Ever since Gongsun Xu and Zhao Yun led the White Horse General to escort Lu Zhi and Emperor Liu Bian out of Luoyang, they endured countless hardships along the way, finally succeeding in reaching Gongsun Zan's territory in You Province.

Gongsun Zan received them with great warmth, and at this point, Lu Zhi and Liu Bian finally felt a long-lost sense of security.

Lu Zhi then wanted to issue an imperial edict in the name of Emperor Liu Bian, calling upon all members of the Liu clan throughout the land to collectively launch a campaign against the Dong Clan, and to announce this matter to the world.

However, Gongsun Zan had a different idea.

Because Gongsun Zan had long resided in the border regions, living alongside those Liu clan members, he deeply understood the unpredictable complexity of human hearts.

He felt it would be better to first send envoys to consult with the Liu clan members, see their response to the matter, and then decide whether it could truly be implemented.

Lu Zhi and the Emperor adopted Gongsun Zan's suggestion.

First, they dispatched an envoy to Liu Yu, the Governor of You Province, who was closest, to inform him that the Emperor had traveled north to You Province and to request Liu Yu to come pay respects to the Emperor.

Secondly, they also sent envoys to Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province, and Liu Yan, the Governor of Yi Province, hoping that Yi Province would unite with them to raise an army in response to Emperor Liu Bian, in order to campaign against those disloyal officials in the court who were disloyal to the Han Dynasty.

In reality, in the hearts of those Han Dynasty imperial relatives, Emperor Ling's ascension to the throne could be said to have been a stroke of luck.

After all, Emperor Huan had no sons, and thus had no choice but to enthrone Emperor Ling as his adopted son, so to some extent, Emperor Ling essentially stumbled into the throne.

In the hearts of these Han Dynasty imperial relatives, they generally believed that Emperor Ling was only enthroned as Emperor due to good fortune, and this idea unknowingly gave rise to their inner ambitions.

Furthermore, during Emperor Ling's reign, in order to counter the threat of aristocratic families, he had to adopt some measures to strengthen the power of the Han Dynasty imperial relatives.

One important measure was to establish provincial governors in various regions, entrusting local governance to these so-called Han Dynasty imperial relatives.

Emperor Ling hoped that through this method, these Han Dynasty imperial relatives would be loyal to the country and work together to restore the glory of the great Han.

However, contrary to his wishes, this measure, to a certain extent, instead fueled the ambitions of the Han Dynasty imperial relatives.

As time passed, with their existing ambitions and now holding immense power, they began to regard their respective regions as their spheres of influence, attempting to firmly grasp them in their own hands.

At the same time, in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, aristocratic families were numerous, court factions were fiercely contentious, and the political situation was extremely complex.

Under these circumstances, it cannot be said that every Han Dynasty imperial relative harbored such thoughts, but it is undeniable that most Han Dynasty imperial relatives began to stir, harboring their own ulterior motives.

They secretly pondered, “Emperor Ling was only enthroned as Emperor due to good fortune, and now we have soldiers, generals, land, and taxes.

As descendants of Emperor Gaozu, can we not also attempt to contend for the throne and create our own glory?”

Driven by such ambition, many Han Dynasty imperial relatives began to secretly conspire, attempting to carve out their own domain in the turbulent late Eastern Han Dynasty.

However, they did not realize that such actions would undoubtedly inflict an even heavier blow on the already tottering Eastern Han Dynasty, accelerating its demise.

However, after receiving the envoy, Liu Yu, the Governor of You Province, did not come to pay respects to Emperor Liu Bian.

This was because the court situation was currently unclear, and Emperor Liu Bian had not been on the throne for long.

For an old Han Dynasty imperial relative like Liu Yu, his blood relation to the Emperor was already very distant.

For these Han Dynasty imperial relatives who held significant military power, if Liu Yu were to come and pay respects to the Emperor, acknowledging the Emperor's status, it would be equivalent to finding a “father” for himself, which would undoubtedly bring them numerous restrictions and troubles.

Liu Yu even sent a letter of reprimand, severely criticizing Lu Zhi for escorting the Emperor out of the capital with sharp words, even directly labeling Lu Zhi as a rebellious subject and traitor, and demanding that Gongsun Zan send Lu Zhi and the Emperor to Liu Yao, so that he could be responsible for sending the Emperor back to the palace.

Upon seeing such a letter, Lu Zhi, the Emperor, Gongsun Zan, and others clearly realized that Liu Yao's intentions were no longer so simple, but rather he had his own selfish motives.

The Emperor felt somewhat discouraged upon seeing the letter, as this was the reaction from the imperial relatives he had placed so much hope in.

Lu Zhi and Gongsun Zan advised the Emperor not to be disheartened.

Lu Zhi said, “Your Majesty, do not lose heart.

Although Liu Yu's performance this time is disappointing, we cannot completely negate everything because of it.

Now Jing Province is vast and rich, and Liu Jingsheng, the Governor of Jing Province, was able to successfully enter Jing Province and firmly secure the position of Governor amidst a complex situation, which is enough to prove that he possesses extraordinary ability and wisdom, and this also indicates that there are still many capable people in the world.”

Gongsun Zan continued, “Yes, Your Majesty, there is also Liu Yan of Yi Province.

Yi Province has experienced few wars and has fertile land for a thousand miles, making it a veritable granary.

If the two of them respond, then the great endeavor can be accomplished.

Moreover, we cannot lose confidence in the future because of this one situation; we must actively seek out and unite more capable and responsible individuals to work together for the great cause.”

The Emperor said wistfully, “I know all that you two have said, but Lu Shi and General Gongsun should not be too optimistic.

As fellow imperial relatives, if Liu Yu can treat us in such a manner, it is unlikely that the other two will be very enthusiastic.”

Lu Zhi and Gongsun Zan were actually just trying to console the Emperor, to give him a glimmer of hope, but they themselves knew that the imperial relatives in various regions likely harbored their own minor ambitions to some extent.

The reason Liu Biao of Jing Province was able to enter Jing Province alone and quickly achieve stability was closely linked to the assistance of the aristocratic families.

In Jing Province, there were numerous aristocratic families, with their main representatives being the Cai clan, represented by Cai Mao, the current Governor of Jing Province, and the Kuai clan, to which the Kuai brothers, praised as strategists, belonged.

As for the Huang clan, represented by Huang Zu, the great general, it was simply through compromise and concession.

The aristocratic families also needed their own representative to mediate relations among all the families, so as not to conflict with the imperial court.

And Liu Biao, by decentralizing power, was able to achieve the rapid stabilization of Jing Province.

Upon receiving the envoy's message, Liu Biao immediately summoned Cai Mao, Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, Huang Zu, and others for discussion.

Liu Biao went straight to the point, saying, “The current situation is complex and ever-changing.

What are your thoughts on the current situation?”

Cai Mao responded, “My lord, in my opinion, the current court situation is unpredictable, extremely complex, and unclear.

Currently, various forces are locked in a struggle, making it difficult to discern the future direction.

For now, it is best to guard Jing Province's borders and by no means act rashly.

Let us temporarily observe the world's situation as it gradually becomes clear before making a decision.”

Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue said in unison, “Brother Cai's words are very reasonable.

Indeed, it is not advisable to act blindly at present, lest we fall into unnecessary trouble.”

Huang Zu eagerly retorted, “How can that be!

Currently, rebellions are breaking out everywhere, wars are constant, and various forces are rising and falling.

However, this is an excellent opportunity for advancement!

If we can seize this opportunity to gain control of the Emperor, then we can become a top-tier aristocratic family overnight!

How can such a golden opportunity be easily missed!”

Cai Mao frowned and said, “This matter is too risky.

We must not act rashly; it is better to be prudent.”

Huang Zu snorted coldly, “Hmph, you are just too conservative!

You are letting great opportunities slip away!”

Liu Biao quickly waved his hand, saying, “Alright, alright, no more arguing.

This matter is important and requires careful consideration.

Everyone, calm down and think it over carefully.”

Due to the lack of consensus among his subordinates, everyone fell into a stalemate for a time, and Liu Biao did not take any further action.

He also did not reply to the envoy's message, pretending as if he had not heard about it, preparing to stand by and observe.

The news finally reached Liu Yan, the Governor of Yi Province.

Liu Yan was a capable man, skilled in both civil and military affairs.

Ever since he took office as the Governor of Yi Province, he had firmly grasped all military and political power in Yi Province.

Under his governance, the aristocratic families were all well-behaved, unlike in other places where they were so arrogant as to be able to sideline the provincial governor.

It can be said that Liu Yan was a powerful governor in Yi Province.

However, Liu Yan was gradually growing older, and his health was not as good as before.

Liu Yan had four sons: his eldest son Liu Fan, his second son Liu Dan, his third son Liu Mao, and his youngest son Liu Zhang.

His eldest son Liu Fan had inherited much of Liu Yan's talent and was also skilled in both civil and military affairs; Liu Yan had always held him in high regard since he was young.

His second son Liu Dan, however, was a pure warrior, decent in military matters but completely clueless in political affairs.

His third son Liu Mao behaved absurdly and was disliked by the people of Yi Province.

His fourth son Liu Zhang, as Liu Yan's youngest son, had been pampered since childhood, was weak in character, and lacked initiative.