Except for Liu Yan who was old and sent another letter to the court, Sun Ce and Zhang Jin also obeyed the imperial edict.
Sun Ce's son Sun Shao was young, so he sent his younger brothers Sun Kuang and Sun Lang to the court; Zhang Jin sent his sons Zhang Shan and Zhang Yu to the court; and after Liu Fan's "Begging Father's Statement" was delivered to Xijing, Liu Bei After some discussion with Chen Chong, they finally decided to agree to Liu Fan's request and allow his three brothers to perform their filial piety before his death bed. In this way, the Jiangnan incident can be said to have come to an end for the time being.
Let's go back to the third edict. This edict was pressed to the end. After all the states in the south of the Yangtze River responded, Chen Chong sent people out. In order to show that the DPRK attached great importance to this trip, Chen Chong specially appointed Kong Rong as the chief envoy and Tao Qiuhong as the deputy envoy. They were accompanied by nearly a hundred people. meaning.
They set out in the warm wind of late spring, passed Han Valley, walked on the river bridge, and then crossed Hanoi eastward. When they arrived at Yecheng, it was already April in the sixth year of Yanxing.
When the prefect of Wei County heard about the arrival of the envoy from the imperial court, he immediately went out of the city to greet him and welcomed the envoy into the county mansion. When Kong Rong and his party asked to meet Yuan Shao to read out the imperial edict, he looked embarrassed and said: "Now that the envoy is still fighting the rebellion in Youzhou, Duke Kong is afraid that he will not be able to see him immediately, so he should stay in the city for a while and wait. I am sending a message to the envoy, which may be as short as ten days or as long as nearly a month. I hope you will not be surprised."
Although Shen Pei's posture was humble, he actually said the four words "Youzhou to fight the rebellion" in his words, which showed that Youzhou was regarded as the territory of the Yuan family. Originally, Kong Rong had hoped that by some chance, Yuan Shao would be able to rein in the conflict and turn the fight into reality. However, seeing that all the officials around him took it as a matter of course to judge the match, he already knew the outcome of this trip.
So the group rested in the mansion and inquired about the reality of Jizhou's rule. Shen Pei was also prepared for this and entertained Kong Rong and his party every day so that they had no time to visit. The officials in the mansion also kept their mouth shut. No matter how the envoys asked about the situation in the mansion, they just said they didn't know.
Fortunately, Zhao Qi, the former executor of the Situ case, had been in Jizhou for several years and was quite familiar with the affairs of Jizhou, and he still loved the imperial court.
He wrote "Yezhong Notes" in the past two years. When Kong Rong took a break, he sent his son Zhao Lei to hold this book and ask to see Kong Rong. Kong Rong was overjoyed when he read it, and then asked Duke Zhao what he wanted. Zhao Lei said that Zhao Qi was over ninety years old and his current thoughts had nothing to do with wealth. He just wanted to return to his hometown in Jingzhao to take care of himself. This made everyone sigh.
After waiting like this for a month, Shen Pei suddenly sent someone to inform Kong Rong: "Yuan Shijun has arrived at the camp in the south of Yecheng. Since Kong Gong has an edict, go there and read it out."
Kong Rong was confused. Since he had already arrived, why didn't he go into the mansion to receive the order? It was Tao Qiuhong who knew about the arrangement and gave some advice to everyone on the road: "Yuan Benchu did not enter the city but stayed in camp because he wanted to show us his prestige! Don't be afraid, gentlemen. Even if there is a forest of swords in front of you, don't lose the imperial court." majesty."
Sure enough, when we arrived at the camp in the north of the city, we could see soldiers lined up on the left and right sides of the avenue, some holding knives with exposed blades, or holding long spears like a forest. In addition, the soldiers looked fierce, and their murderous aura was like a bow and arrow piercing the heart. A group of people walked slowly through it. , even if he nourishes his qi like Kong Rong, he still feels uneasy and sweats from his buttocks.
Not to mention the rest of the people, they were all Taiping scholars. There were only a few people who could not lose their composure in the face of cold and sharp blades. This aggressive situation reminded everyone of the triumphal ceremony in Chang'an at the end of last year. Comparing the two, they could only sigh in their hearts. I am afraid that only this kind of army can compete with the Bafu.
After walking for about a quarter of an hour, the group finally entered the main tent. The moment they entered the tent, everyone could not help but take a breath, but before they could stand still, they heard someone in the tent say: "Who is in charge? I am still busy with military affairs now? If anything happens, hurry up Say it."
Kong Rong heard the words and looked out for support. He saw a man wearing black armor and an iron mask on his face, standing among the generals, with burly strong men standing on the left and right. He was obviously the leader of the crowd.
This person should be Yuan Shao, but Kong Rong did not dare to recognize him for a while. In Luoyang ten years ago, as a famous scholar in the capital and a descendant of Confucius, he often interacted with Yuan Shao. Although Yuan Shao was also domineering at that time, as a leader of scholars, he was naturally gentle and elegant. But now the iron-faced man in front of him stood with his sword in hand and his words were as strong as iron. He looked like a warrior from the Yan Dynasty. He could not see the temperament of the famous Runan clan.
Yuan Shao seemed to notice Kong Rong's doubts, and slowly took off the iron mask, revealing his now iron-like appearance. He smiled at Kong Rong and said: "Kong Gong is so sentimental. You are so speechless just to see the old man." Appearance?" When Kong Rong saw that it was indeed Yuan Shao, he had to sigh with emotion: "The pillars of the original country turned into tigers when they met the wind, and transformed into dragons when they met the water. I have just seen it today."
Kong Rong saw that Yuan Shao had no intention of reminiscing about the past, so he had no choice but to read out the imperial edict in public as he wished, and then said sincerely to Yuan Shao: "At this beginning, the country was in chaos, so why bother to use weapons again? Since the rise of Yanxing, the country has been getting better and better every year. , the thieves and bandits are decided one by one, how can the two states of Hebei resist? If we don't follow the story of Dou Rong, we can make a hundred generations rich."
However, Yuan Shao showed an impatient look. He sneered and waved his hands: "Why did Mr. Kong make such nonsense? Liu Bei and Chen Chong are disobedient thieves who conspired to usurp the throne. Their tracks are dangerous and their intentions have been exposed. Such a traitor wants me to commit suicide." Entering the tiger's mouth, Yuan Shao is so stupid!"
Kong Rong was about to argue, but was interrupted by Yuan Shao, and continued to point to the people accompanying him and said: "You are eating the salary of the late emperor, seeing that the artifact is in the hands of others, and do not want to serve the country and fulfill your filial piety, are you going to help him usurp it?" ?”
He finally drew his sword and said decisively: "I hope Duke Kong will tell Liu Bei that if he and Chen Chong are willing to resign and return to politics and never become officials, Yuan Shao can also resign and not be an official. If not, there is no need to say more!" After that, all the soldiers around him grabbed their swords and moved forward, making a gesture of grabbing and pushing them.
Seeing this, Kong Rong was helpless and said mockingly: "Why is it like this in the first place? We are different from you, we are just like arrows for others to shoot!" He sadly handed over his hands, turned around and returned to Ye with his group, packed up and saluted , contacted Zhao Qi again, and returned to Guanzhong together.
After Kong Rong left, Yuan Shao turned around and said with a smile to the generals: "These Confucian scholars who only know how to study and learn can just study the way of saints in the halls. What's the use of going out to do things? They are useless!" When everyone heard this, they all burst into laughter.
After a moment of calm, Xu You said from the side: "If this happens, Liu Xuande's sword will definitely come to Hebei. I don't know whether it will be this year or next year."
General Fenwu Jushu heard Xu You's words and said: "Bafu has been going out every year. Liu Bei is also a thunderous nature, and he regards us as enemies. I guess he will not give us time to develop and grow. About This autumn, I think he will make some moves."
This statement was unanimously recognized by the state government. In the fourth year of Yanxing, Liu Bei ignored the puppet government and came to help Gongsun Zan first. This shows that he was afraid of the Yuan family. But why wasn't Yuan Shao afraid of Liu Bei? Liu Bei wanted to legitimately launch troops against Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shao also used Kong Rong and his party to delay, and finally completely pacified Youzhou last month.
After capturing Yijing last year, Yuan Shao stayed in Jixian for a long time and used both kindness and power. On the one hand, he conquered the wise men of Youzhou and on the other hand, he attacked Gongsun Zan's old party. It was not until last month that the counties in western Liaoning to the east of Juyong and west of Linyu were basically pacified. In this campaign, Yuan Shao recruited 70,000 Youzhou soldiers and obtained nearly 100,000 horses from Wuhuan and Xianbei, which greatly boosted his military strength. Even Gongsun Du, the governor of Liaodong, had to send envoys to pay homage to Yuan Shao.
At this point, Yuan Shao had the talent to win a decisive victory against Bafu.
People at the time thought that with the current situation, Yuan Shao was like King Wuling of Zhao, and Liu Bei was like King Zhaoxiang of Qin. They compared the struggle between the two heroes to the current struggle between Qin and Zhao. Yuan Shao also greatly recognized this, so he talked with his staff about the future war and how Liu Bei would attack.
Guo Tu, the prefect of Changshan, believed that the confrontation between Qin and Zhao began in Hetao and ended in Shangdang, which shows that the battle for Dingding lies in Bingzhou. If you want a complete victory, you must capture the internal and external mountains and rivers of Bingzhou. It is better for Yuan Jun to attack first and seize Huguan and Hanoi while Liu Bei is still waiting. In this way, we can defend the river bridge in the south and confront the Han army, and then gather heavy troops in the north to capture the counties of Bingzhou one by one.
However, General Fenwu Jushou strongly opposed it. He emphasized that Bingzhou was the foundation of Liu Bei and Chen Chong. It had been in business for fourteen years. All ethnic groups had entered the hegemony early, and the relationships were intricate. It can be said that people's hearts depended on it. Moreover, most of the cities in Bingzhou were built on mountains and were in dangerous locations, making them not easily accessible. If you follow this plan, you will be attacking against the trend, which is the way to cause disaster.
He then said to Yuan Shao: "Your Majesty, the west is still strong and the east is weak. It is better to imitate the plan of the six countries to unite and rebel against the Henan states. For example, Cao Cao of Yanzhou is an old acquaintance of your Majesty, so it can be said that it is correct. Qingzhou is occupied by Taishan thieves, so they have no intention of fighting to the death. It can be said that they are neutral. Liu Biao of Jingzhou also has imperial ambitions, so he can be said to be a reinforcement. As long as the people of Henan can be disturbed, we will have no worries in the south and we can maintain a strong army for a long time. When the tyrants come over the mountains, they will support the crowd for a decisive battle. At that time, the people and the people will be in my favor, so that Junzheng can go down to Luoyang in one battle, and Henan can be defeated with a wave of his hand! Bingzhou will be unable to resist. This is a perfect strategy!"
Yuan Shao was moved when he heard this, but he lingered for a moment and said: "Jingzhou and Qingzhou are okay, but Mengde...Although Mengde and I were young friends, after I entered Jizhou, he abandoned me and joined Liu , has great honors, and now he is married to Liu Bei, and his status is extraordinary. How can I make him agree with me if I am not better than the imperial court?"
Jushou smiled and said: "It's not that Cao Cao and Duke Ming are of the same mind, but that Cao Cao and the imperial court are of different minds." He then moved forward, stroking his beard and analyzed carefully: "Ming Gong, could it be that he forgot that Liu Bei conquered Duke Cao last year? When he entered the court, he refused. Could it be that he really cares about the people of Yanzhou? I can't see it. Duke Cao still wants to sit back and watch the success or failure, waiting for the right time! As long as Duke Ming goes to test it, he will know the result naturally. "
After saying that, Yuan Shao smiled and said: "I understand." Then he called Xun Chen and said: "Youruo, I would like to trouble you to go to Yanzhou and talk to Mengde. Go and tell Mengde, As long as he can be attached to me, I will be Gaozu and he will be Lu Wan in the future."
