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

Chapter 193 Strike First, Liu Bei Defends Qing and Yan (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
The second year of the Chuping era.

The first month.

Because Liu Dai, the governor of Yangzhou, was killed by Yuan Shu, Liu Bei appointed Zhuge Xuan as the governor of Yangzhou and Sun Jian as the general who pacifies the south and the governor of Guangling. He ordered the two to jointly attack Zang Hong of Guangling and to wait for an opportunity to march on Yangzhou.

Because Liu Biao broke the blood oath, which led to Liu Dai's death, Liu Bei refused to send troops to help him. Instead, he asked Emperor Xie to issue an edict ordering Liu Biao to punish Yuan Shu and atone for his crime by performing meritorious service.

Yuan Shu learned that Yu Province and Xu Province were not making any moves. On the one hand, he made a show of force in Shouchun, and on the other hand, he sent more troops to attack Jiangxia, determined to take this opportunity to seize Jing Province.

Liu Biao was unwilling to submit to Yuan Shu, and seeing that Liu Bei was unwilling to send troops, he could only mobilize all the troops in Jingzhou to resist Yuan Shu.

After recuperating, Cao Cao of Taishan Commandery decided to attack Kong Rong of Beihai Commandery.

Although Kong Rong was defeated by Lü Bu outside Xiaopei, he still held Cao Cao in contempt.

After all, Cao Cao had nothing remarkable to show for himself in Xiaopei last year except for being besieged. In addition, Kong Rong looked down on Cao Cao’s background as a descendant of eunuchs, and thus underestimated him.

Instead of defending the city, they launched a counterattack.

In Kong Rong's words: "My talent is unparalleled, and no hero in the world can compare with me. Although Lü Bu was lucky enough to defeat me once, it would still be easy for me to defeat Cao Cao."

Ever since.

Kong Rong, with fearless courage, personally led 5,000 infantry and cavalry against Cao Cao as the main general, Guo Jia as the strategist, and Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Zang Ba, and Sun Guan as generals.

As expected, Kong Rong was defeated in one battle and fled in panic to Linzi, Qi State, to seek refuge with Jiao He, the governor of Qingzhou.

Jiao He, the governor of Qingzhou, was like Kong Rong—a man who loved empty fame and engaged in empty philosophical discussions.

They neither knew how to strengthen the army and ensure sufficient food, nor how to restrain powerful clans. Faced with the increasingly fierce land annexation in Qingzhou and the rampant Yellow Turban Rebellion, they instead turned to superstition and prayed to various gods for protection.

Even after Zhang Jiao's Yellow Turban Rebellion failed, the fact that a million Yellow Turbans could still emerge in Qingzhou was due to the inaction of the Qingzhou officials.

The reason Liu Bei instructed Cao Cao, "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures can be used. My core requirement is only one: in all matters, the common people should be the priority. Do not show mercy to officials, scholars, gentry, powerful families, and clans who are unwilling to submit!" was that he wanted to give these million Yellow Turbans a way out as much as possible.

With Liu Bei's instructions, Cao Cao showed no mercy to the powerful bandits of Qingzhou.

Within half a month, they captured more than twenty strongholds in Beihai and devised a plan to lure and kill more than ten leaders, confiscating their money, grain, land and houses.

He then appointed Xiahou Dun as the acting chancellor of Beihai and Wang Xiu, a native of Beihai, as the chief clerk of Beihai. They recruited displaced people to cultivate land and organized the people to engage in spring plowing.

He also directly implemented Liu Bei's new policies in the Siyong region in the Beihai Kingdom.

Liu Bei's tactics in the Siyong region over the past two years have essentially presented the answer to Cao Cao. With the answer readily available, Cao Cao doesn't need to bother thinking about it.

Back in the Zhongping era, when Cao Cao served as the Chancellor of Jinan in Qingzhou, he forcefully impeached corrupt officials, which led to "great success in governance and education, and peace throughout the prefecture," earning him a good reputation in Qingzhou.

Now, returning to Qingzhou, the methods are even harsher than a few years ago. Not only are corrupt officials punished, but powerful bandits are also directly attacked and killed.

Upon hearing of Cao Cao's formidable reputation, corrupt officials and bureaucrats in Qingzhou fled in droves. Local bandits either fortified their strongholds to defend themselves or submitted to the new policies of Qingzhou to save their lives. Even the Yellow Turban leaders, who had been causing havoc, sent people to negotiate with Cao Cao.

In terms of negotiation, Cao Cao was also quite eloquent.
Not only did they bring up Liu Bei's argument that he valued the common people, but they also cited the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Gebei, Yuzhou, as an example.

Although the Yellow Turban leaders were skeptical, Cao Cao was not in a hurry. He used the money and grain he obtained from corrupt officials and lawless bandits to recruit displaced people to settle and cultivate land.

Guo Jia then offered Cao Cao another suggestion, directly announcing that "Cao Cao, the governor of Yanzhou, has been ordered to enter Qingzhou to recruit soldiers. Anyone from the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou who is interested can be selected as a Qingzhou soldier."

On the one hand, they punished corrupt officials and attacked and killed lawless bandits; on the other hand, they recruited refugees to settle down and cultivate land, and recruited Yellow Turbans into soldiers. The chaotic situation in Qingzhou gradually returned to order.

Both Jiao He, the governor of Qingzhou, and Kong Rong, the chancellor of Beihai, were incompetent. The most capable fighters were the local bandits in the counties of Qingzhou and the Yellow Turbans who ravaged the entire region.

The bandits and the Yellow Turbans fought independently, and their weapons and equipment were far inferior to those of the government troops.

Compared to being thoroughly defeated by powerful governors and prefects like Yuan Yi and Zhang Miao in Yanzhou, Cao Cao was like a fish in the sea, completely unrestrained in Qingzhou.

As for Yuzhou...

Because Zhuge Xuan and Sun Jian entered Guangling, Yuan Shu was fighting Liu Biao to the death, Cao Cao occupied Mount Tai, Liu Bei issued a military order to Zhang Liao of Xiaopei to attack Shanyang County, and ordered Xu Chu of Qiao County to enter Liang Kingdom to attack Jiyin County, and Chen Wang Liu Chong of Chen County to attack Chenliu.

Ying Shao, the governor of Shanyang Commandery, Yuan Xu, the governor of Jiyin Commandery, and Zhang Miao, the governor of Chenliu Commandery appointed by Liu Yu, were in charge. Upon hearing the news, they were greatly alarmed. On one hand, they organized troops to resist, and on the other hand, they reported the news to Yuan Shao in Ye City.

Qiao Mao, the governor of Dongjun, Bao Xin, the chancellor of Jibei, Li Zan, the chancellor of Dongping, and Zheng Sui, the chancellor of Rencheng, were all on high alert and gathered troops to defend themselves.

Bao Xin, the chancellor of Jibei, originally planned to launch a surprise attack on Taishan County while Cao Cao's army was in Beihai Kingdom. However, upon receiving the news, he hurriedly withdrew Yu Jin.

They say a new year brings a new look.

Before the first month of the lunar calendar was over, Cao Cao first entered Beihai Kingdom, and Jiao He, the governor of Qingzhou, sent people to ask for help; then Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, and Liu Chong attacked Yanzhou, and Zhang Miao, Yuan Xu, and Ying Shao asked for help.

Yuan Shao felt angry but didn't know how to vent it.

"Is Liu Bei out of his mind?"

"Why not attack Yuan Shu, but instead attack Yan Province and Qing Province?"

"Has Yuan Shu been defeated by Liu Bei again?"

With Yuan Shikai in the south and Yuan Shikai in the north, it was extremely difficult for both sides to gather intelligence on each other.

Even if they do find out, it will be outdated intelligence.

Yuan Shao could only guess based on limited intelligence and his understanding of Yuan Shu.

"wrong."

Yuan Shao suddenly thought of the three Zhou brothers.

When Zhang Jin returned last time, he mentioned that Zhou Xin was still in Danyang and Liu Dai was trapped in Lujiang.

Although he was at odds with Yuan Shu, Zhou Xin would not stand idly by if Liu Bei wanted to attack Yuan Shu.

Even if Liu Bei had truly defeated Yuan Shu within a few months, it would have been impossible for him to send troops to Yan Province again.

The only possibility is that Liu Bei never used force against Yuan Shu, but instead directly attacked Yan Province.

"Yuan Shu is probably entangled with Liu Biao."

Although Yuan Shao had guessed the answer, he couldn't be happy at all. Ji Province had also been in turmoil recently.

There are also reports that the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou are planning to enter Jizhou and join forces with the Yellow Turbans of Heishan.

Like Qingzhou, Jizhou was rich in money and grain, but those who had it were powerful and wealthy families, while the common people were always the ones being exploited.

Therefore, Jizhou was also a severely affected area of ​​the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Yuan Shao originally planned to take advantage of Liu Bei's campaign against Yuan Shu to first cripple the Yellow Turban rebels of Heishan, then send troops into Qingzhou to cripple the Yellow Turban rebels there, and use Qingzhou and Yanzhou as the front line for his southern expedition.

Unexpectedly, before the plan could be implemented, Liu Bei launched an attack on Qing and Yan provinces.

The thought of Cao Cao attacking Qingzhou filled Yuan Shao with renewed anger.

The eunuchs who used to follow him around have not only grown powerful, but they also dare to show their claws.

After Yuan Shao supported Liu Yu as emperor and was appointed as Grand General, he also recruited many civil and military officials under his command.

The military generals included Zhang He, Gao Lan, Han Meng, Han Xun, Zhu Ling, Jiang Qi, Jiang Yiqu, Wang Men, Zhao Weisun, He Mao, Wang Mo, Guo Zu, Gongsun Du, Zhao Rui, Han Juzi, Lü Weihuang, Sui Yuanjin, Jiao Chu, and Zhang Nan.

Among the civil officials were Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Shen Pei, Ju Zong, Dong Zhao, Xun Chen, Xin Ping, Xin Pi, Zhang Jingming, and Cui Yan.

This group of civil and military officials included some who served as prefects, chancellors, and generals, some who were under the command of the Grand General, and some who were important officials under Liu Yu.

Without exception, they all obeyed Yuan Shao's orders.

Emperor Liu Yu, apart from his direct followers in Youzhou, actually had most of the power held openly or covertly by Yuan Shao.

Although some people advised Liu Yu to be wary of Yuan Shao, Liu Yu was self-aware. His son, Crown Prince Liu He, had married Yuan Shao's eldest daughter, and the two families were now related by marriage.

Being wary of Yuan Shao would be tantamount to destroying one's own foundation.

Without Yuan Shao, Emperor Liu Yu wouldn't even have the right to be sidelined, so how could he be expected to be on guard?
And among this group of civil officials.

Among them, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Shen Pei, Xun Chen, Xin Ping, and Xin Pi were the six most valued by Yuan Shao.

Along with Feng Ji and Zhang Jin, he was ranked as one of Yuan Shao's eight great strategists.

"General, I believe that Liu Bei is very likely to attack Hanoi. The governor of Hanoi, Miao Shang, and the chief clerk, Xue Hong, are both unfamiliar with military affairs. If Liu Bei launches a surprise attack on Hanoi, it will be difficult to defend. We should quickly send a general skilled in defense to garrison Shequan."

The one who spoke was Shen Pei, a newly recruited strategist of Yuan Shao, who is now Yuan Shao's chief secretary to the general.

Shen Pei's deduction was unanimously agreed upon by Tian Feng and Ju Shou.

Yuan Shao frowned: "Liu Bei is extremely skilled in military affairs. Last year, he defeated the hundreds of thousands of troops of Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, and Yuan Yi with only 20,000 soldiers. If Liu Bei really wants to attack Hanoi, even if there are good generals stationed at Shequan, it will be difficult to stop Liu Bei's military advance."

"What I'm worried about is whether Liu Bei wants to fight me to the death, or whether he's cooperating with the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans to contain me. If he wants to fight me to the death, no one can defeat Liu Bei unless I go in person; if he just wants to cooperate with the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans to contain me, then Liu Bei might be planning to seize Yanzhou."

Shen Pei smiled confidently: "Liu Bei was able to defeat the armies of three provinces last year not because Liu Bei was a genius in military strategy, but because the armies of the three provinces were not under each other's command and were wary of each other, which gave Liu Bei the opportunity to defeat them one by one."

"Now that Hebei is unified, all troops are under the command of the General. Whether to fight, defend, or provide support is all decided by the General. Even if Liu Bei knows how to use troops in Hebei, he will never be able to fight against overwhelming odds again."

"Therefore, all that is needed is for a skilled general to hold the city to the death, and for elite troops to set up camp in strategic locations to intimidate Liu Bei with military might. Liu Bei will then have no choice but to retreat. Although the generals of Yanzhou were defeated by Liu Bei last year, the counties are well-fed and clothed. As long as they hold the strategic locations of the cities, they will have nothing to fear from Liu Bei."

"I still believe that this year, the General should prioritize sending troops to wipe out the Black Mountain bandits."

When the Yellow Turbans of Heishan were mentioned, Shen Pei's tone became even more indignant.

The Shen family was a powerful clan in Wei Commandery. In the years since the Yellow Turbans occupied Heishan, the Shen family's business had been frequently harassed by the Yellow Turbans, and some of their members had died at the hands of the Yellow Turbans.

Shen Pei hated the Yellow Turbans of Heishan to the core.

Tian Feng and Ju Shou also agreed with Shen Pei's viewpoint. Both of them were from powerful families in Ji Province and hated the Yellow Turbans who were harassing Ji Province.

Previously, there was no opportunity to attack, but now that Youji has honored Liu Yu as emperor and established its capital in Ye City, and the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans are close to Ye City, the sooner we attack the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans, the safer Ye City will be.

The more prestigious Liu Yu's new regime became, the more prestige it gained.

Although Shen Pei, Tian Feng, and Ju Shou all believed that the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans should be dealt with first, Yuan Shao did not express his opinion, but instead looked to Feng Ji.

From Luoyang to Yecheng, Feng Ji had been advising Yuan Shao for the past few years, and Yuan Shao trusted Feng Ji more.

Most importantly, Feng Ji, like Yuan Shao, was well aware of Liu Bei's strength.

Shen Pei had never dealt with Liu Bei before, and yet he boasted of his noble lineage and deep knowledge of military strategy. He could presumptuously believe that Liu Bei's military skills were mediocre, and that he only managed to win by chance because he happened to exploit the weakness of the three provinces' armies being independent and wary of each other.

Yuan Shao dared not underestimate Liu Bei.

Yuan Shao, who came from a family that had held high office for four generations, was suppressed by Liu Bei from the time he was in the Western Garden Army. Even Cao Cao, who had always followed him, was turned against him by Liu Bei. In less than three years, Liu Bei was able to confront Yuan Shao, a noble family that had accumulated power over a century, in the north and south.

If Liu Bei hadn't been in Luoyang, Yuan Shao, who had established control of the two provinces of Qing and Yan with You and Ji as his base in less than two years, would have already become arrogant and unruly.

However, Yuan Shao's current power is due to the accumulation of the Yuan family over a century, while Liu Bei was just a minor county magistrate in Anxi three years ago.

With such an opponent, how could Yuan Shao dare to lower his guard?

“Liu Bei’s actions are unpredictable and we must not be careless.” Feng Ji understood Yuan Shao’s concerns and slowly said, “When Liu Bei first received the secret edict and took command of the Xiyuan Army, he not only did not join Jian Shuo in punishing He Jin and Zhang Rang, but instead negotiated with He Jin, offering to abandon the secret edict as a condition for becoming the governor of Yongzhou.”

"Just as He Jin was complacent and let his guard down, Liu Bei, in just a few months, expelled Zhang Wen, the then Commandant of the Capital Region, seized the military power of Huangfu Song, the Left General, and also expelled corrupt officials in Chang'an, and wiped out more than eighty powerful clans and the rebel Han Sui."

"The Liangzhou rebels, which the imperial court had spent several years trying to quell, were quelled by Liu Bei in just a few months."

"Afterwards, He Jin wanted to lead warriors from all directions into Luoyang to kill the Ten Attendants, and he also summoned Liu Bei to Luoyang, intending to eliminate Liu Bei as well. However, He Jin was killed by the eunuchs, and Liu Bei took the opportunity to quickly eliminate the eunuchs, and joined forces with Dong Zhuo to forge an imperial edict to establish Liu Xie as emperor. Even the Grand General had to avoid his sharp edge."

"Later, when Dong Zhuo seized power, Liu Bei returned to Chang'an. The Grand General issued a proclamation calling on righteous men across the land to attack Liu Bei and Dong Zhuo. Liu Bei then killed Yuan Shu in Guanzhong, forcing him to cut off his beard and abandon his robe. After the Grand General withdrew his troops, Liu Bei led his army into Luoyang and made Dong Zhuo hand over Luoyang without bloodshed."

"Afterwards, His Majesty, in the name of Grand Marshal, bestowed titles and honors. The Grand General then sent Guo Tu to join forces with hundreds of thousands of troops from the three provinces of Yan, Yu, and Xu to set up a trap in Xiaopei, luring Liu Bei to send troops to rescue Cao Cao. He also divided his forces with Yuan Si to Luoyang, and contacted Wang Yun and others, as well as the powerful local officials of Henan, to attack Luoyang."

"But as you have seen, Yuan Shu was defeated and fled to Huainan, Kong Zhou was killed, Tao Qian and Yuan Yi were beheaded, Xuzhou was taken over by Gai Xun, Taishan County was seized by Cao Cao, and the heads of 108 powerful and influential people in Henan were hung at the four gates of Luoyang. Wang Yun and others issued a document and publicly declared that their plot to rebel was to help Liu Bei, thus saving their lives by cutting themselves off from the world."

“Last year, when Yuan Shu declared himself emperor, I thought Liu Bei would be furious and attack him. But instead, Yuzhou and Xuzhou remained inactive. Liu Bei was even promoting the simplified Chinese character Thousand Character Classic in Luoyang. This spring, he launched an attack on Qing and Yan provinces. He didn’t take Yuan Shu’s declaration of himself emperor seriously at all.”

"How can Liu Bei's actions be judged by ordinary standards?"

(End of this chapter)