Chapter 64: Offering a Plan

  Huang Fu's face was slightly awkward, Yan Zhong and Jia Xun looked at each other and shook their heads in unison.

  With their IQ, they would not have thought of the problems Yang Xiuzhu mentioned. They didn't say anything because they were waiting for such an opportunity. Who would have thought that Yang Xiuzhu suddenly appeared and as soon as he showed up, he broke through this situation.

  Yan Zhong felt a little regretful. He shouldn't have provoked Yang Xiu like that. If Yang Xiu were to say a couple of words in front of the Emperor, suggesting that they had ulterior motives, this joke would go too far. Jia Xi shook his head slightly, signaling Yan Zhong not to rush and to wait and see.

  Huang Fu Song was, after all, a military commander who had long since understood his fate. Even when faced with the intimidating Yang Xiu, he remained unmoved as a mountain. He furrowed his brow: "As you said, Lord Yang, we have been troubled by this matter and have yet to come up with a solution to present to Your Majesty. Since you've arrived, you must have a good plan; we'll listen carefully."

  Yang Xiu looked at Huangfu Song with some surprise. Huangfu Song had been famous for a long time, and the Yellow Turban War had made him even more renowned throughout the land. With his identity, he was asking a young junior like Yang Xiu for advice, which was giving him a lot of face. Moreover, Huangfu Song's defensive strategy had left Yang Xiu unable to counterattack. We're not ones to keep things from each other or be disloyal to our lord; we really didn't know what to do and were worried about it. Now, let's see your clever plan.

  What a wonderful plan? If there really is such a perfect and beautiful plan, would Huang Fu let me have this opportunity? Even if Huang Fu can, could the two strategists let go of such a good opportunity?

  Yang Xiu's mouth was bitter, and he couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

  "Your Majesty, the wealth of the world is mostly from Shandong. Now Shandong is in great chaos and it will be difficult to recover within a few years. To support the large army's expedition, we must divide its forces, plant many parties, make them chaotic, and win a chance for the court to breathe."

  Liu Bian nodded and waved his hand: "Take a seat, Yang Qing, speak slowly, let's discuss it together."

  Yang Xiu was deeply grateful, the Son of Heaven bestowed a seat upon him, allowing this young man to sit alongside so many famous figures. This was giving him face, giving the Yang family of Hongnong face. And his calm demeanor in speech revealed even more that it was impossible to discern whether he understood the underlying crux. For an emperor, being intelligent or strong wasn't actually the most important thing; what was most important was making it impossible for subordinates to fathom him.

  Was Emperor Xiaohuan not wise? At a young age, he endured for several years, and in one move, he eliminated the great general Liang Ji. Then, he also employed the famous general Duan Jun, and pacified the Eastern Qiang. However, his experience in internal struggles was insufficient, and when handling the case of the Party people, he rushed to achieve success, resulting in unstable court politics.

  Was Emperor Xiaoling not wise? However, his tolerance was insufficient, all of his actions were seen through by his ministers, so he died young and accomplished nothing, and also got a bad posthumous name.

  Liu Bian, at such a young age, has such a calm and stable temperament, which is a very delightful thing. It seems that his father let him serve the Emperor because he saw a glimmer of hope, not just to counterbalance the people of Liangzhou. Being of similar age to the Emperor, he must be more able to get along with the Emperor than Yan Zhong and Jia Xiang. Once he becomes a close minister to the Emperor, can the people of Liangzhou still stir up trouble?

  In an instant, Yang Xiu thought of many things. He thanked the seat, sorted out his thoughts, and put away his arrogant expression. It's okay to be arrogant in front of Liangzhou people, but it's not good if the emperor thinks he's arrogant.

  "The world's wealth and taxes, Ji and Yu are the first, Jing and Yi are next. Now that Ji and Yu have fallen into Yuan's hands, Your Majesty should grasp Jing and Yi to prepare for unexpected events. Yi state is a landlocked country with four borders, a heavenly state, which does not need to be mentioned. Jing state controls Jiang and Han, connects with Jiao state in the south, has a population of one million households, and sufficient grain taxes, also a major state. Moreover, Jiangnan borders on Yu and Zhang, Dan and Yang, with many barbarian warriors, if they fall into the hands of the enemy, it will be no small disaster..."

  Liu Bian quietly listened to Yang Xiu's explanation of the situation, not uttering a word. Although he didn't understand the situation as thoroughly as Yang Xiu had described it, with his experience spanning two lifetimes, he also knew the importance of Jingzhou and Yizhou. The problem was that historically, Liu Yan in Yizhou and Liu Biao in Jingzhou did not have the imperial court in their hearts. Liu Yan simply refused to acknowledge the imperial court, while Liu Biao was slightly better, not having openly defied it but also not truly exerting himself for the imperial court. Liu Yan had already gone to Yizhou last year, and the die had been cast; there was nothing he could do about it now. However, Liu Biao had yet to go to Jingzhou, so how could he possibly send Liu Biao to Jingzhou when he knew what Liu Biao would do in the future?

  He not only did not intend to let Liu Biao go to Jingzhou, but also took away Liu Biao's official position. Before Lu Zhi was appointed as the North Army Lieutenant, Liu Biao held this position. However, he obviously leaned towards the Yuan family. When he fought against the Yuan family, Liu Biao, as a member of the imperial clan, did not say a word to help him.

  He listened to Yang Xiu's words, and just wanted to see if he had a more suitable candidate than Liu Bei.

  What Yang Xiu did not expect was that in the end he still recommended Liu Biao.

  Yang Xiu's reasons are twofold: Firstly, Liu Biao is a member of the imperial clan and has a closer relationship with the court compared to other ministers. Secondly, Liu Biao is one of the Eight Eminent Scholars and is a renowned scholar in the world, sending him to Jingzhou would have sufficient appeal to gain the support of the powerful families in Jing and Xiang.

  Liu Biao acknowledged that Yang Xiu was right, Liu Biao's ability to stand firm in Jingzhou had a great deal to do with his identity as a famous scholar. However, Liu Biao did not turn his heart towards the imperial court because of this. Nevertheless, he could not say so; he could not say in front of so many people that I suspect Liu Biao's loyalty.

  "What Yang Qing said makes some sense." Liu Bian smiled and said, "Taifu, you all discuss it among yourselves. If there are other suitable candidates, recommend them to me together, and I will choose the best one."

  Huang Fu and others nodded in agreement. Liu Bian's words actually negated Yang Xiu's suggestion, not planning to use Liu Biao.

  Yang Xiu was also a clever person, he didn't force it, after the meeting dispersed, he followed Liu Bian to the back room.

  "Speak, what other reasons do you have?" Liu knew it all too well and didn't hide it, indicating that Yang Xiu should speak frankly face to face. Here, they could open the skylight and speak brightly - this mainly referred to Yang Xiu, as the emperor, he didn't need to open his heart to Yang Xiu.

  Yang Xiu indeed did not hide: "Your Majesty is worried that Liu Biao will follow the example of Liu Yan and cut off Jingzhou to establish himself?"

  Liu Bian neither nodded nor shook his head, but quietly looked at Yang Xiu. This guy is really clever, but he's a big mouth, and can't easily express himself. When the time comes, don't come up with another embarrassing act, or you'll lose face.

  Seeing Liu Biao not responding to his words, Yang Xiu felt somewhat uninteresting and could only talk to himself. He continued: "Which does Your Majesty think is better, giving Jingzhou to Liu Biao or to Yuan Shu?"

  Liu Bian was taken aback, his eyes somewhat unusual. Looking at Yang Xiu who smiled but didn't speak, he knew he had thought wrongly. Indeed, Liu Biao wasn't a good person, giving him Jingzhou was like throwing a meat bun to a dog, it would be hard to get it back. But if he didn't send Liu Biao there, would Jingzhou belong to the imperial court? That's also impossible, the most likely outcome is that it would fall into Yuan Shu's hands.

  If Yuan Shu occupies Jingzhou and threatens Luoyang from the south, he may even enter Wuguan and occupy Guanzhong. If Yuan Shao occupies Jizhou and then attacks Bingzhou, the two Yuans will form a pincer movement. Will he still have any chance to counterattack?

  Let Liu Biao go to Jingzhou, even if he can't bring benefits to the court, at least he can disrupt Yuan Shu's plan.

  Liu Bian glanced at Yang Xiu and raised an eyebrow: "I don't know if Governor Yuan would scold you for being unfilial if he heard this."

  "He betrayed the imperial court, he is a rebellious minister." Yang Xiu said solemnly: "I will never coexist with him under the same sky."

  The second update, seeking recommendations, seeking collections!