In Luoyang City,
The Imperial Palace.
While Qin Feng’s side was actively preparing, Liu Bei, under the surveillance/escort of Dong Zhuo’s personal guards, rushed all the way to Luoyang.
In the Hall of Benevolent Governance,
Liu Bei, kneeling before the Emperor for the first time in his life, was currently wailing.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”
“That Qin Zijing not only gathered twenty to thirty thousand troops, but also killed the imperial envoy you sent, and is now preparing to march on Luoyang!”
“What?”
The Emperor Ling, seated high on the dragon throne, shot up from his seat at the news.
Killing an envoy?
This was a blatant slap in his face!
How dare those damned rebels? Did they truly believe he was helpless against them?
“Guards!”
The Emperor Ling, furious, let out a soft command and was about to issue an order for Dong Zhuo to dispatch troops to suppress them.
“Your Majesty, you must not!”
Seeing the Emperor’s genuine fury, the court’s high officials could no longer sit still.
Although they were also displeased with the man from Youzhou for breaking the rules, now was clearly not the time for settling scores.
If the Yellow Turban rebels were not suppressed, there was a real danger of things collapsing.
With this thought,
Yuan Wei, the head of the Yuan clan, stepped forward first and respectfully advised:
“Your Majesty, the Yellow Turban rebels are fierce. We must not create unnecessary complications!”
“Indeed, Your Majesty!”
With Yuan Wei taking the lead, the rest of the officials felt a backbone and spoke one after another:
“Currently, the three armies have not achieved any significant results. They are no longer able to dispatch more troops!”
“Precisely!”
“If we rashly send out more troops, not only will the national treasury be depleted, but Luoyang will be in danger!”
“Incorrigible scoundrels~!”
Hearing their words, Emperor Ling also became somewhat flustered. Although he was still angry, he suppressed his temper and said:
“That scoundrel killed my envoy. Are we just going to let it go?”
“This…”
The officials looked at each other, unsure how to respond.
Let it go?
It was impossible to just let it go!
Whether for His Majesty’s honor or for the rules of their noble families, this matter could not be brushed aside.
But the problem was,
Given the current shortage of troops, what could be used to punish them?
“How about this…”
Seeing that the Emperor seemed unwilling to drop the matter, Yuan Wei spoke with some gravity:
“Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, why not let the various prefectural governors of Youzhou recruit their own troops to suppress the rebellion!”
“Recruit their own troops?”
Hearing Yuan Wei’s suggestion, Emperor Ling frowned, and fell silent.
He was angry, but he wasn't foolish.
Right now, it was just Qin Feng as a rebel.
If he allowed various regions to recruit their own troops, it was likely that rebels would appear everywhere before long.
However, he had to admit,
That old fellow Yuan Wei’s suggestion was probably the best method available.
Who else could they blame for their current troop shortage?
Even if they started forming new recruits now,
It would likely take ages before these new recruits became combat-effective.
Should they just let it go?
Despite his lingering anger, Emperor Ling had already abandoned the idea of Dong Zhuo dispatching troops.
The Yellow Turban issue was paramount!
Compared to the hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban rebels ravaging over a dozen provinces, a mere twenty to thirty thousand rebels was insignificant.
Even if they had cavalry!
Seeing this,
Liu Bei, who was kneeling, sighed in his heart but was not overly disappointed.
He had already envisioned this scenario in his mind before coming.
Indeed.
Compared to the Yellow Turban rebels wreaking havoc across more than ten prefectures and counties, Qin Feng’s small force was indeed not a primary concern.
However, having witnessed the combat effectiveness of the Overlord’s Iron Cavalry, Liu Bei deeply understood that Qin Feng would definitely become a major threat to the Han Dynasty.
But his own cousin did not seem to take it seriously?
Since that was the case,
He would have to bear it himself.
At this moment,
Liu Bei felt as if a raging fire was burning within him.
He was excited!
The future of the Han Dynasty would ultimately depend on him, a collateral relative, to save it!
“Report~!”
Just as Liu Bei was silently encouraging himself and regaining his spirit, a eunuch hurried in.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Eunuch Zuo, who was sent to Youzhou with an imperial decree, has returned.”
“Wha-what?”
Emperor Ling, who had just regained his senses, thought he had misheard.
“Who did you say returned?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Eunuch Zuo Feng, who was sent to Youzhou with an imperial decree, is waiting outside the hall for an audience.”
“Hiss~!”
Having confirmed he hadn’t misheard, Emperor Ling of Han couldn’t help but gasp, instinctively glancing at Liu Bei kneeling in the center of the hall.
Not only him,
But even the court officials, who had previously paid little attention, now focused their gazes on Liu Bei.
And the person involved?
From the moment the eunuch spoke his first sentence, Liu Bei had been stunned.
How-how could this be?
Didn’t my third brother personally say that Qin Feng would kill the envoy that very day?
How could this be!!
Why is this happening?!
Although Liu Bei was roaring internally, he dared not show any expression on his face.
He understood,
If that Zuo Feng was truly unharmed, he was likely in trouble today.
“Liu, Minister Liu, is it?”
Emperor Ling thought for a long time before remembering that the person kneeling on the ground seemed to be a relative.
“You said earlier that the rebel killed the envoy. What is going on now?”
“This, I…”
Directly called upon by Emperor Ling, cold sweat suddenly broke out on Liu Bei’s forehead.
He wanted to explain, but opening his mouth, he didn't know what to say.
Should he say he was tricked by his third brother?
Or was he tricked by that cunning old schemer, Qin Feng?
That’s right!
Liu Bei now understood that he had been tricked by that fellow Qin Feng.
He must have anticipated that Liu Bei would complain again, so he gave him false information.
After Liu Bei’s side reported the situation, he would then release that damned eunuch.
But,
What was the point?
Just to target him?
Although he had been the one to report him last time, their enmity shouldn’t be so deep.
Why would he meticulously target him like this?
While Liu Bei was filled with grievance, the court officials were growing impatient.
Seeing Liu Bei kneeling on the ground without speaking, they, who had also been misled, stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, why not summon Eunuch Zuo and ask him? Perhaps we will know the situation.”
“Right, right…”
Emperor Ling patted his forehead, realizing he had been a bit foolish.
“Quick!”
“Have that scoundrel Zuo Feng come in immediately. I have something to ask him!”
“Yes, sir~!”
The eunuch responded and scurried out of the Hall of Benevolent Governance.
A moment later,
Zuo Feng, his face slightly pale, stumbled in.
Before he could speak,
He saw Liu Bei, whom he had parted ways with earlier, looking at him with despair.
“Hmm?”
“When did this fellow return? Why is he looking at me like that?”
Although Zuo Feng was puzzled, his pace did not falter. After rushing to the center of the hall, he knelt down with a thud.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this lowly servant has failed your expectations!”
“Hmm?!”
Emperor Ling, who had been expecting good news, frowned and waved his hand in confusion.
“Get up and speak!”
“Yes, sir!”
Respectfully standing up, Zuo Feng no longer deliberately played the victim.
“Your Majesty, it is like this…”