Three Kingdoms: Domination of the World

Suo Chao rushed back to the palace without stopping. Holding Princess Tianxiang in his arms, he first paid his respects to Emperor Ling of Han. Liu Hong's face was pale from the sudden disaster that had befallen the imperial city, clearly still recovering from the shock.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. I am late in coming to your rescue, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Seeing Suo Chao, bloodied and tattered, his armor tattered, clutching the gravely injured Princess Tianxiang in his arms, he was deeply moved. This adopted daughter, fearing her own death, was there to cover their retreat. She was no less capable than a man.

"Thank you for your hard work, my dear! You have come a thousand miles to save the imperial city from this crisis."

"I feel guilty!"

"How is Xiang'er?"

"Your Majesty, Princess Tianxiang received timely treatment and is not in danger of death."

"That's good!"

When Empress Song heard that her daughter Yanxiang had been taken back to the palace by General Zhenbei, she hurried back to the Nangong Palace in Luoyang. Seeing her daughter covered in blood, she couldn't help but burst into tears.

"Xiang'er, your mother didn't take good care of you!"

"Your Majesty! Princess Tianxiang is fine. She just fell asleep."

"Really? That's wonderful. My poor child."

"Empress, how is Princess Qingyu?"

"Oh. Yu'er is fine. She went to protect her brother Liu Shi."

Suo Chao was relieved to learn that his elder sister was safe. He collapsed and passed out. Emperor Ling of Han arranged for the imperial physician to treat Suo Chao.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty. General Zhenbei is fine. He just fainted from exhaustion."

"Restorate well for a few days, General Zhenbei will recover."

"Very good!"

"Where is Princess Tianxiang?"

"Your Majesty, Queen. I wonder who treated Princess Tianxiang's injury? She is truly amazing."

"I do not know!"

Emperor Ling of Han had no idea who had done this. He also didn't ask the General Zhenbei. Later, Suo Chao was sent to the Emperor's father-in-law's residence to rest and recuperate.

Three days later, Yan Yu went to the national account office and found Suo Chao.

"Third brother! Thank you for your hard work this time."

"Sister, this is what I should do. I regret my parents' regrets."

"Third brother, please don't blame yourself too much! If your parents knew you saved your sister, they would definitely be relieved."

"Sister Yu'er! We are a family and we don't have to talk behind each other's backs. I'll leave my second sister to you."

"Don't worry. I will take good care of my sister."

He Jin is promoted to Grand General, but Concubine He, in power, is no pushover. Empress Song and her two sisters are in grave danger if they're not careful. Faced with a life-or-death situation, Suo Chao advises them to be cautious and wait for their turn.

"Sister, the situation in the palace is not optimistic right now. Not fighting is also a good idea!"

"You must do your best to protect Queen Song and Prince Shi. If things are impossible, then retreating is also a good idea."

"Please persuade Empress Song more. The story of Emperor Wen of Han's mother, Concubine Bo, is still fresh in my mind."

"Third brother, I understand."

.....

In Deyang Palace, Liu Hong's face was as stern as steel, and he sat on the throne as solemn as Mount Tai. At this time, Suo Chao also came to court.

Taiwei Yang Ci reported:

"Your Majesty, the Yellow Turban Army is coming with overwhelming force and is unstoppable!"

"Jizhou has fallen!"

"Qingzhou has also fallen!"

Liu Hong frowned and asked:

"My Lords, who can quell this rebellion?"

Situ Cui Lie walked out slowly and said in a deep voice:

"The one who can calm the situation and stabilize the country is none other than Huangfu Song!"

Sikong Zhangji then said:

"General, you are a man of exceptional skill, both in civil and military matters. Your Majesty, I believe Zhu Jun is worthy of this important task."

The general nodded in agreement. Liu Hong said loudly:

"Order the Cavalry General Huangfu Song to lead the left wing!"

"Appoint Zhu Jun as the Right General of the Central Army!"

"Appoint Lu Zhi as the General of the Northern Army!"

"Your Majesty is wise! War is raging across Dahan County, and our military is severely understaffed. I beg your Majesty to make the final decision."

At this time, Taichang Liu Yan stood up and said with a bow.

"Your Majesty, the Yellow Turbans are now so powerful, like a flood and a beast. It would be better to grant the prefects of each county the power to recruit troops and horses to fight against the Yellow Turbans."

All the ministers nodded in agreement. Liu Hong glanced at the ministers and said:

"It's confirmed!"

"General, the task of conquering the Yellow Turbans is now yours."

"Your Majesty, I obey your command."

General He Jin continued to report with a stern expression:

"Your Majesty, the Xianbei cavalry raided Youzhou. Youzhou has now fallen, and Bingzhou is in danger!"

"General Zhenbei's journey of thousands of miles back to provide assistance is understandable, but he led to the fall of Youzhou. This crime must be investigated."

Liu Hong pondered for a moment and said:

"General Zhenbei has returned to Luoyang to provide support. His loyalty is evident. However, the battle in the north is equally crucial. General Zhenbei will return to Youzhou today and seize the opportunity to recapture the lost territory. This time, our merits and demerits will be balanced."

Suo Chao's face was gloomy. This old thief He bullied me so much. Suo Chao calmed down, slowly stood up, and said to Emperor Ling of Han.

"Yes! I will set off immediately. However, General Huangfu will soon be ordered to suppress the rebellion, and I would like to ask Your Majesty for one person."

"who?"

"Protector General Lu Bu!"

"Approved! General Lü Bu, the Protector of the Qiang, is transferred to be the prefect of Beidi County. Commander, please take charge of this matter."

"promise!"

Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and the two princesses played a significant role in this rescue. The general commended the emperor to the throne. Both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were given the title of General of Cavalry.

"Appoint Yuan Shao as General of Cavalry!"

"Appoint Cao Cao as General of Cavalry!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The Three Ministers asked Liu Hong where the funds for the expedition came from, and Liu Hong generously replied that he had paid for it himself. Although Liu Hong loved money, he also understood that without a secure power, even small sums could be difficult to secure. This monarch, who could balance the power of his relatives and eunuchs, was truly no ordinary person.

"The military expenses this time will be paid from my treasury."

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

"Feng Yan, where are the two traitors Xu Feng? Bring them up to me."

Liu Hong was furious. These two despicable and shameless thieves had colluded with the rebels to make the imperial city of Luoyang a chaotic place where the people were living in misery.

The Yellow Turban rebels were like jackals, tigers and leopards, burning, killing, and looting everywhere, committing all kinds of evil. Fortunately, all the property was eventually recovered, which was a blessing in disguise. Soon, the embarrassed Feng Yan and his companions were taken to Deyang Palace.

"Feng Yan, do you admit your guilt?"

"Your Majesty, please spare my life! I was also coerced by the Yellow Turbans. If I don't do as they say, they will kill my family."

"Xu Feng, you dare to collude with Ma Yuanyi and rebel. I will kill your entire clan."

"Your Majesty, please spare my life. I was also bewitched by the evildoer!"

Emperor Ling of Han ordered a thorough investigation of those who colluded with the Yellow Turbans, and as many as 2000 people were imprisoned. All of them were beheaded in public.

Soon, Huangfu Song returned to the imperial city of Luoyang and asked Emperor Ling of Han to lift the ban on political parties and give the horses in the West Garden to the soldiers. Liu Hong reluctantly agreed.

"Old General, I agree to this. Just go find Jian Shuo."

......

March 184, 3 AD.

The Yellow Turban Rebellion swept across the country like a raging storm. Yellow Turban rebels, both large and small, flocked to respond. Among them were the Yellow Turbans of Yingchuan, Runan, and Chen led by Bo Cai and Peng Tuo; the Yellow Turbans of Nanyang led by Zhang Mancheng; and the Yellow Turbans of Jizhou and Qingzhou led by the Zhang Jiao brothers. Like three colossal behemoths, they responded to each other from afar, forming a three-way balance of power, each with no fewer than 15 men.

Ma Yuanyi took the remaining troops and defected to Zhang Mancheng in Nanyang.

"Zhang Qushuai, I, Ma, am ashamed to have failed to live up to the trust of our great and virtuous teacher."

"General Ma Qu, you are too modest! Your grand gesture in Luoyang has shocked the entire world."

The three armies of the Yellow Turbans surged like a surging tide, attempting to capture the undermanned Yanzhou and Yuzhou with lightning speed, then join forces to conquer the Han Empire. Recruitment notices were issued to every county like snowflakes, and responses were overwhelming, most of them from various martial arts academies.

Wu Cheng, an ordinary student at Yangzhou Academy, awakened the Black Rank Martial Art, Spearmanship, increasing his Strength by 1.

Wu Cheng has had a very hard time in recent years, and his family has long been unable to make ends meet.

The prefect's conscription notice gave him hope of changing his fate.

Wu Cheng hopes to earn more military merits so that he can live a life without worries about food and clothing in the future.

"Sharpen the spear, ouch!"

"Kill the bandits, ouch!"

......