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

Chapter 237: Scholars and commoners are divided between North and South; Liu Bei is overjoyed to have children (Seeking updates and monthly votes)
Looking at Lü Bu behind Yuan Shu, Liu Bei said, "I have some personal grudges against Lü Bu. If Brother Gonglu is willing to hand Lü Bu over to me, I can give you Xiapi and Guangling. What do you say?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lü Bu feigned a drastic change in expression, gripped his sword hilt, and shouted, "Liu Bei, you're courting death!"

Liu Bei gave a feigned snort: "You dared to assassinate me, and now that I've plotted against you, what are you going to do about it?"

He then turned to Yuan Shu and said, "Brother Gonglu, the Xiapi Kingdom and the Guangling Commandery are enough for you to control the entire Huai River. In the future, when you and I compete for the world, you will also have the upper hand."

"Lu Bu is nothing but a greedy and treacherous man. He might betray you in the future. Why keep him? Give him to me, and I will settle my personal score. You will also gain the Kingdom of Xiapi and the Commandery of Guangling. Why not?"

To be fair, Liu Bei's terms were quite tempting to Yuan Shu.

In exchange for Lu Bu, the Kingdom of Xiapi and the Commandery of Guangling were acquired. Such a deal could be described as extremely profitable.

However, Yuan Shu was not stupid.

Liu Bei offered such favorable terms just to get Lü Bu, which must have been part of a deeper calculation.

Although he didn't know exactly what Liu Bei was planning, Yuan Shu believed he wouldn't fall into Liu Bei's trap as long as he didn't agree.

"Hahaha—" Yuan Shu laughed loudly: "Lü Bu has already married a member of the Yuan clan, and from now on he will be a member of the Yuan clan. If I were to give Lü Bu to Xuande for the sake of Xiapi and Guangling, wouldn't that make the Yuan clan member a widow?"

Liu Bei feigned regret: "It seems that from now on, we can only capture Lü Bu alive on the battlefield."

He then turned to Lü Bu and said, "Lü Bu, I will spare your life for now, but I will capture you alive in the future."

Lu Bu, not to be outdone, retorted: "It's not certain who will capture whom! If His Majesty hadn't refused to fight you today, you would already be captured by me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun also pressed down on his sword hilt at the opportune moment: "You think you're worthy of capturing my elder brother? Do you dare to fight me?"

"What is there to be afraid of!" Lü Bu drew his sword, half of it still in its sheath.

Zhao Yun also drew his sword halfway out of its sheath.

Just as the two were about to draw their swords and fight, Liu Bei and Yuan Shu each stopped Zhao Yun and Lü Bu.

Yuan Shu was very satisfied with Lü Bu's reaction, and secretly pleased with himself: Although Lü Bu is opportunistic and treacherous, he is now a mortal enemy of Liu Bei. If he betrays me, who else can I turn to? Yuan Shao? How foolish Liu Bei is!
Liu Bei nodded secretly.

With this performance, Lü Bu's position under Yuan Shu will become more stable in the future.

Unless Yuan Shu also employs someone like Wang Yun to use a honey trap to sow discord between Lü Bu and Yuan Shu, Yuan Shu will inevitably rely heavily on Lü Bu.

But if someone really did use a honey trap to sow discord between Lü Bu and Yuan Shu, it would mean that Yuan Shu's Zhong clan court had rotted to the point of being abandoned by everyone, and Liu Bei would no longer need to use Lü Bu as an inside agent.

Changing the subject, Liu Bei proposed, "Although my position differs from that of Brother Gonglu, our conflict should not cause suffering to the common people. Therefore, I have a suggestion for Brother Gonglu to consider."

"Whether it is Yongzhou, Yuzhou or Xuzhou, I will not stop the scholars and commoners who want to go south to Jingyang. If they do not agree with my new policies, I will not force them. Just like in the pre-Qin period, the scholars and commoners of the seven states would go to their respective states."

"But if any scholars or commoners in Jingyang wish to go north, please, Brother Gonglu, do not deliberately make things difficult for them, shall we?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu was secretly delighted: What a wonderful thing!
Originally, Yuan Shu was worried that Liu Bei would obstruct his journey south to help Chen Gui and other people from Xuzhou, but unexpectedly, Liu Bei took the initiative to suggest not to stop him.

Yuan Shu was unaware of Liu Bei's deeper intentions, nor did he want to delve into them.

As long as Chen Gui and other people from Xuzhou can safely go south, how could Liu Bei possibly turn the world upside down?

"Xuande's words are exactly what I wanted!" Yuan Shu laughed loudly. "After I return, I will follow Xuande's example, open the passage, and allow people of all social classes to come and go freely!"

"However, although Xuande does not prevent scholars and commoners from going south, he is too harsh on those who go north. There are also many virtuous people in Jing and Yang who want to join Xuande's ranks."

While claiming to be a wise and virtuous man, Yuan Shu's real intention was to drive any bandits or outlaws to Yuzhou and Xuzhou, thus ensuring stability within his territory and depleting Liu Bei's grain reserves.

As for whether they were forced to enter or entered voluntarily, could Liu Bei possibly distinguish between them?

In Yuan Shu's eyes, apart from the common people, everyone else was just cattle and horses.

Cattle and horses are only fit to perform corvée labor and farm the land. If these cattle and horses can't stand it and want to rebel, it proves that they are not a good group of cattle and horses. Drive the cattle and horses that like to rebel to Liu Bei's command, and the remaining cattle and horses will become obedient, which will also give Liu Bei a group of rebellious cattle and horses under his rule.

A win-win situation!
Yuan Shu couldn't help but feel proud of his brilliant idea.

Seeing Liu Bei hesitate, Yuan Shu added fuel to the fire, saying, "Xuande refuses to let those heading north in. Is it because he's worried I might plant spies? But I'm not afraid of Xuande planting spies, yet Xuande is afraid of me planting spies. That's hardly the mark of a hero."

Liu Bei feigned hesitation, waiting for Yuan Shu to stir up trouble. He then pretended to be easily provoked and said, "Brother Gonglu, how can you underestimate me? Why would I be afraid of spies? Only the weak are afraid of spies! Once I return to Luoyang, I will change the passage order."

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Yuan Shu laughed loudly: "Excellent!"

Liu Bei laughed heartily: "Although passage is open, I will not allow those heading south to take away too much money and grain. Brother Gonglu can understand that, right?"

"That's for sure. I also won't allow those heading north to take too much money and grain with them," Yuan Shu chuckled in response. If Liu Bei really wanted to allow those heading south to take away a large amount of money and grain, Yuan Shu would have doubted Liu Bei's intentions.

After a while.

Liu Bei and Yuan Shu each returned home.

Yuan Shu boarded the warship with a light step and laughed loudly: "Liu Bei is a fool. In the future, the northern people who are dissatisfied with the new policies will flock to Jing and Yang."

"Not only will I gain access to a large number of talented individuals, but I can also use the people and soldiers of the north to build a powerful army. The entire world will surely fall into my hands!"

"Not only that, I can also send those lowly people north to rob Liu Bei's grain, keeping Liu Bei busy suppressing rebellions. Haha, I am truly the chosen one of Heaven, everything goes smoothly for me!"

After learning about the content of Yuan Shu's conversation with Liu Bei, Zhang Jiong's eyes lit up and he suggested, "Although Liu Bei is implementing this policy, it is hard to guarantee that he will not go back on his word in the future. Your Majesty should quickly send people to Yongzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou and other places to lure the people who are dissatisfied with Liu Bei's new policies to move south."

"There are many bandits in Jianghuai who do not submit to Your Majesty. They can be driven to Xuzhou. In this way, even if Liu Bei wants to take advantage of Your Majesty's western expedition against Liu Yan to compete with Yuan Shao, he will not be able to exert his full strength."

"As long as we can stall until His Majesty deals with Liu Yan, neither Liu Bei nor Yuan Shao will be a match for His Majesty."

Although he didn't understand Liu Bei's intentions, Zhang Jiong believed in one principle: if Liu Bei wanted to do something, he should try to make it happen, and at the same time, he should come up with a reason that would convince Yuan Shu.

Upon hearing Zhang Jiong's words, Yuan Shu was even more delighted: "What the Grand Master of Ceremonies said is absolutely right. Those bandits in Jianghuai refuse to submit to me, so it's perfect to let them wreak havoc on Xuzhou."

"Liu Bei has a large number of Yellow Turban rebels under his command, which can attract bandits from the Jianghuai region. Liu Bei is just a country bumpkin from Zhuojun, with no foresight or vision. He is almost becoming a bandit leader, but he doesn't even realize it."

"Without scholars, how can the world be governed?"

Zhang Jiong chimed in, "Your Majesty is wise! In the end, the world can only be governed by scholars!" Lü Bu secretly felt contempt: If the world has to be governed by scholars, how can we warriors have a chance to rise to prominence?
Despite his disdain, Lü Bu echoed, "Your Majesty is wise! Sooner or later, I will capture Liu Bei alive for Your Majesty to avenge today's humiliation!"

Yuan Shu did not linger in Huaiyin any longer. After being away for so long, even though the large ship was stable and he had beautiful women with him, Yuan Shu still felt tired from the journey.

In addition, the weather in Huaiyin was colder than in Echeng, and Yuan Shu also wanted to return as soon as possible.

There was no need to provide support for Chen Gui and the others, and Yuan Shu was not afraid that Liu Bei would renege on his promise and prevent Chen Gui and the others from heading south.

Yuan Shu was certain that Liu Bei would allow scholars from Yongzhou and Yuzhou to travel south, and would certainly not prevent scholars from Xuzhou, such as Chen Gui, from traveling south; at most, he would only detain their money.

This is true.

After Yuan Shu withdrew his troops, Liu Bei loosened his control, not only refraining from stopping him but also posting notices in various counties.

The gist is: Liu Bei is very angry because of the rebellion of the Chen and Mi families, and the consequences will be severe. He will question those who committed the crimes. Because Liu Bei has always been benevolent, those who voluntarily give up their money, grain, land, houses, slaves and guests can leave on their own. Those who refuse to give up their money, grain, land and houses will be thoroughly investigated.

At the same time, a sentence was added to the notice: Anyone who does not agree with the new policy may leave on their own, but will also have to give up their money, grain, land, houses, slaves and tenants.

In short: People can leave, but their businesses must remain.

As soon as the notice was issued, chaos erupted once again in the counties of Xiapi.

Some fled in haste, some took a chance, and some, like Zuo Rong, relied on their large numbers and led over ten thousand men and women, along with a large number of cattle, sheep, mules, and horses, to head south.

Liu Bei would also use force against those who refused to listen to his moral teachings.

Seeing that Ze Rong refused to obey, Liu Bei directly ordered Zhao Yun to lead the Lingyan Army to attack and kill Ze Rong, and then took Ze Rong's head and displayed it to the public.

Such ruthlessness and decisiveness made those who wanted to go south no longer dare to harbor any illusions.

Liu Bei then ordered Sun Jian to divide his troops into several counties to take over the properties of powerful families who had joined the rebellion with the Chen family. At the same time, he distributed money, grain, and land to the common people in the counties to appease them.

These new policies had already been implemented once in Yongzhou, Sili, Yuzhou, and Yanzhou, so Sun Jian only needed to follow suit.

Under Zang Ba's military might and persuasion, Donghai Changxi also confiscated the Mi family's property and sealed up their money, grain, fields, and houses on Liu Bei's behalf.

Now that Liu Bei has dealt with the Chen and Mi clans, Chang Xi is not arrogant enough to dare to disrespect Liu Bei. Moreover, Liu Bei has promised to let Chang Xi's descendants enter the palace in Luoyang, which would be the same treatment as Zang Ba.

Following Liu Bei meant prosperity, while opposing him meant the same fate as the Mi family. For Chang Xi, this wasn't a difficult choice.

With the Chen and Mi families, the two most influential powerful clans, gone, and with the restless Zuo Rong and others being eliminated, Que Xuan, Chang Xi, Cao Bao, and others took the initiative to respond.

The promotion of the new policies in Xuzhou went from being difficult to advance to being carried out rapidly. In less than a month, it had already completed the progress that Sun Jian had not been able to finish in a year.

Considering Sun Jian's weakness in governance, Liu Bei appointed Zhuge Xuan, who was nominally the governor of Yangzhou but had not yet officially taken office, as the governor of Xuzhou, to assist Sun Jian in promoting the new policies and carrying out follow-up work.

Liu Bei also made his final decision regarding the handling of Chen Deng and Mi Zhu.

Mi Zhu waited for a high price to buy his position, remaining ambiguous about the new policies, neither clearly expressing support nor opposition, and allowing Mi Fang to commit evil. Given that he had helped Gai Xun take control of Xuzhou, Liu Bei spared Mi Zhu's life, but punished him by making him cultivate official land in Xiapi for twenty years.

Although Chen Deng helped Gai Xun take control of Xuzhou and supported the new policies, the rebellion of the Chen clan in Xiapi had too great an impact and caused a lot of deaths and injuries. Therefore, after Liu Bei spared Chen Deng's life, he punished him by making him the prison commander, prohibiting him from being promoted for ten years, and assigning him to be in charge of some of the official land in Xiapi.

The powerful families who participated in the rebellion and their relatives were all punished by being forced to cultivate government land for varying periods, ranging from three to five years to more than ten years.

Although executing a clan could establish authority, Liu Bei does not need to do so now.

Liu Bei was more concerned with how to increase grain production.

Having so much free labor and not assigning it to work is a waste of food.

Normal farmers paid little grain tax, while those who were forced to cultivate government land only needed to ensure they didn't starve and had the strength to cultivate the land; the rest of the grain would go to the government.

Chen Deng and Mi Zhu were both sincerely grateful for Liu Bei's punishment.

If it were any other emperor, not to mention executing nine generations of relatives, at least three generations would be wiped out.

However, Liu Bei did not intend to continue this method of killing. When powerful clans rebelled in Yongzhou, Sili, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, he basically only executed the ringleaders and punished the rest by making them cultivate government land.

Because Chen Deng and Mi Zhu were recommended to Gai Xun by Liu Bei in the past, and because Liu Bei also indulged them in making the Chen and Mi families too powerful to control, the two of them ultimately deviated from Liu Bei's original plan.

Otherwise, it would be most appropriate to send Chen Deng to serve in Jingzhou or Yangzhou in the future.

After entrusting the remaining affairs of Xuzhou to Sun Jian and Zhuge Xuan, Liu Bei did not stay in Xuzhou any longer.

Firstly, Liu Bei no longer needed to personally intervene in the affairs of Xuzhou; secondly, an urgent report came from Luoyang: Cai Yan and Gan Mei were about to give birth.

This pleased Liu Bei greatly.

Whether in his past life or this one, spanning over fifty years, Liu Bei still had no children.

In his past life, he was a great man who only worried about not achieving success in his career and not about not having a wife. In this life, he is a great man who only worries about not establishing fame and not about not having a wife. Year after year, he has devoted himself to his career and fame.

Now that he has achieved fame and success, and has taken wives and concubines, with Cai Yan and Gan Mei both pregnant, Liu Bei will soon have two children. It would be a lie to say that Liu Bei is not excited.

In this world, how many people truly don't want to have both a son and a daughter?
If so, it's highly likely that the person is unsuccessful in their career, has not established a reputation, and does not want women and children to affect their speed in drawing their sword.

In order to return to Luoyang as soon as possible, Liu Bei left the White Feather Soldiers, who were not good at long-distance running, in the rear, and instead led three hundred light cavalry back to Luoyang with Zhao Yun.

The first day of the first month of the second year of Zhangwu (193 AD).

Liu Bei returned despite the snow.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, they heard the joyous news: Cai Yan had given birth to a son, and Gan Mei had given birth to a daughter.

This made Liu Bei even happier.

With the addition of a prince, Liu Bei's newly established regime could be considered complete.

And since this prince was born to Cai Yan, it would make the regime more stable.

(End of this chapter)