Great Han Empire

Chapter 683
During the New Year, officials from various counties and counties in Youzhou sent people to Jicheng to visit Grand Tutor Liu Yu, but Gongsun Zan blocked them one by one on the grounds that Grand Tutor was unwell.

The counties immediately decided that Gongsun Zan had indeed put Master Taifu under house arrest, so under the secret planning of Liu Yu's son Liu He, an operation to rescue Liu Yu began.

When Liu He returned to Jinyang with the imperial decree, he was horrified when he heard that his father had been involved in the disputes of the imperial lineage.In order to avoid suspicion, he took the initiative to resign from the eldest princess and asked to go back to Youzhou to accompany his father.Although the eldest princess tried to persuade her to stay, Liu He made up her mind and returned to Youzhou alone.This time the general sent troops to attack Youzhou in the name of Gongsun Zan holding Liu Yu hostage and endangering the country. Liu Yu was worried that the Karasuma people in western and eastern Liaoning would take the opportunity to rebel, so he hurriedly asked Liu He to go to the eastern border county of Youzhou to appease the three kings of Karasuma .

At this time, Bailang King Qiu Liju was dead, and his son, Lou Ban, was young and unable to lead the tribes of Karasuma, so King Su Puyan of the Liaodong vassal state and Wu Yan, King of Hanlu of Youbeiping, pushed Qiu Liju's concubine Ta Dun temporarily acted as King Bailang, and commanded the Karasuma tribe in Youbeiping, Liaoxi, Liaodong and Liaodong's subordinate countries.Ta Dun was extremely excited when he heard that Gongsun Zan had been attacked and killed by General Li Hong, thinking that this was a good opportunity for the Karasuma people to take revenge.On the one hand, he sent people to Zhuojun secretly to contact the Northern Frontier Army, and he took the initiative to express his goodwill to the general and expressed his willingness to send troops to help. Attack Gongsun Zan.

After Liu He rushed to the west of Liaoning, he tried his best to dissuade him.Ta Dun hesitated again and again, and finally gave up the idea of ​​sending troops.In the past few years, Liu Yu has taken great care of the Karasuma tribes, and this kindness must be repaid. In addition, the strong force of the Northern Xinjiang Army back then made Ta Dun feel lingering fear.If Li Hong wiped out Gongsun Zan, and then took advantage of the situation to put the crime of killing Gongsun Zan on the Karasuma people and took the opportunity to attack the Karasuma people, then the Karasuma Three Kings would suffer.

Just as Ta Dun promised not to send troops, shocking news came from Yuyang that Gongsun Zan had arrested Master Taifu.

After several confirmations, Liu He confirmed that his father had been kidnapped by Gongsun Zan, so he immediately asked Ta Dun for help.Ta Dun agreed.If Liu Yu died, who else in Youzhou would treat Karasuma as a human being?Who else would do anything to help the Karasuma people?Tadun told all the tribes of Karasuma to use their iron cavalry to enter Jicheng and rescue Master Taifu.

Liu He was very moved when he saw groups of Karasuma people trekking hundreds of miles in the wind and snow.My father only gave these barbarians a little help, but when my father needed them, these barbarian men would not hesitate to pay back with their own lives.Look at those villains like Gongsun Zan who have read the scriptures and call themselves "loyalty". What have they done?They killed barbarians all their lives, and in the end they were even worse than barbarians, completely forgetting their loyalty and faith.

Liu Hehe Tadun was very anxious, and before Karasuma's tribes were assembled, they hurried on the road with five thousand cavalry.They walked hard all the way along the southern foot of Dayan Mountain, and arrived at Gunping City in Yuyang County in mid-February.Here they met Qi Zhou, the captain of Yuyang.Qi Zhou was originally a soldier of Youzhou Prefecture, and was later worshiped by Liu Yu as the captain of Yuyang.Qi Zhou told Liu He that Gongsun Zan had replaced the prefect of Yuyang County and sent himself to Junping City to guard the border, and now he has completely controlled Yuyang County.He thought that in order to rescue Master Taifu, he must first go to Juyongguan to ask Jianwei General Yan Rou for help.

Liu He followed Qi Zhou's suggestion and sent people to Juyongguan for help, and he quietly advanced towards Jicheng with Tadun's five thousand Karasuma cavalry and Qi Zhou's one thousand Youzhou cavalry.At the end of February, they were discovered by Gongsun Zan's cavalry, and the two sides fought fiercely near Jicheng.Gongsun Zan was furious when he heard the news, and went up to meet them with [-] step cavalry, intending to kill all these Karasuma people.

As soon as Gongsun Zan left the city, Zhao Feng, the captain of Guangyang County, and Zhao Mu, the commander of the army, marched into Youzhou Mansion with 800 people.They rescued dozens of officials including Liu Yu and Wei You, then rushed out of the city and ran towards Juyongguan.On the way, they met Liu He's iron cavalry, and the two sides joined forces and retreated quickly.

Gongsun Zan was furious, and the warlord chased him fiercely.

When they arrived in Changping, Xian Yuyin and Li Su led [-] cavalry to arrive, and the two sides fought a bloody battle under the city of Changping.On the way to retreat, Liu Yu accidentally shot an arrow and was seriously injured.

At the end of the letter, Yan Rou said that Master Taifu was seriously injured and his life was at stake.General, please give an order to attack and kill Gongsun Zan to avenge the Tai Tuo.

=

After reading Yan Rou's letter, Li Hong felt extremely sad.

Not long after Lord Lu Zhi passed away, Lord Liu Yu was about to pass away again, and the important officials of the Han Dynasty fell one by one. The revival of the Han Dynasty seemed to be getting more and more difficult.

Li Hong immediately reported the news to the eldest princess, and hurriedly called the officials of the general's mansion to discuss matters.

Since Master Tai Tuo was first hijacked and threatened by Gongsun Zan in Jicheng, and was later shot and wounded by Gongsun Zan during his escape, the complicated situation in Youzhou has become clear, and all that needs to be done now is to gather all forces to eliminate Gongsun Zan.For this reason, Li Hong planned to dispatch more troops to the Youzhou battlefield, and personally went to Youzhou to lead the army to fight.

Both Zhu Mu and Tian Chou knew that Li Hong was in a bad mood at the moment, so they didn't speak out to persuade him.The reason why Youzhou's problem is difficult to solve is because of the existence of Taifu Lord Liu Yu.In order to properly solve Liu Yu's problem, Li Hong thought of many ways, but he never expected that such a bad situation would happen today.Gongsun Zan almost lost his mind in the chase, which almost took Liu Yu's life.If Liu Yu died right away, Li Hong would blame himself for the rest of his life. He could not forgive and forgive everything he had done. Even if he killed Gongsun Zan in the future, he would not be able to make up for his guilt towards Liu Yu.

"I want to rush to Youzhou immediately. I want to capture Jicheng in the shortest possible time and join Yan Rou. I want to see Master Liu..." Li Hong said sadly, "Even if Master Liu passes away, I will To see him one last time."

Zhu Mu hesitated for a moment, then said slowly: "General, Master Yan said in his letter that according to Master Wei You's estimation, Gongsun Zan has about 8 to 5 people. Among them, [-] people used to be soldiers in the field. , and some of them are soldiers that Gongsun Zan recently recruited from various counties in Youzhou. Although their combat effectiveness is not high, they are more than enough to defend the city. Tens of thousands of people guard a city. With our current strength, it is difficult to conquer Ji in a short time. If our army is dragged under Jicheng or several other big cities, there will be plenty of time for Gongsun Zan to escape into Liaodong. Once Gongsun Zan escapes into Liaoxi and Liaodong, the battle in Youzhou will be delayed, so the matter of increasing troops We must carefully consider how many troops we need to increase? From which direction?"

Zhu Mu looked up at the silent Li Hong, frowned slightly, and continued: "After the main force of the army was transferred to the Youzhou battlefield, the troops stationed on the north bank of the Yellow River appeared to be very weak. Will Tian Kai and Liu Bei in Qingzhou take the opportunity to attack? Jizhou, to contain and support Gongsun Zan? In addition, the news from Yanzhou said that Cao Cao has led people south to Yuzhou to chase and kill Yuan Shu. Are we taking the opportunity to send troops in the name of escorting Lord Jin Shang to Yanzhou to take office? If we want to take the opportunity Once Yanzhou is captured, we will not be able to send troops northward for reinforcements."

Zhu Mu's meaning is obvious. He wants to cross the river and go down to attack Yanzhou, so as to quickly launch a war against the rebellion and strive to stabilize the country as soon as possible.As for Youzhou, since the problem of Grand Tutor Liu Yu has been resolved, and Gongsun Zan's strength is slightly insufficient, under the current circumstances, if you want to wipe out Gongsun Zan in the middle of Youzhou, you can't fight too hastily.The beating was too hard and hasty, and Gongsun Zan went to Liaoxi and Liaodong, which was not conducive to the rapid stabilization of Youzhou.If the Beijiang army temporarily stopped the battle in Youzhou and used the main force to cross the south to attack Yanzhou, so that the Beijiang army fell into the dilemma of fighting on two fronts, then Gongsun Zan would not be in a hurry to retreat. On the contrary, he might take the initiative to counterattack.As long as he counterattacked, we successfully held him back, and then we deployed iron cavalry to outflank his back and wipe him out in Jicheng.

Zhu Mu pointed to the map and explained his plan in detail, "If everything goes well, we may be able to occupy Youzhou and Yanzhou at the same time this year."

Li Hong bowed his head in thought and remained silent.

"Brother Gongding, do you plan to recruit Karasuma iron cavalry and let them go to the west of Liaoning by detouring the southern foot of Dayan Mountain?" Tian Chou asked.

"Yes, at this time, we can recruit the Karasuma cavalry." Zhu Mu said, "Gongsun Zan killed the Taifu, and the people of Youzhou will no longer regard him as a hero. We can recruit Lou Lu and Lu Huan at the same time." Yang, Ran Ran, Ta Dun, Su Puyan, and Wu Yan's six Karasuma cavalry besieged and killed him."

"The matter of Youzhou can indeed be handled in this way." Tian Chou nodded and said, "Even if the general refuses to recruit Karasuma people, many former officials of Mr. Liu He and Mr. Taifu will try their best to seek help from Mr. Taifu who once received the favor of Mr. Taifu in order to get revenge. It is a clear proof that Tadun and the Wuwan people from western and eastern Liaoning braved the storm and traveled all the way to Jicheng to rescue Lord Taifu."

"However..." Tian Chou pointed to Youzhou on the map, and said worriedly, "If Tian Kai and Liu Bei in Qingzhou attack the north bank of the Yellow River, and Zhang Yang attacks Weijun from the direction of Heishan, it will be very difficult for us to attack Yanzhou. .Now the people on the south bank of the Yellow River are most worried about us killing them, and they will unite and fight back against us at all costs."

Just as Zhu Mu was about to defend himself, Li Hong shook his hand at him, signaling him not to speak.

"We sent an army to escort Jin Shang to Yanzhou to test the reactions of the states and counties on the south bank of the Yellow River. If Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Zhang Yang, and Tian Kai all came to attack us, then the time for us to cross the river to suppress the rebellion would be delayed." Li Hong pointed to Zhu Mu and said, "There are many people who think like you now. You think that if we occupy Jizhou and have money and food, the world will be invincible and the world can be pacified immediately. This kind of thinking is indeed good, but the fact is not necessarily true. in this way."

"Give it a try. When the rebels on the south bank of the Yellow River rush over, you will know how difficult it is to pacify the world, lest you always think about this matter in your heart and say that I, Li Hong, have the intention of separatist and hegemony." Li Hong With a wry smile, "If the states and counties in Hebei are not stable, and if the people in Hebei don't have enough to eat, it will be difficult for us to have the strength to fight the Yellow River and calm the world."

=

The next day, the eldest princess and Li Hong presided over the discussion of the three government offices.

There are two wars this spring, one is to pacify Youzhou, and the other is to escort Jin Shang, the governor of Yanzhou, to his post.

In order to pacify Youzhou as soon as possible, Li Hong decided to recruit Youzhou Karasuma iron cavalry, and at the same time urgently dispatched General Hu Lie Yan Liang to lead an army of [-] north to Youzhou for support.

After Yan Liang's army went northward, there were only [-] troops stationed on the north bank of the Yellow River.Zhang He's [-] troops were stationed in Weijun, Gao Lan's [-] troops were stationed in the north of Yanzhou Dongjun, and Wang Dang's [-] troops were stationed in the north of Qingzhou Pingyuan County.

After the general left Handan, Zhang Yan, the guard general, led the Sima and the general's army on his behalf.

=

At the end of March, the guarding general Zhang Yan hurried back to the general Xingyuan from Pingyuan City.

It was hard for Zhang Yan to believe that Li Hong would let him lead the military affairs of Da Sima and General, and take charge of Hebei's military affairs. At the same time, it was also difficult for him to accept this important task.

"I, Zhang Yan, will not be able to repay the trust of the general in this life, but I really can't take on this important task." Zhang Yan said excitedly, "Jizhou is the foundation of the great cause of the Han Dynasty, and the safety of Jizhou is directly related to the safety of the country. In today's crisis, the general should sit in Jizhou himself, instead of leading an army to fight in Youzhou."

Zhang Yan said that he was willing to take the army to Youzhou, and was willing to obey General Quyi's command, and he would work together with General Quyi to occupy Youzhou as soon as possible.

Li Hong shook his head, "Brother Feiyan, at this moment, I have to go to Youzhou, and you know the reason without telling me, I have to go."

"General, I used to be the commander-in-chief of the Yellow Turban Army. My identity is very special. If I were to lead Hebei's military administration, it would easily intensify the conflicts between the upper and lower levels of Hebei. The general should be very clear about this. Why did the general insist on doing this ?” Zhang Yan said sincerely, “General, please take back this order.”

Li Hong stared at him for a while, then sat next to him, and whispered: "It is because you were the commander of the Yellow Turban Army in the past that I let you take charge of Hebei military affairs, otherwise, I can let Brother Yuxing (Xian Yufu) Go to Handan to sit in town, let you go to Jinyang."

Zhang Yan hesitated a little, "The general wants me to appease the Black Mountain Yellow Turban Army as soon as possible, and open the passage to attack Hanoi?"

"That's not the main purpose."

"The general has no intention of going south to quell the rebellion immediately, but the calls of the officials in Hebei to go south to quell the rebellion are getting louder and louder. Does the general want me to..."

"It is the emperor's order to escort Jin Shang, governor of Yanzhou, to his post. You must obey. You must complete this matter as soon as possible without delay." Li Hong said without doubt.

Zhang Yan thought for a long time, then said with a wry smile, "Please give me some advice from the general."

"As soon as Jizhou was captured, people clamored to cross the Yellow River, to pacify the world, and to go to Guanzhong to serve the king. It seems that once Jizhou is in hand, money and food will flow in, and the army will sweep the world. Even the eldest princess has repeatedly urged Ask." Li Hong said with a sneer, "I said there was not enough money and food, and immediately someone suggested increasing taxes and selling the land. I said there was not enough troops, and immediately someone suggested recruiting field soldiers. When the field soldiers were gone, the land in the army would be lost." If I can sell it, there will be money in the treasury. After all, these people want me to fight wars and make them rich, a bunch of things that will bring disaster to the country and the people."

Zhang Yan suddenly woke up.

"Okay, I'll go to war and fulfill their wish." Li Hong patted Zhang Yan on the shoulder and said with a smile, "You stay here, and when you have nothing to do, go to inspect the prefectures and counties, appease the people in the farmland, and act as low-key as possible, so that these people who are hiding The people in the back jumped out, and..."

"Will you deal with it when you come back?" Zhang Yan asked.

"No, you can do it at any time." Li Hong said, "The implementation of the new policy is very difficult, and the reason lies in these people. If these people are not eliminated as soon as possible, Hebei will be in chaos sooner or later."

Zhang Yan bowed to accept the order.

"You used to be the commander-in-chief of the Yellow Turban Army. Your status will force many people who hate Beijiang to come out. You have dealt with them all. Even if you kill them wrong, it doesn't matter, I will stand up for you."

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(End of this chapter)