The spring breeze had just blown into Chengdu, bringing a bit of vitality, but it was dispersed by the urgent news from Luo City, and the whole city was in panic.
Liu Zhang looked around. Once the city was overcrowded with civil and military officials, now there were only a few people left, such as Wang Lei. All the counselors had surrendered to the enemy, and the generals had left and never returned.
"It is God's will. If Liu Qi can really revive the Han Dynasty, I will willingly give up Yizhou!"
Wang Lei said, "Don't worry, my lord. There are still soldiers and civilians defending the city. If everyone can gather together some money and food, we will have enough to fight Liu Qi."
All the money and grain in the city was appropriated by Zhang Song, the garrison was transferred away by Liu Xun, and the five thousand new recruits and servants were all busy maintaining public order.
"Fight?" Liu Zhang looked at Wang Lei and laughed. "Don't mention the lack of soldiers and food. Even if we have good soldiers and enough food, who will lead the army? You or me?"
"This..." Wang Lei was unwilling to give in, and gritted his teeth and said, "There are hundreds of barbarian tribes in the Nanzhong area. They are brave and warlike. Yizhou Governor Dong He governs the area well. We can promise him gold, silver and land to invite barbarian soldiers to help in the war..."
"How dare you!" Liu Zhang was furious. He slammed the table and shouted, "Even if the world laughs at me, Liu Zhang, for being weak, I am a relative of the Han Dynasty and I only want to preserve my territory. If I use barbarians and foreigners, where will the dignity of the Han Dynasty be? You repeatedly accused Zhang Song of inviting a wolf into the house, but in the end it was he who preferred to die to protect Luo City. You are inviting a wolf into the house by using this strategy. What is your intention?"
Wang Lei had never seen his lord so tough before. He was stunned and didn't know how to refute. He was kicked out of the government office by the angry Liu Zhang.
The rest of Qiao Zhou and others did not dare to speak. Liu Zhang was very angry and the change of ownership was about to happen. There was no need to bring about infamy at this time.
At this time, the soldiers delivered Liu Xun's letter. Liu Zhang hurriedly opened it and felt relieved after reading it. He sighed and said, "My son is very righteous. Liu Qi is kind and public-spirited. How could I not know the current situation?"
As he was sighing, a piece of paper fell from his mind, swaying down from the table and floating to Qiao Zhou's feet.
Qiao Zhou leaned over to pick it up, opened it and looked at it. He was stunned for a moment before he smiled and said, "My lord, General Liu deeply cares about our kinship. Please don't let him down."
Liu Zhang pointed at the note and asked, "What's written on it?"
Qiao Zhou read out the words one by one: "Uncle Zhang, the peach blossoms in my hometown are blooming!"
Liu Zhang naturally understood Liu Qi's intention. He was silent for a long while before he sighed and said, "My father and I have been in Shu for 20 years. We have done nothing good to the people. Instead, they have been bullied by Zhang Lu. The people are in trouble and talented people are buried. It is all my fault. I should let someone more capable take the position."
Qiao Zhou said, "My lord, you are right. Today, there is chaos and treason. The whole nation is gnashing its teeth. All loyal officials and generals are willing to do their utmost to fight for the country. Fortunately, Liu Bowei has stepped forward and gathered heroes to take the lead in resisting the thieves to eliminate the national crisis. My lord, you should put the overall situation first, and we should be united as one. You can repay the country and live up to our ancestors. You will surely be remembered for thousands of years."
Liu Zhang said: "Sir, your words make sense. So how about we go to Luocheng and invite Liu Qi to Chengdu?"
Qiao Zhou gladly accepted the order: "My lord, if you can appoint me, I will not refuse even if I die. Second Master Chan is a respectful and kind person. He can go with you on your behalf to show my sincerity."
Liu Zhang then sent his second son Liu Chan and Qiao Zhou to Luocheng to invite Liu Qi to enter Shu. At the same time, he ordered Xu Jing, the prefect of Shu County, to go to Qianwei to welcome Liu Pan, reward the troops of Jingzhou, and resolve the crisis in the country.
The next day, Liu Qi led his troops to Chengdu. Liu Zhang led the civil and military officials to greet him, presented him with his seal, sword, and gave up his post as governor of Yizhou.
Liu Qi bowed and said, "It's not that I'm usurping the throne or being unkind and righteous, but Cao Cao is so powerful and Sun Quan is coveting us. I have no power to revive the Han Dynasty with only the land of Jingzhou. I hope my uncle will understand."
Liu Zhang said with emotion: "My nephew is indeed extraordinary. You and I are from the same clan. I am entrusting Yizhou to you now. I hope you can treat the officials and the people well. I want to return to my hometown to retire. I am not talented, but I am willing to help my nephew revive the Han Dynasty and make it last forever!"
Liu Qi took the seal and went into the city with Liu Zhang. They saw the streets crowded with people and the people cheering. Spring plowing was about to start, and they could finally catch up with the policy of Jingzhou and get a great bargain.
When everyone arrived at the government office, Liu Qi ordered a three-day banquet to reward the three armies and comfort the soldiers and civilians of Yizhou. There was joy throughout the country.
In the afternoon, Liu Pan led his generals and light cavalry to meet up in Chengdu. Liu Qi met with veteran general Yan Yan and hosted a welcome party for Zhang He, Gan Ning and others. The north and the south worked together and finally met in victory.
The seal of the Governor of Yizhou was handed over to Liu Pan, who was appointed General Zhennan and ordered to govern Xichuan, guard against the southern barbarians, and support Hanzhong.
It was not that Liu Qi was nepotism. He trusted Liu Pan, so naturally he let him be in charge of important territories. This is the principle of the victor takes all, and a new emperor chooses his own ministers.
In troubled times, this is called finding a wise leader. In the workplace of later generations, it is better to follow the right person than to do the right thing.
A person's opportunities and destiny are often closely related to the people around him. Without a suitable stage, no matter how capable one is, it will be in vain.
At the same time, he appointed Jiang Wan as the deputy governor of Yizhou, Liu Ba as the governor, and promoted Fei Yi and Dong Yun as his assistants. He focused on training them to be the mainstays of the Shu Han in the later period, and their abilities were unquestionable.
In addition to the main officials who were familiar with Jingzhou's political orders, Xu Jing, Qiao Zhou, Dong He, Li Hui, Qin Mi and others from Yizhou were all appointed to assist in government administration.
This time it was easier to take Yizhou than Liu Bei's, as the basic resources were not destroyed. In addition, Jingzhou had a wealth of assets that had not been ravaged by war, so there was no need to worry about population, money and food.
However, the situation in Yizhou is complicated, and relying on any one party will cause turmoil. Only the entry of Liu Pan, a third party, can make things fair.
He is Liu Qi's confidant, so he does not have to worry too much. He just needs to adopt the political orders of Jingzhou, reasonably weaken the aristocratic families, avoid causing any backlash, and ensure a smooth transition.
In addition, Zhang Song and Fa Zheng, two heroes who contributed to Shu's entry into the state of Shu, were both employed in the General of Chariots and Cavalry's Mansion. They were kept by his side to avoid conflicts with others, one of them being too arrogant and the other narrow-minded.
Zhang Song had a photographic memory and was appointed as the Chief Secretary in charge of confidential intelligence. Fa Zheng was a military officer and, like Pang Tong, joined Zhuge Liang's military advisory team and served as a think tank.
A three-way balance of power was initially formed, with the presence of Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chick, which changed the fate of Xu Shu. In addition to Ma Chao, there were also Gan Ning, Zhang He, Yu Jin and Zhang Ren, which was a gathering of talented people.
Relying solely on the resources of Yizhou, Zhuge Liang was able to prolong the Han Dynasty for decades. He made six expeditions to Qishan and mediated in Jiangdong. Now that he holds the trump card, Liu Qi is full of confidence.
Sun and Cao are fighting for Huainan. If they can take the opportunity to pacify Guanzhong and visit Chang'an, the call for reviving the Han Dynasty will be even louder. If Cao Cao eats more Wu Shi San, taking over the Central Plains will be just around the corner.
For a moment, Liu Qi was full of confidence and felt a little dizzy, as if everything was under his control.
Suddenly I understood why Yuan Shao at Guandu and Cao Cao at Chibi looked down on their opponents. The sense of superiority of controlling the world and intimidating the enemies was simply unparalleled.
Only those who are in that position can understand this feeling, but Liu Qi also knows that arrogant soldiers will eventually be defeated, and the world is not yet settled, so more efforts are needed.
Standing on the Chengdu Futai Tower, Liu Qi looked around and saw the land of abundance shrouded in mist and green mountains all around. He sighed with regret, saying, "Today, I have a vast country, but all I lack is a beautiful woman to accompany me!"