The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 222 Putting Down the Dispute

Then look at the morale of the soldiers, which is something that the Yanzhou army can't match. One side has high morale, while the other side has low morale. There is no comparison between the two sides.

When the Yanzhou army withdrew from Hulao Pass, they dismantled all the defensive structures on the pass, especially the large number of cannons and ammunition that Yuan Shao had placed there.

It's like they plucked feathers from a passing goose; they left Huangpu Song with absolutely nothing.

Of course, Huangpu Song also looked down on these things, especially the artillery. He looked down on them even more, as they were all Shenwu cannons or improved versions, which could not compare to the Dajiang cannons that were now commonly equipped by the army in the autonomous region.

Although Huangpu Song looked down on him, Yuan Shao was worried. These possessions were hard-earned, and he was reluctant to give them up. Perhaps knowing that he would not be able to return to Hulao Pass for a long time, Yuan Shao ordered the destruction of all living facilities in Hulao Pass yesterday.

Huangpu Song was furious when he led his troops into Hulao Pass, but due to Chen Er's orders, he couldn't say anything and could only swallow his anger and accept it.

When Chen Er received the report that the Yanzhou army had even filled in the toilets after their retreat, he was both amused and exasperated, never expecting that Yuan Shao would have such a childish temper.

Regardless of the circumstances, Hulao Pass had changed hands, and Yuan Shao and Chen Er had reached a tacit understanding. However, when Yuan Shao announced the abandonment of Hulao Pass...

From the moment the troops withdrew from the self-governing area behind Hulao Pass, the nobles of Luoyang, like the caged bird sitting in the palace, began to panic.

In the imperial court, Liu Xie summoned all the ministers to discuss what to do next, but no one spoke up. This was completely different from what they had initially planned: to use the conflict between Yuan Shao and Chen Er to temporarily put aside their dispute.

Then, by using Chen Er and Yuan Shao to block the Xiliang cavalry from the west, the situation in Guanzhong will be stabilized. Finally, Yuan Shao and other warlords, such as the King of Nanyang and the King of Chengdu, will be used to counterbalance and suppress Chen Er.

Amidst the balance of power among various factions, the Han dynasty rebuilt its army and regained its former glory. However, things changed from the very beginning, with Yuan Shao and Chen Er quickly reaching an agreement.

Chen Er actually gave up the opportunity to enter Luoyang, and only controlled Hulao Pass, while Yuan Shao, although he gave up Hulao Pass, was able to enter Luoyang alone.

Most of these ministers who were loyal to the Han Dynasty were actually sycophants or opportunists who thought that following the emperor would bring them a better future.

Unexpectedly, Liu Xie's downfall came so quickly, so quickly that before they could even react, Yuan Shao's vanguard was already approaching the outskirts of Luoyang.

Some old scholars still touted that Liu Xie was the legitimate emperor and that Yuan Shao wouldn't dare to do anything even if he entered Luoyang. But when they said this, even they couldn't believe it themselves. For a time, people in Luoyang were in a state of panic, with a feeling that a great disaster was about to befall them.

"I didn't expect you all to be mute here. You're all usually so talkative, aren't you? What's wrong with you now? Have you all become mute? Can't you speak anymore?"

Liu Xie is no longer the child he once was. Now that he has grown up, he has shown the qualities of a wise and capable ruler. However, this wise ruler was born at the wrong time. He is an emperor without real power, and the empire is already in disarray.

After finally seizing power, Liu Xie discovered that he had no one to rely on, and most of the ministers in the court were old scholars.

Although they are loyal to the royal family, it is of little use in the face of the current chaotic world. Only a small number of ministers are capable, while the majority are opportunists.

Although Liu Xie relied on them to kill Gongsun Zan and barely control Luoyang, he did not place his hopes on them when faced with major events.

Liu Xie had no choice but to turn his attention to Jia Xu. Not many people knew who Jia Xu was, and even Liu Xie himself was not very clear about his background.

After Jia Xu helped him kill Gongsun Zan and take control of Luoyang, Liu Xie basically trusted Jia Xu and consulted him on all decisions.

When Liu Xie looked at him, Jia Xu stepped forward. He wasn't very tall, was rather thin, but had sharp eyes that revealed his wisdom.

Jia Xu said, "Your Majesty, I believe we should adopt a policy of appeasement towards Yuan Shao and win him over, since he is the only person we can use right now."

As soon as Jia Xu spoke, the people below echoed him, saying that what Lord Jia said made sense and that this should be done. Only a few Confucian scholars strongly suggested that if Yuan Shao did not obey the emperor's decree, he should be executed directly. This suggestion was obviously made without thinking, and Liu Xie ignored it.

He continued to ask Jia Xu, "Minister Jia, what if Yuan Shao does not accept my offer of amnesty?"

“Yuan Shao’s refusal does not mean that his generals and advisors will not accept it. I believe we can take a two-pronged approach: on the one hand, we can win over Yuan Shao, and on the other hand, we can win over those generals. This will also help to divide Yuan Shao’s forces.”

It must be said that Jia Xu's suggestion is the most practical one at present. Liu Xie said to Jia Xu, "Since this suggestion was made by Minister Jia, then this matter will be entrusted to you."

"Your subject obeys the decree," Jia Xu said, bowing.

"Furthermore, General Dong, you must expand the Imperial Guard as soon as possible, strengthen the City Guard, and reinforce the defenses of the Luoyang Arsenal. Those are our most important bargaining chips," Liu Xie said to Dong Yu.

"Understood, sir." Dong Yu accepted the order.

Liu Xie valued his life highly, possessing two-thirds of the cannons in Luoyang and the 10,000 elite troops he inherited from Gongsun Zan.

(The rest either fled to Yongzhou or died in the fighting that day.) Most of them became guards to consolidate the palace, and the defense of Luoyang was handed over to the city guard army, which had only been formed for a month and whose combat effectiveness was not even as good as the militia company in the self-governing area.

Fortunately, Liu Xie still had a strong army, which gave him the confidence to fight against Yuan Shao.

On June 25, Yuan Shao led an army of 20,000 to Luoyang. The rest of his troops, along with able-bodied men, were controlling the Sili region. Yuan Shao preferred the population and food supplies of the Sili region to Luoyang.

If it weren't for Liu Xie and the rebuilt Luoyang arsenal in Luoyang, he wouldn't have been interested. Of course, there was also the tacit understanding between him and Chen Er, which made it necessary for Yuan Shao to control Luoyang.

"Send troops into the city and take control of its defenses." Yuan Shao showed no politeness. Although he was nominally there to support the emperor, Yuan Shao had absolutely no respect for Liu Xie and the crumbling royal family. What was there to respect in a puppet? Yuan Shao said.