Chapter 13 1. Soldiers

Liu Xiu only thought about running away in Ji County, but forgot about one person.This person is Geng Yan who urged him to go north to Yuyang and Shanggu to borrow troops.Instinctively, Liu Xiu fled to the south, but Geng Yan fled to the north, and fled back to his father Geng Kuang in one breath. After Geng Yan returned to Shanggu County, before he was out of breath, he hurriedly told his father to send troops south to attack Handan City.Geng Kuang looked at his son strangely, and said, don't worry, we don't need to go south at all, because Wang Lang has already sent troops to go north to kill us father and son.

Geng Yan was taken aback when he heard it, and was about to say something when someone took the conversation and said, "Isn't he just a Wang Lang, what are you afraid of him?" Geng Yan turned his head and saw that the person who said this was Cao Kou Xun, the meritorious officer of Shanggu County. Kou Xun, courtesy name Ziyi, was born in Shanggu Changping (now south of Changping County, Beijing).This guy is young and energetic, as courageous as a dustpan, no matter who you are, don't try to provoke him, once you provoke him, you will never return. When Gengshi Emperor Liu Xuangang came to the throne, he sent envoys to Shanggu to persuade him to surrender, saying that as long as he would listen to Emperor Liu Xuan, the officials would do as he wanted, and the dance should be done, and he would be rewarded with gold and honor.At that time, Geng Kuang handed over the seal and ribbon, but after one night, the envoy had no intention of returning the seal and ribbon.So Kou Xun became anxious, brandished his long sword, and forced the emissary to hand over the seal ribbon, and Geng Kuang, the prefect of Shanggu County, saved it.

When Geng Yan heard Kou Xun's words, he couldn't help secretly happy.As long as this guy opens his mouth, Dad will most likely listen to him.Sure enough, Kou Xun analyzed Geng Kuang in this way: "Wang Lang is just a counterfeit. It remains to be seen whether he can gain a firm foothold when he explodes suddenly. I think, relatively speaking, Liu Xiu, as Liu's younger brother, is a virtuous corporal. Fame, it is more reliable to vote for him." Geng Kuang asked back: "You can vote for him, the problem is that Wang Lang is so powerful, can we stop it with just the few of us?"

Kou Xun said with a smile: "This statement is wrong. Shanggu County has a complete territory and more than 10,000 combat troops. We are fully qualified to choose our own path and determine our future. However, if you are worried, I can recruit another group of people. , Fight against Wang Langbing together." Geng Kuang asked urgently, "Who are you looking for?" Kou Xun responded, "He is Peng Chong, the prefect of Yuyang County. As long as Peng Chong is willing to contribute, why should he be afraid of Wang Lang of Handan?" Geng Kuang nodded if he had realized something, and said, "At this point, the only thing we can do is try."

Then, Kou Xun sent an emergency mission to Yuyang County.Thankfully, Peng Chong, the prefect of Yuyang County, readily agreed to send troops.He said that he was willing to send 3000 cavalry to attack Handan.As a result, Kou Xun quickly returned to Shanggu, and together with Geng Yan led the army southward, joined up with the army and horses of Yuyang County, and drove southward. As I said before, Kou Xun is not easy to mess with, whoever messes with him will definitely end the game.Thousands of cavalry troops from Shanggu and Yuyang counties were like a broken bamboo. In a short period of time, they took down 22 counties including Zhuojun, Zhongshan, and Julu, and killed tens of thousands of Wang Lang's troops.And soon they arrived in Guang'a City (now east of Longyao County, Hebei Province).

Just in Guang'a City, I came to report quickly, saying that there are many soldiers and horses in the city, but I don't know whose army it is.Tan Ma's words made Geng Yan and Kou Xun extremely vigilant, and hurriedly sent people to investigate. Soon, Tanma reported that he had found out that the soldiers and horses in the city belonged to the great Sima Liu Xiu. Where in the world do we not meet again, it is really a good time to meet.Overjoyed, Geng Yan galloped out to see Liu Xiu. In the city of Guang'a, there are indeed Liu Xiu's soldiers and horses.However, when Liu Xiuwen heard that soldiers and horses from Yuyang Shanggu two counties were coming, he was very frantic.At this time, there were rumors everywhere in Guang'e City, saying that the prefect of Yuyang Shanggu County had voted for Wang Lang, which made Liu Xiu's ears explode, so naturally he couldn't tell the truth from the fake.

Liu Xiu heard that Geng Yan came to see him, and ordered the defenders to be vigilant, and went on stage to talk to Geng Yan in person.When Geng Yan explained his intentions at the base of the city, Liu Xiu was overjoyed and immediately opened the city gate to welcome him into the city. It is very embarrassing to meet here and now.Liu Xiu smiled at Geng Yan: "The Handan Front Army sent people to Guang'a to spread rumors that Shanggu and Yuyang counties belonged to them. You know how I fought back. I also bragged that Shanggu and Yuyang counties belonged to us. people, but this cow really brought you here."

Liu Xiu and Geng Yan successfully joined forces.The next step is to go straight to Handan.However, Liu Xiu never expected that when their troops were about to advance to Handan, someone had already snatched his business and attacked Wang Lang in advance. The person who robbed him of his business was sent by Liu Xuan, his name was Xie Gong, and he was the minister of the time.He has been besieging Handan for some time, but he has made no progress. Since my brother wants to rob Handan, it's not fun to get in on my own.Liu Xiu personally led the troops and went east to grab another piece of fat.

The name of that piece of fat is Julu City.However, fat meat is not easy to grab. Liu Xiu snatched it for a month, but he still didn't take Julu City.At this time, Wang Lang became impatient. Wang Lang divided his troops into two places, and one attacked Liu Xiu's rear Xindu.But soon, Liu Xiu snatched it back.Then, Wang Lang sent another general to help Julu with tens of thousands of people.Now Liu Xiu couldn't hold back anymore, so he had to retreat back. At this time, someone offered Liu Xiu a plan and said: "Instead of being trapped in Julu City, we should use elite troops to directly attack Handan City. Once Handan City is in hand and Wang Lang is executed, Julu City will naturally fall into our hands." hands."

The person who offered the advice was named Geng Chun, styled Boshan, from Fujiazhuang, Songzi of Julu (now Hujia Village, Xinhe County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province).This is a very reliable person, Liu Xiu decided to adopt Geng Chun's strategy and advance to Handan. Facts have proved that Geng Chun's strategy is correct. AD 24, April.Liu Xiu left a small army to attack Julu City, and led the army to advance into Handan.At the critical moment, you have to trust the brand. Liu Xiu's elite troops attacked Handan again and again, and Wang Lang retreated in succession.Finally, Wang Lang from the city sent someone out to say, stop fighting, let's sit down and have a good talk.

Negotiating and surrendering is still acceptable, as long as the price is ideal, everything is easy to negotiate. Soon, Wang Lang sent an admonishing doctor out of the city. As soon as he saw Liu Xiu, the negotiator blushed and his heart beat, and said preemptively: "To be honest, the emperor in our city is not the legendary fortune-teller. is the son of Liu Ao." Liu Xiu laughed as soon as he heard it.It's as if a product salesman came to the market, holding up a low-quality counterfeit product and swearing: "This is the real product, and it will be replaced if it is fake." However, everyone is out to mess around, and it's not easy, so it's understandable to fool around a bit.Having said that, at this time, everything is not up to you to decide.The right to speak is not with you, Wang Lang, but with me, Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu said very bluntly: "Let me tell you the truth, even if Liu Ao jumped out of the coffin now, he would not have the ability to become an emperor, not to mention that Wang Lang is still a fake, so don't think about lions today." Open your mouth." Wang Lang's envoy was stunned for a while, and then he said: "Our leader said that it is okay to surrender, but you have to give him the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households." Liu Xiu smiled and shook his head.Wang Lang's emissary didn't know that fake products killed people.Wang Lang pretended to be Liu's royal family name, set up troops in Handan City, and chased him all over the north, almost too hungry to run. If it wasn't for God's help, he might have died in front of the Hutuo River. Liu Xiu went on to say: "If I spare him from dying, it's a good deal for him. Do you still want to be a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households?" Wang Lang's envoy's face changed drastically when he heard this, and he turned his head and walked away. Well, since the conversation is over, let's continue the fight.Liu Xiu once again launched a fierce attack on Handan City, fighting for more than 20 days. On May 1st, Handan City finally couldn't stand it anymore, Wang Lang Shaofu took the initiative to open the city, and Handan fell.Wang Lang fled at night, and Liu Xiu sent Wang Ba to chase him.Soon, it was reported that Wang Lang was caught up by Wang Ba and beheaded on the spot. Finally, Liu Xiu entered Handan City again. At this time, this scene is like a dream.At this time, someone took Liu Xiu to check Wang Lang's office. On Wang Lang's desk, Liu Xiu discovered a shocking secret.Wang Lang still has a lot of official documents, and among these official documents, many of them were written to Wang Lang by Liu Xiu's generals.The contents of the letters were all to express their sincerity to Wang Lang, and some even insulted Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu asked someone to carry out all these official documents, and then called a meeting of all the generals.The generals looked at the official documents all over the floor, and suddenly understood. Liu Xiu looked at the generals silently, and the generals also looked at Liu Xiu silently.The death-like silence, like an iron rod, beat the dark chests of many people. At this time, Liu Xiu said slowly: "I believe that many people here are uneasy. Now, please allow me to burn these official documents with a fire, so that you can all feel at ease." Sure enough, Liu Xiu burned all the letters between the generals and Wang Lang.After the burning, he sent someone to report the situation in the north to Chang'an.Soon, Liu Xuan's imperial edict came, and Liu Xiu was named King Xiao.At the same time, all troops north of the Yellow River were ordered to be demobilized. It's not over yet.Liu Xuan's imperial edict also stated that Liu Xiu and the meritorious officials were all ordered to return to Chang'an.The governor of Youzhou was appointed separately, and the prefects of Shanggu County and Yuyang County were all replaced. Anyone who is not blind can see that Liu Xuan's edict has hidden secrets.Of course Liu Xiu was not blind, he could see it all. In the final analysis, Liu Xiu is just a chess piece on Liu Xuan's board.On the chessboard in the north, Liu Xiu defeated Wang Lang, which also declared that his value utilization can come to an end and can be shelved.Therefore, if Liu Xiuzhen obeyed Liu Xuan's edict and returned to Chang'an this trip, it must be a disaster. Liu Xuan is mysterious, but Liu Xiu is not stupid.He was not in a hurry to return to Chang'an, but lived in the old Zhao Palace in Handan City.Jiangshan was bought by him with his life, and he had to enjoy this beautiful palace before others enjoyed it. One day, Liu Xiu was resting in the palace when a man broke into him suddenly.Liu Xiu opened his eyes and saw that it was Geng Yan.Geng Yan finally persuaded his father to send troops to take down Handan City. After he succeeded, his father's prefect of Shanggu County was actually removed by Liu Xuan.If I didn't guess wrong, he came today to pour out the pile of bitterness in his stomach. Geng Yan said to Liu Xiu: "I want to talk to you alone." Liu Xiu spread the left and right.Geng Yan said formally: "Our officers and soldiers died too much, please allow me to go back to Shanggu to replenish troops." Liu Xiu smiled slightly and said, "Wang Lang has been beheaded, Handan has been taken by us, and the north of the Yellow River is peaceful. At this time, you are going back to replenish troops. What do you want to do?" Geng Yan said: "Wang Lang is dead, but the chaos has just begun. Looking around the world, there are dozens of rebel groups, fighting for territory, beating you to death. Each rebel group has hundreds of thousands of people. Some Even more than a million. At this moment, Liu Xuan ordered us all to be demobilized, and we must not obey." Liu Xiu seemed to be deaf in both ears, so she just squinted her eyes and listened.Geng Yan went on to say: "I believe that Liu Xuan's strength alone is not enough to resist these rebel groups. It won't take long for him to collapse!" Upon hearing this, Liu Xiu suddenly became deaf.He opened his eyes, jumped out of bed, pointed at Geng Yan and shouted: "What are you talking about, believe it or not, I asked someone to drag you out and kill you?" Geng Yan said calmly: "Your Majesty has treated me so kindly that I can speak my mind." Liu Xiu stared at Geng Yan firmly.After a long time, he suddenly laughed and said, "Haha, I'm fooling you, let's continue." Well, Geng Yan finally poured out all the words hidden in his heart. He analyzed Liu Xiu in this way: Wang Mang's new policy has no principles, and the people miss Han like a tide.Now that Liu Xuan ascended the throne, the people's life is not as good as it was in the new dynasty, and they have to think about Wang Mang again.From this, I can conclude that Liu Xuan's foundation is unstable and he will be defeated soon. The world is in chaos, and the common people are thirsty for thinking about King Ming.Therefore, now is the golden time for you to let go of your hands and feet and make contributions.As long as you issue a statement in the name of benevolence and righteousness, the world will definitely belong to you.Don't miss this great opportunity to let the world fall into the hands of foreigners. After Deng Yu and Feng Yi, Geng Yan was the third person who urged Liu Xiu to stand on his own.Immediately, Liu Xiu's heart felt like a frenzy rolled up.Going back is fierce, just like a tiger falling into the sun, or a bird entering a cage, it is better to give it a go. Therefore, Liu Xiu reported to Liu Xuan that the north of the Yellow River had not yet been completely calmed down, and he could not go back yet.At the same time, the army cannot be demobilized. Sometimes, flickering is also a place to stand.Liu Xiu knew that heaven still owed him a chance.As long as the opportunity comes, he will immediately soar into the sky!