The Rebirth of Lu Bu in the Legend of the Heroes of the Later Han Dynasty

Yuan Shao of Yecheng looked at Yuan Xi's handwritten letter, his clenched fists trembling constantly. In less than a month, the land of the two counties was lost and his son was captured. It was simply a shame for the monarchs and ministers of Jizhou.

Tian Feng saw that Yuan Shao's expression was not good, and he guessed something in his mind, "Does the lord intend to negotiate peace with Lu Bu?"

Yuan Shao replied, "I have 200,000 elite soldiers. Why should I be afraid of Lu Bu? I will personally send troops to attack Youzhou soon."

Jushu said, "It is absolutely necessary. The rebellion of the Black Mountain Army in Jizhou has not yet been eliminated, and Qingzhou has been initially settled. We still need to develop steadily."

Shen Pei and Feng Ji also expressed their agreement with Ju Shuo's opinion. This was a rare unity of opinion between the two factions. Yuan Shao also spoke angrily. He knew that he was no match for Lu Bu now. Jizhou had fertile farmland and Qingzhou was rich in salt and iron. As long as With stable development, within three years, Lu Bu could be crushed economically.

Yuan Shao looked at everyone, "Who is willing to go to Youzhou to negotiate peace with Lu Bu?"

Xun Chen agreed before everyone else. He wanted to take this opportunity to leave Jizhou. When Yuan Shao saw that it was Xun Chen, he remembered that he had helped him a lot through negotiations in the past, so he agreed.

Lu Bu had been waiting for Yuan Shao's envoy in Jixian for a long time. When he saw that the messenger was Xun Chen, an old acquaintance, he remembered his secret message and went out to greet him in person. In order to show his sincerity, Lu Bu deliberately messed up his hair and splashed water on his clothes. He poured some water and pretended to be washing himself.

Seeing Lu Bu's appearance, Xun Chen thought that Lu Bu was washing up when he came to visit. Unexpectedly, Lu Bu paid so much attention to him and came out to greet him before his hair was tied up. "

Lu Bu wondered, were people so easily moved in ancient times? Then you might as well make it more real. Thinking of this, Lu Bu helped Xun Chen up. As soon as the two sat down, Lu Bu put on a humble posture and said, "How to ease the hostile relationship with Yuan Shao, I hope you can teach me."

Xun Chen had already thought about how to answer, and he said unhurriedly, "Yuan Shao is determined to seek peace. My lord may as well comply with his wishes. Even the soldiers in the city do not need to be returned, but the second son of the Yuan family must be sent back to Yecheng to show his sincerity." , and if the lord allows it, the Tian family from Youzhou can be moved to Qingzhou."

Lu Bu was worrying about how to deal with the nobles in Youzhou. After hearing Xun Chen's words, he suddenly became enlightened and said, "Thank you sir, I was just thinking about how to deal with the Tian family's power in Youzhou. Sir, this is a good idea. It can be considered as a favor to Yuan Shao. It would be best if I could have an interview with Yuan Shao, so please help me plan this."

Xun Chen thought for a while and said, "Pingyuan County is located at the junction of Youzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou. It is the most suitable place for peace talks. I will try my best to promote it."

Lu Bu asked Xun Chen for advice on some matters governing state and county affairs before letting him leave.

After returning to Yecheng, Xun Chen did not take a break and met with Yuan Shao directly to discuss his interests. Yuan Shao also felt that face-to-face peace talks between the two principals would be more effective, so he agreed.

In the autumn of the second year of Xingping (195), Yuan Shao and Lu Bu met at Taohua Pavilion in Pingyuan County. Both parties followed the example of Duke Huan of Qi, one of the five hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period.

Lu Bu first made his position clear, "I will take over the land of Youzhou from now on. The second son of the Yuan family can return it today. However, the soldiers surrendered by Jizhou are now part of the Bingzhou Army, and Jiang Qi is also my deputy general. There is no way to hand it over to me." Your possibility.”

Yuan Shao argued hard, "I spent more than half a year fighting Gongsun Zan, and the losses were huge. In the end, I got nothing. I can't explain it to the people under my rule."

Lu Bu smiled and said, "I'm afraid Benchu ​​didn't know that a major event happened in the Central Plains in the past six months. There was turmoil within the Xiliang army. Cao Cao took the opportunity to occupy Luoyang and Chang'an, and held the emperor hostage. I have old friends with Cao Cao, and I am willing to recommend him. What do you think of being a general?"

Yuan Shao was very surprised. Jizhou was closer to the Central Plains, but he didn't know it at all. Lu Bu was on the border, but he knew everything about the Central Plains. Cao Cao was just his younger brother who had been with him since he was a child, but he actually let him take such a huge advantage. It was best to negotiate peace with Lu Bu early and plot against the Central Plains.

Thinking of this, Yuan Shao said, "In that case, I would like to thank Fengxian. However, our previous alliance agreement was to divide Youzhou equally. Can Fengxian give me some more benefits?"

What an old fox! Lu Bu thought in his mind, and then said, "I heard that the head of the Tian family in Youzhou is now serving under Ben Chu's account. I can let the Tian family move to your territory. I will buy their land at the market price. The Tian family's wealth, How about all the private soldiers being owned by you?"

Yuan Shao was overjoyed. With the wealth of the Tian family, he could support an army of 100,000 men. He quickly agreed, "Okay, from now on, we will use the plain as the boundary. Bingzhou and Youzhou will belong to you, Jizhou and Qingzhou will belong to me, and we will become brothers." Alliance, mutual non-aggression.”

Lu Bu was also a straightforward person. Seeing that Yuan Shao agreed to the conditions, he decided to give him some benefits, "From now on, when competing in the Central Plains, horses will inevitably be needed. I am willing to give you 10,000 war horses to show my sincerity in the discussion."

In the late Han Dynasty, one war horse could be exchanged for a year's worth of food for an ordinary household. Lu Bu directly sent 10,000 war horses. Yuan Shao was so happy that he couldn't be stingy. He thought for a while and said, "Then I will give it to Feng Xian." Ten thousand kilograms of fine iron will help you resist the barbarians."

Lu Bu also happily accepted it, and both sides got what they needed.

Lu Bu ordered Yuan Xi to be released. Yuan Xi cried bitterly when he saw his father. Yuan Shao also felt sorry for his son, and the blame for him disappeared in his heart.

This time the two sides stopped fighting and made peace, which brought several years of peace to the people of Hebei. This is something to be said later.