Liu Xie was still very reasonable. After listening to the pottery merchant's honest advice, he immediately issued an edict to the pottery merchant, authorizing him to preside over the official sale and to organize the official sale event for the Han Dynasty on behalf of the Tian family.
A few days later, Cao Cao's main force arrived thirty miles northwest of Fan County.
Cao Hong and Yan Xing, the frontline pioneers, wanted to immediately organize their troops to attack the pottery merchants after arriving in Fan County.
The potter was well prepared.
The Jinling Tiger Guards led by Xu Chu, the Taishan Army led by Xu Rong, and the elite Danyang troops led by Tao Ji had already arranged their formations in a tripartite formation. The Xuzhou Army and the Jinling Chinese Army led by Cao Bao were also supporting from the rear.
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In preparation for this battle, Xuzhou Army and Jin Lingjun put all their efforts into it.
Just when Cao Hong and Yan Xing were preparing to attack the Jinling Army, Cao Cao issued a military order to the two from behind, strictly prohibiting them from taking any rash action against the Jinling Army.
It's not that Cao Cao doesn't want to recapture the emperor, but based on the information from Yanzhou Yingshe Mansion, Yuan Shao's troops have passed through the territory of Liyang. At the same time, Xuzhou Tao Qian met with Qingzhou's Tian Kai and Beihai's Kong Rong.
It's not far from Fan County.
Now that all the princes are not far from Fan County, Cao Cao knows that if he insists on going his own way, he will easily arouse public anger!
It would not be wise to attack the pottery merchant at this time. On the contrary, it would easily put oneself in the spotlight.
At this time when all the princes in the world have their own evil thoughts, it is almost impossible to take back the emperor under their noses, especially Yuan Shao's.
Cao Cao hated Tao Shang in his heart and hated Tao's ancestors for eighteen generations, but he was a heroic figure after all, and he would naturally make concessions when he needed to endure.
Impulsive people generally cannot be heroes.
A few days later, all the troops of the princes arrived around Fan County. Although there was no direct conflict, everyone set up camp according to the danger, monitored each other, and had a tacit understanding to surround Fan County, where the emperor lived.
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Although it seems calm on the surface, everyone knows that there are turbulences inside.
Even though Gongsun Zan from Youzhou, Zhang Yan, the general in trouble in the Taihang Mountains, and Liu Biao from Jingzhou did not send troops or horses, they still sent envoys to congratulate the emperor on his move.
But it's called Chao He, but in reality it's just an opportunity to get a piece of the pie.
After Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Tian Kai, Tao Qian and others finished setting up camp, their envoys entered Fan County one after another to meet the emperor.
However, what the envoys did not expect was that after receiving the envoys, the emperor actually issued an edict to each of them, announcing that he would resume the policy of conferring titles during the reign of Emperor Xiaoling.
The popular saying at that time was "selling official positions in Xiyuan".
Moreover, after the emperor informed the envoys of the princes about the decree that had been issued, he also selected a good day and asked the princes to send their capable envoys to the pottery merchant's camp to listen to Prince Taiping's arrangements and let him preside over the sale of officials.
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Although what Liu Xie said was not very clear, the princes were not fools. They were all seasoned, and they all started to fight over this matter.
But regardless of the calculations in the minds of the princes, or the seventy-two changes, the pottery merchant believed that the princes would definitely send envoys to buy this official.
After all, the size of the official position determines their future rights and development potential in the territory, especially those large princes who are in charge of a state. The position of a state pastor determines the legitimacy of their voice in this territory. This is
The benefits do not need to be described at all. Many princes have paid tribute year after year, and all they want is to be canonized as a feudal official.
What was originally an important political matter has suddenly become something that can be settled with money. Which prince would not want to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
A few days later, envoys from the princes came to the Xuzhou Army's camp in accordance with the emperor's arrangement.
The potter gave these envoys a warm reception.
Yuan Shao sent the envoy Xin Pi, Cao Cao sent Dong Zhao, Gongsun Zan sent Tian Yu, Kong Rong sent Fang Xiu, Tian Kai sent Wang Xiu, and Zhang Yan sent the general of the Black Mountain Army.
Sui Gu and Tao Qian symbolically entrusted Mi Zhu with the important task of envoy. Even Liu Biao of Jingzhou heard the news and sent the envoy Kuai Yue.
Only Yuan Shu was so arrogant that he didn't even urinate.
For a time, the small land of Fan County became the center of attention and focus of the entire world.
The pottery merchant was not in a hurry to sell his official position. While he was making plans, he temporarily arranged for the envoys to live in his camp.
This was done because the pottery merchant wanted to meet privately with several of these envoys and conduct some behind-the-scenes operations.
In addition, some envoys have long distances to travel, and they need to wait until all the princes from all walks of life have arrived before conferring officials.
After all, this is a great thing that only happens once in ten years. Potters don’t want to favor one thing over another, so no one should be left behind!
…
This day was the first day of talks between the envoys and the pottery merchants.
In the tent, the envoys stared at each other with big eyes and small eyes, wary of each other, and everyone was planning the most favorable conditions for themselves.
When I was young, I saw the pottery merchant walking into the tent with a smile. He smiled kindly at everyone and said, "Thank you for your help, sir. Tao is very ashamed. It is true that the emperor was too hasty in issuing the edict this time. In order to assist the emperor in making preparations, Tao
During this grand ceremony, I almost didn’t sleep a wink for several days. Please don’t take offense if I’m disrespectful.”
Everyone stood up one after another, and everyone was warm and hypocritical.
After talking some useless pleasantries, the pottery merchant immediately brought the matter to the point.
"Everyone, the emperor has moved to Fan County this time to determine the world's plans and wants to settle the imperial court here..."
Before the potter finished speaking, Cao Cao's envoy Dong Zhao was the first to step forward.
But seeing this fat man looking at the pottery merchant with a smile but not a smile, he cupped his hands and said: "My lord, Dong Zhao, this time I came to represent Cao Yanzhou to participate in the emperor's decision to establish the capital. There is something unclear at the moment. I would like to ask Mr. Taiping for advice."
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This time, Cao Cao took advantage of the bluff crusade against Xuzhou to eradicate the gentry forces that opposed him in Yanzhou. In addition, he also eliminated the troubles caused by the generals of Xiliang and captured many war horses. He was originally proud of the spring breeze, but he was attacked by Tao Shang behind his back.
With one stab, Xia Houyuan, Xia Houen, and the Emperor were lost in succession... The previous victory could be said to be in vain.
Therefore, Dong Zhao was the first to stand up and challenge the pottery merchant on behalf of Cao Cao, which was completely expected by the pottery merchant.
"I wonder if Mr. Dong has any advice?"
Dong Zhao narrowed his eyes and said, "I dare to ask you, Master, where was Prince Taiping when the emperor was in trouble in Chang'an and was fighting for the rebellion of Li Jue, Guo Si, Ma, and Han Sui?"
The pottery merchant touched his chin and thought carefully for a while, and then said: "I should be... in Jinling City, maybe in Pengcheng, maybe in pacifying Yan Baihu, or in Xiapi's Zuo Rong... The gentleman asked
It’s so specific that Tao really can’t remember it.”
In the tent, the other envoys could not help but sneer in low voices after hearing this.
Dong Zhao's face darkened: "It is a matter of national importance, please stop joking, Sir."
The pottery merchant looked at it with confusion and a cute expression: "I'm not kidding you. It's just because it's a national event that I don't dare to make it up. I really can't remember where I was at the time... Mr. Dong, I
Very busy!”
Dong Zhao gritted his teeth in anger, what a disgusting boy.
"Master Taiping, when the emperor was in trouble in Chang'an, the person who saved your majesty from the fire and water was Cao Yanzhou. The person who saved your majesty from the den of tigers and wolves was also Cao Yanzhou! Now the master is taking advantage of Cao Yanzhou to eradicate the Xiliang evil for the imperial court.
At a time of barbarism, he raised an army to seize the Holy Emperor. Such a treasonous and unethical act brought cholera to the world. How can the young master be worthy of the word 'peace'?"
Facing Dong Zhao's almost scolding question, Tao Shang smiled.
There was no need for him to answer this matter at all. Someone would naturally stand up and help him make the decision.
Sure enough, Yuan Shao's envoy Xin Pi sneered and spoke.
"Although Mr. Dong's words are sincere, they make no sense to the Han Dynasty... Yes, it was Cao Yanzhou who tried his best to rescue the emperor from the wolves in Guanzhong, but the emperor is the world
The co-owner is not the emperor of Cao Yanzhou alone! Prince Taiping welcomes the emperor to Fan County, assisted by all the princes in the world, to help the Han Dynasty and revive the prestige of the Han Dynasty. What's wrong?"
After a pause, Xin Pi continued: "Is it possible that Cao Yanzhou still wants to imprison the emperor in Yanzhou and become the second Dong Zhuo?"
"You!" Dong Zhao's face turned pale, and he was horrified.
He never expected that the first person to stand up and speak for the pottery merchant would be Yuan Shao.
In fact, this is also very normal.
Although Yuan Shao is unwilling to let the emperor go to Yecheng to destroy the political structure he has carefully arranged in Jizhou, it does not mean that Yuan Shao wants the emperor to stay in Cao Cao's hands and strengthen Cao Cao's strength in vain.
Like the pottery merchant, it was the best choice for Yuan Shao to take the emperor out and put him in a place where everyone could see him.
In addition, the pottery merchant also found Xinpi a few days ago and told him the pros and cons of selling his official position this time.
The potter's words can be described as half-truths and half-falsehoods.
He said that the emperor wanted to make him a general because he had done a great job in welcoming the emperor to Fan County. He also showed great support for the emperor's establishment of a court building and palace in Fan County and paid tribute.
If Yuan Shao's tribute can exceed his own, the emperor will naturally appoint Yuan Shao as a general!
Moreover, Tao Shang also claimed that his abilities were limited and his skills were mediocre, so he was really not qualified for the important position of general. However, Yuan Shao, the fourth and third prince, was also the leader of the princes and allies, so he truly deserved the title of general!
If Yuan Shao is interested, Tao Shang is willing to help Yuan Shao ascend to the throne of general by presiding over this official sale.
For the pottery merchant to speak to this extent, in a certain sense, it was a very big concession to Yuan Shaona.
Yuan Shao was very happy after receiving the message sent back by Xinpi.
Although the boy from the Tao family is smart, he is still just a young man in his teens. When the real situation comes, he has to surrender to himself!
So Yuan Shao sent a message to Xin Pi, asking him to support Tao Shang in this meeting and help him win the position of general.
It can be said that Yuan Shao went crazy about this position.
If not for anything else, it was because his brother Yuan Shu's position as rear general had always been over his head.
Once he wins the position of general, he will reach the highest peak in terms of reputation, political potential, and status among the Yuan family in Runan.