According to the newly received intelligence report, Ji Ling was attacked from the north and the south. He was defeated and fled. Cao Cao made a surprise attack on Liu Biao, and the two armies fought in the Yuyang area.
Liu Xiang took the map and looked at the territory occupied by Cao Cao. The eastern part of Yanzhou, Yingchuan County of Yuzhou, and most of Nanyang County of Jingzhou. Although several areas were connected together, they were too narrow and long.
Now he ignores Yuan Shao's face and attacks his allies, and his intention to plot Jingzhou is clearly revealed.
Do you want to abandon Yanzhou and turn to the southwest for development?
Territories that are too narrow and long will inevitably be undefendable. Whether it is Yuan Shu or Yuan Shao, they will definitely get involved in these territories. Now is the stage of staking the territory to strengthen themselves. If the two brothers of the Yuan family did not have a fundamental conflict of interest, they would also
I won't beat you to death.
But Yanzhou was occupied by the Yuan brothers, which was not in Liu Xiang's interests.
His eyes looked at Chen Guo.
The State of Chen is located to the east of Yingchuan County, to the south of Chenliu County, and to the north of Runan County. King Liu Chong of Chen is brave and calls himself the General of the Han Dynasty. He has nearly 20,000 troops. He has the support of King Liu Mi of Liang. The territories of the two countries are connected and they can just block it.
The Yuan brothers went north to Yanzhou.
It's just that it's a little weaker.
They have to find a way to make Liu Chong stronger, otherwise they will definitely be destroyed by the Yuan brothers. Fortunately, they still have the support of King Lu, and there are signs of an alliance between princes and kings named Liu.
The State of Lu, Chen and Liang both belonged to Yuzhou, but they did not share the border. They were separated by the State of Pei. The State of Pei was occupied by Yuan Shao. King Liu Yao of Pei must have been very depressed. Liu Xiang felt that there was something to be done here.
The territory of Yuzhou has been disconnected. If the three countries still want to be connected, they can find a way from Yanzhou and contact Liu Tuo, the king of Rencheng, to seize Shanyang County and the southern part of Jiyin County in Yanzhou. Then the four countries can be connected.
There is also Liu Kai, King of Dongping, in the north, which borders Lu and Rencheng.
Promoting the alliance of the five countries will definitely stop the Yuan brothers. If they rescue King Liu Yao of Pei from Yuan Shao and form an alliance of six kings, then they will have irreconcilable conflicts with Yuan Shao.
According to Liu Chong's words and deeds, he wanted to defeat the national traitors and welcome back Jinshang, but he also couldn't stand the heterosexual warlords such as Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.
When the Kwantung Allied Forces formed an alliance to conquer Dong, he supported the troops and set up a flag, called himself the General of the Assistant Han, and announced a crusade against the national traitors, but completely ignored the Kwantung scholars.
They are both clans and support their own troops. Liu Xiang and him are natural allies.
Moreover, I was appointed by the imperial court to be the Minister of Records, to lead the military affairs of You, and the six states of Qing, Hebei, Yan, and Henan. I could legitimately intervene in the army of Yanzhou and Yuzhou and support them in establishing a coalition to attack the national traitors. No one could criticize me.
That’s it!
Rather than being annexed and won over by others, it is better to let them stand on their own. Even if they take advantage of the situation and eventually become your enemies, it doesn't matter, as long as the purpose of dividing the princes of Henan is achieved.
If the alliance of six kings is successful, King Pei will be occupied by Yuan Shao, and King Dongping and King Rencheng will be robbed by Cao Cao. The conflict will be huge, and the chance of a fight is very high.
The decision was made, and Xun Chen, Xun Yu and others were summoned to discuss the matter. It was necessary to send envoys to various countries to lobby these princes and kings.
"My lord, you can ask Liu Bo'an to pass on the message and persuade you, and you will get twice the result with half the effort." Xun Yu came up with a good idea.
Liu Yu's reputation among the clan was a great help to this matter.
Liu Xiang pondered for a while and asked, "Would it be more beneficial if the royal family members who support the elderly also show their support?"
Xun Chen suggested: "If we can provide some financial assistance, it can prove that their situation is good, and it can also leave a way out for the remaining six kings of Yanzhou and Yuzhou. Even if they fail, they can retreat to Jizhou and live a worry-free life."
"
Yes, verbal support cannot be as real as paying for it in real money.
But how can we get those princes and kings who are living in vain and retiring in Jizhou to pay for it?
Liu Xiang turned to Xun Yu and asked: "How is the construction of Nancheng in Ye County going?"
The Beicheng District of Ye County had already been built. After the relocation, the Nancheng District was demolished and rebuilt. The hard laborers who built the bookstore were transferred to build the city.
The topic was a little jumpy. Xun Yu, while thinking about his lord's intention, replied: "The foundation and trenches have been completed, and the government offices and buildings are being built."
"In the central area of Nancheng, set aside an area suitable for business and build several lofts that integrate wine houses, restaurants, entertainment venues, and treasure appreciation. They must be exquisite and gorgeous and of great use."
Liu Xiang wanted to build a high-end entertainment venue to provide a place for scholars, wealthy people, and officials to have fun. There were more and more noble families and wealthy households under his rule. He couldn't stop this, so he might as well make money by himself.
"What is your lord's intention?" Xun Yu was puzzled.
My master has always been frugal, with no more than three meals a day and no colorful clothes. Although he does not criticize others harshly, the order to build such a place for recreation is inconsistent with his character. There must be a deep meaning in it.
"Tell this to the princes and kings who are retiring in Jizhou and ask them to spend money to build a building. I will occupy three floors of the building, and they will divide the rest among themselves and give them a living to support their families.
By the way, I would like to express my support for King Chen and others. If done well, buildings can be built in Jizhou, Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Qingzhou. The territory of King Chen and others will be stable, and business can be done under their rule. Let them
Take a longer view.”
This kind of restaurant is backed by Liu Xiang and Wang Jue surnamed Liu. As long as it is run well, it will definitely make money. In addition to the bundling of interests, the most important thing is a signal.
To jointly operate an industry with them is to begin to accept them, and to give them a reassurance that they will not be looking for back-ends in the future.
This is the biggest psychological need of several princes and kings living in Jizhou.
Xun Yu, Xun Chen and others all understood this truth. As for whether the princes surnamed Liu could understand it, Liu Yu would naturally explain it to them.
Those who understand the truth and want to live well should know what to do.
Liu Xiang ordered: "Order Xun Chen as the chief envoy and Mi Zhu as the deputy envoy to travel to various countries to lobby Chen Wang and others. "
Xun Chen is sharp-tongued and Mi Zhu is sophisticated. The two of them can accomplish their mission if they work together.
The two also had a division of labor. Xun Chen first went to King Chen to persuade Liu Chong to form an alliance with Liu Xiang, expressing his support for his intention to connect the clan, princes and kings.
Mi Zhu went to Jizhou and took letters from Liu Yu and the kings of Jibei, Jinan, Qi, Beihai, Hejian, and Zhao. Then he went south to Chen State to join Xun Chen, and then together he went on an envoy to Rencheng State and Dongping State.
country and help Liu Chong persuade the kings to form an alliance.
When Xun Chen arrived in the state of Chen, he was given a grand reception. Liu Chong hosted a banquet in the palace to welcome him, accompanied by the state minister Luo Jun. Knowing his purpose, he stroked his gray beard and smiled happily.
"Hahahaha, okay, okay, our clans should have formed an alliance to defeat the traitors and help the Han Dynasty."
"King Chen is brave, he should be able to lead all countries, welcome your majesty back, and revitalize the Han Dynasty."
To defeat the traitors, we must wipe them out, but it is a pity that we are unable to do so."
Liu Chong said angrily: "Those thieves have different intentions and want to usurp the Liu family. They should all die."
The guests and host had a great time, and the alliance was agreed upon on the spot.
After the banquet, Luo Jun advised: "Your Majesty, please be careful. Liu Yicheng is really a cunning person and should not be fully trusted."
"I know it in my heart, but today is different from the past. The order is corrupted. The first priority is strength. We must strengthen ourselves first, and we will talk about the rest later." Liu Chong had no choice.
The emperor fell into the hands of thieves, warlords from all over the country rose up, and the Liu family was in danger. It became difficult to hold on to one's own kingdom, let alone support the Han Dynasty.
He knew in his heart that if he didn't rely on Liu Yicheng, he would be destroyed in the blink of an eye.
The title and position of the princes and kings surnamed Liu are nothing now, military strength is the basis of everything.