Chapter 38 5. Use Chu to control Chu and Chu people rule Chu

While Cao Cao was thinking so turbulently in his mind, he maintained a composure on his face that people would never wear off.He gradually put away his thoughts, and slowly glanced away at the officials in the hall. In the end, his gaze suddenly brightened, and he fixed on the face of Sima Yi who was sitting at the end of the long seat on the left side.This Sima Zhongda, the "Southern Expedition Encouraging Army Poetry Collection" a few days ago was still doing well, and it also caused some influence inside and outside Xudu.According to his elder brother Sima Lang, this time he actually volunteered to sign up for the Southern Expedition, asking for meritorious deeds to serve the country.Well, ambitious.The official in my prime minister's mansion should learn to be a generalist in civil and military affairs who can "infiltrate secrets and release codes in Fangzhou"!But I don't know if he is superior in the art of war and strategy, let's wait for the truth to ask him.

Cao Cao stroked the drooping beard on his chest, stared at Sima Yi from afar, and asked slowly, "Sima Zhongda, what advice do you have for this southern expedition to Jingzhou? Don't be restrained, speak boldly." When Sima Yi heard Cao Cao suddenly call him by name, he was startled secretly, and immediately realized that this was the best opportunity for him to show his talent and get close to Cao Cao, and he really couldn't let it go easily.He hastily sorted out his thoughts in his mind, and then he straightened his face, and replied respectfully: "I am very apprehensive and grateful for being asked by the Prime Minister. With a little superficial experience in county and county affairs, I boldly offer a stupid strategy, and I beg the Prime Minister not to laugh at you."

"Talk." Cao Cao stared at him, his eyes were as bright as lightning. "This subordinate is taking the liberty to say it here. This time the southern expedition to Jingzhou, with the magnificence and martial arts of the prime minister, he must be able to win in one battle. However, after occupying Jingzhou, we must consider how to use it. The capital of the eight prefectures of Jingzhou is to enter Jiangdong." Sima Yi looked respectful, but the words in his mouth were like a sharp sword drawn out of its sheath, threatening every inch, "So, my subordinates boldly suggest that after the prime minister takes Jingzhou, immediately To implement the strategy of "Using Chu to control Chu and Chu people to govern Chu", one is to accommodate the strengths of Jingchu scholars and people for my own use, and the other is to establish a Jingzhou pastoral mansion that has a harmonious relationship with the local scholars and common people in time to eliminate hidden dangers in the future .”

As soon as he said this, Jia Xu, who was sitting on Cao Cao's right hand, shuddered suddenly, his sleepy expression disappeared, and he looked at Sima Yi in surprise. "Use Chu to control Chu, and Chu people to rule Chu?" Cao Cao repeated in a murmur, his eyes suddenly brightened, "Sima Zhongda, please explain in detail." Sima Yi still looked extremely humble, and said politely: "The king's strategy is to make the best use of all people and places that are not easy to find, so there is the magic of 'entering the other side's land, using the other side's people, and making the other side's merits'." Reason. The capital of Jingzhou should not be underestimated. If it can be used properly, it can expand Bashu in the west and go to Wuyue in the east. The great cause can be achieved in one fell swoop. However, if you want to make the most of Jingzhou, you must "use Chu to control Chu, and Chu people to rule Chu". , for three reasons.

"First, the imperial court lacks sailors, so they have to conquer Jiangdong with the Jingzhou navy. Your Excellency, please forgive my subordinates for speaking bluntly. In the wind and waves of the Yangtze River, it is really difficult to control a boat for actual combat. How can you fight against the Jiangdong Navy in a hurry? And out of the 100,000 people in Jingzhou, there are actually 40,000 soldiers who are directly attached to the Navy. They practice water warfare all year round. Galloping on the big river is not comparable to the generals in the northern part of the Central Plains. Therefore, if the prime minister wants to take Jiangdong, he must first accept these Jingzhou navy troops. They are all local children of Jingxiang, and their generals and captains are all from local famous families of various surnames. If the prime minister can't be properly cared for and used only on his talents, I'm afraid he won't get their sincere support; if they don't sincerely serve, how can the prime minister be so powerful in Jiangdong?"

Cao Cao nodded deeply, and when Sima Yi stopped talking, he impatiently said, "Then, what about the second one?" Sima Yi said again: "Secondly, there is an old saying: 'Every land has its people, and all the people have their hopes. Those who employ people are looking for people who are suddenly happy, and those who are a little old and hopeful are looking for the return of the people. It’s also difficult.” Jingchu was originally a place where famous people gathered, and Cai Mao, Han Song, Kuaiyue, Wang Can, etc. were of course the ones who were accepted by the prime minister. , lest they instigate civil unrest out of resentment or fear of reprisal.

"Thirdly, Jingzhou is the fundamental place whether it is expanding to Bashu in the west or going to Wuyue in the east. Whether it is money, food, supplies or boats and armored soldiers, the first source of financing and supply is ultimately these Jingzhou scholars and people. If they are not given proper self-reliance Instead of using foreign officials to overwhelm them, I am afraid they will not be able to mobilize their enthusiasm. If they cannot mobilize their enthusiasm, the prime minister's military affairs will be dragged down. It should be noted that if the newly-built Jingzhou Mufu is effective at that time, everything can be done; If the new Jingzhou Shepherd's Mansion is not effective, everything will be closed. After all, my officers and soldiers from the north of the Central Plains have just arrived, and after all, it is not as good as the locals in Jingzhou, who are more familiar with their human conditions and things!"

After quietly listening to Sima Yi's long discourse, Cao Cao frowned, turned to look at Jia Xu, and only asked, "How is it?" Jia Xu stared at Sima Yi with eyes as deep as abyss, paused for a moment, and then slowly replied: "Young people are awesome." "Zhongda can be regarded as the proud son of the Sima family in Hanoi. He is capable of writing and martial arts, and his sharpness is outstanding. He really deserves the gift of sending an envoy three times at this age." Cao Cao stroked his beard and smiled, "Now, I appoint you as the prime minister's mansion. Literary officer and soldier Cao is a Zhonglang, and serves as a counselor in the Southern Expedition Army Office!"

"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your love. This subordinate is very grateful." Sima Yi respectfully knocked his head three times on the floor, and then retreated. "Yang Jun, do you have any suggestions for the Southern Expedition?" Cao Cao glanced at Yang Xiu and asked him. Yang Xiu's complexion froze, he left the table and knelt down, kowtowed and replied: "Your Excellency, the Prime Minister has collected ideas and made good plans, and my subordinates have nothing to do with their anxious thinking. Please forgive me, Your Excellency." Hearing this, the smile on Cao Cao's face immediately cooled down.You kid is usually so showy and smart, but today you're pretending to be stupid when you're talking about business?snort!It must be your old ghost who played tricks on you behind your back to pretend to be confused!It seems that your Yang family is not close to our Cao family after all!As soon as he thought about this, he ordered: "Since that's the case, it's fine. How about it, Yang Jun, this time you also go south to Jingzhou with the truth, and take charge of the compilation of business documents and albums."

"Your subordinate obeys." Yang Xiuxiu was going to follow his father's instructions beforehand to take the opportunity to claim sick leave, but seeing Hua Xin's identity, pleading, and tiredness, he couldn't slip away, and now he saw Cao Cao again. His face was a bit unkind, so he had to swallow those words back and accepted Cao Cao's arrangement. After talking with Yang Xiu, Cao Cao sat upright on the square couch again and waited for a long time. After seeing that everyone in the hall could not offer any more advice, he flicked his sleeves and announced that he was in the prime minister's mansion. This is the end of the last Southern Expedition meeting.

Jia Xu, Hua Xin, Sima Lang and others got up and bowed to leave.Zhong Yao also stood up from his seat, and was about to bow to Cao Cao, but Cao Cao said in a low voice: "Mr. Zhong, please stay." Zhong Yao was taken aback, so he had to stand where he was, not daring to leave. Finally, only Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi and Zhong Yao were left in the White Tiger Hall. "Lieutenant Zhong, before the Southern Expedition leaves, I have a few words that I would like to have a heart-to-heart talk with you." Cao Cao raised his head and looked at him with burning eyes. Being stared at by him, Zhong Yao bowed his body involuntarily, and replied cautiously: "Please speak, Your Excellency, Mr. Zhong will listen attentively." "Lieutenant Zhong, I have been acquainted with you for twelve years since I welcomed His Majesty to move to Xudu in July of the first year of Jian'an. I still remember clearly that I was in the pastoral mansion of Yanzhou at that time. , It was Captain Zhong who sent you a letter from afar, sincerely persuading the truth to go to Luoyang to "greetly welcome the emperor in Wanquan, respect the Han Dynasty and eliminate the rebels". It has always been in my heart.” Hearing Cao Cao's words, Zhong Yao secretly sighed in his heart, but his face showed a very humble expression: "The Prime Minister is loyal and brave, and the world admires him. At that time, Zhong was just following the will of the people and persuading you. Zhong is mere Bo Lao, why should the prime minister care about it?" Yes, Cao Cao was famous for his loyalty and bravery back then, and he sent a letter to persuade him to rush to Luoyang to save him, which was also out of sincerity.However, whether Cao Cao today still adheres to the original intention of the year, I am afraid that no one dares to guarantee it.I, Zhong Yao, may have become a big sinner who "persuaded the bandits and worked for the tiger" in this matter.Alas... the world is unpredictable, and people's hearts are changeable. Cao Cao didn't wait for him to continue thinking, the gaze on his face suddenly became as sharp as a knife, and he stabbed straight at him: "Now the truth is 'serve the emperor to punish disobedience, respect the Han family to calm rebellion' , is at a critical juncture of success or failure, and I sincerely hope that Colonel Zhong can start well and end well, and continue to assist the truth to achieve the great cause!" At this point, when he saw Zhong Yao opening his mouth to argue, he waved his hand to stop him, and continued: "The truth is that Captain Zhong has always respected Xun Lingjun as a model, and he has always respected Xun Lingjun's good words and deeds." I appreciate it very much... However, I would like to remind Xiaowei Zhong sincerely, who is Xun Lingjun? Xun Lingjun is a sage through the ages, Confucianism in the world, and a great sage who has not emerged from the world for five hundred years and stood upright. He has his own choices and ethics, which are the choices and ethics of a generation of sages, which are beyond the reach of ordinary people; Captain Zhong, you also have your own trends and adaptations. Others. If you forcefully imitate him, I’m afraid that ‘the one who makes it will be rich, and the one who will follow will be poor’. Painting a tiger will not be like a dog, and it will only make others laugh!” Although Cao Cao's words sounded as light as white water and as light as a feather, Zhong Yao felt as if he was in an ice cellar, his face was pale when he heard it: "Many... Thank you, Prime Minister, for your enlightenment, Zhong... How dare you disobey." "Very good. Then, Zhong Jun stays in Xudu, so I will pay more attention to the situation of Ma Chao and Han Sui in Xiliang for the truth. Although the truth is far away in the south of the Yangtze River, I will never forget your dedication He is the one who helped you secretly." Seeing his appearance, Cao Cao felt a big stone in his heart finally drop, and then took advantage of the opportunity to throw out the topic. The faces of Emperor Liu Xie, Xun Yu, Yang Biao, Fu Wan and others drifted past Zhong Yao's mind like passing clouds of smoke. He closed his eyes slightly, as if he didn't dare to look straight at him, and only met Cao Cao's face. The voice slowly lowered his head and answered: "Yes."