Han family achievements

Chapter 598 Don't Be Hasty

Huang Zhong faced Liu Bian, and everyone also looked at Liu Bian.

The real decision-making power here lies with Liu Bian.

Liu Bian looked at everyone getting really nervous, smiled, picked up the apple on the table, took two bites, stood up, and said, "Let's go and take a look at the sand table."

A group of civil and military officials followed Liu Bian silently and tensely to the side room, surrounding the huge sand table.

Huangfu Jianchang personally held the lamp and placed it on the sand table following Liu Bian's gaze.

Liu Bian took another bite of the apple and pointed with his finger, saying, "Hanzhong, Qishan, to the north is Jieting, and to the east is Chencang. There are high mountains and steep ridges here, and there are dangerous passes everywhere. But Han Sui, Ma Teng and others have no intention of defending. The main force is still in Hanyang, near Jicheng. Even if Ma Teng captures Qishan, he dare not rush eastward. He just wants to stop the reinforcements from Hanzhong."

Cao Cao, Liu Bei and others had already thought about this, so they did not react at all. They just watched Liu Bian chewing the apple casually from the corner of their eyes, and gradually felt uneasy.

Seeing that Cao Cao remained silent for a long time, Liu Bei could no longer hold back and said, "Your Majesty, no matter what, Qishan cannot fall into the hands of the rebels. Please send troops to reinforce Qishan."

Liu Bian looked calm and said, "Liu Bei, was all I said in vain?"

Liu Bei was stunned, shocked and confused.

Ma Teng is already besieging Qishan, and the next step might be to attack Hanzhong. Are they really going to just ignore it?
After saying this, Liu Bian stood up and left.

Liu Bei wanted to say more but was stopped by Xu Shu.

Liu Bei turned around and Xu Shu shook his head expressionlessly.

Liu Bei had no choice but to frown and suppress his doubts.

Xun You and others watched Liu Bian's back, and they seemed to be thinking about something.

After discussing for a while, they set up defenses for Hanzhong and then left in twos and threes.

Liu Bei returned to his room, and before he even sat down, he could not help but ask Xu Shu, "Sir, this is truly a critical moment. How can a loyal and upright minister retreat and not make suggestions? Sir, why did you stop me?"

Xu Shu's eyes darkened as he said, "Mingsir, Xiahou Yuan keeps putting it off, there is no news about Zhao Yun, Zhang He and the others, and the Qiang and Di tribes have rebelled one after another. There is something unusual going on here."

Liu Bei's expression suddenly changed, and he said, "Sir, are you saying that someone wants to harm your Majesty?"

They kept urging His Majesty the Emperor to send troops for support, but His Majesty the Emperor never agreed. Was it to prevent certain people in Hanzhong from plotting evil?

Liu Bei thought of Cao Cao first and felt a chill in his heart.

The main force of the troops mobilized by the court this time was Xiahou Yuan, and Xiahou Yuan was Cao Cao's man!
If you think about it more carefully, Xiahou Dun also served as the prefect of Hanzhong!

Thinking of this, Liu Bei was frightened. He stood up suddenly and was about to rush out.

Xu Shu grabbed him and whispered, "Don't worry, sir!"

Liu Bei calmed down instantly, sat back down with a solemn expression, and said, "Sir, are you saying that Your Majesty is testing Cao Cao?"

Xu Shu nodded and shook his head, as if he hadn't figured it out yet. He said, "It's hard to say. Your Majesty's mind is like an abyss, and it's hard for outsiders to guess. For now, pacifying the three Qiang people in Liangzhou is the top priority. Your Majesty, you should... not act rashly against the Grand Marshal."

Liu Bei thought it made sense and said, "But, Qishan is a vital place, which concerns your majesty's safety. Your majesty, can you really abandon it?"

Xu Shu smiled upon hearing this and said, "Mingsir, our Majesty is different from previous emperors. Mingsir, don't forget that when His Majesty first ascended the throne, he personally led an expedition against the Xiongnu before his foundation was solid, and even used himself as bait to lure the Xiongnu to besiege Shangdang County. Times have changed, and after so many years, it's not surprising that His Majesty does it again."

Although Liu Bei felt that it made sense, he still felt uneasy and said, "Are we really going to let the rebels besiege Hanzhong?"

This is also something that Xu Shu couldn't understand.

When we conquered the Huns back then, we were helpless. But now the Han Dynasty is strong and has enough troops to deal with it. It is no problem at all to send 5,000 troops to reinforce Qishan.

Even if some people in Hanzhong have ulterior motives, sending out 5,000 men won't have any impact, right?

…Liu Bian did not return to his room, but was inspecting the Hanzhong city wall, followed by Huangfu Jianchang, Huang Zhong and others.

"Are you wondering why I don't allow you to go to support Qishan?" Liu Bian asked with his hands behind his back while staying on the top of the west gate.

Huang Zhong said with a serious face, "Yes, Your Majesty, please explain this to me."

In fact, once lost, the rebels led by Ma Teng would march eastwards and head straight for Hanzhong. The pressure on Huang Zhong can be imagined.

Liu Bian smiled and said, "Second Master, help Huang Qingjia solve his doubts."

Huangfu Jian chewed an apple, looking nonchalant, and said, "Ever since you conquered Qishan last year, it has been secretly rebuilt. After more than half a year, it has become a small city, and it even has firearms stored inside."

Huang Zhong was stunned and asked in confusion: "Your Majesty, the court has already been building Qishan?"

Huangfu Jian looked up at the sky and said, "Don't look at me. I just found out about it not long ago. Da Sima and the others may not know about it."

Huang Zhong became even more confused.

Not only could he hide it from the Grand Marshal's Mansion, but he could also hide it from the people stationed in Hanzhong. Why?
Liu Bian turned around and looked at him, saying, "Don't think too much. I just like Qishan very much. Okay, has your doubt been resolved?"

Huang Zhong quickly regained his composure and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is farsighted, and I am confused."

"You and the second young master go to set up the defense." Liu Bian said.

Huang Zhong immediately said, "Yes."

Huangfu Jian threw away the apple core and followed Huang Zhong away.

Liu Bian looked towards Jicheng and whispered, "At this time, Zhao Yun and Zhang He should be near Jicheng..."

All we can do now is wait.

Just like Emperor Wu of Han who was waiting for news about Wei Qing and Huo Qubing's expedition against the Huns in Chang'an City, be patient and keep calm.

The city of Hanzhong seems calm, but in fact it is anxious and undercurrents are surging.

Liu Bian inspected the city every day and told all the soldiers that he, the emperor of Han, was still there.

A meeting was held every day to discuss the war and more domestic affairs. The crown prince was in charge of the country, and many issues were still difficult to decide, so they could only be sent to Hanzhong and handed over to Liu Bian for decision.

Occasionally, Liu Bian would play chess and chat with Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Xun You and others.

Amidst the anxiety, time came in May.

After being delayed for so long, it seemed as if everyone had lost patience. The only good news was that Ma Teng had withdrawn his troops after failing to capture Qishan.

But this did not make the civil and military officials in Hanzhong City relax.

Xiahou Yuan was held back by the rebellious Qiang and Di tribes, while there was still no news about Zhao Yun and Zhang He.

"Wait a little longer." Facing the repeated advice from everyone, Liu Bian still said with a smile.

Cao Cao, Liu Bian, Xun You and the others were in heavy moods, with frozen expressions on their faces.

Huangfu Jianchang knew that the patience of these bigwigs had reached its limit, so he stepped forward and said, "Gentlemen, in fact, no news is good news. We can't act blindly now, at least we need some news."

Xun You ignored him and raised his hand to Liu Bian, saying, "Your Majesty, it's time to make some preparations. I suggest that the troops from the three prefectures should go to support Xiahou Yuan."

Liu Bian flipped through the memorial nonchalantly and said, "Don't be anxious, don't be anxious."

(End of this chapter)