The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

Chapter 133 A Strong Wind Reveals the Strength of the Grass (Part 3) (Eighth Update)

Shangshutai (Imperial Secretariat).

Inside the office of Minister Zhang Zun, Zhang Zun was engrossed in processing official documents at his desk. The bamboo slips piled up like a mountain on the desk, almost completely obscuring him.

"There's so much to do." After working hard for a long time, Zhang Zun straightened up, a bitter smile on his face. He reached for his water glass to drink some water, but found it was empty, so he poured half a glass of water from the kettle and drank it all in one gulp.

In today's world, officials are generally lax, and those who are diligent in their work are rare. He was one of them.

He didn't have to do this. Because he was Zhang Fei's grandson and the Empress's nephew, from a prominent family.

His brothers and uncles were mostly undisciplined. He could have been a flamboyant young master.

But for some reason, he just didn't want to be complacent. He wanted to work hard to keep the country alive.

So when his brothers laughed at him for being foolish, he didn't care.

After resting for a while, Zhang Zun prepared to continue working. A colleague rushed in and said a few words to Zhang Zun.

After hearing this, Zhang Zun immediately abandoned his official duties, grabbed his sword, left the Ministry of Personnel, mounted his horse, and headed straight for Zhuge Zhan's general's residence.

He was a minister, not a general or an officer, so he was not required to participate in the battle.

But he was resolute; he donned heavy armor, even if it meant killing ten people.

That's also contributing to the country.

Zhao Guangfu.

Zhao Guang was practicing martial arts at home to vent his frustrations. Upon learning of the situation, he was greatly alarmed and said to his son who came to report, "Where is Ma Miao at Jiangyou Pass? Where are the garrison at Fucheng? Fucheng is a heavily fortified city, easy to defend and difficult to attack. It's not a thin piece of silk that can be torn with a single puncture."

He could hardly believe his ears; such an important place as Fucheng could be lost so quickly.

Has the country really deteriorated to this extent?

Zhao Ping gave a wry smile and nodded to indicate that it was true. He then said, "Father, the news is indeed accurate. General Zhuge has already led his troops to prepare for battle and has come to request your participation."

"Gather the troops immediately." Zhao Guang stared blankly for a while before taking a deep breath. A resolute look appeared on his old face. He sent his son to the military camp outside the city to gather the troops, while also summoning his personal guards, intending to go to Zhuge Zhan's residence to face the national crisis together.

Before his son left, he put his hands on his hips and said firmly, "Don't worry, the country will not perish."

Zhao Ping was initially flustered, but seeing his father's state, he calmed down a bit, nodded emphatically, and then turned and left.

Soon after, Zhao Guang mounted his horse and prepared to go out.

Upon receiving the news, Zhao Tong immediately came out to catch up with Zhao Guang, saying, "Father, I'm going too."

"Defend the home!" Zhao Guang shouted as he rode his horse at full gallop.

Zhao Tong's face turned pale, and she stomped her foot, extremely unwilling.

A strong wind reveals the strength of the grass, and a rugged terrain reveals the loyalty of the minister.

As the great Xia dynasty was on the verge of collapse, some people fled, and some fell ill.

Some people rush to the battlefield even when it doesn't concern them personally.

Some people are dedicated to their duties.

The news spread quickly. The common people, wealthy families, and merchants of Chengdu all wanted to flee, but the city gates were closed.

No one can escape.

The city was filled with wails of agony.

"Deng Ai has already entered Fucheng and will surely march south. Chengdu is in danger. If the Wei army massacres the city..."

"I'm just a merchant, what use is there in keeping me here? Open the city gates and let me go!"

I am from Nanzhong...

""

Inside the main hall of the Crown Prince's Palace.

Crown Prince Liu Xuan sat in the main seat, enjoying the fragrance, listening to the music, and watching the beautiful women dancing gracefully in front of him.

Her youthful beauty and jade-like skin were truly a feast for his eyes.

The court musician's music was exquisite, captivating him.

Sometimes, Liu Xuan thought that being the crown prince for life might not be so bad. After all, being the emperor meant dealing with state affairs and managing countless matters every day.

Being the crown prince would be much easier.

"Clatter clatter clatter!!!!!" A eunuch rushed in from outside, his face pale, and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, there is news that Deng Ai has led tens of thousands of Wei troops south from Yinping Road, captured Fucheng, and is about to attack Chengdu."

"What did you say?" Liu Xuan exclaimed as he stood up.

"ah!!!"

The songstress cried out in alarm and scattered in all directions. The musician quickly stood up, bowed to Liu Xuan, and turned to leave.

The eunuch had no choice but to repeat it.

Liu Xuan finally understood, but he was terrified.

"I am the crown prince, I could have become emperor. But what if the country perishes?" Liu Xuan sat blankly in the main seat, muttering to himself.

"Your Highness, shouldn't we do something now?" The eunuch, more resolute than him, stepped forward and asked.

But Liu Xuan was stunned, slumped in his seat like a skeleton. He knew he should do something, of course, but he felt like he was dreaming, unable to control his body.

The eunuch stepped forward and gently comforted Liu Xuan, repeatedly trying to help him up and do something for him. "Crown Prince."

But Liu Xuan just couldn't get up. The eunuch stamped his foot, completely abandoning Liu Xuan, and turned to leave.

Below the crown prince, most of the princes were shattered.

The Northern Royal Palace.

After the news came.

Zhang Sheng dispatched soldiers to surround and protect the palace.

Chen Mingzhen wanted to see Liu Chen, but she did not get to see him.

.

Yang Yong and other ministers and guests wanted to see Liu Chen, but they were unable to do so.

Inside a side hall of the inner palace, Liu Chen sat in the main seat. He was not wearing a royal crown and robes, but rather a formal Shu brocade robe, a short cap, and a sword at his waist.

The short cap is a crown worn by warriors and is not appropriate for a king.

Liu Chen knelt in the main seat, looking straight ahead, flanked by Huang Chong, Zhang Sheng, and Chang Heng.

Huang Chong and Zhang Sheng go without saying. After Chang Heng arrived in Chengdu, he hid among Zhang Sheng's soldiers as a regular soldier.

Liu Chen heard the noise from Yang Yong and his guests outside, but ignored it. He said to the three men in a deep voice, "A few of you are enough to plot against me."

"Yang Yong and other veteran officials are all capable, but they're not needed right now. You are enough."

After a pause, Liu Chen glanced at Huang Chong, Zhang Sheng, and Chang Heng, a smile spreading across his face, and said, "Although it's a bit unethical, only now do I, the King of the North, have a chance."

Liu Chen clenched his fist, his blood boiling. He had never felt this excited, not even on his wedding night.

Huang Chong, Zhang Sheng, and Chang Heng all nodded in unison.

Huang Chong gripped the sword hilt, his old face unable to conceal his excitement, his mind racing as he pondered what to do. The incident had happened so suddenly that he was somewhat stunned, and only now was he beginning to consider a solution.

"Should we lead the troops to conquer Chengdu?" Chang Heng leaned forward slightly, exuding a fierce and menacing aura, and asked menacingly.

His troops. Zhang Sheng's troops. The soldiers Liu Chen had mobilized from various villages; if they suddenly launched an attack, it wouldn't be difficult for them to capture Chengdu.

Zhang Sheng readily agreed, saying, "Taking Chengdu is not difficult." But after a pause, he looked troubled and said, "But after taking Chengdu, the city will be in chaos."

"We cannot attack Chengdu directly," Huang Chong said, shaking his head. Chengdu is the capital of the Han Dynasty. If the King of the North attacks and occupies Chengdu...

The common people and officials scattered and fled, which was no different from Dong Zhuo.

Politics is about following the rules.

Controlling Chengdu requires a more moderate approach.

"What should I do?" Huang Chong frantically calculated in his mind.

Liu Chen was different from them; he had been planning this for several years. He stood up with a smile, gripped the hilt of his sword, and said, "It's very simple. General Zhuge is my brother-in-law, and Li Gong, the Right Commander of the Imperial Guards, is my maternal uncle. Mi Zhao, the Tiger Cavalry Supervisor, is my good friend. I will seize General Zhuge's military power, and then I can control Chengdu."

He held his head high, his eyes sharp, looked at the three men on his left and right, and said, "I want to be the Crown Prince, the Chancellor, the Commander of the Capital Region, and the Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs, both inside and outside the capital."

"Then he killed Deng Ai to consolidate his power."

"The art of war dictates that one must risk one's life to accomplish great things. Now is the time for me to fight with all my might."