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

Investigating someone like Chang Heng is not something that can be done overnight. Time passed quickly.

Autumn has arrived.

Just like in last year's story, Liu Chen, as the King of the North, led Yang Yong, the Prime Minister of the North Kingdom, and others to the fields to harvest rice, summoning the farmers to watch. After he finished harvesting the rice, he immediately ordered the farmers to disperse, and the Wangzhuang (King's Village) began to harvest rice.

After the rice harvest in Wangzhuang was completed, Liu Chen ordered Yang Yong to prepare for the sacrifice to the local deity, still using the lesser sacrificial offering.

They gave thanks to the gods and had a great time.

Grain has a storage lifespan, but if it is managed well, this lifespan can be extended.

Now that the sixth year of Jingyao's reign is drawing ever closer, Liu Chen is becoming increasingly appreciative of food.

He ordered all five of his large estates and countless smaller estates to expand their granaries to store grain. Only a small portion of the grain was sold to the public.

He tightened his control over the management of the granary, even to the point of being strict.

But none of those in charge complained, for the world was becoming increasingly chaotic. The registered population of the court was dwindling, like a river flowing eastward. The burden on the people was growing heavier.

Even if ordinary people surrendered their land to wealthy families, their lives were not necessarily good. But in Liu Chen's northern kingdom, the common people lived relatively comfortable lives.

The people of the five major villages in Sichuan and Chongqing grew more and more grateful to Liu Chen with each passing year, like fine wine that becomes more flavorful with age.

After the autumn harvest, the army was supposed to set off for a military hunt. However, Liu Chen, in order to deal with Chang Heng, exempted them this year.

The soldiers were stationed in the military camp and, as usual, drilled every five days, spending the rest of their time fattening up.

When Liu Chen had more time, he invited his fourth brother, Liu Zan, and the two brothers often led their cavalry on hunting trips together.

Time passed quickly.

Autumn has come to an end and winter is approaching.

Inside a room, a roaring fire dispelled the chill. Liu Chen and Zhang Sheng sat facing each other, cooking wine and eating.

Eunuchs served him on both sides.

Liu Chen smiled and personally poured wine for Zhang Sheng, who was very touched but accepted it respectfully.

Liu Chen sat down and sighed, "I feel that such peaceful days are numbered. General, please enjoy your food and drink and spend more time with your family and elderly mother."

Zhang Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and he said in a deep voice, "Yes." Does the king want to move?

Liu Chen smiled and nodded, raising his wine cup in a gesture of respect. The two, emperor and minister, drank a little and then put it down.

A eunuch entered from outside, his expression strange, and said, "Your Majesty. A letter from the Imperial Tutor."

Liu Chen immediately reached out, took the document, unfolded it, and looked up at Zhang Sheng with a smile, saying, "We have news of Chang Heng. Sheng, go and gather the troops to prepare. We will depart tomorrow."

"Yes." Zhang Sheng replied solemnly, bowing in agreement.

After Zhang Sheng left, Liu Chen thought for a moment and then sent someone to tell Consort Li, Li Qiu, Liu Zan, and others that he was going out to play.

No one else said anything, but Consort Li sent someone to tell Liu Chen: "Enjoy your fun, but don't cause a scene like He Sui's."

Although Consort Li couldn't bear to scold her son for Liu Chen killing his husband and taking his wife, she felt ashamed.

A doting mother often spoils her son. Liu Chen didn't take the old woman who made the dough ball seriously at all, but he still gave her a perfunctory reply.

I have read and understand.

The next day, aided by the river breeze, Liu Chen left the Northern Palace, boarded a boat and sailed down the river, first joining the Yangtze River, then crossing the Fuhei River, and entering the southern part of Zhuti County.

This refers to the traditional southern and central regions.

Currently, Liu Han does not have a governor of Yijiang; the person who truly commands the military in the southern region is Huo Yi.

Since Liu Chen was leading an army, he first greeted Huo Yi and the prefect of Zhuti County.

Huo Yi is not a simple person.

He was the son of the famous general Huo Jun, who was probably the most defensive general in the history of the Liu Han dynasty. He was appointed as the governor of Zitong County. After his death, Liu Bei personally stayed near Huo Jun's tomb, which was considered an honor by the people at the time.

Huo Yi, the son of a famous general, started his career as a retainer of the crown prince Liu Shan when Liu Shan was still the crown prince.

He later served as an advisor to Crown Prince Liu Xuan, but was transferred to Nanzhong because of Huo Yi's military talent.

He's doing very well, much better than his father, Huo Jun.

Historically, on the eve of the fall of the Liu Han dynasty, he was appointed General of Annan and commanded the southern regions.

Upon learning of the dire situation in Chengdu, he intended to send troops to defend the city. However, Liu Shan surrendered first.

He first wept bitterly, and others advised him to surrender as well. He said, "Although the emperor has surrendered, we don't know what kind of treatment Cao Wei will give him. If Cao Wei humiliates the emperor, I will fight to the death."

Only after confirming that Liu Shan had been treated with courtesy did he lead the southern tribes to surrender. After entering Jin, he continued to govern effectively, leading troops in battle against Wu. After Huo Yi's death, his descendants held official positions in the south, wielding considerable prestige and power.

Although Huo Yi's name is not mentioned in Zhuge Liang's "Memorial on the Expedition," he was also a loyal minister selected by Emperor Zhaolie and left to Liu Shan.

Huo Yi's command ability and combat experience are far superior to those of Zhuge Zhan and his group.

Liu Chen lamented more than once that there was still much room for maneuver on the eve of the fall of the Liu Han dynasty. But Liu Shan chose the worst possible path.

Liu Chen longed to meet and speak with Huo Yi, but he couldn't. Before he came to power, he couldn't associate with a minister like Huo Yi.

.......

Nanguang County.

The territory of Chengyang Pavilion.

Within the pavilion lived a powerful family surnamed Yang, with two brothers named Yang Yun and Yang Yu. They owned over a thousand acres of farmland and numerous shops in the city.

They also do business in Shu brocade.

Not to mention Meng Hu, they have more than ten henchmen under their command.

In short, they were very powerful. But as a powerful family, the brothers were remarkably low-key. In such a world, they not only did not prey on the local people, but they also frequently donated money to repair bridges and roads and to care for the elderly and widowed.

They have an excellent reputation, which is why they are very influential in their own county and neighboring counties.

The two brothers had a house in the county town, but they usually lived in a manor outside the town.

morning.

Yang Yu was going to the county town to meet someone, so he called five hangers-on, along with weapons and three strong men, and they left the manor in a carriage, heading towards the county town along the main road.

The southern part of the country is barren and mostly mountainous and forested.

Although it was a major road, it couldn't compare to the major roads of Sichuan and Chongqing, and the carriage moved very slowly.

There weren't many carriages or pedestrians on the road. Among the few pedestrians, the proportion of Han Chinese was not high.

Many of them were from the mountains of southern China, dressed in strange and unusual clothing in the eyes of the Han people. Yang Yu frequently saw southern Chinese men with brightly colored feathers adorning their heads and oddly shaped curved knives hanging from their waists.

Zhuge Liang's pacification of the southern regions only temporarily suppressed the unrest.

After Zhuge Liang's death, the people of Nanzhong rebelled from time to time. This was mainly because the land in Nanzhong was barren and arable land was scarce.

As the population of the South China region increases and poverty sets in, rebellion is inevitable.

The Han Chinese population in the south was small, and most of them lived in or near cities.

The relationship between the two sides was like that between the people of Eastern Wu and the Yue people of the mountains.

As a native of Nanzhong, Yang Yu could sense the murderous aura accumulating and hidden in this area.

"The Han dynasty is already in decline, while the power of the people of Nanzhong is growing stronger. A great upheaval is imminent," Yang Yu thought to himself.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves approached from afar. Before Yang Yu could react, more than ten riders surrounded them.

These dozen or so riders were all elite cavalrymen, with excellent horsemanship. They were clad in fine armor and helmets, and their weapons included spears, bows and arrows, knives, and swords—they were armed to the teeth.

Moreover, everyone was strong and powerful; even armor could not conceal their robust physiques.

More importantly, Yang Yu saw a banner.

"King of the North"

Yang Yu's heart skipped a beat, and her face turned pale.