Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 127 Who is loyal and who is treacherous? Who can tell the difference?

They forgot an important figure when the emperor returned to Luoyang: Yang Feng!

After the emperor returned to Luoyang, Liu Yao became the Grand Tutor, Dong Cheng became the emperor's confidant, and the officials and ministers enjoyed temporary stability. Cao Cao obtained the emperor, and the people of Yingchuan gained central power.

But what did Yang Feng gain from this political reform?

Is it Prime Minister Cao's apprehension, the Emperor's alienation, or the high-ranking official in front of him?

He led his troops to stand at the camp gate, his cold gaze fixed on the young general he had once trusted most.

Knowing Xu Huang's martial arts skills, he was surrounded by heavily armored guards on both sides.

Only when Xu Huang, dressed in bright armor, approached did he manage to force a smile and greet him.

"Where did the Grand Master of Ceremonies come from?"

"General Yang, what is the reason for this? Are you disobeying the Emperor's decree and defying my orders?"

Yang Feng smiled as he met Xu Huang's piercing gaze.

"The Grand Master of Ceremonies is mistaken. I am stopping you here precisely because of the Emperor's decree."

What is the Emperor's edict?

We await the rescue of Liang!

However, the Liang Kingdom now only has its capital city of Suiyang and this Meng County.

My troops cannot be moved lightly. If they leave Meng County and lose this last outer city of Liang, how can we, with our troops, establish ourselves in Liang?
Should they also follow the example of those Black Mountain bandits and Huns, relying on the people for sustenance?

"Absurd! The decisive battle against Yuan's army is now at hand!"

If this battle is lost, the Liang Kingdom's fate is sealed. What use will five thousand men be in defending Meng County?

Xu Huang was both anxious and angry, but out of respect for his former superior, he could only order:
"I have been personally appointed by the Emperor as the commander-in-chief of the Liang Kingdom. General Yang, please obey the order and join me in the campaign. Do not hesitate, lest you fail the Emperor's expectations."

"Gongming, you still don't understand."

Why did the Emperor appoint you as the commander-in-chief of Liang? Was it really just to have you rescue Liang?

Anyone can save Liang, why does it have to be you in charge of the war?

In stark contrast to Xu Huang's urgency, Yang Feng remained calm and composed, seemingly unconcerned.

"Today I will teach you one last thing about how to be an official, so that you will learn your lesson."

Yuan Shu is a man with ulterior motives, so naturally we must punish him. But shouldn't the emperor also be wary of Cao Cao's army that came to punish Yuan Shu?
Why have they disobeyed your orders these past few days and dared not come to Meng County to join you? Isn't it because they are afraid of being sent by you to fight against Yuan's army and suffering losses themselves?
Now that Yuan's army has finally taken the lead in launching a decisive battle, Cao's army has no choice but to fight to the death. We can sit back and watch the outcome from Meng County.

If Cao Cao's army wins, you, as the commander-in-chief, will lead our army to deliver a fatal blow to Yuan Shao's army and achieve a great victory.

If Cao's army is defeated, it can also protect this army for the emperor.

Xu Gongming, you know how important an army of five thousand men is to the imperial party in Luoyang.

The battle depleted Cao Cao's strength but preserved his troops. Believe me, even if we are defeated and forced to retreat, we will have done nothing wrong, and the Emperor will not be disappointed.

This is precisely the way of officialdom in the Han Dynasty!

Upon hearing this, Xu Huang's expression changed several times, but in the end he resolutely shook his head.

"General Yang spoke of the way of being an official, but Gongming is dull-witted and only knows the way of being a general!"

Everyone in the Imperial faction hopes I will achieve something, the officials are eagerly anticipating my success, and His Majesty places high hopes on me. Now you want me to sit idly by and watch the outcome?"

"But there isn't a single person with real power in the Royalist camp!"
Besides myself and Dong Cheng's men who have followed me all the way from Chang'an, and the few Xiongnu under Qu Bei's command, what other members of the imperial faction are there?
The people of Yingchuan obeyed Xun Yu's orders in the court, and Cao Cao's power grew stronger day by day.

Do you really think that Yuan Gonglu is the only one in the Han Dynasty who would declare himself emperor?

No! It should be said that it was precisely because Yuan Gonglu had not yet declared himself emperor that Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Liu Zhang, Liu Biao, and everyone in the world were waiting to see if our Han Dynasty would still have the ability to suppress and eliminate him after he became the first emperor.

If it weren't for Yuan Gonglu, how many people do you think would have declared themselves emperors and kings in the current fragmented land?
"Power, military strength, and the ability to stage a coup—Your Majesty must reclaim them from your hands, bit by bit, and all of this is indispensable without the army under my command!"

"But what if Yuan Gonglu wins this battle!"
He controlled the two provinces of Yang and Yu, held the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, destroyed Liu Yao, defeated Cao Cao, and repelled Liu Bei. He was victorious in every battle and invincible!

What do you think he would still have to worry about? If he were to actually declare himself emperor in the south, and no one in the Han Dynasty could control him!
General Yang, have you truly considered how chaotic the world will be then?

Xu Huang took a deep breath, his expression solemn.

"Furthermore, there is one thing that General Yang is wrong about!"
Those who had imperial allegiance and wielded real power were none other than Liu Bei, the Imperial Uncle and Governor of Yu Province, and Lü Bu, the Marquis of Wen Province and Governor of Xu Province!

"But Liu Bei suffered a great defeat at Changping and failed His Majesty's expectations. Now he needs us to come and save him!"
Marquis Wen, Lü Bu, is merely inclined to his side and is fickle. Your Majesty trusts him, but I do not.

If my troops are wiped out because of your insistence on fighting, Xu Gongming.

At that time, in the capital city of Luoyang, the emperor would be isolated and powerless. If Cao Cao were to harbor rebellious intentions, what would you use to rescue the emperor?

"That is precisely why we cannot sit idly by and watch Liu Bei be defeated without coming to his aid!"
"Without the Imperial Uncle's support from the outside, what do you think Cao Cao would still have to fear?"

Enraged, Xu Huang drew his heavy axe from behind him. "Eloquent tongue! Outwardly loyal, but inwardly a fence-sitter!"
"Yang Feng! If you still refuse to send troops and dare to utter further words that jeopardize the overall situation of Liang, don't blame me for disregarding our past relationship and executing you according to military law!"

Unexpectedly, Yang Feng's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.

"I have received the Emperor's great favor. On my way back east, I blocked the Li and Guo armies for His Majesty several times, risking my life. But now I am caught in the middle, trying to protect myself, like a snake and a rat."

"Very well, Xu Gongming, you may take four thousand men with you wherever you wish to go. I will personally lead one thousand men to guard Meng County for His Majesty."

History will tell, and it will be clear who among us truly hindered the overall situation.

"it is good!

Master Yang, this is the last time I will call you Master Yang. I will always remember your kindness in promoting me in the beginning.

However, given the immense grace bestowed by Heaven and the greater good before us, we shall part ways here today.

As soon as Xu Huang finished speaking, he ordered his men to send word to the three armies in the camp that those who were willing to follow him should go on the expedition with him!

In Yang Feng's army, Xu Huang was the top general. He loved his soldiers like his own children and was fair in rewarding and punishing them. Many soldiers admired him.

With Yang Feng's tacit approval, a single order was given, and over four thousand men marched away.

Just as Xun You had previously advised Cao Cao, the hearts of Yang Feng's troops were all with Xu Huang, and with Xu Huang around, Yang Feng would find it difficult to achieve anything.

Looking at the empty military camp, with only six or seven hundred men left, Yang Feng felt neither joy nor sorrow.

He watched with cold eyes as Xu Huang led his troops away, then softly summoned his trusted confidant.

"Give this letter to Lord Yuan. We've held Xu Huang back for so long, we should make him read it well."

The confidant was shocked upon hearing this, staring at Yang Feng in disbelief.

General! Weren't you just a moment ago a righteous and loyal Han general?

"Does the general mean we should surrender to Yuan?"

"Nonsense! I am deeply indebted to the Emperor and would give my life for him!"

Although our troops are few and our generals few, we are determined to defend Meng County to the death. We will not surrender unless tens of thousands of troops are stationed on our borders!

confidant: "."

Seeing his trusted confidant leave with a strange expression, Yang Feng sighed softly.

Who understands my loyalty and forbearance?

(End of this chapter)