Chapter 215 The Emperor Asks for Help
At this time, Liu Bei was actually similar to Cao Cao. He was still loyal to the Eastern Han Dynasty court, and he also thought about how to make contributions and obtain higher official positions, titles and power.
As for the artifact, that is beyond the imagination.
They are not the two Yuans from Runan, one is bolder than the other.
Therefore, when he heard that the emperor was in trouble and Li Jue and Guo Si dared to attack the emperor's chariot, Liu Bei was as angry as a lion. He wished he could appear in front of the emperor's chariot immediately, kill the rebels for the emperor, and wash them with blood. shame.
"My lord, please wait!"
Liu Bei looked at the source of the voice and found that it was Xun You, who was usually low-key and humble.
After seeing that the other party was actually Xun Gongda, Liu Bei swallowed back the curse words that came to his mouth.
"Gongda, what do you mean?"
Xun You cupped his hands at Liu Bei and said in a calm voice: "Ming Gong, you have heard that the Lord cannot be angry and raise an army. Don't be angry and lead to war. At this moment, Ming Gong has violated both of these points. You have been greatly favored by Ming Gong and cannot help but violate Yan Jin's advice. I beg Ming Gong not to raise troops out of anger. "
"Ming Gong, what Gongda said is correct."
Guo Jia then added: "Now we know nothing about the situation in the West, and the information brought back by Jian Envoy is too much. If we send troops rashly, I am worried that I may overthrow the army and kill the general."
Liu Bei's expression changed, but he had been leading troops for many years, so how could he not know that although Guo Jia's words were unpleasant, they were still in danger. All are true insights.
Liu Bei said sincerely: "But the emperor is in danger in Hedong at this time. How can Bei remain indifferent to this."
Guo Jia, however, refused to give in and said: "Jia is not stopping Ming. I just don’t want you to make unnecessary sacrifices. Only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle. We need to know more about the situation before we can take action.”
"What Fengxiao said is in line with the art of war."
Xun You then said: "Ming Gong, between Hedong and my Xuzhou, there is the entire Yuzhou and half of Henan."
From Starting from Tancheng, Xuzhou, we have to pass through Xiapi State, Pengcheng State, Pei State, Liang State, and Chenliu County along the waterway before arriving at Yin, Henan.
Then we have to pass through the white land of Luoyang, either going north to Henan County and then to Hedong County, or west to Hongnong County and then north to Hedong County.
There are five or six counties along the way, and there are hundreds of miles of uninhabited land.
More importantly, it also had to pass through Guo Gong's Liang Kingdom and Cao Cao's Chenliu, and Hanoi, which was equally divided between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. If your food route is cut off at any point, Liu Bei's army will immediately become a lonely army and fall into a dilemma.
As a result, the emperor will not be protected, and the Xuzhou army is more likely to be wiped out.
After Xun You put all these dangers on the table, Zhang Zhao immediately spoke. His age determined that he was a more determined defender of Han.
But he had to admit that Xun You and Guo Jia's words were correct, let alone Liu Bei's regard for him and Xuzhou's interests.
So, Zhang Zhao compromised and said: "Ming Gong, the army must not be moved lightly, but the emperor is in danger, and we cannot sit idly by. In this case, it is better to send a small force to the west first. If It would be great to be able to receive the emperor. If not, we can also inquire about the specific situation and send him back to Xuzhou so that we can decide the next move."
To be fair, Zhang Zhao's plan is relatively feasible and very safe.
Liu Bei wanted to say something more, but he saw Xun You, Guo Jia, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong and his eldest son Liu Feng all winking at him quietly.
Liu Bei suddenly realized it and hurriedly said: "I was shocked to hear that the emperor was in danger, and the preparations were in chaos. Today I will come here first, let the preparations think about it, and then discuss it again."
As for Jian Yong, Liu Bei is naturally trustworthy, but Liu Yan is far less trustworthy.
Liu Yan is a native of Lu and a clan member of the Han Dynasty. He is open-minded and eloquent. He has a good rapport with Liu Bei and is prepared to stay with him as a guest. But Liu Yan's other talents are not outstanding, and he is greedy and lustful. It is better not to let him participate in some things.
After Liu Bei entered the back hall, Liu Feng was the first to follow him soon.
As Liu Bei took his seat, he motioned for Liu Feng to sit closer.
Guan and Zhang gave Liu Feng a smile, and then stood behind Liu Bei.
After hearing the news reported by Jian Yong, Liu Bei felt very heavy, but he cheered up and asked: "Feng'er, in the hall just now, you gave me father many looks, but what do you have to say? "
"What the boy did was exactly what happened to the emperor!"
Liu Feng took a deep breath. He knew that the most difficult conversation since time travel was about to begin.
But when things came to a close, he could never back down.
Once you give in at this time, it is likely that all previous efforts will be wasted and the good situation will be ruined.
"Oh?"
Liu Bei nodded: "You can tell me what Feng'er thinks."
Liu Feng said: "Father, if the emperor is attacked, the whole body will be affected by the attack. If the child offends the father, please forgive him. The child is doing this for the sake of the world, not for his own selfish gain."
Hearing what his son said was so serious, Liu Bei couldn't help but let go of his anxiety, and instead comforted him: "My son doesn't have to be like this. If you have anything to say that my father can't listen to, you can just say it. "
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei behind Liu Bei also became a little nervous, their eyes fell on Liu Feng, and their brows frowned slightly.
Liu Feng said with a solemn expression: "Father, my son, be bold and say something, the emperor's drive must be saved, but the emperor's drive cannot be welcomed!"
Liu Bei was surprised and thought for a moment. , puzzled: "Feng'er, my father knows what it means that the Emperor's drive must be saved, but what is the explanation for the fact that the Emperor's drive cannot be welcomed?"
Liu Feng explained to Liu Bei: "The emperor sent Uncle Jian to Xuzhou to ask for help. My father governed Xuzhou with loyalty, filial piety and benevolence. How could I not obey the emperor's orders? Therefore, the boy boldly spoke up and asked his father to immediately reorganize his troops and march west to Guanzhong. , rescue the emperor."
Liu Bei slowly nodded in agreement, and Guan and Zhang behind him also looked relaxed. Wasn't what the eldest nephew said what they were thinking?
But none of the three of them expected that Liu Feng would change the topic next and say: "But the emperor's arrival must not be welcomed. I dare to ask my father here. Does he think it is the world that is more important, or the emperor!" "
Liu Bei was twirling his beard and smiling, wanting to praise Liu Feng a few words.
Hearing such bold words, Leng Buding pulled off his beard with all his strength.
Liu Bei ignored the pain and scolded: "How can you be so bold? Is this what you can ask?"
Liu Bei was a little angry. He seemed to be disrespecting the emperor.
But that’s it. After all, although the authority of the kings of the Han Dynasty was not small, it was still not comparable to the kings of later generations. Moreover, the attitude of scholars toward the emperor was only respect, not myth.
Liu Feng kept talking and continued: "Father, I, Xuzhou, am alone. There are only five counties and a population of only one million. Except for the coast to the east, we are surrounded by enemies on three sides. There is no danger to defend. , this is truly a place for hundreds of battles.”
“My father asked me, if we welcome the emperor, can we defend it?”
Can this sentence be defended by the emperor?
Liu Bei was immediately silenced.
He is not a fool, nor a person without ambition.
It is true that Liu Bei at this stage has never thought about being self-reliant, let alone a magical weapon. The old Cao next door still wants to rape the generals of the Western Conquest, and the old Liu's thoughts are more simple. He just wants to Establishing meritorious service, honoring one's ancestors, and having a wife and children are enough for one's wishes.
But he also knew that if he really brought the emperor to Xuzhou, he would become a target.
With Yuan Shu's disobedience and outspoken rebellion, he would inevitably fight Liu Bei to the death and try to seize the emperor.
Even allies like Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Liu Biao, and even Liu Yao would fall out with Liu Bei at any time.
The emperor is the common master of the world. What a precious treasure this is.
Whoever commits a crime with a jade will be attacked by the whole world.
Liu Bei gradually came back to his senses. Guan Yu frowned, thoughtful. Only Zhang Fei couldn't understand. He opened his mouth several times but held back. However, he always felt that what his eldest nephew said made sense. Although he didn't understand it, he felt that it was right.
The hall was quiet for a long time, and then Liu Bei's slightly tired voice sounded.
"What does this have to do with your previous question?"
Liu Feng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as his father is still willing to discuss the matter, he is not afraid of not being able to convince the other party.
What Liu Feng is most worried about is that Big Ear Brother is loyal and refuses to listen to Liu Feng's advice. That is really the worst situation.
"Father, if you regard the Emperor as your most important thing, then we will naturally fight to the death to bring the Emperor to Xuzhou. As for how long the Emperor can stay in Xuzhou, and how long we can persist, it is only eight words, bow. Just try your best and die.”
No, I accidentally stole Brother Liang’s famous sayings.
But he could not care so much at this time, Liu Feng continued: "When the time comes, we will die in battle, the emperor will be robbed by the traitors, the world will be more chaotic, and the emperor will even be tortured by the traitors and do unthinkable things. The evil things he heard have nothing to do with us."
Liu Bei first silently recited the eight words "Bow down, do your best, die and die" several times, and couldn't help but feel weak.
Then he heard the second half of Liu Feng's words and said angrily: "You have something to say, if you keep talking nonsense, don't blame me for my father to beat you up." Liu Feng stopped when he saw good things and stopped threatening you. My father lowered his eyebrows and said submissively: "Father, if we temporarily place the emperor in a relatively loyal place, with loyal followers inside and father as support outside, it will be comparable to the father welcoming the emperor to Xuzhou. , it’s much better.”
Liu Bei fell into silence again.
He understood the meaning of Liu Feng's words, and when he came to Xuzhou, he was the enemy of the whole world.
If it were another person to follow the emperor, at least Xuzhou would be his ally.
“A loyal and upright person?”
Liu Bei raised his eyelids and glanced at Hao Daer: “Who is the loyal and upright person you are talking about?”
Liu Feng smiled and said: "Of course he is our good neighbor, Cao Yanzhou."
"Cao Mengde?"
When Liu Bei heard this, he immediately became unhappy and stared at the big man with some displeasure. Son: "Could it be that in your eyes, Cao Mengde is more suitable to serve the emperor than your father?"
Liu Feng couldn't hold it back for a moment and replied: "Cao Mengde has a clan in Yanzhou... and his relatives are in charge of the army. You In addition to the second uncle and the third uncle, what else is there?”
Hao Xuan didn’t say that the clan was in charge, otherwise there would be no way to get back together.
Liu Bei was stunned when he heard this. Seeing that Liu Feng had already started, he simply told Liu Bei: "Father, you just asked me what does it mean whether the emperor is more important or the world is more important? That's what it means."
"You have only been in Xuzhou for a year. Because of your kindness and loyalty, you have attracted many talented people to join you. But if the emperor comes to Xuzhou, do you think these talented people will continue to be loyal to you or to the emperor?"< br>
When Liu Bei heard this, he immediately became anxious: "That's nonsense! What's wrong with being loyal to the emperor? Your father is also loyal to the emperor!"
Liu Feng sneered and said: "If he is the emperor, If he and the important ministers around him can govern the world well and ensure that the people of the world can have enough food and clothing and follow the etiquette, then there will be no problem. But what has the emperor done to the world today? Isn't my father afraid that after the emperor comes to Xuzhou, Xuzhou will be ruined? The atmosphere is full of smoke..."
"Bastard thing!"
Liu Bei was furious. This was the first time Liu Feng had taught his elder son a lesson since he arrived in Xuzhou.
"What qualifications do you have, how dare you speak nonsense and criticize important ministers of the court!"
Liu Bei shouted, stood up and rolled up his sleeves, wanting to come over and perform a love show for Liu Feng education.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei hurried forward to stop him, one on each side, holding Liu Bei tightly.
Both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei actually agree with what Liu Feng said just now.
These two people were originally victims of the system and were oppressed. Later, they followed Liu Bei for half their lives, and they received a lot of looks.
In the future, Guan Yu despised the scholar-bureaucrats, and Zhang Fei knelt down and licked the scholar-bureaucrats. Personal character was naturally the most important internal factor, but their experiences for most of their lives also played a big role, and it was not just caused by their character.
Liu Feng's words were indeed too bold, but for Guan and Zhang, they were quite to their liking.
The foundation of Xuzhou was created by their brothers' desperate efforts, and even Liu Feng's contribution to it was much greater than that of the big men at the center of the imperial court. What's more, this Xuzhou was not given by the central ministers, but by the deceased Tao Gong. The eldest brother was too loyal.
Seeing that Liu Bei wanted to ask Liu Feng to feel his father's love, Guan Yu hurriedly spoke and scolded Liu Feng: "Feng'er, look how angry you are with your elder brother, you are still here. What are you doing? Get out of here quickly!”
Liu Feng saw that Liu Bei was indeed very angry, and he was even more worried about his own ass. As a man of two generations, he was not here to be beaten.
He hurriedly bowed to Liu Bei and saluted: "Father, the important ministers around the emperor have no other talents, but their ability to fight among themselves is extraordinary. Father, you are loyal and benevolent, so you will definitely be bullied by them. "Everything my son said just now is for his father, please think twice."
"I miss your mother!"
Liu Bei jumped to his left and right. "Second brother, third brother, let me go. If I don't teach you a lesson, I'm afraid I will make a big mistake in the future and have to teach you a lesson?"
At this time, even Zhang Fei shouted at Liu Feng: "Big mistake" Nephew, why don’t you leave quickly? Do you have to deal with it before you are satisfied?”
Liu Feng followed his advice fluently and did not dare to talk any more, so he quickly turned around and ran away.
After Liu Feng left, Liu Bei gradually calmed down.
After a moment of silence, he said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei: "Okay, that little thief has also run away. Why are you still holding me back? Get out of my way."
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei laughed and let go of their hands. Both of their faces were a little rosy, but fortunately the former was already blushing and the latter was dark, so they didn't look good.
“This traitor!”
Liu Bei sat back on his seat angrily, and lost his temper at the two brothers: "Why are you two pulling me? Shouldn't that traitor be beaten?"
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei lowered their heads. Speaking, this is their years of experience.
If Liu Bei doesn't pick up the fight, no matter how angry Liu Bei is, he can only get rid of it with a few curses.
Liu Bei treated the two of them like brothers. This is not only recorded in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but also in official history.
Even if he lost Xuzhou, Liu Bei was not willing to beat Zhang Fei even once.
Try it if you change Cao Cao. When Xia Houyuan wins, he will be called Hubu Guanzhong. After losing, he will immediately become General Bai Di.
Even when Xiahou Dun was the butcher, Cao Cao came and praised Han Hao for doing well and doing the right thing.
Although a mature politician and a heroic hero should indeed have such wit and authority, is it a bit too cool for the brothers?
"Uncle Fang, Xun You is asking for an audience."
Just when Liu Bei was still full of energy, Xun You's voice asking for an audience suddenly came from outside.
Liu Bei let out a breath, thought for a while, and simply stood up again: "I will go to greet you personally."
For Xun You, Guo Jia, and Er Zhang, Liu Bei is too precious.
Xun You, in particular, was low-key, humble, resourceful, and always followed the leader. He was also a celebrity in Yuzhou, a direct descendant of the Xun family of the four great families in Yingchuan, and served as a councilor in the court, and even participated in assassinations. Dong Zhuo.
After leaving Chang'an, he held two thousand stone positions successively. How could Liu Bei not regard him as a treasure?
Moreover, Xun You is different from his cousin Xun Yu. Xun Yu was loyal to the Han Dynasty and had the ideal of a scholar-bureaucrat, but Xun You himself was more loyal to the world than to the Han family.
In fact, Xun You's behavior was not like Xun Yu's, but rather similar to Jia Xu's.
After Dong Zhuo's death, Xun You became famous in Chang'an. Big bosses including Wang Yun were very optimistic about him and wanted to cultivate him.
But Xun You was keenly aware that Wang Yun was inflated. After his persuasion failed, he decisively packed up his luggage and ran away. He abandoned his official position and fled back to his hometown to study.
Sure enough, less than half a year after Xun You ran away, Wang Yun died and his family was wiped out, and Lu Bu fled in panic.
If Xun You had stayed in Chang'an, he might have died for Wang Yun.
This keen insight into danger is exactly the same as Jia Xu's.
Later, when Yingchuan became unstable, Xun You relied on his talents and reputation to obtain the position of prefect of Shu County. If Liu Biao and Liu Zhang had not fallen out, causing the road from Jingzhou to Shu to be blocked, Xun You would have probably He was about to go to Liu Zhang's command.
But even so, Xun You was very comfortable in Xiangyang City, but his hometown Yingchuan was ravaged by the Xiliang cavalry.
It's just that Xun You is much better than Jia Xu in important matters, and they are completely different.
When Dong Zhuo brought trouble to the world, Xun You was able to risk his life to assassinate him.
But Jia Xu ruined the last hope of the Eastern Han Dynasty's imperial power because of his own selfish interests.
This is the gap between the two.
Although he did not work under Liu Bei for a long time, Xun You did his best. He not only made suggestions for Liu Bei, but also shared many burdens for Liu Bei in government affairs, winning Liu Bei's trust.
"Why do you need to do this, sir?"
Liu Bei held Xun You's hand and admonished: "Sir, if you want to be prepared, just come in, there is no need to communicate."
Xun You smiled modestly and replied, "Mr. Ming, the etiquette must not be discarded."
Entering the hall, Liu Bei took the initiative to ask: "Sir, I am looking for preparations, but is there something wrong?"
Xun You kept silent, and waited until all the attendants who served tea and soup had retired, and then he spoke: "Ming Gong, you have something to say that may displease Ming Gong. But since you entered Xuzhou, you have been favored by Ming Gong for a long time. , If you don’t say it, it is disloyal and unjust, so you are in a dilemma, so I want to make it clear.”
(End of this chapter)