Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

During the days when Ma Chao and his men were busy negotiating Zhang Xiu's marriage, Xu Huang, shouldering an important mission, led 5,000 soldiers and horses, tirelessly escorting grain and fodder from Longxi. The journey was a long and arduous one, traversing mountains and rivers, and overcoming countless hardships and dangers, before finally arriving in Chang'an, exhausted.

Normally, Xu Huang shouldn't have needed to enter Chang'an. However, following Li Ru's instructions, he made a special trip to Chang'an and acted surprisingly. The emperor was holding court in the palace, the atmosphere solemn and dignified. But Xu Huang, unscrupulously making a scene outside the palace gates, was seen riding atop a majestic horse, whip raised high, shouting insults at the defending generals. The generals, who had never experienced such humiliation before, were furious and immediately ordered Xu Huang's arrest.

But Xu Huang was no ordinary man. He led his personal guards, charging with the swiftness of a horde of tigers and wolves. For a moment, the two sides engaged in a flash of swords and sabers. Xu Huang's troops were well-trained and agile, and in a matter of seconds, they overran the palace guards, sending them flying and throwing their weapons and armor. However, Xu Huang was also cautious. Despite his outburst, he avoided any serious casualties. Only a few guards were injured, but no one was killed.

The commotion at the palace gate naturally alerted Zhao Yun, who was stationed in Chang'an. After the guards hurriedly reported the situation to Zhao Yun, he rushed to the palace. What greeted him was Xu Huang's triumphant expression, while the palace guards were beaten to a pulp.

Zhao Yun, seeing the chaos before him, was furious. He shouted, "Xu Huang, Xu Gongming, what is your purpose in acting so recklessly? The Imperial Palace is the residence of the Emperor, a place of majesty. How can you be so unruly?"

Xu Huang's face was also filled with anger. He responded loudly: "My general was devoted to the emperor and the Han Dynasty. He resolutely set out to Yangzhou in the ice and snow. He wanted to send me to Xiliang to ask for reinforcements. Who could have expected that Xiliang would be trampled by the Xiongnu cavalry again? Now many cities are in danger. How could they spare the strength to send troops to help? As a result, my young master only led 40,000 to 50,000 troops to face the numerous crises in Yangzhou alone. What's even more hateful is that this old emperor lives in Chang'an City. "In the middle of the war, they have ignored the fighting on the front lines. My soldiers can't even get enough food and fodder, and we have to transport it from Xiliang ourselves. It's a pity that Xiliang is now ravaged by the iron hoofs of foreign invaders, the people are suffering and their lives are in vain. Yet they still try every possible means to collect food and fodder for me, Xu Huang, to relieve the urgent needs of the front lines, so that my young master and the soldiers on the front lines will not fight on empty stomachs. And yet you are here happily preparing for the court meeting and celebrating the New Year. Where is your conscience? How can you bear it?"

Xu Huang's words were sharp, and his questions shot out like sharp arrows. When Zhao Yun heard such a tragic situation and vivid description, his heart was filled with mixed feelings and he was choked and speechless.

Zhao Yun was momentarily stifled by Xu Huang's words, unable to respond. Immediately, his brows arched, his glare glared, and he spoke in a deep voice, "While it is true that you have endured hardships and difficulties while on the battlefield, this imperial palace is a solemn and dignified place. How can a warrior like you be allowed to act so recklessly? You have repeatedly spoken of disrespect to the emperor, and now you are riding a horse and committing violence here. As a palace guard, I, Zhao Yun, have a duty on my shoulders. I will not tolerate such reckless behavior!"

Xu Huang was already brimming with rage, his face now flushed red. Like an enraged lion, he brandished the gleaming axe in his hand, whistling through the air as he roared, "I, Xu Huang, am filled with such pent-up anger that I'm about to explode! I'm determined to turn this palace upside down and let the old emperor know the suffering of the soldiers at the front. Then I'll see if he can still sit in the court and enjoy his freedom!"

Seeing Xu Huang completely disregarding the situation and simply throwing a tantrum, with no intention of admitting his fault, Zhao Yun's anger flared up like dry wood meeting a raging fire. He shouted, "How dare you! Today I will capture you, this lunatic, and bring you before His Majesty. The right and wrong will be determined impartially!"

When Xu Huang heard Zhao Yun's words, he was like a lit firecracker. He instantly exploded, spurring his horse and holding his axe, he rushed towards Zhao Yun like an arrow from a bow, shouting, "Come on, come on, pretty boy! Stop your quick words and fight me for three hundred rounds. I, Xu Huang, have risked my life on the battlefield, and you are still wielding your spear and club. How could I be afraid of you?"

Zhao Yun snorted coldly, saying no more. He clamped his legs against the horse's belly, and the warhorse neighed loudly before charging out like white lightning, charging towards Xu Huang. In an instant, the two men were locked in combat. Xu Huang gripped his axe tightly in both hands, raising it high. His muscles tensed, a force that seemed to hold immense power. The axe blade sliced ​​through the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound as he slashed down at Zhao Yun with the force of a mountain, a force that seemed to split Mount Hua in half.

Zhao Yun, however, remained unhurried. His posture was as nimble as a dragon. He swung his spear, and the tip, like a serpent spitting its tongue, precisely met the axe blade. With a resounding "ding," like the sound of a huge bell, the air around him trembled slightly. Then, Zhao Yun swung his spear, wrapping it around the axe handle and attempting to wrench the axe out of Xu Huang's grasp.

Seeing this, Xu Huang whipped his axe back, swinging it across his face. The wind whistled like a gust of wind, sweeping towards Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun leaped lightly, skittering across his horse like a swallow skimming the water, deftly dodging the fierce blow. His spear, like a dragon emerging from the sea, pierced Xu Huang's throat. Xu Huang quickly swung his axe horizontally to block it. With a clang, sparks flew, like fireworks blooming in the night sky.

The two men exchanged blows, each one a grueling battle. Spears and axes clashed, the clash of metal resonating endlessly like a stirring symphony. Thirty rounds passed in a flash, and Xu Huang gradually felt his strength failing, his breathing becoming heavier. Each swing of his axe, while still packing immense force, had lost its initial swiftness and agility, his movements becoming slightly sluggish.

Zhao Yun keenly noticed Xu Huang's fatigue, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly, revealing a hint of contempt: "You are just a ruffian who can only talk big here. I thought he had some skills, but now it seems that he is nothing more than that." After saying that, Zhao Yun suddenly swung the spear in his hand, and the tip of the spear drew a phantom in the air.

Xu Huang was already distracted by Zhao Yun's spear skills at this time. Seeing that Zhao Yun was feinting, he thought there was an opportunity, so he raised the axe high up and chopped it down with all his strength. Although the axe was powerful, it was full of flaws because he used too much force and the moves were outdated.

Zhao Yun saw the perfect moment, a cold glint in his eyes. He instantly retracted his spear like a nimble dragon, then swung it across. This seemingly casual sweep, however, embodied Zhao Yun's years of martial arts training and his furious strength. Like an iron rod, the spear struck Xu Huang hard on the back.

Xu Huang felt a surge of overwhelming force, and his body instantly lost balance. With a "wow" sound, a mouthful of blood rushed to his throat, and he was thrown forward like a kite with a broken string, and fell heavily on the horse's back.

When the two horses met, Zhao Yun stretched out his arms and grabbed Xu Huang's armor as accurately as an eagle catching a rabbit. With a loud shout, he lifted Xu Huang's burly body from the horse as if he was picking up a chicken, and then threw it to the ground with a light throw.

Zhao Yun's personal guards were already on full alert, and upon seeing this, they rushed forward like a tide and tied Xu Huang up tightly. Seeing this, Xu Huang's personal guards were furious, and with a roar of anger, they rushed forward to rescue him.

Zhao Yun swung his spear, the tip flashing with a cold light as he pointed it at Xu Huang's throat. His voice was as cold as frost: "Don't come any closer, or you won't blame me for being merciless and killing your general!"

Xu Huang knew that if his guards acted rashly, his life would be in danger. He quickly endured the severe pain in his back and shouted, "Don't come forward. I will go and argue with the old emperor and see what he decides!"

Zhao Yun nodded slightly, his eyes sharp: "Okay, then I'll take you to see His Majesty. I want to see what excuses you have to justify your reckless behavior today!" After that, he took Xu Huang and strode into the palace, raising a cloud of dust behind him.

During the court session, Emperor Liu Xie lazily reclined on the Dragon Throne. Though beautifully carved and imposing, the throne seemed unable to support the emperor's languor. As the year drew to a close, events were gradually easing, and the court sessions offered few pressing topics. The already listless emperor felt the lengthy session was an ordeal, longing for a quick end so he could return to the harem for some fun.

The miraculous elixir presented by Shi A was actually a potent drug laced with Five Stones Powder. The emperor, however, treasured it, taking it daily, believing it to be filled with endless energy. Last night, after taking it, he initially felt a surge of energy, engaging in passionate lovemaking with Concubine Wang until midnight. However, after the Five Stones Powder wore off, he was left with only a deep sense of exhaustion and emptiness.

The emperor's face was pale, dark circles around his eyes, as if stained with a thick, dark hue. His eyes were dull and bloodshot, his gaze wandering, unfocused. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, not from the warmth of the palace, but from the weakening effects of the medicine. His entire being seemed drained of energy. Even the simple act of raising a hand and waving a sleeve seemed laborious, as if his arm weighed a thousand pounds. He wondered if he should take the elixir.

Just as he was lost in thought, the eunuch's shrill voice broke the silence in the hall: "Your Majesty, General Zhao Yun requests an audience." Emperor Liu Xie was startled slightly, as if awakened from a distant dream, and a ripple finally appeared in his cloudy eyes. Zhao Yun was entrusted with the important task of defending Chang'an, usually busy with various defenses. His sudden request for an audience must have been something extraordinary. The emperor forced himself to be alert, cleared his dry throat, and tried to sound more authoritative: "Send him in."

A moment later, Zhao Yun's posture stood tall and straight, like a pine tree, his steps steady and powerful, yet his expression so stern it could freeze ice. With both hands, he pushed the bound Xu Huang forward and strode into the palace. Though tightly bound and restricted in his movements, Xu Huang's stubbornness and bravery remained undimmed. He held his head high, like a trapped tiger refusing to surrender.

The court officials on both sides were originally immersed in the dull atmosphere of the court meeting. Seeing this situation, they all whispered to each other and cast curious and astonished glances. For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall became subtle and tense.