I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 522 The Army Advances into Hanoi
Where before him now lay not a jovial emperor, but a ravenous, drooling dragon!

Guo Jia's powerlessness at this moment far exceeded anything he had ever felt before.

Even when Yuan Shao attacked Guandu and was about to besiege the city, Guo Jia had never felt so powerless.

With the end of the Han-Zhao War, with Liu Miao's complete victory, with Yuan Shao's death at Wuchao, and with the split of Northern Zhao, the concepts of "winner" and "loser" no longer existed in this world.

Liu Miao and the Han Dynasty were both in a winning position!

No one else, whether it was Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang who separately declared themselves emperors, or Cao Cao who escaped Hebei and regained his freedom, could even be considered a threat to Liu Miao.

The trend is irresistible.

Liu Miao now clearly represents the prevailing trend!

Although Guo Jia was reluctant to admit it, at this critical juncture, everyone's reaction to Liu Miao could be summed up in four words—

Wagging its tail and begging for mercy!
Especially Yuan Tan and Cao Cao, who had the least resources, had to do everything they could to curry favor with Liu Miao, as this was their only chance of survival...

"What Your Majesty said before, I, on behalf of Lord Cao and the others, agree to."

Guo Jia was also a self-important person.

No one could possibly subdue him.

But now, Liu Miao represents not just a Han emperor or a Han empire, but an overwhelming trend!
Faced with this overwhelming trend, everyone and everything can only keep their heads down.

Otherwise, if the sky were to collapse, no matter how wise you are like Zhang Liang or how brave you are like Fan Kuai, you would be crushed into dust, leaving not even a trace.

"I said, it's too late."

However, Liu Miao showed no appreciation whatsoever.

"If Fengxiao had brought this news before Qianzhao came, I would have gladly agreed. But now that Qianzhao has come, it's a completely different matter... What exactly is the difference? Perhaps it's about waiting for the right price?"

"..."

Even with Guo Jia's wisdom and resourcefulness, he is now completely out of ideas.

"What else does Your Majesty desire?"

"I have said that I do not recognize the existence of the State of Zhao, nor does Yuan Tan have the identity of the Emperor of Great Zhao."

Liu Miao squinted and stroked his beard: "Want to negotiate? Then tell him not to come and talk to me under the guise of being the Emperor of Great Zhao."

Guo Jia lowered his head, remaining completely silent.

The title of emperor was arguably the most important thing Yuan Tan obtained by virtue of being the eldest son of Yuan Shao.

How could this thing possibly be lost?

If Yuan Tan loses his imperial title, what difference does it make if he is simply killed?
"It seems Your Majesty truly intends to seize the Guanzhong region?"

In Guo Jia's view, Liu Miao's proposal of such conditions showed that he had no intention of having a proper discussion with Yuan Tan.

Liu Miao clicked his tongue.

"Fengxiao, open your mind."

“Yuan Tan needs some kind of status to speak to me. Since I cannot accept his title of Emperor, why don’t I just bestow another title upon him?”

Guo Jia's small eyes held a great deal of doubt.

What exactly does Your Majesty mean?

"I have established the State of Zhao with the lands of Guanzhong, Hedong, and Bingzhou, and appointed Yuan Tan as the Duke of Zhao of the Great Han."

"From then on, in official documents between the two parties, Yuan Tan could only communicate as Lord Zhao and was not allowed to overstep his authority."

"..."

Guo Jia looked at Liu Miao with some admiration.

How can someone be so talented?
Liu Miao's appointment of Yuan Tan as the Duke of Zhao of the Great Han Dynasty may seem like a pointless act, but it ultimately ensured the principle of "one Great Han Dynasty and one Emperor".

When Yuan Tan faced Liu Miao, he was the Duke of Zhao of the Great Han Dynasty, but when facing Yuan Shang, he could use his status as the Emperor of the Great Zhao Dynasty to obtain an excuse to conquer Hebei.

but.

Such actions would ultimately benefit Liu Miao and the Han Dynasty the most.

If Yuan Tan had truly received Liu Miao's seal of "Lord Zhao of the Great Han," it would have been an official recognition that Guanzhong, Hedong, and Bingzhou had returned to the Han Dynasty.

In short, if Yuan Tan wanted Liu Miao to get along with him, he had to first acknowledge that the entire territory of Western Zhao, which he had seceded from, still legally belonged to the Han Dynasty!

For a moment, Guo Jia was unsure whether to agree to Liu Miao's offer.

However, Liu Miao was not in a hurry at all.

Anyway, time is on our side now, and the only ones who are really anxious are the two people on the other side of the river.

"No rush, Fengxiao, go back and discuss it. But as I said before, if Yuan Shang's conditions are more satisfactory to me, then all the terms we have discussed are null and void."

Liu Miao made no threat whatsoever, yet he still made Guo Jia break out in a cold sweat.

"Come, I'll personally see you off."

"Your Majesty, this is unacceptable."

"It's nothing, I'm just going out for some fresh air!"

"..."

It was rare for Liu Miao to use the emperor's regalia, and he escorted Guo Jia out of the camp. Such a commotion naturally attracted Yuan Shang's envoy, Qian Zhao, to frequently look out of the camp.

"May I ask, Minister of Works, where is His Majesty going? And when will he summon us?"

Chen Yu, who was accompanying him, chuckled and said, "We're not going anywhere, and it's nothing major. It's just that Guo Jia, who used to serve under Cao Cao, has come to pay his respects to the Emperor. The Emperor and Guo Jia are old friends, so he specially saw him off."

When Qian Zhao was a little over ten years old, he became a student of Yue Yin, a renowned scholar from the same county. In his youth, he and Liu Bei formed a close bond, becoming sworn brothers. However, Qian Zhao's family background was far superior to Liu Bei's. During the Rebellion of the Ten Attendants, his teacher Yue Yin was murdered. Qian Zhao, along with Yue Yin's student Shi Lu and others, risked their lives to collect Yue Yin's body and transport him back to his hometown. On the way, they encountered mountain bandits. Shi Lu and the others scattered and fled, but Qian Zhao tearfully pleaded with them. The bandits, recognizing his righteousness, let him go. From this, Qian Zhao's reputation soared, and he was appointed by Yuan Shao as an aide, concurrently leading the Wuhuan cavalry. Now, he was even able to travel as an envoy to pay respects to Liu Miao.

Having been able to befriend Liu Bei and thrive under Yuan Shao, Qian Zhao was clearly no fool; he quickly understood Chen Yu's implication.

He watched the departing imperial procession with some shock: "Was Guo Jia really only here for Cao Mengde?"

"..."

Chen Yu smiled without saying a word, leaving Qian Zhao with room to do as she pleased, before drifting away, leaving Qian Zhao alone in the tent, sometimes sweating profusely, sometimes trembling all over.

This caused Qian Zhao considerable further torment before Liu Miao finally summoned him.

However, unlike when he met Guo Jia, Liu Miao had no connection with Qian Zhao.

Even if Qian Zhao was Liu Bei's sworn brother, it had little to do with him; everything was just official business.

This slightly indifferent demeanor only confirmed Qian Zhao's suspicions!
"His Majesty!"

Qian Zhao prostrated himself on the ground and presented the letter from the Northern Zhao Kingdom.

"Since the conflict between Han and Zhao began, the people of the Central Plains have been displaced and suffered greatly! We beseech Your Majesty to consider Heaven's benevolence in protecting life and to cease hostilities!"

But Liu Miao did not take the letter of state, allowing Qian Zhao to hold it above his head and speak to him.

"If I remember correctly, this war was clearly started by Yuan Shao. How come now that we've lost and people are dead, he's suddenly showing compassion? If Yuan Shao had won, do you think he would have cared about the people and refrained from invading the Han Dynasty?"

Qian Zhao was about to say something when Liu Miao waved his hand to interrupt her.

"Since you've become close friends with Xuande, you must have a good temperament, at least you can distinguish between good and evil. So let's cut to the chase and not use the common people as a shield. If the Yuan family really cared about the people, why would they mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops and millions of civilians to gamble everything and march south?"

"So speak your mind. Otherwise, if I get tired of hearing it, I won't listen anymore."

……

Liu Miao is indeed eccentric and frivolous!

Qian Zhao concealed her thoughts and finally got down to business—

"The Emperor of Great Zhao is willing to become sworn brothers with Your Majesty, and Zhao and Han shall henceforth be brotherly states! The Yellow River shall be the boundary, and neither shall invade the other! If Your Majesty is willing, the Emperor of Great Zhao is willing to hand over the land of Yanzhou to Your Majesty as a sign of sincerity!"

no……

Liu Miao thought he was shameless enough, but Yuan Shang was clearly constantly redefining his understanding.

He chuckled and said, "Become sworn brothers? When I killed Yuan Shao, he didn't even dare to call me brother, but his son did?"

"Using the Yellow River as the boundary? Giving Yanzhou to the Han Dynasty? Didn't these places already belong to the Han Dynasty? Did Yuan Shang give them away in his dream?"

Liu Miao shook his head.

"Trying to get something for nothing, trying to pin it on my head? You say Yuan Shang is so short-sighted, how did Yuan Shao end up taking a liking to him?"

"..."

Qian Zhao's face flushed slightly.

Because he knew that Liu Miao was telling the truth.

Even so, he still insisted on arguing for the sake of the country!

"Does Your Majesty believe that the Great Zhao is incapable of confronting the Great Han?"

Qian Zhao patted his chest and said, "Our Great Zhao still boasts a wealth of capable generals, brilliant strategists, and a million armored soldiers! If Your Majesty insists on waging war, then we may all perish together!"

"what!"

Liu Miao smiled!

Laughing very happily!
Guo Jia knew his own personality, that he was more responsive to gentle persuasion than force, so after entering the Han camp, he didn't dare to challenge anyone.

In comparison, Liu Miao preferred Qian Zhao, who had been in a superior position for too long and liked to provoke him from the start!

"I understand! Zijing, go and rest first. I will call you again in a few days."

"?"

Qian Zhao was led away, looking completely bewildered.

He didn't understand what Liu Miao meant!
agreed?
So easy?

If I disagree, what does it mean to stay in the Han camp?
However, Liu Miao did not keep Qian Zhao waiting for too long.

Three days later, Liu Miao summoned Qian Zhao again.

This time, however, Liu Miao wore an iron helmet, golden armor, and a blood-red fox fur cloak on his back, with the emperor's longsword also strapped to his waist.

But that wasn't all that terrified Qian Zhao!
All the soldiers in the Han army camp had also formed ranks!
Rows of spears gleaming with a cold light, and shields carved with ferocious beasts, all eager to fight, looked into the distance!

"What is Your Majesty trying to do?"

Qian Zhao came to inquire in fear, but Liu Miao simply stepped onto the fast ship and laughed loudly at Qian Zhao.

"Didn't Zijing say that Yuan Shang still has the guts to fight the Han Dynasty?"

"Very well! In that case, I'll head to Hebei now! Tell him to wait for me!"

To Qian Zhao's astonishment, Liu Miao drew his longsword and commanded the endless Han soldiers around him, whose ranks were more boundless than the Yellow River and more majestic than the Taihang Mountains.

"Reveal my imperial edict!"

"Cross the river immediately! Advance to Hanoi!"

The Han soldiers slammed their spears and shields heavily onto the ground, causing the earth to tremble three times.

"Cross the river! Cross the river!"

(End of this chapter)