Han Dynasty Achievements

Chapter 237 Cao Cao wants to do something big

Chapter 237 Cao Cao wants to do something big

The sudden changes in the south not only shocked Huangfu Jianchang and others, but also caught them off guard.

After being stunned, various forces in the southern states quickly began to fight for territory and consolidate their power.

After Liu Yan withdrew his troops, Liu Biao of Jingzhou almost occupied the entire Jingzhou, and even extended his hand to Yuzhou, Yangzhou, and Jiaozhi.

After Sun Jian of Wujun occupied Guangling, he fought many battles with Lu Bu and actually drove Lu Bu back to Xiapi, thus firmly occupying Guangling.

After Yuan Shao recruited Zhang He, an old member of the Yuan family, his military strength increased greatly. He occupied Jiujiang and Jiangxia counties and was in a stalemate with Yuan Shu.

As for the Shi family in Jiaozhi, their prestige increased greatly because the imperial court spread the rumor that Shi Xie would be appointed as the governor of Jiaozhou. Not only did they block Yuan Shu in Nanhai County, they even had the power to destroy Yuan Shu!

The territories of Yuan Shu, Han Fu and others continued to shrink and were limited to the four counties of Kuaiji, Danyang and Dongye, and were not far from destruction.

And in this situation, as if they had discussed it beforehand, all the forces withdrew their troops at the same time, using excuses such as "it's not suitable to advance in the cold winter", "need to rest and recuperate", and "lack of money and food", and began to consolidate their power and territory.

Naturally, this sudden change was noticed by Luoyang at the first moment.

The thirteenth day of the first lunar month in the third year of Yonghan.

Chongde Hall, back hall.

Liu Yu coughed constantly every winter, which made everyone in the palace worried.

The little fellow was lying on the couch, his face pale and full of pain. He looked at Liu Bian beside him and said weakly, "Father, it hurts..."

These words were like a knife stabbing into Liu Bian's heart, but he had no way to deal with it. He could only touch his little face and comfort him, "Don't be afraid, father is here. You will be fine after taking the medicine."

The little fellow hummed, frowned, and looked happy.

Liu Shao came over with a bowl of water, trembling a little, and came to Liu Yu's side and whispered, "Drink."

However, Liu Yu seemed not to hear it and made humming sounds from time to time.

Liu Bian sighed in his heart, took Liu Shao's teacup, reached out and touched his head, and said: "Brother, it's okay, you can go and play."

Liu Shao obviously didn't believe it. He lay on the edge of the couch, pursed his lips, and looked at Liu Yu quietly.

Pan Yin quietly appeared at the door and looked at Liu Bian.

Liu Bian reached out and touched Liu Yu's frowning brow, then quietly walked out the door.

Pan Yin followed closely behind him and said, "Your Majesty, the news from the Grand Marshal's Mansion is that Lü Bu is increasingly connected to Dong Zhuo, and among the troops that Lü Bu and Sun Jian fought, there were said to be Xiliang cavalry."

Liu Bian hummed and said, "Go to the Shangshutai, the Grand Marshal, and Cao Cao will come too."

Pan Yin responded and ordered someone to pass on the message, saying, "Your Majesty, the Black Mountain Army has submitted another letter requesting surrender, but was rejected by Cao Changshi, who said that the Black Mountain Army 'gathered together to rebel, had ulterior motives, and should be suppressed with all our strength.'"

Liu Bian nodded and said, "The two Xuns, Zhong Yao are here too."

Pan Yin sent another messenger to pass on the message, and continued, "Your Majesty, Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, has written a letter requesting the court to allocate money and food, and also included a list of more than 200 people to be rewarded."

Liu Bian raised his eyebrows and snorted, "Does he think that the support of the Jingzhou noble families is not enough for him? With more than 200 people, he dared to come up, which shows that he is quite confident..."

Pan Yin lowered his head slightly, waited for a while, and then said, "Your Majesty, regarding Liu Bei's transfer to the post of governor of Xuzhou, the Secretariat, the Grand Marshal's Office, and the Six Departments all have different opinions, and the appointment has been put on hold."

Liu Bian knew about this matter, and after thinking for a while, he asked, "What's going on in Hanzhong?"

Pan Yin immediately knew what Liu Bian was asking. After a moment of recollection, he said, "Nothing happened. However, the governor of Yizhou has submitted a fourth letter since December last year, requesting the court to release Liu Zhang."

Liu Yan's health was getting worse and worse, and he was obviously planning a succession. But now, he only had one son still alive, Liu Zhang.

But Liu Zhang had been staying in Luoyang as a "hostage" since two years ago, serving as a "Langzhong" in the Criminal Department.

Liu Bian pondered for a while and said, "Ignore him for now. What are the three Qiang doing?"

Pan Yin followed closely beside Liu Bian, and said, "No. On the contrary, Han Sui seemed to intend to join him, but he kept going back and forth. Zhong Tingwei thought it was 'Let's wait and see', and Shang Shutai agreed."

When Liu Bian saw the Shangshutai in sight, he suddenly stopped and asked, "What has Cao Cao been busy with recently?"

Pan Yin glanced in the direction of the Grand Sima Mansion and said, "It seems that there is nothing else, just in the mansion and the Grand Sima Mansion. By the way, I heard that she is going to give birth soon."

Liu Bian stood with his hands behind his back, thinking constantly in his mind.

The sudden change in the situation in the south was indeed beyond his expectations. He originally thought that Yuan Shu could at least hold out for three to five years, but he didn't expect that he could not hold out after only two years.

Actually, he had been letting Yuan Shu off the field, but Yuan Shu was truly incompetent and totally unusable.

With the defeat of Yuan Shu, various contradictions concealed by Yuan Shu's rebellion will surface. The court still wants to stay out of it and concentrate on the "New Deal", but it will not be able to do so.

Liu Bian had to consider how to suppress various contradictions and continue to concentrate on implementing the "New Deal" to restore and accumulate vitality for the Han Dynasty.

Seeing that Liu Bian was in deep thought, Pan Yin did not dare to disturb him.

Seeing a minor official from the Secretariat coming from afar, he waved his hand calmly.

Liu Bian looked at the sky and thought for a long time. He found it difficult to make sense of the complicated situation and could not help but frown in annoyance.

After a long while, Liu Bian exhaled lightly and asked, "Is it going to snow?"

Pan Yin turned his head and glanced at the sky, and said, "Your Majesty, there should be another snowfall."

It's not even the end of the first lunar month yet, so it should still snow.

Liu Bian nodded and said, "Let's go."

Pan Yin responded silently and followed Liu Bian to the Secretariat.

In the small conference hall, Prime Minister Yang Biao, Grand Marshal Huangfu Song, as well as Xun Yu, Xun You, Zhong Yao, Cao Cao and others were already waiting.

"Your Majesty, we are here to pay our respects!" Everyone saluted in unison.

"no."

Liu Bian strode in, sat down, looked at the group of people, and said, "You all know about this matter. Tell us what you think."

Yang Biao was fatter than before, with a big belly and a serious face. He said, "Your Majesty, Yuan Shu and his people are extremely treacherous and rebellious. Everyone has the right to kill them! Their defeat is God's will! I ask Your Majesty to issue an order and all the generals to obey your orders. We must put down Yuan Shu before the middle of the year!"

The others didn't say anything and watched Liu Bian secretly.

As for Yuan Shu, everyone present had already clearly felt that the emperor in front of them was intentionally or unintentionally condoning him. They couldn't figure out his thoughts and no one dared to speak casually.

Liu Bian looked calm and said, "What the Prime Minister said makes sense. Who is the commander and who is the vanguard?"

The group of people were stunned as they didn't expect Liu Bian to be so straightforward.

Almost everyone understood immediately that Yuan Shu now only had four counties. After the great defeat, the people were demoralized and his defeat was imminent.

But whoever finally destroys Yuan Shu will have great merit and will be granted the title of nobility!

Cao Cao's breathing was a little rapid. He glanced at the crowd and couldn't help it. He raised his hand and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the troops to quell the rebellion for Your Majesty!"

Xun You was wary of Cao Cao and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I suggest that Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, be the commander-in-chief and Sun Jian, the governor of Wujun, be the vanguard."

Zhong Yao thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I think we should divide the troops into two routes, and Gongsun Zan can also be the vanguard."

Huangfu Song and Yang Biao did not interrupt and let them argue.

The two men were in a high position and had no interests involved, so they watched from the sidelines and saw everything very clearly.

Cao Cao did it for himself, Xun You wanted to keep Cao Cao in Luoyang, and Zhong Yao was considering preventing Liu Biao and Sun Jian from becoming too powerful and intended to divide the party.

Cao Cao also noticed it, but his face remained calm and he said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the one who will destroy Yuan this time must be the imperial court, not the local governors. Please understand your majesty!"

Liu Bian raised his eyebrows and understood what Cao Cao meant.

If Liu Biao, Sun Jian and others had pacified Yuan Shu, it would only make the locals stronger and the imperial court further weakened. However, if the imperial court destroyed Yuan, it would be just the opposite - the imperial court was strong, and those local people would be defeated no matter how powerful they were!

Yang Biao also came to his senses and said quickly, "Your Majesty, I agree with what Cao Changshi said."

Xun You was a man of great intelligence. He naturally agreed with Cao Cao's statement and was already considering candidates other than Cao Cao.

After thinking about it, he found that there seemed to be no more suitable candidate than Cao Cao.

In the sudden silence, Xun Yu, who had been silent until then, interrupted and said, "Your Majesty, if Liu Bei, the governor of Hanzhong, is appointed as the governor of Xuzhou, he would be a suitable candidate."

"No!"

Liu Bian decisively rejected Xun Yu's suggestion and said, "The governor of Hanzhong cannot be moved. Grand Marshal, what do you think?"

Xun Yu wanted to say more, but Huangfu Song raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou, is available."

Last year, Wang Yun was executed. There was a rumor in the court and the country that Liu Yu would come to Beijing to replace Wang Yun, but as time passed, this rumor was proven false.

Huangfu Song mentioned Liu Yu again for a simple purpose. There was only Prime Minister Yang Biao left in the Secretariat, and he needed to be replaced.

After all, the Grand Marshal's Mansion had a successor, Cao Cao, but the Shangshu Tai did not.

Liu Bian still shook his head and said, "Wuhuan and Xianbei rebel from time to time. Your family has prestige outside the Great Wall, so we should not act rashly."

Xun You, Zhong Yao and others looked at each other quietly. After all this talk, in the end only Cao Cao was left.

Cao Cao's narrow eyes flashed with excitement, and he said more solemnly: "Your Majesty, Yuan Shu is doomed to die. The court should turn its attention to Dong Zhuo and others!"

Liu Bian glanced at Cao Cao, pondered over it again and again, and finally made up his mind, saying: "Appoint Cao Cao as General Yangwei to supervise the military affairs of Xuzhou and Yangzhou. Wujun Prefect Sun Jian and General Fenwu Gongsun Zan will be under his control. Leave the capital in April to wipe out Yuan Shu and other rebels!"

Cao Cao forced himself to remain calm and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, Cao Cao obeys your command!"

Xun You was still wary of Cao Cao. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai to take charge of military affairs, including money, food, military intelligence, and other matters."

Liu Bian saw through Xun You's thoughts clearly and said, "Yes."

Cao Cao didn't care about this. He wanted Guo Jia anyway, so he said, "Your Majesty, I want to transfer some people to serve you."

"You discuss this with the Grand Marshal."

Liu Bian was somewhat wary of dispatching Cao Cao, looked at Huangfusong, and said, "Does the Grand Sima Mansion have any plans?"

Huangfu Song looked cold, paused for a moment, and said, "Your Majesty, this happened suddenly, and the Grand Marshal's Mansion has not yet come up with a comprehensive strategy."

Liu Bian nodded. Not to mention Huangfu Song and others, he hadn't thought it through yet.

"but,"

Liu Bian sat up straight, his expression stern, and said, "Yuan Shu's defeat is imminent, but it is also true that some people have become powerful. What I want to know is, can my will still be passed across the Yangtze River?"

Everyone's face changed slightly and they bowed without saying anything.

The main forces south of the Yangtze River are Sun Jian, Liu Biao and Shi Xie.

Sun Jian was a man who would kill any local governor at will and had no regard for the imperial court.

After gaining the support of the aristocratic families in Jingzhou, Liu Biao held military power. Not only did he not obey the military orders of the court, but he also made many demands on the court.

Shi Xie was relatively special. On the one hand, the noble family resolutely resisted Yuan Shu and suppressed some barbarians. Before they knew it, more than half of the counties in Jiaozhi fell into the hands of the Shi family. Since last year, more and more memorials have been submitted to recommend Shi Xie as the governor of Jiaozhou.