The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 126: Where will the emperor return to?
After reading Liu Bei's letter, Cao Cao realized it was an attempt to reconcile, and he wanted to get angry.

However, he had some concerns in his heart. He held it in his hand for a while and finally sighed.

"... Oh, forget it, just wait and see."

After he finished speaking, he distributed the letters to Xun Yu and others for them to read.

It turns out that Liu Bei's letter of peace not only mentioned the hope that Cao Cao would withdraw his troops.

He also explained the benefits and disadvantages of Henan. If Cao and Liu could not reconcile, after Yuan Shao pacified Gongsun Zan, neither family would be able to resist him.

Cao Cao was threatened by the Guanxi generals to the west, while Liu Bei was threatened by Yuan Shu to the south.

Therefore, there is really no need for the two families to fight to the death for Yuzhou.

In the letter, Liu Bei promised that in Yuzhou, he would only occupy the areas north of Lu and Pei.

Will not invade other territories of Yuzhou again.

He was willing to give Cao Cao's family, that is, Qiao County in the west of Pei State, to Cao Cao.

At the same time, Liu Bei would not interfere too much in the matter of Xun's family being from the wealthy Yingchuan.

However, Liu Bei demanded that the states of Chen and Liang in the north be allowed to become independent.

Liu Bei would not annex them, and also asked Cao Cao not to annex these two small countries.

Let the two small countries simply serve as two neutral forces in the middle to ease the relationship between Cao and Liu.

Judging from this treaty alone, neither Cao nor Liu suffered any loss.

Liu Bei only wanted the area north of Pei State and one state of Lu.

Cao Cao took Qiao County of Pei State where his family was located, and Yingchuan where the Xun family was located.

As for the area south of Pei State and Runan, it was Yuan Shu's sphere of influence.

There is no conflict of interest between the Cao and Liu families here.

However, Cao Cao keenly realized that the treaty was more beneficial to Liu Bei.

Although Liu Bei demanded independence for the States of Chen and Liang, and did not annex them, it seemed fair.

But the positions of these two small countries are clearly pro-Liu.

Chen Wang Liu Chong was originally a relative of Liu Bei, and the fact that Liang Guo Gong was invited to Xuzhou to mediate showed that they had been flirting with each other for a long time.

It seemed that Chen and Liang were neutral, but in fact Liu Bei had planted two nails on the back of Yanzhou.

"Report——"

Just when Cao Cao was in trouble and hesitant, another scout suddenly came with report.

"My lord! We have received intelligence that Xuzhou has sent Zhang Liao with 3,000 troops to support Yangxia!"

what! ?

Cao Cao was slightly surprised and thought to himself, Old Liu, are you serious?

Cheng Yu said seriously:

"This must be Liu Bei's warning to my Yanzhou, even though he only sent 3,000 men."

"But if we continue to fight the State of Chen, then the reinforcements from Xuzhou will only continue to come."

"Let's not talk about who will win or lose, but it is absolutely impossible for either party to escape unscathed."

"By then, rivers of blood will flow, people's livelihood will be in decline, and the two Yuan families will benefit in vain."

Cao Cao paced back and forth with his hands behind his back and his brows furrowed.

It was a dilemma, and he pondered:

"Are you going to let Liu Bei bully you like this?"

"The public opinion is wrong."

Xun Yu came out to comfort Cao Cao.

"There has been a drought in recent years and food is hard to come by. If we continue to advance, it will only tire the troops and harm the people, and may not be beneficial."

"Why not listen to Liu Bei's advice and head to Yingchuan? There are only a few remnants of the Yellow Turbans entrenched here, so it's easy to capture."

"Then Zao Zhi was appointed as the military farm commander to promote military farms in Yingchuan."

"When the spring wheat is ripe and the army has enough food, then we can consider advancing."

As he spoke, Xun Yu took another look at the letter in his hand, and after confirming it again and again, he added:

"Besides, Liu Bei has already agreed to come forward and persuade Chen Wang Liu Chong to take out military rations to supply our army."

"Xuzhou will also send some money and food, so our army's coming here will not be in vain."

Cao Cao closed his eyes, hesitating.

He didn't like the feeling of giving up halfway. Seeing that Yangxia was about to be conquered, he felt unwilling to stop fighting.

The governor Mao Jie also came out to advise:

"Mingsir, Xu is strong and Yan is weak. Yanzhou is experiencing civil unrest. It is not appropriate to start a war."

"On the contrary, under Liu Bei's governance, Xuzhou's production has recovered to some extent. We can't delay Yanzhou any longer."

"We should listen to Sima Xun's advice and quickly move to Yingchuan to start farming!"

All the advisers supported a ceasefire, and Cao Cao finally made up his mind.

"That's fine!"

Cao Cao slapped his thigh and said angrily:
"I will write a letter to Xuande and ask him to transport the food to Chenliu as soon as possible."

"I will start from Chenliu and then go to Yingchuan."

The original plan was to conquer the State of Chen and then move westward to capture Yingchuan.

Now that he was blocked by Liu Bei, Cao Cao had no choice but to take a detour from Chenliu to Yingchuan.

However, as Xun Yu said, there were only a small number of Yellow Turban troops entrenched in Yingchuan, and Cao Cao could destroy them in a snap.

Soon, Yingchuan will be turned into their own fertile land for Caoying.

"By the way, since Liu Bei promised to let Liu Chong also contribute food, we can let Liu Chong provide the food first."

"Then our army can withdraw."

Cao Cao was a cautious and suspicious person, and he would not withdraw his troops until he got the food from Liu Chong.

The messenger quickly returned to Yangxia and reported Cao Cao's reply to Liu Chong and others.

Liu Chongxi said:

"If the two families can stop fighting, I will offer the Chen Kingdom's grain reserves."

Immediately, he ordered people to prepare 300,000 hu of grain and send it to Cao's camp.

After receiving the food, Cao Cao retreated back to Chenliu, planning to rest for two days and advance to Yingchuan the next day.

After Cao's troops retreated, Liu Chong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He hurriedly received Zhang Liao who came to support from Xuzhou, and ordered someone to send him 200 kilograms of gold to express his gratitude.

Zhang Liao declined the offer and said:
"Liao only came here on orders, and did not engage in battle with Cao's army during this retreat."

"I have not made any contribution, so I dare not accept this gift."

Liu Chong said seriously:
"If the general hadn't led his troops to intimidate Cao's army, how could Cao Cao retreat so easily?"

"Although our country of Chen is rich, it is still a small country with weak people and it is difficult to resist a strong enemy."

"The general has come here for a just cause, and everyone in Chen is grateful for his virtue."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao no longer refused and accepted the gift from Liu Chong.

Afterwards, Liu Chong ordered people to set up a banquet to entertain Zhang Liao.

During the meal, Zhang Liao explained to Liu Chong another purpose of his visit.

"To be honest with you, Your Majesty, Liao came here for another purpose."

Liu Chong said without hesitation:

"General, you can speak frankly. My country of Chen has accepted the favor from Xuzhou."

"If Xuande has any problems, there is no reason for the State of Chen not to help."

He thought to himself that although the State of Chen was rich, it was still poor compared to the huge Xuzhou.

All the State of Chen had was sufficient grain reserves.

Although there were always rumors that the State of Chen had a grain reserve of one million hu, the actual number was actually two million hu.

Therefore, Liu Chong did not feel the slightest bit of remorse when he offered 300,000 hu of grain to persuade Cao's troops to retreat.

On the contrary, if Liu Bei needed it, he would be willing to give him another 300,000 hu of grain to express his gratitude.

Zhang Liao recalled what Li Yi had told him before and said:

"You sent me to Chen State to relieve the siege and to make peace with the king."

Liu Chong raised his eyebrows and said solemnly:
"Lord Xuande has sent you here for the sake of justice, to drive back Cao's troops."

"I am extremely grateful! Chen State is willing to form a lasting friendship with Xuzhou!"

"good!"

Zhang Liao nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then told the last thing.

"...Well, Mr. Li, the military advisor of Xuzhou, also gave Liao a favor."

"What's the matter?"

"Mr. Li hopes that the king can purchase a royal carriage and build a city wall and palace in Chen County."

"...This." Liu Chong was surprised. "I already have a palace in Chen County, why do you want to build another one?"

"I don't know what will happen next."

Zhang Liao also felt puzzled, but it was just Li Yi's instruction and he was only responsible for relaying it.

"It's just that this is Mr. Li's intention, and Liao will pass it back to the king."

"...that's fine."

Although Liu Chong did not understand the meaning, he was grateful for Xuzhou's kindness and agreed.

"My country of Chen is rich, with wood, stone, bricks and tiles, and it can be done soon."

"It won't take more than a month to build a palace."

"As for money, food, and civilian supplies, they can also be used as reserves."

Liu Chong agreed to Zhang Liao's request, and then asked Zhang Liao if there was anything else he needed their Chen State to do.

Zhang Liao replied that he had nothing left, and after drinking he had to hurry back to Xuzhou to report.

Liu Chong tried again and again to persuade Zhang Liao to stay for a few more days, but Zhang Liao declined on the grounds that he was busy with official business.

Liu Chong couldn't keep Zhang Liao, so he personally saw him off for thirty miles before returning.

……

……

But it is said that in this year, Emperor Liu Xie was humiliated by two thieves, Li Jue and Guo Si.

One of these two thieves claimed to be a general, and the other claimed to be a great military commander. They acted recklessly and tyrannically, and no one in the court dared to speak out.

By April, Li and Guo turned against each other and attacked each other.

Later, General Zhang Ji, the General of Zhendong, came from Shan County to mediate. Liu Xie seized the opportunity and asked Zhang Ji to be the middleman.

He wanted to return to Luoyang in the east, and he asked for permission ten times before he got the permission from the two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si.

In July, Emperor Liu Xie returned eastward from Chang'an.

After a series of twists and turns, they finally arrived in Hedong in November this year.

There was a great famine that year, and the people had to eat only dates and vegetables, and there were corpses of starving people everywhere.

Although Liu Xie was the emperor, he could only eat millet with the empress, which was too coarse and hard to swallow.

The people in the harem could only eat dates and vegetables.

The governor of Henei, Zhang Yang, presented meat and rice, and the governor of Hedong, Wang Yi, presented silk and satin, which gradually calmed the Han emperor.

The king's uncle Dong Cheng and others knew that staying in Hedong was not a long-term solution, and the two thieves Li Jue and Guo Si would catch up sooner or later, so they planned to escort the emperor to Luoyang.

That day, the Han Emperor was walking along the river.

Seeing that there were only dozens of local residents and they had nothing to eat, they all went out of the city to peel tree bark and dig up grass roots to eat.

All the officials of the imperial court, from the Shangshulang and below, went out of the city to collect firewood, and many died among the dilapidated walls.

Liu Xie looked at the vast river and could not help but feel sad. He sighed:
"Nothing could be more devastating than the decline of the Han dynasty."

"After I die, how can I face my Han ancestors?"

Taiwei Yang Biao was afraid that the emperor would commit suicide, so he followed closely behind him and said:
"I heard that Henei Governor Zhang Yang has led his troops from Yewang to protect the emperor. I believe they will arrive soon."

Liu Xie's face did not show any joy, he just sighed:
"I'm afraid it's not to protect you, but to seek some fame and fortune from me."

Along the way, Liu Xie has seen too many people like this and he has become a little numb.

Yang Biao also sighed when he heard this, and could only offer words of comfort:
"Your Majesty, please be patient for a while. Everything will be fine after we return to Luoyang."

Liu Xie shook his head and said, "Since Dong Zhuo rebelled, Luoyang has been burned to the ground and turned into rubble."

"Moreover, the people are displaced, and only one or two out of a hundred are left."

"Even if we reach Luoyang, we will end up with a wasteland."

Ugh……

After hearing Liu Xie's complaints, Yang Biao didn't know how to comfort Liu Xie.

Liu Xie did not want to embarrass Yang Biao, so he said:

"But I was unable to get rid of the two thieves, Kuai and Si, and you have made an invaluable contribution."

"If it weren't for you, I don't know how long I would have been bullied by these two thieves."

Yang Biao kowtowed to the ground, weeping and saying:
"The Han Dynasty is in misfortune, the imperial power has been lost, and we, the ministers, will surely die for Your Majesty!"

Liu Xie sighed helplessly:
"If there were more loyal ministers in the world, the Han Dynasty would not have declined to this extent."

At this time, the uncle Dong Cheng came over and said to Liu Xie with a sad face:
"Your Majesty, although the emperor has returned to the east, the rebels are still pursuing him, and he urgently needs loyal ministers to protect him."

After a pause, he added:

"Besides, when we return to the capital in the future, Henan Yin will be a wasteland. If there is no money and food relief, it may be of no use."

Yang Biao made an opinion:
"To the east of Luoyang is Yanzhou, and this place is the closest."

"I heard that Cao Cao, the governor of Yanzhou, has a strong army and many generals. Why not summon him to the court to assist the royal family?"

Liu Xie sighed:
"I have already issued an edict, so why do you need to report it again? Just send someone to go now."

Yang Biao was about to take the order and leave when Dong Cheng suddenly spoke up to stop him.

"Cao Cao is a great lord. He defeated Lu Bu in Puyang and has just put down the civil strife in Yanzhou. His future is uncertain."

"And according to what I have heard, this man is the descendant of a eunuch."

"The example of the Ten Eunuchs is still fresh in our minds, how could Yang Taiwei forget it?"

"Besides, we don't know what's in his heart."

"There are many princes in the world, and most of the royal family members are governors of local states. Why should we only ask Cao Cao's family for help?"

"It is better to wait and see, and then look for loyal officials."

"Why did you go there alone without consulting the other ministers?"

Yang Biao replied seriously:

"The emperor is in trouble now, how can we wait and see?"

"Cao Yanzhou is the closest to Luoyang. If we inform someone in advance, we can get help as soon as we arrive in Luoyang."

"Besides, Cao Mengde once participated in the anti-Dong army, so he must be a loyal minister."

"I heard that when he was young, he served as the Northern Commander of Luoyang. He made more than ten large sticks of five colors and declared the law and discipline. Those who violated the law would be beaten to death."

"The uncle of Jian Shuo, one of the Ten Eunuchs, broke the law and was killed by this stick."

"When the Dong thief burned Luoyang and kidnapped the emperor and his carriage and headed for Chang'an, the allied forces of the princes all hesitated to move forward."

"Only Cao Mengde led an army to pursue the enemy. Although he was defeated in Xingyang, he was not like the other princes who were hypocritical and inactive!"

Dong Cheng shook his head and objected:

"But I happened to hear that he accidentally killed a good man and said, 'I would rather betray others than be betrayed by others.'"

"How can such people be loyal, kind and good?"

"Especially during his second attack on Xuzhou, he killed many people wherever he went. I heard that the Si River was choked by the killings."

"This man is so cruel, let him come to welcome the emperor."

"I'm afraid the disaster will be no less than that of Dong Zhuo. Your Majesty, please think twice!"

Yang Biao said loudly:
"People can not escape from doing wrong."

"The world is in chaos now, and many thieves are rising up."

"Even though Cao Mengde's personal morality is flawed, his heart is still with the Han Dynasty."

"It is not a good idea for us to keep arguing here."

"It would be a great blessing if Cao's army could defeat the two thieves, Kuai and Si."

The two ministers quarreled on the river bank in front of the emperor.

The quarrel attracted other ministers to come and watch.

Many people simply joined in the discussion, wondering whether or not to invite Cao Cao to come and welcome the king.

Liu Xie was listening at the side, feeling annoyed, and shouted:

"Everyone, be quiet!"

The quarrel ceased.

Liu Xie walked up to Dong Cheng and asked:
"Since Uncle Dong doesn't trust Cao Mengde, who do you think we should ask to protect the royal family?"

Before Dong Cheng could speak, Minister Zhao Wen came out and said:
"Now that we are in Hedong, why don't we seek Yuan Shao's help?"

"This man controls the land of Hebei, has a well-trained army and sufficient food, and has a population of one million. He will surely make the royal family rich overnight."

Yang Biao sneered and scolded:

"Situ Zhao, have you forgotten that Yuan Benchu is from the Hongnong King faction?"

"Earlier, I wanted to make Liu Bo'an the emperor. How can we expect such a traitor to come and welcome the king?"

Zhao Wen was speechless.

Yuan Shao has always been a member of Liu Bian's faction. When he rebelled against Dong Zhuo, the slogan he raised was to refuse to recognize Liu Xie as the emperor.

Because Liu Xie was helped to take power by Dong Zhuo.

Later, Yuan Shao even wanted to make Liu Yu, a relative of the Han royal family, the emperor, but Liu Yu was still very sober.

Rejected Yuan Shao's ridiculous request.

But after this incident, the relationship between Yuan Shao and the court became even more strained.

Although Yuan Shao was indeed very powerful, he was politically incorrect.

It was difficult for Liu Xie to rely on him.

"Then...then tell me, General Yang, besides Yuan Benchu and Cao Mengde, who else can we count on?"

Dong Cheng said:

"I heard that Liu Xuande took over Xuzhou after Tao Qian's death."

"He was training his troops in Xuzhou, cultivating farmland and training his soldiers, with the sole intention of supporting the Han Dynasty."

"Besides, he is indeed a relative of the Han Emperor. Why not send someone to ask him for help?"

Yang Biao shook his head and immediately raised an objection:
"Liu Xuande is far away in Xuzhou, and we are in Hedong. Even if we rush to Luoyang, it is still a thousand miles away."

"How can we invite him to come and protect the king?"

"In my opinion, Yanzhou is close, so this place is the best."

Dong Cheng argued:
"Although Yanzhou is close, Cao Cao's inner thoughts are unpredictable."

"It is still unknown whether he will be the next Li Jue or Guo Si."

Seeing that everyone was about to quarrel again, Liu Xie shouted:

"No need to quarrel any more, my dear nobles!"

"I have a solution."

As expected, everyone quieted down and turned their eyes to Liu Xie, listening attentively.

Liu Xie took a long breath and said calmly:

"Since some of you are pushing Cao Mengde and some are pushing Liu Xuande."

"In my opinion, it would be better to send envoys to inform these two governors at the same time."

"If these two are truly loyal ministers, they will naturally send troops to protect the emperor."

"Even if you don't send troops, you should at least send some money and food to help the royal family out of their emergency."

Situ Zhao Wen clapped his hands and praised:
"Your Majesty, this is a very good plan!"

"If we can inform both Cao and Liu at the same time, no matter who sends troops to protect the emperor, they will never dare to hijack him easily."

Everyone looked at each other, and no one raised any objections.

Seeing this, Liu Xie said:
"Since the nobles have no objection, then we will proceed as planned."

"Pass on my order and summon Cao Yanzhou and Liu Xuzhou to Luoyang to protect me."

"I will arrive in Luoyang soon!"

All the civil and military officials prostrated themselves on the ground and shouted "Long live the emperor".

……

(End of this chapter)