After returning home, Sima Lang couldn't help but stop his father and second brother.

"Second brother, stay here, I have something unknown to you."

Sima Yi seemed to have expected his elder brother to ask this question, and said with a smile: "Brother, are you confused about my younger brother's volunteer today?"

Sima Lang nodded: "Yes. Although our Sima family relied on the merit of supporting the people and gained the trust and value of the lord, Zhou Yu was the lord's playmate when he was young, and he also made outstanding contributions to the Sun family's establishment in Jiangdong. Whether it is the reputation in Jiangdong or the position in the heart of the lord, it is definitely not something that our Sima family can compete with. Today, Zhou Yu said that he would do his best to fight the Northern Expedition, but his second brother would divide part of his military power and carry out the southern expedition. Even if you make sense, Zhou Yu is generous and does not care about it, it is still a matter of offending people."

"If his Northern Expedition is successful and he has achieved great success, it will seem that his second brother's plan is a bit extra. If the Northern Expedition is unfavorable, then people will inevitably think that it is because our Sima family has separated his few troops, which makes it difficult for him to win. Even Zhou Yu and even the lord himself may think so. At that time, my second brother and the entire Sima family will not be human inside or outside?"

His statement was not groundless. This time, when he attacked Luoyang, Jiangdong was defeated and returned. In addition to his death in the battle, Gongsun Jian also lost no less than 30,000 troops. Even if he received some of the Cao soldiers surrendered, the newly acquired Jingzhou must leave heavy troops to guard all places and deter the places.

Therefore, even 100,000 people could not be able to get all the people in Sun Ce's hands. Sima Yi took away 20,000 yuan, which would naturally have a significant impact on Zhou Yu's plan to attack Yuzhou.

Sima Fang also asked together: "Yes, Zhongda, although I believe that you have your own strategy in your heart, I can't figure out the reason."

Sima Yi's face was expressionless and only then did she smile slightly.

"Father, brother, but I still remember a few years ago, I said, what is the one that I rely on if I want to gain a foothold and grow in this world?"

Sima Fang was his father after all. He said without thinking: "There is no better father than his son" and said without thinking: "Of course I remember. You said that relying on anyone's trust and value is not as strong as himself, and he can last forever."

"That's it." Sima Yi said: "Brother said it right. Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu are the most confidant under the command of Sun's family in Jiangdong. Even if our Sima family has the merit of supporting him, they are still outsiders in the eyes of the lord. Under such circumstances, it is tantamount to making the family stand in the troubled times."

Sima Lang was not a stupid person either, so he understood a little at this time.

"What my second brother means... I am not just trying to seize territory for the lord, but seeking a foundation for our Sima family?"

Sima Yi shook his head: "It is necessary to seek the foundation, but the matter of the Southern Expedition is indeed the lord's intention."

"Oh? How did you see it?" Sima Lang looked puzzled.

While chatting, the three of them came to the lobby of their homes. Sima Fang waved his hand to signal his two sons to sit down, and he sat upright in the main seat.

Sima Yi bowed to his father and brother: "Now this lord is young and ambitious, and he has a grudge against Liu He for killing his father, which is very eager to take revenge. In Jingzhou, he occupied Yuzhou in the north and resisted Bashu in the west, relying on natural dangers. In addition, the northern army is not good at water warfare, and with the courage of the lord and Zhou Gongjin's wisdom, it is not difficult to hold on for five or six years. However, the lord is definitely not a mediocre master and is definitely not willing to live in such a corner."

Sima Lang said in confusion: "But didn't Zhou Yu make a plan for the Northern Expedition? If it could be accomplished..."

Halfway through his words, he seemed to have awakened himself. Sima Yi smiled and said, "Zhou Gongjin's words are just to appease everyone, especially those gentry in Jingzhou. If not, how could they support their lord wholeheartedly?"

"What my second brother means... the lord himself knows that it is difficult to succeed in the Northern Expedition?"

"This is natural." Sima Yi looked as if he was taken for granted.

"The strength of the enemy and us is too disparity. Liu He has no less than 800,000 troops. This time, he has surrendered soldiers in Jingzhou and Yizhou, with a total of no less than 150,000 and 160,000. The northern grasslands and the Qiang Rebellion in the northwest have all been pacified. Goguryeo, Wuhuan and others have retreated step by step under Ma Chao's iron hoof. If nothing unexpected happens, Ma Chao's army can invade the capital of Goguryeo at the beginning of the spring of the next year. Liu He has no worries now. If we really want to attack with all our strength, our army can still support it for several years. If we have to succeed in the Northern Expedition, there is no possibility of it."

Sima Fang twisted his beard and nodded slightly: "Well... It seems that the lord and Zhou Gongjin have agreed in private, but if Zhongda did not volunteer today, I don't know what the lord wants to make arrangements?"

Sima Yi said: "The southern expedition is not difficult. Whether it is a mountain or a mountain or a Jiaozhou Shixie, compared with our Central Plains princes, the clown is vulnerable and it is not easy to wipe out them. It is just that there is a lot of miasma in the mountains, and the road is even more difficult. This is difficult and difficult, and the lord believes that it is impossible to do anything loyal and brave."

"What is the second brother's meaning? The lord wants to use this to test the lords?"

"Yes. If I don't mention it, my lord will also use the excuse to mention the insufficient tribute of Shi Xie. In addition, Shanyue took advantage of the old lord's attack on Luoyang and repeatedly invaded Wu County. The lord had long wanted to take it away. Since the lord and his left and right had to do it, we were worried about the lord's worries, wouldn't we be more trusted? I dare to conclude that the lord was surely happy. Originally, he only wanted to send 20,000 ordinary infantry to pacify Shanyue and Jiaozhou, but now he is afraid that he will send 5,000 iron armored elites to it. This is the foundation for our Sima family to establish a foothold in Jiangdong in the future."

Speaking of this, Sima Yi clenched his fists and his eyes shone brightly. Sima Fang looked at his son and looked at him with relief.

Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, the Han Dynasty is about to usher in another New Year.

Originally, the imperial court defeated Cao Cao and completely pacified the entire north, which was a great joy. This New Year should be a grand celebration.

However, because Cheng Liang died in battle, Empress Dowager Xu followed suit, adding a few dark clouds to this supposedly festive season. Therefore, Luoyang City not only did not celebrate it, but instead, because the empress dowager was mourned, the festive atmosphere was not as good as in previous years.

In the palace, except for the front palace, which made some simple New Year's outfits to show the people the New Year's atmosphere, the harem was solemn. From Liu He and Zhang Yu to many palace maids and eunuchs, they all had a hint of sadness in their expressions.

Liu He was hit by the death of his closest relatives one after another, and he was stopped for several days. Fortunately, Liu Zheng returned to the palace and his memory was restored, which allowed him to cheer up again.

On that day, he reviewed the memorials as usual, and Xun Yu walked in from outside.

"Your Majesty, Shi Guangyuan's memorial has arrived."

Liu He was excited and his face suddenly showed joy and expectation. He got up in person and took the memorial.

"Guangyuan's mission to the Western Regions was so quick to hear back. It seems that the itinerary should be considered smooth."

A few months ago, according to the agreement, Liu He sent the Great Honglu Shi Tao as the chief envoy, and the Shangshu Pushe Zhen Yan as the deputy envoy, carrying the Great Han Dynasty's letters, gifts, more than 100 caravans, and a special team of more than 80 craftsmen to the Western Regions.

The purpose of this trip is to formally reach a relationship between the lord and vassal states with various countries, to establish trade and trade with each other, and to plan the construction of an official road from Liangzhou to the Western Regions, that is, to reopen, and even strengthen the famous road along with the East and the West, the Silk Road.
Chapter completed!