I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 128 The Emperor Flees!
"Kongming, the General has recommended me to be the Prefect of Danyang."

At this moment, Zhuge Xuan entered the house and spoke to his nephew Zhuge Liang about the matter.

"Does Kongming think it's feasible to go to Jiangdong?"

"Does Uncle have any concerns?"

Although Zhuge Liang was only fourteen years old, he had many unique insights, so his uncle Zhuge Xuan often consulted with him on matters.

"Liu Miao's reputation among scholars has never been good. Liu Xun, who was sent before, was his relative, but he couldn't stay in Jiangdong for long. How much less can I, who have no relatives or friends here?"

"If we were to go there rashly, we might be in mortal danger."

Although Zhuge Xuan did not understand the relationship between Yuan Shu and Liu Miao, he could judge from various rumors that Jiangdong was not really a place to avoid disaster. It was impossible that Liu Miao would immediately hand over power and honor him as governor as soon as he went there, allowing him to take over a prefecture.

In this situation, Jiangdong was no different from a dragon's den or a tiger's lair for him, so how could Zhuge Xuan not be worried?

After hearing Zhuge Xuan's concerns, Zhuge Liang immediately asked, "Uncle, is your reluctance to go to Jiangdong because you don't want to offend Liu Miao?"

"Exactly."

Zhuge Xuan shook his head and sighed.

"In the eyes of General Yuan Shu, Liu Miao may not be much. But he is now a general who has conquered two counties in Jiangdong! How can I not be wary of him?"

"That's precisely why I wanted to ask for your opinion, Kongming!"

Zhuge Liang sat upright, treating his uncle as if he were serving his own father, without any difference.

"But Uncle, haven't you considered that if you don't go to Jiangdong because you're afraid of Liu Miao, wouldn't that offend Yuan Shu?"

Zhuge Xuan looked embarrassed.

He was naturally aware of such things.

He was already a guest in a foreign land, and if he refused Yuan Shu's kindness, he would probably find it difficult to stay in Huainan any longer.

"Uncle, you are now worried that Liu Miao will be a threat to you, and you are also afraid that Yuan Shu will hold a grudge against you because of this. Why don't you go elsewhere to seek solace?"

“I have heard before that you, Uncle, have a past relationship with Liu Biao of Jingzhou. If that is the case, why don’t you go to Liu Biao’s place?”

Jingzhou?

Zhuge Xuan never expected that Zhuge Liang would give such an answer!

Why did Kongming go to Jingzhou?

Zhuge Liang's gaze was calm and serene, like a deep pool or an ancient well, always displaying a composed and unhurried demeanor.

"Now that the Central Plains have undergone great changes, given Yuan Shu's character, he will absolutely not let this go easily. Moreover, Yuan Shu is adept at manipulating power and has no concern for the people. Wherever such a person is, chaos is bound to follow. In the future, with Huainan as the center, the surrounding Jiangdong, Xuzhou, and Yanzhou will all undergo tremendous changes. Only Jingzhou, because it is far away from Huainan, and its governor Liu Biao has no other ambitions and loves people and scholars, can remain peaceful."

“If Uncle wants to get rid of the chaos among these warlords, he only needs to go to Jingzhou.”

Zhuge Xuan had been wavering between Huainan and Jiangdong, but now that Zhuge Liang had suddenly offered a third option, he was overjoyed: "That's perfect!"

"I fear that the Zhuge family will prosper because of Kongming!"

Zhuge Xuan declined Yuan Shu's escort and led his family across the river, saying he was going to take up a post in Jiangdong.

However, as soon as Zhuge Xuan arrived in Jiangdong, he immediately changed into civilian clothes with his family and took a boat from Jiangdong to Jingzhou.

Liu Miao waited and waited, but Zhuge Liang and his family never came. So he sent a messenger to Yuan Shu to inquire.

Yuan Shu was furious when he learned that Zhuge Xuan had secretly gone to Jingzhou!

"Did Zhuge Xuan really just leave me like this?"

However, now that they've all left, aside from hurling a few insults, Yuan Shu has no way of actually going to Jingzhou to bring them back.

However, this left Yuan Shu without a suitable candidate for the position of Prefect of Danyang, which he had painstakingly chosen. He had no choice but to ask Han Yin, Yan Xiang, and others to make further recommendations.

Unlike last time, Han Yin did not recommend anyone else this time. Instead, he advised Yuan Shu: "Last time, General Hou wanted to send someone else to serve as the governor of Jiangdong, and Zhongshan had no complaints whatsoever. Now that Zhuge Xuan has left, if we send someone else, wouldn't that hurt Zhongshan's feelings again?"

Yan Xiang also advised Yuan Shu: "Instead of sending someone else to Jiangdong, it would be better to directly appoint Sun Jian's cousin, Sun Ben, as the governor. This would not only demonstrate your benevolence in not forgetting your old ministers, but also show that you cherish Zhongshan's kindness."

In addition, there is another important reason.

The former subordinates of Sun Jian constituted a significant proportion of Liu Miao's forces, especially in terms of military strength, which was largely composed of those former subordinates of Sun Jian.

Promoting Sun Ben could also sow discord within Liu Miao's faction, preventing Jiangdong from truly becoming a monolithic entity.

However, it was inconvenient to state the reason openly, but judging from Yuan Shu's flickering eyes, he clearly agreed with this approach.

"In that case, issue the imperial edict."

------

Liu Miao waited and waited in Jiangdong, but all he got was nothing.

"No, where is my Zhuge?" When Liu Miao learned that Zhuge Xuan had actually kidnapped his Zhuge Liang, he was so angry that he almost sent Jiang Qin to chase after him!

How could the duck that was almost in our mouths fly away like that?
What's wrong with Yuan Shu? How come he can't even keep an eye on his own subordinates?

Liu Miao gritted his teeth, which puzzled those around him, who wondered why he was so dissatisfied with such a favorable event.

Isn't it a good thing that Yuan Shu didn't send any outsiders to Jiangdong? Why is Liu Miao still so sad? Could it be that he's acting too much and really thinks he's a loyal subject of Yuan Shu?
So everyone ignored Liu Miao, assuming he was just bored and had nothing better to do...

"Liu Yangzhou, farewell."

After several days of in-depth conversations with Zhang Zhao, Chen Yu, and others, Wang Lang, the governor of Kuaiji, finally resigned.

"Liu Yangzhou was magnanimous, generous, pragmatic, and had the style of Emperor Gaozu."

"Although Zibu and Gongwei have some reservations about Liu Yangzhou, they still agree with you. They hope that you can overcome your arrogance and impetuosity, not act according to your personal preferences, and protect the people of this region."

Wang Lang pleaded earnestly, but Liu Miao's attention was clearly focused on something strange—

"Jingxing said that Zhang Gong and Gongwei had some complaints about me? What exactly did they say about me?"

Wang Lang burst into laughter, finding Liu Miao truly amusing.

"These are minor details, Liu Yangzhou need not concern himself with them."

“I often look down on those who have a reputation for generosity but do not care for the poor and lowly. For example, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu have a reputation for generosity, but they are only generous to their generals and officers, and do not truly care for the common people. You, Liu Yangzhou, have established the equal-field system, which clearly shows that you truly care for the people and are undoubtedly a truly benevolent person.”

"Upon returning to Kuaiji, I will also follow your laws, establish three chiefs, and implement land redistribution, so that the people of Kuaiji may feel your benevolence and righteousness."

Liu Miao was immediately overjoyed: "Does Jingxing really intend to do this?"

When Wang Lang saw the joy on Liu Miao's face, he became even more determined.

“When I came to Jinling, I often thought that you would use your troops to imprison me so that you could take over the land of Kuaiji. But after I talked with Zibu and Gongwei in detail, I realized that you are not that kind of person. Now, I only said that I would implement the Three Chiefs and Equal Land Distribution in Kuaiji, and you were overjoyed, as if you had obtained a treasure. This obviously means that in your heart, the people are more important than the land.”

"I didn't obey your orders before because I was afraid you would abuse the people's labor, neglect their welfare, and cause unrest in Jiangdong. But now that I see you like this, how could I possibly not obey your orders?"

Wang Lang pleaded earnestly, repeatedly asking Liu Miao for a few things—

"Zibu is of a fierce temperament, but he does not judge things by his own selfish desires; Gongwei is not very talented, but his courage surpasses that of fierce warriors like Meng Ben and Xia Yu. Liu Yangzhou should always heed their advice and not be frivolous. He should have the bearing of a ruler."

Liu Miao nodded repeatedly, his attitude at least very sincere!

Wang Lang then advised Liu Miao: "Regarding matters of the people's livelihood, with people like Zibu and Yuantan, Governor Liu Yangzhou should have nothing to worry about. However, Governor Liu Yangzhou should know that the art of governing the people cannot be lenient; there should also be laws and regulations to restrain them."

“Now, Jiangdong has both northern refugees, local powerful clans, and the Yue people from the mountains and forests. If there are no laws to restrain them, I'm afraid new troubles will soon arise!”

Only then did Liu Miao finally become serious and solemnly bow to Wang Lang.

"I have remembered Jingxing's words."

Seeing Liu Miao's expression, Wang Lang knew that he had truly heeded his advice, so he bowed and took his leave.

When Lu Su heard Wang Lang say these words to Liu Miao, he immediately exclaimed, "From this day forward, the lands of the Three Wu regions will all belong to our lord!"

Compared to the fierce invasion of Wu Commandery, which was recently acquired, the occupation of Kuaiji was undoubtedly a gradual and subtle process.

Liu Miao's previous efforts, which involved risking his life to fight for the greater good, have finally borne fruit at this moment.

Wang Lang has already agreed to implement the same system as Liu Miao, so Kuaiji Commandery has essentially become Liu Miao's territory and a force under his control.

"This is what they mean by winning hearts and minds!"

Moreover, since Wang Lang was able to make up his mind to obey Liu Miao, how far was he from being loyal to Hua Xin?
They defeated Zhou Xin using military force.

Use righteousness to pressure Xu Gong.

He won over Wang Hua with his virtuous conduct.

The "strategy on the couch" that Lu Su devised for Liu Miao in Shuxian was being completed at an unbelievable pace, making Lu Su feel somewhat unreal.

"Now that Jiangdong has been pacified, our lord should turn his attention to the Central Plains."

As the chief strategist, Lu Su didn't need to worry about military or political matters; what he truly needed to concern himself with was Liu Miao's current strategy.

Originally, Lu Su advised Liu Miao on his couch that after pacifying Jiangdong, he should seize the opportunity to occupy Jingzhou so as to control the natural barrier of the Yangtze River.

However, Yuan Shu's appointment of Zhuge Xuan, Yuan Huan, and Sun Ben as prefects undoubtedly forced Lu Su to turn his attention to Yuan Shu.

"Now we must be prepared to be enemies with Yuan Shu at any time, and we can no longer be as careless as before."

At this moment, a message from the West arrived, catching everyone completely off guard!
Lu Kang, Chen Yu, Zhang Zhao, Lu Su, and Gu Yong, disregarding Liu Miao's rest, once again went directly to Liu Miao's residence at night to discuss matters.

"My lord, the emperor has fled!!"

(End of this chapter)