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

Spring passes and autumn comes.

Chengdu.

Outside the city, on the vast fields, the crops are nearing harvest. Thank God, another year of favorable weather has arrived.

The farmers' faces were beaming with smiles.

No matter how difficult the world is, they are happy at this moment.

The nobles in the city began to stir, planning to go hunting in the autumn and winter.

Inside the Northland Wangzhuang.

Under the protection of the Northern King, able-bodied men in Wangzhuang were exempt from corvée labor and military service, and lived a very orderly life.

As time passed, the villagers' gratitude towards Liu Chen not only did not diminish, but instead grew stronger, like fine wine.

They are now united with Liu Chen. Liu Chen's enemies are their enemies. If anyone tries to harm Liu Chen, he can easily order countless people to defend him.

Inside the imperial harem.

Queen Chen Mingzhen organized the royal wives to play the game of pitch-pot.

With her in charge, Liu Chen's concubines had a great time.

But it was mainly the three younger girls playing. Liu Zhaoning, Chen Lingzi, and Madam Lü were all pregnant and couldn't move around much.

Liu Zhaoning and Chen Lingzi, both heavily pregnant, beamed with joy and happiness. Although their sons had no connection to the throne, what woman wouldn't want a healthy and adorable child?

Only Lady Lü was lifeless, as if someone owed her a thousand pieces of gold.

Queen Chen Mingzhen, seeing her like this, felt sorry for her and comforted her, saying, "E'e, life is hard. Many people don't live to be thirty, and many become widows early. Now you are a queen, and you have a child..."

The woman's given name was Lü'e.

Lü E gave a bitter smile, still feeling depressed. But at least she listened and, out of respect for Chen Mingzhen, she cheered up somewhat.

Chen Mingzhen nodded slightly and glanced at the queens present. Her job as queen was to oversee the harem and ensure the safe birth of princes and princesses.

The front palace, the study.

Eunuchs stood on either side of him, while Liu Chen sat on the throne, leaning against a low table to read military texts.

During this period, his changes were not obvious, but they were not nonexistent either. He practiced martial arts, read books, rode and shot arrows, and used the horse spear.

He grew stronger, his eyes became bright and piercing, he was heroic and upright, and his whole body exuded masculinity.

Huang Chong once said that Liu Chen had developed the air of a military general.

"Tap tap tap." The hurried footsteps startled Liu Chen awake. He gently gripped the bamboo slip and looked up at the door.

Sun Gui, the owner of the Northern Shu King's Manor, hurried in, looking terrified. After standing for a moment, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Chang Heng has robbed the manor of its goods. There are a hundred bolts of Shu brocade and five hundred bolts of silk."

At this point, he broke out in a cold sweat, his face turned pale, his legs trembled, and he was filled with fear. The king was greedy and stingy, and this shipment was of immense value. What if the king, in a fit of rage, killed me?

Liu Chen was puzzled. "I am Liu Chen, the King of the North, a notorious villain who raises assassins, murders husbands and robs wives, and seizes other people's land. Who would dare to steal my goods?" Chang Heng? The name sounded familiar.

He thought for a moment, then found it strange. He asked, "Is my banner flown on the ship?"

"We dare not fail to raise the banner of the King of the North," Sun Gui hurriedly replied. The reputation of the King of the North, this great villain, was too useful; whenever they sailed or traveled in a caravan, they had to raise the banner of the King of the North, so that thieves would not dare to rob them.

"Interesting." Liu Chen laughed, his eyes gleaming. Such a large shipment couldn't just be left like this. He turned to the eunuch on his left and said, "Go and fetch the Imperial Tutor and the Commandant."

"Yes." The eunuch bowed and turned to leave.

Liu Chen looked up again and said, "You don't need to worry about the goods. Just focus on providing compensation."

Sun Gui was taken aback, then understood and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, Chang Heng did not kill anyone; only a few boatmen suffered minor injuries."

Liu Chen was also taken aback. Were thieves these days so particular that they wouldn't kill a single person after stealing the goods? He then nodded and said, "Then let's provide compensation for those who suffered minor injuries."

Seeing that Sun Gui was truly terrified, he reassured him, "This was an accident; I will not blame you. Go now."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." A huge weight lifted from Sun Gui's heart, and tears welled in his eyes with gratitude as he bowed deeply. He had thought he would be badly injured even if he didn't die, but alas... Your Majesty is so benevolent.

Huang Chong was in the palace, and first went to the study. After the emperor and his minister exchanged greetings, they knelt down on the left.

Zhang Sheng, stationed at the military camp outside the palace, entered the study and knelt on the right, his broad left hand resting on the hilt of his sword, a hint of anticipation on his face. He had been training soldiers for many years. Although the brave soldiers had participated in a military hunt last year, they had never seen blood.

Although there are many bandits in Yizhou, they cannot be suppressed because of Liu Chen's special status. Now that Liu Chen's goods have been stolen, he can legitimately go and suppress Chang Heng.

"You all know what happened. Do you know about this Chang Heng?" Liu Chen glanced at Zhang Sheng, sensed his intentions, and smiled slightly.

As a military general, Zhang Sheng first glanced at Huang Chong.

Huang Chong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Chang Heng, also known as the River-Turning Flood Dragon, is currently the most famous and possibly the strongest river pirate in Yizhou. However, no one has ever seen him, nor does anyone know where he is; he is extremely well hidden."

He paused, then said in a deep voice, "Several days ago, the Queen's father, Lord Chen, spoke of him to this old minister. I never expected..."

Huang Chong told Liu Chen all the detailed information about Chang Heng.

After Gan Ning, the Jin Fan pirate, he was the most famous and strongest river pirate. Liu Chen's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he lowered his head, lost in thought, unable to suppress his anticipation.

In the later period of the Three Kingdoms, talent dwindled in each state. However, with careful searching, talented individuals could still be found.

Liu Chen raised his head and said, "This man has managed to hide himself so well, which shows he has a very strong control over his soldiers. He's a talented man. I want to get him. Minister Huang, do you have a plan?"

There are many kinds of generals, but bravery is essential. Being good at raising strong soldiers, enabling them to fight bravely against arrows and enemy attacks, is also crucial.

Generous rewards are needed to maintain military discipline.

He had never met Chang Heng before, and this was the first time he had learned about Chang Heng in detail, but he had a good impression of the person.

He may not be very strong, but he's at least a talented person.

After thinking for a while, Huang Chong stroked his beard and said to Liu Chen with a smile, "Your Majesty, he is indeed shrewd. Not only is he very good at hiding himself, but his subordinates are also very good at hiding themselves. But while he can hide himself well, he can't hide his goods. Shu brocade and silk are difficult to preserve. If they are eaten by insects or moldy, they will be worthless. Someone must be helping him dispose of the stolen goods. As long as we investigate carefully, we can find him."

Liu Chen laughed and said, "Very well. You may go and do as you please."

"Yes." Huang Chong and Zhang Sheng bowed in unison and turned to leave.

Zhang Sheng was somewhat disappointed. Since the king had said so, it seemed a war might not break out. But... if the king wanted to accomplish great things, the more talented generals the better. Zhao Lie's success was also due to the support of many talented generals.

Fanjiangjiao: Chang Heng. I hope you are a talent whose abilities surpass mine.