Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 171 The Emperor's decree: Anyone who dares not to obey will be beheaded
After Guo Jia spread the news that after the emperor offered sacrifices in the Taimiao, a grand ceremony to worship the heaven would be held, it caused a great sensation in Yecheng and attracted the attention of many people.

The sacrifice to the Taimiao was a thing of the past, and it happened every year. It had nothing to do with ordinary people, and they couldn’t even see the emperor.

But offering sacrifices to heaven is different, as you can get a glimpse of the emperor’s holy face.

Who in the world doesn’t want to see the emperor’s holy face?

Take the last time Yuan Shao executed Yuan Shu as an example. If Liu Xie had not shown up, there would not have been so many people coming to watch. The vast majority of the people came to see the emperor.

In addition, after the gathering at Xun Mansion that day, all the major families took action and started cutting meat and preparing heavy offerings for the ceremony to express their willingness to serve.

Xuanshi.

Xun Chen presented a long gift list to Liu Xie with both hands and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, this is the gift list of many noble families. Please take a look at it."

Liu Xie took the gift list and saw that it was filled with signatures, each of which represented a great family. Moreover, the gifts they presented were extremely generous, including money, food, treasures, and huge trees, which made him feel dazzled.

"These noble families are really rich."

A hint of surprise flashed in Liu Xie's eyes.

Just by looking at this gift list, one can see how profound the foundation of these aristocratic families is. They are by no means comparable to those of smaller families, and they are so generous when they give.

The value of the gifts on the gift list is enough to arm an army of 100,000 people to the teeth!

After sighing in his heart, Liu Xie smiled and said to Xun Chen: "Your Excellency has made an invaluable contribution to making so many noble families willing to serve you."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind." Xun Chen bowed slightly and said solemnly, "Your Majesty is a wise and wise man. You drove Yuan Shao away and regained power. This is the real reason why these noble families are willing to serve you."

"My contribution is really insignificant."

It is a big taboo to take the credit actively. It is enough to let the superior know the credit in his heart. If you say it out loud yourself, people will think you are taking credit for yourself.

Xun Chen understood this truth well.

Liu Xie put down the gift list and continued to ask, "My dear minister, you wrote a letter to Xun Yu and Xun You, two of my clansmen, asking them to abandon the false emperor and come to me. How is this going?"

He is no longer satisfied with Yuan Shao.

Tian Feng, Ju Su and Shen Pei under Yuan Shao were all too difficult to recruit.

Guo Tu and Xin Ping, who were slightly easier to dig out, were killed by Yuan Xi.

At present, the military generals are barely enough, but the counselors are a little stretched.

He was especially jealous of counselors who were good at internal affairs and logistics.

He planned to dig into Cao Cao's side.

Xun Yu and Xun You were both capable advisers under Cao Cao. If these two people could be recruited, it would be equivalent to cutting off Cao Cao's arm.

"minister……"

Xun Chen's forehead was covered with cold sweat, and he answered cautiously: "Your Majesty, I have not received a reply yet."

He felt very nervous when he said these words.

Although he wrote the letter in front of the emperor very early, he did not send it out immediately because he did not think that the emperor could control Yecheng for a long time, even though the prospects were bright.

But there was no need to ask his brother and nephew, who had already settled down with Cao Cao, to come over.

But with Zhang Liao's army entering the city, the ownership of Yecheng became a foregone conclusion, and the emperor seemed to have regained power.

Even though this power is far from that of an emperor in a prosperous era, it is definitely a sign of rise and a sign of the Han Dynasty's revival.

He read the history books thoroughly and found that the emperor's current situation was exactly the same as the early days when Emperor Guangwu conquered the world.

So I hurriedly sent the letter.

Liu Xie glanced at Xun Chen with a half-smile.

Naturally, he could not be hidden from Xun Chen's little thoughts. People from aristocratic families are like this, they never put all their eggs in one basket.

However, if the water is too clear, there will be no fish. Sometimes there is no need to put it so bluntly and clearly.

"That's fine. Just report to me when you get a reply."

Liu Xie said meaningfully: "But I hope you understand one thing, I will definitely defeat Cao Cao and capture and kill the false emperor in the future."

"So you should persuade them to make the same wise choice as you did. Otherwise, when I lead the army south, they will have no chance."

The tone was not harsh, but it contained an unspoken warning.

It was a warning to Xun Chen as well as to the entire Xun family.

Xun Chen felt as if a thorn was on his back, and bowed his head and said respectfully: "Your Majesty... understands."

At this time, Guo Jia hurried into the Xuanshi Hall, bowed and reported: "Your Majesty, there is news from Qingzhou about Kong Wenju, the Prime Minister of Beihai."

Liu Xie paused, a little worried about Kong Rong's current situation. He asked, "How is Kong Wenju doing now?"

Guo Jia replied solemnly: "Kong Rong's uprising caused Yuan Tan's army to lose thousands of men and several cities, so he was fiercely retaliated by Yuan Tan."

"Half a decade ago, Yuan Tan issued a wanted order for Kong Rong and Taishi Ci, and led a large army to attack Beihai County. Kong Rong was defeated and had no choice but to flee. He has now fled into Jizhou."

Upon hearing the news, Liu Xie realized that Kong Rong, with only a few thousand men, would not be able to gain a foothold in Qingzhou.

After a brief thought, he said to Guo Jia: "Pass on my imperial edict and order Zhang Liao to lead 3,000 troops to meet Kong Wenju and bring him back to Yecheng safely."

The reason why Zhang Liao was able to pass through Qingzhou safely this time was entirely because Kong Rong raised an army and attracted Yuan Tan's firepower. This contribution was real.

Now that he was being retaliated by Yuan Tan, it would be too cruel for him to ignore it.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Guo Jia bowed and accepted the order, then turned and left.

……

A plain in Jizhou.

Taishi Ci led a remnant army of less than a thousand people and continued to attack. Not far behind this remnant army, there was a pursuing army following closely. It was so powerful that there were as many as six thousand people!

It was Yuan Tan’s Qingzhou Army!

Previously, Taishi Ci's delaying battle with Yuan Tan outside Shouguang County lasted for three days. Although he successfully delayed Yuan Tan's progress, he also completely angered him.

So after this battle, Yuan Tan mobilized a large army to attack the cities he had captured, and at the same time launched an attack on Beihai County.

Although Taishi Ci gave up the plan of holding on immediately and chose to evacuate and flee to Jizhou with Kong Rong, he still underestimated Yuan Tan's hatred for him. He actually led his troops to hunt him down in person, as if he would not stop until one of them died!

After more than ten days of escape, the number of his men was less than a thousand. If they were caught, they would surely die.

"General! They are catching up!"

A deputy general rode up to Taishi Ci on horseback and said anxiously.

Upon hearing this, Taishi Ci looked back and saw that the Qingzhou army was approaching. He could even see the murderous intent and anger on Yuan Tan's face!
"Ziyi! Just run away and leave me alone!"

In the carriage, Kong Rong said anxiously.

He was old and frail, and could not ride a horse for a long time, so he could only ride in a carriage. This was why, although Taishi Ci's side had fewer people, they were unable to escape the pursuit of Yuan Tan's army.

But Taishi Ci seemed not to hear it. He bent down and took out the bow and arrow from the side of the horse's belly, aimed at Yuan Tan, and then shot several arrows in succession! Taishi Ci's archery skills were quite good. This arrow went straight to Yuan Tan's head, but Yuan Tan knew that Taishi Ci's archery skills were amazing, so he was prepared and bent down to avoid these feather arrows.

However, the personal soldiers around him were not so lucky. Several of them were accidentally shot by arrows and fell off their horses, causing some chaos and slowing down the pursuit slightly.

The remaining troops of Taishi Ci also took the opportunity to put some distance between them.

But this did not make Yuan Tan give up the pursuit. Instead, it aroused his anger even more. He grinned and said, "Even if I chase you to the ends of the earth today, I will kill you!"

After saying that, he led the army to continue the pursuit!

If he did not kill Kong Rong and Taishi Ci, his prestige in Qingzhou would plummet, which would be extremely detrimental to his rule over Qingzhou.

Kong Rong, who was in the carriage, saw this and could not help but persuade him: "Ziyi, you have done your best to help me so far. You don't need to die with me. Quickly lead the soldiers to escape!"

"Take my seal and go to Yecheng. His Majesty will definitely accept you!"

He really didn't want to drag down Taishi Ci and so many soldiers because of himself, which made him feel guilty.

"Prime Minister, please don't say anything else. I swear to protect you until my death!"

Taishi Ci was not shaken by Kong Rong's words. With a gleam of determination in his eyes, he ordered his soldiers on both sides: "You escort the prime minister and continue to run. I will stay and stop the enemy!"

"What? No way!"

Kong Rong was horrified. There were 6,000 pursuers behind him. If Taishi Ci stayed behind alone to stop them, what was the difference between that and committing suicide?
Taishi Ci said in a deep voice: "Prime Minister, I'm leaving my mother in your care."

After saying that, he turned his horse around to fight!

But at this moment, the deputy general beside him reached out and grabbed him, saying in surprise: "General! Look ahead!"

Taishi Ci raised his head and looked forward, only to see a black torrent appearing on the distant plain. It was actually an army of thousands of people, with an astonishingly powerful momentum and filled with murderous aura.

"That is……"

Taishi Ci had excellent eyesight. He could clearly see that there was a word "Zhang" on the flag erected by the army in front of him, and his eyes couldn't help but light up.

At this time, Yuan Tan, who was chasing Taishi Ci in the rear, also noticed the sudden appearance of the army in front of him. He was somewhat surprised and doubtful, so he ordered his troops to slow down.

Soon, the two armies met on the plain.

The two sides were only a few hundred steps apart.

Taishi Ci and other remnant troops were trapped in the center.

In the army ahead, a burly general rode out on his horse, clasped his fists and said to Taishi Ci, "I am General Zhang Liao! I am here by the Emperor's order to welcome the Prime Minister of Beihai to Yecheng for an audience!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the remaining soldiers on Taishi Ci's side were immediately overjoyed.

Yuan Tan's face instantly turned dark!
He never imagined that the army before him was actually Zhang Liao's army that passed through Qingzhou. They were indeed secretly colluding with Kong Rong!
"General Zhang!"

Yuan Tan rode forward and stared at Zhang Liao unkindly. "Kong Rong has started a rebellion and is undoubtedly a rebel. You said that Your Majesty wants to summon him. Do you have an imperial decree?"

Murderous intent had already emerged in his heart.

Zhang Liao only had 3,000 men, while he had 6,000 men. 6,000 versus 3,000, the advantage was his! He could completely destroy Zhang Liao's army!

As for whether doing so would violate the emperor's order... Humph, a mere puppet, so what if he violated the imperial order? Just find a random excuse to prevaricate.

"Qiang——!"

In response to Yuan Tan's question, the three thousand soldiers all drew their swords in unison. The shining blades reflected the sunlight from the sky, dazzling and chilling.

Zhang Liao drew his sword and rode his horse, looking at Yuan Tan coldly and said, "Who dares not to obey the emperor's decree——"

"cut!"

As soon as the words fell, three thousand soldiers took a step forward together!
A surge of murderous intent burst out!

The remaining troops under Taishi Ci stood in front of such an elite army. Even though they knew that the murderous intent was not directed at them, they were still frightened and turned pale. They trembled and almost wanted to run away.

They were like this, not to mention Yuan Tan and the numerous Qingzhou troops who were regarded as enemies. The moment the 3,000 Xuzhou troops burst out with murderous intent, they couldn't help but feel a chill on their backs even at noon.

The same thought emerged in everyone's mind - they were no match for this army, even if they had twice as many people!

Yuan Tan also felt frightened. Only then did he notice that the Xuzhou army was wearing all black armor and standard swords, and their equipment was far more elite than that of his Qingzhou army!

"Where did Lu Bu get the money to arm such a large army?"

"Where did they get such sophisticated equipment?"

Yuan Tan was filled with confusion.

If there were only 3,000 elite-equipped men, it would be understandable. But if there were 10,000 of them... 10,000 armored soldiers, it would be chilling just to think about it. How many people in the world could have such an army!
Enough to sweep across the entire Jizhou!

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Yuan Tan took a deep look at Zhang Liao, and finally reluctantly withdrew his gaze from Taishi Ci and ordered: "Since it is the emperor's order, how can this general not obey it? Withdraw the troops!"

He was not sure of defeating Zhang Liao. His intuition told him that if a war broke out, he would definitely be defeated. The gap between the two sides in weapons and equipment as well as the quality of soldiers was too great. He would need at least three times more in number to have a chance of winning, and that was under the premise of incurring heavy losses!

Yuan Tan had no choice but to lead the Qingzhou army to retreat unwillingly.

After Yuan Tan's army retreated far away, Zhang Liao ordered his men to put away their swords, rode his horse to Kong Rong's carriage, and said, "Last time, we were able to pass through Qingzhou safely, thanks to the help of the prime minister."

Kong Rong was relieved at this time. He waved his hand and pointed at Taishi Ci and said, "It's not me who helped you. The one who led the troops was Ziyi."

He only gave the order to raise an army, but Taishi Ci was responsible for leading the troops to fight. He had been staying in Beihai County, so the whole thing actually had little to do with him.

He didn't want to take credit for it, he just wanted Zhang Liao to remember Taishi Ci's favor.

"Thank you." Zhang Liao bowed to Taishi Ci again and said, "It's getting late. Let's set off as soon as possible. We must return to Yecheng as soon as possible."

Taishi Ci nodded. Before arriving at Yecheng, they must not let their guard down. No one knew if there would be other unexpected events.

After a brief reorganization, everyone set out on the journey to Yecheng.

……

With Zhang Liao's escort, Kong Rong encountered no more accidents along the way and arrived safely in Yecheng, where he was subsequently summoned by Liu Xie.

"Since we parted last year, my dear, how are you?"

Kong Rong, who was standing in the main hall, couldn't help but look up when he heard the familiar voice. When he saw Liu Xie's smiling face, he felt extremely complicated.

More than half a year had passed since they last met, and in such a short period of time, the emperor had completed the transformation from a puppet to the one who truly held power. Not only did he drive away Yuan Shao, he also took control of the entire Ye City!
Now that Lü Bu is loyal to him, he can really do as the emperor said that day and take over the four northern states step by step, and use this as a foundation to emulate Emperor Guangwu and sweep across the world.

Kong Rong was filled with admiration, and immediately paid homage to Liu Xie, saying respectfully: "Congratulations to Your Majesty for regaining power. I am... fine."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "I'm glad you're okay. When I heard that you were being hunted by Yuan Tan, I immediately sent General Zhang to rescue you. Fortunately, you were rescued in time, otherwise I would have lost a Minister of Rites."

"I'll have to trouble you to take charge of this Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony."

Kong Rong was shocked. Minister of Rites, the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven!

Considering the time, shouldn’t we offer sacrifices to the Taimiao?
But soon, he reacted.

The emperor wanted to use the opportunity of offering sacrifices to the Taimiao to hold a grand ceremony to worship the heavens, so as to announce to the world that the emperor had escaped from trouble.

While intimidating the various princes, he also enhanced his own prestige, won the hearts of the people across the country, and attracted people with lofty ideals to come and join him.

　I thought I would have a weekend off today, but I didn't expect to have to attend court. I wrote 4500 words during the court session. I have returned to the palace and continue to write with all my heart.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)