At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 223
It is reasonable for Liu Bei to hesitate.

For any middle-aged father who has a son, it is difficult to make such a choice.

When Mi Zhu heard this, his expression changed drastically and he said hurriedly: "This is a serious matter, so the envoy please take a rest for the time being. After we have completed the discussion with the envoy, we will come back to reply to the envoy. I don't know what to do?"

As the child's uncle, Mi Zhu valued the child no less than Liu Bei, and naturally did not want his nephew to be sent as a hostage.

When Xu Shu heard this, he did not retreat. Instead, he bowed slightly to Liu Bei and said: "If you find it difficult to accept, you can not send a hostage. It doesn't matter to my lord."

"But you may know that the hostage sent by my lord is also the eldest son. He has been cultivated as the heir by the generals of the Cavalry and Cavalry since he was a child."

"Exchanging protons is not to intimidate the general, but to reassure the general."

After saying this, Xu Shu bowed to Liu Bei again, then turned and retreated.

There was suddenly silence in the Prefectural Shepherd's Mansion. Even Zhuge Jin did not expect that Zhou Qi would actually make this request.

Fortunately, Liu Bei was not an ordinary person, and he quickly adjusted his mentality.

In history, every time Liu Bei was defeated in a battle, he almost always abandoned his wife and children, and his son and two daughters were nowhere to be found.

Compared to his own grand hegemony, Liu Bei obviously pays more attention to interests.

And just as Xu Shu said, even the cavalry generals who dominate the two states are willing to send protons to Xuzhou, so Liu Bei himself has nothing to hesitate.

He did not ask Mi Zhu for his opinion, but looked directly at Zhuge Jin and asked, "Does Ziyu think this is feasible?"

Zhuge Jin carefully looked at Liu Bei's face and did not answer directly. Instead, he said: "Even if we don't send protons, it won't have much impact on the alliance between the two parties."

"Whether you want to accept this matter or not, you still need to make your own decision."

Zhuge Jin in history was very good at observing people's words. Every time he gave advice, he first understood Sun Quan's intentions and then followed the trend of the situation.

Such people may seem smooth, but in fact they have extremely high emotional intelligence, and can persuade a headstrong monarch.

Seeing that Zhuge Jin did not express his attitude directly, Liu Bei turned to Chen Deng and asked, "What do Yuan Long think?"

Chen Deng pondered for a long time, and then said thoughtfully: "The chariot and cavalry generals are willing to send hostages to each other, and their intention to form an alliance can be said to be true."

"The generals of chariots and cavalry dominate the two states, and there are many generals under their command. There are also the Han River, Huaihe River, and Yangtze River as natural dangers. The need for the lord is not as urgent as imagined."

"I'm afraid he acted like this just for the sake of peace, as Xu Yuanzhi said."

"If there are chariot generals and hostages here, Ming Gong will not worry about the lack of foreign aid in the future, and Deng thinks that this matter is feasible."

"However, you only have one son after all, so you need to carefully consider it. Whether you want to exchange protons or not, you still need to make your own decision."

Liu Bei also asked Chen Qun and Zhuge Gui. Their attitudes were similar to Zhuge Jin and Chen Deng. Although they both believed that this move would help deepen the relationship between the two parties, they did not dare to say it themselves and asked Liu Bei to make his own decision.

At the end, Liu Bei looked at Mi Zhu and asked: "Zizhong is my son's uncle. When encountering this matter, it is inevitable that he will be concerned and confused, and lose his bearings. This is the last time I asked Zizhong for his opinion."

“Zizhong thinks it’s possible to exchange protons?”

Mi Zhu refused without hesitation: "Although the hostage sent by the Chariot and Cavalry General is also the eldest son, he still has other heirs who can inherit the family business."

"Ming Gong has such an only son, which is not only related to the inheritance of Xuzhou's foundation, but also can calm Xuzhou's civil and military aspirations."

"Without an heir, the civil and military forces of Xuzhou will inevitably be shaken. Please think twice before taking action!"

Hearing Mi Zhu's words, Liu Bei hesitated a little, because heirs were indeed of great importance. Whether a prince had a son or not made a huge difference.

Seeing Liu Bei's hesitation, Mi Zhu couldn't help but continue to persuade: "If it is necessary to send a hostage."

"Ming Gong still has two concubines. I heard that the chariot general also has concubines. How about exchanging the concubines as hostages?"

When Liu Bei heard this, he was greatly moved.

Chen Qun shook his head and said, "Zizhong's words are wrong."

"Since ancient times, protons have been important heirs of the monarch. If a concubine is sent to serve as a proton, what's the point? It would be better to refuse the exchange of protons directly."

Mi Zhu was speechless.

In this era, not to mention concubines, even concubines have little status and are not even qualified to serve as hostages.

Liu Bei was agitated and paced back and forth in the room.

Seeing that none of the ministers had reached a conclusion, Liu Bei said, "Everyone, please step aside for now. We will discuss this matter later."

As soon as Mi Zhu and others left, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun came after hearing the news.

Zhang Fei shouted at the top of his lungs: "My brother has a son in middle age, how can he send his nephew to be a hostage? I will never agree to this?"

Zhao Yun also advised: "The heirs are related to inheriting Xuzhou's foundation. How can we send them out easily?"

Guan Yu's face, which was already relatively red, turned even redder at this moment, and he said, "My nephew is less than one year old, how can he travel a long distance?"

"If that fellow Zhou Qi threatens my brother on the pretext of forming an alliance, just refuse. I will personally provide [-] troops to capture Yangzhou for my brother!"

Feeling the murderous aura emanating from Guan Yu, Liu Bei stepped forward to hold his arm and said with a wry smile: "Yun Chang's words are wrong. It is not that the cavalry general is threatening to form an alliance."

"This move is just to deepen the alliance between the two parties. Even the general of chariots and cavalry will send his eldest son to Xuzhou."

When Guan Yu heard this, his expression softened slightly.

Even so, Guan Yu still said in a deep voice: "It is absolutely impossible to send your nephew as a hostage. My brother does not need to worry about the future of Xuzhou. Now Xuzhou has begun to become prosperous after my brother's governance."

"With us here, why should we fear the other princes?"

Liu Bei patted Guan Yu and said: "I know that Yunchang is brave, but the matter of diplomatic relations is very involved, and this matter needs to be discussed again."

Seeing that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei wanted to persuade them again, Zhao Yun stopped the two of them and said: "Since it is not a coercion by the generals of chariots and cavalry, and it is an equal exchange of protons, there is no need for Yun Chang and Yide to say more. Ming Gong has his own plans. .”

After speaking, Zhao Yun directly pulled the two of them out.

After going out, Zhang Fei immediately shouted with some dissatisfaction: "Why did Zilong pull me?"

Zhao Yun said seriously: "Since this is a normal diplomatic relationship, it is up to Duke Ming and other civil servants to make the decision. You and I are both generals, so we can just express our attitude. There is no need to force Duke Ming too much and influence his decision."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said: "It is said that the eldest son of General Chaoqi is about ten years old. He has been carefully cultivated by General Chaoqi since he was a child. Being able to send him to Xuzhou really shows the sincerity of General Chaoqi's alliance."

Both of them knew that with his status and power as a cavalry general, Xuzhou was a little flattered by sending his eldest son as a hostage.

If they really wanted to exchange protons, Liu Bei not only did not suffer a loss, but actually took advantage of it.

The most important issue now is that Liu Bei only has one son. This is the crux of the matter.

When Zhang Fei heard this, he stopped talking.

But it was said that Liu Bei was walking alone in the palace, always hesitant in his heart, and finally came to the place where Xu Shu lived.

"Is Yuan Nao here?"

Xu Shu was also thinking about whether it was necessary to exchange protons at this time, but suddenly he heard Liu Bei's voice.He walked to the door, saw Liu Bei and hurriedly welcomed him in, and asked, "Did the envoy come up with the result of the discussion?"

Liu Bei shook his head and asked curiously: "Sir, can you tell me who under General Chariot and Cavalry proposed the idea of ​​sending his eldest son as a hostage?"

Xu Shu couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "To be honest, it was General Chariot and Cavalry who proposed it himself."

When Liu Bei heard this, his face was filled with astonishment and his eyes were full of disbelief.

Xu Shu continued: "I was the one who advised General Chariot and Cavalry before, saying that if the two parties form an alliance with only a piece of paper, it will be difficult to guarantee the reliability of the alliance."

"Maybe we can follow the ancients and send protons to each other to show our determination to form an alliance."

"After hearing this, the generals of chariots and cavalry took the initiative to send each other's eldest sons as hostages."

According to Zhou Qi's original plan, it would not be a bad idea to send his concubine or second son to Xuzhou to serve as a hostage.

However, after Zhou Qi thought about it, he suddenly realized that Liu Bei only had one single son, the undisputed eldest son.

If he relies on his strength to allow the two sides to exchange protons unequally, it will not only be detrimental to the alliance, but may also anger the three brothers Liu, Guan, and Zhang.

After much thought, Zhou Qi decided to send his eldest son as a hostage.

As the saying goes: Jade cannot be crafted without cutting it.

With Zhou Qi as his backing, Zhou Ji will definitely receive preferential treatment in all aspects of Xuzhou. Apart from being far away from his parents and not having the power he had in Xiangyang, his life will not be greatly affected after coming to Xuzhou.

In fact, Liu Bei would go to great lengths to protect Zhou Ji's safety.

Zhou Ji could also live abroad for a period of time after leaving Xiangyang and gain some experience.

After all, the flowers in the greenhouse cannot take on big responsibilities.

In the past, Zhou Ji had a prominent status. Every time he went out, he would be greeted by everyone. For his safety, it was even difficult to leave the city.

If he can travel far to Xuzhou to act as a hostage, he can also gain some knowledge, which will be of great benefit to his future.

What's more, Zhou Qi sent Zhou Ji to Xuzhou with other plans.

Of course, Xu Shu naturally didn't know these things.

When Liu Bei heard Xu Shu's words, he couldn't help but sighed after being shocked: "I'm not as far away as a general with chariots and cavalry!"

Xu Shu's words finally made Liu Bei make up his mind.

Even powerful princes like Zhou Qi were willing to send their eldest son to serve as a hostage, so Liu Bei had nothing to hesitate.

Those who are not decisive enough will never achieve great things.

Just like when Cao Cao attacked Lu Bu, Chen Gong suggested that Lu Bu send his daughter to Yuan Shu for a political marriage in order to seek military assistance from Yuan Shu.

It is a pity that Lu Bu only had an only daughter, so he went back on his word, ruined the last foreign aid, and was ultimately defeated and died.

On the other hand, Li Jue, Guo Si, and Zhang Xiu sent protons to each other and stabilized the Liangzhou army that was about to fall apart.

At this time, Zhang Xiu was still acting as a proton.

If his son is gone, he can be reborn, but if his inheritance is gone, he will have to live a homeless life again. Liu Bei does not want this.

not to mention.

If the proton goes to Xiangyang, he may not suffer. Zhou Qi will definitely take good care of each other for the sake of the friendly alliance between the two parties.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei immediately said seriously: "I agree to this matter."

"But now I am still following the imperial edict to go south to attack Yangzhou. Although it is just a show of force, I cannot disobey the imperial edict."

"How about we wait until the war stops and then send protons to each other?"

Xu Shu nodded and said, "What you said makes sense."

Liu Bei then said with some distress: "Yuan Benchu ​​used the emperor to command the princes. What if he keeps issuing edicts for me to attack the chariot generals and Yuan Dalu?"

Liu Bei, who cherished his reputation very much and was still a fledgling man, naturally did not dare to disobey the imperial edict.

Xu Shu's eyes moved slightly and said: "Do you know that General Chariot and Cavalry has in the hands of the late emperor the imperial edict that established the prince Xie as emperor?"

Liu Bei was shocked when he heard this and said, "Is it true or false?"

No wonder Liu Bei was surprised, he was completely unaware of this matter.

This incident originally happened in the palace, and although many people knew about it, a group of people were later purged by He Jin, and the rest supported the eldest son Liu Bian, so naturally they would not spread the matter indiscriminately.

Liu Bei had been staying in Youzhou in his early years, so naturally he didn't know the secrets of the palace.

But Xu Shu said solemnly: "The edict is in the hands of the chariot general."

"In the past, General Chariot and Cavalry and Gai Yuangu were highly valued by the late emperor. When they were pacifying the kingdom in Sanfu and Han Sui rebelled, the emperor was already seriously ill."

"At that time, there was a great general, He Jin, who held heavy troops and controlled the government. Based on the relationship between He Jin and the current emperor, he would definitely be crowned emperor."

"The late emperor then secretly sent an edict to Jian Shuo, appointing General Chaiqi and Gai Yuangu as important ministers of Tuogu, and asked them to lead troops to King Qin of Luoyang and establish the prince Xie as emperor."

"However, after the generals of chariots and cavalry put down the rebellion and led troops into Luoyang, Prince Bian had been established as emperor. Dong Zhuo planned to depose the emperor and establish his own authority."

"General Cheqi and Gai Yuangu believed that since the late emperor's eldest son had been established as emperor, it would be detrimental to the court's reputation if he deposed him again. Therefore, they did not publish the secret of the late emperor's edict and instead forced Dong Zhuo to cancel the deposed move. .”

"Although General Chariot and Cavalry did not proclaim Prince Xie as emperor, he remembered that the late emperor had entrusted him with a heavy responsibility before his death, so he obtained Prince Xie from Dong Zhuo."

"Over the years, the Prince's Association has been practicing literature and martial arts with the General Chariot and Cavalry."

Liu Bei was surprised. He didn't expect that there was such a secret in the palace.

Xu Shu looked at Liu Bei's expression and said tentatively: "In recent years, Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, Guo Si and others have continued to trample on the majesty of the imperial court, and the chariot and cavalry generals regret it."

"If Yuan Benchu ​​is like the three thieves, ignoring the dignity of the Han Dynasty and the majesty of the court, General Chariot and Cavalry might not consider abiding by the late emperor's decree and re-establishing Prince Xie as emperor!"

"Since you are a clan member of the Han Dynasty, I asked you to share your family tree with the prince and recognize your kin. I wonder what you thought?"

After this incident, Zhou Qi also planned to find another court to prevent Yuan Shao from suppressing the emperor again in the future.

However, Zhou Qi alone was obviously not good enough, and at least one of the other princes had to be brought in, so he sent a proton at any cost and also wanted to form an iron-clad alliance with Liu Bei.

When Liu Bei heard this, his expression turned gloomy.

However, it was a huge temptation to discuss the family tree with the prince and recognize his relatives.

Although Liu Bei claimed to be a clan member of the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty had existed for 400 years, and the Liu family's descendants were spread all over the country. Many people couldn't help but sneer when they heard Liu Bei claiming to be Prince Jing of Zhongshan.

If one could recognize the late emperor's youngest son, the meaning would be completely different.

(End of this chapter)