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

After the court session ended.

"I wonder who will win and who will lose." Jiang Wei, as the highest-ranking general, led the civil and military officials out of the main hall. He turned to look at Qiao Zhou, then looked away, sighing inwardly.

His feelings were very complicated. Of course, he was happy that He Sui was killed.

Qiao Zhou suffered a loss, but he also used He Sui's death to further enhance his prestige.

Qiao Zhou, together with Imperial Censor Jiang Yu, impeached Liu Chen, the Prince of Beidi, so why did he plead his case?

However, the King of the North had too powerful a backer, and the emperor forbade any further inquiry.

Qiao Zhou used He Sui's death to turn the tide. In the end, he suffered a great loss, but he made up for it to some extent.

Jiang Wei watched the spectacle from the court, but after leaving the hall, he couldn't help but think, "If the emperor were to unleash his fury and strip the Prince of Beidi of his title, it would actually be a good thing."

A prince can never be punished the same as a commoner. However, punishing a prince greatly enhances the emperor's authority and deters treacherous officials in the court and among the people.

Do you want to break the law? Are you more resilient, or is the King of the North more resilient?

The Northern King killed He Sui, which was a great relief to the people. The fall of the Northern King would also be a great relief to the people.

But that was clearly impossible. Jiang Wei shook his head, turned to his men, and gestured for them to go back and discuss it.

Qiao Zhou also had a large group of people surrounding him, and their numbers far exceeded those of Jiang Wei.

Qiao Zhou glanced at Jiang Wei, a slight sneer appearing on his lips.

"With the country in constant turmoil and the Northern King so arrogant and domineering, this is not a blessing for the nation."

"The state of Wei is large while the state of Han is small. The small state does not know how to care for its common people, but instead indulges the feudal lords... Alas."

"Virtue is fundamental; without establishing this foundation, how can a small nation endure?"

The people around Qiao Zhou were talking amongst themselves, exchanging glances, their eyes darting around.

After both sides left the palace, the news quickly spread throughout Chengdu.

Liu Chen's reputation for greed, lust, stinginess, and cruelty reached new heights, becoming the height of his power.

Led by Qiao Zhou, the ministers began a fierce attack on Liu Chen, using Liu Chen's case to criticize the emperor's incompetence.

This country deserves to perish.

The one who replaced the Han dynasty was Gao of Dangtu.

The ministers, led by General Jiang Wei, banded together to protect Liu Han. However, they were few in number, weak, and isolated.

But as Jiang Wei had predicted, He Sui's death did have some impact on the overall situation.

A renowned scholar from Sichuan like He Sui, a handsome and refined gentleman, was welcomed wherever he went. Qiao Zhou didn't have many like him.

Without He Sui's help in connecting with heroes, Qiao Zhou's career was actually on the decline.

After the ministers had all left, Liu Chen stood alone in the main hall.

Shortly after, Huang Hao emerged from the side door and handed Liu Chen, along with the admonitions to their sons from Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei.

Huang Hao smiled and whispered to Liu Chen, "Your Majesty need not worry. The Emperor has simply assigned you a troublesome tutor."

Huang Chong!!! After hearing Huang Hao's words, Liu Chen's eyes gleamed. This was no troublesome person at all; he was clearly a good thing. In the Battle of Mianzhu on the eve of the fall of the Liu Han dynasty, the person who truly understood military strategy and dared to speak out was none other than Huang Chong.

He had long wanted to befriend Huang Chong. However, Huang Chong was a close advisor to the emperor, and he, as a prince, could not befriend him. Moreover, he needed to maintain his public image. Now that the emperor had kicked Huang Chong to his side and made him his tutor, it was exactly what he wanted.

"Huang Chong? Hmph. I'll just ignore him." Liu Chen put aside his thoughts, sneered, and then thanked him, "Thank you, Lord Huang, for your mediation. I will not forget it." After a pause, he added in a low voice, "I have prepared three hundred taels of gold, and I will send someone to deliver it to Lord Huang's residence tonight."

Huang Hao felt very comfortable. Liu Chen was sending him money every month, and he was quite happy to receive it. After doing this one thing, Liu Chen gave him an extra three hundred gold coins. Such a benefactor was unparalleled in the entire Sichuan region.

How could we let such a kind and amiable king of the North fall?

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty," Huang Hao said softly when he saw that no one was around.

"You flatter me, Master Huang," Liu Chen quickly replied.

After exchanging a few polite words, Liu Chen left with the letter of admonition to his son. Upon exiting the main hall, he was apprehended and taken to see Consort Li.

Li Qiu has already left.

According to Li Qiu, Liu Chen is an extraordinary child, and you should discipline him.

But Consort Li agreed in person, and after meeting Liu Chen, she became a doting mother who spoiled her son. She weakly said a few words like "my darling," and Liu Chen smiled and nodded obsequiously before ending the conversation.

Liu Chen quickly left the palace and returned to his Northern Palace.

The eunuchs and palace maids were overjoyed to see Wang Ping'an return. Liu Chen, however, showed no joy and returned to his study with the admonition given to him by Liu Shan.

Liu Bei's dying words.

"Do not refrain from doing good because it is small, nor do evil because it is small."

There's a saying: "A dying man's words are good, and a dying bird's song is mournful." Liu Bei's last words reveal his true heart.

Zhuge Liang's letter of admonition to his son is also good.

However, Liu Shan only knew one side of the story and not the other.

"To kill one person to save ten thousand is true compassion. Qiao Zhou, Huang Hao, He Sui, and the like all deserve to die." Liu Chen ordered a eunuch to bring charcoal and burned all the words Liu Shan had written for him.

"How should I deal with Huang Chong?" Liu Chen waved for the eunuch to take the charcoal stove away, changed from kneeling to sitting cross-legged, and gently pinched his chin.

Wang Fu.

The tutors of the feudal lords had the responsibility of disciplining them. Huang Chong was personally appointed by the emperor.

If Huang Chong starts by rambling on and on about advising this person and that person, it would be quite troublesome.

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

next morning.

Huang Mansion.

Huang Quan was from Langzhong, Brazil. The Huang clan held considerable prestige and influence in Brazil, and Huang Quan had served as Liu Zhang's chief clerk, considered a close confidant.

Liu Zhang treated Huang Quan well, and the Huang family owned many fields and houses in and around Chengdu.

After Huang Quan surrendered to Cao Wei, Liu Bei treated Huang Quan's wife and children the same as before, and naturally preserved his land and houses.

The Huang Mansion that remains is quite grand and spacious.

in the bedroom.

Huang Chong woke up. His wife had died of illness, and she had left him with two sons.

He was a man of impeccable character, never taking a concubine or remarrying, and remained a widower for many years. He was attended only by an old maid.

"Sigh." Huang Chong sighed, looking dejected.

He was willing to dedicate himself to the Han dynasty, even to the point of sacrificing his life. He could lead troops as a general in the field, or he could serve as a minister in the court.

They could also serve as prefects in the capital, governing a region for the emperor.

For many years, he was just a lowly physician. Now he can't even be a physician anymore; he's been sent to be the tutor of the Prince of the North.

Feeling utterly frustrated and unfulfilled, Huang Chong remained listless for a long time before finally managing to get up, wash, change his clothes, and go to the outer room.

His two sons, Huang Guang and Huang Fu, got up and came to pay their respects to their father. The three of them then had breakfast together.

"I want to be a general, to die for my country." Huang Chong cried after the meal, tears streaming down his face.

Seeing their father like this, Huang Guang and Huang Fu also felt sad and sighed.

After a long while, Huang Chongcai stopped crying. Because his clothes were ruined, he changed into a different set of clothes, straightened his appearance, left his bedroom, boarded a carriage, and went to work at the Northern Prince's Palace.

"No matter what position I hold, I cannot give up. I must advise the King to be cautious." On the chariot, Huang Chong gripped the hilt of his sword, his expression resolute, his fighting spirit restored.