The Three Kingdoms: Home Travel

Chapter 61 Arrival in Luoyang!

In the month or two that Jiang Zhe was on his way to Luoyang, the political situation in the world underwent another dramatic change.

First, the Yellow Turbans ultimately failed to reach Luoyang, not even touching its edge. After learning of the death of the Great Teacher of Virtue, the morale of the Yellow Turbans plummeted. Only through the efforts of Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang did they manage to prevent the Yellow Turbans from splitting and collapsing.

When Zhang Bao attacked Zhu Jun, he led 80,000 to 90,000 bandits. Just as he was about to defeat them, a troop of soldiers suddenly appeared from the side. The commander was seven feet five inches tall, with ears that reached his shoulders, hands that reached his knees, eyes that could see his own ears, a face like jade, and lips like rouge. He held a sword in both hands and gave orders.

He had a general on each side.

One of the generals was eight feet tall, with a leopard's head, bulging eyes, a swallow's chin, and a tiger's beard. He wielded a snake spear, which sounded like thunder and moved like a galloping horse. The bandits could not stop him.

The other general was nine feet tall with a two-foot-long beard; his face was like a red date, his lips like painted rouge; he had phoenix eyes and silkworm eyebrows, and was handsome and imposing. He wielded a crescent-shaped blade. Just then, a bandit general caught up with him on horseback. He slightly opened his tiger eyes, swung his blade, and slashed, instantly cutting the man and his horse in two.

(The legendary... Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei...)

Upon hearing of this new force, Zhu Jun immediately led his defeated troops in a counterattack.

When Deputy General Gao Sheng saw that the favorable situation had been completely ruined by these three, he was furious and rode over alone.

Zhang Fei roared, pulled on the reins, spurred his horse forward, and charged forward with his spear. In a single exchange, he was spurred off his horse.

Zhang Fei glared angrily at his surroundings and roared, "I am Zhang Yide of Yan! Who dares to challenge me!"

The bandits were terrified. Upon seeing this, Liu Bei immediately led his troops to charge forward. Zhu Jun, seeing his own troops' morale greatly boosted, turned around and shouted, "If we don't do our utmost to kill the bandits now, when will we?"

Zhang Bao, positioned at the rear, saw the enemy's three generals charging back and forth with unstoppable force, while his own side suffered defeats and losses, greatly diminishing their morale. He then ordered the retreat.

Seeing the overwhelming strength of the enemy, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhu Jun led their troops away without giving chase.

Afterwards, Liu Bei met with Zhu Jun and explained his purpose. Zhu Jun was overjoyed and they discussed a plan to defeat the enemy the next day.

The next day, Zhang Bao set up his troops to challenge Zhu Jun to battle. Zhu Jun then led his troops out. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had already learned of their brother's plan, and each led a thousand troops to ambush on a high hill behind the mountain.

Liu Bei, acting as the vanguard, faced Zhang Bao. After only a few exchanges, Liu Bei fled on horseback, and Zhang Bao's army retreated. Zhang Bao then led his troops in pursuit.

Just as they were about to cross the mountain, two cannon shots rang out, and Guan Yu on the left and Zhang Fei on the right charged out together.

Zhang Bao realized he had fallen into a trap and was about to retreat when Liu Bei turned around and attacked, along with Zhu Jun's army.

Surrounded by enemies on all sides, the Yellow Turbans were thrown into a panic and were utterly defeated. Zhang Bao, disheartened, fled in disarray, intending to run to his brother Zhang Liang.

Liu Bei saw the banner of "General of the Earth" from afar, led his troops up, saw Zhang Bao, thought for a moment, immediately drew his bow and shot an arrow, which hit Zhang Bao in the arm.

Zhang Bao endured the pain, lay prone on his horse, and fled into Yangcheng, where he held firm and refused to come out.

Nearly 100,000 Yellow Turbans were wiped out in this calamity, and Zhang Bao's defeat was already evident.

This occurred when Zhang Liang, leading his brother's troops, was facing off against Huangfu Song. However, Zhang Liang ultimately lacked his brother's abilities and was defeated seven times in a row by Huangfu Song, who then beheaded Zhang Liang at Quyang. Just as they were about to search for Zhang Jiao's coffin, they suddenly heard that he had been struck dead by heavenly lightning, leaving no trace of his body. They immediately laughed three times, beheaded Zhang Liang, and sent his head to the capital. The rest of the troops surrendered.

In this battle, Huangfu Song was able to defeat Zhang Liang, and one person deserves much credit. This person was Cao Cao, courtesy name Mengde, from Qiao County, Pei State.

Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, was originally surnamed Xiahou, but because he was the adopted son of Cao Teng, a court attendant, he adopted the surname Cao. Cao Song begat Cao Cao, whose childhood name was Aman, and whose other name was Jili.

In this battle, Cao Cao was both a scholar and a warrior, brave and resourceful, and was highly regarded by Huangfu Song. After returning to the court, Huangfu Song recommended Cao Cao as the Chancellor of Jinan, and he was about to return to his post.

Upon hearing of Huangfu Song's great victory, Zhu Jun launched a full-scale attack on Yangcheng. Zhang Bao, seeing that his brother and younger brother had both died, was in a daze all day long.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the rebel general Yan Zheng assassinated Zhang Bao and surrendered, presenting his head as a reward. Zhu Jun then pacified several prefectures and submitted a memorial to the emperor reporting the victory.

Liu Bei gained Zhu Jun's favor, and so he went to Luoyang with him.

At that time, the current emperor (Emperor Ling) was old and senile, and the Ten Attendants in the palace seized the opportunity to control the government, selling official positions and titles, and not employing relatives or killing enemies.

Physician Zhang Jun strongly advised Emperor Ling, but was instead framed by the Ten Attendants and beaten and driven out.

The Ten Attendants, having wielded great power, conspired among themselves: anyone who disobeyed them would be executed. Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang sent men to demand gold and silk from the soldiers who had defeated the Yellow Turbans; those who refused were to be dismissed from their posts.

Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun both refused, and Zhao Zhong and others petitioned to have them dismissed from their posts. The emperor then appointed Zhao Zhong and others as Generals of Chariots and Cavalry, and Zhang Rang and thirteen others were all enfeoffed as marquises. The government deteriorated further, and the people lamented their misfortune.

As a result, Qu Xing, a bandit leader, rebelled in Changsha; Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun of Yuyang rebelled: Ju claimed to be the emperor, and Chun claimed to be the grand general.

The urgent reports were piling up, but the Ten Attendants all hid them and did not report them.

Liu Tao, the Grand Counselor, and Chen Dan, the Minister of Works, remonstrated with the emperor to the death, but were entangled by the Ten Attendants and were subsequently executed by order of the emperor.

This further corrupted the Han Dynasty's governance.

On the day of Qingming Festival, a horse-drawn carriage arrived outside Luoyang City.

"This is Luoyang..." Jiang Zhe leaned out of the carriage window and exclaimed in admiration as he looked at Luoyang's magnificent architecture.

Xiuer gazed out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

"Hey!" Fang Yue and Tao Ying, seated at the front of their horses, reined in their horses and stopped. Fang Yue said, "Sir, we've arrived in Luoyang!"

At this moment, two or three soldiers came from the gate of Luoyang and stopped Jiang Zhe's carriage, saying, "Where did you come from!"

Fang Yue glanced helplessly at Tao Ying, who was leisurely looking away, then clasped his hands and said, "My lord has come from Xuzhou to visit an uncle in Luoyang."

"Oh?" The leading soldier glanced at Fang Yue and Tao Ying, noticing their bright eyes and imposing presence, suggesting they were from the military. He immediately became much more polite, "Starting half a month ago, everyone entering the city has to pay one string of cash."

"One string of cash?" Fang Yue was taken aback.

The soldier glanced at Fang Yue and said, "Your Excellency, please don't think we are deliberately making things difficult for you. It's just that the palace has given an order, and we have no choice but to comply..."

Jiang Zhe, who was in the carriage, saw everything clearly and immediately understood the methods the Ten Attendants were using to amass wealth. He said, "Ziling, give it to him so we can enter the city quickly."

"Yes, sir!" Fang Yue took out five strings of cash from the package and handed it over.

The soldier nodded, walked to the carriage, and said, "It was my duty, I apologize!" He then lifted the hanging cloth, glanced inside, and his expression immediately became strange. "Let them pass!"

That young man is so young yet he's addressed as "sir"? And he has two such beautiful wives? What a world! The soldier watched Jiang Zhe's carriage depart and shook his head.

Upon entering Luoyang city gates, Fang Yue looked at the wide road and was immediately confused. Where was she going? She glanced at Tao Ying, who was already resting with his eyes closed. Feeling helpless, Fang Yue asked Jiang Zhe, "Sir, where are we going?"

"The residence of Situ Wang Yun!"

"I understand!" Fang Yue flicked his whip.

"Huh?" Xiu'er, nestled in Jiang Zhe's arms, asked her husband curiously, "Husband, how do you know my uncle's position? Even I am..."

"Uh...hehe...I heard, I heard..." Jiang Zhe was a little embarrassed. Wang Yun, Wang Yun...Situ Wang Yun! Back then, whenever Jiang Zhe saw that old senile man using Diao Chan to carry out a series of schemes, he hated him so much that he gritted his teeth. How could he not remember him?

"Oh..." Xiu'er glanced at Jiang Zhe, who was sweating profusely, chuckled, and didn't ask any more questions. However, Mi Zhen next to her occasionally hummed a couple of times.

Wang Yun had just finished court and, reflecting on the corruption within the court, sighed deeply. Suddenly, a servant came to report that a guest from afar had arrived.

Wang Yun stroked his long beard with a puzzled expression, frowning as he asked, "Who is it?"

"He was a young gentleman, surnamed Jiang, named Zhe..."

"Surname Jiang?" Wang Yun pondered for a moment, but couldn't recall him. Could he be here seeking an official position? Wang Yun immediately flew into a rage. "I won't see him!"

The servant ran out, but returned shortly afterward.

Wang Yun frowned and asked, "That person didn't leave?"

The servant hesitated for a moment before saying, "The gentleman said his wife's surname is Diao..."

"Diao..." Wang Yun muttered, stroking his long beard.

"Diao?!" Wang Yun suddenly stood up, his expression changed, then he was overjoyed. "Haha, I wonder who it is. It's that girl Xiu'er!" He then strode out.

"That old man has such a big ego!" Jiang Zhe complained as he stood outside the Situ residence.

"Husband..." Xiu'er gave him a reproachful look.

With a creak, the door opened, and Wang Yun strode out. He glanced at Jiang Zhe and the others, then immediately saw Xiu'er. After a moment of surprise, he smiled and said, "Indeed, my good niece!"

Xiuer gracefully stepped forward, bowed, and said, "This humble servant greets Uncle, and wishes you good health..."

"Ankang, Ankang..." Wang Yun chuckled as he looked at Xiu'er. Lian Sheng said, "Xiu'er, you've grown so much, your uncle almost didn't recognize you... Sigh... You've suffered all these years... You... You..."

Only then did Wang Yun realize what was happening, staring blankly at Jiang Zhe. Her niece had just been standing next to this man...

"You old fool!" Jiang Zhe harbored resentment towards Wang Yun for two lifetimes, and immediately opened his eyes wide to meet Wang Yun's gaze.

This boy is utterly unreasonable! Wang Yun was secretly furious, feeling sorry for his niece.

"Husband..." Xiu'er walked to Jiang Zhe's side and gently pushed him in a playful tone.

Okay, of all things under the heavens, my wife is the most important...

Jiang Zhe reluctantly performed a deep bow, saying, "Young Jiang Zhe greets his uncle!"

Hmph! Wang Yun snorted inwardly. After what happened just now, this old man's image of Jiang Zhe was probably extremely bad.

"Hmm!" Wang Yun nodded, acknowledging Jiang Zhe's agreement.

This old man is really putting on airs! Jiang Zhe was also a little annoyed. He was only bowing to you because of Xiu'er, and you, this senile old man, are giving me attitude. Humph!

Immediately, the old man and the child stood there, staring intently at each other, which made Mi Zhen chuckle softly. Looking at Fang Yue and Tao Ying, they had already walked far away.

"Husband..." Xiu'er helplessly tugged at Jiang Zhe's hand and said to Wang Yun, "Uncle, this is Xiu'er's husband, his surname is Jiang, his given name is Zhe, and his courtesy name is Shouyi..."

Wang Yun frowned as he sized up Jiang Zhe. The boy was good-looking, but unfortunately he had no respect for his elders and was also a weak scholar. What use was he?

Out of consideration for Xiuer, Wang Yun didn't explain, but just hummed twice.

"My husband... this is my uncle, who has treated me very well since I was a child..."

"Oh..." came a faint reply.

"..." Wang Yun didn't expect this impolite boy to say anything, and said with a smile to Xiu'er, "Xiu'er, you must be tired from your long journey. Come, come, let your uncle welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey!"

"Uncle..." Xiu'er gently took Jiang Zhe's hand and looked at Wang Yun with eyes full of affection.

"This girl!" Wang Yun exclaimed helplessly, looking at Jiang Zhe and saying, "Jiang Zhe is... Please!"

"Hypocritical..." Jiang Zhe thought to himself, but a slight smile appeared on his face. "Please, Situ, go first..."

"That lad!" Wang Yun gestured for him to enter, then strode in. "Someone! Prepare a banquet!"

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