I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 26 Zhang Yan

But it was said that Liu Yu was leaving urgently, and his son Liu He was very reluctant to leave. Hearing that Liu Yu was waiting for Cao Cao in Hanoi County, he saw him off all the way to Ji County, Hanoi County.

Ji County was already close to Jizhou, and Liu Yu and Zhang Wen agreed to wait for Cao Cao here.

Liu Yu cherished Liu He very much. In the early years, Liu He was recruited as a doctor, and he was under the honor of Guanglu. He was worth three hundred shi. It was the most common starting point for the career of a noble's son nowadays.

Early the next morning after arriving at Ji County Post House, Liu Yu wanted to let Liu He return to Luoyang, and advised: "You can't take leave for a long time. Since you have become a Langguan, you should fulfill your duties, so go back now!"

Liu He was unwilling and wanted to wait in Ji County until Cao Cao arrived.

Liu Yu's tone became more serious and said: "A real man has his ambitions in all directions, how can he behave like a child!"

However, seeing Liu He's sad expression and thinking of his son's filial piety, he changed his tone: "I've invited myself to Youzhou this time, not only for the sake of the country, but also for you."

Seeing that Liu He was puzzled, Liu Yu explained: "Since I returned to Kyoto from Youzhou, I have been entrusted with important tasks by Your Majesty. I have worked hard and dare not slack off. In the past few years, you have been serving as a doctor, with qualifications but no merit. You have never been promoted. It's because I refused. Did you ever blame me?"

Liu He understood Liu Yu. The clan itself was a sensitive word, especially when the succession of the throne over the years often involved small clans succeeding large clans.

He said: "The child has never complained about anything, so how can he resent his father!"

"As members of the clan, my father and son should be more cautious." At this point, Liu Yu relaxed a little and continued, "After I leave, someone will definitely recommend you. I know that you have an honest nature and will not do anything illegal. No matter what position you hold in the future, you must know that loyalty to the emperor comes first, and never forget it!"

The love of the parents is far-reaching.

Liu He nodded heavily.

"Now that you understand, let's go back!"

Liu He knew that Liu Yu had made up his mind, so he went to pack his bags. Before he left, he heard someone coming to visit Liu Yu in the courtyard of the post house.

"Could it be that Cao Cao has arrived?" Liu He went out to check, but saw that the man who came was Chen, a subordinate of General Pingnan Zhonglang.

Liu He immediately became vigilant. Hanoi County was still under the rule of Henan Yin. Of course he had heard of the name of the Black Mountain Bandit.

Zhang Yan, the general of the army who was in trouble, was originally named Chu Yan and was a native of Changshan Zhending.

During the Yellow Turban Uprising, Chu Yan gathered a group of people to act as bandits in the Taihang Mountains. Later, Zhang Niujiao from Boling also gathered a group of people, calling himself a general, and joined forces with Chu Yan.

Chu Yan elected Zhang Niujiao as his leader and marched to attack Yitao. Zhang Niujiao was shot by a stray arrow and was seriously injured. Before he died, he ordered his subordinates to respect Chu Yan as their leader.

After Zhang Niujiao's death, everyone supported Chu Yan as their leader, so Chu Yan changed his surname to Zhang and called him Zhang Yan. Because Zhang Yan is as light as a swallow and is brave and good at fighting, the army calls him "Feiyan".

Later, Zhang Yan's troops continued to grow, and they communicated with the rebels in Changshan, Zhaojun, Zhongshan, Shangdang, Hanoi and other places through the Taihang Mountains. The small leaders of the rebels, Sun Qing, Wang Dang and others, all led their troops. They all joined Zhang Yan's command, and Zhang Yan claimed to have millions of people and called him the "Black Mountain Army".

Because the Black Mountain Army was active near the Taihang Mountains and its branches, they would retreat into the mountains if they were attacked by the imperial court. The nearby counties and counties were in the interior, and their military strength was only enough to maintain law and order. However, Emperor Ling was unwilling to spend a lot of money to send a large army into the mountains to annihilate them. It happened that Zhang Yan sent an envoy to Luoyang, the capital, to write to the court requesting surrender.

As a result, Emperor Ling appointed Zhang Yan as the General of Pingnan Zhonglang to lead the affairs in the valleys of Hebei, allowing Zhang Yan to gain military and political power over the Taihang Mountains.

In addition, Zhang Yan has a quota to recommend Xiaolian to the court every year, and has to send planners to Luoyang to report.

Naturally, Zhang Yan would not send taxes to the court. The planners he sent also said that Zhang Ping was difficult to manage and could not make ends meet, and he wanted to ask the court for money!

Although Zhang Yan claimed to be one million people, the total population of the five counties he was active in was only over 2 million. However, including the old, weak, women and children, there were still 300,000 to 400,000 people under his rule.

In this way, it can be regarded as a county of its own. After Zhang Yan became Zhonglang General, there were no longer any memorials from Black Mountain bandits in various places. The current situation can be said to be satisfactory to both parties.

"The general of my family heard that Liu Youzhou came here and wanted to do his best to serve as a landlord. I wonder if Liu Youzhou can reward him?"

Liu Yu righteously refused: "I am the right general appointed by His Majesty. It is only your duty to visit me, your general, so there is no reason for me to visit first!"

After Liu Yu finished speaking, he suddenly heard a burst of laughter from outside the courtyard of the post house, and a voice came - "That's right, Liu Youzhou, Zhang Yan took the liberty to come here, I hope Liu Youzhou won't be surprised!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a person walked into the courtyard.

"Zhang Pingnan left his jurisdiction without permission, came to Henan to rule Yin without being summoned by the state, and is still in Ji County. Aren't you afraid that I will send people to capture you?" Liu Yu asked, pointing to his bodyguard.

Zhang Yan was not frightened and replied: "I heard that Liu Youzhou is a virtuous person. Now I am guarding a place for the imperial court. There are mountains in Hanoi. I have never violated the law. Why would Liu Youzhou take me!"

Liu Yu quickly realized that Zhang Yan must have wanted something from him when he ventured out of the Taihang Mountains to see him, so he simply waited for Zhang Yan to speak.

He just said: "It's just a joke, but I am not the governor of Jizhou. Zhang Ping may have found the wrong person."

Zhang Yan clapped his hands and said, "It's Liu Youzhou I'm looking for! Liu Youzhou doesn't know. Zhang Chun sent these two rebellious officials and traitors to Jizhou and sent many cavalry to plunder Jizhou. Since I have taken charge of the affairs in the valleys of Hebei, how can I Just sit back and ignore it? It’s just that thieves and bandits are all cavalry, and they come and go in a hurry. Although I have some horses, they are not as many as the war horses in Youyan Land. I want to kill the thieves, but I am unable to pursue them!"

Although Liu Yu didn't think Zhang Yan would really be so kind to help the court eliminate the traitors, it was always a good thing to have more help, so he invited Zhang Yan into the room to discuss in detail.

From Zhang Yan's mouth, Liu Yu learned that although most of the rebels were blocked by Gongsun Zan in Yuyang County, Gongsun Zan's troops were limited and could only be used for defense.

Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju then united with Wuhuan from three counties and Wuhuan outside the Great Wall, and used cavalry to plunder You and Jizhou. The situation was even more serious than Liu Yu expected.

While talking, Liu Yu also realized Zhang Yan's true purpose - Zhang Yan was no longer satisfied with the Taihang Mountains, but wanted to insert his hands into Jizhou.

Of course Liu Yu refused to agree, but he promised Zhang Yan: "Zhang Ping is reluctant to lead his troops to fight against thieves, and I am also very moved by his heart. It is just a matter of giving and receiving in private, which is not the duty of a minister. But I am willing to swear, As long as Zhang Pingnan performs meritorious deeds in defeating thieves, I will report the truth to Your Majesty, and those in my Han Dynasty who have military merits will be rewarded, and then the princes will also be able to get it!"

Zhang Yan came to see Liu Yu because Liu Yu had a good reputation. After hearing Liu Yu’s painting of the pie, I couldn’t help but get entangled.

(End of this chapter)