Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 228 Liu Bei is delighted to have Taishi Ci, and he tours Xuzhou with great prestige (Please follow and vote!)
Xiahou Dun did not hesitate and quickly handed over the war report to Taishi Ci, saying, "There are many bandits outside the city. I will lead troops to cover your exit from the city."

Taishi Ci shook his head: "The Prime Minister has just suffered a defeat and it is not advisable for him to leave the city and further demoralize the enemy. I already have a plan to break through the siege, which can also help the Prime Minister boost the morale of the troops inside the city."

Seeing Taishi Ci's confident tone, Xiahou Dun, though he had doubts, respected Taishi Ci's opinion.

Xiahou Dun also knew that anyone who could be summoned by Liu Bei repeatedly must have something extraordinary about him.

The next morning.

Taishi Ci dressed formally, ate his fill, put on his quiver, mounted his horse, and asked Xiahou Dun for two riders to follow him. Each rider carried a target, and they went straight out of the city gate.

The bandits on the outskirts recognized Taishi Ci as the one who had broken through the siege and entered the city yesterday. They were all terrified and dared not approach.

But then they saw Taishi Ci lead his horse to the edge of the city moat, set up a target, go out to practice shooting, and after he finished, he went back into the city.

This terrified the thieves even more.

Someone had already informed Yuan Tan.

Yuan Tan couldn't understand Taishi Ci's intentions, so he discussed it with Qiao Mao, Kong Rong, and others.

Qiao Mao cautiously said, "Although Xiahou Dun was defeated, it was only because he underestimated the enemy. There must be a cunning person in the city plotting against Xiahou Dun. This person broke into the city yesterday, so he should not be from inside the city. Now he is going out of the city to practice archery, so he should be trying to mislead us."

"We should send more scouts to investigate the area towards Yanzhou, to be wary that Cao Cao may also be planning to mobilize troops to attack us."

Kong Rong also said, "Xiahou Dun has just suffered a defeat, and the morale in the city is low. It would be easy to break through the city. The only fear is that Cao Cao's army will arrive without our knowledge. I also agree that we should send more scouts to explore the direction of Yanzhou."

Seeing that Qiao Mao and Kong Rong were so cautious, Yuan Tan also abandoned the idea of ​​attacking the city by force and said, "In that case, we can first surround the city with multiple units of deer antlers, and at the same time send scouts to investigate the movements in the direction of Yanzhou."

Inside the city, Xiahou Dun also failed to understand Taishi Ci's intentions, saying, "The enemy's encirclement is very heavy. I should lead the troops to cover your breakout. The sooner we send the documents to Taishan County, the sooner the reinforcements will arrive."

Taishi Ci, however, was not impatient at all. He said, "Since the Prime Minister said that the Prefect of Taishan can send troops to reinforce without the military order of the Governor of Yanzhou, then once the war in Beihai starts, even if I don't go to Taishan County, the Prefect of Taishan can still find out about the war in Beihai."

"Therefore, my task was to safely deliver the Prime Minister's documents to the Prefect of Taishan. If I had only gone to inform the Prefect of Taishan that there had been a change in the Beihai Kingdom, why would I have entered the city yesterday?"

"Prime Minister, do not worry. Just appease the people and prepare defensive equipment. Leave the matter of leaving the city to me."

Seeing that Taishi Ci remained adamant, Xiahou Dun pondered for a long time but couldn't figure it out, so he could only sigh and stop asking.

On the third day.

Taishi Ci went out of the city again to practice archery. Some of the bandits on the outskirts stood up to be on guard, while others lay down and ignored him.

Upon receiving the news, Yuan Tan was even more surprised and suspicious, and even more suspicious that there were troops lurking in the direction of Yanzhou. Otherwise, how could Taishi Ci be so fearless as to practice archery outside the city?
This is to lure him into attacking the city, and then, when the attack begins, the ambush troops will attack from behind.
On the fourth day...

When Taishi Ci reappeared, none of the bandits on the outer perimeter stood up to be on guard.

He sent his two mounted attendants back to the city on their own, while Taishi Ci spurred his horse and charged straight through the encirclement. By the time the bandits realized something was wrong, Taishi Ci had already crossed the encirclement. He turned back, grabbed his bow and arrow, and shot several men dead. All of them fell dead instantly.

The soldiers on the city wall were all astonished to see that Taishi Ci had successfully broken through the encirclement.

Xiahou Dun was filled with even greater respect: "No wonder His Majesty has repeatedly recruited Taishi Ci. This man is indeed extraordinary in both courage and martial prowess."

Although Taishi Ci easily broke through the siege when he entered the city, there were not many bandits besieging the city at that time, and breaking through into the city and breaking through out of the city were of different importance to the bandits.

Entering the city could mean that defeated soldiers wanted to enter, while leaving the city was more likely that Xiahou Dun sent someone to ask for help. In addition, the difficulty would vary depending on the number of bandits.

This is why Xiahou Dun proposed to cover Taishi Ci's escape from the city.

However, Taishi Ci defied conventional thinking, refusing Xiahou Dun's cover and directly misleading the bandits' judgment, breaking through when the bandits were off guard.

It may seem like anyone can use it, but in reality, it requires a great deal of personal courage and bravery; you can't succeed if you're lacking in any of these.

After Taishi Ci broke through the encirclement and headed towards Yanzhou, and since the scouts found no trace of Cao Cao's troops in the Yanzhou direction, Yuan Tan realized that he had been tricked.

If it weren't for needing Qiao Mao and Kong Rong, Yuan Tan would have cursed them out.

Those two were so terrified that their excessive caution wasted two days of my time, but instead boosted the morale of the soldiers in the city.

Qiao Mao and Kong Rong knew they were in the wrong, so they both lowered their heads and dared not say more.

Yuan Tan immediately ordered: "Pass on my military order, all camps to launch a full-scale attack and breach the city before the enemy reinforcements arrive!"

the other side.

After breaking through the encirclement, Taishi Ci headed straight for Taishan County.

As Taishi Ci had predicted, Xiahou Yuan had received intelligence about the changes in the Beihai Kingdom three days earlier, but dared not send troops rashly because he did not know the details.

Upon learning that Xiahou Dun had been ambushed and defeated and was trapped in the city, Xiahou Yuan hastily drafted a document requesting Taishi Ci to go to Puyang to find Cao Cao. He then led troops from Taishan Commandery to aid Beihai Kingdom.

Taishi Ci originally intended to go directly to Luoyang, but seeing that Xiahou Yuan left in a hurry, he then rode straight to Puyang to find Cao Cao.

"How dare you, you brat Yuan Tan!"

After Liu Bei declared himself emperor, Cao Cao's ambitions also changed significantly.

He is not yet forty, in the prime of his life. If he can defeat Yuan Shao and help Liu Bei unify the world before he turns forty, he may be able to conquer the Western Regions in the future. At that time, he can be enfeoffed as a marquis and become a general who conquers the west. After his death, the inscription on his tombstone will read: "Tomb of Cao Hou, former general who conquers the west of the Han Dynasty".

Therefore, after defeating Tian Feng of Dong'e, Cao Cao was bursting with confidence.

While recuperating in Yanzhou, they also sent out scouts into Hebei, hoping to eventually attack Hebei and challenge Yuan Shao.

Unexpectedly, before they even began their attack on Hebei, Yuan Shao sent Yuan Tan to cross the river and attack the Beihai Kingdom.

Xiahou Dun's defeat also made Cao Cao feel ashamed and angry.

As Cao Cao's closest clansman and general, Cao Cao had been creating opportunities for Xiahou Dun to make contributions.

From his initial role as acting chancellor of Beihai to his later position as chancellor of Beihai, Xiahou Dun made significant contributions to the governance of the people's livelihood. He actively organized the people to dig ditches and even personally participated in the work.

Cao Cao thought that after he had wiped out the rebels in Qingzhou, he recommended Xiahou Dun to be the governor of Qingzhou, so that he could bring glory to his ancestors.

Before the battle even began, Xiahou Dun suffered a defeat.

With this defeat as a precedent, Xiahou Dun would have to make greater contributions to make up for the loss if he wanted to become the governor of Qingzhou.

Suppressing his anger, Cao Cao looked at Taishi Ci, who had brought the news, and greatly admired Taishi Ci's courage and bravery.

Unfortunately, Taishi Ci was repeatedly recruited by Liu Bei, and he would surely be highly valued by Liu Bei in the future, so Cao Cao would not be able to compete with Liu Bei for him.

He then included in a letter all the merits that Taishi Ci had made this time, as well as the defeat of Xiahou Dun, and asked Taishi Ci to pass it on to Liu Bei.

Subsequently.

Cao Cao then personally led his civil and military officials to the Beihai Kingdom.

Although Xiahou Yuan went to rescue the Beihai Kingdom, Cao Cao was not at ease with him.

If Xiahou Yuan were to also be defeated, even if Cao Cao had a close relationship with Liu Bei, he would still be subject to punishment.

By the time Taishi Ci arrived in Luoyang, it was already August 20th.

"Thanks to Ziyi's help, otherwise the Kingdom of Beihai would surely have fallen to Yuan Tan." After learning the details, Liu Bei praised him generously.

Liu Bei had always known that Cao Cao wanted Xiahou Dun to be the governor of Qingzhou, and he was willing to give Xiahou Dun a chance. That's why he appointed Xiahou Dun from acting governor of Beihai to governor of Beihai.

However, Liu Bei was quite surprised that Xiahou Dun would lose to Yuan Tan.

Liu Bei did not get too angry about this. Although Xiahou Dun was recommended by Cao Cao as the Chancellor of Beihai, he was appointed by Liu Bei. Xiahou Dun's defeat was also due to Liu Bei's poor choice of personnel.

If Liu Bei were to get angry about this, it would make him appear incompetent.

In contrast, Liu Bei was quite pleased with the arrival of Taishi Ci.

Liu Bei always reserved one of his ten battalions of the Lingyan Army for Taishi Ci.

Now that someone has arrived, it's a good opportunity for Taishi Ci to fill this vacancy.

Although he was in Liaodong seeking refuge, Taishi Ci had often heard of Liu Bei's Lingyan Army on his way back.

Upon arriving, he was immediately appointed as a captain in the Lingyan Army, which made Taishi Ci feel apprehensive. He politely declined, saying, "Your Majesty, although I am somewhat brave, I have never commanded troops before. I am willing to serve as a lowly soldier in the Lingyan Army."

Liu Bei laughed loudly.

If Taishi Ci became a lowly soldier in the Lingyan Army, who could become a captain in the Lingyan Army?

"Ziyi, there is no need to worry. Since I have appointed you as the captain of the Lingyan Army, I believe you can do a good job. I will send people to assist you in commanding the army."

"I hereby appoint you as a Palace Attendant, granting you free access to the palace. If you have any questions, you may come and ask me."

As both a captain of the Lingyan Army and a palace attendant, Taishi Ci was even more excited.

He used to be a clerk in the local government office. Dissatisfied with the state officials' inability to distinguish right from wrong, he robbed the state officials, destroyed the memorials, and fled to Liaodong to avoid disaster.

Someone as accomplished in both literature and martial arts as Taishi Ci would certainly not be content to spend his entire life hiding in Liaodong.

Upon hearing of Liu Hong's death and the new emperor's general amnesty in Liaodong, Taishi Ci decided to return to his home prefecture.

Due to the disruption caused by war, he was unable to return home for a long time.

By the time they returned home, Liu Bei had already been emperor for several months.

When Taishi Ci saw the recruitment notices sent by Liu Bei since the fifth year of the Zhongping era, as well as the recruitment notices sent after Liu Bei became emperor, and the care that Liu Bei sent for Taishi Ci's mother, Taishi Ci was astonished.

What merit or ability did he, a minor official who fled to Liaodong to avoid disaster, possess to make Liu Bei remember him for four years? Even after Liu Bei became emperor, he still couldn't forget him.
Such a kind gesture made Taishi Ci feel deeply appreciated.

Therefore, when Taishi Ci saw that Xiahou Dun had been defeated and surrounded, he would break through the encirclement without fear of death and then break through the encirclement to deliver the news.

Upon hearing Liu Bei's undisguised trust and high regard, Taishi Ci no longer refused and solemnly replied, "Your Majesty's great kindness is something I would gladly do, even if it means going through fire and water!"

Subsequently.

Liu Bei then summoned Huang Zhong and asked him to assist Taishi Ci in commanding troops.

Although he was not used to it at first, Taishi Ci did not disappoint Liu Bei and gradually became more adept with the help of Huang Zhong.

By the end of September.

Cao Cao sent a messenger with news of victory: Yuan Tan had been defeated and fled, and Kong Rong had been captured.

He also submitted a memorial praising Xiahou Dun's achievements in governing Beihai, hoping that Liu Bei would give Xiahou Dun a chance to redeem himself and continue serving as the Chancellor of Beihai.

If it were a different emperor, he would have become suspicious of Cao Cao.

However, Liu Bei did not care about these details or doubt Cao Cao's intentions, and still appointed Xiahou Dun as the Chancellor of Beihai.

For Liu Bei, ability was not the most important thing; loyalty was.

The trusted generals in Luoyang cannot be touched for the time being, and the talented people selected locally may not be loyal.

Although Xiahou Dun suffered a defeat, his loyalty should not be denied because of this one defeat.

Compared to Xiahou Dun, Liu Bei was more concerned about Xuzhou.

Sun Jian, the governor of Xuzhou, sent his brother-in-law Wu Jing to Luoyang to report on the implementation of the new policies in Xuzhou.

The results were terrible!

There is strong opposition from the local community.

The Chen family of Xiapi took the lead in opposing it.

When Chen Deng went to persuade Chen Gui and Chen Yu, he was instead scolded as an unfilial son.

Mi Zhu of the Donghai Mi clan preferred to resign from his official post rather than assist Sun Jian in implementing the new policies.

Other local powerful figures, such as Chang Xi, Cao Bao, and Zuo Rong, also expressed varying degrees of opposition.

Because Liu Bei is implementing a policy of recuperation and development this year, Sun Jian cannot be too forceful.

However, after the autumn harvest this year, a large number of Yellow Turban rebels reappeared in Xuzhou.

If it were up to Sun Jian's usual temperament, he would have simply dealt with the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

However, Liu Bei's consistent emphasis on the common people made Sun Jian hesitant to easily attack these commoners who had joined the Yellow Turbans because they were bullied by powerful clans and could no longer survive.

Furthermore, since Chen Deng and Mi Zhu were recommended to Gai Xun by Liu Bei, Sun Jian was unsure of Liu Bei's specific attitude towards the powerful families and clans of Xuzhou. That's why he sent Wu Jing to consult Liu Bei.

"I really dug a hole for myself."

After learning about the specific situation in Xuzhou, Liu Bei was also quite troubled.

Sun Jian thought that with a year of recuperation, he could successfully implement the new policies in Xuzhou, but unexpectedly, he encountered repeated obstacles.

During the years that Gai Xun spent in Xuzhou, the Chen clan of Xiapi and the Mi clan of Donghai grew stronger and stronger, and they absorbed a large number of rebel forces that had followed Tao Qian.

As a result, it has become so powerful that it is difficult to control, causing Sun Jian great distress.

"Sun Jian cannot resolve the troubles in Xuzhou; only I can go there personally." Liu Bei summoned Jia Xu and carefully instructed him, "When I am not in Luoyang, Wenhe can make all the decisions himself."

Jia Xu was also aware of the potential dangers in Xuzhou, so he did not try to dissuade him. Instead, he said, "I know that Your Majesty appreciates Chen Deng's talent. However, the Chen family of Xiapi is descended from the Three Dukes, and now they are powerful and difficult to control in Xuzhou. We cannot let one person ruin our grand plan."

"If Your Majesty cannot bear it, I am willing to take up the imperial insignia and oversee Xuzhou."

Liu Bei was slightly surprised.

This was the first time I'd heard Jia Xu volunteer to leave his post in Zhenzhou County.

Previously, when Xu You suggested that Jia Xu be appointed as the governor of Xu Province, Liu Bei always told Xu You to give up the position.

Looking back now, Xu You was indeed right. If Jia Xu had been appointed as the governor of Xuzhou, the Chen family of Xiapi would not have been a threat.

After all, given Jia Xu's abilities, if he had become the governor of Xuzhou back then, the Chen family of Xiapi would probably have all gone to rely on Yuan Shu by now, instead of still relying on their large clan and strong army in Xiapi.

Upon further reflection, Liu Bei understood Jia Xu's meaning.

Now that Liu Bei is not a general but an emperor, it is more appropriate for Jia Xu to do the thing that offends people than for Liu Bei.

However, Liu Bei did not intend to let Jia Xu offend anyone; it would be more intimidating to personally handle matters that required the use of force.

"Wenhe, just guard Luoyang for me," Liu Bei rejected Jia Xu's suggestion, saying, "I have already given them the opportunity. Since the Chen family of Xiapi is unwilling to implement the new policies, how can I let personal matters interfere with public duty?"

(End of this chapter)