Three Kingdoms Eschatology

This person is Yuan Shao, who is now self-proclaimed emperor. He has just ascended the throne recently, and his country name is Da Zhao.At this time, come to complete the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven.Half a month ago, his half-brother Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor in Shouchun, Huainan.

All the guards, maidservants, and eunuchs went up to the altar surrounded by a canopy.Followed by hundreds of "Great Zhao Dynasty" Sangong Jiuqing, civil and military officials.

Amidst bursts of ritual and music, Yuan Shao finally completed the tedious ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, wiped off the sweat from his brow, and poured it down under the altar, ready to return to the palace.

The surrounding crowd knelt down again, shouting long live again.But at this moment, a thunderous voice suddenly sounded: "Yuan Shao, the traitor of the Han Dynasty, shall be punished!" Then there were two screams.

Two soldiers who were on guard at the edge fell down clutching their bleeding necks.Two other people rushed towards Yuan Shaohuagai one after the other.

"There are assassins! Escorts!" The guards around Yuan Shao immediately came to their senses, drew out their weapons one after another, and guarded Yuan Shao.Yuan Shao's face turned pale, and the corners of his mouth twitched a few times.

Yuan Shao wasn't frightened because he felt the danger, he knew that these two assassins couldn't even get close to him.Yuan Shao was surprised that someone would risk his life to assassinate him.

Sure enough, after hearing a shout, a figure flashed in front of Yuan Shao like lightning.Two consecutive white lights flashed.The two assassins didn't even have time to scream, their chests were pierced with blood holes by the sword blades, and they fell to the ground.The person who rescued him was Yan Liang, Yuan Shao's general.

Yuan Shao squinted his eyes and looked at the two corpses on the ground. One seemed to be a son of a noble family, while the other was a strong man with a beard and a knight-errant.The personal guards beside him did not allow him to take a closer look, they surrounded him and boarded the carriage.Drive to the palace in the city.

Yuan Shao in the carriage ordered to the outside: "Quickly find out the identities of these two assassins, and reply to me immediately." A voice of promise came from outside the carriage immediately.

Yuan Shao, who was bumping on the car, was lost in thought.The memory takes him back to months ago...

On that day, a person from Huainan who claimed to be Yuan Shu's messenger came to the mansion to see him.And handed Yuan Shao a secret letter.

This letter contains not only Yuan Shu's handwriting, but also a suicide note left by his uncle Yuan Kai.In this letter, Yuan Kai expressed his hope that Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao could seize the opportunity in the troubled times, replace the Han Dynasty, and establish the foundation of the Yuan family forever.

However, Yuan Shu's letter indicated that he had just obtained this Yuan Kai's suicide note, and that he was willing to abandon the past with Yuan Shao, divide the world together, and glorify the Yuan family.

At the same time, the letter also explained the current situation for Yuan Shao, saying that it is the best time to establish himself as an emperor and conquer the world.Otherwise, once the Han Dynasty regains its prestige among the princes, especially after the Han Emperor Liu Xie came to power, it will be very difficult to do this.

Yuan Shao originally had the ambition to win the world, but he felt that the time to blatantly assert his title was not yet ripe.After seeing this letter, he summoned his staff and advisers to discuss.Just at this time, the imperial envoys also came to Yecheng.

His staff and advisers immediately debated this matter in the lobby of the mansion, but there was no result for several days.These people have different opinions based on their own different motives.Those who want to make great contributions to the founding of the country naturally support Yuan Shao's proclaiming emperor.Those who hold on to the loyalty to the emperor and have a heart for the Han Dynasty are naturally strongly opposed.Of course, there is also hope that Yuan Shao will become emperor, but he still thinks that the time is not ripe.

What finally made Yuan Shao make up his mind was Yuan Jun's decisive victory in the crusade against Gongsun Zan and Cao Cao's disastrous defeat in the Battle of Xuzhou.

This victory and one defeat immediately made Yuan Shao feel that he had nothing to worry about, because there were no princes around him who could match his strength.What's more, there is also a brother with an equally strong army - Yuan Shu supporting him in the south.

Even if Cao Cao stood on the opposite side of him and became his enemy, he would not care at all.If this is the case, it will make him appear confident when he annexed the two states of Yu and Yan.

No matter how Cao Cao expresses his position, he will inevitably annex the two prefectures of Henan and Yanzhou after he ascends the throne.Cao Cao's statement can only change the form and time of the matter, but not the result.

Of course, there are still some powerful princes in the world, such as Liu Yan of Yizhou, Liu Biao of Jingzhou, and Feng Yu of Liangzhou.But these are things that can't quench the near thirst, so they can't pose any threat to him in a short time.

As for the miscellaneous small forces like Tao Qian, Kong Rong, etc., if there is no backbone to integrate them, it will be a mess.After taking Cao Cao, Yuan Shao can wipe them out with one hand.

Yuan Shao, who made up his mind, didn't hesitate anymore, and beat the envoys of the Han Dynasty out of Yecheng with a mess of sticks.Half a month ago, Yi Jing was finally breached, and Gongsun Zan died among the rebel army.Immediately after Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor, he also ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor...

"Report! Your Majesty. The identities of the two assassins have been ascertained. One is a son of the Li family of Yecheng gentry, and he is Cao, a thief from Yecheng county government. Both of his parents are dead, and the rest of his relatives are not in Jizhou. The other has been with him for many years." Doorman."

A report interrupted Yuan Shao's thoughts and memories. He frowned after hearing the report from the soldiers, and said, "It's that simple? Send the Habayashi guards to check if there is any deeper background behind this!"

"promise!"

At this moment, a sense of ominousness welled up in Yuan Shao's heart.He suddenly realized that he had overlooked something important when making the decision.He only considered the reaction of the Han Dynasty and the princes of the world after he assumed the title of emperor.But he didn't think too much about the reactions of the powerful families under his rule and the gentry.

It's okay for a few leading figures of the powerful families to tame them as long as there is enough deterrence and temptation, but the noble families that form the basis of the entire rule are not so easy to deal with.It can't be that everyone has a high official and a generous salary.

The Yuan family is indeed four generations and three princes, with disciples and old officials all over the world.But at the same time, these four generations and three princes are the four generations and three princes of the Han Dynasty, and those old officials are also officials of the Han Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Yuan Shao began to feel uneasy.He said to himself: "There needs to be a purge and reorganization, and all those who are not loyal to me will be purged out, otherwise my foundation will be in danger. Let's start with the army."

After finishing speaking, the people who usually made him worry passed through his mind one by one...

Chapter 145

In May of the first year of Jian'an, the camp of Lu Bu's army near Chaoge County was busy.Soldiers and generals were busy changing the uniforms and banners, because Yuan Shao had already ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. For them, it was a change of dynasty, and the "court" re-unified the uniforms and banners.

Chaoge County is located at the eastern foot of Taihang Mountain. Yuan Shao set up the Lv Bujun camp here to fight against the black mountain bandits in Taihang Mountain.

Since Lu Bu defected to Yuan Shao, he has maintained relative independence.Under the protection of Yuan Shao, Lu Bu continued to expand his military strength.From the initial 2000 people to the current nearly [-] steps.

There is no such thing as a free lunch, everything comes at a price.It was all obtained by the numerous military achievements in the crusade against the black mountain bandits, and the bloody lives of the soldiers under Lu Bu's command.

In the big tent, Lu Bu frowned, resting his head on one hand, leaning on the desk, thinking.He was born in the army, and he doesn't have as much loyalty and filial piety as scholars and scholars in the world.So he didn't care about Yuan Shao becoming emperor.He only cared about the impact on himself and his subordinates after Yuan Shao proclaimed himself emperor.

It's just that among the [-] or so people expanded from Lu Bu's army, many middle and low-level generals are descendants of noble families.Some of them showed obvious dissatisfaction with Yuan Shao's arrogance as emperor.This gave Lu Bu a bit of a headache.

Besides, what bothered Lu Bu even more was Yuan Shao's attitude towards him.In recent days, Lu Bu could clearly feel Yuan Shao's distrust of him.

Last month, in a battle against the black bandits, although the results were brilliant, Lu Bu's army also suffered a lot of losses.Lü Bu took this as an excuse to ask Yuan Shao for additional troops, but the latter declined.At the same time, the food and salaries paid from above are getting less and less.

Just when Lu Bu was restless, a commanding soldier entered the account and reported: "Report! Please report to Marquis Wen, General...the envoy of the Holy Majesty came to the camp to announce the edict!"

Lu Bu nodded, and reminded Ling Bing: "Don't call someone Wenhou in the future, because this is the title given to him by the Han Dynasty."

After a while, an incense table was set up outside the big tent to welcome the imperial decree. After the "imperial envoy" read out, Lu Bu took over the "imperial decree", feeling mixed feelings in his heart.

The content of this "imperial decree" appointed him as the captain of Sili in the Zhao Dynasty and guarded Luoyang.No other titles were created.And it's not that he is required to take the troops from his headquarters, but that he is required to take the [-] soldiers assigned to him by Yuan Shao to his post.The five hundred soldiers are waiting outside the camp now.

Lu Bu immediately summoned all the generals in the big tent of the Chinese army to announce the matter.After everyone listened, they immediately chattered up and down.

"Marquis Wen, isn't this clearly depriving you of all your soldiers and horses?" Lu Bu's general Cheng Lian said.

"I don't think it's as simple as seizing military power. At present, Luoyang is already inhabited, and it is far away from Yuan Shao's heartland. There is still Hanoi in the middle to spread the power, which is like an enclave. There is no need to guard it. Why did Yuan Shao want it?" Marquis Wen stationed here? This is very strange." Song Xian also said.

"That's right. Yuan Shao just killed Qu Yi. This is a direct line general who has made great contributions to him. He can do anything. Marquis Wen, be careful!"

Lu Bu made a gesture to calm down the generals, and then said: "I've thought about all of your worries. Wait and listen..."

In the early morning of the next day, Lu Bu took only a few personal guards, and headed south under the "guard" of the five hundred soldiers.The strange thing is that he did not bring his family with him.That night, the men and horses set up several tents and slept in the wilderness.

In the middle of the night, there were many shadows, those soldiers got up from the campfire one by one, and went to Lu Bu's camp.Then there was a sound of killing, and Yuan Jun's soldiers charged towards the tent with spears and knives.After a round of stabbing and hacking, it was discovered that there was no one in the camp.

"Oops, Lu Bu must have found out and ran away. How should we go back and return!" a leader exclaimed.

Another general shouted: "Chasing!"

"Don't chase after me. Someone is here!" A voice came from the night sky.Yuan Jun's soldiers followed the prestige, and all of them were shocked.

Lu Bu was riding his horse and holding his halberd, standing dozens of battles away.Behind him are thousands of soldiers and horses holding torches, like a fire dragon lying in the wilderness.

Lu Bu said in a cold voice again: "Don't worry, I know that you are also following orders and will not harm you. Go back and tell your master Yuan Shao. He and I will never owe you anything!"

After all, he turned his horse around and led the army to continue heading south.Dozens of miles further, is Hanoi's flamboyant territory.The five hundred soldiers of the Yuan Army stared dumbfoundedly at the fire dragon going away.

Chaoge still belongs to Yuan Shao's heartland, and there are many other Yuan Shao garrisons around.Lu Bu didn't want to get too entangled with Yuan Shao, so he led his troops away from Yuan Shao at that time.Instead, the generals should lead the whole army to follow him quietly after he leaves the camp.

"Marquis Wen, where are we going to go this time?" Cheng Lian rode his horse and took a few steps to catch up with Lu Bu and asked.

"Let's talk after crossing the Yellow River first!" Lu Bu replied casually, the dark night covered up the bitterness on his face.

"How about I go and join Liangzhou Shepherd Feng Yu?" After hearing Cheng Lian's words, all the generals turned their attention to Lu Bu, but the latter didn't answer for a long time...

……

On the second day, when the sun rose.Rumbling drums sounded in the camp outside Qu'a City, which was a signal for urgent assembly.The soldiers in the big camp immediately put on their armor and helmets, rushed out from all the tents, and assembled on the school field.

It's no wonder they are so eager. According to the general military law of this era, if the drum hits the three links, it will be cut.When the entire school ground was covered in darkness, a young general in bright armor and wearing a red cloak stepped onto the commander's platform surrounded by several veterans.

He is Sun Ce. Recently, he has been nicknamed Jiangdong Xiaobawang.It's just because he has blocked left and right in Jiangdong for more than half a year, and he is unstoppable.Subjugated many Jiangdong powerful clan separatist forces under his command.Except for Wu County, where Yan Baihu is entrenched, Jiangdong is all in the bag.

Sun Ce looked at the many soldiers in the audience, took a deep breath and said loudly: "Yesterday, I received the news of Shouchun's arrival. The lord of X, Yuan Shu, has declared himself emperor. But I always remember my father's teaching that loyalty and filial piety are the first things. So from the time when he assumed the title of emperor, he Yuan Shu was not the lord of a certain person! Because a certain person is not only his subordinate, but also a subject of the great man. Since he is a traitor of the Han Dynasty, a certain person cannot be with him! From today onwards, My sons and daughters should actively prepare for war, and in the future will kill thieves for the country and make great achievements!"

As soon as his words fell, the soldiers on the school field, led by generals at all levels, raised their swords and guns and shouted loudly: "I am willing to follow the general, kill thieves for the country, and make meritorious deeds." Back and forth several times before stopping.

Chapter 146 The meeting of the wind and clouds

The news that the two Yuans successively assumed the title of emperor spread to the Wancheng Palace.

The Great Han Dynasty Hall, which had been quarreling and arguing for a long time, finally calmed down.In the court, the ministers of the public and ministers have been arguing for nearly two months over whether to issue an edict to crusade against Er Yuan.

During this period of time, although Zhu Jun, Huangfusong, and Cai Yong led the three forces to attack Yuan, Taiwei Yang Biao strongly opposed it.He didn't think Eryuan should not be crusaded.He was worried that the edict of the Han Dynasty would not be able to summon the princes, but would cause trouble for him instead.

But now, Eryuan's public arrogance has left the appeasement faction headed by Yang Biao speechless.If the Han Dynasty still turns a deaf ear to this at this time, it means that it has acquiesced in the status of the usurper, that is, the Han Dynasty has acquiesced that the great Han is dead.

Once the consensus of the Han court is reached, the efficiency will immediately appear.Riding on the fast horses of the messengers, one group after another poured out from the four gates of Wandu, and they will spread the edict of Yuan to the world.

Responses from the princes came one after another, and Feng Yu was the first to respond, followed by Jiangdong Sun Ce who expressed his willingness to accept the order to punish the thieves.Then Liu Biao and Liu Yan also expressed their willingness to send troops to fight against the thieves.In the end, even Shi Xie from Jiaozhou and Ma Teng from Xiliang returned to the Han Dynasty and were willing to send troops into the Central Plains to seek thieves.

However, apart from Sun Ce, none of the princes who are closer to Eryuan has clearly replied that the Han court is willing to accept the imperial edict to seek thieves.

The general's mansion in Zhuyang City was filled with Feng Yu's generals and staff.At the same time, in the Shangshu Mansion in Wancheng, ministers and ministers also gathered together.While discussing the situation in the world, they waited for a very important news.

Zhang Liao said worriedly: "Why is there not a single person in the Yanyu Qingxu Central Plains area who has expressed his willingness to accept the order to hunt down thieves?"

Jia Xu smiled: "It's so strange. These little princes are afraid of Er Yuan. Although they know that they will be eaten by Er Yuan in the end, they don't want to be the first sheep to be eaten. They all hope that Er Yuan will eat first." If you lose others, if you are full and unable to digest, you can temporarily let yourself go. If you delay for a while, maybe there will be a glimmer of life?"

Zhao Yun asked suspiciously, "Could it be that you just let Thief Yuan gobble them up one by one?"

Xun You said calmly: "It depends on a person's attitude. It is Cao Cao, and his statement is very important. Only when he stands up, can those small princes integrate and fight against Yuan together. It's just that Cao Cao should also Responded, it won't take so long!"

After Xun You finished speaking, he turned to look at Feng Yu.Feng Yu saw the doubts in his heart, and said in an affirmative tone:

"Don't worry, everyone, Cao Cao will definitely follow the order to hunt for thieves, unless he is not the same Cao Cao as before, or his brain is broken. He must have a purpose for not responding for so long."

"Is it to bargain with the court?"

"Probably not. If he asked the court for a price, he should have raised it long ago."

At this time, a soldier entered the hall to report and interrupted the conversation. "Report! Wancheng flew pigeons to send a message. The news came from the court. A few days ago, Yuan Shaojun broke through Hanoi Xiuwu, and Hanoi prefect Zhang Yang was killed!"

Everyone in the hall whispered to each other, but Feng Yu said with a smile: "I know what Cao Cao's plan is. He wants Yuan Shao to eat a few lambs first. This way, the other little princes will follow him to attack Yuan Shao wholeheartedly." The second is that after he defeats Yuan Shao, he can occupy more territories."

Half an hour later, as expected, another soldier came to report:

"Report! Flying pigeons sent a letter, and there was news from the Wancheng court. A few days ago, Yuan Shao's eldest son, Yuan Tan, captured Qingzhou Beihai, and Beihai Prime Minister Kong Rong fled to Yanzhou. In addition, Yanzhou Shepherd Cao Cao just sent someone to express to the court, willing to respond to the order to attack the thieves! "

In the hall, the noise of the discussion became louder.At this time, Feng Yu stood up suddenly, everyone stopped talking immediately, and the lobby became silent.

He said solemnly: "Everyone, this battle will determine the general situation of the world in the next few decades. I have concluded that after this war, there will be no major wars in the Central Plains within 30 to [-] years. This battle also determines the future prospects of our Liangzhou and Zhuyang Kingdom. Looking forward All of you are of one heart and one mind, advance and retreat together to make achievements!"

……

In the summer of the first year of Jian'an, both camps were actively preparing for war.Yuan Shao continued to mop up the weak forces around him in order to relieve his future worries.While stockpiling grain, gathering troops, and building siege equipment.Prepare for the attack on Cao Cao.

Seeing that those weak forces couldn't live with it, Cao Cao provoked Yuan Daqi again.So they all united against Yuan Shao in order to protect themselves.Even from time to time, they actively attack the heartland of Yuan Shao's control area to relieve the pressure on the friendly forces.

In the south, Yuan Shu crossed the river several times to take the initiative to attack Jiangdong, trying to solve the worries of Jiangdong first, and then be able to attack Cao Cao with Yuan Shao from north to south.However, Yuan Shu's army who crossed the river was defeated by Sun Ce and returned without success.

Xinye City on the Nanyang Plain has now turned into a military town.The tents are connected to the sky.The armies of princes from all walks of life gathered here.

Shi Xie's [-] rattan armored infantry finally arrived here after marching thousands of miles for more than a month. They even brought ten war elephants with them.Liu Yan's [-] soldiers from Yizhou also traveled nearly a thousand miles to Xinye via Ba County and Handong County.However, after entering Handong, the whole process was "escorted" by Feng Yu's navy.

Some of Feng Yu's subordinates ridiculed that the two troops sent too few troops, and it was all a show.But Feng Yu didn't think so.

In this era, with such a thin population, it is extremely costly to transport troops for thousands of miles.Along the way, most of the areas are desolate outskirts and ridges that are hundreds of miles long.

All the daily supplies need to be carried by horses, and sent forward one by one.In this case, more troops have to pay an unimaginable price.In the history of the original world, the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Chibi caused the disastrous defeat of the attackers.

In addition, a large number of troops came, relying only on the supply of food and grass in the nearby princes' territories, there may be shortages.Therefore, Shi Xie, who could have stayed out of the matter, and Liu Yan sent these troops are enough to prove their attitude towards the court.It proves that they recognize the redefined relationship between the current court and the princes.

Liu Biao, who was closer, only sent two thousand cavalry to station in Xinye.However, he assumed the responsibility of providing half of the food and grass for the coalition forces, and Feng Yu provided the other half of the food and grass.

Under the city of Xiapi, thousands of miles away from Xinye, soldiers and horses also gathered.They are welcoming a troop from afar.Tao Qian and other officials and generals in Xuzhou, including Liu Guanzhang, were waiting outside Xiapi City.

After a while, a large group of men and horses appeared in the distance, getting closer and closer.Tao Qian stroked his white beard slightly, rode his horse to meet him, and greeted him with a smile:

"The last time Marquis Wen killed Dong thief, this time when my Han family was in danger, he resolutely broke with that Yuan thief and vowed to fight against the Han thief with all the heroes in the world. He should be the loyal son of my great man. Now Wenhou comes to me Xuzhou will definitely be able to protect Xuzhou from being slaughtered by Yuan Thief."

It was Lu Bu who came, and he was recommended to Tao Qian by Zhang Miao, the prefect of Chenliu. Tao Qian agreed without hesitation.

Chapter 147 The curtain of the war opens

In the autumn of the first year of Jian'an, the war between Yuan Ying and Han Ying broke out.Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu launched a full-scale attack before the autumn harvest, and their intentions are not difficult to understand.

Yuan Shao's first attack direction is naturally Cao Cao.However, Yuan Shu directed his first attack to Tao Qian in the east. He had suffered several big losses in the process of attacking Jiangdong before.

Yuan Shu's wishful thinking is that Yuan Shao will attack Cao Cao and Tao Qian himself, and then the two Yuan territories will be united as one, and then join forces to go south to clean up Sun Ce, and go west to destroy the Han Dynasty.

Yuan Shu had a strong army, and he assembled an army of [-]. The troops were divided into three groups and attacked Xuzhou.It is planned to take Xuzhou quickly with an absolute superiority of troops.

The Xuzhou Army, with only more than 2 troops, could only retreat steadily and fortify step by step, delaying Yuan Jun's offensive rhythm.In anticipation of changes in the battle situation on the southern and western fronts.It is also thanks to the blessings of the good generals of the two major cliques of Lu Bu and Liu Bei, and the blessings of thousands of enemies, otherwise Xuzhou would be captured and Tao Qian's defeat would be within a month and ten days.

But on Yuan Shu's southern line, Sun Ce did not cross the Yangtze River north in time to attack Yuan Shu's belly.Because of the incident in Yuzhang County, his trip was delayed.

Liu Biao of Jingzhou saw that the imperial court insisted on Zhu Hao's appointment and dismissal as the prefect of Yuzhang, and had no intention of retreating at all.He himself was at a loss, but it happened to be at the critical point of begging Yuan.Therefore, Liu Biao, who didn't want to provoke too much trouble, stopped supporting Zhuge Xuan.More than a thousand Jingzhou soldiers were withdrawn.

Zhuge Xuancai went to Yuzhang for a few months, but he didn't win over many local rich and noble families, and of course he couldn't control many county soldiers.The soldiers of Yuzhang County under the control of Zhu Hao drove them out of Yuzhang.

Originally, the matter in Yuzhang County was over, but Danyang's powerful Ruo Rong led troops to attack Yuzhang, captured Nanchang City, and killed Zhu Hao.This Zhu Hao is the son of Zhu Jun, an important official of the imperial court.

Moreover, Ruo Rong is not only the first time to "commit a crime".He was Tao Qian's Prime Minister of Xiapi. When Cao Cao invaded Xuzhou, he took tens of thousands of people abducted by his men and abandoned his official position. When he passed by Guangling County in Yangzhou, he attacked and killed Zhao Yu, the prefect of Guangling who was entertaining him.