Hanzhong would end before it even began. He sighed with regret, "This is the worst case scenario, isn't it?"
He then ordered the troops to return to the capital, leaving Han Hao to guard Chencang, Xiahou Yuan to station troops in Chang'an, and appointed Du Xi as the prefect of Jingzhao to help Xiahou Yuan defend Guanzhong.