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

Yizhou is known as the Land of Abundance. In addition to its suitable climate, it is rich in various minerals and silk. If it were not mountainous and difficult to travel, but instead a large plain like Jizhou, the grain yield would definitely be several times that of Jizhou.

This was also an important reason why Dong Fu persuaded Liu Yan to come to Ji Province to serve as the governor of Yi Province.

The people walking in from outside the hall were stepping on green jade bricks engraved with the characters for "victory." Even the gaps between the bricks were filled with cinnabar mixed with gold powder. Under the light of the candles burning on the bronze Xuan Bird lamps hanging on the surrounding beams and pillars, the bricks were as smooth as mirrors and shimmered with golden light.

In each of the four corners of the hall are four bronze statues representing the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.

Each statue is exquisitely crafted, with shimmering dragon scales, tiger faces and fangs, vivid sparrow feathers, and a majestic Xuanwu (a mythical beast).

Eight large nanmu pillars, each requiring two people to encircle, are entirely lacquered in vermilion and stretch for miles along both sides of the hall's passageway. The surface is further enhanced with a tapestry technique, incorporating densely engraved cloud patterns with iron needles and filling them with gold.

Behind Liu Yan's seat was a black lacquered rhinoceros-hide armrest, with the image of the Duke of Zhou assisting King Cheng carved on the armrest. Behind the seat stood a jade algae with nine tassels, which was quite in line with the imperial style.

At the time, Dong Fu not only said that Yizhou was subordinate to the emperor, but also said that according to the night sky, Yizhou had the aura of an emperor.

This is also one of the important reasons why Liu Yan made up his mind to come to Yizhou.

But Liu Yan, sitting in the main seat, no longer had the solemn air of an emperor he usually possessed.

His face was full of worry.

When Jia Long, the official of Yizhou, Dong Fu, the governor of Yizhou, and Zhao Wei, the prefect of Shu Commandery, arrived at the foot of the steps leading to the main seat, they could tell from the expression on Liu Yan's face that something big must have happened.

"Lord."

"Lord."

"Lord."

After the three of them stood still, they all bowed to Liu Yan.

Liu Yan waved the long sleeves of his purple robe: "No need for formalities."

The somber tone of his voice mirrored Liu Yan's mood at that moment.

"I've summoned you all here so late because there's something extremely important I need to discuss with you."

Liu Yan glanced down at the letters laid out in front of him, then said in a deep voice:

"That afternoon, someone informed me that I had intercepted a secret letter in Hanzhong."

"This letter is intended to be delivered by Fa Yan, son of Fa Zhen of Fufeng, to Su Gu, the governor of Hanzhong Commandery."

As for the contents of this letter...

At this point, Liu Yan frowned.

The expressions of Jia Long, Dong Fu, and Zhao Wei, who were standing in the hall, all changed.

News of Duan Yu's support for the eldest son of the emperor, Liu Bian, to succeed to the throne in Chang'an last October, as well as his major battle with Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, and others at Hangu Pass, had already reached Shu Commandery.

It can't be said that the message was sent to Shu County; it should be said that it was sent by the imperial court in Luoyang.

In addition to informing Duan Yu of his rebellion, the Luoyang court also ordered Yizhou to send troops from Yizhou through Hanzhong Commandery to harass Duan Yu after the beginning of spring this year.

When the news was heard, the Shu Commandery was in turmoil.

Liangzhou is adjacent to Hanzhong County of Yizhou.

Hanzhong Commandery was the gateway from Guanzhong to Yizhou.

In other words, if Liangzhou captures Hanzhong Commandery, it will be equivalent to having a forward fortress to attack Yizhou, and troops can be dispatched at any time.

Conversely, if Yizhou occupies Hanzhong Commandery, it can pose a constant threat to Guanzhong and launch a northern expedition.

However, due to the overwhelming strength of Duan Yu's Liangzhou troops and his desire to sit back and watch the two sides fight, Liu Yan did not heed the imperial edict and prepared to send troops to attack Duan Yu.

Instead, he ordered the defense of the passes in Hanzhong Commandery to the death, absolutely not giving Duan Yu the opportunity to invade Yizhou.

The sudden betrayal of the Hongnong Yang clan, the leaders of the Guanzhong gentry, not only enabled Duan Yu to defeat the 200,000-strong army of the Luoyang court outside Hangu Pass.

This also allowed Duan Yu to win over all the gentry in Guanzhong.

The Fa family of Fufeng was the most prominent aristocratic family in Fufeng.

Even Liu Yan had heard of Fa Zhen's great name.

Jia Long, Dong Fu, and others standing in the hall all knew of Fa Zhen's great name.

"Fa Yan of Fufeng wrote a letter to Su Gu, hoping that Su Gu would surrender to Duan Yu and offer up Hanzhong Commandery..."

hiss!

As soon as Liu Yan finished speaking, the people in the hall gasped.

“Su Gu is originally from Fufeng, and he is a fellow townsman and old friend of Fa Yan. Although this letter has been intercepted, I am worried that Fa Yan might send someone else to deliver it. At that time... Hanzhong will be in danger.” Liu Yan’s tone was gloomy.

Although Jia Long was an official in Liangzhou, he was unaware of the relationship between Fa Yan and Su Gu, so he remained silent and instead looked at Dong Fu.

Compared to Jia Long, Dong Fu clearly understood the two of them better.

So he stepped forward and said, “My lord, Su Gu has served as the governor of Hanzhong Commandery for many years, and he is a man of upright character and fierce temperament.”

"I believe that although Su Gu and Fa Yan are very close, it is not necessarily true that he will side with Duan Yu."

Despite Dong Fu's comforting words, Liu Yan's doubts remained undiminished.

“Lord Dong, you are mistaken…” Zhao Wei shook his head and said, “Su Gu’s character is indeed verifiable, but Hanzhong Commandery is of paramount importance and cannot be compromised in the slightest.”

"If we defend Yizhou, we will have to defend Hanzhong; if we leave Yizhou, we will have to take Hanzhong."

"Hanzhong is a land rich in grain. If Hanzhong is lost, half of Yizhou's grain supply will be cut off. Even if Yizhou can be defended in the future, without the grain supplies from Hanzhong, Yizhou will never be able to leave."

"so......"

Zhao Wei turned to Liu Yan and said, "My lord, in my opinion, this matter must be handled with utmost care."

After listening to Dong Fu and Zhao Wei, Liu Yan, who was sitting in the main seat, took a deep breath.

“Indeed, I also believe that Hanzhong is of paramount importance to Yizhou and cannot be lost in the slightest,” Liu Yan said.

Okay, since we're going to handle this seriously, here's the problem.

"My lord," Dong Fu said with a furrowed brow, "if you order Su Gu's dismissal at this time, what if the letter in Fa Yan's possession has already reached Su Gu's hands? What then?"

"If Su Gu originally had no intention of rebelling, but harbored resentment because of the lord's orders, wouldn't that just be doing Duan Yu a favor?"

Liu Yan suddenly felt troubled.

Dong Fu's words made sense.

If that's the case, then it would be like shooting yourself in the foot.

"If I were to send someone to test Su Gu's attitude first, and then quickly capture him on the spot?"

"What does Mao'an think?"

Dong Fu, who was over fifty years old, stroked his slightly graying beard, his face wrinkled with wrinkles.

"Only this method is somewhat reliable." Dong Fu took a deep breath and asked, "Whom does the lord intend to send to Hanzhong Commandery?"

Liu Yan thought for a moment.

Since it's this kind of thing, it's natural to send someone you can absolutely trust.

After much deliberation, a person came to Liu Yan's mind.

...............

The Office of the Inspector General of Righteousness.

Zhang Lu was sitting in the hall drinking.

Several graceful dancers were dancing to the music.

Despite the dancers' tireless efforts and profuse sweating, Zhang Lu, who was raising his glass to drink, remained completely uninterested.

Instead, only one beautiful face kept appearing in my mind.

After drinking about 70% of the wine, Zhang Lu's face became increasingly dark red. In his drunken haze, the appearance of the dancer in the white dress who had led the enlightenment gradually changed.

Zhang Lu rubbed his sleepy, drunken eyes, as if he had seen it all clearly.

"Qing'er..."

"Qing'er..."

Holding a wine glass in one hand, Zhang Lu staggered down the steps and grabbed the lead dancer's wrist.

"Qing'er, just... just... just give in to me, what's wrong with being my concubine?"

"No need...no need...it's better than you being a maid..."

"grown ups......"

The dancer gasped and knelt on the ground.

The word "sir" seemed to awaken Zhang Lu. He looked down at the dancer kneeling before him and realized that it was not Duan Liuqing.

Furious, Zhang Lu frowned and shoveled the wine in his glass dry.

Just as Zhang Lu was about to smash the wine glass in his hand to the ground, a servant rushed in from outside the hall.

"My lord, the governor requests your presence immediately, as there is urgent business."

Upon hearing the words "Governor," Zhang Lu was already half-sober.

It was already so late, and Liu Yan had sent someone to fetch him at this hour, urging him to come immediately. It must be something extremely urgent.

After a brief moment of distraction, Zhang Lu immediately had someone bring him a hangover remedy. He also changed his clothes, lit incense on the carriage to dispel the smell of alcohol, and headed towards Liu Yan's residence.

..............

Not long after Zhang Lu left the mansion.

As Duan Liuqing was serving Zhang Lu's mother in the inner courtyard until she went to bed, a peculiar bird call suddenly rang out from outside the courtyard.

Upon hearing the bird's call, Duan Liuqing's eyes immediately lit up.

There is a bird in Liangzhou called the Blue Eared Pheasant, although it is called a chicken.

During the spring breeding season, the male bird emits a deep, long "coo-coo" sound.

Moreover, the sound can be heard from miles away, echoing through the mountains like an ancient horn.

When encountering danger, this gurgling sound turns into a clucking sound.

Many Qiang people use the blue-eared pheasant as a tribal totem, which is engraved on pottery jars.

Moreover, during important festivals, the Qiang people will imitate this sound to hold singing competitions.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Duan Liuqing glanced around.

After confirming that no one was around, Duan Liuqing nimbly stepped onto the courtyard wall and then lightly stepped over it to the outside of the courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, a person dressed in a black robe was squatting in the corner.

Under the pitch-black night sky, it is almost impossible to spot without careful observation.

Even if you see it, you'd probably think it's just a rock or something.

Upon seeing Duan Liuqing climb over the courtyard wall, Liu Baitu, dressed in a black robe, stood up and gave a shy smile.

Duan Liuqing looked at Liu Baitu with great excitement: "Master..."

The increasingly mature Liu Baitu nodded and said with a relieved smile, "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright."