Chapter 204 Don't Come Over

Jizhou, Yecheng.

Han Fu, who had already given up his official seal as governor and moved out of his office, found a luxurious mansion in the city to live in.

Although he lost his official position, Yuan Shao was still quite generous to him in terms of living conditions, which was more than enough for him to be a wealthy man in peace.

However, Han Fu has not been feeling at ease recently. From being a governor to a commoner, the psychological gap is too great, as if he has fallen from the clouds to the mud.

He once held great power and had the power of life and death, but now he has become a fish on the chopping board. How can Han Fu sleep peacefully?

He was afraid that one day he would wake up and find Yuan Shao's knife on his neck.

The feeling of having power falling into someone else's hands and having one's life and death in the hands of others was so terrible that Han Fu was not used to it.

Just as Han Fu was drinking from the wine pot to drown his sorrows, a servant who had gone out to buy food suddenly came back shouting, "We won, we won! A great victory at Jieqiao!"

"This is true, Jieqiao is a great victory!"

Han Fu was surprised when he heard this. This result was really beyond his expectations.

Gongsun Zan clearly had an advantage in military strength. He had elite cavalry like the White Horse Volunteers under his command. He was also the best fighter in Youzhou. His "Nine Battles of Liaoyuan" magical skill was invincible. How could he lose with such a huge advantage?

Han Fu's eldest son saw that he was frowning, so he asked in confusion: "Father, Yuan Benchu ​​won a great victory, shouldn't we be happy?"

"Ah, can I be happy for my father?"

Han Fu couldn't help but sigh, thinking back to when he accepted Dong Zhuo's appointment as the governor of Jizhou, he actually wanted to accomplish something great during his term of office.

In order to gain a firm foothold in Jizhou, he spared no expense in recruiting famous military generals such as Zhang He and Qu Yi, and also made use of a number of renowned Confucian scholars such as Shen Pei, Tian Feng, Xun Zhan, Feng Ji and Guo Tu. Even among all the princes in the world, he was definitely in the first echelon.

All the civil servants and military generals are top talents. Jizhou is the largest province in the world, with a large population, abundant resources and sufficient food and grass.

But the crown is heavy and not everyone can wear it.

Just as he chose to betray Dong Zhuo without hesitation, the subordinates he had worked so hard to win over also betrayed him without hesitation and chose to follow Yuan Shao, a more promising descendant of a famous family.

When Han Fu heard the outcome of the Battle of Jie Bridge, he felt only endless sadness in his heart.

If Yuan Shao loses this battle, Gongsun Zan will definitely kill me.

After Gongsun Zan was defeated, Yuan Shao would not let him go even if it meant eliminating all destabilizing factors.

Just as Han Fu was looking worried, there was another noise outside the door. It turned out that a guest came.

After the butler went out to welcome the guests into the lobby, Han Fu recognized the identities of the visitors. They were none other than Han Fu's former trusted subordinates, Geng Wu, the former chief secretary of the provincial governor's mansion, Min Chun, the deputy driver, and Li Li, the governor.

These three people lost their positions because Yuan Shao replaced Han Fu, and they were very dissatisfied. Now, naturally, they took advantage of Yuan Shao's absence to come in and persuade Han Fu: "I am here to see the lord!"

Han Fu was extremely surprised. Ever since he stepped down from office, his mansion had been deserted and no one cared about coming. Why did three people suddenly come to his house together today?
"I wonder why you all come to visit me?"

Geng Wu clasped his hands, looking solemn, and stated his purpose: "We are here to help the lord take back Jizhou."

"Are you crazy?"

Han Fu was so frightened by Geng Wu's words that he broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly ordered the housekeeper to close the door, and then looked around, fearing that Geng Wu's words would spread and bring him fatal disaster.

Han Fu was a coward, but Geng Wu was a brave man. He spoke passionately: "My lord, Jizhou has a million soldiers and enough food and grass to sustain us for ten years. Yuan Benchu ​​is just a lonely and poor soldier who depends on me for survival. He is like a baby in my arms. Once he is weaned, he will starve to death. Why should we give Jizhou to him?"

Han Fu had argued with his subordinates about this before, and now he could only helplessly explain again: "I am a former official of the Yuan family, and my talent is not as good as Benchu. I should be prudent and yield to others. A gentleman should help others achieve their goals. Why do you still oppose me? What's more, it's useless to say anything more now that things have come to this point."

Min Chun jumped out and retorted: "No, the opportunity is right in front of us."

Han Fu pondered for a long time, but still didn't understand what Min Chun said, so he had to bite the bullet and ask, "Where is the good opportunity now?"

Min Chun then responded in a firm tone: "My lord, the opportunity is outside the city!"

Li Li, who had remained silent since entering the room, took the opportunity to speak up at this moment, urging Han Fu to make a decision as soon as possible: "My lord, Marquis Qi has sent secret guards to make a private agreement with us. He promised that as long as we can put order, the court will certainly uphold justice and let my lord return to the position of governor. My lord, this is a heaven-sent opportunity, and it cannot be missed, or it will never come again!"

Geng Wu had a resolute look on his face. He spread his arms and knelt before Han Fu, kowtowed and shouted: "The governor's attendant Zhao Fu and the military commander Cheng Huan have gathered 6,000 former soldiers. We will start the rebellion as soon as the lord gives the order. Together with Lu Bu and Zhang Fei, we will drive Yan Liang, a general under Yuan Shao, out of Yecheng."

Han Fu was not happy after hearing this. Instead, he showed his cowardly nature again and declined, saying, "You are not trying to help me regain Jizhou, you are clearly trying to push me into the fire pit!"

As the number one coward in the Han Dynasty and the person ranked last in personal ability among the princes, Han Fu was obviously unwilling to take such a risk. He was simply not the type to do great things.

In Han Fu's eyes, giving up Jizhou was better than risking the whole family being killed in the fight for world domination.

It's not that he doesn't cling to power, the key is that he is afraid of death.

In fact, after two years of practice, Han Fu also realized that he was neither good at literature nor martial arts, and could never become an accomplished leader.

That's why he handed over Jizhou to Yuan Shao as soon as Yuan Shao forced him into submission.

Today, Han Fu no longer wants to play the game of conquering the world. He just wants to be a rich man and live his life peacefully.

However, Geng Wu, Min Chun and others gained power because of Han Fu, and lost power because of Yuan Shao. As the losing party in the political struggle in Jizhou, how could they be willing to lose their former status and power?

Once people have tasted power, they can never give it up or let it go.

Therefore, they chose to use military force to force Han Fu to surrender: "My lord, the arrow is on the string and has to be shot. If you are unwilling to raise the army, when Yuan Shao returns to the city, what we have done will inevitably be exposed. By then, with Yuan Benchu's wolfish ambitions, how can we spare your life?"

These words were no different from a threat, and there was a sense of déjà vu of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, wearing the yellow robe. However, Han Fu was not Emperor Taizu of Song. He simply could not believe that his former subordinates dared to speak to him like this.

You want me to die!

Han Fu felt sad and felt that God was against him.

"Please come to the governor's mansion in person and take charge of the situation!"

The three of them said in unison that they wanted to force Han Fu to abdicate. As for Han Fu's own wishes, it was not important at all, and the three of them did not care at all.

"You...you really want me to die before you stop?"

Han Fu's mouth was full of bitterness. He really had never thought about taking back Jizhou, but why did he have to be involved?

If you are not convinced by Yuan Shao, you can just start a rebellion yourself. What's the point of dragging yourself down with him?
Despite Geng Wu and his companions' confident words and vows, Han Fu did not believe that they could succeed, especially since Yuan Shao had defeated Gongsun Zan and was in the limelight.

Why did you choose this time to launch a rebellion?

Isn’t it good to be alive?
After handing over the seal of the governor to Yuan Shao, Han Fu now only had the empty title of General Fenwei, without any generals or soldiers.

Even if he could regain the position of governor with the help of external forces, is this position so easy to hold?
The noble families in Jizhou don't believe in me at all!

By then, I would be isolated and helpless in Jizhou, trapped in the city. How long could I hold out?
If you offer Jizhou today and take it back again, and offer it again next time, who would dare to spare his life?

Just when Han Fu was full of melancholy and hesitant, there was a noise outside the door for the third time, but this time, the person who came was not friendly!
Zhu Han, a member of the capital's staff, suddenly led hundreds of soldiers to block Han Fu's gate, looking ferocious and ferocious, and it was obvious that he had no good intentions.

Zhu Han shouted and ordered the soldiers around him: "Come here, surround the place and don't let a single bird fly out!"

Soon, Han Fu's house was surrounded by hundreds of soldiers in three layers inside and outside.

Zhu Han then had a grim smile on his face, and he ordered his men to bring a huge tree to break open the door, and then he led the crowd into Han Fu's mansion, shouting with a ferocious expression: "Han Wenjie, you've committed a crime! If you know what's good for you, surrender and cooperate with the investigation. Otherwise, everyone in the Han family will be killed!" "It's you!"

Han Fu obviously recognized Zhu Han at first sight, because he had treated him coldly before and failed to get an official position, which led to a grudge. Now Zhu Han joined Yuan Shao's camp and got an official position, he was no longer the same as before.

What's even more terrible is that Zhu Han came with a lot of people. What is his intention? Han Fu has been in the officialdom for a long time, so how could he not guess it?
For a moment, Han Fu felt hopeless, thinking that Geng Wu and the others' deeds had been exposed, or that Yuan Shao had long wanted to take action against him.

I didn't expect that even though I was so tolerant, I still couldn't escape the disaster.

"Hanwen Day, I never thought that you would have this day!"

Zhu Han's eyes were as ferocious as a jackal's, stabbing at Han Fu like two knives, as if he wanted to pierce several bloody holes in the man in front of him.

Back then, Han Fu was the governor of Jizhou, one of the most powerful officials in the imperial dynasty, with an extremely prominent status.

At that time, Zhu Han came to Han Fu with great ambitions, hoping to seek an official position. However, he was ignored by Han Fu because of his humble background and lack of fame, and he could not even enter the gate of the governor's mansion.

To this day, this incident still hurts Zhu Han's heart like a needle.

The more humble a person is, the more he desires dignity and recognition.

Once he fails to get what he wants, he often becomes resentful and only wants to make those who look down on him feel heartbroken and regretful.

Now Zhu Han has finally waited for the moment to be able to hold his head high in front of Han Fu, and the hatred in his heart can no longer be suppressed.

Yuan Shao was away on a military expedition, and Yan Liang was busy dealing with Lu Bu and Zhang Fei, so they had no time to pay attention to such trivial matters, which was why Zhu Han gave them the opportunity.

Zhu Han deliberately used his power to cause trouble for Han Fu today. He was holding a long sword, and seeing the panic on Han Fu's face, he felt very proud and said hatefully: "You treated me like a piece of shit in the beginning, and now I will repay you a thousand times."

Han Fu was so scared that he ran upstairs to divert Zhu Han's attention.

At the same time, he asked Geng Wu and Min Chun to change their clothes quickly and disguise themselves as servants in the mansion to avoid being recognized by Zhu Han.

Zhu Han's eyes were always on Han Fu, and he didn't pay attention to anything else at all, so he didn't notice the existence of Geng Wu, Min Chun and Li Li.

Looking at the surrounded mansion, Han Fu's heart was trembling, and he shouted to Zhu Han: "It's broad daylight, I am General Fenwei appointed by the governor of Jizhou, how dare you be so presumptuous? I warn you not to do anything reckless. The governor of Jizhou promised Fu that if Fu handed over the position of governor, he would not treat me harshly."

Yuan Shao proclaimed himself the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Governor of Jizhou. After he forced Han Fu to abdicate and let others take his place, he did not take Han Fu seriously at all. After all, he now controlled a large army, and there was no need for him to cause trouble for Han Fu, even if it was just for his own reputation.

If you really want to kill Han Fu, wouldn't it be better to just put him under house arrest and let him die of illness in a few years?
Why make it so ugly and indecent?

But Zhu Han's idea was different from Yuan Shao's. He was now a successful villain. Once he had power in his hands, he would issue orders. He had no intention of reconciling his grudge with Han Fu.

After all, Yuan Shao needs fame, but Zhu Han doesn't.

At this moment, Zhu Han just felt that while he still had the power in his hands, he should take revenge and complain.

Therefore, in Zhu Han's view, Han Fu's threat was nothing but superficial.

Zhu Han stepped forward and smiled coldly: "Han Wenjie, the General of Chariots and Cavalry is such a noble status, how could I bother with you? But I, Zhu, eat the salary of the emperor, naturally I have to be loyal to the emperor. Even the emperor who breaks the law is punished with the same crime as the common people, let alone you? Don't talk so much nonsense, now you have committed a crime, do you admit your guilt?"

"I don't know what crime I have committed?"

Han Fu asked the question despite himself. What he was most worried about now was that what Geng Wu and the others had done was inexplicably blamed on him.

Fortunately, Zhu Han came to trouble Han Fu today for other matters: "Han Wenjie, the accounts in the treasury don't match, please explain it to me."

Upon hearing that it was a matter of account books, Han Fu heaved a sigh of relief, and then he began to refute: "I handed over the account books of the treasury half a year ago. Now you are bringing up the accounts again? Zhu Han, don't go too far!"

Zhu Han grinned, revealing a mouthful of cold white teeth: "So what if I bully you? There is something wrong with the accounts, and I just figured it out now. Why, you are not convinced? Or do you think that what you did before can be written off?"

The deficit in the treasury accounts was indeed Han Fu's fault.

During the time when he was the governor of the province, he often moved things back home from the treasury in Yecheng.

Strictly speaking, the items in the treasuries of each state and county belong to the imperial court, and many of them are even assets of the royal family.

But the world is now in chaos and war, and the local princes don't even take the emperor Liu Xie seriously. The things in the treasury naturally belong to whoever picks them up.

When Han Fu was still the governor of Jizhou, who would dare to offend him with this matter?
Unfortunately, people have forgotten about him since he left. Now Zhu Han is using this as an excuse to make trouble for Han Fu legally.

Han Fu really had no way to explain it. After all, he did take things from the treasury and did not return them. Some of them were tributes that should have been presented to the emperor. According to the laws of the imperial dynasty, this crime was enough to punish him by confiscation of property and extermination of his clan.

But how could Han Fu plead guilty?

He knew very well that once he admitted the crime, Zhu Han might really dare to kill him!
Could it be that Zhu Han was so reckless and arrogant because Yuan Shao secretly instructed him to do so?

The more Han Fu thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He had already eaten some of the tribute, so he couldn't take it out even if he wanted to.

"Zhu Han, are you really going to hold on to this matter? You should know that I am not the only one who took things from the treasury. If you want to arrest me for this crime, if the matter gets out of hand, will you be able to handle it?"

This threat actually worked.

Zhu Han's attempt to pick a fight with Han Fu was not authorized by Yuan Shao. If Yuan Shao knew about this, he might even be punished.

After all, no matter how wrong Han Fu was, he still voluntarily gave up the position of governor.

Even if he was offered a huge sum of money to buy a horse, Yuan Shao would not easily touch Han Fu.

Unless there is irrefutable evidence of guilt.

But does Zhu Han have any evidence?
He didn't!
So Zhu Han glared at Han Fu with his eyes wide open, gritting his teeth in hatred in his heart. He actually failed to scare this bastard Han Fu just now. It was such a mistake.

There were too many powerful people involved in the deficit in the treasury. If the matter was really exposed, Zhu Han knew that Han Fu might not die, but he would definitely die.

Even if Yuan Shao came back, he might kill me to appease the public anger.

Han Fu saw that Zhu Han seemed to be retreating, so he became proud again: "You are afraid now, right? The matter ends here. I don't want to cause trouble for myself, and you don't want to cause trouble for me again. We don't interfere with each other!"

However, Zhu Han was unwilling to let Han Fu go. He came here today without intending to return empty-handed: "Han Wenjie, the case of the treasury is over, but don't think that I can't do anything to you."

Zhu Han's vicious gaze still fell on Han Fu.

Han Fu felt a chill down his spine when he saw this. Looking at the situation in front of him, it was obvious that the other party was well prepared.

Not to mention that Han Fu does have problems now, even if he has no problems at all, the other party is just trying to find fault with him.

If you want to add a crime, why don't you have any trouble?
Han Fu's heart sank to the bottom of the valley. He clenched his fists and shouted angrily: "What do you want to do? Do you really dare to take my life?"

Zhu Han sneered: "I really don't dare to touch you, but I still dare to touch your son."

Zhu Han then shouted, "Come on, catch him for me."

When Han Fu heard that Zhu Han was going to send someone to take his son, he immediately became anxious and hurried forward to stop him: "Don't let the disaster affect my family, don't go too far."

"Too much? Han Wenjie, if a son is not taught well, it is the fault of the father. When you were still the governor of Jizhou, your son's behavior was too much. Humph, robbing women, beating people to death, extorting passing merchants, I have brought all the case files, do you want to take a look?"

(End of this chapter)