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

How is His Majesty's health?

As Duan Yu walked along the corridor, he asked Zuo Feng behind him without turning his head.

Zuo Feng gently shook his head and said, "He is still unconscious, just like he has been for the past few days. The imperial physicians have tried everything, but to no avail."

Given the medical conditions of this era, a brain hemorrhage is tantamount to a death sentence.

The chances of waking up are slim.

The only question now is when I'll die.

This was something he hadn't anticipated.

Unexpectedly, Liu Hong died several years earlier than is historically known.

"After we returned that day, we went to Changqiu Palace and informed Her Majesty the Empress about Marquis Ji. Her Majesty was very pleased to hear it," Zuo Feng said in a low voice.

Duan Yu nodded slightly.

They chatted casually for a while, and eventually arrived at the gate of Jiade.

Duan Yu has entered the palace several times already.

But it was clear that the security at the palace was much tighter this time than on previous occasions.

Even the number of guards in front of Jiade Gate has more than doubled.

After glancing at the guards around him, Duan Yu and Zuo Feng headed to Jiade Hall, where Liu Hong was recuperating.

As soon as Duan Yu arrived in front of the Jiade Hall, he saw his old acquaintance Jian Shuo.

Jian Shuo, dressed in armor and with a sword at his waist, stood with several guards in front of the entrance to the Jiade Hall.

When Duan Yu, dressed in black court robes and wearing a military cap, arrived before the hall, Jian Shuo stepped forward and bowed to Duan Yu, saying:

"By imperial decree, Marquis Ji, Duan Yu, shall be granted a sword and shoes to wear in the palace."

"Please come in, Marquis Ji. The Empress Dowager is waiting for you inside."

Although Jian Shuo behaved very properly, Duan Yu still saw some wariness in Jian Shuo's expression and eyes.

He entered the palace with a sword and shoes.

Duan Yu smiled and then stepped into the main hall.

Inside the spacious hall, there was no one except for the eunuchs standing on both sides.

There was no one behind the dragon table on the steps directly above the main hall.

A dark figure could only be vaguely seen through the beaded curtain behind the dragon throne.

After arriving at the foot of the steps in front of the hall, Duan Yu stopped and bowed to the person behind the beaded curtain.

"You are Marquis Ji, Duan Yu?"

Empress Dowager Dong's voice rang out from behind the beaded curtain.

"Your subject, Duan Yu, greets the Empress Dowager!"

"No gift."

Empress Dowager Dong, behind the beaded curtain, slightly raised her sleeve and said, "I have long heard of your great name. Ever since you were in Jinyang, His Majesty has often mentioned you to me."

"They say you are a virtuous minister who assists the country, a pillar of the Han Dynasty, and a trusted advisor to His Majesty."

"I am unworthy of such praise," Duan Yu said modestly.

"Minister Duan, there is no need to be modest. His Majesty greatly praises everything you have done. After hearing this, I am also happy for His Majesty and for the Han Dynasty to have such a capable minister as Minister Duan."

Duan Yu barely paid any attention to Empress Dowager Dong's words.

This kind of thing, which has absolutely no nutritional value, is only good for fooling those loyal and virtuous men.

"What a pity... His Majesty rarely encounters a loyal and talented minister like Minister Duan, and he was just about to strive for excellence when he fell seriously ill..."

Behind the beaded curtain, Empress Dowager Dong raised her sleeve and gently wiped the corner of her eye.

Seriously ill?

Ha ha.

Duan Yu smiled.

You didn't say that before. Didn't you say that my father-in-law, Dong Zhuo, murdered Liu Hong?

But since we've brought this up, that's perfect.

"Your Majesty, regarding His Majesty's affairs... I have something to say," Duan Yu said calmly.

Behind the beaded curtain, Empress Dowager Dong lowered her hand from wiping the corner of her eye and said, "Minister Duan, I...Minister Duan, you may speak first."

"Your Majesty, I heard before I came from Liangzhou that my father-in-law, Dong Zhuo, the Commandant of the Capital Region, had offered poison to Your Majesty."

"After I arrived in Luoyang, I began to investigate this matter, just to clear my father-in-law's name."

“My father-in-law is devoted to the Han Dynasty. How could he possibly plot against Your Majesty? I do not believe it.”

Empress Dowager Dong, dressed in a black robe, sat behind a beaded curtain, her expression slightly embarrassed.

Because it was none other than her who accused Dong Zhuo of murdering the emperor.

Although Duan Yu didn't say it explicitly, it was impossible for him not to know who had said it.

Empress Dowager Dong, who was kneeling on the cushion, awkwardly shifted her body.

"Then... what are the results of the investigation into Minister Duan?"

Duan Yu nodded and said, "I do have some findings from my investigation, but this matter involves many high-ranking officials of the court, so I must ask the Empress Dowager to make the decision for me."

As Duan Yu spoke, he glanced up at Empress Dowager Dong behind the beaded curtain.

It's about using someone else to do your dirty work.

Of course he would too.

And they play it even better.

It can now be fully confirmed that he entered the Jiade Hall.

Empress Dowager Dong's purpose today is to win him over.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have started by having someone enter the palace with a sword and shoes, followed by a round of praise.

Since it's about winning him over, it's not unreasonable for him to make some demands.

"Minister Duan...please speak, Minister Duan. If there is anything I can do, I will certainly do my best to help you."

"That's exactly what I've been waiting for," Duan Yu said with an almost imperceptible smile.

"Your Majesty, in your wisdom, after investigation by your ministers and the Court of Justice, the jade pill was found to be non-toxic."

"but......"

"Jade Pills are potent drugs. If, during the period of their use, other drugs that conflict with or counteract the pharmacology of Jade Pills are present, the effect will be counterproductive."

"According to my investigation, Your Majesty felt unwell the day after taking the Jade Pill and then consulted Zhang Feng, the Imperial Physician of the Imperial Hospital."

"At that time, the Imperial Physician Zhang Feng prescribed a medicine for His Majesty."

"Presumably, this prescription is still kept in the Imperial Hospital. As long as the Empress Dowager retrieves the prescription and has someone proofread it, it will be possible to determine whether there is a problem with it."

"By comparing the medicine used in the Jade Pill with that used in the Jade Pill, we can see if there are any clues."

"Your Majesty, please see the truth!"

After Duan Yu finished speaking, Empress Dowager Dong, who was behind the beaded curtain, was clearly shocked by his words.

"Imperial Physician Zhang Feng?"

Empress Dowager Dong's eyes widened.

Duan Yu nodded slightly to confirm, "That's right, it's Imperial Physician Zhang Feng."

"Although I do not know why this person wanted to harm Your Majesty, it is a fact, and I beg Your Majesty to see the truth."

Empress Dowager Dong had not yet realized what was happening.

However, Jian Shuo's words soon echoed in his mind.

To win over Duan Yu.

To win over Duan Yu.

The main objective today is to win over Duan Yu.

Since that's the case, then there's Zhang Feng, the Imperial Physician...

"Rest assured, Minister Duan, if this matter is true, I will certainly stand up for you."

"but....."

"I have summoned Minister Duan here today for another matter."

Empress Dowager Dong quickly steered the conversation back to the main topic, fearing that Duan Yu might bring up something off-topic.

"Your subject listens respectfully," Duan Yu replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Minister Duan, I have summoned you here today to inquire about your views on the matter of establishing a crown prince."

"Minister Duan is a pillar of the Han Dynasty. He was not in Luoyang before, but now that he has returned, I thought I would like to ask him what his thoughts are."

"I have followed His Majesty's wishes and established Prince Liu Xie as Crown Prince. This is His Majesty's will, and I believe Minister Duan would also support it."

Temptation.

Empress Dowager Dong's words were clearly a test of his intentions.

If he were to comply, then... Empress Dowager Dong might lower her bargaining chips.

However, if he were to show too much opposition, Empress Dowager Dong would probably be on guard.

These are the words Jia Xu spoke before he entered the palace.

However, the strategy of disrupting the military has already been decided.

Everything must proceed according to plan.

"Your Majesty, the matter of establishing a crown prince is a matter of great importance to the nation, and it rests with the Three Dukes, the ministers, and all the scholars and officials of the land."

"I am but a military man. Although I have received Your Majesty's great favor, all I know is how to lead troops into battle."

"However, since Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has asked, I also have a few words to say."

"Please speak freely, Minister Duan," Empress Dowager Dong said, waving the long sleeves of her robe. "I summoned Minister Duan here to hear your opinion."

Duan Yu took a deep breath and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

"Since Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has summoned me to the palace to inquire, can I assume that there is opposition to the appointment of Marquis Dong as Crown Prince?"

Empress Dowager Dong remained silent.

"In my opinion, the world is in turmoil. The Taiping Rebellion has just been quelled, and the various prefectures are not yet settled."

"Even if it is His Majesty's order to depose the eldest son and establish a son of a concubine, it is still a path to disaster."

"Of course, this is only my opinion and cannot represent the whole world or all the ministers in the hall."

Duan Yu bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

Empress Dowager Dong, sitting behind the beaded curtain, frowned deeply before slowly speaking, "Minister Duan's words are also what I am worried about."

"However... Minister Duan is already a rare and loyal minister who is willing to consider the interests of the Han Dynasty and His Majesty."

"Since you, Minister Duan, have said so, then I will not hide it from you."

"His Majesty once told me that as long as Minister Duan is alive, the Han Dynasty will not fall into chaos."

"If it weren't for Minister Duan quelling the Taiping Dao bandits, the world might still be in chaos."

"Therefore, I feel that as long as Minister Duan continues to support Your Majesty, I will have a sense of confidence with Minister Duan's support."

Duan Yu listened to Empress Dowager Dong's voice but did not speak.

The sex scenes are about to begin.

There's a proper way to win someone over; you can't just try to win them over with a few words.

Sure enough, just as Duan Yu was listening to Empress Dowager Dong praising her, Empress Dowager Dong changed the subject.

"I have heard that Minister Duan has reopened the route to the Western Regions, bringing the kingdoms of the Western Regions back to the Han Dynasty. This is a great achievement for all time."

"Only a capable minister like Minister Duan could accomplish such a feat in the Han Dynasty."

"Minister Duan, I have been thinking about it. The Western Regions have been separated from the Han Dynasty since the Yongchu era, and have been detached from the Han Dynasty for many years."

"If it weren't for Minister Duan, it would have been impossible to reconnect with the Western Regions."

"If Minister Duan can reconquer the Western Regions, then I will, on behalf of His Majesty and the Crown Prince, appoint Minister Duan as King of the Western Regions!"

"What does Minister Duan think?"

Ha ha.

Duan Yu, with his head down, smiled slightly. What a tempting offer!

Empress Dowager Dong really dared to paint that!