The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 33 Che Zhou set up a trap, but it backfired.

Che Zhou was horrified, his entire body tensing and stiffening in an instant.

Looking at the long sword hanging in front of his neck, Che Zhou broke out in a cold sweat.

"Your Excellency, please calm your anger! It's a misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! I, Che, am utterly loyal to the Minister of Works and have absolutely no disloyal intentions!"

At first, Che Zhou had doubts about Yuan Chen's identity.

Although Yuan Chen claimed to be under the command of Guo Jia, the military advisor and chief strategist of the Sikong Mansion, Che Zhou did not know Yuan Chen.

Furthermore, Che Zhou was forced to relinquish power to Liu Bei, so he dared not act rashly.

Even if Yuan Chen was indeed sent by Cao Cao, Che Zhou was unwilling to confront Liu Bei directly.

When you live under someone's roof, how can you not bow your head?
The chariot helmet is not a tiger coin.

Unexpectedly.

Yuan Chen gave Che Zhou absolutely no chance to cheat or blunder.

When Yuan Chen pointed his sword at Che Zhou, Che Zhou had no choice but to choose between the two.

They either believed Yuan Chen had eliminated Liu Bei and then claimed credit with Cao Cao.

They could either kill Yuan Chen, betray Cao Cao, and surrender to Liu Bei.

Clearly, Che Zhou dared not kill Yuan Chen.

Che Zhou didn't have the guts to betray Cao Cao.

However, Che Zhou lacked confidence in eliminating Liu Bei.

Seeing Yuan Chen's murderous intent, Che Zhou swore an oath to prove his unwavering loyalty to Cao Cao.

It's only in my heart.

Che Zhou felt extremely aggrieved.

As the governor of Xuzhou, Che Zhou couldn't command Chen Deng, Zang Ba, and others, so he accepted it.

Che Zhou accepted the transfer of power to Liu Bei.

Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake; as long as things remain peaceful, that's fine.

But Yuan Chen, a minor official under the military advisor of the Minister of Works, dared to draw his sword against the dignified governor.
Am I, Che Zhou, truly kind-hearted and easily bullied?

Despite his frustration, Che Zhou only dared to curse inwardly and did not dare to truly retaliate against Yuan Chen.

It's easier to deal with the King of Hell than with his underlings.

Even Lu Zhi, a great Confucian scholar and general of the Northern Army, could be slandered by a mere eunuch.

If the envoy from the Sikong Mansion in front of him were as vengeful as the eunuch Zuo Feng from back then, Che Zhou would be lucky to escape with his life.

When Yuan Chen saw Che Zhou swearing an oath to sever ties with Liu Bei, he sheathed his sword.

"Governor Che, I have a brilliant plan to eliminate Liu Bei. Are you willing to atone for your crimes by performing this service?"

Yuan Chen deliberately kept a straight face, looking arrogant and haughty.

Che Zhou suppressed his displeasure and humbly asked, "I am willing to listen to your wise advice, Your Excellency."

Yuan Chen snorted and said, "Governor Che can send someone to contact Liu Bei and falsely claim that the Minister of Works wants to transfer Governor Che to the position of Minister of the Imperial Household and send an envoy to summon Governor Che back to Xuchang to receive orders. On this pretext, invite Liu Bei to a banquet."

"Since Liu Bei is secretly in control of Xiapi, he will certainly not dare to let Governor Che leave easily. Therefore, Liu Bei will definitely come to the banquet. Governor Che can secretly hide his followers under the hall and capture him alive when he is not paying attention."

"If we then seize Liu Bei's soldiers, we can eliminate Liu Bei and his followers as well."

Che Zhou was startled and shook his head repeatedly: "Liu Bei is brave and fierce, and he has Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as his henchmen. How can we capture him? If we fail, I will surely be killed by Liu Bei!"

Yuan Chen sneered, "Governor Che, I think you're getting senile. Liu Bei is confident in his bravery and secretly controls Xiapi; he must be arrogant."

"Governor Che feigns weakness and falsely claims to be willing to advance and retreat with Liu Bei. How could Liu Bei possibly be on guard? Once Liu Bei is caught off guard, Governor Che will smash the wine vessel as a signal, and we will surely capture Liu Bei alive!"

Che Zhou hesitated.

A matter that could cost you your head is not something to be taken lightly.

Seeing this, Yuan Chen sneered again: "This plan was secretly instructed by Chief Advisor Guo! Chief Advisor Guo's strategies are unpredictable and flawless. How can a mere Liu Bei possibly withstand it?"

“Governor Che, if you are truly afraid, I will not make things difficult for you. I can also seek out Wang Zhong, the General of the Household in Changlu Commandery, and Zang Ba, the Chancellor of Langya Commandery, to jointly eliminate Liu Bei.”

As Yuan Chen pressed closer and closer, cold sweat poured down Che Zhou's forehead like rain.

Perhaps it was Yuan Chen's statement, "This plan was secretly taught by Guo Jijiu," that gave Che Zhou some confidence, or perhaps it was because he feared that Wang Zhong and Zang Ba would capture Che Zhou along with their troops.

Che Zhou finally agreed to Yuan Chen's plan, saying, "I would like to ask that Your Excellency and my entourage hide together under the hall."

The implication is: I can take risks, but you, the envoy of the Ministry of Works, must also take risks with me!
Yuan Chen sneered, "Even if you didn't say it, I would have done the same! When I came here, Chief Minister Guo had already promised that if things went well, he would transfer me to his side to serve him. This is my future, and I cannot afford to make any mistakes!"

Seeing that Yuan Chen was willing to take the risk, Che Zhou's doubts and worries dissipated considerably.

Although this action went against Che Zhou's principle of seeking advantage and avoiding harm in officialdom, the situation was beyond his control, and Che Zhou dared not refrain from doing so.

Subsequently.

Che Zhou sent a trusted follower with a letter in Che Zhou's own handwriting to invite Liu Bei to a banquet.

As Yuan Chen "predicted," upon learning that "Cao Cao intends to transfer Che Zhou to the position of Shaofu and has sent an envoy to summon Governor Che back to Xudu to receive his orders," Liu Bei immediately replied, "I will attend the banquet tonight."

To Che Zhou's even greater surprise, Liu Bei was truly arrogant and unprepared, not only did he not bring Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, but he also only had two guards!

[Was it this Che who performed such a great service?]

Che Zhou was secretly pleased.

During the banquet.

Che Zhou pretended to offer Liu Bei a toast, while also feigning concern and asking Liu Bei for his opinion on whether to refuse Cao Cao's offer to promote him to the position of Shaofu (Minister of the Imperial Household).

"Minister Cao admires Governor Che's talent and strategy, so he promoted Governor Che to the position of Junior Minister of the Imperial Household, placing him among the Nine Ministers. This is a major event for Governor Che's future, so how could Governor Che refuse?"

Liu Bei held a wine cup, his smile warm and friendly.

Che Zhou was puzzled, unable to fathom Liu Bei's thoughts.

He asked, "Does General Zuo intend for me to return to Xuchang to receive orders?"

Liu Bei laughed and said, "Why do you say that, Governor Che? I have never had any enmity with Governor Che, so how could I hinder your future? I only have one request: before you leave Xiapi, Governor Che must formally entrust me with the affairs of Xuzhou."

Che Zhou's breath hitched.

Liu Bei's meaning was simple: although he had secretly taken control of Xiapi, very few people knew about it. As long as Che Zhou announced to the public before leaving that Liu Bei would be in charge of all matters in Xuzhou before the new governor took office, everything would make sense.

If Cao Cao truly intended to promote Che Zhou to the position of Junior Chamberlain, Che Zhou would certainly not refuse Liu Bei's proposal.

pity.

This was merely a wishful thought for Che Zhou.

Cao Cao not only did not promote Che Zhou, but also had Yuan Chen "send" a secret order to eliminate Liu Bei.

Che Zhou was conflicted, and his right hand, which was holding the wine cup, became stiff.

In contrast, Liu Bei seemed completely oblivious to his surroundings, as if he were truly unprepared.

a long time.

Che Zhou hardened his heart and slammed the wine cup in his hand to the ground.

As the wine vessel shattered, Che Zhou's followers, who had been hiding below the hall, entered, swords in hand.

“General Zuo’s kindness is appreciated, but my brothers and relatives are all in Xuchang, so I have no choice but to comply.” Che Zhou rose and called out, then gave orders to the others:

"General Liu Bei, along with the traitor Dong Cheng and others, plotted to murder the Minister of Works. Their crime is unforgivable! They must be captured immediately without fail; if they resist, they shall be killed without mercy!"

however.

Just when Che Zhou thought the situation was settled, Liu Bei showed no panic. Instead, he sighed and said, "I can understand Governor Che's predicament. However, my relatives, friends and ministers are all in Xiapi, and I have no choice but to do so."

"Hansheng, executing only Che Zhou is sufficient."

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(End of this chapter)