In the eleventh year of Jian'an, the pattern of the world has changed greatly, Jiangdong was newly defeated, retreated to Danyang Wu County, and licked his wounds.

Yizhou Zhang Lu and Cai Mao are still entangled, and Liu Zhang is watching the situation.

At this time, Liu Biao's power spread all over the south, Jiaozhou was seized by him, Yangzhou had already obtained Yuzhang, and Yizhou had obtained most of Ba County.

And many Jiangdong and Yizhou families wrote letters to him to surrender, and their power reached its peak for a while.

And at this time, Liu Biao finally decided to be the emperor.

Since the spring of this year, many officials and families attached to him have persuaded him, including Jia Xu, Zhang Xiu, Cai Mao, Kuai Yue and others.

Liu Biao "excused" several times, but in the end he could not resist the so-called "revival of the Han family" righteousness, in March of the eleventh year of Jian'an, that is, in April 206 AD, he officially ascended the throne as the emperor, and the country name was still the Han Dynasty, rewarding hundreds of officials, and feasting the ministers.

It's just that only half of the Jingzhou families are willing to follow Liu Biao crazy, and the other half are obviously in a wait-and-see state, and many people even migrate directly to the southern region, unwilling to go out of the Jingzhou court.

But no matter what, after several years of planning, Liu Biao's long-cherished wish was finally achieved, and in March, he officially sacrificed heaven and earth, completed the enthronement ceremony, set the capital Xiangyang, and established the emperor's business.

The situation of Liu Biao's act of proclaiming the emperor in various parts of the world was different, and the court of Chen Capital severely condemned it and sent envoys to negotiate. Liu Zhang was also greatly annoyed, but now the situation was weak, and there was no way to offend Liu Biao, so he could only not interfere, and Sun Quan declared himself a vassal to the northern court, expressing his willingness to form an alliance with Cao Cao to fight against Liu Biao.

Han Sui and Ma Teng and others in Guanzhong also sent people from Wuguan to Jingzhou to congratulate them, but Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang did not say anything, since Cao Cao retreated to Yanzhou, the two brothers were about to fight each other, and they really didn't have the idea of provoking Liu Biao.

For a time, due to Liu's great power, except for Cao Cao, who stood on a different political position, and Sun Quan, a sworn enemy, everyone did not dare to make any moves. But Cao Cao and Sun Quan were licking their wounds, and they did not send troops south to attack Jingzhou.

Therefore, even if there are some opposing voices within Jingzhou, without the interference of external forces, the process of Liu Biao's proclamation as emperor is still very smooth, as if it is the destiny of heaven.

Jingzhou, in Xiangyang City, Liu Biao, who had completed the enthronement ceremony a few days ago, was discussing things with Jia Xu Kuaiyue and others in the original Chu Palace, the current palace.

After Liu Biao became emperor, he rewarded hundreds of officials. He promised Jia Xu to be the prime minister, but for the time being, he did not follow the example of the former Han Dynasty to open the post of prime minister, but first appointed Jia Xu as the Taifu, the general charge of the three dukes, and the rest Cai Mao as the Taiwei, Kuai Yue as Situ, and Huang Zu as Sikong.

Zhang Yun, Liu Qi, Liu Xian, Deng Hong, Wen Ying, Liu Guan, Cheng Qi and other original subordinates were Jiuqing.

The rest of Zhang Xiu, Huang Jie, Wang Wei, Lu Jie, Wen Ping, Wu Ju, Han Xi, Kuai Jun, Kuai Qi, Zhang Cun, Xi Zhen, Yang Yi, Xiang Lang, Song Zhong, Qi Wuhong, Wang Cang, Fu Xun, Du Kui, Meng Yao, Xu Yan, Lai Gong, Hu Fu, Liu Heng and others were also rewarded.

And it includes many Jingzhou families, such as Xiang Lang of Xiangyang Xiang, Xi Zhen of Xiangyang Xi, Zhang Cun of Nanyang Zhang, Yang Yi of Xiangyang Yang and Pang Wen of Xiangyang Pang.

Historically, they were originally middle- and lower-level officials under Liu Biao, but it was only after Liu Biao collapsed that they defected to Liu Bei and became Liu Bei's subordinates.

So at this time, after Liu Biao became emperor, he naturally became Liu Biao's courtier, and did not oppose Liu Biao.

However, there are still some who rejected Liu Biao's conquest, such as Han Ran of the Han clan in Nanyang, who was originally appointed by Liu Biao as an official in Nanyang, and after Liu Biao became emperor, he abandoned the official and went south to Liu Bei.

There are also Yi, Li Yan and others also abandoned their officials to defect to Liu Bei, they were originally county officials sent by Liu Biao to Wancheng, because Liu Bei is known for his virtue and politics in Wancheng, they all sincerely admire Liu Bei's personality, so they went to defect.

The rest of the eight families in Jingzhou, the Cai family and the Kuai family belong to Liu Biao, and the Pang family has only one branch, Pang Wen, this Pang Wen is the son of Pang Ji, a strategist in Liu Biao's early days, Pang Ji is a member of Pang Degong's clan, and Pang Wen cannot represent the Pang family after his death, so the Pang family belongs to the wait-and-see.

And the Xiang family, the Yang family, and the Xi family sent the core children to Liu Biao, but they were only out of office, and they did not all fall to him, the Huang family and the Ma family were not out of people, and the Ma family was the best among the white eyebrows.

This is almost the reaction of the entire Jingzhou family to Liu Biao's claim to be emperor, except for the Cai family and the Kuai family, who have already gotten on the boat and can't run away, the others either remain neutral and wait and see, or just send someone to deal with Liu Biao, and more people don't plan to participate in it.

However, Liu Biao didn't care, and now his general trend has become a success. The army under his command is nearly 200,000, although there are many top families who are still waiting, but there are still countless small and medium-sized families and children of poor families who are willing to work in Jingzhou, so now he is not short of middle and lower-level officials who do things.

Now it is just that he is too old, he is more than sixty-five years old, and although he is called emperor, he feels that he may not live for a few years, so he gathers a few close ministers and discusses with them about the establishment of an heir.

At this moment, in the main hall, Taifu Jia Xu, Situ Kuaiyue, Zhang Yun, Liu Qi, Liu Xian, Deng Hong, Wen Ying, Liu Guan, Cheng Qi and other ministers are all there.

Liu Biao coughed softly a few times, and then said: "Ladies and gentlemen, now that I have sat on most of the south, Liu Zhang is weak and cannot set an example for the clan, and I will seize Xichuan next, what do you think?" ”

Kuai Yue hurriedly said: "Your Majesty's hegemony is about to be accomplished, just what." ”

"Not bad."

Cheng Qi also said: "Your Majesty's soldiers are strong and strong, and the destiny of heaven returns, as long as Xichuan and Jiangdong are in hand, you will be able to go north and take the Central Plains directly and achieve great achievements." ”

"Hahaha."

Liu Biao stroked his beard and laughed, and when he was excited, he coughed violently, causing many officials below to frown slightly.

In fact, don't look at Jingzhou, it seems that there are not many families willing to serve him, but the main reason is that Liu Biao is too old, and the descendants are not angry, so people are prohibitive.

If Liu Biao is replaced by thirty years old, even if he is forty years old, it is estimated that there are a large number of Jingzhou families who are willing to follow him desperately and want to be the minister of the new dynasty.

Because his power is really big.

The entire Jingzhou and Jiaozhou, and then half of Yangzhou, and Liu Zhang was disabled, and Sun Quan also suffered a lot of losses.

Under normal circumstances, if Liu Biao has enough energy, it will definitely not be a big problem to annex Yizhou first and then take Jiangdong.

But it's a pity that he is not old enough, Liu Cong is cowardly, and Liu Qi has some other factors before he was abandoned by the family.

"Ahem, cough, cough"

Liu Biao coughed a few times, calmed his mood again, looked around at everyone and said: "The land of Yizhou in Jiangdong is just around the corner, but I feel that my health is not good, and I am afraid that there will be an unforeseen day, and I want to establish the prince, my third son, who do you think can be it?" ”

"Amount"

Everyone hesitated for a moment, and their eyes looked at Kuai Yue.

Kuai Yue immediately said: "Your Majesty, the three princes are all good, but only the second prince is the most suitable. ”

"Why is that?"

Liu Biao looked at Kuai Yue, he also had a lot of entanglements on this issue, so he held a meeting to discuss.

Kuai Yue analyzed: "The second prince has good morals and can continue. ”

"What about Bury and Ji Xu?"

"The third prince is young, but the eldest prince is the eldest prince."

"How's Berry?"

Liu Biao asked.

Kuai Yue said softly: "No queen." ”

"Hmm"

Liu Biao groaned.

This is Liu Qi's biggest disadvantage, he has no descendants.

To some extent, Liu Biao has indeed established a foundation.

But the issue of offspring is his biggest drawback.

Liu Xiu is young, and he likes literature without talent, which is basically impossible, so Liu Biao can only choose between Liu Qi and Liu Cong.

Liu Qi is a suitable heir, but the absence of an heir means that the imperial industry cannot be passed on.

Liu Cong has a queen, but he is cowardly, once Liu Biao dies and Liu Cong succeeds to the throne, then the power will be held by the Cai Kuo and the two clans.

If you change to a strong emperor like Zhu Yuanzhang, you will simply carry out a purge and kill the Cai Kuai and the two clans up and down, so that after Liu Biao's death, Liu Cong will naturally be able to inherit power smoothly.

The problem is that the foundation of Liu Kui's rule is in the hands of Cai Kuai's two clans, Jingzhou's 200,000 army, Cai Kuai and his two occupy two-fifths, and the rest of the soldiers and horses are in the hands of Zhang Yun, Huang Zu, Liu Pan and others.

So that's where the most awkward part becomes.

It is not suitable for the eldest son, nor is it suitable for the second son, Liu Biaokong has such a big territory, such a big force, but there is no heir.

If it is usually raised from the clan, such as Liu Pan, Liu Hu and others, aren't they his own nephews?

But the war years when fighting the country were not good, and a wise and heroic lord was needed.

So that's the real reason why the Maison doesn't side with him.

There is no successor.

This is the situation that Liu is in.

Seeing this situation, Liu Biaochang sighed and said, "Let's discuss this matter again." ”

"Yui!"

The ministers looked at each other and walked away.

On this issue, even Jia Xu has no way to hint at anything.

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A few days later.

Xunyang County, Yuzhang County, Yangzhou.

Although Sun Quan was defeated, the Jiangxia naval army was also a crushing victory, and Huang Zu himself was almost captured, losing tens of thousands of horses, so he could only retreat to Chaisang and other places first.

Liu Qi and Shen Chen continued to be stationed in Xunyang, and the Jiangdong side was almost in the same situation as the confrontation after the Battle of Peng Lishui.

In the Xunyang County Ya Mansion, Liu Qi was anxiously walking back and forth in the Fu Ya Hall.

After a while, Shen Chen came in a hurry, and seeing him coming, Liu Qi hurriedly shouted: "Ah Chen, the big thing is not good, my father is really the emperor." ”

"Ugh."

Shen Chen shook his head and said, "The general trend is beyond the power of manpower. ”

Liu Qi pulled Shen Chen to sit on the seat and asked anxiously, "Then what should I do?" ”

When Liu Biao planned to be the emperor before, he sent someone to Jiangxia to recall Liu Qi, intending to canonize him as the crown prince.

Jia Xu and Shen Chen's persuasion actually had an effect, but Liu Qi did not dare to return to Xiangyang, because he had been assassinated several times in recent times.

Jiangxia is Huang Zu's territory, and tens of thousands of Jiangxia sailors are all surrounded by Liu Qi, and they can all be assassinated here, let alone return to Xiangyang.

I'm afraid that it has long become a tiger's den in Longtan, and going back is basically a dead end.

Therefore, at Shen Chen's suggestion, Liu Qi refused Liu Biao's call on the grounds of guarding against and eliminating Jiangdong's losses.

Although Liu Biao wanted to take Liu Qi with him when he was proclaimed emperor, hold a sacrifice and enthronement ceremony, and officially canonize him as the crown prince, he also hesitated when he learned of Liu Qi's assassination, and finally did not force a recall.

In the final analysis, the reason why Liu Biao can have today is because of the support of Kuai Cai's two families, even now Kuai Yue and Cai Mao still have a strong army in their hands and cannot be moved lightly.

Second, he really likes Mrs. Cai very much, and Liu Cong is also his own son, and the palms and backs of his hands are full of meat, which is difficult to give up.

Therefore, Liu Biao could only let Liu Qi continue to stay in Jiangxia first, and then think of another way to consider the heir issue.

In addition to this, there is one most important point.

These days, Liu Biao himself is thinking about this matter every day.

Even if he knew that he passed on the throne to Liu Cong, he would have a huge country, and he would be seized by Cai Mao and Kuaiyue and others.

But Liu Qi has no queen, which is the biggest problem.

Although he has laid down a big country, but the eldest son has no heir, there is no inheritance, which is the worst thing.

Therefore, Liu Biao still seemed very hesitant in this matter and did not make up his mind.

And this is also a good thing for Liu Qi, after all, once he is really crowned the crown prince, I am afraid that Liu Cong's forces will go crazy and start to fight back against him.

Shen Chen knelt on the seat and said seriously: "The King of Chu had the intention of calling the emperor a long time ago, but rashly calling the emperor is the way to cause trouble. The hearts of the people in the world belong to the Han, and it is the Han of the Chen court that can be attributed to the Han of Jingzhou, the king of Chu is now in the eastern suburbs to worship heaven and earth, set up his own court, and reward hundreds of officials, but he is isolated from the people of the world, and the eldest son must not attach the wings of the king of Chu. ”

Liu Qi sat down on the seat and said, "That's my father, what if you can't attach his wings?" I also persuaded him, but he wrote to me instead to say that we are the descendants of the clan, and we should revitalize the Han Dynasty, and he called the emperor for the foundation of the ancestors. ”

"If the king of Chu is twenty years younger, it is naturally okay to be called the emperor, but when he is old, manpower cannot prevail over the mandate of heaven after all."

Shen Chen looked at Liu Qi and said: "The eldest son is a reasonable person, and he must not agree to return to Xiangyang, if one goes to Xiangyang, he may be harmed by the second son." The eldest son of the two has no queen, and he may not be passed on to the son when he returns to Xiangyang, and once the second son inherits the unification, the eldest son will undoubtedly die, and he should be based on Jiangxia, work diligently, and take many concubines. ”

"Huh?"

Liu Qi was dumbfounded and said, "Ah Chen is asking me to give birth to several children in Jiangxia?" ”

Shen Chen said with a smile: "Naturally, if the eldest son has the heart to inherit the great cause of the King of Chu, he should work hard to make himself a queen, otherwise this inheritance will be obtained by Cai Mao and Yueyue and others." The character of the second son, the eldest son, should know that if he succeeds to the throne, I am afraid that the country built by the king of Chu will not be guaranteed. ”

This is the most realistic problem, Liu Qi has no queen, Liu Cong is controlled by Cai Mao and others, Liu Xiu is young and has no talent, unless Liu Biao has the courage to pass the throne to Liu Pan and Liu Hu, otherwise, this foundation is destined to not last long.

Shen Chen and Liu Qi also have a deep friendship, although Shen Chen's heart is for Liu Bei, but he also sincerely gave Liu Qi advice, if he works hard and gives birth to a child, the future situation may be very different.

"I'll do my best."

Liu Qi reluctantly answered.

Shen Chen gave him his hand and said, "Eldest son, at this moment, Jiangdong is no longer able to attack Yuzhang, and I will also go back home." ”

"Why? Ah Chen, you want to leave me? ”

Liu Qi hurriedly retained.

Shen Chen said with a smile: "I am already crowned this year, and my parents wrote to me to ask me to go home and take a look, and I will also take the words and crown gifts." ”

In the Han Dynasty, the crown ceremony was the third major ritual in life in addition to the funeral ceremony and the evening ceremony, and a grand banquet was held.

Shen Chen is twenty years old this year, and he should indeed go back to hold this grand ceremony.

Liu Qi nodded and said, "I see, then I will wait for Ah Chen in Yuzhang, and you will return as soon as possible." ”

"Yui!"

Shen Chen gave up, and he was going to set off back to Xinye in the next two days.

(End of chapter)