Chương 285: Deposing Shi and Establishing Mu, Wang Fen's Secret Plot

He paused, then added, "Your Majesty, I am willing to serve as the Governor of Yizhou, to share Your Majesty's burdens, and to quell the rebellion in Yizhou!"

That's a well-chosen statement. It not only offers a solution but also volunteers to go to the most chaotic area, demonstrating unwavering loyalty.

In truth, Liu Yan knew perfectly well that the imperial court was doomed and he needed to find a safe haven as soon as possible. Although Yizhou was in chaos, it was a land of plenty, easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it an ideal place for separatist rule.

High-ranking officials in the court, such as Huang Wan and Liu Yu, also saw that the governor system was no longer suitable for the chaotic times and echoed the proposal.

Liu Hong looked at the assembled officials and the mountain of urgent petitions piled on his desk, and sighed deeply.

Does he have any other choice?

"Granted." Liu Hong waved his hand weakly.

"Change the title of Inspector to Governor of Province, granting him full military and political power. Appoint Liu Yan as Governor of Yi Province, Huang Wan as Governor of Yu Province, and Liu Yu as Governor of Jing Province."

He paused, then added, "Liu Ce, the Prince of Yan, already concurrently serves as the Governor of Youzhou, overseeing the military affairs of the three provinces of You, Bing, and Ji, and will act in accordance with the previous edict."

Once the imperial edict was issued, it was sent to various places by fast horses.

One week later, at the Prince of Yan's residence in Zhuo County, Youzhou.

Liu Ce was playing with the children in the backyard. Eleven children were lined up in a row, some crawling, some babbling, and some sucking their fingers. It was quite a lively scene.

Lu Bing strode in and handed over a confidential report: "My lord, news from Luoyang."

Liu Ce took it, glanced at it, and smiled.

He handed the secret report to Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai and others who rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.

After reading it, Fang Xuanling sighed softly, "Abolishing the historians and establishing governors... the beginning of a chaotic era."

Du Ruhui nodded and said, "The change from governor to prefectural governor, with military and political power combined, greatly increases local power. The court is drinking poison to quench its thirst."

Xun Yu said with a solemn expression, "Although it was a strategy to quell the rebellion, it also sowed the seeds of future regional separatism. From now on, the governor of a province will be a regional warlord."

Guo Jia smiled and said, "That's great! Our lord was already the governor of Youzhou, and now he's rightfully so. As for the other governors... well, how many of them can really amount to anything?"

Xi Zhicai said with a sneer, "Liu Yan went to Yizhou ostensibly to quell the rebellion, but in reality, he was establishing his own regime. Huang Wan went to Yuzhou, Liu Yu went to Jingzhou... The court's moves are both hasty and chaotic."

Liu Ce picked up the babbling Liu Chen and laughed, "Let them run wild. In Youzhou, we should train our troops, farm our fields, and have children."

Everyone laughed.

...

A few days later, another secret report arrived, an urgent report from Jizhou.

Liu Ce unfolded it and burst into laughter again.

"Wang Fen... has that old bastard lost his mind?"

The secret report detailed that Wang Fen, the governor of Ji Province, was plotting to ambush Liu Hong under the pretext of suppressing a rebellion while Liu Hong was on his northern tour to Hejian. He planned to seize the emperor, kill the eunuchs, depose Liu Hong, and install the Marquis of Hefei as emperor. He had already contacted Xu You, Zhou Jing, Chen Yi, Xiang Kai, and others, and was secretly courting the powerful clans of Ji Province.

"My lord, this matter..." Xun Yu said.

Liu Ce handed him the secret report: "Wenruo, take a look. Our Governor of Ji Province is quite bold."

Xun Yu quickly finished reading, his brows furrowed, and said, "Wang Fen is courting death. A governor has no military power; his so-called 'recruitment' is nothing but a rabble. Although His Majesty is incompetent, the Imperial Guards are still in the hands of eunuchs. Once this is exposed, it will surely lead to the extermination of his entire clan."

Guo Jia leaned over for a glance and sneered, "Wang Fen has been completely fooled by Xiang Kai's prophecy.

'The celestial phenomena are unfavorable to eunuchs; the Yellow Gate Attendants and Palace Attendants will be exterminated.' That's true, but it's not a job that a mere prefect can do."

Xi Zhicai said slowly, "Wang Fen will definitely lose."

Liu Ce chuckled and said, "The Marquis of Hefei? That insignificant member of the imperial clan? Wang Fen has poor judgment. Why doesn't he come to me? I am, after all, the Prince of Yan, a legitimate younger brother of the emperor, much more legitimate than the Marquis of Hefei."

Guo Jia sneered from the side, "He dares to come to the lord? Everyone knows that the lord is His Majesty's 'own gun' and 'utterly loyal.' Wang Fen is looking for a puppet, not a powerful figure like the lord."

Liu Ce nodded and said, "That's true. But this matter... is quite interesting."

He paced around the room a few times, then suddenly asked, "What is Cao Cao's attitude?"

Lu Bingdao said, "Xu You once went to Luoyang to persuade Cao Cao, but Cao Cao sternly refused. Cao Cao said that the matter of deposing and installing emperors was an omen of misfortune for the world and advised Wang Fen to give up."

"Mengde is clever," Liu Ce praised.

Then, Liu Ce stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said to Lu Bing, who was standing beside him, "Let's 'accidentally' leak this news to Luoyang, and then we'll watch the show."

Lu Bing understood and said, "Yes. However... Wang Fen is, after all, the governor of a prefecture. If he is really punished by the court, the situation in Ji Province may change."

Liu Ce laughed and said, "It won't change. With Wang Fen dead, the position of Governor of Ji Province will be vacant... Tell me, who does His Majesty think he will temporarily appoint to govern Ji Province?"

Everyone's eyes lit up.

Liu Ce is currently in charge of the military affairs of the three provinces of You, Bing, and Ji, but the administrative power still rests with the governor appointed by the imperial court. If Wang Fen falls from power, Liu Hong will likely allow Liu Ce, the "imperial brother," to temporarily govern Ji Province, since Liu Ce is currently Emperor Ling's most trusted henchman.

"So," Liu Ce concluded, "if Wang Fen is courting death, we'll help him die quickly. Only a clean and tidy death can ensure a smooth transition of Ji Province into our hands."

The group accepted the order and left.

Liu Ce stood alone by the window, gazing south.

In his memory, Wang Fen's conspiracy should have been exposed quickly, and Wang Fen should have committed suicide.

But now that I'm the variable, there's no guarantee that things won't go wrong.

By leaking the news to Luoyang in advance, Wang Fen's downfall could be accelerated, and Liu Hong could become more dependent on him.

Chaos is approaching, and every step must be carefully calculated.

...

Jizhou, the governor's office.

The copper lamp burned with a dim yellow light, and the map of Jizhou spread out on the table was worn rough from being rubbed by Wang Fen's fingers.

His fingertip rested on the two characters "Hejian," the former residence of the current Emperor Liu Hong, and the place the Emperor had recently decided to visit on his northern tour.

Wang Fen was very anxious.

The sky over Luoyang had long been completely obscured by the Ten Attendants.

The eunuchs sold official positions and framed loyal officials. The blood of Grand Tutor Chen Fan and General Dou Wu seemed to still be congealed on the palace walls.

Wang Fen served in Jizhou for four years, pacifying refugees and suppressing minor bandits. He considered himself to have worked diligently, but what about the court? What about His Majesty? They only cared about enjoying themselves, allowing eunuchs to bring disaster to the country!

"My lord, Mr. Xu Ziyuan has arrived."

The gatekeeper's soft announcement interrupted Wang Fen's thoughts.

He looked up and saw Xu You, wearing a black cloak and exuding a chill, stride in, followed by two people: Chen Yi, the son of the late Grand Tutor Chen Fan, and Zhou Jing, a powerful figure from Pei State.

"Ziyuan," Wang Fen stood up, her voice filled with barely concealed urgency, "Have you all heard what Mr. Xiang said?"

Xu You's gaze was intense as he said, "Master Xiangkai said that the celestial phenomena are unfavorable to eunuchs, and that the entire clans of eunuchs and palace attendants should be exterminated. This is the will of Heaven, and also the will of the people!"