Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 9 reaches new heights, with the martial prowess of Ji Province...

"It's better to be safe than sorry. I have also studied astronomy and the arts of Yin and Yang. According to my observation, there are indeed celestial signs indicating that the eunuchs and palace attendants will be wiped out. However, the change in the celestial signs will not happen this year, but next year." Seeing that Wang Fen believed the sorcerer's theory, Liu Bei changed his tactics.

"Oh?" Wang Fen was surprised that Liu Bei also knew about astronomy and yin-yang principles. She asked in astonishment, "How can you be so sure that the celestial changes will occur next year?"

"Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed! Since ancient times, the changes in heavenly secrets have always followed their own laws. If human intervention is too excessive, it will destabilize heavenly secrets and make them chaotic and difficult to discern." Liu Bei pretended to be mysterious: "Although the specific reasons cannot be explained, I can use the method of Yin and Yang to deduce the people who are related to the prince's plan."

Seeing that Liu Bei spoke with such seriousness, Wang Fen was even more alarmed and asked, "In that case, Xuande, why don't you make a prediction?"

Then, to Wang Fen's astonishment, Liu Bei dipped his finger in water and wrote the names of five people on the table: Xu You, Zhou Jing, Tao Qiu Hong, Hua Xin, and Cao Cao.

"How is this possible!" Wang Fen stood up in shock, her face full of disbelief.

Both Xu You and Zhou Jing came to Ye City in secret and did not usually show their faces in public.

Wang Fen's letters to Cao Cao, Tao Qiu Hong, and Hua Xin were also done in private.

Wang Fen couldn't understand why Liu Bei could accurately name all five people!

Could it be that Liu Bei truly understood astronomy and the arts of Yin and Yang?
Liu Bei naturally did not understand astronomy and yin-yang principles, but he possessed the precognitive abilities of a time traveler, which surpassed his knowledge of astronomy and yin-yang principles.

Seeing that Wang Fen was intimidated, Liu Bei continued, "Although you, Lord Wang, are not afraid of death, there are different kinds of death. If you die foolishly because you blindly believe the words of a sorcerer, wouldn't you become a laughingstock?"

Wang Fen remained silent.

Wang Fen found Liu Bei increasingly incomprehensible.

Wang Fen is not afraid of death, but she is afraid of her reputation being damaged after her death.

For Wang Fen, reputation was more important than life itself.

If what Liu Bei said is true, wouldn't he be criticized as someone with lofty ambitions but little talent, becoming a laughing stock?
Wang Fen looked up at Liu Bei: "Did Xuande really go to Luoyang to seek justice?"

Liu Bei smiled awkwardly: "These are just words I made up; Your Highness, please don't take them seriously."

Wang Fen was speechless.

They admitted it quite frankly.

Wang Fen then asked, "If I'm not mistaken, Xuande's ramblings today are an attempt to swindle a few suits of armor from me, aren't they?"

Eh? !

Become smarter?

Liu Bei was surprised.

Understanding Liu Bei's gaze, Wang Fen couldn't help but feel annoyed: "Could it be that in Xuande's eyes, I am foolish and easily deceived?"

Liu Bei said no, but his eyes told Wang Fen: That's exactly what I think.

Trying to calm her inner turmoil, Wang Fen asked another question: "Since Xuande's initial intention was to deceive me, why did he leave without getting any benefits?" Liu Bei frankly replied: "I originally only wanted to trick you out of one set of fish-scale armor, and then go to Luoyang to expose your conspiracy; I didn't expect you to be so generous, actually giving me four sets of fish-scale armor at once. I couldn't bear it, so I advised you against it. I was too kind!"

Wang Fen was so shocked by Liu Bei's honest words that she couldn't catch her breath and couldn't help but cough repeatedly.

Not only are they trying to trick me out of my fish scales, but they're also going to expose me?
Is this benevolence and righteousness?

“Xuande, you really are a man of strong emotions.” Wang Fen looked at Liu Bei with a rather complicated expression.

If you say Liu Bei was ruthless, then he was advising Wang Fen to think carefully; if you say Liu Bei was benevolent, then his initial intention was to deceive Wang Fen.

a long time.

Wang Fen took a deep breath and asked solemnly, "What are Xuande's plans for the future? Will you stay in Ye City as a military officer?"

Liu Bei also put away his casual demeanor and said solemnly, "That depends on whether you trust me or Xiang Kai. If you trust me, please do not mention the matter of killing the eunuchs again, and I will stay in Ye City as a military officer. If you trust Xiang Kai, I will go to Xuzhou to help Guanqiu Yi recruit soldiers and seek the opportunity to pay homage to the General. If we ever turn against each other in the future, please do not blame me for not remembering the kindness of the armor I gave you."

Wang Fen hesitated, "Although I believe what Xuande said, the arrow is already on the bowstring and I cannot stop it. Everyone has risked their lives to help me, how can I just abandon them?"

Liu Bei sighed, stood up, and said, "In that case, I can only bid farewell to the prince."

"Wait!" Wang Fen hurriedly stood up and said, "Although I cannot easily abandon my plan, I can let Xuande lead his troops into Luoyang as a military officer of Ji Province, and place his troops under the command of the General. With Xuande's martial prowess and wisdom, he will surely be valued by the General."

At the beginning of the year, General Sima Xu Liang and Acting Sima Wu Dang advised He Jin: "The Six Secret Teachings of Taigong contains information about the emperor commanding troops, which can be used to awe and intimidate all directions."

He Jin then went to the court to ask Liu Hong for instructions. Liu Hong then ordered He Jin to mobilize troops from all directions and conduct military exercises at Ping Le Guan.

Whether it was at the beginning of the year when Ding Yuan, the governor of Bingzhou, appointed Zhang Liao as his subordinate and led troops into Luoyang, or Guanqiu Yi going to Danyang to recruit soldiers, both were in response to this imperial edict.

Liu Bei was not very clear about these specific details, but Wang Fen knew them very well. Therefore, when Wang Fen learned that Liu Bei was going to find Guanqiu Yi, he had the idea of ​​having Liu Bei lead his troops into Luoyang.

Although Wang Fen believed in Liu Bei's astronomical and yin-yang theories, Wang Fen's schemes were already in their later stages. A large number of people were risking their lives to follow Wang Fen in pursuit of wealth and power. If Wang Fen withdrew at this point, he would be ruined in an instant.

Wang Fen has always valued her reputation more than her life, and she was unwilling to accept this outcome.

After weighing the pros and cons, Wang Fen decided to lend Liu Bei a hand. Since Liu Bei intended to visit He Jin, Wang Fen suggested that Liu Bei emulate Zhang Liao by leading troops into Luoyang, using this as a means to advance his career.

Liu Bei's heart was filled with turmoil: He owed this person a huge favor!
Originally, he only wanted to bully Wang Fen, an honest man, to trick him out of a few sets of armor. Unexpectedly, after Wang Fen gave him four sets of fish-scale armor, he also wanted to help Liu Bei lead his troops into Luoyang and entrust the troops to He Jin!
Compared to four suits of fish-scale armor, the latter was no less effective than directly lifting Liu Bei!

Regardless of how the situation evolves in the future, Liu Bei's status as a "subordinate general of the Grand General" will allow him to gain greater political prestige!
"I deceived the prince first, so why does he treat me like this?" Liu Bei's expression grew increasingly solemn.

"My initial intention in inviting Xuande to this banquet was merely to use him. I never expected Xuande to be so benevolent as to inform me of the unpredictable changes in the celestial phenomena. I feel ashamed!" Wang Fen sighed, then composed himself and bowed deeply to Liu Bei, adding, "If I fail in my attempt to eliminate the eunuchs, I beg Xuande to consider the preciousness of the state and seize an opportunity to kill them. If that happens, my wish will be fulfilled!"

Having said that, Liu Bei had no reason to refuse.

Although serving as a military officer in Ji Province might be affected by Wang Fen's plot to depose and install emperors, it would be more beneficial than harmful for Liu Bei to take this opportunity to enter the capital as a general.

“In that case, we shall follow Your Highness’s words.” Liu Bei cupped his hands in greeting. “I am a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan and a great-great-grandson of Emperor Jing of Han. I do not wish to see eunuchs bring disaster to the country and its people. If I have the opportunity, I will surely take their lives!”

(End of this chapter)