Next, the two sides began to talk about some military and national affairs.
There are no specific personnel adjustments, just general talks, and there are even suspicions of shifting responsibilities. Huan Wen seems to have lost the enthusiasm and initiative he had before, but Sima Yu is obviously more talkative.
However, according to Sima Yu's character, this is already a proactive performance on his part. If he were to imitate the other party's habit of nagging and nagging, he wouldn't be able to imitate it.
On the other side, Liu Cheng stood with his hands tied, looking at this scene, but felt something strange in his heart.
Don't you mean to call Gao Heng to come over, kill each person, and see what changes can happen to the world? This kind of thinking is probably something that several people in River-Island Sandbar, including Huan Wen and Sima Yu, can't help but think about. It belongs to human instinct.
What really gives Liu Acheng a subtle feeling is its understanding of politics.
What is politics?
As a time traveler and a person who has been bombarded by information, he can blurt out those familiar words: war is the last political means; personnel is politics; politics is making friends; politics is intrigue; politics is the human heart...
But today, Huan Wen and Sima Yu teamed up to teach him a lesson.
This lesson is not about how Huan Wen and Sima Yu knew it well by heart and then expressed it unconsciously, but that the two people were sitting on the mat in Wumingzhou in the middle of the river, and they had nothing to do with each other. From their parents' short talk to Xianbei's invasion, a typical example of politics appeared.
Why does Huan Wen want to meet Sima Yu? Why does Sima Yu want to meet Huan Wen? What is the significance of this meeting?
Upon closer inspection, it seems that it makes no sense. The two of them are close friends and in-laws, and there are many ways to express their closeness.
Moreover, among the real topics we are talking about, is Xianbei's invasion a new topic? Can you two come up with any effective method? Conjuring food out of thin air for Guanzhong, or did Sima Yu take a shot at Huan Wen after meeting Huan Wen and go to Shouchun himself?? Can Sima Yu really change his position completely after just one meeting and follow Huan Wen to sink all the South of the Yangtze crown clan into the Yangtze River? Or can Huan Wen directly support him to usurp the throne?
Given the current situation, the two of them would not even dare to join forces to eat Xie Clan!
As for what kind of rubbish happened Prince of Wuling's matter is? The relationship between his wife, children, and Taiyuan Wang Clan seems to be very important and has the most serious consequences. But even if they have the courage to deal with it this time, they just borrow some courage from here. The conflict is essentially caused by them themselves.
Liu Cheng even suspects that Sima Yu may have made up his mind before, and according to South of the Yangtze's political climate, this matter will definitely be dealt with in a mess in the end.
This meeting essentially had no effective impact on this matter, which was a major concern for Sima Yu.
However, everyone, whether it was Sima Yu who was in urgent need of external assistance, Huan Wen who was in an aggressive posture, or the middleman Liu Cheng, or even Xi Chao, Gao Song, and even Fu Tao who are standing here today, all realized at the first moment that this meeting was a very, very important matter.
So back to the present, Liu Cheng has realized what that subtle feeling is - even if the two met today to catch fish and scold Liu Tan and Xie Shang for a day, the significance of this meeting is still enough to be recorded in the annals of history.
The fact that the leaders of Upper Reaches and Lower Reaches put aside all political resistance and reached a face-to-face meeting is of great significance.
Putting aside those personal politics, just the two of them repeating their helplessness against the Xianbei invasion is enough to send a huge signal to the frontline soldiers. You can temporarily abandon the dispute between the two families and head north with your heart. There is no need to say that the elder brother is in Northern Yuzhou, the younger brother is in Huainan, etc. As long as you do well in the north, Upper Reaches Lower Reaches will recognize it.
Isn't this significant enough?
And this is just the meeting itself, if it is handled well, it can be better.
Liu Cheng realized something and decided to take the initiative. He suddenly turned around and went to find a pen and paper in the tent where he lived before. Then he simply wrote something in the tent, took it out and handed it to Xi Chao. Xi Chao glanced at it, frowned slightly, obviously thoughtful, but noticed Gao Song who was obviously nervous, and then handed it over quickly.
Gao Song After reading this, he instinctively frowned, but he didn't directly refute anything.
Huan Wen didn't notice what was going on here and was still talking about the misery of Guanzhong. Sima Yu was attentive and noticed the movement in the corner of his eye for the first time, but after Gao Song got the piece of paper, he suppressed it and continued to argue with the people around him, telling the people around him about South of the Yangtze's financial difficulties. He said that it was not that he was unwilling to provide Military Weapons with food and grass for Northern Yuzhou, but that it was really difficult.
"If you say that, how can I definitely defeat Yao Xiang next year?" Huan Wen was extremely speechless and obviously angry. "I'm not a god, I don't have Military Weapons food and grass, but Yao Xiang has dozens of brothers and nearly a hundred relatives, who can directly control the Hundreds. Luoyang's terrain is good, how can we fight? They forcefully send out troops, and even I am defeated. Who will take care of the hearts of the south?! Central Plains will also give it away!"
"But what if it's a year late, not to mention what if Duan Kan is vulnerable and the situation goes badly, even Yao Xiang can stand firm?" Sima Yu can only show his hands. "Yuanzi, the imperial court can only count on you."
Obviously, discussions about these military and national affairs have fallen into a dead circle.
There really is no way, a clever woman cannot make a meal without rice.
But even so, you should still show off, at least try your best.
Liu Cheng, who had already awakened, suddenly walked over from the side and held his hands seriously. "Conquering the West, Prince-Regent, in fact, according to my subordinates' observations in various places in the world over the years, The population and economy of South of the Yangtze are unparalleled in the world. Only Hebei, that is, the sacred land on the side of Taihang, can compare... If you really want to search for some supplies, there is still a way to work hard."
"If you had any idea, why didn't you tell me before?" Sima Yu asked with a smile.
"What can you do?" Huan Wen also laughed. "Tuduan is the right way, but now South of the Yangtze the situation is not good. Once is forced Tuduan, I'm afraid that big trouble is going to happen. We can't just liquidate Wang Dun Rebellion and ransack Langya Wang Clan's house, right? If that's the case, South of the Yangtze will collapse on the inside first."
Both of them laughed and questioned, but they both felt that Liu Cheng must have a real solution, but Huan Wen was worried that Liu Cheng's solution was risky, while Sima Yu questioned why the other party didn't tell him before Jiankang.
"Reporting to Conquering the West, Prince-Regent, I didn't dare to say it before because my subordinates were thinking bigger. In addition, South of the Yangtze's custom is that if anything happens, I will The blame is on the subordinates, and now the two are tied on River-Island Sandbar. Even if there is any trouble later, it will be the responsibility of both of them. I am just a commentator." Liu Cheng naturally has to laugh.
"I knew..." Huan Wen smiled half-heartedly. "Now that you are an official, do you understand the difficulties of being the head of your own family?"
Liu Cheng didn't pay much attention to it, but continued on by himself, "My idea is indeed to raid the house of Langya King, but how can I raid the house of King Langya? Even the house of the Taiyuan Wang Clan cannot be raided. I want to raid the house of Way of the Celestial Masters."
Several people on the island were stunned.
Huan Wen still looked half-smiling, but Sima Yu became serious. "Yulong, how can you rob someone else's house for no reason?"
"Your Highness, South of the Yangtze doesn't have any Daoist priests." Liu Cheng rarely cited high-level knowledge from later generations. "Only Gaomen Jiadi was forced to use the name after monopolizing official positions. Daoist Order used the guise of gathering inferior nobles! Specifically, these Daoists are divided into two types, one is Wu Region Native Clans, and the other is Northern Migrants Secondary Clans like me."
This statement is quite refreshing to everyone.
And don't mention it, the more you think about it, the more you think it's right.
"And here at Daoist Order, there are two biggest troubles. They come from the more ordinary Wu Region Native Clans and Northern Migrants Secondary Clans like us." Liu Cheng continued to analyze. "Wu Region Native Clans is Yellow Register pay taxes, we Northern Migrants Secondary Clans, not to mention Tuduan, even White Register also have many Refugee Commander employed in the military. In other words, we pay taxes with our lives... But Daoist Order obviously has the qualities of both, but neither pays taxes nor sends troops to die."
"That's right, that's right!" Huan Wen was suddenly enlightened, even shocked. "Even a ten-year-old child knows that if you have money, you can give money, and if you can't do anything, I want them to send troops to Jingzhou's crimson! How can there be any reason in the world to do nothing and just enjoy it? Way of the Celestial Masters is a big disaster!"
No, so Second-Rank Great Clans is also a huge disaster, or even a bigger disaster.
Liu Cheng was speechless, but just nodded.
"Indeed, if this Way of the Celestial Masters is not dealt with, a big disaster will happen sooner or later." Xi Chao couldn't help but interject. "Especially those Northern Migrants Way of the Celestial Masters that are actually the same as Refugee Commander... We say we need to be on guard against Su Jun Rebellion every day, but we turn a blind eye just because of the name of Daoist Order. What's the point of this?"
At the last sentence, he was already complaining to Gao Song who was holding the piece of paper.
Gao Song would like to refute it.
"Even now, it's not easy to deal with." Liu Cheng quickly interrupted the self-awareness moment of these ruling classes. "I was afraid of causing trouble before, so I didn't dare to say anything. Today, even with two people in front of me, I just suggested to deal with the gathering like Master Du Ming first. Instead of touching the local Way of the Celestial Masters Native Clans who have a large amount of property, they should not touch those Northern Migrants who are directly in charge of the Manor... because once they are not handled properly, there will really be Su Jun Rebellion."
"That's true." Gao Song nodded, not only agreeing with Liu Cheng's words, but also refuting Xi Chao. "In recent years, there have been more and more deserters from Changgan Lane, I'm afraid Prince of Wuling's unusual behavior is also related to the civil atmosphere, and I've heard a few strange names for the bandits in Three Rivers and Five Lakes recently. If those Way of the Celestial Masterss, who are actually Refugee Commanders, are really touched, I'm afraid the world will be turned upside down."
"Can Master Du Ming be able to move?" Sima Yu couldn't help but interrupt. "That's a real god, he can summon ghost soldiers."
Including Gao Song and Fu Tao, the other five people beside Zhou Xin's mat couldn't help but take another look at Prince of Kuaiji... This world view is different, what do you think we should do?
After a long while, Xi Chao still couldn't control his temper. "Your Highness, if you were a true god, how could you sit back and watch the country struggle to resist Xianbei? He actually sent ghost soldiers to help Duan Kan on our behalf and expel Yao Xiang!"
Sima Yu was speechless for a moment, and he knew that his worldview might be in the minority, but it still had a huge impact.
"Your Highness, Conquering the West." Liu Cheng lowered his head and said. "If you two allow it, I also have friendship with Master Du Ming, and I am willing to do this. I will be polite first and then fight."
Yes, this is where Liu Cheng had the bad idea before.
During the Northern Expedition in consecutive years, the imperial court's savings were depleted, and the second-grade first-class sects were unwilling to enjoy any less, so naturally they could only exert their efforts downwards. As a result, the people at the bottom, regardless of their origins, were under tremendous pressure. The society was obviously in turmoil, and the economy and people's livelihood were obviously in decline.
He thought at that time that as long as he seizes the lead of Way of the Celestial Masters and creates a big one, firstly, he can get the wealth of corrupt South of the Yangtze Native Clans like Master Du Ming; secondly, he can drive tigers and devoured wolves and bite those Second-Rank Great Clanss hard; thirdly, he can take the opportunity to make achievements. How can Northern Expedition be promoted quickly by quelling civil strife?
However, at the last moment, he was still suppressed by his own conscience, because there were too many low-level people in Way of the Celestial Masters. Once the monster Way of the Celestial Masters was activated, the entire Three Wu hinterland would also suffer military disasters, and he may not have the ability to control the situation.
When the time comes, the mountains of corpses and seas of blood will all be his responsibility.
So I decided to be patient, at least go to Northern Expedition to prove myself first, and then consider the matter.
But it's different now. Isn't there our Duke Huan again? And there is one more Prince-Regent.
As long as the sky falls and Yangtze River turns upside down due to what happened today, it is also the responsibility of these two people. Anyone who insists on pushing this suggestion to him will be defended by history books.
What's more, he has made compromises and improvements to this project very accurately. He will not engage in big projects, but only engage in Master Du Ming's completely degenerate southern local Way of the Celestial Masters high-level officials.
Will you handle this project?
"If we can get some materials, even if they are not used this year, they can be used for the war next year and the year after next." Huan Wen simply expressed his attitude. "But Yulong, do you have a definite method? I understand how to be polite before fighting, but if it really comes to the stage of fighting, how can you ensure that you only take the upper-level Native Clans of Way of the Celestial Masters and not disturb the lower-level Northern Migrants who control the refugees?"
"It's very simple, let those Northern Migrants Daoists serve as soldiers." Liu Cheng's face did not change, his heart did not beat. "I attack those Native Clans Daoists for me... People Way of the Celestial Masters is in civil strife, and the victorious Northern Migrants Daoist is willing to consider the country and pay money to supply military supplies, so what? And if there are gods and ghost soldiers, let the gods fight the gods, and the ghost soldiers fight the ghost soldiers!"
Huan Wen couldn't help but laugh when he heard the first sentence, and he laughed until the end. Then he pointed at the person speaking, "Daowan, do you see, this is the sharpest blade I have ever held in my life. Fortunately, I only thought about Northern Expedition! Believe it or not, South of the Yangtze, even those gods can't stop this knife!"
Sima Yu remained silent, as if hesitant.
After all, he believed in this in his early years.
Liu Cheng knew that the time had come, and raised his hand to signal to Gao Song: "Gao Chief Clerk, please let Conquering the West and Prince-Regent take a look at the thing we drafted together."
Sima Yu turned around in surprise. He thought the paper Gao Song just received was about this matter, but unexpectedly there was another paper.
However, after taking it from Gao Song, Sima Yu felt confused and shocked at the same time.
The handwriting on the paper is undoubtedly Liu Cheng's famous scrawling, but the words can still be seen clearly. The vertical line on the far left clearly says: Proclamation about the union of Western Islet.
Then there is another paragraph: When Xianbei invades, everyone, regardless of north or south, has the duty to defend the territory; regardless of whether the army is east or west, everyone is determined to sacrifice...
Sima Yu has read this kind of talk a lot, but feels that the content is vague. How can we take it seriously? And since it is a secret meeting, how can we make such grand statements? And what does it have to do with what they just said?
Then he handed the piece of paper to Huan Wen.
Huan Wen took a quick look and made a critical comment. "The handwriting is even worse."
"That's because there is no table, so we can only write on Shitou." Liu Cheng defended a little, then quickly became solemn, and formally saluted the two of them on River-Island Sandbar, and then spoke sincerely." Conquering the West, Prince-Regent, it was an accident that Western Islet met today. I, the middle-man, did not realize the importance of this matter and made preparations in advance. It is all my fault, Liu Cheng. But just now I saw the two of them discussing national affairs with my own eyes, but I have woken up and it is not too late to make amends."
After saying that, he simply explained in detail the insights he had when he saw the two discussing Xianbei.
Then he made a conclusion. "Everyone, today's meeting, although it is hasty and simple, is actually the most important thing in the world. The meeting itself is enough to affect the overall situation of the world."
"So, I think that before the meeting, everyone is right to keep it secret in order to prevent South of the Yangtze from blocking it; but after the meeting, we should make a big fanfare and let everyone in the world, including Xianbei people, know about it, because this meeting will be of great benefit to the world, the country, Lower Reaches, and both of us."
"What a great person!" After listening, Huan Wen was the first to react. "Today's meeting should really be announced to the public!"
But I came to see Sima Yu again.
If you publicize it in a big way, can I still keep it a secret? Sima Yu was speechless, but his face remained unchanged and he didn't agree to anything.
"In addition, I think today's meeting should be divided into three levels." Liu Cheng ignored the reactions of the two people, and did not look at the two confidants who were listening seriously. He only continued to speak slowly. "On the public level, as just said, the general With great fanfare, Proclamation and Lower Reaches unite together to calm the hearts of the soldiers in the north and frighten Hu Invaders! And it is best to leave it at the end of the paper, Proclamation The world! For the bottom, things like Prince of Wuling and the use of Way of the Celestial Masters property to finance military supplies, including the marriage at the beginning, are considered trivial matters. The two of them just nodded and went out. It doesn't matter if you don't remember it later, let Gao Chief Clerk and Eastern Office Xi open the door for convenience, and Mr. Xuandu (Fu Tao) and I will do it together."
Huan Wen nodded repeatedly. "Just what I wanted."
But Sima Yu was careful and took the initiative to ask, "Isn't it the third floor? What is the other floor?"
"There is another layer, which means that as long as the upper and lower layers are done together, it will become natural." Liu Cheng suddenly laughed. "For example, from now on, everyone knows that everything in this world only needs two people to see each other. After meeting and nodding together, the decision will definitely be made; for another example, from now on, South of the Yangtze should know that Duke Huan only recognizes one regent and only negotiates with His Highness..."
Even though Sima Yu is the most extreme person Liu Cheng has ever seen, but he can't help but open his mouth slightly, wanting to speak but unable to speak.
Huan Wen, who had been talking to Liu Cheng until midnight last night, heard this and just touched his feet and laughed again and again. Then he scolded the young man who was standing and talking on the spot, "Yulong, What nonsense are you talking about? If I don't recognize Daowan and don't discuss it with Daowan, who else can I discuss with South of the Yangtze?"
As he said that, Huan Wen turned around, pinched Sima Yu's hand with the hand that had been pinching his feet for a long time, and spoke sincerely, even raising the volume a little, for fear that no one would hear. " Daowan, if you don't let me down in this life, I will never let you down! As long as we brothers are of the same mind and discuss everything, even if the situation is turned upside down, South of the Yangtze, I will rely on you first!
"The royal family, I only listen to you! If anyone crosses your path and tries to control me again, I will tear up the document in front of you and send it to you!"
Hearing these words, whether it was Sima Yu or Gao Song, I just felt the blood surge up and then fall again. My heart was racing for a moment, and it was hard to control myself.
Again, what are they doing here?
In essence, isn't it just that as the emperor grew older, Northern Expedition failed, and the people declined, the crown clan gradually became dissatisfied with him, and they didn't dare to say that they wanted to betray him, but at least they had the intention to get away and watch the joke?
Aren't you just worried that this regent won't be able to continue?
Well now, Huan Wen made the commitment so easily and directly... It's that simple?!
What else can you say?
Seeing that his lord was still holding the hand like that, Gao Song coughed first... what Way of the Celestial Masters, what Prince of Wuling, take Duke Huan's hand first!
Sure enough, Sima Yu finally calmed down, turned around and held the other person's hand. "What can I say if I have to say something to my brother? I have nothing against what happened today, and I will never disappoint my brother for a long time in the future."
Who said you don't have a sworn bond with Western Islet? Hurry up and swear by the Yangtze River!
Liu Cheng couldn't help complaining in his heart, but he just smiled like everyone else, as if he saw that the cp he was chasing finally came together - no matter what, now that you two are together, I can finally work on the second phase of the project, right?
-----I am the dividing line that finally comes together-----
Emperor Taizu not only promotes the meeting of Duke Huan and Prince of Kuaiji in Western Islet, but also brings great prosperity to the world.
-- "Old Book of Qi".Biographies, Volume Four
Emperor Taizu caused Duke Huan and Prince of Kuaiji to meet Western Islet, and the world was shaken.
-- "New Book of Qi".Biographies, Volume Four