Suddenly, turmoil was raging all over Hebei, and the news reached the ears of Cao Cao in Xudu. He couldn't help but make the overlord look up to the sky and laugh. He deeply praised Xun You, an old fox, for his cleverness and vicious schemes. With one decree, Hebei was turned into a pot of rotten porridge. The purpose is to make people happy, let the Yuan Xi brothers dog eat dog.
To Cao Cao's surprise, not long after the incident, an envoy was sent from Yecheng in Jizhou, carrying rare treasures and special products from the north, to pay homage to the emperor Liu Xie.
But the discerning people in Xudu knew in their hearts that paying homage to the emperor was just a cover to deceive the world. Yuan Tan had obtained the pastoral position in Jizhou and could compete with Yuan Xi politically. It was only true that Yuan Xi was worried and came to make peace. In this way, there would be Talked about.
However, the person sent was a man of little fame, named Sima Yi. Although he himself was not well-known, his father, Sima Fang, had helped Cao Cao.
This point gave the relationship between the two parties a little room for relaxation. After Sima Yi arrived in Xudu, after paying tribute to the emperor on behalf of Yuan Xi, he immediately brought a heavy gift to see Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao had ulterior motives and wanted to show off to Yuan Xi. Xi Yi was in a hurry, so he refused to meet Sima Yi because he was busy with official duties.
East of Yecheng, Li Yangpo.
Yuan Tan stared anxiously to the west. After a while, a group of carriages and horses came, and the two brothers Xin Ping and Xin Pi jumped out of the carriage.
"Mr. Zhongzhi, what's going on in Yecheng?" Yuan Tan asked anxiously.
"My eldest son, you are still a step too late! My lord has the intention of abolishing the elders and establishing the younger ones. Although I am already vaguely aware of it, I don't expect my lord to be so determined. Yuan Xi and Yuan Xianyi are only 20 years old, how can they compete with Cao Cao? My lord's actions are tantamount to destroying his own foundation. It's sad and deplorable." Xin Ping couldn't help but sigh.
"The second young master took the lead and passed the news to Shen Pei and the others. It was no longer possible to start an uprising in Yecheng. Now the second young master led the army back to Yecheng, which was already under their control. I saw that the situation was not good, so I led my family to escape. Come to the city and meet the eldest son."
"Did we just give up like this? I'm not convinced! Why is it Yuan Xi? Why?" Yuan Tan was filled with grief and anger.
"Have the food and grass been collected? The deceased is dead, so there is no need for the eldest son to be too indignant. The most urgent task is to find a way to save his life first. The only way forward is to quickly go north to Youzhou to save his life. We will discuss the counterattack on Jizhou later." Xin Ping advised him, but he was still reasonable.
"Hey, now that Yuan Xi is so powerful, will he really have a chance in the future?" Yuan Tan asked, feeling uncertain.
"Back in Qingzhou, we designed a plot to kill Yuan Xi. Although the plot failed and was not revealed, how could Yuan Xi not know about it? He has always hated you, the eldest son! Now you are returning to Yecheng with the army for the funeral, but you don't want to Think about it, how can Yuan Xi let you return to Youzhou alive? Even if he doesn't kill you out of consideration for brotherhood, I'm afraid he will imprison you in Yecheng and live under his fence for the rest of your life. Looking at his eyes, how can you be there again? Now we are separatizing a state and dominating one side's glorious days? If we return to Yecheng this time, we will never see the light of day again. But it all depends on man-made efforts. My eldest son, you are not without a chance."
In history, wasn't Cao Zhang's fate exactly what Xin Ping speculated? He was eventually placed under house arrest by Cao Pi and died of depression.
Xin Ping then analyzed: "As long as we maintain foreign aid and ask Wuhuan's Tadun to raise troops together, we still have a chance of winning back Jizhou."
This is a foolish move. Historically, the descendants of Xiao Liang colluded with Yu Wentai to accelerate the demise of the Liang Dynasty.
Hearing this, Yuan Tan's eyes lit up and he said excitedly: "Mr. is still wise and talented. We have almost collected food and grass. We can break camp and go north at any time."
"No! Young Master." Xin Ping stopped him and said: "There are Qingzhou troops watching from the side. They may not let Young Master return to the north easily. Young Master should send a general to command the troops and horses, while you lead a few light cavalry to quickly Go back to Youzhou and take control of the situation."
After Yuan Tan paused, he looked at Zhu Ling beside him: "Then, General Lao will take command of these troops."
"Live up to the great trust of the young master." Zhu Ling said solemnly, clasping his fists. Although he knew he couldn't do it, he still accepted the task. It was nothing more than eating people's salaries and sharing people's worries.
Yuan Shao died suddenly, and it was late summer. After five days of preparations, the funeral was about to be carried out and buried. All the civil and military officials in Jizhou went to the funeral in an anxious mood. Mrs. Liu cried so sadly that she fainted again in Yuan Xi's arms.
Yuan Xi was also in a bad mood. In the first two days, Taishi Ci and Duan Pixi attacked the Youzhou army's transport team. Then he captured the Youzhou Army's central army and defeated nearly 10,000 Youzhou Army in two raids.
However, Taishi Ci and Duan Pizhen did not find Yuan Tan, Xin Ping and others. After being defeated by Yuan Xi's army, the main general Zhu Ling also led a dozen cavalry to flee to Youzhou. Now Yuan Xi can only pin his hopes on Zhang He and Guo Huai, hoping that they can quickly capture Zhuoxian and Jixian.
But now that Yuan Shaogang died, Yuan Tan secretly ran back to Youzhou without even saying hello, making it clear that he had rebellious intentions. Yuan Xi is not a soft persimmon. Since his elder brother is already malicious towards him, there is no need for him to wait for his eldest brother to really rebel before finding a way to deal with him. It will probably be too late.
Yuan Xi is not a soft persimmon, Emperor Jianwen. He will not give Yuan Tan a chance to become Zhu Di. Everything must be nipped in the bud. This is for the good of the Yuan family, he comforts himself.
As the saying goes, if Duan continues to rebel and suffer chaos, instead of waiting for Yuan Tan to rebel, it is better to take action yourself, destroying his reputation and wings, and saving a lot of effort in dealing with him in the future.
Yuan Shao's words before his death were very clear, "As long as you brothers are here, why worry about the Yuan family not being prosperous, and why worry about the world being unrest."
However, as soon as Yuan Shao left, everything immediately went downhill. A bloody situation of brothers fighting each other is indeed about to take place.
Yuan Xi doesn't want this, but there is nothing he can do about it. Things in the world are like chess and people are like pieces. Humans are very humble creatures. They can change their destiny, but they cannot control the way of heaven, even if they are time travellers.
It is not easy to live in this troubled world. Many things will not develop according to one's expectations. Brothers work together, and their sharpness can defeat gold. Yuan Xi doesn't want to live such a life. It's a pity that God does not follow people's wishes, and the emperor's family is the most ruthless.
He is destined to be a passing figure in the long river of history. Butterfly wings can change the direction of the world, but they cannot drive the development of the world. Yuan Xi is destined to be just a survivor struggling in troubled times, working hard to survive.
The General's Mansion.
After General Yuan Shao was buried, Yuan Xi went on a hunger strike for five days. For the next period of time, he did almost nothing and spent all his energy on mourning.
The ministers of Hebei also did nothing else and devoted all their energy to comforting their new protagonist Yuan Xi.
It seems that Yuan Xi is stupid, naive, and hypocritical. In fact, he is just a means to establish a new distinction between monarch and ministers with the original ministers of Hebei, but this cannot be explained to outsiders.
Gao Rou first persuaded: "The general has accepted the great mission entrusted to him by the general, and he has brought great responsibility to Hebei. How can he be like a commoner who suffers undue harm to his body just to pay attention to details?" Yuan Xi then ate a bowl of porridge, but Then he continued his hunger strike.
Next, all the civil servants and generals in Hebei knelt outside the door to beg Yuan Xi. They followed the last words of the late Lord Yuan Shao and quickly took off their mourning clothes after the burial, so that Hebei could go on the right track.
Yuan Xi refused to listen and cried and issued an edict: "Since the disaster came, it seems like it happened yesterday. I served my father's funeral as if he was still alive. You actually said that he should be buried and left. I really can't bear it. listen!"
It's hypocritical, right? It's disgusting, right? But it does work. After several invitations to Yuan Xi, the new distinction between monarch and minister, the so-called status, was quietly established.
In the next few days, civil servants and generals kept asking for help. Yuan Xi finally relented, but he only agreed to be buried and did not agree to take off his mourning clothes.
The next day, Yuan Xi personally went to the Guling Mausoleum in Fangshan to arrange the burial. He issued an order to stop all the honor guards that were usually dispatched, leaving only armed guards as temporary precautions.
Yuan Shao, who had been dead for 20 days, was finally laid to rest. All the officials thought that Yuan Xi finally didn't have to make trouble anymore, but Yuan Xi still refused to give up and promised not to go on hunger strike again, but insisted on not taking off his mourning clothes.
Yuan Ji, the elder of the Yuan family, suggested: "We are already old, but serving as heads of the Yuan family for generations, we are very familiar with the precedents and traditions of the Yuan family. Looking back at the time when our ancestors passed away, only those who attended the coffin wore mourning clothes. , everyone else still wears their usual clothes, and this has been followed to this day, and has never changed. I heard that the general would eat less than half a bowl for three meals, and would not take off the linen belt tied around his waist, day or night. We beat our chests and fidgeted. May the general restrain his affection for you and abide by the old rules and regulations established by the Yuan family."
Yuan Xi said sadly: "I am extremely grieved. It is common to hurt the body. There is no need to pay special attention to it. I eat porridge morning and evening and my body can barely survive. Why do you need to worry?"
Tian Feng and Jushu also disagreed. Yuan Xi ignored political affairs and concentrated on keeping filial piety. He quoted various scriptures and scriptures in the hope that Yuan Xi would turn back. However, Yuan Xi always had his own reasons when he tried to make excuses, which made the officials speechless. Later, he started playing tricks again. Scoundrel, crying in public.
He also threatened that if he was not allowed to wear mourning clothes, he would not speak for three years and would have to complete the ceremony. Everyone had no choice but to jointly write a letter: "You can wear it, you can wear it. Really, it doesn't matter, don't cry." Bad health.”
In fact, the reason why Taizong Xuanwu Emperor Yuan Xi performed this act with extreme hypocrisy was to downplay the previous bloody politics within the Yuan family.
This strong filial piety was used to cover up the fact that the Yuan family was unfaithful and unjust. This is why after the establishment of the Jin Dynasty, filial piety was promoted instead of loyalty.
Taizong, Xuanwu and Emperor Yuan Xi were not righteous when they founded the country. They used loyalty to inspire the people. Who would believe it? Do you believe in ghosts? Therefore, we can only govern the world with filial piety. There is no other way. Even if the person is not upright, he will not obey orders.
Ji County.
More than five hundred Qingqi quietly appeared outside Jicheng, led by the two generals Zhang He and Zhao Yun.
Because they had to make a long-distance attack, Yuan Xi secretly sent Zhao Yun with two thousand knights to assist Zhang He in capturing Youzhou.
Yuan Xi's order was to attack Youzhou day and night. After Zhang He, Zhao Yun and Guo Huai discussed it, Zhang He and Zhao Yun led the cavalry and rushed non-stop to the two false cities in Zhuoxian and Jixian. Guo Huai led the Chinese army to follow. Go to the reception.
Hu Fan, the defender of Jixian County, was a middle-aged lieutenant who was close to Yuan Xi and his eldest brother Yuan Tan. He respectfully welcomed Zhang He and others, who were known as the messengers of Jizhou, into the government office in the city.
At this time, Hu Fan, Zhang He, and Zhao Yun were left in the hall, as well as more than ten of Hu Fan's guards outside the door. Then the guests and hosts took their seats.
"I'd like to ask you two adults to deliver the order, but where is the document?" Hu Fan asked, and it was reasonable for him to ask this.
Zhao Yun took out the document signed by Yuan Xi, and Hu Fan carefully read every detail and was sure that the seal and the like were correct, but the content of the transfer document was to transfer him to Yecheng.
At this time, the news of Yuan Shao's death had not yet reached Zhuo County. But at this juncture of the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan, it would be too suspicious to suddenly transfer an important official like Hu Fan to Yecheng.
"Two adults, please go down and rest first. After I complete the handover, I will leave for Yecheng to renew my duties." Hu Fan replied.
"I wonder how long it will take Mr. Hu to complete the explanation?" Zhang He questioned. He felt that Hu Fan was dishonest.
"Ah. It won't take long, only three days." Hu Fan said with gleaming words. After all, his master is Yuan Tan, right?
Zhang He frowned and said displeasedly, "Didn't your Excellency see that the transfer order said to set off immediately?"
Seeing Zhang He's words, Hu Fan became even more convinced of the weirdness in it, so he fortunately replied: "Transferring the defense of a county. Isn't it such a simple thing? Three days have already been very rushed."
At this moment, Zhao Yun moved up with a lunge, took out the sword from his waist, and pointed the three-foot green blade directly at Hu Fan's vitals.
Hu Fan was shocked. He did not expect Zhao Yun to suddenly attack, but as a military general, he reacted very quickly. He took a step back and was able to avoid the sword edge, but his arm was still scratched.
Zhang He on the side was also very fast. As soon as Zhao Yun drew his sword, he had already blocked Hu Fan's retreat.
He used hand fighting skills to capture Hu Fan, and Zhao Yun's long sword was also at Hu Fan's neck at this time.
"Who are you waiting for?" Cold sweat broke out on Hu Fan's forehead.
While they were talking, the sound of fighting came from the courtyard outside the door. The Youzhou guards heard the sound and wanted to run in to investigate, but the brave cavalry stopped them.
Zhao Yun grabbed Hu Fan with one hand and pushed him out of the hall. With the other hand, he pressed the long sword to the vital part of his neck to signal him to be more honest.
"Stop it!" Zhang He shouted, attracting everyone's attention. This was the result he wanted.
The soldiers in the courtyard stopped when they saw that their general had been captured.
Hu Fanneng was entrusted with the important task of staying in his hometown of Jixian County. Obviously he is Yuan Tan's direct confidant. But Hu Fan is also afraid of death. At this time, he is full of contradictions in his heart. At the critical moment, he realizes that the so-called loyal minister is not so easy to be a loyal minister. Not everyone is Yan Zhenqing's.
After days of hard work, Zhang He's eyes were filled with bloodshot eyes, but he still forced him with a fierce expression: "Have your subordinates abandon their weapons quickly, this will save the lives of your family! Otherwise, you know!"
Zhao Yun took the spear thrown by Xiaoqi and knocked down several guards who rushed forward. Standing majestically in the center of the courtyard, no one dares to regret his sharpness. This is the power of an unparalleled warrior.
Seeing the incomparable Zhao Yun, Hu Fan's neck felt cold and he said in a trembling voice: "You, who are you..."
"I am waiting for you, the general, as long as you hand over your subordinates and make them obey, the second master will not treat you badly!" Zhang He shouted.
"Ah, Second Young Master!" Hu Fan immediately understood the complexity of the matter. After thinking for a while, he immediately ordered the guards to abandon their weapons. After all, he was not a chaste and martyr woman.
At the city gate, more than a dozen horsemen were running into Ji County in a dusty way. The leader was Yuan Tan, the shepherd of Youzhou. Behind him were Zang Hong, Xin Ping and others. It was obvious that they were sleeping in the open air and traveling under the stars.
Because Yuan Xi sent Qingqi to search for Yuan Tan and others throughout Jizhou, they did not escape very quickly. Fortunately, the Xin family was also very influential in Jizhou. After some setbacks, Yuan Tan and others were allowed to return to Youzhou.
But when they arrived at Zhuoxian, they found that it was being consolidated by the Qingzhou Army. In panic, Yuan Tan led his troops to flee to Ji County overnight.
Fortunately, the soldiers guarding Ji County did not behave strangely, so Yuan Tan and others entered the city.
"My eldest son, why are you back?" A Cavalry Commander who knew Yuan Tan near the city gate asked in surprise.
Yuan Tan stopped his horse and asked, "Is there anything strange in Ji County?"
The cavalry captain thought for a while. He replied: "Just now there are messengers from Yecheng. General Hu has welcomed them to the government office."
Yuan Tan felt cold in his heart and shouted: "Where is the herald from Yecheng? It is clearly Yuan Xi's Qingzhou Army. He has bullied others too much. He will not give up until he seizes my Youzhou!"
"Hahahahaha, two brothers can't get along like this! There are still such things in the world!" Yuan Tan said with a sad smile, but he forgot about the time to assassinate Yuan Xi.
"Eldest Young Master, hurry up and gather your troops. There may be Qingzhou Army outside the city!" Xin Ping urged.
Yuan Tan came to his senses and was about to order the Cavalry Commander to summon troops and horses, but at this time, more than a hundred Cavalrymen ran out of the city. The first Cavalry Commander was holding up a document, obviously coming to organize the city defense.
"General Hu ordered us to take over the defense of the city!" the Cavalry Superintendent said loudly. He did not recognize Yuan Tan.
Yuan Tan looked at the attire of those cavalrymen and recognized them as the Qingzhou Army. He was shocked and angry, and shouted: "Bastard! Where did Hu Fan get the order from!"
At this time, the riding supervisor looked at Yuan Tan and others carefully and asked: "Ouch! Who are you!"
The captain of the cavalry guarding the city didn't know why. Seeing that the other party dared to despise Zhou Mu, he cursed: "You are blind, this is Master Zhou Mu! The eldest son is also!"
Those brave knights were stunned for a while, and then they laughed ferociously and drew their weapons one after another. It was such a big fish, it took no effort at all to get it.
"Young Master, run away!" Seeing that things were about to get worse, Zang Hong shouted, and he led his entourage to stand in front of Yuan Tan.
