Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 248 Lord Jing Sheng, you need to figure it out first

In August of the first year of Jian'an, the battle between Liu and Yuan in Du County became known throughout the world because of Yuan Shao's heavy losses in troops and generals.

With Liu Bei's deliberate promotion, the nobles and powerful families in the country heard the news and immediately rushed to the scene.

Yuan Shu of Shouchun was the first to hold back his anger and curse: "You are really a slave girl. You are unworthy of being the descendant of three dukes in the fourth generation of the Yuan family. You are from a wealthy family, but you can't even defeat Liu Xuande, who is just a mat weaver. You are a disgrace to the Yuan family."

More importantly, Yuan Shao was defeated in the first battle, and even the reputation of the Yuan family of Runan was lowered in the minds of the people.

How can Yuan Gonglu still call himself the Emperor of the Zhong family and suppress Yuan Benchu? Isn't the imperial seal in his hand taken for nothing?
Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao, you are as stupid as a deer or a pig. Not only can Gongsun Zan not destroy you, but even Liu Xuande, who is not as good as him, can ride on your neck and gallop.

If I had as many nobles as you to help me, I would have captured Jingzhou, Yangzhou, Yuzhou and Xuzhou long ago.

Yuan Shu really didn't expect that Yuan Shao would lose the battle with Liu Bei again. He thought that Yuan Shao would accumulate some experience and lessons and would not suffer another defeat at the Battle of Huanshui. Unexpectedly, after Yan Liang, Qu Yi was killed and his head was sent back.

After Yuan Shu finished scolding, he looked at his many staff members and sighed, "My lords, what should the Yuan family do? Yuan Benchu ​​previously sent people to invite me to attack the two states of Chen and Liang in Yuzhou to shake the hearts of Yanzhou who support Liu. However, the Yellow Turban bandit Guan Hai is leading his army to attack several counties in Runan. Le Jin of Yingchuan is also quite brave. Although he has only a thousand soldiers, he has led his army to climb the city walls first many times.

Now we have lost two-fifths of Runan. General Ji Ling is leading his troops to resist Guan and Le. The rest of the generals have to station troops in Jiujiang to prevent Xiapi Xiang Taishi Ci from suddenly leading his troops to attack us. We are in a tight spot right now. You are the students and former officials of the Yuan family. Do you have any strategies to help our Yuan family? ! "

Hua Xin did not speak out. He was not a former official of the Yuan family. If Yuan Gonglu had not forced him to stay in Huainan, he would have returned to Pingyuan County long ago.

Moreover, the Hua family of Pingyuan Gaotang had already put all their resources on Liu Xuande. He had frequent correspondence with the family and knew better than any other staff in Huainan about Liu's natural talent and potential for success.

At this moment, if Hua Xin did not cause trouble for the Yuan family, he would have been worthy of the money and cloth that Yuan Gonglu gave him.

Therefore, Hua Xin decided not to say a word about the affairs of Qingzhou.

Yan Xiang, Yang Hong, Li Ye and many other trusted aides also frowned and had bitter faces, looking extremely sad.

It’s not that they have no strategies to offer, but after years of turmoil at the hands of Yuan Gong, Huainan’s foundation has been almost drained.

Huainan was originally rich in resources and had a large population. Every year, there were endless numbers of common people fleeing to Jingzhou or Jiangdong with their families.

Moreover, he had lost over 10,000 soldiers in the battle with Cao Mengde for Jiangdong, and over 10,000 more in the attack on Pei State. Two of his generals were captured by Liu Xuande, and Sun Bofu even betrayed his master and defected to the enemy.

We can barely protect ourselves now, so how can we get the food and soldiers to attack Chen and Liang?

If we rest and recuperate from now on, we may be able to recover some strength in two years and then we can lead our troops to attack Yuzhou in the north.

Chief Clerk Yan Xiang bowed and said, "Mr. Yuan, Huainan is in decline now. The food and grass are only enough to supply Ji Ling's garrison to defend Runan. We cannot spare any soldiers to attack Yuzhou to save Zhao from Wei. It would be better to write a letter to Mr. Benchu ​​and ask him to wait for two years to give Huainan and the people a chance to rest."

Yuan Shu couldn't help laughing when he heard this, and pointed his finger at him, saying, "Master Yan, ask yourself, Yuan Benchu ​​wanted me and Cao Mengde to help him. If the two of us didn't do anything, would he still have a chance to wait another two years?"

"According to the current situation and Yuan Shao's stupidity, if we are defeated again, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold out for even a year."

"No matter how poor the people's livelihood in Huainan is, it is not as important as the Yuan family. Yan Jun is a former official of the Yuan family. I hope you can distinguish between the important and the unimportant. Immediately recruit another 10,000 soldiers and appoint Liu Xun as the general. Go north from Lujiang County to Runan and attack Chen and Liang to save Yuan Benchu ​​from danger."

Yuan Shu made the final decision and acted decisively on the spot.

He was not stupid. No matter how much he fought and disagreed with Yuan Shao, that was the business of the Yuan family of Runan. If Liu Xuande were to occupy Hebei, the matter of engraving and appointing officials would be enough to make it impossible for the Yuan family to recover, not to mention that there were so many dark histories.

He had no friendship with Liu Xuande, and Liu Bei would never let Yuan Shao go for the prophecy that Yuan Gonglu spread that Tu Gao would replace the Han Dynasty. Therefore, no matter how hard he tried, Yuan Shao had to win the Battle of Hebei, even if he was a maid's son.

Yuan Shu was filled with emotion. He never thought that he would hope that Yuan Benchu ​​would win so much.

……

On the other hand, envoys from Liu Bei and Yuan Shao arrived in Xiangyang, Jingzhou almost at the same time.

The difference is that the envoys sent by Yuan Shao took a secret path, climbed mountains and waded through water to get to Jingzhou, while Liu Bei appointed Sun Qian in Yingchuan to persuade Liu Jingsheng not to sit idly by and watch Liu Yao, who was also a relative of the Han Dynasty, being destroyed by Cao Mengde in Yuzhang County.

The second is to send troops from Jiangxia County along the Yangtze River to attack Lujiang County to contain Yuan Shu in Huainan.

Seeing messengers from Yuan and Liu coming one after another, both wanted him to send troops to help.

Liu Biao, a man of refined character, was somewhat hesitant and called in many of his aides to discuss the matter.

Cai, Huang and others opposed sending troops to aid Liu Yao and attack Lujiang County, and even said bluntly: "Liu Xuande is just trying to drive the tiger to devour the wolf. He wants to use Jingzhou to provoke disputes among the three families in Huainan and Jiangdong so that he can take a break."

"On the other hand, Yuan Benchu ​​only needed us to station troops in Nanyang, without starting a war, and he vowed to reward us handsomely in the future. Jingzhou can be said to have won a great victory with a small investment."

After hearing this, Liu Biao couldn't help but nod his head. What Cai and Huang said made sense. Yuan Shao at least knew how to swear and make promises, but Liu Bei didn't make any promises to him and just wanted him to send troops.

Seeing that Lord Jingsheng was quite interested in Cai's advice, Kuai Liang, who was sitting in the hall, thought of Cai's in-law relationship, so he quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Lord Jingsheng, wait a minute! Liang has three questions, and I hope you can answer them truthfully, otherwise Kuai will not offer any advice."

Liu Biao looked in the direction of the voice and said with a smile, "It turns out to be Zirou. What do you want to ask? Feel free to ask."

Kuai Liang bowed again and asked solemnly, "May I ask if Lord Jingsheng is interested in fighting for the world?"

Liu Biao was slightly stunned after hearing this. He was silent for a long time. He looked up at his many aides and said with a wry smile, "I am fifty-four years old now. I often envy Emperor Gaozu for fighting for the world at the age of fifty. However, life span is determined by God. In recent years, I feel more and more powerless. I am afraid it will be difficult to go on military expeditions."

"If I were fifteen years younger, I would have headed north to fight Liu Xuande for the throne. What a pity!"

Liu Biao's words were both frank and honest, and he also hinted that even if he couldn't go on an expedition, he could still guard Jingzhou and was able to protect the interests of your clans.

But this was not what Kuai Liang wanted to hear, so he bowed and asked again: "May I ask Lord Jingsheng, do you still want your descendants to serve as officials of the Han Dynasty?"

"After the fall of Qin, can you see the Qin clan again?"

Kuai Liang then asked two questions, which left Liu Biao speechless.

He couldn't help but glance at the reactions of the other staff members. Seeing that many of them were stunned, he smiled bitterly in his heart and said, "It seems that I am not the only one who was shocked by Zirou's words."

Kuai Zirou had asked very clearly: Did Duke Jingsheng want to make plans for his own selfish interests, or for the benefit of the Han family?

For the sake of the Han Dynasty, we should not worry about the gains and losses of sending troops at this time.

If one wants to preserve strength and only considers one's own interests, then one should simply not help either party. It won't be too late to join the party after the dispute between Liu and Yuan in Hebei is settled.

(End of this chapter)