Chapter 1184 The ultimate goal
I heard that in his early years, Sun Quan asked Lu Xun to guard Wuchang, and half of the land west of Yuzhang County was handed over to Lu Xun.
He even left one of his own seals for Lu Xun so that he could act on his behalf.
As for the letters Sun Quan sent from Jianye to Shu, they were often read by Lu Xun first to see if there was anything wrong with them.
It can be said that during the time when he and the Crown Prince of Wu were guarding Wuchang, Lu Xun reached the peak of Sun Quan's trust and the peak of his power.
But after Prince Sun Deng went to Jianye, the situation took a turn for the worse.
Perhaps the prince was not in Wuchang, so Sun Quan was a little worried about Lu Xun.
Perhaps Lu Yi’s greedy words are really useful.
Anyway, according to the intelligence collected by the Han Dynasty from various channels, over the years, although Sun Quan has not made any obvious expression on the surface.
I don’t know if he took back the seal he left with Lu Xun.
But there are various signs that Sun Quan has indeed gradually lost trust in Lu Xun.
Feng Duhu, who has been deployed in Soochow for more than ten years, naturally knows this.
So, if Lu Xun dared to send a secret envoy privately, it would be equivalent to handing the life and death decision into the hands of the big man.
With Lu Xun’s personality, he would not do such a thing.
Feng Duhu had countless thoughts flashing through him in an instant, and he asked:
“May I ask the queen, who sent this secret envoy from Wu State? And for what purpose?”
The queen glanced at Feng Duhu slightly strangely:
“The secret envoy of Wu State was naturally sent by Sun Quan.”
“How could it be starting from Jingzhou?”
"I don't dare to talk lightly about this matter of the Wu Kingdom. That's why I came to see Zhongdu Huer."
The queen shook her head and took out a letter:
"As for what happened, it would be better for the Central Protector to read this letter first, and then I will explain it in detail to the Central Protector."
Feng Duhu was even more surprised. He took the letter from the Queen and read it, and couldn't help but say "Eh":
“Why did Lu Xun write to me?”
As soon as these words came out, the ladies on the left and right subconsciously turned their eyes.
Feng Duhu took out the letter and muttered in his heart:
Could it be that it was because of himself that history went so wrong that Lu Xun wanted to be a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty?
The beginning of this letter is extremely polite: "The right hussar general of the Han Dynasty, Feng Zhongdu protects the honor."
“Zhongdu Protector’s Wen spreads all over the world, and his military power shakes China, and everyone in the world hears about it. What a majestic name! Although he is located in the corner of the southeast, he is like thunder piercing his ears, and his heart has been admiring him for a long time.”
"As soon as the Central Protector came out of the mountain, he planned to attack the Southern Barbarians. When he first came out of Qishan, he defeated Zhang He..."
The letter begins with humble words, and then goes on to enumerate the achievements Feng Duhu has achieved over the years and express his praise.
Although he knew that this was Lu Xun's deliberate attempt to please, Feng Duhu's face felt a little heated, and at the same time he had to admit that he was indeed feeling a little uneasy in his heart.
After all, what Lu Xun said can be regarded as facts.
More importantly, this is Lu Xun.
Lu Xun, a famous scholar and general during the Three Kingdoms period.
After reading the letter, Feng Duhu raised his head, with an involuntary smile on his lips.
He looked at the queen:
“Does the Queen know what Lu Xun said in the letter?”
“This is a letter written by the great general of the state of Wu personally to my right hussar general of the Han Dynasty. How dare I read it privately?”
Feng Duhu showed the letter to the queen and his wife, and said with a smile:
"Lu Xun is sixty, right? The words in this letter are too self-deprecating."
“Not sixty, but almost.”
After the queen finished reading, her face also showed a look of surprise, and then she seemed to have thought of something, and shook her head with a smile:
"Although Lu Xun's move was somewhat self-deprecating, as the Protector of the Central Government, he may not be able to bear such words."
Mrs. Zuo, on the other hand, had a grim look on her face after reading the letter:
“Lu Xun’s letter reminded me of something.”
Madam You asked: "But what happened in Jingzhou back then?"
Mrs. Zuo’s eyes flashed coldly and she was speechless.
But her look said it all.
At that time, Lu Xun and Lu Meng conspired to invade Jingzhou. Lu Meng pretended to be ill, while Lu Xun wrote a letter to paralyze the old monarch Guan, and his words were extremely humble.
The Lord Guan Laojun finally fell into the trap and thought that Lu Xun had nothing to worry about, so he transferred the rear troops guarding Soochow to the front line of Xiangfan.
What happened next is well known to the world and needs no further explanation.
“Now who doesn’t know that Lu Xun is the person who knows the military situation best in Wu State? In my opinion, he is writing this letter with a bit of sincerity.”
The Queen disagreed with Mrs. Zuo's words, with a faint smile on her face:
"In my opinion, his move is more like trying to save others by himself, for fear that the powerful Han might want to take advantage of the conflict between Wu and Wei, break the alliance, and take advantage of it like they did in the Wu Kingdom."
Hearing this, Feng Duhu couldn't help but glance at the queen.
do not you?
This time we agreed to send troops together with the State of Wu to attack the Wei thieves.
We were once again asked to mobilize troops and generals on a large scale to the east of Hedong. As the appointed time approached, they again mobilized the imperial army to enter Hedong.
The commotion was so loud that veterans like Feng Duhu, who had led troops for many years, thought it was because the royal family was determined to let Wei Yan do some micro-management.
Who would have expected that after the war had started for so long, Wei Yan actually led the army to camp under the Gaodu Pass, and only asked the engineering battalion to throw stones at the mountain every day.
Feng Duhu did not know how many casualties the Wei army suffered at the pass, but the casualties of the Han army were basically less than a hundred.
It is wrong to say casualties, it should be only injured but not killed.
Most of the injuries were caused by bruises and bruises caused by various reasons, and some were accidentally dropped from horses by the Imperial Guards during horse racing in Hedong. As for the other half, someone in the army got sick.
So, isn’t this an obvious way of defrauding someone else’s grandson of one hundred thousand yuan?
However, the way of heaven is easy to reincarnate, and Sun Wu's current situation is entirely his own fault. Who can God spare?
Feng Duhu naturally did not dare to say these words in front of the queen.
After all, the royal family may not have other intentions in this matter.
It’s hard to say anyway.
Feng Duhu touched his chin:
“So, when Lu Xun sent the secret envoy, he really wanted to urge us to increase our troop dispatch?”
The right lady nodded thoughtfully: "That should be the meaning..."
Mrs. Zuo snorted coldly:
"Based on such a letter, you want the Han generals and the left and right hussars to dispatch together? This Lu Xun is so proud!"
Lu Xun’s letter was not just to praise Feng Zhongduhu, but also made a request:
Requesting Feng Zhongduhu to lead troops out of Wuguan to threaten Wancheng.
Knowing that Lu Xun was one of the enemies of the Guan family, the Queen did not mind Mrs. Zuo's somewhat fierce words.
She just looked at Protector Feng Zhong:
"I intend to agree to Lu Xun's request and ask the Central Protector to lead the army to Wuguan."
The right lady was a little confused: "Why?"
Feng Duhu didn't speak. He glanced at the queen in surprise.
Mrs. Zuo frowned.
The right lady looked at the Queen, as if waiting for the Queen's explanation.
“Because the secret envoy of Wu State also brought a letter from Sun Quan, in which he promised something.”
"Sun Quan planned to give the land of Youzhou to the Han Dynasty, and only asked the Central Protector to lead the army out of Wuguan."
“Hiss!”
Feng Duhu's eyes widened.
“Is this true?”
"How dare you lie about such a big thing?"
At that time, Han and Wu agreed to divide the world equally, and Yong, Liang, Bing, Ji, and Yan returned to the Han.
As for Youzhou, which is also part of Hebei Province, Wu State must hold it in its hands.
Hearing the Queen’s words at this time, the right lady murmured:
"So, if Alang leads the army to Wuguan, it is worth a state? What is the purpose of Wu Guo?"
The queen took out a breath, nodded and said:
"Yes, the Wu people have plans. Your Majesty and I discussed it last night, and now we have some idea of it, but I'm still not sure. So this is what I came here today to discuss with the Central Protector."
The room suddenly became quiet.
Yes, for Lu Xun to lower his stature so low, and for the Wu people to make such a big concession, there must be something up his sleeve, and it must be a very big one.
Feng Duhu only felt that there was something wrong with this matter, but he couldn't think of it for a while:
“Queen, please try to speak.”
"With the reputation of the Central Protector, if we lead the army out of Wuguan at this time, we must have Wei thieves from Wancheng..."
"Xiangyang!" Before the queen could finish her words, Mrs. Zuo, who had the most military talent, exclaimed, "Lu Xun is planning to capture Xiangyang!"
The Queen slapped the table vigorously and turned to look at Mrs. Zuo.
There was a hint of sympathy in his eyes, and there was admiration in his tone:
"That's right! I think so too. Lu Xun's move must be to use the reputation of the Central Protector to mobilize the Wei army in Wancheng."
“In this way, the Wei thieves will have to weaken Xiangyang’s defense, and then he can wait for an opportunity to attack Xiangyang.”
Lu Xun has never shown his face. If Feng Duhu personally leads the army out of Wuguan, the Wei thieves in Wancheng will definitely focus on the west and ignore the south.
Coupled with the ongoing fighting in Pizhong in the south, it attracted most of the attention of the Wei army in Jingzhou.
Not to mention that Sun Quan from the southeast personally led the army northward.
Under such circumstances, Lu Xun unexpectedly led his troops to attack Xiangyang, and there was indeed a high probability that he would be able to capture Xiangyang.
“Can we only say that he is worthy of being Lu Xun?”
Feng Duhu took a deep breath and couldn't help showing a look of shock on his face.
Although he didn’t know how the war was going in the Jianghuai area in the southeast, Feng Duhu intuitively believed that Xiangyang was Wu’s ultimate goal in this battle.
“So, the Wu State actually used the entire southeastern Jianghuai War as a feint attack this time?”
What a big deal!
“Exchange a state for a city?”
What a great courage!
Having deduced the Wu people’s plan, the Queen became more open-minded:
"Now that things have happened, with the power of the world, even if the Wu people don't want to change, I'm afraid they won't be able to do it."
When the two countries established an alliance, Wu's national strength seemed to be stronger than that of Han.
So based on the situation at that time, if the Han State could succeed in the Northern Expedition, there was no reason why the Wu State could not succeed.
If the Han Dynasty can return its old capital and gain Guanzhong, then under normal circumstances, the Wu Kingdom should be able to drink by the Ma River.
If the Han State further took over Hebei, then the Wu State must have included all of the Central Plains.
There is nothing wrong with exchanging Yanzhou for Youzhou when the time comes.
But who could have expected that the world would become what it is today?
Han was ready to attack Hebei, but Wu still had not made the slightest advance.
What will I exchange for Youzhou?
Hands in vain to say that this was what was agreed upon in the first place?
No matter how much Han kept his word, Wu still had to be able to send people to receive it.
“That’s true, but I can’t say that this is Wu’s last move.”
"Their plan is that even if they cannot march into the Central Plains, they can still defend Xiangyang. Therefore, they are determined to win Xiangyang."
The three most knowledgeable and top-notch women in the Han Dynasty gathered together and deduced the possible plans of the Wu Kingdom through your words.
Although it is not absolutely correct, at least the general direction should be roughly the same.
Finally the queen looked at Feng Duhu:
“So Zhongduhu thinks it’s time to take the troops to Wuguan?”
Feng Duhu did not answer immediately, but just said:
“Queen, please allow me to think about it.”
Concerning the future changes in the situation of the Han, Wei and Wu kingdoms, it is indeed necessary to carefully weigh them.
“I always feel that Wu State is taking advantage of the Han Dynasty.”
Mrs. Zuo was a little dissatisfied, "They gave up a Youzhou that they couldn't get in the first place, but they asked the big man to help them get the important land of Xiangyang."
"You can't say that," the queen shook her head in disapproval, "righteousness and honor are still very important."
"We agreed to allocate Youzhou to the State of Wu. At that time, it was the land of the emperor and the empress of heaven, and it was used to advertise to the world."
At this point, the big man has already taken the greatest initiative.
It is enough to just go on step by step and in an upright manner.
There is no need to imitate the Wu people and bear the name of treachery for nothing and let the world criticize them.
“And it’s not easy for us to take the land of Xiangyang.”
There is still Wancheng between Wuguan and Xiangyang.
If the Han Dynasty sends troops to capture Wancheng in the future, then the Wu people will definitely take the opportunity to capture Xiangyang.
Feng Duhu finally sighed:
“But if this is the case, and the Wu people are allowed to take Xiangyang, then the Han Dynasty will probably not be able to go to Wancheng to take Xuchang in the future.”
After all, Wancheng is located in a plain and there is no danger to defend it.
If not, Cao Cao would not have been so frightened that he almost wanted to move the capital after he determined that Guan Laojun was going to conquer Xiangfan.
If the Han wanted to attack Xuchang via Wancheng in the future, it would be equivalent to exposing the rear of the army to the Wu army again.
Who knows when that time comes, Wu Ren will not be able to help but stab him in the back again?
"If you want to capture Wancheng, you must control Xiangyang at the same time. If Xiangyang is not defended, Wancheng will also be difficult to secure."
When the queen heard that Feng Duhu wanted to capture Xuchang from Wuguan, her eyes lit up, but she soon sighed:
“Is there such a thing as having your cake and eat it too?”
Feng Duhu subconsciously glanced at Madam Zuo.
Who says there isn’t?
Haven’t I got both?
"In this way, the Wu people's plan may not be intentional, forcing us to lose one way to destroy Wei."
Mrs. You doesn’t know much about military affairs, but she understands people’s hearts.
She thought for a moment and guessed another possible intention of Wu State to seize Xiangyang.
If you can’t go south, then you can only go north.
In this way, not only will Wu Guo have more time, but he will also have more choices.
They controlled the way for the Han Dynasty to destroy the Wei State from the south. If the Han Dynasty took Hebei and crossed the river from the north to the south, Wu State might not be able to take advantage of it from the south.
"That makes sense." The queen nodded, "I didn't expect this."
She looked at Feng Duhu:
"The secret envoy of Wu State has been waiting for news. Time is running out. The Central Protector must make a decision as soon as possible."
(End of this chapter)