The big man is on the run

Chapter 166 The Skeleton King Proclaims Emperor

The gears of time turned slowly. When Liu Yi finished recovering Bingzhou, conquered Xianbei to the north, and reached the strategic goal of an offensive and defensive alliance with Gongsun Zan, and allowed Kebi to gather the remnants of Xianbei and return to Chang'an with the army as a servant, Yuan Shao and the Han army also Turned into a comprehensive defensive posture.

However, when Guanzhong and Bingzhou entered the stage of recuperation after the war, the world where the heroes competed was not peaceful.

The second round of large-scale annexation wars began with the end of the spring plowing in the second year of Jian'an.

Of course, the princes who hung up to watch the opera were still those few, Shi Xie of Jiaozhou, Gongsundu of Liaodong, Zhang Lu of Hanzhong, Liu Zhang of Yizhou, and Liu Biao of Jingzhou.

The main offensives were concentrated in the Central Plains War, or the Lianghuai battlefield.

The first person to make big news, like last year, was the "Skeleton King" Yuan Shu.

At the beginning of the second year of Jian'an (197), Yuan Shu, who had been playing with the jade seal of the country for more than a year, accepted the fate offered by Zhang Jiong, the eunuch, thinking that he should be the emperor.Then he proclaimed himself emperor in Shouchun, called himself "Zhong's family", took the prefect of Jiujiang as Huainan Yin, set up a hundred officials, worshiped heaven and earth according to the rituals of the emperor, and ascended the throne of the emperor.

When the news spread, the world shook.

If it is said that Yuan Shao was called a national traitor only because his actions during the He Jin Rebellion were not clean, and his power was the most threatening to the imperial court, then Yuan Shu's move was a treacherous conspiracy in the true sense. reversed.

In Weiyang Palace, Liu Yi is planning with the ministers the development direction and various political affairs of Guanzhong this year.

Liu Yi pushed the document he had just read in front of them.

"You study these carefully to see where you can speed up your development."

Everyone opened the silk books and browsed them one by one.

"Well, yes, the development of these places can be accelerated, and more facilities can be repaired in these places."

The document they just read is the preliminary statistics on the number and output of craftsmen in various handicraft areas in Guanzhong this year, such as Maoling and Huaili.

"in addition."

Liu Yi took out another silk book and handed it to everyone.

Everyone quickly took it and looked at the silk scroll, but they didn't know what Liu Yi wanted to say, but they still listened patiently.

"What I want you to do is to strengthen the commerce and trade of these key nodes, such as Wuzhangyuan, Jieting, and Wuguan. These places should pay attention to the protection of commercial routes, so that merchants from Yongliang, Hanzhong Yizhou, Jingzhou and other places can It is easy to buy all kinds of goods in the 'official market', and it must be guaranteed not to be robbed by bandits."

After listening to Liu Yi's words, everyone nodded. Now Guanzhong relies on its own geographical advantages and has become a key trade transit node. It is obvious that merchants from Jingzhou cannot buy cold horses and spices from the Western Regions in the private sector. The "official market" is purchased through the channels of the imperial court, and the same is true for merchants in Yongliang. When purchasing Shu brocade, Jiangling porcelain, etc., they must be purchased in the "official market" of the Jieting trading point.

These measures not only ensured that commercial circulation was orderly and not out of control, but also brought huge trade profits to the imperial court.

"and also."

Liu Yi took out a map, put it on the table, and said, "I hope you will start this matter as soon as possible, and hurry up, it must be completed before the autumn harvest."

When everyone saw it, it turned out to be a complete water system network in Guanzhong, which also stipulated the construction of water conservancy facilities in accordance with repair, new construction, and reconstruction.

After finishing speaking, Liu Yi raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then continued: "These are the places I want you to build. These water conservancy facilities are slow to build and require corvees, so they must not be delayed until the autumn harvest. The common people make it clear that these are all repaired for themselves. At the same time, officials must be sent to monitor, and in the process of water conservancy repairs, we should not let me find out about corruption and forced expropriation. These things have caused public resentment, understand?"

"Your Majesty is wise, and the ministers will surely live up to the king's expectations."

"Follow the order!"

All the ministers bowed their hands in response.

At this moment, hurried footsteps came from outside.

"—report!"

Looking at Guo Huai who was anxious at the door, Liu Yi frowned.

"What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, Yuan Shu has assumed the title of emperor!"

Liu Yi was slightly taken aback, but he didn't say anything. This incident was already within his psychological expectation, but the ministers next to him were all blown away.

Liu Yi took the silk scroll, read it carefully, and handed it to his subordinates.

After everyone finished watching, Liu Yi pondered for a moment and asked.

"Let's talk about it, Yuan Shu has usurped the title of emperor, and the imperial court will definitely respond. What do you think?"

Sikong Shi Sun Rui said without hesitation: "Qizou Your Majesty, I suggest that Your Majesty send troops to attack the national traitor Yuan Shu."

Situ Zhang Xi on the other side hesitated and said: "Last year, the army was mobilized, and now Guanzhong and Bingzhou are exhausted, and Yuan Shuyuan is in Runan and Huainan, not adjacent to us. Once the army is mobilized, we will have to go through Jingzhou Mu Liu Biao's Nanyang is probably not an easy task, and it is a big taboo for military strategists to make an expedition."

Shi Sunrui shook his head disapprovingly: "If Yuan Shu's arrogance to proclaim himself emperor this time, if he doesn't give him a thunderous blow, how will the people of the world think of the imperial court? How many people should be proclaimed emperor and how many people will be proclaimed king?"

"That's right." At this time, Grand Sima Yang Biao also said, "This trend cannot last forever. If Yuan Shu is not challenged, the imperial court will definitely lose its majesty."

"Yuan Shu is a disaster for the world, the imperial court absolutely cannot tolerate it!"

"Your Majesty, please punish Yuan Shu severely!"

"Your Majesty, Yuan Shu is abusive and immoral. If he is not severely punished, all the rebellious princes in the world may follow him."

"Second minister!"

"My minister agrees!"

As soon as Yang Biao spoke, others stood up one after another.

"Everything you said makes sense. Talk about specific suggestions. How to deal with Yuan Shu?"

Liu Yi was silent for a moment, then raised his head and asked.

Everyone knows how to make a statement and shout slogans, but when it comes to specific suggestions on how to send troops to suppress the rebellion, all the ministers looked at Taiwei Zhu Jun in unison.

"It's not advisable to use the teacher's expedition."

Zhu Jun's first sentence made all the officials who were excited just now dumbfounded.

In the past two years, the imperial court has continuously defeated Li Jue and Guo Si, deterred Ma Teng, defeated Yuan Shao, regained Bingzhou, and conquered Xianbei in the north. A series of victories have made the ministers start to become a little bit flustered. change.

"The supply line is too long and too dangerous. Previously, when we attacked the east of the river, we used the nearby supplies. The northern expedition to Xianbei was pure cavalry maneuvering, and the logistics pressure was not so great. If we want to attack Yuan Shu, the court's maneuvering power is already stretched. If we send more troops, the logistics cannot be maintained. , It’s useless to send fewer troops. Even if you don’t consider the logistics, let Liu Biao provide, if a large number of imperial troops are transferred to Nanyang, Yuan Shao takes the opportunity to attack Bingzhou, or attack Youzhou, what should we do? Furthermore, if Ma Teng and Han Sui With Zhang Lu making these changes, will Chang'an be in danger by then?"

Zhu Jun's words calmed down all the officials. As the most knowledgeable soldier, if Zhu Jun said he couldn't fight, then he might really not be able to fight.

Since it was impossible to send troops, the topic turned to another direction, asking other princes to send troops to conquer Yuan Shu.

The ministers began to express their opinions eloquently, and most of them were against it, among which Sun Rui had good reasons.

"Your Majesty, Yuan Shu is one of the most powerful vassals in the world. The territory and soldiers he controls span Yuzhou and Yangzhou, far surpassing other vassals. I believe that if His Majesty orders the other vassals to encircle and suppress this time, it will be unfavorable. It will damage His Majesty's reputation, and if Yuan Shu really breaks free in the Central Plains, it will definitely be detrimental to His Majesty's cause!"

Liu Yi nodded, and his expression became serious.

Letting others send troops depends on whether they listen or not. Besides, other people's soldiers are not as good as your own in using them.

"I believe that the reason why Yuan Shu dared to claim the title of emperor is nothing more than relying on the large number of troops and the vast territory. Moreover, Runan County has a large amount of food, which can supply a large number of soldiers. Therefore, Yuan Shu will definitely organize Soldiers, to expand the army, we may have to estimate Yuan Shu's power even higher."

"Mobilize other princes to attack Yuan Shu instead of the imperial court. Liu Biao can protect the land, but Liu Bei can't protect himself. As for the other Lu Bu, Cao Cao and others, I'm afraid they may not be willing to do their best."

"You have ignored one person." Liu Yi said suddenly.

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

"Jiangdong Sun Ce."

"How is this possible? Sun Ce's department has belonged to Yuan Shu's trilogy since his grandfather Sun Jian, and his predecessors have fought many battles. Although there has been a disagreement over the past two years because of the offering of jade seals, Sun Ce dare not worry about it." Going against the master's infamy against Yuan Shu, shall we?"

Liu Yi shook his head, and said, "If you were to be teased by Yuan Shu over and over again, would you have no resentment in your heart? Besides, why does Sun Ce still bear Yuan Shu's name? It's not because he occupies Jiangdong, but because he relies on His military strength and background are too low, he can use Yuan Shu's name to convince the scholars a little."

"The imperial court can give you the title."

"Your Majesty, Sun Ce expelled Yangzhou Shepherd Liu Yao."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Xi fell silent.

It is probably following the example of pardoning Gongsun Zan. As long as Sun Ce does not touch Liu Yao of Yuzhang County, the court will turn a blind eye to what he did before.

In order to turn Sun Ce and Yuan Shu against each other, Sun Ce, the unjust and unsatisfactory leader of Jiangdong, was really righted for him. Otherwise, without this bargaining chip, Sun Ce would not fall against Yuan Shu, the recommender.

"I also heard that Lu Bu and Yuan Shu's family have a marriage contract, and they will be in-laws."

"Yes, His Majesty is aware of thousands of miles."

"On Lu Bu's side, we must also send someone to promise Yuzhou Mu to him."

The courtiers were stunned for a moment. Yuzhou, that is, Yingchuan County, Runan County and other places, especially Runan County, is Yuan Shu's old nest and is currently bordering Lu Bu's Pengcheng Kingdom.

This is clearly sowing dissension.

"Everyone around Yuan Shu should send envoys. Liu Biao, Mu of Jingzhou, Liu Yao, Mu of Yangzhou, and Liu Bei, Mu of Xuzhou, should send troops to attack the traitor Yuan Shu. Sun Ce and Lu Bu should try their best to instigate rebellion against Yuan Shu. Turn your face. As for Cao Cao, send someone there too. And Chen Wang Liu Chong, remind him to be careful, his Chen Guo is closest to Yuan Shu."

"Follow the order!"

The crowd commanded in unison.

"Okay, I'm tired, let's go." Liu Yi rubbed his eyebrows and said wearily.

Everyone agreed in unison, and then filed out.

All the officials left, Liu Yi sat on the dragon chair, his face became ugly.

He was thinking about Yuan Shu's ambitions and his desire for the Han Dynasty.

Yuan Shu is definitely a poisonous snake.

Liu Yi didn't care at first, it was just a dead bone in the grave, but now, Liu Yi became a little worried.

In this world, there is really a kind of person, no matter what method you use to deal with him, he just wants to bite you to death.

Although Liu Yi was not afraid of Yuan Shu's ambitions, he was worried about the impact that Yuan Shu's proclaiming emperor would have on the hearts of the world.

If it is difficult for the court to send troops directly, if this matter cannot be handled properly and quickly, I am afraid that the "big trend" that has just picked up will fall into decline again.

After all, if you just look at the map now, Yuan Shu is the most serious prince in the Central Plains. Whether it is population or military strength, he crushes the princes from all walks of life. Only Cao Cao, who holds nine counties in his hand, can barely compete with him, but Cao Cao lacks troops. Because there is still Wang Chen and Liu Chong between him and Yuan Shu's territory.

As for Lu Bu of the two counties and Liu Bei of the three counties in his hands, they would not be able to fight Yuan Shu alone. If they could fight, Liu Bei would not have lost so badly last year. Insufficient strength is also an important factor.

As for Liu Yao who is only left in Yuzhang County, Liu Yi never counted on him. Liu Yao's role is probably not as good as Xu Shao's mouth. Instead of expecting Liu Yao to send troops to destroy Yuan Shu, it is better to let Xu Shao write more This article scolded Yuan Shu.

Therefore, the key to the matter lies in whether Sun Ce and Yuan Shu can be encouraged to turn their faces.

Liu Yi believed that the already fragile relationship between the two had broken down, and it was only a matter of him lighting the fuse.

(End of this chapter)