Chapter 152 Aiming for the world
Just as the alliance between Cao Cao and Tao Qian was inevitable, it was also natural for Liu Biao to take the initiative to approach Liu Bei and Liu Yao and talk about the alliance because he needed help.
Although Liu Yao came earlier than the original historical trajectory, he still faced a situation where he could not handle the whole thing alone. He was very pedantic and his situation was even worse than that of Liu Biao who rode alone to Jingzhou, so he was naturally happy.
Liu Biao’s idea was very simple. Since they were all descendants of the Liu family and had a common enemy, Yuan Shu, forming an alliance would benefit everyone.
You are the governor of Yuzhou, he is the governor of Yangzhou, and I am the governor of Jingzhou. The three of us are all relatives of the Han Dynasty. What is Yuan Shu? He is sandwiched between us and occupies the two large counties of Nanyang and Runan as well as Jiujiang County. Why?
If the three of us join forces and take out Yuan Gonglu, I will take Nanyang, he will take Jiujiang, and you will take Runan. Isn't that wonderful?
Tao Qian can also participate and take back the territory in southern Xuzhou that was taken away by Yuan Shu.
Let’s get rich together!
It was a good idea, and Liu Bei, Tao Qian and Liu Yao had no reason to refuse, but a strange situation had now formed in the Central Plains.
Both Cao Cao and Liu Bei wanted to win over Tao Qian, and there was also a secret struggle between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, forming a triangular situation.
Liu Yao and Liu Biao formed an alliance, Liu Biao and Liu Bei formed an alliance, Liu Bei and Tao Qian formed an alliance, Tao Qian and Cao Cao formed an alliance. It seemed that no one was an enemy. Only Yuan Shao in the north and Yuan Shu in the middle were alone, and it was impossible for them to form an alliance.
This situation seemed to be stable. But with such a one-sided situation, what should the two Yuans do?
Yuan Shu, who had an army of more than 300,000 at the time, still foolishly believed that he was the most powerful lord in the world, and was completely unaware of the seriousness of the problem. However, Yuan Shao could not sit still, and immediately sent people to contact Liu Bei and Liu Biao, wanting to form an alliance.
Liu Biao agreed without hesitation in order not to offend anyone.
Liu Bei originally wanted to refuse, but after Chen Qun's persuasion, he actually agreed.
Tian Ze was extremely surprised when he heard the news.
He thought that given the situation in the Central Plains, Yuan Shao would definitely not have the opportunity to intervene. Guo Jia's original prediction was wrong, but he did not expect Liu Bei to make this decision.
"Fengxiao, why did Liu Bei form an alliance with Yuan Shao?" Tian Ze asked puzzledly.
Guo Jia smiled faintly: "The reason is very simple, because Liu Bei also has ambitions to rule the world!"
His words are full of emotion. If you have ambitions for the world, you will look at the overall situation and will have to be swept away by the times.
"If the Central Plains were full of people like Liu Biao and Tao Qian who could maintain the status quo, Yuan Shao might be able to resist them. But Liu Bei and Cao Cao are not easy to deal with."
"Cao Cao had ambitions for the whole world, so he was unwilling to protect himself and did not form an alliance with Liu Bei. He was determined to unify the Central Plains."
"Liu Bei has ambitions for the whole world, so he will not keep the alliance. Otherwise, after destroying Yuan Shu, Cao Cao and Tao Qian are to the north, who are trying to resist Yuan Shao and cannot be easily moved, and Liu Biao and Liu Yao are to the south, who are also allies. What should he do?"
After hearing this, Tian Ze suddenly understood.
"Liu Xuande is known for his benevolence and righteousness. Whether it is true or false, he has to maintain this reputation. Therefore, he needs Yuan Shu's existence to seek an opportunity to take control of Yangzhou or Jingzhou."
"He couldn't refuse Yuan Benchu's invitation unless he was sure that Tao Qian would give Xuzhou to him within two years."
"But I'm afraid this road has also been blocked," Xun You said.
"Chen Qun is a little too anxious. I'm afraid he has already revealed some of his tricks. Although Tao Qian can't detect it, with Xi Zhicai's ability, he can definitely find evidence to counterattack. I'm afraid Tao Qian has already become wary of Liu Bei."
Tian Ze listened to the two people's frank words, thoughtfully, and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "It seems that some things should not be too hasty. If we really let nature take its course, I estimate that Xuzhou really has a great possibility of falling into Liu Bei's hands." If he were in Tao Qian's position, he would probably feel disgusted with Liu Bei.
There are some things I can give you, but you can't take them away, and you can't fool me.
Tian Ze estimated that this was not Liu Bei's idea, but more likely a secret plot by Chen Qun.
It’s a good idea, but it’s too simplistic.
Although Chen Qun was also a top strategist, he was far inferior to the combination of Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai. He was completely asking for trouble by trying to play such a clumsy trick.
As long as this kind of thing is not done perfectly, as long as there are some flaws
"The waters of this world have now been completely muddied." Tian Ze couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the various forces intertwined on the map.
"If not, I'm afraid you, my lord, will face the same fate as Dong Zhuo!" Guo Jia said jokingly.
Tian Ze really made things too big this time, and he also refused to disclose anything about the development of Xingzhou, which completely offended the aristocratic families, and it can be said that the people were extremely resentful.
But Tian Ze also had his own considerations. If he revealed the development of Xingzhou, it might ease the hostility of the aristocratic families, but it would also mean that Tian Chengshou was afraid and compromised.
He did not want the development of Xingzhou to become a transaction. As long as it was a transaction, there would be debts and demands, which would give the aristocratic families excuses and ambitions.
The development of Xingzhou can only be his mercy and gift to the aristocratic families.
This world does not necessarily need powerful families like you. Even without you, the world can still be governed well.
"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. With so many things happening in succession, the world should be more peaceful in the coming year. Let's think about how to receive and accommodate those heroes who come here." Tian Ze said.
Not only did he need to stabilize his rule and sort out internal affairs, but other princes did too.
Especially for those with shallow foundations like Cao Cao and Liu Bei, it is not easy to swallow up a state with a county. If they keep fighting, I am afraid that they will rebel before their own territory is warm.
The princes had no time to look north and did not want to anger Tian Ze. Even if the nobles had great power, they could not do anything. After all, they were not a monolithic entity. Unless they could put aside their past grudges and do their best to help a prince ascend to the top, who would be willing to compromise?
As for the aristocratic families and powerful people under Tian Ze's rule, those in Jizhou had already fled south, and those in Youzhou had also long since laid down.
For a time, the country was stable internally and peaceful externally. Such a shocking move caused huge waves in the world, but it did not cause any impact on Tian Ze's rule.
As if nothing had happened.
The only difference may be that the officials under his command are more motivated.
After all, those who perform well among them are eligible to attend classes at the Jixia Academy and have the opportunity to become scholars and officials, and the chance is not small.
How could they not be tempted by such temptation?
Tian Ze broke a big hole in the originally rigid class system, paving a broad road for upward mobility. It would be foolish of them not to seize the opportunity.
Facts have proved that where there is desire there is motivation. When a wider channel for advancement appeared, the petty officials under Tian Ze's rule all burst out with terrifying enthusiasm.
(End of this chapter)
