PFC Chapter 712: Zhongrong is great for his country
Chapter 712: Zhongrong is great for his country
Chapter 712: Zhongrong is great for his country
As night fell, Mi Yang walked alone with Shi Bao in the garden of the mansion.
The starlight and candlelight in the garden shone together, stretching the shadows of Mi Yang and Shi Bao.
Smelling the fragrance of flowers that kept coming from all around, Mi Yang asked Shi Bao behind him:
"Zhongrong, do you know why I want to leave you alone?"
Facing Mi Yang's question, Shi Bao immediately replied:
"I think the Grand Marshal is doing this for Yong'an."
Han Zong's envoy was sent away by Mi Yang during the day today.
Xiangyang and Yong'an are not far apart.
In addition, it is the flood season now and water transportation is quite convenient. I think Han Zong's envoy will return to Yong'an by tomorrow morning at the latest.
But at this critical moment, Mi Yang suddenly asked Shi Bao to stay. Shi Bao already had some guesses in his mind.
After hearing Shi Bao's answer, Mi Yang, who was pleased with Shi Bao's quick response, stopped and turned to look at Shi Bao behind him and said:
"Sometimes, you're smarter than Shizai."
Shi Bao knew that Deng Ai held a very important position in Mi Yang's heart.
Therefore, Shi Bao knew the weight of Mi Yang's praise.
Shi Bao bowed and said: "You are too kind, Grand Marshal. I have many wise plans and I am far behind you."
Shi Bao's words were not humble words, but that was what he thought in his heart.
But Mi Yang shook his head.
In terms of military strategy, Shi Bao is naturally not as good as Deng Ai, but in other aspects, Shi Bao is far superior to Deng Ai.
For example, personality.
During today's meeting, Mi Yang felt that with Shi Bao's talent, it was impossible for him not to doubt Han Zong's surrender.
But looking at today's meeting, Shi Bao remained silent.
Mi Yang was always happy to hear his subordinates express their opinions, but Shi Bao remained silent, not because he was afraid of saying something wrong.
The most likely possibility is that he had already seen through her feelings from other aspects.
Furthermore, Shi Bao already knew his intention to keep him, but he had been away for such a long time and he was not anxious, nor did he take the initiative to ask questions or try to be clever.
Deng Ai does not have this kind of mentality.
Or to say, among his trusted confidants, few could be as calm and composed as Shi Bao.
And it was precisely because of Shi Bao's character that Mi Yang kept Shi Bao here tonight.
"Do you think Han Zong will agree to my request today?"
Mi Yang asked Shi Bao another question.
Shi Bao was unable to answer this question immediately.
The human heart is always the hardest to guess.
Seeing that Shi Bao did not respond, Mi Yang continued to talk to himself:
"He will."
Mi Yang expressed his opinion to Shi Bao in a decisive tone.
Shi Bao didn't know the basis for Mi Yang's judgment, but Mi Yang's past battle record made Shi Bao believe in Mi Yang without a doubt.
While Shi Bao was silent, Mi Yang continued:
"In fact, I have some reservations about what I said to Envoy Han Zong today."
Hearing Mi Yang say this, Shi Bao couldn't help but be surprised.
What does the reserved area refer to?
“If you follow my method, it won’t be difficult for Han Zong to take over Yong’an City.
But what I am really worried about is not whether Han Zong can take over Yong'an City.
What I am worried about is how long Han Zong can hold on to Yongan City after taking it."
Mi Yang's words further deepened Shi Bao's doubts.
Shi Bao subconsciously asked, "Didn't the Grand Marshal promise Han Zong's envoy that he would send troops to rescue them?"
In Shi Bao's opinion, Jingzhou currently has 60,000 Tiance troops, and the number of provincial soldiers is also around 40,000.
In total, Mi Yang currently has an army of 100,000.
Although due to previous policies, some soldiers are currently stationed in rural areas and cannot be called up in the short term.
But no matter how difficult it is, it is not difficult to gather about 50,000 people.
With Mi Yang personally leading the army and 50,000 troops supporting Han Zong, it was not difficult to repel Lu Xun's army with the help of both inside and outside forces.
Unless Mi Yang's original idea was not to send troops to rescue Han Zong and just sit back and watch the two tigers, Han Zong and Lu Xun, fight each other.
Shi Bao's doubt made Mi Yang smile faintly.
He took Shi Bao to a pavilion in the garden and sat down.
“I have never lied to anyone.
I said I would send troops to rescue, and I will definitely do so.
But sometimes, things in the world are not something that I can control alone.
Lu Xun is currently in Jianye, and perhaps he does not know that Han Zong has already written a letter to surrender to me.
But Lu Xun was a rare opponent for him, and it was impossible for him to be completely unprepared against a villain like Han Zong.
Sooner or later, Lu Xun would get wind of it.
Even if I could get Han Zongju to return to Yongan before he received the news.
But Jiangxia is an important city of Eastern Wu. With the help of geographical advantages, Lu Xun will be able to mobilize the army to quell the rebellion faster than we can.
Of course, if this is the case, I am not too worried.
Yong'an City is high and well-moored, and Han Zong has won the hearts of Jie Fan's soldiers, so it should not be difficult to hold out for at least a month.
Logically speaking, one month is enough time for me to lead my troops to provide assistance.
But Lu Xun is not an ordinary person. He can certainly think of what I can think of.
I expect him to adopt the strategy of starting late and catching up first.”
"What is the strategy of being the last to arrive but the first to arrive that the Grand Marshal mentioned?"
Facing Shi Bao's confused gaze, Mi Yang pointed his finger towards Yuzhou in the north.
Seeing what Mi Yang was pointing at, the confusion in Shi Bao's eyes instantly disappeared. He was startled and blurted out:
"Does the Grand Marshal think that Lu Xun will ask Cao Xiu to send troops to attack Yiyang County?"
After hearing Shi Bao's guess, Mi Yang nodded.
After Mi Yang nodded, Shi Bao finally understood the meaning of Mi Yang's words.
Yiyang County was an important town in Jingzhou, and Mi Yang would never sit idly by and watch it be taken away.
Although Deng Ai had extraordinary military strategies, there were no strategic locations to defend around Yiyang County, and Deng Ai did not have enough troops.
Therefore, when Cao Xiu led his troops to attack Yiyang County, Mi Yang could only send troops north to provide support.
What’s important is that after Mi Yang led his troops north, Cao Xiu could choose not to fight with Mi Yang, but instead deployed his troops outside Yiyang County to hold Mi Yang back.
Once Mi Yang sent troops north to support, even if Mi Yang wanted to take Yong'an into consideration as well, he would not be able to allocate too many troops to Yong'an.
In that case, without strong reinforcements, Han Zong could hold out for a month, but definitely not for too long.
After understanding Mi Yang's worries, Shi Bao's face showed a solemn look.
It seemed that the Han army was in a dilemma.
Under such circumstances, the safest way would be to persuade Mi Yang to give up his plan to seize Yong'an.
But Shi Bao knew that the good opportunity would be fleeting and Mi Yang would not accept it.
Seeing Shi Bao's serious expression, Mi Yang reached out and patted Shi Bao on the shoulder and said:
"I have a plan that may resolve these two dilemmas.
I just need Zhongrong to take a risk and do something for me."
Mi Yang's words made Shi Bao very happy.
Shi Bao hurriedly bowed to Mi Yang and said, "Please, Grand Marshal, drive us."
Shi Bao's attitude brought a smile to Mi Yang's face, and then he told him the plan in his mind.
“If there is no strong support, Han Zong will think that I am deceiving him, and then his mind will be confused.
Not only him, but also his subordinates and the nobles in Yong'an City will give up because they see no hope.
But what if I could give them a tangible hope?
Yong'an is a fortress of Eastern Wu. Needless to say, the city defenses are strong, and there is certainly no shortage of food and fodder within the city.
As long as the people in the city remain calm and Han Zong holds out, Lu Xun may not be able to capture Yong'an City within a few months."
Mi Yang's words made Shi Bao nod his head involuntarily.
But what does this have to do with him?
"The real hope I want to give Han Zong is you.
I need you to enter Yongan after the Hanzong matter is completed.
Everyone knows that you traveled thousands of miles to seek refuge. This is your loyalty to me.
This meaning is as deep as the sea and as high as the mountain.
If I betray this righteousness, I will surely be cursed by generations to come.
As long as you are in Yong'an City, the people in the city will firmly believe that I may be late to rescue them, but I will never abandon them.
Because they believe that I would not risk ruining my own and the late emperor's reputation by deceiving them."
When Mi Yang finished speaking, he wanted to see if Shi Bao's expression would change drastically.
After all, no matter what, if Shi Bao agreed to him, it would be like having one foot in the gate of hell.
It is normal for Shi Bao to have drastic mood swings.
Unfortunately, Mi Yang did not observe Shi Bao's emotional changes.
After a moment of silence, Shi Bao looked up at Mi Yang and said:
"I am willing to go."
Shi Bao's voice was very light, but when it fell into Mi Yang's ears, it made his heart fluctuate violently.
"I won't force you."
Mi Yang was willing to give Shi Bao another chance to choose.
But facing this second chance, Shi Bao stood up and bowed solemnly to Mi Yang:
"If it is beneficial to the country, I will not avoid it because of misfortune or fortune!
This is what the Grand Marshal said after the Battle of Gong'an.
I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Grand Marshal.
This is why I have traveled thousands of miles to join my lord.”
"I am willing to go!"
At this moment Mi Yang couldn't help but think of his evaluation of Shi Bao that day:
Shi Zhongrong, unparalleled in talent!
(End of this chapter)