A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

After returning to China, Zhang Jiao continued to travel around, while also sending his disciples to spread the ideals of the Way of Great Peace.

By the fifteenth year of Emperor Ling of Han, Zhang Jiao's followers had reached nearly thirty million, spread throughout the ancient Nine Provinces and newly established prefectures and counties of the Han Dynasty.

To facilitate the uprising, Zhang Jiao divided his followers into seventy-two factions, each of which was an army, led by a chieftain.

The Grand General commanded 100,000 troops, while the Small General commanded 50,000 to 60,000. The ancient Nine Provinces were all personally led by his disciples. In particular, Chang'an City, as the heart of the Han Dynasty, was under the command of his most trusted and relied-upon eldest disciple, Ma Yuanyi, and his youngest disciple, Tang Zhou.

According to Zhang Jiao's plan, they would start their uprising on the fifth day of the third month of the sixteenth year of Emperor Ling of Han, with the slogan: "The Blue Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise; the year is Jiazi, great fortune will come to the world."

However, his junior disciple Tang Zhou, out of jealousy towards Ma Yuanyi, wrote a letter denouncing their plot.

After receiving Tang Zhou's report, the Prefect of the Capital did not dare to neglect it, because Tang Zhou had said that there were also their people among the Ten Attendants, but only Ma Yuanyi knew who they were.

The Prefect of Jingzhao dared not gamble and directly presented the report to Emperor Ling of Han.

When Emperor Ling of Han heard about the scale of Zhang Jiao's uprising, he was greatly alarmed.

"Immediately seal off Chang'an City and summon the four dukes, nine ministers, and important court officials to discuss the matter."

"Seal off the palace, summon the Ten Attendants, and order the Imperial Guards to protect the palace."

Emperor Ling of Han didn't even want to enjoy himself anymore. He rushed to Weiyang Palace and paced anxiously back and forth in the hall.

His political acumen was so keen that he could instigate such a large-scale rebellion; it was certainly not something that Zhang Jiao alone could have accomplished.

There must have been a large number of people involved, including those close to him.

This also confirms the intelligence that the Ten Attendants were involved in the testimony.

"Has the Grand Minister of Agriculture not arrived yet?"

Emperor Ling of Han asked Zhang Rang.

"His Majesty has already sent someone to invite them. From the distance of the Prince Zhongwu's residence to the palace, it will only take about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."

Zhang Rang quickly replied.

"It's far, too far."

"The Grand Minister of Agriculture lives so far away; wouldn't that cause a delay if there were any emergencies at court?"

Emperor Ling of Han said with some dissatisfaction, "This rebellion involves such a large number of people, how can we waste precious time on the road?"

"I recall that the area between the Prince Zhong's residence and the Imperial Palace was part of the Shanglin Garden?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhang Rang lowered his head. He had also seen the testimony reported by the Prefect of Jingzhao, and he was afraid that Emperor Ling of Han would be angry with them.

Now is the time when the court needs those officials and ministers from the political faction, and he dares not offend the emperor at this critical juncture.

"Now the Grand Minister of Agriculture has to go through this area to get to the palace. How old is the Grand Minister of Agriculture? How can he endure such a tiring journey?"

"You shall arrange it now to build a main road in Shanglin Garden that leads directly from Weiyang Palace to the Prince Zhongwu's residence, so that the Grand Minister of Agriculture can easily go to court."

Zhang Rang was secretly astonished by Emperor Ling's order, but he also knew how critical the situation was, so he dared not utter a word of dissent. He quickly took the opportunity to go and carry out his duties, leaving Zhao Zhong alone here.

Emperor Ling of Han sneered at Zhao Zhong, "Among your Ten Attendants, is it you who dared to collude with the traitor Zhang? Zhao Zhong?"

"Your Majesty, you are innocent! This servant is utterly loyal to Your Majesty, as the sun and moon can attest!"

"To be by His Majesty's side, to receive His Majesty's favor, to hold a high position and great power—we have nothing of substance to offer, so what can we gain from giving this horn?"

Zhao Zhong didn't care about anything else; in order to prove his innocence, he said whatever came to mind.

Emperor Ling of Han still trusted Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong; otherwise, how could he have allowed them to serve him at this point?

However, the other eight attendants are highly suspicious.

Who do you think it could be?

Emperor Ling of Han asked.

Zhao Zhong racked his brains, but Zhang Jiao had a great reputation in the Han Dynasty, and many eunuchs had come into contact with him.

However, there was no record of any attendant having much contact with Zhang Jiao, nor was there any record of anyone secretly believing in the Way of Peace.

"waste."

Enraged, Emperor Ling of Han kicked Zhao Zhong, knocking him to the ground.

"Yes, yes, I'm useless, I'm useless."

Zhao Zhong kowtowed repeatedly, finally collapsing to the ground, not daring to raise his head.

"Get out of here! Go keep an eye on those eight. See which one of those traitorous dogs is it!"

"I'm going to chop this bastard into pieces and feed him to the dogs!"

Emperor Ling of Han said coldly.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhao Zhong remained kneeling as he walked out of the main hall.

Emperor Ling of Han still felt somewhat afraid. Looking at the empty hall, he had a feeling that thieves were hiding somewhere.

"The Imperial Guards, send men to firmly guard Weiyang Palace."

Emperor Ling of Han said.

Seeing the Imperial Guards surrounding Weiyang Palace, Emperor Ling of Han finally felt a sense of security.

After all, there are so many Imperial Guards; it's impossible for them all to betray him.

If anyone makes a rash move, the other Imperial Guards will be able to react immediately and eliminate the traitor.

Even the Ten Attendants could betray him, so it's possible that the Imperial Guards might too.

He doesn't fully trust anyone now, and only the Wei family can still earn his trust from Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong.

"Your Majesty, your old minister has arrived."

Wei Cheng, the current head of the Wei family, led a young man into Weiyang Palace.

"Lord Yan, you've finally arrived."

"I have ordered Zhang Rang to open up a road from Weiyang Palace through Shanglin Garden directly to the Prince Zhongwu's residence. From now on, you will no longer have to take such a long detour to attend court."

Emperor Ling of Han hurriedly went to greet Wei Cheng and held his hand tightly.

"To be honest, Lord Yan, news came from the Prefect of Jingzhao today that Zhang Jiao of the Taiping Dao has launched a rebellion, commanding millions of troops. The rebellion has spread to twenty provinces of the Han Dynasty, and its momentum is overwhelming. Rebels are everywhere in the world!"

"Lord Yan, the Wei and Liu families share both prosperity and ruin; this is truly a critical moment of survival!"

Wei Cheng also showed a look of shock at the opportune moment, as if he had just learned about this.

The imperial court has been in flux for many years, and those who managed to climb to high positions are far more adept at changing their expressions than the stars of later generations.

"The Way of Peace dares to rebel? Aren't they just an ordinary Taoist sect?"

Is this news true?

"It's true, absolutely true."

"This news came from Zhang Jiao's personal disciple, and Zhang Jiao's eldest disciple, Ma Yuanyi, is also in Chang'an."

Emperor Ling of Han helped Wei Cheng sit down, but instead of returning to the dragon throne, he sat beside Wei Cheng.

"Your Majesty, do not worry. The eunuch who delivered the decree told me some of the information, so I brought this junior with me."

"This is Wei Ku from the lineage of Marquis Wu'an. He is the only person in this generation of this lineage to inherit the bravery and strength of the first ancestor."

"Although I can't wield the halberd as skillfully as some of my outstanding ancestors in history, I can still wield a 200-pound replica of the halberd with great power and impenetrability."

"He will be in charge of His Majesty's protection for the next period of time."

Wei Cheng pointed to Wei Ku behind him and recommended him to Emperor Ling of Han.