Tiger Guards

Chapter 447 Adding insult to injury
Fan County, on the north bank of Juye Marsh.

With the division of Cao Cao's legacy over, Zhang Yang also gathered his followers here to observe how the situation would change.

He didn't want to fight Zhao Ji either; it wasn't a question of whether he could win.

Instead, after the war begins, regardless of victory or defeat, Lü Bu will be isolated and helpless in the court, and he himself will completely lose his remote influence in Hanoi.

Zhao Ji had always been generous to him, and he only went to Taiyuan with Zhao Ji, without fighting any hard battles.

As a result, he was given two thousand slaves and captured soldiers, which directly increased Zhang Yang's own resources.

It also enabled him to recruit volunteers on a certain scale in various Xiongnu tribes, giving him cavalry combat capabilities.

Even in Hanoi and Shangdang, Zhao Ji had them governed by Zhang Yang's former officials. After Yuan Shao briefly seized Shangdang, he gave it back to Zhao Ji. Logically, the ownership of Shangdang should have been cleared, but Zhao Ji still refused and returned it to Xue Hong, a former official of Zhang Yang.

As a warlord in a chaotic era, annexing followers and expanding his territory had become Zhang Yang's survival instinct.

As the governor of Yanzhou, it was only an instinctive reaction for him to seize the opportunity to rob someone under Chen Gong's instigation.

Now that he had grabbed everything he could, Zhang Yang regained his composure.

At this moment, he could only wait quietly for the external situation to change. If Zhao Ji wanted to attack Dingtao City, he could only try to mediate the war.

Even if half of the people and supplies seized were given to Zhao Ji, it would be acceptable.

Zhao Ji's existence was crucial to Lü Bu's rule and his consolidation of control over Yan Province.

Without Zhao Ji's support, all of this is just a castle in the air.

Zhang Yang suffered from insomnia for half the night, and after a brief period of light sleep, he would wake up in a panic.

People only know how good warlords are, so how can they understand this kind of suspicious and paranoid lifestyle?
Some warlords could enjoy the pleasure of violence with a clear conscience, even knowing that they would be beheaded the next day.

Zhang Yang was different. He really didn't want to be a warlord like that. Even if he was known as a powerful figure in the region, it still wouldn't put his mind at ease.

While Zhang Yang waited anxiously, the events in Dingtao City came to an end with Chen Gong's suicide out of fear of punishment and the Grand Marshal's decision not to question the accomplices. The probability of a civil war breaking out in Yanzhou due to the imperial army was greatly reduced.

Upon hearing of this, Zhang Yang immediately submitted a written letter of apology to the court and also sent an envoy to Jiyin to apologize to Zhao Ji.

Outside Dingtao City, at the Grand Marshal's naval camp on the north bank, messengers and scout teams from all sides came and went.

Just like last year, when Zhao Ji had no intention of escalating the war, the war came to an end.

From the very beginning, he disliked fighting meaningless wars.

In terms of personality, he is actually similar to Zhang Yang; neither of them likes killing.

Unlike Zhang Yang, Zhao Ji would not mind eliminating the lives of a small group of people if it could allow more people to enjoy a peaceful life at a low cost.

If his very existence is threatened, Zhao Ji wouldn't hesitate to eliminate even more people.

Although he has not yet faced such a difficult choice, he was able to decisively launch the Anyi Mutiny to promote the Reform Movement... so if he is forced to the brink again, he certainly wouldn't mind raising the banner of 'overthrowing the old order' as a backup.

He had warned the officials at the time that although he held the banner of reform and punitive expedition, he always kept another banner in his chariot.

It seems that it was said to Zhong Yao at the time, but it is unknown whether Zhong Yao passed it on to other officials; it is also unknown whether these senior officials who knew about it spread it to the newly promoted officials... These are not important. What is important is that the banner of 'removing the old order' must always be there, and preparations must be made in this regard.

Just as Chen Gong's head was being sent to Xuchang and Zhao Ji was awaiting the emperor's reply, Qin Yilu, an important envoy of Lü Bu and an old acquaintance, arrived in Dingtao with more than a hundred cavalrymen.

Upon their reunion, during a banquet, Qin Yilu inexplicably sighed, "The unpredictable changes in the situation today make me deeply uneasy. I wonder if the Grand Marshal has any method to calm my mind?"

"That's really a difficult task."

Zhao Jiting enjoys spending time with Qin Yilu, not only because she is good-looking and witty, but also because she has a good personality and is not aggressive.

Zhao Ji held a large, gold-lacquered ox-horn wine cup, lost in thought, while Qin Yilu looked on with anticipation.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Ji said, "The world is in chaos and people's hearts are restless. If we want to calm our minds, we certainly cannot live a life of debauchery and drift with the tide. If we live in seclusion in the mountains and forests, be self-sufficient, and wait for the world to be at peace, our minds will naturally be at peace. Have you not heard the words, 'Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely gaze at the southern mountains'?"

"This is truly a joyful thing."

Qin Yilu closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Having received the court's favor, I have been able to rise to a prominent position. How could I possibly retreat to the mountains and fields?"

For example, General Yang Ding participated in escorting the emperor eastward. Sensing the situation was unfavorable, he abandoned his army and fled, attempting to escape to Liu Biao via the Wuguan Pass.

As a result, he was killed by bandits and thieves in the Wuguan Pass, and his death was probably extremely gruesome.

If you truly retreat, your guards will plot against you to seize your wealth; even if you retreat to the mountains with a small number of trusted guards, local powerful figures and officials will still try to devour you.

Without a higher level of order to suppress them, the county only superficially followed Han laws, while in reality, various armed conflicts and mergers were very frequent.

As long as there are no victims or plaintiffs, there will naturally be no legal disputes.

Qin Yilu truly dared not back down. Even if there were mountains of knives ahead, he would follow Lü Bu to the end. This mission to Zhao Ji was his last. If Zhao Ji did not object, he would become the new governor of Chenliu, guarding the northern gate of Xuchang for Lü Bu.

Seeing Qin Yilu's longing yet regretful expression, Zhao Ji took a sip of wine and then asked, "What is the general opinion in Xuchang regarding Chen Gongtai's suicide out of fear of punishment?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yilu put down the gold-lacquered ox-horn cup in his hand, composed himself, and replied: "Everyone says that Chen Gong has ruined the affairs of the country. How can he be allowed to die? There are many opinions in the court and among the people that his entire family should be executed."

"These people are really ruthless."

Zhao Ji sneered: "Once Chen Gong returns to Xuchang alive, it will be time to exterminate the entire clan of these people."

"Grand Marshal is joking."

"Between you and me, within these ten steps, why should I joke around?"

Zhao Ji also lost his smile, his expression calmer than ever before: "They dared to kick him while he was down simply because Chen Gong is dead. If I had sent the living Chen Gong to Xudu, these people would have had no other choice but to try their best to exonerate him. Fortunately, Chen Gong was upright and honest, unwilling to be humiliated or disgraced, and unwilling to put the emperor in a difficult position, so he chose to die. They don't hate Chen Gong for ruining the country, but for failing to succeed."

"Does the Grand Marshal suspect that Chen Gongtai was instigated by someone?"

"Anyway, Chen Gong is dead. That's just my opinion, but I don't have any evidence."

Zhao Ji's expression was indifferent. Even if he handed over Jiyin to Zhang Yang after losing Chen Gong, Zhang Yang was confident in his ability to control the situation.

After Cao Cao purged Yanzhou, only Chen Gong could serve as a leader of public opinion on the court's side. After Chen Gong's death, other people who could barely serve as leaders or heads were either with Yuan Shao or Liu Biao.

As for Lü Bu, he only had Bi Chen, the governor of Henan from Dongping State, and Wang Kai, the attendant from Dongjun. Neither of them had a family history of holding a high position. They were able to rise to high positions mainly because Lü Bu had no one else to rely on.

In a normal public opinion environment, they are typical unethical individuals with few reliable achievements, making it difficult for them to succeed Chen Gong as the new leader of the Yanzhou literati.

Unless one can remain in a high position and cultivate a network of disciples and former officials who have grown up, their influence will naturally spread throughout Yanzhou and the surrounding areas, thus making them a highly respected elder.

As things stand, neither of these two people can even get close to becoming one of the Nine Ministers.

The selection of the Nine Ministers is mainly based on reputation and overall influence... seniority is not as important.

Qin Yilu pretended not to have heard Zhao Ji's remarks clearly.

This matter cannot be investigated too deeply. Even Chen Gong dared not face it. If Lü Bu forcibly digs into it, it will trigger a new round of unrest in Xuchang.

Seeing Qin Yilu feigning ignorance, Zhao Ji lost interest and asked directly, "What brings the General here with this envoy?"

"I have come here for the sake of the officials and people of Jiyin and Dingtao. I did not expect that the Grand Marshal would only punish the ringleaders and not question the accomplices. It seems that the General was worrying too much."

Qin Yilu cupped his hands and said, "The General is also worried that Prefect Zhang might offend the Grand Marshal, so he sent me here to mediate. If Prefect Zhang has been disrespectful, please ask the Grand Marshal to calm down. The General is currently gathering the troops to attack Shouchun. He will make amends to the Grand Marshal after we return."

“I dare not wait for him to come back.”

Zhao Ji chuckled, "He knows I have my own ideas and won't listen to him. Chen Gong has already opened the city gates and committed suicide, so how could I possibly break my promise and seize the men, women, and wealth in the city? However, Sun Ce's family is heading north, and I hope he won't make things difficult for me. If he does, I will pursue Zhang Yang's crime of conspiring with Chen Gong. At that time, will he want the credit for Shouchun, or will he withdraw his troops to rescue Zhang Yang?"

Upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, Qin Yilu knew that his mission had been accomplished and that he had saved Zhang Yang.

Only by relaying these words back to Lü Bu could Lü Bu understand them and internalize them.

After a moment of silence, Qin Yilu continued, "Sun Ce's achievements and virtues are somewhat lacking, and the Grand Marshal's request to be enfeoffed as the Marquis of Qi is inappropriate. Currently, the Grand Marshal and the General-in-Chief are only the Marquis of Pingyang and the Marquis of Wen, respectively; Yuan Shao of Hebei is only the Marquis of Kangxiang, Liu Jing of Jingzhou has been promoted to the Marquis of Chengwu, and Liu Jiyu of Yizhou and Liu Xuande of Xuzhou have no titles. What virtue or ability does Sun Ce possess to be above all others? I believe that removing him from the Marquis of Wucheng and enfeoffing him as the Marquis of Linzi would suffice."

"As for the appointment of the Governor of Qingzhou and the General of the Rear as previously recommended by the Grand Marshal, both are feasible."

Qin Yilu refuted the matter with a serious expression and clear reasoning.

Zhao Ji listened patiently and then said, "I know that Sun Ce's achievements and prestige are insufficient to qualify him for the title of Marquis of Qi, yet he actually believed what was said at the time. This man's arrogance is no less than Yuan Shu's. However, if the General breaks through Shouchun and captures and kills Yuan Shu, I wonder how the court will reward him?"

In order to surpass him, Lü Bu seized six counties around Wen County in Henan, while Zhao Ji seized five counties around Pingyang. Even the nominal size of Lü Bu's fiefdom exceeded that of Zhao Ji's thousand households.

With Wang Mang setting that precedent, it's impossible for Lü Bu to be granted the title of Duke, and it's impossible for Lü Bu to be granted the title of Duke himself.

Qin Yilu had already prepared a response to Zhao Ji's inquiry and immediately replied, "How about increasing the Grand General's fief by three counties, and the Grand Marshal's by three counties as well? Meritorious officers and soldiers of both armies may also request rewards for their achievements."

"That's fine. There's no rush to confer a title. We can leave it to the Secretariat to discuss. In principle, I can listen to the General. However, the eldest prince is being raised in Pingyang, which is the foundation of the nation's future. I hope to join forces with the General to submit a memorial to the Emperor, requesting that the eldest prince be conferred the title of Marquis, so that the whole world may know."

Qin Yilu dared not agree to Zhao Ji's request and could only make excuses: "This matter concerns the stability of the nation and is beyond my ability to decide. Furthermore, the position of Imperial Clan Minister is currently vacant, and the genealogies of the princes and nobles throughout the land have not yet been clarified and re-recorded. I believe that once the Imperial Clan Minister takes office, we can discuss the matter of bestowing a marquisate upon the eldest son of the Emperor."

"also may."

Zhao Ji readily agreed, saying that Lü Bu had not yet felt the pressure from the emperor, but when the pressure was sufficient, Lü Bu would push for this period on his own.

If all else fails, just replace the emperor with a puppet ruler; everyone will be relieved.

However, if this happens, both the new and old feudal lords currently being supported will become uncontrollable.

(End of this chapter)