The atmosphere in the entire tavern grew somewhat somber as Ye Feng’s words fell.
Where was the Prefect of Jingzhao?
Did it even need asking?
With Ye Feng's current status as an Inspector, if the incumbent Prefect of Jingzhao were still in place, how could he possibly not even show his face?
And since the Prefect of Jingzhao hadn't appeared, what did that imply?
Everyone was smart!
If Ye Feng were merely passing through, he wouldn't have brought up this question.
As the saying goes:
You do others a favor, and they will do you one in return!
But that wasn't the case here!
Ye Feng had only one objective in coming to Chang'an: to secure a basic foundation for Emperor Ling and leave him tens of thousands of soldiers summoned by the system.
This way,
As long as Emperor Ling and the Yellow Turban rebels maintained the status quo, he could return to Youzhou and develop at ease.
Therefore,
Upon guessing the truth of the matter, Ye Feng directly laid it all out.
The disappearance of the Prefect of Jingzhao?
What a perfect excuse!
Whether it was rebellion or assassination, someone had to step in and manage it.
And for Ye Feng, with his current status as the Inspector of Youzhou, to intervene, though it might seem like meddling in other people's affairs, no one could say he shouldn't!
After all, they were all officials of the court!
What's more,
According to the promise Emperor Ling had given him earlier, Ye Feng was now even the King of Youzhou.
Was there anything in this world he couldn't manage?
No!
Even if Emperor Ling had done something, Ye Feng would dare to point at his nose and scold him!
But Ma Teng and the others clearly didn't know this!
So,
Hearing Ye Feng's tone, which was clearly looking for trouble, their expressions became displeased.
What did this rebel leader want?
You are an inspector from another region, and we brothers have come to greet you, which should be enough face for you, right?
And yet?
You actually want to meddle in other people's business?
Do you really think we're afraid of you?
If you had your vast army with you, it would be one thing, and we would have some reservations about those hundreds of thousands of soldiers.
But now, there are only three of you!
Who gave you the courage to be arrogant?
However,
Just as Ma Teng was about to lose his temper and retort, Han Sui, who had already sensed something was wrong behind him, stepped forward.
"Esteemed Inspector~!"
He cupped his hands respectfully towards Ye Feng, giving him ample face, and then said with a wry smile:
"It's truly unfortunate!"
"His Excellency, the Prefect of Jingzhao, went out of the city on official business a few days ago and still hasn't returned!"
"If Esteemed Inspector is looking for Lord Wang, you may have to wait here for some time!"
"Oh?"
Ye Feng smiled noncommittally upon hearing this, appraising Han Sui from head to toe.
"You must be Han Sui, right?"
"Why are you here in Chang'an instead of staying in your Liangzhou?"
"Uh..."
Han Sui, whose name was spoken by Ye Feng in one breath, felt the same as Ma Teng had earlier.
He broke out in a cold sweat!
After all,
Han Sui was a name he had adopted not long ago; by all rights, no one should know it!
How did this fellow Ye Feng know?
Even if he had many scouts, it would have been too late for them to report back!
With a mind full of questions, Han Sui remained speechless for a long time, finally explaining with a forced smile:
"M-My lord, you might have mistaken me. My name is Han Yue!"
"Hmm?"
Ye Feng frowned, then pointed at Ma Teng with a hint of confusion.
"Isn't General Ma your sworn brother?"
"This..."
Staring at Ye Feng's meaningful gaze, Han Sui could only nod with a stiff upper lip.
"Y-Yes..."
"Then isn't that all?"
After confirming he hadn't mistaken the person, Ye Feng chuckled and shook his head.
"No matter how you change your name, you can't change this relationship!"
"Alright!"
"Since both of you are here, this Inspector won't beat around the bush."
"Do you… want to live or die?"
"???"
Ma Teng, who was already displeased, was now outright furious.
"Bang~!"
He slammed his rough hand directly on the table in front of him, his face grim.
"Inspector Ye, even though you didn't come in person this time, we brothers didn't make things difficult for you, did we?"
"What do you mean now?"
"Even if something happened in Chang'an, it's the Han court's business to deal with. What does it have to do with you, a former rebel?"
"Oh?"
Hearing Ma Teng's questioning, Ye Feng didn't get angry but laughed instead, his eyes filled with amusement.
"Then do you know who commissioned this Inspector to come here?"
"Who?"
"His Majesty!"
"What?!"
Upon hearing the two words spoken by Ye Feng, both Ma Teng and Han Sui felt a sense of bewilderment.
No way?
You, a former rebel, were commissioned by His Majesty the Emperor to eliminate us?
Are you out of your mind?
What benefits did Liu Hong give you to make you so eagerly sell your life for him?
"Heh heh~!"
Perhaps seeing the confusion in their eyes, Ye Feng explained with a smile:
"Originally, this Inspector didn't want to come."
"After all, what you said is right; I'm also from a rebel background, no need to make things difficult for my own brothers!"
"But the price they offered was too high!"
"That fellow directly offered me the title of King of a different surname, and this Inspector really couldn't resist the temptation!"
"Hiss~!"
Ma Teng and Han Sui, who were still in doubt, inhaled sharply in unison.
A King… of a different surname?!
This…
How is that possible?!
Ever since Emperor Gao issued the decree that no one of a different surname could be king, how long has it been since a king of a different surname was born in the Han dynasty?
But now…
"That can't be right?"
Just as Ma Teng and Han Sui were still immersed in shock, another middle-aged man frowned.
"Esteemed Inspector, the Great Han court is on the verge of collapse. What significance does a king's title hold for you now?"
"Collapse?"
Ye Feng smiled upon hearing this, his tone filled with ease.
"As long as this Inspector doesn't let it collapse, then this Han dynasty won't collapse!"
"You can try and see if you don't believe me!"
"See who collapses first – the Han court, or you people being purged!"
"This…"
Listening to Ye Feng's confident tone, the three people present did not refute it.
Because it was a fact!
If Ye Feng's nearly three hundred thousand troops fully supported Emperor Ling…
What were the mere Yellow Turbans?
Not to mention,
Up until now, no one had figured out how many troops Ye Feng actually had under his command.
It was an unsolvable mystery!
The soldiers under him seemed to appear out of thin air.
However,
After careful investigation by some well-intentioned individuals, many of their hometowns could be found.
And according to the information gathered, they had left their homes over ten years ago.
This was very preposterous!
What did it imply?
It implied that the soldiers under his command had at least several years of training time.
This was already the standard for elite troops!
Coupled with their record against the Wuhuan and other foreign tribes, who would dare say Ye Feng's army was weak?
No one dared to say that!
But…
"Esteemed Inspector~!"
Recalling his previous plan, Ma Teng raised his head and looked directly at Ye Feng.
"Even if you have many troops, they are all still in Youzhou!"
"How can you possibly think…"
"That you three coming alone could make us give up Chang'an?"
"How so?"
Facing Ma Teng's probing tone mixed with wariness, Ye Feng smiled and shook his head.
"Originally, I was going to find an excuse to beat you all up, and then use your disrespect towards this Inspector as a reason to take Chang'an."
"But since it's you guys, this Inspector won't bother with all that!"
"Let's go!"
"Come with this Inspector to the city walls and see how I do it!"
As he spoke, Ye Feng stood up and, in his mind, commanded the system:
"System, summon the soldiers I selected earlier!"
"Received!"
As a brilliant flash of color crossed his mind, the system prompt sounded again.
"Ding~!"
"Respected host, Random Common Soldier Summon Card x50,000, Random Elite Soldier Summon Card x30,000… used successfully!"
"Congratulations to the host, you have obtained: Common Swordsmen, Common Archers, Common Spearmen, Common Halberdiers… x50,000!"
"Congratulations to the host, you have obtained: Elite Crossbowmen, Elite Longbowmen, Elite Heavy Infantry, Elite… x30,000."
"Ding~!"
"Respected host, Random Elite Cavalry Summon Card x20,000… used successfully!"
"Congratulations to the host, you have obtained: Black Armored Cavalry, Elite Light Cavalry, Elite… x20,000."
As a series of prompts sounded in his mind, Ye Feng and his group strode out of the tavern.
No one stopped them!
No one dared to stop them!
Even Ma Teng, who was somewhat itching for a fight, was held back by his two brothers.
Ye Feng's intention was clear!
He was not alone!
Although they didn't know how much backing he had, he had certainly brought troops.
And once a fight broke out…
If they successfully captured Ye Feng, it would be another matter, and everything could be negotiated.
But what if?
What if Ye Feng, as the legends said, instead defeated them?
Then not only would they offend Ye Feng, but they would also lose all their family fortunes.
It wasn't worth it!
As for Ye Feng escaping under the pretense of this?
They would be delighted!
The longer Ye Feng stayed in Chang'an, the more uncomfortable Ma Teng and the others would be.
They wished Ye Feng would slip away, and then they could pretend they had never met him.
What?
Capture Ye Feng, the rebel leader, and present him to Emperor Ling in exchange for promotion and higher titles?
Don't be ridiculous!
If it weren't for Ye Feng's support and assistance, the Han dynasty would have already become the Yellow Heaven, wouldn't it?
What Han dynasty?
If they truly cared about the Han court, they wouldn't be gathered in Chang'an right now.
Why had they come here?
Wasn't it because they saw an opportunity and felt they could rise and try their luck?
Unfortunately,
Before they could even begin their own plans, they were confronted by Ye Feng, this rebel leader.
What kind of situation was this?
The more Ma Teng thought about it, the more wronged he felt, and he couldn't help but sigh deeply.
Why did other people's rebellions go smoothly, while his was so difficult?
Look at the Yellow Turban rebels?
Although they had some hardships at first, they had already reached Luoyang now!
Look at Ye Feng again?
He was pardoned and made the Inspector of an entire province, and now he was about to become a king of a different surname.
Look at themselves?
Forget it!
They would first see Ye Feng's trump card, and then listen to his instructions.