Chapter 241 Cheng Pu, do you understand my good intentions?

Luoyang.

In the absence of Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao's various appointments were quickly approved and implemented.

Yuan Shao himself was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry.

The young emperor Liu Xie took the opportunity to smuggle some private goods and sent someone to give Jin Mao the title of General of Cavalry, but the title was stopped halfway and ultimately never reached Jin Mao.

No matter whether it was Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao or the aristocratic families in the court, no one was willing to watch Jinmao grow indefinitely.

Therefore, any appointment from Liu Xie would not fall into Jin Mao's hands.

Otani Pass.

When Dong Zhuo learned that Jin Mao had reunited with Sun Jian, he couldn't sleep all night.

Even though Dong Zhuo knew that Jin Mao had only 30,000 soldiers and few cavalry, he was still worried.

It was not for any other reason, but that Dong Zhuo was reluctant to part with his 30,000 elite cavalry, even if it meant the loss of a thousand men.

These are all his treasures!

Fortunately, after Lu Bu's unremitting efforts, the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry finally gathered more than 3,000 cavalry.

Dong Zhuo immediately appointed Lu Bu as General of the Central Army, and made him the governor of 3,000 Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry and 3,000 infantry.

A total of 6,000 infantry and cavalry went as the vanguard to fight against Sun Jian and Jin Mao.

The second year of Chuping (191), the first day of the first lunar month, the Spring Festival.

After Cheng Pu defeated Yuan Shu by pretending to surrender through self-torture, he received his reward from Jin Mao and another New Year passed.

In this battle, Cheng Pu was unlucky and did not catch any big fish, only some small fry.

However, Jinmao still warmly welcomed Cheng Pu.

As for Jin Mao's attitude when Cheng Pu talked about Sun Jian, it is intriguing.

Every time Cheng Pu recalled the scene at that time, he felt that the envoy's cunning had become even more profound.

"Virtue and counsel, if one is not in a position to do so, do not meddle in politics."

At that time, Jinmao was attending a dinner party, and Cheng Pu was sitting in the first seat on Jinmao's right, just when everyone was in the highest spirits.

Jin Mao did not express his attitude towards Sun Jian. Instead, he advised Cheng Pu: "Why should a minister like you take on the responsibility that the Lord should have?"

"You, just enjoy your wine and meat."

"Or you can stay here with me and recover from your injuries. It won't be too late to go back later."

Cheng Pu was drunk and spoke those nice words for his master, Gongsun Jian, so he didn't understand the deeper meaning of Jin Mao's words.

It was not until the next day, which was the Spring Festival, when his subordinates came to ask him when he would go back that Cheng Pu recalled the scene of the previous night.

"The envoy is blaming the lord!" Cheng Pu thought to himself that something was wrong, so he hurried to the temporary governor's mansion to pay a visit to Jin Mao.

Unfortunately, Jinmao was busy with many things, so he had already gone to visit the troops with his civil and military officials to comfort them.

It was not until the evening, when it was almost dark, that Jinmao and others returned.

Cheng Pu stayed here the whole day without leaving, and the injury on his back had not healed yet, and he almost got sick from lying down.

"Demou, why are you here?"

"Is there a problem?"

Cheng Pu wanted to be polite, but when the words came to his lips, he turned into another scene: "Sir, my lord Sun Yuzhou is still starving in Yangcheng, how can I enjoy myself here?"

Jin Mao had been comforting people for the whole day, and his face was numb from smiling. How could he have the energy to smile? He said sullenly, "Demou, if you have anything to say, let's talk tomorrow. I'm tired."

Originally, this was the most normal thing to say, but to Cheng Pu, it meant: "I hate what your Lord Sun Jian did, so you better take care of yourself."

Seeing Jin Mao entering the mansion without looking back, Cheng Pu felt even more sad.

I thought defeating Yuan Shu would add some impression points to Sun Jian, but I didn't expect that he himself gained a lot of points, which was of no use to Sun Jian!

"If this continues, the lord will be in trouble sooner or later."

Cheng Pu realized the seriousness of the problem, and he made up his mind. He endured the pain, got off the carriage, and knelt outside the door.

Among the gate guards was a member of the imperial guards, who was very familiar with Cheng Pu. Upon seeing this, he immediately stepped forward and asked, "Sir Cheng, what do you mean?"

In the eyes of the Imperial Guards, Cheng Pu was the Cavalry Sima.

Hearing this title, Cheng Pu felt warm in his heart. He held the soldier's hand and said, "Please inform him that Cheng Pu, a deputy general under the Yuzhou governor, wants to see you."

By asking for a meeting directly by mentioning his official title, Cheng Pu meant to discuss serious matters.

He was afraid that if he delayed any further, the relationship between the two families would deteriorate and there would be no going back.

"Sima Cheng, you get up first!"

However, no matter how hard the guards pulled him, Cheng Pu just lay on the ground and refused to get up.

After one or two tugs, the wound on his back tore, and Cheng Pu broke out in a cold sweat. Seeing this, the guards did not dare to use more force and said helplessly, "Oh! I'll pass the message on for you."

It was not until the personal guard walked in and disappeared from sight that Cheng Pu breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed to the ground.

the other side.

When Jin Mao entered the backyard, Feng Lu brought a pretty maid to help him take off his armor, wash his face, etc.

Jin Mao enjoyed this moment very much. If he hadn't known that he was living in troubled times, he would have wanted to stay in the land of peace and quiet and not care about worldly affairs anymore.

"Master, the meal is ready. When will you eat?"

Hearing Feng Lu's gentle voice, Jin Mao opened his tired eyes, looked twice, and then closed them again.

When a person is tired, it is difficult to arouse interest in even the most beautiful woman.

Even though Feng Lu's looks were several levels higher than those maids, after being with them many times, they became familiar to each other. When you are familiar with a woman, you don't have the energy to have sex with her when you don't want to.

Unless the woman takes the initiative!

Feng Lu is such a beauty, especially after being trained by Jin Mao, she can be described as even more wanton.

She slowly squatted down...

Jin Mao stretched out his limbs, seeming to be extremely comfortable.

At this moment, a maid hurried in. Seeing this scene, her face turned red. She wanted to look but didn't dare to, so she could only turn her head away and said, "Master, Sima Cheng wants to see you on official business."

Jin Mao opened his eyes suddenly, lifted Feng Luzhen's head, stood up and said, "Change my clothes!"

Feng Lu's eyes were strained. She stood aside and wiped the saliva from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, just staring at Jin Mao.

Naturally, the maids will take care of all the trivial matters.

"What a disaster!"

Jin Mao didn't dare to look at Feng Lu's eyes, for fear of delaying his work.

It has to be said that Feng Lu is very good at relieving fatigue, which made Jin Mao, who was originally not interested, interested again.

This is why Jin Mao always takes Feng Lu with him wherever he goes. For the first time, he understands why there is a saying that beautiful women are the root of all trouble.

The meeting hall.

When Jin Mao learned that Cheng Pu was injured, he immediately called the best nurse in the nursing army to bandage Cheng Pu's wound.

This time, there are 6,000 nurses fighting with the army, half of whom are newly recruited.

Now, in addition to the main force, the Nurses Army and the God-believers have been put on the right track. Jinmao only needs to approve the number of people joining and discharging the army each year, and someone else will take care of everything else.

Seeing the blood oozing from Cheng Pu's back, Jin Mao couldn't help but sigh: "Demou, is it worth serving such a lord?"

Cheng Pu bared his teeth and clasped his fists, saying, "Sir, a man cannot stand without trust!" "As a subject, I should share the worries of the king. How can it be worth it or not?"

Jin Mao couldn't help but look up to Cheng Pu. He didn't expect that this man was a loyal minister.

When the nurse finished bandaging Cheng Pu's wound, Jin Mao saw that Cheng Pu's eyes were almost on the nurse, and he couldn't help but teasing: "If De Mou likes her, go and chase her yourself."

"Our army advocates free love and never forces pairings."

Cheng Pu chuckled twice, but felt a little shy. It was the first time for him to experience such a novel thing as falling in love.

In this era, there are not so many barriers between men and women, but in an era where even having enough food is a problem, there is no such thing as love.

"Demou, what does Sun Jian want you to convey to me?"

Hearing Jin Mao's question, Cheng Pu put away his chaotic thoughts, but couldn't help but feel a little worried: "The envoy is really unhappy! He calls the lord by his name!"

Cheng Pu said with a stiff upper lip: "My lord Sun Yuzhou and the envoy are like brothers. Now my lord is in trouble... I... I beg the envoy to help him!"

These words almost made Cheng Pu feel extremely embarrassed. He had never said such shameless words in his life.

Sure enough, Jin Mao began to criticize Sun Jian: "Two years ago, Sun Jian and I agreed to advance and retreat together, but he went off on his own to occupy Nanyang!"

"That's fine."

"Last year, I wrote another letter asking Sun Jian to occupy Nanyang and not run around. He is in the north and I am in the south. We should help each other and work together for the great cause."

"As a result, he formed an alliance with Yuan Shu and turned around to deal with me!"

Cheng Pu hurriedly explained: "The condition that the lord agreed to forge an alliance with Yuan Shu is that he cannot attack you!"

"Okay! Even if that's the case!" Jin Mao continued, "If he's in trouble now, why doesn't he ask Yuan Shu for help?"

"Is it only when we are in trouble that we remember that we are a family?"

"It's better not to have such a family!"

Cheng Pu had a bitter face, not knowing how to explain. He was just a rough man, and he didn't have a clever tongue like a scholar. Besides, Sun Jian was really not fair, and was a pure scumbag.

Jinmao just talked about this phone call to vent his feelings, so it's good to just say it out.

Taking a deep breath, Jin Mao looked at Cheng Pu and said, "Demou, I won't make things difficult for you."

"Go back and tell Sun Jian that if he doesn't obey my orders, he will be left to fend for himself!"

Cheng Pu didn't know whether Jin Mao was telling the truth or just speaking in anger, so he could only nod and say, "You are absolutely right, my lord. I will tell my lord the truth."

"It's just that this food ..."

Jin Mao sighed helplessly, stood up and walked off the stage, holding Cheng Pu's hands and said: "Since this is what De Mou asked, I will help Sun Jian again for your sake."

Cheng Pu was so moved that he burst into tears and bowed, saying, "Your Excellency, I will never forget your great kindness!"

Jin Mao helped Cheng Pu up and asked, "Tell me, how much food and grass do you need?"

This time, Cheng Pu was really stumped.

That's too much. You don't know how to appreciate it.

It’s going to be too little, how can I explain it to the master?
After thinking it over, Cheng Pu recalled that Sun Jian once ran out of food and rushed back to Yuan Shu's camp alone, but in the end he didn't get a single grain of rice!

But now, the envoy has shown such great sincerity, but the lord has not taken a single step, and the difference in status is obvious.

Cheng Pu made up his mind and said through gritted teeth: "I only want one thousand stones of grain and grass!"

This amount is only enough for Sun Jian's nearly 20,000 people to eat for a few days. Cheng Pu is trying to force Sun Jian to express his position.

That's right. Even Cheng Pu couldn't stand it anymore. He had such a good ally in the envoy, but he chose to look for unreliable allies like Yuan Shu and Liu Biao. No one knew what he was thinking every day.

How could Cheng Pu know that what Sun Jian did actually brought great benefits to Jin Mao.

Whether occupying Nanyang or attacking Luoyang, Sun Jian was branded with Jin Mao's mark. Even if the upper echelons did not admit it, there were always people who could see it clearly.

Therefore, it was so difficult for Jinmao to occupy Jingzhou in the early stage, but after gaining the title, he was able to complete the rule so quickly. This was just a small change in concept.

Seeing Cheng Pu was so tactful, Jin Mao waved his hand and said, "I'll give you 4,000 shi of grain and straw, half each!"

"Also, I will write another letter. It's up to Sun Jian to decide how to proceed!"

"Don't worry about Demou. Let the master do his job. Just do your part."

All of a sudden, Cheng Pu was moved beyond measure and wished he had met Jin Mao earlier so that he wouldn't have to follow a "stupid" lord like Sun Jian.

After seeing Cheng Pu off, Jin Mao immediately summoned Xun You and briefly explained the whole story.

"Gongda, I originally intended not to directly participate in the battle of Luoyang and let Sun Jian take full charge."

"Now Zhou Gongjin has opened up the situation in Yizhou Ba County, fighting on two fronts, which is disadvantageous to our army."

Jin Mao pointed at the Thirteen States Geomancy Map and said, "We don't have to fight to get the 30,000 books in Luoyang, but Yizhou must fight this battle!"

"I can tolerate Liu Biao, but Liu Yan is not a good guy. I want to get rid of him as soon as possible!"

Xun You was silent for a long time before he took out a bamboo tube sealed with red wax from his sleeve.

"My lord, if you have any questions about military strategy, I still have the energy to help you, but what you are saying now is really difficult for me."

Xun You handed over the bamboo tube and said, "This is what my uncle Xun Yu told me to do. He told me to give this letter to the lord when I am hesitant."

Jin Mao took the bamboo tube curiously, opened it and saw that there was indeed a paper letter inside.

Open the letter and read it carefully.

Xun Yu was not so wise as to foresee today's situation, but he made some inferences and suggestions based on the national situation.

There is a passage in it that explains that war is just a continuation of politics, and hopes that Jinmao can look at war from a political perspective.

Instead of being like Sun Jian, working hard and doing whatever he sees, which is meaningless.

These words undoubtedly gave Jinmao great inspiration, but it was not enough!

"Somebody come!"

"Go to Jianye County and call Xun Yu over to me!"

Since the advisers are so smart, why should he waste time racking his brains? Why not just ask directly?

"Gongda, help me decide. Should I sit back and wait for Sun Jian to conquer Luoyang for me, or should I send a small army to bypass the main battlefield and take Luoyang directly?"

It would take at least ten days for Xun Yu to come over, and Jin Mao was not going to just sit there and wait, he wanted to do something.

Xun You had already prepared for this: "My lord, from a military point of view, Dong Zhuo is undefeated. You cannot spare Dong Zhuo and go to Luoyang."

Jin Mao frowned and asked, "Can we only defeat Dong Zhuo head-on?"

Xun You nodded and said, "From a military perspective, that's it!"

"Then what good ideas do you have to defeat Dong Zhuo?"

Xun You bowed and said, "Steady and steady."

"No tricks?"

Xun You bowed again and said, "My lord, you have the strength, why do you need to take risks?"

"The strange and the normal are interdependent. A strange strategy is one that is used less frequently. That is why it is considered a strange strategy. My lord should have more experience in combat than I do."

Jin Mao smiled and nodded at Xun You and said, "Gongda, when did you learn to flatter?"

Xun You said seriously, "You always say that those who are close to vermilion will be red, and those who are close to ink will be black. I have learned it after spending a long time with Zhicai."

Jin Mao touched his chin. He seemed to hear other meanings in Xun You's words. He didn't know if it was an illusion or not. It remained to be verified.

(End of this chapter)