Ji Han Liu Zhang

'Just escaped from the wolf's mouth, and fell into the tiger's mouth again.'

This was the thought that arose in the heart of Liu Xie, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, when he saw the city of Xu County on the horizon from his carriage. It was a thought of self-pity.

In the second year of Xingping last year, he finally escaped from the control of Li Jue and Guo Si, and ran all the way from Chang'an to Luoyang in panic. Finally, he arrived in Luoyang in the first year of Jian'an this year. Things have come to a good end here.

However, in July, General Zhendong and Governor of Yanzhou Cao Cao led the crowd to protect the emperor. Although they said they were protecting the emperor, in fact, according to Liu Xie's opinion, Cao Cao was no different from Dong Zhuo and Li Guo of the past. They all intended to control the emperor of the Han Dynasty and used his title to gain control.

Because of this, Liu Xie had the above-mentioned regrets. He left Luoyang and stayed in Xu County. He was controlled by others and could not exercise his own power.

The carriage of the Emperor of the Han Dynasty moved forward step by step. Xu County, which was just on the horizon in the distance, gradually became taller and more majestic, and Xu County's true appearance was revealed.

Liu Xie nodded casually. Just as Cao Cao said in the memorial, Luoyang was in ruins and Xu County was complete. However, if he lived in Luoyang, he, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, had to do things on his own. If he lived in Xudu, his life would be controlled by others.

With this thought in mind, Liu Xie felt that it would be better for him to stay in Luoyang. Even though Luoyang was dilapidated and the people were displaced, and it was not as prosperous as Xu County, freedom was the most important thing compared to living conditions.

Unfortunately, the situation was stronger than the man. As the emperor of the Han Dynasty, he had no strong army to rely on, and he could not reject Cao Cao's proposal to move the capital. Moreover, even if he was determined to reject it, it would probably not be of much use. Cao Cao could of course take him hostage and bring him to Xu County. He might as well agree to it so that everyone would be more decent.

"Your Majesty, Xu County is ahead." At this time, a rider flew to Liu Xie's carriage and delivered a report to the carriage.

"It's Cao Hong." Liu Xie recognized the voice of the person coming, it was Cao Hong, Cao Cao's cousin. He heard that Cao Cao once led an army to attack Dong Zhuo, but was defeated in Xingyang and was almost killed by bandits. It was Cao Hong who risked his life to offer his horse, allowing Cao Cao to escape. In this way, Cao Hong could be said to be the closest person to Cao Cao.

"Now that Xu County is near, I can rest in peace. It is a pity for the general to escort me all the way." Liu Xie comforted Cao Hong. Cao Hong was Cao Cao's closest cousin and was sent by Cao Cao to protect him. Of course, although it was said to be protection, Liu Xie knew very well that it was just supervision. To put it bluntly, it was detention.

"It's not hard, it's not hard." Cao Hong said carelessly, with a smile on his face: "I am here to protect Your Majesty on the orders of my elder brother. I will be careful and cautious along the way so as not to disturb Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, rest assured. Now that we have arrived in Xu County, Your Majesty and the other ministers no longer have to worry about food every day. Xu County is much better than Luoyang, and its produce is enough to supply Your Majesty."

Cao Hong babbled, "Your Majesty agreed to my brother's request to move the capital to Xu County, which shows that Your Majesty is a wise ruler. If you listen to others and stay in Luoyang, I'm afraid there will be a risk of starving. There is no emperor in the world who is hungry."

"Hmm." Emperor Liu Xie looked a little surprised when he heard this. Although Cao Hong's words were concerned, they were disrespectful. However, he did not intend to blame Cao Hong. After all, the power of reward and punishment was not in his hands. Secondly, Cao Hong was a general, so it was normal for him to be a little careless.

At this time, in front of the team, Cao Cao faced off against his son Xun Yu.

"Mingsir, the inner city has been prepared and can be used as the residence of the emperor." Xun Yu explained the preparations he had made to welcome the emperor: "But with the inner city, there will not be enough space for the civil and military officials to live. In the future, we should build an outer city to serve as the residence of the civil and military officials."

Cao Cao nodded in satisfaction. After thinking it over for a while, he said, "The outer city should be built, otherwise Xu County cannot be considered a capital. However, there have been many events recently and food and grass are scarce. The construction of the outer city can be planned slowly."

After saying this, Cao Cao stood by the road and let Emperor Liu Xie enter the city first. After Emperor Liu Xie entered Xu County, Cao Cao glanced at the city wall of Xu County, then urged the horse under him to enter the city leisurely.

With the arrival of Emperor Liu Xie, Xu County has undergone a complete transformation and has become the capital of the Han Dynasty - Xudu.

into the night.

Cao Cao, who returned to Xu County from Luoyang, was still full of energy. He did not feel tired or exhausted from the journey, so he did not go to bed early, but instead summoned his advisers to discuss matters.

"I am going to Luoyang to welcome the emperor. What's the situation in Yecheng?" Cao Cao first asked the question that concerned him most, which was what Yuan Shao in Yecheng thought about and how he would respond to his welcoming of the emperor.

"There is no movement in Yecheng, so we can only sit and watch." Xun Yu shook his head. As he was in control of the central intelligence, he had a good understanding of the movements in Yecheng.

Cao Cao sneered when he heard this. He clapped his hands and said, "Yuan Benchu, ah Yuan Benchu, you see things but don't know the opportunity, you have many plans but are indecisive. I, Cao Cao, really didn't misjudge you."

In fact, Cao Cao already had the answer in his mind about how Yuan Shao would respond to his invitation to the emperor, which was that Yuan Shao would sit back and watch. He just wanted to confirm something, so he asked Xun Yu a question.

Now that he got the answer he wanted from Xun Yu, Cao Cao couldn't help but feel proud.

Hearing Cao Cao's boastful words, Xun Yu tilted his head slightly to the north, his eyes deep, as if he was looking at Ye City in Hebei Province, and saw Yuan Shao, whom he once served.

Yes, at first Xun Yu thought that Yingchuan was a place surrounded by wars. If there was any change in the empire, there would be a great disaster, so he moved his clan to Yecheng. Later, Yecheng was conquered by Yuan Shao, and he and his brother Xun Chen, as well as Xin Ping and Guo Tu from the same county, all served under Yuan Shao.

However, although Yuan Shao treated him as a guest of honor, after he saw that Yuan Shao had no intention of correcting the world and was disloyal, and realized that Yuan Shao's talents were not enough to accomplish great things, he abandoned Yuan Shao and joined Cao Cao, who was still in Dongjun at the time.

Now, the matter of welcoming the emperor is enough to prove that his choice was not wrong. Yuan Shao watched the emperor suffer in Luoyang, and did not know when to seize the opportunity. He did not understand the importance of the emperor and allowed the emperor to be captured by Cao Cao. It is clear that Yuan Shao will never accomplish anything great.

"My lord, what is the current situation of the battle in Guanzhong? Have you sent anyone to investigate?" Xun Yu asked with concern about the battle in Guanzhong. He had heard in the morning that Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou, led a large number of troops to attack Guanzhong with the intention of fighting the enemy for the country and avenging his father and brother. He was quite concerned about the ongoing war.

After all, Li and Guo had been rebelling for several years since Dong Zhuo, and the princes in Guandong had all sat back and watched the emperor and his ministers be controlled by the rebels, with no intention of supporting the Han Dynasty and saving the people. Now that Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou, was willing to lead troops to fight the rebels, Xun Yu was very relieved and happy.

Cao Cao rushed from Luoyang to Xudu, which was closer to Guanzhong. He was also very concerned about the course and outcome of the Guanzhong War. Documents related to the Guanzhong War were always delivered directly to his desk and hands without a moment's hesitation, so he was quite familiar with the current situation of the Guanzhong War. Cao Cao explained the situation in Guanzhong to Xun Yu: "According to the detailed information, Li Jue and Guo Si had a rift with the generals in Guanzhong, and even led their troops to attack each other, which was taken advantage of by Liu Zhang. Now Chang'an City has been captured by Liu Zhang, and Li Jue and Guo Si have fled to the north."

"Very good." Xun Yu praised. He praised Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou, whom he had never met.

"Li Guo has been rebelling for several years and has caused great harm. But in the past, I was worried about Yanyu and had no ability to conquer them. Now, Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou, is fighting against the rebels for the country. It is really a happy thing." Cao Cao sighed. He was very happy about the result that Li Guo was defeated and fled. After all, he was still somewhat loyal to the Han Dynasty.

"I think we will receive news of Li and Guo being executed soon." Xun Yu looked into the future, which was also his inner speculation. People like Li Jue and Guo Si were just ordinary people, while those who followed Li and Guo were mostly disloyal and greedy people.

As is the case, now that Li Jue and Guo Si have been defeated, the officers under the two bandits will no longer be loyal to them and will instead plan to take the reward for the heads of Li Jue and Guo Si. Even if Li Jue and Guo Si want to escape, how can they escape?

"That's right." Cao Cao nodded. He also believed that Li and Guo would end up with their heads and bodies separated sooner or later.

At this point in the discussion, Cao Cao suddenly remembered something, and he looked a little sad: "With the death of a talented person, I have lost a great helper."

Xi Zhicai was a counselor he respected very much. However, on his way to Luoyang to welcome the emperor back to Xudu, he heard the news of Xi Zhicai's death. Thinking about it now, he couldn't help but feel sad from the bottom of his heart.

Xun Yu was naturally sad when he heard this. Xi Zhicai was his planner and counselor for Cao Cao, and they had a good relationship, but he didn't expect that he would die young.

However, when Cao Cao returned to Xudu, Xun Yu found a strategist who could rival Xi Zhicai. He cupped his hands and said, "I received a letter from you, asking you to find a talented person between Ru and Ying to succeed Zhicai... I have found him now. He is from Yangdi, Yingchuan. His surname is Guo, his name is Jia, and his courtesy name is Fengxiao. He is extremely intelligent and resourceful, and can help you achieve your great cause."

"Since it is Wen Ruo who has recommended him, I should meet him as soon as possible and introduce him to me tomorrow." Cao Cao had great confidence in Xun Yu's ability to judge people. He said this eagerly, hoping to meet Guo Jia and Guo Fengxiao mentioned by Xun Yu as soon as possible.

"Yes, I will introduce you to you tomorrow." Xun Yu said respectfully.

……

Shouchun.

Yuan Shu, the fierce ghost on the road, has been in a very happy mood recently, because his power has developed very well recently, sweeping away the decadent style of the past and showing the intention of soaring.

The first was Xuzhou to the north of Huainan, and Liu Bei, the governor of Xuzhou, who was fighting against him... To be precise, he, who appointed himself as the Earl of Xuzhou, did not recognize Liu Bei's position as the governor of Xuzhou. He only regarded Liu Bei as the Prime Minister of Pingyuan.

When Liu Bei was in a stalemate with him in Xuyi and Huaiyin, he was attacked by Lu Bu, whom he had taken in. Actually, it was he who wrote a letter to trick Lu Bu into rebelling against Liu Bei. After this incident, Xuzhou is now under Lu Bu's command, and he has also become a great enemy of Liu Bei.

Next is the Jiangdong area south of Huainan. Ever since he sent Sun Ce, the son of Sun Jian, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, across the river, most of the territory of Jiangdong is now under his rule, with only some deep and dangerous places that have not been conquered.

Now, Yuan Shu felt that the lands of Xu and Yang were under his rule. In addition, the Yellow Turban Army of Yuzhou, the Black Mountain Army of Bingzhou and the Baibo Army also responded to him one after another. In a trance, he had a feeling that most of the world was in his hands, and he couldn't help but feel complacent and elated.

Especially at this moment, Yuan Shao was facing the rebellion of Zang Hongju in Dongjun, the threat of bandits in Taihang Mountains, and the fact that Gongsun Zan stationed in Yi County, Hejian County, was approaching Yuan Shao's heartland. In Yuan Shu's view, Yuan Shao's forces were facing the danger of fighting on multiple fronts and might be defeated at any time.

"Damn you, slave girl. If you ever surrender to me, I will humiliate you." Yuan Shu looked forward to the future with satisfaction. He seemed to see Yuan Shao's defeat and Yuan Shao kneeling down to beg for mercy.

Cao Cao, who had defeated him many times, was first rebelled against by his close friend Zhang Miao and his adviser Chen Gong. It took him a long time to put down the rebellion. Yuan Shu heard that Cao Cao had problems even feeding his soldiers.

In addition, Yuan Shu heard a secret that Cao Cao's army had used human jerky to satisfy their hunger. As for Cao Cao's current situation, it was far worse than his occupying the prosperous Huainan, where he had no shortage of food and clothing. He drank honey water and ate sorghum and meat, which he did not even have time to eat and eventually rotted.

Yuan Shu was always delighted when he heard about the difficulties faced by his two great enemies, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

In such a wonderful situation with everything going well, Yuan Shu had an idea. Or rather, it was an idea that he had always kept in his mind, but now that the situation was so good, he decided to throw it out.

This idea was to establish the Zhong clan and proclaim himself emperor. The confidence that gave him the title of emperor came from his current circumstances.

Speaking of identity, he was born in the Runan Yuan family, and three of his four generations were officials. He had a wide network of contacts, and his students and former officials were all over the country. Which of the officials in the court and the prefectures and counties was not related to the Yuan family? There were many people in high positions among them.

Speaking of power, he now controls most of Yangzhou, Guangling and Xia Pi counties of Xuzhou, as well as Runan and Peiguo of Yuzhou. He controls eleven counties in three states of Yang, Yu and Xu. Almost the entire southeast of the Han Dynasty belongs to his sphere of influence.

Speaking of allies, he had an alliance with Lü Bu of Xuzhou, and the Yellow Turban Army of Yuzhou, the Black Mountain Army of Bingzhou and the Baibo Army of Hedong supported him from afar. His reputation was so great that he was known throughout the world, and people from all directions knew his name.

With such a status, power and allies, it would be unreasonable for Yuan Shu not to proclaim himself emperor. Only by proclaiming himself emperor could he be in line with his status. Otherwise, it would be a disgrace to his reputation as a man of three generations of officials and a leader in the southeast.

When he thought of this, Yuan Shu's heart became more and more excited. He could not wait any longer and was unwilling to wait any longer. He proclaimed himself emperor, established an institution, and set up his own office.

In this chaotic time, he was lucky enough to have the right opportunity. This was the opportunity given to him by God and the opportunity he had been seeking.

The Han Dynasty is in decline, and the Yuan family will take over. (End of this chapter)