In the third year of Guanghe's reign, Lu Zhi was granted the title of Grand Sima for his contribution in revising the "Xiping Stone Classic" and Huangfu Song's rebellion.
The imperial court claimed that Huangfu Song voluntarily gave up the credit, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that it was actually because his contribution was so great that he could no longer be awarded the title, unless he was allowed to take over the post of "General" from He Jin. However,
On this point, the new generation of relatives who have gradually gained momentum will never give in.
Although this position was in name only, it was still regarded as the "Three Dukes". Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan were naturally very happy. However, since the affairs in Youzhou were not settled and they could not get away, they planned to prepare gifts and go to Luoyang to express their congratulations.
But this move was stopped by Jian Yong.
Previously, Liu Bei was promoted to the governor of Guangyang County after the assassination of foreigners in Zhuo County, because there was really no one under his command. Although there were only Liangxiang County and Jixian County under the rule of Guangyang, one county and one county still could not be replaced at the same time.
He asked Jian Yong to come and help.
Jian Yong, whose courtesy name was Xianhe, was from Zhuo County. He had an ordinary appearance and a moderate build. He could quote scriptures and argue with scholars in writing, and he could pick up a long sword and fight off the thieves in martial arts. He was as "moderate" as his name suggests.
If I were to look for any advantages, it would be "you can rest assured if you entrust the matter to him."
He had known Liu Bei since childhood and went out to study in the same year. When Liu Bei became a disciple of Lu Zhi, he also became a disciple of Hua Xin (Xin), a great Confucian who was from the same family as Lu Zhi but was less famous.
Unlike Lu Zhi, who was in the spotlight, Hua Xin was resigning due to illness at this time. Therefore, in his correspondence with his disciples, he could explain a little about the turbulent undercurrents among relatives, eunuchs, aristocratic families, and courtiers in Luoyang at this time, and suggested briefly
Yong should not go to Luoyang for the time being.
"At this time, Luoyang is like a shoal full of hidden reefs. If foreign ships sail in rashly, they will run the risk of hitting the rocks and sinking." Jian Yong said.
"In that case, we must go instead," Liu Bei said: "If this 'shoal' continues to recede, how will the master and uncle who are left behind in the 'rocks' group protect themselves?"
"Xuan De, think twice. Master and uncle are well-known scholars. No one would dare to offend, but you are different." Although Jian Yong looked disapproving, the "warmth" he conveyed betrayed him.
"In front of a group of guys who only have power in their heads, works and reputation cannot protect the master and uncle." Liu Bei suppressed his smile and insisted on his point of view to Jian Yong: "Brother Bogui and I will follow the original
The plan is to take people to Luoyang, but after congratulating him, he will try to persuade the master to leave Luoyang. If that fails, he will wait in hiding and take the master away by force when the situation becomes impossible. During this period, all matters in Guangyang will be handed over to Xianhe
You took care of it."
"I will definitely live up to Xuande's trust!" Jian Yong responded without hesitation.
However, because the Wuhuan assassins had not completely disappeared, the newly married Gongsun Zan was unable to make the trip. Only Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei... and Xiahou Ji went to Luoyang to send congratulatory gifts.
Although I was a little worried that there would be conflicts when meeting the Xiahou family, but seeing that the girl looked like she would never leave Zhang Fei, we couldn't leave her and her third brother in Jixian together.
————
Liu Bei did not have a residence in Luoyang, and the house he originally lived in belonged to Lu Zhi, so he sneaked in and could no longer use it. Finally, he asked Jian Yong to write a letter and go to Uncle Hua Xin to complain.
Hua Xin was an old man with grey-bearded hair. He had served as a doctor, a doctor, and a minister. He had three houses in Luoyang. After Liu Bei and the other two came to visit with letters, they were unable to persuade him to leave, so he had to sigh and ask his servants to take them to a vacant place.
Residential temporary residence.
In order to prevent Liu Bei and others from being noticed by "casual riders" everywhere, the house he chose was extremely remote. Only the Hua family residence and another family named Rong lived on the entire road, so this road was also called "Huarong Road"
.
It is said that the head of the Rong family, named "Rong Sheng", once served as an admonishment officer. He was dismissed by Emperor Ling for repeatedly forcibly issuing evidence of the ten constant servants regardless of the occasion. Many outsiders speculated that they actually had more evidence of the ten constant servants.
, I was planning to find an opportunity to expose him in one fell swoop, so I didn’t dare to interact with him.
Therefore, it was natural that when a masked man in black scarf climbed over the wall of Rong's house, he mistakenly entered Liu Bei's courtyard and started a fight with Guan Yu, who thought he was an assassin.
Both sides seemed to have concerns, and they tried their best to suppress the noise during the battle.
"..." After repeatedly observing the uninvited guests' bald heads and black clothes for a period of time, Liu Bei finally stopped the two people who were fighting: "Stop, Yun Chang, this is evil. Evil, you should have recognized us already.
, why do we have to fight?"
Guan Yu did not stop as he expected, he put away his sword and stood aside, looking at the masked man without any disturbance.
"Ah? Have you been recognized?" The masked man took off the scarf on his face, revealing Dian Wei's slightly ferocious face: "The Lord said this is a secret operation, don't be reluctant to fight, the main thing is to escape as soon as possible, but if you are
When people discover their true identity, they must be silenced."
He looked at Liu, Guan, and Zhang with a very embarrassed look, and seemed to think it was a bit difficult to silence them.
Is this influenced by Yuan Shao? Liu Bei shook his head and felt that it was necessary to increase the intelligence of the guards for Cao Cao: "No, evil comes. The ones you want to silence are 'those who will be detrimental to Meng De after discovering your identity', that is,
Those subordinates of the Ten Constant Attendants, just imagine, if your appearance is seen by a child on the roadside, do you want to silence him?"
"Uh, no."
"But brother, we are not children." Zhang Fei interrupted.
Great, we also have someone here who needs to improve his intelligence. Liu Bei looked at his third brother speechlessly.
"No, no, no, Yunchang and his brothers will not harm Meng De, I am very sure." Dian Wei quickly figured out the logic.
"That's it." Although he felt something was wrong, but this was not the time to go into details, Liu Bei continued: "Ele, continue your mission. If Meng De needs help in Luoyang, you can come here to find our brothers.
"
"Oh, so——" "Chirp~chirp~"
Dian Wei was about to answer when he heard a strange animal cry. Just as he was surprised, he saw a snow-white, sheep-like animal jumping in from outside the wall, with a tall-looking animal sitting on its back.
A lively little girl in yellow clothes and green hairpin.
"I found A Dian!" she announced happily: "With a white uncle, a red uncle, and a black uncle~"
"..." Liu Bei was speechless for a moment. The third brother was indeed evil, but the second brother was originally a fair-skinned person. However, as his martial power increased after realizing "Wushuang", his face became redder and redder. He didn't know whether "Bodhisattva" would
I will help treat it.
"Uh...this is Mr. Cai Yongcai's youngest daughter Wen Ji." Dian Wei scratched his bald head and said, "Maybe it's because I've been away for too long that Meng De can't persuade her anymore."
Liu Bei was about to say something to express his friendship to the landlord, but he saw Guan Yu's expression became solemn, he flung his robe sleeves, climbed up onto the courtyard wall, and slashed down with his long aqua sword in a trajectory like a crescent moon.
After two short screams, a voice that was slightly familiar to Liu Bei came from Huarong Road outside the hospital: "Yun Chang, are you okay?"
"Huh? Lord Mengde?" Cai Wenji poked her head around the animal's back, while Xia Houji, who had been hiding behind Zhang Fei without saying a word, also looked over curiously.
Speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrived...
————
"The assassination attempt on a certain Ten Chang servants just failed, which made Xuande laugh."
When Guan Yu went out to inspect whether there were other pursuers, Cao Cao arranged his clothes and walked in from the door. He was wearing a set of lake blue brocade robes with strong lines that were similar to armor. He could mount a horse to fight and read papers in the study. Even if
Going to the city wall to supervise the work is not out of the ordinary.
I heard that Cao Mengde was named the Prime Minister of Jinan, but he was actually half the governor of Qingzhou. Could it be that there was a shortage of manpower under his command, so that he himself had to go to various places to help from time to time? Liu Bei thought with deep sympathy.
Fortunately, the governor of Youzhou has many men who can be borrowed for use... Wait, did he just casually mention that the assassination of Shi Changshi failed?
Seeing that there were too many people in the courtyard at this time, Liu Bei led Cao Cao into the house and said casually: "Nowadays, the eunuchs, relatives, courtiers, and various powerful families in Luoyang are intertwined, and they are all fighting for the appointment of the heir.
But Mengde still needs to be careful when touching his whole body."
Cao Cao smiled and said, "I have nothing to do to amuse myself."
Assassinating the ten permanent servants for fun? Liu Bei originally just wanted to show that he was not ignorant of the situation in Luoyang, but was overshadowed by Cao Cao's casual words, so he had to continue: "I will invite Meng De to the table."
This place is Hua Xin's private residence, and he has his own servants to take care of it. Needless to say, they are loyal. Even if they are asked to prepare a banquet when they are not eating, they will not have any objection. Of course, there is no need to prepare a banquet seriously. They only need to get some complementary food for the little girl.
Just prepare a few jars of wine and snacks for a few men.
Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Dian Wei exchanged cups, Cai Wenji and Xiahou Ji whispered, Liu Bei and Cao Cao found a slightly higher viewing hall in the garden, with flowers, plants and trees outside, to sit and have a drink.
After drinking for three rounds, Cao Cao raised his glass and pointed in the direction of the palace: "Luoyang is turbulent at the moment, but those who stir up trouble are only interested in who will sit in that seat. Do you think Xuande is right?"
"Since the Great Ancestor Zhan White Snake Rebellion, all previous emperors have worked hard to govern. Even if Wang Mang stopped midway, he would still use force to turn the tide. However, in the past hundred years, the throne has been controlled by relatives and eunuchs, which is unprecedented," Liu Bei said: "If
When His Majesty passes away, the throne must not be left in the hands of relatives and eunuchs, otherwise the cycle of the past hundred years will be repeated and it will be meaningless."
Cao Cao said: "But if courtiers and aristocratic families get involved, it will be another disaster caused by party control. After the first two disasters caused by party control, the power of relatives or eunuchs will become even more powerful."
Liu Bei said: "The new emperor is young, and the people he trusts must come from these two. No matter how loyal the family and courtiers are, it is in vain that the new emperor cannot understand, so..."
Cao Cao continued: "So, if a mature and powerful royal family succeeds to the throne, this situation will be broken."
Liu Bei put down the wine cup and remained silent.
"Oh, there's no need to worry about Xuande, it's impossible for you." Cao Cao looked at Liu Bei's expression and suddenly thought of something and continued.
