Great Han Empire

Chapter 982 Chapter [-]
Xu Jing's reputation was too great, and the "Yuedan Ping" hosted by him and Xu Shao was well-known all over the world.Emperor Xiaoling paid homage to Censor Zhongcheng to Zeng Guan.After Dong Zhuo's political chaos, he fled to Yuzhou in the south, and attached himself to Yuzhou's Mu Kongyi and Chen Guo's same ancestor Xu Yu (chang) to join Yuan Shao's alliance against Dong.Not long after Yuan Shao entered Luoyang, Xu Ju was defeated. Xu Jing then fled south to Yangzhou, and successively attached himself to Chen Yi, the governor of Yangzhou, Xu Gong, the prefect of Wujun, and Wang Lang, the prefect of Kuaiji.Sun Ce marched into Jiangdong, Xu Gong and Wang Lang were defeated one by one, Xu Jing had nowhere to live, so he had to take refuge in Jiaozhou and attached himself to Jiaozhou Governor Xie (xie).

Since Yuan Shao occupied Luoyang, people in northern Xinjiang lost news of Xu Jing.Although Xu Shao and Xu Jing have always been at odds, they are brothers after all, and they miss him very much. Over the years, they have asked many people to inquire about Xu Jing's news, but Xu Jing has disappeared like a stone sinking into the ocean, and there is no news at all.At this moment, he suddenly appeared in Xuchang, which surprised Peng Lie and Lei Zhong.

No matter which faction the generals in northern Xinjiang belong to, they all have five real teachers in name. They are the great Confucian scholars Zhao Qi and Wang Jian who rushed to northern Xinjiang first, followed by Xu Shao and Cai Yong. After Master Zheng Xuan arrived in Hebei, he also Once he taught the generals and generals in the army, so the generals in the army usually go to visit these teachers no matter how busy they are after returning to Beijing.When Xu Shao saw these people, he inevitably mentioned his brothers whom he had no news of, and entrusted these generals who were on an expedition to search for them on their behalf.Now that Peng Lie and Lei Chong suddenly heard that the person in front of them was their teacher's brother, they were extremely excited. Their first thought was to rush to Chang'an to tell Xu Shao the great news.

Xu Jing was always a respected Confucian there, and he was used to people respecting and worshiping him. When he saw the two generals bowing respectfully, he just smiled and nodded politely.The beautiful girl beside him looked at Lei Chong carefully.Lei Zhong was in his thirties, tall and strong. Although his appearance was ordinary, he naturally had a mighty aura due to his years of experience in the battlefield. Peng Lie was nearly fifty years old. Although he was tall and strong, his neck was thick and thin. Short, with a big head and big eyes, it looks fierce.The two stood together, Peng Lie was more like Lei Chong's personal guard.

When Zhong Yao introduced Lei Chong, he specifically pointed out his age and the battle of Boluogu, where the invading Xianbei people were defeated. King Xianbei and Lian fled in embarrassment, and soon died between two hunters in the Northland. hand, so famous all over the world.Xu Jing and the beautiful girl's eyes lit up immediately, and they couldn't help but admire Lei Chong in their eyes.With Lei Zhong's background, how many meritorious deeds would it take to achieve the position of general?It can be seen from this that in the past ten years, Lei Chong has been born and died, and he has fought many dangerous battles.In the northern border army, the experience of the general is almost exactly the same as that of Lei Zhong, and it is not surprising that he is favored and valued by the general.

After a few people exchanged pleasantries, the beautiful girl stood beside Zhong Yao and said a few words softly, then walked away with two maids holding the piano and Xiao Ping.

"I'm old, I'm old..." Xu Jing looked at the girl's back, stroked his beard and sighed, "I remember that when she was just born, it was the year when the great general led his army to expedition to the desert. In the year when the government was in chaos in Beijing, 15 years have passed in the blink of an eye, and she has grown into an adult and is about to get married..."

"She should have been married a long time ago..." Zhong Yao led everyone up to the small pavilion, and said with a smile, "My daughter has high vision, and she will not marry unless she is a hero of the world..." Zhong Yao turned his head and looked at it meaningfully. Lei Chong took a look and continued, "So, this matter will be delayed, but I must marry her this year, otherwise I will become a laughing stock."

Peng Lie walked at the back, and he suddenly realized when he heard Zhong Yao's words.In order to win this battle, Master Zhong really spared no expense, even such a beautiful daughter was willing to give away.Okay, since you dare to give it, I dare to take it.

"Lord Zhong, isn't there a hero in front of you?" Peng Lie pointed at Lei Chong and said with a smile, "Lord Lei has been studying and reciting scriptures all these years except for fighting, and he is in the barracks all year round, so he doesn't care about marrying and having children. "Lei Chong blushed, and hurriedly stopped Peng Lie, but Peng Lie winked at him quietly, and continued, "Today, Mr. Xu happened to be here, why don't you let Mr. Xu be a matchmaker and marry your daughter to Lord Lei. "

Xu Jing's face darkened, he was about to have an attack.This Mr. Peng Lie is indeed a gangster. When he sees his daughter's beauty, he immediately comes to snatch her. There is no sense of propriety or shame.

The smile on Zhong Yao's face froze instantly, but he still held back his anger, shook his hand at Xu Jing, and turned his gaze to Lei Chong, "Lord Lei hasn't married yet?"

Lei Zhong blushed, bowed hurriedly and said, "Lord Zhong, Mr. Xu, Master Peng likes to joke, don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously."

Peng Lie sneered, "What? We, General Lei, are not good enough for your daughter? Do you dislike our lowly background, General Lei?"

When Peng Lie said this, the faces of Xu Jing and Zhong Yao became even uglier.

"Okay, it's fine if you don't like General Lei." Peng Lie laughed, "Your Zhong family has a high threshold, and we can't climb high. I remember that when Master Cui Lie was alive, he planned to marry his niece to General Lei, but it's a pity A confidante, she died of illness before marrying into Lei's family, if it wasn't for General Lei's deep love and righteousness, which has never been forgotten, how could she have waited until now without marrying a wife?"

Lei Zhong glared at Peng Lie and signaled him not to say any more, but Peng Lie was in high spirits and continued to chatter on and on, "When we returned to Beijing last year, the general and his wife asked about this with concern, It is said that many noble families in Beijing intend to marry General Lei, but General Lei politely declined. General Lei is not unable to marry a wife, but unwilling to marry a wife. Don't misunderstand this point." Peng Lie pointed at Zhong Yao Jokingly said, "Master Zhong, compared with the Cui family in Jizhou, your family background seems to be a little shorter, right? Master Cui Lie has taken a fancy to General Lei, but Master Zhong doesn't. This shows that Master Zhong's vision is true. There is a problem, no wonder the family status of the Cui family in Jizhou is so high."

Xu Jing and Zhong Yao looked at each other coldly, without saying a word.

Peng Lie laughed out loud.If you want to put on airs, if you want to refuse and welcome, I will play with you, and I want to see how you step down.

"Okay, since Mr. Zhong is not willing, then I didn't say it, I didn't say it..." Peng Lie walked up to the small pavilion a few steps ahead, stretched out his sleeve and brushed the dust on the stone bench, "Mr. Xu, Please take a seat..."

=

Xu Jing and Zhong Yao looked at each other with frosty faces, and sat down one after another.Lei Zhong looked embarrassed and sat beside him.

Peng Lie sat across from Xu Jing carelessly, folded his hands and asked, "When did you come to Yingchuan, Mister?"

"Last night." Xu Jing said, "I just arrived in Yingchuan last night."

After the battle in Luoyang, Liu Biao sent people to Jiaozhou to announce the decree, hoping to get the help of Shixie, the governor of Jiaozhou.The people of Jiaozhou were horrified when they heard this, and hurriedly sent an envoy to Xiangyang to meet the emperor, and the envoy was Xu Jing.Xu Jing was retained by Liu Biao, but what happened next made it difficult for Xu Jing to accept, that is, enfeoffing the princes.Xu Jing and some ministers of Xiangyang resolutely opposed it, but the emperor of Xiangyang did not have any authority.Disappointed, Xu Jing resigned and went home.

Yuzhou was originally the state and county of the Han Dynasty, but now it has become the fiefdom of Yuan Tan, and the officials in all counties and counties have also become Yuan Tan's retainers. Yes, although many of them are former students of the Yuan Clan, many of them chose to betray without hesitation in the face of this big right and wrong.

Now Yuan Tan is the head of the Yuan clan, and Yuan Yao from Chang'an is also the head of the Yuan clan.From the point of view of succession etiquette, Yuan Shu, Yuan Yao and his son are the real heirs of the Yuan Clan patriarch.Taking refuge in Chang'an and attaching to Yuan Yao are also assisting the Yuan clan, not betraying the Yuan clan.

In addition, although Li Hong of the Chang'an court hijacked the little emperor to hold power, Hebei has developed rapidly over the years, and northern Xinjiang has also been very stable, and the imperial power and imperial dignity are gradually being restored. This is a fact for all to see. So far, Li Hong has firmly opposed enfeoffment. Even when the Xiangyang court has implemented enfeoffment and started to carve up the Han community, he still does not change his original intention and firmly sticks to the last bottom line of maintaining the Han and consolidating the imperial power. This is the most commendable From this point, it can be fully confirmed that Li Hong is only a minister of power so far, not a minister who has the ambition of usurping the country.On the contrary, although the ministers of the Xiangyang court shouted to revive the country, what they did was contrary to the revitalization of the country.In the eyes of some Yingru scholars who are loyal to the great man and determined to revive the country, friends in the past have become enemies, and those in Xiangyang are the real traitors who will harm the country.

Some Yingru scholars began to secretly plan countermeasures when they were heartbroken.

The strength of the Chang'an imperial court is extremely strong, and Yuzhou is at the forefront of the confrontation between the north and the south. As long as Chang'an's army roars down, Yuzhou will bear the brunt of it. The matter of obedience.Xu Jing, who had just returned to his hometown in Pingyu, Runan, immediately became the main planner of the conspiracy, and planned to secretly go to Chang'an.

The news that some Yingru scholars were about to betray soon leaked, and Yuan Tan was furious and led people to hunt and kill them. However, there were betrayers among the trusted officials around Yuan Tan, and they quickly informed Xu Jing of the secret leak.Xu Jing fled overnight.

Xu Jing's luck was very good, when Zhong Yao happened to arrive at Yingchuan.After the two met, they heard that many officials in Yuzhou were going to surrender the city. Zhong Yao was surprised and delighted, so he sent someone to Yuzhou secretly to meet Chen Guoxiang He Kui (kui) overnight to discuss specific strategies.

=

He Kui was a native of Chen Guo, Yuzhou. His grandfather He Xi was a chariot general in the dynasty of Emperor Xiao'an, and his uncle He Heng was a minister in the dynasty of Emperor Xiaohuan.After the world was in chaos, it avoided the chaos in the south of the Huaihe River and became famous among the Jianghuai River.After Yuan Shu arrived in Yangzhou, he repeatedly conquered the land, but he refused to become an official, and then simply fled to the mountains.Yuan Shu was furious.He Kui's aunt was Yuan Shu's cousin and the mother of Yuan Yi, the former governor of Shanyang. The two families were related by marriage. Yuan Shu couldn't do too well, so he had to give up and let him go.

After Yuan Shao died in the Luoyang War, the world was shocked and the country was in danger. At this time, under Yuan Tan's conquest, He Kui became an official of Chen Guoxiang and helped Yuan Tan defend Yuzhou. Inadvertently, enfeoffing the princes, blatantly trampling on the imperial power, and splitting the great Han.

He Kui couldn't tolerate it.Like Xu Jing, he belongs to the kind of people who don't have a clear head. Although they have experienced the scourge of the party and more than ten years of troubled times, in their hearts, the imperial power is inviolable and inviolable. It is the foundation to ensure the long-term stability of the big man.They cannot accept the "advanced thinking" of the Xiangyang court and a group of ministers. The system of enfeoffment will not only lead to the division of the country, but also bring terrible war disasters to the country. This strategy of "rejuvenating the country" is actually a strategy of subjugation. Compared with the treacherous eunuchs and Dong Zhuo's deeds of harming the country, it is a hundred times and a thousand times more.

For a long time, on the contrary, Li Hong, who was called a traitor and traitor, clinging to the imperial power, even the proposal to restore the fifth-class title system in name was resolutely rejected by him. If you compare it twice, who is protecting the country and who is protecting the country? In ZTE Dahan, it goes without saying.

He Kui resolutely decided to dedicate the city to surrender, but it was Wang Dang who stationed troops in Yingchuan, and he could not trust the scholars in Yuzhou, so He Kui turned to Xu Jing for help, but Xu Jing's reputation was too great, and the relationship between Xu Clan and Yuan Clan There was always a deep hatred, and Yuan Tan kept staring at him.Xu Jing was quickly exposed and had to flee to Yingchuan for refuge.Fortunately, Zhong Yao came to Yingchuan in time and gave him and his co-conspirators full trust.

=

"I went to Chen Guo to visit He Kui in secret this time to agree on the final strategy for the uprising." Xu Jing said, "He Kui has already arranged everything and is waiting for us to send troops, but since the leak was too early, Yuan Tan has already noticed something, so this plan must be implemented as soon as possible, lest the night will be long and dreamy, and Yuan Tan will find out, and the success will fall short."

Peng Lie pondered for a while, then suddenly raised his head and laughed wildly, then pointed to Xu Jing, and asked out of breath, "Mr. Xu, why should I trust you?"

Xu Jing smiled wryly, he really had no way to win the trust of Peng Lie, and the reason why Zhong Yao believed in him was largely because they were both scholars of Yingru and old friends for decades, so trustworthy is trustworthy, no need any reason.However, it is useless for Zhong Yao to trust them. Even though Zhong Yao now holds the military and political power in Yingchuan and can mobilize 10,000+ troops according to the order, if Zhong Yao cannot get the support and trust of the generals in the army, he will not be able to fight this battle.Once this battle is defeated, He Kui and all Yingru scholars who participated in this secret uprising will be killed.

Zhong Yao was in trouble.

Judging from the current situation, the general recommended Zhong Yao to command the battlefields of Jing and Henan. The decision is correct. Zhong Yao can get the help of Yingru scholars and win unexpected victories. If Wang Dang stays in Yingchuan, obviously It is impossible to get such a fighter, but the biggest problem with Zhong Yao's commanding army is that he cannot gain the trust of the generals in the army. Even if he gets a fighter, it is difficult to grasp the fighter and quickly convert it into a battle field victory.

Zhong Yao could use the power in his hands to force orders, but in this way, the risk he took was too great. Instead of holding his head in his hands and entrusting his fate to others, he might as well stand still and let the opportunity slip away.

Lei Zhong remained silent all this time, he was carefully considering Xu Jing's strategy of capturing Yuzhou, carefully weighing the pros and cons.

"Master Peng, tell me, what do you think we should do to gain your trust?" Xu Jing asked.

"If I agree to Mr. Peng's suggestion just now, will I be able to gain your trust?" Zhong Yao asked.

Peng Lie shook his head repeatedly with a smile, feeling extremely contemptuous in his heart.When I suggested a marriage just now, Zhong Yao and Xu Jing looked angry, as if they were insulted, but now it seems that they are all pretending, treating themselves as idiots.You look down on me, why do I still look down on you?To exchange my daughter for military exploits, even if I agree, Lei Zhong will not agree.If you want me to risk the lives of tens of thousands of brothers, go ahead and dream.

"Lord Zhong, are you insulting me, or Master Peng?" Lei Zhong stood up abruptly and said angrily, "Take this matter as a joke and stop mentioning it from now on. We have fought this battle."

Xu Jing and Zhong Yao were overjoyed and looked at Peng Lie at the same time.

Peng Lie hesitated for a moment, then stared at Zhong Yao fiercely, and said with a sneer, "Give me the command of the battlefield."

"Don't tell Mr. Peng about this." Zhong Yao stood up excitedly, grabbed Peng Lie's hand, and shook it again and again, "I have never fought in a war, so I can only advise you from the rear. It is entirely entrusted to you."

=

Peng Lie and Lei Chong rode out of Xuchang City.

"Why did you agree to him?" Peng Lie frowned furiously, "This may be Yuan Tan's trick, don't believe it."

"This matter is believable." Lei Zhong waved the horsewhip in his hand, "Zhong Yao would never dare to joke about his wealth and life, and Xu Jing would not disregard the interests of Chang'an Xu clan. In addition, we have an army of [-] , the strength of the army is more than twice that of Yuan Tan, even if we are tricked, we will be able to retreat unscathed."

"No, you definitely didn't agree to Zhong Yao for these reasons."

Lei Chong sighed, "Zhong Yao looked down on us, he despised us and regarded us as thieves. His contempt angered me." Lei Zhong suddenly shouted hoarsely, "It has been more than 20 years since we followed the great virtuous teacher. Why are we fighting? Who are we fighting for? For Zhong Yao? For these scholars who think they are superior? No, we are fighting for ourselves, to prevent ourselves from starving to death, to prevent our relatives from starving to death, to Don’t let the poor people in the world starve to death. We are fighting for ourselves, for our relatives, and for the poor people in the world. What is Zhong Yao? Hit whatever you want."

Peng Lie smiled helplessly, "Boy, you've been tricked. These old dogs are extremely cunning. He just wants to make us feel that we are thieves, and then provoke us to make us willingly sacrifice our lives."

"Even if I've been a thief all my life, I'm still an upright thief." Lei Chong looked at the sky and screamed, "Even if I die, I will die on the battlefield, not on this pile of shit."

=

At the end of March, General Zhong Yao commanded an army of [-] to march into Chen Guo in Yuzhou.At the beginning of April, the army captured Changping and quickly surrounded Chen County, the prefecture of Chen State.

Chen Guoxiang He Kui guarded the city to the death, frequently in emergency.

Yuan Tan remained unmoved, and insisted on defending Suiyang in Liang State.At the same time, Chen Lin and Liu Xun, who are stationed in Runan, are urgently urged to stick to Pingyu and not to support He Kui. This is just a containment strategy for the northern army, and it is not a cause for concern.

=

In April, Lu Bu conquered Pei County, and the army went straight to Pengcheng.

Cao Cao urgently told Yuan Tan.The troops of Peng Lie, Song Xian, and Sun Luan of the Northern Xinjiang Army appeared outside Pengcheng City, asking him to go north quickly to attack Chen Liu.

At the same time, Yuan Xi from Wancheng in Nanyang also urgently informed Yuan Tan that Li Yun and Zisu from the Northern Army had already led their troops to West Hubei and would soon join the battlefield in Wancheng. Wuguan is fighting fiercely with Xu Qiu (Qiu) on the front line of Danshui, and Wancheng is in danger. Please go north as soon as possible, threatening the periphery of Luoyang, forcing the northern Xinjiang army to return to help, so as to relieve the danger of Wancheng.

Yuan Tan hesitated.Zhizhong Zhang Yan and others tried their best to urge him to send troops, but Chang Shi Liu Xian repeatedly dissuaded him, thinking that if he went north to attack Yanzhou, it might draw out the army of Luoyang Wu Xiong and Lei Chong. as well.The northern border army's current attack targets are Jingzhou and Xuzhou. They have not formed an absolute advantage in strength on the two battlefields. They are just retaliatory attacks. After a while, they will naturally withdraw. It is very important, if Chen Guo is lost, Runan will not be kept, and if Runan is lost, almost the entire territory of Yuzhou will be lost.

Yuan Tan accepted Liu Xian's suggestion and wrote to Cao Cao, saying that he was worried about going north to attack the Northern Frontier Army that had drawn out Luoyang, and asked Cao Cao to quickly recruit Liu Xun's army from Lujiang to go north for support.

Cao Cao was so angry that he cursed.At this time, Gao Shun and Zang Ba's army captured Kaiyang City, the prefecture of Langya State, and were advancing towards Donghai County.In order to prevent Jiangdong from taking advantage of the fire, half of Cao Cao's troops are on the front line of Jianghuai. If Pengcheng is lost and Jianghuai is lost, then Cao Cao will be desperate. For this reason, Guo Jia advised Cao Cao to ensure the safety of Jianghuai no matter what.

In mid-April, Chen Guoxiang He Kui told Yuan Tan again that if the general did not come to rescue, Chen County would fall.Regardless of the persuasion of Zhang Yan and others, Yuan Tan led his army to support Chen Guo.

One day after Yuan Tan left Suiyang, Peng Lie and Lei Zhong, who were lurking in Xiangyi, led their troops southward and surrounded Suiyang.That night, Liu Xian sent someone to open the city gate.The northern border army roared in, and the [-] defenders in the city surrendered.

Yuan Tan received the news that Suiyang was besieged, and he was still more than 100 miles away from Chencheng.Yuan Tan decided not to rescue He Kui, but turned around to save Suiyang.Zhang Yan dissuaded him, thinking that this was a strategy of the Northern Xinjiang Army to "encircle Wei and save Zhao". Zhong Yao's main force must be in Chen County, and he resolutely rescued Chen County.

Yuan Tan followed his plan and continued to advance, but when he arrived at Chen County, he found that the city had fallen.

Yuan Tan was shocked. While commanding the army to attack the city, Chen Lin and Liu Xun of Pingyu, Runan urgently wrote to come to support and recover Chen County as soon as possible.Two days later, Chen Lin and Liu Xun arrived with their troops.The two armies attacked the city together.

Three days later, Peng Lie and Lei Zhong led an army from Suiyang, Li Yun and Zi led an army from Changping, and the two support troops rushed from east and west, intending to encircle Yuan Tan.

Yuan Tan knew that he had been tricked and withdrew his troops quickly.At this time, Zhong Yao in the city led his army to fight out, holding Yuan Tan's army back.Chen Lin advised Yuan Tan to go first, and led the army to break the rear.With nearly ten thousand horses, Yuan Tan rushed to Pingyu City in Runan in a panic.

Chen Lin, Liu Xun and more than 1 soldiers were surrounded by the Han army.Three days later, under the persuasion of Zhong Yao, Xu Jing, He Kui and others, Chen Lin led the army to surrender.

At the end of April, Zhong Yao led his army to advance to Runan and stormed Pingyu. At this moment, a shocking news came from the Nanyang battlefield. The Han army was defeated, and the generals Liu Pi and Baoman were killed. Lu Yang, please Zhong Yao quickly divide his troops to support.

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(End of this chapter)