The emperor is about to believe and doubt.

Of course, he hoped that Yuan Tan would send troops - only if Yuan Tan, like Cao Cao, could he play a role in restraining Sun Ce and create opportunities for the court's breakthrough in the middle of the court - but he also knew that Jizhou was not Yizhou and did not have the conditions to launch a large-scale army. Jizhou neither had the geographical advantage of Yizhou that was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and was easily subjected to Sun Ce's full-strength counterattack, nor the economic strength of Yizhou.

So did Yuan Tan send troops as a false imprisonment and perfunctory to the court, or did he realize the danger that Sun Ce might defeat each of them, and he had to take a gamble?

The emperor summoned the monarch and ministers to discuss matters and analyze the authenticity of Yuan Tan's troops. Everyone had different opinions and had their own thoughts. The conclusions basically did not fall within the scope of the emperor's analysis. The Grand Marshal Sun Rui kept silent. The emperor felt strange. After the meeting, the emperor's general Sun Rui stayed and asked for his opinions separately.

"The Grand Marshal refused to teach me with one word. Could it be that there is a hidden secret that cannot be said?"

Shi Sun Rui bowed and bowed. "Your Majesty, I, Yuan Shao, and Wang Yun are all accomplices. You are unwilling to abandon you and are led by your Majesty. When you are the three ministers, you will never be loyal and wise. However, others may not have your Majesty's mind, and it is inevitable that you think that I, Yuan Tanli, should have ulterior motives."

The emperor understood what Shi Sun Rui meant. "The Grand Marshal thinks Yuan Tan is true?"

"I dare to ask Your Majesty, what is Yuan Tan in Your Majesty's heart? A prince like Sun Ce or a minister of Jizhou in the court?"

The emperor stared at Shi Sun Rui for a long time. "What do the Taiwei think?"

Shi Sun Rui did not think. "Have you forgotten about your Majesty? Yuan Shao was once the confidant of General He Jin. He supported Your Majesty's brother, King Hongnong. After Your Majesty ascended the throne, he clearly expressed his doubts about Your Majesty's bloodline, and he forged an edict to act and ignored the court. If Xun Lingjun had not planned for Your Majesty, the world would not be different from Zhu Zi. Not to mention the people of Jizhou, Yuan Tan inherited Yuan Shao's will and separatisted Jizhou, how could he have a court in his heart?"

The emperor was surprised and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Shi Sun Rui asked again: "Does Your Majesty think that Cao Cao, the governor of Yizhou, is a loyal minister of the court?"

"This..." The emperor was speechless, his eyes became more and more surprised. Shi Sun Rui was out of his normal state today and his sharp remarks. What happened to him? It would be fine to suspect Yuan Tan, but why did even Cao Cao doubt it? But then again, this is indeed a problem. Cao Cao was once Yuan Shao's old subordinate, and he fought for Jingzhou under Yuan Shao's order, but was defeated by Sun Ce, and then came to Chang'an. His son Cao Ang was both the old subordinate of Yuan Tan and Sun Ce's in-laws. His relationship was complicated. If he was to say that he was a loyal minister of the court, few people would believe him.

"Your Majesty, Yuan Tan sent troops not for the court, but for himself. In the fourth year of Chuping, Yuan Tan was the governor of Yanzhou and had a great battle with Sun Ce and was defeated by Sun Ce in the second year of Chuping, and almost died. They were not Sun Ce's opponents. Cao Cao was a member of Yuan Shao and was defeated by Sun Ce in the second year of Chuping. They were neither Sun Ce's opponents. Cao Cao was in danger of Yizhou and was still attacked by Zhou Yu and Huang Zhong, and was in danger. If the court and Cao Cao were both defeated, how could Yuan Tan survive alone?"

Emperor Ce had a weak head. He understood the meaning of Shi Sun Rui. Yuan Tan sent troops to the point of sending troops, although he was not for the court, and he might have contact with Cao Cao. If Cao Cao was defeated by Sun Ce and lost Yizhou, Jizhou would be in danger. For himself, he had to send troops to restrain Sun Ce.

"Your Majesty, it is true that Yuan Tan sent troops. Since Yuan Tan is not a minister, he can only be an ally, Your Majesty can judge the authenticity of it and only see whether it is a pros and cons to him, and there is no need to consider too much. Naturally, if the court takes measures, it should also be based on whether it is beneficial to the court, rather than anything else."

The emperor suddenly realized. "Yes, when he moved the capital to Guanzhong, Xun Lingjun said this." He scratched his head and looked ashamed. "It's just that I haven't really understood the intention. If it were not reminded by the Taiwei, I almost made a big mistake again."

Shi Sun Rui bowed and bowed. "Your Majesty, let the Lord devote all his energy and plan for His Majesty. Your Majesty should treat him with a confidant."

A strange look flashed in the emperor's eyes. Shi Sun Rui took the opportunity to speak for Xun Yu, not hoping that he would doubt Xun Yu's loyalty because of Zhong Yao's affairs. To be honest, when he learned that Zhong Yao was absconded, he did consider whether Xun Yu knew about it, but this thought disappeared in a flash. He believed in Xun Yu. This is the trust accumulated over the years, and there is no doubt.

However, he was still very happy. In this sensitive period, Shi Sun Rui's ability to support Xun Yu was a testament to loyalty. Zhong Yao had a close relationship with Xun Yu, and the private house where Xun Yu now lived was Zhong Yao's old house. After the incident of Zhong Yao, he had never expressed his opinion. Even Liu Ye couldn't figure out his opinion of Xun Yu, so he did not dare to speak out for advice. Shi Sun Rui did not have this concern and his courage was commendable.

"Taiwei, Xun Lingjun is not only my confidant, but also my in-laws." The emperor waved his hand gently, and a hint of relief arose the corner of his mouth. "Then Taiwei tell me, how should we make profits?"

"Hongnong is difficult to break quickly. If you do not attack, you should first take Hedong, and then send troops to capture the Lu family and Yiyang, intervene in the fields and accumulate valleys, resist the troops from Nanyang in the south, force Hongnong in the north, force Luoyang in the east, and guard Guanzhong in the west, and force Lusu to withdraw his troops."

"Will Lu Su withdraw?"

"Your Majesty goes all out to show Yuan Tan's sincerity, and Yuan Tan can attack the plains with all his strength. Xun Yan can also wait for an opportunity to act in Hanoi, and Lu Su is difficult to take care of both. Unless Sun Ce reinforces, the main force will inevitably withdraw to Luoyang."

"Will Sun Ce not reinforce?"

"It is possible, but it is unlikely. Hongnong is deserted, the household registration is insufficient, and the income from military farming in Luoyang is not enough to support the army. Sun Ce can only transfer from Nanyang or Yingchuan. From the Dizhu to the 36 beaches of Xiaopingjin, the water flows rapidly and is difficult to pass during the flood season. Even if it is transported through valley water, it can only reach the pond. If it is transported through land, it will consume more. Moreover, Tongguan is dangerous, and when the east is not yet settled, Sun Ce cannot move west with all his strength. After pacifying the east, he will move westward with three routes concurrently. This is the best strategy."

The emperor quietly let out a sigh and asked, "Hongnong is easy to take, how to take Hedong?"

"Please issue another edict to conquer Li Ru, and Jia Xu enters the court."

"Li Ru?" The emperor's eyes couldn't help but thrust, and the blue veins were raised.

"Yes, Li Ru is from Feng Xiang. He was a doctor. Because he had no family background and was sluggish, he was unable to be promoted for decades. Therefore, Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang and Li Ru became his followers. Jia Xu was similar to his situation. He was trapped in Luoyang for several years and lived in Luoyang for several years. When he was sick, he had to return to Liangzhou. They were all poor families, and it was not their original intention, but they had to go to Dong Zhuo. They had the same fate, so they could advance and retreat together. Your Majesty just pardoned Jia Xu. Jia Xu must have doubts. If Li Ru could be pardoned at the same time, the situation might be different."

The emperor pondered: "After that being said, Li Ru killed my brother..."

"Li Ru was ordered by Dong Zhuo to kill King Hongnong. Although he was guilty, Niu Fu and Dong Yue's disciples killed innocent people under Dong Zhuo's order. Is it true that his Majesty can pardon them, why can't Li Ru be pardoned? Is it because King Hongnong is Your Majesty's brother, and others are not?"

The emperor thought for a long time. "Li Ru, Jia Xu, can he take Hedong when he enters the court?"

"Your Majesty, Dong Yue, Niu Fu is just an ordinary man. If there were no Li Ru and Jia Xu to plan, how could he have today? Li Ru and Jia Xu entered the court. Your Majesty may be a high-ranking official or a generous profit, so that Dong Yue will return to Liangzhou like Niu Fu, or drive Dong Yue to fight, which is easy to turn against his hands."

The emperor was in a dilemma. He knew the importance of Hedong, but it was easy to make him pardon Jia Xu, but it was really difficult to pardon Li Ru. Li Ru poisoned his brother, King Hongnong, and he wished he could eat his flesh and sleep with his skin. How could he still hold a soft wheel to enter the court?

"Taiwei, let me think about Li Ru's affairs again. Hongnong's affairs must be stepped up. Do you think it is better to arrange for Lu's family?"

"Gao Shun. Rewarding the rewards. Gao Shun has meritoriousness and outstanding abilities, so he naturally needs to reward, and he must pay more." Shi Sun Rui did not think. "Send Huangfu Jianshou to surround Hongnong, restrain Lu Su and Jiang Qin, and then order Gao Shun to be the prefect of Hongnong, take Lu family and Yiyang, and detour behind Lu Su to show the situation."

The emperor looked at Shi Sun Rui for a long time and felt in his heart that Shi Sun Rui and Wang Yun were the same party, but he and Wang Yun were two types of people. Wang Yun’s party members have a strong habit, are high-profile and extreme, and are willing to take power. After designing that Dong Zhuo killed Dong Zhuo, he regarded himself as a hero, and wanted everyone in the world to know his contributions. Shi Sun Rui was obviously a co-conspirator and made a lot of efforts, but he didn’t say a word. Many people didn’t even know the role of Shi Sun Rui in it.

But after getting along, Shi Sun Rui can do practical things. Not to mention anything else, it is recommended to pardon Li Ru and entrust Gao Shun to be the prefect of Hongnong at this time, which are all measures that are devoted to the court. Gao Shun has the ability to command troops and let him capture the Lu family and Yiyang, and there is a great possibility of success. Gao Shun was also Lu Bu's old subordinate, appointed Gao Shun as the prefect of Hongnong, giving Lu Bu face, maintaining the balance between Bingzhou and Liangzhou, killing two birds with one stone, and being a master.

If there are such ministers who cannot be used, how can we revive the Han Dynasty?

The emperor thought for a while and made a decision. "According to what the Taiwei said, Gao Shun was appointed as the partial general, led the prefect of Hongnong, conquered Li Ru, and Jia Xu entered the court."

The scholar Sun Rui was overjoyed and fell to the ground. He immediately proposed to send the Shangshu Lang Han Bin as an envoy to Hedong to announce the imperial edict. Han Bin had been Zuo Fengyi and had an old relationship with Li Ru. He came forward to announce the imperial edict, and Li Ru wanted to give him some face.

The emperor immediately ordered someone to draft an edict, wrote a handwritten letter and sent someone to Chang'an. He explained the recent situation one by one, especially the matter of Zhong Yao. He did not hide it, but he said he would treat it differently and would not suspect Ru Ying people because of Zhong Yao's affairs. Please rest assured Xun Yu.

When Lu Bu was very excited when he learned that Gao Shun had made merits and was promoted to a general, and was appointed as the prefect of Hongnong, Lu Bu was very excited. He asked the emperor to instruct the emperor and sent more Qin Yi and Li Su to assist Gao Shun. The emperor knew what he meant and was right in his mind. He immediately agreed and promised to seize the Lu family and Yiyang counties, Qin Yi and Li Su as county magistrates.

Lu Bu was overjoyed and explained to Qin Yi and Li Su that they each led 2,000 people to reinforce. Gao Shun originally had 3,000 people, but he had fought with Jiang Qin for half a month and lost several hundred people. In addition, the injured were reduced, and the total number of people was reduced to more than a thousand. Yiyang was not enough to capture the Lu family. The Xiliang soldiers under Huangfu Jianshou could not count on, and the Bingzhou Army was really reliable. With these 4,000 reinforcements, the chances of victory were much greater.
Chapter completed!