dognovel Chapter 410 Pang Tong: I don't want to go to the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat! No way!
Chapter 410 Pang Tong: I don't want to go to the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat! No way!
The victory at the Battle of Red Cliffs resulted in the "vacuum zone" of Jingzhou left behind after Liu Cong fled with Cao Cao.
To be precise, it was the "Cao-occupied area" of Jingzhou.
Jiangdong contributed the lion's share of the spoils and should rightfully reap at least 70-80%.
After all, Liu Bei was truly a spiritual figure on the main battlefield of Red Cliffs.
However, Liu Qi was also nominally the "successor of Liu Biao, the anti-Cao Cao faction".
Therefore, according to the law, Liu Qi is the next ruler of Jingzhou.
The Jiangdong faction made an agreement with Liu Bei: as long as Liu Qi was alive, Jingzhou would belong to Liu Qi.
With Liu Qi gone, Jingzhou fell to Jiangdong.
Later, Liu Qi really did die.
Lu Su then proposed the concept of "borrowing Jingzhou," lending Jingzhou to Liu Bei.
Don't assume that Sun Quan meant well or that Lu Su was just a nice guy.
Sun Quan was extremely cunning, while Lu Su was an excellent strategist.
He lent Jingzhou to Liu Bei.
The main reason was that they were afraid Cao Cao would make a comeback, so they deliberately did Liu Bei a favor.
While Liu Bei was grateful to Jiangdong, he could also serve as a door panel!
This gave Sun Quan more time to conquer Hefei!
Even if Sun Quan had another hundred years, he still wouldn't have been able to take Hefei.
But that's not what they thought at the time.
Hefei is nothing, isn't it?
The question then arises: how were the "non-Cao Cao occupied areas" of Jingzhou handled?
The four counties of Jingnan rebelled immediately after Liu Biao's death, refusing to acknowledge Liu Qi as the so-called next ruler of Jingzhou.
Don't blame Jingnan for turning their backs on you.
When Liu Biao was alive, he increased the taxes levied on Jingnan quite a bit.
A classic saying: Let the people of Jingnan suffer a little!
However, after the Battle of Red Cliffs, Liu Bei launched an attack under the name of Liu Qi and captured the four counties of Jingnan, which can be considered as "recovering lost territory".
Immediately afterwards, Liu Bei entered Shu and gained control of the entire territory of Yizhou, except for Hanzhong.
During these years, Liu Bei and Sun Quan enjoyed a very good diplomatic relationship, which could be considered a honeymoon period.
When Cao Cao's army approached Ruxukou, attempting to intimidate Sun Quan, Liu Bei also sent Guan Yu north to Xiangyang to tie down a portion of Cao Cao's forces.
The two are considered exemplary allies.
Sun Quan prepared to launch an attack on Hefei, while Liu Bei implemented the Longzhong Plan.
But the main factors for the existence of allies are having a common enemy and not having conflicting interests.
In 215 AD, the twentieth year of Jian'an, an unprecedented battle broke out in the Xiaoyaojin area of Hefei!
As for the battle situation, those in the know understand.
After that, Sun Quan suddenly discovered a startling fact!
In six years, Liu Bei's territory had grown from a mere piece of Jiangxia to two-thirds of Jingzhou and the entire Yizhou except for Hanzhong!
As for Sun Quan's territory, it remained basically unchanged.
Six years have passed, and Hefei is like a piece of fat meat that was about to be eaten, but it is getting further and further away from him!
Reason told Sun Quan.
If he continues to fight to the death in Hefei, then his strength among Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan will really be at the bottom!
Therefore, Sun Quan changed his strategy.
Heading south, he began attacking Jiaozhou and intimidated Shi Xie into surrendering voluntarily.
Heading west, they began arguing with Liu Bei about the Jingzhou issue.
Although the four counties in Jingnan were considered to be the territory that Liu Bei had recovered from his losses.
However, places like Nanjun were "spoils of war" from the Battle of Red Cliffs, and Jiangdong was indeed a part of them, and accounted for a large proportion of them.
However, Nan Commandery had been in Liu Bei's hands for six years, and Guan Yu had trained his troops there for six years.
It's definitely not possible to return it to Sun Quan suddenly.
Negotiations between the two sides were unsuccessful.
Enraged, Sun Quan dispatched Lü Meng to lead an army to attack Jingnan.
Yes, because Guan Yu's main force was in Nan Commandery, and it was highly unlikely that they could take it, so they chose to bully Jingnan.
Lü Meng successfully captured two of the four commanderies in Jingnan.
The year was still 215.
Roughly six months after the Battle of Hefei, the two sides engaged in combat, but their main forces did not clash.
After that, Liu Bei and Sun Quan renegotiated and divided the territory.
Nan Commandery and Wuling Commandery were given to Liu Bei, while the remaining three commanderies in Jingnan were given to Sun Quan.
Neither side was satisfied with the outcome, and both felt they had been taken advantage of.
Four years later, it evolved into the story of "Crossing the River in White Robes".
Therefore, the Jingzhou issue is actually a messy affair.
It doesn't matter who is right and who is wrong, because everyone thinks they are right.
According to Zhuge Liang's initial assessment, these problems would not exist at all during the alliance with Liu Bei against Cao Cao.
Cai Mao and Kuai Yue's defection to Cao Cao reflects Zhuge Liang's youth and lack of understanding of the characteristics of the powerful aristocratic families.
The disastrous defeat at Xiaoyao Ford was the key turning point in Sun Quan's strategic shift.
now.
The young Zhuge Liang, filled with beautiful fantasies about the future, was persuaded by the old pimp Sima Hui to join Liu Bei's army.
Little did they know, this would be the beginning of Zhuge Liang being bullied by the "Four Evils of Cao Cao's Camp"!
……
Xuchang
Guard Commandery
"So you're the one called Pang Tong?"
Su Yu sized up Pang Tong.
To be honest, she's not that ugly. It's just that she's unkempt and has a slightly greasy appearance.
"My name is Pang Tong, greetings to the Commandant of the Guards!"
Pang Tong knelt on the ground, showing the utmost respect.
Along the way, Pang Tong thought about many things.
Su Yu's "infamous reputation" was something he had heard of like thunder!
Trying to show off in front of such a ruthless person is practically suicide.
Adhering to the principle that those who are discerning in the times are wise, Pang Tong chose to be obedient and sensible.
"Hmm, you're not bad, kid."
"By the way, is someone named Liu Bei looking for you?"
Upon hearing this, Pang Tong thought to himself, "It's definitely that damned Liu Bei's fault!"
You see, a person like Su Yu mentions Liu Bei right away, which must be because of the "Liu Bei's deceitful effect" at work.
"To be honest, Liu Bei just visited Pang a few days ago."
"He said he had some doubts and wanted to ask Mr. Pang to help him resolve them."
Pang Tong truthfully told Su Yu about the matter Liu Bei had sought him out for.
"Hmm, you're very smart. No wonder Sima Hui praised you as the 'Young Phoenix'."
"Do you know where Sima Hui's ancestral graves are?"
"what!?"
Pang Tong was clearly not used to Su Yu's abrupt shifts in thinking.
Who would ask someone where their ancestral graves are right off the bat?
"Oh, please don't mind, I was just asking about this on behalf of a friend."
"I heard that Sima Hui's ancestors were all honest and kind people, and my friend Su would like to offer incense to them."
Pang Tong looked suspicious.
Even though you sent people to kidnap me, it doesn't mean I'm stupid!
but.
Pang Tong still told Su Yu about Sima Hui's registered address.
Although the exact location of the ancestral graves was not explicitly stated.
But given the strength of Guo Jia and Cao Cao's gold-digging team.
Knowing your registered residence is no different from knowing where your ancestral graves are.
"Alright, I, Su, have always been fair in my dealings with people."
"Given your good performance, I'll give you two options."
"First, go to the Minister's Mansion to assist Lord Xun in handling government affairs. This is a formal official position with a guaranteed income regardless of circumstances, good benefits, and commissions. The work atmosphere is excellent, there is no overtime, the daily working hours are stable, and a super large mansion like the Minister's Mansion is provided!"
"Second, stay in the Imperial Guard as a clerk. There will be no salary, only three meals a day and a small house in the outskirts of the city."
The words fell.
The guards beside Su Yu who knew the truth immediately held their breath, eagerly awaiting Pang Tong's choice.
Pang Tong himself was also extremely nervous.
His intuition told him that this would be a crucial decision that would affect his entire life!
……