Ji Han Liu Zhang

into the night.

Liu Zhang lay on his side on the bed, listening to the sound of rain outside, thinking about sending Peng Ying, who had a very proud personality, to Liangzhou. He still had some doubts about this matter, wondering whether Peng Ying could complete this task based on his temperament.

After just a moment, Liu Zhang put aside his doubts. Regardless of whether Peng Ying could complete the task he assigned, this mission to Liangzhou would probably temper Peng Ying's arrogant temper to some extent, which would be a good thing for Liu Zhang.

Peng Ying, who served as the military officer, had served under Liu Zhang since the first year of Xingping when Liu Zhang conquered Nanzhong. It can be said that Peng Ying was an old minister and also his confidant, participating in secrets and conspiring on government affairs. As such a confidant, Liu Zhang did not want to see Peng Ying encounter any unpleasant things in the future because of his temper.

If there was a chance to temper Peng Ying's temper, suppress a little of his arrogance, make him gentler and talk about things calmly, Liu Zhang would naturally be willing to do it.

In addition, as Liangzhou was a frontier area, the people there were mostly honest and straightforward, accustomed to speaking their mind. It was unclear whether Peng Ying's straightforward, arrogant and casual character would suit the tastes of the people there.

Listening to the continuous night rain, Liu Zhang fell asleep unknowingly.

Day two.

Liu Zhang, who was used to getting up early, finished washing up when it was still dark and came to the corridor of the courtyard. Now the drizzle was still going on with no sign of stopping.

A gust of cold wind blew by, and the temperature was low due to the drizzle, so Liu Zhang wrapped himself in his fur coat.

It’s October now. It is October of the first year of Jian’an.

Another year is coming to an end. It has been three years since Liu Zhang came to the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Over the past three years, he has defeated powerful enemies one after another, including Nanzhong Souyi, Hanzhong Zhang Lu, and Guanzhong Li Guo. Now, he has truly stepped onto the stage of history and stood in the main arena of the struggle for supremacy in the late Han Dynasty.

Liu Zhang leaned one hand on the pillar of the corridor and watched the rain scene in front of him as the sky gradually brightened.

What he had done in the past three years was very successful and glorious, but the past glory is all in the past. Now he has to start working on the future. If he takes over Guanzhong, he will be qualified to compete for hegemony over the world, but at the same time he will also attract the watchfulness and fear of the heroes of the world.

Just like now, although Yuan Shao in Hebei is still busy eliminating Gongsun Zan and has not taken any action against him for the time being, Cao Cao, who controls Yanyu, has already secretly put obstacles in his way.

Cao Cao appointed him as the King of Shu in the name of the emperor. The title of King of Shu looked like a gorgeous flower, but this flower had many thorns. If one really took it in his hand, he would end up with bloody palms.

At the moment, it's only Cao Cao who has taken action, sending a hidden arrow, but in the future, there may be open attacks from other places. If he is determined to fight for supremacy in the world, he will inevitably face open and hidden attacks along the way.

Thinking of this, there was no expression of fear or worry on Liu Zhang's face. His eyes were as firm as ever. After dying once and luckily living again, his character was as hardened as a rock.

Born in a turbulent time, with grief and blood everywhere, one's only thought is to save the people. At this moment, the rain gradually stopped, the sky gradually brightened, and in the eastern sky, a golden sun rose as usual, shining on the land of Guanzhong.

Its daybreak.

Liu Zhang took a step forward and came to the east pavilion of the Chang'an government office. Soon, the chief official, Jingzhao Yin Xun You, and military advisor Jia Xu also arrived. Xun You and Jia Xu bowed slightly to Liu Zhang respectively, then found their seats and sat down.

Needless to say, the servants brought porridge and rice, as well as a few pickles that went with the porridge and rice, and placed them on the tables of the several people. Then they ate their breakfast, first considering filling their stomachs, and then discussing government affairs.

Soon, everyone finished their breakfast, washed their hands, and started today's meeting.

Xun You spoke first and brought up the first topic of today's discussion: "Mr. My Lord, the emperor is staying in Xu, where the court is located. All the emperor's edicts and matters from all directions are gathered in Xudu. I think we should place spies to investigate the movements of Xudu so that we can respond as soon as possible."

As for the court in Xudu, the place that controls the righteousness of the world, Xun You feels that if they do not plant spies, they will be one step behind others if they do not have spies detect the movements of the court, or the movements of the powerful officials who now control the court, Cao Cao, and report them back to Guanzhong.

"How do you think we should arrange the details?" Liu Zhang nodded slightly. Intelligence is a vital matter. As the saying goes, knowing yourself and knowing your enemy means you will win every battle. If you don't know enough about the enemy, it's like you are not dying fast enough. Only by knowing the enemy thoroughly can you gain the initiative in the battle.

Xun You did not wait for any further consideration before blurting out his prepared remarks: "The spies planted in Xudu should be both visible and invisible. Those in the visible positions can recruit loyal officials and righteous men who do not submit to Cao Mengde's overall control of the government, while those in the invisible positions are spies planted secretly."

"Loyal ministers and righteous men who refused to submit to Cao Cao." Hearing Xun You's words, Liu Zhang secretly said in his heart, that's too much.

Although Cao Cao controlled Emperor Liu Xie in history, the Han Dynasty had enjoyed great power and grace for a long time, and there were countless ministers loyal to the Han Dynasty. Rebellions that attempted to overthrow Cao Cao and return power to Liu Xie occurred from time to time, causing the capital of the Han Dynasty, Xudu, to be in turmoil.

For example, there was one conspiracy between the emperor's uncle Dong Cheng and the general Wang Zifu, the Changshui commander Zhong Ji, the counselor Wu Shuo and the emperor's uncle Liu Bei; there was another conspiracy between Empress Fu and her father Fu Wan.

In addition, Imperial Physician Ji Ben, Shaofu Geng Ji, and Sizhi Wei Huang did not conspire, but directly led an army to attack the Chief Clerk Wang Bi, who was left by Cao Cao to guard Xu Du. They wanted to use the emperor to attack Wei, support Liu Bei in the south, revive the Han Dynasty, and prevent it from declining.

"Your words are feasible." Liu Zhang expressed his agreement. He asked Xun You, "Among the nobles in Xudu, are there any people we can use? Gongda, when Zhang Su returns from Xudu, you will discuss with Zhang Su, make a list, and then send people to test these available people to see if they can be made our spies."

"Yes." Xun You bowed in response. He used to be the Yellow Gate Minister in Luoyang and knew many officials. Although many of them were harmed by Dong Zhuo, Li and Guo, there were still many people he was familiar with. This task was more suitable for him.

"As for the secret agents stationed in Xudu, Wenhe, I'll leave it to you to arrange." Liu Zhang turned to Jia Xu. He intended to hand over the matter of the secret agents in Xudu to Jia Xu. After all, with Jia Xu's talents and character, he was the most suitable candidate.

"Yes." Jia Xu accepted the order, with a look of surprise on his face. As a newly surrendered person, it was somewhat inappropriate for him to participate in such confidential discussions, not to mention that Liu Zhang actually gave him the task of planting spies.

How sincere! (End of this chapter)