novelSusiti Chapter 33 The Governor of Youzhou Arrives
Chapter 33 The Governor of Youzhou Arrives
"count?"
"What plan?"
Liu Bei looked bewildered and waved his hand, saying, "Yuan Zhao, I think you two are definitely drunk!"
"We're here to befriend the Wuhuan; there's no question of harmony between heaven and man!"
Then, he waved his hand and staggered out.
Xu Rong and Tian Yu were stunned for a moment, then looked at each other and burst into laughter!
The next day, Liu Bei bid farewell to Qiu Liju and prepared to return to Yangle City.
Qiu Liju personally escorted them ten miles away from Liucheng, presenting them not only with hundreds of fine grassland warhorses but also with thousands of cattle and sheep hides.
He further stated: "In the future, whenever Magistrate Liu has any requests, Qiu Liju will be at his beck and call without the slightest refusal."
Liu Bei smiled and agreed, then led his entourage on the road back to Yangle City.
After traveling several miles, Tian Yu looked at Liu Bei and couldn't help but laugh, "My lord, Brother Yuan Zhao will send someone to keep an eye on Qiu Liju at the latest."
"Sure enough, they saw more than ten of his men disguised as ordinary herdsmen, each leading a group of people who had died of the plague, heading towards the northern Xianbei pastures!"
"It seems that this Lord Qiuliju is quite a ruthless character!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's brows relaxed, and he glanced back in the direction of Liucheng, saying only calmly, "They chose their own path; it has nothing to do with us."
"The Xianbei raided the borders from the south every year, harming countless Han people and countless nomadic tribes. They must pay for this debt..."
Xu Rong gripped the reins and said in a deep voice, "My lord, can we take this opportunity to launch a preemptive strike and completely resolve the Xianbei border threat in Liaoxi?"
Liu Bei feigned surprise, then turned around and teased, "Guorang, did you two secretly drink last night? Why hasn't Yuanzhao woken up yet!"
Tian Yu laughed heartily and said, "My lord! This is not Yuan Zhao's fault!"
"It's just that, my lord, why aren't you a prefect yet!"
"Hahaha!"
"Blame me, blame me!"
The group joked and laughed, creating a relaxed atmosphere, as they headed south!
Xu Rong blushed upon hearing this and hurriedly followed.
Yes!
Why isn't my lord a prefect yet?
It's all because our lord is too capable that he often forgets about this matter.
Currently, they only have a dozen or so people directly under their command!
Why fight the Xianbei!
Meanwhile, in Yangle City, Liaoxi, at this time, in the main hall of the prefectural governor's office.
Hou Chong paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed. On the table lay a handwritten letter from Xia Yu, the Protector of the Wuhuan.
"Xuande, Xuande, you've really gotten yourself into a huge mess this time!"
Hou Chong stopped, picked up the letter, and read it again, his brows furrowing in worry.
In the letter, Xia Yu's tone was full of rebuke and dissatisfaction.
It is said that the Liaoxi Commandery overstepped its authority and allowed its subordinate military officer Liu Bei to enter the Wuhuan King's tent without permission.
Interfering in the affairs of vassal states, privately imparting methods for treating epidemics, and revealing their intention to secretly form alliances with foreign vassals are all too obvious!
The Protectorate of Wuhuan is in charge of all matters concerning the Wuhuan people in the three prefectures. This is a system established by the imperial court. Where does the Liaoxi Prefecture's action place the imperial court's laws and regulations?
Where should we place him as the Protector of the Wuhuan Commandant?
If he is not given an explanation, he will surely write to Luoyang and report to His Majesty.
Dan Jing, standing next to him, sighed with a pained expression.
"My lord, this Commandant Xia is a favorite of His Majesty. He holds military power in the Protectorate of the Wuhuan Commandant's Office, controls the various Wuhuan tribes, and even the governor has to give him some leeway."
"This letter of his is no joke. If it were to be submitted to the imperial court, not only Brother Xuande, but you too would be implicated!"
"How could I not know?"
Hou Chong slammed the letter onto the table, his tone full of helplessness.
"If I had known earlier that Xuande was going to Liucheng, I would have definitely tried to stop him!"
"But then again, Xuande was also doing it for the good of Liaoxi."
"He went to Wuhuan to control the epidemic and to stabilize the rear, so as to prevent Wuhuan from taking advantage of the epidemic to cause trouble. How could he have any intention of secretly colluding with foreign vassals?"
"But Xia Yu wouldn't listen to any of that."
He was having a headache when he heard hurried footsteps outside the hall. A guard lifted the curtain and entered, bowing to report.
"My lord! Clerk Liu is back!"
"We've also brought back over a hundred fine horses from the grasslands from Liucheng, and they're already at the city gate!"
"You're back? You're finally back!"
Hou Chong was both surprised and delighted, and hurriedly said, "Quickly! Tell him to come to my residence immediately!"
Before long, Liu Bei, covered in dust from his journey, lifted the curtain and entered the main hall.
He had just returned from Liucheng, his clothes still covered in dust from the grassland, but his face showed no signs of fatigue, only a calm smile.
He bowed to Hou Chong and said, "My lord, the supplies have been prepared."
"The epidemic in Liucheng has been stabilized."
Hou Chong looked at him, feeling both relieved and troubled, and quickly handed over Xia Yu's letter.
"Xuande, don't be too happy yet, take a look at this!"
"Your secret visit to Liucheng has been discovered by Xia Yu, the Protector of the Wuhuan. He even sent me a letter rebuking us for overstepping our authority, accusing you of colluding with foreign vassals, and threatening to petition the court for punishment!"
Liu Bei took the letter and read it word by word. The smile on his face gradually faded, and his brows furrowed slightly.
He naturally knew who Xia Yu was.
Historically, this Protector of the Wuhuan was one of the most trusted border generals during the reign of Emperor Ling.
His unauthorized trip to Liucheng this time did cross Xia Yu's red line, so it's understandable that the other party would react so strongly.
But looking at the rebuke in the letter, he felt no regret whatsoever.
He raised his head, looked at Hou Chong, and said calmly, "My lord, I did not consider this matter carefully and have implicated you. I feel ashamed."
"But if it happened again, I would still do the same thing."
"Xuande, you..." Hou Chong was stunned for a moment.
"Liucheng is only a hundred miles away from western Liaoning. Once the epidemic spreads, the fortresses of western Liaoning will be the first to be affected."
"I went to Liucheng to cure the plague among the Wuhuan people, to protect the lives of the people of Liaoxi, to forge a peaceful alliance between the Han and Wuhuan, and to cut off the retreat route of the Xianbei to the south."
"I have done nothing wrong, neither in terms of public or private interests, nor in terms of the country or its people."
His tone was not heavy, but every word he spoke was firm and resolute, without the slightest fear.
Hou Chong stared at him, stunned for a long while, then sighed and waved his hand: "Never mind, since you've said that, what else can I say?"
"You're my son-in-law, how could I stand by and watch you get harassed by Xia Yu?"
"At worst, I'll petition the court to defend you. Even if it costs me my official position, I won't let you suffer injustice."
"However, I have just recommended you as a candidate for the civil service examination for your meritorious service in controlling the epidemic, and the matter has already been submitted to the imperial court!"
"Now that this has happened, I'm afraid..."
"well……"
Liu Bei felt a warmth in his heart and was about to bow in gratitude.
Suddenly, another guard rushed in from outside the hall, his face panicked, and said urgently, "My lord! Something terrible has happened!"
"The carriage of Prefect Qiao of Youzhou is already ten miles outside the city!"
"Accompanying them are officials from the prefecture and soldiers from the county; they are almost at the city gate!"
"What? Lord Qiao has arrived?" Hou Chong was startled, and almost dropped the teacup in his hand.
"Quick! Get the car ready!"
"Summon Yan Gang and Zou Dan; come with me to the city gates to greet them!"
Hou Chong quickly straightened his official robes and, as he walked out, turned back to Liu Bei and said, "Xuande, you come along too!"
"Lord Qiao's visit this time is most likely related to the epidemic. You have made the greatest contribution to the epidemic prevention and control efforts, so you must be present!"