Tiger Guards

Chapter 607 The Matter of Conferring a Marquisate
In Xudu, the changing situations in various places also influenced each other.

This forced Liu Biao, who was attempting to remain neutral, to send an envoy to Xu again. However, this time it was not Xu Ci from Nanyang who came, but Liu Biao's confidant, Yi Ji from Shanyang.

The Xu Du court showed signs of restoring order, and after abolishing the Three Departments system, it regressed to the point where the prime minister controlled all state affairs.

The selection of the prime minister remains unresolved.

Although Lü Zhao's military force was formidable, even with the enemy at the city gates, the selection of the prime minister could not be decided suddenly.

With the prime minister in charge of all state affairs, anyone familiar with history would know that whoever holds this position will essentially gain control of the coalition forces.

Given the current situation between us and the enemy, we don't need to defeat the Lü-Zhao rebels. As long as we can hold them off, we can successfully secure our position as prime minister.

After Yuan Shu retreated from Xuyi, he died of remorse and vomiting blood on his way to Dangtu. His former subordinates either joined Liu Xun or followed Liu Fu and presented the Imperial Seal of the State to Xuchang.

At this stalemate, the recovery of the Imperial Seal boosted morale in Xuchang, making both sides even more determined to retain the position of Prime Minister.

Zhao Jin was able to decisively establish the ancestral temple and the state's altars in Jinyang, Taiyuan Commandery; while in Xudu, various forces influenced each other and were slow to reach a unified opinion.

It is impossible for Liu Bei to become the prime minister. Even if he were to establish two prime ministers, one on the left and one on the right, following the old pattern of Lü Bu in the inner court and Zhao Ji in the outer court, it is currently impossible.

If Yuan Shao is to be encouraged to actively send troops to resist or contain the forces of Lü and Zhao, then Yuan Shao needs to be given the position of Chancellor; similarly, Liu Biao also needs a Chancellor.

In the imperial court, after the entire Fu Wan family was killed, Yang Biao was the most suitable candidate to serve as prime minister.

Witnessing the turmoil in Xudu, Yi Ji felt disheartened.

He had not achieved any meaningful results in his trip to Xu, but he still had to hurry back to Xiangyang to report the situation to Liu Biao in person.

On the eve of his departure, Liu Bei saw him off in Xudu.

On the Ying River Bridge, Liu Bei's personal guards stepped forward carrying a plate of steaming wine bowls.

Liu Bei took the document and passed it to Yi Ji: "Now the two traitors Lü and Zhao are clearly plotting to usurp the throne. If we are defeated, they will use the pretext of the court's righteousness to collude with treacherous officials. How can Jingzhou be safe? General Zhennan is now an elder of the imperial clan and should set an example for the world. I urge you to return to Jingxiang and explain the advantages and disadvantages to General Liu Zhennan."

“My lord, do not worry. This is a matter of shared destiny and common fate. After I return, I will do my utmost to persuade my lord.”

Yi Ji held the warm wine bowl with both hands, his expression sincere: "I have observed that everyone inside and outside Xuchang is selfish and not the kind of person who plans great things. As for Yuan Shao in Hebei, he is being attacked from both sides by the enemy and is in a life-or-death situation, yet he also covets the high position of prime minister. It is clear that this person cannot be entrusted with great matters."

Liu Bei nodded in agreement and added, "Gongsun Bogui of Youzhou is my old friend and elder brother. I have sent him letters repeatedly, and there is also an imperial edict to comfort and advise him. If we have the assistance of Youzhou, Yuan Shao will not be a threat. The Yang family in the court is highly trusted by the emperor, and the position of prime minister will surely go to them. I will also persuade this man to take the position of left prime minister, and to appoint the right prime minister to the position of general who guards the south."

Upon hearing this, Yi Ji realized that Liu Bei was not joking, so he asked, "Now, Xu Du is the most powerful in your country, and many officials and soldiers are loyal to you. Why should you be inferior to the Yang family? In such a time of turmoil, as a member of the imperial family and a virtuous official, you should rise to the challenge, take charge of the government, lead the loyal and good officials, and punish the treacherous ministers."

"Mr. Ji Bo is joking. My reputation is shallow, and I entered the court to act as regent because of the former General Lü Bu. How could I be greedy for fame and position and cause the world to doubt me?"

Liu Bei cupped his hands in greeting, and Yi Ji nodded, his expression showing some regret.

Then Yi Ji tilted his head back and drank the wine, showing the empty bowl to Liu Bei, and said, "If you, my lord, were in charge of Xuchang, I would be seventy or eighty percent confident that I could persuade my lord to send fifty thousand elite troops to join forces with you to punish the rebels. That Yang family member is not good at military affairs, and in such a critical time, she has usurped the high position of prime minister. It is difficult for her to convince the righteous men of the outer states. That's all I have to say. Take care, my lord."

"Sir, walk slowly."

Liu Bei cupped his hands in greeting. Given his current esteemed position as Marquis of Fan, he did not need to perform a grand ceremony. The mere cupping of his hands was enough to prompt Yi Ji and his accompanying civil officials and military officers to return the greeting with a deep bow.

After the ceremony, Yi Ji mounted his horse and rode away lightly armed with about thirty riders.

Looking at the cavalry of envoys heading west, Liu Bei couldn't help but sigh: "There are so many heroes in the world, yet they cannot work together with one heart and one mind, which is why Lü and Zhao have been able to dominate the world."

He was naturally not afraid of Zhao Ji or Lü Bu. While he admired them, the outcome of a battle was uncertain before the two armies clashed. Everyone has the ability to perform under pressure, and besides, Zhao and Lü already had a conflict, with many people waiting for it to erupt.

After all, everyone knows that Zhao Ji and Lü Bu almost came to blows during their previous meetings.

Even Cao Cao's death can be interpreted as Zhao Ji's demonstration against Lü Bu.

You, Lü Bu, could not do anything to Cao Cao, but Zhao Ji was able to force Cao Cao to come and apologize in person. Zhao Ji killed Cao Cao under the pretext of revenge by Zang Hong's former subordinates. No one could say anything to criticize or slander him.

After expressing his feelings, Liu Bei mounted his horse.

Zhang Fei rode up to Liu Bei's side: "Brother, I heard that the imperial court is going to grant Second Brother a marquisate?"

Guan Yu's interception of Yuan Shu's more than 30,000 men who were fleeing north indirectly facilitated the return of the Imperial Seal to Xuchang. His contribution was immense, and it would be unreasonable not to grant him a title.

However, since Liu Bei was already a county marquis, the emergence of another marquis under his jurisdiction would inevitably affect the subordinate relationship between the two sides.

This was also the fundamental purpose of many people pushing for Guan Yu to be granted a marquisate—to further disintegrate Liu Bei's military faction.

Guan Yu would be a good candidate. He came from a humble background, and even if he was only granted the title of Marquis, he would still be a feudal lord of the Han Dynasty, with a status similar to that of Liu Bei.

In their understanding, it would probably not be so easy for Liu Bei to control Guan Yu as he had before.

Liu Bei, however, was unconvinced and looked at Zhang Fei with a puzzled expression: "What does Yide want to say?"

"Brother, what do you think? Should we bestow upon him the title of Marquis of a Pavilion or a Marquis of a Township?"

When Zhang Fei asked, he turned around and said, "Second Brother did not lead troops to pursue and failed to capture Yuan Shu's head. I think it would be appropriate to grant him the title of Marquis of a Township."

Intercepting Yuan Shu's 30,000-strong army fleeing north was a great achievement, worthy of being ennobled; facilitating the return of the Imperial Seal to Xuchang was another extraordinary feat, making him a local marquis as well.

As for indirectly causing Yuan Shu's death and insisting on claiming credit for it, if a powerful figure in the court were to speak up, Guan Yu could also become a county marquis.

Of course, Guan Yu's own attitude was also very important.

The news of the ennoblement of those who have rendered meritorious service has already spread; now it remains to be seen how Liu Bei and Guan Yu will respond to this matter.

After a moment's thought, Liu Bei said, "Yun Chang is from Hedong, and is a fellow townsman of Zhao Yuansi. His wife, who stayed in Hedong, also has ties with the Zhao family. I'm afraid Yun Chang will avoid suspicion. Since the officials in the court haven't seen Yun Chang make any overtures, they will probably just treat him as a Marquis."

"The Marquis of Ting?!"

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, his expression furious: "No wonder the Grand Marshal rebelled!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei glared at him fiercely. Zhang Fei fell silent, turned his head to look over, and then muttered indignantly, "I understand what you mean, elder brother. They just want to sow discord between second brother. If second brother obeys, he'll be a marquis of a township or county; if he doesn't, he'll be a marquis of a village. Tch! What a bunch of scoundrels!"

The other relatives and friends around him also remained expressionless, suppressing their displeasure.

Guan Yu's act of leading troops to intercept Yuan Shu had actually offended too many local dignitaries.

Among the more than 30,000 people who followed Yuan Shu in his northward escape, there were too many men in official robes. These men were killed or wounded because of Guan Yu's obstruction, and they were unable to clear their names to Yuan Shao in Ji Province.

Without Guan Yu, the Guangling and Xiapi regions would certainly have allowed Yuan Shu to pass through freely.

(End of this chapter)