Chapter 128 Borrowing Food to Send Troops
Move the capital to Chang'an!
Dong Zhuo was already prepared when these words came out, but everyone was shocked.
Huang Wan, who was promoted to the position of Grand Commandant by Dong Zhuo, immediately stepped out and asked, "Prime Minister, you know that moving the capital is a very important matter. How can you talk about it casually?"
Dong Zhuo replied calmly, "The Han Dynasty used Chang'an as its capital. After Emperor Guangwu restored the Han Dynasty, the capital was changed to Luoyang. It has been passed down for ten generations, which is an integer. Why can't we move the capital back to Chang'an to revive the Han Dynasty?"
He held his sword and took two steps forward, and said, "Besides, strange things have happened frequently in Luoyang since the Guanghe period. There have been many strange things, such as two twins, sparrows crying on the Huai Mausoleum, and locust plagues gathering in the suburbs. These are all signs that this place is not fit to be the capital. As the folk children's song says, there is a Han in the east and a Han in the west. It is better to return to the old capital and rely on the protection of the ancestral temple. Your Majesty, do you think it is okay?"
Dong Zhuo looked towards Liu Xie halfway through his words.
The little emperor, who is only eleven years old this year, tried hard to appear calm.
But even though he could still speak clearly when he met Dong Zhuo after experiencing the Luoyang Palace Coup and escaping from Beimang, he had already been extremely confused after seeing Dong Zhuo offending the palace and plundering many times in the past month and a half. How could he remain calm in the face of his threats?
Moving the capital, a matter that was almost related to the lifeblood of the country, could now be mentioned by Dong Zhuo in such a nonchalant tone. Not only did he feel that the dignity of the royal family was offended, he also felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
He tried to reply in a normal tone: "Since the Prime Minister has this advice, why not listen to the opinions of the ministers?"
As soon as Dong Zhuo turned back, he saw Huang Wan holding his tablet and taking another step forward. He was not convinced by Huang Wan's argument of the ancestors' blessing at all. Instead, he became more and more angry. "Where does your words put the dignity of the court? If we want to change the capital, the court officials, the royal family's sacrificial utensils, the classics and books, and even the people of the capital will all need to move away. There are countless disadvantages, and it will also destroy people's livelihood. Please think twice, Prime Minister."
He said this with full of argumentative intent.
Just as Huang Wanfang finished speaking, Situ Yangbiao stood up again.
Yang Biao's tone was somewhat gentler than Huang Wan's, but because he also advised against the proposal to move the capital, Dong Zhuo was still very unhappy.
Yang Biao said, "If we talk about moving the capital first, you should know that after Wang Mang usurped power, the Red Eyebrows rebelled and caused chaos in Chang'an, causing the palace to be burned down and only the platform was left. The only things left were the Gao Temple and the Jingzhao Palace. If the court moved here, where would Your Majesty live? Where would the court live and hold meetings?"
The palaces and temples in Chang'an have been abandoned for many years, and repairing them is an extremely labor-intensive task. How could we think of returning to Chang'an just because there are strange things happening around the capital?
What's more, the population of Chang'an is only over 200,000 now, while Luoyang has a population of one million. The difference in their external appearance is more than five times!
Dong Zhuo looked coldly at the two people standing below.
Sikong Xunshuang did have some vision. Although he had recently told him from time to time that the Lanting classics needed to be reclassified and protected, it was just about protecting some books, a toy for scholars.
How could he know that Xun Shuang did not speak at this time because he had already seen through what kind of person Dong Zhuo was through his analysis with Xun You, and he knew that any attempt to persuade him at this time would be completely useless and there was no way he could change his mind.
It would be better to hope that Qiao Yan and others would attack the eight passes before Dong Zhuo moved the capital, and keep the old thief Dong Zhuo here.
But obviously not everyone can have such a vision, and can remain calm in the face of the proposal to move the capital at this time.
Just as Huang Wan and Yang Biao said, whether it was because it was difficult to move the various things in Luoyang that had already been established, and a hasty move would be harmful to people's livelihood, or because Chang'an had suffered from the Red Eyebrow Rebellion in the past and could no longer show the dignity of the emperor, it would be a hassle to repair it -
Moving the capital is definitely not an option!
Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong also stood up and put forward their own opposing suggestions.
But for Dong Zhuo, if there were one or two people blocking his ideas, he could still endure it with his limited patience.
When the third and fourth persons jumped out, he felt that these people seemed to be unaware of what he had done in Luoyang City before. So, who was holding the knife now?
They also had an illusion that Dong Zhuo was actually an easy-to-talk-to person!
Before Zhou Bi could finish his words, Dong Zhuo interrupted him, "Shut up!"
"Minister Zhou..." Dong Zhuo stared at Zhou Bi in front of him. This sinister look, like a wolf-like falcon, was full of murderous intent. Zhou Bi, who was the Minister of Personnel at the time, had a bad feeling. He then heard Dong Zhuo say, "If I remember correctly, Liu Dai, Kong Ju, Zhang Zi, and Zhang Miao were all recommended by you. What did you say to me at that time?"
Zhou Bi was a famous scholar in Liangzhou and the son of Zhou Shen, the former governor of Yuzhou. It was precisely because of this geographical relationship that Dong Zhuo trusted him a lot after he entered Luoyang and appointed officials according to the list given by him. He was thinking that Li Ru and he had been in Xiliang for many years, or that people like Zhou Bi who worked in the central government were more familiar with the situation of the wise men in the Central Plains.
But--
Dong Zhuo said angrily: "You said at that time that these four people were good people who could be used to govern the prefectures and counties, and I listened to your words. But what is the truth?"
"Good people?" he asked, his words not without sarcasm, "After taking office, these four people did not think about governing, but instead used their positions as governors and governors to raise troops and plot against each other, and you, Wu Qiong!"
Wu Qiong was shocked when he heard Dong Zhuo calling him by his name.
Dong Zhuo continued, "I remember you advised me to let the fugitive Yuan Shao be the governor of Bohai. If he had a position, he would naturally feel that he could make peace with me. But what is the reality?"
"Even if he didn't have the position of governor, he could still stir up such trouble. If there wasn't Lu Zhi above him, do you think he would have directly appointed himself as the General of Chariots and Cavalry?"
Dong Zhuo walked towards the two men quickly, his eyes filled with a chilling coldness. "Now you all want to persuade me not to move the capital. Do you think you have the ability to persuade these people to withdraw their troops today, just as you gave them official positions with just one word before?"
"... Prime Minister, you are joking." Zhou Bi replied.
"Are you kidding? I'm not kidding you!" Dong Zhuo shouted, "You have seen it, these two people betrayed me first, Dong Zhuo, and for some unknown reason they advised me not to move the capital today. If I do something, it won't be considered as a betrayal to them. Come on!"
In the Han Dynasty, there had never been a scene where an official's order would lead to armored soldiers rushing into the hall, but it happened today.
This is a display that only an emperor could have.
However, no one could protest against his presumptuous behavior at this time, because Dong Zhuo's next words were, "Push Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong down and behead them!"
Before anyone could make any argument against Dong Zhuo's move, the Xiliang soldiers who were following Dong Zhuo's orders had no respect for the court at all and went straight forward to capture both Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong.
The two men were dragged out of the hall with their mouths and noses covered and their hands and feet restricted. They only had time to let out two screams before they were hacked to death outside the hall by Dong Zhuo's subordinates.
Blood splattered in the court!
No one present had ever seen a minister beheading other ministers outside the palace in front of the emperor, but Dong Zhuo, a common man from Xiliang, felt indescribably justified in doing it.
He glanced at the ministers who were silenced by his intimidation and couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
No one present dared to express any objection.
Those who really dared to argue with Dong Zhuo at this time without risking their lives had almost all abandoned their posts and fled before he sealed the eight passes, or were sent to other prefectures and counties. How could they still be here when they were in the anti-Dong Zhuo alliance?
Just like Zhu Jun, who was famous for his uprightness and good fighting skills, had already fled to Jingzhou, so naturally he could not make any rebuttal suggestions to him in the court.
Dong Zhuo looked at the people in front of him who were bowing their heads and finally showed a satisfied expression.
"It seems that no one objects to my decision to move the capital. Your Majesty, what do you think?"
Liu Xie, who once again received this question from Dong Zhuo, obviously could not say anything about listening to the advice of the ministers, otherwise he could not guarantee that he would not see a few fewer people in the court.
He replied in a low voice: "Just follow what the Prime Minister said."
But even though he agreed quickly, Dong Zhuo still dismissed the Grand Marshal Huang Wan and the Prime Minister Yang Biao from their posts at the morning court today.
Only then was the important task of moving the capital assigned to various departments.
Everyone stood there stiffly until Dong Zhuo stepped out of the door and his figure disappeared from their sight. Only then did they feel a little strength restored in their feet and they could walk home.
But when he walked out of the hall, he saw that the bodies of Wu Qiong and Zhou Bi had not been collected by Dong Zhuo's men. They were still lying outside the hall, with their heads and bodies separated, which made people feel panic-stricken.
It was Liu Xie who issued an edict allowing the two of them to return home and be buried.
Yang Biao returned to his mansion and stood in the courtyard for a long time, his face full of sadness.
Seeing Yang Xiu standing in the corridor, he said sadly: "I am afraid that the lives of you and me, father and son, will also remain here."
Four years ago, Yang Ci passed away. Yang Xiu went to Hongnong to keep vigil for his grandfather for three years. He returned to Luoyang last summer, and it has been less than a year since then.
He originally planned to follow the previous agreement with Qiao Yan and go to Leping to continue serving her after the wake period was over. However, Yang Biao said that Qiao Yan was already the governor of Bingzhou, and now had talents available to cover Bingzhou. Yang Xiu was only fifteen years old, so what help could he bring to the other party by going to Leping? It would be better for him to stay in Luoyang to wait and see the situation and learn more skills.
At that time, Yang Biao felt that his words were indeed appropriate, but now Qiao Yan was in the north of the river. Even if the offensive goal could not be achieved in a short time, at least there was a guarantee that he could retreat and defend, and he would not be killed by the old villain Dong Zhuo.
If Yang Xiu stayed in the capital, his entire clan would be in danger of being exterminated.
Yang Xiu said, "Father, do you want to save your life first and then plan for the future, or do you want to sacrifice your life for the Han Dynasty and even die for it?"
Yang Biao heard that his tone was not panic. He was proud of his smart son. Then he weighed the meaning of his words and suddenly felt heavy. He asked, "What about the former?"
"If it is the former, father will immediately go find Huang Ziyan and pay a visit to the Prime Minister's Mansion, and tell him that you two opposed the relocation of the capital only because you were nostalgic, and you had no intention of interfering with the actions of the thief Dong. You came here specially to apologize. Since the thief Dong killed the two ministers, he must have regretted it. He must also be worried that there are many people in the court who are secretly planning to kill him. It would be better to save father's life, but in this way..."
Then you will lose some integrity and face.
But in the face of war, with dozens of people in this family here, what other choice do they have except to bow to Dong Zhuo?
Just as Yang Xiu said, the execution of Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong in court did enable Dong Zhuo to successfully make the decision to move the capital, but it also made him feel a little regretful.
With the death of these two people, the image of being close to scholars that Dong Zhuo had previously created was completely gone. He could only continue to rely on ruthless means to intimidate others. Dong Zhuo had no idea how the historians would record this period of history. Suddenly, he heard that Yang Biao and Huang Wan came to apologize, and he couldn't help but feel happy.
Regardless of whether these two people were forced to plead guilty or how sincere they were, this was at least good news for him!
Dong Zhuo immediately submitted a memorial to appoint Huang Wan and Yang Biao as Guanglu Dafu.
Although it was impossible to restore their positions as the Three Dukes, at least they were given an official position with a rank equivalent to two thousand stones to show their respect.
When Yang Biao received the imperial edict of appointment, he felt sad instead of happy when the person who announced the edict left.
The Guanglu Dafu is a close minister of the emperor, and his duty is to advise and respond to requests. But what about the Han Dynasty today? The emperor is not an emperor and his ministers are not ministers. The so-called close ministers of the emperor may only be able to teach His Majesty in his studies, which has no practical effect at all.
He held the imperial edict for a long time before he whispered as if in a dream: "I don't know when I can see Lord Lu and Benchu and others attack Luoyang. If the emperor moves the capital, his throne will be lost!"
Yang Xiu asked in reply, "Why didn't father think that it was Qiao Bingzhou who attacked Luoyang first?"
He was a man who spoke without reservation and had good eyesight, so he didn't care much about the question. According to seniority, Yuan Shao should be considered his uncle.
The people from the Suanzao League gathered together. Judging from the power struggle he had witnessed in Luoyang before, he was afraid that the situation would not be as optimistic as his father thought.
He always felt that Yuan Shao was not determined to attack Nangong on that day because of the lingering influence of the Party and Faction Persecution in the past; nor was it because he wanted to respect the eldest son that he confronted Lu Zhi, who held the will of the previous emperor, and let Dong Zhuo profit from it; and it was certainly not because of Dong Zhuo's arbitrary and perverse government that he sent this group of people to attack him today.
These people could fight for their own interests before, but now when it seems that they should be united, they may not be able to show the advantage of numbers.
"Father, I want to make a bet with you."
Seeing Yang Biao's surprised look, Yang Xiu still said calmly, "Father thinks that Lu Gong and Yuan Benchu entered Luoyang first, but I think it was Marquis Qiao who went first. The natural barrier of the Yellow River may not cause any trouble to her. If I win, please allow me to go to Bingzhou to serve as an official under Marquis Qiao."
Rather than dealing with all these troubles in the court, he might as well go to Bingzhou and do some practical work.
Yang Biao was silent for a moment, then replied: "If you really win, it proves that you are really good at observing people and situations, so why should I stop you?"
For him, no matter who can enter Luoyang, it is the best news.
Among the tribes now outside the Eight Passes, at least there are no ferocious men like Dong Zhuo, and many of them are willing to serve the country and save people in distress.
At least, the capital cannot be moved!
After the decision to move the capital was made, even though Yang Biao moved out of the Three Dukes' Mansion and still lived in the wealthy Luoyang, he could clearly feel what kind of changes the order to move had caused in Luoyang.
Xu Rong, Niu Fu and Qiao Yan were confronting each other on the north and south of the river. In addition, Duan Wei was guarding Hangu Pass, which made Li Ru guess that Qiao Yan's previous deliberate attempt to deceive Dong Zhuo might have been just to make him split his troops. So Dong Zhuo immediately ordered Duan Wei to lead his troops out of Hangu Pass and lead a part of them to the vicinity of Chang'an and station them in Huayin.
According to the news conveyed by Duan Wei, there is arable land in Huayin, but as Yang Biao said, even though the Red Eyebrow Rebellion happened nearly two hundred years ago, the population is only this large. Those who migrated away due to the fire in Chang'an and the war will never return. It is really difficult to build a capital city with such a declining population.
Dong Zhuo could even casually talk about moving the capital, let alone moving people.
He directly ordered his subordinates to issue the imperial edict to move to Chang'an at the gates in the streets and alleys. If anyone disobeyed, the Xiliang soldiers would behead him on the spot.
What a vicious policy of relocating the capital it was to make people abandon the business they had run for several years and move to a somewhat deserted city just to fill the population gap between Chang'an and Luoyang.
Such boiling public resentment could not be prevented from the news reaching the hands of the Guandong coalition forces, even though Dong Zhuo had locked the pass tightly.
Also associated with this was the news of the deaths of Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong.
"Ridiculous!" Lu Zhi stood up and hammered the case.
He could make some concessions to ease the relationship between him and Yuan Shao, which made people think that this elder had a good temper. However, when faced with the tragedy of the Han Dynasty being forced to move its capital, he was filled with indignation and wished he could rush into Luoyang city tomorrow.
Qiao Yan's previous statement that one route was to strike at the enemy's full potential, one route was to take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness, and one route was to show the enemy's weakness had already been told to Cao Cao by Cao Ang, who had also stated it in the previous alliance negotiations.
Zu Mao and Ji Ling, the representatives sent by Sun Jian and Yuan Shu, strongly agreed with this.
This spirited statement is undoubtedly an affirmation of their mobility and military strength along the way.
Cao Cao and Lu Zhi also agreed with Qiao Yan's idea of a quick attack.
It would be feasible to launch an attack as soon as possible and seize Xuanmen Pass while Dong Zhuo thinks they still need some time to prepare and weigh the issues.
Qiao Yan had experienced no less battles than most of them, and she held an important position as governor of a state. There was no need for her to lie about the marching situation she was facing at the moment. Since she said she had a way to cross the river, it must be true.
And now there was another reason to strike quickly.
Lu Zhi's tone was inevitably a little more urgent at the impromptu alliance meeting. "If Dong Zhuo succeeds in moving the capital, even if we capture Luoyang, we may not be able to save the emperor. The people's livelihood that has been managed by the sect for 200 years in Luoyang will be destroyed overnight."
"Everyone, I have never said anything harsh since the meeting, but now the lives of millions of people in Luoyang hang in your hands. We have no choice but to attack and advance on three fronts to have a chance to save Han!"
After Lu Zhi finished speaking, he looked in the direction of Yuan Shao.
Since he had the largest number of soldiers at the moment, if their side wanted to form a momentum to break through the enemy's defenses, he had to take the lead, or he had to give orders.
In Lu Zhi's opinion, Yuan Shao's hesitation was understandable.
Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong were killed at will by Dong Zhuo, and Huang Wan and Yang Biao were abolished at will. What's more, Yuan Wei and Yuan Ji are still under Dong Zhuo's surveillance. It is understandable that Yuan Shao is concerned about the lives of his family members.
What Lu Zhi didn't expect was that Yuan Shao slowly said, "We can send troops, but if we let Dong hold the pass, it will be even more difficult to break through the dangerous Hulao Pass."
"But the governors and provincial governors among us have been in office for less than a month. Even if we can use the state and county treasuries, the amount is extremely limited. If we want the soldiers to fight bravely, the current military rations may not be enough. Lord Lu, Qiao Yeshu of Bingzhou is opposite to Niu Fu and Xu Rong across the river, and he has been in charge of Bingzhou for a year and a half..."
"After all, it's not easy to cross the river. Why don't we ask her to send some military rations from Hanoi to here? Just treat it as borrowing from her. Once the military rations arrive, we will attack immediately. What do you think?"
Lu Zhicai's smile froze on the spot when Yuan Shao said he would send troops.
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