Han family achievements

Chapter 438 Chopping melons and vegetables
Zhang Liao has a calm temperament, which is the same as his military skills. He is meticulous and rarely leaks to others.

Liu Bian didn't ask, so he didn't speak.

Liu Bian paced, thinking about the situation in Jiangdong.

Yuan Shao occupied all the places in Yangzhou except Wu County, and kept spreading the news that he would go south and divide the world with Liu Bian.

Sun Ce of Wu Commandery became famous in the battle against Dong Zhuo, and his bravery far surpassed that of his father.

Liu Biao in the west was "loyal" to the court and expressed his loyalty from time to time. However, when it came to specific matters, he was perfunctory. He obviously "listened to the announcement but not the tune". Like many people, he was "quietly waiting for changes and watching." wind direction'.

To the north are Zhang Liao of Xuzhou and Liu Bei of Yuzhou.

"I heard that Liu Bei poached many of your people in Xuzhou?" Liu Bian said with a smile after taking a few steps.

"It doesn't count,"

Zhang Liao followed Liu Bian closely and said, "General Liu is the former Xuzhou Mu and has many followers."

Liu Bian hummed, undecided in his heart.

Liu Bei's situation is very similar to that of Cao Cao a few years ago.

At that time, Cao Cao suffered repeated defeats, his reputation was ruined, and he suffered another eunuch disaster. It can be said that his family was in a desolate state, with few advisers. He had nowhere to turn to in Luoyang and everywhere, and no great talents were willing to enter his shogunate.

Liu Bei is exactly the same now.

There are many people from small households and traders under his command, but there are no big talents.

"He went to find that Zhuge, did he find it?" Liu Bian looked back at Huangfu Jianchang.

Huangfu Jianchang immediately shook his head and said: "It was empty. I also tried to look for it, but couldn't find it. It is said that he is living in seclusion."

Liu Bian smiled and continued walking forward.

Today's scholars often like to be hermits. Some are real hermits, some are waiting, and some are just seeking fame.

"What do you think of Sun Ce?" Liu Bian asked. Counting the time, Sun Ce should be arriving soon.

There was a crowd behind him, but no one spoke first.

Sun Ce is now a "special figure". In the battle against Dong Zhuo, he showed bravery, fearlessness and loyalty.

Compared with Liu Biao's obscurity, Sun Ce showed in his actions that he was loyal to the Han Dynasty and did nothing extraordinary.

However, the Sun family had too much history. The government and the public were very careless about Sun Ce and had been trying to suppress him. Therefore, they kept pressuring Sun Ce to inherit the title of Marquis of Wucheng. It was not until Sun Ce was needed to stop Yuan Shao that the court relented.

Therefore, in the eyes of the highest level of the imperial court, Sun Ce was no different from Yuan Shao and others, they were both men with ulterior motives. But outside, Sun Ce was pacifying Dong Zhuo and resisting Yuan Shao's siege. Not to mention inheriting the title of Marquis of Wucheng, it would not be too much to confer another one.

Lu Yu, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao and others remained silent, but Lu Bu couldn't help it.

He had long wanted to show off, but when he saw that the others were silent, he immediately raised his hand and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I think Sun Ce is no more than a country chicken and a dog. I only need ten thousand people to serve your Majesty." Defeat the traitor Sun Ce!"

Liu Bian waved his hand with a smile and said: "Sun Ce, I still have other uses, and there is no need for the Lu Qing family to take action for the time being. However, with the bravery of the Lu Qing family, it is equivalent to being idle in Xuzhou. Let me think about it, where I can make great contributions to the Lu Qing family..."

When Lu Bu heard this, he immediately showed excitement and looked at Liu Bian expectantly.

Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun, Lu Yu and others hesitated to speak. They glanced at Lu Bu and frowned secretly.

This Lu Bu is not a good person, he has no loyalty at all, he is a real villain!

Along the way, he has been rebellious and devouring his master, which is extremely disgusting!
If he hadn't rebelled against Dong Zhuo, made great contributions to the court, and was pardoned by the court, he would have died countless times.

It was originally placed under Cao Cao's tent, but Cao Cao didn't like it and kept it cold. After Cao Cao entered the Grand Sima, he thought carefully and placed Lu Bu under Zhang Liao's tent. He wrote a letter clearly stating: Be on guard, and if anything goes wrong, kill him decisively, regardless of the consequences.

Lu Yu had a panoramic view of everyone's expressions, calmly stepped forward, and said softly: "Your Majesty, Wuhuan has been ready to move recently and has repeatedly invaded the border."

Liu Bian looked back in surprise. Lu Yu was always cautious about his words and deeds on such matters and never opened his mouth.

As soon as he turned around, he was greeted by the meaningful expressions and eyes of Lu Yu, Zhao Yun, Huangfu Jianchang, Zhang Liao and others.

Liu Bian raised his eyebrows. He still didn't understand. He couldn't help but smiled and said to Lu Bu, "Qing family, would you like to go to the frontier fortress?"

Lu Bu's expression changed, and he was obviously hesitant.

The frontier fortress has always been cold and miserable. Is that a place for people to live?
Upon seeing this, Liu Bian nodded knowingly and said, "Yes, I understand. Let's do this. The Qing family will go to the Cao Qing family's tent first. The Cao Qing family encountered some trouble in Yanzhou, and the Qing family will go and help him."

Lu Bu's eyes changed slightly, and he opened his mouth and said: "Your Majesty, minister, minister..."

He was speechless.

Lu Bu doesn't want to go to Cao Cao's tent!

Under Cao Cao's tent, he was ignored. Even if he wanted to recognize Cao Cao as his adoptive father, he was silently rejected.

If you go to Cao Cao's tent again, you will definitely be in a remote corner, and you will never get ahead in this life!
The smile on Liu Bian's face disappeared, he folded his hands, looked at him and said calmly: "I, a big man, have rules for every official position, and I am not just letting the Qing family pick and choose."

Lu Bu's expression suddenly changed, he knelt down on one knee and said solemnly: "I accept the order!"

After the words fell, Lu Bu felt extremely regretful.

It's not that he agreed to Liu Bian's first sentence, to go to the frontier fortress. Instead, he should be the first to speak: I want to protect His Majesty and serve His Majesty in front and behind!
If this were the case, perhaps, he would have an unprecedented bright future, instead of having to go to Cao Cao's account now that he would offend Liu Bian!
Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun and others breathed a sigh of relief, looked at each other secretly, and made respectful gestures to Liu Bian.

When they go to Cao Cao, they don't have to worry at all.

Although the civil servants in the government and the opposition slandered Cao Cao in every possible way, among the generals, they all regarded Cao Cao as their idol.

Cao Cao suffered repeated defeats and battles, and defeated the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou, the Black Mountain Army in Jizhou, and even annihilated Dong Zhuo. This kind of achievement, if it were not slandered by civilian officials, would be enough to make him a prince and prime minister, and his name would go down in history!
Liu Bian glanced at them and said to Lu Bu: "Qing family, please don't let me down."

"I accept the decree." Lu Bu responded bitterly.

Just as Liu Bian was about to speak, he looked up and saw a fast horse galloping towards him.

Chief Huangfu Jian also saw it and said quickly: "Your Majesty, you are a plainclothes guard of the Imperial City Mansion."

Liu Bian hummed and waited quietly.

The plainclothes guard came to the front, jumped off his horse, knelt down on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, Sun Ce, Marquis of Wucheng, has arrived. Please beg for mercy."

Liu Bian snorted and said with a smile: "Say Cao Cao...Say Sun Ce and Sun Ce will be here. Let him come over."

"Yes." The plainclothes guard responded, got up, mounted his horse, and galloped away.

Liu Bian paced again, walking slowly, and said: "The Lu Qing family, when we arrive in Yanzhou, we must put state affairs first in everything. If the Cao Qing family or the Huang Qing family have any concerns, you can report it to me." But report first and don’t worry about it. I still trust the Qing family.”

If this were said to Huangfu Jianchang, Zhao Yun and others, no one would doubt it, but to Lu Bu, Huangfu Jianchang, Zhao Yun and others would not look sideways, as if they had not heard it.

"My lord, I accept the order and thank you!" Lu Bu was very excited and knelt down on one knee again and said loudly. Liu Bian glanced at him deeply, wondering if Lu Bu could understand the meaning of his words.

However, he didn't care. It was just a casual move, and it wasn't time to put it to great use yet.

"Wen Yuan, tell me about Xuzhou." Liu Bian put his hands behind his back and walked forward slowly.

Zhang Liao immediately answered and said: "Yes. Your Majesty, I currently have 20,000 troops stationed in Xiapi and 20,000 troops in other counties, for a total of 40,000, all of which come from the Forbidden Army camp. Among them, 10,000 troops are stationed in Guangling County, and 10,000 troops are stationed in Guangling County. Partly because there was no fighting between farming and training..."

As Zhang Liao was talking, a group of men in coarse cloth and armed with a variety of mixed weapons and clubs quietly gathered on the hilltop not far away. Their eyes were bright, like hungry wolves looking at a herd of sheep, hot and eager.

"Qu handsome,"

One of the round-faced men whispered: "We have inquired about it. These people should be from the north. They are dressed gorgeously and have strong waist pockets. They must have a lot of good things."

The leader, Qu Shuai, had a sinister face and held a big knife. He said hesitantly: "What do you think of that fast horse just now? It's not a big shot, is it?"

The round-faced man immediately said: "Definitely not. How could any big shot come to this wilderness? Judging from their appearance, they all look weak. I guess some noble young master has lost his way. Besides, we are here quietly." If you do it, throw the body into the mountains to feed the wolves, and no one will know!”

'Qu Shuai' looked back at the people behind him.

The men with sallow faces and thin muscles and disheveled clothes nodded repeatedly, their eyes full of hungry desire.

They are really hungry.

From winter to now, almost no rich people have been robbed. They have been starved for three meals in two days. Not to mention them, the wife and children in the village have been even worse. Many of them starved to death.

If you kill these rich young men, they can at least have a few meals of meat!
When 'Qu Shuai' saw this, his expression became fierce and he gritted his teeth and said: "Okay. Fourth brother, you touch from behind. You, second brother, go around to the north. We will surround you on three sides and fight quickly. Don't let anyone find out."

"What about the old immortal?" Round Face asked.

'Qushuai' had fierce eyes and said: "Kill him, burn a few more sticks of incense."

The round-faced man nodded and began to arrange things for each brother.

Under his orders, more than thirty men quietly shuttled through the mountains and forests, trying to surround Liu Bian and his party not far away.

Liu Bian didn't notice and was still discussing Xuzhou with Zhang Liao.

Although Zhang Liao was stationed in the field, the extermination was far from enough to make up for the military needs, and the imperial court still owed money and food to the Forbidden Army camp, so where could they find the money and food to allocate to Zhang Liao.

Liu Bian put his hands behind his back and murmured to Zhang Liao: "The shortfall is 30 million. Well, it's not too much. Let me think of a way. Lu Yu, can you squeeze out a little more?"

Lu Yu is in charge of the palace, and he is more familiar with many chores than Liu Bian.

Hearing the words, he took two steps forward and said: "Your Majesty, the palace can no longer be frugal. The Prime Minister mentioned cutting officials' salaries before. There was a lot of controversy at the Chancellor's desk and it was not passed. Only... there is still some in the inner treasury."

"How many more are there?" Liu Bian looked back at him.

Lu Yu looked at him, hesitated, and whispered: "Before coming, I asked Dachangqiu and said that it was less than 10 million, and it was prepared for the East Palace."

When Zhang Liao heard this, he immediately said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry about me. In the spring of this year, I can cultivate at least one thousand hectares. The army rations are enough."

Liu Bian shook his head and said: "That is your ability, and it is also my incompetence. I will find a way again..."

"His Majesty,"

At this time, Zhao Yun quietly came forward, looking at the surroundings carefully, and said: "Someone is approaching."

Liu Bian immediately raised his head, looked around, found nothing unusual, and turned to Huangfu Jianchang.

Huangfu Jianchang immediately said: "Your Majesty did not allow me to bring too many people with me before, so there are no jars from the Imperial City Mansion around, and the nearest one is still three miles away."

"I have five hundred imperial guards not far away," Zhao Yun said.

Zhang Liaohu's eyes widened and he looked around.

This is Xuzhou. If His Majesty is in danger in Xuzhou, it will be his dereliction of duty and a heinous crime!

Lu Bu jumped onto his horse and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, your Majesty is here to protect you."

Liu Bian looked at him, couldn't help but smile, and immediately nodded with Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun understood, took the broadsword from the only guard behind him and threw it to Lu Bu.

Lu Bu took the sword and frowned as he felt it was light.

However, he didn't care, because he had already seen a dozen people sneaking over not far away. He immediately shouted, slapped his horse and rushed over: "Where are you, rat!"

Not far away, "Qu Shuai" saw that he was discovered, so he stopped hiding, stood up, and shouted: "Brothers, eat meat!"

At the time of standing, more than thirty people from all directions, shouting and shouting, waving swords, guns and sticks, came towards Liu Bian in a menacing manner.

Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun, Huangfu Jianchang, Lu Yu and others were guarding Liu Bian, keeping an eye on these people.

Zhao Yun held a spear in his hand and said without any panic: "Your Majesty, don't worry, the guards will be here soon."

Liu Bian stood calmly and said with a smile: "With the Qing family here, when have I ever been afraid? They are just some bandits."

Liu Bian could clearly see that these were not organized assassins. They had obviously entered the territory of some bandits and were about to be robbed.

Zhao Yun didn't dare to be careless, he had already taken half a step forward, ready to meet the enemy.

Not far away, Lu Bu was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, with momentum like a rainbow. He passed through at the lead, slashing left and right with his broadsword, killing four or five people in the blink of an eye.

The leading 'Qu Shuai' was startled, but when he saw the lonely and rather thin Liu Bian group not far away, he gritted his teeth and rushed over: "Kill them first!"

A group of gangsters rushed over. Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao quickly stepped forward to distance themselves from Liu Bian.

One person held a spear, and the other slashed with a machete, blocking all the gangsters who rushed over. From time to time, some people died and fell to the ground.

Zhang Liao, whom Qu Shuai faced off with, almost died after a few moves.

When he turned back, Lu Bu was chopping melons and vegetables. In a short period of time, more than ten of his men were gone.

What else is there to fight?
"Run!"

The round-faced man reacted faster than him and ran a few steps before shouting quickly.

But it is easy to come, how can it be easy to leave?
Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao and others have already begun to counterattack.

Not far away, a group of imperial cavalry came like lightning in the wind.

(End of this chapter)