Tiger Guards

Chapter 166 Rebirth from the Fire
Three days later, Zhao Ji invited the emperor to leave the city.

West of the city, Xintian area.

The dredged canals have been used to divert water for irrigation, and the large fields where wheat seeds were first sown have become light green, a pure and soothing green.

The emperor's carriage was moving slowly. Liu Xie, wearing a travel cap, stood on the carriage and looked into the distance.

He could see a waterwheel being built on the canal in the distance, and he had some memories of it.

I vaguely remember that when the troops were reviewed at Pingle Temple, water was drawn from the ground and roads to disperse the dust.

Zhao Ji rode on horseback, still wearing a gilded basin-collared Ming Guang armor. He was not afraid of the heat, but was more afraid of trouble.

When they reached a wooden shed at the mouth of a canal, Zhao Ji reined in his horse and said, "Your Majesty, the scenery here is truly magnificent."

A nearby canal divides the area. To the north is a paddy field with rice seedlings almost two feet high; to the south of the canal is a light green wheat field.

Liu Xie looked around, his anger subsiding for the most part. "It's really good."

The carriage stopped, Shi Qian, who was sitting on the right side of the carriage, got off, took down the low couch and set it in place, and Liu Xie got off the chariot.

Zhao Ji extended his arms in invitation, and Liu Xie stepped under the wooden shed.

The ground inside the wooden shed had already been leveled, with semi-dry, even loess laid out, and on top of that was a layer of straw mats and straw cushions.

Between the straw mats were three tables for host and guests, and Liu Xie naturally sat in the main seat.

Zhao Ji sat down on the right, with the seat opposite him vacant. Immediately, Zhao Ji's followers brought food, mostly cold dishes. Steamed rice mixed with raisins, wolfberries, and cooked sesame seeds was served in an upside-down bowl on a plate. The red and green colors were very pleasing to the eye.

Shi Qian brought wet towels on a wooden tray. After Liu Xie washed his hands, he asked, "Why did Lord Zhao invite me out for a trip?"

"Nothing else."

Zhao Ji also took a cloth from a Xiongnu volunteer to wipe his hands, then turned to Liu Xie and said, "Today, the Fenyin general Ma Shiwan and the refugee generals Cheng Yi and Cheng Yin are arriving in Pingyang with over 5,000 households. I am delighted, and since I have no other urgent military duties, I invite Your Majesty to leave the city and relax and enjoy the scenery."

Liu Xie picked up his chopsticks and asked curiously, "These three men have no fewer than 5,000 households under their command. How could they be so obedient?"

"I, your servant, obey the Emperor and punish those who disobey. They dare not disobey."

Zhao Ji spoke in a gentle tone, as if stating an axiom or an iron law, and then he said, "Scouts have investigated and found that the Henei troops will reach Yicheng in three days and will be able to join us in Jiangyi within five days."

As he spoke, Zhao Ji also picked up the chopsticks and stretched out his arms to signal Liu Xie to pick up the chopsticks.

Out of politeness, Liu Xie picked up a whole, plump raisin from the plate, took a bite, chewed it gently, and looked at Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji also picked up his chopsticks and took a sip before saying, "Today, only the Grand Chamberlain is with you. Your Majesty, there is no need to restrain yourself."

Liu Xie just smiled. Zhao Ji also smiled at Shi Qian, who was standing beside Liu Xie. "Your Majesty, I have asked Minister Pei to lead the people in rebuilding the Temple of Emperor Yao. Subduing the Xiongnu in Hedong is a great contribution to the country. Your Majesty, please wait for a few months until the Temple of Emperor Yao is completed and sacrifices are offered to Emperor Yao before moving east."

The court must be delayed for a while, and good news came from Duan Wei.

If Li Jue and Guo Si were unable to take over the Su family fortress, it would mean the collapse of their military prestige.

Liu Xie glanced at Shi Qian, who bowed and said, "May I ask Minister Zhao, how many days are there in these months?"

"That depends on Minister Pei's progress. If Your Majesty is eager to return to Luoyang, you can also send a thousand men to Pingyang to assist with the construction after the troops from Henei arrive."

Zhao Ji looked at Liu Xie and said, "Your Majesty, Henei is in an even more difficult situation than Hedong. Yuan Shao is now powerful and tyrannical, dividing the provinces among his sons and nephews. This is unprecedented in our dynasty. I have also heard that Yuan Shu imprisoned the angel Ma Riti, secretly kept the imperial seal, and allowed Sun Ce to attack Jiangdong and kill loyal officials. Once Liu Yao is defeated, Yuan Shu will control the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, and with his arrogance, he will inevitably have ambitions to become emperor."

Liu Xie remained silent, and Shi Qian became angry: "Minister, be careful with your words. How can you falsely accuse an important official of the country based on just rumors?"

Zhao Ji raised his right hand and pointed at his neck. "Grand Chamberlain, are you willing to bet your head with me? If Yuan Shu becomes emperor within three years, I will give you your head. If not, I will give you mine."

Liu Xie shook his head and said in a gentle voice, "Lord Zhao, this is a matter of great importance to the nation and should not be discussed lightly. The court is no longer able to control the Yuan brothers. This is known to all, and I understand it. But I cannot believe that Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor, given his repeated defeats at the hands of Cao Cao." "Your Majesty, the foolishness of the ministers is sufficient to demonstrate the stupidity of their sons."

Zhao Ji turned his head to look at the lush green rice paddies in the distance, his eyes narrowed. "Since I have become kin to Concubine Zhao, acknowledging our relationship as sister and brother, I cannot sit idly by and watch the court fall into the hands of treacherous officials. Though I am overbearing and tyrannical, I have never intentionally harmed anyone. The bandits of Guandong are killing each other, engaging in deceit and deception. Cao Cao even executed Zhang Miao, an old friend, and his entire family, wiping out his father's entire clan. Such a ruthless and cruel person is far more harmful than the Yuan family and must be observed."

Shi Qian wisely kept silent and did not debate with Zhao Ji.

The news of Zhong Yao's death has already come, although many people had already foreseen Zhong Yao's death when Guo Yuan was killed.

Although everyone has some fantasies in their hearts, once Zhao Yan and Zhao Ji take action, they will follow through to the end, forcing many people to accept the cruel reality.

Liu Xie asked, "Since the Yuan brothers and Cao Cao are both vicious, do you have any strategy to resist them?"

"Your Majesty, prepare for the worst in everything."

Zhao Ji turned to look at Liu Xie with an indifferent gaze. "Liu Yu and his son of Youzhou, and Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou, are dead. Now Yuan Shu is using Sun Ce as his pawn to attack and kill Liu Yao of Yangzhou. Liu Yan of Yizhou has repeatedly traveled to various locations, allowing Zhang Lu to block the roads, while Liu Biao has defended his territory and watched the world unfold. The pillars of the imperial family still include Liu Bei of Xuzhou and Liu Chong, the Prince of Chen. The remaining princes are all mediocre. If you want to preserve the country, you can increase the number of vassal states to protect the Han Dynasty."

Shi Qian lowered his head, regretting that he had an extra pair of ears.

Liu Xie didn't expect Zhao Ji to say such a thing. This was indeed the worst plan.

Even if he is finished here, the restrictions on other members of the royal family must be lifted.

Except for King Chen, the other princes in various places can be said to be in name only, like a manor owner.

Liu Yan, Liu Biao, Liu Yao, Liu Bei and others were also bound by the official system. Although they had their own regimes, they were unable to turn the powerful families and wealthy people under their rule into subjects.

If these four people were granted the title of king and allowed to establish a kingdom, they would be able to integrate themselves internally in an instant and burst out with a strong and enterprising spirit.

Even if these people are weak at that time, the civil and military officials in the kingdom will not be weak.

Liu Xie just felt that this topic was too far-fetched and no one had even mentioned it to him before.

He was silent for a moment, then asked, "Mr. Zhao, is the situation really that critical?"

Liu Xie began to believe in Zhao Ji's loyalty again, and his expression was moved and his brows were filled with sadness.

Zhao Ji had no connections with the Liu family in various places, and the fact that he was willing to say such things showed that Zhao Ji believed the imperial court was beyond salvation.

Out of a certain sense of justice, he was offered this method of fighting to the death and starting a new branch.

What continued was naturally not Liu Xie's court, but the Han court.

Zhao Ji smiled and said, "This is the secret of the phoenix rising from the ashes. Now that the imperial decrees are unimpeded by treacherous ministers, if Your Majesty is willing to give up power, the Han Dynasty can still be revived for a third time. If treacherous ministers seize power, the barriers between the royal families in various places will be broken down one by one."

As he said this, he couldn't help but laugh. He felt that it was difficult for Liu Xie to make such a decision.

Even if he made such a determination, he would give up after being persuaded by Fu Wan.

If there is no Fu Wan in the future, the ministers who return to the court will also obstruct Liu Xie's rebellious and inappropriate behavior.

The reason I said this was to make Liu Xie regret it more in the future.

After a moment, Liu Xie regained his composure and asked, "Then does Mr. Zhao have any other strategies for dealing with the two Yuans and Cao Cao?"

"Appoint Zhang Yang to guard Henei, and Zhang Xiu to guard Wankou. A proclamation was issued to the counties and prefectures east of the Guanzhong Pass, urging all troops from the prefectures to enter the Sizhou prefecture without the imperial edict to do so to be punished for treason."

Zhao Ji's tone hardened. "I will befriend Zhang Yang. If the Yuan-Cao coalition attacks, I will join forces with Zhang Yang, Zhang Xiu, and Marquis Lü Wen to attack them!"

Liu Xie's face gradually brightened, but Zhao Ji added, "The two thieves, Li and Guo, still exist, and the majority of the Xiongnu still refuse to submit to the king. This year's drought has made it difficult for me to send troops. Next autumn, I will lead my troops to Luoyang and offer them local products. I implore Your Majesty to be patient after returning to Luoyang. Next autumn, all will be well."

(End of this chapter)