Regarding Liu Qian's rebellion, later historians have always been controversial. Although the last act was unmistakable, the focus of the debate between the two sides was Liu Qian's motives for raising troops. Those who hold the positive opinion claim that Liu Qianqian still led his army south under the premise that he could not determine the authenticity of the secret letter he received, which is obviously a manifestation of his own intention to take advantage of the infighting in the palace; The people on the opposite side said that Liu Qian had an army of 150,000 troops, but only led 50,000 people to the south, and at the same time strengthened the defense of the northern border pass to prevent the Raiders from attacking and harassing the south, which in itself shows that Liu Qian's original intention was to safeguard the interests of the Silk Country and to maintain the orthodox power of the imperial family.

In fact, Liu Qian's behavior can be said to be both. His intention to defend the national unity is very clear, but to say that he did not take this opportunity to strengthen his position would inevitably think of him too noblely. Due to the long-term suppression by Liu Yutong, Liu Qian's over-cautiousness has been created, which has also affected Liu Qian's determination to go south this time is not so resolute. This also gave later historians a lot of evidence for their different opinions.

When the 5,000 cavalry sent by Liu Qian was hindered in Hezhongfu, Liu Qian's army had just marched into Jinju and had not yet left his actual jurisdiction. Originally, the soldiers were fast, but Liu Qian seemed to swallow slowly, of course, because of his own uncertainty in his heart, but also because Liu Qian hoped to obtain more correct information in the process.

Since Liu Yan's secret decree had already been delivered to Hezhong Prefecture, Liu Qian's cavalry's request to cross the border and cross the river was sternly refused. The sudden arrival of a cavalry of unknown origin could not but arouse the vigilance of the local army, not to mention that this army actually claimed to have entered Beijing by the edict of the first emperor. Local officials immediately presented Liu Yan's decree and stated that he would not return to the station in time. It will be exterminated as a rebel army, and the surrounding areas will be notified to join forces to suppress the rebellion. Eventually, the cavalry had to return. Although the garrison of Hazhong Province did not exceed 3,000 men, it was difficult for the cavalry to storm the city. In addition, the Hezhong Mansion has significantly strengthened its vigilance, and it is pointless to fight hard. Since it is not possible to cross the Yellow River westward, it may be wise to avoid a head-on confrontation and show that you are not a rebel.

Liu Qian, who received the news from the front, fell into hesitation again, and An Zaidao tried his best to persuade him to make up his mind as soon as possible, so as not to sit idly by and watch the opportunity. In the end, Liu Qian decided to march into the army, but this time he chose to go west to Cizhou, from where he crossed the Yellow River, and then detoured south to Chang'an via Fangzhou.

At this time, someone came to report to the little prince Liu Xianzhi and asked to see him. Liu Qian listened and crooked his mouth. Tell him to come in. This little prince Liu Xianzhi is Liu Qian's third son, only fourteen years old this year, and he has been weak and sick since he was a child, so he did not follow Liu Qian's Taiyuan, but will raise his body in the relatively warm Huaizhou area, so among Liu Qian's many children, Liu Qian's relationship with this son is the weakest. However, Liu Xianzhi has been smart since he was a child, and his receptivity in all aspects is extraordinary, and he is really an all-round embryo. Unfortunately, God tricked him to give him a sick body, so that he was bedridden for six months of the year. And now he's coming suddenly. made Liu Qian have a bad premonition.

Sure enough, when Liu Xianyi saw Liu Qian, he knelt down and cried: "Father, you must not continue to march into the army, this is the way to take trouble." ”

Liu Qian looked at this thin, sick and crooked son. sneered: "Wang'er, you are still young, this matter should not be your advice." ”

Liu Xianzhi ignored his father's obstruction and continued: "Father Wang Mingjian. At present, the authenticity of the secret letter in your hand cannot be proven, even if it is true. It only takes a piece of paper to be completely denied, so that a person will be charged with rebellion. This is a great sin of the clan, please consider it. ”

"Shut up! What do you know! This is related to the safety of the community! ”

Liu Xianzhi was not afraid, raised his body and said, "Father's words are wrong. If it was really for the sake of the community, my father should have stood still. If the struggle for power between the Empress Dowager Li and the emperor really turns into a mutiny, your 50,000 troops can be said to be far away and difficult to save the fire, if the Empress Dowager Li and her faction master the forbidden army and the two battalions in the north and south, it will be too late for you to arrive, and the father's march into the army may intensify their behavior, originally they have an army may be just a threat, but the approach of your 50,000 army may force them to take risks, and then threaten the emperor's safety. Rather than this, it is better for you to sit in Taiyuan with troops and sit back and watch the situation. Even if Empress Dowager Li wins, she is just pushing Liu Xian to the throne and taking power by herself. If she dares to murder the emperor, it just gives us an excuse to crusade against her; If she imprisons the emperor, we can also take the lead in advocating a righteous act and call on the divisions of the Qin King from all over the country to enter Beijing to quell the rebellion. ”

Liu Qian said angrily: "What do you know! The cavalry I sent was blocked in Hezhong Province, and even if I wanted to, it was too late to change the plan, and now I had to send it! Hugh has to say more! ”

Liu Xianzhi stopped his sorrow, stood up, waved his hand and signaled everyone to retreat, before he walked up to Liu Qian, and said in a low voice: "Isn't my father completely thinking about the society, but trying to control the world by himself?" ”

Liu Qian was taken aback and reprimanded: "Brute! Why do you come up with such words that there is no father and no king? ”

Liu Qian stared at Liu Qian for a while before he said, "Father, your eyes don't lie, the purpose revealed in your eyes is not pure. If the father really had the intention of taking power for himself, he would not be able to act like he is now. The total number of the two battalions in the north and south plus the forbidden army does not exceed 50,000, and if you bring 50,000 soldiers, it will be more than enough if it is the Weizhen Beijing Division, and if it is really raised, it will be insufficient. If the Jingshi declares that you are a rebellion, it is difficult to say which side the 100,000 troops left in Taiyuan will stand on, and you should take all the army in your hands, capture Hezhongfu as soon as possible, cross the Yellow River, and go straight to Chang'an City. ”

"Hezhong Mansion has been prepared, if the strong attack is unfavorable, it will lower morale, prepare for my father to go west to Cizhou, and then go south." Liu Qian's face softened slightly, and being told by his son that he had something in his heart gave him a new understanding of his son's intelligence.

"Father, this must not be done. I wanted to cross the Yellow River from the direction of Cizhou, but the water there was turbulent and there was a lack of boats, so it would be a waste of time to cross the river with a large army, and it could only be used as a surprise army to raid Chang'an. If you don't want to attack Hezhongfu, it is better to quickly march south to cross the river, and then enter Tongguan in the west and fall into Luoyang in the east. With the eastern capital of Luoyang, we have a foundation, and threatening Tongguan can attract Chang'an's troops to the east, and we will easily succeed in crossing the river from Cizhou to attack Chang'an with surprise troops. ”

The more Liu Qian listened, the more he felt that Liu Xianzhi did have his own views on military affairs, and his plan became more pleasing to the ear, so he nodded and said: "In this case, my father will immediately send cavalry to Cizhou, and the army will immediately cross the river south." You hurry back to Taiyuan, take the troops in hand, and rush to the aid of your father. ”

Liu Xianzhi hurriedly knelt down and said, "Obey!" Erchen will let the second brother personally command an army of 50,000 to support his father, and Erchen will lead 20,000 horses to attack Xingzhou, enter Jizhou, and block the route of Chang Miao's army to return to help. ”

Hearing this, Liu Qian finally smiled and said, "It's hard for you to think thoughtfully, just do as you say!" ”

From this moment, the nature of Liu Qian's army changed, although the only people who knew it at that time were Liu Qian and Liu Xianzhi. (To be continued......)