Chapter 95

In the fourth year of Chuping, at the end of the year, Cao Cao returned to Juancheng and gradually restored the counties and commanderies of Yanzhou. Lu Bu, Chen Gong, and Zhang Miao were left with only a large part of Dongjun Commandery, with their main forces stationed in Puyang, and troops deployed in Xiancheng, Dongwuyang, and Dong'e to prevent Cao Cao's army from pursuing them.

However, Cao Cao did not plan to attack Lu Bu's stronghold immediately. Xun Yu told him that the harvest in Dongjun Commandery this year was very poor. According to the original plan, they intended to allocate 300,000 to 400,000 dan of grain from the garrison fields to fill this gap. Now, by shifting this burden to the enemy, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? It would be better to wait until after the New Year, when spring was just beginning, and when Lu Bu and his men had exhausted their food supplies and lacked seeds. At that time, a straightforward advance would ensure victory.

Cao Cao nodded in agreement and began to consolidate the newly recovered commanderies and counties, temporarily not mobilizing his troops. Shi Xun volunteered to serve as an envoy and went to Chengshi. As expected, although Lu Bu had not been completely driven out of Yanzhou, the situation was so clear that Li Fu and Li Deng had no choice but to submit and surrender the city. Shi Xun thus gained another easy credit.

However, he did not know that the inertia of history was attempting to correct the trajectory in areas beyond his influence. At this time, a group of defeated soldiers slowly entered the territory of Xuzhou.

Although the soldiers of Cao Cao did not scare the people of Xuzhou in this timeline, Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, was indeed old, both in body and in mind. He gradually could not tolerate the constant mutual attacks between the Mi and Cao families, each protecting their "masters" — Tao Qian's two sons, Tao Shang and Tao Ying. He called Shi Kuan, the officer of Donghai Commandery, to discuss the matter, saying, "You proposed the marriage alliance, claiming it would make the two families harmonious and support my sons. Why isn't it working?" Shi Kuan spread his hands at the old man: "Sir, you need to quickly decide on the successor. Only then can the Cao and Mi families, as well as my family, unite to support the young master."

— If you, sir, had not made a decision and delayed the succession, who else could be blamed?

Tao Qian understood that Shi Kuan's words were reasonable. In the end, he gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, finding a trusted Taoist to divine the fate of his two sons. The Taoist fasted, bathed, and burned incense, bowing and praying for three days before giving the result: the eldest son (Tao Shang) had a malevolent fate and might not live long, while the second son (Tao Ying) was born under a five-colored auspicious cloud, indicating great wealth and nobility.

Tao Qian thought to himself, "There was an auspicious cloud when the second son was born? I didn't know that." But since the Taoist said so, he immediately decided, "Fine, I will announce to the ministers tomorrow that Tao Ying will be my successor."

According to Han dynasty etiquette, the eldest legitimate son should inherit, and if there was no legitimate son, the eldest should inherit. Both Tao Shang and Tao Ying were illegitimate, so according to the rules, the successor should be the older Tao Shang. However, this so-called successor did not refer to the official position — which could not be inherited from father to son — but to the noble title. As for the family property, it would be divided according to the father's will, with no fixed rules. Therefore, Tao Qian planned to legally pass his Linyang Marquis title and movable property to Tao Shang, while the immovable property — mainly the land of Xuzhou — would be passed to Tao Ying.

In this era, the various provincial inspectors, governors, and even many commandery and state administrators, although nominally still respecting the Eastern Han court, were actually warlords. The territory was their private property. For example, the governor of Yizhou, Liu Yan, died not long after and privately passed his vast estate to his youngest son, Liu Zhang. In this timeline, Tao Gongzu intended to be the first to take the bold step.

The Taoist, seeing Tao Qian's decision, left the state office triumphantly and planned to go to Tao Ying's house to claim his reward. However, just as he turned a corner, several black-clad men suddenly appeared, grabbed him, tied him up, and stuffed him into a carriage, which then sped away.

Tao Qian was still pondering the matter. The Mi brothers had always supported the elder son, Tao Shang. Since he had made up his mind, he should first inform them and seek their understanding. For such a major matter, he had to entrust Shi Kuan, who was the son-in-law of the Mi family, the brother-in-law of Mi Zhu, and the brother-in-law of Mi Fang. He would first send Shi Kuan to persuade them, and then he would personally intervene. Theoretically, the two would not be unable to turn the corner, right?

He thought hard until dusk and was just about to send someone to summon Shi Kuan when he suddenly received a report that the governor of Xiapi had an urgent matter to discuss. Tao Qian was surprised, thinking, "My fellow townsman, since I gave him an official position, has been busy with rituals and temple construction and rarely comes to Tancheng. Why is he coming to see me now? What urgent matter?"

Tao Qian was from Danyang, which belonged to Yangzhou. He came to Xuzhou as an official from another region — of course, this was the norm at the time, as few local people could hold important supervisory positions. As a matter of course, he valued his fellow townspeople from Danyang and gave important positions to those who came to seek his help and had some reputation — Zang Rong, Zang Weiming, was one of the most powerful among them.

Zang Rong was also a famous scholar from Yangzhou. After coming to Xuzhou, Tao Qian appointed him as the governor of Xiapi and gave him the authority to manage the transportation of supplies from the three commanderies and states of Guangling, Pengcheng, and Xiapi in southern Xuzhou. However, Zang Rong was a devout Buddhist and, upon taking office, built many temples and recruited monks and nuns. He arbitrarily retained more than half of the supplies that should have been sent to Tancheng for religious activities. When Tao Qian occasionally questioned him, Zang Rong would say, "I am praying for your blessings in the afterlife. You are so old, how many more years do you have? Shouldn't you consider your future reincarnation?" Although Tao Qian did not believe in reincarnation, out of fear of death and the fact that he was not short of food and clothing, he waved his hand and let Zang Rong do as he pleased.

However, Zang Rong was also afraid of Tao Qian and rarely dared to go to Tancheng. This time, if he had not heard that the old man was seriously considering the succession issue, he would not have come even if invited. Upon arriving at the hall, he paid his respects to Tao Qian, exchanged a few casual words, and then said, "I heard that you intend to make Zhonghe your successor. Is it true?" — Tao Ying's courtesy name was Zhonghe.

Tao Qian was surprised and asked where he had heard this. Zang Rong pretended, "Zhonghe has been boasting to others. I'm afraid no one in Tancheng doesn't know." Tao Qian was furious, thinking, "How could that Taoist be so loose-lipped, telling Tao Ying? And how could Tao Ying be so reckless, boasting everywhere — I was planning to have Shi Kuan talk to the Mi brothers, and now they probably know too. If they become resentful and estranged, what will I do?"

A flash of anger crossed Tao Qian's brow. Zang Rong, noticing this, took the opportunity to advise, "Without a legitimate heir, the eldest should inherit. This is a rule that cannot be abandoned, or it may cause unforeseen disasters." He then added mysteriously, "I heard that Zhaoyi is about to have his coming-of-age ceremony. When is it scheduled?"

Tao Zhaoyi was Tao Qian's grandson and Tao Shang's son. Zang Rong was hinting: If you think Tao Shang is not suitable to be the successor, he still has a son, Tao Zhaoyi. Haven't you always praised your grandson's intelligence in public? If you pass the position to Tao Shang, and Tao Shang passes it to Tao Zhaoyi, the Tao family will be secure. If you pass it to Tao Ying, the estate will not fall to Tao Zhaoyi, and Tao Ying's son... is still young, and you can't tell if he is capable or not, can you?

Tao Qian understood his meaning and fell silent. Zang Rong seized the opportunity to ask, "Sir, are you unwilling to pass the position to Mengzhang (Tao Shang) because you fear that Cao Shuyuan, who holds a powerful army, will cause trouble?" Tao Qian waved his hand, "Shuyuan is loyal to me. Wei Ming, don't speak nonsense." Zang Rong smiled, "Human hearts are hard to fathom and must be guarded against. I have a plan that can ensure that you pass the position to Mengzhang and Zhongyuan will not dare to object. This will not only secure your family but also ensure the Cao brothers' lifelong wealth."

Tao Qian was somewhat moved and asked what the plan was. Zang Rong first asked, "Is it true that the former governor of Pingyuan, Liu Xuande, was forced by Yuan Xiansi (Yuan Tan) to flee from Qingzhou to Langya and seek refuge with you?" Tao Qian said, "Yes, I am still considering whether to accept him." Zang Rong then said, "You can order Liu Xuande to lead his troops to Xiangben, which is close to Tancheng. Then Cao Shuyuan will not dare to cause trouble. I heard that Liu Xuande's remaining troops are less than 3,000, so there is no fear of them taking over. If you treat him with humility and generosity, you can form a tripartite alliance with Cao Shuyuan and Zang Xuangao, ensuring the stability of Xuzhou and eliminating the worry of a weak ruler and strong ministers."

Tao Qian stroked his white beard, thought for a long time, and finally said, "This is a prudent plan..."

In the end, Zang Rong convinced Tao Qian to make Tao Shang his successor and to summon Liu Xuande to lead his troops to assist. Zang Rong then left, got into his carriage, and hurriedly turned a few alleys, making sure no one was following him, and quickly entered the Mi residence. Mi Fang came out to greet him, and Zang Rong asked, "Where is the Taoist?" Mi Fang smiled and made a gesture of beheading. Zang Rong asked, "Where is your brother?" Mi Fang replied, "He is in the hall with a guest, waiting for Wei Ming to bring good news."

Zang Rong followed him into the main hall and saw Mi Zhu sitting with a short man. Although Mi Zhu was a merchant by origin, he had been an official for many years and had developed the demeanor of a scholar. The short man, however, looked like a scholar but was slouching, with his head tilted, shoulders drooping, and legs crossed, appearing extremely impolite. However, Zang Rong did not dare to underestimate him and bowed, "Zi Zhong, Xian He."

Mi Zhu asked, "Did it work?" Zang Rong sat down and smiled triumphantly, "It worked. The governor has agreed to make the eldest son his successor and to summon Lord Xuande to take charge, to counter the Cao brothers." The short man, upon hearing this, slightly straightened his body and bowed, "My lord has a place to stand, all thanks to Mr. Wei Ming. Jian Yong thanks you — but there is one thing I don't understand, and I would like to ask Mr. Wei Ming."

Zang Rong said, "Please speak." The short man — Jian Yong, Xian He — lightly stroked his beard, glanced at the Mi brothers, and then turned to Zang Rong, "No matter who the governor makes his successor, it will not affect Mr. Wei Ming's wealth and status. Why are you so concerned? Your main goal is to have our lord enter Xuzhou and conflict with the Cao brothers, so you can profit from the situation, right?"

Zang Rong was shocked and instinctively tried to stand up, but suddenly a ring-headed broadsword was placed at his neck. Jian Yong, looking calm, slowly said, "Zilong, don't scare Mr. Wei Ming. Our lord still needs him to deliver a message to General Yuan. Please tell General Yuan: his elaborate schemes to make Xu and Yan hostile, so he can replace Governor Tao, are unjust. If our lord enters Xuzhou, we will not tolerate such despicable actions!"

—————————— I am the excited dividing line ——————————

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