The Three Kingdoms: Home Travel

Chapter Seventy-Six: Jiang Zhe's Departure! (Part Three)

"My dear minister, may I have the Tiger and Leopard Battalion as my personal guard?"

Liu Xie's words left Jiang Zhe utterly stunned. He exclaimed in disbelief, "Your Majesty should know that Mengde has already appointed Zihe (Cao Chun) as the future commander of the Tiger and Leopard Battalion..."

As expected! Liu Xie sneered inwardly.

"It's Cao Mengde again!" Seeing that Dong Cheng and his men had not yet arrived, Liu Xie finally couldn't hold back any longer. He slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Jiang Zhe! I've come to ask you, who is the emperor, me or Cao Mengde? Are you assisting me or Cao Mengde? Tell me the truth!"

"..." Seeing Liu Xie's sudden outburst of anger, Jiang Zhe was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, what's wrong with you today?"

"What's wrong?" Liu Xie's childish face was full of anger, especially the fire in his eyes, which seemed to want to devour Jiang Zhe.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Zhe frowned and said, "Your Majesty's words are inappropriate..."

"Never mind whether what I say is appropriate or not; just answer my question!"

Jiang Zhe's expression froze, and he felt sullen. He cupped his hands and said, "Naturally, Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and this humble subject... naturally assists Your Majesty..."

"Really?" Liu Xie leaned forward slightly and asked.

"Not a single word I have uttered is false..."

"Then will you heed my words?"

"……nature!"

"Very well!" Liu Xie said with a smile, feeling pleased. "In that case, I will send a general to take over the Tiger and Leopard Camp in a few days. The troops you have trained are truly elite. I..."

"This is the only thing that cannot be done!" Jiang Zhe interrupted Liu Xie and said in a deep voice.

Liu Xie was taken aback, then his face turned furious. "Jiang Zhe! Were you just trying to appease me? Do you know that this is a grave crime of deceiving the emperor!"

"Your Majesty!" Jiang Zhe rose, frowned, and bowed to Liu Xie, saying, "This humble subject has already promised Mengde on this matter. If we were to give the Tiger and Leopard Camp to Your Majesty now, wouldn't that be breaking our promise to Mengde?"

"What a breach of faith with Mengde!" Liu Xie picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip before Jiang Zhe could stop him. Then, he suddenly remembered something, spat it out, and threw the teacup to the ground. Still not satisfied, he smashed the remaining teapot on the table as well.

Jiang Zhe's expression changed abruptly, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. That was the gift Cai Yan had spent so long choosing and buying for Jiang Zhe, so that he wouldn't forget her after he joined the army. Now…

"The first line says 'Mengde,' the second 'Mengde,' but what virtues and abilities does Cao Mengde possess? I am the Son of Heaven!"

Jiang Zhe stared at the pottery shards on the ground, took a deep breath, and suppressed his anger. "Your Majesty, Mengde has also rendered meritorious service to the state and the Han Dynasty. He has always been increasingly respectful to Your Majesty. Why does Your Majesty treat him so lightly?"

"Even more respectful?" Liu Xie narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Jiang Aiqing, tell me the truth, what difference is there between my time in Xuchang and my time in Chang'an?"

"..." Jiang Zhe frowned and said, "Has Your Majesty forgotten that only Mengde sent troops to help you back then..."

"I know!" Liu Xie roared, "But what happened afterward? I wanted to build an army, but Xun Yu kept making excuses. Was it Cao Mengde's idea, or yours?"

"...Your Majesty, I am aware of this matter, but Xuchang is facing financial difficulties..."

"So you're saying you don't want me to personally command an army?" Liu Xie squinted and pressed Jiang Zhe for an answer.

Licking his lips, Jiang Zhe hesitated before saying, "...Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Haha!" Liu Xie laughed loudly several times, then said wistfully, "If it weren't for my uncle's guidance before today, I might have wronged you, but... Jiang Shouyi, just how much benefit did Cao Mengde give you to make you protect him like this at every turn?"

"Your Majesty has wronged me, and has also wronged Mengde. Both of us have always aspired to serve the Han Dynasty..."

"Then you shall give me the Tiger and Leopard Camp!"

"..." Jiang Zhe frowned, hesitated, and said, "Your Majesty, how about this: let me first give the Tiger and Leopard Camp to Mengde, and then Your Majesty can ask Mengde for it back, or let me train another new army, it's all up to Your Majesty's decision. Is that alright?"

"Ha!" Liu Xie seemed to find Jiang Zhe's words laughable, shaking his head and sneering, "My dear minister, do not underestimate my youth. Would Cao Mengde entrust his army to me? I have seen through you; both you and Cao Mengde are disloyal!"

"..." Hearing Liu Xie's words, Jiang Zhe felt very uncomfortable. It was clearly Mengde who said when he first trained the Tiger and Leopard Camp that he wanted Cao Chun to be the commander. How could he agree to that now?

"Jiang Zhe! You have disappointed me greatly!" Liu Xie sighed sadly.

"Your Majesty, aside from this matter, I grant your request on all other matters. Is that acceptable?"

Liu Xie gave Jiang Zhe a deep look, and was about to speak when he suddenly heard Dong Cheng and others approaching, so he remained silent.

"Lord Jiang!" Dong Cheng entered with a sneer, mocking Jiang Zhe, "It's truly not easy to see Lord Jiang!"

As Dong Cheng, Fu Wan, and others, along with more than ten guards, entered, they were followed by a series of Tiger and Leopard Camp generals, including Yang Ding, Zhou Shu, Meng Xu, Chen Kai, Ying Fei, and Sima Hu.

As soon as they entered, they went straight behind Jiang Zhe.

Looking into Meng Xu's cold eyes, Dong Cheng felt a little flustered. He tried to bolster his courage, saying, "Jiang Zhe, His Majesty has come to ask you something today. Why don't you quickly get rid of these irrelevant people?"

"What you say is utterly laughable!" Yang Ding said coldly. "We are your personal guards, how could we leave your side even for a moment?"

"Personal guards?" Liu Xie's expression changed drastically, and he shouted, "Jiang Zhe, didn't you say that this army was first given to Cao Mengde? How dare you deceive the emperor?"

Dong Cheng was taken aback upon hearing this, then overjoyed, and shouted emphatically, "Deceiving the emperor is a serious crime! Guards, seize Jiang Zhe!"

"Yes, sir!" Dong Cheng's guards obeyed and walked toward Jiang Zhe. They didn't believe that those people would dare to act recklessly now that they knew the emperor's identity.

But as it turns out, they were wrong...

"Who dares!" Yang Ding shouted, drawing his sword with a clang and standing protectively in front of Jiang Zhe. The others also gripped their sword hilts tightly.

"You...you all..." Dong Cheng stared at Yang Ding and the others in disbelief. "How dare you act so presumptuously in front of the Emperor? Aren't you afraid of being executed along with your entire family?"

"Hmph!" Yang Ding sneered. "My only relative was my beloved wife, who died three years ago during a famine. Now I am all alone, what do I have to fear?"

"Jiang Zhe! You've trained a fine soldier!" Liu Xie was furious. He could understand why that soldier named Meng Xu had killed someone in front of him earlier, since they didn't know his identity. But now that he had revealed his identity, how dare they do this?

"Sheathe your sword! Step back!" Jiang Zhe shouted. Yang Ding hesitated for a moment, looking at Jiang Zhe's expression, but he did as he was told and turned around to stand behind Jiang Zhe.

"Jiang Zhe!" Liu Xie abruptly stood up and strode out of the camp, coldly saying, "You have disappointed me greatly! The person recommended by Situ Wang Yun is actually like this... Situ Wang Yun, your good nephew-in-law! I mistakenly placed my hopes on you! Let's go!"

Jiang Zhe slammed his hand on the table in front of him and shouted in a deep voice, "Stop!"

"You…" Liu Xie turned around in astonishment, pointing incredulously at Jiang Zhe, then at himself, "You told me to stop?"

"Jiang Zhe! Who do you think you are!" Seeing Jiang Zhe's insolence, how could Dong Cheng not kick him while he was down?

Fu Wan looked worried, wanting to say something but unable to speak.

Jiang Zhe slowly stood up, slammed his hand on the table, and said angrily, "What have I, Jiang Zhe, done to offend you? Tell me clearly!"

"...You?" Liu Xie was taken aback when he saw Jiang Zhe staring at him with a furious expression. Since he had known Jiang Zhe, he had never seen him so angry. In Liu Xie's memory, Jiang Zhe seemed to only know how to smile...

"Fine!" Jiang Zhe roared in anger, and Liu Xie roared back. He strode up to Jiang Zhe, pointed at him, and said, "Leaving aside everything else, just now, your soldiers killed one of my imperial guards. How do you explain that?"

Jiang Zhe turned around and glanced at Meng Xu, who nodded sadly.

"Zhe's soldiers wouldn't kill indiscriminately!" Jiang Zhe said in a deep voice. "The only explanation is that His Majesty's guards trespassed into the military camp! This was Zhe's order, and orders are strictly enforced in the army. Meng Xu, well done!" After saying that, he looked at Liu Xie with great satisfaction.

"How dare you!" Dong Cheng roared.

"Shut up!" Jiang Zhe's voice was even louder than Dong Cheng's; he had reached his limit.

If Liu Xie had only criticized Jiang Zhe, Jiang Zhe would have remained silent. However, Liu Xie actually said that he had misplaced his trust in Wang Yun, which Jiang Zhe could not tolerate.

The old man caused his family to be destroyed and his entire clan to be brutally murdered for the sake of this great man and the royal family. Yet the emperor showed no gratitude and instead spoke ill of him. The old man was still worried about the great man until the moment he died!

"You...you're telling me to shut up?" Dong Cheng seemed somewhat incredulous that Jiang Zhe, a mere minor official, would speak to him like this? He was the Emperor's father-in-law; even if Wang Yun were to be resurrected, he would have to bow respectfully to him...

"You...you're being insolent!" Pointing at Jiang Zhe, Dong Cheng was so angry he couldn't speak.

"Shut up! I am speaking to the Emperor, how dare you interrupt? If you say another word, I will have you thrown out!"

"You...you dare!"

"You dare to challenge me?" Jiang Zhe was already desperate. What kind of advisor could such a mighty emperor have?

As soon as Jiang Zhe said this, Yang Ding and the others immediately stepped forward, their hands subtly gripping the hilts of their knives.

The guards behind Dong Cheng naturally stepped forward to protect Dong Cheng and his group, but they were filled with fear as they looked at Yang Ding and the others... Xu Xin, the deputy commander, was also slashed by one of them...

"You still remember I am the Emperor?" Liu Xie laughed angrily, having already forgotten the words of Liu Ai, the Imperial Clan Minister. He nodded and said furiously, "What a fine example of strict obedience! Fine! Jiang Zhe, I will not concern myself with what just happened. I want to ask you, is the will of Grand Commandant Wang Yun in your possession?"

"Yes! How is it?" Jiang Zhe said, his eyes wide open.

Dong Cheng was startled, fearing that the emperor would expose the matter, and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, what is there to say to this person who has no ruler or father, who is unrighteous and unjust?"

"Yang Ding!" Jiang Zhe shouted, pointing at Dong Cheng.

"Your subordinate obeys!" Yang Ding responded, his eyes cold as he walked toward Dong Cheng. All the guards around Dong Cheng drew their swords, but none of them dared to step forward.

"Stop!" Liu Xie shouted in a low voice. Jiang Zhe's earlier call of "Dong Cheng" reminded Liu Xie of something, something Liu Ai had mentioned...

"Jiang Zhe..." Liu Xie stared directly at Jiang Zhe and asked, "I entrusted the will of the Grand Tutor Situ... to your wife, and asked her to pass it on to you. You said you received it, so..."

"Your Majesty!" Dong Cheng exclaimed in a panic, "Jiang Shouyi has deceived the emperor and committed heinous crimes..."

"Shut up!" Liu Xie suddenly turned around and shouted angrily at Dong Cheng.

Dong Cheng opened his mouth, but was so shocked that he couldn't speak.

"Then..." Liu Xie took a deep breath, looked at Jiang Zhe, and asked, "Have you given me a reply?"

"Nonsense! Cough, I mean, there is..."

Before he could even acknowledge Jiang Zhe's rudeness, Liu Xie demanded sharply, "Really?"

Jiang Zhe, enraged, said to Yang Ding and the others, "Go and summon Li De, the messenger from that day!"

"Yes!" Chen Kai immediately accepted the order and left. ...

Could it really be as the Imperial Uncle said? Liu Xie stared coldly at Dong Cheng.

Not long after, Chen Kai arrived with Li De, the messenger who had delivered the message for Jiang Zhe that day.

"Li De, I'm here to ask you. I asked you to deliver the letter that day, and I clearly stated that you were to present it to the Emperor in person. But now the Emperor says there's no letter. Where exactly did you send my letter?" Jiang Zhe questioned Li De in a deep voice, suppressing Liu Xie's inexplicable anger.

"Nothing, nothing? This, this is impossible!" Li De was so frightened by Jiang Zhe's shout that he lost his composure.

Dong Cheng frowned and secretly took a few steps back.

"I'm asking you!" Jiang Zhe slammed his hand on the table, his voice filled with rage. "Where exactly did you send my letter?"

"I...I...I was given a high-ranking official position..."

"A high-ranking official?" Jiang Zhe was utterly astonished. "I asked you to present yourself to the Emperor, and you gave him a high-ranking official?"

"Jiang Aiqing, hold on!" Liu Xie stopped Jiang Zhe and stepped forward to ask Li De, "I am the emperor. I ask you, what kind of official are you referring to as the 'high-ranking official'?"

"This..." Li De was already afraid of death, and now that he seemed to have caused a great disaster, he was flustered and speechless. Suddenly, he remembered something and hurriedly said, "That high-ranking official said he was the emperor's father-in-law and said he would help me present my case to the emperor..."

"..." Liu Xie nodded, then looked calmly at Dong Cheng and said, "Father-in-law, is this true?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Li De finally noticed Dong Cheng and pointed at him, saying, "It's him, it's him! Because I offended him, I was afraid he would kill me, so I let him take the letter from the master. He said he would help me deliver it to the emperor..."

"Absurd!" Seeing that he couldn't avoid it, Dong Cheng had no choice but to come forward, coldly looking at Li De and saying, "When have I ever seen you? Don't spout nonsense, otherwise you'll be slandering a high-ranking official, a capital offense!"

"If you've never done anything wrong, you're not afraid of ghosts knocking at your door in the middle of the night! What's the panic about, Your Excellency?" Jiang Zhe had a vague idea of ​​what was going on.

"Ridiculous!" Dong Cheng pointed at Li De and said to the crowd, "This is only his side of the story!"

Liu Xie gave Dong Cheng a deep look, then said to Li De, "Tell me the story of that day in detail! Do not utter a single falsehood!"

Li De hesitated, glancing at Jiang Zhe. Jiang Zhe took a breath and said, "Tell the truth!"

"Yes! Tell the truth!" Dong Cheng said through gritted teeth. "If you're spreading rumors and slandering me, hmph!"

"Father-in-law!" Liu Xie turned and sat back down in his previous seat, coldly saying, "If you say another word, Minister Jiang will have you thrown out of the camp, and even I cannot protect you!"

"..." Dong Cheng's expression froze, and he glared at Li Decai before slowly taking a few steps back.

So Li De recounted in detail how he took Jiang Zhe's letter to the palace that day, how he clashed with Dong Cheng, and how Dong Cheng took the letter. In his panic, he even told what he was thinking at the time.

"I see!" Jiang Zhe said casually.

"Absurd! Utterly absurd!" Dong Cheng exclaimed in a mixture of anxiety and shock, pointing at Li De. "You're spouting nonsense. When did I take your letter?" He then turned to the Emperor and said, "If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may summon the guards who were stationed at the palace that day and question them one by one."

But Liu Xie thought to himself: You have many confidants in the Imperial Guards. Would you not have colluded with them back then?

"I'm telling the truth!" Li Debai cried out.

"You still dare to spout nonsense?" Dong Cheng stepped forward and kicked Li De in the waist. "Guards, drag this madman out!"

"Who dares!" Jiang Zhe shouted coldly, and Dong Cheng's guards immediately stopped moving. They were not afraid of Jiang Zhe, but of the fierce-looking generals behind him.

"I respectfully address you as the Emperor's Father-in-Law, but do not be too presumptuous. The truth is known only to you, me, Heaven, and Earth! You should think carefully about your actions!"

"You..." Dong Cheng looked at Jiang Zhe, but was actually overwhelmed by Jiang Zhe's aura. He pointed at Li De and said, "Lord Jiang, you also listened to his one-sided story? Perhaps he has lost the trust of the lord and is just talking nonsense to evade responsibility!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Jiang Zhe sneered. "He is now one of my soldiers. If I don't even trust my own men, how can I command the entire army? If I don't trust him, do you think I trust you? Don't make me laugh, Father-in-law!"

"Sir!" Li De rushed forward and hugged Jiang Zhe's leg, crying, "I didn't lose your letter, sir. I've always kept it close to my body. He forcibly took it away, sir! I'm telling the truth!"

"I know..." Jiang Zhe was interrupted by Dong Cheng before he could finish his sentence.

"You claim to have seen me, but what proof do you have?"

"You..." Li De stared at Dong Cheng in disbelief, got up and took a few steps toward him, nodded angrily and suddenly drew the long sword from his waist.

"How dare you be so presumptuous?" Dong Cheng said, quickly retreating into the ranks of the guards.

"Sir!" Li De said, his eyes filled with tears, "It's all because I was afraid of death that I ruined your important business. You wicked official, didn't you ask me what proof I had? I'll give you my proof!"

"Hmm?" Jiang Zhe frowned, then suddenly remembered something and quickly shouted, "Don't do anything foolish!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li De slashed his own neck with the knife, his eyes still fixed on Liu Xie, and sighed inwardly, "So the emperor is just a child after all..."

"Bang!" The sound of a heavy object falling to the ground.

"Hmph! Out of fear of punishment..."

"Shut up!" Jiang Zhe was like an enraged lion.

"Jiang Aiqing..." Liu Xie looked at Jiang Zhe, muttering as if he wanted to say something.

"Meng Xu, give him a proper burial!" Jiang Zhe stood up sadly and went to pick up the teacup that Liu Xie had just smashed.

Liu Xie was quite embarrassed and hesitated before saying, "I...I will retrieve a tea set from the palace to present to you, my dear minister..."

"This was a gift from my beloved wife... Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, I appreciate it!" Jiang Zhe said calmly, holding the broken teacup in both hands. "Yang Ding, present this to the Emperor!"

Yang Ding immediately stepped forward, extended his hand to Liu Xie, and said, "Your Majesty, please!"

"..." Liu Xie looked at Jiang Zhe as if he wanted to say something, then sighed inwardly and left the tent.

Fu Wan shook his head and followed the emperor. Dong Cheng naturally dared not linger, and he was also flustered at the moment, so he hurriedly left.

"My lord?" Sima Hu hesitated before stepping forward.

"You all get out..."

"Yes..." Sima Hu exchanged a glance with Zhou Shu and Chen Kai, then quietly withdrew.

"Bang!" After everyone had left, Jiang Zhe slammed his fist on the table, glanced at the pile of documents, and said calmly, "Old man, I'm afraid I cannot obey your orders!"

P.S.: Just kidding, can we just consider this a small burst of popularity?

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