I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 290 Taking the overall situation into consideration
Liu Miao had already decided to lead his troops north.

However, since one of them started from Bingzhou and the other from Jingzhou or even Yangzhou, it was destined that Yuan Tan would arrive in Hedong before Liu Miao.

The Fen River flows mightily.

The land is surrounded by fertile fields on both sides, with copper and iron mines to the north and salt lakes to the south.

It was on this very land that the absolute hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Period was born—the State of Jin.

Initially, the State of Jin was merely a vassal state. Its first ruler, Tang Shuyu, was the son of King Wu of Zhou, Ji Fa, and the younger brother of King Cheng of Zhou, Ji Song. The state was initially named Tang, but was changed to Jin after Tang Shuyu's son, Xie, ascended the throne.

Compared to the Zhou royal family, and compared to duchies like Song, Qi, Chen, Guo, and Yu, the starting point of the State of Jin was not particularly high.

How could such a country become a hegemon during the Spring and Autumn Period and give birth to powerful states like Han, Zhao, and Wei?
If I hadn't come to Hedong, I might never have known this.

But now, looking at the Fen River and the land, Yuan Tan understood the matter—

Hedong is truly a land of abundant resources!
Land, minerals, rivers, salt lakes, forests, and fish catches.

This place possesses almost all the resources needed for national development!
Not only did Yuan Tan seem eager, but even the Xiongnu Chanyu Huchuquan and the Right Wise King Liu Qubei were quite moved after arriving in Hedong.

"With this as our royal court, we can prosper for a hundred years!"

Yuan Tan felt somewhat uncomfortable upon hearing their discussion.

It's like a strange man praising his wife's beauty; it's full of covetousness.

The idea that Hedong could be considered the royal court of the Southern Xiongnu was something Yuan Shao had promised the Southern Xiongnu long ago. Even if Yuan Tan was unhappy, he could only pretend not to hear their discussion.

"Chanyu, Right Wise King".

"I've heard that Wang Yi, the governor of Hedong, is under orders from the court, but he doesn't have Cao Cao's heart. If we just intimidate him a little, Wang Yi will surely surrender."

"I hope you will all restrain your troops and not provoke the King of Yi."

"Nature! Natural!"

Hu Chuquan and Liu Qubei readily agreed.

After witnessing the richness of the land east of the river, the two only thought about relocating their tribe to the east of the river as soon as possible. Naturally, they did whatever Yuan Tan said!
Yuan Tan led his army to the city of An'yi in Hedong Commandery. Seeing the heavy guard, he immediately ordered someone to deliver his letter to Wang Yi.

"Cao Cao is now nominally a subject of the Han Dynasty, but in reality a traitor to the Han!"

"Previously, the emperor wrote a blood edict in his robes, contacting Dong Cheng, Liu Bei, and others to assassinate Cao Cao. Unfortunately, the plot was exposed, and only Liu Bei, the governor of Yu Province, escaped to Hebei and requested General Yuan Shao to go to Xuchang to purge the court of corrupt officials!"

"Prefect, you are a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty. You should understand that you are protecting the Emperor, not Cao Cao. I have always admired your integrity, so although I have led a large army here, I am unwilling to harm you or the people of Hedong. I hope that you can understand the greater good, follow the Emperor's edict, and not become a traitor to the Han Dynasty who has been deceived by Cao Cao!"

Yuan Tan was born into a noble family and was exceptionally talented in literature.

After the letter fell into Wang Yi's hands, he hesitated for a long time, unsure of what to do.

At this time, Zhong Yao, who had been appointed by Cao Cao as the Commandant of the Capital Region and the Military Governor of Guanzhong, also wrote a letter to Wang Yi, requesting him to hold the city and wait for reinforcements.

However, Zhong Yao forgot one thing.

In his letter, to reassure Wang Yi, he specifically told him that Liu Miao's army would be coming to his aid.

This terrified Wang Yi!
Wang Yi was a disciple of Grand Commandant Liu Kuan.

Liu Kuan was a 15th-generation descendant of Emperor Gaozu of Han (Liu Bang) and the son of Liu Qi, the Minister of Works. Between the fifth year of the Xiping era and the fourth year of the Guanghe era, he twice served as Grand Commandant, ranking first among the Three Dukes. Upon his death in the second year of the Zhongping era, he was posthumously awarded the titles of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Grand Master of the Palace, and given the posthumous name "Zhaolie".
To be able to study under such a top-tier master, Wang Yi's background must be extraordinary.

Unfortunately, Wang Yi also came from a powerful family in the north.

However, due to the devastation of Guanzhong, Wang Yi was transferred to Hedong. He used his position to purchase a large amount of land and farms, and also befriended local scholars, which is why he was able to maintain his position as the governor of Hedong.

For Wang Yi.

After so many years of struggle.

I finally became a wealthy and powerful landowner in Hedong. And now you're telling me that that damned Liu Miao is coming???
Who doesn't know the great things Liu Miao did in the south?
If Wang Yi falls into Liu Miao's hands, wouldn't that mean all the wealth and fortune I've worked so hard to build over the years will be confiscated by Liu Miao? Will I become someone else's pawn?

After Wang Yi delivered Zhong Yao's letter, he opened the city gates almost without hesitation, allowing Yuan Tan's army to enter the city.

"The governor deserves the greatest credit for this battle!"

Yuan Tan was somewhat pleased to see that he had managed to persuade Wang Yi to surrender with just a letter.

"When we return to Ye City, Father will surely reward the Prefect handsomely!"

Upon hearing Yuan Tan's praise, Wang Yi was immediately relieved that he had made the right choice.

I should be able to keep my farmland in Hedong!

However, Wang Yi then heard from the Xiongnu people accompanying him that Yuan Shao had promised to hand over Hedong to the Southern Xiongnu.

Wang Yi's expression immediately changed, and he rushed to find Yuan Tan: "Lord Yuan, did you already agree to the Xiongnu's request?"

Yuan Tan sensed the anxiety in Wang Yi's voice and quickly reassured him, "It's just that they're allowed to set up a royal court here, Prefect, there's no need to be nervous."

What does "no need to be nervous" mean?
Wang Yi's face instantly changed from red to white, and then from white to green.

He surrendered to Yuan Shao in order to preserve his land in Hedong.

But now, Yuan Shao has actually promised Hedong to the Xiongnu?
Can they possibly keep their own land?
If we can't save it, then wasn't our surrender pointless?

What hurt Wang Yi the most was that Liu Miao at least gave him a land distribution system.

The Wang clan has many members; even if they cannot preserve all the land, they can probably retain 30% or 40%.

Moreover, Wang Yi had learned that Liu Miao's equal land distribution policy did not entirely involve the complete extermination of powerful families.

Private servants, oxen, wives and concubines could all be allocated extra land, which was clearly a benefit prepared for the gentry.

On Yuan Shao's side, however, there wasn't a single word!
What should Wang Yi think? What should he do?
Some things, you only regret when you lose them.

At least Wang Yi now... does regret his rash actions!
Noticing the change in Wang Yi's expression, Yuan Tan continued shamelessly, "I hope the Prefect will consider the bigger picture!"

Big picture?

So you're telling me to consider the bigger picture, but I'm not even part of that picture myself?
Although Wang Yi was furious, he did not show it on his face and continued to toast Yuan Tan, celebrating their victory together.

Turning around, Wang Yi wrote a letter back to Zhong Yao—

"Yuan Tan's forces are beyond my ability to resist, so I have no choice but to surrender. But please believe me, I have always been loyal to Cao Cao and the court! Su Qin could not make Yan strong in Yan, but he could weaken Qi by lying in ambush there! Now, I am Cao Cao's poisonous ambush!"

"..."

When Zhong Yao received this letter, he also felt it was completely outrageous.

Fortunately, Zhong Yao was no longer disappointed by the fall of Anyi.

While Zhong Yao waited anxiously, Liu Miao's first batch of reinforcements finally arrived in Guanzhong on time!

Zhou Yu and Taishi Ci.

"My lord's plan this time is quite novel."

Taishi Ci sharpened his sword, ready to fight: "We'll use their own methods against them. If we can truly defeat Yuan Tan, then this crisis in the Central Plains will be resolved."

Zhou Yu rode his warhorse, but he did not show the ease that Taishi Ci saw.

"Defeat Yuan Tan..."

"This battle will likely not be easy!"

(End of this chapter)