Three Kingdoms: Liu Bei seeks the master and seeks to conquer the world

Chapter 337 Liu Bei proclaims himself emperor, and the decisive battle is clouded

Cao Cao was very clear about Yuan Shao's intention to lure Cao Cao at this time.

It is nothing more than adding obstacles to Liu Bei, making Liu Bei not only lose Cao Cao's help, but also reduce the prestige of the Han Dynasty because of Cao Cao's departure.

Liu Bei, do you say you are orthodox?
Then why was Sikong Cao Cao so angry that he led his troops to the north of Han Emperor Liu Kai?
Xu You played this plan very straightforwardly.

Continue to use the banner of Liu Kai, who died long ago. Anyway, since Liu Kai ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, few people have really seen Liu Kai, and Liu Kai didn't even have a monologue.

Whether Liu Kai is dead or alive has essentially no effect on Yuan Shao's rule of the three northern states.

Yuan Shao felt that Liu Kai should die, so Liu Kai died. For example, when negotiating peace with Cao Cao, Liu Kai died in name as soon as the document was issued.

Yuan Shao felt that Liu Kai could not die, so Liu Kai would be alive. For example, if the peace negotiation with Cao Cao was forcibly interrupted, Yuan Shao issued another proclamation, saying that what was done before was just a trick to deceive, then Liu Kai was alive again in name.

And it's the same now, if Yuan Shao wants to win over Cao Cao, then Liu Kai will be alive in name, and he can still be alive to give Cao Cao an official title.

In the letter, Yuan Shao promised to take Fengji's head to vent his anger to Cao Cao, which also made Cao Cao complicated.

Whether public or private, Yuan Shao's terms are too tempting.

"Duke Ming, Xun Shangshu is here."

After Xun Yu was released from prison, he still served as Shangshu.

However, Xun Yu's Shangshu doesn't have much appeal to the public and officials.

Now it is the time when the new and old emperors are changing, and the court officials have already been divided into several factions. Who cares about you Xun Yu.

There was even a public official who yelled at Xun Yu face to face, "Don't go against the party with the Cao thief, talk in the same hall."

"Why did Wen Ruo come to see Cao?" Cao Cao asked slowly with his tired eyes open.

Xun Yu bowed his hands and said: "Yuan Chang sent news from Guanzhong. After Ma Teng and Han Sui looted Guanzhong for a while, they drove their troops to Xiliang."

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly: "Wen Ruo, are you going to stay in Xudu, or go to Guanzhong?"

Seemingly a simple inquiry, the air at the scene seemed to freeze.

Cao Cao didn't ask Xun Yu whether he wanted to go to Hebei to vote for Yuan Shao, but gave Xun Yu two choices.

Xudu is still Guanzhong.

Choosing Xudu means parting ways with Cao Cao.

Choosing Guanzhong means that the future honor and disgrace will all advance and retreat with Cao Cao.

How can Xun Yu's exquisite generation fail to hear Cao Cao's overtones.

When he came to find Cao Cao this time, Xun Yu actually came to express his opinion to Cao Cao.

"You can't stay in Yingchuan. You are willing to follow Duke Ming into Guanzhong." Xun Yu gave the answer.

The chill in Cao Cao's eyes disappeared, and his tone became more joyful: "Wen Ruo, why are you willing to give up Yingchuan and go to Guanzhong? Cao wants to know the reason."

Xun Yu said calmly, "Duke Ming has no advantage at all in the Xudu dispute."

"It's better to retreat for the time being and go to Guanzhong to seek a way out."

"Ma Teng Han Sui plundered the Son of Heaven, so that the Son of Heaven died in the rebellion. How can such national enmity make Ma Teng Han Sui rampant in Xiliang?"

"Duke Ming can declare to the outside world that he wants to capture Ma Teng and Han Sui to pay homage to the emperor. In fact, he is controlling the land of Guanlong, winning the soldiers of Xiliang, and then going south to capture Hanzhong and Xichuan."

Cao Cao was taken aback: "Although we can get rid of the dispute between Yuan Shao and Liu Bei, once I leave, Liu Bei will definitely become emperor. In this way, even if we win the land of Guanlong and Xichuan in Hanzhong, it will not be possible."

However, Xun Yu looked at Cao Cao: "There are rumors all over the place, and the emperor's death was caused by Duke Ming's conspiracy."

As soon as this matter was mentioned, Cao Cao became angry: "How could Cao let the emperor die? If the emperor hadn't died, how could Cao be so passive?"

Xun Yu said again: "If it's not Ming Gong, then who could it be?"

"Naturally it's Ma Teng and Han Sui, huh?" Cao Cao reacted and understood Xun Yu's meaning: "The Son of Heaven died in the rebellion, and the biggest beneficiary was not Yuan Shao or Cao, but Liu Bei."

"Son of Heaven, it was due to Liu Bei's conspiracy!"

Cao Cao guessed the key, but quickly shook his head: "However, no one will believe this kind of guess."

Xun Yu said: "It is true that no one will believe it, because Liu Bei has no such ability, and he will not do such a disobedient act. But Liu Bei can't do it, it doesn't mean that Liu Bei's people can't do it."

"Yu was imprisoned in the dungeon of Xudu. I have been thinking about the connection, but I still can't figure it out."

"It wasn't until recently that Xu Du suddenly revealed the rumor that the emperor's death was caused by Ming Gong's conspiracy, and Yu suddenly realized."

"This must be the conspiracy of Liu Bei's military division general Zheng Ping!"

"As the head of Liu Bei's civil and martial arts, only when Liu Bei proclaims himself emperor can Zheng Ping truly gain a foothold in the world!"

"However, Liu Bei has always prided himself on his benevolence and faith, and he will not ruin his reputation by plotting the death of the emperor. Only Zheng Ping dares to do this dirty thing, and only Zheng Ping can do it!"

"Therefore, Guan Yu would suddenly appear in Luoyang, and single-handedly fled with the emperor in his arms, but unexpectedly, an unknown general was able to shoot Guan Yu and the emperor who was protected by Guan Yu one after another!"

"And the Xiliang general who shot Guan Yu and the emperor was chopped off by Guan Yu."

"Borrowing a knife to kill, there is no proof of death!"

Cao Cao's eyes gradually became serious.

"Ma Teng and Han Sui robbed the Son of Heaven, a crime that cannot be punished; Xichuan Liu Zhang, who refused to serve the court, had a disrespectful heart, and his father, Liu Yan, even chiseled off the plank road and conspired against him. In the past, Liu Biao, the shepherd of Jingzhou, wrote a letter of impeachment Liu Yan."

"If Cao kills Ma Teng, Han Sui and Liu Zhang, he can raise troops to question Liu Bei in the name of clearing the emperor's grievances."

Xun Yu nodded, "That's exactly what Yu meant!"

Cao Cao's mood gradually eased: "Wonderful! Chong'er was born outside, and Shen was born inside and died. The land of Xudu is full of dangers. If he stays for a long time, Cao will probably be stripped of his military power and his family will be accused."

"If you draw your troops to leave at this time, Liu Bei will definitely not stop you!"

After a pause, Cao Cao handed Yuan Shao's letter to Xun Yu again: "Ben Chu sent a letter, intending to let Cao Mou drive troops to serve. Cao Mou thought that he could pretend to flatter Ben Chu."

"In this way, neither Liu Bei nor Yuan Shao will pay attention to Cao's movements."

"When both of them suffer losses, and Cao Mou takes Guanlong and Yizhou again, it will be Cao Mou's chance to return to the Central Plains."

Cao Cao was unwilling to let others down, and he was unwilling to admit defeat.

Whether it is Liu Bei or Yuan Shao, Cao Cao is unwilling to surrender.

But now, Xun Yu gave Cao Cao a direction, a direction in which he could make a comeback.

a few days later.

In the name of pursuing Ma Teng and Han Sui, Cao Cao bid farewell to Liu Bei and the ministers.

Neither Liu Bei nor the ministers stopped Cao Cao from leaving.

Liu Bei didn't want to have an irreversible conflict with Cao Cao in Xudu, and the ministers felt that the presence or absence of Cao Cao could prevent Liu Bei from proclaiming emperor. With Cao Cao gone, the ministers would have a better chance to share the power in the court.

However, before Cao Cao withdrew, Lu Bu, who had been silent all the time, did a great thing.Lu Bu, regret the marriage!

In the past, Cao Cao was powerful, and Lu Bu had to submit to Cao Cao.

But now that Cao Cao has lost power, Lu Bu has no intention of going to Guanzhong with Cao Cao.

As for Tang Ji, Liu Xie is dead, so why is Lu Bu afraid of Tang Ji?
Even when Lu Bu was retiring the engagement, he threatened Cao Cao in reverse.

Whenever Cao Cao disagreed with Lu Bu's resignation, Lu Bu would make Tang Ji's affairs public. Anyway, Lu Bu is now barefoot and not afraid to wear shoes.

As for his good son-in-law Cao Ang, although Lu Bu felt pity, he did not want his daughter to follow Cao Ang and wander around.

Cao Cao didn't have too many disputes with Lu Bu, and happily agreed to Lu Bu's breakup of the engagement.

After all, the relationship with Lu Bu was originally just a cooperative relationship.

Cao Cao was also worried that after leaving Xudu, Lu Bu would be out of control, and it would be difficult to deal with Lu Bu then.

And Lu Bu, who regretted his marriage with Cao Cao, began to come and go frequently in Liu Bei's camp, and his three sentences were inseparable from the merits of killing Dong Zhuo with Lu Zhi.

In this regard.

Liu Bei was quite helpless.

"Xianmou, Lu Bu is a man who is capricious and ungrateful when he sees profit. He killed his adoptive father Ding Yuan because of Dong Zhuo's benefit. Dong Zhuo lost his power and killed his adoptive father Dong Zhuo. Now he goes to Cao Cao to repent of his marriage and then runs to the camp every day to talk about it. What happened to Master Lu and Dong in the past."

"Although Bei admires his bravery, he is afraid of his character and cannot keep him out. How difficult it is!"

If Lu Bu had a better character, maybe Liu Bei would let Lu Bu join the camp for Lu Zhi's sake.

But Lu Bu's character is really bad. Killing Ding Yuan, Dong Zhuo, and regretting marrying Cao Cao, this capricious character really made Liu Bei unable to recruit Lu Bu.

Zheng Ping didn't take it seriously, and said: "Your envoy can promise Lu Bu that if he becomes emperor, Lu Bu can continue to serve as the great general of Jianwei, and at the same time he will be named Marquis of Guannei."

"Ah? This?" Liu Bei didn't understand: "How can the generals be convinced by such a reward?"

Since he decided to become emperor, Liu Bei's mentality has also changed.

Zheng Ping said with a smile: "If even Lu Bu can accommodate Shijun, then who else in the capital city can't accommodate?"

"As for Lv Bu's capriciousness and selfishness, these are not major issues. At least compared to those officials, Lv Bu is more understandable."

"The envoy has been in the army for many years, and there are many strong generals under his command. If he finds an opportunity to beat up Lu Bu and suppress his spirit, he will naturally be convinced by the envoy."

Seeing that Liu Bei still had doubts, Zheng Ping said again: "My lord, Cao Cao is not a person willing to be subordinated to others. If he chooses to withdraw from Xudu at this time, his goal must be the land of Guanlong and Yizhou."

"Before Cao Cao made a comeback, he was able to destroy Yuan Shao with lightning speed."

"Therefore, the most important thing is to gather soldiers from the six states to challenge Yuan Shao."

"Not only Lu Bu, but also Cai Mao from Jingzhou and others, so you have to win over!"

"The credit for defeating Yuan Shao must not be missed by these people."

"My lord, you can no longer think about problems as General Zuo, but you have to think, ponder, and balance the forces of all parties as the real lord of the Han Dynasty, so that they can all fight against Yuan Shao. In battle, willingly serve!"

Although Liu Bei had the determination to proclaim himself emperor, his way of thinking about the problem still hadn't changed.

For emperors, loyal ministers should use them, villains should use them, capable ministers should use them, and mediocre ministers should use them as well. There is no absolute good or evil, nor absolute loyalty or treachery.

As long as it is useful to the emperor's great cause, then this person is available!

And Lu Bu, who is good at fighting, has less scheming, and is easier to use than someone with a deep mind!
Similarly, among the six states who have not yet been convinced of Liu Bei, seeing that Liu Bei can tolerate even Lu Bu, how can they not admire Liu Bei's broad-mindedness?
It is even more unnecessary to worry about Lu Bu's backlash.

As for Liu Bei's group of fierce generals, if Lu Bu is treated like an ugly man, Lu Bu will have to kneel!
As for whether General Jianwei has too much power?
It depends on Liu Bei's mood!

If you are in a good mood, this is the only general. If you are in a bad mood, there may be generals with titles such as General Shenwei, General Huwei, General Zhenyue, and General Zhenguo.

Emperor Guangwu had 28 generals in Yuntai, and Liu Bei could also have 28 titled generals.

Zheng Ping's persuasion made Liu Bei gradually fall into deep thought.

After a long time, Liu Bei's eyes gained momentum.

"If even Lu Bu doesn't dare to use them, how can Bei make good use of the talents of the six states?"

Cao Cao withdrew from Xudu, Lu Bu joined Liu Bei, and the situation in Xudu changed again.

Wen Wu, who was still hesitating at first, began to appear in Liu Bei's camp one after another.

What really made the ministers who opposed Liu Bei's claim to the emperor become embarrassed was the support from the clans and famous officials in the six states.

For example, Chen Wang Liu Chong, Pingyuan Wang Liu Shuo and other powerful princes in the clan wrote letters one after another.

Zheng Xuan and Kong Rong from Qingzhou, Huang Chengyan and Pang Degong from Jingzhou, Mr. Shui Jing from Yuzhou and Sima Hui also wrote letters one after another.

These letters arrived in Xudu almost at the same time.

And Liu Yu, also at this time, "recovered" just right!
Nominations by clans represented by Liu Yu, Liu Biao, Liu Chong, Liu Shuo, and Liu Ai, and nominations by famous officials represented by Zheng Xuan, Kong Rong, Huang Chengyan, Pang Degong, and Sima Hui, even if the ministers of Xudu wanted to oppose it, they had already To no avail.

Name, in Liu Bei.

Look, in Liu Bei.

Bing, in Liu Bei.

Righteousness, in Liu Bei.

Who can object?
Under the general trend carefully created by Zheng Ping, Liu Bei officially ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor in the summer of the third year of Xingping on the recommendation of famous officials of the clan.

At the same time, Liu Bei set up the prime minister's mansion to concentrate all the power of the three princes in the prime minister's mansion, and Zheng Ping was the prime minister to give an overview of military and political affairs.

Even if some old ministers objected to Zheng Ping's excessive power, Liu Bei ignored it.

Except for Zheng Ping and some necessary positions, Liu Bei did not award the rest of the generals who followed Liu Bei all the way, but directly told the generals.

After destroying Yuan, let's talk about meritorious deeds and rewards!

Zheng Ping also lived up to Liu Bei's high expectations, and began to mobilize the materials and troops of the six states drastically.

Centralizing power in the Prime Minister's Mansion, Liu Bei's original intention was that he didn't want to hear the ministers chattering about in the court, and wanted to maximize the efficiency of the military and government affairs!
As for the contradictions and consequences caused by the centralization of power, that is not what Liu Bei wants to consider now.

Eliminating Yuan Shao is the most important thing for Liu Bei!

While Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor, Yuan Shao in the north did not rest.

After meeting with Cao Cao, Yuan Shao actively communicated with the gentry tycoons in the north, and asked them to provide soldiers, horses, money and food.

Yuan Shao knew very well that if Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor, he must make a northern expedition!

Only when the Northern Expedition wins, will Liu Bei be truly destined!
The cloud of war gathered rapidly on both sides of the Yellow River.

(End of this chapter)