Guo Jiwang with some surprise, "My lord seems rather anxious. Has something happened in the capital?"
He has a keen understanding of people's hearts, but there are some things that Wu Shuangren can't say directly.
There are too many seemingly plausible but actually contradictory aspects in the histories of the two worlds, and the events at Mount Liang have already proven that empiricism is unacceptable.
Wu Shuangren also constantly reminded himself not to make assumptions or be misled by his existing memories.
But he still feels a sense of urgency!
"Xu Jing told me today..."
Wu Shuangren told Guo Jiwang about Cui Jin's appointment as General of the Cavalry.
"Cui Jin is a relative of the empress dowager, and the current empress dowager is also from the Cui Clan. One controls the inner palace, and the other controls the palace defenses. In addition, the emperor is young..."
Wu Shuangren didn't finish his sentence, but Guo Jiwang already understood his meaning:
"Does the lord believe that the Cui Clan has seized control of the inner court and may be plotting something treacherous?"
Wu Shuangren nodded. "Even if the Cui Clan didn't intend to plot anything, the other court officials might still be worried. The factional strife in the court will likely intensify... We currently only control Yi Province and Rong Province, which I think is a bit too slow."
The Wu Dynasty had a total of three hundred prefectures, and the power of the two prefectures was indeed not considered strong in the grand scheme of things.
Guo Jiwang pondered for a moment, then said, "In that case, I will accompany my lord to Shu Province."
The thirty-ninth day since Long Lie was killed.
A major event has occurred in the officialdom of Shu Province—
Xu Cheng of a thousand Shu Province, publicly accused Zhang Da, the military commander of Shu Province, of illegally operating mines, forging weapons, murdering witnesses, and treason!
The news sent shockwaves throughout Shu Province!
Xu Cheng directly reported the matter to the Shu Province and the Jiannan Circuit Governor of Jiannan Circuit, making it impossible to suppress the issue.
Everyone realized that one of them was bound to fall this time!
Shu Province City, government offices.
The backyard was the residence of Su Jinfan, the military governor of Jiannan Circuit.
This high-ranking official is fifty-one years old this year. He is well-maintained and does not look old. He has a rather elegant appearance.
In the early years of the Wu Dynasty, the inspector of a region served a two-year term and could not be reappointed unless absolutely necessary.
Nowadays, the central government's control over local areas has gradually declined, and even regional military governors have emerged. The term of office for observers has also increased from two to three years, and many have been reappointed.
Su Jinfan has served as the Jiannan Circuit Inspector for six years, and his foundation is firmly established. He is a true big shot standing at the top of Jiannan Circuit!
"Sir, Commander Xu has arrived."
The butler arrived at the lobby entrance and spoke to Su Jinfan.
Su Jinfan put down his teacup. "Please invite him in."
Soon, Xu Cheng arrived at the entrance of the hall and bowed to Su Jinfan: "Xu Cheng greets Lord Su."
"No need for formalities, Commander Xu, please come in and have a seat."
Su Jinfan greeted them.
"Thank you, sir."
Xu Cheng responded and walked into the lobby, where he sat down.
He placed his hands on his knees, his back straight, and sat upright.
Su Jinfan glanced at him and said softly, "Does Commander Xu have any information about the recent turmoil in the capital?"
Xu Cheng replied matter-of-factly, "This humble official has not yet seen the imperial gazette."
Su Jinfan narrowed his eyes. "Your younger brother was dismissed from his post as a centurion in the Imperial Guard. Didn't he write to tell you about this?"
Xu Cheng's expression remained unchanged. "I did receive the letter, but the capital is too far away, and the political situation has changed so much that even a rough man like me like myself can't understand it."
Su Jinfan was somewhat displeased and snorted coldly, "The Yuan Clan is already preoccupied with its own problems. What makes you so confident that you must stir up this storm at this time?"
If Yuan Feng were still alive and the situation in the capital remained unchanged, Su Jinfan would have to consider whether Xu Cheng's sudden lawsuit against Zhang Da was Yuan Clan's doing.
Even if Yuan Clan didn't speak, he would subconsciously lean more towards Xu Cheng.
But given the current situation in the capital, Su Jinfan absolutely did not believe that the Yuan Clan would have the leisure to interfere in the affairs of Jiannan Circuit.
Therefore, he didn't understand why Xu Cheng would jump out and cause trouble at this time.
"I'm somewhat puzzled by what you're saying, Lord Su."
Xu Cheng looked into Su Jinfan's eyes and said, word by word, "I may not understand the situation in the capital, but I do know the greater good of the nation and the laws of the court! Zhang Da has committed numerous crimes, including treason and collusion with the enemy. The evidence is irrefutable. How can I pretend not to see it?"
Su Jinfan frowned, not understanding why Xu Cheng could be so defiant.
The enemy's formation of the Yi Province Militia is indeed impressive, but the troops of Yi Province cannot interfere in the affairs of Shu Province!
As the military governor of Jiannan Circuit, Su Jinfan cannot escape blame for such a heinous case of treason and collusion with the enemy occurring under his jurisdiction.
Therefore, he instinctively disliked Xu Cheng's behavior!
What displeased him even more was that Xu Cheng hadn't consulted him beforehand and had brought the matter to the forefront directly.
This is utterly reckless, disregards official etiquette, and shows no respect for my position as an observer!
If the Xu Family hadn't changed so much, Su Jinfan would definitely have given Xu Cheng a severe scolding today.
"You claim the evidence is conclusive, with witnesses and physical evidence, but I haven't seen any of it."
Su Jinfan said coldly.
"Your Honor, the two witnesses are on their way to Shu Province. The physical evidence will be presented once they arrive."
Xu Cheng stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.
"In that case, once all the witnesses and physical evidence are gathered, I will proceed with the matter."
Su Jinfan picked up his teacup, indicating that Xu Cheng could leave.
While Su Jinfan was meeting with Xu Cheng, Yuan Shu was also meeting with someone in the capital.
Wang Junning, a Chancellery who had spoken up for Dong Zhuo in front of Yuan Feng, was sitting in front of Yuan Shu at this moment.
"... The Cui Clan has already seized power in the inner circle. His Majesty is still young. If the Cui Clan harbors malicious intentions, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Wang Junning said in a deep voice, "Now that Cui Jin has taken control of the palace guards, if things continue like this, the Cui Clan may have to rule from behind the curtain."
These words were truly shocking, but Yuan Shu remained calm and simply said:
"Now that things have come to this, what can you do?"
Wang Junning stared into Yuan Shu's eyes and said, word by word, "I have come today to deliver a message to Military Governor Dong."
"Explain."
"Military Governor Dong me to tell Lord Yuan: Recruit more fierce generals and heroes from all directions, and have them lead troops towards the capital to coerce the Cui Clan!" (Note 1)
Yuan Shu, who had remained calm throughout the day, finally changed his expression upon hearing these words.
He immediately sneered, "Don't you know you're inviting a wolf into the house?"
Wang Junning shook his head. "With tigers and wolves right beside us, the Yuan Clan is in grave danger if we don't have strong reinforcements!"
"This is alarmist!"
Yuan Shu suddenly shouted angrily and ordered the guests to be seen out.
Wang Junning calmly rose and bowed deeply to Yuan Shu: "Your Excellency may think I am working for Dong Zhuo today, but in truth, I am willing to the Yuan Clan family like a loyal servant. Every word I have spoken today comes from the bottom of my heart!"
After saying that, he left the room.
Yuan Shu sat in his seat, took a deep breath, and looked that he was not calm.
With Yuan Feng's death, the Yuan Clan's situation became increasingly difficult, and he, as the head of the Yuan Clan family, was constantly hampered.
"You're too weak."
His father's words, like a curse, echoed in Yuan Shu's mind once more.
This was the dying man's heartfelt confession; perhaps in his view, Yuan Shao would have been a more suitable person to be the head of the family?
Every time Yuan Shu thought of such speculation, it felt like his heart was being pricked by needles!
"Father..."
Yuan Shu gritted his teeth, his eyes as fierce as a hungry wolf:
"I am the true head of the Yuan Clan family!"
Note 1: This sentence comes from the Book of the Later Han Dynasty, and it was said by Yuan Shao to He Jin.
Some readers say that since the second volume is about Water Margin, the third volume should be about the Three Kingdoms.
That's one way to put it, but just like the Mount Liang in the second volume is different from the original, I think my version of the Three Kingdoms will also be quite different.
If I were to write a fictional world based solely on the existing history, it would actually be quite simple. However, with my hybrid writing style, there doesn't seem to be any precedent to follow, making it very difficult to write... I hope it can bring everyone a different experience.
205. Re- Shu Province, I request your troops.
Shu Province.
The garrison was located more than ten miles outside the city.
Because Shu Province had a larger garrison, its military posts occupied a much larger area than those in Yi Province Yi Province, and its agricultural settlements were more than ten times larger!
Most of the military households' families lived here. Besides feeding themselves, they grew a large surplus of grain that they could sell for money.
So there are markets and shops here, and even manors have been built.
The military households have lived here for generations; it's more like a small town than a military garrison.
The garrison in Shu Province numbered over four thousand, with four commanders holding the rank of chiliarch. Only the chiliarch position held by the Xu Family was hereditary; the positions of the other three chiliarchs had changed to varying degrees.
Therefore, the Xu Family wielded considerable and deep-rooted influence in this garrison.
This is why the sudden lawsuit filed by the Xu Family against the military commander of Shu Province caused a great stir within the garrison!
Some people think Xu Cheng has gone mad, but others don't believe Xu Cheng's bound to lose; there are quite a few people within the garrison willing to support the Xu Family.
On this day, Xu Cheng suddenly returned to the garrison.
Soon, his more than a thousand soldiers assembled at the drill ground!
"Xu Cheng, what are you doing?!"
A group of people rode to the drill ground, and the leader asked in a loud voice.
This man was dressed in full armor, with a sword at his waist, and a murderous aura between his brows.
His name was Ding Lin, and he was also a commander of a garrison.
Of the four commanders of the Shu Province, two were promoted by Zhang Da, and Ding Lin was one of them.
Do I need to explain my actions to you?
Xu Cheng, fully armored and mounted on horseback, replied without any politeness.
Ding Lin angrily retorted, "You've mobilized troops without permission! Are you plotting a rebellion?"
Xu Cheng snorted coldly, "I'm taking troops to retrieve the witness!"
witness?
Upon hearing this, Ding Lin's expression changed.
The so-called witnesses are, of course, those who can prove that Zhang Da colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country!
Ding Lin didn't expect Xu Cheng to be so direct. "Without General Zhang's orders, your unauthorized troop deployment is a serious crime. Are you really going to insist on doing this?!"
Xu Cheng retorted loudly, "Zhang Da is a traitor who has betrayed his country and is not qualified to serve as the Assistant General of Shu Province!"
A commotion broke out among the crowd on the drill ground.
Xu Cheng's words clearly indicated that he no longer recognized Zhang Da's identity and would no longer obey his orders!