Chapter 31: The Finest Warhorse

“Appoint Liu Yao as the Great Han’s General Who Guards the North, granting him the right to establish his own office. Appoint Huang Zhong as the General of Gallant Might, Zhang Fei as the General Who Suppresses Rebellion, and Taishi Ci as the General Who Subdues Barbarians. Gao Shun will serve as the General Who Quells Bandits, and Tian Chou as the General of the Frontier. In addition, exempt You Province from taxes for ten years.” Liu Hong declared loudly.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Gao Shun’s heart brimmed with excitement, not just for his own promotion, but more so for the ten-year tax exemption for You Province. Under such conditions, the province was bound to thrive and prosper at an unprecedented pace.

Standing below, He Jin and Yuan Feng saw that the matter was settled and beyond reversal, so they dared not say another word.

“If there is nothing further, then court is dismissed,” Liu Hong announced. Seeing no one else had anything to add, he turned and strode straight toward his private chambers, not even allowing Zhang Rang to follow.

Returning alone to his quarters, Liu Hong carefully drew a small rolled cloth from his sleeve. This was precisely the cloth that Liu Yao had instructed Gao Shun to deliver to him. Unfurling it, he found a single large character sprawled across the entire cloth: “Chaos!”

The bold character “Chaos” leapt before his eyes. “Chaos… Since you, my son, desire chaos, then as your father, I shall grant your wish and turn the Han world upside down,” Liu Hong said resolutely. He then held the cloth to the candle flame and watched it burn to nothing, leaving not a trace behind.

In Luoyang, at the Cai residence, Cai Yong had just returned from morning court, having heard of Liu Yao’s deeds. He could not stop grinning. What more could one want than to have such a talented and accomplished disciple—who was also his future son-in-law? Especially since Liu Yao harbored grand ambitions; it was entirely possible he might one day become emperor. Then his own daughter, Cai Yan, could become empress. Cai Yong admired his own foresight more with each passing moment.

As he stepped through the gates, Cai Yong saw a slender figure pacing anxiously at the entrance—his daughter. “Yan’er, what are you doing here?”

“Father!” Cai Yan cried out joyfully upon seeing him, her worried look instantly vanishing as she grabbed his hand. “Father, did Brother Yao win the battle? Has he come to Luoyang?”

How could Cai Yong not know his daughter’s feelings? “No, Yan’er, Liu Yao is incredibly busy right now. How could he possibly have time to return to Luoyang? He only sent one of his men to pay respects to His Majesty on his behalf.”

“Oh…” Disappointment clouded Cai Yan’s face.

Cai Yong found his daughter’s expression amusing. “He didn’t return in person, but he did send a letter.” Seemingly out of nowhere, Cai Yong produced a letter. This was written by Liu Yao and entrusted to Gao Shun for Cai Yan. Upon leaving court, Gao Shun had sought out Cai Yong and asked him to deliver it.

“Ah!” At this, Cai Yan’s heart felt as if it had been sweetened with honey. She quickly snatched the letter and dashed off to her room to read it in secret.

Cai Yong watched his daughter with a satisfied squint and stroked his beard, murmuring, “If love is true and deep, must lovers meet morning and night? What a poem, what a poem! I never imagined Liu Yao could compose such beautiful lines.” Clearly, Cai Yong had already peeked at the letter on his way home. If Liu Yao were to learn of it, one wonders if he would properly scold the cheeky old man.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, two months had passed. It was now the last day of the year 181.

In You Province, after a journey of over a month, Gao Shun finally returned with the imperial edict from Liu Hong. The newly titled generals—Huang Zhong and the others—could not contain their delight, even though these were merely sixth-rank miscellaneous generals.

You Province had officially entered a period of growth. On this very day, the ransom from the Wuhuan people arrived in full, and the four Wuhuan generals were courteously sent back by Liu Yao. By then, the four were little more than skin and bones, barely clinging to life.

Among the Wuhuan ransom, what caught Liu Yao’s eye most were five extraordinary horses: one golden, two jet-black, one flaming red, and one snow-white. At this moment, Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci were already arguing over which horse each would claim.

“I get first pick! I captured three of the Wuhuan prisoners, so I should choose from their ransom first!” Zhang Fei bellowed at Taishi Ci, shoving him as he spoke.

“Nonsense! I was the one who broke into the Wuhuan camp, slew so many, and seized all these horses and livestock. My contribution was greatest. I should have first choice!” Taishi Ci retorted indignantly.

Liu Yao could not help but laugh at their childish squabbling. Then again, for generals, nothing was dearer than their weapons and steeds. Fine weapons were still to be found, but the best horses were right before their eyes. Naturally, neither would want to miss this chance.

“All right, both of you, quiet down. Look at Hansheng—how composed he is, unlike the two of you,” Liu Yao said, pointing to Huang Zhong, who stood silently nearby.

At his words, both men fell silent, but they turned to regard Huang Zhong with a peculiar gaze. Liu Yao followed their eyes and saw that Huang Zhong’s own were shining as he stared fixedly at the flaming red horse.

Liu Yao nearly wanted to slap his own forehead. He quietly asked, “Hansheng, do you fancy that one?”

“Ah, my lord…” Caught off guard, Huang Zhong realized everyone was staring at him oddly. A bit embarrassed, he nonetheless spoke up, “Ahem… My lord, the moment I saw that horse, I was taken with it. I beg you to grant it to me.”

Liu Yao turned to Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci. “Do either of you object?”

“I don’t like the red one. I want that pure black stallion,” Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci said simultaneously, each pointing at the identical jet-black horses. Then, both stared at each other in surprise, and again, blurted out in unison, “You want that one too?!”

They were both left speechless—had they known, what was the point of all that arguing?

Liu Yao burst out laughing at the sight. “Very well, the two black horses shall go to you two. As for the red one, it is yours, Hansheng.”

“Thank you, my lord!” The three exclaimed in delight, bowing gratefully before rushing to their chosen steeds. With a quick motion, they mounted up and launched into a wild gallop outside.

Watching them, Liu Yao found it amusing—grown men playing with new toys. He turned to Gao Shun. “Gongxiao, aren’t you going to pick one?”

Gao Shun shook his head calmly. “No need, my lord. I excel at fighting on foot, not on horseback. Save the horse for another commander in the future.”

Liu Yao was unsurprised—this was just like Gao Shun. If he wanted something, he would ask directly, but if not, no amount of persuasion would move him.

Watching Zhang Fei and the others gallop about in high spirits, Liu Yao felt a sudden impulse to pick a horse himself. From the start, he had had his eye on the golden horse, whose noble bearing suited his status perfectly. He stepped forward and stroked its silky coat. The horse snorted amiably in greeting.

By now, the trio had had their fun and rode back. “My lord, these are truly top-class warhorses!” Zhang Fei cried out happily, his face full of excitement.

“Indeed. A fine steed befits a hero, and only you three are worthy of such mounts.” Liu Yao paused, then turned to a stable boy standing nearby. “Do these horses have names?” The stable boy was a Wuhuan, renowned for his skill with horses, and these five had been in his care.