Chapter 601: Xianbei Affairs

Liu Maohai's eyes were sharp and he said indignantly: "That guy Xi Yu, on the surface, is respectful to the emperor, but in fact, he is secretly trying to evade the emperor. His wolfish ambition is obvious! Now that the plague is raging everywhere, this is clearly God's treatment of him. punishment!”

After saying that, he turned to look at Liu Bei with expectation in his eyes, as if he was waiting for Liu Bei's response.

Liu Bei remained silent, but his heart was filled with ups and downs.

He knew that what Liu Maohai said was true, but rebellion was not easy, and the stakes involved were too complicated.

He thought to himself: Xi Yu's true intentions are difficult to fathom, and my loyalty to the emperor is evident. However, rebellion... this step is really dangerous. If you are not careful, you will be in catastrophe.

Seeing that Liu Bei was silent, Liu Maohai said anxiously: "Liu Bei, why don't you speak? You are loyal to the emperor. Isn't it the right time to step forward and rebel and overthrow Xi Yu!"

Liu Bei's heart tightened. He couldn't imagine the consequences of rebellion.

He calmed down and said slowly: "The rebellion is a matter of great importance and involves many things. It needs to be considered in the long run."

Liu Maohai sighed, feeling slightly disappointed, but he also understood Liu Bei's concerns.

Liu Maohai stared firmly at Liu Bei and said, "Liu Bei, I have a plan. The Xianbei people are powerful and they are eager to enter the Central Plains. We can use their power to fight against Xi Yu. You should go back and think about it!"

Liu Maohai raised the corners of his mouth slightly, looked at Liu Bei with a half-smile, and said softly: "Of course, Liu Bei, if you want glory and wealth, you can choose to betray me."

Liu Bei suddenly raised his head, his eyes widened, and glared at Liu Maohai, his face full of anger and determination. He raised his voice and said righteously: "I, Liu Bei, am by no means a treacherous person. I will never betray my brothers." come out!"

Liu Maohai said: "That's all, you can think about it yourself. I will contact you again when I have time."

Liu Bei returned to the palace and sat alone in front of the desk, his brows furrowed and his eyes revealing his inner conflicts and struggles.

He murmured in thought: "Xi Yu has all the power in the government. He is really powerful. If I fight against him, the risk is really big." There was a hint of helplessness in his tone.

Then, he stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, occasionally stopping and staring at the map on the wall, as if thinking about strategy.

"But I also sincerely hope to build my own career, overthrow Xi Yu, and benefit all people in the world." Liu Bei's eyes sparkled with desire and determination.

However, a worried look soon appeared on his face, and he thought: "But if I make one wrong move and lose everything, I'm afraid I will also end up with a tragic ending..."

Liu Bei fell into deep entanglement.

He didn't know how to choose, and there seemed to be two voices in his heart constantly arguing.

Finally, he sighed heavily, sat back down at the desk, and rubbed his forehead with his hands, his face full of exhaustion and confusion.

On the other side, Xi Yu looked at Ma Lin with a serious face and said firmly: "I decided to go to Qingzhou to personally check the plague situation there."

Marin looked worried and hurriedly advised: "Sir, it's better not to go. It's too dangerous to go. It's best to stay here."

There was earnestness and anxiety in his tone.

Xi Yu shook his head slightly, put his hands behind his back, and said firmly: "As the prime minister, how can I turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people? I must understand the real situation before I can come up with countermeasures."

Marin frowned and continued to persuade: "But sir, if we go to Qingzhou, if we are infected by the plague, the consequences will be disastrous!"

Xi Yu comforted him: "Don't worry, I will take good care of you. Besides, if you are infected, I'm afraid you will be infected here. Guan Yu is brave and good at fighting, and I can rest assured that he is here to guard you."

As he spoke, he looked at Guan Yu with trust in his eyes.

Guan Yu cupped his hands and clasped his fists, and said loudly: "Prime Minister, go with peace of mind, Guan Yu will definitely defend this place."

Xi Yu nodded, turned around and resolutely embarked on the road to Qingzhou.

Xianbei.

Tuoba Lu, the leader of Xianbei, was tall and strong, with a resolute face and a beard as hard as steel needles.

There was a hint of wildness and unruliness in his eyes, like a ferocious lion.

Tuoba Lu broke into the tent angrily, and everyone's hearts sank when they saw him like this.

Tuoba Lu glared at everyone and roared: "Our people are suffering. Many family members freeze to death in winter, but people in the Central Plains can live a normal life. This God is really unfair!"

Everyone's heart is full of bitterness and helplessness.

Many people sighed secretly, thinking of the tragedy last winter, and the faces of those who froze to death kept reappearing in his mind.

Someone gritted his teeth and said harshly: "Yes, why is God so unfair! We nomads are displaced every day and suffer from hunger and cold, but the people in the Central Plains can enjoy peace."

Tuoba Lu continued: "We can't go on like this anymore, we must find a way to change the status quo!"

Tian Chong, his confidant, was silent for a moment and said slowly: "But, what should we do? Start a war with the Central Plains? That will only bring us more pain."

Tuoba Lu frowned and said thoughtfully, "Perhaps we can try to negotiate with the Central Plains to gain some living space for our people."

Tian Chong thought for a moment that this might be a feasible solution.

Tian Chong stood respectfully in front of Tuoba Lu and said with firm eyes: "Sir, I will definitely convey your wishes to Xi Yu and try my best to facilitate this matter."

Tuoba Lu nodded, a trace of expectation flashing in his eyes.

In the Xianbei tribe, everyone was talking a lot.

Supporters sat together, and one of the old men said excitedly: "The leader's decision is correct. It is for the future of all of us!" His eyes were shining with hope.

Another young warrior also echoed: "Yes, when we enter the Central Plains, we can engage in commercial transactions, develop agricultural production, and live a stable life." His face was filled with longing for the future.

Opposition people, on the other hand, looked worried.

A middle-aged man frowned and said, "But if we enter the Central Plains, wouldn't we be assimilated by the Central Plains people and lose our traditions and characteristics?" There was a trace of unwillingness in his tone.

A young man next to him also echoed: "Yes, our culture and customs will be gradually forgotten!" There was a worried look on his face.

The two groups held their own opinions and argued endlessly.

Tian Chong looked at all this with mixed feelings in his heart. He knew the importance of this mission, but he also understood the differences within the Xianbei tribe.

He secretly made up his mind to try his best to persuade Xi Yu and strive for a better future for the Xianbei people.

In the end, Tuoba Lu was still willing to let Tian Chong go to Xi Yu's place.

If Xi Yu doesn't agree, then let's go to war.

Opposition is still opposition. But they had no choice but to obey orders.

Tuoba Lu quickly walked into his tent and saw Tuoba Yu sitting on the couch with a sad expression.

Tuoba Yu was born with skin like snow, eyebrows like distant daisies, eyes like autumn water, and lips that were not dotted but red.

She wears a unique Xianbei costume, which is very different from the clothing style of the Central Plains people. The decorations and patterns on the costume are full of ethnic characteristics.

As soon as Tuobayu saw her brother coming in, she stood up immediately, with tears in her eyes, and said angrily: "Brother, why did you drive my beloved man out of Xianbei?" There was grievance and dissatisfaction in her voice.

Tuoba Lu looked at his sister, sighed helplessly and said, "Yu'er, I'm doing this for your own good." His eyes were full of love and concern.

Tuoyuyu stamped her feet and said excitedly: "For my own good? Do you know how much I love him!" Her face was full of stubbornness.

Tuoba Lu frowned and said seriously: "That man is not a good match, he is not suitable for you."

Tuobayu retorted: "He treats me very well, I don't care!"

Tuoba Lu's tone gradually became stern: "Yu'er, don't be willful! The future of our Xianbei people is more important!"

Tuobayu burst into tears and cried, "Brother, you are so selfish!"

Tuoba Lu felt a sting in his heart, but he still said firmly: "I am thinking about our people."

The brother and sister quarreled endlessly, and neither could convince the other.

Tuobayu was so angry that he turned around and rushed out of the tent, leaving without looking back.

After a while, Tuoba Yu's girl hurried over and said breathlessly to Tuoba Lu: "Chief, it's not good! Miss...she left Xianbei, saying she was going to find the man she liked. "

The girl's face was full of anxiety.

After Tuoba Lu heard this, his face instantly turned livid, his eyes widened, and he shouted angrily: "What? She is so willful!"

His fists were clenched, veins bulging.

The girl was so frightened that she trembled and said in a trembling voice: "Master Chief, Miss, she is just too sad..."

Tuoba Lu interrupted her angrily: "Sad? Why is she so ignorant! Now that she's gone, don't come back!"

After saying that, Tuoba Lu sat heavily on the chair, his brows furrowed, his eyes full of helplessness and worry.

The girl looked at Tuoba Lu, lowered her head silently, and turned to leave.

After Tuoba Lu heard the news that his sister Tuoba Yu left Xianbei to find his beloved, the anger in his heart instantly rose.

He thought to himself: "What nonsense! Now Xianbei is in a troubled time, with internal and external troubles, and the situation is grim. But at this critical moment, my sister ran away desperately for the sake of her children's affair. How could she be so confused!"

His brows were furrowed tightly, his eyes full of anger and disappointment.

"Sister, sister, why can't you understand my painstaking efforts? Everything I do is for the future of Xianbei and the stability of our tribe. But you only think about your own feelings and don't care about the overall situation."

Tuoba Lu sighed helplessly, feeling a sting in his heart.

He knows that the outside world is full of dangers and uncertainties, and his sister may encounter many difficulties when she goes here.

He secretly prayed that his sister would be safe and sound, and at the same time made up his mind to protect Xianbei no matter what, so that his people could live a stable life.

Xi Yu was so anxious that he ran all the way, his clothes soaked with sweat.

Jia Xu's shop is in Qingzhou.

Jia Xu looked haggard, lying on the bed, coughing from time to time.

More and more people are getting sick, and pharmacies everywhere are overcrowded.

Cheng Yu, the governor, paced back and forth anxiously in the house, his brows furrowed and his face heavy.

Cheng Yu said helplessly to his subordinates: "What should we do? So many people are sick and there is a shortage of medicinal materials. I am really helpless!" His voice was full of exhaustion and helplessness.

The subordinate comforted him: "Sir, you don't have to blame yourself too much. Maybe this was just an accident."

Cheng Yu smiled bitterly and shook his head, muttering to himself: "Did I do something wrong and God wants to punish me?" His eyes were full of confusion and bewilderment.

On the streets of Qingzhou, people looked terrified, whispering to each other, and their faces were full of worry.

Many people flocked to the temples, praying devoutly, hoping to get the blessing of the gods.

At this time, a Taoist priest appeared on a street. He was wearing a Taoist robe, holding a whisk, and shouting loudly: "Come and buy my talisman! I guarantee you will avoid catching the plague!" His face was filled with a confident smile.

People gathered around and asked in unison: "Can it really avoid the plague?"

"How much does this talisman cost?"

The Taoist priest said proudly: "Of course it's true! As long as you buy my talisman, the plague will never dare to approach!"

When Cheng Yu learned about this, his face became very serious, and he frowned and said: "It's just nonsense! This kind of behavior of deceiving the people must be stopped immediately!"

He immediately summoned his men and ordered: "Go and bring the Taoist priest here, and don't let him cheat again!"

The men took the order and left.

On the street, the Taoist priest watched more and more people come to buy his talisman, and the smile on his face became brighter and brighter. He said to himself proudly: "Haha, this time I can make a fortune!"

However, at this moment, people from the governor's mansion came and shouted loudly: "Stop! Don't buy this Taoist priest's talisman anymore!"

Seeing this, the Taoist priest's face changed, and he angrily retorted: "My talisman can cure the plague, why stop me? Don't you want the people to be saved?" His eyes revealed dissatisfaction and doubt.

The people in the governor's mansion said seriously: "This is the order of the governor! You must leave immediately, otherwise you will be imprisoned!"

The common people did not buy it and started to shout.

"What's the reason for the people in the governor's mansion? Now that God has sent down a plague, it must be the governor who did something wrong!"

"That's right, we finally have a Taoist priest to help us, how can we treat him like this?"

People's faces were full of anger and incomprehension, and some people rolled up their sleeves and were eager to try.

Seeing this, the people in the governor's mansion hurriedly persuaded: "Everyone calm down, the governor naturally has his considerations..."

However, before they finished speaking, they were drowned out by the voices of the crowd.

At this time, the angry people became more and more excited. They surrounded the people in the governor's mansion, pushed them, and kept cursing.

"Get out of the way! We just want to buy the Taoist's talisman!"

"Don't hinder us from saving lives!"

The faces of the people were full of anger and indignation, and some people even raised their fists and were about to hit the people in the governor's mansion.

The people in the governor's mansion seemed very helpless. They frowned and tried to explain.

"Don't be impulsive, this is the order of the governor!"

"We are just following orders, please calm down."

There was anxiety and grievance in their voices, but they did not dare to resist too much.

One of the people in the governor's mansion couldn't help but complain in a low voice: "Sir Cheng has ordered that we must not attack the common people casually. What should we do now?"

Another person sighed: "Alas, we can only bear it for now. I hope they can calm down as soon as possible."

The people in the governor's mansion returned to the mansion with injuries on their bodies and looked embarrassed.

They reported the incident to Cheng Yu dejectedly, with a tone full of grievances.

"Sir, we followed your order to prohibit the people from buying the Taoist's talismans, but they not only did not listen, but also attacked us. We really have no choice."

"Yes, sir, we are all injured, what can we do?"

Their faces showed painful and helpless expressions, hoping to get Cheng Yu's understanding and support.

Cheng Yu listened to their stories, frowned, and sighed: "Forget it, you go down first."

There was a trace of fatigue and helplessness in his voice.

After his subordinates left, Cheng Yu sat alone on the chair, rubbed his eyebrows, and said to himself: "The Taoist priest may be lying, but the people are willing to believe it, what can I do? Now that the plague is raging, I am already exhausted. I really don’t know what to do to save the people of Qingzhou."

His eyes were full of confusion and helplessness, as if he had lost his direction.

Although Xi Yu was anxious, he also needed to proceed step by step and stayed in the inn that night.

Xi Yu’s face was full of anxiety, but he still tried to calm himself down.

He walked up to the innkeeper and asked, "Sir, is there anyone suffering from the plague around here?"

The innkeeper looked surprised when he heard this. He looked at Xi Yu and answered puzzledly, "I haven't heard of anyone suffering from the plague around here. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing, I'm just asking casually."

Seeing this, the innkeeper comforted him, "Don't worry too much, our area has always been peaceful, and we haven't heard of any news of the plague."

Xi Yu breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still worried and continued to ask, "Then, Sir, do you know if there are any special places or people around here that may be at risk of being infected with the plague?"

The innkeeper shook his head and replied, "I'm not sure about that."

Xi Yu reluctantly ordered some food. His eyes were wandering, he had no appetite, and he fiddled with his chopsticks unconsciously.

The shopkeeper noticed Xiyu's abnormality and asked with concern: "Sir, I see that you seem to be worried. I wonder what happened? If you trust me, you might as well tell me. Maybe I can help you."

Xiyu shook his head gently, a bitter smile appeared on his face, and said softly: "Thank you for your concern, but I'm afraid you can't help me with my affairs."

The shopkeeper frowned slightly and continued to persuade: "Sir, how do you know that I can't help if you don't tell me? Sometimes you will feel better if you tell me." (End of this chapter)