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

The east is turning a pale white.

The Northern Royal Palace.

The soldiers, fully armed and carrying bows and arrows, stood guard and patrolled the city walls and within the city with high spirits.

They had honed themselves to the peak, both physically and mentally, and their gazes carried a murderous aura.

All the eunuchs and palace maids got up early from their warm beds and dressed neatly.

They worked around the sole master of the palace, King Chen of the North.

Liu Chen opened his eyes, moved his body slightly, and felt very happy. His young and strong body brought him boundless energy.

"Rise," Liu Chen said.

"Yes." The two eunuchs guarding outside the curtain bowed in unison, and then together rolled up the curtain.

A palace maid brought in washing utensils.

After washing up and changing his clothes, Liu Chen sat down to eat breakfast. He had previously sold the recipes and received over a thousand gold coins.

Because he had made money from selling it, Liu Chen forgot about the recipe.

Liu Chen's recipes have now spread throughout Chengdu.

Liu Chen then stopped worrying. Now, the palace cooks are using Liu Chen's recipes.

It tastes good.

Meat and eggs are plentiful.

After finishing two large bowls of millet rice, Liu Chen also devoured all the vegetables.

The happiness of having his stomach full made Liu Chen squint his eyes. He sat for a while, then left his bedchamber, wandered around a few times, and went to his study to read and wait.

Near the royal palace, the area outside the altar was already bustling with activity. Officials, stewards, and helpers were packed in layers upon layers.

Ritual vessels and musical instruments.

Officials in charge of rites and musicians.

and so on.

The emperor offered sacrifices to the god of the land with a grand offering, which consisted of pigs, sheep, and cattle.

When feudal lords offered sacrifices to the God of the Land, they used a small offering, which consisted of pigs and sheep.

After both the sheep and pig were slaughtered and their wool removed, they were placed in front of the altar.

Once everything was ready, the officials sent a eunuch to inform the king.

Upon hearing this, Liu Chen immediately changed his clothes. The eunuchs then placed a nine-tassel crown on Liu Chen's head and dressed him in imperial robes.

He left the palace in a golden carriage, surrounded by his attendants.

Upon arriving at the scene, Liu Chen received the greetings of his subjects. The officials in charge of rites performed a sacrificial ceremony to the local deity according to established etiquette.

At this time, everyone in Wangzhuang who could come had come.

After a bountiful harvest, worshipping the local earth god is of paramount importance. Even without official events, people will spontaneously hold these ceremonies.

Now that the king is personally offering sacrifices to the God of the Land, people will naturally come.

The ritual objects were exquisite.

The music was grand and majestic.

Liu Chen wore a nine-tassel crown and the robes of the King of the North, with a Han sword hanging at his waist, exuding the aura of a monarch.

Under the direction of the ritual officer, he presided over the grand sacrifice.

Amidst the sounds of ceremonial music, it was as if a force descended from the heavens, imbuing him with an indescribable majesty.

They offered sacrifices to the heavens and communicated with the gods.

The power of the monarch.

At least in the eyes of the servants, guests, officials, soldiers, and eunuchs, Liu Chen was communicating with the gods.

It is sacred and holy.

Incomparably majestic.

"Yan Han." Prime Minister Yang Yong glanced at Liu Chen on the altar and felt another urge to shed tears.

"The king has the air of an emperor," Zhang Sheng thought to himself, his hand resting on his sword hilt.

Status, lineage, and Han Chinese.

Blessed by the glory of Zhaolie and the Prime Minister.

Everyone present submitted to Liu Chen, bowing their heads and lowering their brows, becoming his subjects.

Even the grandest musical movement has an ending.

After the sacrificial ceremony, Liu Chen ordered the servants to disperse. He then instructed Yang Yong to cut the sacrificial meat and distribute it to the officials and guests. He ordered a banquet to be held that evening to celebrate.

"The government is controlled by the Ge family, while I am in charge of the sacrifices. Liu Shan's job is not easy either." Liu Chen's body was as tired as if he had done a day's farm work. But he did not show it, and boarded the golden carriage with high spirits, preparing to return to the palace to bathe and change clothes.

"Clatter, clatter, clatter." Zhang Sheng walked quickly over, stopped beside the golden carriage, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Liu Chen remained kneeling, his crown tassels unmoving, and his hand on the hilt of his sword said, "I will follow the imperial carriage and report again upon entering the palace."

"Yes," Zhang Sheng bowed in response.

The coachman cracked his whip, urging the golden carriage forward. Zhang Sheng mounted his horse and followed the carriage.

Upon arriving at the palace, Zhang Sheng was seated in a room. Liu Chen first went to his bedchamber to bathe and change, and when he came to see Zhang Sheng, he was already dressed in everyday clothes.

"What is it?" Liu Chen asked directly.

"Your Majesty," Zhang Shengxian bowed respectfully before speaking, "Our soldiers are becoming increasingly elite, and I believe we should conduct a military hunt. I humbly request permission to lead our troops up the mountain."

Liu Chen nodded, then asked, "How long will it take?"

"At least three months," Zhang Sheng replied.

The army hunts, much like a military campaign. Scouts gather intelligence on the prey, while soldiers chase after the tigers.

The military orders were issued in an orderly manner.

This is not a winter outing, but a military campaign.

Liu Chen lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said, "It would be fine if I could make it back before the wedding."

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Zhang Sheng asked, somewhat surprised.

"I will go with you." Liu Chen stood up, his left hand on the hilt of his sword, exuding a heroic aura, and said, "I enjoy hunting and do not want to miss this military hunt."

He thought to himself, "I am going to lead the masses to kill Deng Ai, so I can't be ignorant. Military hunts are a good opportunity to accumulate military experience."

Zhang Sheng looked at Liu Chen, who stood with his hand on his sword, exuding an imposing aura, and was completely convinced of his superiority.

What a fine appearance, what fine lineage, what a valiant Han Chinese!

A good king.

Indeed, they are descendants of Zhaolie.

Zhang Sheng took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and submitted, saying, "Yes."

Liu Chen and Zhang Sheng discussed the details and decided to set off three days later. The destination was the Longquan Mountains in the east of Shu Commandery.

It lasts at least three months, and sometimes as long as four or five months.

Liu Chen returned before his wedding.

After discussing the matter, Zhang Sheng went to prepare all the necessary supplies for the march, including carts, horses, food, bows and arrows, tents, winter clothing, and medicine.

Liu Chen then sent someone to inform Consort Li, Li Qiu, and the fourth son, Liu Zan, among others. He especially sent word to the fourth son, Liu Zan.

From now on, I won't play field hunting with you anymore. I'll start playing military hunting.

Upon hearing this, Consort Li was greatly alarmed and reluctant to part with Liu Shan. She requested that Liu Shan leave the palace and stay at Liu Chen's palace for two days before reluctantly returning to Chengdu.

Three days later.

morning.

Before dawn, Zhang Sheng's soldiers were already up and had eaten breakfast in an orderly fashion.

Then they pulled out trucks that were already loaded with supplies.

"Thump thump thump!!!!"

"Waaaaah!!!"

The sound of drums and horns was deafening. The soldiers in the army were imposing and powerful.

After preparations were complete, Zhang Sheng sent Wang Chong to invite Liu Chen. Liu Chen, dressed in ordinary clothes, rode in a golden carriage and was surrounded by attendants as he left the palace to meet Zhang Sheng.

The chariot stopped in front of the soldiers. Liu Chen stood up, his hand on his sword, and his sharp gaze swept across their faces. He said in a deep voice, "I love hunting and want to personally shoot a tiger. You must do your best. If you achieve outstanding results, I will reward you handsomely."

"Yes."

The soldiers lowered their heads in submission as they met Liu Chen's gaze. Hearing Liu Chen's words, they rallied their spirits and loudly agreed.

The sound spread outwards, reverberating in all directions.

Liu Chen nodded in satisfaction, sat back down, and said to Zhang Sheng, "Let's go."