Chapter 268 Cao Yuan’s Creation
At this time, Liu Feng, who had been silent before and did not speak, spoke.
"Father, what Yuan Shi said is wrong."
As soon as Liu Feng said these words, Liu Bei's expression immediately returned to calm.
In fact, Liu Bei was not moved by what Yuan Huan said. The army was ready to go, the civil servants were working hard to transport military supplies, and the generals were hesitant and ambitious to make achievements on the battlefield. They could stop wherever they said they should.
Moreover, even if what Yuan Huan said was correct, there was one very important fact that he avoided talking about.
That is Yuan Gongdao, an unfaithful person.
For Liu Bei, Yuan Shu has neither credibility nor ability. He also happens to be sitting on Xuzhou's abdomen, directly threatening the connection between Xuzhou and Jiangdong.
Why did Liu Bei trust Yuan Shu and why did he form an alliance with Yuan Shu?
No matter how much Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao did not deal with each other, they were blood relatives after all. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, blood relatives were not as easy to cut off as in later generations.
Later history also proved this. After being beaten to death for half his life, Yuan Shao easily forgave Yuan Shu and even sent troops to deal with him.
Although the Imperial Seal is very important, Liu Feng feels that even without it, Yuan Shao will forgive Yuan Shu.
Is there anything that can give Yuan Shao a sense of accomplishment than letting Yuan Shu crawl in front of him to please him?
In this case, taking advantage of Yuan Benchu's lack of time to look south, quickly getting rid of Yuan Shu and taking over Jianghuai is not a hundred times better than having an ally who is useless, half-hearted, and holding back?
Not to mention that this idiot also wants to compete with Xuzhou for Yangzhou, and even covets Xuzhou without overestimating his capabilities.
Therefore, Liu Bei was not persuaded by Yuan Huan, but what Yuan Huan said did make some sense. He didn't know how to politely refuse the other party for a while, and at the same time he wanted to hear the elder's opinion.
After all, Yuan Huan is a wise man that Liu Bei likes to value very much.
Fortunately, Haodaer stood up at the critical moment.
"Envoy Yuan spoke of me as a widower in Xuzhou, but he forgot that General Zuo is not a reputable person."
Liu Feng sternly rebuked: "Being an ally with General Zuo, It is different from seeking the skin of a tiger. Where is the former Taifu Ma Rixi? In order to persuade General Zuo to be loyal to the imperial court, the Taifu was deceived and even the staff was taken away, causing the Taifu to vomit blood and die. "
"Does General Zuo still have a loyal heart? Why is he so heartless and crazy?"
"How could the 500,000 households in Nanyang be plundered by Yuan Gongluo? Now we, the Xuzhou Army, are trying to punish the people for their crimes. The teacher of benevolence and righteousness is ordered to punish thieves."
Liu Feng stood up and walked to Yuan Huan, forcing him to say: "Sir, he is a famous scholar in Henan and a descendant of the Yuan family in Chen County. Can't you still tell who is loyal and who is traitorous? To excuse General Zuo in this way, and to use his own petty profit to accuse my father, do you still have a loyal heart?"
Yuan Huan was so embarrassed by Liu Feng's words that he could only cover his face with his sleeves.
Liu Bei came out to cover him.
"My son must not be rude."
Liu Bei turned his back to Yuan Huan and gave Liu Feng a look: "Quickly step aside."
"Yes, father."
Liu Feng responded and resigned first.
After Liu Feng resigned, Liu Bei said to Yuan Huan: "Yao Qing, Yuan Gongguo destroyed the place, forced to kill celebrities, resisted the imperial court, and even secretly hid the jade seal passed down from the country."
"The Imperial Seal?"
Yuan Huan raised his head fiercely, his face full of shock, and his eyes full of disbelief.
Liu Bei fully understood the shock of the other party and nodded: "Exactly, this thing was first obtained by Sun Polu in Luoyang. Later, General Yuan Shu used the title arrogantly. After Wen Jian passed on the national seal, it was Mrs. Jian who And seize it."
"After Yuan Jiujiu got the jade seal, he did not want to hand it over to the court and return it to the emperor. How can I form an alliance with such rebellious ministers and traitors?" Liu Bei's words were so upright that Yuan Huan was ashamed.
Naturally, Liu Feng told Liu Bei these things in advance.
Finally, Yuan Huan bowed his hands towards Liu Bei and said: "Huan has always known your virtue. Now that you have made a decision, Huan will return to Jiujiang tomorrow to resume his life."
Liu Bei was reluctant to give up. Yuan Huan persuaded and said: "Why does Yao Qing have to return to Jiujiang? It is better to stay in Xiang County so that he can ask Yao Qing for advice day and night." How can he be an unfaithful and unjust person?"
Without waiting for Liu Bei to persuade him further, Yuan Huan continued: "Although Huan is unwilling to do so, he has become a subordinate of General Zuo. Abandoning him at this time is no different from an animal."
"Huan has decided to leave. Please don't try to persuade me again."
Yuan Huan bowed to Liu Bei and said goodbye sincerely: "If I can meet you again, I will always accompany you." "Left and right, in order to make you do the hard work of dogs and horses."
Liu Bei was very moved, but he no longer persuaded Yuan Huan to stay.
The next day, Liu Bei personally went out of the city to see Yuan Huan off, and he did not say farewell until he was ten miles away.
The two places are not far apart, and Yuan Huan returned to Shouchun soon.
As soon as he entered the city, he received a summons from Yuan Shu, which showed Yuan Shu's eagerness and anxiety.
Unfortunately, what Yuan Huan brought was not good news. At the same time, Yuan Huan also concealed some information, such as the passing of the national jade seal, but he did not truthfully explain it.
“How stupid is this big-eared thief!”
After hearing Yuan Huan’s statement, Yuan Shu got up in anger and almost jumped to his feet.
In Yuan Shu's view, Liu Bei was so pedantic that he would attack him for the sake of the weak and incompetent court and the insignificant ant people. Who did he think he was?
"An ant knows how to be so stubborn as a man who weaves mats and sells shoes."
The reason why Yuan Shu was so angry was because he had great expectations for the peace talks.
Yuan Shu really felt that there was no deep hatred between himself and Liu Bei. In his opinion, Cao Cao was the common enemy between him and Liu Bei.
With the threat of Cao Cao, Liu Bei has no reason not to join forces with him, he is Yuan Shu!
The direct descendant of Tianxia Zhong, the patriarch of the Yuan family in Runan, and a warrior like Liu Bei, shouldn't he obediently become his thug like Sun Jian?
In order to get his protection, Sun Jian did not hesitate to give Nanyang to himself.
Now that I have condescended to negotiate a peace and alliance with him, he actually dares to reject me?
"Ming Gong, if Liu Bei refuses to negotiate peace and insists on launching troops, then Ruyin will surely be taken by the enemy."
Yan Xiang stood up and said: "If Ruyin does not surrender, Liu Bei cannot threaten Jiujiang, let alone Shouchun. In this case, Ming Gong must continue to increase troops for Ruyin."
Yuan Shu stopped, looked at Yan Xiang, and then touched his shorts. Must meditate.
But Yang Hong suddenly jumped out: "My lord, no!"
"Oh?"
Yuan Shu looked over and asked: "Why did Chang Shi say this?"
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Yan Xiang still wanted to persuade, but he saw Yuan Shu nodding hurriedly, and praised loudly: "What Chang Shi said is very reasonable. Besides, I have sent four thousand more troops to Qiao Rui, plus the original troops in Ruyin." The generals and county soldiers are strong and brave, and there are always ten thousand of them. If they can't defend Ruyin, it will be in vain to add more troops."
Yuan Shu's words are indeed true. Qiao Rui and the others increased their troops by 4,000, and Lejiu's 3,000 troops, who were originally stationed in Ruyin, were also placed under Qiao Rui's command. In addition, there were several people from Ruyin City. Hundreds of county soldiers, four to five thousand young men.
Unless Yuan Shu recruits more than 6,000 heavy troops, one or two thousand troops will not have much effect.
But Shouchun only had 14,000 men left at this time. He would not dare to ask Yuan Shu to mobilize nearly half of his troops no matter what.
Yan Xiang wanted to persuade more, but was stopped by Yuan Shu: "Okay, there is no need to persuade the chief secretary, I have made up my mind. When reinforcements from Liyang and Lujiang arrive, I will personally bring the army and go Ruyin rescues the siege."
Yan Xiang thought for a moment. If Yuan Shu really did this, the situation would evolve into a decisive battle between Yuan Shu's army and Liu Bei's army relying on the fortified city of Ruyin. In this case, Yuan Shu's army would obviously have the upper hand. Seize the opportunity first.
Therefore, Yan Xiang stopped persuading him.
Yuan Shu was very dissatisfied with Yuan Huan's incompetence, but at least he did not rebuke him, but asked him to go home and rest.
Yuan Shu's side failed to seek peace, leaving only a decisive battle, so he also began extreme mobilization.
The request for Li Yang and Lujiang went one step further, requiring Li Yang to send 12,000 troops and Lujiang to send 8,000 troops and support 15,000 civilians. At the same time, Lujiang and Liyang were allowed to open their treasury and recruit New soldiers, stick to the city.
At the same time, Yuan Shu also began to recruit soldiers and horses in Jiujiang County, preparing to recruit three thousand soldiers. In addition, he also planned to mobilize 10,000 young men to serve as logistics civilians, strengthen the Shouchun city wall, and increase defensive fortifications. Finally, he did not forget to send another urgent transfer order to Jiangdong Sun Ce, ordering Sun Ce to bring at least 10,000 people back to aid Shouchun.
Yuan Shu can be regarded as using all his strength now. If Liu Bei cancels the Southern Expedition, his losses will definitely not be small. The redeployment of a large amount of manpower has led to a shortage of manpower for the autumn harvest. This year's autumn harvest will definitely be greatly compromised.
While Yuan Shu was preparing intensively for the battle and wanted to give Liu Bei a good look, Liu Feng had already rushed to Luoyang.
After arriving in Luozhong, Liu Feng went to find Dong Zhao first.
The dark and fat Dong Gongren happened to enter the palace at this time and has not come back yet.
Liu Feng simply rested here and let Xu Chu and his guards eat something.
It didn’t take long, Dong Zhao came back an hour later.
After listening to Liu Feng explain Liu Bei's army's strategic goals for the next stage and the purpose of entering Luozhong this time, Dong Zhao suddenly laughed.
"Young Master, it is just a coincidence that you are here. A big event has happened in Luozhong recently."
Hearing Dong Zhao's words, Liu Feng suddenly became curious: " What on earth happened that you, Gongren, thought was a big deal?”
Dong Zhao said with a smile on his eyebrows: "These days, there has been some quarrel between the general and the great Sima. The emperor's desk is almost full of official documents criticizing each other."
Liu Feng Upon hearing this, he became even more curious: "What is going on?"
Afterwards, Dong Zhaocai talked eloquently and recounted the specific things.
After listening to this, Liu Feng could only say that the inertia of history is really powerful.
To put it simply, what Cao Cao did was right, but what he said was very problematic. What Yuan Shao said was right, but what he did was very problematic.
The root of the matter is this year's taxes. Cao Cao asked Hebei and Xuzhou to hand over taxes. However, in order to win over Liu Bei, in the name of Yuzhou and Yangzhou Weijing, Cao Cao did not need to pay taxes to Luozhong for the time being.
Xuzhou sent it to Luozhong at half the current population and land tax rate.
Objectively speaking, Cao Cao's appetite is not big. As the central government, it is natural for the central government to require local governments to pay taxes. Otherwise, how will the central government's various expenditures be solved.
We can't just think that Cao Cao wanted to use these taxes to support his troops. If he didn't pay the taxes, Cao Cao would be bankrupt and unable to support the hundreds of officials in Luozhong and the eunuchs and maids in the palace.
Besides, Cao Cao also knew that good money is hard to give away, and it was very difficult to get money from the princes.
Therefore, blurred boundaries are deliberately given. For example, what is the current population and land? That does not leave it up to each prince to have the final say.
In the end, we have to reduce the delivery by half, which indeed gives us both face and dignity. In fact, we are kneeling down to beg for food.
For the sake of the emperor, this meal is not bad at all.
But the problem is that Cao Cao has a different attitude towards Yuan Shao.
I don’t know whether Cao Cao was inflated or wanted to test Big Brother. He actually issued a fixed tax to Hebei and asked Yuan Shaonian to transport one million shi of grain and 150 million yuan to Luozhong.
In this regard, Yuan Shao's attitude is that there is no money and grain, only loyalty.
Do you want loyalty?
Take it if you want it.
Yuan Shao was furious with Cao Cao.
Cao Cao made Yuan Shao sick and vomited.
The two immediately began to have a war of words in front of the emperor.
Cao Cao accused Yuan Shao of occupying Hebei, with a vast territory, many soldiers, and abundant food, but he did not bother to report to the court or send troops to serve the king. He only saw that he was diligent in private wars and sent troops to attack others.
Yuan Shaoze complained about his injustice, explaining that he had been attacked by Gongsun Zan before, and even if he wanted to meet him, he was powerless. But even so, he still sent King Guo Tuqin and brought food to the emperor of Hanoi.
At the same time, Yuan Shao also counterattacked, claiming that there were treacherous ministers around the emperor, who were in power, causing trouble for the court, and framed him, a loyal minister.
The two sides were quarreling fiercely and couldn't get along.
Dong Zhao smiled when he said it, obviously watching the excitement and not being afraid of the big deal.
This fat black man has never been a good person. He was loyal at the beginning and was not afraid of danger to solve problems for Yuan Shao. He was born and died twice, which can be said to be a great achievement.
But Yuan Shao actually listened to the slander and not only became suspicious of him, but even wanted to imprison him.
How could Fatty Hei not hold grudges? Now he wished that Cao Cao could scold him more harshly.
Liu Feng was also shocked when he heard what happened between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.
Although historically Cao Cao did fall out with Yuan Shao at this time, but now that Xuzhou has risen strongly, how come Cao Cao is still as swollen as in history.
In fact, this matter is not an exception. The rise of Xuzhou even played a role in fueling the flames, giving Cao Cao the capital and opportunities to join forces.
Cao Cao's feelings for Yuan Shao are sincere. They have known each other since they were young, have been friends for half their lives, and support each other. Even though this feeling has a lot of utilitarianism in it, it is also sincere.
But the resentment is also real. Because of Cao Cao's background, Yuan Shao never regarded Cao Cao as a friend with equal status, but as an inferior younger brother.
If it were the Taiping era, Cao Cao would have no choice but to grit his teeth and endure it, thinking that he was paving the way for Cao Ang and Cao Pi.
But now the world is in chaos. I, Cao Cao, am also a prince with a hundred thousand soldiers. Why should I be your younger brother?
Not to mention that when he was Yuan Shao's younger brother, Yuan Shao really used Cao Cao to death, and rarely gave him any benefits, and even used excuses to skin him.
Take Dongjun as an example. After Cao Cao became the shepherd of Yanzhou, Yuan Shao actually exchanged Shanyang County in Yanzhou with Cao Cao for part of the territory north of the Yellow River in Dongjun. This part of the territory is now the basic territory for Zang Hong to serve as the prefect of Dongjun.
In Cao Cao's opinion, isn't this a typical example of exchanging my things for my things?
But the situation is stronger than the people. At that time, Cao Cao only had the territory of two and a half counties, and the core territory was even less. There was only one county in Dongjun.
Shanyang County was less affected by the war, had a dense population and abundant fields, so Cao Cao could only bite the bullet and change.
There are countless such grudges. Even when Chen Gong rebelled and Cao Cao needed help the most, most of Yuan Shao's reinforcements only stopped in Hebei, and he also conveniently took over the remaining counties north of the Yellow River in Dongjun. Swallowed them all together.
Therefore, Cao Cao actually had a lot of resentment towards Yuan Shao, but he just didn't dare to vent it before.
Now he thinks that he is very happy to cooperate with Liu Bei. Liu Bei rarely goes back on his words. In most cases, he does what he says. He will give the money and food as promised without delay.
And in Cao Cao's opinion, Liu Bei's size was very similar to his own.
This is simply a good ally that fell from the sky, and he can rely on Liu to suppress Yuan.
Especially at the beginning of the year, Liu Feng obtained Henan Yin for Xiahou Dun. This not only won Cao Cao's favor, but also allowed Cao Cao, Xun Yu, Cheng Yu and others to judge that Liu Bei's ambitions were not big, at least far away. Not as good as Yuan Shao.
Otherwise, there is no way to explain Liu Bei's struggle with Cao Cao for central power.
Moreover, Liu Feng later took the initiative to dispatch Yang Fengjun to farm in Gong County, and Zhang Yang returned to Hanoi. There were only a few thousand Liu clan troops left in Luozhong, and they controlled two city gates.
Yingchuan County, which had previously promised to Cao Cao, has also handed over most of its counties to Cao Cao's jurisdiction after the Yellow Turban conquest.
There are still more than 200,000 people in these counties, which is far better than Cao Cao imagined.
He originally thought that what he would accept would be a completely empty Yingchuan.
There is a reason why Liu Feng did not evacuate Yingchuan. First of all, the remaining population of Yingchuan was too small, and most of them were still hiding in Wubao and the mountains to the north. Liu Feng did not evacuate Yingchuan. That time and energy.
Secondly, there are many celebrities in Yingchuan. He doesn't want his image to be completely ruined because of such a small population.
Thirdly, it is also a matter of type of work. After all, Liu Feng is not the widow Cao, the captain of the demolition brigade, so he has no obsession with everything in this regard.
But in the eyes of Cao Cao, Xun Yu and others, Liu Bei's side was very kind, which deepened Cao Cao's group's good impression of Liu Bei's group.
"What did the emperor say?"
Liu Feng thought of the emperor. This man was now sitting on the crater of the volcano, facing the two rebels Yuan and Cao who were attacking each other. This fight It must be difficult to pull.
Dong Zhao smiled even more clearly after hearing Liu Feng's question: "What can the emperor do? He can only hold his nose and say good things in the middle, trying to appease the great Sima and the great general. "
When Liu Feng heard this, he also laughed.
(End of this chapter)