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

Duan Yu, alone with his tiger, stopped about an arrow's distance from the city gate.

Those at Hangu Pass also got a clear look at Duan Yu's face.

Although Ding Yuan had heard Duan Yu's name so many times before that he was practically tired of hearing it, this was the first time he had ever met Duan Yu in person.

"He truly deserves the title of a tiger general of the world; his reputation is well-deserved," Ding Yuan exclaimed.

Then he shouted at Duan Yu below the city gate, "Is the Governor of Liang Province, Marquis Ji, standing below the city gate?"

Duan Yu did not rush to answer Ding Yuan, but instead turned his gaze to the person next to Ding Yuan.

When Duan Yu saw Wei Xu, Hou Cheng, and Song Xian, a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

Although his time travel caused the course of history to deviate considerably.

But some things are just that magical.

It's as if there's an invisible force at work, constantly correcting history.

The rebellion in Liangzhou, the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the entanglement between his father-in-law Dong Zhuo and Yuan Wei.

Although Ding Yuan no longer had Lü Bu, he picked up the two pieces of material that Lü Bu had thrown away.

Duan Yu could guess without even thinking what role these two talents would play by Ding Yuan's side.

"Since Governor Ding knows it is me, then I will not waste any more words with Governor Ding."

"Let me pass through the switch, and I'll owe you a favor in the future," Duan Yu said slowly, riding on the black tiger.

At the pass, Ding Yuan shook his head and said, "Marquis Ji."

"Without the imperial decree from Luoyang, I would never have stopped Marquis Ji's advance."

"but......"

Ding Yuanbao bowed to the east and said, "I have been ordered by Luoyang to be stationed at Hangu Pass."

"Of course, this is not to guard against anything."

"I don't want to be too explicit in my speech."

"The only problem is that we can't let Marquis Ji's troops pass through the pass."

"I have no desire to fight with Marquis Ji. If Marquis Ji turns back, I will pretend that he never came at all, how about that?"

Obviously, it's not good.

Duan Yu rubbed the stubble that had sprouted on his chin.

"Since Governor Ding has also said that it was an imperial decree from Luoyang..."

"Then I would like to ask Governor Ding, who issued the decree to Governor Ding?"

"His Majesty is seriously ill and still unconscious. It's impossible that Governor Ding didn't know. If it wasn't His Majesty who issued the decree, then whose decree was Governor Ding acting on?"

Ding Yuan's gaze sharpened.

Before Ding Yuan could answer that it was the Empress Dowager's decree, Duan Yu had already produced a token.

"Prefect Ding surely knows that He Jin is a Grand General."

"The Grand General has the power to command all the troops in the land."

"The General has ordered that I, the Marquis, lead troops into Luoyang to protect the capital. Does Governor Ding agree to this order?"

On the pass, Ding Yuan's brows were furrowed.

The Grand General indeed had the authority to command all the troops in the country.

They also have the right to deploy troops.

However, the entry of foreign troops into Luoyang requires the emperor's permission.

But the emperor is still in a coma.

When the emperor was in a coma, Ding Yuan was acting on the Empress Dowager's imperial decree.

If they were to actually start fighting, neither of them would be acting in a reasonable or legal manner.

but......

"Lord Ji, I am paid by the emperor and naturally follow the laws of the emperor." Ding Yuan argued, "His Majesty is seriously ill, but the position of Crown Prince has been established. Marquis Dong is the Crown Prince, and the Empress Dowager assists the Crown Prince in exercising the power of regent."

"My actions are reasonable and lawful."

Duan Yu smiled.

"What a perfectly reasonable and legal argument..."

Ding Yuan claimed that his words were reasonable and legal.

but.

It's simply a matter of choosing sides.

Everyone now believes that the position of Crown Prince has been established, and that Empress Dowager Dong controls the inner palace and holds the power of the Imperial Guards.

Empress Dowager Dong then allied with the Yuan family, gaining their support.

With the addition of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, the overall situation was already settled.

Empress He Lingsi was trapped in the palace, and General He Jin did not have enough troops to turn the tide.

All that's needed is for the new emperor to ascend the throne, and a single imperial edict will be enough to strip He Jin of his position as Grand General.

At that time, He Jin will be a lamb to the slaughter.

With the Tiger Warriors under his command and the addition of Huangfu Gui and Zhu Jun to Luoyang, Yuan was confident of victory.

Ding Yuan has already chosen a side and his stance.

Once Liu Xie ascends the throne and becomes emperor, this can be considered a contribution to the rise of the new emperor.

What does it mean to act on orders, and what does it mean to obey Heaven?

It was all Ding Yuan's own choice.

"So... Governor Ding is determined to prevent me from entering Luoyang, is that it?"

Duan Yu's voice gradually turned cold.

Ding Yuan's gaze on the pass gradually hardened.

Now that things have come to this, there is no turning back for him.

If Duan Yu enters Luoyang, He Jin might have a chance to turn the tide.

If He Jin manages to turn the tide, then his efforts to stop Duan Yu here will have been completely in vain.

"Marquis Ji..."

"Let's go back," Ding Yuan said firmly. "As long as I am still here at Hangu Pass, I will never let Marquis Ji pass."

"I do not wish to make things difficult for Marquis Ji, and I ask that Marquis Ji not to make things difficult for me either."

Below the pass.

Duan Yu nodded slowly.

"In that case..."

"Well."

When Duan Yu said those words, Ding Yuan finally felt relieved.

The tense expression on his face relaxed.

To be honest, even putting aside Zhang Yang's words, Ding Yuan really didn't want to have a conflict with Duan Yu.

No matter who sits on the throne or who holds power in the future.

But for Duan Yu, the impact was actually not significant.

Everyone can see the extent of Duan Yu's power in Liangzhou today.

Even if Liu Xie ascends the throne in the future, and Empress Dowager Dong assists the new emperor in ruling from behind the curtain, it will be impossible for him to deal with Liangzhou or dismiss Duan Yu.

When pushed to the limit, Duan Yu rebelled in Liangzhou, and the imperial court had no way to deal with him.

The Qiang people, who had troubled the imperial court for decades, were wiped out by Duan Yu in just one or two years.

This is enough to prove that Duan Yu's strength far surpasses that of the Qiang people.

The imperial court didn't even have the ability to deal with the Qiang people, let alone Duan Yu.

If things go wrong, the new emperor might even bestow rewards upon Duan Yu in order to appease him.

Therefore, Ding Yuan would not offend Duan Yu unless absolutely necessary.

Being ordered to guard Hangu Pass was a last resort.

"Since Marquis Ji..."

"Wait a minute," Duan Yu suddenly interrupted Ding Yuan.

A pair of cold eyes swept over Ding Yuan on the pass and said, "I haven't finished speaking yet."

"Ding Yuan, now that you've made your choice..."

"Don't say I didn't give you a chance."

Duan Yu slowly extended two fingers and said, "I'll give you one last chance."

"Before sunset, open the gates of Hangu Pass and let me through. Just as you said, I will pretend that nothing happened before."

"I will pretend I didn't hear anything you said. I still owe you a favor."

"But if the gates of the pass are not opened before nightfall."

"Then before dawn tomorrow, your head will surely be hanging above the city gate. Don't say I didn't give you a chance."

"Two choices..."

"Open the door!"

"Either...die!"

After saying that, Duan Yu turned his head without looking back.

Black Tiger turned and walked away into the distance.

At Hangu Pass, Ding Yuan's face was ashen.

"My lord, you saw it, didn't you?" Song Xian stepped forward at the opportune moment, pointing to Duan Yu's back outside the city gate, and said, "My lord shouldn't have wasted so much time talking to him."

“This man is extremely arrogant. Your Excellency should have ordered the arrows to be fired and killed on the spot.”

“The adults made peace with him, but this only emboldened him to become even more arrogant.”

"enough!"

Ding Yuan's angry shout interrupted Song Xian's words.

Duan Yu's words seemed like a curse, lingering in Ding Yuan's mind.

Even standing atop this towering city gate, Ding Yuan felt a sense of dread.

"Order to strengthen the defenses of the city gates and double the night patrols," Ding Yuan said with a dark face. "Duan Yu's troops are known for their cavalry, but attacking cities is not their forte."

"I don't believe he can break through the city with cavalry."

"Hou Cheng, Song Xian, Wei Xu, Zhang Yang, you patrol the city continuously for twelve hours a day."

"Report any disturbance to me immediately, and absolutely do not allow a single person to enter the city."

The four people standing behind Ding Yuan quickly bowed in response.

On the other side, after returning to his own army's formation, Duan Yu ordered the entire army to rest.

Ding Yuan, who was inside Hangu Pass, would absolutely not dare to lead his troops out.

There's no point in them leaning against this spot.

Now we just wait.

Waiting for it to get dark.

Let's see how Ding Yuan chooses.

Time passes minute by minute.

Not long after Duan Yu and Ding Yuan's negotiations failed, Hua Xiong also arrived at Hangu Pass with eight hundred Flying Bear Cavalry.

With the arrival of the eight hundred Flying Bear Cavalry, Ding Yuan's unease intensified upon seeing that Duan Yu's army had grown even larger.

As the sun began to set, Ding Yuan ultimately failed to open the city gate.

The last rays of the setting sun fell upon the city gate, casting a golden glow over the distant Hangu Pass.

"My lord, the gates inside the pass are still not open."

Tie Shitou approached Duan Yu, who was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, seemingly resting.

Upon hearing Tie Shitou's voice, Duan Yu slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes were filled with coldness.

"I understand."