Of course, Liu Bei's plan to attack Yizhou was definitely not something he could discuss privately!
Liu Bei also invited Zhu Jun, Yang Biao, Zhang Wen, Zhao Qi and other senior officials from the court to his residence.
Then he told them straight to the point that he wanted to capture Yizhou after the autumn harvest!
Yang Biao worriedly said: "The general has just led an expedition to Yangzhou, and now he is going to attack Yizhou. Even if the general can bear it, the army cannot bear such hard work, and food and grass are also a big problem!"
Zhang Wen also followed up and said: "The terrain of Yizhou is very dangerous. One man can guard the gate and ten thousand men can't open it. Even if we just attack and conquer Yangzhou, it will be difficult to successfully conquer it like this attack on Yangzhou. With the food currently hoarded by the imperial court, even if there is an autumn harvest, I'm afraid It is also difficult to support the army's attack for several months! Moreover, the imperial court has no good reason to attack Shuzhong. For the current Han Dynasty, the drought in Yanzhou is more important. Instead of attacking Liu Zhang, the imperial court should support Yanzhou!"
Zhao Qi said angrily: "It's pedantic. Not to mention that the imperial court has no ability to support Yanzhou. Now Yanzhou listens to Yuan Shao more than to the imperial court. You still regard Yanzhou as the territory of the imperial court? There are still people from the imperial court there. The territory is lost! Yangzhou was conquered by the general with one sword and one sword. Liu Zhang of Yizhou is just the son of Liu Yan. What qualifications does he have to become the shepherd of Yizhou? Since when can the imperial court's shepherd of the state be awarded privately? This is not What is rebellion?”
"The Central Plains no longer has the territory of the imperial court, but is now divided into separate feudal lords. What we have to do now is to find ways to strengthen the imperial court. How can we use the imperial court's power to strengthen the power of princes like Yuan Shao? Do you really want to become Yuan Shao? Family retainer!"
"In his early years, Liu Yan ordered people to build the emperor's bicycle frame, ceremonial guards, etc. His ambition was obvious. If a general hadn't taught Liu Yan a lesson, Liu Yan would have proclaimed himself emperor in Shu. Liu Yan would have built the emperor's bicycle frame alone. The honor guard is enough for the imperial court to destroy the Liu Zhang clan, how can it be said that there is no reason!"
After being scolded by Zhao Qi like this, Zhang Wen didn't dare to speak anymore. He didn't want to seek refuge with Yuan Shao, but it was his hometown in Yanzhou. Of course he wanted to take care of his hometown, but Zhang Wen forgot about it. His own position in the court.
Zhu Jun thought for a while and said: "Although in terms of food and the morale of the soldiers, now is not the time to attack Yizhou, but in terms of weather and people, now is the right time to attack Yizhou! If there is no civil strife in Yizhou, then Yizhou's terrain advantage surrounded by mountains means that no matter whether the imperial court sends troops out of Yiling or attacks Hanzhong, it will cost lives. Even if the imperial court has 200,000 troops, it will be difficult to invade Yizhou. But at this time, Yizhou Civil strife is a God-given opportunity for the big man!"
Liu Yan in this world died of illness a year earlier than in history because he was taught a lesson by Liu Bei, and the person in charge was still his son Liu Zhang!
It's a pity that Liu Zhang in this world is not as lucky as Liu Zhang in the original world. The imperial court is in Jingzhou, and Yizhou is under great pressure. He wants the imperial court to appoint him as the shepherd of Yizhou, but the imperial court does not agree at all, so he It feels a bit unfair.
Although the Han Dynasty is still divided as in the original history, the prestige of the Han Dynasty is still stronger than that of the small imperial court in history. The prefects of various prefectures and governors still have to be appointed by the imperial court, even Yuan Shao, and as now, the son inherits the throne from his father. didn't happen at all.
Although the Han Dynasty was divided, the officials in various places still maintained the place according to the original experience of the Han Dynasty. Just like Yizhou now, the officials recognized Liu Yan as the shepherd of Yizhou. Even if the Han Dynasty wanted to take Liu Yan's position, he would be opposed by the officials up and down in Yizhou.
be opposed to.
However, the officials in Yizhou were not very convinced that Liu Zhang's son became the shepherd of Yizhou, and they did not approve of such a thing like a son inheriting his father's position! Many officials were even dissatisfied with Liu Zhang's succession as the shepherd of Yizhou, thinking that Liu Zhang had not received the
The appointment of the imperial court as the shepherd of Yizhou was simply a rebellion! After Liu Yan died of illness, the whole of Yizhou felt like it was ready for trouble. The whole of Yizhou was about to be stormy!
So Liu Yan died of illness, and Liu Zhang, who felt that he was in danger, immediately asked the court to appoint him as the shepherd of Yizhou after taking office. He even sent envoys to spend huge sums of money to bribe the court's civil and military officials, but the civil and military officials accepted Liu Zhang's gifts.
, but no one was willing to help Liu Zhang speak.
Just kidding! Yizhou Mu, the Great Han Shangqing, has a higher position than the Three Dukes. He, Liu Zhang, is only 20 years old and has no achievements. Just because he is Liu Yan’s son, he can become the Han Shangqing. Why! He really considers Yizhou to be his family.
’s territory!
Liu Zhang already lacked prestige, and now he was not recognized by the court. His reputation was not justified, and soon a rebellion broke out against Liu Zhang in Yizhou. Generals Shen Mi, Lou Fa, and Gan Ning rose up against Liu Zhang in Bajun.
, and contacted the Xiangyang court, hoping to ask the court to send a large army into Yizhou. With these internal responses, Yizhou's natural dangers would be broken!
Liu Bei was surprised and said: "There is unrest in Yizhou?"
He had just returned to Xiangyang and still didn't know the situation in Yizhou. If there was real unrest, it would be a God-given opportunity for Liu Bei. With someone to lead the way and Liu Zhang's lack of prestige, Yizhou might really be conquered by the imperial court!
Zhao Qi smiled happily and said: "I am still a strong man. I have just put down the rebellion in Yangzhou. There is civil strife in Yizhou, and there is also a drought in the Central Plains. Yuan Shao and others are unable to intervene in Yizhou's affairs! Now we have put down the situation.
Yizhou is a God-given opportunity, if we waste this opportunity, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Yizhou to be controlled by the imperial court in the future!"
The rebellion in Yizhou was essentially the result of the struggle for power between the Dongzhou faction and the Yizhou local faction.
When Liu Yan first took office in Yizhou, Yizhou was still in civil strife. Although Emperor Ling appointed Liu Yan as the shepherd of Yizhou and the Marquis of Yangcheng, he ordered him to go to Yizhou to arrest Qie Jian and rectify the administration. Because the roads were blocked, the rebels
They were everywhere, and Liu Yan was temporarily stationed at the eastern border of Jingzhou.
At this time, Qie Jian had been killed by Ma Xiang, the leader of the Yellow Turban Army, but Ma Xiang, who had just proclaimed himself emperor, was defeated by an army organized by Jia Long, a member of Yizhou. Jia Long then welcomed Liu Yan into Yizhou and established his seat in Mianzhu County.
After Liu Yan took office, he appointed Jia Long as the captain of the school, and he moved to Mianzhu to live. Liu Yan appeased and took in those who escaped and rebelled, and tried his best to implement the policy of tolerance and kindness, so that Yizhou was pacified by Liu Yan.
It can be said that Liu Yan relied on the local power to secure his position as Yizhou Mu, but Liu Yan was too ambitious. He soon allowed Zhang Lu to expand in Hanzhong County, and he used rice thieves to cause trouble and block traffic as an excuse.
, from then on, the communication with the central court was cut off and the separatist regime became one side.
At the same time, he further attacked local tyrants internally and consolidated his own power. Liu Yan was one of the first princes to have the idea of separatist rule, and even had the idea of ascending the throne and proclaiming himself emperor. Naturally, he regarded Yizhou as his core territory and used Yizhou as his base.
Strive for world hegemony, and if you want to vie for world hegemony, it is indispensable to develop armaments. All of this requires money, and in the Han Dynasty, the only way to receive money is to attack the powerful.
But this offended the powerful locals in Yizhou, and the two sides who had been working closely together began to part ways. Ren Qi, the governor of Jianwei County, and Jia Long, who had previously contributed to quelling the rebellion, raised an army against Liu Yan under the lobbying of Situ Zhao Qian, and Zhao Qian was ordered to
He led his army into Yizhou, but because Jia Long and others were killed by Liu Yan, the rebellion in Yizhou was easily put down by Liu Yan.
However, cracks began to appear in the cooperation between Liu Yan and the local elites in Yizhou. Liu Yan began to distrust local officials in Yizhou. Moreover, with the chaos in the Central Plains, more and more refugees and party celebrities fled to Yizhou for refuge.
, Liu Yan, who originally distrusted the local elites in Yizhou, began to reuse these outsiders to suppress the local elites in Yizhou!
Most of these people are from Sili and Nanyang, and a small part are from Yuzhou. Because they are all from the east, they are called Dongzhou people.
Liu Yan re-employed outsiders and suppressed local factions like them. The locals naturally gave up. They also launched several rebellions, but they were suppressed by Liu Yan. Moreover, it was because of these rebellions that Liu Yan distrusted the local clans even more, and
Liu Yan lost the hearts of the people in Yizhou. When Liu Yan died of illness and Liu Zhang came to power, the local generals in Yizhou immediately rebelled and even contacted the court to drive Liu Zhang away.
That's why Zhao Qicai said that the strength of the Han Dynasty is still there. If it weren't for the rebellion of the locals in Yizhou, it would be more difficult for Liu Bei to invade Yizhou than in history. But with the help of the Shuzhong clan leaders and other leading parties, it would only be possible.
I'm afraid that attacking the center of Shu will be easier than Deng Ai's surprise attack on Yangping Pass. After all, Liu Bei still has the righteousness of the court behind him! And after conquering Yizhou, and then finding a way to occupy Jiaozhou, the entire Han Dynasty still has half of the country in hand, and when the time comes, he can unite with the princes of the Central Plains.
, may not be able to fight with Thunder Lord!
Therefore, Zhao Qi and other veterans believe that it is imperative to enter Shu!
The words were divided into two parts. Liu Chong and Liu Biao came to Yuan Shao and told them Liu Bei's decision. It was impossible to provide relief to Yanzhou, but it did not prevent them from buying grain and grass in Jingzhou and transporting it to Yanzhou for disaster relief!
After hearing this, Yuan Shao was furious and said: "The imperial court has no effort at all. Could it be that Situ has the same idea?"
In Yuan Shao's opinion, he had already given Liu Bei face by asking for help from Liu Bei in such a lowly manner, but he did not expect that Liu Bei would not give him any face at all!
Liu Chong sneered and said: "Is Yanzhou still the territory of the Han Dynasty now? You Yuan Benchu said that you are the only one in the Central Plains and your prestige is higher than that of the imperial court. At this time, you come to the imperial court for help. You really think that the civil and military officials of the imperial court are fools! Now you can be allowed in
Purchasing grain in Jingzhou is already giving you face, why don't you go to other places in the Central Plains to try and see who will sell grain to you!"
Liu Chong had a lot of dissatisfaction with Yuan Shao. He was originally the king of Chen State, but after Yuan Shao occupied Yuzhou, he began to exclude him as the king of Chen State, forcing him to flee to Jingzhou and join Liu Bei! If Yuan Shao hadn't threatened him with Thunder Lord
, it is impossible for him to intercede for Yuan Shao.
At this time, Xu You immediately persuaded: "We are all friends. The pressure to face Lei Gong in the Central Plains was also great. We have to train an army of 200,000 and recruit 100,000 reserves. Such a huge army has already put pressure on Sili.
The increase has increased greatly, and now the drought has come again. Without the support of the imperial court, it is difficult for us to maintain an army of 300,000. Without this army, how can we resist the thunder god?"
Liu Chong said: "Don't blame Lei Gong for everything. If Yuan Shao doesn't have the ability to defend the Central Plains, just ask the court to send people to guard it. I am a big man and there is no shortage of generals who can fight!"
"You mean I can't fight!" This was the pain of Yuan Shao's life. In addition to defeating the Yellow Turban Army since he led the army, he has been defeated all the way. Dong Zhuo can't defeat him, and neither can Lei Gong!
Liu Biao immediately persuaded him: "We are all friends, why should we say such unpleasant things!"
But he still said to Yuan Shao: "Now the imperial court does not have the ability to support Yanzhou. After all, Jingzhou has to support the imperial court, and it also has to maintain an army of hundreds of thousands to fight. The imperial court really has no way to support Yanzhou! At first, you still have to support the imperial court.
Figure it out yourself!"
Liu Chong said coldly: "If you really can't support the people of the Central Plains, you can move them to Jingzhou. Anyway, Yanzhou is going to become a battlefield. It may not be a bad thing for the people to flee Yanzhou!"
After saying this, Liu Chong left! Liu Biao saluted Yuan Shao and the others and followed him. He understood that his position was on the side of the court and he could not communicate too deeply with Yuan Shao and the others!
After the two left, Yuan Shao said angrily: "The imperial court should not have been allowed to come to Jingzhou so easily in the first place, so that even Liu Bei, a poor man, became powerful!"
Xu You said helplessly: "It is very rare for us to buy food in Jingzhou now, and we have achieved our goal! We can't expect too much at the beginning!"
Nowadays, when princes are fighting for hegemony, food is the most precious resource. Xu Wei banned food from flowing out of Daqian a few years ago. If he was caught smuggling food, he would die, because now food is a life for Daqian. Anyone who dares to smuggle it will die.
Grain is murdering the people of Dagan, so Xu Wei was very strict about grain smuggling. After a few merchants paid the price with their lives, the entire Dagan grain smuggling disappeared quickly. So even if Yuan Shao wanted to get grain from Dagan
All very difficult.
It is even more impossible for Liangzhou to the west of Yuan Shao's influence. Their basic agriculture has been completely destroyed. Even though the population is only more than 1 million, Xiliang's vast territory still cannot support this small number of people, and they can only rely on plunder.
They lived in Guanzhong, but this period was better. In order to deal with the Thunder Lord in Hebei, princes from all over the country were forming cavalry, and Yuan Shao also purchased 5,000 Xiliang war horses.
The Xiliang people headed by Han Sui did not charge any money for selling war horses, only grain. A war horse cost 100 shi of grain, and a better one even cost 200 shi. But now Yuan Shao and the others only have Xiliang as a source of war horses.
I can accept this condition.
This year, the sale of war horses alone allowed the Han to import more than 2 million shi of grain into Xiliang. For the first time, Xiliang entered a day when it was possible to have enough to eat without plundering.
For Yuan Shao, war horses must be purchased. Even if people in the Central Plains starved to death, this drought caught Yuan Shao off guard. Cao Cao and Tao Qian, who were east of Yuan Shao's strength, also suffered from drought on a small scale, and they also banned the flow of food.
That's why Xu You said that it was already very rare to buy grain in Jingzhou, because only Liu Bei was willing to give them grain, even if they had to buy it!