Ji Han Liu Zhang

Chapter 491 Discussion on Hedong
Changan.

This time, it was the Minister of the Court Liu Ai who came to Guanzhong to read out the imperial decree. The imperial decree was to appoint Liu Zhang's chief clerk Xun You as the governor of Henei, replacing the former governor of Henei, Zhang Yang.

But Liu Ai read out: "Zhang Yang, the governor of Henei, used to be in cahoots with the Xiongnu Chanyu Yufuluo, and later became close to Wenhou Lu Bu. His behavior is really erratic and he has the intention of being disloyal... Now I am replacing him with Xun You, the former governor of Shu County. I hope you can take care of the area and stabilize Henei, and live up to my expectations..."

After the reading was completed, the angel Liu Ai rolled up the silk imperial edict in his hand, took a few steps forward, and handed it to Xun You, who had just knelt to receive the edict and stood up immediately.

Xun You stretched out his hands and respectfully received the imperial edict. Then he took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to the angel Liu Ai: "You are not talented and your virtue is poor. You are not worthy of the post of governor of Henei. I have a letter of resignation. I hope the angel can take it back to Xudu and present it to the emperor so that he can know your intentions."

When Liu Ai saw the resignation letter handed over by Xun You, he looked a little helpless, as if he had never succeeded in his mission to Guanzhong. Liu Zhang had been offered the title of King of Shu many times before, but Liu Zhang had always refused. Now that Xun You was promoted to the position of governor of Henei, Xun You had made preparations early and wrote a letter of resignation, resigning from the warm post of governor of Henei.

"I must report Gongda's intention to the emperor and let him know." Liu Ai took Xun You's letter of resignation and replied to Xun You according to the rules.

After the emperor's decree was issued, the stiff and serious atmosphere between Liu Ai and Xun You disappeared instantly. The two looked at each other, smiled at each other, and then started chatting.

Liu Ai talked about recent events: "General Kong Rong, the chief architect, went to Yecheng to issue an imperial decree, appointing Yuan Benchu's nephew Gao Gan as the governor of Hedong. Gao Gan received the decree and immediately went to take up the post in Hedong, but he was not as humble as Gongda."

"You is not being modest, he just has no intention of being the governor of Henei." Xun You shook his head lightly.

Xun You said to Liu Ai, a relative of the clan, "With the intelligence of the minister, he should be able to see through the intention of the court's appointment... Hedong is adjacent to Guanzhong, and Gao Gan is the governor. Henei is close to Jizhou, and You is the governor. The court, or Cao Sikong, is obviously trying to stir up trouble."

Liu Ai nodded slightly, as if he had agreed. He said cryptically, "Henei is located in the center of the world, and it is indeed a place of right and wrong. The post of Henei governor can also be seen as a wrong post. Gongda is unwilling to take the post, and he is indeed a wise man."

Liu Ai and Xun You walked side by side, wandering in the courtyard of the Chang'an County Temple, looking at the peach blossoms blooming in the courtyard, which were bright and fragrant. The spring scenery here was charming.

Liu Ai saw the spring scenery, but said with emotion: "It's a pity that Yuan Zongzhu didn't think of this and insisted on sending Gao Gan to be the governor of Hedong. If Wang Yi obeyed the imperial decree and let Gao Gan replace him as the governor of Hedong, with Gao Gan's strength and adjacent to Guanzhong, there will be a lot of trouble from now on..."

As a minister of the imperial court and a member of the royal family, Liu Ai hoped for peace in the world and the long-term stability of the Liu family's dynasty. Unfortunately, there were powerful ministers in the court and strong vassal states in the surrounding areas, so the world could not have peace.

At night, looking from outside to inside, the left wing of the official residence was brightly lit, as bright as day.

"Lou Fa, who is stationed at Pubanjin, has sent news that Wang Yi is unwilling to give up his post as governor of Hedong. On the one hand, he has submitted a petition to the court, saying that the people in the county are greedy for his support and are unwilling to let him go. On the other hand, he has sent his General Fan Xian to garrison at the county border in an attempt to prevent high-ranking officials from entering Hedong." Jia Xu read out the document handed over by Lou Fa, and then handed several copies of the detailed documents to the people present one by one.

Xun You, Fa Zheng, Zheng Du and other counselors each took the detailed documents and read through them carefully.

"Where has Gao Gan gone?" Fa Zheng read through the document first, put it down and asked Jia Xu. Jia Xu replied, "Huguan, this is the news I received this morning."

"Then we are close." Fa Zheng stroked his short beard and pondered carefully. After a moment, he cupped his hands and said to Liu Zhang, "Mingsir, Hedong is an important place adjacent to Guanzhong. We can enter Guanzhong by crossing Pubanjin. Such an important place must not fall into Yuan Shao's hands, otherwise we will be controlled by Yuan Shao."

"What Xiaozhi said is true. You can make a plan." Liu Zhang nodded. If they want to defend Guanzhong, they must first defend Hedong. Hedong area is not only the eastern gate to protect the Guanzhong Plain, but also the connecting hub between Guanzhong area and the Central Plains. The importance of Hedong is self-evident.

"I think we should wait and see what happens." Xun You said, "After years of fighting, the treasury is empty. We cannot send troops to Hedong to fight Yuan Shao... Moreover, if we forcefully send troops to fight Yuan Shao, we will fall into Cao Cao's trap and let the tiger devour the wolf."

Zheng Du's face showed a little anxiety when he heard this. He argued, "If we don't send troops to Hedong, won't it mean that Yuan Shao will take Hedong... And if Yuan Shao takes Hedong, he will also defeat Gongsun and Heishan and unify Hebei. Then he will lead a 100,000-strong army to Guanzhong. The situation will be critical, as you can see."

"No." Xun You shook his head and said, "My intention is not to not fight for Hedong, but to act according to the situation."

Xun You considered his words for a moment, then explained: "The governor of Hedong, Wang Yi, has no intention of abandoning Hedong and intends to prevent Gao Gan from entering Hedong. We can wait and see how things develop and see Wang Yi and Gao Gan fight..."

"If Wang Yi is in danger, we can send more than a thousand elite soldiers to easily take Hedong while Wang Yi is weak. This is what is called a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. If Gao Gan cannot enter Hedong, we can stay in Guanzhong and wait until our army has enough food before sending troops to Hedong."

As soon as Xun You's plan came out, everyone present understood what he meant.

Fa Zheng was quick-witted and had a quick mind. He added, "My lord, Gao Gan is Yuan Shao's nephew. Wang Yi may remember the emperor's will, but he is afraid of Yuan Shao's strength and dare not fight against Gao Gan... You can send an envoy to Hedong to ask for help, so as to boost Wang Yi's courage and make him feel at ease to fight against Gao Gan."

"Good, that's what we should do." Liu Zhang nodded. He let Wang Yi fight with the senior officials, while Liu Zhang could sit back and relax. Everyone at the meeting made plans together and gave Liu Zhang a good suggestion.

On the second day, Cheng Yu, a clerk under Liu Zhang, received an errand from Liu Zhang and set out on a journey to Hedong.

The Guanzhong Plain was a smooth road. Within a few days, Cheng Yu arrived at the Guanzhong-Hedong Pass—Puban Ferry. After crossing the river from Puban, Cheng Yu met the Zhonglang Jiang Lou Fa stationed at Puban Ferry.

"Mr. Cheng." Lou Fa looked serious and bowed to Cheng Yu in a serious manner. As he and Cheng Yu were both from Baxi County, they had a natural close relationship.

"General Lou." Cheng Yu bowed in return.

Afterwards, Lou Fa hosted a banquet for Cheng Yu and invited him to stay for a day. On the second day, Cheng Yu went to Anyi, the county seat of Hedong.

(End of this chapter)