"Northern Expedition?"
Director Wang shook his head, respectfully but firmly expressing his opposition.
"Although there are 100,000 soldiers in Jiangdong today, most of them are refugees fleeing from the north. They lack food, clothing, and armor. There are only 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers who can truly be called tiger warriors."
"So calculated, there are not even 100,000 soldiers. And I heard from merchants traveling between the north and the south that there are 50,000 Qingzhou soldiers among the ten counties of Qingzhou. In addition, the refugees from Xuzhou and Yanzhou who have joined Liu Yu can be used The number of soldiers is probably no less than one hundred thousand."
When Langya King Sima Rui heard this, the momentum he had built up a little immediately dropped.
"Well, if you put it this way, doesn't it mean that you have to sit back and watch Liu Yu usurp his title and be unable to do anything?"
Seeing the frustration on Sima Rui's face, Director Wang immediately offered words of comfort.
"Your Majesty, except for some military achievements, Liu Yu does not have enough reputation. Now he dares to risk the disapproval of the world. He is really bringing disaster on himself by arrogantly proclaiming himself emperor. The only one he can rely on is the military power he has accumulated over the past few years. A warrior is in charge of the country. It will be soon."
"The most important thing for us now is to advance westward with our troops and kill Hua Yi, the governor of Jiangzhou who does not respect the king's orders. Once we take control of Jiangzhou, all the rivers will be under the king's orders."
"When we have wiped out the Gou Xi Liu Zan in Nanyang and the Du Taoliu bandits in Xiangzhou, and gather some strength, we can easily do it whether we march west to Bashu or north to Heluo or Qingxu."
When Director Wang said this, he said meaningfully.
"Just like Emperor Guangwu of Han Dynasty restored the country."
When Langya King Sima Rui heard this, his depressed heart became alive again.
"Sure enough, Father Zhong has been thoughtful. However, Liu Yu has betrayed Jin En this time. He cannot sit idly by and ignore it. Otherwise, he will be ridiculed by the people of the world. I am in charge of the government but do nothing."
Director Wang smiled and said.
"The best way to defeat the thief Liu Yu is to defeat him from within."
Sima Rui became interested upon hearing this.
"Please give me more details, Father Zhong."
"Liu Yu's act of arrogance and proclaiming the emperor will definitely be unpopular. The loyal and virtuous officials and civilians in the various states will definitely raise their troops one after another. In addition, tens of thousands of officials from Taiwan will gather in Qingzhou. The so-called transformation of elbows and armpits will definitely It won’t be long.”
After hearing this, Sima Rui couldn't help but nod. He thought that all the Xingtai officials who had fled to Qingzhou must have been forced by Liu Yu. As long as someone took the lead, various incidents against Liu Yu would surely continue in the future. .
"Xun Sikong and Fu Situ, you noble nobles, the Sima family treats you very well. The so-called sacrifice of one's life for charity, and the so-called sacrifice of one's life for righteousness, is at this moment!" Sima Rui couldn't help praying in his heart.
"Then how should we inform the states and counties?" Sima Rui suddenly remembered this matter again.
After all, it was one thing for him and Director Wang to discuss the matter behind closed doors regarding the traitor Liu Yu's presumption of emperorship, but his public attitude was another matter entirely.
Just at this time, the waiter outside the door came in to report that five people, including Military Commander Gu Rong, Chief Shi Jizhan, He Xun, Min Hong, and Xue Jian, came to see them and had already entered the gate.
"The five heroes from Jiangdong are here together?" Director Wang smiled softly and looked at Langya King Sima Rui.
"I will accompany the king to greet you personally."
Langya King Sima Rui immediately stood up after hearing this and went to greet these five people accompanied by Director Wang.
Gu Rong and other five people are known as the "Five Talents", all of whom are from Jiangdong's local wealthy families. If it weren't for Director Wang's frequent contacts, Sima Rui's reputation alone would not be able to invite these five people.
When Sima Rui personally invited the five people in, as soon as they sat down, Gu Rong, the leader of the five, asked straight to the point.
"Your Majesty, do you already know about Liu Yu's false claim to be the Emperor of Han?"
"I just found out." Sima Rui smiled bitterly.
"Then how does the king plan to respond?"
"Don't worry, Mr. Gu, I have just discussed it with the king." Director Wang took the words and then explained the strategy that the two of them had just discussed.
After hearing this, Gu Rong, Ji Zhan and others all nodded in agreement.
"That's right, that's right. The war is dangerous, so it's safe to wait and see what happens." Ji Zhan said, "It's not too late to wait until Jiangzhou Huayi is defeated before accumulating strength for the Northern Expedition."
"In order to support the scholars and refugees who came from the north, the people's livelihood in Jiangdong is still in dire straits. It is really not appropriate to go north to Qingxu easily." He Xun also said in agreement.
"However, even though we don't raise troops for the Northern Expedition, we still have to spread the word to punish the thieves, so that the world will know that although the king is in Jiangzuo, he is the clan's favorite."
"The King of Liang in Jiangzhou has just passed away. Now, except for Guanzhong, there is only one king left in the clan in the world. The king should show his position more, so that he can order the Jin ministers to destroy the Hulu and Qingzhou bandits."
Bingzhou, Pingyang City.
Inside the imperial palace, the capital of the Xiongnu and Han Dynasties.
"... How can the barbarians be cured? I am afraid that the long-term filth and smell of Zhongxia will disturb the people, so I lead the heroes to encourage and strengthen the true soul of the Han Dynasty, fight against the arrogant barbarians, and eliminate the treacherous evil spirits. , so that all the people can find their place, and the people will wait for their bodies..."
A thin young man in his twenties was holding a silk book in both hands and trying to read this proclamation calmly.
"Hahaha, the true soul of the powerful man?"
Suddenly a hearty laugh interrupted the young man's reading.
The young man who was reciting was shocked and quickly fell to his knees with a "pop" sound.
"Mr. Kuaiji, what do you mean by this? I just smiled."
Liu Cong, Emperor of the Huns and Han Kingdom, who was sitting in the south, was stunned when he saw this, and then said with a joking expression.
"The Duke of Qi, Liu Yu, whom you have granted the title of, now wants to regain his true soul as a strong man, and he wants to command strong soldiers and horses to save you, the emperor of the Jin Dynasty. Do you think you are saved? You are about to escape from my grasp. ?”
After Liu Cong, who was already drunk, finished speaking, all the Hu and Han generals and officials who were accompanying the banquet burst into laughter.
The young man who just recited the proclamation was none other than Sima Chi, the emperor of the Jin Dynasty who was captured by the Xiongnu Han Kingdom. After he was captured to Pingyang, the Xiongnu Emperor Liu Cong made him the Duke of the Xiongnu Han Kingdom.
But every time there was a banquet, Liu Cong always asked Sima Chi to wear a green robe and a small hat, stand with the eunuchs, and act as a waiter refilling the wine, doing his best to humiliate him.
At this time, the Xiongnu Emperor Liu Cong and his ministers were already drunk, but now they saw Sima Chi being frightened and kneeling on the ground, but they were full of laughter again.
"Mr. Kuaiji, His Majesty asked you something, you should answer it!"
A Hun general next to him asked proudly.
"Yes, I asked you something. Why don't you answer it? Aren't you afraid that I will be angry?!" Liu Cong said, smelling of alcohol.
As soon as he heard this, Sima Chi didn't dare to remain silent anymore. He quickly spoke.
"Liu Yu is just a thief from Qingzhou. I didn't know him well at first, so I thought he was a loyal minister and a good general. I was inspired by villains, so I gave him the title of Duke, in an attempt to resist His Majesty's power."
"Now that I think about it, His Majesty's power is God's will. It cannot be stopped by human power. It is really stupid."
"Your Majesty's great Han Dynasty has already been destined to succeed the Jin Dynasty. Even if Liu Yu calls Han Emperor now, he is just a hypocrite. How can he compare with Your Majesty's destined great man?"
When Liu Cong heard this, he was stunned for a moment, then pointed his finger at Sima Chi and laughed with satisfaction.
"The Duke of Kuaiji really knows the general picture!"
"However, when the late emperor (Liu Yuan) and I were hostages in Luoyang and you were the king of Yuzhang, I went to your place with Wang Ji. Wang Ji introduced me to you. You said that you had heard of my name for a long time, and he even introduced me to you. He showed me the Yuefu songs he wrote and said, "I heard that you are good at writing poems and poems. Please try to help me read it." At that time, Wang Ji and I wrote "Ode to Shengde", which you admired very much. Then he led me In archery in the imperial hall, I got twelve points, and you and Wang Ji both got nine points. You gave me Zhe Gong and Yin Yan, do you remember?"
Hearing Liu Cong talk about the past in Luoyang, Sima Chi couldn't help but feel sad, but he didn't dare to cry sadly, so he could only endure the pain in his heart and answered.
"How dare I forget this? Now that I think about it, I just regret that I couldn't realize your majesty's imperial status earlier!"
Hearing this, Liu Cong said proudly, "Hahaha, if it weren't for your Sima family fighting each other, I probably wouldn't be the emperor I am now."
Sima Chi quickly replied carefully.
"Your Majesty, this is God's will! God has caused disharmony between our Sima family just so that Your Majesty can obey God's decree and replace the Jin with the Han Dynasty!"
Liu Cong was very satisfied with Sima Chi's answer. He hugged a beautiful palace man who was warming the wine next to him and said to Sima Chi.
"Mr. Kuaiji, this beauty is my noble lady. She is the granddaughter of Liu Yin, a famous scholar in Bingzhou. Now I give her to you as my wife. You must treat her well."
Hearing what Liu Cong said, Sima Chi quickly thanked him.
"However, I once heard Shi Le and Wang Mi say that Liu Yu in Qingzhou has tens of thousands of elite soldiers, and now he occupies 20 counties in three states. I'm afraid he will become a strong enemy for us in the future." Liu Cong finally regained some consciousness.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. Once we capture Chang'an and completely eliminate the lackeys of the Sima family, we can mobilize a hundred thousand troops and march eastward along the river. By that time, the puppet Han Liu Yu will die and the country will be destroyed." The Zong Wang Liu Yao, who was also drunk next to him, answered loudly.
"Hahaha, hypocrite!"
Bingzhou, Jinyang City.
"...such as the Xiongnu, Wuhuan and other barbarians, although they are not of the Xia clan, but they are born in the same world between heaven and earth, and those who know the etiquette and justice and are willing to serve Han Zhengshuo can be subjects, like the people of Zhongxia There is no difference in raising children. Therefore, I would like to inform you."
After hearing an anti-Hu article from Hebei being read, Liu Kun, the somewhat old governor of Bingzhou who had been tortured by several years of war, was not angry at all.
Liu Yan, who had just finished reading this memorandum, couldn't help but feel a little nervous when he saw his uncle Liu Kun just sitting upright without saying a word, so he finally asked.
"Uncle, uncle?"
When Liu Kun heard Liu Yan's call, he finally let out a long sigh and said.
"Poor ancestor Shi Zhi, who was full of passion and ambition, had just been able to put it into practice, but he was about to give up halfway."
When his nephew Liu Yan heard this, he could only comfort him.
"General Zu has just defeated the barbarians in Jizhou and has won the support of the people of Jizhou. Even if Liu Yu arrogates the throne and declares himself emperor, General Zu breaks with him. With General Zu's talents, he will probably be able to settle down in Jizhou."
Although Liu Yan said this, he was very unsure.
"It's difficult. All of Zu Ti's troops are Qingzhou soldiers. Even if he recruits tens of thousands of refugees in Jizhou, these tens of thousands of people will not be able to maintain without Qingzhou's supply of food and grass." Liu Kun said.
After Zu Ti sent troops to Jizhou to defeat the Huru and occupied the counties east of Qinghe, he immediately sent a letter to Liu Yu, describing his offensive in Jizhou and inviting Liu Kun to attack the Huru in Jizhou from east to west next year.
After receiving Zu Ti's letter, Liu Kun was very happy, and even felt that there was hope in wiping out the Hulu in Bingzhou.
However, now that Liu Yu has separated the three states of Qingxu and proclaimed himself emperor, all this has come to nothing again.
"I'm afraid it won't be long before Liu Yu will be busy quelling the civil strife and will have no time to take care of things in Jizhou, Hebei." Liu Kun looked at his nephew and continued.
"I will give you three thousand barbarian soldiers and horses, and send troops to Taihang Shandong in the name of the governor of Jizhou to recruit the powerful dock owners of Jizhou. With Zu Ti in front of us, a great victory is ahead. As long as we can mobilize the powerful dock owners and drive out the Hulu Defending Jizhou shouldn’t be a difficult task with your talents.”
Liu Yan was very excited when he heard this, but he suddenly thought of a serious problem.
"Uncle, Wang Jun has always regarded Jizhou as his own. If I lead troops to serve as the governor of Jizhou, will I attract an attack from him?"
Liu Yan's worry was not unfounded. Previously, Liu Kun, the governor of Bingzhou, sent people to Changshan and other counties to recruit refugees to replenish Jinyang, but Wang Jun sent troops to attack him. Not only were the refugees not recruited, but many of them died in vain. Part.
"It doesn't matter, I already have a solution for this matter." Liu Kun said, "The Duanbu in western Liaoning have become enemies with Wang Jun. Wang Jun has sent people to invite the Tuoba tribe to attack the Duanbu together. I can write a letter and give it to Tuoba. Department, let them delay sending troops, so with Wang Jun's strength, he will definitely not be able to defeat Duan Department, and there will be no one left to go south to Jizhou to stop you."
Jibei County, Luzicheng.
The originally small Luzi City was now even more crowded.
Although Liu Yu proclaimed himself emperor and his reign was Wude, he issued edicts declaring that Luzi would only be the capital and that no palaces or gardens would be built for the time being except for the government offices.
Although the vast majority of former Jin court officials ridiculed Liu Yu's decision, they all decided that this act of not building a palace after proclaiming himself emperor and founding the country was definitely an act of a country thieves "taking the crown despite the monkey" .
However, in the minds of the vast majority of the common people and military soldiers in the three states, they all feel that this is an excellent thing.
Because in order to build palaces and gardens, it was necessary to collect corvee labor from the common people, and often the work could not be completed for months and months.
As for the military soldiers, although they did not have to perform corvee service, the landowners and tenant farmers who farmed for them had to perform corvee service. Once the palace was built, the farming work would be delayed, which would also delay their own income.
Moreover, since Liu Yu proclaimed himself emperor and established the country, these military soldiers quickly discovered a new way to make a fortune.
That is to put down the rebellions in various states and counties in Yanzhou and Xuzhou!
The business of destroying families and clans is much better than growing food!
PS: Let me tell you guys why the country is called "Han". Ahem, it's very simple, because the protagonist is a descendant of Liu Bang. Some people think that Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty, Liu Yu, founded the country and did not call it Han because Han was used badly by the Xiongnu and Di people. In fact, this is not the reason. The most fundamental reason why Liu Yu did not call the country Han is that Liu Yu is not a descendant of Liu Bang, he is a descendant of Liu Bang's younger brother, and Liu Bang is the Taizu of the Han Dynasty. Taizu was the founder of the Han Dynasty. His descendants have the right to inherit the country. The genealogical records at that time are very clear. Liu Bang It is unmistakable that Yu is a descendant of Liu Jiao, so no matter how thick-skinned he is, he cannot pretend to be Han, unless the Taizu of Han is not Liu Bang, but Liu Taigong.
