Three years after Emperor Ling's reign, the nationwide Yellow Turban Rebellion has gradually subsided, and has been replaced by small-scale popular uprisings in various states and counties under the banner of the Yellow Turban. Among them, there are also many powerful ones, such as the Black Mountain Army and the White Polish Army. These successive peasant uprisings were constantly draining the vitality of the Han Empire.

Liu Yan's idea led Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty to decentralize power, and the governors of each prefecture and county began to face the peasant uprisings within their jurisdiction independently, and they were responsible for their own profits and losses. Although this freed the imperial court from the fatigue of the peasant uprising, it also sowed the seeds of division in the empire.

For a time, the Han Empire established many branches in various places. Their relationship with the imperial court headquarters was extremely delicate, and the political turmoil within the imperial court after Emperor Ling's death caused the heads of these branches to gradually seek greater power, intending to break away from the control of the head office, or even replace the head office.

However, not everyone is unwilling to have anything to do with the head office of the imperial court, especially when the head office needs a blood transfusion.

In May of the third year of Guangxi's reign, because of serious land annexation, natural disasters, and the brutal rule of corrupt officials, the peasants of Qingdao, Yan, and Henan Prefectures, who had been cornered, began to take desperate risks. Small-scale popular uprisings were frequent, followed by a larger peasant uprising.

Originally, this uprising in history started in Qingzhou, and it was still under the banner of the Yellow Turban Army, known as the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Uprising.

Although the uprising began in Qingzhou, other states began to show signs of this, with public resentment boiling and small-scale civil uprisings continuing.

Without the original history of the Shandong princes to discuss the council, Liu Dai, Qiao Mao and other Yanzhou governors of Yanzhou have focused their attention on their own territory. The people in Yanzhou are turbulent, and these people are naturally sensitive to it.

Riots are not trivial, and if they are not done well, they will shake the foundation of their own rights and rule. Yanzhou Assassin Shi Liu Dai, Dongjun Taishou Qiao Mao, Jibei Xiang Bao Xin, Shanyang Taishou Yuan Yi, Chen Liutai Shou Zhang Miao, Yanzhou Mind figures all nervously gathered together to discuss countermeasures.

Liu Dai is the assassin of Yanzhou and a relative of the Han family, everyone is headed by him, so naturally he will speak first:

"Now the mobs of Yan, Qing and Yu are everywhere, one after another, and there is a great chaos about to arise. The reason why I invite you here today is to work together to find a way to prevent problems before they happen. ”

Although the meeting was presided over by Liu Dai, the initiator was Dongjun Taishou Qiaomao. His people are anxious for justice and righteousness, loyal to the court, and as soon as Liu Dai's voice fell, he immediately continued: "Yanzhou is weak and difficult to support alone, so we should go to the court as soon as possible and send troops to assist." ”

Although Liu Dai is a member of the Han family, his loyalty to the court is not as strong as Qiaomao. Fearing that the imperial court would send troops into Yanzhou, it would pose a threat to his rule over Yanzhou, so he remained silent and did not say anything about Qiao Mao's idea.

Others were equally silent, each with their own thoughts.

As soon as Shanyang Taishou Yuan Yi saw everyone like this, he took the opportunity to say: "The first emperor once issued an edict ordering us to get rid of the thieves by ourselves, so why bother asking the court again now." I have a plan to solve the Yanzhou crisis. ”

Liu Dai asked, "What's the plan?" ”

Yuan Yi replied: "Bohai guards Yuan Shao too much, both civil and military, and the hero is extraordinary. There are many generals in Jizhou, so why not turn to him for help and send troops to assist us. ”

Before Liu Dai could express his position, Qiao Mao objected and said: "The imperial court is the orthodoxy of the world and the desire of all the people. And although Yuan Shao has a good name, after all, he is only a county guard. What is the intention of the public house to seek the place in the center, putting the cart before the horse? ”

Yuan Yi was furious when he heard this, drew his sword and shouted: "I am offering advice for justice, and you dare to doubt me, is it not bad to deceive my sword?" ”

Qiao Mao also drew his sword and shouted, "Your sword is sharp, my sword is not disadvantaged?" ”

Seeing that the two of them were about to make a move, Bao Xin, Zhang Miao and others on the side hurriedly pulled the two of them away and persuaded each other.

Liu Dai frowned at the quarrel between the two of them. His ambition is not as big as that of the two brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, but he has some careful thoughts about wanting to be the emperor of the soil in Yanzhou. But Yanzhou has been a place of four wars since ancient times, and non-male lords cannot live in it. Liu Daizhi is talented and has average ability, and Qiao Mao, Bao Xin and others are not general, although he is a thorn and a member of the Han family, and he seems to be noble, but it is still very difficult to control these people to rule Yanzhou.

The only way is to cling to others and use the power of others to stabilize their rule in Yanzhou. To the north of Yanzhou is Yuan Shao, who is growing in strength and wants to lead Jizhou, to the south is Yuan Shu, who is powerful in Nanyang and Runan counties, and to the east is the central court that is gradually recovering. The three forces have been eyeing Yanzhou for a long time.

The quarrel between Qiao Mao and Yuan Yi seems to be disagreeable, but in fact, at a deep level, Qiao Mao, who represents the power of the imperial court, and Yuan Yi, who represents the power of Yuan Shao, compete for the influence of the forces behind them in Yanzhou.

Liu Dai himself actually doesn't want the forces of the imperial court to intervene in Yanzhou, but Yuan Shao's ambition is not small, who knows if the front door will refuse the tiger and the back door will enter the wolf? Therefore, he hesitated, looked at the others, and had to ask, "What do the other princes think?" ”

Chen Liutaishou Zhang Miao was born in the party, and in his early years, he and Yuan Shao and Cao Cao opposed the eunuch dictatorship, and was admired by the scholars and was known as the "Eight Chefs". Because of his good relationship with Yuan Shao, he is also the party who supports Yuan Shao for help.

Although Bao Xin has also been friends with Yuan Shao since childhood, after the Ten Standing Servants were executed, Yuan Shao's various performances against Dong Zhuo made Bao Xin very disappointed in Yuan Shao's indecisive character. In his heart, there is only one person who is qualified to rule Yanzhou and calm the people.

Bao Xin couldn't help but smile slightly when he thought of this, and he didn't know what happened to that person in the capital. I heard that he was quite used under the little emperor, and I think that with his character, he must be showing his strength and strength, and he is a talent in his chest.

Although most people such as Yuan Yi and Zhang Miao supported Yuan Shao for help, Qiao Mao firmly grasped the truth that the imperial court was the orthodoxy of the country and insisted on his own opinion. Bao Xin smiled silently. At this time, a tall scribe behind Liu Dai suddenly burst out laughing.

The crowd was stunned, stopped arguing, and all looked at the scribe. I saw that he was tall, eight feet three inches, with a wisp of beautiful hair hanging down his chest, and his bearing was extraordinary.

Everyone was secretly surprised in their hearts, but Yuan Yi was dissatisfied with this person who disrupted their dispute, and asked angrily: "Who are you, why are you laughing and disturbing our deliberations?" ”

The scribe replied with a smile: "In Xiadong Ah Chengli, because he saw that all the princes were heroes of the world, but they were hesitant and timid about trivial matters, so he laughed. ”

When Yuan Yi heard that this person was just a commoner, he looked down on him a little, and even saw him sneering, so he couldn't help but be annoyed and angry: "You are a commoner, you dare to disturb the deliberations of adults, and make disrespectful remarks, isn't it a thief and a spy?" Come! ”

A soldier heard the news and came in.

Yuan Yi pointed at Cheng Li and shouted, "Drive this madman out!" ”

"Stop!"

The soldier was about to step forward to make a move, but was stopped by Liu Dai shouting!

Liu Dai glanced at Yuan Yi, extremely dissatisfied in his heart. The so-called dog beating also depends on the owner, not to mention that the scholar named Cheng Li in front of him is a famous man invited by his corporal, this person has a noble temperament, and he has conquered many times without giving up, and today he finally invited him to give advice on the grounds of Yanzhou's safety and the people's misfortune, but he was shouted loudly by Yuan Yi, and he did not put himself in his eyes at all.

Liu Dai was angry in his heart, and even with it, Liu Dai disgusted Yuan Shao. thought that if Yuan Shao entered Yanzhou, I was afraid that he would be driven away like Cheng Li.

Thinking of this, Liu Dai said coldly to Yuan Yi: "Boye (Yuan Yizi) is suspicious. This person is a famous man in Dong'a, who I invited to discuss major matters, not a thief and a spy. ”

Yuan Yi choked, and when he heard that Liu Dai's voice was a little wrong, he stepped aside in disagreement.

Qiao Mao suddenly realized when he heard the four words of Dong'e Mingshi, and hurriedly asked Cheng Lidao: "Dare to ask Mr. Cheng Zhongde, who is the thief king of the county?" ”

Cheng Li replied: "It's exactly below." ”

Qiao Mao saluted respectfully and said, "I have heard the name of the Magi for a long time. ”

Cheng Li turned sideways, saying that he didn't dare to accept his courtesy, bowed his hand, and said: "How can a rough man in the countryside be worthy of the name of a wise man." ”

Qiao Mao said: "Mr. is too humble and deserves it." ”

Qiao Mao elevated Cheng Li like this, not only to admire Cheng Li's talent, but also to please Liu Dai and win his favor. There is also a motive to deliberately embarrass Yuan Yi, who looks down on Cheng Li.

Yuan Yi was so angry that his face turned blue and white for a while.

Qiao Mao said again: "Mr. was so confident just now, I think I must have a clever plan to teach you, and I hope to give you advice." ”

Cheng Li said: "I can't talk about teaching, but there is something unclear below, and I hope that the princes can solve their doubts." ”

Qiao Mao said, "Sir, excuse me." ”

"The princes just argued that they wanted to ask Yuan Shao to come to Yanzhou to help, do you know if he can really come?"

Yuan Yi shouted anxiously on the side: "Why won't you come." ”

Cheng Li smiled slightly and continued: "If the people change up, the world will be uneasy, and the three prefectures of Qing, Yan and Henan will bear the brunt, and Jizhou will also be affected by it. Will Yuan Shaoke abandon Jizhou and come to help Yanzhou? Besides, Yuan Shao and Jizhou Mu Hanfu are not in harmony, if there is a dispute at that time, the two sides will inevitably fight each other, and Yuan Shao will have time to go south? ”

Yuan Yi was speechless when asked, in fact, his proposal for Yuan Shao to enter Yanzhou was only temporary, and he did not discuss it with Yuan Shao beforehand, but now listening to what Cheng Li said, he also felt that Yuan Shao was indeed a little too busy to take care of himself.

Thinking of no other reason, Yuan Yi had no choice but to remain silent. Qiao Mao said happily: "So you should ask the court for help?" ”

Cheng Li nodded slightly, and said: "The imperial court's new victory in Xiliang rebels, morale is booming, and there are no worries, it is suitable to aid Yanzhou." ”

Qiao Mao was overjoyed and called "great goodness" again and again.

Liu Dai was silent on the side, although he also felt that asking for help from Yuan Shao was a little unreliable, but he was not at ease with the imperial court. Since the imperial court defeated the Xiliang rebels, the prestige has been increasing, and the local princes are all afraid. Not long ago, Liu Wei proposed the separation of local military and political affairs in the reform of the military system, which made people see the intention of the imperial court to take back local power.

Cheng Li saw that Liu Dai was hesitant, and he had already guessed what he was afraid of, so he said again: "The people of Yanzhou are still slight, and they have not caused a big disaster. The envoy does not need to invite the imperial army to come, but only needs to ask for the imperial court's grain and grass assistance. Even if the imperial court really sent someone to bring the army, the envoy should strictly refuse, at least not let the imperial court send a prestigious important minister. At the same time, the envoy can also go to the table to seek greater authority to stabilize Yanzhou. ”

The words were so explicit that Liu Dai also understood. It is to ask the court for money and food, but not to send people over. At the same time, he asked the imperial court to delegate power and increase his own power to dominate Yanzhou.

Liu Dai couldn't think of any other way at this time, so he agreed with Cheng Li's idea. Everyone agreed that Liu Dai would go to the court to ask for assistance, and then they dispersed.

Cheng Li was walking in front when he suddenly heard someone behind him stop him.

"Mr. Zhongde stays."

Cheng Li looked back and saw that it was Jibei Prime Minister Bao Xin who came from behind.

To be continued, stay tuned for the next chapter