The great man will live forever

Chapter 244 Preparing for Marriage
Back in Yingchuan, Fan Chong, the leader of Chimei, divided his troops into two groups. Fan Chong and Pang An led their own troops, while Xu Xuan, Xie Lu, and Yang Yin led the rest.

Fan Chong's troops soon captured Changshe, then went south to the important town of Wancheng and killed the county magistrate of Wancheng.The troops of Xu Xie and Xie Lu also captured Yangzhai, then entered Daliang and killed the prefect of Henan County.

Both groups of the Red Eyebrow Army were victorious one after another, but the war-weariness among the army was rising. Most of them were farmers who joined the rebel army when they had no other choice. They just wanted to take back their farmland, but they didn't want to be exhausted and become desperate. only.

There were sounds of sadness and crying in the military camp day and night, and many people were thinking about how to return to their hometown in Shandong.

Fan Chong was not a fool. When he realized something was wrong, he immediately summoned the generals to discuss. Everyone was worried that if these people returned to Shandong, they would all scatter and go home. It made everyone miss their homes.

So in the winter of the second year of Gengshi, Fan Chong and Pang An led their troops to go west from Wuguan on the pretext of looking for food in the cold weather. Xu Xuan and others also responded to the call and went west from Luhun Pass. In the first month of the third year of Gengshi, the two groups marched westward. They all arrived at Hongnong County, not far from Chang'an, to join forces.

Then he followed Emperor Gengshi's Green Forest Army to attack Wang Mang's army fiercely. They fought and won consecutive battles, and the number of troops increased. Fan Chong even had as many as thirty battalions of troops under his command. There were one battalion for every 1 people, and each battalion had three elders and one person. (Engagement) A person, he also called himself the king, and externally he was named the marquis by Emperor Gengshi, and was called "Fan Junhou".

Not long after, the army entered the border of Huayin and approached Chang'an.

At this time, Fan Chong discovered that there were often Qi witches brought from Shandong in the army to pray for blessings and help for the soldiers, and the god worshiped by the Qi witches was actually "Liu Zhang, King Yang of Hancheng", and one wizard even pretended to be crazy and cursed at the crowd: "You are supposed to be county magistrates, why are you being thieves?"

Some people who ridiculed the wizard fell ill soon after, and the army was shocked. They were probably poisoned by the wizard.

At that time, Fang Wang, a minister of Gengshi Emperor Liu Xuan, resented Liu Xuan for killing his brother Fang Yang, so he came to Fan Chong and said: "After Gengshi Emperor Liu Xuan captured Luoyang, he neglected political affairs and messed up the harem, so that the government decrees were ineffective.

Fan Junhou, you have the opportunity to travel from Shandong to the land of Guanzhong. Now the Junhou has millions of people, heading west to the Chang'an Imperial City, but he has no resounding name. The outside world thinks he is a Shandong bandit. How can this last long?

It is better for a prince to establish another clan as the emperor, hold high the banner of righteousness, punish the rebels and the violent, and use this order. Who in the world dares to disobey? "

After Fan Chong and others heard this, they praised the clever plan one after another, so they believed what the wizard said even more, and asked the wizard again, and the answer they received was, "We are approaching Chang'an, and the ghosts and gods are like this, we should ask the Liu family to appoint him to command the world!"

So in June of the third year of Gengshi, Fan Chong found Liu Penzi, proclaimed him emperor, changed his reign name to "Jianshi", and made a clean break with Emperor Gengshi from then on.

Liu Penzi's grandfather was named Shihou during the reign of Emperor Liu Xianyuan, and his father Liu Meng was killed after Wang Mang usurped the throne.

At the beginning of the first year of Gengshi (23 AD), when the Red Eyebrow Rebel Army passed through Shixian County, they took Liu Penzi and his two brothers Liu Gong and Liu Mao to the military camp.

Liu Gong studied "Shang Shu" since he was a child and understood some of the great meanings in the book.Later, he surrendered to Gengshi Emperor Liu Xuan with Fan Chong and others, and was named Shihou.

Because he was proficient in Confucian classics, he wrote many letters to discuss matters, so he was appointed as a minister and followed Emperor Gengshi in Chang'an.

In the army, Liu Penzi and Liu Mao belonged to Liu Xiaqing, a junior officer in the right school. They were responsible for cutting grass and feeding cattle. They were based on cattle herding and were known as "cattle officials".

Liu Penzi knew the habits of each cow very well. Every time he herded the cows, he had to harvest a lot of grass and put it on the back of the cows to carry back to the military camp.

It is said that the cows he herds understand human language very well, and they always give orders and prohibitions, and do not eat crops casually.He sometimes rides the head of a cow upside down to watch the herd and enjoys it.

At that time, when Fan Chong wanted to find a Han clan member to support him as emperor, he unexpectedly found that there were as many as [-] people in the army who were named Yangcheng King Liu Zhang, but only Liu Penzi, Liu Mao and Xi'an Hou Liu Xiao were more reliable. .

Fan Chong then discussed with the generals: "I heard that in ancient times, the emperor was called the general when he was in the army, just like King Wu of the Western Zhou Dynasty when he conquered Zhou. We will draw the three characters of the general on the paper talisman to make this Three children come to draw lots, whoever catches it will be God’s will!"

So he set up an altar in the army and led the people to kneel down and worship the throne of King Chengyang. Then he ordered Liu Penzi and the other three to draw lots according to the year. Liu Penzi was the youngest. He drew the lot last, but he caught the "General". Three words, this is probably fate.

Fan Chong and the generals immediately professed their surrender and knelt down. Liu Penzi was only 15 years old at the time. He was present with disheveled hair, bare feet, legs covered with mud and cow dung, wearing short clothes and smelly of sweat. When they saw everyone suddenly bowed down and shouted "long live the mountain", he was immediately arrested. I was so scared that I wanted to cry.

His brother Liu Mao whispered to him from the side: "I am the emperor today, and I am good at hiding my talisman!"

Naturally, Liu Penzi didn't understand. He actually bit the fu into two pieces and threw it on the ground. Later, he picked it up and handed it to his "boss" Liu Xiaqing.

Liu Xiaqing hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed, saying "Your Majesty" repeatedly, and quickly gave him a red brocade robe and a headband to put on, but Liu Penzi continued to play with the shepherd boys in the army.

Although Fan Chong was outstanding in martial arts, he was completely ignorant of literature. Only Xu Xuan, who had served as a county jailer, actually read the "Book of Changes".

So everyone discussed and appointed Xu Xuan as prime minister, in charge of hundreds of officials, Fan Chong as the imperial censor, Pang An as the left big Sima, Xie Lu as the right big Sima, Yang Yin as the head of the nine ministers, and the rest of the generals got their official positions. .

At this time, Chimei had completely parted ways with Liu Xuan, and Liu Xuan's defeat was not far away.

On the other hand, Ren Guang, the governor of Xindu County, was attacked by Wang Lang at that time. Both Ren Guang and Liu Xiu participated in the Battle of Kunyang, and their inner political stance approved of Liu Xiu and did not surrender to Wang Lang.

However, Ren Guang defended the city alone and was weak.After Liu Xiu came in, Ren Guang was overjoyed.

At this time, Pi Tong, the prefect of Hecheng, also came to join him.Pi Tong heard that Liu Xiu went south and lost the few troops around him, so he deployed 2000 cavalry around him to meet Liu Xiu along the road.

Liu Xiu received the support of local officials from both places. Although the troops around him were only a few thousand and still weak, the support of the two local officials was of great help to Liu Xiu.

Liu Xiu adopted Ren Guang's suggestion and expanded his army in Hebei. "He then sent troops to Pang County and obtained 4000 elite soldiers."

From then on, Liu Xiu organized a military team to attack Wang Lang.This crusade also added Liu Zhi and others, and its strength was expanded. These numbers were not large, but they were crucial to Liu Xiu, because this was the first time that he challenged the Xuanhan regime in terms of physical strength. Made the cut!

When he was recruiting troops in Hebei, Ayimei brought people to join him.

"General, the Pingyuan Army is coming to surrender."

"Pingyuan Army?" Liu Xiu was confused, and Feng Yi introduced him.

"I know this. Their boss is called Chi Zhaoping. Following the peasant uprising of Lulin and Chimei, in the autumn of the second year of Emperor Di Huang, thousands of people gathered in the river resistance of Pingyuan City to stage an uprising. Therefore, the army she led was also called Pingyuan Army.

They resisted official taxes, destroyed government offices, killed gentry, plundered nobles, distributed food to poor people, helped the weak and the weak, killed the rich and rescued the poor, and their reputation was greatly increased.

Chi Zhaoping was a strange woman. Not only was she as beautiful as a flower, she was also highly skilled in martial arts and had strict military discipline. She was different from ordinary bandits. It was said that she went to Chang'an with the red-browed men to meet His Majesty, but now she came to Hebei again? "

"Oh, if there is such a strange woman, let her come to see me."

Not long after, Liu Xiu saw Ayimei. The two looked at each other and said, "It turns out it's not him."

With just one glance, she could tell from Liu Xiu's expression that this person was not the Liu Han she had longed for. A trace of disappointment flashed in Ayimei's eyes.

"What is General Chi talking about? So it's not him? Could it be that he is disappointed in Liu Xiu?"

"That's not true. The general is very energetic and has made great achievements in Kunyang. He came here to join us."

"General Chi is a strange woman and has tens of thousands of people under his command. Why do you think so highly of Liu Xiu? It is said that you went to Chang'an and met with His Majesty. Why didn't you stay in Chang'an?"

"Chang'an is not a place to stay for a long time. They don't want to see the red-browed people, so they will inevitably fall out. Moreover, those people are used to looting and are short-sighted. I think they will be defeated sooner or later. After thinking about it, I feel that the general must be the one who will calm the troubled times in the future. People, come here to seek refuge.”

Ayimei had talked with Zhao Lan before and knew that Liu Xiu would be the emperor in the future. She would not make any big mistake by joining him. And from her point of view, Liu Xiu is probably the only one who can make it happen now. When the time comes, she You can master huge power, follow the dragon's power, and it will be easier to do things in the future.

Peace is far better than troubled times. No matter how bad the order is, it is no better than no order. She knows very well that if Liu Han wakes up from reincarnation, he will inevitably move closer to power. He will not be willing to remain unknown, like him. People are radiant no matter where they stand.

Moreover, those people seemed to be behind the Kunyang War. She wanted to know if Liu Xiu was supported by those people, and what was happening with Wang Mang.Liu Xiu was naturally very happy, accepted them, and named Ayimei the Jingfei General!

Liu Xiu and Deng Yu divided their armies into two groups. Liu Xiu personally led the troops and marched north to conquer Quyang. He gathered the masses and recruited tens of thousands of people. After that, he captured Changcheng and Zhongshan Kingdom with lightning speed. Lunu City, the capital, and Lecheng, the capital of Hejian Kingdom.

Within two months, part of Bohai County, Xindu County in Anping State, and Herong County in the north of Julu County were also under Liu Xiu's control.

Here in Handan City, Wang Lang got the news and stood up in surprise, "What? The lands of Zhongshan Kingdom, Changshan Kingdom, and Hejian Kingdom have been controlled by Liu Xiu?"

Liu Lin nodded helplessly and said: "Yes, Julu Gengchun, Changcheng Liu Zhi and other prominent families in Hebei have all taken refuge with him, as well as the Pingyuan Army from Shandong, but don't panic, Your Majesty.

Liu Xiu's troops are all newly recruited generals. The Pingyuan Army in Shandong is led by a woman named Chi Zhaoping. They should not be in danger. Most of them are rabble. At this time, as long as our army's elite attack, they can resist it. Stop Liu Xiu's attack.

I have sent an envoy to win the support of True King Liu Yang. When the two parties attack, we will definitely cut off his escape route..."

In the second year of Suihe in the Western Han Dynasty (7 BC), after the death of Liu Pu, the communist king of Zhending, his son Liu Yang succeeded to the throne of Zhending. Sixteen years later, in the first year of the founding of the new dynasty (16th year), Wang Mang established the new dynasty and Liu Yang was demoted to Zhending Gong.

In the second year of the founding of the People's Republic of China (10 years), the duke was also abolished.

In December of the first year of Gengshi (23rd year), Wang Lang of Hebei claimed to be the emperor. Liu Yang temporarily surrendered to Wang Lang and gathered hundreds of thousands of troops. Although he surrendered, Wang Lang may not be able to mobilize him. He only surrendered verbally and could rebel at any time. .

In Liu Xiu's camp, everyone was also worried about this matter. Feng Yi quickly said: "My lord, Liu Yang seems to be attached to Wang Lang, but in fact, his 10 soldiers and horses are divided into one side.

If he completely sides with Wang Lang and cuts off the connection between us and Xinyang, I'm afraid our army will be attacked from both sides. This will be a massacre of 10,000+ people.

The Qubu we have just established is mostly made up of soldiers who are running for their lives, as well as subordinates who have defected to us. I am afraid that they do not have enough fighting power. If we fight to the death, we will not be able to afford to lose! "

After listening, Liu Xiu nodded in agreement, "What Gongsun said is indeed reasonable. We cannot fight head-on with him."

Deng Yu said quickly: "My lord, Liu Yang is very scheming and very good at judging the situation, but I will do our best to win him over to our side. Even if he is not used by the lord, we should not easily become his enemy." .”

After hearing this, Liu Xiu nodded and said, "Okay, then we will send people to Liu Yang and ask for an alliance with him."

At this time, Liu Zhi on the side spoke, "Lord, I am familiar with Liu Yang, and I am willing to serve as an envoy and go to lobby."

Liu Zhi was from Changcheng, Youbeiping County, and the Liu family was a powerful local family. In the last years of Wang Mang, the world was in chaos. Liu Zhi, his younger brother Liu Xi, and his cousin Liu Xin gathered thousands of clan guests to support themselves with troops.

In October of 23 AD (the first year of Gengshi), Gengshi Emperor Liu Xuan sent Liu Xiu to cross the Yellow River north as the Grand Sima to comfort the states and counties in Hebei.

But in December, Wang Lang proclaimed himself emperor in Handan and offered a heavy reward to hunt down Liu Xiu.Liu Xiu was forced to flee south from Jixian County.

After Wang Lang's uprising, Hebei was in chaos. Liu Zhi, Liu Xi, and Liu Xin took the opportunity to lead thousands of their men to occupy Changcheng County (now northwest of Jizhou, Hebei).

In January of 24 AD (the second year of Gengshi), Liu Zhi heard that Liu Xiu had returned from Jixian, and immediately opened the city gate to welcome Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu appointed Liu Zhi as the heroic cavalry general, and Liu Xi and Liu Xin as the partial generals. Confess them all as princes.

Liu Xiu nodded and agreed, very happy, "Then I'll help you. Go and lobby the True King."

"My subordinates will do their best."

In Prince Zhending's palace, Liu Yang got the news and immediately found his sister and started talking about it.

"Brother, who does Liu Xiu or Liu Ziyu think is more capable of achieving great things?" The first person to speak was his sister Liu Wan. She is now around 45 years old, and her charm is still there, and her temperament is particularly good.

She was the daughter of Prince Zhending Gong Liu Pu. She was called "Master Guo" because she married the Guo family. She gave birth to Guo Shengtong and his son Guo Kuang.Guo Chang died early, and although Guo Shengtong's mother was a girl from the Wang family, she was good at etiquette, frugal and had the virtue of maternal etiquette.

Liu Yang said with praise: "It took Liu Xiu just one month to control the Three Kingdoms land in the northern part of Jizhou with tens of thousands of troops since he was pursued. It is indeed extraordinary to expand the number of troops by tens of thousands. No wonder it was the major force in the Kunyang Battle." Heroes should not be underestimated!"

"Brother means that he is willing to form an alliance with Liu Xiu?"

"Liu Xiu took the initiative to send envoys to form an alliance with me. I was really tempted, but I felt a little hasty in agreeing to Liu Xiu's request so easily.

Didn't my sister say that she had a chance encounter with Liu Xiu when she was in Chang'an?My sister always has a good eye for people. What is your impression of this person? "

"Although we met only once, I think he is extraordinary and has the appearance of a noble person. He will definitely become a great person in the future!"

At this time Liu Yang came to his senses and asked quickly, "Sister, do you still remember that there was a prophecy before Xinmang was destroyed that Liu Xiu should be the emperor?

For this reason, the national teacher Liu Xin changed his name to Liu Xiu, but lost his head. Now it seems that this Liu Xiu is probably the Liu Xiu in Hebei. Maybe I can be a rare person behind the scenes! "

Liu Wan smiled slightly and said, "Didn't my brother say that? There is something wrong with hastily agreeing. My sister has a good idea."

"What's the idea?"

"Liu Xiu's request for an alliance can be agreed, but it must be a marriage."

Liu Yang currently has no daughter, so the only option for marriage is his niece, Liu Wan's daughter Guo Shengtong, who later became the famous Queen Guo.

"Sister, are you saying that Shengtong will be betrothed to Liu Xiu?"

"If the two families become one family through marriage, I won't be afraid of Liu Xiu having second thoughts, and I can let my brother control it easily."

Liu Wan actually had another idea. If Liu Xiu was the emperor, wouldn't his daughter be the queen in the future?

Liu Yang was very happy at this time, "Yes, if Shengtong and Liu Xiu get married, we can use Liu Xiu's reputation to compete in the Central Plains. Okay, this is a good idea."

When Liu Zhi brought back the news that Liu Yang wanted to marry, Liu Xiu was surprised, "Marriage?"

He quickly said: "No!" He had already married Yin Lihua, the one he loved so much. Wouldn't it be a bit half-hearted to get married again at this time?
Liu Zhi said quickly: "Da Sima, this is a happy event, why not?"

Liu Xiu smiled and said, "I'm already married, so why talk about marriage?"

Liu Zhi said matter-of-factly: "If you marry another one, it will be over. Liu Yang wants to marry his niece to the lord. Once we marry him, his 10 soldiers and horses can be used by us. When the time comes, you will be even more powerful, Grand Sima." , let alone defeated Wang Lang, even pacifying Hebei is no problem!"

Liu Xiu still wanted to refuse, but Liu Zhi continued to retort, "Da Sima, don't let small things make you lose big things. An alliance is a big deal. If Da Sima rejects Liu Yang now, he will definitely not marry us, and he may become angry from shame. Stand up to Wang Lang." If we fight over there, we will be outnumbered and our army will be in danger of being destroyed!

As far as I know, Liu Yang's niece Guo Shengtong is a well-known lady with a distinguished family background. Her mother Guo is also a descendant of the clan. She is good at etiquette, frugal and has the virtue of maternal etiquette. It is said that countless people have come to Guo's house to ask for marriage in recent years. Sima's marriage to this woman is truly a beauty matching a hero, which is enviable. "

Liu Xiu still didn't want to agree, but his subordinates and his brother-in-law Deng Chen persuaded him to get married. After all, it took a lot of effort for them to get to where they are now.

In the end, Liu Xiu had no choice but to agree to the marriage. To this point, he had gone through too many ups and downs. His love for Yin Lihua was sincere, but people can't help themselves.

If everything goes as planned, then he is not a human being, he is a god!
(End of this chapter)