Chapter 4 The Heroes Divide Section 2 The Tiger Emerges from the Mountain

In Luoyang City, Huang Wan hurriedly walked into Lu Zhi's mansion, and as soon as he entered the hall, he asked his head: "Duke Lu, what is the summoning?" ”

Lu Zhi frowned, and handed over a text message casually: "I can't read the letter from your son-in-law." Look at it."

Huang Wan took the letter, only to see a few words written on it: "Three days a day, prepare early." ”

Huang Wan said suspiciously: "What the hell is Xuande, this kid?" It's so headless and brainless, who can understand it? ”

Lu Zhi sighed and said, "If this letter is from another disciple of mine, I will ignore it." But Xuande is not lightly spoken, and has always been disdainful of the doctrine of Wei Wei, and in Qingzhou, he once killed the warlock Xiangkai. Therefore, Xuande's proverbs are so important to me that I can't be underestimated. ”

Huang Wan read the words silently. Cautiously said: "Three days a day, this day is not the ......" he said, pointing in the direction of the palace and signaling.

Lu Zhi sighed: "If you really mean that ......" He casually pointed to the palace, and then said: "That's really terrible, the saint is not in good health now, if the saint dies and two new monarchs ascend the throne, the chaos in the world will be uncontrollable." If it means that the new monarch is waiting for the throne, and there are still people who cover the sky and control the new monarch with one hand, it will be even worse. ”

Huang Wan shivered and asked urgently: "What does Lu Gong mean, how should we prepare?" ”

Lu Zhi said worriedly: "Fang Jin, He Jin, a relative above the court, is fighting for power with the eunuchs, and the situation is getting worse, how can we be involved in the court dispute." In my opinion, let's make some preparations outside the court. ”

Lu Zhi looked at Huang Wan and added: "Xuande also has a letter, saying that he has not seen my son Lu Yu for a long time, and he wants to talk to Yu'er, hoping that I will send Yu'er to Qingzhou." I understood what he meant, and it was for me to dismiss my family as soon as possible. I am going to ask Yu'er to take all the children to Qingzhou, and the Qingzhou cargo ship will wait on the shore of Luoshui. Huang Gong, the letter also said that Ying'er also wants to meet her relatives after parting, and you are also ready to prepare, let your family members board the ship to Qingzhou. ”

Huang Wan pondered silently and said, "Don't panic, I'll send the female dependents away first, and the rest of the people will wait to see the situation before talking." ”

Lu Zhi nodded and agreed: "It's okay, let's see how things develop and then make a decision." ”

At this time, the housekeeper of the Lu Mansion reported: "Zhou Yi, the head of Qingzhou Trading Company, sent someone to report the news. ”

Lu Zhi and Huang Wan glanced at each other and raised their voices: "See you."

The messenger of Qingzhou Trading Company entered the door, respectfully holding a talisman and presenting it to Lu Zhi.

"What is this?" Lu Zhi asked suspiciously.

The messenger of Qingzhou Trading Company replied loudly: "Lord Zhou Yi, the head of Qingzhou Trading Company, has led several ministers' women to Izumo to view the sea in the early hours of this morning. ”

Lu Zhi smiled bitterly and shook his head, Zhou Yi's words were high-sounding - leading the women of several ministers to Izumo to view the sea, in fact, it was equivalent to abducting the women of several ministers to elope and escape, and when he left, he handed over the talisman to Lu Zhi, which was to hope that Lu Zhi would wipe his ass for him.

However, the following words of the messenger of Qingzhou Trading Company are particularly meaningful: "Report to Lord Lu, the idle people of Qingzhou Trading Company, etc., have all returned to Qingzhou." The 300 crossbowmen recently dispatched by the lord of the castle have arrived at the trading house. There are 3 clippers, which are on standby on the shore, how to deploy, please show Master Lu. ”

Lu Zhi suddenly understood all this, and hurriedly ordered: "You go to the wing room first and wait, and I will greet you later." ”

Immediately, Lu Zhi explained to Huang Wan: "Huang Gong, it seems that Xuande is serious this time. The Izumo crossbowmen became famous in the battle with Xianbei, but Xuande never let the Izumo crossbowmen cross the boundary of Qingzhou and Izumo. The Qingzhou Clipper has always sailed in the sea, and Xuande never allowed it to enter the inland river. This time, Xuande sent three clippers and 300 crossbowmen. It seems that he is taking things seriously. As for Zhou Yi's abduction of the minister's woman to elope, it is likely that it was just a pretense, and Xuande was taking the opportunity to withdraw the important personnel of the Qingzhou Trading Company. ”

Lu Zhi sighed: "This disciple of mine is scheming, he has always planned and then moved, Huang Gong, since he has started to arrange, don't be stubborn, and immediately dismiss your family." ”

At the Luoyin City Gate, Xu Shu and others were mixed in the flow of people entering the city, and slowly moved towards the city gate. Pingyuan County is a country within a country that has not yet fully implemented the laws of Qingzhou, so Luoyin City is the last gateway to enter Liu Xuande's control, so the inventory is extremely strict. In the spring, it happens to be the most active time for merchants, so the flow of people into the city is extraordinarily large.

Before he could approach the city gate, Liu Gongzi suddenly saw something, his face changed greatly, and then he rushed out of the queue, took out a silver metal plate as he ran, and handed it to the city gate guards.

The guards at the city gate wanted to reprimand Liu Gongzi, but when they saw the metal identity tag, they could be respectful, and after a brief inspection, they immediately stood up and saluted. But without waiting for the guards to say words of salute, Liu Gongzi stretched out his hand, grabbed the guards' clothes, and asked urgently: "Why is the flag lowered at half-mast at the head of the city?" Who died in Qingzhou? ”

Liu Gongzi's voice was so loud that it could be heard in the entire queue, and when everyone heard this, they looked at the military flags fluttering at the head of the city, and sure enough, on the head of the city, several military flags were raised to half a pole without exception, lazily floating in the sun.

The crowd entering the city suddenly made a noise of "coaxing", those who knew the rules of Qingzhou exclaimed, and those who didn't know asked around.

The guards at the city gate reluctantly stood up straight and replied: "Back to Gongzi Liu, three days ago, Gong Zhoumu died of illness, and Lord Xuande ordered Qingzhou to mourn for the 10th. Luoyin City was ordered to lower the flag to show mourning. ”

"Oh", Liu Gongzi slowly let go of the guard's clothes, dusted off the dust on his chest for the guard, and said in a reluctant voice: "Offended." Immediately, he hung his head and prepared to walk back to the group.

"Liu Gongzi", the guards shouted: "The situation is very serious, Liu Gongzi does not need to queue up, the people you bring can come forward and inspect and enter the city first." ”

In the queue, the people echoed in unison: "Liu Gongzi will go first, I will wait for nothing serious, but wait slowly." ”

Liu Gongzi bowed his hand to the queue **** and thanked him: "Thank you for your kindness, in this way, I will go first." Soldiers, come forward, let's go into the city. ”

After Xu Shu told the news of Gong Jing's death from the city gate guards, he was immediately overjoyed and muttered to himself: "Jiaolong is out of the abyss, the Central Plains, the wind and clouds are about to rise." ”

Liu Gongzi seemed to hear this self-muttering, his face immediately softened, and he ordered: "Everyone, you should take Mr. Shan to the post house to rest." I first went to the civic club to inquire about the news. At lunchtime, we meet at the post house. ”

Looking at Liu Gongzi's distant back, Xu Shu asked the soldiers around him: "Xu is reckless, I don't know if this Liu Gongzi is the righteous son of Xuande Gong, why didn't he go to the county government to inquire about the news, but he wanted to go to the civic club." ”

The soldiers replied respectfully: "Mr. Huishan's words, this is Liu Zhou, the righteous son of the Lord." In the spring of the second year of Zhongping, Liu Gongzi led a caravan back to Qingzhou, bringing a large number of Yizhou varieties and obtaining military merits. Qingzhou's military and political affairs are separated, the county government does not care about military affairs, and although Liu Gongzi is in business, he is a soldier. Therefore, it is necessary to inquire about the information at the civic club. ”

"Oh", Xu Shu suddenly realized, it turned out that Qingzhou's government affairs were so different from other places. The prefectural magistrate is not the biggest official in the county, at least, the prefectural magistrate cannot interfere in the affairs of the army.

In the post house, taking advantage of the soldiers' packing up, Xu Shu asked the post officer about Qingzhou affairs: "I heard that Gong Yuanjun has been pestering Mian's sickbed for several years, and he is not a director. Qingzhou government affairs are all written by Xuande Gong, why Gong Zhijun passed away, everyone is so flustered and sad. ”

The post official sighed and replied distraughtly: "Although Lord Jun is entangled in the sick bed and has nothing to worry about, he has chosen a good place for the people of Qingzhou to drive, and obeys Xuande's public words. The great rule of Qingzhou relied on the Xuande Gong's expedition to the east and the west, as well as the Qingming decree of the officials under the Xuande Gong.

Now, as soon as the envoy is gone, the court does not know who to send to serve as the state minister. Lord Xuande is a subordinate official of the state pastor, if the new state pastor appoints a new driver, wouldn't Xuande Gong want to retire, be his minister of Qi, and be a secret minister. In this way, what Qingzhou is like, I don't know what the small people don't know. Therefore, everyone is worried. ”

Xu Shu smiled indifferently: "The tiger is out of the mountain, the dragon is out of the abyss, at this time, why bother." ”

The officer's eyes lit up, and he hesitated for a long time, and finally spoke: "Sir, I heard the sergeants say that Mr. is a master invited by Lord Xuande, and since he is valued by Lord Xuande, Mr. must have great wisdom." Would you like to solve the doubts of the little officials? ”

Xu Shu said leisurely: "I heard that in Qingzhou, every county and every township has a citizen club, and the military affairs and public security of each county are managed by a citizen club, and the citizen club is controlled by retired soldiers and the younger brothers of Xuande Gong, and the officials in each county are appointed by Xuande Gong, and Qingzhou official documents must be stamped with Xuande Gong's seal. I traveled all the way and saw that Qingzhou was very densely investigated, and I speculated that if Xuande Gong didn't nod, who would be able to step into Qingzhou half a step? ”

The post officer nodded again and again, and asked, "Mr. just said 'Jiaolong out of the abyss' or something, can you explain it?" ”

Xu Shu patted the poster on the shoulder and said, "Those truths are too profound, you don't need to understand, you just need to do one thing well." ”

The postman hurriedly asked, "What's the matter?" ”

Xu Shu smiled and replied: "Luoyin is the gateway of Xuande Gong, and the post house is a necessary place for officials to pass through. ”

The postman nodded again and again, indicating his understanding.

Not long after Xu Shu returned to the room, the post official had already made up his mind, quickly found a subordinate, and muttered in his ear. The postman then galloped to the nearest inn. Later, the post keeper of this post station also ran out of the post house and galloped towards the nearby post station.

This fluctuation quickly expanded to the entire Qingzhou, and between the post stations, fast horses galloped to transmit messages to each other. After a few days, all the post stations in Qingzhou reached an offensive and defensive alliance: without the seal of the Duke of Xuande, the post station refused to receive any officials.

Soon, this information was transmitted to a civic club, and immediately, the civic clubs in various places also showed a scene similar to that of a post station, and within a few days, the guards of the city gate also reached a consensus: anyone who claimed to be a court official was forbidden to enter the city without the seal of Xuande Gong.

After waiting for his subordinates to set off, the post officer knocked on Xu Shu's door with a smile: "Mr. De is very grateful for relieving our worries." The little official brought a glass of thin wine to thank Mr. and hope that Mr. would appreciate his face. ”

Xu Shu held a cup of hot tea in the house, and said with satisfaction: "You're polite, it's just a white ding below, why should the post official be so polite." ”

The postman replied respectfully: "Mr. attaches great importance to Xuande Gong, and the future is limitless." The little official was presumptuous, and it was beyond his power to invite Mr. to have a drink with him. However, the little official's heart is full of gratitude, and I hope Mr. will understand. ”

Xu Shu wandered the rivers and lakes, and he was used to wandering, but he didn't care about red tape and etiquette, so he agreed: "It's okay, they all say that Qingzhou is the best wine in the world, and I will drink a glass with you today." ”

The two then sat down in the dining room of the post house, and were about to greet the meal, when there was a commotion outside the door, and a red-faced man, stroking three strands of long hair, broke into the dining room with three partial generals.

"Where is the postman? Prepare the meal quickly, and when I'm done eating, I'm ready to go? Beside the red-faced man, a man who looked like a general shouted one after another.

Without waiting for the postman to answer, Liu Zhou's figure appeared at the door: "Second Uncle Guan, the little nephew heard your news at the Civic Club, hurried and hurried, and finally caught up with you here." ”

Second Uncle Guan, then, this is Guan Yu Guan Yunchang.

Xu Shu felt a sudden shock in his heart, and quickly looked at the red-faced man, only to see his face of slaughter and arrogance. Behind him, three school officers followed closely - that was Liu Hao (the word Houzhi), the school officer Yin Ling (the word Fengling), and Liu Yuan (the word Haoping). All three of these officers are well-known people. In the fourth year of Zhongping, Guan Yu was stationed in the White Wolf Stone Fort, and it was with the planning and cooperation of three school officers that he broke the 30,000 cavalry of Xianbei (Wuheng) in Liaoxi with the strength of two legions (7,000 people), and pursued 500 miles, and captured a lot.

At this moment, looking at Guan Yu's arrogance and the calmness of the third school officer. Xu Shu suddenly realized that it was through the whetstone of Xianbei Iron Cavalry that Liu Bei sharpened several sharp knives in his hand and honed the military academy in his hand.

The red-faced man stroked his long hair and replied with a smile: "Young Master Liu, what's the alarm?" ”

Liu Zhou hurriedly replied: "Second Uncle Guan, I heard that you took the 8th, 9th, and 10th Army Corps of Qingzhou to the plains. The younger nephew has been doing business abroad in recent years, and he wants to ask Second Uncle Guan about Qingzhou affairs. ”

Guan Yu smiled coldly, glanced at Xu Shu, the only guest in the hall, and shook his head without answering.

Liu Zhou took a few steps forward and introduced: "Second uncle, this is the wise man Mr. Shan Fu who my father specially invited back. Subsequently, Liu Zhou introduced Guan Yu and his officers to Xu Shu.

Since the guests in the hall were their own people, Guan Yu did not scruple about it, and slightly rushed to join the army Liu Hao. Liu Hao understood, and rushed forward to explain: "Son, Lord Gong Yuanjun died of illness three days ago, and the Yellow Turban robbers of Pingyuan County refused to mourn because of the poison. The lord was furious and ordered us to lead the 8th, 9th, and 10th legions of Qingzhou, together with the defenders of Yang Xu and the plains, to encircle them on three sides, and force Yu Poison to surrender. Now, the army has gone to rest outside Luoyin City, and I will go on the road after eating. ”

Liu Zhou shook his head and said, "Second uncle, General Yu Poison has the kindness of returning his stepmother for thousands of miles, and on the battlefield, I hope that the second uncle will accept it." ”

Guan Yu stroked his long hair and replied, "You don't need to worry about the virtuous nephew, your father-in-law has already prepared." ”

Liu Hao added: "The lord ordered that if General Yu Poison surrendered, the Yellow Turban Army under his command would be reorganized into four legions and stationed in the plain. ”

Well, it's time to get your hands dirty. It seems that Gong Jing's death has freed Liu Bei's hands and is ready to suppress the Qingzhou bandits in one fell swoop - Xu Shu silently thought in his heart: The tiger is ready to go down the mountain.

When the news of Gong Jing's death in Qingzhou was conveyed to Luoyang, in the spring of the sixth year of Zhongping (189), the imperial court recruited Dong Zhuo as the Shaofu and the state pastor, and ordered Dong Zhuo to attribute the military power to the Huangfu Songtong, but Dong Zhuo refused to accept it. Huangfu Song's nephew Huangfu Li suggested: "This dynasty is out of power, the world is hanging upside down, and the only people who can be safe and secure are my uncle and Dong Zhuoer." Now the grievances have been settled, and the momentum does not exist. Dong Zhuo refused the edict, and this was against his fate. and thought that the Beijing teacher was in a coma, hesitant to advance, and he had two hearts. Uncle is now a marshal, and he can use the prestige of the country to crusade against Dong Zhuo, show loyalty at the top, and eliminate the murder at the bottom. ”

Huangfu Song hesitated for a long time and replied: "Dong Zhuo's dictatorship and refusal to hand over the army, although it is a big crime, but as a feudal official of the imperial court, he also needs special power to kill him. We might as well make it clear to the court and make it ruling. ("The Book of the Later Han Dynasty: The Biography of Huangfu Song") So Huangfu Song wrote to the imperial court. Emperor Ling instructed Dong Zhuo, Dong Zhuo disobeyed for a long time, and stationed troops in Hedong to observe the changes of the times.

In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the finances became increasingly tight, and the people were struggling to make a living. According to historical records, Emperor Ling was still good at this time, Hu clothes, Hu tents, Hu tables, Hu chairs, Hu rice, Hu Konghou, Hu flute, Hu dance, all of which were tributes to Izumo in Qingzhou. Kyoto's nobles are also vying for it.

In the summer and April, Emperor Ling and the eunuch drove the Qingzhou tribute sheep cart (four-wheeled carriage) in the palace, and accidentally fell off the sheep cart, spun, and died.

The chaos in the world began, and from then on, the new emperor was held hostage by the hands of powerful ministers, and the Eastern Han Dynasty existed in name only.