Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 108 The big man seemed to be about to fall, but he kicked...

The Xuzhou tribe was located in Tan County of Donghai Commandery, and the governor's residence faced the Donghai royal palace.

There were many people with the surname Liu in Tan County, almost all of whom were descendants of Liu Qiang, Prince Gong of Donghai and son of Emperor Guangwu. Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou, was from the lineage of Prince Gong of Donghai.

The roads in counties and prefectures are also cleaner, with fewer common people traveling, and most of the people traveling are officials and scholars.

An official with a goatee and a crown on his head got down from the carriage, exhausted, followed by more than a dozen guards and followers.

The official turned around and said, "Just wait here."

When the followers heard the order, they returned the greeting and stood still waiting.

The official with a goatee entered the huge mansion alone, but was stopped by soldiers outside the front hall after he took a few steps. After the soldiers confirmed that he was not carrying any sharp blades, they let him in.

Relying on his familiarity, he walked through the small door on the side and passed several courtyards filled with the sound of stringed instruments. He couldn't help but stop for a moment and heard the quick breathing of the musicians from time to time, which made him shake his head slightly.

Then he continued to walk inside, crossed a few paths, smelled the scent of herbs, and said respectfully to the guard at the gate: "May I report to Lord Tao that Mi Zhu, the deputy governor, has returned from Jiujiang County and has come to see you."

The guard didn't dare to accept it, so he dodged to the side and bowed, saying, "My lord, please wait for a moment. I will go and report now."

But after a while, Mi Zhu was invited in.

Tao Qian, supported by several maids, was sitting on the couch. When he saw Mi Zizhong who had returned from Yuan Shu, he looked very happy.

He asked his maid to bring a spittoon to spit out the phlegm stuck in his throat, rinsed his mouth and asked, "Zi Zhong, what did Yuan Gonglu say? Is he interested in Xuzhou?"

Tao Qian felt that he would not be able to hold on to Xuzhou any longer, so he might as well sell it at a high price so that his Tao family could continue to be wealthy. It would not matter who took control of Xuzhou.

Of course, the exception is Liu Xuande of Qingzhou, who had offended him several times. If it had not been for his poor health in recent years, he would have planned to respond to Gongsun Du and Yuan Benchu's sneak attack on Qingzhou.

He didn't believe that Liu Bei didn't realize the deep meaning behind Xuzhou's repeated stationing of troops in Langya County.

Tao Qian judged others by himself. If something unexpected happened to him, Liu Xuande would be among those who invaded and occupied Xuzhou.

Liu Bei was good at using troops to attack, and he would not let go of Liu Dai, who was also a relative of his. What's more, Tao Gongzu posed a greater threat to the Tao family than Yuan Gonglu.

After careful consideration, he was more willing to sell Xuzhou to Yuan Shu, as he could afford it as he had three generations of officials.

Mi Zhu said, "Yuan Gonglu said that he recommended the two sons of the Tao family as filial and honest officials, and they could be promoted to the rank of prefect of two thousand stones later. Even the three dukes and nine ministers could be recommended, but it depends on the sincerity of Lord Tao first."

"What sincerity?" Tao Qian asked.

My heart was beating fast and I had a bad feeling.

Yuan Shu was so straightforward that he was a little too straightforward. Given his personality, he didn't even bargain.

Mi Zhu said helplessly: "Yuan Gonglu asked Tao Gong to give him Guangling County and Xiapi County first so that he would believe in his sincerity."

"Cough! Cough!"

Tao Qian couldn't help coughing when he heard this, and the two maids beside him quickly patted his back to help him catch his breath.

After coughing up the phlegm, Tao Qian said with trembling fingers: "I am not dead yet, how dare Yuan Gonglu be so arrogant!"

Once Guangling and Xia Pi were lost, Xuzhou shrank by half in an instant. How could Yuan Shu say this?

Tao Qian said angrily: "Even if Tao Shang and Tao Ying no longer serve as officials and the Tao family becomes a poor family, we will not agree to Yuan Gonglu's arrogant words."

He had always taken advantage of others during the fight, and no one dared to take advantage of him like this. He was very unhappy when Yuan Shu was also called the Earl of Xuzhou, so he suppressed his anger and let Mi Zhu go, but he still couldn't stand Yuan Gonglu.

If Yuan Shu doesn't understand, then go and see Liu Dai in Yanzhou and Cao Cao in Yangzhou.

Tao Qian finished speaking his thoughts, Mi Zhu pondered for a while and said: "Mr. Tao, I heard that Liu Dai and Cao Cao were both defeated generals of Liu Qingzhou. The Marquis of Huaiyin said: A defeated general is not brave enough, and a minister of a fallen country cannot survive. Cao Mengde was driven away and had no place to stand. Liu Gongshan hid in Shanyang County and dared not lose the city again. How can he entrust Xuzhou to you? I hope you will understand."

Tao Qian sighed and said, "Zi Zhong, I know that these two are like rotten wood and dirt. Now I want to give them several counties of Xuzhou, but I can't do anything about it."

"It is because Liu Xuande and I have accumulated grievances. I am afraid that if he takes over Xuzhou, the Tao family will be extinct."

Man proposes, God disposes. If I had known that I would be in such a dilemma now, I would not have offended Liu Bei in the first place.

After hearing this, Mi Zhu consoled him and said, "Mr. Tao, I heard that Liu Qingzhou is kind and benevolent. He is also a descendant of the imperial family. He defeated the Yellow Turbans, defeated Gongsun, and fought against Yuan Shao. In a few years, he traveled thousands of miles and had the ambition to conquer the world. If such a hero did not have an open mind, how could he defeat powerful enemies so many times?"

"If he takes over Xuzhou, Liu Xuande will control Qingzhou, Xuzhou and Yanzhou, and attack Yuan Shao in the north to annex the two states. If he succeeds, he will dominate Hebei and look down upon the world. I would like to ask who was the person who dominated Hebei in the past, Mr. Tao?"

Mi Zhu's heartfelt words made Tao Qian feel frightened when he thought about it.

The closer the death is, the more afraid one becomes of some unknown thing.

If you take a wrong step, your reputation and descendants will be ruined.

Tao Qian waved his hand to dismiss the maids and servants. Only he and Mi Zhu, the deputy driver, were left in the room. He took a deep breath and said, "Zi Zhong, are you talking about the prophecy of the golden sword?"

Then he said anxiously: "There is also a prophecy that the one who will replace the Han Dynasty is Dangtu Gao. These two prophecies contradict each other. How can we know whether they are true or false?"

Mi Zhu said: "Since the time of Emperor Xiaowu, prophecies by alchemists have frequently appeared. This was also the case during the reign of Emperor Mang. Don't forget the fact that Liu Xin changed his name. When it is difficult to tell whether it is true or not, it is better to believe it than not. The Han Dynasty ruled the country for 400 years and has experienced 24 emperors. When the great tree falls, the Liu family will surely step forward to save the country from danger."

"Isn't it the same in the Guochao Dynasty?"

Tao Qian had no choice but to nod.

Judging from the previous situation, it is indeed possible that this will continue, but as to whether it is Liu Xuande is still unclear.

There is also Liu Yan in Yizhou, Liu Biao in Jingzhou, Liu Yu in Youzhou, and... forget it, that one doesn't count.

Liu Dai has already proven himself to be no match for Liu Bei. Although other relatives are also famous, they are far inferior to Liu Xuande in terms of military strategy.

"Could it be that God favors Liu Bei?" Tao Qian couldn't help but look up and ask.

With a lost look I could see only the beams, the curtains, and the residual light of the setting sun slanting on the ground.

Tao Qian pondered for a long time, slapped his hand on the couch, and said with a resolute look: "If Liu Xuande swears on the water that the Tao family will be rich and prosperous from generation to generation, I will give Xuzhou to Liu Jun, what's the point?"

"Zi Zhong, you go to Qingzhou Plain immediately and tell Envoy Liu my exact words to see what decision he makes." Tao Qian turned around and said.

He either doesn't make up his mind, or once he makes up his mind he never changes it.

Cao Song, the father of Yangzhou Governor Cao Mengde, took refuge in Langya and planned to pass through Donghai County to Yangzhou with more than 100 carts of supplies. Previously, Xuzhou was undecided and he was still planning to give face to Cao Cao, but now...

Tao Qian gently beckoned Mi Zhu to come forward and whispered, "Zi Zhong, you can find him if you pass by Langya on your way to Qingzhou..."

Upon hearing this, Mi Zhu's eyes widened and the hand that was stroking his beard froze.

"Mr. Tao...this...this..."

(End of this chapter)