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

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong walked side by side toward the palace gate.

The word "anxiety" was clearly written on his face.

With his keen eyesight, the eunuch Zuo Feng immediately went to greet Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong when he saw their expressions.

Where is His Majesty?

Before the eunuch Zuo Feng could even ask, Zhang Rang, who was still two steps away from stepping onto the stairs, inquired, "Is His Majesty in the palace? Has he woken up?"

The young eunuch Zuo Feng quickly nodded and said, "Reporting to my godfather, His Majesty is in the palace, but he is still hungover from last night and has not yet woken up."

Zhang Rang's eyebrows, which already had some gray hairs, were furrowed together.

"Take us there. It's urgent, we can't worry about that now."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Feng knew that something extraordinary must have happened.

Otherwise, why would Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong be so anxious?

Therefore, Zuo Feng did not stop them, but led the two directly into Liu Hong's bedroom.

The palace was in complete disarray.

Various wine vessels and toys that Liu Hong used when he played around were scattered on the ground.

Various clothes of different colors were scattered on the floor leading to the bedroom.

The drunken young ladies and concubines were in various poses in the bedroom.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong both had their heads down.

"Go and inform them," Zhang Rang said, head bowed.

Xiao Huangmen Zuo Feng could only nod reluctantly and then stand in front of the door.

"Your Majesty, the eunuchs Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong request an audience, saying they have important matters to report to Your Majesty."

Zuo Feng, the eunuch standing in front of the door, did not enter the bedroom but instead stood at the door and loudly announced the arrival.

The dragon stepped on it.

Liu Hong was wearing only a transparent white gauze.

Four or five beautiful concubines lay on their sides on the enormous dragon bed.

Liu Hong, still half asleep, got up, rubbing his forehead with one hand, his eyes still closed.

"What's the matter?"

Liu Hong shook his head, somewhat annoyed, and asked.

Upon hearing Liu Hong's voice, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, who were standing at the door, immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty, this old servant has something to report. It concerns the Governor of Liang Province, Marquis of Ji, Duan Yu," Zhang Rang said.

Duan Yu?

Liu Hong opened his sleepy eyes.

His eyes were bloodshot, a result of a hangover and debauchery.

Before leaving Luoyang, Duan Yu handed over 500 million coins in one go.

This money came in a lifesaver for Liu Hong.

The establishment of a new army, the construction of palaces, and the extravagant enjoyment—all of these cost money.

Although the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the biggest threat to Ji Province, has been resolved.

However, there were still large and small Yellow Turban rebels in Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Jingzhou.

All five schools of the Northern Army have been destroyed and need to be rebuilt.

Weapons and armor need to be crafted.

Without Duan Yu, we don't know where this money would have come from.

After getting up from the dragon bed, Liu Hong grabbed the wine pot next to him and took a swig.

Then, wearing this outfit, he walked past the concubines and palace maids lying on the ground and left the bedroom.

"It's news from my mighty general! What's wrong? Has the banditry in Liangzhou been quelled?"

As Liu Hong walked out of the sleeping quarters, he asked.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, who were kneeling at the door, quickly moved to avoid it.

“Your Majesty…it is…it is Duan Yu…Duan Yu is dead.” Zhang Rang said, his voice trembling slightly.

Liu Hong suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Then his eyes widened instantly as he looked down at Zhang Rang kneeling behind him: "You...you...."

"What did you say?"

"What happened to Duan Yu?" Liu Hong asked incredulously, his eyes wide.

"Your Majesty, Duan Yu has died in battle."

"The news has just reached the palace."

"The news has already spread throughout Luoyang."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Feng, a eunuch standing nearby, also suddenly raised his head.

His face showed astonishment.

Duan Yu... is dead?

"Nonsense." Liu Hong took two steps to Zhang Rang's side, then grabbed Zhang Rang's clothes and, with a force that seemed to come from nowhere, lifted Zhang Rang, who was kneeling on the ground, directly up.

"Say it again, what happened to Duan Yu?" Liu Hong asked, his eyes red.

"Your Majesty, Duan Yu... Duan Yu is dead."

Zhang Rang looked at Liu Hong with a bitter expression.

At this moment, Zhang Rang could fully understand Liu Hong's feelings.

Duan Yu is a money tree.

A money tree that can't be bigger than the largest.

Let alone Emperor Liu Hong.

Zhang Rang was also planning to get rich again by relying on Duan Yu.

The Yellow Turban Rebellion swept through Yingchuan, looting all of Zhang Rang's wealth accumulated over many years.

When Duan Yu left Luoyang last time, he sold all the white paper and snow salt in Nanyang to He Jin.

At the time, Zhang Rang was thinking that if he could get sales in Yingchuan...

In a few years, he will be able to accumulate wealth again.

Yingchuan was the center of the gentry in the world.

Scholars are everywhere.

Elsewhere, white paper and snow salt are luxuries.

However, in Yingchuan, there aren't many people who can afford it.

Zhang Rang planned to bring up the matter with Duan Yu again some time later.

But who would have thought.

Duan Yu is dead.

"Your Majesty, it is said that Duan Yu was ambushed and killed while strangling Beigong Boyu, a rebel from Huangzhong in Liangzhou." Zhang Rang explained the cause of Duan Yu's death.

Liu Hong was stunned for a moment before he finally came to his senses.

"Are there any family members of Duan Yu in Liangzhou, or any official reports sent from the government office?" Liu Hong inquired.

Zhang Rang shook his head: "Not yet, it's just a rumor circulating in Luoyang."

There was no official gazette!

A glimmer of hope flashed in Liu Hong's eyes amidst despair.

"Go! Send someone to Hanyang County immediately. I want to hear it with my own ears!"

"Go and inquire about Duan Yu's family, or find Duan Yu's body."

"I'll go right away."

"Zhang Rang, you personally send someone there," Liu Hong said urgently.

Zhang Rang nodded quickly.

Although Zhang Rang was also unwilling to believe that Duan Yu was dead, the news had already spread throughout Luoyang.

If Duan Yu wasn't really dead, why didn't he personally come out to stop these rumors that were detrimental to him?

Therefore, even though some hope remained in his heart, Zhang Rang still chose to believe that Duan Yu was dead.

From Luoyang to Hanyang County, if one were to travel by light cavalry and fast horses, a round trip would take less than ten days.

We only need to wait ten days for the final result.

Just as Zhang Rang was about to leave Liu Hong's bedroom in the West Garden.

Another palace maid came to announce the news.

"Your Majesty, Minister of Works Zhang Wen, Grand Commandant Yang Ci, Minister of Education Cui Lie, and the officials of the Censorate are requesting an audience outside the palace."

...........

Outside Sima Gate.

Dozens of court officials were gathered here at this time.

Leading the group were Zhang Wen, the Minister of Works; Yang Ci, the Grand Commandant; and Cui Lie, the newly appointed Minister of Education.

Cui Lie was from a prominent family in Boling, Jizhou.

He had previously served as a Supervising Censor in the Censorate.

Some time ago, Yuan Wei was dismissed from his post as Minister of Works by imperial decree because he impeached Duan Yu.

Shortly after that, Cui Lie paid 50 million coins to buy the position of Minister of Works from Liu Hong.

At this moment, Cui Lie, dressed in official robes and holding the position of Minister of Works, stood in the crowd, listening to the compliments from those around him, with a broad smile on his face.

In addition, having just learned of Duan Yu's death in Liangzhou, Cui Lie was in an exceptionally good mood.

Previously, Cui Lie and Ma Ridi had gone to Yang Ci's residence together to discuss the matter of attacking Duan Yu.

However, it failed in the end.

At that time, Cui Lie still needed to request an audience with Yang Ci.

But now, Cui Lie is on par with Yang Ci.

Although Cui Lie was far less famous than Yang Ci.

But Cui Lie himself believed that as long as he could ruin Duan Yu's reputation this time, he would definitely dominate the reputation among scholars all over the world.

Even though Duan Yu is dead now, death alone is not enough.

Not far from Cui Lie, Yang Ci had only a few people around him.

It resembles an old man nearing the end of his life, about to step back from the limelight.

Yang Biao, the next generation head of the Yang clan and Yang Ci's successor, stood behind Yang Ci.

"Father, is Duan Yu really... really dead?" Yang Biao asked in a low voice.

Yang Ci had his eyes closed, as if he were asleep, and was leaning on a cane.

"What difference does it make whether it's true or false?"

"Those who gain profit are all harmed by profit."

"Those who are not involved should mind their own business."

"We'll find out as we go."

Yang Ci slightly opened his eyes, which were only a slit open, and looked at Cui Lie, who was surrounded by a crowd not far away. Then he slowly shook his head.

The Sima Gate opened, and the loyal minister slowly walked into the palace.

"Please go first, Lord Situ."

"Please go first, Lord Cui."

"Please, Lord Cui."

The crowd parted, and Cui Lie, beaming with triumph, strode into the Sima Gate.