Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 155: Liu Bei's Plan to Conquer Luoyang Shakes the World; He Will Not Remain Confined to One Side (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
official way.

The spring breeze is like brocade, and the banners are like a forest.

The five battalions of Yongzhou troops set out from Chang'an and marched along the river toward Luoyang.

Guan Yu and Zhang Liao were in front, followed by Zhao Yun and Xu Huang.

Liu Bei personally led Jia Xu, Chen Dao, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, and Fa Zheng into the middle.

Although there were only 10,000 infantry and cavalry, Liu Bei's persistent literacy education made the spirit and morale of the Yongzhou army as solid as a mountain.

An army without faith is unlikely to possess an unyielding will. Material rewards alone cannot maintain an army's combat effectiveness year after year.

Only by upholding lofty beliefs above material pursuits and elevating initial base desires to higher ones can a truly powerful Han army be formed.

Even if local officials are corrupt, as long as the people see the emergence of a powerful Han army, they will sincerely praise and trust it.

This is what Liu Bei was pursuing.

Although building a strong and patriotic army with strong beliefs requires time to hone and test, Liu Bei was willing to try.

If successful, it will establish rules for future rulers and ministers: the relationship between the military and the people must be as close as fish and water, and ancestral laws must not be abandoned.

When he passed through Hedong, Xun You, the then governor of Hedong, came to see him off upon hearing the news.

Last year, when Guo Tai marched south to attack Hedong, Liu Bei sent Zhang Liao to provide reinforcements. Xun You successfully drove Guo Tai and his men back to Baibo Valley, thus establishing his prestige in Hedong.

Although it is not possible to make Hedong like Yongzhou for the time being, Xun You is actively suppressing powerful clans and trying his best to reinstate slave farmers and slave laborers into the official register.

Centuries-old problems cannot be solved overnight.

"Is the Imperial Uncle planning something big by returning to Luoyang this time?" Xun You's eyes were burning with curiosity, clearly having already guessed the clues.

Liu Bei did not hide anything from Xun You, and said with a light laugh, "Dong Zhuo falsely claimed to have issued an imperial edict to transfer me to the position of Grand Commandant and Governor of Yu Province, intending to take the opportunity to plot against Yong Province. He is worried that I am too powerful in Yong Province and that he cannot sleep soundly."

"Perfect timing. I also feel that Dong Zhuo's power in Luoyang is too great, and I can't sleep peacefully. Since both sides are willing to make the other submit, let's settle this directly in Luoyang."

Xun You pondered for a moment, then asked, "After Dong Zhuo is removed, what will become of the Imperial Uncle?"

"Now that bandits are running rampant, it is only right to punish the disloyal on behalf of the Emperor." Liu Bei said without hesitation, his tone firm and resolute.

Xun You's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately bowed respectfully, saying, "It is a blessing for the Han Dynasty that the Imperial Uncle is no longer confined to Guanzhong."

Liu Bei couldn't help but laugh and said, "Gongda's words have piqued my curiosity. I'm using Guanzhong as my base to gradually conquer the world, how could it be considered a partial peace?"

Xun You calmly replied, "If there are no internal troubles, and the Imperial Uncle uses Guanzhong as a base to deter foreign tribes, this would be a great fortune for the country."

"But now the world is in turmoil, and bandits are rising up everywhere. It is precisely the time when heroes are needed to seize the opportunity to rise up, sweep away the bandits and bring peace to the people. Guanzhong is remote and the army cannot move quickly. In the end, it is not as good as Luoyang."

Although one could travel from Guanzhong to Nanyang via Wuguan Pass, this route was quite rugged and difficult to traverse. It was manageable for normal troop movements, but would be very challenging if a large army needed to move quickly.

This is one of the reasons why it was easy for Yuan Shu to enter the pass but difficult to leave.

To intimidate the bandits, swift military action is necessary.

The Heluo region is located in the center of the world.

Given the current situation, Luoyang far surpasses Chang'an in both political and military influence.

"Times have changed." Liu Bei chuckled. "Back then, we had no foothold and could only seek refuge in Guanzhong to protect ourselves; now that we have a firm foothold, we can naturally seek to conquer Luoyang to shake the world."

"Will Gongda remain in Hedong, or will he return to Luoyang with me?" Liu Bei asked again.

Human intelligence is limited, and having multiple strategists around provides more references. Liu Bei still hoped that Xun You could stay by his side and offer advice.

Xun You lowered his head and thought for a while, then said, "Now that Hedong has just been pacified, if I leave, all my previous efforts will be in vain. I have a good friend in Luoyang who may be able to help you, my uncle."

"I also met this person when I was in Yingchuan. He is Zhong Yao, the official in charge of Yingchuan, and is now the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat."

"In the past, Emperor Gaozu appointed Xiao He to guard Guanzhong, and Emperor Guangwu appointed Kou Xun to guard Henan. Therefore, they were able to bring peace and tranquility to the eight directions and the region."

“Yuan Chang is skilled in both literature and martial arts, possessing the talents of Xiao He and Kou Xun. If the Imperial Uncle can employ him, there will be no worries when he goes on expeditions to quell rebellions.”

Liu Bei was well aware of Zhong Yao's abilities.

However, when Liu Bei was in Yingchuan, he did not have much contact with Zhong Yao, so even if he wanted to take advantage of Cao Cao, he did not have the extra energy.

Now that Zhong Yao has also been recruited as a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate, with such a talented person right before his eyes, Liu Bei naturally did not want to miss the opportunity. So he replied, "Since it is Gongda who recommended me, I will definitely pay him a visit after I enter Luoyang."

After parting ways with Xun You, Liu Bei continued his journey to Hongnong, where Zhang Wen, along with Cai You and Huang Guang, greeted him outside the city.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Wen asked directly, "Is there anything I can do for you, Imperial Uncle, during your trip to Luoyang?"

After Liu Bei's power grew, Zhang Wen seemed to have completely forgotten his previous conflicts with Liu Bei. He not only actively cooperated with Liu Bei's policies and military orders, but also took the initiative to make Liu Bei famous in Nanyang.

Zhang Wen also played a significant role in the eagerness of the people of Nanyang to enter Guanzhong.

Liu Bei was unwilling to get too close to Zhang Wen, a seasoned official who was opportunistic and cunning, but he also wouldn't distance himself too much.

When you have a hundred people, you'll find all sorts of different kinds.

As long as it doesn't damage the foundation upon which Liu Bei established his career, use it if you can.

Looking at Zhang Wen, who was willing to serve, Liu Bei pondered for a moment and said, "Indeed, there is something that requires Zhang Sili's assistance, but I don't know if Zhang Sili has the courage."

Zhang Wen replied without hesitation: "If it can help the Imperial Uncle, what is there to fear?"

Liu Bei then stepped closer and whispered something to Zhang Sili, and then said, "Then I'll trouble you to help me put on a self-inflicted injury ruse."

Zhang Wen's expression changed.

A bitter plot?
"Uncle, I—"

"Don't worry, it's just a superficial wound."

Then Liu Bei kicked Zhang Wen to the ground and shouted, "Zhang Wen, don't push your luck! Without me, do you think you could still be the Commandant of the Capital Region?"

"Master Dong has wanted to kill you for a long time. You should be grateful that I'm here, because only then can you save your dog's life. You even dare to tell me what to do? What kind of person do you think you are!"

“Xiaozhi, give him thirty lashes as a warning to others.”

Fa Zheng understood, took his whip and walked towards Zhang Wen, whipping him while shouting, "You old scoundrel, how dare you disrespect the Imperial Uncle!"

Hearing Zhang Wen's wailing, Cai You and Huang Guang, who were standing nearby, were completely stunned and did not understand why Liu Bei was so angry.

What exactly did Zhang Gong say to the Imperial Uncle that made him so angry?
Only after Liu Bei and the others left did Cai You and Huang Guang dare to approach and help Zhang Wen up, asking what had happened. Zhang Wen, however, offered no explanation, feigning resentment: "I have been so humble and subservient, yet the Imperial Uncle treats me this way. This is intolerable! Cai You, take the back road to Luoyang and find Zhou Bi. Tell Zhou Bi that if Dong Zhuo and Liu Bei can be eliminated, I am willing to help Yuan Shao take control of Luoyang."

Cai You exclaimed in surprise, "What do you mean by that, Lord Zhang? Zhou Bi is a trusted minister of Dong Zhuo. How could he possibly have the idea of ​​eliminating Dong Zhuo?"

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask! If Zhou Bi doesn't believe you, just keep cursing him, the harsher the better. If you can get this done, I'll guarantee your future." Zhang Wen didn't give Cai You any further explanation, his tone even more vicious, and then added, "If you don't want to, then let Huang Guang go."

Cai You hurriedly said, "I am willing to go! I am willing to go! Huang Guang is still the Prefect of Hongnong. If he goes to Luoyang, he will surely cause trouble."

Although he didn't know the reason, Cai You had always trusted Zhang Wen. Without Zhang Wen, Cai You didn't know how many times he would have died.

Then Zhang Wen instructed Huang Guang, feigning anger, "Go find Yang Biao's clansmen in Hongnong and tell them that I have been humiliated by the Imperial Uncle today and am willing to help Yuan Shao succeed."

Huang Guang was puzzled: "I have been suppressing the Yang family in accordance with the orders of my uncle. Now the Yang family hates me to the bone. Why would they believe me?"

Zhang Wen sneered: "Yang Biao's wife is the great-granddaughter of Situ Yuan An. After Yuan Wei and Yuan Ji died, the Yuan family members were all imprisoned. Although Yang Biao was lucky enough to survive, he must be terrified."

"Only if Yuan Shao takes control of Luoyang can the situation be saved. If the Yang family is unwilling, then they are my enemies. If I cannot live, they will not live either."

"Go and do it immediately, and do not ask any questions."

Huang Guang hesitated, suppressing his questions.

After giving instructions to Cai You and Huang Guang, Zhang Wen couldn't help but think to himself: "This disciple of the Imperial Uncle really knows how to beat people! Heh! I hope Cai You and Huang Guang can accomplish something, otherwise I'll have suffered this beating for nothing."

On the road.

Liu Bei and Jia Xu traveled together.

Because Liu Bei asked Jia Xu to find a way to kill Zhou Bi, Jia Xu prepared more than a dozen plans for Liu Bei, each of which could put Zhou Bi to death.

One of them was to have Zhang Wen carry out a self-inflicted injury scheme.

"Although Zhang Wen is steady and reliable, his two subordinates are too impulsive. This plan may not succeed." Liu Bei said with a gentle smile, but he was not worried about it.

Jia Xu, however, said with certainty, "Impulsiveness is good. If one is too cautious, it will only arouse suspicion. If Zhang Wen's trusted confidants had been more cautious in their work, Zhang Wen would not have ended up in this predicament."

"The more rash Cai You is, the more Zhou Bi will believe that Zhang Wen has no one to rely on and is no longer the renowned Grand Commandant he once was; furthermore, the Yang family of Hongnong has spread the news of the Imperial Uncle humiliating Zhang Wen to Luoyang, and Zhou Bi will have no choice but to believe it."

"Zhou Bi wanted his uncle to stay in Chang'an to confront Dong Zhuo so that he could plan for Yuan Shao in Luoyang in the future; but his uncle directly led troops into Luoyang to fight against Dong Zhuo, which made Zhou Bi feel scared."

“When a person is frightened, he will reveal his weaknesses and will not be far from death.”

Liu Bei couldn't help but laugh: "Wenhe is meticulous in his actions. Zhou Bi is truly unfortunate to have encountered Wenhe."

Jia Xu also laughed: "Those who borrow the tiger's might will only make people laugh when they encounter a real tiger."

Dong Zhuo was a tiger, and so was Liu Bei. Zhou Bi, relying on his skill in strategy, wanted to use Dong Zhuo's tigerish power to intimidate others and then make Dong Zhuo and Liu Bei fight each other.

Little did they know that, for a tiger, no matter how cunning a fox is, it can only rely on external forces to be powerful for a time, while its essence is the weakest and most vulnerable.

As Jia Xu predicted.

When Zhou Bi learned that Liu Bei had not only not stayed in Chang'an to fight Dong Zhuo, but had instead led a large army directly towards Luoyang, he panicked.

"Damn it. Didn't Qian Zhao tell Liu Bei what I said? How could Liu Bei still lead his troops into Luoyang? Does he really intend to become the governor of Yu Province?"

Zhou Bi's intention was merely to instigate; he never truly wanted Liu Bei to go to Yuzhou.

The alliance between Dong Zhuo and Liu Bei, with one controlling Luoyang and the other Chang'an, already posed a significant challenge for Zhou Bi.

If in the future Dong Zhuo controls Chang'an and Luoyang, and Liu Bei controls Yuzhou to conquer neighboring counties and kingdoms, and the two join forces to eliminate the bandits, Zhou Bi cannot imagine how Yuan Shao will have any chance to grow stronger.

"No! Liu Bei and Dong Zhuo could never get along!"

Zhou Bi's eyes were somewhat bloodshot, much like a gambler who confidently went all in only to find his hand was worse than his opponent's.

Unwilling to accept defeat in his instigation, Zhou Bi hurriedly went to find Dong Zhuo.

However, they discovered that Dong Zhuo was not at the Sikong Mansion, but was having a drunken night at the You Palace built by Liu Hong, and issued a death order that he should not be disturbed.

After Yuan Shao withdrew his troops, Dong Zhuo's tense mood relaxed considerably.

It is said that when people are well-fed and clothed, they think of money and desires. Dong Zhuo no longer suppressed his desires and frequently visited Liu Hong's former palace.

Normally, Dong Zhuo should not have touched the beauties Liu Hong had in the palace; that would have been blasphemy.

But Dong Zhuo didn't care about all that. He had the reins of power now, so what did it matter if he desecrated it?

According to Dong Zhuo: I didn't bully Empress Dowager He and Princess Wannian, nor did I bully the Princess of Hongnong and Empress Fu, nor did I rob the female relatives of princes and ministers. I just wanted to have fun with the beauties in the palace. What's wrong with that?

Unable to find Dong Zhuo, Zhou Bi could only seek out Wang Yun, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and tell him his worries.

After Dong Zhuo seized power, he continuously courted ministers and scholars to enhance his political prestige.

He not only exonerated Chen Fan and Dou Wu, who were labeled as traitors, as well as many other party members who were arrested and killed, and restored the titles of Chen Fan and others, and promoted their descendants to official positions, but also recruited famous scholars such as Xun Shuang, Han Rong, Chen Ji, and Cai Yong as his advisors.

Wang Yun, who was well-known in the court, was promoted to Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

Wang Yun was unaware that Zhou Bi had secretly advised Dong Zhuo to appoint Liu Bei as Grand Commandant and Governor of Yu Province, nor was he aware that Zhou Bi harbored ulterior motives. He simply thought that Zhou Bi was being paranoid.

He dismissed the matter, saying, "Your Highness has always been loyal and diligent. He not only supported His Majesty's ascension to the throne but also decisively defeated the rebel Yuan Shu. Now, he has responded to the imperial edict and gone to Yu Province. What do you have to worry about?"

Zhou Bi had no way to express his suffering, so he could only make up a story: "The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat may not know this. In the past, I and the Imperial Uncle were together when the Imperial Governor asked the Imperial Uncle why he gave the secret edict to Dong Zhuo, who was greedy and cruel. The Imperial Uncle said that Dong Zhuo was a wolf with ambitions and would be eliminated sooner or later."

"I have long served under Minister Dong, and I have often heard him angrily berate the Imperial Uncle after drinking, expressing his resentment that the Imperial Uncle had occupied Yongzhou, and saying that he would not tolerate others sleeping soundly beside his bed. If the Imperial Uncle were to enter Luoyang this time, and truly intend to contend with Minister Dong, Luoyang would be thrown into chaos once again!"

"I believe that it is impossible for Dong Sikong and Liu Huangshu to be truly at peace, and a war is inevitable sooner or later. Both the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and I were promoted by Dong Sikong, so we must consider the future."

Wang Yun was intrigued by this. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment before saying, "I will go find Minister Dong first."

Zhou Bi sighed softly: "The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat cannot see Minister Dong now. Minister Dong is currently drunk at the Palace of the Wanderers. I have just returned from the Palace of the Wanderers."

Wang Yun's expression changed, and he became resentful again, clearly quite displeased with Dong Zhuo's drunken outing to the palace.

"What does Minister Zhou think we should do now?" Wang Yun asked, frowning.

When Zhou Bi saw Wang Yun asking, he was secretly delighted and said, "Why don't we send a messenger to Hangu Pass first, and have the Imperial Uncle stay temporarily in Xin'an City, west of Hangu Pass? He cannot enter the pass without an imperial edict."

Wang Yun frowned even more: "My imperial uncle has come by imperial decree, how can we not allow him to enter the pass?"

Zhou Bi said solemnly, "These are extraordinary times! We must be on guard! We can send Cai Shizhong to deliver the order and take the opportunity to test the Imperial Uncle's intentions. If the Imperial Uncle has no intention, then I was just being paranoid, and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat will not need to seek out the Minister of Works again."

(End of this chapter)