In the eleventh year of Great Xia Qiande (205), two emperors and one king died in the world.

Gongsun Du of Liaodong survived the cold winter with difficulty, but when the spring flowers were blooming, he kicked his legs and swallowed his breath. Gongsun Du is also regarded as a hero, and he has been divided into Liaodong counties for more than ten years, called the king system, and established the Yan country.

Of course, compared to the Central Plains, Gongsun Du is nothing, but in the domain of Liaodong, the prestige of the grandson of the king of Yan is not covered. Conquering Goguryeo in the east, attacking Sanhan in the south, conquering Wuhuan in the west, and resisting Xia Zhao were all real battles.

However, the Gongsun clan is based in Liaodong, and more often than not, they are still entertaining themselves, and they are a little out of touch with the Central Plains, so they maintain some contact with Zhao State. The death of Gongsun Du is not a big deal in the whole world.

However, in the north, there is still a lot of influence, not because of Gongsun Du, but because of the new successor Gongsun Kang. Yan Wangdu, 100,000 households, tens of thousands of people with armor, the first succession to the throne will be vigorous, sharpening knives.

Obviously, even if he hit his head in Liaoxi and was educated by Zhang He and Zhao Jun, Gongsun Kang's expansion heart is not reduced, and he is still so aggressive. The entire Liaodong, under the will of Gongsun Kang, slowly moved, waiting for the impact of Gongsun Du's death to dissipate.

But Gongsun Kang also had his entanglements, whether to attack Youzhou to the west and confront Xia Zhao, or to go south to completely annex Sanhan. For Gongsun Kang, this seems to be a very difficult problem to choose, according to his wishes, it is natural to compete for power in the west, but it is not easy.

The land of Youyan, the border of the three kingdoms, with the movement of the Yan Kingdom, also immediately became nervous. Especially for Yuan Zhao, after Liu Qi's side moved, he felt very pressured.

The state of Zhao itself was not at peace, because after Gongsun Du, Yuan Shao died.

After Yuan Shao proclaimed himself emperor, his health was not very good, he was already old, and he had fought many times before, and under the strong pressure of Liu Xia, he had also been a diligent monarch for so many years. Especially in the Northern War, which survived a whole cold winter in a row, the root of the disease fell at that time.

After becoming the emperor, the state of Zhao pursued the national policy of resting with the people, and the entire state of Zhao generally stabilized. Liu Yuan left Liu Qi in the north, which was a good move, Liu Yuan gave Liu Yuan a lot of surprises, over the years, he led the army to invade Youzhou in the south, and the Xia army won more and lost less, which once made the situation in Youbei County erosive. Just two years ago, due to Yan Rou's serious illness, Zhao Jun went out of the plug and found a little bit of ground, but there was little profit.

The relationship with Xia Guo was already bad, and it could even be described as endless, but the estrangement of the relationship with Cao Wei in the south was also something that worried Yuan Shao. However, the most troublesome thing for Yuan Shao has to be the matter of the princes fighting for the throne. The intensity of the battle between the three sons is not much more than that of Liu Xia's side, and it is even on the bright side, and it is more in line with the confrontation between the two Shi clan groups in the Central Plains and Hebei.

To some extent, the instability of the Yuan Zhao Dynasty was much more serious than that of Liu Xia. is also due to his personality, compared with Liu Yuan, Yuan Shao's control of Zhao Guo is much worse than a star.

For the two sons of Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, Yuan Shao not only liked Yuan Shang's "self-likeness", but also hesitated to abandon Chang Liyu. His unclear attitude is also one of the important reasons for the turbulent political situation in Zhao State and the obscurity of the storage position.

Yuan Shao's inaction led to the intensification of the dispute between the sons, except for Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, even Yuan Xi had a sense of existence. Don't look at him as low-key, with a posture that I have no intention of taking the throne, but he doesn't have the intention of not coveting that position. Among the sons of Yuan Shao, the distance from the storage position is not far. Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang held each other, and there was no possibility of Yuan Xi's fishermen benefiting.

It dragged on until the winter of last year, Yuan Shao was terminally ill and could not be a director, and he still did not decide on the candidate for Prince Zhao. A kind of struggle that affected the entire Yedu unfolded between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, Yedu, for Yuan Shang, who was supported by the Hebei family, could be regarded as the home field, and had been in business for many years. In the process of competing with it, Yuan Tan was at a disadvantage.

In the Ye Palace, after a fierce competition, leaving the world with a legendary story of "Ye Palace Doubt", Emperor Yuan Shao of Zhao died. It was Yuan Shang who successfully mastered the imperial palace, controlled the situation in Yedu, and got the "Edict of Succession".

Before Yuan Shao's coffin, in front of the ministers of the court, after reading Yuan Shao's "personal" edict, Yuan Shang became the final victor.

Yuan Tan, the king of Linzi, was naturally not convinced, and took the opportunity to abscond out of Ye and go straight to Qingzhou. There is his foundation, there are many old departments, and the purpose is obvious, he wants to take the throne again according to Qingzhou.

In the Ye Palace, Yuan Shao had already died for half a month, and the young Yuan Shang became the master of this magnificent palace city, and the master of the entire Great Zhao. After arguing for so many years, he finally had the last laugh. After another day of kneeling in front of the spirit, very tired, in the middle of the night, Yuan Shang returned to the government hall where Yuan Shao used to deal with state affairs, and wanted to take a nap.

"See Your Majesty!" A young man with a calm face and outstanding temperament quietly walked into the hall and bowed to Yuan Shang very respectfully.

Seeing the young man, Yuan Shang's face dissipated with weakness, stretched out his hand to help him, and his words were extremely cordial: "Zhongda, hurry up and be polite!" ”

This young man is naturally Sima Yi, who ruined his family for Xu Rong and Ma Chao because of the confrontation between Xia and Zhao. The Sima clan of Wen County, because of the wanton plundering of the Xia army, was almost wiped out, and the old father Sima Fang and several younger brothers were beheaded by Liu Yuan, and now the hometown of Xiangzi is still in the hands of the Xia State, and has become the front line of the Xia and Zhao confrontations in Hanoi.

For Hu Xia, Sima Yi hated him to the extreme and was determined to take revenge, and his road to revenge began with assisting Yuan Shang to ascend the throne and control the Zhao State.

After entering Zhao, with the reputation of the Sima clan in Hanoi, and the loyalty and kindness of Dazhao to deal with Hu Xia's ruined family, Yuan Shao treated him very well. He directly rewarded a large amount of land and the Sima clan to help him rebuild his homeland.

Today's Sima clan is divided into two parts, one part is headed by Sima Lang, who has gained a firm foothold in Cao Wei and is reused by Cao Cao. On Yuan Zhao's side, it was naturally Sima Yi who was the patriarch, and he personally married the Cui family and voted for Yuan Shang. In the battle between Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan, he has always been a man of the hour, giving advice, and in a few years, he has become Yuan Shang's most confidant.

Sweeping Sima Yi, who was bound and shrugged his shoulders slightly, Yuan Shang couldn't help but sigh: "Zhongda, you are just too formal!" ”

"Etiquette must not be wasted! What's more, now His Majesty is in the supreme! Sima Yi's expression was even more solemn. Looking at his performance, Yuan Shang's eyes still couldn't help but show satisfaction.

"How is Yuan Tan over there?" After a pause, Yuan Shang's expression condensed slightly and asked.

"Back to Your Majesty!" Sima Yi said simply in his heart, and said: "The king of Linzi is rushing to Linzi, and he is contacting the old department, I'm afraid that he is ready to move troops!" ”

"I, the imperial brother, really don't want to keep to myself!" There was a burst of coldness in Yuan Shang's tone: "As everyone knows, today's Qingzhou is not the Qingzhou he was in the past!" ”

"Send people to keep an eye on Qingzhou, once it mobilizes troops, all the armies will immediately encircle and suppress! We must be quick and not let the chaos spread! With a flick of his sleeves, Yuan Shang said very coldly: "As for Yuan Tan, it doesn't matter if he lives or dies!" ”

"No!"

As his biggest opponent, Yuan Shang is jealous of Yuan Tan, even if he is victorious now. He was already suspected of "being in the wrong position", and when Yuan Shao's bones were not cold, he did not dare to rashly commit the evil act of killing his brother.

But if Yuan Tan is not removed for a day, Yuan Shang will be uneasy for a day. Ask Sima Yi for a plan, and offer this plan. Tempt Yuan Tan to make a rebellion and extinguish it with righteousness. This is also Yuan Tan's ability to escape from Yedu safely under the firm control of Yuan Shang.

Yuan Shang is not afraid that Yuan Tan will make a big mess in Qingzhou, these years, Yuan Tan bothered to fight with Yuan Shang in Yecheng, and Yuan Shang quietly dug the corner of the two brothers in Youyou and Qing under the advice of Sima Yi. Yuan Tan's desire to go against Yuan Shang in Qingzhou is very unrealistic. As soon as he arrived in Qingzhou, he summoned the confidant general Jiao Touch, and secretly surrendered to Yuan Shang.

"Those Central Plains scholars, who have entered Hebei, have always supported Yuan Tan to oppose me before!" With a low voice, Yuan Shang's expression was extremely cold: "Now that I have the position, I will definitely have a good life and liquidation!" ”

Hearing the meaning of Yuan Shang's words, Sima Yi shook his head slightly, and persuaded softly: "As far as Your Majesty is concerned, now that the overall situation has been decided, the Central Plains Shi clan is already a minister of Your Majesty, and your Majesty should let go of the past contradictions." Now Your Majesty should unite all forces, gather people's hearts, stabilize the country, and jointly deal with the overall situation of the world! ”

Sima Yi talked eloquently: "Moreover, if the Central Plains and Hebei Shi clans are like Your Majesty's feet, if they abandon one foot, how can they walk normally?" Please forgive Your Majesty for speaking boldly, if there is no Central Plains Shi clan, how will Your Majesty balance the Hebei family? The Central Plains scholar clan has many talents, and in the opinion of the ministers, as long as His Majesty shows a little kindness, he will be happy to surrender! ”

Listening to Sima Yi's analysis, Yuan Shang thought thoughtfully, pondered for a long time, and suddenly looked up at him: "I don't know Zhongda, does he belong to the Central Plains Shi clan, or the Hebei Shi clan?" ”

There were no waves in his eyes, Sima Yi didn't even blink his eyes, buried his head and arched his hands: "The minister only wants to be a lonely minister loyal to His Majesty!" ”

Hearing this, Yuan Shang was noncommittal, smiled faintly, and stared at Sima Yi with a little playfulness. He is not a mediocre talent, and he naturally will not fully believe Sima Yi's words of loyalty.

"Zhongda, the enthronement ceremony, I want to use you to preside over it, how about it?"

Sima Yi directly excused himself: "How can Weichen be virtuous, I hope that Your Majesty will take back his order and choose another minister!" ”

"Isn't Zhongda my guchime!" Yuan Shang chuckled and glanced at each other: "Then who does Zhongda think is suitable?" ”

"Judge Nangong!" Sima Yi replied without hesitation.

"Your Majesty! The waiter asks to see! When Yuan Shang and Sima Yi were talking happily, the voice of the eunuch came from outside.

His eyes lit up, Yuan Shang and Sima Yi glanced at each other, with a smile on the corner of their mouths, and waved their hands: "Xuan!" ”

......

The one who died at about the same time as Yuan Shao was Liu Biao of Chu Han. Two or three years ago, in the eyes of most people, the old and sick Liu Biao was dying, and many people were silently pinching their lives for Liu Biao.

It's a pity that many people are a little disappointed that Liu Biao just breathed a sigh of relief, lived for two or three years, and passed away in the Chu Palace in Jiangling. As soon as Liu Biao died, the general Cai Mao helped Liu Cong to succeed him, and at the same time killed Liu Qi, the king of Fangling.

Cai's desire to control the power of Chu and Han was obviously miscalculated, and his killing of Liu Qi was even more stupid, causing public anger and great disappointment. In today's Chu State, there is Liu Bei, the "clan general" with a heavy army in his hands, and many people are counting on Liu Bei to set things right.

The first thing Cai Mao did after taking power was to set his sights on Liu Bei. Of course, he sent an edict to Liu Bei to return to Jiangling, and at the same time sent people to Xiakou to control the army, but the result was not as he wished.

Liu Bei, from Hebei to the Central Plains, in Jingzhou, has worked hard for more than ten years, his hair has turned white, and he will finally usher in the peak of his life. Over the years, the open guns and hidden arrows of Cai Mao and others, the suspicions that Liu Biao showed from time to time, and the attack of the great enemy Sun Wu have all allowed Liu Bei to avoid them.

Until the death of Liu Biao now, Cai Mao reversed his actions and finally gave him a chance to justify his name and take charge of Jing Han. In Xiakou, Liu Bei sacrificed to the sky and Liu Biao, and then held high the banner of righteousness, playing the banner of "rebellion", calling on Chu and Han to go up and down to crusade against Cai Mao.

Liu Bei is obviously well-prepared, rooted in Jingxiang for more than ten years, and the accumulated strength suddenly burst out, and many people responded to Liu Bei up and down. In recent years, Chu and Han have mostly lost their records to the outside world, so Liu Bei can support the scene when he leads the army. Jingxiang is a man with lofty ideals and is in urgent need of a hero, and Liu Bei has obviously become their target.

And the counties and counties of Jing and Hunan prefectures either showed their banners to support Liu Bei, or they were silent, that is, they did not support Cai Mao in Jiangling. From the very beginning, the general trend was towards Liu Bei.

To defend against Sun Wu in the east, Liu Bei did not dare to move Jiangxia's army lightly, and only led 5,000 troops to Jiangling in the west. In the north, it is necessary to guard against Cao Wei, personally go to the handbook, let the words be sincere, and strive to put the general and Wenpin in the overall situation first, and defend the northern frontier for Chu and Han.

Liu Bei's real army was still the soldiers of Xiangzhou. Pingwu Lingman, guarding Xiangzhou for several years, and the prestige that had been deposited for many years was used to burst out.

Let the Jingxiang clan understand that Liu Bei not only controlled the most elite army of Chu and Han in the east, but also Xiangzhou in the south was completely infiltrated by Liu Bei secretly. For example, the Kuai brothers all knew that Liu Bei's city was extremely deep, and at this time, Fang Jue still underestimated him.

However, when the "Qinwang Army" in the east and south pressed towards Jiangling, all the Jingxiang people who had come back to the taste shuddered. Liu Bei, who is harmless to humans and animals, is actually a generation of heroes.

Under the planning of Xu Shu and other advisers, Liu Bei set the tone of pacifying Cai Mao with the general trend from the beginning of raising the flag. Chu and Han were surrounded by strong enemies, and he wanted to quickly stabilize the domestic situation and not want to cause a major war.

Cai Mao couldn't even grasp Jiangling steadily, and in the face of Liu Bei, who was torn in his face, he hurriedly issued an edict to crusade against him, and there was no voice in the entire Chu Han to respond. Guarding Jiangling, Cai Mao and his people sat on wax, and they could only watch Liu Bei march on both sides.

From the death of Liu Biao, to Cai Mao's rise to power, to Liu Bei's march to Jiangling. The changes in the situation between Chu and Han affected the entire southern country, including Cao Wei in the Central Plains and Liu Xia in Guanzhong.