Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 160 Ripples, I'm very angry right now.
The Han Chinese possess a powerful capacity for inclusiveness and assimilation that no other ethnic group has ever had, transforming the nomadic tribes of the grasslands from warriors into singers and dancers...

If the Chanyu cannot understand Confucian classics, then my Heavenly Han Kingdom is also somewhat proficient in martial arts!
I certainly dare not compare myself to the two phoenixes in martial arts, but you, Beigong Boyu and Xubu, are not grassland overlords like Ashina Duobi!

Whether Huangfu Song and Dong Zhuo could capture Beigong Boyu and Xubu and escort them back to Luoyang to perform a dance depended entirely on whether the two could survive until they were captured alive by the generals.

Liu Bian stopped his horse on the slope of Mangshan Mountain, gripping the reins tightly with both hands, watching those familiar figures and the mighty army split at the fork in the road not far away, and then gradually disappear into the distance until they vanished from sight.

A fast horse galloped up to the Crown Prince. Dong Huang quickly dismounted, knelt on one knee, and glanced at the billowing dust rising on the road leading to Bingzhou. He then slowly reported, "Your Highness, the Spring Hunting Ceremony is complete. Please proceed."

Ancient emperors would hunt in spring, harvest crops in summer, hunt in autumn, and hunt in winter, going out to the suburbs in all four seasons to demonstrate their military might to the world.

The Han Dynasty valued martial prowess, and Emperor Xiaowu expanded Shanglin Garden and other gardens for hunting during his reign. He also incorporated military training and drills into the hunting process, following the old system of Zhou rituals, which was extremely costly.

During the reigns of Emperors Zhao and Xuan, the frequency of hunting was greatly reduced in order to save expenses. However, starting from the reign of Emperor Xiaoyuan of the Former Han Dynasty, the officials in charge of managing the Shanglin Garden were dismissed because the court could not bear the burden. At the same time, the ponds and fields occupied by the Yichun Garden were returned to the poor for use, and the scale of the garden was gradually reduced year by year.

When Emperor Guangwu of the Later Han Dynasty restored the Han Dynasty in Luoyang, although gardens such as Shanglin Garden were built in Luoyang, the scale of hunting was reduced as the central army was downsized. In some cases, the scale of hunting was only a few thousand or even a few hundred people, and the participants included only close ministers, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, high-ranking military officers and officials of the inner court.

By the time of his father Liu Hong, the Shanglin Garden was expanded and additional palaces and villas were built, but the purpose was more for the sake of creating a unique landscape than for hunting.

However, this time Liu Bian expanded the number of accompanying troops to six thousand, with three thousand Tiger Guards and three thousand Crown Prince's guards responsible for driving the prey into the fenced hunting area.

The accompanying officials included all officials of rank of 600 shi or above in the capital, as well as a group of fallen Southern Xiongnu nobles, including Yufuluo, the son of Qiangqu Chanyu who was killed by the rebels during the Southern Xiongnu rebellion.

Liu Bian nodded slightly and, under the protection of a group of guards from the Crown Prince's residence, boarded the Crown Prince's carriage. Inside the carriage, Liu Qing helped him change into the military uniform he would need to wear for the spring hunt.

He wore a military cap with pheasant feathers, a black dragon-patterned armor decorated with animal and cloud patterns, a leather belt inlaid with jade around his waist with a sword and bow sack hanging from it, and leather military boots adorned with gold thread trim.

What a majestic and imposing prince!

"Your Highness looks truly majestic in this attire; I wonder how many unmarried young women he will captivate."

Looking at the Crown Prince in his new military uniform, Liu Qing's already handsome yet dignified appearance was made even more striking by the attire. His eyes sparkled, and he lightly covered his red lips, a blush rising on his face.

Liu Bian pulled Liu Qing into his arms, his right hand casually lifting her fair chin. A sly smile played on his lips as he whispered, "'Those who praise me are those who fear me.' Lianyi, you praise me so highly, could it be that you also fear me?" Liu Qing bit her moist lips slightly. Faced with the Crown Prince's smiling expression and such a trap-filled question, she frankly admitted her fear of him.

"Your Highness, I am naturally afraid of you." Liu Qing lay on her side in the Crown Prince's arms, her slender, jade-like fingers gently tracing circles on his chest, slowly moving across his abdomen and down to his lower abdomen. Her index finger lightly tapped on the Crown Prince's armor, her red lips parted slightly, and she exhaled a soft, sweet breath. Her pink serpentine body licked her index finger, leaving a glistening trace on the fingertip. She revealed a captivating, alluring smile and said, "Your Highness, I truly both love and fear you."

Liu Bian swallowed hard, watching the glistening drop of saliva slowly slide down his fingertip, leaving an inconspicuous silver line. He shifted uncomfortably, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable against the armor.

However, seeing the Crown Prince's embarrassed appearance, Liu Qing gently covered her red lips, her beautiful eyes narrowed into crescent shapes, and she laughed rather unrestrainedly: "Is Your Highness feeling unwell?"

"Unfortunately, Your Highness, I cannot help you." Liu Qing pointed to her light blue off-shoulder palace dress, shrugged her smooth, fragrant shoulders slightly, and showed an expression of helplessness.

Seeing that Liu Qing looked completely fearless, Liu Bian gritted his teeth and glared at her fiercely.

Compared to her military uniform, the palace dress was quite cumbersome to put on, requiring at least two palace maids to assist her. Moreover, if Liu Qing's palace dress got dirty or accidentally torn, it would be difficult to explain.

Public displays of sexual activity in broad daylight are unacceptable according to etiquette and law, let alone in the imperial carriage... At least in the eyes of outsiders, Liu Bian tried his best not to create an image of a lustful and rude person.

Suddenly, Liu Bian had a flash of inspiration. The scene of Liu Qing tempting him just now appeared in his mind, and a sly smile appeared on his face. He had an idea in mind.

At this point, one can't help but admire the wisdom of our ancestors, as the "ku" that men generally wore at this time was open-crotch.

Liu Bian lifted the soft armor skirt and the hem of his straight-hemmed robe, revealing a slightly ferocious smile: "Since Lianyi likes it, then I will grant your wish."

Liu Qing seemed somewhat bewildered, unaware of how the Crown Prince intended to punish his insolent behavior.

"Eh, Your Highness!"

Liu Qing exclaimed in surprise, her beautiful eyes widening slightly as she looked at the Crown Prince with a hint of pleading and slight resistance in them.

"Shh." Liu Bian slowly got up, gently cupped Liu Qing's head in his hands, leaned forward slightly, feeling the warmth and listening to the indistinct sobs, and said softly, "Keep quiet, save your energy."

(End of this chapter)