Shouchun, the residence of the governor of Yangzhou.
After listening to Sima Shi's story, Jiang Ji clapped his hands with a proud look on his face, walked back to his seat calmly, and scooped wine from the wine jar with a spoon.
Sima Shi didn't know what Jiang Ji meant, so he stood in front of the map and waited. Unexpectedly, Jiang Ji drank a cup, smiled and waved to Sima Shi:
"Ziyuan, please sit back down quickly. I have nothing to teach you. With a little guidance, you will know the key points of the war between Wei and Wu. 'Maybe you can accomplish the affairs of the world', it is not an empty statement. Although the court now refutes fame and vanity, He Yan's words are really appropriate."
Sima Shi felt a little embarrassed, and walked back slowly, came to Jiang Ji's desk, and sighed:
"Since the case of Fuhua, I have always been self-righteous and no longer have the spirit I had when I was studying at the Imperial College in Luoyang. When I first came to Yangzhou in the second year of Taihe, I will not hide it from Mr. Jiang, I was still melancholy for a long time. In the past two years, I have been working in Yangzhou, and I have been able to handle all aspects of public affairs and personal relationships. Thanks to Mr. Jiang's support and guidance, I have gained such insights."
"Thank you, Mr. Jiang, for your kindness." Sima Shi bowed and was about to salute.
"Hey, Ziyuan, you are being so formal with me." Jiang Ji stood up and stopped Sima Shi: "Zhongda and I have been friends for many years. If you bow to me like this, then when I meet Zhongda in the future, won't I have to bow to him for the position of Yangzhou governor? There is no need to be so formal!"
"Yes." Sima Shi gradually stood up straight.
"Go back and sit down." Jiang Ji sighed, "Every time I see Ziyuan's talent, I always worry about my own descendants. My eldest son died of an epidemic at an early age, and my youngest son is not as knowledgeable and talented as me. It is often said that 'the grace of a gentleman will be cut off after three generations'. I consider myself a gentleman, but I often feel regretful about this."
"If Ziyuan can become a minister, and if he can become a 2,000-stone official like my Ah Xiu, I will be satisfied in my afterlife."
Jiang Ji's words moved Sima Shi. In this situation, the person in front of him was his elder and superior, so how could Sima Shi not respond?
Sima Shi said quickly: "If that day really comes, let alone letting Ah Xiu become a 2,000-stone official, I will definitely do my best to let Ah Xiu also have the same high position as me."
Sima Shi had no doubts when hearing this. After all, his father had become one of the Three Dukes, and he had started working in the state when he was in his twenties. With such talent and family background, it was not impossible for him to become one of the Three Dukes!
Jiang Ji was clearly the one who was lamenting about his son's future just now, but now he seemed to avoid talking about it as if he didn't care, and instead laughed:
"Fools think about the present, while wise men think about the long term. I can predict for Ziyuan what will happen in Yangzhou in the future. Do you believe it or not?"
Jiang Ji was such a generous person. From another perspective, he never lost out in words or was sharp-tongued. No one else in the state could say such things. He and Chen Qun mostly dealt with official business, and Sima Shi, who was sitting opposite him, was really an excellent person to chat with.
After all, if you want to comment on the world situation, it is more interesting to talk with people of equal intelligence.
Sima Shi nodded seriously and said, "Mr. Jiang's instructions, I will listen attentively."
Jiang Ji said: "Ziyuan, although the task the court has given to Yangzhou this time is quite conservative, another meaning of conservative is practicality. Among the four cities ordered by Chen Situ, I intend to build the one in Dongxing and the one in Qibaoshan first, and build a simple fort for the remaining one. Then mobilize the manpower and material resources in the state to build two cities at the same time in the north of Wu State's Ruxuwu."
Sima Shi nodded and said, "Mr. Jiang's cautious strategy is naturally sound. Dongxing is enough for us to stay in, and Ruxu is the most important."
Jiang Ji added: "If the construction of the four cities goes smoothly, then the territory from Shouchun to Hefei, Hefei to Dongxing, and Dongxing to Ruxu can all become the territory of Wei. Each place is two days away from each other, and Chaohu Lake will also belong to Wei. Then the court will definitely order Yangzhou to build a large navy in Chaohu Lake to prepare for the need to attack Wu in the future."
Sima Shi thought for a moment and said, "If Jiang Gong says so, then Sun Quan's attack on Xiangfan was a major mistake. Sun Quan is a man of great foresight, how could he have missed such a loophole?"
"Flaw?" Jiang Ji shook his head. "If the message from Ruxu reaches Xiangyang, Sun Quan can return in 20 days at the earliest. The state will have to repair the four cities in these 20 days. Nearly 200,000 civilians will be recruited to transport food and grass, transport grass, wood, bricks and stones, and at the same time, they will have to feint to attack Ruxu. The accumulation of three years south of the Huai River will be consumed by more than half in one month. Can ordinary people find this kind of flaw?"
"The Central Government is so wise! I wonder who gave such a good advice to Your Majesty."
Sima Shi nodded and said, "If it is according to Jiang Gong's idea, after these four cities are built, Your Majesty and the court will start to attack Wu?"
Jiang Ji said: "Attacking Wu is not a one-time achievement. If we follow this line of thought, the court will have to face off with Sun Quan in Ruxu and between Jianghuai for a long time. If the attacks and wars continue, your position as the warehouse officer of Yangzhou will become more and more important."
"If my guess is correct, Your Majesty may also stay in Shouchun."
This... is thinking too far ahead?
Sima Shi couldn't help but say, "What is Jiang Gong thinking? Your Majesty hasn't been to Huainan for three years."
Jiang Ji said, "If it is really as I said, your majesty will definitely come. It has been four years since the reign of Emperor Taihe. When it comes to courage to take on responsibilities and not fearing difficulties, your majesty is the most diligent person in the central government. Then Ziyuan's achievements will be shown in front of your majesty." "Ziyuan, seize this opportunity, work harder and more carefully, and you will have a bright future. There are countless talented and virtuous people in the current Wei Dynasty, and family background is not that important. On the contrary, being able to show your face in front of your majesty is the real important thing. Do you understand?"
"Thank you, Mr. Jiang, for your guidance. I understand." Sima Shi nodded repeatedly.
……
At almost the same time, Quan Cong, Bu Zhi, and Pan Jun were also eating and drinking together in the Wu army camp north of Fancheng. The food in the army was certainly not as good as that in Wuchang, but according to the tradition of the Wu Kingdom, King Sun Quan of Wu never feared the luxurious life of his generals and was even happy to see it.
Although the three were in the army, there was no shortage of seasonal vegetables, meat and fish caught in the Han River for the banquet in the tent. Each of them had eight dishes in front of them.
As he drank, Quan Cong could not help but sigh: "Since the start of this campaign, we have besieged Xiangyang and Fancheng for half a month. Fancheng has not been captured yet, but the casualties are not many. Xiangyang has not been captured either, but more than a thousand people were lost outside the city. When I returned to the army this afternoon, I reported today's military situation to the Supreme, but the King of Wu did not say much and let me do everything as usual."
"Tell me, both of you, how should we fight this battle?"
Pan Jun was quick to notice the words "still the old" and asked, "May I ask, Zihuang, what does the word still the old refer to? Which old do you mean?"
Quan Cong drank a bottle of wine, smacked his lips, and said, "It's the same as yesterday. When I reported the battle situation last night, the Supreme ordered me to protect the army."
"Have you talked about Fancheng?" Pan Jun asked.
Quan Cong was stunned, and turned to look at Pan Jun: "I didn't say that. I have some ideas in my mind. You two are both wise men, please share them with me."
"Go ahead, Zihuang." Bu Zhi responded, "The three of us are in the same army, we share weal and woe, there is nothing we can't talk about."
Quan Cong said, "I have a feeling that the Supreme seems to have lost some of his thoughts about Fancheng. Do you two have this feeling?"
Bu Zhi also sighed: "This battle was originally instigated by Sun Jiming. He wanted to take Xiangyang and Fancheng by taking advantage of the overflow of the Han River to prove his success in establishing his throne. But when he brought his entire army here, it was difficult to capture it. The reinforcements from Wei were not far away, so the people in the city had more hope."
Pan Jun sat aside, his cheeks slightly hot. Bu Zhi was an outside general, Quan Cong was also an outside general. But Pan Jun was a general of the central army. When Sun Huan made his suggestion that day, he also went to the palace with Sun Huan to tell him about it.
But after Sun Quan arrived in Xiangyang, he first ordered Sun Huan to attack the counties of Wei along the river, and then turned back to Yuliangzhou, where the entire army was stationed. He never moved Sun Huan's army again, but entrusted the defense of Fancheng to Quan Cong.
Quan Cong sighed, "It's not so bad today. The Wei army didn't make any big moves. The Dengxian army has been outside Fancheng for three days. If they come again tomorrow, it will be the fourth day. If we really fight, how should we fight? Will we still care about the siege of Fancheng? The Supreme Lord didn't say to send more troops for us!"
Pan Jun began to try to make amends: "Perhaps the Crown Prince encountered a surprise attack by the Wei army outside Xiangyang City and was almost in danger, which caused the Supreme General to slow down his offensive a little?"
Bu Zhi ignored Pan Jun's words and continued, "Since the Supreme wants to preserve the army, then you should avoid the battle and try to drive the Wei army away to avoid losing too much of the general's strength. To be honest, no one wants to see the same defeat as three years ago again."
"So?" Quan Cong slammed the wine jar on the table. "What about Fancheng? General Bu, General Pan, you two have nearly 30,000 soldiers with me. If we can't withdraw from the siege, our field force will be no more than 10,000 or less than 20,000. What should we do if we are really defeated?"
After saying that, Quan Cong suddenly stood up from behind the table and said, "No, I want to go see the Supreme right now and hear what the Supreme has to say in person."
Bu Zhi and Pan Jun looked at each other, both of them showing a hint of helplessness. It has come to this point. As generals, how could they not feel Sun Quan's thoughts? It must be that he ran into trouble under the city of Xiangyang, and there were reinforcements from the Wei army in the north, so the Supreme did not want Fancheng anymore! How could the Supreme say such things to his face?
Since Quan Cong wants to go, let him go.
Bu Zhi and Pan Jun also stood up. Bu Zhi bowed slightly to Quan Cong and said, "General Pan and I have the responsibility to besiege the city. We cannot leave without permission. Thank you for troubling Zihuang to make the trip. We will wait for Zihuang to return in this tent."
Pan Jun also said, "It's late at night when sailing, Zihuang, please be careful."
"Okay, I'll be back soon." Quan Cong said this and walked out vigorously. (End of this chapter)
