March 200 AD.
The famine lasted for a year until spring returned to the earth in March of the following year. A spring rain awakened all things. The people were all overjoyed and began to pack away the farm tools that had been left dry for a year.
After the heavy rain, everything revives.
The sun sets into Longshan Mountain to the west of the Guanzhong Plain, and a shy glow rises over Longshan Mountain. Zhang Xiu walked slowly on the field ridges in the countryside, watching the villagers in the fields holding plow sticks in one hand and raising whips in the other, plowing the fields for spring plowing leisurely. The yellow-brown soil rolled up on the plowshares, revealing the soil. fragrance.
The livestock used by these villagers are mainly cattle.
During the famine and drought last year, livestock had no use and were kept at home to eat food. People could not afford to raise these cattle, especially cattle from the grasslands in the Hetao area. Zhang Xiu sold the cattle from the Hetao area at the lowest price, as well as Cattle in Yuan Shao's territory and Cao Cao's territory were purchased on a large scale. After the spring of this year, they would be leased to the people of Guanzhong and Liangzhou at low prices.
Of course, Xiliang has a greater demand for cattle, and the priority is to supply Xiliang. Moreover, not all of Liangzhou is a poor place. There are many natural grasslands in Zhangye and other places, with excellent environment and fertile land. .
"You know the destiny of life, how to be free and easy?" In the field, the villagers shouted to the cattle, their backs gradually merged into the glow, and they walked towards the glow from a distance, with happy smiles on their faces. Zhang Xiu felt happy and couldn't help asking questions.
Accompanying him were Qiao Rui, Jia Xu, Li Ru, Liu Ye, Yan Xiang, Hu Cheer, Zhang Liao and Gan Ning.
Li Ru looked at the cultivators in the glow, "The family should have three acres of fertile land and be able to support a family of five. They work in the fields every day and stay at home at night. In their free time, they read, recite ancient books, recite poems and compose poems. Only then can they be free and easy."
Everyone nodded.
Zhang Xiu smiled and said: "The words of a literary scholar are very good. There is no confusion of silk and bamboo, and there is no labor of writing documents. You can tune the plain qin, read the golden scriptures, and enjoy the joy of life leisurely."
"My lord's words are even better!"
Hearing this, everyone praised in surprise.
Zhang Xiu knelt down and grabbed a handful of moist soil after the spring rain. A unique fragrance hit his nostrils. He grinned and said: "The famine is over, this year must be a good harvest!"
Jia Xu then said: "Last year there was a famine, and the people all over the world suffered terribly. Millions of people were displaced, and countless people died of starvation. What's more, they estranged their children and ate them. Fortunately, the people in Guanzhong had a marquis, so they did not become refugees." , Now all the people look up to the lord's heavenly grace, and now there are two states and thirteen counties in Fuzhou. He should be the one who obeys the will of heaven, and he is the emperor, and his title is justified."
"I second the proposal!" Yan Xiang seconded the proposal.
"I second the proposal!" Li Ru seconded the proposal.
"I second the proposal!"
Everyone immediately spoke loudly.
Zhang Xiu smiled slightly, took a step forward, and looked up at the setting sun that was about to set on the mountain. "Don't worry, gentlemen, the world is falling apart. Heroes have risen together, each dominates one side, and there are many who are arrogating their thrones. Why should I?" To be the target of public criticism? All gentlemen should know: Build walls high, hoard food widely, and become king slowly."
Everyone then raised their heads and saw Zhang Xiongan's back under the setting sun.
At this moment, Yiqi Juechen came galloping along the field path, carrying a bamboo tube behind him. He was the messenger from Hangu Pass. The messenger got off his horse, knelt down on one knee and said, "My lord, a letter from Yuan Shao of Jizhou!"
Jia Xu immediately took the bamboo tube, took out the letter inside and handed it to Zhang Xiu.
The letter contained a lot of content, and it was written eloquently for three pages. After Zhang Xiu read it carefully, he laughed, handed it to Jia Xu next to him and said with a smile: "Uncle, as I expected, Yuan Shao wants to claim fame in Hebei." Your Majesty, you are afraid that the whole world will attack you together, so you sent a letter to invite me to call you the king together and respect me as the King of Qin."
"snort!"
After reading it, Jia Xu snorted coldly, "Last year's famine caused the most casualties to the people of Bingzhou and Jizhou. How can he dare to claim to be king? It's unreasonable." Then he handed the letter over.
After everyone read the letter, they all expressed their opposition to Yuan Shao claiming to be king.
Yan Xiang smiled and said: "I think there is nothing wrong with Yuan Shao becoming king."
"oh!"
Zhang Xiu looked at Yan Xiang, "What do you think?"
Yan Xiang: "My lord, all the princes, please encourage Yuan Shao to become king. After he becomes king, and then look at the changes in the world, Yuan Shao is not the only one who has the heart to become king."
Gan Ning nodded: "Let Yuan Shao do this."
"This method is wonderful!" Liu Ye nodded in agreement.
"In that case, I will write a letter and let him be crowned king." Zhang Xiu said, turned and walked towards Chang'an, and everyone followed him back. By this time, the sky was already darkening.
…
Spring and April of 200 AD.
After Guo Tu and Xu You's strong persuasion, Yuan Shao finally agreed to proclaim the king. However, just in case, he wrote a personal letter to Chang'an, hoping to join forces with Zhang Xiu to proclaim the king.
Tian Feng, Shen Pei and Ju Shou strongly opposed it.
Ju Shou's words were too sharp and he was imprisoned. Tian Feng and Shen Pei knew that Yuan Shao had made up his mind and kept silent. They just hoped that Zhang Xiu could also agree to become king. If Zhang Xiu could agree, after the alliance, all the princes in the world would also I didn’t dare to speak.
The reply came.
Zhang Xiu only congratulated Yuan Shao on becoming king, and said that he had little virtue and talent and was not capable of becoming king, but he was willing to present a memorial to congratulate Yuan Shao on becoming king.
Yuan Shao was overjoyed and built an altar in the north of Yecheng, with a radius of nine miles and distributed in all directions, with flags and guards of honor on each side. Guo Tu and Xu You invited Yuan Shao to ascend the altar, put in the crown, seal and ribbon, and sit facing south. They were congratulated by civil and military officials as the king of Jin. Their son Yuan Tan was established as the prince's son.
Guo Tu was granted the title of Grand Tutor, Xu You was granted the title of Shangshu Ling, Tian Feng and Shen Pei were appointed as military advisors, and they were appointed as prime ministers on important military and state affairs.
Wen Chou, Yan Liang, Zhang He and Gao Lan were made generals of the four directions.
Yuan Shao became queen and spread the word to the world.
The reactions of the princes all over the world are different. Now that the Han Dynasty is declining and the majesty of the court is no longer, the princes all have the idea of transcendence, but they do not dare to be the first to jump out and claim the king.
When the news reached Xudu, Cao Cao was furious.
"Yuan Benchu, Yuan Benchu! You are a minister of the Han Dynasty in vain, and you are in vain for the emperor's salary. You dare to risk the disapproval of the world and arrogantly claim the throne. You are really the number one rebel of the Han Dynasty! I swear to destroy him!" Immediately pass the order, and do everything possible to overthrow the country. Soldiers, went north to cross the river to fight with Jin Wang Yuan Shao.
"Ming Gong is not allowed!"
Guo Jia hurriedly stopped him, "Ming Gong, the famine has just passed and food and grass are empty. If we raise troops at this time, our army will be defeated. We can order the world to join forces and attack Yuan Shao."
"Now that the world is in turmoil, who else will listen to your Majesty's edict?" Cao Cao had an angry look on his face.
Xun Yu said: "Ming Gong, Xuanwei Marquis Zhang Xiu has always been loyal and good, so I can pass on your majesty's edict to march from the east of the river. Our army will cross the river and go north. If there are two armies, Yuan Shao will definitely be defeated."
Cao Cao thought for a moment, nodded and said: "Okay, I will immediately tell the emperor to join forces with Zhang Xiu to attack the rebel Yuan Shao."
With that said, he ordered people to change their clothes and prepare to enter the palace.
At this time, the guard came to report: "Lord, a messenger is coming from Chang'an."
Cao Cao was stunned for a moment, thought quickly in his mind, and immediately said: "Invite me quickly!"
Not long after, the messenger came in and handed Zhang Xiu's autographed letter to Cao Cao. Cao Cao opened the letter and read it carefully. After reading it, he was furious and slammed the table: "Zhang Xiu, I swear to kill you!"
