The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

One month later.

Zhang Sheng's home has changed dramatically.

Liu Chen invested a considerable amount in Zhang Sheng, and Zhang Sheng spent most of it. His house was renovated, and an outer wall was built, making it look like the residence of a nouveau riche.

Zhang Sheng did not hire servants, but allowed seven close relatives and fellow villagers to live in his home.

When they go out, they follow; when they return, they become his confidants.

His brother, the wealthy Wang Chong, bought the house of one of Zhang Sheng's neighbors, moved in with several servants, built a house on Zhang Sheng's land, and recruited seventy or eighty people for Zhang Sheng.

They were either from the same village or from nearby villages. Their familiar accents were endearing; many were teenagers, while a few were brave warriors from near and far.

Zhang Sheng was very generous and used the money given to him by Liu Chen to support these people.

At the same time, Zhang Sheng made Shu brocade clothes for himself, his elderly mother, wife and children. He only made one set for each season and rarely wore them on ordinary days. He wore them only when he had guests or went out to show off his wealth.

Zhang Sheng spent a large sum of money to buy two more fine horses.

Spending money like water, as if wealth were dirt.

morning.

The sun was shining brightly, but the weather was turning cold.

Inside Zhang Sheng's courtyard.

Zhang Sheng's two sons stood with his confidant Wang Chong and others.

Zhang Sheng, riding a fine horse, wearing fine armor and wielding a lance, charged back and forth in the courtyard.

The scarecrow placed in the center received all sorts of deaths.

Stabbed to death, beheaded, ...

When it was almost time, Zhang Sheng reined in his horse and stopped, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Brother, you have truly excellent martial arts skills." Wang Chong clapped his hands and praised sincerely.

He was also quite knowledgeable; among all the people he had met, none could compare to Zhang Sheng in terms of martial arts skills and bravery.

Zhang Sheng shook his head, beckoned his trusted aide over, handed him the horse lance, and then removed his helmet, saying, "I still need to practice more. I only rode a horse when I was a child. I don't even know what riding a horse is anymore. With my current riding skills, I'd be nothing but a useless fool on the battlefield."

He knew his own limitations best; he'd only ever seen pigs run, never actually eaten them. While his foot combat skills hadn't deteriorated, his mounted combat was... well, let's just say they were hopeless.

But he quickly rallied and said with a smile, "Fortunately, I don't have to go to the battlefield right away, so I have plenty of time to train."

"Yes." Wang Chong and the others nodded.

Zhang Sheng had his trusted aides help him remove his armor, and then he and the others went to the study. He took out his grandfather's insights and military books, and together they explained military strategy to each other.

It was a time for military drills and discussions.

After lunch, Zhang Sheng led his brothers and followers out of the courtyard to train them and hone their horsemanship.

Thinking too much is useless. He only has one thought in mind now: to practice diligently and wait for Liu Chen's summons.

Zhang Sheng's behavior also made him famous in the village.

They became a powerful force, neither too big nor too small.

...........

In the depths of winter, the weather is bitterly cold. The land is barren and desolate.

But for Tianlie, things were getting better and better.

As human activity has decreased, wild animals from the mountains and forests have come to the fields to forage for food, resulting in an increase in large prey, with wolves and tigers occasionally appearing.

"Clatter clatter clatter!!!!" In the barren fields, Liu Chen, dressed in winter clothes made by his mother, Consort Li, and wearing a bearskin cloak, rode a black, hairless steed, frequently drawing his bow.

The twenty-odd guards on either side dispersed, serving only as a lookout and not participating in the hunt.

Since the first hunt in autumn, Liu Chen has been hunting every two or three days. His horsemanship and archery skills have greatly improved, and he has also gained considerable fame.

Among Liu Shan's sons, the original Crown Prince Liu Xuan was known for his unrestrained hunting. Now, Liu Chen's reputation has surpassed Liu Xuan's, making him the most prolific hunter among Liu Shan's sons.

With a soft "whoosh," a herd of deer galloped ahead. Liu Chen spurred his horse forward, his lower body motionless, his upper body bent at the bow and arrow, his eyes like an eagle's, his hand steady and his bow steady.

With a "thud," the arrow shot out like lightning, striking the neck of a large stag in front of it.

The stag stumbled and fell to the ground, howling in pain. The other deer continued their frantic run.

One of Liu Chen's guards reined in his horse and went to retrieve the deer carcass that Liu Chen had shot. Liu Chen led the rest of his men to continue chasing the deer herd, stopping after killing half of them.

Liu Chen looked up at the sky; it was almost noon. He was also starving. After putting the bow back on his horse, he gripped the reins tightly and said to his men, "Let's find a place with water and have a good meal."

"Yes." The guards on either side responded in unison, and then a guard familiar with the terrain led the group to a clear stream.

The guards split into several groups; some dealt with the deer carcass, some gathered firewood, and some took out Shu brocade and made a square apron to shield themselves from the wind and cold.

Liu Chen didn't have to do anything. He knelt in the enclosure, ate some pastries, and waited for the deer to ripen.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the guards withdrew from the encirclement, then mounted their horses and escorted Liu Chen to continue the hunt.

Liu Chen did not go to see Zhang Sheng again, but he knew what Zhang Sheng was doing. He sent two deer to Zhang Sheng as an extra meal for his troops.

It was already dark when they returned to the city. Logically, the city gates should not be opened at this time.

However, Prince Chen was unreasonable and arrogant. Furthermore, the law was lax. The officials dared not stop him and let Liu Chen and his entourage enter.

After entering the city, Liu Chen sent people to divide the prey among themselves, such as to Li Qiu's family and Mi Zhao's family.

When he returned to the palace, he had nothing.

Liu Chen was riding his horse, intending to return to his small palace. Suddenly, he saw a carriage being escorted by guards towards the palace gate. Sitting in the carriage was a minister, possibly a court attendant, holding a Han imperial staff.

A minister holding an imperial insignia is an envoy of the emperor.

He is called an angel.

But even the angel had to stop upon seeing Prince Chen. After the carriage came to a halt, the angel on it nodded to Prince Chen and said, "My lord, I have a mission to fulfill and cannot perform the proper greeting."

Liu Chen didn't dwell on it, but simply asked, "What happened?"

There's nothing wrong with saying it. The angel replied, "Your Highness, the Minister's condition is worsening, and the Emperor has ordered me to visit him."

Liu Chen smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. He waved his hand, indicating that he could leave.

The angel nodded and ordered the coachman to set off, hurrying towards the palace gate.

Liu Chen turned around, took a deep look, and thought to himself, "Chen Zhi won't live past this year. Next up is Huang Hao's era."

Chen Zhi was a demon, but he did possess some ability. After Chen Zhi's death, Huang Hao seized power and monopolized the court.

Historically, Chen Zhi's death marked the beginning of the final countdown for the Liu Han dynasty.

But Chen Zhi's death was to his advantage. For the past few months, he had been sending money to Huang Hao's residence without fail.

According to historical trends, he should be crowned a king next year. Right now, he's just a carefree young master; once he leaves the palace, he'll be a carefree prince.

Acting recklessly will inevitably invite attacks from both the government and the public.

Huang Hao would help him wipe his butt.

Liu Chen collected his thoughts, gave a cold smile, squeezed his feet tightly around the horse's flanks, and steered the warhorse at breakneck speed through the palace.

Young Master Chen was unrestrained and arrogant.