The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 508 The general trend

Pei Ji saw this and knew that his words had taken effect, so he struck while the iron was hot and said, "My dear uncles, instead of sticking to the old rules, it is better to take the initiative to seek change. Your Majesty is a man of great talent and strategy. If we sincerely submit to him, we may be able to gain a place in the new dynasty."

Cui Yan pondered for a long time, and finally nodded slowly: "Nephew Pei is right. But this matter is of great importance, and I still need to discuss it with the clan."

Several other family heads also agreed, saying that they needed time to consider. Pei Ji knew that he couldn't act too hastily, so he bowed and said, "Of course. I just told you what I saw and heard truthfully. The specific decision is up to you uncles to make."

After leaving Cui's house, Pei Ji breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that what he said today had shaken the resolve of these noble families. Although it was impossible to make them change their stance immediately, it at least planted the seeds of doubt.

After returning to the Pei Mansion, Pei Ji immediately called the elders of the clan to discuss. After reporting today's events in detail, he said firmly: "Father, uncles, our Pei clan must take the lead in expressing support for the new policy, so that we can gain a foothold in the new dynasty."

Father Pei frowned and said, "Ji'er, are you sure His Majesty will accept our surrender? If we offer our land and books, but don't get the corresponding return. "

"Don't worry, father." Pei Ji said confidently, "His Majesty values ​​practical benefits the most. We have taken the initiative to offer him the land and books he needs most, and he will definitely give us preferential treatment. Besides..."

He lowered his voice and said, "I have received news that His Majesty intends to hold the first imperial examination next spring. If the children of the Pei family can stand out in this imperial examination, they will surely be able to restore the family's prestige."

"What about other aristocratic families?" asked Pei's father.

"That's not something we can control." Pei Ji shook his head. He knew in his heart that some aristocratic families were simply unwilling to do so. Compared with the past, the new dynasty's method of selecting talents did not bring many benefits to the aristocratic families.

But Pei Ji saw further than others. With the promotion of books and printing, a large number of readers will appear among the people, and books will no longer be exclusive to aristocratic families.

Those students from poor families will get a chance to succeed.

If it was a weak emperor, perhaps nothing would change, but the current Emperor Zhaowu was too powerful. For a man who rose from a clerk to an emperor, it was foreseeable that he would use tough means.

Those noble families who still hold on to hope for luck will suffer a great loss sooner or later. Pei Ji does not want this to happen to the Wenxi Pei family, so he takes the initiative to seek change.

Pei Ji did what he said and wrote a letter to the emperor the next day. On the third day, an imperial edict was issued, ordering Pei Ji to join the army and march north with it.

On the fifth day, Qin Shou personally led 30,000 Yulin troops north to Bingzhou, with Huang Xu, son of Huang Zhong, as the vanguard, and Zhang Hu, son of Zhang Liao, Wei Chang, son of Wei Yan, and Xu Gai, son of Xu Huang, following the army.

Crown Prince Qin Chengqian was appointed as regent, Jia Xu and Gu Yong stayed in Chang'an, Xun You was the military advisor, and Zhong Yao was the chief officer of Bingzhou Military Governor's Office, stationed in Taiyuan, supervising the transportation of grain and fodder.

At this moment, in the distant Jiaozhou, the army led by Huang Zhong and Sima Yi to the south was confronting Liu Bei under the city of Cangwu, and both sides suffered casualties.

With the help of Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei barely blocked the enemy's frenzied attack, but he knew that this situation could not last long as the money and food in Jiaozhou were not enough to support it.

However, the cavalry's food and fodder were continuously transported from Jingzhou to the front line.

Moreover, Liu Bei had discovered that there seemed to be problems within the Shi clan. It seemed that not all Shi clan members supported him. This was normal. The Shi clan occupied Jiaozhou and had their own considerations when facing the Cavalry Army.

On the city wall, Liu Bei looked at the military camp not far away with a worried look on his face.

"Lord."

Zhuge Liang's voice came from behind.

Liu Bei turned around and saw Zhuge Liang holding a feather fan, frowning and walking towards him with a serious expression. His heart sank and he asked, "Kong Ming, has the military situation changed?" Zhuge Liang sighed and said, "My lord, I just received intelligence that Shi Xie's brother Shi Yi may have betrayed Jiaozhou and made peace with the Cavalry Army."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's face suddenly changed and he clenched his fists: "How dare Shi Yi secretly collaborate with the enemy? No wonder the dispatch of food and grass has been repeatedly blocked recently!"

Zhuge Liang nodded and whispered, "Not only that, rumors have spread in Cangwu City, saying that our army is about to be defeated, which has shaken the morale of the army. If we don't respond in time, there may be civil unrest."

Liu Bei was silent for a moment, his eyes determined: "Kong Ming, do you have any good ideas?"

Zhuge Liang pondered and said, "For now, we need to stabilize Shi Xie first. My lord, you can personally summon Shi Xie to explain the pros and cons, and at the same time secretly arrange for your confidants to monitor Shi Yi's movements. If he really makes any unusual moves, we should make a decisive move."

Liu Bei nodded: "Okay, I'll do as you say. In addition, how long can our army's food and grass last?"

Zhuge Liang looked worried: "At most half a month. If there is no new supply within half a month, the morale of the army may be difficult to maintain."

Liu Bei took a deep breath, looked towards the camp of the Cavalry Army in the distance, and murmured, "Is it God's will to destroy me, Liu Bei?"

Zhuge Liang stepped forward and said firmly, "Don't worry, my lord. I have ordered people to collect food and grass in Yulin, Hepu and other places. Although it is a drop in the bucket, it can temporarily solve the urgent problem. In addition, we can also send a special force to attack the rear of the Cavalry Army and force them to send troops to support us."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Liu Bei's eyes: "This is a great plan! Who can take on this important task?"

Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "General Guan Ping is brave and courageous, and he can handle important tasks."

Liu Bei immediately made the decision: "Okay! Immediately send a message to Guan Ping to lead 3,000 elite soldiers to set out overnight and cut off the enemy's food supply!"

That night, Guan Ping took the order and left. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang continued to discuss the strategy of defending the city until late at night.

However, three days later, bad news came. Guan Ping's surprise attack troops were ambushed halfway and almost all of them were annihilated. Guan Ping himself was seriously injured and only led a few dozen cavalrymen to break through and return.

Liu Bei was struck by lightning when he heard the news. He rushed to Guan Ping's bed and saw that his beloved general was dying. He couldn't help but burst into tears and said, "Ping'er, it was your uncle who killed you!"

Guan Ping opened his eyes with difficulty and said weakly: "Uncle... nephew is incompetent... failed to complete the task..."

Liu Bei held his hand and choked up, "No, the enemy is too cunning. You should take good care of your wounds. Your uncle will take care of everything."

After leaving the camp, Liu Bei looked gloomy and said to Zhuge Liang: "Kong Ming, the enemy seems to have seen through our movements. This battle is becoming more difficult."

Zhuge Liang pondered for a long time, and suddenly said: "My lord, I am afraid that there are spies in our army."

Liu Bei was suddenly startled: "What do you mean?"

Zhuge Liang nodded: "If someone hadn't leaked the secret, how could the enemy know General Guan Ping's marching route?"

Liu Bei gritted his teeth and said, "Investigate! We must find this traitor!"

Zhuge Liang hesitated for a moment. The person who knew his marching route must be from the Shi family. They were the local tyrants, and Guan Ping's whereabouts could not be hidden from them.

(End of this chapter)