Three Kingdoms: Domination of the World

Late June 184 AD.

The Northern Army was like a sharp sword. Gongsun Zan fought alongside General Lu Zhi, defeating Zhang Jiao and Zhang Bao several times and killing tens of thousands of enemies. Guan Yu, Zhang Feng, Zhao Yun, and others, capable of defeating thousands of enemies, shone like shining stars on the battlefield.

Zhang Jue's unparalleled skills, the Nine Heavens Thunder Domain and Thunder Method, were extremely abnormal, causing great suffering to the Han army. However, he could not withstand the siege of the generals.

Zhang Jue suffered greatly from the leadership of Wei Qing and Gongsun Zan. The Yellow Turbans suffered defeat in several battles and were plagued by a shortage of food and fodder. When Zhang Jue ordered a retreat, he was accidentally ambushed by Wei Qing and Gongsun Zan. Ultimately, Zhang Jue retreated in disgrace and fled to Guangzong.

"Great and virtuous teacher! The Han army is so brave, we cannot defeat them!"

"Brothers and sisters, Guangzong is easy to defend but difficult to attack. We can gather strength there again."

"promise!"

"As for the matter of raising food and fodder, General Guan Hai, I leave it to you!"

"Okay, General Tian Gong."

Lu Zhi took the opportunity to build strong fortifications, dig deep trenches, and create ladders, making it like an insurmountable fortress.

"Generals,"

At this point, the morale of the Yellow Turban Army was severely damaged, while the Northern Army was full of vigor. Liu Bei suggested pursuing the victory, attacking Huanglong directly, and annihilating Zhang Jiao's forces in one fell swoop.

"Teacher, Zhang Jue, Zhang Bao's main force has retreated. Why don't we take advantage of the situation and pursue them?"

"Yes, teacher, my Baima Yicong is eager for a fight." Gongsun Zan on the side also agreed.

Lu Zhi picked up the map of Guangzong and said after thinking for a while.

"Generals, Guangzong City is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Forcibly attacking the city at this time may cause unnecessary casualties."

Wei Qing made a suggestion.

"General Lu, our reinforcements have arrived. Now is the time to surround Guangzong. In no time, the Yellow Turbans will be starved of food."

"Well, General Wei, that's a good idea!"

Lu Zhi then decided to adopt a siege strategy to trap Zhang Jue to death. Volunteer troops from various northern counties had already arrived, and Zhao Yun led 20,000 elite cavalry back to Mobei County.

"Brother Xiahou, I'm going to lead my army to the north. Please bring my family to Mobei County."

Xiahou Lan nodded.

"Okay, Zilong. Leave this to me!"

"Brother Xiahou, do you want your family to come with you?"

"I haven't thought about this yet, let's talk about it later!"

"Okay then. Take care!"

......

During the siege of Guangzong, the Northern Army continued to strengthen its defensive fortifications and at the same time sent spies into the city to disrupt the enemy's morale.

"Haha, big brother, I went to Guangzong several times to spread news that was unfavorable to the Yellow Turban soldiers, and the morale of the Yellow Turban soldiers was greatly reduced."

"Third brother, well done."

"Second brother, the teacher ordered you to build a ladder. How is the progress?"

"Brother, I have ordered the soldiers to cut down trees in the surrounding area and build siege equipment. It will be completed soon."

"Yes. The four of us brothers must not let our teacher down!"

Zhang Jue sensed the Han army's intentions. Sensing the situation was dire, he attempted to organize a breakout and contact his brother Zhang Bao's army, but was easily repelled by the northern army. Desperate, he could only defend the isolated city and wait for the opportunity to counterattack.

News of the great victory in Yuzhou and Emperor Guangzong's crushing defeat of Zhang Jue reached the Han Palace. Liu Hong was delighted and sent Zuo Feng to Beidi to reward the troops. General Lu Zhi, a man of integrity and righteousness, refused to offer Zuo Feng any tribute. Upon returning to the palace, Zuo Feng fiercely slandered Lu Zhi, the General of the Northern Guards.

"Your Majesty! General Lu Zhi has ill intentions! His army has been besieging Guangzong for days, passively idling and surrounding without attacking, wasting our army's food and supplies!"

"Captain, is this true?"

"Your Majesty, General Lu has won numerous battles. Facing Zhang Jiao's main force, which has retreated to Guangzong, his strategy of trapping the enemy is indeed a bit cautious."

Emperor Ling of Han had his own plans. The daily expenses for suppressing the Yellow Turbans were astronomical. This was all his money, so he had to fight and win quickly.

"No, General Lu's siege without attacking is extremely damaging to the morale of the Han army."

"Father, I don't know what to do with Lu Zhi."

"Your Majesty, General Lu Zhi appears to be passive and unwilling to fight. Why not take him back to the capital to await trial?"

"Well! That's it. Who can replace the Northern Army General?"

At this moment, General He Jin stepped forward and everyone turned their eyes to him.

"Your Majesty! I have asked General Huangfu about this matter. He suggested that Dong Zhuo take over General Huangfu's position if something unexpected happens."

"Since the General and the General of Chariots and Cavalry are both optimistic about Dong Zhuo, then we will promote him to General of the Central Army and temporarily take charge of the Northern Army."

"Your Majesty, you are wise!"

"What else can we play today?"

Situ Cui Lie stood up and reported.

"Your Majesty, the princes are already quite old. Do you have any candidates for the position of crown prince?"

"Let's put this matter aside for now. I haven't made a decision yet."

Liu Hong was deeply fond of the two princes, Liu Xie and Liu Shi. However, the immense power of Concubine He's family and the constant turmoil within the palace made Liu Hong undecided. Over the past few years, Empress Dowager Dong, Empress Song, and Concubine He have been engaged in a three-way struggle, creating a constant strife within the palace.

The most powerful of them, Concubine He, secretly resorted to cruel means and murdered many newborn princes. Liu Hong could not find any evidence and could only endure it silently.

Fortunately, Princess Tianxiang and Princess Qingyu came to her aid, and Queen Song's safety was guaranteed to a certain extent. Queen Song had been poisoned and assassinated many times, but fortunately, Yan Yu possessed extremely superb medical skills, and time and time again, Queen Song was able to turn danger into safety and security.

Luoyang North Palace.

A noble lady with graceful manners and elegant temperament and two princesses with angelic beauty and extraordinary charm were sitting in the palace.

"Yu'er, is Shi'er's safety in order?"

"Mother, I will personally protect my brother. You don't have to worry about being attacked by thieves!"

Xiang'er beside her also answered.

"Mother, as long as I'm here, the enemy's poisoning scheme will never succeed!"

"That's good."

After hearing what the two said, Queen Song felt a little relieved.

At this time, a palace maid came hurriedly, bowed and said:

"Your Majesty, there is a Taoist priest outside the palace who wants to see you. He says he has something important to tell you."

Queen Song frowned slightly, wondering what the Taoist priest was doing here. But she still said:

"Bring him in."

After a while, the Taoist priest was brought in. He was wearing a Taoist robe, holding a whisk, and looked like an immortal.

"I am Zuo Ci, the poor Taoist priest, and I am here to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen." The Taoist priest bowed.

"Excuse me, what do you want to tell me?" asked Queen Song.

The Taoist smiled mysteriously and said:

"I observed the celestial phenomena at night and discovered that there is an evil spirit causing trouble in the palace. I am afraid that it will endanger the safety of Your Highness."

"Evil?"

Queen Song's expression changed.

"Do you have any way to exorcise it?"

The Taoist nodded slightly and said:

"I have a method that can keep Your Highness safe. All you need to do is set up an altar in the palace. I will perform rituals for three days and the evil spirits will be driven away."

Queen Song hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and agreed to the Taoist's request.

So the Taoist priest set up an altar in the palace and began to perform a ritual. During this time, Queen Song and the two princesses were also very nervous, fearing that something unexpected would happen.

The bedroom of Concubine He. Today she received her brother He Jin.

"Brother, my son is suffering! Bian'er's position as crown prince still depends on you!"

"Sister, there's nothing I can do about this! If His Majesty won't relent, there's nothing I can do."

"Brother, won't you find a chance to get rid of these two evil bastards?"

He Jin's face turned grim after hearing his sister's words. He knew that such a thing was too risky, and if the emperor found out, the consequences would be disastrous.

"Sister, this is absolutely not possible. The emperor attaches great importance to several princes, and there are other forces in the palace who are eyeing them covetously. We can't act rashly, so as not to bring disaster upon ourselves." He Jin persuaded.

But He Guiren disagreed.

"Brother, if you won't help, I'll have to find someone else."

He Ling had already hired a Taoist priest with extraordinary skills from outside the palace to secretly harm Queen Song, but her brother He Jin was unaware of this. When He Jin heard that his sister was about to make trouble, he quickly stopped her.

"Sister, don't be impulsive. We need to think long-term and find a more stable approach."

The two discussed for a long time, but still could not come up with a perfect plan. At this moment, a palace maid ran in hurriedly, bowed and said:

"Reporting to the noble lord, His Majesty has just issued an edict, appointing the legitimate prince Liu Shi as the crown prince."

"Damn bitch, what right does she have?"

After hearing this, Concubine He felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and her body trembled and she almost fainted. He Jin quickly supported her and comforted her:

"Sister, now that things have come to this, we can only accept the reality. Let's look for opportunities in the future."

Emperor Ling of Han was concerned about Prince Xie, and to protect him, Liu Hong considered many options. He believed it was necessary to establish a force that could rival Consort He. In recent years, Empress Song had been quite powerful.