My name is Huang Tian, ​​what the hell is this "Heaven is dead" nonsense?

Chapter 32 Oracle
The sky was bright, and the red sun was high in the sky.

Zhang Jiao was sitting in his large tent handling government affairs and logistical matters when Zhang Liang suddenly strode in.

"Brother, great and wise teacher!"

When working, one should refer to one's position. Zhang Liang clearly understood this principle. He stepped forward and said, "The Han court has shot an order arrow at our army, saying that an envoy wants to come out of the city to discuss important matters with us, and asks us not to harm the envoy."

Zhang Jiao remained remarkably calm: "The Holy One already knew about this matter, saying that the false emperor wanted to negotiate peace with us."

Zhang Liang was not surprised by the Holy Venerable's ability to predict the future, and his eyes showed even more reverence. "The false emperor is incompetent and cowardly. Seeing our army pressing in and advancing like a whirlwind, he is naturally terrified and wants to seek peace to protect Luoyang."

Zhang Jiao shook his head: "There's nothing to talk about. When the Holy One descended to earth, he said, 'When the Yellow Heaven descends, the Azure Heaven dies.' This is a divine decree. We and the Han court are like fire and water, and cannot coexist."

"Then I'll have someone shoot arrows into the city to deter them from sending anyone and discourage them from negotiating?" Zhang Liang asked.

Zhang Jiao replied, "There is no need for peace talks. Just send an envoy. His Majesty has issued a divine decree."

"promise!"

Zhang Liang accepted the order and left, sending someone to shoot a command arrow into Luoyang, saying that they could talk.

Three-quarters of an hour later, four lonely men and four horses finally emerged from Luoyang City.

The man at the front had white hair and beard, and his face was deeply lined with wrinkles, showing his advanced age. This was Liu Yan. Behind him were three people. The leader had long arms, which was unusual for ordinary people. The two followers had beards that reached their abdomens and sharp eyes, and a strong and imposing figure with a cold and stern face. These were Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.

The three met in Youzhou and formed a deep bond, like brothers, always advancing and retreating together. This time, when Liu Yan entered the Yellow Turban camp as an envoy, Liu Bei volunteered to protect him. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, worried about Liu Bei's safety, offered to accompany him, which is why this small envoy team consisted of four people.

To be honest, Emperor Liu Hong was not happy to let Liu Bei leave Luoyang and enter the enemy camp. He really hoped that Liu Bei would lead the army to protect him at the critical moment.

In other words, Liu Bei claimed that he had a trusted confidant named Jian Yong in the army, and that if he were to die in the enemy camp, Jian Yong would surely protect the emperor's safety. Only then did Liu Hong reluctantly agree to let Liu Bei accompany him on the mission.

As soon as they left Luoyang City, a chilly wind swept over them, causing Liu Yan, who was riding his horse, to take a deep breath. He finally understood the feeling of "The wind is howling, the Yi River is cold, the hero departs, never to return."

He turned to look at Liu Bei, who was following behind him, and said with emotion, "This mission is fraught with peril. The enemy has long hated our Han court. Now that they have besieged Luoyang, they do not take us seriously at all. If we make the slightest mistake in our words, we will probably die. Xuande really has no need to come with me."

Liu Bei remained calm and composed. "Without the Emperor's favor and support, how could a lowly general like myself have the chance to see the Emperor's face, let alone be trusted by His Majesty? I cannot fail to repay such a great favor. What does it matter if I die?"

When Liu Bei was in Youzhou, he was just a minor leader of local militia. Although he made some contributions in the campaign against the Yellow Turbans in Youzhou, he could only be granted the position of county magistrate at most.

However, after arriving in Luoyang, he was valued by Liu Yan and introduced to the emperor. From then on, his career took a dramatic turn, and he became a military captain. If he hadn't been too young and lacked merit, Liu Hong would have even considered promoting him to a minor general.

Liu Yan had shown Liu Bei great kindness and recognition; how could Liu Bei not repay him with a gift?
Liu Yan's eyes revealed his appreciation. The surname Liu, loyalty, bravery and skill in battle—this was exactly the kind of talent the imperial clan needed!
He didn't say much and continued riding towards the Yellow Turban camp, but in his heart he was thinking that he would give Liu Bei more opportunities to promote him in the future.

The Yellow Turban camp was very close to Luoyang, and the four of them arrived at the camp after riding for a short while.

The camp was set up on a gentle slope, sheltered from the wind and facing the sun. It was surrounded by a ring of deep ditches and several rows of sharp deer antlers. The wooden watchtowers were erected high, and the soldiers on them vigilantly scanned the surroundings.

The camp gate was heavy, made of thick wooden planks. Liu Yan and his men entered the camp under the guidance of a Yellow Turban soldier.

Walking on the solid, level ground, Liu Yan and Liu Bei silently surveyed the situation within the camp. Armored soldiers, carrying weapons, patrolled steadily throughout the camp. In an open area, groups of soldiers were training; some practiced formations, their shouts deafening, while others engaged in hand-to-hand combat, honing their skills…

Liu Bei noticed that although these soldiers had dark complexions, most of them were physically strong and far more elite than the Yellow Turban soldiers he had dealt with in Youzhou.

The four arrived at the commander's tent, where the Yellow Turban soldier leading the way told them to stop and go in first to report. After a while, the soldier came out and said coldly, "Go in. The Great Teacher is waiting for you inside."

Liu Yan didn't care about being treated coldly. He came here for peace talks, so being humble was inevitable.

After handing over their weapons, Liu Yan and his companions passed through dozens of armored soldiers holding spears and standing solemnly. They entered the main tent, which was simply furnished with only a few mats and a small table. Zhang Jiao was engrossed in his work at the table, while Zhang Liang, He Yi, Huang Shao, and several others, their hands on their ring-pommel swords, coldly scrutinized Liu Yan and his companions.

Liu Yan remained calm, Liu Bei was curious, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei responded to He Yi and the others with disdainful snorts.

"Liu Yan, Liu Junlang?" Zhang Jiao stood up and looked at Liu Yan in front of him, saying, "Please sit down."

After bowing in greeting, Liu Yan knelt to the left of Zhang Jiao, with Liu Bei and the other two standing behind him in silence.

"Sir, have you come to sue for peace?" Zhang Jiao asked bluntly, not bothering with beating around the bush.

Liu Yan said solemnly, "We are not seeking peace, but truly negotiating peace!"

There is no difference between the two.

"Those who seek peace are truly in dire straits and have no choice but to make peace, while those who negotiate peace are those whose strength is roughly equal."

"Your army is already trapped in Luoyang by our army, how dare you say that your strength is equal?"

"No, Luoyang has high and thick city walls, and there are 100,000 elite soldiers and a million loyal citizens within the city. How can your army possibly capture Luoyang?"

The claim of 100,000 soldiers and 1 million civilians was obviously fabricated; it was merely a tactic for communication.

Zhang Jiao didn't care and shook his head: "No matter how cleverly you argue, our army will not agree to peace talks."

Liu Yan frowned and decided to offer some "profit": "If your army is willing to withdraw, the Emperor can order the transfer of Jizhou, Youzhou, and Yanzhou to you, so that you may establish a peaceful and prosperous world."

Zhang Jiao did not respond, and Liu Yan grew anxious, gritting his teeth and saying, "Add the three provinces of Qing, Xu, and Yang!"

Zhang Jiao did not answer. Liu Yan remained silent for a long time before saying, "I can also give you Yuzhou. We can share the world together. How about that? You can get most of the world without losing a single soldier. Isn't that better than fighting to the death under the walls of Luoyang?"

Zhang Jiao finally spoke: "What we want is peace throughout the world!"

"Do we really have to fight to the death?" Liu Yan's face was grim.

"It's not necessarily a matter of fighting to the death."

Zhang Jiao stood up and calmly said, "The divine decree of Zhonghuang Taiyi states that the Han army surrendered the city, thus saving their lives. That's all I have to say!"

(End of this chapter)