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

"The storm is brewing, yet I'm growing calmer. Because I can't imagine how I, with all this preparation, could possibly lose. How could Deng Ai possibly survive?"

morning.

Liu Chen stood under the eaves in a single layer of clothing, hands behind his back, looking up at the sky. The sun was shining brightly.

The sun was scorching, and even though he was only wearing a thin shirt, he was sweating profusely.

Liu Chen misses air conditioning.

"Your Majesty, would you like some mung bean soup?" the eunuch asked, quick-witted and observant.

Before Liu Chen could answer, a series of footsteps sounded. Liu Chen looked up and saw the old man Huang Chong approaching hurriedly with his hand on his sword, his expression strange.

"Two bowls," Liu Chen said, turning to the eunuch.

"Yes." The eunuch bowed and left.

Liu Chen glanced at Huang Chong's expression again, and understood what was going on. He smiled and beckoned, "Please come in and sit down."

He turned and went into the room, where he sat down on the throne.

After Huang Chong stopped, he first bowed, then took a deep breath to calm himself before taking off his shoes, walking up the corridor, and entering the room.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has already agreed to the General's decision to send troops. This is very dangerous." Huang Chong said solemnly, "Even if the General wants to leave to avoid disaster, he should stay and guard Hanzhong, not launch a northern expedition."

Jiang Wei's defensive strategy left Hanzhong vulnerable. He was genuinely worried.

"Don't rush. We're just people from the martial world, there's no use in rushing," Liu Chen said with a smile.

Huang Chong frowned, gave Liu Chen a deep look, and suppressed the urge to speak.

He taught Liu Chen military strategy.

He didn't believe Liu Chen was oblivious to the danger, but Liu Chen acted as if nothing was wrong.

Huang Chong recalled Liu Chen's preparations and a thought suddenly struck him.

At a time when some wanted to protect the Han Dynasty, some wanted to overthrow it, and some were indifferent, the court and the country were in chaos.

Despite Liu Chen's notorious reputation for murdering her husband, seizing her wife, and occupying her land, no one noticed that Liu Chen's strength had become terrifyingly powerful.

Of course, this was also because Liu Chen himself kept it hidden. Apart from him and Liu Chen, no one knew exactly how much land, grain, or people Liu Chen owned.

Under the pretext of guarding against thieves, how many militiamen were trained?

No, even he doesn't know entirely.

As long as Liu Chen doesn't foolishly announce to the world that he has fifty or sixty thousand, or even more, people.

Countless grains and supplies.

Others only see Liu Chen's fertile fields stretching to the horizon, unaware of just how unfathomable Liu Chen truly is.

Huang Chong fell silent.

A eunuch brought in a bowl of mung bean soup. One bowl for you, one bowl for me. The two of us shared it.

Liu Chen ate very slowly and carefully. Because of the heat, even the slightest movement would cause him to sweat profusely.

As for Jiang Wei's matter...

He knew, he knew everything.

He even knew things that Huang Chong didn't. For example, the plot by Huang Hao and Yan Yu to depose and kill Jiang Wei.

It's clearly written in the history books.

After slowly and deliberately finishing his bowl of mung bean soup, Huang Chong had completely calmed down. He knew Liu Chen had other plans, and after thinking for a moment, he asked, "Your Majesty, when shall we make our move?"

You should get moving.

Liu Chen replied, "Soon."

"Phew." Huang Chong wasn't a particularly patient person, nor was he one to enjoy riddles, but he took a deep breath and held back, nodded, and turned to leave.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Chen dissolved the ink, took out a piece of silk, and wrote a letter to Chang Heng, the River-Turning Dragon.

He has kept in touch with Chang Heng ever since that incident.

Chang Heng stopped robbing people and focused on his studies.

Liu Chen always believed that Chang Heng would be of great use.

After writing the letter, Liu Chen summoned a eunuch, handed him the letter, and whispered a few instructions to him.

"Let those who deserve to die die, and let those who don't deserve to die live. Preserving the Han Dynasty is my job." Liu Chen smiled, even having the leisure to pick up a military treatise to read.

But he hadn't been looking for more than fifteen minutes when Yang Yong walked in from outside with a happy expression.

"Your Majesty, this old minister wishes to present you with a fine gift." Yang Yong immediately bowed and handed a silk handkerchief over his head.

The eunuch glanced at Liu Chen's expression and immediately went forward to fetch it.

Liu Chen was quite surprised and said, "Yang Qing, have you also learned to flatter? But because you can't say it out loud, you've written it down?"

This was just a joke. Yang Yong wasn't angry at all; instead, he laughed heartily, his face glowing, and said, "Your Majesty will know once you see it."

Liu Chen laughed, took the silk handkerchief from the eunuch, spread it on the table, looked down, and raised an eyebrow.

"Eulogy for the Ministers of Shu Han"

He knew what it was; it was written by Yang Xi. Yang Xi, in his own way, praised the ministers of the Shu Han Dynasty.

such as.

The strategist was handsome and refined, his spirit soaring. He risked his life for his wise ruler, his loyalty flowing from his heart. He was a paragon of righteousness, willing to sacrifice himself for virtue. —In praise of Pang Shiyuan

Another example.

The Marquis of Yi possessed wise counsel, foresaw the rise and fall of dynasties, entrusted himself to his lord, and sought his advice and guidance. He pondered the principles of strategy and calculated the course of events, discerning opportunities as they arose. —In praise of Fa Xiaozhi

It is a heartfelt reverence for the martyrs of the Han Dynasty.

Yang Xi followed Jiang Wei on the Northern Expedition, but he had many complaints about the commander-in-chief and was dismissed by Jiang Wei. He should be dead by now.

Liu Chen knew of this praise in his previous life, but couldn't remember it completely. Now that he has it, the time is just right.

He can use it.

"This is indeed a wonderful thing, thank you, Minister Yang." Liu Chen rolled up the silk handkerchief, handed it to the eunuch and instructed him to keep it safe, then looked up at Yang Yong and smiled.

Yang Yong immediately beamed with joy, grabbing his beard with a smug expression.

He's now completely in control when it comes to promoting the martyrs. He knew the Yang family had this kind of thing, so he went to great lengths to get it.

Liu Chen invited Yang Yong to sit down, had a drink with him, and then dismissed him. Yang Yong would be of great use in the future; for now...

He was a useless old scholar.

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

In the afternoon, at the General's Mansion.

The gates of the mansion were wide open, guarded by armored soldiers. The soldiers held long halberds, their eyes were fierce like those of bears and tigers, and they were so menacing that they inspired fear in those who looked upon them.

Many people stood outside the gate, some in carriages and others on fine horses. After a while, a large group of people came out of the General's Mansion. Among them was a man with gray hair, who was old, but had a handsome face, a ruddy complexion, and an extremely robust physique, no less than that of a young man.

He wore a short cap, had his sleeves tied up, and carried a sword, looking every bit the military officer.

After bidding farewell to his colleagues, he walked to his horse, skillfully and nimbly mounted it, and called to his men to go home.

This person is none other than [someone else].

It was Zhao Guang, son of General Zhao Yun, also known as Tiger General, and a general in the Vanguard.

In this era, without explicit orders, all military commanders were independent of each other.

Only when necessary would the monarch issue an edict appointing so-and-so as the commander-in-chief, granting him the authority to act as commander or to command troops in a campaign.

Therefore, Zhao Guang was not Jiang Wei's subordinate, but he participated in most of Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions.

His ancestors were illustrious, and he himself was an undefeated veteran who had fought in over a hundred battles.

He was not particularly outstanding, but he was a pillar of strength.