Inside Shouan Hall.
Liu Xie has recovered a lot and his face is not as pale as before.
The three of them were sitting on their knees respectively. Liu Bian was thinking about how to speak, while Empress Dowager Dong and Liu Xie were nervous unconsciously.
Because someone openly wanted to 'save' Liu Xie, Liu Xie was pushed into an extremely dangerous situation.
Empress Dowager Dong and Liu Xie were extremely vigilant towards Liu Bian, as if Liu Bian would kill them suddenly for some reason at any time.
Liu Bian looked at the two of them, then went straight to the point and said, "Grandma, did the late emperor leave a posthumous edict instructing his younger brother Liu Xie to succeed him?"
Empress Dowager Dong and Liu Xie were obviously startled, and then they couldn't help but look at each other.
Empress Dowager Dong suddenly became alarmed and said: "I have never heard of any edict."
Liu Xie quickly shook his head and said, "My brother has never heard of it either."
Liu Bian didn't see anything strange on their faces. He nodded, stood up and said, "I understand."
Empress Dowager Dong and Liu Xie did not dare to speak anymore, but looked at Liu Bian's back, becoming more and more frightened.
Open 'rescue' doesn't count, and now there's some 'edict' coming out. Isn't this going to force them to death?
When Empress Dowager Dong waited for Liu Bian to leave, her calm expression turned into panic. She hugged Liu Xie and couldn't help crying, saying: "My poor grandson..."
Liu Xie was equally nervous. He tried his best to keep calm on his small face and comforted Empress Dowager Dong: "Don't worry, grandma. Brother Huang said that he would not commit fratricide. The royal family is an example in the world and is the most harmonious."
Empress Dowager Dong knew the ruthless cruelty of the royal family better than Liu Xie, but she was afraid that Liu Xie would be worried, so she suppressed her fear and cried out.
Liu Xie patted Empress Dowager Dong on the back and pursed his lips quietly, feeling extremely frightened.
Liu Bian left Shou'an Palace and went straight to Yongle Palace.
Empress Dowager He was so happy that Liu Bian came to rescue her immediately during the last earthquake. She pulled him and wanted to cook delicious food for him.
Liu Bian smiled and stayed by her side, chatting at times.
The Empress Dowager He didn't know about the message yet, so she kept holding her hands and said: "You are the emperor, don't get involved in these things, it is unlucky, go out."
Liu Bian smiled and said, "I am accompanying my mother to cook some food. Why is it unlucky?"
Queen Mother He glanced at him, smiled more and more, and said: "You, stop busying yourself with government affairs, and hurry up and give birth to a prince. Speaking of which, you are really nothing like your father-in-law..."
How lecherous and debauched is Liu Bian’s cheap dad? Here’s a simple example – he ordered all the palace ladies to wear crotchless pants so that he could have sex anytime and anywhere!
Liu Bian shook his head secretly, but he didn't care much about it. He observed Queen Mother He's expression and suddenly said, "Mother, there is a rumor outside the palace that the father left some edict and ordered Liu Xie to succeed to the throne. "
Empress Dowager He paused for a moment, then turned around with a gloomy face, without concealing the murderous intent in her eyes, and said: "Who spread the news? I have suppressed his nine tribes!"
Liu Bian looked at her expression, his heart thumped, and said, "Is there really such a testament?"
"No!"
Empress Dowager He snorted coldly and said: "I have never heard of any legacy from the late emperor. Your father only has one legacy, which is to appoint you as the prince and inherit the throne!"
Liu Bian looked at Queen Mother He's expression and became suspicious.
Queen Mother He's reaction seems to be true, but if his cheap father really left a legacy, it should be for the twelve permanent attendants such as Queen Mother Dong or Jian Shuo, not Queen Mother He or He Jin.
Furthermore, it seems very abnormal for it to suddenly appear after such a long time.
Queen Mother He stared at Liu Bian and said: "Bian'er, if someone really spreads such rumors, he will be punished and will never be forgiven!"
Liu Bian nodded calmly and said, "I have ordered Zuo Li to mobilize three thousand people and arrange them throughout Luoyang."
Queen Mother He then relaxed, snorted coldly, and said, "I told you a long time ago that the old woman and Liu Xie cannot stay. You are too soft-hearted, so kill them now!"
Liu Bian couldn't help but twitch the corner of his face. Doesn't this mean that he really has the edict and is just giving it to him for nothing?
He quickly said: "Mother, the water has boiled and it has emerged..."
Queen Mother He frowned and complained: "This is not like your father. Whoever he wants to kill, Zhang tells them to kill him with just one look."
Liu Bian felt relieved when he saw that she didn't insist.
That cheap daddy has done so many bastard things, and he can’t even put the finishing touches on it, so how can we learn from him?
It’s unreasonable for him to be a foolish king of the Han Dynasty, but he doesn’t rank first, right?
Liu Bian accompanied the Queen Mother He to dinner, chatting until the evening. Before leaving, the Queen Mother He still pulled him and whispered: "It doesn't matter whether Liu Xie kills him or not, the key is that you have a prince. I'll give it to you." I have selected some good families to join the palace. Don’t always spend time in Tang Ji’s palace if you have nothing to do. If you still can’t give birth to a child in more than half a year, I will love her in vain..."
Only then did Liu Bian understand why the relationship between Queen Mother He and Tang Ji seemed to have suddenly become estranged.
"I understand, Queen Mother." Liu Bian shook his head secretly and couldn't wait to leave.
Queen Mother He didn't nag him this time. When he walked away, she suddenly became cold and heartless.
A palace maid not far away came over in small steps, bowed her head, and waited for instructions.
Queen Mother He's eyes were cold and her tone was cold, and she said: "Send a message to He Miao and ask him to do it cleanly and go back honestly after he is done. If even the slightest bit of news leaks out, don't blame me for not thinking about the love between brother and sister!"
"Yes." The palace maid responded and backed away silently.
Queen Mother He stood at the door, looking in the direction of Shou'an Palace with cold eyes.
Before Liu Bian returned to Jingfu Hall, a man walked up to the Yellow Gate and said, "Your Majesty, Shangshu Xun has been waiting for you."
Liu Bian hummed and strode back.
"I see your Majesty."
As soon as he returned to the door, Xun You raised his hand and said.
Liu Bian waved his hand and said, "The Qing family comes in, and everyone else goes out."
In the study, Liu Bian and Xun You sat across from each other, pondered for a moment, and said, "The Qing family was originally a staff member of the General's Mansion. Have you ever heard about the posthumous edict?"
Xun You was startled and immediately shook his head and said: "I have never heard of this."
Immediately, he looked solemn and said: "Your Majesty, these are nothing more than excuses for the rebels to rebel. Your Majesty is the legitimate son of the Central Palace. His succession to the throne is natural and undisputed. It is known to both the government and the public and is expected by the world! Your Majesty does not need to care. The first thing is Put down the rebellion of Yuan Shu and others."
Liu Bian smiled and said, "That's what the Qing family said. Why are the Qing family waiting for me so late? What's the important matter?"
Xun You felt relieved when he saw that Liu Bian would no longer pursue the case. He paused and said more and more seriously: "Your Majesty, the fourth and third princes of the Yuan family have disciples and former officials all over the world. Yuan Shu's rebellion will inevitably be followed by many people, not just As for the two states of Yu and Yang, I am afraid that other states and counties will follow suit and bring disaster to the world!"
Liu Bian looked at him and said: "What the Qing family said is in my opinion. I also took this into consideration, so I ordered the states outside Yuzhou to stay put and focus on stabilizing the states."
Xun You raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, I am worried that Dong Zhuo will not try his best. He will probably support his troops in self-respect like he did in Bingzhou and listen to the announcement but not the instructions."
Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly and said: "This time, he can't help it. Yuan Shu's rebellion has been planned for a long time. If he can't defeat Dong Zhuo in a short time, he will definitely collapse!"
Xun You was thoughtful, but still admonished: "Your Majesty, I ask Cao Cao of Yanzhou to lead his troops south, attack from three sides, and put down Yuan Shu as soon as possible!"
Liu Bian shook his head and said: "Qingzhou has not yet been decided, and Jizhou is still quelling the chaos. Cao Cao cannot leave Yanzhou."
Xun You looked at Liu Bian with an inexplicable strange feeling in his heart.
What His Majesty said seemed to be correct, and the reasons were sufficient, but Xun You always felt that there seemed to be some other purpose.
Xun You pondered for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, the Chancellery has sent a letter to all states, asking them to take the memorandum seriously and prepare for war. The bank has raised 130,000,000 yuan and plans to spend half of it as money and food for this conquest."
Liu Bian picked up the teacup and took a sip, and said: "I still want to remind the Qing family that the rebellion should be conquered and left to the Grand Sima's government to deal with it. The Shang Shutai should focus on promoting changes, eliminating bad governance, clarifying officialdom, summing up experiences and lessons, so as to comprehensively Promotion.”
When Xun You saw what Liu Bian said, he became more and more suspicious.
It can be said that Yuan Shu issued a proclamation to rebel, which was unprecedented. Even if His Majesty in front of him had expected and arranged it, such a calm reaction was too abnormal!
"His Majesty!"
Before Xun You could speak again, Pan Yin hurried in, handed over a memorial, and said: "Urgent memorial from Hanzhong."
'Hanzhong? Sun Jian? Doubt flashed in Xun You's eyes.
Liu Bian reached out to take it, glanced up, then looked at Xun You, and said calmly: "Sun Jian's memorial said that thousands of people appeared from nowhere and tried to attack him, but they have been repulsed."
Xun You was startled and said in confusion: "They are the Qiang people? It shouldn't be. Zhong Tingwei went to the San Qiang twice and convinced them. Besides, it was the cold winter and the road was blocked by heavy snow. What were they doing deep into Hanzhong? There was no such thing in Bingzhou. Such a big bandit trouble..."
Liu Bian put down the memorial with an expressionless face and murderous intent in his heart.
Xun You was puzzled, but he knew very well.
It was the Yizhou shepherd who couldn't sit still and began to experiment!
Looking at Xun You's expression, Liu Bian said: "They are not Sanqiang, they are just bandits, and Sun Jian can handle them enough. Over in Jizhou, the Qing family must pay more attention, and there is no room for mistakes in the salt administration!"
The Qianzhuang originally had a bright future, but with Yuan Shu's rebellion and the inability to spread to all directions, Luoyang City would not have much if it drained it. Basically, it was still in the Yanzheng.
Xun You knew that things in Hanzhong were not simple. Seeing that Liu Bian didn't say much, he vaguely guessed that it was Liu Yan. His headache became more and more serious. He raised his hand and said, "I accept the order."
Liu Bian hummed, carefully considered the situation, and said calmly: "The Qing family does not need to worry too much, the overall situation is still controllable."
Xun You was not as optimistic as Liu Bian, and the situation unknowingly became more complicated and serious. He thought about it, raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, please go to Yangzhou."
Liu Bian shook his head and said: "Persuading Han Fu? No need. I have my own thoughts on this matter. The Qing family must concentrate on the affairs of Shangshutai."
Xun You looked directly at Liu Bian, feeling even more weird in his heart, but he couldn't think of the reason, so he could only say: "I accept the order."
Liu Bian nodded, looked at Pan Yin, and said, "Please come to see me, Grand Sima."
"Yes." Pan Yin responded.
Seeing this, Xun You stood up and said, "I'm leaving."
Liu Bian reached out and picked up the memorial beside him, which was written by Huangfu Song.
The content is mainly about the 'General System'.
Since the Qin Dynasty, although the distinction between civil and military officials seems clear but not so clear, this is mainly because military generals also pay attention to their origins. Even if various famous generals occasionally come from poor families, they will soon be integrated into the "civilian official system" in various forms.
In the Han Dynasty, state pastors, prefects, and county magistrates now had too much power. They also held military and political powers. They formed independent kingdoms by forming vassals of various sizes in one place. Within the 'Kingdom', everything is under one roof, with authority, soldiers, and taxes. They have absolute power over subordinates, but they are obedient to superiors.
This was also one of the reasons for the rapid decline of the Han Dynasty.
Huangfu Song's memorial proposed the separation of civil and military affairs and the establishment of a hierarchy of military commanders, independent of civilian officials.
This also adheres to Liu Bian's idea.
Liu Bian watched quietly and analyzed the pros and cons.
Two days later, Shanyang County.
Cao Cao came back from suppressing bandits in Taishan County, holding two official documents and two messages in his hand. He walked into his temporary military general's mansion, but instead of going back to the backyard, he went straight to Guo Jia's small courtyard.
The two sat down, Cao Cao stared at the two official documents and messages on the table with a gloomy face.
Guo Jia had already seen it, observed Cao Cao's face, and said, "I remember that there seems to be a rift between the general and the Yuan family?"
At the beginning, it was Cao Cao and Xu Rong who joined forces to conquer Runan County and wiped out three tribes of Yuan Jiayi.
Cao Cao's eyes flashed sharply and he said: "Last year I was the captain of Nangong and was framed by the Yuan family. Fortunately, Your Majesty was able to escape due to his discernment."
Guo Jia heard about it, glanced at the two messages, and said: "Han Fu's official document invited the general to participate in the grand event, and also appointed the general as the shepherd of Yanzhou. The official document from the imperial court asked the general to assemble the army and be on standby, and hinted The general is reporting. What does the general think?"
Cao Cao snorted coldly and said in a deep voice: "Everyone who has rebelled against traitors and traitors will be punished! As a filial piety, I would like to write to your majesty to request an order to lead troops to attack Yuan Shu. If we are victorious, we will never return to the court!"
Guo Jia looked at him, took a sip of wine, and said: "In this official document, the imperial court only asked the general to prepare the army and stand by, but did not send the general to Yuzhou. Doesn't the general have any ideas?"
Cao Cao raised his head with confusion in his eyes and said, "What does being filial piety mean?"
Guo Jia looked at the map behind Cao Cao and said: "I speculate that the imperial court may still be worried about Qingzhou and Jizhou. The general has assembled his army and is on standby. Instead of going south, he may go north."
Cao Cao's narrow eyes flashed with brilliance, and he said: "You mean, I should submit a letter asking for orders to go to Jizhou?"
Guo Jia shook his head and said: "The general should ask for orders to go south. But according to my estimation, the general will return to Yanzhou sooner or later. Even if he is not a state pastor, he is better than a state pastor."
Cao Cao thought about it and said, "Is it because Yanzhou is an important place for military strategists?"
Guo Jiadao: "When Yuzhou is in chaos, the importance of Yanzhou becomes more and more prominent. If Yanzhou is not lost, the division will be stable. If Yanzhou is lost, the Han Dynasty will be in danger."
Cao Cao understood and said seriously: "Fengxiao, do you think Dong Zhuo can pacify Yuan Shu and Han Fu?"
Guo Jia drank the wine, and something strange flashed across his face, and he said: "I always feel that something is wrong. Han Fu is a disciple of the Yuan family, and the chaos in Yuzhou has long appeared. Why did the imperial court send Han Fu as Yangzhou shepherd? How could His Majesty agree? ?”
Cao Cao was startled, slowly frowned, and then said with a cold expression: "Is it possible that there are remnants of the Yuan family in the court who are secretly having an affair with Yuan Shu?"
The person in the imperial court who had the closest relationship with Yuan Shu was none other than Prime Minister Yang Biao.
Yang Biao is the son-in-law of the Yuan family, Yuan Shu's biological uncle, and the brother-in-law of Yuan Shu's father Yuan Feng!
Guo Jia still shook his head and said: "The Prime Minister has always been wise to protect himself. Doing this is tantamount to digging his own grave and making the Yang family follow in the footsteps of the Yuan family. He will not be so stupid. Therefore, I can't figure it out."
Guo Jia couldn't figure it out, and Cao Cao was equally puzzled.
The two were silent for a long time, and Cao Cao still said: "Ignore these for now. Feng Xiao, can Dong Zhuo pacify Yuan Shu?"
Guo Jia was drinking wine, with a drunken look on his face, and said: "Yuan Shu has the power to destroy the eunuchs, and he is the direct son of the Yuan family. He is highly respected by everyone in the world. Yuzhou has been run by the Yuan family for many years, and Yangzhou is deep in it. Dong Zhuo has just arrived, so he is short." It will definitely be difficult to win at this time.”
Cao Cao frowned deeply. Dong Zhuo cannot win in a short time, which means that Yuan Shu will further gain power and Yuzhou will lose. It is not only Yanzhou that is in danger. Going north from Yingchuan, Luoyang is very close at hand!
"Gongsun Zan is a powerful general in Youzhou, and he has 20,000 elite soldiers. He can't win quickly?" Cao Cao asked reluctantly.
Guo Jia seemed to be reminiscing about the strength of the drink, and then said after a long time: "General, don't underestimate Yuan Shu. Let alone fifty thousand troops, even one hundred thousand, it will be difficult to win in a short time."
Cao Cao's face was straightened, his eyes were angry and gloomy.
Guo Jia understood clearly and said with a smile: "General, there is no need to worry. If things in Yuzhou fail, the imperial court may recruit generals to go south."
"I wish I could raise my troops and go south immediately!" Cao Cao said with burning eyes.
Seeing the rebellious ministers and traitors openly issuing propaganda to rebel, Cao Cao could not bear it.
Guo Jia said nothing more, and while drinking, he was still wondering why the imperial court appointed Han Fu as the shepherd of Yangzhou.
…
At this time, at the junction of Yingchuan County and Runan County, Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shu were already facing each other.
Yuan Shu personally led an army of 30,000 people to the rear, and Pinglu Colonel Qu Yi led 5,000 people as the vanguard to garrison troops at Dingying.
Gongsun Zan's 20,000 troops, equipped with 5,000 cavalry, stationed troops in Dingling. The two sides faced each other far away, and the war was about to break out.
Gongsun Zan's mansion of General Fenwu.
Army Commander Ma Yan Gang, Cavalry Commander Zou Dan and others were sitting on their knees at the bottom, with calm expressions on their faces, without any nervousness before the war.
Gongsun Zan's face was covered with ravines and scars. He sat on the throne and said majestically and domineeringly: "Everyone, you have all seen the imperial order. I want to defeat the rebels within ten days and capture Yuan Shu alive. What do you think?"
Yan Gang immediately raised his hand and said loudly: "The general's troops are invincible in all directions, including little Yuan Shu!"
Zou Dan was more cautious and said: "General, the Yuan family has been working in Yuzhou for many years, and disciples and former officials can be seen everywhere. It is said that Yuan Shu has recruited more than 100,000 soldiers and horses, so we must be careful."
Gongsun Zan nodded expressionlessly and said: "What Fengcheng said makes sense. I have discovered that Yuan Shu only has 30,000 people. He came to Yingchuan this time to use me as a stepping stone to build his reputation!"
Yan Gang sneered and said: "Yuan Shu's son is just a lost dog, the remnant of the genocide, and a wishful thinking! General, at the end of the day, please ask for orders, lead three thousand troops, and show your authority to the general!"
Gongsun Zan smiled with deep satisfaction, but he did not mean to underestimate Yuan Shu. He said: "Didn't he promise to fight for two days? I will personally lead the army to destroy this traitor. Within half a month, Yuzhou will be stabilized and I will die." Great work!"
"The general is mighty!"
Yan Gang and Zou Dan both raised their hands and said loudly.
The soldiers at the gate all smiled and were full of confidence as they listened, as if annihilating Yuan Shu was just a trivial matter with their general's ability!
Sorry to be back late.
Keep working hard tomorrow!
Please give me a monthly pass. Please give me a monthly pass~~
(End of chapter)
