Dongshi, Jixian County.
Soldiers armed with swords and guns stood on both sides of the market, and behind the soldiers were the people of Jixian County who filled the streets. They crowded together in tears, wanting to see their respected parents, Liu Yu and Liu Boan, one last time. Many people even wear plain white.
It's a pity. If it was the Chengping era, he would have been a good parent officer, but this is troubled times, so. . . There is no right or wrong, there is no justice. . .
Seven or eight prison cars drove up, with the pale-haired Liu Yu at the head, followed by his wife, son and other family members.
"It's Lord Liu!" "You can't kill Lord Liu!" The people were excited and crowded forward. Liu Yu is indeed popular, but this is also the reason why Liu Yu must die.
Why kings in the past dynasties were particularly cautious in using people with high prestige? Because they were afraid that their power would be too great and difficult to control, and it had nothing to do with good or bad.
"What's the fuss about!" the hundred-man general escorting the prison van shouted angrily: "Keep them back and kill those who dare to resist!"
The soldiers on both sides received the order and began to use violence, punching and kicking the people, and even fighting with swords.
Liu Yu shouted loudly: "Everyone, please go back. It's because I failed to manage this Youzhou side well! Everyone, please go back, don't let me get involved!"
But in this noisy downtown, how could his voice be heard? In the end, Liu Yu could only close his eyes, unable to bear to look at the injured people.
After a while, the prison car was taken to Caishikou next to the East Market, where Gongsun Zan sent people to build a temporary execution platform. Taichang and Duan Xun were surrounded by several soldiers and sat in the chairman's seat on the stage. Gongsun Zan sat aside with a faint smile.
Gongsun Zan thought that this was the most clever move to coerce Tai Chang and Duan Xun to kill Liu Yu. Duan Xun was an envoy of the emperor, so uninformed people really thought that Liu Yu colluded with Yuan Shao to rebel and proclaim the emperor. , this move can also ruin Yuan Shao's reputation.
The hundred-man general escorting the prison car came forward and gave the order: "I was ordered to escort the prisoner Liu Yu here. On the way, I captured and killed two groups of Liu Yu's best friends. Please give me your instructions, general."
Gongsun Zan waved his hand to him to prepare for execution. Gongsun Xu, who was on the side, praised: "My father's arrangement is wonderful. This move forced Liu Yu's old best friend who had rebellious intentions to come out and annihilated them in one fell swoop."
"Xu'er, you should learn from it." Gongsun Zan said proudly: "I have climbed from a small official to the position I am today. What do I rely on, the benevolence and righteousness mentioned by those Confucian scholars? Wrong! The people of Youzhou are tough, no need to How about a heavy ceremony of swords and weapons?"
"The child has learned a lesson. Father, where are you looking at Taichang?" Gongsun Xu obviously still couldn't bear it, so he asked.
"Xu'er, it's up to you now. Go and ask him to order Liu Yu to be executed." Gongsun Zan stood with his hands behind his back and said. This is the same reason why Zhu Yuanzhang asked Prince Zhu Biao to hold thorns.
Gongsun Xu was stunned for a while. He took the order and came to Duan Xun and said, "Sir, the time has come. You think it's time to order the execution of the criminals. Don't waste the auspicious time. You think so."
"Are you coercing me?" Duan Xun said angrily: "I am an envoy of the emperor. This is a crime of great disrespect."
Gongsun Xu was frightened by this crime of disrespect, but after a while he remembered Gongsun Zan's order, darkened his face, and said gloomily: "Sir, this is an irrefutable crime of treason, don't you give the order? Okay? , cut off an arm of the entourage brought by Master Duan!"
"No." The soldier ordered, and soon he held up a bloody severed arm. Duan Xun's face turned pale and his stomach was churning.
"Sir, you have brought about thirty followers. If you don't agree to cut off an arm for me within ten days, I will have no choice but to attack you when I reach the thirtieth hour!" Gongsun Xu said coldly.
There was no blood on Duan Xun's face. He tried to stay calm, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but tremble. When the fifth Xue Linlin arm was delivered, Duan Xun finally couldn't bear it anymore and said helplessly, "Okay! Isn't it okay if I give the order?"
Amid Gongsun Xu's proud laughter, Duan Xun took a notice that Gongsun Zan had prepared, read it intermittently, and said in a trembling voice, "Liu Yu, the shepherd of Youzhou... did not want to serve the country... colluded with Yuan Shao to rebel... …He is now sentenced to death by beheading.”
Duan Xunnian’s voice was not loud and intermittent. But there was silence below, and the people in Jixian County heard clearly. They were stunned for a while, and finally broke out and crowded towards the execution platform. With a dark face, Gongsun Zan ordered the execution and ordered the soldiers to suppress the people.
For a time, there were cries and curses, and the soldiers' spears and daggers were stabbed at the people who were rushing forward. Blood splattered everywhere, and many people fell into a pool of blood. Finally, no one dared to step forward. The people could only kneel down and cry. Watching Liu Yu being executed, he also looked at the arrogant Gongsun Zan angrily.
Liu Yu begged Gongsun Zan with a hoarse voice, but several soldiers escorted him to the stage. The executioner had already prepared the machete. He pinched Liu Yu's mouth and poured a bowl of Wanghun wine into Liu Yu's mouth.
"Crack!" The knife fell from his hand, and blood spattered. A rare honest and loyal high-ranking official in the late Han Dynasty died in Caishikou, Ji County, in front of a crowd of common people. Is this how Caishikou in Beijing came to be?
Then, eight people, men, women, old and young, were beheaded. The last pillar of the Han Dynasty has also died. There is really no hope for the revival of the Han Dynasty. Loyal ministers are the best of a country.
After killing all Liu Yu's family, Gongsun Zan breathed a sigh of relief and was waiting for orders to clean up the mess. At this time, a general ran forward and reported, "General, Xian Yuyin took advantage of the brothers who were sent to monitor him not to pay attention. The common people and Liu Yu's old troops robbed Tian Chou and Qi Zhou, and escaped from the city through the gap in the city wall!"
"Bastard!" Gongsun Zan felt cheated and became furious.
Koto.
While Gongsun Zan was wreaking havoc on Youzhou, Sun Jian in the south respected Chen Wen as the orthodox governor of Yangzhou, and regarded Liu Yao, the false governor of Yangzhou, as a traitor and traitor. In Chen Wen's name, he claimed to send 100,000 troops to attack Liu Yao.
The Jiangdong army sent out two groups, one of which was personally led by Sun Jian, with Guo Yi of Kuaiji County as a member of Liu Yao's party, to attack Kuaiji.
On the other hand, his wife's brother Wu Jing led the elite troops from Jiangdong to attack Danyang County in the name of Danyang Governor.
Jiangdong's army showed its ferocious spirit and came out in full force, firing their bows on the left and right, fighting on two fronts. They attacked Kuaiji and Danyang at the same time, alarming the whole Jiangdong. For a time, the sky in Jiangdong was covered with dark clouds and the atmosphere was depressing, as if a violent storm was coming instantly.
Kuaiji County, County Sheriff's Office.
In the lobby, the atmosphere was a bit depressing. All the civil and military officials in the county governor's mansion looked solemn, and some even looked panicked.
"Sun Jian has sent out troops!" Guo Yi knelt down and sat on the upper position with a calm expression. He stared at everyone and said calmly: "The Jiangdong Army is coming fiercely. Sun Jian wants to take Kuaiji directly. Do you have any good strategies for retreating?"
"So what if the tigers are fierce? Although Sun Jian claims to send 100,000 troops, he can only send 60,000 to 70,000 troops at most, and they are fighting on two fronts. The troops attacking me in Kuaiji must not be many, and they are just blocking them. Now I have 50,000 elite troops in Kuaiji, why? Afraid!"
Wang Lang squinted his eyes and looked at the dejected people. Then he stood up and gave a cold shout, which dispelled everyone's fear and gathered some morale.
"So what about Sun Wentai, if he dares to come to Kuaiji, a certain family is willing to be a pioneer!" A strong man also stood up and said loudly and loudly.
"We are willing to fight!" After the generals of the Kuaiji Army lost their fear, their morale increased greatly.
"Okay, if you all are united, why should one family worry about Sun Wentai?"
Guo Yi looked overjoyed, looked at the big man, and said: "Master Zulang, I will give you five thousand elites as a vanguard army to station in Xiaoshan County to resist the rebel army and buy time for me to gather my troops."
"promise!"
Zu Lang is good at wielding a big spear and has extraordinary martial arts skills. He is one of the best generals under Guo Yi.
"You must rectify your troops immediately. Within ten days, I will gather all the troops in Shanyin, and Yi will compete with Sun Jian." There was a hint of firmness and determination in Guo Yi's eyes.
"No!" The generals dispersed, and only Wang Lang stayed.
"Ahem..."
Guo Yi suddenly turned pale, coughed loudly, and spit out a trace of blood.
"Master Sheriff!" Wang Lang was shocked. He knew that Guo Yi had been in poor health recently, but he didn't expect it to be so serious. He immediately came up and helped him.
"I'm not in the way. It's an old habit. I can still hold on for another year and a half!"
Guo Yi was almost terminally ill now, but he couldn't show it. After all, the enemy was now at hand. He looked at Wang Lang with a touch of determination in his eyes and said, "Jingxing, the victory or defeat this time depends on you, Kuaiji." It doesn’t matter whether you can block him or not, you can let go of Kuaiji, but you can’t lose to Sun Wentai, you know?”
"Don't worry, sir, no matter what, Lang will definitely capture Wu County as soon as possible and force Sun Jian to retreat!" Wang Lang said firmly with a glint in his eyes.
Ju Yijun camp.
Xian Yuyin, Qi Zhou, Tian Chou and several officials of Liu Yu were brought here after asking to see Ju Yi. Xian Yufu was also brought out after arriving first.
Xian Yuyin and others all had sad faces. At their request, Ju Yi asked the soldiers to find white gauze for them to wear. At this time, Yuan Xi and Guo Jia also came to the camp to meet a few people.
Ju Yi also looked sad and said: "I am a useless person. I am really ashamed that I can't go into Jixian to rescue Xiangbenhou's family."
Qi Zhou and others burst into tears. Finally, Xian Yuyin cupped his fists and said, "General, we want to avenge Marquis Xiangben, and we ask the general to do it."
"I understand how General Xianyu feels." Ju Yi gestured for him to sit down, and then said, "But how can I avenge the Marquis of Xiangben with these thousands of troops? After I go back and report to General Chariot and Cavalry, let him launch a large army. How about attacking Gongsun Zan?"
A few people thought about it and felt that it would be difficult for Ju Yi to attack now, so they thanked him one after another. It was better not to force him too much. After all, it was not his own army, right?
Tian Chou thought for a while and said: "Gongsun Zan has annexed most of Youzhou and is now very arrogant. His troops and supplies have returned to their previous strength. It will take time and effort to defeat the Jizhou army with only the generals of chariots and cavalry. We can try our best. Rescue the young master Liu He who is in Chang'an, and then go to various places in Youzhou to gather the old troops loyal to Mr. Liu to assist him and attack Gongsun Zan from the side!"
Xian Yufu sighed and said: "I'm afraid it won't be that easy. Gongsun Zan has always been warlike and bloodthirsty. He will definitely massacre Master Liu's old troops. When we gather his troops, there won't be many left."
Yuan Xi thought that Gongsun Zan had made a wrong move. He could kill Liu Yu's old troops, but he didn't know that the more he killed, the more resistance there would be, and Gongsun Zan's strength would be consumed instead.
Xian Yuyin thought of something and suddenly said: "Everyone, I have thought of a way. The people of Xianbei and Wuhuan have always thought of the kindness of Marquis Xiangben. Why don't we go to Hudi and let the leaders of Xianbei and Wuhuan raise troops to help?"
"No!" Tian Chou immediately objected: "It is true that we will avenge Mr. Liu, but it is not appropriate to rely on barbarians."
"Zitai, I know you have prejudices against barbarians, but now that everyone is thinking about revenge for you, can you put down those prejudices?" Qi Zhou said.
Tian Chou did not hesitate and said: "Gongsun Zan is a wolf, so the Hu people are not jackals. Once Master Liu is gone, who will the Hu people believe? After killing Gongsun Zan to avenge Master Liu, the Hu people will have no scruples in Youzhou." Once the Hu people lose their scruples, the tragedy of the Zhongping period will definitely happen again, and it will not only be the people of Youzhou who will be massacred!"
Yuan Xi nodded secretly. What Tian Chou said was not unreasonable. If those Hu soldiers could not be controlled, the Han people would be plundered and slaughtered. At the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, Liu Kun and Wang Er were able to survive in the north for a while with the help of Xianbei's power. However, the border people in the north suffered huge disasters, and the Wuhu chaos in China further intensified.
"Then I will not avenge you!" Xianyu Yinqi said.
Tian Chou thought of something, but did not say it. Instead, he explained: "What I mean is to wait for the cavalry general and just follow Mr. Liu's old troops."
Guo Jia whispered to Yuan Xi: "This man's view of the Hu people is similar to that of the young master. He is also brave and insightful. You can try to recruit him."
Yuan Xi nodded, but he was not sure in his heart. In history, Tian Chou was full of personality and did not buy into the Yuan family and his son. Even Cao Cao promoted him many times and Xiahou Dun persuaded him many times, but he ignored it.
"There is a way to have both ends of the world." Xian Yufu said, "Have you heard of Yan Rou of Yan State? He was a prisoner of Wuhuan since he was a child. Later, the Xianbei people helped him kill Xing Ju, the captain of Wuhuan's guard, and replaced him. He has certain connections among the Wuhuan and Xianbei people, so he can be the leader of the Hu soldiers recruited and restrain them."
Yuan Xi thought to himself that Yan Rou's name was familiar, but historically this person was an unruly master under Yuan Shao.
Ju Yi nodded and said: "What you said makes sense. Send one person back with me to meet with General Chariot and Cavalry. The rest can quickly implement these strategies. It is estimated that next year they can mobilize troops to attack Gongsun Zan and replace Lord Liu. Revenge."
After a few more discussions, they settled in Ju Yi's place.
In the evening, Yuan Xi brought Guo Jia to the camp arranged for Tian Chou and saw Tian Chou packing his bags.
"Is it the second young master? I'm polite." Tian Chou did not expect that Yuan Xi would come to see him.
Yuan Xi motioned him to sit down and talk, looked at his package and asked, "Mr. Zitai, are you leaving?"
"Well, it's not easy for Youzhou to produce a good official like Mr. Liu. When he leaves, I feel bad. I think that I can't summon Mr. Liu's old troops like Qi Zhou and the others, so I can only return to the village to be mine. knowledge."
"Mr. Zitai, it is a pity that a great talent like you is buried in the countryside and does not do anything for the people. If Mr. Liu is still alive, will you apply for an official position?" Yuan Xi asked.
Tian Chou looked at Yuan Xi and Guo Jia and flatly refused. He did not give Mr. Yuan any face, and said: "Second Young Master, please forgive me for speaking frankly. When I was in Chang'an, I already refused to be conquered by the three princes, and I am even more reluctant now. Will serve as an official."
