Jixian County, the seat of the Governor of Youzhou, and Liu Bian's residence.
Zuo Feng, who was once a small Huangmen but now defected to Dong Zhuo because of an opportunity, stood proudly in front of Liu Bian with an imperial edict in his hand. Looking at the prince who once stood up for Lu Zhi and expelled him back to Luoyang, he felt filled with joy. It is the pleasure of avenging a great enemy.
"The late emperor's last edict is here. Your Highness, why don't you accept the edict and express your gratitude?"
Seeing the smile of gloating on the eunuch's face, all Liu Bian's men present were angry. Zhang Fei, who was as irritable as Zhang Fei, had his hand on the hilt of his sword and was about to move forward, but was grabbed by Guan Yu beside him.
Liu Bian's face was calm, showing no emotion or anger at all. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked: "Is this edict ordering Gu to commit suicide the idea of the old thief Dong Zhuo, or the handwriting of Gu's good brother?"
Zuo Feng's expression suddenly changed, and he said sternly: "Your Highness said this, do you intend to bear the name of disloyalty and unfilial piety and disobey the decree?"
Although Liu Bian is still only seventeen years old now, he has a lot of experience and knowledge. He has been taught by Hu Yuan for many years. His mind is sharp and agile. After observing the words and expressions, he already has the answer in his heart. At that time, he coldly snorted: "It seems that he He is the second son of Qin who wants to kill murderers and murderers, but it is a pity that he is not the foolish, loyal, foolish and filial son Fusu."
While speaking, he grabbed the edict in Zuo Feng's hand, and with his hands, he tore the edict into pieces.
Zuo Feng backed away in shock, his face instantly turned pale, and he stammered: "Your Highness is so arrogant and rude. Is it possible that he is not afraid of the world's verbal and written criticism?"
Liu Bian sneered: "You want to force me to submit with just a fake edict? What's more, here is a real edict from the late emperor. Everyone in the world can distinguish between right and wrong!"
After saying that, he turned around and cupped his hands behind him and said, "Please, Queen Mother!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Queen He, who was dressed in plain clothes, accompanied by four maids, turned out from behind the screen and sat in the middle of the hall.
Seeing a person who should have been buried in the sea of fire appear alive in front of him, Zuo Feng was so horrified that his lips trembled several times but he could not say a word.
He, who should have changed her name to "Queen Mother", had a face as cold as frost, stared at Zuo Feng with hatred in her eyes, and cursed angrily: "The Ai family has an edict written in blood by the late emperor, who expressly decrees that my son Liu Bian will be crowned King of Yan. All the land in the state is a fiefdom. The wealth and honor of slaves like you were given by the late emperor and the Ai family. How dare you collude with that black-hearted little thief to harm my son?"
Zuo Feng finally came to his senses and hurriedly knelt on the ground and shouted hastily: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, I can't help myself..."
Queen Mother He was not willing to listen to his sophistry anymore, and said coldly: "Your Majesty, deal with this slave quickly, so as not to taint the eyes and ears of the Ai family!"
Liu Bian smiled and bowed: "My son, I respectfully obey my mother's decree."
Then he turned around with a cold and stern expression and shouted: "Come here, push this thief out quickly and behead him!"
At that time, a group of guards who looked like wolves and tigers came forward, captured Zuo Feng like an eagle holding a sparrow, and dragged him out. In an instant, they turned around and presented a bloody human head.
Liu Bian added: "Let the thief's entourage take the head back to Luoyang and hand it over to His Majesty the Emperor. Tell him that he can guard my Liu family's territory for a long time!"
The implication is that one day he will take back the country that the other party has stolen.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Liu Bian officially announced to the world that the Queen Mother He was still alive and that he had been granted the title of King of Yan to legally occupy Youzhou. He justifiably opened a palace and built a palace.
The knowledgeable people in the world have their own judgments in their minds. They all think that although Liu Bian lives as a king, he is the direct descendant of Zhengshuo of the Han Dynasty. What's more, Liu Bianxian had great achievements in pacifying the Yellow Turbans and defeating Xianbei. In recent years, he has expanded his territory in Youzhou, and made Wuhuan, Fuyu, and Goguryeo voluntarily submit to him. It is said that the Japanese countries far away overseas also sent troops because they admired his reputation. To express respect. With such a demeanor, it is clear that he is a heroic and wise king who is not inferior to the founder of the country and Zhongxing Guangwu. How long will it take if he does not surrender as soon as possible?
As a result, not only talented people from Bingzhou, Jizhou, Qingzhou and other northern prefectures and counties adjacent to Youzhou came to join him like crucian carp crossing the river, but people from Jingzhou, Yangzhou and even Yizhou in the south also came here.
In less than a year, although Liu Bian only had the land of Youzhou in his hands, he had gathered three-fourths of the world's most talented people under his command, and his reputation was unparalleled.
In the past year, Cao Cao, who pretended to seek refuge with Dong Zhuo, failed in his attempt to assassinate Dong Zhuo and fled back to his hometown of Chenliu. The filial and honest Weihong spent all his wealth to help him recruit volunteers.
"Dong Zhuo despised heaven and earth, destroyed the country and killed the king; he was filthy and disorderly in the palace, killing all living beings; he was ruthless and unkind, and he was full of sins! Now, under the secret edict of the late emperor, a large number of righteous soldiers have been assembled, vowing to sweep away China and kill all the evil forces. Hope to be prosperous. As righteous teachers, we vent public anger together; support the royal family and save the people. When the day comes, we can implement it quickly!"
After the appeal was issued, Cao Cao wrote a letter in his own hand, sending a special person to Youzhou to ask for an audience with Liu Bian. He stated that he was loyal to the Han Dynasty and was determined to fight against the thieves, and he implored His Highness King Yan to come personally to preside over the plan of fighting against the rebels.
After the proclamation was issued, the princes of various towns who had taken advantage of the Yellow Turban Rebellion to seize one side mobilized troops to respond. Even Cao Cao himself included Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Han Fu, Kong Rong and other seventeen town princes.
Hundreds of thousands of people and horses camped separately. The military camps stretched for more than 200 miles, and the momentum was extremely huge.
The princes of the seventeen groups gathered in the big tent to discuss matters. Wang Kuangyan, the prefect of Hanoi, said that it was unlucky for the dragons to have no leader, and proposed to recommend a leader to plan and command, so that the seventeen groups of people could give unified orders, so as to advance the army and defeat the thieves.
Everyone was convinced and each proposed their favorite candidate at that time. Among them, Yuan Shao, the governor of Bohai, although his official position was not the highest, he came from the family of the fourth generation and the three princes. Most of the seventeen princes present were descendants of the Yuan family. Yuan Shao himself was known as a hero, and his reputation was far higher than that of his half-brother Yuan Shu, the governor of Nanyang, so he easily gained the support of the most people.
Seeing that you and I were about to decide on the leader of the alliance with just a word, Cao Cao, who had always been silent although he was on good terms with Yuan Shao, finally said: "In my humble opinion, I might as well postpone the selection of the leader of the alliance. Previously, I asked someone to go there." Youzhou sent a letter, asking His Highness the King of Yan to send troops to participate in the grand event..."
As soon as these words came out, everyone immediately fell silent. Although Yuan Shao tried his best to control it, the look on his face was still a little embarrassed.
After hastily ending the meeting, Yuan Shao returned to his military camp and couldn't hold back his anger anymore. He pointed at Cao Cao's military camp and scolded him for ignoring the Yuan family's kindness and their friendship.
Counselor Guo Tuze euphemistically said: "Ming Gong, everyone knows that your Majesty from Luoyang is not worthy of his name. Due to emotions and reasons, the throne should belong to the Youzhou one. As long as the Youzhou one is still there, Even the one from Luoyang can barely compete with him in terms of righteousness, and it is impossible for anyone else to rise above him. Therefore, if Ming Gong gets the position of alliance leader this time, it may not be a good thing."
Yuan Shao also gradually calmed down and turned to Guo Tu to ask what to do.
Guo Tu said with a smile: "Leadership is both a title and a responsibility. If the one from Youzhou takes over the position of leader, he should consciously act as the main force in the crusade against Dong Zhuo. At that time, Duke Ming can sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, waiting for the dragon to rise. It’s time to fly.”
