Ji Han Liu Zhang

"In addition, Yuan Benchu ​​intended to have Cao Mengde move the emperor to Zhencheng in Dongjun, saying that Xu County was low-lying and humid, Luoyang was incomplete and dilapidated, and Zhencheng was a complete and abundant place that could be used to house the emperor, but Cao Mengde politely declined."

Liu Ai talked about something Yuan Shao requested when he submitted his resignation.

Regarding Yuan Shao's plan to welcome the emperor to Zhencheng, Liu Ai could roughly guess the deeper meaning behind it. It was nothing more than that Xudu was too far away from Yecheng, making it inconvenient for Yuan Shao to know the movements of the court, while Zhencheng was closer to Yecheng, making it easier for Yuan Shao to control the court.

However, Yuan Shao's plan seemed to be a mirage. The emperor was in Cao Cao's hands. Cao Cao welcomed the emperor and his actions were based on the emperor's edicts, and the whole country responded to it. No matter how he thought about it, Cao Cao would not give up the emperor and moved the emperor to Zhencheng.

"Yuan Benchu ​​was one step behind in his chess game and there was nothing he could do." Liu Zhang shook his head and sighed. The emperor was already in Cao Cao's hands, and it was indeed too late for Yuan Shao to try to make up for his loss.

But if he could seize opportunities, be resourceful and make good decisions, he would not be Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao's background determined that he could gain a great advantage in the chicken-eating game at the end of the Han Dynasty, but Yuan Shao's character doomed him to not have the destiny to rule the world.

Character determines destiny. This statement is cruel but also true.

"What the Grand Marshal said is true. Yuan Benchu ​​fell behind and was one step behind. Even if he wanted to make up for it now, he can't." The Palace Attendant Liu Ai echoed, affirming what Liu Zhang said.

"Is there anything happening in Guandong recently?" Liu Zhang asked casually. Guanzhong is located in the northwest. Although he can receive news from Guandong, the details are somewhat not as clear to him as Liu Ai.

"Recently, a relative of our Liu clan came to Xudu." Liu Ai talked about a hero he met recently.

"This man's surname is Liu, his given name is Bei, and his courtesy name is Xuande. In the past, Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, recommended him to be the governor of Xuzhou. However, when he led his troops to fight against Yuan Shu in Huainan recently, he was attacked by Lu Bu, the Marquis of Wen, and Xuzhou was also captured by Lu Bu. Lu Bu arranged for Liu Xuande to stay in Xiaopei and let him guard the east gate of Xuzhou."

At this point, Liu Ai drank a glass of wine to moisten his lips and tongue, and then continued: "But because Liu Xuande was very kind and righteous, the Xuzhou scholars and common people returned to Xiaopei, just as the common people return to their parents, which caused Lü Bu's displeasure. Lü Bu led his strong soldiers to break through Xiaopei, and Liu Xuande fled to Xudu."

Liu Ai's face showed an expression of admiration: "I met Liu Xuande once or twice in Xudu. I felt that this man was outstanding and heroic. Although he suffered a defeat and his family was separated, Liu Xuande did not look sad and was inexplicably calm."

After talking about his impressions of Liu Bei, Liu Ai sighed: "With the Grand Marshal and Liu Xuande among the royal family, there is hope for the revival of the Han Dynasty. We will never allow treacherous ministers and villains to wreak havoc and violence."

Liu Ai's surname is Liu. As a member of the royal family, he is loyal to the Han Dynasty. Although the current situation of the Han Dynasty is very bad, there are many heroes among his relatives, so he feels that there is nothing to worry about. No matter what, the world will still belong to the Liu family.

"The Minister of the Court said that Liu Xuande is a man of great talent. I wonder if Cao Mengde can tolerate him." Liu Zhang followed up on Liu Ai's words and asked, skipping over the puppet-like emperor and asking about Cao Cao's attitude towards Liu Bei.

Liu Ai paused, and then said: "Liu Xuande came to surrender, Cao Mengde treated him very well, gave Liu Xuande soldiers and food, sent Liu Xuande to Peidi to collect scattered soldiers, and appointed Liu Xuande as Yuzhou governor, which can be said to be an extraordinary favor."

"Liu Xuande is a member of the royal family and has great talent. Cao Mengde accepted him. He is really tolerant." Liu Zhang sighed, but he was calm. After all, Liu Zhang knew history. The current situation was the same as in history. As for Liu Bei, whom Cao Cao called "my peer", Cheng Yu and Guo Jia strongly advised Cao Cao to kill Liu Bei to avoid future troubles.

However, as counselors, Cheng Yu and Guo Jia only needed to consider proposing strategies, while as a monarch, Cao Cao had to consider many things. Cao Cao had the emperor on his side and recruited heroes. Under such circumstances, killing Liu Bei would greatly damage Cao Cao's reputation.

By then, because Emperor Liu Xie was in Xu, those people from all over the world who intended to go to Xu Du would probably stop and hesitate when they heard the news that Liu Bei was executed for no reason. They would not dare to rush to Xu Du rashly, for fear of ending up like Liu Bei.

Therefore, it was not because Cao Cao was tolerant, but the current situation did not allow Cao Cao to kill. Liu Zhang's sigh of "Cao Mengde is tolerant" became indifferent, just to deal with Liu Ai.

After hearing this, the attendant Liu Ai was silent for a moment. Then he glanced around and saw that everyone on his left and right was Liu Zhang's attendant. So he said boldly: "Grand Marshal, it's not that Cao Mengde is tolerant, but if a distant person comes to surrender, and he is killed without reason, the world will think that Cao Mengde is intolerant and dare not rush to Xudu to assist. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages. That's why Cao Mengde doesn't do it... It's not that he doesn't do it, but he really can't do it."

Liu Ai spoke from the bottom of his heart. He was in Xu Du and was deeply involved in the political affairs of Xu Du. As a person in the court, he naturally had a clearer view of the political affairs. He had heard rumors that someone had advised Cao Cao to kill the talented Liu Bei, but was rejected by Cao Cao.

After saying this, Liu Ai's eyes sparkled and he looked at Liu Zhang. The meaning of the conversation was self-evident.

A smile appeared on Liu Zhang's face. He looked at Liu Ai who was speaking from the bottom of his heart. He did not comment on Liu Ai's words, but poured a glass of wine for Liu Ai himself: "After hearing what the Minister said, Zhang has realized something... Please drink this glass..."

"Please..." Liu Ai also smiled and drank the wine in the glass.

Next, Liu Zhang dismissed his attendants and started drinking with his attendant Liu Ai. The two talked earnestly until late at night.

When the moon reached its zenith, Liu Zhang personally escorted Liu Ai to the door of the official residence and sent someone to escort Liu Ai back to the inn.

"What a bright moonlight." After bidding farewell to Liu Ai, Liu Zhang looked up at the sky and saw a moon like a jade plate hanging in the sky. The faint moonlight flowed around, making the night as bright as day, which made Liu Zhang boast.

Scenery is usually related to mood. Liu Zhang, who praised the bright moonlight, was in a very good mood.

At today's banquet, the Chamberlain Liu Ai revealed his true feelings when he was alone with Liu Zhang, and expressed his intention to serve him privately and become his hidden chess piece in Xu Du. This happy event made Liu Zhang very happy.

After all, Liu Zhang had planned to recruit one or two officials in Xudu as his secret agents to spy on the movements of the court in Xudu, understand the changes in the court situation and the promotion and demotion of officials, and know both himself and the enemy so as to win every battle.

Now, just as he dozed off, Liu Ai handed him a pillow, which made Liu Zhang feel that he had met someone for the right reason. He naturally accepted Liu Ai's offer and made Liu Ai his first hidden chess piece in Chang'an. (End of this chapter)