The second year of Xingping began to slowly come to an end, and the first year of Jian'an was about to come.
In this last month, except for the battle between Lu Bu and Liu Bei in Xuzhou, other states were relatively uneventful.
Li Jue, Guo Si and others in Guanzhong let Emperor Xian Liu Xie go, but soon regretted it and immediately planned to send troops to pursue him.
But Liu Xie was also surrounded by Zhang Ji, Yang Ding, Dong Cheng and others. These people were at odds with each other, and everyone had their own evil intentions. The result was a chaotic fight, and the stupidity of several people was almost broken.
The news about the emperor was also the focus of attention of other princes.
Yuan Shu learned that the emperor was in trouble, so he secretly raised the idea of proclaiming himself emperor in the court. However, as soon as he raised the idea, he was strongly refuted by his subordinates.
With no other choice, Yuan Shu could only put the matter aside for the time being, and instead planned to join forces with Lu Bu to concentrate on dealing with Liu Bei who was stationed in Guangling.
Some counselors under Yuan Shao came up with the idea of "holding the emperor hostage to command the princes", but as the lord, Yuan Shao didn't seem to be very interested in this.
On the contrary, Cao Cao, after hearing that the emperor was in trouble, not only sent troops to assist the king, but also promptly provided food and grass, which instantly gained a lot of favor from Emperor Xian.
Whether Cao Cao's move was really for the sake of the Han Dynasty, or whether he had his own Xiao Jiujiu, apart from himself, probably no one else in the world knew.
As for Gongsun Zan, he is currently besieged by the old troops of Liu Yu and Yuan Shao, and is forced to garrison in Yijing. The two armies are still in a stalemate.
Sun Ce in the south had also defeated Liu Yao and was preparing to attack Kuaiji.
...
...
Just when the outside world was buzzing, there was a young man in Xiapi City, lying comfortably on a deck chair, enjoying the afternoon sunshine.
The young man is none other than Lin Zhe.
Since that dinner, Lin Zhe was placed under house arrest by Lu Bu. He could hardly go anywhere except that courtyard.
Lu Bu's request is also very simple, surrender to him, or... be imprisoned like this forever!
Fortunately, Lin Zhe was only restricted in his movements and was not too harshly criticized in other aspects.
Not only were all daily necessities provided, Lu Bu even selected several beautiful maids from Xiapi City to serve him morning and evening.
Although these maids were indeed beautiful, Lin Zhe still refused because of his young age.
In addition to these maids, Lin Zhe accepted all the gold, silver, treasures, wine and delicacies sent to him and took them all into his pocket.
In the eyes of outsiders, although Lin Zhe did not directly agree to surrender, he did not seem to explicitly refuse.
Lin Zhe's performance is actually very simple in summary - he doesn't refuse and doesn't take the initiative.
In the first few days, Chen Gong still paid a lot of attention to Lin Zhe.
It turned out that apart from ordering someone to build a recliner, Lin Zhe did almost nothing else except eat and sleep every day. Chen Gong was relieved and turned his attention to other things.
After all, everything in Xiapi City was flourishing, and he had to do everything by himself. In addition, Yuan Shu had already sent an envoy, and he still had to discuss the alliance with him. Naturally, he could not waste too much time on Lin Zhe.
Zhao Wu was also imprisoned in a small courtyard with Lin Zhe, but the difference was that few people cared about him, which also gave him a lot of room for action.
After the dinner that day, Lin Zhe asked him to spread the news. After receiving this task, he did not dare to slack off at all.
After bribing the food delivery boy, Zhao Wu quietly contacted his cronies in the city every evening and ordered them to spread the news that Chen Gong wanted to rebel.
However, the dissemination effect does not seem to be ideal.
Xiapi City seemed to be controlled by a pair of invisible hands behind its back. In the first few days, people were still talking about it in the streets and alleys.
It is rumored that Chen Gong plans to surrender to Cao Cao and prepares to send the people of Xuzhou as a gift.
However, within two days, martial law was put into effect in Xiapi City, and an order was issued - it was wartime, and if the people dared to discuss court affairs, they would be punished with ten sticks, and fifty sticks if they were serious.
As soon as this order came out, let alone spreading public opinion, the people in Xiapi City now did not even dare to discuss politics normally.
Public opinion has been strangled in the cradle before it even emerges.
Zhao Wu panicked a little.
It’s just that he didn’t understand his husband’s plan. Now he was just spreading the news. He couldn’t do such a small thing well. Zhao Wu felt very guilty in his heart.
However, he had no good solution. As a last resort, Zhao Wu decided to confess to Lin Zhe and ask about the solution.
Seeing Lin Zhe closing his eyes and concentrating on the recliner, Zhao Wu did not dare to disturb him. While hesitating, his whole body hit the door, making a muffled sound.
Lin Zhe was also attracted by the movement. He raised his head and saw that Zhao Wu was coming. He couldn't help but ask, "Is there something wrong, General Zhao?"
"gentlemen..."
Zhao Wu rubbed the head he had just hit, and a look of struggle appeared on his face.
Then, as if he had made up his mind, he took a breath of cold air, gritted his teeth and clasped his fists and said, "Zhao Wu is incompetent!"
"I...I...failed to do what you asked me to do!"
"People are not allowed to discuss government affairs in the city, and the few brothers who were sent out to spread the news had a very difficult time, and several of them were almost arrested and slapped by the government..."
"That's it..."
Lin Zhe nodded, indicating that he already understood.
He knew in his heart that this must be Chen Gong's handiwork.
I originally planned to use the common people as a breakthrough point to plant the seeds of suspicion, but I didn't expect that Chen Gong just gave an order casually and completely blocked this road.
but...
Can it really be possible?!
A confident smile emerged from the corner of Lin Zhe's mouth. This is impossible!
He has a lot of say in this.
The more the superiors do not let the people speak because of a certain matter, the stronger the people's thirst for knowledge becomes.
Ban...does it really work?
Lin Zhe waved his hand, signaling Zhao Wu to drop the matter and let him not be impatient and wait for the matter to slowly ferment.
Then Lin Zhe changed the topic and asked casually.
"By the way, has anything happened in the city recently?"
Zhao Wu thought for a while, clasped his fists and said: "After the martial law in the city, it was much more difficult for the brothers outside to get news. However, a team came in from outside two days ago. Judging from their support, it seemed that they were envoys sent from somewhere.
There was quite a commotion in the city, and many people saw it!"
"Guard of honor? Messenger?"
Lin Zhe's eyes narrowed and he couldn't help but sit up from the recliner.
I have been waiting for so long, and finally it’s here!
Apart from Yuan Shu, Lin Zhe couldn't think of anyone else who could send an envoy to Xuzhou right now.
In this case...it's time for me to meet Lu Bu!
However, just when Lin Zhe was about to leave, an uninvited guest suddenly arrived in the courtyard.