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

Chapter 87 Liu Bei plots to seize Yongzhou, and persuades Lu Zhi to establish a foothold in Fufeng (Seeking first subscriptions and monthly votes)
Patrol?

He's patrolling for what?!

He Jin was already feeling frustrated, and being teased by Liu Bei made him even more frustrated.

But Liu Bei's smile was gentle at the moment, so He Jin couldn't afford to lose his temper. He could only smile apologetically and reply, "As a general, I can't always stay in my residence. Occasionally, I have to personally guide the soldiers. What brings Colonel Liu here?"

Liu Bei feigned a sigh: "Isn't it all because of those Imperial Academy students? Those students are so ignorant! Instead of staying at the Imperial Academy studying the classics, they have to come to the palace to teach His Majesty how to be an emperor. His Majesty is the Son of Heaven. How can ordinary people teach the ways of the Son of Heaven?"

Changing the subject, Liu Bei breathed a sigh of relief: "But everything is fine now. His Majesty won't really hold a grudge against a group of Imperial Academy students, so I'm preparing to return to Ping Le Guan. If the General has the time, he can also come with me to Ping Le Guan. As the General, you can't show favoritism when guiding the soldiers."

Although Liu Bei spoke lightly, He Jin dared not truly believe him, and immediately laughed it off: "Since Commandant Liu has invited me, I should go. But it is already late today. I will definitely go to Ping Le Guan another day when I have free time."

"In that case, I won't bother the General any longer." Liu Bei cupped his hands slightly and gestured for the people behind him to leave.

Watching the Xiyuan soldiers depart like a long snake, He Jin's smile gradually froze: "I never expected that in just over ten days, Liu Bei would have taken complete control of the Xiyuan Army. Yuan Shao is a fool, handing over the Xiyuan Army to Liu Bei for nothing."

The thought of Yuan Shao hiding in Hanoi and not daring to enter Luoyang made He Jin feel frustrated again: If Yuan Shao were willing to return to Luoyang, how could the Western Garden Army be controlled by Liu Bei alone?
"General, shall I still enter the palace?" Liu Bian asked with fear upon seeing He Jin's cold and stern face.

He Jin snorted coldly: "Since Prince Bian has come, how can he not visit the palace? Bring your physicians to carefully diagnose His Majesty and make sure that His Majesty's condition has truly reached the point of no return."

In his heart, He Jin added: If His Majesty is truly beyond saving, then it will not only be a matter of establishing a crown prince, but also a matter of establishing a new emperor.

Liu Bian dared not disobey He Jin, and nodded obsequiously. Under Wu Kuang's protection, he led the physicians directly into the palace to see Liu Hong.

Although Jian Shuo wanted to stop him, he was powerless to do so and could only watch as the medical worker brought by Liu Bian diagnosed Liu Hong's condition.

The medical engineer's diagnosis turned He Jin's frustration into joy.

"His Majesty is critically ill and could die at any moment. The physicians say that even if His Majesty is given tonics to prolong his life, he will not live for more than two months. General, you must make plans as soon as possible." Wu Kuang reported excitedly in a low voice.

Zhang Zhang also said excitedly, "As long as Prince Bian ascends the throne, the Grand General's prestige will be unmatched."

For Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang, once Liu Hong died and Liu Bian succeeded to the throne, they, as generals and close associates, would surely be ennobled and appointed as generals, with bright futures ahead.

"A lot can happen in two months, you two must not be careless!" He Jin feigned composure, but the upturned corners of his mouth betrayed his inner elation. He then instructed, "From now on, the two of you will take turns patrolling outside the palace to prevent any unforeseen events. Especially at times like these, we cannot afford any accidents, understand?"

"We will certainly live up to the General's expectations!" Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang exclaimed excitedly.

On the other hand, Liu Bei did not return directly to Ping Le Guan, but instead took a detour to find Lu Zhi.

After returning to Luoyang, Liu Bei did not visit Lu Zhi in order to avoid suspicion.

Liu Hong's condition is now serious, and he doesn't have much time left.

Once Liu Hong passes away, regardless of whether Liu Bei becomes the governor of Yongzhou, he will lead his troops to Chang'an.

After arriving in Chang'an, Liu Bei could no longer manage affairs in Luoyang. Before leaving, he had to devise a way out for Lu Zhi.

In this era, Lu Zhi was Liu Bei's true mentor.

Even among Lu Zhi's students, not everyone could learn classic texts from him and then go on to learn weaponry, horsemanship, battle formations, as well as military etiquette, philosophy, writing, mathematics, history, geography, and other professional knowledge.

Furthermore, Liu Bei frequently used Lu Zhi's name to attribute classic sayings to later generations, such as "Master Lu said," "Lord Lu said," and "Lord Lu said by the river."

The bond between master and disciple is far beyond what ordinary people can compare to.

Liu Bei was a man of great loyalty and righteousness. He did not want Lu Zhi to be threatened by Dong Zhuo and forced to leave Luoyang, having to take a back road to escape pursuit. Nor did he want Lu Zhi to be tricked by Yuan Shao into becoming his strategist and then die in despair.

Upon learning that Liu Bei was requesting an audience, Lu Zhi hurriedly invited Liu Bei into the inner room and dismissed the attendants: "Xuande, I heard that you led the Western Garden Army to take over the defense of the West Gate today, and also led troops to the Imperial Palace. Has His Majesty's condition changed again?"

Liu Bei sighed softly, "I dare not deceive my mentor, but I fear His Majesty's days are numbered."

Lu Zhi sighed, "If His Majesty dies, Luoyang will surely be thrown into great turmoil. Does Xuande know who His Majesty intends to appoint as Crown Prince?"

Liu Bei frankly stated, "Your Majesty wishes to establish Prince Xie as the Crown Prince."

"Just as I thought." Lu Zhi rubbed his forehead, looking troubled. "Although establishing Prince Bian would make the Grand General even more powerful, since ancient times, deposing the eldest son and establishing the youngest has always been a path to disaster. His Majesty is so insistent on establishing Prince Xie, how could the Grand General be willing to accept it? I wonder how many more people will lose their lives because of this."

"The affairs of an emperor are not for us to decide. What I care about is the safety of my mentor." Liu Bei had no interest in whether to establish Liu Bian or Liu Xie as emperor, as either one would only be a puppet of a powerful minister.

Lu Zhi looked at Liu Bei in surprise: "What do you mean by that, Xuande? I, Lu, have never participated in the succession dispute, so what danger could I possibly be in?"

After a moment's consideration, Liu Bei said, "When the city gates catch fire, the fish in the moat suffer. Although my esteemed teacher is uninvolved, he cannot completely avoid the disaster. Staying in Luoyang is fraught with unpredictable dangers. My esteemed teacher would be better off requesting to serve as the Right Governor of Fufeng, governing the people and defending against bandits, to repay the country's kindness."

"Although the former general has temporarily defeated the rebel forces of the kingdom, the rebels are not convinced and will surely return. In my opinion, the best way to deal with the rebels is through psychological warfare, and military warfare is the least effective. The former general is knowledgeable in military warfare but not in psychological warfare. If you want to completely quell the rebels, no one but my mentor is the best choice!"

Although persuading Lu Zhi to go to Fufeng would shackle Liu Bei's ambitions, Liu Bei also hoped that Lu Zhi could die in office without regrets, rather than die in despair, feeling ashamed of the country's favor.

Lu Zhi hesitated.

If one can serve as a minister in Luoyang, who would really want to go to Fufeng County to be the governor?

The difference between officials in the capital and local officials is not small.

But Liu Bei's advice was very reasonable: privately, it was about seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune; in public, it was about governing the people and defending against thieves.

"This is a matter of great importance; please allow me, Lu, to consider it carefully."

Lu Zhi neither agreed nor denied it; even if he wanted to request to be appointed as the Right Governor, he could not make a hasty decision.

"Xuande only advised me to go to Fufeng, but have you considered how you yourself should avoid disaster?"

Lu Zhi valued Liu Bei highly and did not want Liu Bei to suffer trouble because of the power struggle between the two palaces. Among all his disciples, some studied literature and some studied martial arts, while others studied literature and martial arts but could not learn Lu Zhi's benevolence and righteousness. Liu Bei, on the other hand, almost completely learned all of Lu Zhi's excellent qualities.

Seeing Liu Bei was like seeing his younger self.

"I wish to be appointed Governor of Yongzhou." Liu Bei did not hide anything and said frankly, "It was my suggestion that His Majesty appointed Governor of Yongzhou. Asking my mentor to go to Fufeng is both to find a way out for him and for my own selfish reasons. With my mentor's help, I will be more confident in taking charge of Yongzhou."

Lu Zhi was taken aback: "Xuande, as the Colonel of the Western Garden Army, has the heart to pacify the border and bring peace to the people. I have underestimated Xuande's ambition."

Normally speaking, the future prospects of the Xiyuan Army Colonel are brighter than those of the Governor of Yongzhou, just like those of the Minister and the Right Governor. The difference between officials in the capital and local officials is not small.

It is not surprising that Lu Zhi had this idea.

"Let me think about this for a few more days." Lu Zhi still did not give a clear answer.

Although Lu Zhi wavered after learning that Liu Bei was leaving Luoyang for Yongzhou, leaving Luoyang for Youfufeng was not an easy decision.

After bidding farewell to Lu Zhi, Liu Bei did not stay in Luoyang. He went directly to the West Gate to join forces with Zhang Liao before returning to Ping Le Guan.

Upon arriving at Ping Le Guan, Liu Bei summoned the seven battalion commanders and their assistant commanders again, and announced a new military order: "From now on, without my order, no one may step out of Ping Le Guan, nor may they meet with outsiders. Anyone who disobeys this order will be punished according to military law!"

The longer Liu Bei commanded the Western Garden Army, the greater his prestige became. Even with just a brief military order, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhang Liao, Xia Mou, Zhao Rong, Feng Fang, and Zhang Yang all felt a sense of awe, as if they were facing Mount Tai.

After issuing the military order, Liu Bei kept Xu You behind alone and took out Liu Hong's secret edict.

After glancing at the contents of the secret edict, Xu You's expression turned strange: "His Majesty only instructed Commandant Liu to support the new emperor, without promising him any official position. Isn't that a bit too stingy?"

Liu Bei snorted, "Because this was not a secret edict specifically for me. Even if I support a new emperor afterward, someone will surely jump out and accuse me of stealing the secret edict. Even in such dire straits, Your Majesty still thinks of playing power games."

“Since His Majesty does not trust Commander Liu, Commander Liu can also turn a blind eye to the secret edict.” Xu You put down the secret edict and said, “The current situation is clear. Once His Majesty passes away, the Grand General will definitely support Prince Bian to succeed to the throne before his coffin. The Western Garden Army was originally the Emperor’s personal army. If the new Emperor ascends the throne and wins people over with fame and fortune, many soldiers in the army will surely switch sides to the new Emperor. Commander Liu needs to make plans as soon as possible.”

Liu Bei agreed with this.

For example, Pan Yin, the military commander of the upper camp, was an old friend of He Jin. Once Liu Hong passed away, Pan Yin would inevitably side with He Jin for his own benefit.

In the Western Garden Army, there were many soldiers like Pan Yin.

After all, those who joined the Western Garden Army at that time included not only fierce warriors from various prefectures and counties, but also many trusted retainers and followers placed by other forces.

You can know a person's face but not their heart. Of the eight thousand men in the Western Garden Army, it was impossible for every single one of them to be completely convinced of Liu Bei's loyalty, nor would all of them be willing to follow Liu Bei to Yongzhou.

If the ultimate goal is to become a soldier in Yongzhou, then why bother traveling from various prefectures and counties to Luoyang to join the Western Garden Army?
The reason why so many brave warriors were willing to join the Western Garden Army was because of the title of the emperor's personal guard. If they lost this title, they would rather return to their home prefecture.

Liu Bei's decision to initiate a unified training program for the entire army was also a way to select candidates for the Western Garden Army.

Only those soldiers who can adapt to Liu Bei's intensive training and are willing to follow him will be willing to go to Yongzhou with him in the future.

The quality of soldiers is more important than their quantity.

Only an army that is ideologically unified can unleash its full combat power; if it is not ideologically unified, even if it is well-equipped and full of fierce warriors, it is just a bunch of loose sand without faith and fighting spirit.

After pondering for a long time, Liu Bei's gaze fell on the secret edict: "We still have to work on the secret edict. Ziyuan, you can go to the General's mansion for me and tell the General that I have the secret edict. Just say: His Majesty has promised in the secret edict that as long as I support the prince to ascend the throne, I will become the Governor of Yongzhou!"

Xu You couldn't help but laugh and said, "With the secret edict in hand, its contents can be made up. If the General believes it, it exists; if he doesn't, it doesn't. Commander Liu's plan is brilliant!"

Liu Bei smiled and said, "Since His Majesty refuses to grant me the title of Governor of Yongzhou, I will have to go and obtain it myself. Ziyuan, do you need me to send someone to escort you on your journey?"

Xu You shook his head: "If we send someone to protect him, it will only make the General think that Commandant Liu is cowardly. How can someone who wants to achieve great things be afraid of death? I will enter the city now, and if I calculate the time, I can still have a good meal and wine at the General's mansion."

After seeing Xu You off, Liu Bei looked at the secret edict in his hand and quickly connected the people who might be involved in the upheaval in Luoyang in his mind, analyzing and thinking about who to start with to obtain the greatest benefit.

After a long while, Liu Bei made a gesture with his hand and wrote the words "Dong Zhuo, Governor of Bing Province" on the table.

"Judging by the time, Dong Zhuo should have arrived in Hedong by now. Although he has been appointed as the governor of Bingzhou, Dong Zhuo will neither agree to relinquish military power nor be content to take up his post in Bingzhou. He will definitely stay in Hedong to observe the situation in Luoyang."

"I imagine Dong Zhuo also needs a secret edict."

If the terms were agreed upon with He Jin, then Liu Hong's secret edict would be of little use to Liu Bei.

However, Liu Bei did not want Liu Bian to become emperor, and many of the eunuchs and ministers who supported Liu Bian had grudges against Liu Bei. If He Jin lived, he might abide by the agreement with Liu Bei; if He Jin died, those eunuchs and ministers would definitely find a way to get rid of Liu Bei.

He Jin might even break the agreement while he's still alive.

At this time, a daring person was needed to "depose the emperor" and use Liu Hong's secret edict to depose Emperor Liu Bian and install Liu Xie as the new ruler.

At that time, in order to consolidate his power, Dong Zhuo would surely recognize Liu Bei as the governor of Yongzhou. If Jian Shuo were to die, only Liu Bei could prove the authenticity of the secret edict!

Thinking of this, Liu Bei immediately wrote a letter and summoned Liu Pi and He Man, instructing them: "You two must quickly go to Hedong Commandery to find Dong Zhuo, the governor of Bing Province, and be sure to personally deliver this letter to Dong Zhuo. If anything changes on the way, report back in time."

Although the two men were from the Yellow Turban Rebellion, they were always regarded as Liu Bei's confidants after joining his ranks.

Let alone delivering a message for Liu Bei, even if it meant taking an arrow for Liu Bei, the two would not hesitate for a moment.

Liu Pi carefully took the letter, then cautiously tucked it into his bosom, and bowed in response: "This humble general will certainly not fail in the trust placed in him by my lord!"

He Man patted his chest and swore, "My lord, please rest assured, even if I lose my life, I will deliver this letter!"

After arranging everything, Liu Bei finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

Rising to his feet, Liu Bei glanced at the map of the prefectures and counties hanging in the tent, his gaze falling on Chang'an: "Man proposes, God disposes. Whether we can successfully take control of Yongzhou depends on this trip."

(End of this chapter)