"In addition, Shangjun and Xihe do not have prefects, but they are controlled by some aristocratic families. Although they are exploited, they are far from the battlefield and can be considered the wealthiest places in Bing Province. Your Majesty, although the aristocratic families are also part of the Han Dynasty, I'm afraid they will not be willing to submit to the rule.”Other than Ding Yuan's old forces, there were many large and small families in Bing Province. "Aristocratic families? It's quite troublesome."
On the surface, these aristocratic families were loyal to the Han Dynasty, but in fact, they were all sitting on the throne of their land. Liu Bian wanted to go to Bingzhou, so there would definitely be conflicts of interest between them. As a result, there would definitely be disputes. These aristocratic families would not be willing to submit to others, even if they were the Emperor. Moreover, Liu Bian was an Emperor who was in trouble. However, the aristocratic families did not have to worry for the time being. Although they were not willing to be under others, Liu Bian was still the Emperor. They did not dare to provoke him.
"Other than that, has Your Majesty ever heard of the Black Mountain Army?”Aristocratic families, outsiders, Ding Yuan's old subordinates, but this was not just the entire situation in Bing Province. Liu Bian also frowned and couldn't help but speak. "Old subordinates of the Yellow Turban Rebellion? Who didn't know about the Black Mountain Army, which was known to have millions of soldiers?”
" A million soldiers is easier said than done. The Black Mountain Army is led by Zhang Yan, who was once Zhang Jiao's subordinate. Although they claim to have a million soldiers, most of them are women and children. There are less than 100,000 people who can fight. They are now divided into tribes and are active between Jizhou and Bingzhou. Zhang Yan personally leads troops to guard Taihang Mountain. He often plunders from the mountain. Although he often targets rich and heartless people, it has caused a lot of panic. It's also a great disaster." Liu Bowen said softly.
"All the great clans, foreign clans, Ding Yuan's old subordinates, and the Black Mountain Army! With us, Bing Province is really lively.”Liu Bian couldn't help but laugh. The first step was not as easy as he had imagined. There were many things to do, and the others were frowning. Although they now had 15,000 soldiers, these soldiers had never been under their command before. Without proper training, it would be difficult for them to deal with the complicated situation in Bing Province.
"If you want to take Taiyuan, you need to take Shangdang first. Who is the Shangdang prefect?”Liu Bian was thinking about the current situation. A few counties in the north had already been occupied by the foreign tribes, and it would be difficult to recover them in a short period of time. Not to mention Taiyuan, now that the Black Mountain Army was in chaos, the situation was even more chaotic. Upper County and West River were occupied by the aristocratic families, and it would be difficult to completely control them in a short period of time. It was still midsummer, but it would soon be winter. Moreover, the weather in the north was very different. If they did not find a place to settle down, it would be terrible when autumn and winter arrived. At this moment, Shangdang was the best place.
Shangdang was the closest to Taiyuan, and it was relatively rare to have a prefect stationed there. There were also relatively few battles, so they should have stockpiled a lot of troops and food. If they could get Shangdang, coupled with the troops and finances he brought, the situation would be very different. Liu Ji quickly replied. "Your Majesty, the Shangdang prefect is Zhang Yang, an old subordinate of Ding Yuan. He led thirty thousand troops to guard Shangdang. This person has a deep friendship with Lu Bu."
"Bowen means that this person will harm us?”Liu Bian asked, only to see Liu Ji smiling meaningfully. "That might not be the case. Although Zhang Yang knows Lu Bu, he might not be like Lu Bu. No matter what, Zhang Yang is Ding Yuan's old subordinate. Everyone knows that Lu Bu killed Ding Yuan and defected to Dong Zhuo, so he might not make things difficult for His Majesty.”
"Everyone! Now, His Majesty is leading a large army to Eldest Son City. Dong Zhuo is in Luoyang. He deposed His Majesty a few days ago and appointed Prince Chen Liu as Emperor. He issued an edict declaring that His Majesty the Young Emperor is a traitor. If the officials in the various regions see him, they must arrest him! What should we do now?" Just as Liu Bowen had expected, Zhang Yang was already troubled by this matter. Liu Bian had entered Bingzhou for Shangdang, so how could he not get the news?
Not long ago, he had received an imperial edict stating that Dong Zhuo had already supported Prince Chen Liu as Emperor in Luoyang and now viewed the Young Emperor as a traitor. He was in a dilemma and did not know what to do. A Shangdang official cupped his hands and said. "May I ask Lord Prefect, where is the edict?”
"Here!" Zhang Yang took out the edict and handed it to the official. After the official read it, he passed the edict to the other officials. The other officials read it and Zhang Yang said. "Now that the edict is here, all of you are sensible people. That Dong Zhuo seized the capital and secretly harmed His Majesty, causing His Majesty to fall into such a predicament. Now that he has Luoyang and Prince Chen Liu as Emperor, he wants us to capture the Young Emperor. Is it Young Emperor or Emperor Xian?"
"Milord, this matter of Dong Zhuo deposing the elder and appointing the younger was done by Dong Zhuo at will. In the four hundred years of the Darkhan Dynasty, the matter of deposing the Emperor is a serious matter, so how can Dong Zhuo do it alone? Moreover, it was still unknown whether Daren's edict was true or false!”The official cupped his hands and said. Zhang Yang's expression changed. "Fake? This edict came from Luoyang, how could it be fake?”
"Milord has heard a rumor that when the Young Emperor fled Luoyang, he took the Imperial Jade Seal with him! This was why Dong Zhuo might not have the real jade seal!”The official said after hearing this. Zhang Yang was shocked. If that was the case, then the seal on Dong Zhuo's edict was forged? If that was really the case, then Dong Zhuo was truly extremely bold. He even dared to forge the Imperial Jade Seal.
If the Heirloom Seal was in Liu Bian's hands, it would be fine for Zhang Yang to continue respecting him as the Emperor. "It's fine to be loyal to His Majesty, but Dong Zhuo has over three hundred thousand soldiers and is only separated from Shangdang by a river. If I accept the Young Emperor, I will definitely hate Dong Zhuo.”
" My lord, Shangdang still has 30,000 soldiers. I've received news that His Majesty once broke through Hangu Pass and killed Dong Zhuo's younger brother. Now, he has 15,000 soldiers. If this army enters Shangdang and Shangdang has a city to defend, it will take at least 70,000 to 80,000 soldiers to take down Shangdang. Although the Western Liang army is fierce, most of the cavalry are not good at attacking cities. If Dong Zhuo wants to attack, it will take at least several months to prepare for war.”Another official stood up and said.
"In that case, Your Majesty really has the ability to restore the Han Dynasty!”Zhang Yang could not help but ask. The fact that Zhang Yang could take down Hangu Pass and bring 15,000 soldiers with him gave Zhang Yang more reason to place his bet on Liu Bian. Zhang Yang frowned deeply as he pondered.
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