Shuhan

It was a thrilling battle since Cao Zhen defeated the Han army at the city of Xuzhou.

The Han army thought that they could withstand Cao Zhen's fierce offensive with the help of the strong city of Xuzhou, but they ultimately underestimated Cao Zhen's wisdom and bravery.

Cao Zhen planned and commanded the troops with great confidence. Under his fierce attack, the Han army was defeated step by step and finally completely defeated.

Cao Zhen led his army to break through successfully. This battle not only demonstrated his military talent, but also made the Han army terrified.

After breaking through, Cao Zhen did not stop, but pursued the victory and captured cities one after another.

Wherever his cavalry went, the Han army fled and no one dared to confront him.

Cao Zhen's army was like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, and quickly took control of half of Xuzhou.

Xuzhou is a land of rich resources and large population. Such results are undoubtedly a huge victory for Cao Zhen.

The news spread quickly to Luoyang as if it had wings.

There was shock inside and outside the Han court.

The court officials looked at each other, their hearts filled with fear and anxiety.

They knew very well that Cao Zhen's rise was undoubtedly a huge threat to the Han court.

However, the emperor Liu Chan at this time seemed to not care about it at all.

Liu Chan sat in the magnificent palace, surrounded by a group of charming concubines.

He was dressed in a gorgeous dragon robe and a pearl crown on his head. Although his face was handsome, his eyes revealed a kind of decadence and obsession.

He indulged in wine and sex all day long, playing and frolicking with the concubines, especially those concubines of the destroyed Wei State, whom he doted on even more.

Among them, Empress Dowager Guo was his favorite one.

Empress Dowager Guo had a beautiful face, a graceful figure, and a look of nobility and elegance.

She was originally the queen mother of Wei, but after the demise of Wei, she was taken as a concubine by Liu Chan.

Although she was unwilling in her heart, she had no choice but to compromise under Liu Chan's favor.

I will do everything I can to win the emperor's favor.

Therefore, no matter what request the emperor made, she would satisfy it.

Now, every part of her body has been touched by this man.

It has completely become his shape.

At this moment, Liu Chan was feasting and drinking happily with Empress Dowager Guo and a group of concubines.

Inside the palace, the candlelight flickered, the palace was magnificent, the music played melodiously, and the dancers danced gracefully, just like a beautiful painting.

Liu Chan raised his cup and drank, laughing constantly. He seemed to have forgotten the turmoil and war in the outside world and was immersed in this moment of joy.

However, the court officials were extremely anxious.

They knew very well that the Han court was facing an unprecedented crisis at this moment.

Cao Zhen's rise was like a raging torrent, unstoppable.

If we don’t respond in time, the Han Dynasty will be in danger.

However, Liu Chan turned a deaf ear to this and made decisions slowly, which made the court officials feel extremely disappointed and helpless.

In the imperial court, there were many aristocratic families with ulterior motives. They had long been dissatisfied with the "Clan Records" compiled by Emperor Liu Chan and the imperial examination system he implemented.

The original purpose of "Clan Records" was to break the monopoly of aristocratic families and allow more talented people to enter the court as officials, but it touched the interests of these aristocratic families.

The implementation of the imperial examination system gave many children from poor families the opportunity to succeed in life, which was undoubtedly a huge threat to those children from aristocratic families who became officials through hereditary succession and favoritism.

These noble families colluded secretly and pretended to obey Liu Chan's decisions but actually disobeyed them.

On the surface, they expressed their support for the "Clan Records" and the imperial examination system, but secretly funded Cao Zhen, hoping to use Cao Zhen's power to overthrow Liu Chan's rule.

More aristocratic families obstructed the implementation of the imperial examination system in the local area. They used their power and influence to prevent aspiring young people from taking the imperial examinations, attempting to protect their own interests in this way.

For a time, memorials came in like snowflakes from the Prime Minister's Mansion, the Secretariat and other places.

Court officials wrote letters to the emperor, urging him to face up to the current crisis and take practical and effective measures to deal with Cao Zhen's threat.

However, Liu Chan turned a blind eye to these memorials and continued to indulge in wine and sex.

In the Prime Minister's Mansion, an elderly minister held a memorial in his hand with a frown on his face.

He looked at the mountain of memorials and his heart was filled with worry.

He knew very well that each of these memorials concerned the safety of the Han court, but Liu Chan ignored them.

He sighed, walked slowly to the desk, picked up the pen, and wrote another earnest memorial.

He hoped that Liu Chan could see this memorial and realize the current crisis. However, he knew in his heart that this memorial would most likely fall on deaf ears like the previous ones.

In the Shangshutai, a young official was pacing anxiously.

He had just returned from the local area and witnessed the brutality and cruelty of Cao Zhen's army with his own eyes.

He knew very well that if Cao Zhen's attack was not stopped in time, the Han Dynasty would be doomed.

In his hand he held tightly a secret report which he had obtained with untold difficulties from Cao Zhen's army.

The secret report described Cao Zhen's military deployment and offensive plan in detail, but he was unable to submit the secret report to Liu Chan.

Because he knew that even if he presented it to Liu Chan, he might not even look at it, let alone take any measures.

In a corner of the court, some children from noble families were gathered together whispering.

They had sly smiles on their faces and conspiratorial gleams in their eyes.

They were discussing how to further obstruct the implementation of the imperial examination system and how to secretly fund Cao Zhen.

Only by overthrowing Liu Chan's rule can the interests of their family be safeguarded.

However, they forgot that the safety of the Han court was related to the life and death of every citizen.

Their conspiracies and tricks will only push the Han court into a deeper abyss.

Liu Chan was still immersed in wine and sex, and he seemed to care nothing about the outside world.

He hugged Empress Dowager Guo and whispered sweet words to her.

Although Empress Dowager Guo was dissatisfied, she could only force a smile at this moment.

Her fate was closely tied to Liu Chan's, and no matter what decision Liu Chan made, she could only bear it silently.

However, the court officials did not give up.

They continued to write letters to Liu Chan, urging him to face up to the current crisis and take practical and effective measures to deal with Cao Zhen's threat.

They hoped that Liu Chan would wake up and realize his responsibilities and obligations. However, Liu Chan continued to do as he pleased and ignored the pleas of the courtiers.

As time went on, Cao Zhen's power grew stronger and stronger.

He continued to capture cities and territories, gradually eroding the territory of the Han Dynasty.

Most of Xuzhou has fallen into his hands.

The court officials were extremely anxious, but there was nothing they could do.

They knew very well that if no action was taken, the Han Dynasty would gradually perish.

Finally, someone stood up. Fei Yi held the memorial in his hand and resolutely walked into Liu Chan's palace.

He knew very well that his action might anger Liu Chan and even cost him his life.

However, he did not hesitate, because he knew that he was responsible for the safety of the Han court and the life and death of the people.

He walked up to Liu Chan, knelt on the ground, held up the memorial, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, Cao Zhen's power is growing stronger day by day, and our Han Dynasty is in danger. I implore Your Majesty to face the current crisis and take practical and effective measures to deal with Cao Zhen's threat. Otherwise, our Han Dynasty will be completely destroyed!"

Liu Chan frowned when he heard this and said unhappily, "My dear, you are wrong. The Han court is strong and powerful, so why should we fear Cao Zhen? My dear, please don't exaggerate."

The courtier felt a pain in his heart when he heard this. He knew very well that Liu Chan had completely indulged in wine and sex and could not extricate himself.

He sighed and said slowly: "Your Majesty, I am not exaggerating. Cao Zhen is powerful and our army has been defeated repeatedly. If we do not take action, I am afraid that our Han Dynasty will have no place to stand!"

Liu Chan was unwilling to listen any longer. He waved his hand and signaled the court officials to leave.

Fei Yi had no choice but to leave sadly. He walked out of the palace and looked at the gloomy sky, his heart filled with worry and helplessness.

He knew very well that the safety of the Han court was hanging by a thread.

However, he was powerless and could only watch the Han Dynasty go towards destruction step by step.

At this moment, Cao Zhen was making intensive preparations for the next attack.

He is getting closer and closer to his goal of restoring the Wei Dynasty.

He looked at the vast territory, his heart filled with lofty ambitions.

He swore to completely destroy the Han Dynasty and establish his own hegemony.

In the Prime Minister's Mansion, the atmosphere was as solemn as the calm before a storm.

In the lobby, the flickering candlelight shines on the mottled walls, making it look particularly deep and mysterious.

Dong Yun was wearing an official uniform, with a frown on his face. He paced back and forth in the lobby anxiously. His footsteps echoed in the empty lobby, adding to the feeling of uneasiness.

Outside the window, it was late at night and the moonlight was dim. The occasional cries of night birds made the mansion even quieter.

Dong Yun felt as if his heart was burning on fire and was extremely anxious.

He knew very well that the situation in Xuzhou was critical and the Han army was retreating step by step, but His Majesty Liu Chan was still indulging in wine and sex and not caring about state affairs.

The empire has only been conquered for a short time, is it going to be lost like this?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh secretly.

Just then, a light breeze blew by, the door of the lobby was gently pushed open, and Zhuge Liang, wearing a feather fan and a green scarf, walked in slowly.

He was dressed in a plain robe, holding a feather fan in his hand, and wearing a silk scarf on his head. He walked calmly and looked confident.

The feather fan waved gently, as if it could blow away all the troubles in the world.

His eyes were deep, revealing a kind of wisdom and calmness, as if everything was under control.

Upon seeing this, Dong Yun immediately went forward, his face full of anxiety.

He walked quickly to Zhuge Liang, bowed and said, "Prime Minister, Xuzhou is in such a situation now, and Your Majesty is still indulging in wine and sex. What can we do? The world has just been conquered, is it going to be lost?" There was a slight tremor in his voice, and it was obvious that he was extremely worried about the current situation.

Zhuge Liang chuckled, and that smile revealed a kind of calmness and confidence.

He gently waved his feather fan and said slowly: "Don't panic. You are His Majesty's confidant, how could you not know His Majesty's temperament? The so-called indulgence in wine and sex is just a cover. Your Majesty is so wise and powerful, how could he really indulge in this?"

Dong Yun was stunned when he heard this. He stared at Zhuge Liang with wide eyes, as if he could not believe his ears.

Seeing this, Zhuge Liang continued to explain, "Your Majesty did this just to weaken the aristocratic families. Those aristocratic families are extremely powerful and have long been dissatisfied with Your Majesty. Your Majesty's move is to make them relax their vigilance and think that Your Majesty has been indulged in wine and women and has no time to take care of state affairs. In fact, Your Majesty is secretly planning to eliminate these aristocratic families in one fell swoop."

After listening to Zhuge Liang's words, Dong Yun's mind suddenly became clear.

He suddenly realized: "So that's it! I knew Your Majesty would not be so confused. But, when is Your Majesty going to take action?" His eyes revealed a kind of anticipation and anxiety.

Zhuge Liang smiled mysteriously, and that smile seemed to hide endless mysteries.

He gently waved his feather fan and said slowly: "When the time comes, we will naturally start. You just need to do your part and wait for good news."

Dong Yun felt relieved when he heard this.

He was well aware of Zhuge Liang's wisdom and courage. Since Zhuge Liang said so, there must be a reason for it.

He bowed and said, "The Prime Minister's words are in my heart. I will do my best to serve Your Majesty."

Zhuge Liang nodded, expressing his satisfaction with Dong Yun's performance.

Dong Yun was Liu Chan's confidant and one of the few loyal ministers in the court.

As long as Dong Yun can remain firm in his beliefs, the situation in the court will be more stable.

Then, Zhuge Liang walked to the center of the lobby and looked out the window with deep eyes.

He actually had many considerations in his mind.

Although he has set up the game, things are unpredictable and there will always be many variables.

He must always be vigilant and ready to deal with any crisis that may arise.

Seeing this, Dong Yun also walked to Zhuge Liang's side and looked out the window following his gaze.

He thought to himself: The Prime Minister is so wise and resourceful that he will surely help Your Majesty to pacify the world. As long as I follow the Prime Minister's steps, I will surely be able to make a difference.

At this time, a night breeze blew, bringing a hint of coolness.

Zhuge Liang shook his head slightly and waved the feather fan in his hand gently, as if it could dispel all the worries in his heart.

He said slowly: "The world is like a game of chess, unpredictable. We must have firm beliefs and be flexible. Only in this way can we gain a foothold in this world."

When Dong Yun heard this, he agreed with it deeply.

He nodded in agreement, and a feeling of admiration for Zhuge Liang arose in his heart.

He knew that he still had a lot to learn from Zhuge Liang.

Only by constantly working hard and studying can you become a wise man like Zhuge Liang.

As the night deepened, the candlelight in the lobby still flickered.

Zhuge Liang and Dong Yun were still standing in front of the window, staring at the night outside.

Their hearts are full of expectations and longings for the future.

They believe that as long as everyone works together, they will be able to help Your Majesty pacify the world and usher in a new era.

After a long while, Zhuge Liang slowly turned around and said to Dong Yun: "It's getting late. You should go back and rest. There are still many things to deal with tomorrow."

Dong Yun heard this and bowed, saying, "Prime Minister, please rest early. Dong Yun will take his leave."

After saying this, he turned and left the lobby, disappearing into the night.

Zhuge Liang looked at Dong Yun's departing back and thought to himself: Dong Yun is a promising talent. As long as he is trained, he will become a pillar of the court.

He shook his head gently, waving the feather fan gently in his hand, as if it could dispel all the worries in his heart.

Then he turned and left the lobby, disappearing into the night.

Only the flickering candlelight remained, flickering in the silent lobby.

After all, the aristocratic families are deeply rooted, and it is certainly impossible to eradicate them all of a sudden.

But after this, the power of the aristocratic families will definitely be greatly damaged, and it will be much easier to deal with them in the future. (End of this chapter)