Tiger Guards

Chapter 383 A Bunch of Bedbugs

Wandu, North Gate.

As dawn broke, the gatekeeper opened the city gates, and Wei Xu led the armored soldiers in.

When Lü Bu entered, he did not go directly into the city, but went to the north gate tower to look at Wandu through the smoke from the cooking fires.

Looking towards the northwest corner of the city on the right, the Emperor's temporary palace was already protected by more than a thousand armored soldiers led by Wei Xu.

Seeing this, Lü Bu looked towards the southwest military camp in the city.

Messengers were constantly traveling through the streets of the city, and the heads of the various pavilions led their soldiers to close the roads, allowing only Lü Bu's messengers to pass.

According to Lü Bu's observation, Wei Yue, who was stationed outside the city, entered through the east gate and successfully took over the southwest military camp in the city.

The sun gradually rose, but it was obscured by clouds, with only a rough outline visible.

However, when it gets light, the temperature is muggy.

The more than 1,000 armored soldiers under Wei Xu's command who were the first to enter the city were exhausted and were resting in various places to recover their strength.

Lu Bu frowned as he observed the scene. Before long, Chen Gong arrived quickly, only to find bloodstains still visible on Lu Bu's face. He was greatly alarmed and asked, "General, what is the cause of this?"

"Gongtai, tell me, who should I believe now?"

As Lu Bu spoke, he pointed to one side. Chen Gong looked over and saw a head protruding from the spear held by a guard. He recognized Hao Meng at a glance.

Chen Gong turned around and cupped his hands to Lü Bu: "The Emperor is uneasy about the General's sudden mobilization of troops, so he ordered me to come and inquire."

"I am a loyal subject of the state. How could the emperor be uneasy if I mobilize troops?"

Lü Bu countered with a question, and Chen Gong was speechless. He then said, "The Emperor is unaware of the details and ordered me to inquire."

"Someone is plotting a rebellion."

Lu Bu uttered four words, then placed his hands on the parapet, squinted at the gathering place of the nobles' residences, and said, "Since the riots in Xuchang, I have been corresponding with Zhao Yuansi, discussing what happened that night. Does Gongtai know how Yuansi replied?"

"How could I possibly know that this General is exchanging letters with the Grand Marshal?"

Chen Gong also looked toward the area where the residences of the high-ranking officials were gathered. Not far away was the area where the officials accompanying the emperor were gathered. He could already see Wei Yue leading his knights to break down the doors and arrest some officials.

Despite the distance, it was impossible to see exactly who had been arrested, but Wei Yue immediately killed anyone who resisted, showing no leniency.

Lü Bu remained calm: "At the time, Zhao Yuansi mocked my stupidity in his letter, saying that those who led their subordinates, retainers, guests, and sons to fight the fire that night must have had ulterior motives and should be punished as well. Looking back now, I am very regretful."

Chen Gong felt his mouth go dry. Rationally, he agreed with Zhao Ji's statement, but in reality, those who led the firefighting and participated in the brawl that night were all related by blood or kinship, making it difficult to punish anyone and lacking sufficient solid evidence.

Lu Bu glanced at Chen Gong's profile and asked, "Gongtai, do you know who the mastermind is?"

"I don't know, please enlighten me, General."

"Grand Master of Ceremonies Liu Song, Cavalry Commandant Liu Hui, Imperial Chariot Commandant Liu Sheng, and Eagle-like Sima Liu Qi."

Lu Bu rattled off a list of names and then said, "I won't arrest them, but I know it's them. Gongtai, go see His Majesty, and I will await His Majesty's decision."

Chen Gong's expression was serious, and he pointed to the place where the arrests were being carried out: "What is the reason for that?"

"I will leave the matter of the imperial family members and civil and military officials to Your Majesty; but these people need not trouble Your Majesty."

Lu Bu sighed deeply: "The Liu family and the Zong family of Anzhong were also involved in the plot."

Like the Liu clans of Hongnong and Donglai, the Liu clan of Anzhong was one of the most successful branches of the imperial clan, belonging to the ranks of high-ranking officials, second only to the top-tier Yuan and Yang clans.

The Zong family was not much different; they were also a prominent and influential family. The entire Anzhong County was basically divided up by these two families. Under these two towering trees, perhaps some weeds could survive, but no other decent trees could grow.

Lu Bu deliberately held back against these two families. Out of respect for the emperor and the imperial clan, he only scared away the Liu family of Anzhong and seized their servants, land, and property.

The Zong clan was also complicated. Zhao Yan was a former official of the Zong clan. Just to give Zhao Ji face, he only scared off the Zong clan and did not destroy them.

As a result, the sons of both families harbored resentment and joined forces with the Liu family members in the court, forming the main force behind his assassination attempt.

But is what Hao Meng and others have extracted from their mouths the truth?

In Lü Bu's eyes, the Liu clan members were merely front-line soldiers pushed to the front, responsible for waving flags, shouting slogans, and inciting the masses.

The real mastermind is someone else.

This is disgusting. The mass killing of the Liu family members weakens the legitimacy of the court with each one killed, and the misunderstandings and infamy suffered by the emperor also increase.

If we don't kill them, these people will seize any opportunity to cause trouble again.

Ironically, these people acted hastily because Zhao Ji, on Liu Ai's recommendation, chose Liu Song to go to Luodu to replace Liu Ai.

Liu Song had no room to refuse. Liu Ai had retired from the Secretariat, and someone from the imperial clan had to take his place.

Even the emperor agreed with this arrangement, so Liu Song couldn't possibly refuse or evade such a crucial matter.

So Liu Song went to take up his post, which terrified everyone else, who thought that Liu Song had betrayed them and gotten promoted.

Meanwhile, Lü Bu has recently started riding horses outside the city to exercise, and Wei Yue, as Zhang Liao's successor, has also begun to reorganize his troops to prepare for war, looking ready to fight.

When the opportunity arose, they naturally had to take action against Lü Bu.

If we don't act now and wait for Lü Bu to make his move, then we're completely finished.

Based on the limited information available, Lü Bu deduced this conclusion, and he believed that Chen Gong could quickly deduce a similar result. The key figure was Liu Song; it was Liu Song's appointment to Luodu that triggered the unease among the other Liu clan members.

Chen Gong blinked, his facial muscles relaxed and expressionless, devoid of any energy, and asked, "Then how does the Grand General hope His Majesty will deal with these rebellious members of the imperial clan?"

"Why make things difficult for me, Gongtai? If others join the rebellion, I will handle it myself and will not cause His Majesty any trouble."

Lu Bu looked distressed and spoke with anger: "What crime have I committed that the Liu family treats me with such hatred?"

Chen Gong remained silent until Lü Bu's emotions had calmed down somewhat, then asked in a different way: "If Your Majesty wishes to protect the Liu family, what would the General do?"

"That's acceptable. I'll leave it to Your Majesty's decision."

Lü Bu glanced at Chen Gong and said, “In this way, either the Liu family guards Nanyang and protects His Majesty, while I lead troops out of Wankou to fight the traitor with Zhao Yuansi. Alternatively, the Liu family protects His Majesty and joins forces with Wei Yangzu to march out of Wankou and join forces with Zhao Yuansi in Xudu, while the Emperor personally leads the campaign against Yuan Shao in Chen. After I reorganize my troops, I will march out of Wankou again to fight the traitor together.”

"As for the victory in suppressing the bandits, we will discuss it with Zhao Yuansi later."

Lü Bu smiled and said, "That's settled then. I respect Your Majesty's decision. If Your Majesty insists on staying in Wandu with me, then please appoint the Liu clan as the vanguard in the campaign against Yuan Shao. When the country is in peril, even we, subjects of different surnames, fight for the country; how can we, descendants of the imperial clan, avoid the war?"

Anyway, Lü Bu didn't want to work with these people. They weren't hard to kill, but they were like bedbugs. Crushing one of them would make him feel bad for a long time.

Therefore, three options were given and given to Chen Gong to convey.

Seeing this, Chen Gong knew he couldn't ask any more questions. Of these three options, the emperor had to choose one.

This is better than guessing wildly. If the Emperor really makes a decision that does not suit Lü Bu's wishes... Don't be fooled by his current claims of obeying the Emperor's judgment; it's just talk and shouldn't be taken seriously.

If Lü Bu can keep his word and obey the emperor's decisions, what about Wei Yue's troops who are already prepared for war?
Wei Yue lost control and killed these people. Do you dare to question Wei Yue and force Lü Bu to kill Wei Yue?

"General, please wait a moment. I will go to the palace to pay my respects to the Emperor."

Chen Gong dared not delay, because the longer the delay, the greater the possibility that Wei Yue or other former subordinates of Lü Bu would attack and kill the Liu family.

On the night of the Xu Du riot, the various armies fought each other, and Lü Bu's army dismantled the newly assigned armies under General Wei Dong Cheng.

That night, some acted on orders, while others acted out of necessity. These former subordinates of Lü Bu worked together to force the armies of Tian Yu, Liu Hui, and Chen Yu, who were assigned to Dong Cheng, to surrender and disarm, and were eventually reorganized.

In the chaos in Xuchang, Dong Cheng suffered the most crushing defeat in the imperial court.

Secondly, there was Lü Bu, who could only retreat to Nanyang to seek sustenance. The momentum for the restoration of the court suddenly collapsed, which led to Yuan Shu's rapid expansion this year.

Around noon, a group of messengers dispatched by Lü Bu in the middle of the night drove straight into the Duyang military camp.

The lead knight, holding aloft the token bestowed by Lü Bu, rode into the camp and shouted: "General's order! The entire army assembles at the drill ground!"

"General's order: All troops assemble at the drill ground!"

Other knights rode around the camp, relaying military orders.

The two thousand Eagle Soaring New Army soldiers stationed in the camp could only brave the summer heat and, under the supervision of their officers, go out to assemble at the drill ground.

Liu He, the commander of the army, calmed himself down and led his officers and confidants to the drill ground, where they stood on high ground to observe the changes in the camp.

He was merely a military commander, responsible for the daily affairs of the camp, and had no command or personnel authority.

Even the daily training of each battalion is overseen by the battalion commander.

The Eagle Soaring Army, which Lü Bu planned and built, had only one commander: Lü Bu himself.

From Lü Bu down, there were various military supervisors and commanders, and below them were the camp commanders and camp officers.

During wartime, Lü Bu would select people from his followers and guards to serve as camp commanders, responsible for commanding battles.

If it is just routine garrison duty or military marches, it is the responsibility of the camp commander.

When three or four battalions are gathered together for garrison duty, a military commander is appointed; when five or seven battalions are gathered together, a military supervisor is appointed.

After the Xudu riots, the Eagle Yang New Army was very particular about procedures when it came to mobilizing troops. Even Liu He could only mobilize his own guards and troops.

At this moment, he could only stand on the platform and watch the three camp commanders and their officers drive and urge the soldiers to line up.

After the ranks were properly aligned, Zhang Hong, Lü Bu's messenger and a member of the Imperial Guard, took out a stack of silk scrolls, rolled them up, and asked the three camp commanders to inspect them before reading aloud: "The General-in-Chief orders that Liu He, the military supervisor of Duyang, has colluded with the Lu Hun Rong to rebel and is hereby sentenced to death."

Zhang Hong was from the state of Buqi in Donglai. After reading the message, he looked at Liu He, who was trembling with fear, and said, "The General ordered me to convey a message that you are an old resident of Wuyuan and are permitted to commit suicide to atone for your sins."

"This guilty official obeys the order and thanks the General for his kindness."

Liu He reluctantly bowed, and those around him, whether unaware of the situation or not, quickly stepped back and distanced themselves from him.

Zhang Hong was also in charge of the assassination. Seeing Liu He confess, he breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "The General also wants a list. You are an old friend of Wuyuan, so you should know who is more important and who is less important."

The heavier side could cause Liu He's entire family to die, and could also bring disaster to his relatives in Taiyuan.

Before Liu He could reply, a military officer beside him drew his sword and thrust it low in the side, piercing Liu He's waist and abdomen.

At midday in the sweltering heat, Liu He, dressed only in black official robes, was suddenly struck down. Before the assassin could even draw his sword, he was slashed and killed by other officers with ruthless moves.

Zhang Hong saw what was happening but did nothing.

In any case, when Wei Yue's army marches north to Wankou, it will inevitably pass through Duyang, and then we can deal with these military officers.

(End of this chapter)