gnovel Chapter 103 The Imperial Edict to Defend the Emperor, and the Little Nine-Nine of the Feudal Lords
Chapter 103 The Imperial Edict to Defend the Emperor, and the Little Nine-Nine of the Feudal Lords
Chapter 103 The Imperial Edict to Support the Emperor, and the Hidden agendas of the feudal lords
"What exactly is your plan?" Liu Bei asked Lu Yong, recovering from his shock.
Lu Yong shook his head and replied, "My lord, it's best if you don't know about this plan."
Liu Bei frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"
"If you act carelessly and your plan is leaked, you can claim you knew nothing about it. It was your subordinates acting on their own, and it has nothing to do with you—"
Before Lu Yong could finish speaking, Liu Bei suddenly slammed his hand on the table, interrupting him.
His breathing became heavy, his chest heaving violently. "Lu Huai'an!" Liu Bei's voice carried a suppressed anger. "Do you think I, Liu Bei, am the kind of person who would push his brothers out to take the blame when something goes wrong?"
Lu Yong neither backed down nor panicked.
He simply looked calmly at Liu Bei and waited for him to finish speaking.
"Since I, Liu Bei, raised my army, no matter how difficult the situation, I have never betrayed any of my brothers who followed me!"
You want me to pretend I don't know so that I can shift the blame to you after things go wrong?
I, Liu Yu, cannot do it!
Lu Yong listened quietly to Liu Bei's roar, and only after Liu Bei finished speaking did he cup his hands and say, "My lord, I can listen to you on other matters."
But on this one matter, we ask that you listen to us.
Liu Bei looked into Lu Yong's eyes.
There was no flickering or retreat in those eyes, only an unwavering determination.
"Huai'an, tell me, just how risky is this plan?"
"It's very risky." Lu Yong didn't hide the risks, saying, "Once it's leaked, those involved will at least be disgraced, and at worst, their entire families will be executed."
Liu Bei gasped, then asked, "Then why take this step?"
"If we don't take this step, we can only sit and wait for others to welcome the emperor, and then be at their mercy."
Liu Bei fell silent and slowly sat down.
He just sat there, motionless, like a stone statue.
Lu Yong didn't urge him, but sat quietly opposite him, sipping his tea.
Liu Bei only snapped out of his reverie after Lu Yong had finished drinking all the tea in the teapot.
"Huai'an, I'll say it again." Liu Bei had regained his composure, and his voice had returned to its usual calm. "No matter how risky this plan is, I, Liu Bei, will never abandon my brothers."
Even if we fail in the future, even if our crimes are heinous, I, Liu Bei, will stand with you all!
After saying that, Liu Bei extended his hand to Lu Yong.
Even with Lu Yong's temperament, he couldn't help but feel moved upon hearing these words.
He took a deep breath, reached out and grasped Liu Bei's hand, and said, "With your words, my lord, that is enough."
Liu Bei patted Lu Yong's hand and said, "Is there anything I can do for you?"
Lu Yong released Liu Bei's hand and laughed, "Let's bring Fengxiao back first. He still needs to control the Intelligence Division."
The position of Prefect of Yuzhang can be given to Zijing.
Zijing is steady and composed; he is more suitable for governing than Fengxiao.
Liu Bei's lips twitched slightly, and he asked suspiciously, "You've said so much just to get me to call Fengxiao back, haven't you?"
Lu Yong neither denied nor admitted it, but simply said: "The matter of the emperor's return to the east involves various forces."
Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Liu Biao, and others were all watching closely.
We need someone to coordinate and keep track of the movements of all parties.
Fengxiao's intelligence network has been established; anyone else would likely have been unable to grasp it.
"That's true." Liu Bei nodded slightly.
Although Lu Yong refused to reveal the full plan, judging from his demeanor today, it was clear that once this matter was launched, the slightest misstep would lead to utter ruin.
After a moment of silence, Liu Bei sighed and continued, "Everything I have today is thanks to you, Huai'an..."
Only you, Yun Chang, Yi De, Feng Xiao, and Zi Jing, possess such talent.
If we lose any one of you for the sake of this so-called legacy, what use is that legacy?
This is Liu Bei's most sentimental side.
For his brothers, he would risk everything.
Historically, he did indeed achieve that.
It's a pity, but also very touching.
Seeing that Liu Bei seemed overly pessimistic, Lu Yong comforted him, saying, "This plan hasn't even started yet. You must have faith in me and Fengxiao."
Liu Bei chuckled to himself, realizing that he might have been overly pessimistic.
He took two deep breaths, composed himself, and said, "Write to Fengxiao and tell him to prepare to hand over his current affairs to Zijing and return to Wanling as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir." Lu Yong cupped his hands in greeting.
Yanzhou, Juancheng.
Cao Cao summoned all his important civil and military officials to a meeting.
"The Emperor has returned east and is currently residing in Hedong. He has issued an edict ordering all the feudal lords of the realm to come to the aid of the King."
Cao Cao looked around at everyone present and asked, "Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?"
Xiahou Dun was the first to speak up: "Now that Yanzhou has been newly pacified, we are short of food and supplies and our troops are also insufficient."
If we send troops to welcome the Emperor, it may leave our rear vulnerable.
Even sending only a small force might not be enough to save the emperor.
Although Xiahou Dun did not say it explicitly, his meaning was quite clear.
"If the emperor were to arrive, how would you, my lord, conduct yourself?" Cao Ren couldn't help but ask.
Cao Cao did not respond, but turned to look at Xun Yu.
Xun Yu pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "In the past, Duke Wen of Jin accepted King Xiang of Zhou, and the feudal lords followed suit; Emperor Gaozu of Han held a funeral for Emperor Yi, and the people of the world turned to him."
Today, the emperor is in distress, and the feudal lords sit idly by.
If our lord can welcome the emperor, then the four directions can be pacified, and hegemony can be achieved.
"Excellent!" Mao Bin stood up at this moment, cupped his hands and said, "Wenruo is absolutely right! This is the strategy of 'serving the emperor to command the disobedient'!"
It is advisable to make a major plan as soon as possible; otherwise, changes may occur.
"To serve the emperor and command the disobedient!" A glint flashed in Cao Cao's eyes, but he still did not immediately express his opinion.
Cheng Yu also stood up and said, "The emperor must be under your control, my lord! I urge you to send troops immediately!!"
Ever since Cheng Yu revealed his unique recipe, Cao Cao's civil and military officials have become somewhat distant from him.
But Cao Cao did not neglect him because of this, because Cao Cao knew that Cheng Yu was just taking the blame for him.
"Zhongde is right," Cao Cao stood up and looked at Cao Hong, saying, "Zilian, gather five thousand men and set off tomorrow for Hedong in the west."
Cao Hong stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This humble general obeys the order!"
"Remember, keep your generals in check along the way and don't make a fuss," Cao Cao instructed. "When you meet the Emperor, tell him that Cao Cao, the Governor of Yan Province, has sent his generals to welcome him. That's all."
"Yes, sir!" Cao Hong accepted the order and strode out of the hall.
In Ye City, at Yuan Shao's residence.
The same secret edict from the emperor was placed on Yuan Shao's desk.
He looked at it several times, but his brows furrowed more and more.
"When the emperor arrived in Hedong, he issued an edict ordering all the feudal lords in the land to come to his aid."
Yuan Shao looked at his advisors and asked, "Gentlemen, what do you suggest we do?"
Tian Feng was the first to step forward, and said in a loud voice, "My lord, this is a golden opportunity!"
If our lord is the first to greet us, he will be the greatest hero in the land.
"At that time, by holding the emperor hostage and commanding the feudal lords, who would dare to oppose our lord?"
Ju Shou followed closely behind: "Yuan Hao is right."
My lord may send a general with elite troops westward to welcome the emperor to Ye City.
"When the time comes, we will issue orders in the name of the emperor, and we will naturally have the moral high ground."
Yuan Shao was somewhat tempted and was about to speak when Guo Tu stepped forward and sneered, "Tian Feng, Ju Shou, are you trying to harm our lord?"
Tian Feng's expression changed: "Guo Tu, what do you mean by that?"
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