Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 176: Rumors
"Ta-da-da..." The sound of rapid horse hooves came from the east, stirring up clouds of dust in the suburbs.

The common people who were cutting wood in the fields looked at the approaching cavalry in horror and almost ran away.

"Uu! Uu!"

Liu Bei reined in his horse with some doubts, and asked the cavalry sergeant to take people to investigate. He learned that these people were all relatives of the Liu family. Some people spread rumors that Lord Xuande was dissatisfied with the Liu family of Pengcheng and wanted to kill people and seize land in various places.

It was said that Envoy Liu was unkind and ungrateful to his own family, and wanted to take all the mansions, fertile fields, slaves and skilled maids for himself. He wanted to execute the Liu family members who had committed crimes in Congting, Suiyu and Anshang, and even depose King Liu He of Pengcheng.

It is no wonder that the local people turned around and ran away when they saw the cavalry. They were all frightened by all the sensational stories. Even if they did not believe it, they had to be on guard.

There are many people with the Liu family in Pengcheng County. Not only are there descendants of Liu Jiao, the King of Chu Yuan, but also descendants of Liu Gong, the King of Pengcheng Jing, the earliest son of Emperor Xiaoming, who are scattered everywhere.

After Liu Gong's death, his son King Kao Liu Dao succeeded to the throne, and his brothers were all granted fiefs: Liu Bing was made Marquis of Duxiang, Liu Guo was made Marquis of Anxiang, Liu Ding was made Marquis of Luyangxiang, and his grandson Liu Shun was made Marquis of Dong'anting.

After Liu Dao's death, his nine sons were also granted the title of Tinghou. As time went by, the Han royal family's relatives were everywhere.

The farmers who were tilling the fields and the woodcutters who were chopping wood were all members of the Liu clan. Once the rumor spread, three people became a threat to the city, and the rumor immediately became a big deal.

Some said that Lord Xuande wanted to kill all the Liu family members, some said that he just wanted to take their farmland, and some said that Lord Liu loved beautiful women and wanted to use this as an excuse to kill the husband's family and take his wife and daughter into his mansion for pleasure.

The first month of the lunar year is the time for ancestor worship. The Liu clans from various families gather together and discuss rumors they have heard from others.

After hearing what the scouts had reported, Liu Bei sneered, "I haven't even shown my wrath yet. Do you think that just by spreading rumors and manipulating public opinion, you'll be let off the hook?"

"It seems you really don't understand me."

Zhang Liao, Dian Wei, Liu He and hundreds of soldiers from the Ruichong Camp were all furious when they heard the rumors, but they had no one to vent their anger on, and they couldn't do anything to the local people, so they could only grit their teeth and tightly grasp their swords and spears.

"Let's go. Let's go into the city and meet Man Boning and the imprisoned tyrants first."

Liu Bei then set off.

He passed by Lu County, which was a hundred miles away. There were also relatives of the Liu clan living there, but there had never been such rumors. If the Liu clan tyrants here were not eradicated, they might become spirits.

Liu Bei whipped his horse and urged it to gallop forward. The cavalry followed closely with their flags held high, and rushed forward with an unstoppable momentum.

……

A few miles away from Pengcheng County, Man Chong, officials from the county government, and many clan leaders and patriarchs of wealthy families came to greet Lord Xuande. Also coming was Pengcheng King Liu He, who was wearing a crown. Although he had a fat waist, he tensed his body at this moment, subconsciously pulling at his sleeves with his hands, and his eyes were fixed on the road ahead.

Even if I suddenly heard a horse neighing, I would shudder with fear.

There were rumors circulating that he might have been deposed by Lord Xuande. If the court's authority had still existed in the past, he would certainly not be afraid. But now, even the young emperor could be deposed, let alone him, a mere vassal king.

Moreover, the princes were very bored in their fiefdoms, so it was inevitable that they would find some fun and have a lot of fun. If we investigate carefully, it would be difficult not to find evidence.

Man Chong, whom Liu Shijun specially transferred from Qingzhou, was a cruel official, and he was placed in Pengcheng, so it was hard for him not to have wrong thoughts.

"Lord Xuande has arrived."

Someone in the crowd reminded them, and they saw the majestic cavalry in the distance on the road gradually slowing down and soon arrived in front of them.

"I've seen the envoy."

"Greetings, Lord Xuande."

"Liu He greets Lord Xuande." Man Chong and many officials bowed together.

King Pengcheng Liu He also hurriedly bowed and saluted, not daring to put on airs at this moment.

Liu Bei dismounted, smiled and said, "Why are you being so polite? Just focus on your government affairs. Why bother coming to greet me?"

When the officials heard this, they hurriedly bowed and thought to themselves, "Oh no! Lord Xuande must have heard the rumors and is angry."

"Your Excellency, it is because of your favor that you are incompetent, which has led to the evildoers to coerce the people into spreading rumors and causing trouble."

Man Chong bowed down and said in shame.

Liu Bei helped him up, patted his arm and consoled him, "This matter has nothing to do with Bo Ning. As the saying goes, if there are too many worms, the wood will break, and if there is a big gap, the wall will collapse. I originally thought that the Liu clan would understand and sympathize with the people, but now it seems that they are just like other lawless tyrants."

This was to force him to take action. Liu Bei also understood Man Chong's difficulties. Although the matter of measuring the land in Xuzhou had already been discussed with the transferred officials and started from Pengcheng.

But after all, there are many relatives of the Han Dynasty here, and the relationships between the powerful families are complicated. If it were somewhere else, Man Chong would have killed all the powerful families long ago.

Many Liu clan leaders in the crowd secretly pricked up their ears to listen to the conversation between Lord Xuande and the cruel official Man Boning, and were disappointed.

Apart from the families of the clan leaders who were imprisoned, who were the first to spread the rumors, the rest of the absurd statements were fanned by them, hoping that Lord Xuande would give up and not farm in Pengcheng, thus infringing on their interests.

It now seems inevitable.

Furthermore, if the rumor is discovered, they will be in a state of confusion.

Thinking of this, the faces of several clan leaders turned pale instantly. The rest of the people were ignorant and their direct descendants were in great danger.

One clan leader exhaled with difficulty, and suddenly became ruthless in his heart. Since there was no way to retreat, he might as well unite with other families and lead the Qu tribe to revolt.

Let Liu Bei know that Xuzhou is not a place where he can do whatever he wants. He only brought a few hundred soldiers with him this time. He can take advantage of the panic among the people and capture Liu Xuande with the civilians!
The leader of the powerful family with a violent look in his eyes thought that after Liu Bei entered the city, he would immediately send his confidants to find the remaining powerful families who would unite with him.

Then Liu Bei laughed softly and said, "Everyone, the rumors and slanders spread among the people are true rumors. I have already found out who spread the rumors. Please do not return. Go to the city and stay in the inn for a while. I will scrape Liu's bones and remove the poison. You can return home in three to five days at most."

The head of the noble family who wanted to start a rebellion suddenly had a bad premonition and could not help cursing in his heart: "How can Liu Xuande, who was born as a shoe peddler, be qualified to manage the lineage of Emperor Guangwu?"

After cursing, he smiled and bowed to everyone and said in unison: "We are following the orders of the envoy."

He happened to catch a glimpse of King Pengcheng Liu He, and seeing his fat figure and his respectful manner, he could not help but sneer. It was a pity that he was the descendant of Emperor Xiaoming, but he was so respectful to his fallen relatives of the Han Dynasty. It was really shameful.

"Mr. Dian." Liu Bei nodded imperceptibly.

"promise!"

Dian Wei responded in a rough voice, and quickly took his weapons and the soldiers of Ruichong Camp to guard the more than 200 people present.

Since the envoy has mobilized a large army to take everyone away without leaving a single one alive, there must be someone with ulterior motives among the nobles who have come to welcome him.

It is possible that the groundless slander came from the hands of these powerful families.

Dian Wei thought with a gloomy face.

Seeing that several powerful clan leaders who had colluded with each other were easily controlled, Liu Bei smiled. It is difficult to find a needle in a haystack, but it will be much clearer if we follow the map.

(End of this chapter)