Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 297: Paying Homage to the Emperor, Gong Lu Zhi Jiao

Luoyang, Yu'an Palace.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty enjoy eternal happiness and long-lasting joy."

Cui Yan handed the list of gifts to his attendant, who then presented it to Liu Xie, saying, "Song Jian, the rebel in Longyou, called himself the King of Heshou Pinghan, and has been a king and an official in Fuhan for ten years. Now Ma Teng has secretly joined forces with the Qiang people to invade the border, and Zhang Hou wants to pacify Longyou, so it is difficult for him to leave. I have ordered you to present the valuable gifts to celebrate the New Year for Your Majesty."

Liu Xie opened the gift list and saw that Zhang Yu's gift list was generous. He couldn't help but grin and said, "General Chariot and Cavalry has made great contributions in defeating Gongsun and allocating grain to aid the court. Now he has ordered you to present gifts to the court. This is a blessing for our Han Dynasty!"

As he spoke, Liu Xie looked at Yang Biao and asked, "General of Chariots and Cavalry has made great contributions to the court. I want to promote you to General of Cavalry. What do you think, Mr. Yang?"

After Zhu Jun was angered to death by Liu Xie, Yang Biao, as a descendant of the Hongnong Yang family and a relative of the two Yuans, was gradually relied upon by Liu Xie and jointly took charge of the Secretariat with Dong Cheng.

Yang Biao said respectfully, "When Gongsun Zan rebelled, I followed your orders and defeated the rebels with great victory, recovering Youzhou. I am worthy of being promoted to General of the Cavalry. As for your contribution of grain to disaster relief, Your Majesty may reward you with food and fiefdom as appropriate, to show that Your Majesty is fair in rewards and punishments."

After a pause, Yang Biao added: "General Yuan Shao donated grain to relieve the disaster and presented Gongsun Zan with a letter of apology. Biao believes that they should be rewarded together."

After the imperial court moved east to Luoyang, in order to please Yuan Shao, the imperial court rejected Yuan Shao's request for an official position and instead gave him the rank of rear general, which was even lower than that of the front general Gongsun Zan. Now Yuan Shao was dissatisfied with his low rank, and when Luoyang was in a famine, he sent a lot of food and grass, hoping that the imperial court would raise his rank.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xie couldn't help but frown secretly, feeling dissatisfied that Yang Biao was speaking for Yuan Shao.

The imperial court previously had a small territory, only Henan, Hongnong, and Chaoge. Although Chaoge was established from the abandoned counties of Henei, it could have at least thousands of people if it could improve public order. However, Yuan Shao coveted Chaoge and let Zhang He occupy it, and drove back the governor Liu Ai.

"Then let Yuan Shao be appointed as the vanguard general!" Liu Xie said in a muffled voice.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Yang Biao knew that what Yuan Shao did was not right, and when he saw that Liu Xie had promoted Yuan Shao's official position, he stopped talking.

"Yandai, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, thanks your Majesty for the grace!"

Seeing that Liu Xie appointed Zhang Yu as General of Cavalry, Cui Yan tactfully knelt and kowtowed to Liu Xie to express his gratitude.

"Mr. Cui, please excuse me!"

Liu Xie smiled faintly, held out his hand and said, "When you return to Anyi, please give my regards to Marquis Zhang on my behalf. I hope he can quell the rebels in Longyou as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After thanking him and standing up, Cui Yan showed hesitation on his handsome face, and said with a cupped hand: "Marquis Zhang has another matter to report to Your Majesty."

"allow!"

Cui Yan said, "Your Majesty, Marquis Zhang knows that the capital is in trouble and your Majesty is in a difficult situation. Now I would like to ask your Majesty and the other ministers to temporarily go to Anyi for food. You can move to the capital again in the spring of next year."

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers in the hall began to discuss, and it seemed that they had different opinions on the issue of eating in Anyi.

Liu Xie frowned slightly and rejected the idea, saying, "I already know that Marquis Zhang loves the imperial court. If Marquis Zhang loves the Han Dynasty, you may as well provide more food and fodder. There is no need to move to Anyi to get food!"

"As ordered!"

Seeing that Liu Xie rejected it immediately, Cui Yan did not continue to speak, and did not even explain Zhang Yu's intention, but deliberately let the court officials speculate on Zhang Yu's intention. Cui Yan's silence made many people speculate. In particular, the ministers bribed by Yuan Shao had already taken note of this matter and were ready to tell Yuan Shao who was far away in Xindu.

Soon, the court was dispersed as there was nothing to do. Dong Cheng did not understand Zhang Yu's intention, so he went to find Cui Yan after leaving the palace.

Because Dong Cheng's daughter became the empress, he was now the General of the Guards and the Recorder of the Secretariat. His status was very different from before, and he was no longer a general under Zhang Yu.

"May I ask Lord Cui, your Excellency has invited the Emperor and other nobles to Anyi for dinner. Do you have the intention of following the Emperor's lead and moving the capital to Anyi?" Dong Cheng asked clearly.

Cui Yan hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Excellency has no such thoughts, it is only out of love and care. It is up to Your Majesty whether to move or not."

Cui Yan recalled Zhang Yu's instructions before he left, and said, "Next year, your Excellency will march west to Longyou. If something unexpected happens in the capital, and your Excellency cannot send troops in time, Lord Dong may ask Yuan Shu for external aid."

Hearing this, Dong Cheng asked in confusion, "Are you referring to Yuan Shao?"

Cui Yan shook his head and said with a smile: "Your Excellency has no other intentions, it is just a precaution."

To be honest, Cui Yan had no idea what Zhang Yu was up to. He just felt that Zhang Yu seemed to want Yuan Shu to interfere in the affairs of the capital.

Dong Cheng stroked his beard and said thoughtfully, "I already know what Lord Zhang meant. I'll trouble Lord Cui to pass on his message."

"good!"

After Cui Yan represented Zhang Yu in court, Liu Xie sent an envoy to Anyi to confer the title of General of Cavalry on Zhang Yu, and appointed him as Marquis of Anyi County, with a fief of 10,000 households. However, Zhang Yu, in order to show his obedience, humbly gave up 2,000 households and requested the court to transfer the fief to Yuan Shu. He also recommended Yuan Shu as Grand Marshal, Governor of Jingzhou, and Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs of Yizhou, Yangzhou, Yuzhou, and Jingzhou. Liu Xie did not understand why Zhang Yu praised Yuan Shu so highly, but considering the friendly relationship between the two, he agreed to Zhang Yu's recommendation.

Yuan Shu was very delighted when he received the imperial title and the letter from Zhang Yu praising his achievements.

Wancheng, the provincial capital.

Yuan Shu and his civil and military officials feasted together in the luxurious hall. All the guests sat up and drank with joy.

"Zhang Yu is a kind and honest gentleman!"

To show his fame, Yuan Shu held up the letter written by Zhang Yu, smiled at his attendants, and said, "I have made great contributions in the northern expedition against Gongsun Zan and received rewards from the court. I dare not take all the wealth and honor for myself, but share it with me. The court conferred the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households, and Zhang Yu asked for two thousand households for me. Now I am even recommended as the Grand Marshal, and the commander-in-chief of the military affairs of Yizhou, Yangzhou, Yuzhou, and Jingzhou."

When Zhang Yu attacked Gongsun Zan, Gongsun Zan wrote to Yuan Shu, asking him to send troops to Guanzhong to divide Zhang Yu's territory. However, Yuan Shu, considering Zhang Yu's clamping effect on Yuan Shao and the adverse impact of Gongsun Zan's killing of Liu Yu, killed Gongsun Zan's envoy and presented him to the court.

When Zhang Yu defeated Gongsun Zan and extended his power to Yan and Dai, Yuan Shu did not express his fear, but he was afraid of Zhang Yu in his heart. Now that Zhang Yu was tactful and respected him, Yuan Shu was very happy. After all, there was nothing more enjoyable than having a vassal flatter him.

"Your Excellency is feared by the world, dominates Wu and Chu, drinks from the Yellow River, and is respected by heroes all over the world. Although Zhang Yu now occupies the land of Shanxi, he needs to rely on your Excellency in order to hold out against Yuan Shao." Cai Mao flattered.

Yuan Shu was overjoyed and said, "The Han Dynasty is in decline, and it is thanks to me that it has been continued. I am now appointed Grand Marshal, and I am in line with my duties!"

Yan Xiang said worriedly, "Zhang Yu is a hero in the northern border. He has repeatedly shown his goodwill to you. He really wants you to control Yuan Shao. He has even greater ambitions in the Central Plains. I think you should be well prepared for Zhang Yu and not be lazy because of his small favors."

Hearing this, Yuan Shu was unhappy. How could he not know what Yan Xiang said? He just didn't want to mention it. It was almost the New Year, and mentioning such a fact was really a bummer.

Seeing so many civil and military officials at the banquet, Yuan Shu couldn't get angry. He looked at Sun Jian on the left and said with a smile: "If the fierce tiger of Jiangdong can be commanded by me, why can't a mere hero from the northern border be respected by me!"

"Your Excellency is mighty!"

Seeing that Yuan Shu was in high spirits, many flatterers sang praises to Yuan Shu's achievements. Although Sun Jian was unhappy, he had no choice but to raise his glass to toast him because of Yuan Shu's authority.

After the toast, Sun Jian saw that most of the people in the hall were mediocre people who relied on flattering Yuan Shu to get to their positions, and he was in the same group with these people. He felt more and more uncomfortable, so he covered his head and drank.

After all, compared with Zhang Yu, who was powerful in Hebei, and Yuan Shu, who dominated Wu and Chu, he had now become a governor of Yuzhou in name only, and was even suspected by Yuan Shu. He felt really depressed.

Sun Jian's behavior of drinking with his head covered attracted Yuan Shu's attention, and he asked, "Why is Wen Tai drinking alone and not enjoying himself with the other ministers?"

Sun Jian was a little drunk and said sarcastically: "The country is in decline, and I am always thinking about serving the country, so it is difficult for me to share the joy with you gentlemen!"

Yuan Shu was unhappy and was about to blame Sun Jian when he saw a tall man behind him stand up, raise his wine jar to toast Yuan Shu and say respectfully: "My father is unhappy drinking alone, not because he doesn't want to celebrate for you, but because he is worried about your foundation. Since you took control of Yu and Jing, you have been fighting with Liu Yao in Jiangzuo in the east, confronting Liu Yan in Yiling in the west, and competing with Yuan Shao in He and Ji in the north."

"However, since last year, Zhang Yu has annexed Yan and Dai, and Yuan Shao has taken over Qingzhou, but you have made no progress, so my father can't help but worry. Moreover, my father is competitive and brave, and vowed to make achievements and gain fame. He can't help but sigh for himself when he has done nothing!"

"Ha ha!"

Yuan Shu nodded in satisfaction, pointed at the young man, and said with a smile: "A tiger father will have a dog son. Bofu is heroic and has some courage and bravery like Wentai. If I have a son like Bofu, then there will be someone to carry on the family tradition!"

After being reminded by his son Sun Ce, Sun Jian suddenly became clear-headed and had an idea in mind. He stood up to toast and said, "Your army is blocked in Danyang, and I am a Wujun man. I am willing to help you to attack Liu Yao next year. If you want to take Yanzhou, I am willing to lead the people of Yuzhou as the vanguard."

Yuan Shu was afraid of Sun Jian's talent, so how could he give in after hearing what Sun Ce and Sun Jian said?
Moreover, Yuan Shu had been coveting the seal for a long time, but out of consideration for Sun Jian's face and because Sun Jian claimed that he did not get the seal, Yuan Shu was reluctant to seize it by force.

"Wen Tai has the talent of a great general. It would be a waste of his talent to send him to the east to attack Liu Yao." Yuan Shu smiled and said, "Yanzhou Zhang Miao has already surrendered to me. Lu Bu and Cao Cao are fighting over the Ji River. There is no need to send troops for now."

"promise!"

Sun Jian knew that Yuan Shu was still wary of him, but in order to satisfy Yuan Shu, he kept an unchanged expression and offered Yuan Shu a bottle of wine.

After sitting down, Sun Jian could not help but sigh slightly, and whispered to Sun Ce, "Yuan Shu cannot use me, we can discuss it again when we return home later."

"Hmm~"

Sun Ce nodded and clenched his fists, seeming dissatisfied with what he had just experienced.

"Mingsir, our army is short of horses!"

Cai Mao shouted, "Zhang Yu is close to the northern border and has many horses under his command. I wonder if Zhang Yu can offer his horses to you, sir?"

"Why not?"

Yuan Shu was drunk and laughed arrogantly: "I have done Zhang Yu a favor and am his former master. Now I have sent him a letter asking him to offer 2,000 horses. How dare he refuse!"

(End of this chapter)