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

Inside Luoyang City.

When Zuo Feng returned from Liangzhou, even before he arrived in Luoyang, countless spies in Luoyang had already set their sights on him.

Did Duan Yu die or not?

It wasn't just Liu Hong in the palace who was paying attention.

All the officials in Luoyang, from the highest-ranking ministers to the generals, were paying close attention to this news.

Some people wish Duan Yu were still alive, while others naturally wished for his death.

Moreover, this number is not small.

However, there are also those that fall somewhere in between.

The General's Mansion.

"what?"

He Jin stared blankly at He Miao, who had come to deliver the message: "You're saying Duan Yu isn't dead?"

He Miao nodded and said, "That's the news coming from the palace. The young eunuch Zuo Feng... no, Zuo Feng is now a Grand Attendant."

"The eunuch Zuo Feng has escorted back money and grain from Liangzhou, saying it is this year's tax revenue for Liangzhou."

"His Majesty was overjoyed and immediately promoted the young eunuch Zuo Feng to the position of Grand Attendant."

"Furthermore, Duan Yu was reinstated as General Who Conquers the West, and his fief was increased by 5,000 households."

"The news coming from the palace is that Duan Yu is not dead; he was just seriously injured."

"Furthermore, it is rumored that the Liangzhou gentry and the King of Wusun secretly provided financial assistance to Beigong Boyu, which led to Duan Yu's near death and His Majesty's fury."

After listening to He Miao's words, He Jin anxiously stood up from his seat and paced back and forth.

"What can we do?"

"How can this be good?"

He Jin clapped his hands with a bitter expression.

Previously, news of Duan Yu's death in battle had spread, and he had already ordered the removal of the white paper and snow salt that Duan Yu had previously transported to Luoyang and intended to sell in Nanyang County.

I thought Duan Yu was dead, so I didn't need to give him the snow salt and white paper.

Furthermore, he had previously summoned Dong Zhuo and subtly hinted that Dong Zhuo should hand over the blank paper and the recipe for snow salt.

Now look what happened, Duan Yu didn't die after all, he just played dead.

"This feather..."

He Jin frowned, somewhat annoyed.

“Brother, why don’t we bring Dong Zhuo here and try to make peace?” He Miao said to He Jin. “After all, you haven’t really turned against Dong Zhuo; you’ve only hinted at it.”

"Brother, just find some words to appease Dong Zhuo."

"As for the white paper and the snow salt, let me inform my little sister and let her handle it as Duan Yu previously suggested."

"This way, we won't offend Duan Yu too badly."

“And Duan Yu will probably consider his brother’s feelings and won’t directly turn against him,” He Miao said.

He Jin nodded.

That's all that can be done now.

It's just a pity...

Unfortunately, the money they received had to be returned.

He Jin was somewhat reluctant to part with it.

But he still waved his hand helplessly: "Go and make the arrangements. Tonight, host a banquet for Dong Zhuo at the mansion. Make it grand and formal."

He Miao nodded quickly.

...........

The Grand Commandant's Residence.

Yang Biao hurried toward Yang Ci's room.

Just as I reached the door, I heard a violent cough coming from inside.

Yang Biao frowned slightly.

Pushing open the door, a strong, bitter smell of Chinese herbal medicine hit Yang Biao's nostrils, making him frown.

His father fell ill after the weather turned cooler and it was late September.

Yang Ci was already a man in his sixties, and the imperial physicians from the palace came to diagnose him several times, but they were all helpless in treating his condition.

"Ahem... It's... it's Wenxian here."

Yang Ci's aged voice came from inside the house.

Compared to just over ten days ago, only half a month later, Yang Ci, lying on his sickbed, looked as if he had aged more than ten years.

There wasn't a single black hair left on his head.

A large number of dark spots also appeared on her face.

He looked like an old man in his twilight years.

Even those eyes that had been clear for decades and seemed to be able to see through everything became cloudy and shimmered with a bluish light.

"Father."

After entering the room, Yang Biao immediately knelt down in front of Yang Ci's sickbed.

"How is Father feeling?"

Yang Biao looked at Yang Ci on his sickbed with concern.

Yang Ci shook his head and said, "The time has come, and medicine is powerless to save it. There's no need to waste any more time."

"Speak, what's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

Yang Biao was deeply shocked, but he dared not show it on his face.

So he directly stated his purpose.

“Father, news has come from the palace that Duan Yu is not dead. He was seriously injured before, but faked his death,” Yang Biao said. “This news has now spread throughout Luoyang City.”

"Many people were astonished."

Yang Ci took a deep breath and said softly, "There's nothing to be surprised about."

"List them carefully. Since Duan Yu rose to power in Jinyang, has he ever suffered a defeat?"

"This child... is no ordinary person."

Yang Ci sighed inwardly.

By this time, Yang Biao no longer held Duan Yu in any contempt.

"Father, the eunuch Zuo Feng sent a large amount of money, grain, and silk back to Luoyang from Liangzhou. It is said that this money and grain were obtained by Duan Yu after he implemented his new policies."

"His Majesty was overjoyed and bestowed upon Duan Yu the title of General Who Conquers the West, while also increasing his fief by five thousand households."

"It is said that Duan Yu was seriously injured in Xiutu Marsh because the Liangzhou gentry and the King of Wusun in the Western Regions were secretly funding the Liangzhou rebel Beigong Boyu."

"His Majesty was furious and ordered Duan Yu to thoroughly investigate the matter."

"I'm afraid it involves many people."

"Those Liangzhou prefects who were impeached by Situ Cui Lie before... I guess..."

Yang Ci, lying on his sickbed, closed his eyes slightly.

After listening to Yang Biao finish speaking, he gently shook his head.

"No need to estimate anymore..."

"The taxes Duan Yu delivered... were their money to buy their lives..."

"Cough cough..."

"Father....."

"I'm fine." Yang Ci waved his hand and continued, "Wenxian, you haven't figured out the key point yet."

"Duan Yu... he used a calculated, open strategy."

"Huh?" Yang Biao was taken aback and looked up.

Conspiracy?

"With the imperial treasury empty, even if a wise and virtuous ruler wants to govern the country, it's just empty talk."

"Official positions and titles belong to the gentry, while wealth and land belong to the powerful. The Yellow Turban Rebellion alone has exhausted the money and grain that Your Majesty has accumulated over the years."

"Now Duan Yu is implementing new policies in Liangzhou, and they are beginning to show results."

"With taxes as a foundation, as long as Duan Yu can replenish the national treasury, His Majesty will inevitably favor Duan Yu."

"Of the ten prefectures in Liangzhou, Duan Yu can only control three, yet they still pay such a heavy tax burden. What if Duan Yu wipes out the entire Liangzhou?"

"What if Duan Yu reopens the Hexi Corridor?"

"Your Majesty... is more cunning than you think."

"Liangzhou was originally a desolate place, so what difference would it make if Duan Yu did whatever he wanted?"

"only......"

Yang Biao looked at his father on the sickbed: "Father, what is it?"

"But if this happens... I'm afraid everyone in the world will be terrified."

Yang Biao's expression instantly showed realization.

Everyone.

Yang Biao knew that his father's statement about "everyone" did not refer to the common people of the world.

It was not the gentry of the world!

The emperor ordered Duan Yu to thoroughly investigate the matter in Liangzhou and to clean up Liangzhou, so that Duan Yu could implement new policies and obtain more tax revenue.

If the national treasury is full and the emperor has money and grain in hand, then he can do many convenient things.

The emperor understood this perfectly.

As for the widespread fear and apprehension.

The new policies implemented by Duan Yu in Liangzhou must have affected the interests of the local gentry, which is why they attracted so much criticism.

The thought of this caused cold sweat to involuntarily bead up on Yang Biao's forehead.

"Father, Hongnong..."

When an emperor gains power, the first place he will definitely want to deal with is the Sanfu region.

This is the foundation of the royal family.

Hongnong, where the Yang family lived, was located west of Luoyang.

"Hey......"

Yang Ci let out a deep sigh.

It was filled with helplessness.

"If I were given another ten years, perhaps the Yang family would prosper."

Yang Ci said helplessly.

But as the saying goes.

No matter how brilliant the schemes, they cannot defy fate.

When fortune smiles upon you, heaven and earth lend their strength.

The Yang family lacked this good fortune and could not defy fate.

"Wenxian, remember this: from now on, keep your distance from the Yuan family."

"All matters are in Your Majesty's hands; we should only heed Your Majesty's words."

As for the rest, let nature take its course.

Yang Ci closed his eyes weakly.