Chapter 89: Natural disasters and man-made disasters, Yuan Shu attempted to become emperor!
Yuan Ying immediately publicized the matter of "Han Emperor fried locusts", advocating that locusts are edible, and that Your Majesty set an example by writing an imperial edict and so on.

This immediately excited the people!

Because the locusts swept across multiple states and counties, affecting several states and nearly a hundred counties across the country, wherever the locusts passed, the land was barren for thousands of miles and no grass grew.

Take Jizhou for example, located in the North China Plain, it is nourished by the Haihe River and the Yellow River systems, with fertile land and abundant food and fodder.

But when the locust plague broke out, the land was barren for thousands of miles in a short period of time, and no grass grew wherever the locusts passed.

There is no trace of vegetation in the entire Jizhou!
The wealthy and powerful families still have food reserves at home, but the common people live paycheck to paycheck and do not have much food reserves at all.

Originally, the autumn harvest was approaching, which was the time for a bumper harvest after a year of hard work. Every household and every common people had something to look forward to.

But who knew, the locusts came!
This kind of despair is unimaginable!
however.

Hope unexpectedly appeared in the midst of despair!

Locusts, can they be eaten?!

Your Majesty set an example by personally conducting a "fried locusts" demonstration in the capital, so this is absolutely irrefutable evidence!

Because the locusts had eaten all the grass and there was no food left, the people immediately went out with their entire families to catch the locusts!

The locusts that covered the sky and the earth became their "food", which brought a bumper harvest to many households!

Locusts are a source of meat protein.

No matter how small the mosquito legs are, they are still meat. Therefore, after catching locusts, these common people, who had only eaten meat during festivals, immediately became salivating.

Although locusts emit a strange smell, when they were poor, they even ate tree bark and grass roots. Would they care?

Although Jizhou has fertile land and abundant food and fodder, the local tyrants and evil gentry are plundering and robbing, making the local tyrants fat and the evil gentry rich.

But the common people in Guizhou are still poor.

The gap between the rich and the poor is still huge!

After their crops, which they had worked hard to grow for a year, were devoured by locusts, they learned that locusts were edible and contained meat protein.

It's like venting, turning grief and anger into appetite!

The people began to use locusts frequently as if they were having a carnival, and looking at the inexhaustible locusts as if they were looking at a mountain of gold!
It is said that in a short period of time, the density of locusts that covered the sky and the earth decreased exponentially!

And this gradually caused problems!

Because gregarious locusts are poisonous, this news was deliberately concealed by Yuan Shao and his people, and they even deliberately fanned the flames to promote the idea that locusts are edible.

Yuan Shao wanted to use the deaths of the people to stir up public resentment, in order to influence the emperor's will and rebel against the imperial power and the court!

People in Jizhou gradually began to die from poisoning, all caused by eating locusts!
As the death toll increased, many people could no longer bear it and secretly reported the matter to the capital.

Moreover, the Jinyiwei had already infiltrated Jizhou. After investigating the matter thoroughly, they also reported the matter to the capital at full speed.

After hearing the news, Liu Bian was furious!
Isn't this just using the red flag to oppose the red flag, and using out-of-context quotations to exaggerate things? !
What Liu Bian couldn't tolerate was that Yuan Shao actually used innocent people as pawns!

These are all Liu Bian’s people!
Liu Bian immediately issued an edict that solitary locusts could be eaten, but gregarious locusts could not be used, as gregarious locusts were poisonous!
Since the common people were illiterate, Liu Bian used the local government, Jinyiwei, Dongchang and other forces to carry out propaganda by beating drums and gongs.

However, Jizhou was Yuan Shao's sphere of influence, and it was difficult for the imperial court to expand its influence.

Even with the instigation and slander of aristocratic families such as Yuan Shao, more and more people fell into the trap.

The number of people who died of poisoning due to eating locusts ranged from hundreds to thousands to tens of thousands...

This large-scale death will cause a plague if the bodies are not handled in time!

In the end, all these public grievances will be directed at the Han Emperor Liu Bian!
Because Liu Bian personally demonstrated "fried locusts" and set an example by stating that "locusts can be eaten"!
The people are incapable of logical thinking, and it was Yuan Shao who took the words out of context and blocked the most important news: "But! Social locusts are poisonous!"
The people do not have this wisdom yet, they will only side with the "culprit", the Han Emperor who promoted the idea that locusts can be eaten!
Even with the instigation of Yuan Shao's forces, Liu Bian became the "culprit"!
...

"Why would eating locusts cause poisoning? Didn't Your Majesty say that locusts are edible?!"

"My little one hasn't eaten anything else lately. He's been eating locusts, locusts, and locusts. Finally... I'm the only one left at home after eating so much?"

"Didn't your majesty say that locusts are edible? Why would something go wrong if we ate them? Could it be that the locusts in Jizhou are different from those in the capital?!"

"Why is this happening?! What's wrong?! I feel dizzy and drowsy..."

...

At first, the people were just confused and didn't understand which step had gone wrong.

I still have a simple suspicion, is it that the locusts in the capital are different from those in Jizhou, and that oranges grown in the south of the Huai River are oranges, while oranges grown in the north of the Huai River are bitter oranges? !
But soon, under the instigation and fanning of Yuan Shao's forces, the people were gradually guided by their ideas.

"The locusts broke out in Yanzhou. They are all the same species!"

"Is your Majesty deceiving us? Your Majesty wants to use the lives of the people to exchange for their own lives and use their lives to kill the locusts?!"

"Your Majesty is using the lives of the people to kill the locusts!"

"..."

When this thought is guided, it is hard not to associate these examples of death with each other.

Many people even had their family members poisoned to death by locusts, and they themselves became seriously ill from consuming locusts.

This is irrefutable evidence!
This resentment was gradually directed by Yuan Shao's public opinion towards the Han Emperor Liu Bian.

"Why is your majesty doing this? Your majesty shouldn't be doing this!"

"We are all Han people, all your Majesty's people. Why does your Majesty favor some over others?!"

"My whole family is dead, it's all your fault!!!"

"..."

At this time, Yuan Shao deliberately allowed the court forces to carry out propaganda.

When Liu Bian learned that the people of Jizhou were kept in the dark, he immediately sent people to Jizhou to publicize the situation, but was blocked by Yuan's forces.

Now that it is unobstructed, publicity was immediately carried out.

"Don't eat locusts. The gregarious locusts are poisonous. The solitary locusts are not poisonous! Eat the solitary locusts!"

"You can tell by the smell. If there is a bad smell, it is a gregarious locust that emits toxins. You must not eat it!"

"You can't blindly hunt locusts..."

"..."

At this time, Yuan Shao secretly gathered refugees and mixed them with his spies to surround the government and court officials.

"Why didn't the court tell you earlier? Why didn't Your Majesty set an example by frying locusts earlier? Why didn't you tell me after my whole family was dead?!"

"Yes, Your Majesty did, but...someone took it out of context..."

pat! ! !

A piece of stinky mud was thrown out, and then a pile of stinky mud was thrown over.

The court officials wanted to explain, but they could only say "Oh my god", "Don't throw it away, don't throw it away", "Your Majesty has already said so"...

There is no point in making excuses!

At this time, the people were in an uproar. Someone had died in their families, and anger overwhelmed their reason.

Moreover, at this time, Yuan Shao's navy was interfering and taking advantage of the situation, leaving the court officials no chance to explain.

Even Yuan Shao's forces deliberately sent assassins!
"My whole family is dead, I'm going to die!!!"

He actually chopped the court's propaganda official to death on the spot, with blood splattering all over the ground. This shocked the people who were already in an uproar!
But at this time, this person immediately bewitched people:

"Brothers, it's all your majesty's fault for promoting locusts as edibles. As a result, many of our family members died and were injured. We want justice from the court and from your majesty!"

“Seek justice!!!”

Yuan Shao's navy immediately echoed, and these voices of agreement once again aroused the anger of these ignorant people.

Soon, under the deliberate instigation of Yuan Shao's spies, they burned, killed and looted Jizhou government offices, imperial forces, state-run salt shops and other institutions.

When catharsis breaks out, it becomes a riot!

If this violent momentum is allowed to develop, it will turn into a rebellion, or even an uprising!
And this is what Yuan Shao would like to see happen!
Yuan Shao even taught his allies, such as Gongsun Zan in Youzhou and Yuan Shu in Huainan, how to incite people and fan the flames. Yuan Shao wanted to promote a peasant uprising, like the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and coerce the court!
……

Youzhou.

After receiving Yuan Shao's instruction, Gongsun Zan immediately took action in Youzhou, bewitching the people and fanning the flames in an attempt to stir up a rebellion.

However, Yuan Shao and his aristocratic families controlled Jizhou, but Gongsun Zan did not control Youzhou.

Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou, has absolute prestige in Youzhou!
This news reached Liu Yu immediately, and he immediately slammed the table and said angrily:

"To use ordinary people as pawns is inhumane!"

Liu Yu also had many capable ministers and generals under his command.

Moreover, Emperor Liu Bian of the Han Dynasty knew about the dispute between Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan, and also knew that Liu Yu was too soft-hearted, so he sent a capable general to assist him.

Generals such as Tian Yu, Qian Zhao, Xianyu Fu, etc. are now under Liu Yu's command.

"Mingsir, this matter must be suppressed!"

Liu Yu agreed with this deeply. He had reached the point where he could no longer tolerate Gongsun Zan.

Gongsun Zan was originally the governor of Youbeiping, and was later appointed governor of Weijun by the imperial court. However, he was defeated in the battle with Yuan Shao and retreated back to Youzhou.

Now he is causing trouble in Youbeiping.

Did Liu Yu really not know Gongsun Zan's ambitions and his collusion with Yuan Shao? !

Liu Yu originally did not want to start a war to avoid affecting the lives of the people.

But now it has come to the point where it has to be moved!

Gongsun Zan actually dared to deceive the people into eating locusts, even though the imperial court clearly issued an edict that "gregarious locusts are poisonous, while solitary locusts are non-toxic and can be eaten." They took the imperial court's edict out of context and fabricated rumors and slander!

Since this concerns the life and death of the people, Liu Yu will definitely kill them all!

"Gather the troops, march to Beiping, and attack Gongsun Zan!"

"promise!!!"

How terrifying is Liu Yu's prestige and appeal? !

In a short period of time, an army of 100,000 was mobilized!
This is not an exaggeration because it includes the logistics and civilian laborers, but a real army of 100,000 with a full 100,000 combat forces!
Although Youzhou is located at the border, its people are tough and many of them are skilled in archery and horse riding.

But this is enough to prove that Liu Yu's reputation is beyond imagination!
……

Huainan.

Yuan Shu also received letters from Yuan Shao, including proposals to purchase grain, exchange war horses for grain, and make use of locusts.

However, Yuan Shu disagreed with Yuan Shao's strategy and even felt a little disdainful!
"A maidservant's adopted son is a maidservant's adopted son, short-sighted. With such a God-given opportunity, he actually just wanted to take advantage of the people's resentment and coerce the emperor?
"Even if His Majesty issues an edict of repentance, what does it matter? We are still his subjects after all. We still need to follow the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues, and we still need to submit to him on the surface."

Yuan Shu saw that the Han Dynasty was in turmoil, with natural and man-made disasters breaking out one after another. What he saw was not the use of public grievances to manipulate the emperor's will, or forcing the emperor to issue an edict of repentance, but rather -

The Han Dynasty is in decline, and the time has come!

Yes!

Yuan Shu, the leader of the Zhong family, felt the call of destiny!

Now, the aristocratic families in the world are secretly helping the Yuan family. Aren’t the natural disasters and man-made disasters today proof that the Liu family is in decline and has lost the support of the people? !
Yuan Shu was ready to take action, and this locust plague strengthened his resolve. He immediately summoned his civil and military officials to discuss the matter.

Yuan Shu said:

"Your Majesty has committed many murders, started wars everywhere, and caused so much destruction and loss of life that it has angered the heavens and the people.

"This locust plague is a warning from heaven, indicating that the Liu family is in decline and that both humans and gods are angry!
"Just like Qin lost its deer, the heroes fought for supremacy, and the virtuous one took over!
"Our Yuan family has been important officials in the court for four generations, and the people are willing to submit to me. I want to follow the will of heaven and the will of the people and ascend the throne to become emperor now. What do you think?"

Yuan Shu had a very proud look on his face. In his opinion, he should be able to get everyone's support now!
The aristocratic families secretly support the Yuan family, and he is the current heir of the Yuan family. Doesn't it mean that he is following the will of heaven and ascending the throne to become emperor? !
When the time comes, I will give Yuan Shao's adopted son the title of a prince.

The current public resentment is a manifestation of the end of a dynasty, just like the end of the Qin Dynasty recorded in historical materials!

Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was a small headman of Sishui Village, but he could rise to become the king of a country overnight.

The Yuan family of Runan has three officials in four generations, and their students and former officials are all over the country. There is no reason why it can't be possible, right? !

Yuan Shu thought so, but the civil and military officials under his command were shocked as if they had been struck by a bolt from the blue and looked at him as if he were a fool!
Yuan Shu hurriedly summoned the civil and military officials to discuss the matter. They thought something big had happened, but who knew it was this incident?!

Everyone looked strange, with a lot of complaints in their hearts that they wanted to vent, but in the end they didn't say anything.

The Han Dynasty fell? ! Like the Qin Dynasty lost its power? !

Did you see that?!

Your Majesty has committed many murders, started wars everywhere, and caused great suffering and loss of life...

Doesn't this prove that Your Majesty controls the military power? !
Doesn't this prove that Your Majesty can still ensure the supply of food and supplies even when fighting wars everywhere? !
and.

Cao Cao, the governor of Dongjun, and Liu Chong, the Prince of Chen, two of Your Majesty's subordinates, chased them for more than 600 miles.

Does Yuan Shu have the nerve to proclaim himself emperor?!
After hearing this, no one said anything, but many of them had already thought about leaving!

A wise bird chooses a tree to roost in; a virtuous minister chooses a master to serve. Yuan Shu is obviously not a wise master worthy of lifelong service!

If they were not from aristocratic families and Your Majesty was not trying hard to implement the land-based tax system, they might as well surrender to the court and turn to the light!
However, the counselor Yan Xiang was loyal and advised:

"Back then, the Zhou people, from their ancestor Hou Ji to King Wen, had accumulated merits and achievements, and they could be said to have two-thirds of the empire, but they still cautiously served as subjects of the Shang Dynasty.

Although you have held high positions and received generous salaries for generations, I am afraid you are not as prosperous as the Ji family; although the Han Dynasty is in decline, it seems that it cannot be compared with the cruel and ruthless King Zhou of Shang!"

This made Yuan Shu's smug expression pause!
It's like a bucket of cold water poured over your head!
Looking at Yan Xiang, and the strange expressions on the faces of the civil officials and military officers, no one refuted Yan Xiang or agreed with him? !

Yuan Shu woke up at this time. He thought that "the time has come", but it seemed a bit "self-indulgent"!

Yuan Shu remained calm on the surface, but was furious in his heart. He continued:
“In the past, when the Zhou royal family declined, Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin emerged as hegemons; when the Qin dynasty failed politically, the Han dynasty took advantage of its momentum and rose.

Now, relying on my vast territory and numerous people, I intend to seek the same blessing as Duke Huan of Qi and follow in the footsteps of Emperor Gaozu of Han. Is that not possible? "

...

"This is a matter of virtue rather than force. If someone can implement virtuous policies and unify the wishes of the people of the world, it will not be difficult to achieve the feat of hegemony and kingship even if he is just an ordinary person.

If one pursues something beyond his duty, offends the will of heaven and acts rashly, then everyone will abandon him, and who can help him prosper? "

...

This answer made Yuan Shu very unhappy.

A man's qualifications...

This means that it doesn't matter whether Liu Bang was born as a village headman of Sishui or as a member of the Yuan family of Runan, where three officials have been elected for four generations. What matters is his virtuous governance.

And the virtue of politics...

Since Yuan Shu took control of Huainan, the people in the Jianghuai area have been living in misery due to the continuous sieges and wars.

Even Yuan Shu's soldiers looted the people. Famine broke out in many counties, and cannibalism occurred.

This doesn't look like a benevolent policy at all.

"These intellectuals are so vicious that they don't even use a single curse word when cursing people!"

Yuan Shu felt helpless, but could only end his plan in vain.

However, this does not mean that he has given up, but that he is accumulating strength and waiting for the opportunity to ascend the throne and become emperor again!

Since he couldn't become emperor, he could only echo Yuan Shao's adopted son and make use of locusts.

However, in the Jianghuai region, the air humidity is very high, and locusts do not like this environment, so the impact is not very significant.

This made Yuan Shu a little distressed!

……

(End of this chapter)