Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 279: To revive the Han Dynasty, we must attack Guanzhong

In May, Zhang Yu defeated Gongsun Zan at the southern border of Yan, led his troops to station at Yishui, and moved the people of Zhao and Yan northward.

Gongsun Zan was deeply afraid of Zhang Yu, so he accepted Guan Jing's advice and agreed to Yuan Shao's conditions, exchanging Bohai County for Qu Yi's troops to rescue the city.

Therefore, Yuan Shao, who had been watching in Hebei for several months, divided his troops into three routes. Qu Yi led his troops north to support Gongsun Zan, Yuan Shao led a large army to attack Shangdang, and Chunyu Qiong and Zhang He led troops to take Henei.

While Hebei was in turmoil, Henan became increasingly lively due to Lu Bu's surprise attack on Yanzhou.

With the conspiracy of Yuan Shu, Zhang Miao and Lu Bu, there were not many people in Yanzhou who were loyal to Cao Cao. Led by Chen Gong, Lu Bu went straight to Cao Cao's old nest Dongjun; Zhang Miao established his own regime in Chenliu and sent troops to support Lu Bu; Yuan Shu coveted the counties and appointed his cousin Yuan Xu as the governor of Jiyin.

Of course, the chaotic situation in Yanzhou not only attracted Yuan Shu, but also attracted the forces of the imperial court and Yuan Shao.

The imperial court had no strong army and had no intention of intervening in the affairs of the Central Plains, but Liu Bei wanted to make achievements, so he wrote a petition to Liu Xie. Liu Xie was a young emperor and had the idea of reviving the Han Dynasty. In addition, Luoyang was short of food and grass, so Liu Bei was appointed as the governor of Yanzhou and lived in Zhongmu.

Although Yuan Shao focused his attention on Hebei, he also coveted the counties of Yanzhou. So he adopted Xu You's proposal and sent his subordinates Guo Zu and Gongsun Du to cross the river and occupy Jibei of Yanzhou.

For a time, the chaos in Yanzhou attracted the attention of many neighboring forces. Only the three counties of Juancheng, Fan, and Dong'e, led by Xun Yu and Cheng Yu, were still loyal to Cao Cao.

After Cao Cao learned that his hometown had been robbed, he hurriedly evacuated Xuzhou and rushed back to Dongjun without stopping. He first lifted the siege of Juancheng and then confronted Lu Bu in Puyang.

While Cao and Lu were fighting for Puyang, the imperial court suffered a food crisis due to drought.

Luoyang, Yu'an Palace.

Liu Xie looked worried and said, "Since the court moved east to Luoyang, I have ordered the gathering of refugees because the capital has been in decline. Now it has been three months without rain, and there is a locust plague. The cost of wheat in the capital is over ten thousand coins per bushel. The soldiers and officials are short of food. I wonder if you have any solution?"

Liu Xie's luck was really bad. Last year, the imperial court moved east to Luoyang. The princes all over the world offered tributes, especially with the strong support of Zhang Yu and Yuan Shao, he was able to survive the food-scarce autumn and winter seasons.

During this period, in order to restore the prosperity of Henan Yin, Liu Xie gathered the refugees around Henan Yin and slightly restored the vitality of Luoyang. Spring is the time for farming, but from the end of February to the end of May, there was no rain for almost three months.

Luoyang is a basin, surrounded by mountains and water, so drought is still acceptable. But now due to drought, locusts have suddenly attacked Luoyang, eating crops in the fields, and rice and wheat have died wherever they go. Therefore, the price of grain in the capital can be said to be different on the same day.

As for the three neighboring states of Ji, Yong and Bing, they also suffered from severe drought and tightened their food supplies internally. Not only did they ban the sale of food, they also re-instated the prohibition on alcohol and prohibited the sale of alcohol.

Now the court has no food supply outside and is seriously short of food inside. If we don't find a way to get food, when the autumn and winter are even more difficult, I'm afraid that cannibalism will break out in the capital area.

Kong Rong stepped out of the line, holding a tablet in his hand, and said, "Your Majesty, the population of Bing and Yong is rich, and the prefectures are vast, so there should be surplus grain, so why not ask Zhang Yu to donate grain!"

After Kong Rong was defeated by Yuan Tan, he fled to Luoyang alone. Because of his fame, the imperial court appointed Kong Rong as Shaofu.

"The population of these two states is smaller than that of Ji and Jing states. Now they are both suffering from drought. Moreover, Zhang Yu has been ordered to go on a long expedition to Youzhou. So it is not appropriate to ask Zhang Yu for food!" Dong Cheng said, "In my opinion, we might as well ask the general to donate food."

Liang Shao said dissatisfiedly: "The whole world belongs to the king. In the past, Guanzhong was the land of Sili. Because the court moved east, they had to set up Yongzhou. Now the court has no food, why can't we ask Guanzhong for food? And we should not only ask Zhang Yu for food, but also ask Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao for food."

"Yuan Shao is openly obedient but secretly rebellious. Even if we send an envoy now, it will be difficult to get food and grass. So in my opinion, we might as well let Yuan Shu and Zhang Yu offer food!" Kong Rong said.

Kong Rong knew the trick of picking the weak ones to pick on. Zhang Yu and Yuan Shu had made great efforts in moving the capital before, so it was not difficult for them to offer grain to the court now. But Kong Rong was afraid of Yuan Shao, as his family was in Yuan Shao's hands. If he made him unhappy, his whole family would be killed.

"Zhang Yu went on an expedition to Youzhou and consumed a huge amount of supplies. If we ask him for food now, I'm afraid Zhang Yu won't be willing to do so!" Shisun Rui said worriedly.

Kong Rong disagreed and said, "Zhang Yu is the son-in-law of the Wang family. He was born in a humble family and became successful because of his teacher. In the past, I had a relationship with my teacher. Now my elder brother Wen is the governor of Zuofeng and his son is the governor of Henei. I wrote to the father and son of the Wang family, and the court issued an edict to them and Zhang Yu. Therefore, it is not difficult to ask Guanxi to offer grain."

"What do you think, Mr. Zhu?" Liu Xie asked.

Zhu Jun frowned and thought deeply, then said, "Wang Zishi was a loyal minister of the court, so we can posthumously honor him as Wang Zishi, and then order the Wang family and his son to offer food, and send envoys to issue an edict to Zhang Yu. As for Jing and Ji states, we also need to send envoys."

"good!"

Liu Xie nodded and said, "Let's follow Mr. Zhu's advice!"

Liang Shao seemed to have different opinions, but when he saw Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo and other Zhang Yu's minions in the court, he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

In the palace, Liu Xie discussed some miscellaneous matters with the ministers, and then asked them to leave. However, Liang Shao had a secret to report, so after leaving the court, he sent someone to ask for an audience with Liu Xie.

Although Liu Xie was young, he knew which people in the court were trustworthy. When he saw Liang Shao asking for a private meeting, he invited him to meet in a side room and dismissed the attendants around him.

"I wonder if Lord Liang has any secret words that cannot be known to the ministers?" Liu Xie asked. Liang Shao sat at the table and said solemnly: "The princes are separatist in the Central Plains, and many bribe the ministers to be their eyes and ears. Your Majesty wants to revive the Han Dynasty, which touches the princes' reverse scales. Therefore, Shao wants to present the strategy of reviving the Han Dynasty, but he can only meet with Your Majesty in private."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xie sat up straight and asked, "Where does the plan to revive the Han Dynasty come from?"

Liang Shao said in a heavy tone, "The reason why Emperor Taizu was able to revive the Han Dynasty was because of his military power, which made the world feared by his powerful army. Now the princes have seized control of the states and counties, each with tens of thousands of soldiers. Your Majesty, if you want to revive the Han Dynasty, you must strengthen your minions, and strong minions need money and food supplies."

"Today, if we want to get money and food, we need to pay taxes to the prefectures and counties. However, the capital is in decline, and the court has jurisdiction over hundreds of miles. It is not easy to support the court officials. Therefore, if Your Majesty wants to revive the Han Dynasty, you need to use the taxes for your own use, and the key to obtaining taxes is to restore the prefectures and counties."

Liu Xie frowned slightly and said, "The states and counties around the capital all have their own masters. Zhang Yu got Yong and Bing, Yuan Shao took Ji and Qing, and Yuan Shu took Jing and Yu."

Liang Shao thought for a while and said, "Now that Zhang Yu has gone on a expedition to Youzhou, the prefectures and counties in Guanzhong are empty. Your Majesty, why don't you seize Guanzhong as your base? The various clans in Guanzhong are enjoying the favor of the Han Dynasty. If your Majesty controls it, the counties and towns will submit. At that time, you can gather troops and draw Yizhou from the south for support. Then your Majesty will be able to emulate Emperor Gaozu and go east to Guanzhong to compete for supremacy in the world."

"This~"

Liu Xie looked embarrassed and said, "Zhang Yu was ordered to go to war, but if I now attack Guanzhong as my base, I am afraid that I will be criticized by the ministers of the world. Moreover, Zhang Yu is a great military hero. He defeated Li Jue in the west and Gongsun in the north. If the court attacks Guanzhong, Zhang Yu will be furious. When Zhang Yu invades the capital, I am afraid that no one can stop him!"

Liang Shao stroked his beard and said, "When the late emperor was alive, he used Zhu Jun, Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi to suppress the Yellow Turbans. Among them, Zhu and Fu were famous in the Central Plains and had the ability of famous generals. So if Zhang Yu invades, Your Majesty can send the two to resist him. Moreover, Yuan Shao has been resentful of Zhang Yu for a long time. Your Majesty can control Zhang by allying with Yuan."

"Zhang Yu has been a great supporter of the Han Dynasty. I cannot bear to engage in war with such a meritorious official!" Liu Xie said.

Liang Shao said with a slightly excited tone: "Your Majesty, if Zhang Yu had the Han Dynasty in his heart, he would not have forced Your Majesty to set up Yongzhou. The court still has soldiers and generals. If we do not take advantage of the emptiness of Guanzhong to use military force, the Han Dynasty will be difficult to revive for the third time!"

"When we reach Guanzhong, Dong Cheng, Lu Bu and others will see that Zhang Yu is weak and will change sides and return to your majesty's army. There will be no need to worry about Zhang Yu invading!"

Liu Xie hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let me summon Lord Zhu to question him. If we want to conquer Guanzhong, only Lord Zhu can lead the troops!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

It is said that Zhu Jun wanted to return home after the court session, but suddenly he heard that Liu Xie had sent someone to urgently summon him, so he went back to the palace to meet Liu Xie.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you~"

"No gift!"

Liu Xie got off the bed and helped Zhu Jun, who was about to salute, up, saying, "I have an important matter that I need your advice on!"

"May I ask what is the matter?"

Liang Shao told Zhu Jun the truth about his plan to stab Zhang Yu in the back and seize Guanzhong as the foundation of the court.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jun's wrinkled face showed astonishment, and he said, "Zhang Yu was ordered to go on a long expedition against Gongsun Zan. If he were to attack and seize Guanzhong now, wouldn't that frighten the righteous men?"

Although Zhang Yu forced the court to set up Guanzhong, in the eyes of the world, Zhang Yu had the merit of supporting the Han Dynasty. If we attack Zhang Yu, who is a Han Dynasty supporter, it will probably be a warning to the princes of the world, and they will be more wary of the court's actions.

Liang Shao asked Zhu Jun in a deep voice, "Mr. Zhu, how does the gain and loss of people's hearts compare to the three restorations of the Han Dynasty?"

"Today's emperor is wise and can understand the general trend. If we can retake Guanzhong now and then draw troops and food from Yizhou in the south, Your Majesty will be able to continue the work of Emperor Gaozu. With the legacy of the Han Dynasty and to appease the hearts of the gentry in the world, you will be able to rebuild the Han Dynasty. But if we follow the story of the eastward migration of the Ji and Zhou dynasties, the Han Dynasty will sooner or later perish at the hands of the princes!" Liang Shaoyi said righteously.

"Besides, Guanzhong was originally the land of the capital. Your Majesty had no choice but to appoint Zhang Yu as the governor of Yongzhou because of his coercion and inducement. All the land in the world belongs to the king. If the court takes Guanzhong, why should it be afraid of rumors?"

Zhu Jun exhaled a breath of foul air and said, "The strategy proposed by Liang Shangshu is exactly in line with the situation. Ji Zhou moved east to Luoyang, and the princes attacked and finally unified Qin. Now if the Han Dynasty does not save itself, it will sooner or later fall into the hands of the princes. However, I think that the strategy of taking Guanzhong is not the best strategy. Moreover, if Zhang Yu knows about it, the relationship between the monarch and the ministers may be broken!"

"Breaking with Zhang Yu, but still getting Guanzhong, what's wrong with that?" Liu Xie looked at Zhu Jun expectantly and asked, "Please ask Lord Zhu to go to war for me!"

Zhu Jun hesitated for a long time, then clasped his hands and said, "I am old and weak, so it is difficult for me to lead a long expedition. Since it is for the revival of the Han Dynasty, I am willing to do my best to lead the court again!"

Liu Xie was overjoyed. He shook Zhu Jun's hand and asked, "How do you plan to use your troops?"

Zhu Jun hesitated for a moment and said, "Although Zhang Yu has fled to Youzhou, there are still troops left in Guanzhong. Now there is a food shortage in the capital, and I request to lead the troops to Hongnong to seek food and make plans for Guanzhong for Your Majesty."

"Mr. Zhu is a loyal minister to the Han Dynasty. We should honor him!"

(End of this chapter)