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

Chapter 446 War of words
Upon seeing the ceremonial entourage transported by Yang Biao's men, Jia Xu ordered Zhang Baiqi to search all the passes in Huayin and learned that Cao Cao was at Fenglingdu.

Therefore, Jia Xu ordered Zhang Baiqi to sabotage the ferry crossing, preemptively sinking the boats on both sides, and then stationed his troops at Tongguan.

Jia Xu himself returned to Chang'an to avoid any unnecessary suspicion from the people of Chang'an regarding Tongguan.

Yang Biao made the right choice not to go to Chang'an to find Li Jue. If he had gone, Jia Xu would definitely have made him fight Li Jue...

Cao Cao's side received no support, and the summer waters were too swift and the waves too high for him to swim across, so he was stuck at Fenglingdu for a long time.

In any case, we can't let Liu Xie swim across the Yellow River...

Upon hearing that the ceremonial procession had been hijacked by 'Li Jue', Yang Biao was both suspicious and furious.

He dared not go to Chang'an to ask Li Jue. Yang Biao had previously tried to establish Tang Ji's son as a separate heir along with Feng Xun, Liu Ai, and others. In the eyes of Li Jue and others, he was in cahoots with Feng Xun. Although Yang Biao did not participate in the plot to kill Dong Zhuo, Dong Zhuo's remaining forces might still hold a grudge against him.

If he goes to Chang'an, who knows what those soldiers will do?

But this matter can't just be left like this. Yang Biao is, after all, the Minister of Works. How can he just swallow his anger?

So Yang Biao approached Duan Wei and entrusted Duan Wei with the command of the Yang family's troops, asking him to attack Li Jue.

Duan Wei was Duan Jiong's younger brother. After Duan Jiong faked his death in Luoyang Prison, Duan Wei was granted the title of General of the Central Army.

After Dong Zhuo controlled the capital region and the surrounding three areas, he ordered Duan Wei to establish a military farm in Huayin.

Duan Wei was older than Dong Zhuo, and was now over sixty years old. Whether in terms of seniority or background, he could keep Li Jue and others in check.

But Yang Biao didn't tell Duan Wei about welcoming the emperor—he was afraid Duan Wei would abduct the emperor.

Duan Wei then went to Li Jue and asked, "Li Zhiran, why did you send troops to ambush Yang Situ's convoy?"

What does Master Duan mean by this?

Li Jue was completely bewildered: "Is there some misunderstanding?"

"Misunderstanding? That convoy was carrying the Emperor's wedding ceremonial items, and you dare to steal them? Are you trying to obstruct His Majesty's wedding?"

Seeing Li Jue's hesitation, Duan Wei immediately concluded that Li Jue was the one who did it.

"I didn't do that. Perhaps some soldiers broke the rules?"

Li Jue still had some respect for Duan Wei, and shook his head repeatedly: "But Lord Duan also knows that no one will admit to something if you don't ask him..."

To be honest, even Li Jue himself felt that it was possible that his subordinates had done it.

Previously, Dong Zhuo's remnants and the local Jingzhao group reached an agreement that Li Jue and others would only bring their guards into Chang'an, while the main force would be stationed in the surrounding counties of Chang'an.

The various units were stationed in different directions, originally for the purpose of collecting military provisions.

It is currently the autumn harvest season, and in order to raise grain, Li Jue, Guo Si, and others are still collecting grain taxes according to Dong Zhuo's policies.

Their various military commanders are now working in different counties.

And for these people... it's perfectly normal for them to rob others while collecting grain taxes.

In preparation for the emperor's wedding, Yang Biao was transporting mostly valuable goods. It's quite possible that his men, seeing these goods along the way, couldn't resist making a quick buck...

After all, soldiers make their fortunes through these kinds of businesses.

Li Jue and his men set tax collection quotas for their subordinates. As long as they delivered enough grain, it didn't matter whether they took advantage of the situation to collect other taxes.

Under normal circumstances, when his men returned, they would very dutifully offer tribute to Li Jue—such as beautiful women, fine horses, or valuable items like gold, silver, jewels, and precious medicines obtained during the 'taxation' process.

However, if the emperor's entourage had been robbed, his subordinates would all pretend not to know anything, and no one would be foolish enough to offer tribute. You couldn't get any information out of them by asking.

Moreover, various departments could potentially do this...

Duan Wei did not argue with Li Jue, but directly advised, "If it was not Zhi Ran's doing, then please ask Zhi Ran to restrain Guo Si, Zhang Ji, Fan Chou and others and make them return the looted items... If it interferes with His Majesty's wedding, wouldn't it be a loss for the greater good?"

Li Jue was taken aback for a moment, then immediately dismissed him: "Lord Duan, are you here to make fun of me? I am not under the command of Guo Si and the others, so how can I control the various tribes? If you have such ability, why don't you go and ask them yourself?"

Actually, the two are not on the same wavelength.

Duan Wei was convinced that Li Jue was responsible, and he instructed Li Jue to restrain Guo Si and others. In reality, he meant that as long as the emperor's ceremonial regalia was returned, no one would accuse it of robbery, and that they should just avoid jeopardizing important matters.

This was also a reminder to Li Jue that Dong Bai's marriage would benefit Dong Zhuo's remaining forces, and that he shouldn't ruin the deal.

But Li Jue felt that Duan was looking for trouble—other things could be returned, but if the emperor's ceremonial regalia were really returned, wouldn't that make him a traitor?
No matter who robbed it, no one dares to return it...

The two parted on bad terms, and Duan Wei did not offer any further advice. Shortly after leaving, he began to lead his army to attack Li Jue.

Li Jue felt this was an undeserved disaster and couldn't understand it, so he asked his nephew Hu Feng to investigate and find out who had hijacked Yang Biao's convoy.

After Hu Feng investigated, the blame was actually shifted back to Duan Wei...

Everyone in Li Jue's army said that Duan Wei was the one who did it.

In fact, Li Jue's troops did not know who did it, but since Duan Wei came to cause trouble, it became a case of Duan Wei trying to seize military power.

After all, Duan Wei, who has been stationed in Huayin for a long time, does seem to be the more likely candidate...

Li Jue and Duan Wei then began to fight each other.

Once the war started, it didn't matter who was right or wrong; both sides started looking for allies.

But it's really not easy to find help in this kind of messy battle.

Guo Si and his men were busy procuring grain, and they considered this a private matter between the two sides—it was just a matter of incidental robbery, something they had all done before. Right now, it was as if the victim had hired help to come and demand an explanation, which was a private grudge.

……

During this time, Jia Xu finally received a message from Liu Bei.

However, this is not good news.

Liu Bei was also blocked, trapped in Chenggao.

Zhu Jun blocked Hulao Pass and rebuked Liu Bei for having someone impersonate the emperor.

In order to spread this message, Liu Bei's guards took a detour through Nanyang and arrived in Chang'an via Shangnan Road.

Cao Cao's territory was located in the very center of the Han Dynasty, and communication between Yan and Yu was easily blocked. This was also the case when Liu Hong was in Luoyang.

Cao Cao's army is not currently in Yanzhou. Zhang Fei has cleared the road, but has been blocked at Hulao Pass.

The other bad news was that Jiang Ye had indeed been captured by Cao Cao.

Fortunately, it was Jiang Ye who was kidnapped.

Jia Xu knew that Liu Bei was definitely capable of defeating Zhu Jun and opening up Hulao Pass, but it would take time.

Zhang Baiqi can currently block information and disrupt transportation at Tongguan, but since Liu Bei's guards can travel from Shangnan Road to Chang'an, Cao Cao's men can do the same.

So Jia Xu also began to look for helpers, and he hooked up with Zhang Ji.

In fact, Zhang Ji is very young, only thirty-three years old, which is the perfect age to make a name for himself.

Jia Xu had been colluding with Zhang Ji for quite some time—they had contacted each other many times before in order to launch a campaign against Song Jian.

Zhang Ji was from Zuli in Wuwei, which was very close to Song Jian's territory.

Moreover, there were many Yuezhi Hu people in Zhang Ji's army, and Zhi Hu Che'er was the fiercest man in Zhang Ji's army.

This is the most suitable force to deal with Song Jian, as it is not only familiar with the environment but also capable of instigating a rebellion among the local nomadic peoples.

Zhang Ji and Jia Xu had a good relationship before, after all, they were from the same hometown, making it easier to communicate with them than with Li Jue and others. At least blocking information and borrowing some manpower would not be a problem.

Although Cao Cao could not cross the river at Fenglingdu, there were ferries in both Shanxian and Hongnong counties, so Cao Cao could not possibly focus only on Fenglingdu.

If Cao Cao crosses the river, Tongguan alone might not be enough to stop him. The pontoon bridge in Shanxian was destroyed by Lü Bu, so at least Hongnong must be defended.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ji still had troops in Nanyang, and he had also taken the Shangnan route when he attacked Chang'an.

With Zhang Ji's manpower, all routes to the east can be blocked simultaneously, as well as all news from the east.

Of course, no matter how good the relationship is, you can't help someone for nothing.

Jia Xu sent a message to Liu Bei, intending to offer Zhang Ji a high price—the title of General Who Guards the East.

That is Cao Cao's current title.

……

……

At Hulao Pass.

Liu Bei has been blocked here for three days.

Cao Cao's decision to have Xiahou Yuan hold off Liu Bei wasn't a problem in itself—Cao Cao would naturally send troops to delay him, and Jia Xu was also delaying Cao Cao; such predictable events weren't troublesome.

Zhang Fei confronted Xiahou Yuan in Yan County, while Liu Bei bypassed him, failing to capture any cities, and went all the way to Hulao Pass.

Cao Cao's men failed to hold back Liu Bei, but managed to hold back Zhang Fei.

However, Zhu Jun, who was at odds with Cao Cao, blocked Liu Bei at Hulao Pass.

When the White Wave Army and the Southern Xiongnu were in turmoil, Zhu Jun fled Hanoi and formed a righteous army in Zhongmu.

However, the rebel army he organized failed to defeat the Xiongnu and was even ravaged by the remnants of Yang Feng's forces. Fortunately, the Southern Xiongnu were quickly pacified, otherwise Zhu Jun might have died in Zhongmu.

Because the Yellow Turbans all hated Zhu Jun, Zhu Jun planned to enter Henan to eliminate the remaining forces of the White Wave Army, but the White Wave Army fled to Yingchuan.

Cao Cao quelled the remaining forces of Bai Bo in Yingchuan. Zhu Jun, who had a bad relationship with Cao Cao, retreated to Chenggao again.

After wandering around without fighting a single battle, Zhu Jun still gained considerable support because he rescued many scholars who had fled from the chaos of war in Henan.

With the White Wave Army already in Luoyang, the scholars naturally had to flee. Cao Cao was busy suppressing bandits and couldn't spare any attention for them. Zhu Jun picked up trash along the way, and although he didn't fight, his reputation became even more prominent than when he fought the Yellow Turbans in Nanyang.

Moreover, right in front of Hulao Pass, Liu Bei intercepted a letter recommending Zhu Jun as Grand Tutor—not to Liu Bei, but to Zhu Jun, which was intercepted in Liu Bei's army.

Former Governor of Yangzhou Zhou Gan, former Chancellor of Langya Yin De, former Chancellor of Donghai Liu Kui, former Chancellor of Pengcheng Ji Lian, former Chancellor of Pei Yuan Zhong, former Prefect of Jiujiang Fu Qian, former scholar Zheng Xuan...

Advise Zhu Gong, the former Governor of Henan and Acting General of Chariots and Cavalry:

The Yellow Turban Rebellion had brought disaster, leading to the decline of loyal and virtuous officials and the gradual weakening of the nation.

Now, powerful traitors are wreaking havoc on the country, isolating it from the outside world, usurping the emperor, harming the people, and acting perversely.

Therefore, all officials and gentry who were in charge of the magistrates were filled with anxiety and fear. But how could anyone save the day from chaos if they were not wise and powerful?
Since the young emperor ascended the throne, five years have passed. The prefectures and counties have looked to each other for guidance, and no one has made any significant contribution. Instead, they have been vying for personal gain and have become increasingly suspicious of one another.

We, in our ignorance, have consulted with each other to discuss how to avert this national crisis.

General, you are both learned and skilled in martial arts. You have emerged in response to the times and are destined to become Grand Tutor. All gentlemen respect you.

Therefore, we must be vigilant and select the most capable and valiant men, who are worthy to help you defeat the traitor Liu and save the young emperor from suffering.

I entrust this matter to my trusted confidant, the Marshal.

—This is a recommendation letter appointing Zhu Jun as commander.

This wasn't Cao Cao's doing; it was the old aristocratic families who did it.

Those former officials, after leaving office, never had the opportunity to serve by the emperor's side again; they truly hated Liu Bei.

Liu Bei did not use the recommendation system, but they did not agree with Liu Bei's policy examination and could not pass it—these people were all scholars of the classics and could not do practical work.

Even if they were given official positions, they wouldn't be able to work in Liu Bei's court; Liu Bei's officials were expected to do real work.

Among those who recommended Zhu Jun as commander to "defeat Liu Bei and rescue the emperor" was Zheng Xuan, but Zheng Xuan's disciple Sun Qian immediately recognized that it was not Zheng Xuan's signature...

Perhaps it was precisely because of Zheng Xuan's name that Zhu Jun dared to stand in his way.

However, although Zhu Jun blocked Liu Bei at Hulao Pass, he was only guarding the pass and had no intention of attacking Liu Bei.

Liu Bei intended to test Zhu Jun, so he appointed Sun Qian as his envoy and issued an imperial edict appointing Zhu Jun as his deputy prime minister.

Sun Qian entered the pass alone to deliver the imperial edict, but Zhu Jun refused to accept it.

Sun Qian asked Zhu Jun, "Why did you not accept the imperial edict, Lord Zhu?"

Zhu Jun shook his head: "I dare not accept it."

Sun Qian laughed and said, "Does Master Zhu perhaps find his official position too low?"

Zhu Jun replied in an official tone: "The position of Vice Chancellor is too important for me to handle."

Sun Qian's smile turned into a sneer: "Lord Zhu simply doesn't want to be subordinate to the Prime Minister, does he?"

Zhu Jun paused for a moment: "I had no such intention... It's just that I'm old and senile, and unable to perform my duties."

Sun Qian threw the imperial edict on the ground: "Zhu Gongwei, if you had just said you were not worthy of this position, I might have looked up to you! The Emperor is right here in the pass, and the edict is right in front of you. If you do not obey the edict, then you are a traitor! The Prime Minister saved your life in Hanoi. If it weren't for the Prime Minister, you would have died under the White Wave Army's sword long ago. And now you still have the nerve to obstruct the Prime Minister!"

"...The people of the world deeply resent Liu Bei's policies. If I were to join Liu Bei's staff, wouldn't I be unacceptable to the world?"

Zhu Jun looked at Sun Qian: "You are a disciple of Zheng Gong. Now that Zheng Gong has also turned against Liu Bei, why do you want to help your master's enemy?"

Sun Qian was furious and drew his sword: "If my master did not agree with the Prime Minister, he would have spoken to him face to face. How could he have done such a thing to disrupt the country? You cowardly rat hiding in the shadows insulted my master. You, Zhu Gongwei, actually insulted my master in front of me. Do you think I dare not kill you?!"

When Zhu Jun's men saw Sun Qian draw his sword, they surrounded him with their weapons.

But Zhu Jun waved his hand: "Let him leave... Zheng Gong's disciple must not be harmed."

"Zhu Gongwei, you can't represent the people of the world... Under what pretext are you stationing troops here, Zhu Gongwei? Are you rebelling or committing theft?"

Sun Qian glanced at Zhu Jun: "You say that the Prime Minister has expanded the country's territory and is not tolerated by the world... I wonder if you, Zhu Gongwei, have ever done anything for the Han Dynasty other than slaughtering civilians?"

Zhu Jun didn't speak, but his face turned ashen, and he swayed slightly: "Throw him out!"

……

Upon returning to Liu Bei's camp, Sun Qian reported that the mission had been fruitless and described in detail Zhu Jun's attitude.

Liu Bei said, "This trip was not without merit... You said he was a little unsteady on his feet after I scolded him?"

Sun Qian nodded: "Yes, it seems like there's some hidden ailment."

"Looks like high blood pressure... violent but petty, seemingly tough but actually cowardly... just scold him more!"

Liu Bei had another idea.

The following day, a large number of documents were shot into Hulao Pass.

"Zhu Jun is a man who kills innocent people to claim credit and seek fame, who kills civilians to obtain official positions, and who fails in every campaign against foreign invaders. What face does he have to be called a general?"

"Killing innocent people to seek titles and honors, cowering when invaders come, using deception to gain merit, the cruel and wicked gain purple ribbons, the military register is filled with the bones of the wronged, and the official robes are soaked with the stench of blood!"

The documents were mostly filled with insults by name.

Zhu Jun had never witnessed such a leaflet war before. Upon seeing the document, his hands trembled, and he gritted his teeth and roared, but suddenly everything went black before his eyes.

Liu Bei guessed correctly; he really did have high blood pressure.

(End of this chapter)