Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 258 Go to Guanzhong quickly and ask for chariots and horses!
In September, Gongsun Zan falsely accused Liu Yu of plotting to usurp the throne, beheaded him, and presented his head to the court. Afterwards, Gongsun Zan forced the envoy Duan Xun to appoint him as the General of the Front, Marquis of Yi, and the Governor of the Military Affairs of Youzhou and Jizhou.

When the people of Youzhou heard the news of Liu Yu's death, they all cried bitterly. The former officials Sun Jin, Zhang Yi and Zhang Zan were executed because Liu Yu's collection of the body violated Gongsun Zan's taboo.

In order to establish his rule in Youzhou as soon as possible, Gongsun Zan ignored his bad reputation among the scholars and people, and quickly sent his officers to control the six counties of Youzhou, namely Dai, Guangyang, Shanggu, Youbeiping, Zhuo and Yuyang.

At the same time, in order to get rid of Liu Yu's imprint and better control the two counties of Hejian and Bohai in Jizhou, and influenced by the nursery rhyme "Yan hangs to the south, Zhao is on the north, the central government is as big as a whetstone, only here can I escape from the world.", Gongsun Zan moved the seat of government to Yi County, and then Yi County was named Yijing.

Therefore, Gongsun Zan mobilized the people to prepare for the repair of Yijing, set up ten trenches, built a high platform in the middle of the trench, and built a tower on the high platform. He also transferred money and grain from the Youzhou treasury to the tower, and stored 3 million shi of grain, enough to feed 100,000 people for more than a year.

When Gongsun Zan moved his capital to Yijing, Yuan Shao, in order to support Gongsun Zan, took advantage of Zhang Yuyuan's stay in Guanzhong and ordered Qu Yi, who was stationed in Zhao, to lead his troops to attack Changshan. After Qu Yi successively conquered several counties in the south, including Fangzi, Yuanshi, Luancheng, Pingji, etc., he fought with Zhang Yan in Zhending.

After Zhang Yan was defeated by Qu Yi in the first battle, he heard that Gongsun Zan had stabbed Liu Yu in the back and occupied the six counties of Youzhou. He felt that the situation was not good, so he withdrew his troops overnight and retreated to Puwu, Lingshou, Mianman and other places near the Taihang Mountains, and sent people to notify Taiyuan of the emergency.

The news of the incident in Hebei quickly spread from the junction of You and Ji states to the capital and even Guanzhong.

Luoyang, Yu'an Palace.

Liu Xie was discussing important matters with Zhu Jun, Yang Biao, Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo and others.

"Cao Cao led his troops to invade Xuzhou, captured more than ten cities in Xuzhou, and slaughtered the people of Sishui, causing the river to silt up. Tao Qian was terrified and ordered his men to submit a memorial quickly, requesting Your Majesty to send an envoy to the east to mediate." Wu Shuo reported.

Liu Xie showed a look of disdain on his face and said, "When the generals of chariots and cavalry met to fight the rebels, Tao Qian agreed at first, but then Li Jue gave him an official title and Tao Qian changed his mind and abandoned the alliance. How dare I submit a memorial to request an envoy to mediate when such a fickle person is so fickle?"

Tao Qian was not the good guy in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but a tyrant who sought to establish his own regime and dominate the Central Plains. Since Dong Zhuo entered the capital, Tao Qian used his direct Danyang soldiers and won over the local nobles and generals in Xuzhou to become the nominal ruler of Xuzhou.

This time, Cao Cao's expedition to Xuzhou was initiated by Tao Qian. Taking advantage of the battle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shu, Tao Qian sent troops to join forces with the rebellious Xiapi Que Xuan, led troops to invade Taishan counties, and marched straight to Rencheng.

After defeating Yuan Shu, Cao Cao rested until June. Taking advantage of the fact that Tao Qian killed Que Xuan and seized troops, he led his troops to the south to Xuzhou, recaptured the occupied land, and counterattacked to attack Xuzhou.

"Cough cough!"

Zhu Jun coughed a few times because of the phlegm in his throat. He said, "Your Majesty, Xuzhou has a rich population and abundant food and grass. Cao Cao has already occupied Yanzhou. If he invades Xuzhou, no one will be able to stop him. So although Tao Qian has ulterior motives, we should not let Cao Cao become powerful now. Your Majesty should send a respected person to the east to persuade Cao Cao and Tao Qian to make peace in the name of the court."

After the imperial court moved eastward, it got rid of Zhang Yu's control, but due to the narrow territory, the situation was not optimistic. Therefore, for the imperial court, it was necessary to suppress the strong and support the weak, and prevent the emergence of warlords, so that the imperial court could maintain its rule over the world.

Liu Xie was in a depressed mood and asked, "If that's the case, who should we send as an envoy to Guandong?"

Yang Biao looked at everyone, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, you need to send someone who has a relationship with Cao Cao and has done Cao Cao a favor. If you send someone with little experience, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Cao Cao to be convinced."

Zhu Jun volunteered, saying, "Your Majesty, when I led the army to fight the Yellow Turbans, Cao Mengde served under me. I am willing to go to Guandong with the imperial seal to persuade Cao Cao and Tao Qian to make peace."

Liu Xie looked worried and said, "You are old and in poor health, and now you are on a diplomatic mission again. I cannot bear it!"

"I know my own health. Although it is difficult to lead troops on a long expedition, it is not a problem to go on a diplomatic mission to persuade for peace!" Zhu Jun said.

"In that case, thank you Mr. Zhu for your help!"

"promise!"

After the matter was resolved, Liang Shao reported: "Your Majesty, Yuan Shao sent an envoy to pay homage to you and request to be appointed General of Cavalry and his son Yuan Tan as the Governor of Qingzhou."

"What do you think?" Liu Xie asked.

Yang Biao was related to the Yuan family, and Yuan Shao had sent people to smooth the relationship, so he said, "Your Majesty, Yuan Shao's previous alliance to fight Dong Zhuo, although the troops were stopped in the capital, but it was a contribution to the country. Yuan Shao became famous at a young age and his prestige is prominent throughout the world. It is not impossible to confer him the title of General of Cavalry now."

Hearing this, Dong Cheng sneered and said, "Zhang Yongzhou led the alliance to fight against the enemy and saved the emperor from danger, but he was only awarded the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry. Yuan Shao suspected Han Fu of harming him, and when he saw the princes fighting against Li, he sat on the wall and watched. I would like to ask Lord Yang, is it fair to confer the title of General of Cavalry on Yuan Shao?"

Yang Biao was suddenly speechless and found it difficult to answer Dong Cheng.

After a while, Yang Biao asked, "Breaking Guanzhong to set up Yongzhou and appointing Zhang Cheqi as governor is enough to complete Zhang Cheqi's achievements. Zhang Cheqi and Yuan Jizhou are both generals of chariots and cavalry, I wonder who is the real chariot and cavalry?"

"Then why not appoint Yuan Shao as the front general!" Dong Cheng said.

"How can I be demoted?" Yang Biao asked.

Liu Xie sought help from Zhu Jun and asked, "What does Mr. Zhu mean?"

Zhu Jun was silent for a while, then said, "Yuan Shao's title of General of Chariots and Cavalry was a self-promotion, and Yuan Shao had ulterior motives. After the defeat of the alliance against the rebels, he wanted to establish the Grand Marshal as emperor. If Yuan Shao is now conferred the title of General of Cavalry, Zhang Yongzhou will surely feel resentful. It is not wise to reward him without any merit." "So in my opinion, it is better to confer the title of General of the Front on Yuan Shao and appoint his son Yuan Tan as the Governor of Qingzhou to encourage Yuan Shao to be more loyal and righteous."

"good!"

Liu Xie nodded and said, "Let's do as Mr. Zhu said!"

In the rescue of the emperor in Guanzhong, besides Zhang Yu's greatest contribution, the second was Zhu Jun, who served as an insider. After Zhang Yu entered Chang'an, Zhu Jun was appointed as the Shangshushi, in charge of the important affairs of the court. In addition, he had troops at his disposal, and his status was higher than Yang Biao, so Liu Xie would often listen to Zhu Jun's suggestions on major matters.

When Liu Gong was discussing the enthronement, he suddenly saw Liu He running into the hall with a hemp scarf on his head, crying bitterly.

Seeing this, Liu Xie felt uneasy and stood up to ask, "What's going on?"

Liu He knelt in the hall and cried, "Your Majesty, Gongsun Zan framed my father for usurpation and led his troops to invade Ji County. He not only seized the six counties of Youzhou, but also killed my father. I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict to attack Gongsun Zan and avenge my father!"

"what?"

Liu Xie got off the bed and helped Liu He up. His face suddenly changed and he asked, "The Grand Marshal was killed by Gongsun Zan. How dare Gongsun Zan commit treason?"

Zhu Jun was very emotional and cursed: "How dare Gongsun Zan commit treason and murder his relative Mu Bo!"

Yang Biao was even more shocked. Gongsun Zan was a subordinate of Liu Yu, but now he slandered Liu Yu and ordered his killing. How was this different from Dong Zhuo killing Yuan Huai?

For a moment, everyone in the hall lamented for Liu Yu. Since the chaos in the world, Liu Yu has always respected the court. Therefore, Liu Yu is not only a relative of the Han Dynasty guarding the border, but also a banner raised by the court in the world.

After the court moved east to Luoyang, although the territory directly under the court was only a few hundred miles, everyone was still optimistic. After all, there was Liu Yu who was loyal to the state in the far Youzhou area, so the emperor and his subjects all relied on Liu Yu.

Now that Liu Yu has been killed and Youzhou has been taken, it is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the already declining Han Dynasty!
Looking at the prefectures and counties in the world, many have annexed counties and kingdoms, but few are loyal to the state. The ups and downs of the Han Dynasty's fate are bound to make people sigh!
Liu Xie could not hold back his tears and said, "I regard the Grand Marshal as my elder, and the country relies on the Grand Marshal as its pillar. Now that the Grand Marshal has been killed, I and the country will have no one to rely on!"

"Your Majesty, my condolences!"

Yang Biao consoled the crowd and said, "Although the Grand Marshal is dead, the old officials of Youzhou are still here. Your Majesty's priority now is to defeat the enemy, punish Gongsun Zan, reconquer Youzhou, and let the princes of the world know the majesty of the Han Dynasty!"

Zhu Jun calmed down, sighed deeply, and said: "There are only more than 10,000 soldiers and horses in the capital. If we go to attack Youzhou, we may need to rely on the troops from Ji and Bingzhou."

"Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan are enemies. It should not be difficult to get Yuan Shao to send troops to attack Gongsun Zan!" Liang Shao said.

Liu He wiped his tears and said, "When Gongsun Zan occupied Youzhou, Yuan Shao sent troops to attack Changshan and seized Changshan County. Changshan was owned by Zhang Yan, who was on good terms with Zhang Yongzhou. The two acted in sync, so I'm afraid they had some dealings."

Seeing this, Dong Cheng looked cautious and asked tentatively: "Then should we ask the General of Chariots and Cavalry to send out troops?"

Liu Xie fell into silence. Although Zhang Yu still had a good relationship with the court, he had a grudge against Zhang Yu because of the turmoil over the establishment of Yongzhou. After all, before Zhang Yu entered the court, he imagined Zhang Yu to be a figure similar to Wang Yun.

Now Youzhou is in an emergency and cannot be conquered by the power of the imperial court. He has no time to care about the grudge between him and Zhang Yu and can only rely on Zhang Yu and Yuan Shao to send troops.

"Give orders to Zhang Yu and Yuan Shao to raise troops to attack Youzhou!" Zhu Jun said, "After I go to Yanzhou, I will also go to Jizhou to persuade Yuan Shao to send troops to Youzhou."

"That's all I can do!"

Liu Xie looked at everyone and asked, "Who will be the envoy to Chang'an to persuade Zhang Yu?"

"Your Majesty, General Liu Bei and Zhang Yu have a history. Why not let Liu Bei go as an envoy to Guanzhong and let Zhang Yu and Yuan Shao fight against Gongsun Zan together?" Yang Biao said.

"feasible!"

Liu Xie reached out his hand and held Liu He's palm, and said in a deep voice: "The Grand Marshal was killed by Gongsun Zan. You are the son of the Grand Marshal. I now appoint you as the governor of Youzhou to guard Youyan for me and also to avenge the Grand Marshal."

Although Liu Xie had ordered Zhang Yu to conquer Gongsun Zan, he did not intend to let Zhang Yu occupy Youzhou. Therefore, since Liu Yu's son was in the court, Liu Xie naturally let Liu He be the governor of Youzhou. After defeating Gongsun Zan, Liu He could rely on Liu Yu's legacy to control the six counties of Youzhou.

"As ordered!"

Liu He gnashed his teeth and said, "I will kill Gongsun Zan to avenge my father!"

"good!"

(End of this chapter)