Great Han Empire

Chapter 691
In May, Jizhou.

The eldest princess returned to the Jiedu Pavilion in the Hejian Kingdom to pay homage to the ancestors and repair the ancestral temple.

General Li Hong took this opportunity to walk around Jiedu Pavilion and its surrounding areas with his two wives.

Recently, while accompanying the eldest princess slowly to the north, Li Hong called the low-level officials from townships, villages, and pavilions to discuss matters, inquire about the implementation effect of the new system, and solicit their views on the new system.In his spare time, he took his two wives to roam the fields and investigate the conditions of the people.Seeing the busy figures and satisfied smiles on the faces of the people, Li Hong was very pleased.Although the lives of the people are still very poor, he believes that as long as the stability of Hebei can be ensured, these kind-hearted people will soon live a prosperous and happy life.

During the inspection, Li Hong heard the most complaints from the people in Tuntian District.The focus of the conflict is the issue of land ownership.

The people in Tuntian District leased the land of the imperial court and rented the agricultural resources of the imperial court.After a year of hard work, apart from paying land taxes and various taxes, there is not much left.They want to invest more manpower and material resources in the land, hoping to get more harvests to improve their lives, but they don't know how long the policy will last, and whether they can continue to rent this land after the cancellation of the policy. Will this piece of land soon be changed from imperial land to private land, so the enthusiasm of the common people for farming is not high.They can't see hope and future, they can only live from day to day, dissatisfaction and complaints arise spontaneously.

Li Hong discussed this issue with many officials in Northern Xinjiang when he was farming in northern Xinjiang, but because there were no precedents for reference and insufficient time for discussion, he never found a proper solution.

Farming is an emergency policy and cannot be implemented as a long-term national policy.Whether it is a military settlement or a civilian settlement, behind them are the financial and material resources of the imperial court. The soldiers and civilians in the settlement can only do their best. Therefore, after a busy year, these people have paid a lot of taxes to the court. Over time, these soldiers and civilians in the settlement are naturally very dissatisfied, so It is impossible for this policy of farming to be implemented indefinitely.Once the country is stabilized, the policy of farming will be canceled immediately.Especially in the military camps, the soldiers in the farms have taken on a lot of heavy responsibilities. After a year of hard work, they only have enough to eat. They are idiots. After a long time, they will complain and run away. Rely on regular frontier troops.

Sooner or later, the policy of farmland will be cancelled, and the problem of land ownership will also be resolved sooner or later.

Does the ownership of the land belong to the court or to the people?If the ownership of the land belongs to the imperial court, then the people in the village will continue to rent and grow the land.If the ownership of the land is given to the people, then the land must be sold to the people in the village.

From the perspective of stabilizing the community, the top priority is to prevent land mergers and ensure that the tillers have their land. That is to say, the ownership of the land should best belong to the imperial court, so that the people in the village can continue to rent and cultivate the land.So, what method can be used to ensure that the people have the right to lease and plant land permanently?If there is no guarantee of long-term lease rights, the people will not have enthusiasm for farming, and they will abandon the land under certain special circumstances and become refugees again.

For this reason, Li Hong often discussed with Zhang Fan, Sima Zhi, Sima Lang, Tian Chou, Wei Ji, Yuan Huan, Chen Qun and other officials from the three prefectures who accompanied him on inspections, and often stayed up all night.

Li Hong also wrote to Zhang Wen and other ministers several times, begging you to come up with a plan for land reform as soon as possible.Farming is only to resettle the refugees and solve the problem of food for the refugees. It cannot solve the problem of social stability and people's living and working in peace and contentment.When the refugees are full, they will want a house that can shelter from the wind and rain. If they have a house, they will want to marry a wife and have children. Therefore, if we cannot solve the fundamental problem of land as soon as possible, it will be difficult to achieve ZTE.

=

Zhang Yan and Li Hong were in close contact, with a letter every three days, very punctual.

At present, apart from the Youzhou battlefield, the most intense battles are the Kanxi battlefield and Qingzhou Plain County.

At the end of April, Yuan Shao personally rushed to Kansai to supervise the formation, and the northern army once lost the two cities of Xin'an and Mianchi.General Longxiang Xu Rong was in close contact with Li Jue, Guo Si and others, and at the same time urgently called Yang Feng for support.The two sides fought in Shancheng in mid-May. Yuan Shao was defeated and retreated to Hangu Pass.

Relying on the natural danger of the Yellow River, Wang Dang defeated Tian Kai and Liu Bei's crossing attacks several times.In May, Liu Bei successfully crossed the river, and the two sides fought in Pingyuan City. The situation was once critical.Later, Gao Lan was ordered to lead an army to support him, and Chen Bing was in Dahe Gudu, threatening Gaotang City, forcing Liu Bei to withdraw his troops and return.

Black Mountain Yellow Turban Army Yu Po, Guo Daxian and others defeated Zhang Yang with the secret support of Zhang Ying, and the army once pointed directly at Chaoge City.Later, Lu Bu and Zhang Liao appeared in Zhang Yang's army. They divided their troops and attacked fiercely, defeating the Yellow Turban Army and fleeing.Zhang Yan immediately ordered Zhang Yun to provide food and weapons to the Yellow Turban Army to help the Yellow Turban Army defend Montenegro.Now the two sides are still fighting fiercely in the area of ​​Luchang Mountain, and each other will win or lose.

=

In the first month of May, Yanzhou Inspector Jin Shang, Captain Zhou Hua, and [-] northern troops were besieged by Cao Cao in Chenliu City.

Cao Cao hurriedly sent Mao Jie to Handan.It's not that I, Cao Cao, refused to let Mr. Jin Shang take office, but that none of the officials in Yanzhou's prefectures and counties were willing to accept Jin Shang.General, please let the Northern Xinjiang Army return to Jizhou immediately. My lords and I will jointly report to Your Majesty, and please re-appoint Yanzhou Inspector.In addition, Cao Cao also made a small request, can the general return the eight counties on the north bank of the Yellow River in Dongjun to Mr. Zang Hong, the prefect of Dongjun?

Zhang Yan urgently summoned Zhou Hua to return to Dongwuyang with Jin Shang and two thousand soldiers.

Mao Jie stayed in Handan and worked actively, hoping that Hebei could return the eight counties of Dongjun to Yanzhou.Zhang Yan was polite first, and when Jin Shang and Zhou Hua returned to Dongwuyang, they immediately sent someone to forcefully send Mao Jie across the Yellow River.Zhang Yanshu told Cao Cao that the general supervised the six prefectures and four counties. If he did not agree to this matter, how dare I agree?I have temporarily represented these eight counties.

Zhang Yan thought that Cao Cao would be furious and wanted to lead an army to attack. Unexpectedly, Cao Cao sent Mao Jie to Handan again, and brought many gifts. The most important gift was that several powerful families in Jizhou invited Cao Cao and Zhang Yan Miao's letter attacking Jizhou.Mao Jie told Zhang Yan with a smile that natural disasters and man-made disasters have continued in Yanzhou in recent years, and there are so many refugees. Many refugees cannot survive, so they have to cross the river to the north bank of the Yellow River, hoping that Hebei can give them a way out.The eight counties in the East County and the refugees who crossed the North River will be entrusted to Hebei.

After Zhang Yan sent Mao Jie away, he was very puzzled and hurriedly summoned Xun You, Li Wei, Zhu Mu and others to discuss, but no one could figure out Cao Cao's intentions.

Zhang Yanshu told Li Hong that Yuan Shao was meeting us with swords and guns at this time. As Yuan Shao's ally, Cao Cao not only wrote to the emperor to express his respect, but also flirted with us. What does he want to do?Want to fight Yuan Shao?Against Yuan Shao with his current strength, it seems a little insufficient.

Zhang Yan didn't think too much about Yanzhou's affairs, but immediately attacked the powerful families in Jizhou. He arrested the heads of seven powerful families in Jizhou overnight, including the former Jinwu Zhenju.

=

At the end of May, Li Hong suddenly received an urgent letter from Qu Yi.Grand Tutor Liu Yu's injury relapsed and he might die at any time.Master Tai Tu misses the general very much, so he asked the general to travel day and night to Juyongguan as soon as possible.

Li Hong was shocked, and hurriedly reported to the eldest princess, telling her to go north immediately, and he took the black panther Yi Cong, and flew towards Juyongguan overnight.

=

In June of the fourth year of Chuping in the Han Dynasty (AD 193).

=

In June, Juyongguan.

Li Hong knelt down in front of Liu Yu's couch, holding Liu Yu's skinny hand, in extreme grief.

Scenes from the past flashed across his mind in an instant, making him strongly feel the old man's place in his heart.Like his father, he has always taken care of himself. Today, this old man is leaving this world and leaving himself.Li Hong's heart felt like a knife was twisted, and tears quietly blurred his eyes.

"grown ups……"

Liu Yu looked at Li Hong and laughed happily. With a hoarse voice, he said with difficulty: "My son, I am going to die. I am very happy to see you before I die."

"My lord..." Li Hong choked up and couldn't speak.

"It's a good thing for you that I'm dead. You can let go and do what you want." Liu Yu sighed, "I have a plan for what you think, but you are too Young and a warrior, I don't worry about it."

"ZTE needs strong force. Today's big man is only you who have the force of ZTE big man." Liu Yu clenched Li Hong's big hand tightly, and tried to raise half of his body, "I believe that you can revive the big man, and I also believe in yours. Loyalty, but the road to ZTE is very difficult and long, can you be consistently loyal to the big man?"

"My lord, I swear..."

Liu Yu let out a long breath, lay down contentedly again, and said weakly: "I'm sorry to the first emperor, I'm sorry to him. I want to go west to King Qin, I want to revive the country, but I can't do it, I try my best , when I get to the Nine Springs, the late Emperor should forgive me for my incompetence."

"My son, I shouldn't hold on to Youzhou's military affairs, and I shouldn't let Gongsun Zan lead the army south. My son, you have to understand me. People are afraid of death when they get old, and they will have all kinds of ideas. , I am the same, I have a family, I have relatives and friends, I have selfishness, and in the end I harmed the big man, I harmed you, and I even harmed Gongsun Zan."

Li Hong was saddened and bowed his head in silence.

"Gongsun Zan is a good man. He is upright, steadfast, and jealous of evil. He has guarded the frontier for the great man for more than ten years. He has repelled the invasion of the Hu people dozens of times and put down the rebellion of the Hu people. He has made great achievements." Liu Yu turned his head and looked at Li Hong. , said very sincerely, "You don't kill him, you promise me."

Li Hong gritted his teeth and did not speak.At this moment, he wished he could tear Gongsun Zan into pieces.

"Gongsun Zan is by no means a rebellious official with hidden evil intentions, nor is he a treacherous villain. He is at best a brave and ruthless warrior." Liu Yu said in a low voice, "The conflict between me and Gongsun Zan is not a personal grudge. One thing you have to figure out."

"Gongsun Zan is most opposed to me recruiting Hu people. Do you know why? He grew up in western Liaoning. He witnessed Hu people invade, ravage and humiliate me. Hu people burned, killed and looted us. He hated Hu people. There is a bloody enmity between him and the barbarian, and the hatred burning in his heart covered his reason, so he objected to me recruiting the barbarian."

"The conflict between us arose from this. I understand him and have been patient and restrained. Later, the situation changed and I couldn't control him. That's why last year's disaster in Jizhou and this year's disaster in Youzhou, but Gongsun Zan was not guilty. To the death, the reason why he has come to this point has a lot to do with your help."

Li Hong's heart trembled secretly, and his face showed shame.

Liu Yu sighed deeply, "You want to get Jizhou and Youzhou, but you don't want to hurt me, and you don't want to leave the bad name of betraying the Lord and usurping, so you took great pains to push Gongsun Zan to the dead end step by step. Am I right? "Liu Yu looked at Li Hong, with a wry smile on his face, "My son, do you know why the barbarians in Youzhou are willing to accept my offer?"

"Back then, the first emperor tried to appease Tanshihuai many times, but Tanshihuai flatly refused, and continued to invade again and again. The Huns Xubuguduhou and Baimatong were even worse. They even killed the Great Chanyu and rebelled openly. Why? Because my big man lacks A mighty general like Gongsun Zan. Because of the white horse Gongsun Zan in Youzhou, the barbarians can't beat him, and he is afraid of being killed by him, so he is willing to be pampered and belong to the big man."

"I have tolerated Gongsun Zan in every possible way, even when I was imprisoned and shot by him, but I still beg you not to kill him. This is the most fundamental reason." Liu Yu said excitedly, "I am not a strong man. With force, without a strong general like Gongsun Zan guarding the border, how could the barbarians submit? How would they be appeased? How would they give up the invasion? As long as Gongsun Zan is alive, the barbarians in Youzhou will feel fear, and our frontiers will be stabilized. Only the people can live a stable life.”

"You killed Gongsun Zan, who is the happiest? You? The soldiers of Youzhou? The people of Youzhou? No, none of you are happy. The Hu people are the happiest. The Hu people will dance happily because of Gongsun Zan's death. What about you? You will anger the generals and people of Youzhou by killing Gongsun Zan, and you will lose more and more things." Liu Yu once again squeezed Li Hong's big hand tightly, and shouted with all his strength, "Ministers, Promise me, don't kill Gongsun Zan, I am willing to exchange my life for Gongsun Zan's head."

Li Hong suddenly came to his senses and nodded again and again, "I promise you, my lord, I will immediately order Qu Yi to stop the attack."

Liu Yu smiled gratifiedly, and slowly closed his eyes, "My son, I'm leaving, I'm leaving..."

"My lord, my lord..." Li Hong was deeply saddened, he hugged Liu Yu's arm violently, and shouted miserably, "My lord..."

=

In June, western Liaoning.

After Gongsun Zan led his troops back to Youbeiping, he had just rested for a day when he received the news that Zhao Yun and his troops were following him.Zhao Yun has arrived, and the iron cavalry of the Northern Xinjiang Army is not far away.

Gongsun Zan immediately decided to retreat to Liaoxi County to govern Feirucheng.

Soon after the army left the city, scouts reported that Yan Rou of the Northern Frontier Army led Tadun in Liaoxi, Su Puyan in Liaodong, and Wuyan in Youbeiping with about [-] cavalry down the Rushui River. The army retreated.

Gongsun Zan and Guan Jing were horrified when they heard the news, and their hearts were ashamed.Qu Yi has counted every step, and now he has no other way out but desperate to break through.If there is any further delay, once Zhao Yun's iron cavalry arrives and the army is attacked back and forth, the entire army will definitely be wiped out.

"Order all the ministries to attack Lingzhi City as quickly as possible."

Lingzhi City is located on the west bank of Rushui River, 120 miles away from Tuyin City, the county seat of Youbeiping.

When Gongsun Zan led Bai Ma Yicong to the city at high speed, Yan Rou was already waiting outside the city, riding alone.

Gongsun Zan shouted back and stepped forward, "Ziyu, are you going to kill me with Karasuma?"

Yan Rou looked at Gongsun Zan coldly, and the muscles on his face twitched. Suddenly, he roared angrily, "Why did you kill Master Taifu? Why?"

Gongsun Zan was taken aback for a moment, and then asked in surprise, "What did you say? What happened to Master Tai Tuo? When did I kill Master Tai Tuo?"

"You bastard..." Yan Rou raised her horsewhip and pulled it down in the air, "You took your iron cavalry and shot wantonly under Changping City, have you forgotten?"

"I killed the Karasuma people, the Karasuma people." Gongsun Zan dodged Yan Rou's whip and shouted angrily, "Liu He colluded with the Karasuma people to beat me, why can't I kill? Don't tell me Cut off his head?"

"You just know how to kill, kill, but you killed Master Taifu, do you know?" Yan Rou was furious, her face flushed red, and the horsewhip waved with a "slap", "How do you let me let go?" You? Tell me, how do you want me to let you live?"

"I don't want you to let me go, I'll kill myself..." Gongsun Zan gritted his teeth and shouted, "I didn't kill Master Taifu, I didn't kill him."

"Can you rush over? Ah..." Yan Rou pointed to the city behind her, "There are three thousand cavalry in this city, and seven thousand cavalry on the other side of the river. How do you kill them? Do you fly over with wings? , Brother Yuxing (Xian Yufu) and I will save your life."

"I didn't kill the Grand Tutor, I didn't kill him." Gongsun Zan was obviously too surprised by the sudden death of the Grand Tutor Liu Yu, he didn't realize it for a while, and turned a deaf ear to Yan Rou's words, "Is the Grand Tutor dead? Is he dead?"

"Come on, he won't survive this summer. It's all because of you, it's all because of you, why did you fight the general, why? What do you want? Do you think you can beat the general? You idiot. "Yan Rou was furious, pointed at Gongsun Zan and cursed loudly, "When I left Juyongguan, do you know what Master Tai Tuo said to me? He told me not to kill you, don't kill you, you know? My life is exchanged for yours. Although Master Taifu has always been very strict and disgusted with you, in his heart, you are a hero against Hu, a hero who guards the frontier, and the most loyal guard of my big man. What about you? How did you treat Master Tai Tuo? You killed him, do you know what you did? You are a madman because you are jealous of killing people. "

Gongsun Zan sat on the horse, dumbstruck, his handsome face suddenly showed deep guilt, his eyes were full of remorse, "I killed Master Taifu."

Seeing Gongsun Zan's distraught look, Yan Rou's heart softened, and tears rushed into her eyes, "Brother Bogui, you've killed enough, it's time to put down the knife."

"I think back then, when we brothers were together, galloping across the desert, and bathing in bloody battles, how enjoyable it was? Later, when a leopard appeared in the sky in the northern border, do you remember how excited we were at that time? Tell me, when we meet this leopard in the future Leopard, we must be brothers with him, we want to go north with him to kill Hu, and conquer the desert together, but what about today? What did you do today? What did you do? What did the general feel sorry for you? It is worth fighting against him For revenge, fight him to the death?"

Gongsun Zan opened his arms suddenly, raised his head to the sky and screamed, "I want to kill Hu..."

As if feeling the pain in Gongsun Zan's heart, the white horse suddenly raised its front hooves and neighed loudly.

Gongsun Zan kicked the horse's belly fiercely, and left in the dust.

=

In June, Taifu Liu Yu passed away, and Youzhou mourned.

All the troops of the Northern Xinjiang Army were ordered to stop the attack, and a funeral was held for Taifu Liu Yu.

The eldest princess came to Juyongguan to attend the funeral.

Many former officials of the former Liu Yu in northern Xinjiang rushed to Juyongguan from all over the country to attend the funeral of the old master.

=

At the end of June, Liu Yu's son Liu He, Chang Shi Wei You, Sima Sun Jin and other Youzhou officials went to various battlefields in Youzhou to persuade them to surrender.

Zou Dan, Shan Jing and other dozens of Youzhou army officials led their troops to surrender.

General Li Hong obeyed Liu Yu's last order and ordered all the field soldiers to go back to the original field and guard the border, and some elite soldiers were stationed at the border garrison.

=

In July of the fourth year of Chuping in the Han Dynasty (AD 193).

=

In order to appease Gongsun Zan, Li Hong was under tremendous pressure.The eldest princess, Liu He, Qu Yi and many military and political officials in northern Xinjiang were extremely indignant at Li Hong's move.Liu He quarreled with Li Hongda because of this, and cried loudly holding Liu Yu's spirit tablet.The eldest princess was distraught and returned to Handan angrily.Qu Yi was so angry that he was about to burst into tears, and interrupted the case in front of Li Hong with a punch, "The brothers who fought in Jieqiao died in vain."

At the same time, Xian Yufu, Yan Rou, Tian Chou, Wei You, Wang Ru, Zou Dan and other military and political officials begged Li Hong to appease Gongsun Zan in every possible way. Gongsun Zan begged for mercy.

Li Hong made up his mind, and led the Black Panther Yi Cong and all the cavalry to the city of Youbeiping Tuyin in spite of many obstacles.

General Anbei Xian Yufu did not return to Jinyang immediately after attending Liu Yu's funeral, but came to Tuyin City with Li Hong.

In the big tent, Li Hong, Xian Yufu, Yan Rou, Xian Yuyin, Li Su and other Youzhou generals gathered together to discuss how to recruit Gongsun Zan.

After Gongsun Zan retreated to Tuyin, he stayed behind closed doors. Yan Rou asked several times to go to the city to meet Gongsun Zan, but was rejected.

"General, please give me a condition. I will go to see Brother Bogui in person." Xian Yufu pondered for a long time, stroked his beard and said, "If Brother Bogui agrees to be appeased, Qingzhou will be at our fingertips. favorable."

"The only thing I can give Brother Bogui now is sincerity." Li Hong said with a smile, "We have been fighting for more than a year, and it will take time to re-establish trust with each other, so in the short term, I cannot let him keep it." The army cannot let him lead the Youzhou army, he can only temporarily preside over the army in Youzhou, and when the time is right, I will let him come out to lead the army."

=

Recommend a friend's masterpiece: "I am A Dou, I don't need help" "A person can be stupid, he can be stupid, but he can't lose his goal and persistent efforts." -A Dou

(End of this chapter)