Chapter Seventy-Two: Lu Zhi Escorted to the Capital

“Your Majesty, this must not be allowed.” At this moment, Yuan Feng once again stepped forward, his lips curling into a cold smile. “Your Majesty, respectfully, what Zuo Feng just said is nothing but his own account. It is said that Lord Zuo has brought back quite a few things on this occasion. I suspect that it’s only because Lord Lu comes from a humble background and offered no gifts that Lord Zuo would speak so ill of him.”

Yuan Feng had little personal connection with Lu Zhi, but whatever the Ten Eunuchs set their sights on, Yuan Feng was always the first to oppose it.

Zuo Feng was left speechless; indeed, Yuan Feng’s words hit uncomfortably close to the mark.

As for Liu Hong, he was well aware that half the bribes Zuo Feng extorted would ultimately find their way to his own hands, though he could not say so openly. Narrowing his eyes at Yuan Feng, Liu Hong sneered, “Yuan, are you suggesting my own son is lying?”

“That is not my intention, Your Majesty. His Highness would never fabricate the truth, but that does not mean everything said before was truly His Highness’s words. It could have been invented by Zuo Feng. I ask Your Majesty to judge wisely,” Yuan Feng replied.

At this, Zuo Feng broke out in a cold sweat; this wily old man had seen right through everything.

Liu Hong ignored Zuo Feng and ordered, “Since that is the case, then let there be no execution. Pass my decree: escort Lu Zhi back to Luoyang for a face-to-face confrontation.”

“Your Majesty, this must not be done!” a voice objected.

“Must not, must not—can you say nothing else?” Liu Hong roared, glaring at the Grand General, He Jin, who had spoken.

He Jin quickly responded, “Your Majesty, I do not object to Lu Zhi being escorted to the capital. But with Lu Zhi gone, what of the tens of thousands of troops at Guangzong?”

Liu Hong realized he had misjudged He Jin and replied offhandedly, “That’s easily solved. My son Liu Yao is brave and capable—he has just quelled the Yellow Turbans in Yingchuan. Let him handle the ones at Guangzong as well.”

He Jin was stunned. His goal had been to promote his own men for the command, to win more merit; instead, he had handed the opportunity to Liu Yao, whom he regarded as a thorn in his side. Yet he could not object, for Liu Yao’s abilities were plain for all to see. He Jin could not fathom how the Yellow Turbans, fierce as tigers to him, became meek lambs before Liu Yao.

Yuan Feng shot a furious look at He Jin, cursing the fool inwardly. What an idiotic blunder! He dared not speak further, knowing well how much Liu Hong trusted Liu Yao. To object now would be to invite humiliation.

After some hesitation, He Jin gritted his teeth and said, “Your Majesty, though His Highness is indeed valiant, it is said that Guangzong has only fifty or sixty thousand troops, while the Yellow Turbans muster a force of over one hundred and fifty thousand. However skilled the prince, even the strongest cannot prevail alone against such numbers.”

Liu Hong, hearing this, grew uneasy, for Liu Yao was all his hope. Though he trusted Liu Yao’s abilities, accidents could always happen. “He Jin, have you any suggestions?” he asked.

He Jin grinned, “Your Majesty, I propose someone who, with his help, will surely see the Yellow Turbans defeated.”

“Speak, who is it?” Liu Hong asked, intrigued.

“This man is named Dong Zhuo, styled Zhongying, from Lintao in Longxi. He currently holds the post of Colonel. He has long guarded the borders, striking such fear into the Qiang tribes that they dare not approach. He would have no trouble dealing with the Yellow Turbans,” He Jin said confidently. Dong Zhuo was his trusted subordinate, powerful and reliable—a man he was eager to recommend.

“Oh, Dong Zhongying—I have indeed heard of him. Very well, let Colonel Dong Zhuo go to Guangzong and assist my son,” Liu Hong decreed.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the assembled officials answered in unison, raising no further objection.

After court, news of Dong Zhuo’s assignment to support Guangzong soon reached his ears. On hearing it, Dong Zhuo burst out laughing. Though not appointed commander, earning a share of merit at Guangzong was still a fine opportunity. In his eyes, the Yellow Turbans were nothing but easy merit—if he could cow the Qiang, he feared no rabble of peasants.

Without delay, Dong Zhuo gathered thirty thousand troops and set off for Guangzong. Having spent years in officialdom, he was well-versed in the ways of the court. He was keenly aware of the Ten Eunuchs' influence and, while mobilizing his forces, secretly sent generous gifts to them behind He Jin’s back. With the support of both factions, Dong Zhuo would have the advantage, win or lose.

Meanwhile, Zuo Feng had already departed once more for Guangzong. Upon his arrival, he carried himself with great swagger, holding the imperial edict aloft—none dared obstruct him.

At this time, Liu Yao and his advisers were in the command tent, preparing to discuss the Yellow Turban matter.

“My lord, that Zuo Feng has returned. This time he comes bearing an imperial edict. You had best go receive it,” Shi A reported as he entered Liu Yao’s tent.

“So, it has finally arrived! It seems Lu Zhi is in trouble. I wonder—will I be the one to take his place, or will it be Dong Zhuo?” Liu Yao mused inwardly.

“My lord, receiving the imperial edict is no small matter. We should go at once. The Yellow Turban affair can wait,” Xu Zicai urged.

Liu Yao nodded. “Come, let us receive the decree.” With that, they all filed out of the tent toward Zuo Feng.

Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Lu Zhi, and the others, having heard the news, also came to meet him.

Zuo Feng called out in his hoarse, shrill voice, “Lu Zhi, Liu Yao, come receive the imperial edict!”

Liu Yao and Lu Zhi knelt together, ready to receive the decree, and all those present knelt with them. Yet inwardly Liu Yao seethed. In his life, he knelt only to Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, and Teacher. Now, though in name he knelt to his father and emperor, Liu Hong, in reality he knelt before a eunuch.

“Edict of the Son of Heaven: Lu Zhi, having failed in suppressing the Yellow Turbans and suspected of harboring the enemy for his own gain, is hereby ordered to be seized and escorted to Luoyang for explanation. As for the post of commander in Lu Zhi’s absence, General Who Pacifies the North, Liu Yao, shall assume command. Thus is my will!”

“We accept the decree,” Lu Zhi and Liu Yao said in unison. Lu Zhi, for his part, took the edict in utter disbelief. Meanwhile, Zuo Feng was full of glee, finally avenged; Lu Zhi’s guards glared at Zuo Feng with barely restrained fury, but dared not act.

As for Liu Bei, though outwardly composed, his mind was in turmoil. He had expected nothing good to come from Lu Zhi offending Zuo Feng, but to be hauled off to Luoyang was a disaster. Worse still, the new commander was to be Liu Yao, who had little fondness for him. Like a chick losing its mother’s protection, Liu Bei now found himself before the eagle’s talons—perilous indeed.

He began to wonder whether he should remain. If he stayed, he might not live long enough to win any glory, being toyed with by Liu Yao. Yet to leave empty-handed, he was not willing. For a moment, Liu Bei was caught in indecision; at last, a glint flashed in his eyes, as if he had come to a decision.

“So it is I who shall succeed. It seems the fat Dong Zhuo will not be coming after all. A pity—I was curious to see what he looked like,” Liu Yao thought to himself.