Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 424 Literature and Chaos
After Li Jue's troops abandoned the Xiegu defense line and withdrew to Mei County, Song Jian's army quickly advanced and circled around to the flank and rear of Feng Xun's troops.

Qianwan entered Xiegu, and Agui cut off the road on the north bank of the Wei River.

Huangfu Song and Feng Xun were surrounded on three sides.

However, Huangfu Song's battlefield intuition was indeed sharp.

Upon realizing something was amiss, Huangfu Song immediately abandoned the Beiyuan camp and retreated to Qishan in the north at an astonishing speed.

Perhaps Huangfu Song had this plan from the very beginning...

Huangfu Song's sudden withdrawal of defenses came without warning, and Feng Xun was clearly caught off guard. He was blocked at the mountain pass by A Gui's troops and trapped on the northern plain.

Feng Xun personally led his troops to storm the mountain pass in an attempt to break through the encirclement. After a fierce battle, the breakout failed, and Feng Xun died in the chaos of battle.

However, after Feng Xun's death, his troops seemed to become even stronger...

Chunyu Qiong and Feng Ji took over Feng Xun's troops.

Upon receiving news of Feng Xun's death in battle, Huangfu Song led his army back to Beiyuan and launched a surprise attack on A Gui's troops from the northern mountain ridge.

Meanwhile, Chunyu Qiong and Feng Ji organized an elite force of less than a thousand men, dismantled the Beiyuan camp, used all the logs to make rolling logs, and launched a surprise attack down the steep slope of Beiyuan.

A-Gui thought that Feng Xun's death would render his troops temporarily incapable of fighting, but he was unexpectedly attacked from both the north and south, suffering heavy casualties.

Fortunately, the rescue was timely, and fortunately, Chunyu Qiong's troops were few in number, which saved Agui's life.

Both sides suffered heavy losses in this battle, but Huangfu Song actually gained an advantage because the roles of offense and defense were reversed.

A-Gui's troops were mostly decimated, with countless casualties and a large number of deserters. They could only retreat all the way back to Chencang and adopt a defensive posture.

Chunyu Qiong pursued them for dozens of miles, but his forces were insufficient to advance further.

However, Huangfu Song did not pursue A Gui's defeated army, but instead gathered the remaining troops in Beiyuan.

Both Feng Xun's remnants and the Qiang and Di people who fled from A Gui's army were incorporated into Huangfu Song's slave army, and his troops were increased from more than 5,000 to more than 8,000.

Jia Xu's plan seemed to be going smoothly, but at this moment, Li Jue seemed to be getting a little scared.

Li Jue received a message from Guo Si.

Niu Fu is dead.

……

Niu Fu died a very ignominious death.

After being ambushed by Yang Feng in Chenggao, Niu Fu lost his supplies and fodder, his morale was low, and his troops were in disarray.

After learning of Dong Zhuo's death, Niu Fu immediately rushed to Chang'an.

However, they were unable to receive supplies at any point along their route from Chenggao to Shanxian.

The Henan region was almost entirely ravaged by various armies. Although it wasn't exactly a no-man's land, almost everyone you could see were refugees, and nine out of ten houses in the capital area were empty.

As they marched to Shanxian County, soldiers deserted from the camp every night.

After arriving in Shanxian, Niu Fu finally received help from Fan Chou and learned the details of Dong Zhuo's death—he was killed by soldiers from Bingzhou.

Niu Fu was stunned – his troops were almost entirely composed of soldiers from Bingzhou.

It's normal to find this situation tricky.

In fact, if it were someone with a slightly clearer mind, they would definitely seize every opportunity to bring all of Dong Zhuo's remaining forces under their own control.

After all, Niu Fu is now the most qualified person to inherit Dong Zhuo's remaining forces, while Dong Min and Dong Huang are not good at leading troops.

But Niu Fu was too preoccupied with grief and wild thoughts.

His filial piety is admirable, but his political acumen is truly questionable.

That very night, Niu Fu's army mutinied.

It's normal for some problems to arise in the army after learning of Dong Zhuo's death.

But most importantly, Niu Fu's troops learned that Dong Zhuo had died at the hands of Bingzhou soldiers, and heard that Bingzhou soldiers were being killed in Chang'an—Feng Xun, Liu Ai, and others had indeed wiped out those Bingzhou soldiers.

This exhausted, fearful, and demoralized army did not receive any reassurance or encouragement from Niu Fu as it approached Chang'an.

At night, a commotion broke out in the camp, the troops mutinied, and chaos ensued.

Fan Chou, stationed in Shanxian County, reacted quickly, beating the drum to summon his troops, not to quell the rebellion, but to protect himself.

But the Bingzhou soldiers were already panicked, and when they heard the drums beating to gather them, they thought they were going to be killed.

As a result, chaos erupted in Shanxian County, with people hacking and slashing indiscriminately in the dark.

Dong Min and Dong Huang attempted to rally their troops, but were instead killed by the chaotic army.

Even Cao Cao couldn't handle a mutiny at night. Only someone who truly couldn't lead troops would dare to try to rally the army during a mutiny... The best approach would be for someone like Cao Cao, heavily armored, guarding the barracks and killing anyone he saw.

At night, one can only do everything possible to save one's own life; only after dawn will there be a chance to reorganize the troops.

Niu Fu was capable of leading troops, but the killing of Dong Min and Dong Huang caused him to misjudge the situation. Hearing that fighting and killing were taking place everywhere in Shanxian City, Niu Fu thought that all the Bingzhou troops had rebelled.

So Niu Fu took his valuables and had his servants, including Zhi Hu Chi'er, escort him out of the city to escape.

Zhi Hu Chier tied a rope around Niu Fu's waist and lowered Niu Fu down from the city wall, but just as Niu Fu was suspended in the air, Zhi Hu Chier and the others released the rope.

Niu Fu fell to the ground, injured his waist and unable to move. Taking advantage of this, Zhi Hu Chi'er and his men went out of the city, robbed Niu Fu of his treasures and valuables, stabbed Niu Fu to death, and fled.

—Zhi Hu Chi'er also heard another rumor: the imperial court was fighting against the Qiang and Di tribes of the Hehuang region. Chi'er was a member of the Yuezhi tribe in the Huangzhong region, so of course he wanted to abscond with his money.

Zhihu refers to the Yuezhi people, whose names (including the Kushan people) all begin with the character "zhi". Zhi Loujiachen is also a transliteration of the name.

'Chi'er' is the real name; it's the servant's nickname.

The same applies to the chariots on Zhang Ji's side; they're simply called 'chariots'.

It wasn't until noon the next day, when Fan Chou quelled the mutiny in Niu Fu's army, that soldiers discovered Niu Fu's body, and Fan Chou then sent Niu Fu's body to Chang'an.

However, Chi'er did not escape. After killing and robbing, he fled to Longxi, but was intercepted by Guo Si's troops as soon as he reached Tongguan in Huayin.

Guo Si's soldiers didn't recognize Chi'er, but this guy brought a lot of gold and silver treasures, including an ivory tablet used by high-ranking officials, with Niu Fu's name on it.

Guo Si was also Niu Fu's direct subordinate.

Chi'er then underwent a high-level torture interrogation and confessed to the crime. After that, he was hacked to death by Guo Si.

Niu Fu died, and Guo Si didn't know what to do, so he sent someone to Li Jue and Zhang Ji to ask Li Jue what he planned to do.

Meanwhile, Li Jue has received many threats in the past few days.

Or you could say it's about winning them over.

However, all parties used threats to win over Li Jue—and it's likely that Guo Si did the same.

Some came from Huangfu Song, and some came from Yang Biao.

Huangfu Song's threat was quite direct. He harshly rebuked Li Jue for withdrawing his troops before the battle, asked Li Jue if he still cared about his family back home, and demanded that Li Jue obey his military orders.

Li Jue and Huangfu Song were from the same hometown, both from the north. Huangfu Song did indeed know where Li Jue's clansmen were.

Huangfu Song naturally wanted to obtain Li Jue's military strength.

Li Jue knew that Huangfu Song was unreliable, but he was also somewhat afraid of him.

The remnants of Dong Zhuo's forces, gathered by Li Jue in Mei County, were all unwilling to deal with Huangfu Song, but they also dared not make him their enemy.

Regardless of how Huangfu Song earned his reputation as a general, he was indeed a talented commander, and no one would doubt his combat abilities.

Yang Biao's attempts to win him over were slightly more polite.

Yang Biao demanded that Li Jue obey the orders of the "Chang'an court" and sent the Minister of Justice, Cui Lie, to Mei County to appoint Li Jue as General Yangwu. Guo Si was also appointed General Yangwei, and Zhang Ji as General Yanglie...

However, Cui Lie came to Mei County with the Imperial Guards of the Court of Justice.

Furthermore, he brought news that Li Jue's wife and eldest son, Li Shi, were currently "guests" at Yang Biao's residence.

Previously, Li Jue was ordered by Dong Zhuo to attack Song Jian, so he naturally wouldn't bring his wife and children with him when he went out to fight.

This is also the most normal behavior these days; when generals lead large armies on expeditions, they usually leave their children with their lord.

After Dong Zhuo's death, Li Jue and others had no chance to go to Chang'an to bring the child out. Zhang Baiqi's ability to bring Tang Ji out was purely accidental, something Jia Xu hadn't expected.

Li Jue's attempt to marry Tang Ji was driven by lust. At the time, he did not know that Tang Ji was Liu Bian's widow. However, even though he liked Tang Ji, Li Jue still valued his wife and children very much.

Moreover, Yang Biao gave Li Jue two choices.

First, he led his troops to obey the command of the "Chang'an Imperial Court," accepted the appointment of General Yangwu, and pledged allegiance to Yang Biao, with his son as a hostage.

Secondly, Yang Biao could resign and return to his hometown to live a wealthy life. He would return Li Jue's wife and children and would never harm them, as long as Li Jue allowed Yang Biao to incorporate his troops. He could have as much wealth as he wanted.

Li Jue hesitated.

The business team is still there, but the boss and manager are gone. Li Jue has never been a boss before, so he's really unsure of what to do.

If Jia Xu weren't here, Li Jue and the others would indeed be in a very difficult situation.

Liu Bei was too far away; distant water cannot quench a nearby fire. With his wife and children being held hostage, he had to make a decision in a short time.

Yang Biao is the Minister of Works, currently the highest-ranking official in the Han Dynasty, and a trusted figure among all officials. He is currently in Chang'an.

At the same time, the only thing Yang Biao lacks now is troops, and they will be treated better by Yang Biao—just like now, Yang Biao directly appointed Li Jue and others as generals.

Joining Yang Biao's cause was like sending charcoal in snowy weather. They had status and good treatment, and Yang Biao had money and grain, and he also held the wives and children of these people in his hands.

Of course, now that Li Jue knows Tang Ji's identity and that Chang'an is planning to establish a new emperor, Li Jue is a little scared and doesn't want to get involved.

Joining Yang Biao's cause seems advantageous, but there is no emperor in Chang'an...

By siding with the officials of Chang'an, one is destined to become an enemy of Liu Bei.

Li Jue didn't know what to do.

When faced with insurmountable difficulties, it's easy to have thoughts of escaping.

Perhaps going back to my hometown would be better?

"Zhi Ran, do not have any thoughts of retreating... You are already standing on the edge of a cliff, and taking a step back will lead to an abyss."

Jia Xu noticed Li Jue's hesitation and said to him, "Those people in Chang'an are waiting for you to abandon your army and go alone. At that time, a few servants can take your life. How can you protect any amount of wealth?"

"But my wife and children are in Chang'an, and I am already in turmoil..."

Li Jue looked distressed: "There are many conspiracies here, which is not my forte. I don't know where to go or what to do..."

"Don't worry, I'll go to Chang'an right away and make sure Yang Wenxian sends your son and wife back."

Jia Xu assured him, "Chang'an is currently short of troops. We should join forces with Guo Si to avenge Lord Dong. If we succeed, we can restore order to the world; if we fail, it's not too late to leave."

"Can you really save my wife and children?"

Li Jue glanced at Zhang Baiqi subconsciously, a hint of fear in his eyes.

Jia Xu nodded: "You should contact Guo Si first to prepare for the advance, and wait for my news."

……

Jia Xu did indeed send Zhang Baiqi to Chang'an.

Then, with ease, they brought out the wives and children of Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and others as well...

Li Jue was really frightened.

That kind of ability means you can kill whoever you want!

Zhang Baiqi was certainly not that powerful...

In fact, Jia Xu's operation was very simple: just exchange the hostages...

Yang Xiu was right next to Jia Xu, but no one knew about it except Li Jue—the two young men were being watched by the underworld soldiers. Jia Xu thought Yang Xiu was too careless and prone to making careless remarks, so he forbade him to speak freely.

Jia Xu sent Zhang Baiqi to negotiate a fair deal with Yang Biao, exchanging Yang Xiu for the wives and children of Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and others.

Yang Biao truly hadn't expected Yang Xiu to be with Li Jue...

Yang Biao had to do this business, after all, Yang Xiu was his own son, and his eldest son.

Moreover, Jia Xu generously added a bonus, sending Fu De back as well.

Jia Xu did this simply to make Li Jue fear Zhang Baiqi, and also fear Jia Xu himself.

You should say different things to different people and present different images to different people.

Jia Xu was a lazy man who often slacked off in front of Liu Bei, a wise man with infallible strategies in front of Dong Min, a friend who provided strong support in front of Dong Zhuo, and an unfathomable master in front of Li Jue.

In fact, Yang Xiu and Fu De did not hate Jia Xu. Jia Xu did not regard Yang Biao and Fu Wan as enemies, and his request for Li Jue and others to avenge Dong Zhuo was not directed at Yang Biao.

Jia Xu even gave Yang Xiu a lot of information to pass on to Yang Biao.

For example—Dong Zhuo's remaining forces are about to avenge Dong Zhuo.

Yang Biao had no enmity with Dong Zhuo, so there was no need for him to get bloodied.

After Yang Xiu returned to Yang Biao's side, Yang Biao suddenly "fell ill" and quickly returned to his hometown of Huayin with his men.

Fu Wanze traveled all the way to Guandong, presumably to return to his hometown of Langya.

……

After Zhang Baiqi brought back Li Jue and his men's wives and children, Li Jue looked at Jia Xu and Zhang Baiqi as if they were gods.

They were extremely careful when they spoke, for fear of offending Zhang Baiqi.

Zhang Baiqi is usually quiet. As a spy, he is used to observing and listening more and speaking less. He usually doesn't have emotional fluctuations and always appears very calm.

This kind of behavior is undoubtedly that of a 'master'. Li Jue even planned to have his son Li Shi become Zhang Baiqi's apprentice. For this purpose, he specially consulted Zhang Baiqi's school of thought, and his words were quite humble.

Zhang Baiqi told the truth: "My master is Master Duan, whose given name is Jiong and courtesy name is Jiming."

He was indeed a former subordinate of Duan Jiong, and all the underworld soldiers' teachers were indeed Duan Jiong.

As a result, Li Jue became even more frightened and stopped mentioning the matter of becoming his disciple, feeling that he was not good enough for him...

In the days while waiting for Zhang Bai to return, Jia Xu, along with Dong Bai and Li Jue, held a funeral for Dong Zhuo with the rites due to a high-ranking official.

Dong Zhuo was buried north of Meiwu, at the foot of Qishan Mountain, on the ancient Shang and Zhou road.

The day after the burial, Li Ru helped Dong Bai write a proclamation, claiming that Dong Zhuo had died at the hands of villains such as Huangfu Song, Feng Xun, and Liu Ai, and calling on all of Dong Zhuo's remaining forces to storm Chang'an and avenge Dong Zhuo.

Yang Biao and Fu Wan had already left with their respective troops. Chang'an didn't have many soldiers to begin with, and Liu Ai's men were all remnants of Dong Zhuo's forces. After seeing Dong Bai's proclamation, Liu Ai could no longer control them.

Dong Zhuo's original central guards might even have colluded with him from within.

Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, Fan Chou, Li Meng, Wang Fang, and others all responded and dispatched troops on a rapid march.

Half a month later, tens of thousands of troops gathered outside Chang'an City.

All the armies launched a fierce attack on Chang'an under the banner of "revenge".

(End of this chapter)