You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 199 The Death of the Marquis of Xiliang

Xiliang.

Yumen Pass.

Yumen Pass was a formidable pass for the Western Liang to defend against foreign tribes from beyond the Great Wall. Like Yanmen Pass, it was one of the most important barriers around the Great Wall.

Heading north out of Yanmen Pass, heading west out of Yumen Pass.

This refers to the two strategic passes of the Northern Frontier and the Western Liang.

now.

The Jade Gate Pass was engulfed in war, with constant fighting and killing.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Western Rong tribesmen were stationed outside the pass.

The Xiliang army general guarding Yumen Pass sent several Xirong soldiers flying with a single spear thrust. He then shouted to a lieutenant general not far away, "Lieutenant General Wang, quickly send someone to inform the Marquis that the Xirong are not feigning an attack on Yumen Pass, but are serious about taking it. Be careful of a Xirong surprise attack."

This general guarding Yumen Pass was one of the top generals of the Xiliang army and a confidant of the Marquis of Xiliang.

The garrison commander was also aware of the secret agreement reached between the Marquis of Xiliang and the Western Rong.

The original plan was that the Western Rong troops would be stationed outside the pass, feigning an attack on Yumen Pass, while secretly they could enter the pass through Dunhuang and move south.

However, the commander of Yumen Pass did not expect that the Western Rong tribes did not follow the agreement they had reached.

This is no feigned attack on Yumen Pass; it is clearly a desperate attempt to breach Yumen Pass at all costs.

Fortunately, the Marquis of Xiliang had made preparations beforehand, sending one of the main generals of the Xiliang army to Yumen Pass to oversee the situation.

Furthermore, a significant number of additional troops were deployed to Yumen Pass.

The purpose was to prevent the Western Rong from secretly plotting anything.

Otherwise, Yumen Pass would really be in some danger.

However, since the Western Rong did not follow the agreement they had previously reached, it is unlikely that their entry into the pass through Dunhuang was simply a matter of heading south.

Therefore, the garrison commander had no choice but to immediately report the situation to the Marquis of Xiliang.

Tell the Marquis of Xiliang to be wary of the Western Rong troops entering the pass through Dunhuang.

"Yes, General."

After killing several members of the Western Rong tribes, the lieutenant left to send someone to inform the Marquis of Xiliang.

……

Below Yumen Pass.

The commander of the Western Rong army watched their attack retreat once again, his face expressionless. "It seems that after this attack, the enemy has guessed our Western Rong's intention to break through the pass."

The commander of the Western Rong army looked at Yumen Pass and said.

If the Xiliang army on the gate couldn't tell whether their repeated attacks were feigned or a genuine attempt to breach the pass, then that would be quite unreasonable.

"General, shouldn't we launch a full-scale attack?"

"The other side has guessed our intention to break through the pass, and they will definitely report to the Marquis of Xiliang."

"If the Marquis of Xiliang finds out about our intention to break through the pass, it won't be so easy for us to do so."

A general standing nearby spoke up.

Upon hearing this, the commander of the Western Rong army smiled calmly and said, "Even if the Marquis of Xiliang finds out, it doesn't matter."

“As long as the Marquis of Xiliang opens the Dunhuang Pass to us, he will be bound to us and will have no choice but to be at our beck and call.”

"I have long had a plan for Yumen Pass, and several probing attacks are almost complete."

The commander of the Western Rong army said with a glint in his eyes.

……

Xijing.

While the battle raged at Yumen Pass, the atmosphere at the Marquis of Xiliang's residence was also extremely tense.

Because the imperial envoy has already arrived at the Marquis of Xiliang's residence.

Inside the council chamber.

Marquis of Xiliang, accompanied by more than ten Xiliang army generals, welcomed Cao Zhengchun, the imperial envoy, into the hall.

“Eunuch Cao, I have already heard of your great name even though I am far away in Xiliang.”

"It is truly an honor for my humble abode in Xiliang that Eunuch Cao has personally come to Xiliang today!"

Marquis of Xiliang spoke politely to Cao Zhengchun.

The Marquis of Xiliang was surprised that Cao Zhengchun, the imperial envoy, arrived so quickly. According to the normal schedule, Cao Zhengchun and his entourage should have arrived in Xiliang two days later.

How could it be two days earlier?

The Marquis of Xiliang was filled with doubts.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency."

"I am merely a lowly soldier serving His Majesty; how could I possibly have any great reputation?"

Cao Zhengchun said calmly, looking at the dozen or so Xiliang army generals present: "When I left Luoyang, His Majesty asked me to convey His Majesty's regards to the generals of the Xiliang army."

"His Majesty said that the generals of the Xiliang Army have worked hard to guard Xiliang and resist foreign tribes."

Cao Zhengchun looked at the dozen or so Xiliang army generals present and said.

Upon hearing this, more than ten generals of the Xiliang army spoke up one after another: "We never expected that His Majesty would still care about us rough men. When Eunuch Cao returns to the capital, he must convey our gratitude to His Majesty for his concern."

"Yes! After returning to the court, Eunuch Cao told His Majesty that with us here, the foreign tribes beyond the Great Zhou will not be able to set foot in the Great Zhou. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun nodded; "This humble servant also brought a decree from His Majesty to the Marquis of Xiliang."

As Cao Zhengchun spoke, he produced an imperial edict.

"My lord, heed the imperial decree!"

Cao Zhengchun glanced at the Marquis of Xiliang and said.

"Your subject obeys the decree."

Without hesitation, the Marquis of Xiliang knelt down to receive the imperial decree.

The dozen or so generals also knelt on the ground, following the Marquis of Xiliang.

Without saying a word, Cao Zhengchun opened the imperial edict and began to read it aloud.

"His Majesty has decreed that the Marquis of Xiliang must return to court immediately to report on his affairs, without delay."

The imperial edict contained only this short sentence.

After reading that sentence from the imperial edict, Cao Zhengchun closed it and looked at the Marquis of Xiliang kneeling on the ground, saying, "My lord, receive the edict!"

"The minister accepts the order."

Marquis Xiliang received the imperial decree, stood up, and looked at Cao Zhengchun, saying, "Eunuch Cao, it's not that I'm unwilling to return to court to report, it's just that I really can't leave."

"Eunuch Cao may not know this yet! There are hundreds of thousands of Western Rong troops stationed outside Yumen Pass, and they could attack Yumen Pass at any time."

"If I leave, and the Western Rong army attacks Yumen Pass, and something happens to Yumen Pass, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"I urge Eunuch Cao to return to the palace and, on my behalf, explain the situation to His Majesty."

The Marquis of Xiliang looked at Cao Zhengchun with a troubled expression and said...

The Western Rong army is indeed stationed outside Yumen Pass; this cannot be faked.

The emperor in the palace issued an edict ordering the Marquis of Xiliang to return to court to report on matters, so the Marquis of Xiliang could use the whole thing as an excuse to fob off Cao Zhengchun.

Upon hearing the words of the Marquis of Xiliang, Cao Zhengchun glanced at him calmly and said, "It seems that Your Excellency intends to defy the imperial decree?"

"Are all the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the Xiliang army, except for the Marquis, just good-for-nothings?"

Cao Zhengchun's voice turned colder.

"The Marquis has twice defied the Emperor's will and disobeyed imperial orders."

As the saying goes, anything can happen once or twice, but never a third or fourth time.

"I might as well tell the Marquis that His Majesty has also summoned the Marquis of Zhenbei back to court to report on matters."

"Unfortunately, the Marquis of Zhenbei disobeyed the imperial decree and has been executed, and his mansion has been confiscated."

"Does Your Excellency intend to become like the Marquis of Zhenbei?"

Cao Zhengchun looked at the Marquis of Xiliang with a sinister gaze.

Upon hearing Cao Zhengchun's words, the Marquis of Xiliang was filled with turbulent emotions.

Was the Marquis of Zhenbei executed?
The Zhenbei Marquis's residence has been raided?

This news struck the Marquis of Xiliang like a thunderbolt, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Marquis of Xiliang did not believe that Cao Zhengchun was joking, nor did he believe that Cao Zhengchun would threaten him with such a baseless matter.

It's obvious that this is true. The Marquis of Zhenbei was indeed wiped out by the imperial court.

The Marquis of Xiliang never expected that the imperial court would actually take action against them, and so swiftly and without any scruples at that.

In an instant, the Marquis of Xiliang's eyes flashed, and he stepped back.

It was impossible for him to receive the imperial decree and return to the capital.

Marquis Xiliang knew better than anyone what the consequences would be for him upon his return to court.

Therefore, even if it meant defying the imperial decree, even if it meant truly breaking ties with the court, the Marquis of Xiliang would not return to the capital.

However, just as the Marquis of Xiliang was about to retreat, Cao Zhengchun's hand reached out and grabbed the Marquis of Xiliang's neck with unstoppable force.

Previously, at the Zhenbei Marquis's residence in the northern frontier, the Zhenbei Marquis served as a warning.
Cao Zhengchun had already prepared to act ahead of time.

"How dare you, Cao Zhengchun, lay a hand on the Marquis!"

"Release the Marquis immediately."

Cao Zhengchun grabbed the Marquis of Xiliang by the neck in the blink of an eye.

Therefore, none of the dozen or so generals present reacted in time.

By the time the dozen or so generals present realized what was happening, the Marquis of Xiliang had already become a prisoner in Cao Zhengchun's hands.

More than a dozen Xiliang army generals glared at Cao Zhengchun, their imposing auras erupting.

At the same time, figures rushed out from all directions, keeping a close eye on Cao Zhengchun.

These are all experts from the Marquis of Xiliang's mansion.

Cao Zhengchun glanced at these people, then looked at the Marquis of Xiliang whom he was holding and sneered, "Marquis, His Majesty gave you a way to live temporarily, but you didn't choose it. You insisted on choosing the path of death."

"Then don't blame me."

"Dare to defy the imperial decree and disobey the emperor's will."

A cold glint flashed in Cao Zhengchun's eyes.

"die."

Spit out a word.

The Marquis of Xiliang's pupils contracted, as if he sensed the fear of death, and he struggled desperately.

Unfortunately, how could he possibly escape from the hands of Cao Zhengchun, a man who was practically a celestial being?

Cao Zhengchun exerted force on his hand.

"Click."

There was a crisp sound.

Blood trickled from the corner of the Marquis of Xiliang's mouth.

The Marquis of Xiliang's pupils, which had been constricted, gradually lost their luster.

Perhaps, even in death, the Marquis of Xiliang could not believe that Cao Zhengchun dared to kill him so directly.

"Master Hou..."

When Cao Zhengchun killed the Marquis of Xiliang without any scruples, everyone in the hall gasped in shock.

Before these people could react, Cao Zhengchun casually tossed the Marquis of Xiliang to the ground and disappeared from the spot.

Followed by.

Muffled groans could be heard from time to time in the council hall, and corpses kept falling to the ground.

A few minutes later.

Everyone in the hall collapsed to the ground and became a corpse.

Only two figures remained standing there, staring straight ahead.

One of the figures was naturally Cao Zhengchun, while the other was one of the dozen or so generals.

The general glanced at the corpses scattered all around him, his face turning pale.

In just a few minutes, all of these people died at Cao Zhengchun's hands.

This made the general feel nervous and afraid of Cao Zhengchun.

"Eunuch Cao."

The general bowed to Cao Zhengchun and greeted him, feeling somewhat nervous.

Fortunately, he made a wise choice earlier and secretly surrendered to the imperial court.

Otherwise, there would be one more corpse on the ground today.

"General Dong, the Marquis of Xiliang and all these people are dead. It's up to you now."

Cao Zhengchun glanced at the general and said indifferently.

Cao Zhengchun actually had a very low opinion of such a treacherous and wicked person.

However, if it weren't for these kinds of people, they wouldn't have been able to so easily capture both the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang.

"Rest assured, Eunuch Cao, this humble general will proceed according to the plan."

After General Dong finished speaking, he immediately squatted down and took out the military tally from the bodies of the dozen or so generals.

Then, General Dong took out a tiger tally from the Marquis of Xiliang.

Holding these military tallies and tiger tallies, General Dong immediately left the council hall.

After General Dong left, Cao Zhengchun's figure also immediately disappeared from the hall.

Because the Northern Barbarians had attacked Yanmen Pass, the situation was urgent. Cao Zhengchun and Jia Xu did not make many plans for dealing with the Marquis of Xiliang this time, but acted hastily.

Therefore, Cao Zhengchun and his men had to act swiftly and decisively this time, and Cao Zhengchun also had to continue to take action to suppress the confidants of the Marquis of Zhenbei.

……

evening.

After a day of turmoil, Xi'an gradually returned to calm.

The Marquis of Xiliang's residence.

Meeting hall.

The corpses scattered on the ground had been cleaned up, but the pungent smell of blood was still strong.

now.

Jia Xu, Cao Zhengchun, and Lü Bu sat in the council hall.

Meanwhile, both King Zhou Zhan and Zhang Liao are currently in the military camp of the Western Liang army.

With the cooperation of General Dong and the prestige and influence of Prince Zhou Zhan, the power of the Xiliang army was largely taken over by Prince Zhou Zhan and Zhang Liao without much fluctuation.

However, the Xiliang army had only recently regained control, and morale was low.

In addition, we also need to purge the Marquis of Xiliang's confidants.

Therefore, in order to stabilize morale and prevent any unforeseen circumstances, both Prince Zhou Zhan and Zhang Liao were stationed in the military camp.

“Mr. Jia, now that the Marquis of Xiliang has been captured and the Xiliang army has taken over smoothly, I will immediately set off to return to the northern frontier.”

Lu Bu looked at Jia Xu and said.

The northern frontier is currently facing attacks from the northern barbarians.

Lu Bu, the newly appointed commander of the Northern Garrison, came to Xiliang to assist Jia Xu and his men in capturing the Marquis of Xiliang and taking control of the Xiliang army.

Now, the Marquis of Xiliang has been executed, and the Xiliang army has successfully taken control.

With the problem in Xiliang resolved, Lü Bu should now return to the northern frontier.

Upon hearing Lü Bu's words, Jia Xu nodded; "General Lü, you should immediately set off back to the northern frontier!"

"The Eastern Depot has sent word that His Majesty has dispatched Marquis Weiwu to the northern frontier, but the situation there is still far from optimistic."

"The alien race has clearly come prepared this time, so you need to be careful."

Jia Xu reminded Lü Bu.

"Mr. Jia, rest assured, I, Lü Bu, do not even consider those mere barbarians a threat."

"Those who dare to offend my Great Zhou, I, Lü Bu, will make sure they never return."

Lu Bu stood up, leaving behind an arrogant figure, and left the council hall.

The Western Liang region no longer needs Lü Bu; with Jia Xu, Cao Zhengchun, Prince Zhou Zhan, and Zhang Liao in charge, that's enough.

Meanwhile, Lu Bu immediately rushed back to the northern frontier to oversee the campaign and eliminate the foreign tribes.

(End of this chapter)