Can I get to the other side?

Chapter 171 The Emperor's edict, those who dare not obey will be beheaded

After Guo Jia spread the news that the Emperor would hold a ceremony to worship the heaven after offering sacrifices to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, it caused a great sensation in Yecheng and attracted the attention of many people.

Offering sacrifices to the Imperial Ancestral Temple is fine, it happens every year and has nothing to do with ordinary people, and they can't even see the face of the Emperor.

But offering sacrifices to the heaven is different, you can see the face of the Emperor.

Who in the world doesn't want to see the face of the Emperor?

Take the last time Yuan Shao executed Yuan Shu as an example. If Liu Xie hadn't shown up, there wouldn't have been so many people coming to watch. Most of the people came to see the Emperor.

In addition, after the gathering at Xun's Mansion that day, the major families all took action and started cutting meat directly, preparing heavy gifts for this ceremony to express their intention to serve.

Xuanshi

Xun Chen presented a long gift list to Liu Xie with both hands and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, this is a gift list from many noble families, please take a look."

Liu Xie took the gift list and saw that it was densely signed, and each name represented a great noble family. Moreover, the gifts they presented were extremely generous, with money, food, treasures, and huge trees, which made him feel dazzled.

"These noble families are really rich."

A trace of surprise flashed in Liu Xie's eyes.

Just from this gift list, we can see how deep the foundation of these noble families is, which is definitely not comparable to those small families. They are so generous at the first shot.

The value of the gifts on the gift list is enough to arm an army of 100,000 people to the teeth!

After sighing in his heart, Liu Xie smiled at Xun Chen and said, "Your Majesty, you have made great contributions to make so many noble families willing to serve you."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind." Xun Chen bowed slightly and said solemnly, "Your Majesty is a wise and brave man. You drove Yuan Shao away and regained power. This is the real reason why these noble families are willing to serve you."

"My contribution is really insignificant."

It is a taboo to take the initiative to ask for credit. It is enough to let the superior know the credit. Speaking it out will only make people feel that you are taking credit.

Xun Chen is well aware of this.

Liu Xie put down the gift list and continued to ask, "My dear, you wrote a letter to Xun Yu and Xun You, two of your clansmen, asking them to abandon the false emperor and come to me. How is this going?"

He is no longer satisfied with Yuan Shao.

Tian Feng, Ju Su, and Shen Pei under Yuan Shao are too difficult to dig.

Guo Tu and Xin Ping, who are slightly easier to dig, were killed by Yuan Xi again.

At present, the number of military generals is barely enough, but the number of counselors is somewhat stretched.

Especially the counselors who are good at internal affairs and logistics, which makes him jealous.

He plans to dig the corners to Cao Cao's side.

Xun Yu and Xun You are the capable counselors under Cao Cao. If these two people can be dug, it is equivalent to directly cutting off Cao Cao's arms.

"I..."

Xun Chen's forehead oozes a trace of cold sweat, and he carefully answers: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have not received a reply for the time being."

When he said these words, he was very uneasy.

Although he wrote a letter in front of the emperor a long time ago, he did not send it out immediately, because he did not think that the emperor could control Yecheng for a long time, although the prospects were bright.

But there was no need to let his brother and nephew who had settled down on Cao Cao's side come.

But with Zhang Liao's army entering the city, the ownership of Yecheng has become a foregone conclusion, and the emperor has regained power.

Even though this power is far less than that of the emperor in the prosperous times, it is definitely a sign of rise, a sign of the restoration of the Han Dynasty.

He read the history books, and the current situation of the emperor is exactly the same as that of Emperor Guangwu when he swept the world.

So he hurriedly sent the letter.

Liu Xie looked at Xun Chen with a smile.

Xun Chen's little thoughts naturally could not be hidden from him. People from aristocratic families are like this. Eggs will never be put in the same basket.

However, if the water is too clear, there will be no fish. Sometimes it is not necessary to say it so bluntly and thoroughly.

"It doesn't matter. Report to me when you get a reply."

Liu Xie said meaningfully: "But I hope you understand one thing. I will definitely fight against Cao thieves and capture and kill the false emperor in the future."

"So you still have to persuade them and make a wise choice like you, otherwise when I lead the army south, they will have no chance."

The tone was not heavy, but there was an unspeakable warning.

It was a warning to Xun Chen and the entire Xun family.

Xun Chen felt like he was being stabbed in the back, and he bowed his head and said respectfully: "I understand."

At this time, Guo Jia hurried into the Xuanshi Hall, bowed and reported: "Your Majesty, there is news from Qingzhou about Kong Wenju, the Prime Minister of Beihai."

Liu Xie paused, a little worried about Kong Rong's current situation. He asked: "How is Kong Wenju's current situation?"

Guo Jia replied solemnly: "Kong Rong's uprising caused Yuan Tan's army to lose thousands of people and several cities, so he was fiercely retaliated by Yuan Tan."

"Half a decade ago, Yuan Tan issued a wanted order for Kong Rong and Taishi Ci, and led a large army to attack Beihai County. Kong Rong was defeated and had to flee, and now he has fled into Jizhou."

After hearing this news, Liu Xie knew that Kong Rong, with only a few thousand troops, could not gain a foothold in Qingzhou.

After a brief thought, he said to Guo Jia: "Pass on my imperial edict and order Zhang Liao to lead 3,000 troops to meet Kong Wenju and bring him back to Yecheng safely."

The reason why Zhang Liao was able to pass Qingzhou safely this time was entirely because Kong Rong raised troops and attracted Yuan Tan's firepower. This credit is real.

Now that he was being retaliated against by Yuan Tan, it would be too ruthless for him to ignore it.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Guo Jia bowed to accept the order, turned around and retreated.

…

In Jizhou, there is a plain.

Taishi Ci led a remnant army of less than a thousand people to continuously attack, and not far behind the remnant army, there was a pursuer that followed closely, a mighty force of six thousand people!

It's Yuan Tan's Qingzhou Army!

Taishi Ci's delaying battle with Yuan Tan outside Shouguang County lasted three days. Although he succeeded in stopping Yuan Tan, he also completely angered him.

So after this battle, Yuan Tan mobilized his army to attack the cities he had captured, and at the same time raised troops to attack Beihai County.

Although Taishi Ci immediately gave up his plan to stand firm and chose to evacuate with Kong Rong and fled to Jizhou, he still underestimated Yuan Tan's resentment towards him and actually led his troops to hunt him down, looking like he would not stop until death. !

After more than ten days of fleeing, he had fewer than a thousand men under his command. Once he was caught up, he would surely die.

"General! They're almost catching up!"

A deputy general rode his horse to catch up with Tai Shici, looking anxious.

Taishi Ci looked back after hearing this, and sure enough he saw the Qingzhou Army approaching. He could even see the murderous intent and angry look on Yuan Tan's face!

"Ziyi! Run away and leave me alone!"

In the carriage, Kong Rong said anxiously.

He was old and frail and had weak bones, so he could not ride a horse for a long time and could only ride in a carriage. This is why although Taishi Ci's team was light, he could not escape the pursuit of Yuan Tan's army.

But Taishi Ci didn't seem to hear anything. He bent down and took out the bow and arrow from the side of the horse's belly, pointed it at Yuan Tan, and then shot several arrows in succession!

Taishi Ci's archery skills were quite good. This arrow went straight to Yuan Tan's head. However, Yuan Tan knew that Taishi Ci's archery skills were amazing, so he was on guard and bent down to avoid these arrows.

However, the pro-soldiers around him were not so lucky. Several people were accidentally hit by arrows and fell off their horses, causing some confusion and slowing down the pursuit.

Taishi Ci's remnant army also took the opportunity to put some distance between them.

But this not only did not make Yuan Tan give up the pursuit, but instead aroused the anger in his heart. He said with a ferocious smile: "Even if we chase you to the end of the world today! I will kill you!"

After that, he led the army to continue the pursuit!

If Kong Rong and Taishi Ci were not killed, his prestige in Qingzhou would plummet, which would be extremely detrimental to his rule over Qingzhou.

In the carriage, Kong Rong saw this scene and couldn't help but persuaded: "Ziyi, you have done your best to help me so far. There is no need to follow me to death. Hurry up and lead all the soldiers to escape!"

"If you take my seal and go to Yecheng, His Majesty will definitely accept you!"

He really didn't want to drag down Tai Shici and so many soldiers by himself, which made him feel guilty and uneasy.

"Prime Minister, please don't say anything else. I will protect you to the death!"

Taishi Ci did not waver at all because of Kong Rong's words. A trace of determination flashed in his eyes, and he ordered the soldiers on the left and right: "You escort the Prime Minister and continue running, I will stay to stop the enemy!"

"What? No!"

Kong Rong was shocked. There were 6,000 pursuers behind him. Taishi Ci stayed to stop him. What was the difference between him and his death?

Taishi Ci said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, please take care of my mother."

After saying that, he must turn his horse's head and turn around to fight!

But at this moment, the deputy general beside him reached out and grabbed him, and said in surprise: "General! Look ahead!"

Taishi Ci raised his head and looked ahead, only to see a line of black torrent appearing on the plain in the distance. It was an army of thousands of people, with an impressive momentum and a murderous spirit.

"That's..."

Taishi Ci's eyesight was very good, and he saw clearly that the flag erected by the army in front had the word "Zhang" on it, and his eyes couldn't help but light up.

At this time, Yuan Tan, who was chasing Tai Shici from the rear, also noticed the sudden appearance of the army in front. He was a little surprised and uncertain, so he ordered his troops to slow down.

Soon, the two armies met on the plain.

The two sides were only a few hundred steps apart.

Taishi Ci and other remnants of the army were caught in the middle.

In the army ahead, a burly general rode out on horseback, clasped his fists at Taishi Ci and said, "I am Fenwei General Zhang Liao! On the order of the Emperor, I welcome the Prime Minister of Beihai to Yecheng for an audience!"

As soon as these words came out, the remnants of Taishi Ci's army were overjoyed.

But Yuan Tan's face darkened instantly!

He never expected that the army in front of him was actually Zhang Liao's army passing through Qingzhou. Sure enough, they were in secret with Kong Rong!

"General Zhang!"

Yuan Tance immediately stepped forward and stared at Zhang Liao with an unkind look, "Kong Rong is undoubtedly rebelling against the Party by raising troops to cause chaos. You said that Your Majesty wants to summon him. Do you have an edict?"

Murderous intent has emerged in his mind.

There were only 3,000 people on Zhang Liao's side, while there were 6,000 on his side. Six thousand versus three thousand, the advantage is his! He can completely destroy Zhang Liao's army!

As for whether doing this would violate the emperor's order... Well, it doesn't matter if he is just a puppet and violates the edict? Just find any excuse to excuse it.

"Qiang——!"

Facing Yuan Tan's question, he was answered with a uniform sound of drawing swords. All three thousand troops drew their swords, and the bright blades reflected the sunlight in the sky, which was dazzling and penetrating.

Zhang Liao immediately raised his sword and looked at Yuan Tan coldly: "The emperor's edict, dare anyone who disobeys it——"

"cut!"

As soon as the words fell, the three thousand troops stepped forward together!

A surge of murderous intent burst out!

The remnant troops under Taishi Ci stood in front of such an elite army. Even though they knew that this murderous intention was not coming towards them, they were still pale with fright. The two groups fought, almost wanting to leave first.

They were like this, not to mention Yuan Tan who was regarded as the enemy and many Qingzhou troops. At the moment when the three thousand Xuzhou troops broke out with murderous intent, even at noon, they couldn't help but feel chills on their backs.

A thought came to everyone's mind - they are no match for this army, even if their number is doubled, it will be useless!

Yuan Tan also felt frightened. Only then did he notice that the Xuzhou Army was wearing all black armor and standard horizontal swords. The equipment was far more elite than his Qingzhou Army!

"Where did Lu Bu get the money to arm such a large army?"

"Where did they get such sophisticated equipment?"

Yuan Tan was shocked and confused.

It would be understandable if there were only 3,000 men in front of us with elite equipment, but if there were 10,000 people... a total of 10,000 armored men, it makes me shudder just thinking about it. How many people in the world can have such an army!

Enough to sweep across the entire Jizhou!

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Yuan Tan took a deep look at Zhang Liao, and finally reluctantly looked away from Tai Shici and ordered: "Since it is the emperor's order, how can I disrespect it? Withdraw the troops!"

He was not sure of defeating Zhang Liao, and his intuition told him that if a war started, he would definitely be defeated. The gap in weapons, equipment, and quality of soldiers between the two sides was too great. The number of soldiers would have to be at least three times greater to defeat Zhang Liao, and he would still suffer heavy losses. Under the premise!

Yuan Tan could only lead the Qingzhou Army to retreat unwillingly.

After Yuan Tan's army retreated, Zhang Liao ordered to put away his sword, rode his horse to Kong Rong's carriage, and said: "Last time we were able to pass through Qingzhou safely, thanks to the help of the state minister."

Kong Rong also breathed a sigh of relief at this time, waved his hand, pointed at Taishi Ci and said: "I am not helping you, it is Ziyi who leads the army."

He only gave the order to raise troops, but Tai Shici was responsible for the actual leading of the troops and fighting. He had always stayed in Beihai County, so the whole matter actually had little to do with him.

He didn't want to take credit, he just wanted Zhang Liao to remember Taishi Ci's favor.

"Thank you." Zhang Liao saluted Taishi Ci again and then said, "It's getting late. Let's set off as soon as possible. We must return to Yecheng as soon as possible."

Taishi Ci nodded. Before arriving in Yecheng, we must not let down our guard. No one knows if other accidents will occur.

After everyone tidied up a little, they set out on the road to Yecheng.

…

With Zhang Liao's escort, Kong Rong encountered no accidents along the way and arrived at Yecheng safely, where he was summoned by Liu Xie.

"We said goodbye last year. Is your beloved okay?"

Kong Rong, who was standing in the main hall, couldn't help but look up when he heard the familiar voice. When he saw Liu Xie's smiling face, he felt extremely complicated.

More than half a year has passed since the last time we met, but in such a short period of time, the emperor has completed the change from a puppet to a real power, not only drove away Yuan Shao, but also controlled the entire Ye city!

Now that Lu Bu is loyal, he can really, as the emperor said that day, take over the four northern states step by step, and use this as a basis to imitate Emperor Guangwu and sweep the world.

Kong Rong was filled with great admiration, and Liu Xie immediately paid homage and said respectfully: "Congratulations to your Majesty for regaining power. I am...well."

Liu Xie smiled slightly and said: "It's good that you're fine. I heard that Aiqing was being hunted by Yuan Tan, so I immediately went to rescue General Zhang. Finally, the rescue was in time, otherwise I would have lost a Taichang Qing."

"I still need to trouble my beloved to take responsibility for this grand ceremony."

Kong Rong was shocked, Taichang Qing, the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven!

Calculating the time, shouldn’t it be a sacrifice to the Ancestral Temple?

But soon, he reacted.

The emperor wanted to take advantage of the opportunity of worshiping the Ancestral Temple to hold a ceremony to worship the heaven, so as to announce to the world and let the world know that the emperor was out of trouble.

While frightening the princes from all walks of life, it also enhances its own prestige, so that the world will return to its heart, and people with lofty ideals will rush to join us.

I thought I would have a weekend off today, but I didn't want to have to go to court. I wrote 4,500 words during the court meeting. I have returned to the palace and continue to work hard on writing.