Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 184 Ignore it, expand the army and select generals
Chang'an, Situ Mansion.

"Dong Zhuo wants to marry Ji'an, so he asked me to write a letter to Shu Lan, asking him to give up his position as the wife so that Dong Zhuo's granddaughter can marry Ji'an."

Wang Hongwei sighed and said, "I didn't want to do that, but Li Ru asked me which one is more respected, the daughter of the Dong family or Shu Lan. Due to the big plan, I had to say that the daughter of the Dong family is more respected and the daughter of the Wang family cannot compare."

"That's unreasonable!"

Wang Yun angrily slammed the table and said, "Ji'an and Shulan have been married for many years and they love each other very much. How can Dong Zhuo disregard social rules and etiquette?"

Wang Hong said helplessly: "Ji'an is a leader in Bingzhou, and Dong Zhuo is afraid of him, so he wants to marry Ji'an. Now if we want to kill Dong, we must win Dong Zhuo's trust. The only way now is to obey Dong Zhuo's wishes and write a letter to persuade Shu Lan to retreat and become a concubine."

Hearing this, Wang Yun looked like a deflated ball, with a bitter look on his face. He said, "That's hard for Shu Lan. We need to keep a low profile and make the traitors relax, only then can we have hope of success."

"Let's see if Ji'an agrees. If Ji'an is unwilling to marry Dong Zhuo, no matter how Dong Zhuo forces you and me, we can't do anything to Ji'an!" Wang Hong said.

Wang Hong then asked, "Although Dong Zhuo is in Luoyang to defend against the enemy, his minions are all over Chang'an. If you want to plan something big, you need someone you can trust to accomplish it. I wonder if you can find a righteous man?"

Wang Yun hesitated for a moment and said, "I wanted to join forces with Gai Xun before, but Gai Xun unfortunately died of illness. Now the only people I can trust are Shi Sun Rui and Song Yi."

"Without soldiers and horses, it may be difficult to accomplish anything?" Wang Hong said.

"Lü Bu is from Bingzhou. I have been friends with him for a long time. Let's see if we can sow discord between him and Dong Zhuo." Wang Yun said, "If Lü Bu can be used by you and me, then great things can be accomplished!"

Wang Hong cupped his hands and said, "Can you help the country get rid of the thieves? It will depend on Master Zishi's plan!"

"Tongmian!"

He did not mention that the brothers Wang Yun and Wang Hong endured humiliation and contacted righteous men in the capital in order to plot against Dong Zhuo.

Now that Yuan Shao wanted to support Liu Yu as emperor, he sent Xun Chen as an envoy to Jinyang to see if he could win Zhang Yu's support.

"Your servant Xun Chen pays respect to General Du Liao!"

Xun Chen bowed to Zhang Yu and said, "I am here on the orders of the General of Chariots and Cavalry to congratulate you on your victory in suppressing the troubles on the border!"

Zhang Yu glanced at the gift list and said with a smile, "General Chariot and Cavalry has gathered righteous men from Guandong to fight against the enemy, but Yu has not yet sent anyone to pay a visit. I am sorry to trouble Lord Xun to go to Jin."

Xun Chen said modestly, "I dare not. Jin is plagued by bandits, and it is difficult for the general to get away. In addition, the general has been training for the locust plague in Shangdang a few months ago, and his worries are no less than those of the general of chariots and cavalry. Now Dong Zhuo is in a panic, and the first success in the fight against the bandits has been achieved. Lord Yuan specially ordered me to come and pay a visit to the general."

Zhang Yu put down the gift list and asked directly, "I already know what Lord Yuan meant. I wonder if you have anything else to report besides congratulations and gifts?"

Xun Chen looked at the people around him in the hall and saw that there were quite a few of them. He hesitated and said, "This is a confidential matter. Can you please dismiss them?"

Zhang Yu waved his hand and said, "All the civil and military officials in the hall are my confidants, so please feel free to speak!"

"promise!"

Seeing Zhang Yu's words, Xun Chen could only bow and say, "My Lord, Dong Zhuo has relocated a young ruler to the west. Everyone knows that he intends to usurp the throne. The Han Dynasty is in decline and in danger of collapse. Therefore, the only strategy now is to establish a sage ruler in the east and follow the example of Emperor Shizu in restoring the country."

"In the past, Emperor Guangwu was a relative of the Han Dynasty and was appointed as the Grand Marshal to govern Hebei. Geng Yan and Feng Yi advised him to take the title and he succeeded Gengshi in the restoration. Now, Lord Liu has been separated from Prince Gong and is also appointed as the Grand Marshal to govern Youzhou. This is the same as Emperor Guangwu. Lord Han, the governor of Jizhou, is willing to serve as a dog and horse, and the general is also the Protector General of Bingzhou and other counties."

"If the general has his heart set on the Han Dynasty, why not join hands with Lords Yuan and Han to support the Han Dynasty together? After the matter is accomplished, the emperor and Lord Yuan will surely reward you handsomely."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu frowned slightly and asked, "Does Lord Liu know about this?"

"Zhiya!"

Xun Chen said: "But we need everyone's advice, maybe we can make Lord Liu ascend the throne!"

Zhang Yu couldn't figure out what Yuan Shao was up to. First, he conspired with Yuan Shao to seize Jizhou, and now he wanted to establish a new king. But no matter what, Zhang Yu had no intention of interfering too much with Yuan Shao's plans. After all, Yuan Shao was a typical scheming person. Whenever he came to you, he either wanted something from you or wanted something from you.

Zhang Yu pretended to be silent and said, "I already know that Yuan Cheqi is determined to support the Han Dynasty. But the matter of welcoming a new emperor is a major event for the world, so I dare not make a rash decision. Let me think about it for a few days."

Zhang Yu did not give Xun Chen a chance to say more, and said with a smile: "Mr. Xun, you must have worked hard on your journey. You can retire and rest now. I will hold a banquet to welcome you later."

"promise!"

Having been blocked from speaking, Xun Chen had no choice but to retreat.

After Xun Chen left, Zhong Yao said, "Yuan Shao welcomed Liu Gong as emperor. I'm afraid he has other plans!"

Guo Tu stroked his beard and thought for a moment, then said bluntly: "Yuan Shao has been plotting to seize Jizhou for a long time. Now that he has welcomed Liu Gong as the emperor, I'm afraid he is aiming at Hebei, not at supporting the country."

Lu Fan sighed and said, "Today, the world is falling apart, and the traitors are in power. If two emperors coexist, the world will become even more chaotic!"

"Sir, what should we do now?" Zhang Liao asked.

Zhang Yu hesitated for a moment and said, "Mr. Liu is not someone who covets the throne. As far as I know, Yuan Shao and Han Fu's plan will not succeed. I will pass Yuan Shao's letter to Mr. Liu, and I will also attach another letter to him, advising him to be cautious in this move. As for how to reply to Yuan Shao, just ignore it!"

Then Zhang Yu looked at Guo Tu and said, "You and Xun Chen are friends, so you will entertain Xun Chen tonight." "Yes!"

Zhong Yao pondered for a moment and said, "Xun Chen is an envoy sent by Yuan Shao. It would be inappropriate to treat him with such courtesy. You and Gongze, together with the county officials, will entertain Xun Chen tonight!"

Zhang Yu waved his hand and said, "It's up to you two to decide!"

"promise!"

After a few more conversations, Zhong Yao and Guo Tu left the hall first, leaving behind Man Chong, Zhang Liao, Lu Fan and others.

"How are the surrendered soldiers in Taiyuan County being reorganized?" Zhang Yu asked.

Lu Fan bowed and said, "My Lord, there are nearly 4,000 people who surrendered in Taiyuan. Fan and the other captains have selected the best and strongest soldiers and got 3,000 soldiers and horses, 1,000 cavalry, 2,000 infantry, including more than 500 infantry and cavalry armored soldiers."

After taking Taiyuan, although Zhang Yu surrendered 4,000 infantry and cavalry, considering that Shangdang was hit by a locust plague, Zhang Yu did not intend to accept all of them. Instead, he asked his subordinates to eliminate the old and weak, select 3,000 infantry and cavalry, and add them to the old troops of Shangdang to form a formation of 8,000 infantry and cavalry.

As for the subsequent troops, once Taiyuan and Shangdang counties are able to pay taxes and Li Song comes south to pay a visit to me, it will not be too late to further expand the army.

"Are there any outstanding generals in the Taiyuan army?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Linghu Yan from this county is good at riding and shooting, has great courage and strategy, and is well versed in the terrain of Bingzhou. He can be a general." Zhang Liao recommended him and said, "If you are interested, you may summon Linghu Yan to examine his courage and strategy."

"good!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "As the army expands, we are in great need of officers. If Linghu Yan is useful, we can appoint him as a captain."

The 8,000 soldiers were organized into a school of 1,000 men, and Zhang Yu needed eight lieutenants to serve as such. In addition to the existing lieutenants, Zhang Yu would have to promote or appoint new lieutenants. As Linghu Yan was a general of the Taiyuan Army, if he was capable, Zhang Yu would have to grant him the command of a school of soldiers in order to win him over.

"Sir, the troops can now be divided into eight schools. I wonder how they should be commanded?" Lu Fan asked.

Zhang Yu looked through the list of officers and said, "There are eight schools of troops. Xu Huang, Meng Ningzhi, Gao Shun, Xu Chu, and Hao Zhao will each lead one school. I have appointed Zhang Jun and Wen Yuan as cavalry commanders. They can each lead two schools of troops."

After a pause, Zhang Yu looked at the silent Man Chong and asked, "Bo Ning, I would like to appoint you as the lieutenant. I wonder if Bo Ning dares to take the position?"

Since following Zhang Yu, Man Chong has performed well in both military affairs and politics. With the rapid increase in troops, wouldn't it be a pity if Man Chong was not appointed as a school lieutenant?

Man Chong was slightly surprised, but he quickly reacted and said, "I am willing to serve as a captain and serve you, my lord."

"it is good!"

Zhang Yu smiled and asked, "Would Ziheng be willing to lead a battalion of soldiers to serve me?"

Lu Fan hesitated for a moment, shook his head and said, "Fan is willing to be the commander-in-chief and assist you in commanding the troops!"

"Why?"

Zhang Yu looked puzzled and said, "Ziheng has followed me in battle for many years. Now that he has made achievements, wouldn't it be a pleasure for him to lead the troops and make achievements on the battlefield? Why do you want to take on a minor position and take care of trivial matters in the army?"

"otherwise!"

Lu Fan's expression became serious, and he said, "I am willing to leave my hometown and entrust my life to you, not for my wife's wealth, but for my fame. The relationship between Fan and the general is like a boat crossing the river. If one thing is not firm, there is a risk of defeat. Now I ask to be appointed as the commander-in-chief, not only for you, but also for Fan!"

"Within a year, your army has expanded several times. Although your army is large, the people's hearts are unstable. Without trusted men to assist you, the military discipline will inevitably be relaxed. Your words of helping the people and protecting the country and the people in the past may be blown away by the north wind!"

Lü Fan's words hit the nail on the head for Zhang Yu, as the country was in chaos and many people preferred to lead troops to fight. However, Lü Fan, who was in a high position, was willing to take charge of trivial matters, and his actions were entirely out of public interest.

Zhang Yu now finally understood why Lü Fan, who was not outstanding in ability, could become an important official in the founding of the Eastern Wu Dynasty. It was because he worked with a public heart. Wouldn't it be a pity if such a talent was not entrusted with important tasks?
Zhang Yu was deeply touched. He held Lu Fan's hand and said sincerely, "Ziheng is sincere and I will never let him down. I now appoint you as the commander-in-chief. The commander-in-chief will supervise the military discipline of the eight schools of the Liao army and be in charge of the promotion of soldiers and officers in the eight schools."

Lu Fan bowed and said solemnly, "I will definitely live up to your trust!"

Seeing Zhang Yu treat Lü Fan well, even Zhang Liao, who had always been favored by him, felt a little jealous. And Man Chong suddenly felt a lot of pressure. Lü Fan was fair-minded, so he was inferior.

It’s too difficult. To serve you, you must not only have outstanding abilities now, but you may also need to be impartial in the future to succeed?

Zhang Yu naturally didn't know what Zhang and Man were thinking. He helped Lü Fan up and asked, "Ziheng, do you have any candidates for the post of lieutenant?"

Lu Fan thought for a moment and said, "Sir, Zhang Maoshan has followed you for many years. He works diligently and fights bravely. Why don't you entrust him with a school?"

"You can follow Ziheng's words!"

"Book of Tang, Biography 5": Taizu went to Taiyuan and wanted to entrust the army to Fan. Fan said: "Now your cause is growing, your army is growing, and I am far away. I heard that the discipline is still not in order. I am willing to lead the army and assist the general in governing." Taizu said: "You have made great contributions, how can you be relegated to a small position and manage trivial matters in the army!"

Fan said, "I entrust myself to you, my lord, not for the sake of your wife and children, but to help the world. We are in the same boat, and if we make a mistake in one thing, we will all suffer the consequences." Taizu respected him and appointed him as the commander-in-chief, in charge of supervising the military discipline of the eight schools and in charge of the promotion of soldiers and officials. As a result, the army was in harmony and the power of prohibition was enforced.

(End of this chapter)