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

He Jin, standing below the main hall, had a mournful face.

Only now did He Jin understand why Duan Yu hadn't stood firmly on his side.

He'll be made a king!

This is a title of king!

What promises could he make to Duan Yu?

He Jin turned to look at Duan Yu and felt an overwhelming sense of despair.

Yuan Wei, standing on the steps, frowned deeply, his fox-like eyes fixed on Duan Yu, as if trying to see through the ambition hidden in Duan Yu's strong body.

The world generally believes that Duan Yu was of a fierce and unyielding character.

But Duan Yu chose Empress Dowager Dong at this crucial moment.

It should be noted that it was Empress Dowager Dong who issued the decree to arrest Dong Zhuo and ordered Ding Yuan to keep Duan Yu out of Hangu Pass.

If it were according to Duan Yu's previous personality, he would definitely have turned Luoyang upside down.

But now...

Duan Yu surprisingly chose to support Empress Dowager Dong.

Although being crowned a king is very tempting.

But Yuan Wei wasn't stupid; he understood the hidden meaning in Empress Dowager Dong's words.

They conquered the entire Western Regions.

is it possible?

Throughout the four hundred years of the Han Dynasty, no one was able to truly conquer the kingdoms of the Western Regions.

The Western Regions comprised dozens of small kingdoms, their territory vast, larger than any of the provinces of the Han Dynasty.

Not to mention that among them was the superpower Wusun, with a population comparable to a province of the Han Dynasty and a military force of hundreds of thousands.

Moreover, there were also the Northern Xiongnu north of the Western Regions.

Although the remaining dozens of small countries are very weak.

But when you add them all up, it's not a small number.

Moreover, the terrain of the Western Regions is complex and the supply lines are extremely long. How much food, fodder and troops would be needed to conquer the Western Regions?

This is an incalculable number.

At the height of the Han Dynasty's power, Li Guangli led 30,000 troops and conquered Dayuan in three separate campaigns.

The amount of money and grain consumed was countless.

The number of soldiers and horses lost was countless.

To conquer the entire Western Regions and be granted the title of king would be almost an impossible task.

Even though Duan Yu was very capable in battle, Yuan Wei still did not believe that Duan Yu could conquer the entire Western Regions.

procrastination.

Although Yuan Wei did not know who had devised this plan for Empress Dowager Dong, he still deduced her intentions.

Delaying Duan Yu.

Then the question arises.

This was also a concern of Yuan Wei.

Duan Yu is not stupid; to be precise, Duan Yu is very smart.

Given this, couldn't Duan Yu see that Empress Dowager Dong was stalling for time?

If Duan Yu saw through it, why did he agree in the first place?

What was Duan Yu thinking?

In other words, what is Duan Yu going to do?

This is the reason why Yuan Wei frowned.

After a brief silence, the main hall erupted into a buzz of discussion.

For four hundred years, the Han Dynasty nurtured scholars. Although the court is now corrupt and weak, the Han Dynasty has never lacked loyal ministers who were upright and outspoken, even to the point of dying for their cause.

Just as the officials began to discuss the matter, some officials stepped out from the crowd and stood in the main hall, holding their official tablets.

"Your Majesty, I, Kong Rong, the Imperial Censor, have something to say!"

Duan Yu, who was standing at the front, turned around and glanced at Kong Rong, who was walking out of the crowd.

He wore a black court robe, a Jinxian crown, and held a white scepter. He was of medium height and had an ordinary appearance.

Duan Yu did not know much about Kong Rong in history.

The only thing that left an impression was Kong Rong's upright and unyielding character.

He frequently argued with his superiors, and even ended up dying because he often mocked Cao Cao.

However, according to Duan Yu's own understanding, saying that Kong Rong was upright and incorruptible was actually just a disguised way of glorifying his low emotional intelligence.

Kong Rong was recruited by Yang Ci in his early years and became a clerk in the Sikong Mansion.

When he first became an official, Kong Rong secretly investigated corrupt officials and prepared to demote and dismiss them.

However, he later offended a eunuch and was eventually demoted and sent home.

Later, when Wang Yun was the governor of Yuzhou, he recruited Kong Rong here.

However, Kong Rong's reply to Wang Yun at that time was: "I will not accept any official appointments from the prefectures and counties."

The general meaning of the reply was that the officials of your prefecture and county do not need to recruit me, and even if they do, I will not go back.

To put it arrogantly, or simply put, you are not worthy.

Later, Kong Rong was recruited by Yang Ci again, just as He Jin was promoted to Grand General. Yang Ci sent Kong Rong with a letter to visit him.

Because his servants failed to inform him in time, Kong Rong felt slighted. He immediately snatched back the visiting card, tore it up in front of He Jin's mansion, and turned to leave, showing no respect to He Jin whatsoever.

If it weren't for the fact that Kong Rong was a descendant of a sage and his fame spread far and wide, He Jin's men would have wanted to send someone to assassinate him.

In terms of ability, Kong Rong was not good at being an official, and Duan Yu was not worried about what measures this guy could take.

On the contrary, when he served as the Minister of Beihai, he was beaten so badly that he fled in terror.

But such people are famous and have a good reputation.

He was a renowned scholar.

Killing this kind of person is more troublesome than killing a hundred Ding Yuans.

It's the same principle as when Cao Cao killed Bian Rang.

"What does Minister Kong have to say?" Empress Dowager Dong asked, her black phoenix robe billowing in wide sleeves.

Kong Rong straightened his neck and looked directly at Empress Dowager Dong, his gaze unwavering, and said, “Empress Dowager, Emperor Gaozu made the White Horse Alliance, which stated: ‘Anyone who is not of the Liu clan and becomes king shall be attacked by all under heaven. Anyone who is granted a marquisate without merit shall be executed by all under heaven.’”

"The Empress Dowager's decree granting the Governor of Liangzhou the title of King, wouldn't that violate the ancestral teachings of Emperor Gaozu?"

Upon hearing Kong Rong finish speaking, Duan Yu turned around and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

It's not an exaggeration to say that Kong Rong had low emotional intelligence.

When this guy said those words at this time, he wasn't just going against him; he was going against Empress Dowager Dong.

Sure enough, Empress Dowager Dong's face darkened upon hearing Kong Rong's words.

"Imperial Censor Kong, when has my mother ever disobeyed the teachings of our ancestral master?"

"The Western Regions originally did not belong to the Han Dynasty. If Imperial Censor Kong is capable, you can also conquer the Western Regions and bring them into the territory of the Han Dynasty. If you have such ability, even if the whole world opposes you, I will still make you a king."

The question is, do you even have that ability?

Empress Dowager Dong glared angrily at Kong Rong.

Kong Rong kept his neck straight and looked directly at Empress Dowager Dong: "Empress Dowager, I do not have such ability, but what does this have to do with the White Horse Alliance of Emperor Taizu?"

"If we follow the Empress Dowager's suggestion, wouldn't it mean that whoever defeats the Xiongnu, the Xianbei, or the Southern Barbarians will be granted the title of king?"

"Kong Rong, how dare you!"

Empress Dowager Dong suddenly stood up from beside the dragon desk, pointed at Kong Rong, and said, "Guards, throw this arrogant scoundrel out of here."

"The Queen Mother calm down!"

"The Queen Mother calm down!"

"Your Majesty, Kong Rong was only thinking of the court. Please calm your anger."

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Minister Kong is utterly loyal."

Dozens of court officials stood up and pleaded for Kong Rong's life.

Duan Yu narrowed his eyes slightly.

Indeed, renowned scholars and Confucianists are truly different.

Even though he contradicted the Empress Dowager during the reign of Emperor Kong Rong, so many people still stood up to speak for him.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Although Kong Rong's words were excessive, they were for the sake of the country. Please calm down."

At this moment, Yuan Wei, who was on the steps, turned back and pleaded with Empress Dowager Dong, saying, "Regarding the matter of bestowing a title of king..."

"how?"

Before Yuan Wei could finish speaking, Empress Dowager Dong interrupted him.

"Does the Grand Tutor also think that I am too arbitrary?"

Yuan Wei quickly shook his head: "No."

"The Empress Dowager is right. The Western Regions were never part of the Han Dynasty's territory, and the various kingdoms in the Western Regions each had their own kings."

"If Marquis Ji can truly pacify the Western Regions, it would indeed be a monumental achievement for all time."

"But I still think this matter should be handled with caution, and I believe Kong Rong would agree."

"Therefore, please calm your anger, Your Majesty."

Yuan Wei calmed down Empress Dowager Dong's anger with just a few words.

His Highness's ministers also pulled back Kong Rong, who was standing with his neck straight.

Empress Dowager Dong took a deep breath before slowly sitting down again.

"The Grand Tutor also said that conquering the Western Regions is a difficult and arduous task, and it may not be possible to accomplish it. Therefore, my words are just a promise."

"As for whether or not we can take it down, that depends on Minister Duan."

Empress Dowager Dong turned her gaze to Duan Yu: "Minister Duan, do you have confidence?"

Duan Yu lowered his head, smiled slightly, and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to give it a try. As for whether I will succeed or fail, I dare not guarantee it, but I will do my best to expand the territory of the Han Dynasty."

"Very well." Empress Dowager Dong nodded with a smile: "Is there anything else you wish to say, Grand Tutor?"

Yuan Wei shook his head to indicate that there was nothing more.

"Since that's the case, let's leave it at that for now, and the rest of you need not say anything more."