Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

Nangong.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices of the Jiade Hall, casting dappled shadows and creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

A dozen or so vermilion-lacquered beams, each requiring several people to encircle, are carved with coiled golden dragons.

I don't know if it was because of anger or fear.

Liu Hong, sitting behind a huge dragon-patterned desk, was already deathly pale.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong stood on either side of the steps below Liu Hong.

Outside the hall, Yang Ci and Yuan Wei rushed over from their respective residences.

After entering the hall, the two men, dressed in official robes, stood silently in the main hall, listening to Liu Hong's loud roar.

"Say it!"

Liu Hong pointed to Yang Ci and Yuan Wei, who were standing in the palace, and said, "I have distributed the money and grain, dispatched the troops, and used the people you recommended."

"And now?"

Liu Hong reached out and grabbed the defeat report from the dragon table, throwing it directly at Yang Ci and Yuan Wei, who were standing below the prince.

"Is this how you repay me?"

"Yuan Wei, didn't you say that Zhu Jun was a skilled warrior, brave and unparalleled?"

"An army of 20,000 was defeated in a single battle, and they even fled!"

Yuan Wei lowered his eyes, his expression unchanged, and replied with his hands clasped in front of him, holding his scepter: "Your Majesty, the enemy forces are ten times larger than ours. The two armies met suddenly, and there may be... there may be some oversight."

Liu Hongqi's face turned pale as he looked at Yang Ci: "Yang Ci, what about you!"

"Didn't you say that Huangfu Song was from a military family and was well-versed in military strategy?"

"How did we end up surrounded in Changshe!"

Yang Ci, with the same helplessness as Yuan Wei, said, "Your Majesty, it is not a matter of fault in the battle, but rather that the enemy forces are too powerful!"

"You...you all!" Liu Hong pointed a trembling finger at Yang Ci and Yuan Wei: "The rebel army is powerful?"

"The enemy forces are overwhelming!"

"You all say the rebel army is powerful, but does that mean I should just stay here in Luoyang and wait for them to storm in and kill me?"

"We... dare not."

Yang Ci and Yuan Wei both bowed their heads and begged for forgiveness.

"Your Majesty... The rebel army is advancing rapidly and has been planning for many years. Their current strength is the result of years of accumulation, not a disaster that can be caused overnight."

Yang Ci gripped his tablet with both hands, lowered his head, and said in a deep voice, "This old minister discovered long ago that Zhang Jiao harbors treacherous intentions, but..."

Liu Hong frowned: "Just what?"

"Are you blaming me for not listening to you back then, for not capturing Zhang Jiao, and for restricting the Way of Peace?" Liu Hong said angrily, glaring at Yang Ci.

Three years ago, Yang Ci did indeed submit a memorial requesting the capture of Zhang Jiao and the restriction of the Way of Peace.

However, petitions were submitted from various places, stating that the Way of Peace was meant to educate the people to do good.

There was no intention to rebel.

Liu Hong did not agree to arrest Zhang Jiao.

"This old minister dares not," Yang Ci quickly bowed and begged for forgiveness.

"Your Majesty, this old minister believes that now that rebel troops are spread throughout the prefectures and counties of the land, we should send more people to various places to organize and suppress the rebellion, and conscript more troops to suppress the rebellion."

Liu Hong took a deep breath and looked at Yuan Wei.

When Yuan Wei said this, he meant that more people needed to be sent.

On the surface, it appears to be about sending more people.

But what they really meant was that they wanted to demand more official positions and posts.

Two old dogs.

Liu Hong was so angry that his gums itched.

But there was nothing they could do.

If he doesn't appoint party members or aristocratic families, he has no one else to use.

"Who do you recommend?" Liu Hong asked Yuan Wei, suppressing his frustration.

With his head bowed, Yuan Wei smiled slightly and then cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, rebel troops are now rising up everywhere, spanning multiple provinces and counties, and their influence is immense."

"The hasty response and lack of coordination between prefectures and counties led to their fall."

"Therefore, this old minister suggests that some shrewd and capable people be sent from the court, and some outstanding individuals be appointed to various regions, so as to stabilize the region."

"This old minister recommends Zhu Zhen as the Prefect of Jiujiang, Yang Xu as the Governor of Yangzhou, Tao Qian as the Governor of Xuzhou, and Wang Yun as the Governor of Yuzhou..."

Liu Hong clenched his teeth as he listened to the people Yuan Wei recommended.

The vast majority of these people are former party members who have been convicted.

Governor of Yuzhou, Governor of Yangzhou, Governor of Xuzhou...

At this moment, Liu Hong had already cursed Yuan Wei a thousand times in his heart.

But criticism is just criticism.

Liu Hong still had to reluctantly accept it.

Because he has no one else available.

The eunuchs in the palace could not leave the palace walls, and even if they could, they did not know how to lead troops into battle.

Besides Luoyang, there were also He Jin and He Miao.

However, the two also had to lead the Imperial Guards to defend Luoyang.

Among all the high-ranking officials, not a single one was of any use to him; apart from his faction members, there were only colluding aristocratic families.

What family with a long history of scholarship, what family with four generations of high-ranking officials?

They keep saying it's for the country and its people, they keep saying it's for the Han Dynasty.

But which one of them was truly for the Han Dynasty?

At this moment, Liu Hong felt nothing but grief, indignation, and helplessness.

The anger in my heart turned into helplessness.

There was nothing he could do; he couldn't go out and lead troops into battle.

There was no one available to use.

If we want to preserve this country, there is no other way but to employ these people.

But using these people is like drinking poison to quench thirst.

Once these party members are allowed to return to local positions, they will regain power.

Trying to reclaim these rights now would be as difficult as climbing to the sky.

"Pass on the order..."

Liu Hong rubbed his temples helplessly and waved his hand.

However, just as Liu Hong was about to finish speaking...

Standing at the bottom of the steps, Zhang Rang suddenly turned around and said, "Your Majesty, this old servant also has someone I would like to recommend to Your Majesty."

Ok?

Liu Hong frowned as he looked at Zhang Rang, who had suddenly walked out.

“Your Majesty, since the war is going so poorly, why not send more generals?” Zhang Rang raised his eyebrows and said, “Has Your Majesty forgotten that you still have a peerless general?”

Duan Yu!

Suddenly, the image of Duan Yu's tall and imposing figure blocking his way in the West Garden flashed into Liu Hong's mind.

Yes.

I still have one person I can use.

Back in the West Garden, he deliberately tested Duan Yu, which led to that performance.

He was extremely satisfied with Duan Yu's performance.

With Liangzhou newly pacified and having just fought against the Qiang last year, the possibility of Duan Yu being recalled now raises concerns about potential unrest in Liangzhou.

Liu Hong was slightly worried.

When His Highness heard Duan Yu's name, both Yang Ci and Yuan Wei, who were standing there, frowned slightly.

They glanced at each other.

Duan Yu is indeed capable.

However, Duan Yu was neither a member of the partisan faction nor a protégé or former official of the gentry.

He also became very close to Zhang Rang and others.

As for skills, they definitely have them.

But it is precisely because he is capable that he needs to be checked and balanced.

"Your Majesty," Yuan Wei said after a moment's hesitation, stepping forward half a step. "Liangzhou has just been pacified. Last winter, the Western Qiang rebelled and captured the entire Jincheng Commandery."

"If Duan Yu leaves Liangzhou now, I'm afraid Liangzhou will cause trouble again."

"If a rebellion breaks out in Liangzhou, it will be difficult to coordinate efforts from both ends."

"Your Majesty, this old minister believes it would be best to let Duan Yu guard Liangzhou," Yuan Wei said.

Zhang Rang turned around and glared at Yuan Wei.

Then he turned to Liu Hong again and said, “Your Majesty, this old servant believes that the Qiang rebellion has a long history, but it has not damaged the foundation of the country. However, the enemy troops are coming with great force. If it is not suppressed in time, it will only get worse.”

"When faced with two evils, choose the lesser; when faced with two benefits, choose the greater."

"Besides, the Qiang people of Liangzhou may not necessarily rebel at this time. What Minister Yuan said was only a possibility."

Yuan Wei and Yang Ci both looked up at Liu Hong, who was sitting behind the dragon table.

Liu Hong's gaze naturally fell upon Yuan Wei and Yang Ci.

These people are pressing him relentlessly; if he retreats again and again, he will truly have nowhere left to retreat.

Liangzhou can be abandoned, but the world must not be thrown into chaos!

"Zhang Rang, draft the imperial edict!"

"Summon Duan Yu, the governor of Liangzhou, to Luoyang immediately."