Tiger Guards

Chapter 384 Different Treatment
Wandu, within the imperial palace.

Liu Xie read his book as usual. He was powerless to stop one coup after another, and was even unaware of them beforehand.

All he can do now is send someone to appease Lü Bu. As for how to deal with the Liu family members who participated in the rebellion... is that really something he can handle?
The Liu family also symbolizes the legitimacy of the imperial court.

If this is done carelessly, the Liu family members all over the world will be disappointed, and this will create another huge hidden danger.

If two emperors were to coexist, the bloodshed would be devastating, and even if the unrest were quelled, the prestige of the imperial family would plummet.

"Your Majesty, Lord Ziqi requests an audience."

Shi Qian approached, and Liu Xie put down the silk scroll, turned to look at Shi Qian as he lowered the turban covering his head: "Go and invite him."

"only."

Shi Qian took a dozen small steps back to the threshold before turning around and going out to greet Yang Qi along the corridor.

Outside the palace courtyard, high-ranking officials gathered.

Fu Wan distanced himself from these people and sat alone under the eaves, resting with his eyes closed.

The riots in Xuchang resulted in the dismantling of nearly 20,000 troops that General Dong Cheng had accumulated, reducing them to their original strength. Currently, Dong Cheng still has only about 4,000 men under his command.

After Fu De's death, Fu Wan was disheartened and no longer able to participate in the establishment and control of the palace's guard forces.

The palace guards are now divided into three parts: one part is held by Chen Gong, the Grand Master of Ceremonies; another part is held by the Liu family; and the third part is held by Wang Rui, the emperor's cousin.

Since Fu Wan stopped participating in and interfering in court affairs, and Empress Fu was detained in Pingyang by Zhao Ji, Fu Wan was finally able to relax.

Now, instead, they can stand by and watch the disaster caused by the nobles.

These people have disrupted the order; how could they possibly encourage the Liu clan to charge ahead?
The Liu family members in the court are the true ballast of the imperial court and cannot be easily moved.

If they are harmed, the country will be thrown into chaos.

Even Lü Bu knew that he couldn't just attack the Liu family members; yet these people were inciting them to rebel... Only then did Fu Wan realize the fundamental difference between himself and these people.

If he were involved, he would definitely oppose inciting the Liu family.

For the long-term benefit of the Han dynasty, what the Liu family needed to do was to consolidate their power and accumulate strength. Ideally, they should follow Zhao Ji and Lü Bu to achieve great things, or they could immerse themselves in various positions within the court and the country, slowly building up their power.

As long as the Liu family members are still alive and can play a role in the court, the situation won't get too bad.

The Fu family had many marriage alliances with the imperial family, so Fu Wan naturally had to consider things from a longer-term perspective.

In the face of this temporary power struggle, if you can't win, just back down.

Unexpectedly, these people reversed the order and did something that Yuan Shu wanted to do but couldn't.

By orchestrating and creating conflict between Lü Bu and the Liu clan, Fu Wan couldn't think of anyone else who could benefit besides Yuan Shu.

At this moment, Fu Wan quietly rested and waited for the emperor's private audience.

Based on his understanding of the emperor, he would definitely be summoned, and he had to expose this matter.

Otherwise, if we tolerate and indulge them this time, these people will be able to cause even greater and uncontrollable disasters next time.

Lu Bu held back this time, but what about next time?
As Yang Qi followed Shi Qian into the courtyard, leaning on his cane, he turned to look at Fu Wan in the corridor. Fu Wan remained unmoved, still appearing to be resting with his eyes closed.

Grapevines draped over the trellis, with bunches of green, firm grapes hanging down, not yet ripe.

Fu Wan squinted as he watched Yang Qi's figure disappear. He felt that it was time for Yang Qi to die.

The emperor was intelligent, and with the campaign against Yuan Shikai about to begin, he couldn't explain this matter without killing or dismissing a few high-ranking officials.

According to Fu Wan's simple understanding, if there is to be a struggle, it should be the high-ranking officials who should fight it out themselves. Only when there is really no other way out should the Liu family be dragged into the struggle.

The Liu clan was the last force protecting the state.

Bringing them in so early means that if they lose, it will benefit Yuan Shu; and if they win, the power struggle among the Liu clans will be detrimental to their imperial lineage. Unless a peerless hero like Emperor Guangwu emerges, the disasters caused by the Liu clans will ruin the last vestiges of the Liu family's popularity.

In the hall, Liu Xie looked at Yang Qi, who stood trembling and leaning on his cane: "Lord Ziqi, have you been able to find out the truth about the attack on the Grand General?"

Yang Qi's old face was full of innocence, yet revealed a serious concern for the country and its people: "I will do my best."

Liu Xie just looked at Yang Qi, wanting to ask him something, but feeling that it would hurt feelings if he said it, so he said, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Ziqi."

"I dare not; it is my incompetence that prevented me from noticing it."

Yang Qi knelt down with difficulty, laid down his cane, and performed a deep bow to Liu Xie. When he looked up again, he saw that Liu Xie had already turned his back to him.

Shi Qian stepped forward to help Yang Qi up, and he could only leave the main hall.

After Yang Qi left, Liu Xie sighed deeply. He had never expected that the Liu clan would rebel at this critical juncture.

The consequences of Lü Bu killing the Liu family members were equally dire; if he didn't kill them, Lü Bu would also need an explanation.

Hao Meng was a former subordinate of Lü Bu, and Lü Bu had sent an envoy to order the death of his former subordinate Liu He. Lü Bu needed to get an explanation in order to stabilize the morale of his army.

In order to maintain the framework and basic legitimacy of the court, Dong Cheng's troops were preserved intact, and Lü Bu only reorganized Liu Hui, Liu Qi, Tian Yu and others, rather than killing them to seize their troops.

At this moment, Liu Xie missed Zhao Ji a little. Although he hadn't spent much time with Zhao Ji, Zhao Ji reacted quickly and decisively, always managing to quell any provocations without causing him any trouble.

Now that Lü Bu doesn't want to make things difficult for him, he's throwing the problem at him. What can he do?
The only option is to leave it to Yang Qi and let him find a way to mitigate the negative impact of this turmoil.

Not long ago, Sikong Zhouzhong passed away, and a suitable successor has not yet been selected. It was thought that Yang Qi could fill the vacancy.

Judging from the current situation, it's a hole that Yang Qi and Yang Zhong can't fill.

Can Yang Zhong really say he was unaware of Hao Meng's assassination plot?
Even Liu Xie didn't believe it, so how could we expect Lü Bu to believe it as well?
At the same time, Grand Commandant Yang Biao was also in danger, as his wife was Yuan Shu's aunt.

When Yuan Shu established his title and system, Yang Biao should have submitted a memorial to resign and avoid the limelight.

Yang Biao, however, prided himself on being loyal and virtuous and didn't care about public opinion on this matter; but now, Yang Biao can't escape either.

It's better for the three Yangs to perish together than for the Lius in the court to be executed.

Only by protecting the Liu clan can the legitimacy of the emperor be preserved.

Liu Xie was truly helpless. He sat alone in the palace and sighed deeply, never expecting the Liu family members to be so impatient.

As for Liu Song, at this moment, all we can hope for is that sacrificing the three Yangs will quell the situation and prevent Liu Song from being dragged into it.

As dusk fell, Zhao Ji's warning letter was swiftly delivered to Wandu by Zhang Liao's messenger.

Lu Bu carefully examined the letter, feeling somewhat better and more at ease.

No matter how bad the situation gets, as long as Zhao Ji's power remains undiminished, if he escapes, the prefectures, counties, passes, and fortresses along the way will not dare to arrest him.

But that kind of life is not as good as a quick and decisive fight to the death.

Lu Bu put down Zhao Ji's letter and said to Yang Jun with emotion, "Liu He detained my envoy, but I never expected that it was Yuan Si who sensed the danger."

Yang Jun looked ashamed. He hadn't expected the Liu family members in the court to be so brave. He had always been wary of Dong Cheng, Li Tong, and Chen Gong.

The various Liu families were stationed in various places in the court, and the armies they controlled were also scattered. If they dared to gather, it would cause a disturbance.

Therefore, it was not the Zhu Liu troops who took action first, but Hao Meng, who had been turned by them.

Hao Meng could be considered Yang Jun's fellow townsman from Hanoi, and they had some interactions. He couldn't understand what kind of promises those people had made to Hao Meng that would make Hao Meng take the first step.

This chaotic world is full of opportunists, but brave people like Hao Meng who dare to be pioneers are few and far between.

Lu Bu had no intention of blaming Yang Jun. He never expected Hao Meng to cause trouble right under his nose, let alone Yang Jun.

Immediately, Lü Bu said, "Hao Meng's rebellion was instigated by Yuan Shu, but the Grand Master of Works bears an unshirkable responsibility."

Yang Jun listened attentively, but he didn't know what Hao Meng had said before she died.

Anyway, the Emperor and the Three Yangs have responded, so how to deal with it is up to Lü Bu himself.

Lü Bu continued, "Before Hao Meng died, he confessed that the Grand Commandant was an accomplice. I don't believe it, but we must investigate. He should be imprisoned and interrogated to clear the Grand Commandant's name."

Yang Jun then asked, "General, is this the Court of Justice?"

“I do not trust the Court of Justice. I will first dismiss Yang Biao from his post as Grand Commandant and demote him to a commoner. Since he is a commoner, I will hand him over to the Magistrate of Wandu for trial. I have no intention of taking Yang Biao's life, but if he wants to live, he must prove his innocence.”

Lu Bu's attitude was clear. Considering the immense influence of the Yang family, he continued, "If the magistrate of Wandu dares not interrogate, then Ji Cai will find someone else who dares to interrogate. I think Ji Cai understands what I mean, and so does the Yang family."

Yang Jun pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands and bowed deeply: "Yes, I understand."

Most officials dared not interrogate Yang Biao, so a cruel official had to be sent instead.

Only cruel officials dare to use severe torture and torment.

Yang Biao was beaten until his skin was torn and bleeding. If Yang Biao was truly innocent, then he would naturally be able to withstand such torture.

This would greatly reduce Lü Bu's anger and alleviate some of the resentment in the army.

If Yang Biao couldn't withstand the torture or died, or made wild accusations, Lü Bu wouldn't mind sending a few more of the Nine Ministers to the prison to keep Yang Biao company.

As for the master craftsman Yang Zhong, he must die, and a covert execution would suffice; there's no need to make it public knowledge and cause a city-wide uproar.

If even Sikong Zhouzhong could die of natural illness, how could Yang Qi not get sick and die of old age?

In such hot weather, even young and strong men can die from heatstroke, so Yang Qi's accidental death is not surprising.

Getting rid of the three Yangs will bring some peace and quiet to the internal affairs for a while.

Only then did Lü Bu dare to protect the emperor, send troops to Wankou, and attack the rebel Yuan.

As for the Liu clan members who participated in the rebellion, they were naturally first recorded on a blacklist, and then gradually replaced with other members of the Liu clan.

The killing of Liu He, the military supervisor of Duyang, is quite normal. You are a low-ranking member of the imperial clan from a border region. You would not report it if others instigated you. You even dared to detain Qin Yilu. If you did not kill Liu He, how could you command and control your old subordinates?
If Liu He had come from elsewhere, Lü Bu would not have been so ruthless.

They happen to be old brothers who fought their way out of Chang'an together, so we really can't hold back.

(End of this chapter)