Luoyang. Taiwei Mansion.

As soon as the court meeting with Taifu Yuan Wei ended, Dong Zhuo hurriedly left Nangong and returned to his mansion.

I don’t know whether it was a long-standing agreement or a tacit understanding, but many ministers who had just attended the court gathering also gathered at the Taiwei Mansion.

Of course, the ministers who can sit at Dong Zhuo's wine table at this time are all Dong Zhuo's confidants and allies. In name, they are eating and drinking, but in fact it is the same as starting the second court meeting.

"Tao Ying asked for Lantai classics. What do you think of this matter?"

After drinking a glass of warm wine, Dong Zhuo felt refreshed and glanced at the people in the hall. His increasingly plump face did not conceal his pride.

At present, the Taiwei Mansion has become the second court of the Han Empire, and he, Dong Zhuo, is the master of power sitting above the court.

"Lantai classics are related to the dignity of the imperial court and must not be moved away from the royal family."

Wang Yun, He Yong, Zhou Ao, and Zheng Tai all opposed giving the Lantai classics to Tao Ying.

"As for what Tao Ying said about Yuan Shao and Cao Cao's plot to rebel, they are just threats made out of nothing and cannot be believed!"

Dong Zhuo nodded in agreement. There were Yuan Wei's family and dozens of Yuan clan members in Luoyang. He didn't believe that Yuan Shao would dare to raise troops to cause trouble.

"Well, what you said makes sense!"

Jia Xu, who was sitting in the corner of the hall and observing everyone calmly, glanced at the faces of He Yong, Zhou Ao, Zheng Tai and others with his deep eyes, and there was a hint of disdain at the corner of his mouth.

"A group of people who deceive the world and steal reputation. What you are defending is not the imperial power of the Han Dynasty, but the foundation of the surname!"

Jia Xu, who has an insight into people's hearts and human nature, could see through the minds of He Yong and others at a glance, and naturally understood Tao Ying's intention of asking for Lantai classics.

"Haha, King Danyang, your methods are ruthless. If you dominate the world, there will be no great surnames for a hundred years, and no noble families for a thousand years!"

Jia Xu unconsciously touched a printed version of "The Analects of Confucius" in his wide sleeves, and there was a sparkle in his eyes.

"Yuan Shao, I'm afraid it's true that Cao Cao wants to raise an army!"

With Tao Ying's current strength, lying is no longer necessary. Jia Xu is certain that the news brought back by Xia Yun is not groundless.

"Lieutenant, don't let Yuan Shao, Wang Kuang and others be too indulgent!"

If Yuan Shao dared to hang up his talisman and run away, it was not impossible for him to raise an army to rebel. Zhou Ao didn't want to be held accountable by Dong Zhuo afterwards, so he thought about it and reminded him.

"Lieutenant, please show your kindness and comfort to win people's hearts!"

He Yong instantly understood Zhou Ao's thoughts and immediately gave Dong Zhuo advice.

"How to guard against it and how to extend grace?"

Seeing Zhou Ao, He Yong's attitude towards Yuan Shao, Wang Kuang and others softened, and Dong Zhuo's expression became grim.

"Prefect, you can appoint Yuan Shao as the governor of Bohai, Bao Xin as the governor of Jibei, and Wang Kuang as the governor of Qinghe!"

Zhou Ao and He Yong had not yet come up with countermeasures, but Tian Jing, the chief clerk, took the lead in making suggestions.

"Hiss!"

"All the counties are in Tao Ying's hands, how can he hand them over to others?"

"Do Yuan Shao, Bao Xin and others dare to obey the order?"

Everyone in the hall knew Tian Jing's intention, and it was nothing more than causing trouble for Tao Ying.

"Tao Yingnai was granted the title of King of Danyang by the emperor. Why does he care about the power of a few counties? The policy of the chief administrator is very good!"

Dong Zhuo's eyes lit up and he accepted Tian Jing's suggestion without hesitation. He also wanted to use this to further test Tao Ying's attitude.

"I'm afraid that stealing the chicken will end up losing the rice!"

Jia Xu's eyes narrowed suddenly and he stared at the energetic Tian Jing. He had the illusion that Tian Jing was Tao Ying's internal agent.

"Report..."

Just as Jia Xu was observing Tian Jing, a loud horn sounded outside the door, instantly diverting the attention of everyone in the room.

"The Taiwei, Youzhou Mu, and Grand Sima Liu Yu sent an urgent request for help. Danyang King Taoying sent troops to Youzhou for no reason, captured several cities, and massacred the county officials."

"Sun Jian, the governor of Changsha, led his troops north to Nanjun and killed the governor Wang Rui, causing Jingzhou to be shaken."

City Gate Captain Wu Qiong quickly informed the public of the contents of the two documents.

"Didn't it mean that Tao Ying wouldn't send troops to Youzhou unless he saw Lantai Classics?"

"Sun Jian had no regard for the laws of the imperial court and was good at killing the governor of a state. Could it be that he wanted to rebel based on the state?"

After hearing the contents of the two emergency reports and the discussions among the people, Dong Zhuo seemed very calm and looked at Wang Yun, who had never said a word.

"Prince Wang, how should we deal with this matter?"

Wang Yun also had a calm look on his face and drank the wine in his glass before speaking his thoughts eloquently.

"In the matter of Youzhou, we should try our best to promote peace between Da Sima and King Danyang, and work together to destroy the foreign races in the territory."

"Jingzhou is a large state. It is related to the safety of the capital. If chaos cannot last long, Liu Jingsheng can be appointed as the state pastor."

————

Tufu's Mansion.

Yuan Wei looked at the latest personnel change proposal sent by Dong Zhuo and remained silent for a long time.

"Uncle, I want to go to Nanyang to seek refuge with Zhang Zi. Is it possible?"

Yuan Shu, who was full of despair, walked into the study and asked Yuan Wei, who looked lonely.

In fact, Yuan Shu did not really come to ask for advice, but came to say goodbye. Regardless of whether Yuan Wei agreed or not, he would leave Luoyang.

"The peace between Dong Zhuo and Tao Ying's son may be detrimental to my Yuan family. My uncle should also make plans in advance!"

Yuan Wei raised his head and glanced at Yuan Shu, then looked down at the list of personnel changes, and nodded silently.

“It’s good to go to Nanyang!”

In the list in front of me, the appointments of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu are also among them.

But Yuan Feng knew very well that in addition to Dong Zhuo showing kindness to the Yuan family, this move also contained evil intentions.

Not to mention Yuan Shao, as far as Yuan Shu's appointment is concerned, Luoyang's army is now firmly in the hands of Dong Zhuo's confidants. Yuan Shu has no chance if he is given the military position of "post general".

"I still have some savings at home, so take some with you!"

Yuan Wei thought for a while and then gave Yuan Shu a serious and sincere message.

"Remember the highway, we are still young, and don't rush to seek revenge on Tao Ying's son!"

————

Jingzhou.Nanjun.

At the newly completed Jingzhou Governor's Mansion, Sun Jian and his advisers and generals gathered together.

"Alas, it was Sun who didn't investigate, fell into the trap of the dog thief Cao Yin, and killed Wang Rui by mistake!"

Sun Jian glanced at his subordinates, with a look of annoyance and frustration on his face.

Of course, it was not really because of Cao Yin, but because he found that after killing Wang Rui, other counties in Jingzhou did not listen to him at all. Apart from annexing 20,000 Wang Rui's troops, he did not get any benefits. Instead, everyone was scolded.

Shouting and beating.

"My lord, now that Wang Rui is dead and Jingzhou is leaderless, we should follow the example of Danyang King Taoying in the past and take military control of Jingzhou!"

Chengpu, the chief minister, ignored Sun Jian's emotion and reminded Sun Jian to continue attacking Jingzhou.

As for the matter of killing Wang Rui, Cheng Pu naturally would not doubt Sun Jian's intelligence. He was sure that Sun Jian knew the order was false as soon as he received Cao Yin's letter.

However, Cao Yin wanted to kill someone with a borrowed sword, and Sun Jian, who was pushing the boat, also wanted Wang Rui to die.

"No!"

As soon as Cheng Pu's proposal came out, Zu Mao immediately opposed it.

"Nanyang Governor Zhang Zi is very dissatisfied with his lord's murder of Wang Rui, and has conspired with the governors of other counties in the state to do harm to his lord. He should attack Zhang Zi first, occupy Nanyang, and then take over Jingzhou!"

Zu Mao's strategy immediately gained support from Han Dang, Wu Jing, Zhu Zhi and others.

"In the past, King Danyang was able to control Qingzhou with military force because he had great righteousness, and all the counties in the state were firmly under his control. However, Jingzhou is different. Except for Changsha County, all other counties are of the same mind as the lord."

Sun Jian swept away the gloom on his face, and his stern eyes instantly glanced over his subordinates one by one, making a prompt decision.

"Send troops to Nanyang to kill chickens and scare monkeys!"

————

Youzhou. Zhuojun.

Liu Bei, who has a small piece of flesh on his right ear, stood under an old mulberry tree that was more than five feet high, looking extremely lonely.

"Bei once joked when he was a child: Bei will definitely ride in such a feather-covered car in the future. Now, like a bereaved dog, he returns to his hometown in despair. He is ashamed of the hope of his ancestor, King Jing of Zhongshan, and his mother's kindness in raising him!"

With tears in his eyes, Liu Bei turned around, his eyes passed over Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Jian Yong one by one, and burst into tears.

"What a shame for trusting all the brothers!"

Maybe he stood for too long, and Liu Bei knelt down with a pop, grabbing the ground with his head.

"Brother, big brother!"
To be continued...