Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 664: Changes in Xiliang
After the court meeting, Liu He specially kept Qian Li and others in the palace, had lunch together, and then gathered in a side hall to discuss matters.

"Today's matter, you all cooperated very well, which won my heart. If this matter cannot be properly resolved, I am afraid that most of the civil and military officials in this court will not let it go."

Liu He praised.

Qian Li said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. We have long been favored by Your Majesty. If Your Majesty has any orders, how dare we not obey them even to the death? Moreover, Your Majesty's move will benefit the country and the people. These ministers in the court are neglecting national affairs for their own selfish interests. It is not reasonable, reasonable, or legal for us to sit idly by."

"Yes, these guys, I thought they were more reasonable than Chen Ji and his ilk. Now it seems that they are just birds of a feather. The only difference is their choices. Chen Ji and his ilk chose the Yuan family, and they chose Your Majesty. However, they just want to use Your Majesty's hand to achieve their own interests."

Meng Jian's tone was somewhat indignant. They had followed Liu He for many years, and had been through life and death together, sharing honor and disgrace. Naturally, their friendship and trust with each other were far beyond what those court officials could compare to.

Seeing them like this, Liu He felt even more relieved.

"It seems that the affairs of the court still have to rely on you, the ministers."

Everyone was deeply moved when they heard this, but Xun Yu said, "Your Majesty's trust in us is beyond words. Although we have many selfish motives, compared to Chen Ji and others, at least we are loyal to the Han Dynasty and have no rebellious heart. Your Majesty still needs to teach them with benevolence and use them with power and strategy, so that you can be a saintly monarch."

"I don't think it's necessary." Meng Jian said.

"Those ministers, who keep saying one people, one ancestral system, one saint, always use these big words to pressure Your Majesty. They have neither the integrity of a minister nor the talent to govern a country. Otherwise, why would Your Majesty be so exhausted?"

Although his words were a bit extreme, Shi Tao, Zhao Jin and others nodded secretly. Only Qian Li and Er Xun remained silent.

After he finished speaking, Qian Li advised: "Gong Wei should not make arbitrary comments on court officials in front of His Majesty."

After he reminded him, Meng Jian realized that he had spoken without thinking and apologized hurriedly.

Liu He waved his hand and said, "Hey, Gong Wei was just angry for a moment, what's wrong with that? However, these ministers, although they are not as loyal to the country as you, my dear ministers, are generally loyal ministers, and they have supported me. They are also deeply rooted in the court and the country, so I still need to rely on them."

"Your Majesty's orders are followed."

Liu He looked at Xun Yu and said, "Now that spring has arrived and the weather is getting warmer, I think that soon, the princes will come to Luoyang one after another to perform the ceremony of congratulating the new monarch. This matter will require Lao Wenruo to worry about it."

Xun Yu stood up and saluted: "I obey your order."

Then, he changed the subject: "However, now that things have changed, I think the plan should also change."

Liu He was a little confused: "What does Wen Ruo mean..."

Xun Yu said: "Now, Liu Yan has declared himself emperor and is trying to challenge Your Majesty. Although Yizhou is weak, it is surrounded by mountains and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Although our army is powerful, it will be very difficult to wipe out Liu Yan in a short period of time."

Liu He felt the same way when he heard this: "Well, I have anticipated this. Even if we mobilize the whole country's troops, I am afraid it will not be accomplished in one day."

"That's it." Xun Yu said, "Liu Yan announced to the world, rebuking Your Majesty for doing unjust things to the courtiers who supported Your Majesty in Luoyang. Although this is a lie, nine out of ten people in the world do not know the truth, and it is inevitable that some people will be deceived by it. Now all the princes have come to the capital to pay tribute. They are all relatively loyal to Your Majesty. If you follow the original plan and keep them in Luoyang and send trustworthy people to take over their places, Liu Yan will definitely take advantage of it to slander Your Majesty, secretly harm these loyal officials, and seize their cities."

Cui Jun said: "Wen Ruo's intention is that this will affect the people's hearts and minds, and make some people who don't know the truth think that Your Majesty is really an unkind and cruel monarch?"

Xun Yu shook his head: "This is just one of the reasons. If he spreads rumors like this, the key point lies in the princes in all directions, especially those princes who are already undecided. They have their own troops and dare not go against the court, but they are afraid that they will be harmed after joining the court. If they see that those who came to Luoyang to pay tribute have not returned to their respective territories, and Liu Yan has instigated them, they will eventually decide to rebel against the court and collude with Liu Yan. It will be very disadvantageous to Your Majesty."

"Hmm... that's true. After what you said, I have an idea. I am afraid that the person who encouraged Liu Yan to become emperor behind the scenes also has this intention, just waiting for me to take this step, so that they can find a legitimate reason to rebel against me."

"Your Majesty, that is exactly the case."

"Then according to Wen Ruo, how should we deal with it?" Liu He asked.

"In my humble opinion, after these princes come to Luoyang, they should be treated well, rewarded and given titles, and then your majesty should personally escort them out of the city and return to their hometowns. However, each of them can send people to assist them. These people can come to Luoyang in person, so they are loyal to your majesty, but not all of their subordinates are the same."

"After your majesty sends his trusted confidant back to the territory with him, you can slowly investigate his civil and military subordinates, promote loyal officials, and eliminate treacherous ones. Then, when your majesty needs them, they can raise the banner in various places and be used by the court. In this way, your majesty's goal can be achieved, Liu Yan can be speechless, and these princes can be deployed as hidden chess pieces, waiting for a surprising effect in the future."

"In addition, there is no guarantee that there will not be people sent by Liu Yan who will secretly harm the princes on their way to Luoyang in an attempt to slander Your Majesty. Therefore, I think Your Majesty should send capable people to secretly protect them. This will not only prevent those people from being harmed, but also further win the hearts of these princes."

When Qian Li and the others heard this, they all showed admiration. They had heard a lot about Xun Yu, but seldom met him. They all said that among the three counselors around His Majesty, Xun Yu seemed to be the leader, so His Majesty appointed him as the Minister of the Chancellery. Now it seems that he is indeed knowledgeable and thoughtful.

After a little thought, Liu He said decisively: "Okay, let's do it. For those who are on short routes and don't pass through other princes' territories, I will send generals to lead troops to support them. For those who are on long routes or need to pass through other princes' territories, I will send the Flying Eagle Guards to go there myself."

Many days later, in a huge mansion somewhere in Zhangye County, Liangzhou.

A burly middle-aged man walked in quickly and said, "Haha, Brother Wen Yue, why did you think of inviting me to drink today?"

A man who looked a little thin but had rat eyes came out to greet him. "Haha, Brother Shoucheng, I haven't seen you for a long time. I miss you so much that I invited you to my house to have a chat. Come on, please take a seat."

These two people are Ma Teng and Han Sui who dominated Xiliang.

The two men sat opposite each other in a hall. Han Sui clapped his hands, and several maids brought in fine wine and delicious food.

Ma Teng immediately picked up the wine jug, opened it and put it to his nose.

"Hmm... Not bad, I can tell it's a good wine as soon as I smell it."

"Haha, of course. How dare I hide anything when I entertain you, brother?"

Han Sui smiled and raised the wine cup.

"It's been a while since we last met. I'd like to offer you a drink first."

"Okay, okay, okay, you and I are brothers, and we won't go home until we are drunk today!"

The two of them drank heavily. As soon as the jug was emptied, another one was brought. They drank from day till nightfall. Both of them were a little tipsy.

Ma Teng wiped his beard and looked very satisfied.

"Oh my... Think about it, since my brother Yu led his troops to Longxi County, you and I brothers may not have been able to get together for half a year."

"Isn't it?" Han Sui put down the wine jar.

"Brother, since you defeated Dong Zhuo a few years ago, you have been rewarded by the imperial court many times. I am really jealous of you."

Ma Teng looked very proud: "Haha, I am just lucky. That's all. Your talent is no less than mine. Sooner or later you will be able to make a name for yourself."

When Han Sui heard this, a gleam of light suddenly flashed in his eyes.

"Brother, you are right. I have a good opportunity recently. If I can seize it, I will rise to prominence in the future and be promoted to a noble or general. To be honest, I invited you here today because I want to share our wealth with you."

Ma Teng was immediately interested when he heard this: "Oh? After all, he is my brother. He has such a good thing, but he still remembers me. Come on, tell me, what is this opportunity?"

Han Sui leaned forward and said, "I think the court in Luoyang is incompetent and doesn't recognize talent. In recent years, they seem to have given you many rewards, but in fact, they have made you move from Xiliang to Yongzhou step by step. I'm afraid that they will take away your military power soon. I think it's better for you to surrender to the emperor of Yizhou."

Upon hearing this, Ma Teng sobered up immediately and stood up suddenly.

"Wen Yue, what nonsense are you talking about? How can you say such rebellious words?"

Han Sui also stood up and said with a smile: "This is not nonsense. They are all surnamed Liu, so how can Liu He be the emperor and Liu Yan cannot? A few days ago, Liu Yan sent an envoy to come here. As long as you and I surrender to Yizhou, we will be promoted to General Zhenxi and General Zhengxi respectively. The entire Yongliang area will be under our control, and the titles will be divided and inherited. This is a great honor and wealth. I am sincere, so I want to ask you..."

"Han Sui, you are so outrageous!" Ma Teng shouted loudly.

"The only legitimate emperor today is the one in Luoyang. Liu Yan of Yizhou, a mere old villain, dared to declare himself emperor. I am stationed in Yongzhou, and sooner or later I will go to Hanzhong on behalf of Your Majesty to put an end to this scourge. You and I are sworn brothers, and as long as you are willing to stop before it is too late, I can just pretend that nothing happened today. Otherwise, it will be too late for you to regret!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Han Sui's eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Why, brother, would you rather die than let me have all this wealth and glory?"

Ma Teng stood alone: ​​"A real man has his own ways and his own ways. How can I, Ma Teng, be a traitor to my country? I advise you to turn back as soon as possible, otherwise you will be exterminated sooner or later!"

"Okay, I'll invite you to share our glory for the sake of our friendship. It's fine if you don't appreciate it, but you curse me like this. Am I, Han Sui, so easy to bully?"

Seeing his outburst, Ma Teng was not afraid at all: "Humph, since you have the heart to betray the court, then you and I, brothers, will sever our ties today and serve our respective masters from now on. For the sake of our past friendship, I will not report what happened today to you, but if we meet on the battlefield in the future, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

After saying that, he drew out his sword, swung it, cut off a piece and a corner, and threw it hard in front of Han Sui.

Seeing this, Han Sui suddenly sneered: "In the future? Humph, you have a good idea, but I'm afraid you can't leave here today!"

He suddenly threw the wine jar in his hand to the ground. Immediately, countless soldiers ran over and surrounded the hall.

(End of this chapter)