Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 85 Liu Bei Takes Full Control of the Western Garden Army, Liu Hong is Critically Ill (50,000 words available, please subscribe and vote)
In the military camp.

Cao Cao, with a white silk cloth wrapped around his head, lay reclining on the couch.

Although he had successfully deceived Zhang Fei, Cao Cao was still uneasy.

The trick of falling off the horse couldn't fool Liu Bei; whether he could escape disaster depended on Liu Bei's attitude.

Just as I was feeling troubled, someone told me that an old friend was requesting a visit.

"An old friend? Ping Le Guan is the site of the Xi Yuan military camp, where it is difficult for unauthorized personnel to enter. How could there be an old friend of mine, Cao?"

Cao Cao couldn't help but feel suspicious.

After pondering for a moment, Cao Cao ordered his warriors to invite the man in.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Cao Cao's expression changed drastically. He quickly dismissed his attendants and ordered his trusted warriors to guard the outside of the tent, forbidding anyone from approaching without permission.

Why is Ziyuan here?

Cao Cao's tone was tense, and he couldn't help but secretly lament: I haven't even escaped yet, why has Xu You suddenly come looking for me again?

Harboring Wang Fen's accomplices is a capital offense! If Liu Bei wanted to pursue Cao Cao relentlessly, he could have Cao Cao arrested and imprisoned directly.

Seeing Cao Cao's precarious and anxious state, Xu You couldn't help but laugh: "Mengde, why are you like this? You weren't this nervous and apprehensive when you were deceiving Zhang Sima."

"Zhang Sima? Ziyuan knows Zhang Fei?" Cao Cao was taken aback, then exclaimed, "Could it be that Ziyuan works under Liu Bei?"

Xu You frankly stated: "My current identity is that of a great sage personally guided by the Heavenly Master of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, and also a military advisor in the army."

"You? A great sage of the Five Pecks of Rice sect? Joining the army?" Cao Cao was even more astonished.

A fugitive who was with Wang Fen last year preparing to overthrow the emperor has suddenly become a great sage of the Five Pecks of Rice sect and is even serving as a military advisor in the army camp. Who would believe that?

"Don't believe me?" Xu You casually pulled up a stool and sat down, saying, "Not only that, I also visited His Majesty at the palace yesterday."

Cao Cao felt like his nerves were about to explode.

You, a once arrogant scholar who wanted to depose the emperor, actually went to the palace to see His Majesty? How could you be so arrogant?

“I knew you wouldn’t believe me, but that’s not important.” Xu You didn’t explain further and said directly, “I’m not here today to reminisce with Mengde. Commandant Liu asked me to tell you that there are good doctors in Luoyang. You can ask Brother Mengde to take leave to recuperate.”

Cao Cao's pupils contracted sharply, and the astonishment on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by solemnity: "Is this a strategy offered by Ziyuan, or Liu Bei's intention?"

Xu You chuckled: "Mengde underestimates Commandant Liu. Although I am a military advisor under Commandant Liu, he has his own opinions on matters concerning his future and life. The trick of falling off the horse cannot be hidden from Commandant Liu. Since Mengde is unwilling to get involved in this matter, and Commandant Liu is unwilling to cause any more trouble, as long as Mengde is willing to take leave to recuperate and leave Ping Le Guan, it will be a happy ending for everyone."

Seeing that Xu You seemed genuine, Cao Cao took a deep breath and said, "I may leave Ping Le Guan. But I have a question: why does Ziyuan help Liu Bei instead of Yuan Shao? You and Yuan Shao are close friends who have traveled together. If you had helped Yuan Shao, you would have achieved great success in no time. Although Liu Bei is talented, he is ultimately just a commoner from the border region, far inferior to the Yuan family, whose four generations of high officials and whose disciples and former officials are spread throughout the land."

Xu You laughed loudly: "Why do you look down on me, Mengde? Do you think I can only achieve success by following Yuan Shao? Does Mengde not have any idea of ​​giving me a higher position to compete with Yuan Shao? A great man should value fame and fortune above all else. If one can become famous in the world through one's own abilities, who would want to be a slave to one family?"

Whether it was Cao Cao or Xu You, they were seemingly called friends who traveled far and wide, but in reality they were just one of Yuan Shao's many underlings.

Even if Yuan Shao, who comes from a prestigious family, calls you "brother" or "friend," don't actually think that you are Yuan Shao's "brother" or "friend." Don't take polite words seriously, or you'll lose.

Xu You understood this principle long ago, which is why he went to Ye City to help Wang Fen "depose the emperor". If the emperor was deposed, Xu You could take the lead in becoming one of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. Even if his family background was not as good as Yuan Shao's, his status and position would still be higher than Yuan Shao's.

Xu You decided to follow Liu Bei because he discovered that Liu Bei was different from others: he was willing to risk his life for great things, would not forget his life for small gains, had lofty ambitions, and had clear goals, making him a person who could achieve great things.

Furthermore, the wild poem Liu Bei wrote at the Luoyang post station, along with the line "a descendant of Sheng, the Prince of Zhongshan, Emperor Jing of Han," also revealed Liu Bei's ambition to Xu You.

A normal person would just write a wild poem; why would they specifically add "a descendant of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, Emperor Jing of Han"? Are they afraid no one will know Liu Bei was a descendant of royalty?

Xu You, who participated in the "dethronement of the emperor," had a richer imagination than the average person.

Even though Liu Bei didn't say it outright, Xu You could guess what Liu Bei was thinking: If Liu Hong could be emperor, why couldn't Liu Bei be emperor?
If the speculation is true, after Liu Bei ascends the throne and becomes emperor, Xu You's portrait can be hung in the Yuntai Pavilion. Why would he have to serve under Yuan Shao and become a servant of the Yuan family?

However, Xu You did not confide in Cao Cao.

Xu You was very wary of Cao Cao.

As the descendant of a eunuch, Cao Cao could, in a short period of time, wield far greater power than Yuan Shao, should he so desire.

However, Cao Cao actively distanced himself from the eunuchs and was even willing to bow down to Yuan Shao and call him his brother.

These types of people are adept at lying low and are ruthless. Once they gain power, their ruthlessness far surpasses that of ordinary people.

Seeing Cao Cao's unusual expression, Xu You said no more, cupped his hands and took his leave, saying, "I have said all I have to say. Mengde, you should think carefully. Please keep my identity in the military camp a secret. Of course, if you want to harm me, you can also tell the general my identity."

Cao Cao's tone changed, and he said seriously, "How could I, Cao, be the kind of person who betrays friends for personal gain? I just wish to ask Ziyuan to stay a little longer so that I can prepare wine and meat to entertain him."

Xu You laughed and turned around: "There's no need for wine and meat. Mengde had better make a decision quickly. If you can't leave Ping Le Guan before dark, Commandant Liu might misunderstand."

Watching Xu You's departing figure, Cao Cao's expression turned serious again: He hadn't expected that even Xu Ziyuan would be willing to serve as a military advisor under Liu Bei. Liu Bei's ambitions were not small.

Cao Cao understood Xu You, and he also knew that Xu You's obsession with fame and fortune far surpassed that of ordinary people. Liu Bei, who could make Xu You willingly serve him, could not possibly be without great ambitions!

"Enough. With Liu Bei in charge of the Western Garden Army, I can no longer control them; and if His Majesty wants to take action against the Grand General, I cannot stop him either. The situation is unclear right now, so we should not act rashly. Let's go to Luoyang to recuperate and wait for the right opportunity."

Cao Cao was a decisive man. Once he made a decision, he would not hesitate any longer. He immediately sent someone to Liu Bei's camp to ask for leave, and then led more than ten of his confidants to Luoyang.

Upon learning of Cao Cao's departure, Liu Bei did not stand on ceremony and immediately appointed Zhang Fei to take full control of the Dianjun Camp and temporarily manage its military affairs.

The next ten days.

Liu Bei devoted his energy to training the Xiyuan soldiers and also increased the number of sentries outside Pingguan to prevent spies from spying on him.

Although Prince Bian sent gifts during this period, Liu Bei did not accept them.

After all, paper can't contain fire.

As Liu Hong's illness worsened, the eunuchs and maids in the palace, as well as the soldiers from the Western Garden brought by Jian Shuo, were filled with anxiety, and He Jin also learned of the news.

"It's truly heaven's help that I succeed!"

Inside the General's mansion, He Jin was overjoyed.

Originally, Liu Hong was worried that appointing Gai Xun as the governor of Yongzhou and Dong Zhuo as the governor of Bingzhou was paving the way for Liu Xie, but then news spread from the palace that Liu Hong was seriously ill.

The emperor's serious illness and the absence of a crown prince posed a crisis that threatened the very foundation of the state. This gave He Jin even more reason to submit a memorial requesting that Liu Bian be made crown prince. Although mentioning the establishment of a crown prince while Liu Hong was seriously ill was shameless, He Jin didn't care. As long as Liu Bian could become crown prince, whether Liu Hong was happy or not was irrelevant.

"Guards, immediately spread the news of His Majesty's serious illness. Upon hearing this, all the ministers will surely join me in submitting a memorial requesting that Prince Bian be made Crown Prince!" He Jin made no attempt to hide his excitement and hurriedly gave the order.

Royal power struggles are always brutal.

Take advantage of the tiger's illness to kill it.

When Liu Hong was still a fierce tiger, He Jin would lie low and restrain himself; now that Liu Hong, this fierce tiger, is sick, He Jin will no longer lie low.

As the news spread, under He Jin's leadership, more and more memorials were submitted requesting that Liu Bian be made crown prince.

On the seventh day of the third month, dozens of students from the Imperial Academy ran outside the palace and shouted, "Establish Prince Bian as the Crown Prince, for he is the foundation of the nation."

Although Jian Shuo led his men to drive away the students, Liu Hong was already coughing repeatedly from anger.

"Reverse! Reverse!"

"How dare this treacherous clique deceive me?"

A tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs, and a dragon stranded in shallow waters is mocked by shrimp—this perfectly describes Liu Hong's current situation.

The imperial prestige Liu Hong had built up over twenty years began to crumble as his cold worsened. Not only did ministers dare to petition for the establishment of a crown prince, but even students from the Imperial Academy dared to teach Liu Hong how to be an emperor.

Subconsciously, Liu Hong thought of Xu You's theory of celestial phenomena and murmured to himself, "The guest star is unusually bright, while the main star is dim and appears and disappears like a candle in the wind. This is unfavorable to the emperor. I regret not listening to good advice."

If she had listened to Xu You's advice to avoid misfortune and chosen to leave the palace where yin prevailed over yang and go to Liu Xie's residence, her condition would not have worsened, and she would not have been reduced to the point of being bedridden and barely clinging to life.

Although the wine and women of the palace satisfied Liu Hong's physical desires, it was all meaningless without his life.

"Your Majesty, you need to rest now and must not get angry." Jian Shuo, who was standing to the side, was extremely anxious, fearing that Liu Hong might accidentally overreact to his anger.

But Liu Hong was furious and couldn't contain himself: "Go and give me the order to have Liu Bei immediately lead the Western Garden Army to arrest all the traitors who submitted the memorial! I want them imprisoned to death! If I can ban them twice, I can ban them three, four, five times... cough cough."

Jian Shuo looked troubled.

Liu Hong's order cannot be executed.

If they really make arrests, most of the ministers in the court will be arrested, and the situation will become even more uncontrollable.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. To eliminate the treacherous faction, we need to consider this carefully." Jian Shuo remembered Liu Bei's advice and said with a forced smile, "Given the current situation, it would be better to temporarily adopt Commandant Liu's plan and have the Western Garden Army escort the Crown Prince to Chang'an with the secret edict. Shen Sheng will die within the palace, while Chong'er will be safe outside. Please consider this carefully, Your Majesty!"

Let's think this through carefully!

It's time for a long-term plan!

I have spent my whole life planning and strategizing. I eliminate one powerful minister, only to have another one appear. I can never get rid of all the powerful ministers. What good is it if I keep planning and strategizing?
A wave of dizziness washed over him, and Liu Hong nearly passed out.

"His Majesty!"

Jian Shuo was even more worried.

After a long while, Liu Hong finally recovered from his dizziness. He forced his drooping eyelids shut and asked, "How is the Xiyuan Army doing? Liu Bei took your military seal, has he managed to control the Xiyuan Army?"

Jian Shuo said in a low voice, "The Commandant of the Army, Cao Cao, was injured in a fall from his horse and is currently recuperating in Luoyang. The Commandant of the Army is now in charge of Zhang Fei, Liu Bei's sworn brother. As for Yuan Shao, the Commandant of the Central Army, he refused to return to Ping Le Guan. Commandant Liu submitted a memorial to dismiss Yuan Shao, and the Central Army is now in charge of Guan Yu, Liu Bei's sworn brother. For the past ten days or so, Commandant Liu has been leading the troops of the eight camps of the West Garden Army in training at Ping Le Guan. From dawn to dusk, they practice martial arts or literature, and they are diligent every day without fail."

Liu Hong closed his eyes, leaned back on the bed, and said, "Liu Bei certainly has some tricks up his sleeve. I only dismissed Chunyu Qiong, but Liu Bei managed to prevent both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao from returning to Ping Le Guan. Jian Shuo, do you think that if Liu Bei were to escort A Xie to Chang'an with the Xiyuan Army, would he become the next He Jin?"

"If Liu Bei teaches the Eight Camps of Xiyuan to read and write, it's equivalent to all the soldiers of the Eight Camps of Xiyuan becoming Liu Bei's disciples. In time, the Xiyuan Army will only recognize Liu Bei and not A Xie. A Xie is young and inexperienced in politics, and he is not able to make decisions on his own. What should we do if Liu Bei changes his mind and refuses to support A Xie in the future?"

Jian Shuo thought to himself, "This is terrible!" The situation was already critical, and His Majesty was still doubting Commandant Liu!

But besides Commandant Liu, who else could lead the Western Garden Army to escort Prince Xie to Chang'an? And who else could help Prince Xie return to Luoyang to compete with Prince Bian in the future?

Realizing that his own life was also closely tied to Liu Bei's, Jian Shuo whispered another piece of advice: "Your Majesty, right now, the only one we can rely on is Commandant Liu. We can deal with the future later; addressing the immediate difficulties is the best course of action."

The immediate difficulties
Liu Hong coughed violently again.

I never imagined I would fall to such a state!

"Send word to Liu Bei immediately."

Liu Hong closed his eyes, helplessly succumbing to reality.

As Jian Shuo said, the only one they can rely on right now is Liu Bei!

Having received permission, Jian Shuo hurriedly summoned Sima Pan Yin and instructed him: "Sima Pan, go to Ping Le Guan immediately. His Majesty has urgently summoned the military officers to discuss important matters. Commander Liu must come to the palace immediately without delay."

Pan Yin's eyes flashed with surprise, but he said nothing and spurred his horse straight out of the palace.

However, Pan Yin did not go directly to Ping Le Guan, but instead went to the General's Mansion first.

Pan Yin had a long-standing relationship with He Jin, and now that Liu Hong was seriously ill, Pan Yin naturally had more on his mind.

Upon meeting He Jin, Pan Yin did not hide anything and said frankly, "General, His Majesty has urgently summoned the military officers to discuss important matters. I vaguely heard His Majesty roar angrily, ordering Liu Bei to arrest the traitors."

He Jin was greatly alarmed.

Traitor?

Who are the traitors?

Are the treacherous officials Your Majesty is referring to He and his ilk?
"Your Majesty, you have no regard for the past support between my brother and me! Since you are so heartless, don't blame me for being unjust." He Jin gritted his teeth in hatred: "Pan Sima, you should go to Ping Le Guan first, so as not to arouse Liu Bei's suspicion. As long as Prince Bian becomes the crown prince, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Pan Yin was overjoyed: "It is my honor to serve the Great General!"

After seeing Pan Yin off, He Jin immediately summoned Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang and instructed them: "You two quickly mobilize a thousand elite troops and, under the pretext of patrolling the city, move the troops outside the palace. Wait for further orders."

Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang exchanged a glance, both seeing the excitement in each other's eyes, and clasped their hands in obeisance, saying, "Your subordinates obey orders."

Afterwards, He Jin sent his son He Xian to find Prince Liu Bian, instructing him: "Remember, make sure Prince Bian brings several renowned physicians with him. His Majesty is ill; how can a prince not bring doctors to comfort him?"

After outlining all the arrangements, He Jin's expression grew even more sinister: "Your Majesty, this is what you forced upon me!"

(End of this chapter)