I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 114 The Abnormal Imperial Edict

Unlike Liu Miao's leisurely pace, Xu Gong next door was so anxious that he couldn't sleep at night.

The current situation in Jiangdong is that Xu Gong not only knows that Liu Miao wants to fight him, but also knows that Liu Miao will probably send troops after the autumn harvest when the grain and supplies are plentiful. He also knows that he is no match for Liu Miao, who has broken through the Yangtze River, driven out Zhou Xin, and killed Zu Lang.

Xu Gong thought he could defend with Yan Baihu's troops, but who knew that the two families would inexplicably form a marriage alliance, which completely drove Xu Gong to the brink of despair!
This situation left Xu Gong, who clearly possessed the wealthy Wu Commandery, helpless and unsure of how to deal with it.

"What did Wang Jingxing say?"

“Wang Lang was unwilling to send troops. He said that he was only the governor of Kuaiji Commandery and did not have the authority to lead troops to Wu Commandery without authorization.”

"A pedantic scholar!"

Several days earlier, Xu Gong had sent his retainers to Wang Lang, the governor of Kuaiji Commandery, to invite him to send troops to resist Liu Miao. However, Wang Lang always adhered to the rules and cited the Han law, refusing to set foot in Wu Commandery!
Seeing that Yan Baihu had run back to Wucheng County and was feigning death, and that Wang Lang was unwilling to send troops to support him, Xu Gong was already in a state of utter distress.

Although there is still no sign of Liu Miao's army, whenever Xu Gong sees the rice in the fields growing a little bigger, he knows that the time for Liu Miao to attack him is getting closer.

Such waiting is like being told the time of death, but you can only wait slowly and can't do anything else. It's oppressive, hopeless, anxious, and confused.

Xu Gong's retainers couldn't stand his behavior, so they suggested to him, "Since that's the case, why don't you unite the people of Wu Commandery and start preparing for war now?"

“Unlike Danyang, Wu Commandery lacks natural defenses such as mountains and rivers. Since Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, and others under Liu Miao were able to cross the Yangtze River and defeat Zhou Xin and Zu Lang in such harsh conditions, how could I possibly contend with them even if I were to conscript tens of thousands of civilians now?”

Xu Gong spoke in a pessimistic tone, but his retainer corrected him, believing that Xu Gong had misunderstood his meaning.

"Those people who can be driven at will, how can they be called commoners? In fact, if they are called commoners, they are just four surnames."

Xu Gongfang understood.

"You mean...the four prominent families of Wu County?"

"Exactly!"

"That's even more impossible!"

Xu Gong had thought that some great talent had emerged among his retainers, but he was somewhat disappointed after hearing the news.

"Among the four prominent families of Wu County, the Lu family has a very deep connection with Liu Miao. It can even be said that they share the same fate, and their fates are intertwined. How could they possibly help me?"

"Gu Yong has been recruited by Liu Miao with the position of Chief Secretary, so he has no chance of helping me."

"Although the remaining surnames Zhang and Zhu have no connection with Liu Miao, but..."

Xu Gong seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

This matter has also implicated Sheng Xian, the former governor of Wu Commandery.

After Xu Gong became the governor of Wu Commandery, he harbored resentment towards Sheng Xian and sought to persecute him. However, Sheng Xian's friend, Gao Dai, a native of Wu Commandery, personally went to Xuzhou to plead for help from Tao Qian. Tao Qian did not immediately offer assistance, causing Gao Dai to become haggard and weep blood, refusing to eat or drink. Tao Qian, moved by Gao Dai's loyalty and courage, believing him to possess the same righteousness as Shen Baoxu, finally agreed to write a letter to Xu Gong and dispatch soldiers to rescue Sheng Xian.

Xu Gong resented Gao Dai for obstructing his efforts to eliminate Sheng Xian, so he imprisoned Gao Dai's mother beforehand. Fortunately, Gao Dai was quick-witted and apologized politely, which finally persuaded Xu Gong to release his mother.

However, before meeting Xu Gong, Gao Dai had his friend Zhang Yun prepare a boat for his escape. Xu Gong regretted letting Gao Dai and his mother go and sent pursuers to chase them. Unfortunately, the pursuers missed Gao Dai, allowing him and his mother to escape.

……

In the previous incident, Gao Dai's friend Zhang Yun was a member of the Zhang family of Wu County.

Given this past conflict, how could the Zhang family of Wu County possibly help him?

The retainer naturally knew about this past event, but he had his own reasons for daring to propose such a plan.

"Zhang Yun's help to Gao Dai was merely a matter of personal friendship! But now, they and the prefect are facing a common enemy!"

"Nonsense!"

Xu Gong thought his retainer was talking nonsense: "I've never heard of any enmity between Zhang Yun and Liu Miao!"

"It didn't exist in the past, it doesn't exist now, but who says it won't exist in the future?"

The retainer took out two official documents from his pocket and handed them to Xu Gong. These were Liu Miao's "Three Chiefs System" and "Equal Field System" implemented in Danyang County.

"With the governor's talent, he must be able to see the power of these two systems. However, both of them affect the interests of powerful clans like the Zhang family of Wu Commandery. Are they really willing to hand over all their land to Liu Miao for land redistribution, and report all their servants to Liu Miao for taxation?"

"Even the Lu and Gu families of Wu Commandery, would they really go to such lengths for Liu Miao?"

"As long as the prefect explains the advantages and disadvantages to them, those people, with their intelligence, will surely understand the benefits of supporting our lord!"

Seeing that Xu Gong was still hesitating, the retainer asked again, "Has the prefect not heard about what happened in Yanzhou?"

"What kind of hero was Cao Cao? Even Yuan Shu was no match for him and was driven to Huainan by him. But just because Cao Cao killed Bian Rang, a famous scholar in Yanzhou, Zhang Miao, Chen Gong and others were all in danger and easily drove Cao Cao out of Yanzhou and welcomed Lü Bu to take over as the governor of Yanzhou."

"No matter how powerful Liu Miao's forces are, can they be as formidable as Cao Cao's? Even Cao Cao was driven out by the powerful clans of Yanzhou, let alone a mere Liu Miao. Not to mention that the four families of Wu Commandery are deeply entrenched in Jiangdong, far more powerful than Zhang Miao and his ilk. If they were willing to help, the governor's great cause could be accomplished!"

Tao Qian died of illness, and Liu Bei inherited Xuzhou.

Lü Bu marched south, and Cao Cao was exiled to Yan Province.

This is the most important event in the world this year! Even though the Yangtze River is in the way, the people of Wu still heard about it.

What is even more shocking is that Cao Cao was driven out by the powerful clans of Yan Province!
Who was Cao Cao?

He was the one who forged the Five-Colored Cudgel, killed the uncle of the powerful eunuch Jian Shuo, and made Luoyang "a place where the capital city was quiet and no one dared to offend him." Later, he defeated the Yellow Turbans and raised an army to fight against Dong Zhuo. He was praised by Xu Shao of Runan as "a capable minister in times of peace and a treacherous hero in times of chaos"!
Yet such a figure was betrayed and driven away by the powerful clans under his command! Doesn't this show who one needs to rely on to gain a foothold in the world today?
They are from a prestigious family!
The impact of this event was far more than just a dramatic change in the Central Plains! It was also a great boost to the powerful families of Xuzhou, Jingzhou, and Yangzhou!
Therefore, the retainers suggested that instead of resisting Liu Miao with military force, they should unite with the local powerful clans of Wu Commandery and use other methods to stop Liu Miao!
Xu Gong was overjoyed after hearing his retainer's analysis: "That's exactly right!"

"You're just like my Feng Xuan!"

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, people were good at keeping retainers. Among them, Feng Xuan was a retainer of Lord Mengchang. He helped Lord Mengchang, Tian Wen, complete the "three burrows for a cunning rabbit" strategy, giving Lord Mengchang a way out.

When Xu Gong compared himself to Feng Xuan, the retainer was deeply moved and said, "I am willing to serve you with the same loyalty as Yu Rang!"

Yu Rang was a retainer of Zhi Boyao, the chief minister of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period. After Zhi Boyao was defeated and killed, Yu Rang, in order to avenge Zhi Boyao, did not hesitate to cover his whole body with lacquer to make himself unrecognizable, and swallowed charcoal to burn his throat to change his voice, all in order to assassinate Zhao Xiangzi.

Although he ultimately failed, Yu Rang's loyalty became a celebrated story, admired by the world, representing the deepest loyalty a retainer could show to his master.

Xu Gong, however, laughed and spat, "Yu Rang's loyalty was only shown after Zhi Boyao's death; did you intend to avenge me only after my death?" After a few playful banter between master and servant, Xu Gong asked worriedly, "I wonder if Zhang Yun still harbors resentment towards me? Would he really be willing to join forces with me to deal with Liu Miao now?"

"If the prefect is worried, he can find someone to act as a go-between."

"who?"

"Xu Zhao!"

"..."

Upon hearing this person's name, Xu Gong's expression became somewhat unnatural. After all, Sheng Xian, whom he had always wanted to eliminate, was protected by Xu Zhao, and he harbored some resentment towards Xu Zhao.

But now, stopping Liu Miao was the most important thing; everything else was trivial. After some hesitation, Xu Gong finally went to Xu Zhao in person to request an audience.

This time, Xu Zhao did not avoid Xu Gong as he had avoided Lu Su.

Upon hearing Xu Gong's request, Xu Zhao nodded repeatedly in agreement, and then invited Zhang Yun to the estate to conspire with Xu Gong.

Zhang Yunsheng's tall stature, perhaps influenced by his ancestor Zhang Liang, gave him an ethereal air about him, which was truly rare.

After understanding Xu Gong's predicament, Zhang Yun immediately empathized with him.

"Liu Miao acted perversely, destroyed ancestral systems, and committed numerous crimes!"

"Replacing the three elders with the three elders is disrespectful to the elderly."

"To grant private land to the people through the equal distribution of land is to disrespect the emperor."

"I've heard that in less than a year, he has taken several concubines, including a scoundrel like Yan Baihu's daughter! He also has illicit relationships with Liu Xun's wife, Lady Wang, and Sun Jian's widow, Lady Sun! Can someone with such moral failings and lack of righteousness really become a governor of a region?"

That's absolutely right!!!
If Xu Gong and Zhang Yun weren't so unfamiliar with each other, he would have loved to perform a dance for Zhang Yun right now!
The Three Elders system is a system that has been passed down since the time of Emperor Gaozu! How could Liu Miao alter it on his own?

Under heaven, all land belongs to the emperor! Liu Miao actually granted land to farmers permanently! Good heavens! What a terrible thing this is!
The former is unfilial, the latter is disloyal!
He kept taking wives and concubines, engaging in illicit entanglements with women! He levied exorbitant taxes to repair his cities! Shameful!
Xu Gong initially thought that although Liu Miao had a bad reputation, he wasn't exactly a villain deserving of divine punishment. However, after Zhang Yun's explanation, Xu Gong felt that Liu Miao was simply a cancer on the Han Dynasty! He should be eliminated as soon as possible!
"In that case, please draft a proclamation to call upon the heroes to attack Liu Miao!!"

"..."

Zhang Yun looked at Xu Gong strangely, and suddenly understood why he could do such a stupid thing as persecuting Sheng Xian.

"Although everyone has the right to kill Liu Miao, he always has generals like Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu under his command, and Yuan Shu is supporting him from behind. How can we easily issue a proclamation to punish him?"

Upon hearing Zhang Yun's words, Xu Gong became anxious: "Do we really have no way to deal with a traitor like Liu Miao?"

"..."

"Prefect, do not be hasty."

Seeing Xu Gong's performance, Zhang Yun immediately knew that Xu Gong was probably hopeless and incapable of any good.

However, since they were now in the same boat, Zhang Yun patiently explained, "When dealing with someone like Liu Miao, you can't use your weaknesses to attack his strengths."

"Liu Miao is currently militarily powerful, so why should we still compete with him militarily?"

"To defeat Liu Miao, we must use our strengths to attack his weaknesses. Only then will we have any hope of victory!"

Xu Gong frowned: "What are Liu Miao's weaknesses?"

"Of course, it's the greater good!"

Zhang Yun confidently declared, "Liu Miao's position as Governor of Yangzhou was merely bestowed by Yuan Shu, not appointed by the imperial court, so it lacks legitimacy!"

Xu Gong nodded as if he understood, but he quickly shook his head: "Even so, what can we do? Should we declare ourselves Governor of Yangzhou, or ask Yuan Shao to appoint me as Governor of Yangzhou? But if we do that, how are we any different from Liu Miao? How can we suppress him on a moral level?"

Liu Miao's legal principles regarding Yangzhou originated from the governor of Yangzhou appointed by Yuan Shu.

Although Yuan Shu was no longer in the court, his reputation still held sway!

The only one who could rival Yuan Shu was Yuan Shao… But if that were the case, how would he be any different from the likes of Yuan Yi? How could he possibly seize the greater good?

Zhang Yun smiled mysteriously: "The current imperial court still exists!"

The simple hint made Xu Gong realize the truth instantly!

Xu Gong, panting heavily, said, "You're currently in Jiangdong, a thousand miles away. Do you really think you can get an imperial edict from the court?"

Zhang Yun smiled but remained silent.

Are aristocratic families so powerful simply because of their land and servants?

Not also!

The most important thing about aristocratic families is the intricate network of relationships that permeates every corner of the Han Dynasty!
Although they are far away in Jiangdong, as long as this relationship exists, some things are just a matter of lifting a finger for them!

"Prefect, do not worry. Leave the rest to me."

The network of relationships among the four families of Wu County erupted at this moment!
Carriages, boats, post stations, roads...

Everything became an invisible resource, spreading from Jiangdong all the way to Chang'an, the capital of the Han Dynasty, and then creating waves that traveled back to Yangzhou, thousands of miles away.

"The imperial court appointed Liu Yao, the nephew of Grand Commandant Liu Chong and descendant of King Liu Fei of Qi, as the governor of Yangzhou!"

No one expected that the court, which was already preoccupied with its own problems, would suddenly issue such an edict.

The imperial court ignored the strife in Yanzhou and the unauthorized change of government in Xuzhou, but instead issued such an appointment to the remote Yangzhou!
Moreover, the person chosen was not a famous scholar, but Liu Yao, a member of the Liu clan!
When Liu Miao heard this news, he exclaimed in amazement, "Interesting! Very interesting!"

"After the army approached Wu County, these monsters and demons finally stopped pretending and started to show their faces!"

This appointment by the imperial court was so unusual that Liu Miao knew with his eyes closed who was behind it!
"In that case, I'll call in more players!"

"Someone! Prepare ink! I need to write a letter to my most respected General Hou!"

(End of this chapter)