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

"kill!!!"

"Bang bang bang!!!"

"Whoosh!!"

The sounds of hooves, shouts, the neighing of warhorses, and the clanging of wooden clubs mingled together, creating a scene resembling a battlefield.

Liu Chen and Zhuge Shang fought with sticks, exchanging blows for thirty rounds. Finally, Liu Chen resorted to ruthless force, knocking his nephew's wooden stick away with a single blow.

Zhuge Shang's tiger's mouth trembled, his hands immediately felt sore and numb, and his eyes instantly became clear.

"Uncle is indeed formidable," Zhuge Shang said respectfully. He had been practicing diligently, but every time he challenged Liu Chen to a duel, he lost decisively.

His family teacher said he was very talented. But even with such talent, he was still completely outmatched by Liu Chen. His uncle is really something.

"No. I am only a few years older than you. Don't be discouraged. You will soon be able to defeat me." Liu Chen smiled and shook his head, helping Zhuge Shang regain his confidence. Good child, the future of the Zhuge family depends on you.

He then turned to Zhang Sheng and said loudly, "Sheng, let's have a match too!"

His anger was also stirred up by his nephew, and his blood was boiling and hard to cool down, so he went to Zhang Sheng to calm down.

Then let Zhang Sheng give his comments and summarize.

"Yes," Zhang Sheng replied respectfully, then took the wooden stick from his rider. He twirled the stick gracefully on horseback, held it horizontally behind his back, and slowly spurred his horse forward.

He was calm and composed, with sharp eyes, and his body was as still as a mountain, exuding a powerful and majestic aura.

He had only ridden horses when he was a child. It was only after receiving financial assistance from Liu Chen that he was able to buy warhorses and relearn riding skills.

He was very talented, and now, many years later, his spearmanship and horsemanship are both very strong.

Liu Chen's spear fighting skills were taught by him.

"Kill!!!!!" Zhang Sheng was unhurried at first, but suddenly roared and spurred his horse toward Liu Chen.

"Kill!!!" Liu Chen, who had nowhere to vent his anger, roared and charged into battle.

Both sides wielded wooden clubs, and their warhorses passed each other.

With a "bang," the wooden sticks clashed. Liu Chen's expression changed slightly, and his eyes became clearer. In terms of both strength and skill, he was inferior to Zhang Sheng.

But like Zhuge Shang, Zhang Sheng was older than him.

"Kill!!!!!" Liu Chen turned his horse around, roared once more, and spurred his horse like a whirlwind, charging straight at Zhang Sheng.

Zhang Sheng accepted the challenge.

The two sides went back and forth, fighting fiercely and enjoying themselves immensely.

Zhuge Shang watched with great interest, seeking out the strengths of Liu Chen and Zhang Sheng's horsemanship and spear skills to make up for his own shortcomings.

"That's exhilarating! This is how a true man should act, leading 100,000 elite troops across the land. First, wipe out the traitors, then lead 100,000 troops into the grasslands and establish achievements like those of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing." Zhuge Shang's eyes, which had been clear from Liu Chen's attack, burned with fervor once more, and his blood boiled.

Suddenly, he thought, "My uncle is really strong, but it's a pity he's the King of the North and never had the chance to go to the battlefield. General Zhang is even stronger; he's a fierce general. Although he's currently a lieutenant in the King of the North, he'll have the opportunity to go to the battlefield in the future."

On the field, the duel between Liu Chen and Zhang Sheng has ended.

After twenty-five rounds, Liu Chen, without waiting for the situation to become awkward, told Zhang Sheng to stop and surrender.

"Hahahaha. I eat Shang, Sheng, and you eat me. It's just like the saying goes, the big fish eats the little fish." Liu Chen's right hand was sore and trembling, and he gripped it tightly to keep the heavy wooden stick from falling. But he was in a good mood, raised his head, and laughed loudly.

Zhang Sheng bowed respectfully to Liu Chen while holding the wooden stick.

Zhang Sheng and Liu Chen dismounted simultaneously, and two riders came over and led their horses aside.

There was a wooden platform next to them. Liu Chen and the other two climbed onto the platform, sat down, and summarized their experiences together.

Let's exchange martial arts skills together.

After exchanging ideas, the three of them had another martial arts contest. They then engaged in various activities, including exchanging techniques, archery on horseback, archery on foot, sword fighting, and horsemanship.

This cycle repeats itself.

Time flies, and soon it was already halfway through the afternoon.

Princess Wuyang, Zhuge Shang's mother, sent someone to fetch her son.

"Uncle, I will come to see you again in three days," Zhuge Shang said reluctantly.

"No need to wait three days, come whenever you want," Liu Chen said with a smile.

Zhuge Shang's face immediately fell, looking wilted like an eggplant that had been hit by frost.

He would love to come every day, or even stay at the Northern Palace. His uncle is very kind, and his aunt is very kind too.

His uncle also allowed him to learn martial arts.

But his mother didn't want that. She hoped he could study and follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps, aiming to become a prime minister.

Zhuge Shang left dejectedly.

Liu Chen was physically exhausted, but in high spirits and hungry. He turned to Zhang Sheng and said, "Sheng, come with me for a drink."

"Yes," Zhang Sheng replied with a smile.

The emperor and his minister turned and went up the corridor, then entered the room and sat down. The eunuchs and palace maids were already prepared.

The kitchen was also keeping the food and drinks warm.

The emperor and his minister toasted each other, eating and drinking to their hearts' content.

They ate until evening, skipping dinner altogether. After Zhang Sheng left, Liu Chen first went back to his palace to bathe and change, then went into his study. He had the palace maids light and ignite the lamps, while he picked up Sun Tzu's Art of War and studied it by lamplight.

When his eyes started to ache, Liu Chen put down the bamboo slips and strode towards his bedchamber.

Eunuchs and palace maids followed him, and everyone's face showed joy.

Today the king and queen consummated their marriage. If all goes well, the crown prince will be born in the Northern Kingdom at the end of the year or the beginning of the next.

These servants also had hope.

Just like the emperor.

If a feudal lord has no heir, his kingdom will be abolished. Eunuchs and palace maids will also lose their hope.

Of course, Liu Chen already had three sons born out of wedlock, so he had descendants. If the queen had no legitimate son, the sons born out of wedlock could also inherit the throne.

But it's still better to have a legitimate son.

Not only them, but also the kingdom's officials, stewards, and households all longed for the birth of a legitimate son.

The so-called family, country, and world.

Liu Chen's having a son is not simply a matter for himself.

Liu Chen entered the palace.

Outside, the wind was biting cold, but inside, it was warm and cozy.

There were only palace maids in the palace, no eunuchs. Four palace maids knelt to welcome the King of the North.

Chen Mingzhen, dressed in her most beautiful clothes and wearing her most precious jewelry, sat on the bed waiting. When Liu Chen entered, she quickly looked up, then quickly lowered her head again, her neck turning red.

"Why are you blushing? Did you do something wrong?" Liu Chen teased.

"Hmph." Chen Mingzhen was annoyed and boldly snorted, turning her head away, her face even redder. Her beautiful eyes were watery, her brows and eyes were alluring, and she looked delicate and charming.

Seeing her stunning beauty, Liu Chen sighed, "She's grown up so much."

She then stepped forward naked.

The four palace maids exchanged glances, all possessing alluring features. Then, two of them slowly stepped forward and lowered the curtains for the king and queen.

They then walked a little further away and stood there, eyes downcast, seemingly oblivious to everything around them, as if they could hear and see nothing.

A little while later, four other women will replace them and sleep in the palace.

Liu Chen is preparing to have a son to inherit the throne.

They were riding high on the wave of success.

The Liu Han court and the public were shrouded in gloom.

Amidst the storm and turmoil.