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

Chapter 197 Shen Pei falls into another trap, Liu Bei seizes Hanoi (Seeking subscriptions and monthly votes)
Although Ju Shou came from a prominent family in Hebei, he was ambitious and resourceful from a young age. He was recommended as an outstanding talent and served as magistrate of two counties. He was later appointed as a deputy governor and cavalry commander by Han Fu.

However, Qiao Mao came from a prominent family in Henan and was a cousin of Grand Commandant Qiao Xuan. He was quite powerful and influential. Before the world was in chaos, he had served as the governor of Yanzhou, and now he was the powerful governor of Dongjun.

During this period, he also joined Ding Yuan and Wang Kuang in attacking Luoyang, assisted Yuan Shao in forging letters between the Three Dukes to send troops to various prefectures and counties to launch an attack on Liu Bei and Dong Zhuo, and set up a trap with Yuan Yi and others in Xiaopei to kill Liu Bei.

Regardless of background, family history, identity, status, or the major events he participated in and the power he wielded, Ju Shou was far inferior to Qiao Mao.

This is also why Qiao Mao dared to scold Ju Shou.

In other words, although Ju Shou was more talented than Qiao Mao, in Qiao Mao's eyes he was just a scholar who had never led troops.

In the past, Qiao Mao was also arrogant and thought he could easily defeat Liu Bei, a poor villager from Zhuojun.

However, after being thoroughly defeated by Liu Bei, Qiao Mao finally understood the difference between people. Wherever Liu Bei was, Qiao Mao would choose to avoid his sharp edge.

With this mindset, Qiao Mao was very annoyed by Ju Shou's self-righteous cleverness.

Especially after repeatedly emphasizing that they should not be enemies with Liu Bei, when Ju Shou still wanted to use the imperial edict to exercise the power of the General Who Pacifies the South, Qiao Mao was no longer willing to give Ju Shou any face.

Yuan Yi was once the governor of Yanzhou, and I will still criticize him when necessary.

You, Ju Shou, think you can order me to fight Liu Bei to the death with just an imperial edict?

However, Ju Shou was also stubborn, straightforward and inflexible.

They didn't care at all about Qiao Mao's background, family, status, or how much power he wielded. After being scolded by Qiao Mao, they instantly lost their temper: "Disobeying His Majesty and the General's orders, and only caring about defending Puyang, the disaster in Yanzhou will begin with you!"

There was a clang.

Qiao Mao drew his sword directly: "Ju Shou, I am the Prefect of Dongjun. How I defend Puyang is none of your business! Are you trying to test the sharpness of my sword?"

Seeing Qiao Mao suddenly draw his sword, Chen Gong quickly stepped forward to stop him and advised, "My lord, please calm down. We have a formidable enemy before us. We should join hands to fight them, not fight each other!"

Qiao Mao sneered: "How could I not know that a formidable enemy is at hand? But now Ju Shou wants to fight me! If he is truly capable, then go and defeat the bandits of Baima City and Baima Ferry; if he is not capable, then don't try to show off your military strategy in front of me."

Chen Gong then urgently advised Ju Shou: "General Pingnan, things have come to this point, there's no point in arguing any further. We should think about how to deal with the future first."

"Liu Bei has few troops. Even if he really launches a surprise attack on Ye City, he is unlikely to defend it. I predict that Liu Bei will still focus on conquering Yan Province."

At Chen Gong's earnest urging, Qiao Mao and Ju Shou temporarily abandoned their dispute, but neither intended to discuss countermeasures with the other.

Helpless, Chen Gong could only privately discuss countermeasures with Ju Shou before returning to find Qiao Mao to discuss the matter.

"The Grand General has appointed Tian Feng as General Who Pacifies the East, with an imperial edict to oversee Jibei, Dongping, Rencheng, and Shanyang. At present, Cao Cao is in Beihai, and only Zhang Liao is attacking Shanyang County."

"The General Who Pacifies the South has already sent a letter to the General Who Pacifies the East, requesting that Bao Xin, the Chancellor of Jibei, and Li Zan of Dongping County lead their troops into Dongjun; Shen Pei, the General Who Pacifies the West in Hanoi, and the General Who is suppressing the Yellow Turbans of Heishan, upon hearing that Liu Bei has launched a surprise attack on Yecheng, will surely also lead their troops into Dongjun to besiege Liu Bei."

"Faced with the siege of our large army, Liu Bei can only flee back to Luoyang. After Liu Bei escapes, the general can gather the troops and either attack Yuzhou in the south or take Qing and Xu in the east."

Upon hearing Chen Gong's plan, Qiao Mao sneered, "Gongtai, Ju Shou's scheme is just the talk of a scholar. He doesn't understand Liu Bei's use of troops at all. You shouldn't get involved. As long as you help me defend Puyang, I will be invincible."

the other side.

Upon hearing the news of Liu Bei's surprise attack on Ye City, Yuan Shao immediately abandoned his plan to conquer Heishan and hurriedly led his troops back to Ye City.

Ye City not only housed the families of Yuan Shao and his officials, but also the most crucial person—Liu Yu.

Yuan Shao and his family members, though robbed, could remarry and have children. But if Liu Yu were robbed, Yuan Shao would have no choice but to follow Yuan Shu's example and declare himself emperor.

Although Yuan Shao had similar thoughts, he understood even more clearly that now was not the time to declare himself emperor.

Once Yuan Shao declares himself emperor, the lie that Liu Xie was installed through a forged imperial edict will be exposed.

The reason why powerful clans supported Yuan Shao in supporting Liu Yu to become emperor was because it allowed them to perpetuate their vested interests.

But if Yuan Shao were to declare himself emperor, how would the spoils be divided? Yuan Shao would have to reach an agreement with the powerful clans and aristocratic families beforehand.

Just like how Cao Pi promulgated the Nine-Rank System for Officials after becoming emperor.

You want to usurp the Han throne? Sure! No problem!
But you can't be the only one eating meat; we can only have porridge.

Supporting Liu Yu was a way of telling the powerful families that everything would remain the same as before.

Even if he wanted to suppress powerful clans, Yuan Shao would wait until the time was right before taking action.

One thing is certain: definitely not now!
After all, Yuan Shao was not Yuan Shu. He would not be like Yuan Shu, who disregarded rules and profit sharing, and who made a hasty and shoddy attempt to become emperor regardless of the future.

Therefore, Yuan Shao would rather abandon the campaign against the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans than not return to Ye City as quickly as possible.

By the time Yuan Shao hurriedly returned to Ye City, Liu Bei had not only left Ye City but had also crossed the river to the other side.

Seeing the banner that read "Uncle Liu of the Han Dynasty" left behind by Liu Bei, Yuan Shao was so angry that his hair stood on end. He drew his sword and chopped the banner to pieces.

"Liu Bei, you scoundrel, have insulted me far too much!"

Although Yuan Shao was constantly suppressed in his struggle against Liu Bei, he still managed to establish a foothold in Hebei thanks to the Yuan family's century-long accumulation of wealth and his cautious and decisive approach in adversity.

If we change the context, consider Yuan Shao, who was able to control Qing and Yan provinces from You and Ji provinces by the end of the first year of the Chuping era. Who among the heroes of the world could rival him?

However, although Yuan Shao became stronger, his rival Liu Bei also became stronger.

How could a country bumpkin from Zhuojun, who had no history of accumulating wealth over a century, be better than a nobleman from the Yuan family, who had a history of accumulating wealth over a century? Moreover, he was able to launch a surprise attack on Yecheng when his power was at its peak.

Could it be that Liu Bei is Sun Bin, and I, Yuan Shao, am Pang Juan, destined to be suppressed to death?

Feng Ji's expression was also not good.

After Shen Pei, Ju Shou, and Tian Feng were appointed General Who Pacifies the West, General Who Pacifies the South, and General Who Pacifies the East respectively and went to Hanoi and Dongjun, Feng Ji believed that Yuan Shao could go to conquer the Yellow Turbans of Heishan without any worries about the rear.

Although Shen Pei, Ju Shou, and Tian Feng underestimated Liu Bei, Feng Ji reminded them and believed that their deployment of troops to guard against Liu Bei was flawless.

However, Feng Ji did not expect that Liu Bei would be able to bypass the outer defenses and directly attack Ye City.

Even the most unconventional person shouldn't be able to surprise people to this extent!

Wasn't Liu Bei afraid of being surrounded and killed if his surprise attack failed?
Looking at the "Uncle Liu of Han" banner that had been smashed to pieces by Yuan Shao in his anger, Feng Ji fell into deep thought: Liu Bei is now a great general, so why is he still as bold and reckless as he was at the beginning?

Previously, Liu Bei was just a minor county constable. Although his appointment as an inspector was impressive, it was still just an ordinary position.

It's normal for people of low social status to be bold enough to seek exorbitant profits.

For example, Man Chong was merely an acting magistrate of Gaoping County, yet he dared to torture the inspector to death.

For example, Xu You dared to conspire with Wang Fen to depose the emperor when he was still a commoner.

Even Feng Ji himself planned the entire assassination of Liu Bian, the Prince of Hongnong.

But Liu Bei's status has already reached the pinnacle of a subject's power, yet he still risks his life. Does he want to die even faster? Feng Ji thought he understood Liu Bei very well, but after witnessing Liu Bei planting his flag in Ye City, he realized that he didn't understand Liu Bei at all.

After following Yuan Shao into the city, Feng Ji saw that Ye City was already in a state of utter devastation.

Although Liu Bei did not enter the city, Liu Yu and his men dared not stay in Ye City. They fled to Handan in carriages and on horseback, carrying the old and the young.

Such humiliation caused Feng Ji's hands to tremble uncontrollably.

The civil and military officials who followed Yuan Shao to suppress the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the Black Mountain were either ashamed or angry.

"General, we cannot let Liu Bei escape! He can't have gone far. I request permission to pursue him!"

"General, such humiliation can only be washed away with Liu Bei's life. This humble general requests to fight."

"General"

Cries of "volunteer for battle!" rose and fell, and Yuan Shao's anger exploded: "Issue my order: the army shall march south to Yanjin and cross the river!"

With his final cry of "Cross the river!", Yuan Shao roared as if in a hysterical frenzy.

Although now was not the right time to head south, Feng Ji did not try to dissuade him.

At this point, trying to dissuade someone would not only incur the wrath of Yuan Shao, but also the wrath of all the civil and military officials.

Hanoi.

Shooting dogs.

Min Chun, weary from his journey, collapsed as soon as he arrived at the gates of Shequan City: "Is General Pingxi here? Urgent report from Yecheng!"

The city gate guards were shocked. Min Chun was a high-ranking official among the Nine Ministers. Why would he personally come to Shequan City to deliver an urgent report?

Upon hearing the news, Shen Pei rushed to see Min Chun, exclaiming in surprise, "Young Master Min, what has happened in Ye City?"

Min Chun's face flashed with shame and resentment: "Liu Bei launched a surprise attack on Ye City. There was also a mutiny among the troops inside the city, and they opened the city gates."

Shen Pei was horrified: "How is this possible? Mengjin has a large number of ships, and I have been on guard for many days. How could Liu Bei have launched a surprise attack on Yecheng?"

A look of horror flashed in Min Chun's eyes: "According to Liu Bei, he conquered Yanzhou in ten days, and then successively beheaded Zhang Miao, Yuan Xu, and Qiao Mao, before crossing the river at Baima Ferry!"

Shen Pei's eyes widened in disbelief: "Liu Bei has conquered Yanzhou? He crossed the river at Baima Ferry? We've fallen into a trap! Mengjin was a feint! Where is His Majesty? Where is His Majesty?"

Min Chun shook his head, his tone dejected: "I don't know. After the chaos in the city, Geng Tingwei and I sneaked out of the west gate. We originally wanted to go directly to the General for help, but we were afraid that the General was tied down by the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans and could not return, so Geng Wu and I split up. Geng Wu went to find the General, and I came to find the General of the West overnight."

Seeing that Min Chun did not seem to be faking it, Shen Pei's mood became extremely heavy. He subconsciously thought of Feng Ji's evaluation of Liu Bei: "Unpredictable and eccentric, he cannot be judged by ordinary standards."

"I was careless!"

"In the past, Han Xin pretended to repair the plank road to deceive Zhang Han, but actually took the Chencang road in secret. Now, Liu Bei has prepared a large number of ships at Mengjin, but then takes the Baimajin route to launch a surprise attack on Yecheng. This is truly inconceivable."

Thinking of Liu Bei's conquest of Yanzhou in ten days and his subsequent killing of Zhang Miao, Yuan Xu, and Qiao Mao, Shen Pei was indignant: "Those three fools, Zhang Miao, Yuan Xu, and Qiao Mao, if they had been defending the city, how could they have been defeated by Liu Bei? They must have underestimated the enemy and left the city to be killed!"

"Is there any news of General Ju Shou, the General Who Pacifies the South?"

Min Chun shook his head again: "Liu Bei didn't say. Although General Pingnan is famous in Hebei, he probably doesn't meet Liu Bei's standards compared to Zhang Miao, Yuan Xu, and Qiao Mao. With Zhang Miao and the other two dead, how could General Pingnan possibly survive?"

"General Pingxi, the situation is critical. Please send troops immediately. If Liu Bei's army in Yuzhou and Xuzhou is allowed to cross the river, we will all be doomed!"

Shen Pei's expression also changed.

After pacing for a moment, Shen Pei looked worried: "But if I lead the troops away, I'm afraid that Hanoi will be captured by Liu Bei's detachment again. The prefect Miao Shang and the chief clerk Xue Hong are both unfamiliar with military affairs, and I don't think they are the kind of people who would fight to the death to defend the city."

Min Chun said in a deep voice, "I can stay at Shequan. I am the Minister of the Imperial Household. If I fight to the death, how dare the two of them not fight?"

Shen Pei had this idea in mind, so he said, "If Prefect Min is in charge of shooting dogs, I have nothing to worry about! I will leave a hundred brave men for Prefect Min. If Prefect Miao Shang and Chief Clerk Xue Hong dare to disobey, they can help Prefect Min to kill them!"

Min Chun cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I will await General Pingxi's good news at Shequan. If the battle goes against us, we will live as long as the city stands, and we will die if the city falls!"

Shen Pei had no suspicions and immediately mustered his troops to march towards Ye City.

Watching Shen Pei leave, Min Chun's lips curled into a cold smile: Yuan Shao, when you plotted to kill Han Shijun last year, did you ever think of today?

Shen Pei left not long ago.

The intelligence was then passed on to Zhang Fei and Ma Teng.

The two were originally going to attack Shangdang, but Liu Bei had Xun You change the plan and led his troops to Mengjin.

The ships that Liu Bei had Jia Xu prepare at Mengjin were both a feint and a real force. Now that Shen Pei has left, the feint has become a real force.

"Uncle's plan has succeeded, Captain Zhang, it's time for us to cross the river." Ma Teng rubbed his wrist, his face full of excitement.

Ma Teng preferred battlefield combat to governing in Zuo Fengyi.

As our ancestor Ma Yuan said, "A man should die on the frontier, his body wrapped in horsehide for burial. How can he lie in bed, in the hands of women and children?"

Ma Teng, in the prime of his life, also wanted to make a name for himself.

Zhang Fei was equally excited.

In Hanyang County today, the Qiang people have settled down.

Zhang Ji, the prefect of Hanyang Commandery, was both a scholar and a warrior. Even without relying on Zhang Fei, he could keep the Qiang people of Hanyang Commandery from making any rash moves.

This is also why Liu Bei transferred Zhang Fei from Hanyang County to Hedong.

Although the formation methods were different, Zhang Fei's Yongzhou troops were also changed into the Lingyan Army, with Zhang Fei as the main general and Ma Teng of Zuo Fengyi temporarily serving as the deputy general.

After discussing it, the two led their troops across the river directly, ignoring the cities along the way, and headed straight for Shequan City.

Along the way, they encountered Geng Wu and his retainers and family members who were coming from the river. Zhang Fei and Ma Teng also learned about Liu Bei's specific situation at Ye City.

Upon learning that Min Chun had gone to Shequan City to deliver a message, Zhang Fei was overjoyed: "If you two can help me break through the city, I will surely reward you for your contributions in the future."

Seeing that Zhang Fei and Ma Teng were both formidable generals, Geng Wu felt even greater awe for Liu Bei. He instructed his retainers and family members to wait by the river while he led Zhang Fei and Ma Teng to the foot of Shequan City.

Prefect Miao Shang and Chief Clerk Xue Hong were not people who would fight to the death. Seeing that the Minister of Justice Geng Wu and the Minister of the Treasury Min Chun had surrendered and that Shen Pei's army had returned to Ye City, they opened the city gates almost without hesitation.

Zhang Fei and Ma Teng quickly took over the defense of Shequan City, and then ordered Miao Shang and Xue Hong to send proclamations to the counties of Hanoi Commandery.

Within a few days, all the counties in Hanoi County, including Shequan and those to the west, surrendered in response to the order.

(End of this chapter)