Yuan Tan got off the carriage, jumped onto the war horse, and came to the gate of Zhuo County under the protection of dozens of knights.

Xun Yan took the prefect's mansion and the officials of the county temple were waiting under the city. The cold wind was so cold that everyone's face was pale and trembling. But they didn't know if it was frozen or because the future was uncertain. Liu He died in battle and they became an embarrassing existence. If Zhuo County was taken back by Zhang Ze, they would inevitably be neglected. If Zhuo County was controlled by Yuan Tan, they would inevitably become enemies with their relatives and friends and become aliens in Youzhou.

After weighing the trade-offs, especially under Xun Yan's control, they could not choose independently and could only leave the will of fate. Since Yuan Tan came, they would come out to greet Yuan Tan first. The children of aristocratic families would not ignore the manifestation and would kill people on the spot, right?

Amidst doubtful and fearful eyes, Yuan Tan lowered his head and walked slowly, standing in front of the county magistrate Li Li. He bowed his hand and sighed before he could speak.

"well"

Li Li's heart trembled, his head lowered, his legs trembled, and he almost knelt on the ground.

Yuan Tan raised his sleeve and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. The tears were real. Thinking about Liu He's life experience, he was very ashamed. Although he did not kill Liu He, Liu He's death was bound to him. Putting Liu He in Zhuo County was to use Liu He's identity to fight for Youzhou. The words Yan Liang said were not what Yan Liang said, but were arranged by Ju Su, but they didn't expect Liu He to die on the spot. Now, it was not that he didn't expect it, but that he didn't want to think about it.

"Envoy Liu and his father are allies, and they are both harmed by evil people. Gongheng and I are the most ill and sympathetic. They should support each other and work together. Now he has left, and I am the only one left, which is really sad."

Li Li raised his head in surprise and looked at Yuan Tan. He saw the crystal tears in Yuan Tan's eyes at a glance. The sadness in Yuan Tan's eyes was so sincere, and his heart couldn't help but feel soft. "I envoy, Liu Fujun is desperate to avenge his father's revenge, which is his duty as a son. Now that he has been repaid with great grudges and perished with the enemy, it can be considered a desire for benevolence and benevolence, which can be filled with laughter."

"Yes, his father's revenge has been avenged, and he can smile with a smile. But I am far away." Yuan Tan sighed again. "A man cannot be resurrected by death. Although I cannot save him on the battlefield, I should do the things behind him. Please also ask you to remember the old relationship between Liu Jun and Gongheng and help me with your help."

After hearing Yuan Tan's words, everyone agreed with the promise. Even if Yuan Tan did not mention it, they were the old officials of Liu Yu, Liu He and his father and son, and they were responsible for handling the funeral for Liu He. What's more, Yuan Tan's attitude was so low that they had no reason to refuse.

Li Li invited Yuan Tan to the city, and Yuan Tan followed the boat with the flow, held Li Li's arm, and discussed Liu He's funeral while walking.

When he arrived at the prefect's mansion and went to the hall, Liu He's body was placed in the hall, his head was sewn on the body, the blood was washed away, and his clothes were replaced with new clothes. Liu He looked very peaceful, but his skin was too white. Wang Ling was lying beside him, and Wang Ling was also in a different place in his body and head. What's even more troublesome is that his head could not be found. The scene was in a mess and he couldn't recognize which one was his head.

After listening to Wang Ling's story, Yuan Tan was deeply moved and burst into tears again. He ordered Wang Ling to carve a head with wood to let him be buried intact. He also announced that he would fulfill his promise on behalf of Liu He, bring Wang Ling's family to Yecheng for support, and procure Wang Ling's son as an official, giving him a future.

Everyone was relieved and praised Yuan Tan for his righteousness. Since Yuan Tan admitted Liu He's promise to Wang Ling and took over Liu He's responsibilities, he would not be too harsh on them. After all, if Yuan Tan wanted to occupy Zhuo County, he could not do without their cooperation. Sure enough, Yuan Ke immediately announced that the prefect's office, and the officials of each county were in place. There would be no adjustments for the time being. He would choose a smart and righteous person to replace Liu He as the prefect of Zhuo County. He hoped that those present would work together to offer suggestions to stabilize Zhuo County.

Everyone shouted long live the mountain.

Liu Bei did not sleep all night. Although he took Anci City without bloodshed, he was not at ease. A thousand cavalry did not guarantee his safety, and Guan Jing could not represent Gongsun Zan. Although Gongsun Xu was far away in the Central Plains, Gongsun Zan also had a younger brother Gongsun Fan in Ji County. Whether he could take over Gongsun Zan's strength depends on whether Gongsun Fan agreed.

The most urgent task is naturally to create a certain fact, and to control Anci City first. After Zhang Fei and Jian Yong led 10,000 invaders to arrive, Liu Bei immediately took over the defense of Anci City, leaving Jian Yong to lead 2,000 people to defend the city, and he took Guan Jing and Zhang Fei to pick up the 10,000 invaders arranged by Gongsun Zan at the Holy Gathering.

On the way, Liu Bei asked Guan Jing for a plan. Guan Jing was unwilling to say it, but seeing Liu Bei repeatedly asked for it and his attitude was sincere, Guan Jing had to say a few words. He reminded Liu Bei that although Gongsun Zan was strong, he had one obvious weakness: he did not monopolize a county and had no stable source of money and grain. Ji County was both the governor of Guangyang County and Youzhou Prefecture, and the power was actually in the hands of the governor Zhang Ze. The one Gongsun Zan could directly control was Anci City. In the past two years, he could barely support the army, but could not expand. He was unable to recover after the setbacks in the two wars.

Liu Bei had Yuyang, and the conditions were relatively better. There was no problem with taking over Gongsun Zan's subordinates, but he lacked a name. This name could be compensated by two methods: one was to get the recognition of Zhang Ze; the other was to get the support of Lu Yu. Zhang Ze was the governor of Youzhou. If he recognized Liu Bei's take over Gongsun Zan's military strength, even Gongsun Fan would have nothing to say. Lu Yu was Lu Zhi's youngest son and the younger brother of Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan. Lu Zhi had a very famous reputation in Youzhou. If Lu Yu could support Liu Bei, it would be of great help to Liu Bei in his reputation.

Liu Bei thought for a long time. "Brother Shuan, are you talking about... Lu Yu, the third son of Master Lu?"

"certainly."

"Lu Yu is still underage. How can he represent Master Lu? Why doesn't Shu'an say about Master Lu's eldest son Lu Min?"

Guan Jing looked at Liu Bei and was silent for a moment. "The Lord of the House doesn't know that Lu Min has passed away. Not only him, but his second brother has passed away. Now only Lu Yu is left with his respected teacher."

Liu Bei couldn't help but feel a fever on his face. He had seen him once when he was going to worship Lu Zhi when he first returned to Youzhou. He just wanted to ease his relationship with Gongsun Zan. Later, he sent someone to send money and grain twice, but he never came to the door. After becoming the prefect of Yuyang, he had never even sent an envoy. He didn't know that such a big change had happened to the Lu family. As a student, it was indeed a bit inappropriate. Guan Jing knew the situation so well, which shows that Gongsun Zan knew about these things and had always kept in touch with the Lu family.

"Brother Shuan, I was negligent about this matter. As soon as the war ended, I would go to the Lu family."

Guan Jing nodded. "It is not convenient for the Lord of the House to go, so I'd better send an envoy. It's probably difficult to take Zhuo County now. Liu He has been in Zhuo County for so long, and the people in the prefect's palace are his confidants. If Yuan Tan can arrange it properly, it would be easier for him to take Zhuo County. The Lord of the House should not have a birth conflict with him."

Liu Bei didn't say anything. His plan was not only to take over Gongsun Zan's old subordinates, but also to take over Zhuo County and even the entire Youzhou. Guan Jing actually said that he could not control Zhuo County, and there was also a vague idea that he was not as good as Yuan Tan, which made him a little dissatisfied. In addition to a stronger family background, Yuan Tan had any commendable abilities? I was captured by Sun Ce, and Yuan Tan was the same. No one was much stronger than anyone else. Moreover, after several years of hard work, I have achieved success in farming, and I have achieved great success in training, and I have wealth and food, and my troops are strong. However, Yuan Tan had just inherited Yuan Shao's career and was defeated by Guandu, and had not recovered. If it weren't for the internal strife between Liu He and Gongsun Zan, there would be no chance to let him enter Youzhou.

Seeing that Liu Bei disagreed, Guan Jing didn't say anything else.

Before passing Guangyang Water, Liu Bei met Liu Weitai, Fan Fang and others who were withdrawing. They looked nervous and frightened. When they saw Guan Jing and Liu Bei were together, they were a little panicked.

"Changshi, this is..."

Guan Jing was also speechless. Liu Weitai and Fan Fang were ordered to lead 10,000 soldiers to set up an ambush at the Holy Gather. As a result, Gongsun Zan was intercepted and failed to arrive at the Holy Gather smoothly. He died in a fierce battle. Liu Weitai and Fan Fang did not rescue him in time. The place where Gongsun Zan died was only about twenty miles away from the Holy Gather. He was within the scout's reconnaissance range and was at the downwind. Even if you listen to the sound, you could know that something was wrong.

Before Guan Jing could speak, Liu Bei shouted first: "Liu Weitai, you are Bo Gui's sworn brother, and you have heavy troops in your hands. Why do you see Bo Gui fighting hard but not sending anyone to reinforce, so that Brother Bo Gui died in a fierce battle?"

Liu Weitai was stunned, looking at Liu Bei's fierce eyes, and a cold air broke out from the back of his head.

Before Liu Weitai could speak, Liu Bei drew out the Chixia sword and shouted loudly: "Liu Weitai is Bo Gui's brother, and he is not able to advise him in normal times and cannot fight in war. He sat on the verge of Bo Gui to die in battle, and he is ashamed of his brother. Since he cannot be loyal to his life, then go to the Huangquan Road to accompany Bo Gui." After that, he raised his hand and fell, and cut off Liu Weitai's head with one sword.

Everyone was shocked, and no one dared to move, and no one was willing to move. Fan Fang, Guan Jing and others watched coldly. They had no good feelings for Liu Weitai, Li Yizi, and Le Hedang. Liu Weitai was a divination master, Li Yizi, and Le Hedang were a business vendor. He had no ability to govern the people and command troops at all. Gongsun Zan valued them and became brothers with them. There were many people who had opinions behind their backs. These people also relied on Gongsun Zan's favor and acted a lot and offended people a lot. Now that Gongsun Zan is dead, they should be retribution. It is indeed a very suitable result to have a companion with Gongsun Zan on the road to the underworld.

Liu Bei shook the long sword in his hand, and the blood beads slid down along the sword's edge. There was no trace of blood left on the sword, and it was still bright and illuminated. Liu Bei returned the sword to the sheath and bowed to Guan Jing. "Brother Shu'an, Bei was angry for a moment, rude, and rude."

Guan Jing knew very well that Liu Bei was coming with preparatory reasons, and Liu Weitai would definitely die. Liu Bei said this just to give him face. He immediately discussed with Fan Fang and others to explain the current situation. Fan Fang and others were also confused. He heard that Liu Bei had to provide money and food to accept Gongsun Zan's subordinates, and he agreed readily. Although they were not like Liu Weitai and others, their family background was not very good. They probably wouldn't be able to go with Yuan Tan, otherwise they would have surrendered to Yuan Tan long ago. Although Liu Bei was the descendant of King Jing of Zhongshan, his family was in decline and he was also a poor family. He was very polite with them in daily life, perhaps not worse than Gongsun Zan. Since Guan Jing surrendered, they naturally had no objection.

Liu Bei successfully accepted the 10,000 invaders led by Fan Fang. In the midst of the silence, Zhang Fei, who was responsible for surveillance, heard news that Zhang He led the halberd soldiers approaching. Liu Bei did not dare to be negligent, and immediately ordered Fan Fang and others to set up a formation along the river to prepare for the battle.
Chapter completed!