Chapter 567 Everything is over (end of volume)
Dawn was breaking.
When Liu Xiu appeared in front of the army on horseback, with several arrows sticking out of his armor and covered in blood, the shock was indescribable.
The clatter of horse hooves struck everyone's heart. Liu Xiu did not sleep a wink all night. The physical fatigue swept away from the deepest part of his body, but his spirit was lifted to the extreme.
Four years!
After so much hardship, enduring wind and rain, working day and night, and facing life and death crises, today we have finally accomplished our mission.
He passed through the elite soldiers in armor, wearing black armor and red scarves, with a solemn beauty, then raised his blood-stained sword high and shouted loudly: "King Su is above!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of war drums rang out, and countless voices shouted in unison, "King Su is above!"
The sounds came one after another, reaching an unknown distance. Liu Xiu drew his sword and looked around, his sights set on Chang'an in Guanzhong, thousands of miles away.
Who can stop me?
…
The imperial army collapsed overnight. Not to mention the casualties, the defeated soldiers were in extreme panic and fled in all directions. Some of them were gathered together and retreated to Guanzhong.
Some of them went to various counties. Luoyang happened to be located in the center of the world, with convenient transportation links to all parts of the world.
Mob soldiers are one of the most terrifying things in the world, especially a group of mentally broken mob soldiers, not to mention elite soldiers with extremely strong military power. They can almost turn a stable area into a living hell in a short period of time.
As the defeated soldiers fled in all directions, news of the court's defeat spread throughout the world.
The chain reaction this time is too huge!
Although the imperial army was defeated by Liu Xiu, this only proves that Liu Xiu was stronger in both destiny and ability.
But the Han Dynasty relied on the elite troops in Guanzhong to suppress the world. Now it is falling apart. What it needs most to rebuild is time, but it has no time.
There is a word in this world called resurgence!
Not to mention that the rebel army was not dead, it was just that its power was weakened. As long as the world was in chaos, the peasant army was an organization with a steady supply of soldiers. Bandits rose up in the counties of Jingzhou and invaded Nanyang County. There were even people in Guanzhong who took the opportunity to cause chaos and fish in troubled waters.
Liu Xiu stayed between Yingchuan and sorted out his rapidly expanding power. Although he defeated the imperial army, his military strength was still not enough for one person to rule.
Then an astonishing news spread to all directions along the Yiluo River.
A rebel army from Jingzhou, named Green Forest, broke into Guanzhong from Wuguan!
That’s where the Han Dynasty prospered, and all the tombs of previous emperors are in Guanzhong!
Liu Xiu was about to jump up. His face was full of murderous intent and he was ready to lead his troops with his sword in hand.
Then he was blocked back by his own assistants.
"General, the overall situation is more important. Our foundation is not stable yet. If we rashly start another war and march thousands of miles into the enemy's territory, wouldn't that be courting our own destruction?
Besides, they are just bandits. Is it impossible for the imperial court to wipe them out?
Even if only one out of ten of the Yulin Guards survives, it will not be a problem to wipe out the bandits."
Some of these people sincerely advised Liu Xiu to put the overall situation first, while others had ulterior motives and wished that Guanzhong would be torn to pieces by the rebel army so that they could openly ask Liu Xiu to focus on Guandong.
The enemy's country!
After hearing these four words, Liu Xiu fell silent. He was a descendant of the Liu family, but Guanzhong Chang'an actually became the location of an enemy country. This was simply the biggest irony in the world.
…
Chang'an.
Almost no one expected that it was not Liu Xiu but bandits who entered Chang'an. If they had a choice, they still hoped that Liu Xiu could come in.
After all, Liu Xiu was a relative of the Han royal family, and was said to be a loyal and respectful person.
They were all ministers of the Han Dynasty. Even if the defeated party was guilty, the most they could be accused of was dereliction of duty. As long as they committed suicide, at least their entire family could be saved.
But the relationship between the bandits and the enemy is one of life and death.
When Luo Qi heard the news, the pen in his hand fell straight down, and large smudges of ink were stained on the white paper.
He was speechless. It seemed as if the pieces of news came together by coincidence, which made Luo Qi feel as if it was fate playing tricks on him.
Ever since he took office to help the Han Dynasty, he has been holding on to a stubborn idea. He does not want to be a paperhanger, he really wants to extend the life of a dynasty for another fifty years!
But the roaring thunders proved that he was not a peerless hero like his ancestor who could save the world.
If he had been in charge of the government entirely, he might have become a qualified paperhanger, but assisting Wang Mang was his biggest mistake.
There was a loud sound of the door being pushed open, and Zhao Hede walked in quickly, her face full of panic. She even had a small, exquisite dagger in her hand. When she saw Luo Qi, she ran straight to him, "My dear, the rebels from Guandong have entered Guanzhong, and the Yulin Guards have been trapped in Guandong."
Zhao Hede was influenced by Luo Qi and always called them the righteous army, but Zhao Hede was very clear about the character of those righteous army. There were not many of them with military discipline. They committed rape, looting, and all kinds of evil. They were no different from the most corrupt dignitaries.
It can be said that these formerly poor people who committed evil and those wealthy and powerful people are essentially the same kind of people.
There is no story in this world about a dragon slayer turning into a dragon.
Because the dragon slayer is just a disguise, under the human skin is an ugly evil dragon, and the reason why he is bound in human skin is because he is not strong enough.
People are people, and dragons are dragons.
The reason why a saint is a saint is because he has a human heart. No matter how powerful he is, he will not transform into an evil dragon.
There are very few people like this. The Luo family has seen only a few in thousands of years, because the most important point for a saint is to be cautious when alone.
Many people can maintain a high moral level in a good environment, but saints can stick to their original intentions in any environment!
Zhao Hede was very clear about how beautiful she was, and she was also very clear about the harm her beauty would bring.
Luo Qi looked at Zhao Hede's expression and knew what she was worried about. He looked into his wife's eyes and said seriously, "Madam, you don't have to worry."
Zhao Hede held the dagger tightly in her hand and shed tears, saying: "I am not worried, as long as my husband is here, I will definitely have no worries, but what should my sister do?
She is the empress dowager, the person the rebels are least likely to let go.
I even thought about living in the palace in my sister's place. After all, no one in this world can tell us apart. If my husband takes my sister away, they will definitely think she is me."
As she spoke, Zhao Hede's eyes became increasingly dim, "Now neither the brave warriors nor the imperial guards are in the capital."
Luo Qi was so angry that she laughed and interrupted, "Madam, what are you talking about? Do you think that without the brave warriors and the Yulin Guards, your husband will be helpless?
There are still tens of thousands of guards in Chang'an. Just wait and see. Even if there are no brave soldiers, I can still annihilate the enemy!"
The rebel army grew too fast. Wherever they passed through would soon become a new source of troops, just like a swarm of locusts, causing a huge blow to the economy.
Moreover, as long as the rebel army passes by, the court's ruling order will collapse. This is an extremely vicious cycle.
…
There were corpses everywhere. Luo Qi was wiping the dripping blood. There were awe-inspiring eyes all around him. The reason why Luo Qi was allowed to leave the Luo family was because he was a man of both civil and military talents.
It’s just that the Luo family prefers to play the role of a civil servant to a general, so Luo Qi has always shown his civilian side.
Chang'an is as stable as Mount Tai!
Chang'an is in danger!
This is what Luo Qi is thinking now. He can defeat the rebel forces time and time again, but the rebel forces can make a comeback time and time again. The young men from the Guanzhong counties are either in Guandong or are swept up by the rebel forces.
A good cook cannot cook without rice.
It would take at least several months to restore order. If the court could hold out during this period, it would be able to continuously gain strength from the Guanzhong counties.
If you can't hold on, you will die instantly.
In the Weiyang Palace.
With the passing of the Empress Dowager, Zhao Feiyan finally moved into the palace, and now the roles between Wang Mang and Luo Qi have gradually reversed.
Luo Qi walked into the palace. All the nobles were there. Everyone looked unhappy. When they saw Luo Qi coming in, a group of people immediately surrounded him and asked, "Sir, what is the situation in the counties around Chang'an?"
Wang Mang stood in the corner without saying a word, while Luo Qi bowed to Zhao Feiyan and said, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.
The last powerful rebel army around Chang'an was wiped out. I believe that the chaos was caused by the fact that those powerful people whose interests were damaged in the reform deliberately indulged in rebellion.
I think we should..."
Before Luo Qi finished speaking, Zhao Feiyan said directly: "It's all up to you, sir. I fully support you. The court is in danger now. It all depends on you to cheer us up. Only then can we sit in Chang'an in peace.
If the name is not right, the words will not flow; if the words are not flowing, things will not be accomplished.
I appoint you as Grand Marshal and General, in charge of all affairs of the Han Dynasty. Any orders issued by the Grand Marshal will be like my own decrees.
The former Grand Marshal and General Mang is ill, so he can just return home to recuperate."
No one said anything about this sudden personnel change. Even Wang Mang opened his mouth but swallowed his words. He had lost all popularity now. As much as the scholars loved him in the past, they now hated him as much.
…
Luo Qi followed Zhao Feiyan to the Queen Mother's bedroom. Naturally, this place was not as prosperous and splendid as the Changsheng Palace, but Zhao Feiyan had gradually lost her vanity over the years.
As she grew older, she seemed to have washed away all the makeup and become more and more plain. Even the innate charm and beauty on her fair and tender face had weakened a little.
"Wenqi, what is the current situation in the world?"
Zhao Feiyan's face was full of worry. Luo Qi pondered for a moment and said, "Queen Mother, even if the rebels are completely suppressed, the potential of Guanzhong will be greatly reduced, and the power that the court can control will be greatly weakened.
If Liu Xiu from Guandong comes to attack, we will find it difficult to resist, but our advantage also lies here.
Why didn't Liu Xiu directly say that he wanted to purge the emperor's side like the four kings of Zhao, Chu, Liang and Jiaodong?
Because those who supported Liu Xiu were the Five Surnames and Seven Families. Unlike other marquises, these seven families would never directly oppose the imperial court.
They supported Liu Xiu because his surname was Liu and he was capable.
As long as Liu Xiu is here, the Han Dynasty will not fall into the hands of outsiders, such as Wang Mang or the Zhao family, where you, Queen Mother, belong."
Zhao Feiyan was a little surprised when she heard this.
Luo Qi added: “Since these families acknowledge the legitimacy of the imperial court, Liu Xiu will not attack directly.
But this situation would not last long, because Liu Xiu grew rapidly and other forces joined in.
These forces don't care about the goals of the Five Surnames and Seven Families, and they are likely to incite Liu Xiu. If Liu Xiu doesn't see a new method, he will definitely take risks. "
"Is there no way to resist Liu Xiu?"
Hearing this, Luo Qi said softly: "Bashu has locked itself up, Wuguan has been breached, Nanyang County is in chaos, and the retreat route to the south has been cut off. In addition to Liu Xiu's forces, there are many other warlords of all sizes in the Sanhe area.
The court now only had Guanzhong, which was becoming increasingly broken and weak, but it was enough to resist Liu Xiu.
I am not only a talented general, but also a good strategist.
It would be nice to let Liu Xiu bleed to death in front of all these dangerous passes. After all, defense is much easier than attack, but what's the point?
It cannot change the final outcome, it will only increase casualties."
Zhao Feiyan knew what Luo Qi meant. This kind of civil war among the various states was not what he wanted.
Not to mention a war that would come at a huge cost but still end in failure.
Zhao Feiyan smiled sadly and said, "Wen Qi wants to surrender to Liu Xiu?
Okay.
Take Hede with you. After all, I am the Empress Dowager, so let me stay here."
Luo Qi shook his head and said, "Although I admit that Liu Xiu is a hero, I will never surrender to him, even if I just left the family.
Liu Xiu and I have different ideas.
Although Wang Mang and I are drifting apart now, suppressing the powerful is still what I have to do. I don't want to adopt Liu Xiu's method of compromising with the powerful in exchange for world peace.
How could I not know this method? "
…
“Boom!”
The corpses fell to the ground like dumplings, with blood spurting out of them. It was another useless siege. The general in charge of the siege had a black face.
A man dressed like a scholar beside him sneered and said, "What do you think of Luo Wenqi? Is what I said true?"
The black-faced man glared at the scholar and said unhappily, "Report this to the general immediately. What should we do?"
what to do?
This was also Liu Xiu's problem. He had no idea where to start with the son of the Luo family who was the Grand Marshal and General. He had no choice but to invite Ying Hou Luo Zhong and asked, "Ying Hou, what can we do?
Do we really have to attack day and night and exhaust our blood in the battle with the imperial court?
The world has not yet been pacified, and separatists are everywhere. If blood is shed in the confrontation with the imperial court, it will be a great loss to the relatives and a great joy to the enemies.
What I am most worried about is that if the casualties are too heavy, the generals under my command will be angry and might do something disrespectful after entering Chang'an. If something happens to the empress dowager, how will the people of the world view me, Liu Xiu?"
Luo Zhong smiled slightly and said, "General, although I have not been in the family for a long time, Wen Qi still knows me very well. He is doing this now in order to make the general listen to him. I am afraid he has the intention to negotiate with the general."
Peace talks?
Liu Xiu's eyes lit up. So that's how it is. Peace talks are a good idea!
"Please ask Ying Hou to tell Xiu about Luo Wenqi."
Three days later, a letter sent from Chang'an appeared in front of Liu Xiu.
"Both parties swore an oath by the Luo River, which must not be violated.
Stop the war.
Liu Xiu is not allowed to kill the following 142 people by any means.
The emperor blessed by God was deposed for his immorality.
Liu Xiu succeeded Emperor Xiaoxi and ascended the throne of the Han Dynasty.
Wang Mang was exiled to the Daxianbei Mountain in Liaodong and was not allowed to return.
Luo Qi was granted the title of Marquis of Nanchang, and his entire family moved to Nanchang County, Yuzhang Commandery. He refused to inherit the title, and his country was abolished after his death.
The Queen Mother Zhao was not allowed to rule the country, and the Zhao family, her maternal relatives, were moved to Yuzhang County and given the title of Marquis of Haihun, which was hereditary.
Very lenient terms for both parties.
it's over.
it's all over.
————
From the time Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, took over the crown of the Han Dynasty to the time he completely pacified the world and then inherited the throne of the emperor, a total of ten years passed, and a new Han Dynasty appeared on the land of China.
The Han Dynasty seemed to be back on track, but everyone knew that everything was different.
The reason for the collapse of the old Han Dynasty was attributed to the moral and ability problems of the ruling class, but the real reason was ignored by the officials of the Han Dynasty, which was the inherent evils.
The "Guangwu Restoration" that was talked about with great relish by ancient historians was actually a gamble made with all their might by the founding nobles who were unwilling to see the dynasty shattered and their family fall into decline.
This is similar to the "Jingnan Campaign", but the difference is that the power of the founding nobles has greatly declined, and they no longer have the loyalty and fairness of their ancestors.
The Han Dynasty, which was as glorious as the sun, will never come back. ——History of the Rise and Fall of the Han Dynasty
(End of this chapter)
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