Cao Cao declared his support for Liu Xie, the son of heaven in Chang'an, and threatened to crusade against the puppet emperor of Zhuocheng, breaking the balance of the power of the states south of the Yellow River and watching the two emperors compete.

Zang Hong followed Cao Cao and sent Zhang Chao to pay tribute to Chang'an, and Liu Xie named Zang Hong as the pastor of Yanzhou, the general of Anbei, and the marquis of Juancheng.

Lujiang was too guarded by Lu Kang, Yuzhang was too guarded by Huaxin, and various counties were also successively spread to support Chang'an.

Danyang Taishou Zhou Xin and former Jiujiang Taishou Zhou Ang supported Zhuocheng Tianzi.

At the suggestion of Wang Lang, the Xuzhou Assassin Shi Tao Qian sent Wang Lang to pay tribute to Liu Xie to express his support for the Han family in Chang'an, and Liu Xie was promoted to Tao Qian as Xuzhou Mu, General Andong, and Marquis of Tancheng after Tao Qian's recital, and Wang Lang was appointed as the Huiji Taishou.

Lingling Taishou Zhang Xian was not convinced by Liu Biao and chose to support the Son of Heaven in Zhuocheng.

Yuan Shao ordered Zhang Xian to be the Taishou of Changsha and supervise the two counties of Lingling and Guiyang.

Shou Chun.

Zhou Xin and Zhou Ang were ordered by Yuan Shao to temporarily give up fighting with Yuan Shu.

The angels of Zhuocheng appointed by Gongsun Chan also arrived in Shouchun through Qingxu.

Looking at the seal of the hussar general, the seal of the Yangzhou Thorn History, and the holy decree of the soldiers and horses of the governors Yan, Yu, Yang, and Xu, Yuan Shu's expression was cloudy, which made Gongsun Ji, who announced the decree, feel apprehensive in his heart.

"General Gongsun admires General Yuan a lot, and has always believed that General Yuan is the most outstanding person of the Yuan clan in Runan."

"Therefore, General Gongsun asked His Majesty to confer General Yuan as the hussar general, Yangzhou Thorn History, Governor Yan, Henan, Yang, and Xu four state soldiers and horses, and they were above the Yuan chariot in Yecheng."

If it's a different person, it is estimated that he has already received the order to thank him.

However, Gongsun Ji's words pierced Yuan Shu's heart like a sharp knife.

Anger grew from the bottom of Yuan Shu's heart.

Yuan Shu's eyes when he looked at Gongsun Ji also became unswerving.

"The jade seal of the country is found by Ben Jiang from Luoyang!"

"When Gongsun Zhan stole the jade seal of the rumored country and vainly established Liu Ye, the king of the river, as the emperor, why didn't he think of the general?"

"I will set my own Yangzhou Thorn History, why do you need Liu Ye to canonize it?"

"The governors Yan, Yu, Yang, and Xu soldiers and horses are even more ridiculous, could it be that the general will accept the order, Tao Qian, Cao Cao, Zang Hong, and Liu Xuan, will hand over the soldiers and horses to the general?"

"The hussar general, under the general, this is also worthy of the general?"

"Even Yuan Shao's concubine raised him as a marquis of Ye, and Gongsun Chan refused to give even a county marquis?"

Yuan Shu asked a few questions in a row, and asked Gongsun Ji a little dumbfounded: "General Yuan wants the county marquis, and General Gongsun will definitely give it." When I go back to General Gongsun, I will definitely ask General Yuan to be a county marquis. ”

Yuan Shu was even more dissatisfied: "If the general doesn't ask, won't Gongsun Zan be ready to ask the general for the title of marquis?" ”

"Go back and tell Gongsun Zan that the general will give it to him, but he will be the governor of the six prefectures of Yan, Henan, Yang, Xu, Qing and Hebei."

"And, Jiujiang Hou!"

Gongsun Ji was stunned: "General Yuan, the highest marquis of this title is the county marquis." ”

Yuan Shu glared: "Nonsense! The county marquis has been there since the time of Emperor Wu, what is the highest county marquis? Under the order of Tui'en, how many county marquis would not know? ”

Gongsun Ji was speechless for a moment.

You also know that it is a county marquis under the order of Tui'en.

Only those of the Han clan are eligible!

Even if it is a member of the Han family, there is no marquis now.

"General Yuan, that's the previous dynasty—" Gongsun Ji tried to dispel Yuan Shu's thoughts.

However, how could Yuan Shu be as Gongsun Ji intended, and waved his sleeves: "It's okay if you don't seal the Marquis of Jiujiang, but you can seal the Duke of Jiujiang." ”

Gongsun Ji was completely speechless.

You can't seal the county marquis, and you still want to seal the county duke?

"General Yuan, there is no precedent for this county duke." Gongsun Ji said stiffly.

Yuan Shu laughed: "Who said there is no precedent? Wasn't Wang Mang the Duke of An Han who was given the title in the past? Go back and tell Gongsun Zan that he will directly seal the general Sima, Jiujiang Gong, Hussar General, and Yangzhou Mu, and enjoy the right to open the mansion and fake the festival. ”

"No more talk!"

"If you dare to talk nonsense, I will fork you out of the city."

Yuan Shu directly took the seal and the holy decree, and then expelled Gongsun Ji from the city.

"Uncle Yue, why do you have to ask for Da Sima and Jiujiang Gong? In this way, wouldn't he offend Gongsun Chan again? Huang Yi didn't understand Yuan Shu's reaction.

Now that Yuan Shu is surrounded by enemies in Shouchun, it is the time when he needs allies.

Yuan Shu sneered: "Da Sima, Jiujiang Gong, Hussar General, Yangzhou Mu, Kaifu, Fake Festival, with these titles, when the general expelled the traitors in Yangzhou and established himself as the king of Jiujiang in Shouchun, Gongsun Zan also has to send the king seal to the general to Shouchun!" ”

"As for offending Gongsun Zhan? What if you are offended? ”

"With the current situation, he has to agree to all the king's requests!"

Yuan Shu perfectly interprets what it means for a lion to open his mouth.

If there is a jade seal of the country, let alone supporting the new son of heaven, Yuan Shu dares to stand up and call himself the emperor.

Now he just asks for a little Jiujiang Gong, and Yuan Shu is already saving face for Gongsun Zhan.

Since losing the jade seal of the country, Yuan Shu has been thinking about the future.

Until by chance, Yuan Shu flipped through the history books and saw Wang Mang as the duke, and then from the Duke of An Han, Zai Heng, the fake emperor to the last real emperor.

So, Yuan Shu had an idea of the future in his heart.

When Cao Cao announced his support for Liu Xie in Chang'an, Yuan Shu knew that the opportunity had come.

Yuan Shaogong Sun Zan was fighting Dong Zhuo north of the Yellow River, and now Cao Cao openly declared his support for Liu Xie, which was bound to break the wait-and-see balance of the forces south of the Yellow River.

Sure enough.

Lu Kang, Zhou Xin, Zhou Ang, Zang Hong, Tao Qian and other people who were too guarded by the history of assassination made the forces south of the Yellow River pose a threat to Yuan Shaogong Sun Zhan.

Gongsun Zhan also came to send the seal ribbon holy decree as Yuan Shu expected.

"The advance sent a letter to Zhou Xin and Zhou Ang, since the general is already a hussar general, Yangzhou pastor, and the governor Yan, Yu, Yang, and Xu Sizhou soldiers and horses, they have to obey the general's orders." Yuan Shu did not feel uncomfortable at all.

Zhou Xin and Zhou Ang were originally Yuan Shao's former officials, but now that the situation is compelling, they have to temporarily give up fighting with Yuan Shu.

Regarding Yuan Shu's request, Zhou Xin and Zhou Ang did not object.

After all, in this Yangzhou, if you don't obey Yuan Shu's orders, you have to fight with Liu Xuan, Lu Kang, Hua Xin and others who support the Son of Heaven of Chang'an, and then use force with Yuan Shu at the same time.

Then it will be a belly and a back.

The chaos in Zhuzhou, including the assassination of King Chen and Liu Chong, has been reported to Linzi City one after another.

The series of turmoil caused by Cao Cao's first declaration of support for Liu Xie also caused heated discussions in Qingzhou's civil and military affairs.

The core of Qingzhou's discussion is not whether to support Liu Xie or Liu Yi, but whether to make a stand to Liu Xie.

For almost a month, the discussion continued.

As a different driver, Zheng Ping, after Cao Cao declared his support for Liu Xie, temporarily left Linzi City on the grounds of inspecting the counties.

I didn't return until today.

"Brother Xianmou, now that only Qingzhou is in the states, the position has not yet been clarified, do you really not persuade the envoy to make your position clear to the Son of Heaven?" You Heng, who returned from Chen Guo, was quite puzzled by Zheng Ping's intentions.

Hua Ji also stood aside, and he also didn't understand Zheng Ping's intentions.

Zheng Ping chuckled and asked, "Zhengping is also in favor of taking a stand to the Son of Heaven?" ”

You Heng said: "Naturally! If he did not take a stand with the Son of Heaven, he would make the Son of Heaven and the ministers of Chang'an mistakenly think that the emperor supported Liu Ye of Zhuocheng. ”

Hua Ji also said: "I also think that taking a superficial stance on the Son of Heaven can make the Son of Heaven trust the Son of Heaven more. After all, the truth can only be seen in this crisis. ”

Zheng Ping was noncommittal to You Heng and Hua Ji's words, but asked: "Zhengping, Zicheng, who made Jun this Qingzhou Mu and Zhenxi general?" ”

You Heng didn't think twice: "Naturally, it was sealed by the Son of Heaven in Chang'an." ”

Zheng Ping chuckled: "Since it was sealed by the Son of Heaven in Chang'an, why do you need to make another move and make a stand to the Son of Heaven?" ”

You Heng was puzzled: "Brother Xianmou, how can this be an extra move?" If Qingzhou doesn't take a stand, how can you get the title again? Yan, Xu, Yu, Yang, and Jing Wuzhou, how can they understand the position of the envoy? ”

Hua Ji also said: "Cao Cao took the lead in making his position clear, not only promoted from the assassin to the state pastor, but also became the general of Zhengdong and the Marquis of Xu; Yanzhou Assassin Shi Zang Hong was named Yanzhou Mu, General Anbei, and Marquis of Juancheng; Xuzhou Thorn Shi Taoqian was also awarded the title of Xuzhou Mu, General Anton, and Marquis of Tancheng. ”

"The rest of the ministers who expressed their support for the Taishou country have also been rewarded."

"Isn't it a pity that you didn't get any benefits?"

Zheng Ping's eyes lit slightly: "Do you really think so?" ”

You Heng and Hua Ji nodded one after another.

Zheng Ping's tone was a little colder: "I don't persuade the envoy to make a stand to the Son of Heaven, because the envoy doesn't need to make a stand to the Son of Heaven at all, let alone send an envoy to Chang'an to ask the Son of Heaven for a reward!" ”

"The king is a minister, and the reward of the courtiers can be given by the Son of Heaven, but the courtiers cannot ask for it."

"You two have been with me for a long time, why can't you even understand this?"

"Or have you forgotten what a monarch is?"

You Heng and Hua Ji are ashamed.

It is true that they only consider the benefits of making a stand to Liu Xie, but they do not think that such a request for benefits is already a provocation to the monarchy.

As a state assassin history, it is the duty to support Liu Xie, when do you need Liu Xie's benefits to support?

If so, what is the difference between him and a traitor?

Zheng Ping got up: "My wedding date is approaching, you two will temporarily put down your official duties from today and go to Beihai to handle this matter for me." ”

"Kong Beihai is good at etiquette, and when he goes to Beihai, don't be self-conscious, ask for more advice."

You Heng and Hua Ji are even more ashamed.

Zheng Ping's wedding is still a few months away, and this is to let You Heng and Hua Ji go to follow Kong Rong to learn the ceremony.

After reprimanding You Heng and Hua Zhi, Zheng Ping came to see Liu Bei.

Liu Bei has also been quite troubled by the civil and military controversy in the past month.

Because Zheng Ping was not there, Liu Bei never expressed his attitude, and let the civil and military argue.

Seeing Zheng Ping's arrival, Liu Bei's mood instantly relaxed a lot, and said with a smile: "Xianmou, every critical moment, you are always absent." ”

Zheng Ping also smiled: "If I am here, it will be even more difficult for you to choose." ”

The two looked at each other and laughed.

Liu Bei invited Zheng Ping to sit down: "It's just that I didn't expect that Xianmou had been away for nearly a month, and this controversy was still not over." ”

Zheng Ping sat down and said, "Everyone is thinking for the envoy, and there is no malice. ”

Liu Bei sighed: "I also know that everyone has no malicious intentions, so I just let it go." Now that the conspiracy has returned, it is time for this controversy to end. ”

Zheng Ping shook his head: "No hurry!" It is enough for the king to maintain this appearance of hesitation. ”

Liu Bei was surprised and asked, "Why is this?" ”

Zheng Ping smiled slightly: "After Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao established the new son of heaven, Yuan Shao promised to give Cao Cao the position of general of the expedition to the south, but Cao Cao did not make it clear that he wanted to be the general of the expedition to the south. ”

"It shows that Cao Cao's previous strategy was to wait and see what happened and wait for the opportunity, just like the envoy."

"If Dong Zhuo wins, he will join the states to crusade against Dong Zhuo; If Dong Zhuo is defeated, he will be connected with the loyal minister of Chang'an, Qingjun. ”

"However, Cao Cao suddenly broke with Yuan Shao, and was the first to take a stand in support of Chang'an's Son of Heaven."

"The one who painted this for Cao Cao is Cao Cao's newly conquered Yingchuan sage Guo Jia Guo Fengxiao."

"Guo Jia is here for the envoy!"

Liu Bei's eyes were solemn: "Coming at me?" Could it be that Cao Cao hated me for sending troops to save Xuzhou? ”

Zheng Ping said: "In terms of ambition, Cao Cao, like the envoy, wants to support the Han family and pacify the world; But in terms of fame, Cao Cao is not as good as the envoy. ”

"If you really wait for Dong Zhuo and Yuan Shaogong Sun Zan to divide the victory and defeat, then whether it is to join the states to crusade against Dong Zhuo or to connect with the loyal minister of Chang'an, Qingjun, it will only be the envoy who can achieve this great achievement, not Cao Cao."

"Cao Cao is not a person who is willing to live under the people, and his governance philosophy is different from that of the envoy, he will not tolerate such a great achievement obtained by the envoy, and he can only live under the envoy in the future."

"If Cao Cao wants to seize the opportunity and win the king, he must take the lead in supporting the Son of Heaven in Chang'an."

"In ancient times, there was a thousand gold to buy horse bones, and Cao Cao was a good horse for a thousand miles, seeing that Cao Cao was willing to cling, the Son of Heaven in Chang'an would naturally give Cao Cao a high-ranking official Houlu to win over Cao Cao."

"And the other state and county ministers saw that Cao Cao had benefited, so they naturally refused to lag behind."

"There is no vanity under the fame, Guo Fengxiao only used one strategy to destroy the balance of the two emperors, and also made the power of the states and counties south of the Yellow River clear."

"Amazing."

Liu Bei frowned: "Yanyu and Xu have changed from the history of assassination to the state pastor, Qingzhou can't easily intervene, and the secret edict given to me by the Son of Heaven is not of much use." ”

"This Guo Fengxiao is really ruthless."

Liu Dai is the assassin of Yanzhou, and attacking and killing the Taishou minister of Yanzhou is a violation of the Han law, and Liu Bei can be edicted to crusade against Liu Dai.

Zang Hong, Cao Cao, and Tao Qian all became state pastors, so even if they killed the Taishou of each county, it was in accordance with the law, and Liu Bei could not use this as a reason to crusade.

Zheng Ping said with a smile: "There are gains and losses, the position of state pastor is too powerful." This will make Zang Hong, Cao Cao and Tao Qian more unscrupulous to install cronies and eliminate dissidents. ”

"After the internal purge, the contradictions will extend to the outside state."

"So that the king can't take care of the internal affairs of the state, but he can manage the affairs of the state!"

"Just wait and see!"

"When this group of state pastors who ask for rewards from the Son of Heaven are proud of their high merits and are unwilling to listen to the orders of the Son of Heaven, the envoys who do not ask the Son of Heaven for rewards will become the most trusted people of the Son of Heaven."

"With static braking, you can be invincible if you don't respond to all changes."

Liu Bei was overjoyed: "The words of the conspiracy are very much in line with my wishes!" At this time, asking the Son of Heaven for a reward, isn't that just taking advantage of the fire to rob? ”

(End of chapter)