Chapter 56 Section Two

Press the gourd up to scoop.Just as Liu Yang's side stopped, Peng Chong, the prefect of Yuyang, made trouble again. The reason why Liu Xiu was able to pacify Hebei and wipe out Wang Lang was attributed to Peng Chong, the prefect of Yuyang. He not only sent troops to help Liu Xiu fight, but also transported food and grass continuously. After Liu Xiu proclaimed himself emperor, Peng Chong did not get the promotion he deserved, and his official title was still the original general and Marquis Jianzhong.However, Wu Han and Wang Liang, who were under him back then, had already been named Da Sima and Da Sikong respectively, and their official positions were even higher than him.Naturally, Peng Chong couldn't keep his balance in his heart, and he could not help complaining from time to time: "My meritorious deeds should be king! Your majesty is self-forgetful?"

Peng Chong's complaints are complaints, but not to the extent that he must rebel.Peng Chong's rebellion was completely forced to Liangshan by Youzhou Mu Zhufu. Zhu Fu is a typical political ADHD patient. He became a shepherd in Youzhou at the age of 22. He was successful at a young age, so he was inevitably complacent and frivolous. When he took office, he opened a mansion widely and recruited hundreds of scholars and celebrities from all over the world.In order to retain these talents, Zhu Fu spared no expense, provided generous support, and recruited a large number of barns and grains from various counties in Youzhou to support this generation of scholars and their families.

As soon as Zhu Fuzheng's transfer order came out, all the counties in Youzhou obediently obeyed the order, but Yuyang County refused to buy it.Peng Chong replied to Zhu Fu: "The world has not yet been decided. It is time to use troops. If there is food and grain, it should be given priority to the soldiers in front. This generation of famous scholars is useless, so what's the use of supporting them!" Zhu Fu was young and vigorous, relying on being a celebrity around Liu Xiu, he didn't pay attention to veteran revolutionary comrades like Peng Chong at all.Peng Chong didn't show weakness, and immediately replied to the letter and scolded each other.

Zhu Fu, who lives in Youzhou as an official, is Peng Chong's boss in name. He felt ashamed when Peng Chong contradicted him so much, and immediately sent several secret memorials to Liu Xiulian, exposing Peng Chong's background.He first reported Peng Chong's unfilial piety, and after he became the governor of Yuyang, he sent people back to his hometown Nanyang, only taking his wife to have fun, not his mother to enjoy the blessings; Zhao Kuan's enemy Uncle Zhao bribed Peng Chong with beautiful slaves. Peng Chong was greedy for beautiful slaves and killed Zhao Kuan's family;

When Liu Xiu received Zhu Fu's secret report, he laughed it off and ignored it.When the water is clear, there will be no fish. Even if Peng Chong is unfilial and unkind, and his personal morality is bad, he should not be dismissed lightly when employing people. As for Peng Chong's rebellion, there is no evidence to investigate. It is pure speculation. Even so, in order to prevent problems before they happen, Liu Xiu deliberately leaked Zhu Fu's secret report, so that Peng Chong heard about it and thought it was a warning.After Peng Chong heard the news, he hated Zhu Fu even more.

In February of this year, Liu Xiu ordered Peng Chong to report to Luoyang.When Peng Chong received the edict, he was terrified, thinking that Liu Xiu had listened to Zhu Fu's slander and no longer trusted him. If he went to Luoyang, he might never return.Peng Chong was so indignant that he wrote to Liu Xiu, insisting that he and Zhu Fu go to Luoyang together and confront Liu Xiu.Peng Chong also wrote to Wu Han, Wang Liang, Gai Yan and other old ministries, stating that Zhu Fu had slandered and wronged himself, and asked them to speak for him in front of Liu Xiu. Information asymmetry, people's hearts are separated from each other.The relationship between a monarch and his ministers is sometimes like a couple.Happy couples always share similar trusts; unhappy couples each have their own suspicions.Peng Chong insisted on coming to Luoyang with Zhu Fu. On Peng Chong's side, it was because of a grievance in his heart. From Liu Xiu's point of view, it was because Peng Chong felt guilty and made excuses.Liu Xiu then sent envoys to reject Peng Chong's request and insisted that Peng Chong go on the road alone.

In hindsight, Liu Xiu's decision was really a major mistake.Fortunately, Liu Xiu at this time already had enough capital to make some mistakes. Seeing Liu Xiu's urging, Peng Chong felt more and more uncertain, and felt that the reason why Liu Xiu wanted him to go to the capital to report on his duties was to kill him before he rebelled, just like he did to Liu Yang.Peng Chong has a habit of fearing inwardness, and his wife has a resolute temperament. Whenever there are major issues, she always makes decisions for Peng Chong.Seeing Peng Chong sighing, his wife scolded: "The world is uncertain, and each of the four directions is a hero. Yuyang is a big county with the best soldiers and horses. Just because of Zhu Fu, you are going to give up this hard-won great foundation?"

Peng Chong hesitated, and then discussed with his subordinates, who all scolded Zhu Fu and advised Peng Chong not to accept the edict.Up to this point, Peng Chong still had a glimmer of hope for Liu Xiu, and wrote to Liu Xiu, reiterating that as long as Zhu Fu was with him, he would leave for Luoyang immediately. Liu Xiu did business in Chang'an in his early years, and he was known as "no second price". Later, he negotiated and surrendered with Wang Lang and the Red Eyebrow Army. Liu Xiu was also a one-buy price and would never compromise.Now that Liu Xiu is the son of heaven, he can't tolerate bargaining with his subordinates, so he sent Hou Lanqing, a disciple of Peng Chong's hall, as an envoy to urge Peng Chong to leave immediately.

Back then when Liu Xiu was the Grand Sima, he chased the Bronze Horse and went north to Jicheng. Peng Chong made a special trip from Yuyang to visit him. Liu Xiu treated him with kindness and sent him off with his sword, begging him to be the master of the North Road. .The two sat side by side, conversing in local accents, as if they had been friends for many years, and the host and guest enjoyed themselves.Now that Liu Xiu became the emperor, he only cared about his death and showed no consideration for his situation. Peng Chong finally despaired and sighed to his wife: "Unfortunately, I have gained an emperor, but lost a friend." The words are sad, and the opposition is decided.