I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 569 Returning to Beijing
"My son, why did you agree to this? In recent years, the Xiongnu seem to be doing nothing, but they are still people who eat raw meat and drink blood. You wait, I will find a way."

Feeling his mother's concern and thinking about his uncertain future, Zhang Lu sighed and changed his indifferent attitude towards Lu Shi in recent years. He said, "If what mother did in Hanzhong might not be discovered, I would not have agreed so quickly."

Mrs. Lu’s face turned pale: “You know.”

"I just wanted to find a chance to send you back to Hanzhong, but I didn't expect... I didn't expect Zhang Xiu to dare to harm your brother." Mrs. Lu suddenly became tearful. "I originally just wanted your brother to create a false impression of instability in Hanzhong, and then ask Jun Lang for help and send someone to write a letter to allow you to return to Hanzhong to appease the people. I didn't expect that something went wrong in the end, and finally a rebellion broke out. My plan was all in vain."

Zhang Lu instinctively blocked out all the news about Liu Yan and Liu Junlang, and then asked in surprise, "Could it be that the rebellion has nothing to do with my mother?"

Mrs. Lu was even more surprised: "Why would I do such a thing? Even if people's hearts were unstable, I only asked your brother to find a way to pretend, and I didn't dare to really cause trouble."

Zhang Lu held his forehead and sighed, "If I had known this, I should have talked to my mother about this earlier."

"However, mother, you don't have to work so hard. Now that I think about it, when Xun Yu came to my house, I had no room for maneuver. Why not take this opportunity to see if I can carry forward the morality passed down by my grandfather among the Xiongnu people."

At this point, Zhang Lu also showed some pride: "I heard that many of the Xiongnu dignitaries are now Han officials. If we can make them believe in my religion, then we can pass on the morality back to them through the Xiongnu. Why worry about my Taoism not flourishing?"

After seeing this, Mrs. Lu had no choice but to support Zhang Lu.

Having accompanied Liu Yan for all these years, Liu Yan is after all a dignified Nine Ministers. It should not be too much to ask him to help his son, right?
——"During the rebellion in Hanzhong, I, an old man, saw off my son, a young one. Now I see Gongqi falling into danger, but I am powerless to do anything. I can only pray to God for Gongqi day and night." In front of Liu Yan, Lu couldn't help crying as she spoke.

Liu Yan felt distressed when he heard this, and he hurriedly comforted her, "Isn't it that I am still here?"

After hearing this, Mrs. Lu's tears stopped for a while, but the tear marks on her face were still there. She decisively refused, "No, how can I let you get involved? In the past, you and I have been together, which has already caused criticism. I have no intention, I just want to know you for a long time, and I have a clear conscience."

"But if I get your help, I will be ashamed to face others, but how will you deal with your children... Please forgive me for not accepting it!"

When Liu Yan heard this, he felt his heart melt.

How could he just stand by and watch when someone who cared about him so much, who had been with him for so many years and never asked for anything in return, was now in trouble?
Liu Yan immediately made up his mind to mobilize his students and old officials to help Zhang Lu.

As for how to behave in front of his children? He is the father!
But at the moment, looking at Lu's determined face, Liu Yan thought that he should wait until he had finished the thing before giving her a surprise.

……

When it came to the preparation stage, Zhang Lu looked at the person who would be traveling with him in the future and was shocked - Oh no, there was something dirty.

He was not blind in Luoyang. He recognized that these people were disciples of An Shigao, the Parthian prince who entered Luoyang during the reign of Emperor Huan. An Shigao was also a Buddhist monk from the west who had spent many years translating Buddhist scriptures and spreading Buddhist teachings in Luoyang.

As they were all engaged in teachings to attract believers, Zhang Lu naturally knew that although Buddhism from the West seemed to have not yet developed, its potential was by no means inferior to the Taoism taught by his grandfather. Before that, there was even Zuo Rong who led Buddhists to cause chaos in Yangzhou.

Zhang Lu was even somewhat glad that he did not miss this opportunity, otherwise this group of Buddhists would have gotten there first.

He originally wanted to take only the people around him in Luoyang to Bingzhou, but now it seems that he has to mobilize the backbones from Hanzhong.

This is a tough battle!
Aroused by his competitive spirit, Zhang Lu rubbed his hands in preparation.

Just as Zhang Lu was asking his superiors to wait for the people from Hanzhong to meet him, Cao Cao finally arrived in Luoyang.

Returning to Luoyang again, Cao Cao was full of confidence.

Returning from the local level to the central level, he was looking forward to the treatment he would receive next.

As soon as he arrived in Luoyang, Cao Cao rushed to the palace to pay his respects. Whether the emperor had time to see him was one thing, and whether he would come was another.

After waiting for less than a quarter of an hour, Cao Cao was summoned by the emperor.

After the customary greetings, Liu Bian said with a smile: "I heard about Meng De's riding a horse to take the punishment. It is a good story."

"Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. After all, I was at fault first." Thinking back on this incident, Cao Cao still feels a little pained. That was his beloved BMW, but it was worth it if he could get the emperor's praise.

Later, Liu Bian listened to Cao Cao's story on the way to suppress the rebellion - "After I gave him the horse that day, I still felt uneasy. I thought that the innocent man was guilty of possessing the treasure, so I sent someone to follow the farmer... Later, the farmer really followed my advice and wanted to sell the horse for 50,000 yuan, which really attracted the covetous people. Later, the person I sent revealed his identity, and then he was punished."

"There was a tyrant in Anping State who treated slaves and tenants harshly, but also wanted to take advantage of the chaos to make a profit. He never expected that just as he was about to cause chaos, he was captured by his own slaves and tenants and sent to the authorities."

These things are hard to find in the memorials, so Liu Bian listened very carefully. Cao Cao also deliberately picked out some interesting things to hear, and the atmosphere of the conversation was very harmonious.

As they talked, the two of them discussed the future strategy of the court, especially the north and the western regions.

After saying this, Liu Bian sighed, "It's a pity that there are not enough capable ministers like Meng De in the world. We need capable ministers both inside and outside the court!"

After expressing his feelings, Liu Bian said to Cao Cao frankly: "You and I are a good match for each other. Regarding Meng De's future direction, I have a few considerations. I will tell you first. Meng De, don't rush to make a decision. Go home and spend some time in peace first."

Upon seeing this, Cao Cao immediately bowed down.

"No need to do that, just treat it as a casual chat between the monarch and his subjects!" Liu Bian finished speaking, and seeing that Cao Cao still did not change his attitude, he did not insist, but continued to say what he had not finished, "The position of Zhongweiwei is vacant today, and Meng De is in Beijing, so he is just the right person to take the position! He can also share my worries at any time and help me continue to promote reforms."

At present, under Liu Bian's deliberate control, there are two vacancies among the Nine Ministers, namely Weiwei and Taipu.

Among them, the Weiwei was retained by Cao Cao, and the Taifu was retained by Sun Jian.

Among the four generals, Guan Yu and Huang Zhong were less experienced than Cao Cao and Sun Jian, so they did not need to be appointed as Nine Ministers.

"Beidi, Shuofang, Wuyuan, Yunzhong, among them are the most fertile lands in the north of the Great River. In the past years, they have been occupied by Xiongnu and Xianbei to varying degrees. Now I want to take back my homeland, but whether it is relocating people or protecting the territory, it is beyond the reach of ordinary people."

Seeing that Cao Cao seemed to be about to express his position, Liu Bian continued, "The Western Regions have been in turmoil for many years and are still not Han territory. However, in my opinion, all of this land belongs to the king."

"There is no superiority or inferiority among these three. I have been frank with Meng De today, and Meng De also needs to think carefully about it."

"Well, after such a tiring journey, Meng De, please go home and reunite with your family as soon as possible!"

Many words came to his lips, but Cao Cao swallowed them back. He bowed solemnly to the emperor, took his leave.

On the way out of Yuntai Palace, Cao Cao thought of the scene when he met the emperor when he was still a prince. At that time, his father was wholeheartedly helping the prince, but he still had hesitations in his heart. Looking back now, it was really ridiculous.

After leaving the palace, Cao Cao suddenly noticed that there was a figure who had not been seen for years waiting outside the palace.

Originally, the man had been looking towards the palace gate, but when he saw him appear, he pretended to be completely indifferent.

Cao Cao couldn't help but smile knowingly when he saw this, and his pace quickened: "Greetings, Father!"

Cao Song accepted it calmly. Looking at his son who had turned darker, he said happily, "That's right. Now that I come back, I can stay in Luoyang for a long time!"

Cao Cao thought of the several options that the emperor had given him in the Yuntai Palace before, but he didn't bring them up at this time. He just smiled and asked, "Father, are Pi'er and the others still well behaved? If not, would you be willing to beat them like you beat me back then?"

Cao Song shook his head and said, "They are much more obedient than you...Okay, get in the car quickly, they are waiting for you."

"It's just that Zixiu is still busy in Youzhou... But he is busy with the king's affairs, so the busier he is, the better."...

In the palace, after meeting Cao Cao, Liu Bian did not meet with anyone else.

He didn't know what choice Cao Cao would make, and as he said to Cao Cao, there was no superiority or inferiority among the three different choices.

Continuing to go to Hetao or the Western Regions would naturally allow Cao Cao to display his civil and military talents, while staying in the court would also allow him to help Liu Bian in the next step of official system reform.

At the same time, both Hetao and the Western Regions will face a situation where the foreign population is far greater than the Han people. If one makes a mistake, it will easily lead to disaster. The chief officer placed here must be a man of both civil and military talents.

When on horseback, he commands the army; when on foot, he commands the people.

One of the candidates, Liu Bian, has already been decided.

……

"Guan Gong!"

"Guan Gong!"

"farewell!"

"farewell!"

Guan Yu looked at the people who came to see him off. These people were originally bandits and thieves entrenched in various corners of the prefectures and counties and outside the Great Wall. After the Dutian Rebellion, they surrendered on their own initiative.

Moreover, most of these people performed well in observing military discipline.

To be fair, although these people's farewell words sounded strange, Guan Yu still felt a little reluctant to part with them.

But he had already taken the Youzhou soldiers back and was about to return to the capital to report on his work, so naturally he could not take them with him.

Before leaving, Guan Yu said to everyone: "Today, before leaving, there are some words that I should not say, but after thinking about it, I still want to say a few bad words - you have all returned to the right path, and you should persevere in the future!"

"Don't worry, Guan Gong!"

"If anyone dares to do something bad, I'll be the first to disagree!"

"..."

Guan Yu listened to everyone's generous words and continued: "If you persist, and there are still people who are dissatisfied with you, you can write to me. I will help you even if I am thousands of miles away! But if someone commits a crime, don't blame me for not thinking of friendship!"

Hearing Guan Yu's powerful words, everyone was silent for a moment, and then they all responded solemnly.

Guan Yu didn't know how long this promise would last, but he thought this warning to them was the best he could leave behind.

After being seen off again, Guan Yu rode his horse forward.

As for his colleagues in Youzhou, such as Liu Yu, they had already seen him off.

Before leaving, Guan Yu looked towards the east.

It was a pity that Zhao Yun was busy with the affairs of Xuantu County, and the two did not have a chance to say goodbye. It was unknown when they would meet next time.

Just as he was about to gallop away on his horse, Guan Yu suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves coming from the east.

Although he knew that Zhao Yun could not come and Xuantu County could not do without Zhao Yun's presence, Guan Yu still couldn't help but look towards the east with anticipation.

Soon, smoke and dust from the east approached, and Guan Yu recognized the person coming. It was Tadun who was beside Zhao Yun. Recently, Guan Yu heard that Tadun gave up his position as the leader of Wuhuan and became a military commander beside Zhao Yun.

"General Guan, my master really cannot leave Xuantu County now, so he sent me to see you off on his behalf... I hope you will go to Luoyang and realize your ambitions!" After saying this, Tadun solemnly took out a sword that he had placed in front of him and handed it to Guan Yu with both hands, "General, this is made of the fine iron that my master found in the Xianbei. There are two swords in total. I will give one of them to you now!"

Guan Yu took it solemnly and said to Tadun: "Go back and tell Zilong that I am looking forward to the day when I can see him again!"

Although he had experienced many separations, Guan Yu's heart was still touched at this moment.

……

In Luoyang, Yu Lin Lang Huang Xu finally has some free time today and can go home to rest.

His mother had already calculated the day and prepared a sumptuous meal for him.

The most important thing is that his father has returned from the war.

During the meal, Huang Xu's mother did not forget to show concern for his health and how he got along with his colleagues in the palace.

Huang Xu was already accustomed to this kind of concern, especially when his old illness had not yet been cured by Hua Tuo.

As he listened, Huang Xu suddenly said, "I heard from Bo Gui recently that the imperial court wanted to stop fighting and pacify the people. It is estimated that the Xiyuan Army will also be reduced. Bo Gui even thinks that his father Liu Annan may come back."

Huang Xu's mother knew that Bo Gui was Liu Biao's son Liu Qi, and that they had a good relationship. Huang Xu would often talk about Liu Qi's interesting stories when he returned home.

To her, it was no big deal.

"Do you know why I named you Shen Yan?"

Hearing Huang Zhong's question, Huang Xu shut his mouth suddenly... Not everything is good about his father's return.

"Whether the Xiyuan Army will be disbanded or not is up to the emperor. As a subject, I only need to obey the emperor's orders. You must know that disaster comes from the mouth."

Huang Xu didn't care about eating after hearing this. He put down his chopsticks and bowed to Huang Zhong, saying, "Don't worry, father. I only discussed these remarks with Bo Gui."

Huang Zhong wanted to say something that no one could do anything, but before he could finish his words, his wife grabbed his arm.

He understood what his wife meant. In the past, Huang Xu had moved from Nanyang to Luoyang due to an old illness, and it was hard to find a good friend who could talk to him...

After a brief hesitation, Huang Zhong finally said nothing more.

He just continued to emphasize: "It is a great honor for you to be able to guard His Majesty's side. You must be more cautious in your words and actions!"

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)