Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 139: Shi Guangyuan
"Brother Cui, why are you so worried? This is not your style. In Tao's eyes, Brother Cui has always been very free and easy, and you can solve any problem in a snap of your fingers."

Shi Tao asked half jokingly.

Since he asked, Cui Jun couldn't hide it, and he just wanted to find someone to discuss it with. This matter was not something that could be casually mentioned to outsiders. Shi Tao had noble character and a close personal relationship with him, so he was the best candidate.

After thinking it over again and again, Cui Jun told Shi Tao about his encounter with Liu He in Langdiao County, his prediction about the Taiping Dao, and all the information he had obtained in the past few days.

"I am troubled by this matter. I hope Brother Guangyuan can give me some advice." Cui Jun said earnestly.

Shi Tao also frowned when he heard this.

He was naturally calm and composed, and never showed his emotions on his face. But even so, after hearing the news, although his face showed no emotion, his heart was in turmoil.

"From what Cui Jun said, this man named Liu He is so smart and wise that he is almost like a fairy. He lives in such a remote place, but he has such a clear understanding of the world's situation. He must be a man with great ambitions and talents. But what he said is too shocking and unbelievable."

Shi Tao's mind was suddenly filled with thoughts and he thought of many possibilities at once.

"This matter is so serious, maybe he made a mistake in judgment or he didn't have enough information, which is normal. Even the officials in the court didn't know about such an important matter, so how could he know? It's understandable that he made a misjudgment for a while, so why should Brother Cui hold a grudge against him?"

After much thought, Shi Tao decided that this was the only way to comfort Cui Jun and himself.

However, Cui Jun shook his head. Obviously, he had thought of this answer, but since it concerned the safety of his father and brother in Luoyang, he could not draw such a conclusion so easily.

Shi Tao also understood his feelings. They both had a very good relationship. He was also worried about Cui Jun and quickly sorted out all the things and thoughts in his mind.

He was very intelligent and knowledgeable, and as a bystander he could see things clearly. Unlike Cui Jun who was deeply involved in the situation and failed to think things through in a hurry, he quickly discovered something wrong.

"Brother Cui, are you saying that in the past few months, the various actions of the Taiping Dao have been significantly less than before?"

Cui Jun nodded and said, "Yes, the preaching, healing with magic water, and porridge distribution that used to be held regularly have become less and less frequent in the past few months. Halfway through this month, the Great Sage Master has not shown up once, and even his disciples have not shown up."

Shi Tao heard this and seemed to understand something: "This is not normal. These things are important means to expand the influence of Taiping Dao. How could Zhang Jiao give up so easily?"

Cui Jun frowned and said, "I am completely baffled by this matter."

Shi Tao stood up, put his hands behind his back, paced back and forth, and suddenly thought of something.

"Unless there is something more important..."

Cui Jun suddenly realized: "Ah! Could it be..."

Looking at Cui Jun who opened his mouth and couldn't say a word, Shi Tao nodded with a heavy expression.

"I think your Liu He must have guessed it right. This Zhang Jiao really has the intention of rebellion, and I'm afraid the time is not far away. Now the Taiping Dao has suddenly become silent. One reason is to conceal the truth and avoid attracting too much attention and causing the truth to be exposed. The other reason is that they have limited energy and can't take care of these mundane affairs."

Cui Jun followed Shi Tao's words and the more he thought about it, the more it made sense to him, and he couldn't help but feel panicked.

Shi Tao continued, "Now that Zhang Jiao has not yet sent out his troops, you should quickly write a letter and send it to Luoyang to inform your father, Cui Tingwei, and ask him to contact the ministers in the court and advise Your Majesty to take precautions in advance!" Upon hearing this, Cui Jun's expression became even gloomier: "Alas, if this is true, then the other things Liu He said may have come true. Even if I inform my father, no one in the court will believe it."

Shi Tao was a little surprised and asked, "What else did Liu He say?"

Cui Jun said, "He mentioned that Zhang Jue has sent people to Luoyang in the past two years to contact various noble families and palace attendants, and even got to know several generals in the imperial guards. Now that he has decided to start an army, I am afraid that the lines he has laid in the court are already ripe. Although my father is one of the Nine Ministers, compared with those noble families and generals who control the military power, his voice is too low and he can't make any difference at all."

At last, he pursed his lips and added another sentence.

"And given my father's personality, I'm afraid he won't believe me. Even if he does believe me, I'm afraid he won't go to court to make suggestions, lest he get into trouble."

Shi Tao was silent. Although he was disgusted with the noble families' self-preservation and their behavior of putting family first and government second, he was afraid that he might not stand up for them since they were in a different place. It was just that his Shi family was already in decline and no one in the family was an official, so he felt indignant. Otherwise, he would probably think that it was natural for them to do so.

"Alas, the aristocratic and wealthy families have destroyed the four hundred years of foundation of our Han Dynasty!" Shi Tao said angrily.

Cui Jun knew that although Shi Tao's words were spoken in anger, they did make some sense.

The Han Dynasty's fall to its present state is directly related to the fact that the aristocratic families controlled the country's land, dominated the government, and oppressed the people. Now that the country is in a critical moment, these families occupy huge resources, but either join the rebels, or remain neutral and protect themselves, and some even actively collude with the enemy and bring wolves into the house, which is really a great harm to the country and the people.

"Oh, forget it. I still have to write this letter. As for how my father handles it, I can't do anything about it. I can only do my little bit to make sure I have a clear conscience. With my father's character, he shouldn't be so aggressive as to be killed by the rebels. The lives of my family will always be safe."

Cui Jun sighed softly.

Shi Tao nodded. Cui Tingwei had been an official for many years and he did have some means of self-protection.

"Brother Cui, what are your plans? Jizhou is the headquarters of the Taiping Dao. Once an uprising breaks out, the chaos in Jizhou will be no less than that in Luoyang. You only have a dozen followers in the old Cui Mansion. How can you resist? Why don't you pack your bags and follow me to Yingchuan to hide for a while. If Luoyang is fine, you can come back later."

Cui Jun shook his head and rejected Shi Tao's suggestion.

"Brother Guangyuan, I appreciate your kindness. I have already prepared my destination."

Shi Tao was a little curious now: "Oh? Brother Cui wants to go to Luoyang? Well, in times of crisis, being with your parents and elder brother is also a filial piety."

Cui Jun waved his hand and said, "No. I am not going to Luoyang, but to Langdiao County in Bingzhou."

"Huh? Going to Langdiao County? Brother Cui, are you going to join Liu He?" Shi Tao asked puzzledly.

Cui Jun nodded and said, "That's right. I originally promised him that if Zhang Jue really plotted rebellion within the agreed time limit, I, Cui Jun, would serve him from then on. Now it seems that I have lost this bet, so I should accept the loss and fulfill my promise."

Although Shi Tao felt it was a bit of a pity, after all, based on the information he and Cui Jun had now, Liu He was still a commoner, while Cui Jun was the son of a dignified Chief Justice.

However, he was also a famous scholar in the area, and he was well aware that a gentleman values ​​his promises, so he had no objection to Cui Jun's decision.

Cui Jun looked at Shi Tao's expression, and his heart was moved. He said: "Brother Guangyuan is knowledgeable and talented, but now he has no achievements. Why don't you go with me to report to the country and bring peace to the people? Isn't it wonderful?"

(End of this chapter)