The sudden changes in the south not only shocked Huangfu Jianchang and others, they were caught off guard.
Various forces in the southern states, after being stunned, quickly began to compete for territory and consolidate their power.
Liu Biao of Jingzhou, after Liu Yan withdrew his troops, occupied almost the entire Jingzhou, and even extended his hands to Yuzhou, Yangzhou, and Jiaozhi.
After Sun Jian of Wu Commandery occupied Guangling, he fought with Lü Bu many times and actually drove Lü Bu back to Xiapi and secured Guangling.
After Yuan Shao surrendered Zhang He, the old member of the Yuan family, his troops greatly increased and occupied Jiujiang and Jiangxia counties, and he was in a stalemate with Yuan Shu.
In Jiaozhi, the Shi family, because of the rumor from the court, will appoint Shi Xie as the governor of Jiaozhou. His prestige will be greatly increased. Not only will he block Yuan Shu from Nanhai County, but he will even have the strength to destroy Yuan Shu!
However, the territory of Yuan Shu, Han Fu and others continues to shrink, and is limited to the four counties of Kuaiji, Danyang and Dongye. They are not far from destruction.
And under this situation, all the forces, as if they had already discussed it, used excuses such as 'it is not suitable to send troops in the cold winter', 'it is difficult to rest', and 'lack of money and food', etc., and they unanimously withdrew their troops and began to consolidate their forces and territories.
This sudden change was naturally noticed by Luoyang immediately.
In the third year of Yonghan, it was the thirteenth day of the first lunar month.
Chongde Hall, back hall.
Liu Yu kept coughing every winter, which made everyone in the palace worried.
The little guy was lying on the soft couch, his face was pale and full of pain. He looked at Liu Bian beside him and said in a weak voice: "Father, it hurts..."
This sentence was like a knife stabbing into Liu Bian's heart, but he had no choice but to touch his little face and comfort him: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Father is here, and he will be fine after taking the medicine."
The little guy hummed and frowned, his face full of joy.
Liu Shao walked over with a bowl of water, a little shaky, to Liu Yu's side, and whispered: "Drink."
Liu Yu didn't seem to hear it, and made humming sounds from time to time.
Liu Bian sighed softly in his heart, took Liu Shao's tea cup, reached out and touched his head, and said, "My brother is fine, you can go and play."
Liu Shao obviously didn't believe it. He lay on the edge of the soft couch, pursed his lips, and looked at Liu Yu quietly.
Pan Yin quietly appeared at the door and looked at Liu Bian.
Liu Bian reached out and touched Liu Yu's frown, then quietly walked out of the door.
Pan Yin followed him closely and said, "Your Majesty, the news from Da Sima's Mansion is that Lu Bu has more connections with Dong Zhuo. It is said that there are Xiliang cavalry among the soldiers and horses fighting between Lu Bu and Sun Jian."
Liu Bian grunted and said: "Go to the Chancellor's Stand, Grand Sima, and Cao Cao are coming too."
Pan Yin responded, ordered someone to send a message, and said: "Your Majesty, the Montenegrin Army sent another letter asking for surrender, but Cao Changshi rejected it. Cao Changshi said that the Montenegrin Army 'gathered people to rebel with ulterior motives, and they should be wiped out with all their strength.'"
Liu Bian nodded and said, "Er Xun and Zhong Yao are here too."
Pan Yin ordered someone to deliver the message again, and continued: "Your Majesty, Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, has written a letter requesting the imperial court to allocate money and food. He also has a list of more than 200 people for awards."
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows and chuckled: "Does he think that the Jingzhou family's support for him is not enough? With more than two hundred people, he dares to come up, which shows that he is very confident..."
Pan Yin lowered his head slightly and waited for a while before saying: "Your Majesty, regarding the transfer of Liu Bei to the governor of Xuzhou, the Shangshutai, the Grand Sima Mansion and the Six Cao Cao all have different opinions, so the appointment has been shelved."
Liu Bian knew about this, thought about it for a moment, and said, "What's going on over there in Hanzhong?"
Pan Yin immediately knew what Liu Bian was asking. He recalled for a moment and said, "There was no movement. However, Yizhou Mu has sent his fourth letter since December last year, requesting the imperial court to release Liu Zhang."
Liu Yan's health is getting worse and worse, and he is obviously planning to take over. But now, only one of his sons is still alive, that is Liu Zhang.
But Liu Zhang has been staying in Luoyang as a 'proton' since two years ago and serves as a 'doctor' in Xingcao.
Liu Bian pondered for a while and said, "Ignore him for now. What's going on with the Sanqiang?"
Pan Yin followed closely beside Liu Bian and said, "No. Han Sui seemed to be interested in joining, but he kept going back and forth. Zhong Tingwei thought that we should wait and see, and the Chancellor agreed."
When Liu Bian saw the chancellor looking at him, he suddenly stopped and asked, "What has Cao Cao been busy with recently?"
Pan Yin glanced in the direction of Da Sima's Mansion and said: "There seems to be nothing else, just in the mansion and Da Sima's Mansion. By the way, I heard that she is going to have a baby recently."
Liu Bian put his hands behind his back and kept thinking in his mind.
The sudden change in the situation in the south was indeed beyond his expectation. I originally thought that Yuan Shu could sustain it for at least three to five years, but unexpectedly, he couldn't sustain it after only two years.
Speaking of which, he has been letting off steam, but this Yuan Shu is indeed incompetent and useless at all.
With the fall of Yuan Shu, various contradictions under the cover of Yuan Shu's rebellion will surface. The court wants to continue to stay out of the matter and concentrate on the "New Deal", which is a failure.
Liu Bian had to consider how to suppress various contradictions and continue to concentrate on implementing the "New Deal" to restore and accumulate strength for the Han Dynasty.
Pan Yin saw Liu Bian deep in thought and did not dare to disturb him.
From a distance, he saw a small official coming to the Chancellor's desk and waved his hand calmly.
Liu Bian looked at the sky and thought for a long time. It was difficult to make sense of the complicated situation and he couldn't help but frown in annoyance.
After another long while, Liu Bian took a breath and said, "Is it going to snow?"
Pan Yin turned to look at the sky and said, "Your Majesty, there should be another snowfall."
It's not even the first month yet, so it stands to reason that it will still snow.
Liu Bian nodded and said, "Let's go."
Pan Yin responded silently and followed Liu Bian to the chancellery.
In the small conference hall, Prime Minister Yang Biao, Grand Sima Huangfu Song, Xun Yu, Xun You, Zhong Yao, Cao Cao and others were already waiting.
"I will see you, Your Majesty!" Everyone greeted him in unison.
"no."
Liu Bian strode in. After sitting down, he looked at the group of people and said, "Everyone in the Qing family knows about the matter. Please tell me your opinion."
Yang Biao was fatter than before, with a big belly and a serious look on his face. He said: "Your Majesty, Yuan Shu and others are treasonous and immoral. They are plotting rebellion. Everyone will be punished! Now they are defeated. It is God's will! I ask your Majesty to come down." Purpose, all generals will use their orders to pacify Yuan Ni before the middle of the year!"
The others said nothing and secretly observed Liu Bian.
As for Yuan Shu, everyone here had clearly felt that the majesty in front of them was conniving intentionally or unintentionally. They couldn't figure out what he was thinking, and no one dared to speak at will.
Liu Bian looked as normal and said: "What the Prime Minister said makes sense. Who is the commander-in-chief and who is the vanguard?"
A group of people didn't expect Liu Bian to be so happy and couldn't help but be startled.
Immediately everyone understood that Yuan Shu now only had four counties. After the great defeat, people's hearts were scattered, and defeat was imminent.
But whoever finally destroys Yuan Shu will have great achievements, and the title of marquis is right in front of him!
Cao Cao's breathing was a little rapid. He glanced at the crowd with his peripheral vision. He couldn't help it anymore. He raised his hand and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to quell the chaos for your Majesty!"
Xun You was wary of Cao Cao and said calmly: "Your Majesty, it is my wish that Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, be the commander, and Sun Jian, the governor of Wu County, be the vanguard."
Zhong Yao thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, I think we should divide our troops into two groups, and Gongsun Zan can also be the vanguard."
Huangfu Song and Yang Biao did not interrupt and allowed them to argue.
The two of them were condescending and had no interests in it, so they watched with cold eyes and saw it very clearly.
Cao Cao did it for himself, Xun You wanted to keep Cao Cao in Luoyang, and Zhong Yao wanted to prevent Liu Biao and Sun Jian from becoming powerful and intended to divide them.
Cao Cao also noticed it, his face remained as usual, and he said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, this time to destroy Yuan, it must be the imperial court, and it must not be the local pastor. Please tell me clearly!"
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows and understood what Cao Cao meant.
If Liu Biao, Sun Jian and others pacify Yuan Shu, it will only make the place stronger and the imperial court further decline. And if the imperial court destroys Yuan, it is just the opposite - the imperial court is strong, and those local people have to be controlled whether they are dragons or tigers!
Yang Biao also woke up and said quickly: "Your Majesty, I agree with Cao Changshi's intention."
Xun You was very thoughtful and agreed with Cao Cao's statement. He was already considering candidates other than Cao Cao.
After thinking about it, he found that apart from Cao Cao, there seemed to be no more suitable candidate.
In the sudden silence, Xun Yu, who had been silent, interrupted and said: "Your Majesty, if Liu Bei, the governor of Hanzhong, is the governor of Xuzhou, he would be a suitable candidate."
"No!"
Liu Bian decisively dismissed Xun Yu's suggestion and said, "The prefect of Hanzhong must not move. Da Sima, what did you think about it?"
Xun Yu wanted to say more, but Huangfu Song raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, Youzhou Shepherd Liu Yu is available."
Last year, Wang Yun was executed, and rumors spread wildly between the government and the public that Liu Yu would come to Beijing to take over Wang Yun's position. However, as time passed, these rumors were self-defeating.
Huangfu Song mentioned Liu Yu again for a simple purpose. Prime Minister Yang Biao was the only one left at the Chancellor's desk, so he should be supplemented.
After all, there was a successor to Cao Cao in the Grand Sima Mansion, but not in Shangshutai.
Liu Bian still shook his head and said: "Wuhuan, Xianbei and others rebel from time to time. Liu Qing's family has great power and virtue outside the wall, so it should not be done lightly."
Xun You, Zhong Yao and others quietly looked at each other. After all this, in the end there was only one Cao Cao left.
Cao Cao's narrow eyes flashed with excitement, and he said more and more seriously: "Your Majesty, Yuan Shu is in a certain death situation, and the court should turn its attention to Dong Zhuo and others!"
Liu Bian glanced at Cao Cao, thought about it over and over again, and finally made up his mind, saying: "With Cao Cao as a powerful general, supervising the military affairs of Xu and Yang states, Sun Jian, the prefect of Wu County, and Gongsun Zan, the Fenwu general, returned to control and left the capital in April. Destroy Yuan Shu and other rebels!"
Cao Cao maintained his composure and said loudly: "My lord, Cao Cao has received the order!"
Xun You was still wary of Cao Cao. He pondered for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty, I invite Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai to take charge of military matters such as money, food, military affairs, etc."
Liu Bian saw Xun You's thoughts clearly and said, "Yes."
Cao Cao didn't care about this. He originally wanted Guo Jia, so he followed the trend and said: "Your Majesty, I also want to dispatch some people to listen to you."
"You discuss with Da Sima."
Liu Bian was a little wary about sending Cao Cao. He looked at Huangfu Song and said, "Does the Grand Sima Mansion have any plans?"
Huangfu Song looked cold, paused for a moment, and said: "Back to Your Majesty, the incident happened suddenly, and the Grand Sima Mansion has not yet formulated a comprehensive strategy."
Liu Bian nodded. Not to mention Huangfu Song and others, he hadn't thought clearly yet.
"but,"
Liu Bian sat upright with a stern look on his face and said: "Yuan Shu is defeated before his eyes, but it is also true that some people have become powerful. What I want to know is, can my will still cross the Yangtze River?"
Everyone's expressions changed slightly, and they bowed and did not dare to speak.
South of the Yangtze River, the main major forces now include Sun Jian, Liu Biao and Shi Xie.
Sun Jian, a man who would kill a governor at any time, had no regard for the imperial court.
As for Liu Biao, after receiving the support of the Jingzhou family, he had military power in his hands. Not only did he "not accept military orders from outside" the imperial court's military orders, he also had many demands on the imperial court.
Shi Xie was relatively special. While facing Yuan Shu, the family resolutely resisted and suppressed some barbarians. Unknowingly, most of the counties in Jiaozhi fell into the hands of the Shi family. Since last year, there have been more and more memorials written by Shi Xie as the governor of Jiaozhou.
These three people have the potential to be strong.
At the same time, there were Liu Yan from Yizhou, Dong Zhuo and Gongsun Zan from Yuzhou, and Lu Bu from Xuzhou. None of these people seemed to take the imperial court seriously.
"His Majesty,"
Xu Yan, who was outside the door, quietly came in with two memorials and said: "The memorials of Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu."
Liu Bian's eyes were strange. He reached out to take it and opened it under the gaze of everyone. After reading it, he was slightly silent, and then he couldn't help but laugh and said: "Lü Bu recommended Dong Zhuo as Zuopushe, and Dong Zhuo recommended Lu Bu as Xuzhou Mu."
Yang Biao snorted coldly and said: "These two people are so ambitious. When Yuan Shu is defeated, they should be wiped out!"
Liu Bian looked deep in thought and suddenly said: "I have changed my mind, Cao Cao. After the spring begins, you will enter Jizhou first and pacify the Black Mountain Army!"
Cao Cao was startled, then he realized what he was doing and decisively raised his hand and said: "I accept the order!"
Xun You, Xun Yu, Zhong Yao and others looked at each other and understood Liu Bian's intention. Zhong Yao answered: "Your Majesty, since the battle the year before last, the Black Mountain Army has been on the verge of disintegration. I asked you to go there, maybe there are some People, no need to use troops.”
Liu Bian nodded and said with a smile: "Well, the Qing family will be involved in political affairs and envoys, giving them the power to act expediently."
Zhong Yao bowed and said, "I accept the order."
Liu Bian looked at Cao Cao again and said: "I will allocate 30,000 troops and horses to you, and provide you with enough money and food. You are not allowed to do anything else. We must wipe out the Black Mountain Army as soon as possible without making any mistakes!"
Cao Cao's expression darkened and he said, "I accept the order!"
He understood the meaning of Liu Bian's words. Giving money and food to the soldiers meant that he was not allowed to recruit soldiers and horses on his own, let alone 'raise his own money and food'.
Liu Bian stared at him for a moment, then turned to Xun Yu and said, "Qing family, last year's summer grain and autumn grain both increased. Can there be any predictions for this year?"
Xun Yu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the increase in taxes last year was based on the court's vigorous anti-corruption campaign, not an increase in taxes. This year, according to Hu Cao's inference, there will not be much increase, and the total will be around one hundred thousand."
Liu Bian frowned, then secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Xun Yu's words wiped away some of Liu Bian's expectations.
'Should we implement land redistribution? 'Liu Bian thought about it in his mind and hesitated a little.
The reason why taxes no longer increase is essentially because the land tax that the court can collect is limited, and most of the land is still in the hands of various aristocratic families.
Although some aristocratic families were annihilated after years of war, this part of the land could not be returned to the hands of the imperial court.
The court needs to thoroughly clean up the land, clarify the relationship, and especially strengthen local control. Only then can the 'unowned' acres be returned to the court and distributed to the common people again.
But the 'New Deal' has only lasted three years so far. Coupled with various wars, the situation has not been completely resolved yet. How can it be divided again?
Moreover, once the redistribution of land is started, all the big and small aristocratic families are expected to be in trouble!
Adding to the chaos!
While Liu Bian was pondering, Xun Yu spoke again and said: "Your Majesty, as the states are gradually stabilized, the salt tax is increasing. This year, the salt tax is expected to exceed 30 million."
Liu Bian knew this. He repeated it over and over in his mind, but still found it difficult to make up his mind. He said: "Yes. Regarding the clearing of Zhang Zhang's land and registered households, Shangshutai must work together and spare no effort. Before the end of this year, there will be a result for Bingzhou and Sili."
"I accept the order." Xun Yu raised his hand, a solemn look on his somewhat mature face.
These two things have been implemented for three years. There are many difficulties and obstacles. Xun Yu has already felt tremendous pressure.
Liu Bian reached out and took the tea cup handed over by Lu Yu. He took a sip and felt refreshed before saying, "I have three things to explain."
"I respectfully listen to the holy teachings." A group of people raised their hands and said.
Liu Bian organized his words and said: "First of all, to spread the decree to the world, no official is allowed to appoint subordinates privately. Officials of the imperial court, prefecture, county, and county must all be reported for approval, and no one is allowed to mess with their orders! "
Everyone raised their hands, knowing that this situation was very common in Han Dynasty, and they had long been accustomed to it.
"second,"
Liu Bian held the tea cup and said in a calm tone: "The separation of military and political affairs is a national policy. This must be persisted and implemented unswervingly. No one can stop it!"
"third,"
Liu Bian looked at them and said: "As for matters in the south, the governor of Xuzhou will not be appointed for the time being. Sun Jian, the governor of Wu County, must strictly abide by the imperial decree and must not act recklessly. Ignore the memorials of Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu, and they must be strictly monitored. . Liu Biao’s memorial was retained but not published. An edict was issued to Yuan Shu, ordering him to plead guilty and be punished. As for changing Jiaozhi to Jiaozhou, I have no idea at the moment.”
This 'third' is a general response to a series of sudden changes in the South.
"I will receive the order."
Everyone thought for a moment and felt nothing was wrong, and raised their hands in response.
Liu Bian stood up and said: "For the specific matters, the Shangshutai and the Grand Sima Mansion will discuss and submit the report. That's it for today."
"I respectfully send you off to Your Majesty." Those present raised their hands and said.
Liu Bian left the small conference hall, leaving everyone behind and fell into silence.
Many things were decided at this meeting, but the biggest benefit was the humble Cao Cao!
Promoting generals to supervise Xu and promote military affairs is more important than ordinary state pastors!
Cao Cao sat with an expressionless face, but he was very ambitious and determined to do something big!
Liu Bian left the chancery and walked out of the palace, followed by Lu Yu.
Lu Yu, who was about ten years old, had been taken by Liu Bian with him after Lu Zhi's death.
"Do you think it's inappropriate for me to go out to Beijing for inspection?" Liu Bian asked Lu Yu with a smile.
Deleting, deleting, editing, and losing two thousand words o(╥﹏╥)o
(End of chapter)
