High Martial Arts Three Kingdoms: The Incompetent Strategist

When the carriage stopped on the embankment, Empress He walked to the water's edge first, dipped her feet into the water, bent down and scooped up a handful of water with both hands, then suddenly released it, causing the water to splash onto the surface, breaking the calm and creating ripples.

This time, Tang Ke was not swayed by the beauty before him and quickly went to Emperor Ling of Han to report on the preparations for the stage.

Emperor Ling of Han stretched comfortably, glanced at the stage, and said in surprise, "You're quite something, kid. You're very capable and efficient. I've saved your head. I'll pardon you."

Tang Ke's gaze shifted to Feng Xu. "Since Your Majesty praises me for my capable work, I dare not accept the slap that Eunuch Feng just gave me for saying I was incompetent. I humbly request Your Majesty to allow me to return the slap to Eunuch Feng."

"This..." Emperor Ling hesitated for a moment. The eunuchs represented his will, and no one had ever dared to retaliate after being beaten by their own attendants, let alone Feng Xu, who was a Zhongchangshi.

"When I was in Jizhou, I often heard that the Ten Attendants held high positions and wielded great power, and no one in the world dared to look up to them. If Your Majesty is in a difficult position, then so be it, I understand."

Before Tang Ke could finish speaking, Feng Xu was so frightened that he knelt down and cried out, "Your Majesty, please issue a decree. This servant is willing to accept punishment."

Emperor Ling of Han nodded, his expression somewhat complicated. "Since that's the case, then you should let him slap you too, and we'll call it even."

"Yes." Feng Xu stood up, walked to Tang Ke, and said in a low voice, "Young Master Tang, please!"

Just as Tang Ke raised his hand to strike, Empress He suddenly spoke up: "Tang Ke, do you know the way of officialdom? One must blend in with the world. Today you have offended Eunuch Feng, and you will find it difficult to move forward in the officialdom in the future. Have you not heard the saying that it is better to resolve enmity than to make it?"

"Slap!" Tang Ke slapped Feng Xu hard across the face, leaving five bloody marks.

"This humble citizen knows that offending Eunuch Feng will inevitably lead to unrest in the future," Tang Ke said casually, wiping his hands.

"But if anyone makes things difficult for me, I will neither be afraid nor swallow my anger. Repay kindness with kindness and repay evil with evil; this is my principle in life."

His hands were also slightly numb from the shock. This eunuch Feng not only wielded immense power, but also seemed to be a martial arts master.

Empress He took another look at the young man in front of her and seemed to understand why he dared to stare at her so brazenly. This person seemed to have no idea what fear was!

"Alright, that's all over. Tell the opera troupe to start performing. I'm going to go sightseeing with the Empress."

Tang Ke went down to greet Dong Dahai and arranged for Dong Ruyun to go on stage. He then stood nearby in front of the stage to watch. If Ma Yuanyi and the others really came to assassinate him, the farther away he was, the safer he would be, and the less suspicious he would be.

Dong Ruyun began to sing softly on the stage. Her dance was graceful, her singing melodious, and every movement was full of unique charm and style.

Emperor Ling of Han was originally playing with Empress He by the water when he was also attracted by the sound. He saw Dong Ruyun's graceful posture and beautiful appearance and wanted to return to the embankment to take a look.

Tang Ke watched as Emperor Ling of Han suddenly stopped speaking halfway through his sentence, as if he had choked on an orange, his gaze fixed on what was behind him.

Tang Ke turned around quickly and saw dozens of figures wearing yellow turbans and yellow robes walking towards him from afar on the embankment. The leader of them was very familiar.

Ma Yuanyi! What is he planning to do?

Tang Ke was caught off guard by the fact that they would come to assassinate him so openly. He had anticipated that they would use a hundred different methods, but he never expected that they would just walk out like this.

Tang Ke's pupils contracted sharply. Did they already know that they would deliberately let them in to assassinate him, so they stopped pretending?

The thousands of soldiers guarding the embankment were caught off guard, with no one giving any warning. It seemed that no one knew how this group of people had appeared on the embankment so quietly.

This was naturally Cao Mengde's doing. As they drew closer, Cao Cao seemed to realize what was happening, his face changed drastically, and he shouted hoarsely, "Protect His Majesty! There are assassins!"

As he shouted, a large number of guards formed a semi-circular defensive network around Emperor Ling of Han, with their backs to the pool.

At the same time, a tidal wave of soldiers surged towards the Taiping Dao followers from all directions, their shouts and neighing echoing like thunder from all sides.

Awe-inspiring military might!

It was as if the heavens and earth were trembling, and a gust of wind swept up, howling into our ears.

Ma Yuanyi and his entourage remained remarkably calm, as if none of this concerned them. They didn't even flinch at the imposing display of force by the guards.

This level of assassination attempt was practically a free kill; Tang Ke's adrenaline surged! He finally realized that these people were definitely just bait!

Tang Ke's right hand instinctively reached behind his back, his hand trembling slightly uncontrollably.

I forgot my gun!

Seeing Emperor Ling of Han under the heavy protection of countless people, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, I'm not allowed to bring a gun in this situation, otherwise, at a distance of less than ten steps, I wouldn't be able to clear my name without taking action to protect myself.

Not far from him, Cao Cao kept his eyes fixed on Ma Yuanyi. After the soldiers formed an encirclement, he shouted, "Quickly capture the assassin, and there will be a great reward!"

Logically, He Jin should have given the order at this moment, but this brother-in-law of the emperor seemed to be completely bewildered by the current situation. When discussing plans, he appeared humble and open-minded, but when it came to the actual situation, he was like a puppet, letting Cao Cao do whatever he wanted.

After all, he was just a pig butcher! Tang Ke concluded about his performance.

Looking at the countless strong soldiers and horses rapidly gathering before him, Ma Yuanyi showed no fear, but rather a strong fighting spirit.

Before him, people surged like a tide and horses surged like waves, yet he and the Taiping Dao followers behind him showed absolutely no intention of retreating!

At that moment, Tang Ke even felt that their synchronized footsteps suppressed the sounds of the wind, people, horses, and even everyone's heartbeats and breathing.

Amidst this vast army, these people were already facing certain death, yet they seemed to regard fear as nothing!

Tang Ke suddenly recalled a line of poetry written by Cao Zhi several years later, which seemed quite fitting to describe these martyrs who fought against the court for the sake of the people.

They sacrificed their lives for their country in times of crisis, regarding death as returning home!

The war drums sounded.

Warhorses neighed, swords clashed, and a great battle with vastly unequal strength finally began.

The imperial guards were equally fearless, after all, fame and fortune were within reach, and no one wanted to let go of such a good opportunity.

Tang Ke and the other scholars were protected by the soldiers in another half-circle, their minds racing.

Ma Yuanyi was considered one of the top experts in the Taiping Dao. Why would he travel thousands of miles to Luoyang to be bait and die when a major event was imminent?

He was completely baffled. Just as he was pondering this, someone gently pushed him, and he stepped into the water.

He felt as if he had been electrocuted, and a flash of inspiration struck him, making him suddenly realize something.

Zhang Chu is here!