The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 499 Liu Bian: Brother, be content with what you have

At the gate of Luoyang city, many civil officials and military generals gathered with smiles on their faces. They knew that the new dynasty would be established and they would be rewarded for their meritorious service in following the emperor.

Especially some time ago, when the King of Tang issued the order to confer titles, everyone was privately discussing how much land and benefits they could get.

I have followed Qin Shou for many years and made many contributions. Now all of this can be turned into benefits.

"Hey! Who's here again?"

At this time, a carriage came slowly, and a young man with a thin figure, a calm face and an otherworldly look got down from the carriage.

After hearing the discussion, Zhong Yao looked back, carefully identified it, and his face suddenly changed.

"Your servant Zhong Yao pays homage to the King of Hongnong."

When the people around heard the other party's name, they all showed shock on their faces.

King Hongnong Liu Bian, what a distant name this is. It has not appeared for more than ten years. Many people in the court have forgotten the existence of this person. Perhaps some people think that Liu Bian had been killed by Dong Zhuo long ago.

Unexpectedly, he appeared outside Luoyang City at this moment, and looking at his current appearance, his face was ruddy and his expression was calm, it was obvious that he had lived a good life in these years.

For a moment, those who thought Qin Shou was cruel suddenly had other ideas. A prince like Liu Bian actually lived so comfortably, and Qin Shou did not seem to be a cruel person.

Liu Bian smiled slightly, extended his hand and said: "No need to be so polite, Minister Zhong. It's been many years since we last met. I hope you are doing well."

His voice was gentle, but it revealed the calmness of someone who had been in a high position for a long time. Zhong Yao was shocked and quickly stood up, looking at the King of Hongnong in front of him with complicated eyes. The boy who trembled under Dong Zhuo's sword back then has now grown up to this point.

The civil and military officials around looked at each other, not knowing how to respond. Someone whispered, "Hasn't the King of Hongnong already..."

"Be careful with your words!" The colleague beside him hurriedly stopped him and pointed to the front with his eyes.

At this time, an old official with white hair and beard walked out from the crowd. It was Sima Fang. He saluted tremblingly and said, "Your Highness, I am here to see you. I wonder what important matter has brought you back to the capital this time?"

Liu Bian's eyes swept through the crowd, finally landing on Sima Fang, and he said calmly: "I heard that the King of Tang is about to ascend the throne, so I came here to congratulate him. Why, are you not welcome?"

Sima Fang's forehead was covered with cold sweat, and he said quickly: "Your Highness, your words are too serious. How dare this old minister..."

Liu Bian chuckled and said, "Don't be nervous. I have been able to live comfortably these years thanks to the kindness of the Tang king. If you ask me, when Dong Zhuo deposed the emperor, the Han Dynasty had already ceased to exist."

"Your Highness, be careful what you say!"

Kong Rong scolded loudly.

Kong Rong strode forward, his hair and beard standing up, and said in a stern voice: "Your Highness is the blood of the previous emperor, how can you say such nonsense! How can the four hundred years of the Han Dynasty be destroyed by a treacherous villain?"

Liu Bian was not angry when he heard this, but looked at Kong Rong with interest. He gently brushed off the non-existent dust on his sleeves and said with a smile: "Kong Beihai is still so upright. I just wonder where was Kong Beihai's uprightness when Dong Zhuo was deposed and enthroned?"

This question hit the sore spot, and Kong Rong's face immediately turned red. When Dong Zhuo was in power, he did not stand up.

Just as the atmosphere was tense, a sound of orderly footsteps came from the city gate. A team of elite soldiers in black armor marched out, led by Qin Shou's trusted general Fang. Behind him, black armored cavalrymen escorted a carriage pulled by four white horses. It was the Han Emperor Liu Xie who arrived. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Seeing this, Zhong Yao and others bowed down.

Liu Bian looked at the slowly approaching carriage, his eyes flickering slightly. When the curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing Liu Xie's face that was 70% similar to his own, his fingers unconsciously clenched his sleeves.

"Brother." Liu Xie's voice was trembling. He was wearing a dragon robe, but when he saw Liu Bian, a trace of childish fear flashed in his eyes. This emperor who had been a puppet for more than ten years was like a child who had done something wrong.

Liu Bian took two steps forward and suddenly burst into laughter: "It has been many years since we last met. Your Majesty has become more and more like an emperor."

His laughter was hearty, but everyone present could hear a hint of sigh and relief in it.

What's the big deal about being an emperor? He's just a puppet. Although he lost the throne, he has lived a comfortable life these years, traveling around and having a great time.

Liu Xie's face turned pale. He subconsciously looked back at Fang behind him, and when he saw her nod slightly, he mustered up the courage to get off the carriage. The two brothers stood three steps apart, and more than a decade of time had drawn an invisible chasm between them.

"I have always thought that my brother has already..."

Liu Xie's voice became lower and lower.

"Dead?" Liu Bian took over the conversation with a faint smile on his face. "Thanks to the King of Tang, I have lived a good life these years. I grow flowers and grass, read books and write. It is much more comfortable than being an emperor."

Liu Xie's eyes flashed with complex emotions when he heard this. He suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Brother, do you know that in the past few years, I have to look at Dong Zhuo's face every day when I go to court, and later I have to look at the face of the King of Tang."

His voice was filled with long-suppressed grievance and anger.

Liu Bian sighed and said, "The Han Dynasty declined and lost the world long ago. The King of Tang was benevolent and righteous. He not only saved the lives of my brothers, but also allowed the people of the world to live and work in peace. Your Majesty, it is time to give up this country."

Liu Bian's voice was not loud, but it exploded in everyone's ears like thunder. Liu Xie stumbled back two steps, his face pale. Fang behind him had a gleam in her eyes, and her hand was already on the hilt of the sword.

"How dare you!" Kong Rong was furious, pointing at Liu Bian and shouting, "Such treasonous words, you..."

"Kong Wenju!" Zhong Yao suddenly interrupted, "Be careful with your words! Prince Hongnong is the eldest son of the late emperor. How can you be so rude!"

There was a sudden silence in front of the city gate. The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment. No one expected Zhong Yao to suddenly stand on Liu Bian's side. Sima Fang narrowed his eyes and looked towards the direction of the palace thoughtfully - could all this be arranged by the King of Tang?
Liu Xie's lips trembled, tears flashing in his eyes: "Brother, do you really think so?"

Liu Bian stepped forward, gently held Liu Xie's cold hand, and said, "Adi, do you still remember when we were little and caught crickets in the imperial garden? At that time you said that you would rather be an ordinary citizen." His voice was gentle, but every word was heart-piercing. "Now the King of Tang is kind and benevolent, so why not give us this opportunity?"

At this moment, a long horn sounded in the distance. Everyone looked over and saw hundreds of cavalrymen rushing over from the horizon.

"The King of Tang has arrived! The King of Tang has arrived!"

This was Qin Shou's vanguard, which meant that the King of Tang's carriage was about to arrive. Everyone did not dare to delay and quickly formed their line again, waiting for Qin Shou's arrival.

(End of this chapter)