"Is this letter written by Sun Ce?" When Chen Mo received the letter from Jiangdong's messenger in Chang'an, he almost couldn't believe his eyes.

What is Sun Ce's character? Judging from the brief fight outside Yique Pass and Sun Ce's later fighting style in Yangzhou, he has a strong temper.

Chen Mo thought that Sun Ce would come to ask for an official position, but this letter made Chen Mo's image of Sun Ce collapse.

It's not flattering, but Chen Mo's half-life achievements are almost mentioned in the letter. As for the revenge of killing his father, there is no mention of it. Although there is no flattering word, the admiration seems to flow from between the words. With Sun Ce's character

, even if you give in, it’s impossible to write such a letter, right?

"Exactly." The visitor said neither humble nor arrogantly.

"Okay, just think it was written by him." After a brief moment of surprise, Chen Mo nodded with a smile, put away the bamboo slip and said, "What official position does Sun Ce want?"

If this letter was written by Sun Ce, he would have eaten the bamboo slip.

It should be Zhou Yu, but Zhou Lang's literary talent... is also very average~

There was no explanation in the bamboo slips. Zhou Yu was also cunning this time. Sometimes what he didn't say was more powerful than what he said. Chen Mo looked at it, but I praise you so much. It's too low.

"Back to the Marquis of Changling, my lord does not ask for much, but he does not have an official at the moment. Now Danyang and Kuaiji have been pacified, but he is still a general of Yuan Gong's family. It is difficult to convince the public, so he came to the court to ask for it.

The imperial court will help you." The envoy bowed and said.

"In that case..." Chen Mo thought for a moment and then said: "I will give him the title of general, and he will be named the general who protects the Han Dynasty. The seal and ribbon will be made soon. You can take it back to Sun Ce."

Titled generals did not exist before. As the feudal lords separated themselves, the original military positions under the princes could no longer satisfy the growing army. Therefore, title generals were added to the captains. These titled generals are also called miscellaneous generals.

, the amount of military power was completely determined by the princes. There were similar military positions in the past. For example, General Fubo of Ma Yuan under Emperor Guangwu was a general of mixed numbers.

It is impossible for Chen Mo to give Sun Ce the position of prefect. This miscellaneous general position is above the Cavalry Captain and the School Lieutenant, and it also agrees with Sun Ce's current status. As for the rest, Sun Ce has to fight for it himself.

Jiangdong is not the only choice for Chen Mo.

"Thank you so much, Marquis Changling!" the envoy Su Rong saluted.

This time Sun Ce sent an envoy to Chang'an to ask for an official position, and he did not come empty-handed. He brought a lot of things from Jiangdong, including ten carts of jewelry, jades, and silk. He was sincere. Chen Mo really needed an ally in the direction of Jiangdong. Sun Ce

It just so happens that if you pacify the north in the future, you won't need to feel guilty if you attack Sun Ce again.

Although his father died in his own hands, it was his father who acted first, and he gave Sun Ce an official position. He should be grateful. If he doesn't surrender by then, there will be a nominal crusade.

After sending Sun Ce away, Xu Shu came back and saw Chen Mo sitting there in a daze. He smiled and said, "Master, are you worried about Sun Ce?"

"He?" Chen Mo shook his head and said: "Sun Lang does have some abilities, but although I have never been to Jiangdong, I have read about it in books. It is not easy to cross the river, but the other party wants to cross the river.

It is also not easy to get involved in the Central Plains. He chose this place as his base. If he wants to return to the Central Plains in the future, it will not be that simple~"

Chen Mo has never been to Jiangdong, but he also grew up in the Jianghuai area and is familiar with the terrain in that area. No matter how powerful Sun Ce is, he will at most occupy the Jianghuai area. Unless there is a war in the Central Plains, Sun Ce will have no chance at all.

But the current structure of the Central Plains is a tripartite confrontation. Sun Ce can contain Cao Cao for himself, but if he wants to go further, unless there is an internal turmoil within Cao Cao, just like the last Yanzhou Rebellion, Sun Ce can take advantage of it. But such an opportunity, at present,

In terms of the situation, it is unlikely to happen. Even if it does, Cao Cao, who has learned the lesson from the last time, cannot be unprepared.

"But if Sun Ce and Liu Bei join forces, will something happen?" Xu Shu asked.

"Yes, if he forms an alliance with Liu Bei and quickly annexes Yuan Shu, Cao Cao may not be able to do anything to them." Chen Mo nodded, it was indeed a possibility: "But it must be quick."

Although there has been no news of Cao Cao's military movements recently, this is suspicious. Chen Mo estimated that his brother might be gathering strength at this time and secretly preparing to attack Xuzhou. If Sun Ce wants to make a difference, he must attack Cao Cao.

Before Xuzhou, Yuan Shu was destroyed first.

"I'm afraid it will be very difficult." Xu Shu said with a bitter smile. Although Yuan Shu's power is not as strong as before, the centipede insect is dead but not stiff. Yuan Shu's current strength should not be underestimated.

"It all depends on man-made things. Nothing in this world is absolute." Chen Mo shook his head and said, "This is Sun Ce's only way out at the moment."

"My lord, I have been thinking about something these days." Xu Shu bowed and said.

"Oh?" Chen Mo looked at Xu Shu and said with a smile, "Yuan Zhi has something to say, but it doesn't hurt to say it."

Xu Shu thought about it: "If a three-legged force forms in the north and neither the Lord nor Cao Cao has time to look south, will a new situation form if Sun Ce abandons Xuzhou and attacks Jingzhou instead?"

Jingzhou is also a large state, and with the wars in the Central Plains over the years, a large number of people have flowed to Jingzhou. Moreover, compared to the flat plains in the Central Plains, the waterways in Jingxiang are more suitable for the Jiangdong Army to attack. If Sun Ce abandons Xuzhou and turns to

If he succeeds in attacking Jingzhou, in addition to the three overlords of the Central Plains, there may be one more force that can rival the three overlords. In that case, the situation in the world will be even more unpredictable.

Chen Mo thought for a while, nodded and said: "It is indeed a bit difficult to handle, but Sun Ce has great ambitions. If there is a chance to compete in the Central Plains, he will not change his strategy easily."

Although Jingzhou is good, it can only be regarded as a safe place compared with the Central Plains. Sun Ce has great ambitions and should not give up the opportunity to compete in the Central Plains.

However, if he really changed his mind and turned to attack Jingxiang, Chen Mo would not be able to do anything for a while.

After all, it would be difficult for him to reach Jingzhou.

The world, which was gradually becoming clearer, seems to have become blurry again.

Chen Mo rubbed his temples. Even he couldn't predict Sun Ce's future. Although Sun Ce is still far from being able to step onto the chessboard and play chess with them, as long as Sun Ce holds Jiangdong firmly,

I'm afraid Sun Ce won't just treat him as a chess piece in his hand to help him contain Cao Cao, right?

Before Sun Ce takes action, should he capture Jingzhou first?

Chen Mo frowned and thought about the feasibility of this matter, and then rejected the idea. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao could not watch him take Jingzhou, Liu Biao was not the kind of person to be manipulated by others, and his rear was still undecided.

Going to layout Jingzhou will only disrupt your original layout.

"Let's take Xiliang first. As for the future of this world, it depends on when Cao Cao and I can decide the winner." Chen Mo sighed and comforted Xu Shu.

Ping Xiliang, lay a solid foundation, accumulate food and grass, and wait for the changes of the times. Whatever you say now is just random speculation. Since the future is difficult to calculate, let's do the things right now.

"Here!" Xu Shu nodded in response.

At the moment, Chen Mo's main focus is to continue to increase production. Even if there is another drought year, he will not have to borrow food from abroad like the year before last. The other is to pacify Xiliang as soon as possible, wipe out Ma Chao, Han Sui, and order the Qiang. No one dares to move rashly until the rear is stabilized.

Not only Chen Mo is doing this, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are also working hard to stabilize the rear.

…

Xuzhou, Xiapi.

"Bei and Marquis Changling are also acquaintances." Liu Bei took Chen Gui's hand cordially and said with a smile: "At that time, it can be said that we felt like old friends at first sight. Today, when I see Han Yu and Yuan Long, I know that the Chen family is full of outstanding people. Bei I’m very envious of it.”

"Your words are serious." Chen Gui didn't know Liu Bei's thoughts. Now Liu Bei is spreading benevolence and righteousness in Xuzhou to win the hearts of the people. Not to mention, Liu Bei does have a unique charm. Since he entered Xuzhou, the wealthy merchants in the East China Sea have The Mi family spent all their wealth to help, Cao Bao also surrendered to Liu Bei, and many scholars in Xuzhou also joined Liu Bei's army. Compared with when he first came, Liu Bei could be said to be more mature now.

The Chen family is a prominent family in Xuzhou. Since Chen Mo became famous, the Chen family has been vaguely regarded as the number one family in Xuzhou. If the Chen family can assist Liu Bei, Liu Bei's power will rise to a higher level.

Personally speaking, Chen Gui and Chen Deng still have a good impression of Liu Bei, but as the heads of the clan, Chen Gui and Chen Deng have a more rational vision and will not let their emotions influence their decisions.

If Liu Bei had more time, he might really be able to become a hegemon alongside Cao Cao, but unfortunately, Liu Bei started too late. Xuzhou was defeated by Cao Cao. It was far inferior to Cao Cao in terms of population and military strength. Moreover, Xuzhou had no danger to defend, and Yuan Shu was defeated again. Cao Cao's estrangement can be said to have no foreign aid. Under such circumstances, it would be difficult for Liu Bei to defend Xuzhou!

Chen Gui naturally didn't want to depend on Liu Bei for the future of the Chen family, but if Cao Cao really captured Xuzhou, the Chen family's position would be very embarrassing. If nothing else, Cao Cao would definitely be wary of the Chen family just because of Chen Mo. Life at home will not be easy, which is why Chen Gui is willing to let Chen Deng serve as Liu Bei's chief secretary.

Although his official position is not high, he can still make suggestions for Liu Bei. In addition, there is Chen Gong to assist Liu Bei, so he may not be able to stop Cao Cao.

“Mr.

"Master Yu of Han, please speak." Liu Bei's eyes lit up and he looked at Chen Gui and said.

"Reconciling with Yuan Shu, if Xuande Gong can join forces with Yuan Shu, it will not be easy for Cao Cao to invade Xuzhou." Chen Gui is actually not willing to let Liu Bei and Yuan Shu join forces. After all, the relationship between the Chen family and Yuan Shu has already been formed. However, the current situation is that if Cao Cao is allowed to wipe out the two Huaihe Rivers, the Chen family will probably be the first target of Cao Cao. Even if Chen Gui and his son join Cao Cao, they will still be weakened by Cao Cao. This is definitely not what Chen Gui wants to see. Arrived.

"Then Yuan Shu doesn't distinguish between good and bad, so he comes to attack each other. It's rude to begin with. Now he wants us to take the initiative to ask him for peace?" Zhang Fei on the side said dissatisfied.

"Yide must not be rude!" Liu Bei stopped him quickly, frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "Although the third brother is reckless, his words are not unreasonable. Even if he is willing to join forces with Yuan Shu, Yuan Gongluo may not agree."

"Mr. Xuande only needs to send one eloquent person to explain his power. Yuan Jiujiu is not an unintelligent person. He also has wise men under his command. He should understand the current situation." Chen Gui stroked his beard and said with a smile.

Yuan Shu should still understand the principle of lips dying and teeth cold. If Liu Bei dies, how can Yuan Shu survive alone?

"Thank you, Duke Han Yu, for your advice." Liu Bei said with a slight salute.
Chapter completed!