The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 455 A changing of the guard: veteran officials retire, new elites rise to power.
Yizhou, early spring.

Although it is already early spring, the island still carries a bit of a chill in the air.

The salty sea breeze blows from the vast East China Sea, sweeping across the rugged coastline and dense tropical rainforest.

And those simple settlements that were incomparable to the cities and towns of the Central Plains.

Finally, the wind carried the scent to a small but magnificent wooden and stone palace built by the sea—the most "magnificent" structure in the area.

The Yi King's Palace.

Sun Quan, who was fifty years old, was dressed in a simple royal robe made of coarse cloth.

It stands alone on a high cliff overlooking the sea outside the palace.

His hair and beard were now completely white, a far cry from his former heroic appearance with his blue eyes and purple beard.

Now it bears the deep marks of time and the weathering of the island.

His brows were furrowed with deep sorrow and loneliness.

He clutched tightly in his hand a somewhat damaged silk scroll that had been secretly delivered through a clandestine channel.

His gaze, however, was fixed on the vast, boundless sea to the west, where the water and sky met.

At the edge of his vision lay his homeland in the Central Plains, a place he longed for but could never set foot on again.

"Liu Bei...in the end...still died."

Sun Quan muttered to himself, his voice hoarse and complex.

It felt as if a huge stone that had been weighing on my heart for many years had been lifted.

Yet it felt as if something important had been lost, leaving an emptiness.

The silk scroll clearly stated the news of the death of Emperor Zhaowu of Han (Liu Bei) and the succession of his son Liu Shan.

Footsteps came from behind, and Zhou Yin, who also looked old, approached.

Following Sun Quan's gaze, he glanced at the endless sea and whispered:
"Your Majesty, now that Liu Bei is dead, this man is our mortal enemy."

"It is also one of the main culprits that led to the collapse of our Eastern Wu foundation and our wandering here."

"He's dead, Your Majesty...shouldn't you feel relieved?"

Sun Quan did not turn around, but continued to gaze westward.

After a long while, he finally let out a long sigh.

That sigh was filled with endless weariness and bewilderment:

"Pleasure? Ha... Yin'er."

"Liu Bei is my lifelong enemy. He and Li Yi joined forces to seize my Jiangdong."

"Forcing us to flee overseas, this hatred is boundless!"

"He's dead, and I... should, in principle, clap my hands in celebration and raise a toast!"

"However... I don't know why, but at this moment, I feel no joy whatsoever."

"On the contrary... I felt a mix of emotions, a sense of loss..."

Zhou Yin was puzzled:

"Your Majesty, what is the reason for this?"

Sun Quan turned around, a bitter smile on his face.

That smile was more painful than a grimace.

“At the end of the twenty-fifth year of Jian’an, we fled Jianye in panic.”

"Sailing across the sea, we arrived in this land of Yizhou..."

"In the blink of an eye, nearly ten years have passed..."

"I am fifty years old this year..."

Confucius said, "At fifty, I knew the mandate of Heaven."

"But the destiny I know is to be trapped on this desolate island, watching..."

"The grand ambition of restoring the homeland and counterattacking the Central Plains has been pursued year after year."

"Not only has there been no progress, but..."

"On the contrary, it is like a mirage on the sea, becoming more and more ethereal and distant..."

"Until...it becomes unattainable..."

His voice was filled with deep sorrow:
"What is even more tragic is that we have been separated from the Central Plains for too long."

"The traditional etiquette and manners of the past have gradually been tainted by the barbaric customs of this place..."

"In the eyes of the scholars of the Central Plains, we are probably..."

“We have long since become no different from the natives of Yizhou, and have become the true ‘barbarians’ or ‘island barbarians’ in their eyes…”

"Heh, the Sun family of Jiangdong has actually fallen to this state..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yin's expression also darkened.

He looked around and saw waves crashing on the shore and dense jungle.

Compared to the prosperous and literary Wu region in their memories.

This place is indeed too desolate and harsh.

The old Wu officials who accompanied him passed away year by year, while the new generation still learned Wu dialect and knew Chinese characters.

However, their lifestyle habits and even their mindset have been deeply influenced by the local environment.

While yearning for that distant and powerful "Celestial Empire,"

There was an added sense of deep-rooted awe.

The ambition of their fathers to conquer the Central Plains is long gone.

He opened his mouth, wanting to offer some comfort.

But he found words so inadequate, and could only manage to say:

"Your Majesty... there is no need to be too discouraged."

"Although Liu Bei is dead, Liu Shan succeeded him."

"I have long heard that he is weak and cowardly, not the type of a great ruler."

"Given time, there may be changes in the Central Plains."

"Perhaps...perhaps there is no chance for us to return to our homeland..."

Sun Quan smiled sadly and shook his head.

His gaze seemed to pierce through thousands of miles of waves.

Seeing the new dynasty being consolidated in Luoyang:

"Liu Shan was cowardly? Yin'er, have you forgotten?"

Who is standing behind him?

"Li Yi, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei..."

"With such a lineup, even if Liu Shan were as dull as a pig, it would be enough to ensure the stability of his empire!"

“Look at the Han Dynasty, after it destroyed Wei and conquered Wu, it unified the world.”

"It is now at its zenith, flourishing ever since!"

"Even if... even if, as you say, the Han Dynasty experiences internal turmoil in the future."

"But look at us..."

He pointed to the settlement behind him, which, despite its efforts to maintain it, still appeared quite rudimentary.

His tone was filled with helplessness.

"With just my small Yizhou and a mere few thousand people..."

"How can we launch a counterattack against the Han Dynasty, which possesses a vast territory and hundreds of millions of people?"

Of the old brothers who followed me across the sea back then, only two or three out of ten remain.

"The rest have all been buried in this foreign land."

"Their children and grandchildren are born and raised here."

Although I know that the Central Plains are prosperous, I have come to regard this place as my home.

"I have great awe for my homeland, which is as big as a behemoth."

"Those who dare to harbor evil intentions are few and far between!"

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, but also increasingly desperate:

"Moreover, Yizhou currently has no more than five thousand regular troops!"

"How many boats are there? Less than eighty!"

"Moreover, most of them are old ships that were brought from Jiangdong back then, which have been through storms and are in disrepair over the years."

Of those who can venture into the deep sea, only five out of ten survive!

"Last year, due to the depletion of the treasury, it was difficult to continue, and we had no choice but to..."

"They also sold twenty ships to Arab merchants to get some money and food to live on..."

"To attempt a counterattack with such meager strength? Isn't that just wishful thinking?!"

However, the shortage of military strength and population was not Sun Quan's deepest concern.

His biggest worry was his relationship with the local indigenous people.

Just as he was feeling troubled, the old minister Zhang Zhao, though advanced in years and walking with a limp, arrived.

Despite her illness, she insisted on supporting herself with the help of her attendants.

He rushed over, his face filled with resentment and helplessness.

"Your Majesty!"

Zhang Zhao's voice was hoarse and filled with anger.

"The team dispatched today to the mountains to negotiate border demarcation and exchange supplies with the local chieftains..."

"They're back... but two of them have been killed!"

Sun Quan frowned, turned around, and asked in a deep voice:
"Zibu, tell me in detail, what exactly happened?"

Zhang Zhao took a breath and said angrily:

"What else could it be? Those uncivilized barbarians are causing trouble again!"

"They insist that our logging and land reclamation have damaged their 'sacred stones' and 'sacred statues' used for worshipping their ancestors, thus defiling their sacred site!"

“Our envoy argued with reason that we had not seen the so-called spiritual image.”

"Moreover, it has already been agreed that the land we have cleared can be developed by us."

"But they were unreasonable, uttered abusive language, and then..."

"Then they actually started fighting!!"

"The natives, relying on their superior numbers and familiarity with the terrain, surrounded and attacked my envoy's party..."

"In the chaos, two soldiers... were killed by their bamboo spears and poisoned arrows!"

"That's unreasonable!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yin flew into a rage.

Blood rushed to his head, and he immediately pleaded with Sun Quan for permission to take action.

"Your Majesty! These barbarians fear power but do not cherish virtue!"

"They have repeatedly provoked us and killed our compatriots."

"If we don't avenge this grudge, how can we stand in Yizhou?"

"Your Majesty, please grant me permission to immediately muster a thousand soldiers and charge into the mountains."

"Smash their lair, capture their chieftain, and make an example of them!"

"Let's see who dares to bully the people of Wu again!"

"No! Never!"

Before Sun Quan could speak, Zhang Zhao hurriedly objected.

He looked at Sun Quan, his tone anxious.

"Your Majesty! You mustn't act rashly!"

“The Yi people are indigenous, and their tribes are numerous.”

"Although the equipment was rudimentary, the number of people was large."

"And he was extremely skilled in mountain warfare, appearing and disappearing like a ghost."

"We are strangers here, and the place is unfamiliar to us."

"If we rashly launch an attack, even a small victory may be achieved."

"This will inevitably lead to a deadly feud, provoking a joint counterattack from various factions."

"When war breaks out, we will be outnumbered and outgunned. How will we cope?"

"I fear even this last foothold will be lost!"

Sun Quan raised his hand to stop Zhou Yin, who was about to argue.

His face was full of fatigue and helplessness:
“Yin’er, what Zibu said is a wise and mature view of governing the country.”

"Using force to eradicate them is easier said than done."

"Even if we win, we will kill a thousand enemies but lose eight hundred of our own, and the consequences will be endless."

"We have come here to find a place to settle down and make a living, and to gradually build a future."

"It is not to compete with the natives for a moment's advantage, nor to show off the courage of a common man."

"The only way is to appease them and show them sincerity."

"Offer them benefits and gradually win them over."

"Seeking harmonious coexistence is the only long-term solution..."

"Otherwise, beset by internal and external troubles, we will truly become rootless duckweed, and our demise will be imminent!"

How could he not want to settle scores and seek revenge?
But the heavy pressure of reality has long since worn down the edges of this former King of Wu.

Seeing that Sun Quan was not blinded by anger, Zhang Zhao felt somewhat relieved.

Then, remembering something, he forced a look of what could be considered good news and reported:

"Your Majesty, although there are some setbacks, it is not all bad news."

"One of the overseas expeditions we have been continuously sending out has faced numerous dangers and narrowly escaped death..."

"Finally... finally we've found the 'Danzhou' mentioned in the ancient books!"

"Danzhou?!"

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared in Sun Quan's previously gloomy eyes.

It was as if a drowning person had grasped at the last straw.

"But according to the Records of the Grand Historian, Qin Shi Huang sent Xu Fu with several thousand boys and girls to seek immortality at sea, and the place they reached was Danzhou?"

"After more than four hundred years, I have actually found it?!"

"Exactly!"

Zhang Zhao affirmed, "However... according to the returning crew members, that Danzhou..."

"It is not the legendary Penglai Wonderland where immortals live and live forever."

"The place is remote and desolate, with many mountains and little farmland, and the climate is humid."

"It is quite similar to... quite similar to the early appearance of my Yizhou."

Sun Quan's excitement cooled considerably, and his face showed deep disappointment.

"So...this is also a wild and desolate place..."

"Alas, it seems that the path to immortality is elusive and ultimately difficult to find."

He paused, then asked, "Are there any indigenous people living in Danzhou? Have they formed a state?"

Zhang Zhao replied:

"According to the crew's investigation, there are many mountain tribes on Danzhou Island, and conflicts are constant."

"However, the most powerful among them is said to have already begun to unify the various tribes and establish a country."

“Its name is… ‘Yamatai Kingdom’.”

"Yamatai Kingdom?"

Sun Quan found the name rather strange and pressed for details, asking, "Who is the ruler of this country?"

Zhang Zhao's expression was somewhat strange. After hesitating for a moment, he said:

"It is said that... its queen... is a woman."

"The name is... Himihu."

"A woman as queen?!"

Sun Quan was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but sneer.

His tone was tinged with disbelief and a hint of contempt.

"To let a woman rule a country?"

"This barbaric little country is so ignorant of etiquette and law."

"A hen crowing at dawn, how absurd!"

"It seems that the Yamatai Kingdom is uncivilized and still in a state of ignorance."

"They are not much better than the natives of Yizhou."

Zhang Zhao offered words of comfort:
"Your Majesty, no matter what, we must find Danzhou and determine its location and route."

"This is finally a major breakthrough in our decade-long efforts to develop our navy and explore overseas markets!"

"Although the place is remote and the country is humble."

"Now that a country has been established, communication may be possible."

"An extra path always means an extra glimmer of hope."

Sun Quan nodded, took a deep breath of the sea-scented air, and tried to rouse himself:
“…Zibu’s words make sense.”

"It was just a momentary obsession on my part."

"Issue my order to meticulously record the sea route to Danzhou and keep it safe."

“In the future, we should try to strengthen our ties with that...that Yamatai Kingdom.”

"Although I do not know the full extent of their country's strength, they are able to dominate Danzhou."

"It must also have some military potential."

"Continue to send people to keep an eye on things; if an opportunity arises, we might bring them in as external aid."

"Even if... it only draws the attention of the Han Dynasty along the coast, it would be good."

"Old minister, take your orders."

Zhang Zhao bowed in response and was about to turn around and make arrangements when Sun Quan called him back.

"Zibu, wait a moment."

Sun Quan turned his gaze westward again, his voice low.

"Central Plains... has there been any other news lately?"

"Especially...the old lands of Wu?"

Zhang Zhao stopped, a deeper sense of helplessness on his face, and replied:
"Your Majesty, since the rebellious King Liu Yong was defeated, deposed, and died of illness on his way to exile..."

"The Han Dynasty then dispatched a new governor to the Wu region, who was a student of Zhuge Liang."

"He was shrewd and capable, and after taking office, he vigorously rectified official corruption."

"Strengthen coastal defense and investigate private ports."

"Previously...we dispatched a fleet to the coastal areas of Kuaiji and Wujun with the intention of...capturing some people and supplies to replenish our strength."

"Before they even reached the shore, they were spotted by the Han army's naval patrol boats."

"After a battle, they returned empty-handed and lost two ships..."

Sun Quan listened quietly, his face expressionless.

It was as if they had already anticipated this outcome.

He remained silent for a long time before weakly waving his hand, a gesture filled with the desolation of a hero's end.
"I... understand."

"You...go ahead and get busy."

Looking at Sun Quan's desolate and lonely figure, Zhang Zhao felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.

He sighed inwardly, bowed silently, and took his leave.

Once again, only Sun Quan remained atop the high cliff.

The sea breeze grew stronger, making his clothes flutter loudly.

His gray hair and beard danced wildly in the wind.

He gazed westward, at the land that held his glory and dreams.

At the edge of the field of vision, only a blurry, thin line remained, meeting the gray sky.

The game in the Central Plains has already come to a close.

He even seems to be losing his right to be considered an opponent.

In this wild and desolate Yizhou, beset by internal and external troubles, the future was uncertain.

The dream of restoration, the will to counterattack.

Faced with this harsh reality and the vast ocean, it all seems so pale and powerless.

Like bubbles on the sea, they could burst at any moment, leaving no trace.

A deep-seated loneliness and despair enveloped him.

……

In the first year of Jianxing, Luoyang seemed to have broken free from the somber and sorrowful atmosphere brought about by the late emperor's death earlier.

The new emperor ascended the throne and granted a general amnesty.

It also happens to be the Lunar New Year, although there are still many taboos in the etiquette.

But the vitality and restlessness hidden in the streets and alleys could not be contained by the palace walls.

The snow is beginning to melt, and tender buds are beginning to sprout.

Even the air seemed to be filled with a faint, fresh scent belonging to the new dynasty.

Although the shops did not dare to decorate lavishly, they quietly put on brand new signs.

The people looked more relaxed as they talked about the new emperor's benevolence and their hopes for the future.

However, beneath this seemingly peaceful and reviving facade...

The undercurrents of power and the friction between the old and new forces are like the river water beneath the ice, quietly surging.

this day,
It was nearly noon, and the rare sunshine had dispelled the gloom of the past few days.

Liu Yan, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, rode in a rather lavishly decorated four-wheeled carriage.

It was slowly driving along the wide street leading to its mansion.

The carriage curtains were lowered.

Inside the carriage, Liu Yan had her eyes slightly closed.

His expression was not relaxed, and a lingering melancholy was etched between his brows.

Although he was a member of the Han imperial family, he was a distant relative of the late Emperor Liu Bei.

In his early years, thanks to this connection and some minor contributions during the early stages of his career, he rose to the rank of one of the Nine Ministers, in charge of palace guards and etiquette.

They appear to be prestigious, but in reality, their power is limited.

Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, he is bestowing titles and honors upon his officials.

The Guan, Zhang, and Zhuge families enjoyed immense prestige.

Along with him, his former subordinates also rose to prominence.

But this "veteran contributor" seems to have been forgotten, remaining stagnant.

He was even marginalized due to his estrangement from the new emperor.

How could he not feel frustrated?
Just as I was feeling agitated, the carriage suddenly stopped.

The coachman shouted in alarm, and the horses neighed anxiously, bringing the carriage to a sudden stop.

The immense inertia nearly caused Liu Yan to fall off his seat, instantly igniting his pent-up frustration into rage!

"You bastard! How do you drive?!"

Liu Yan abruptly lifted the carriage curtain and demanded an explanation in a stern voice.

Not far in front of the vehicle, a soldier dressed in ordinary military uniform, looking travel-worn, sat down on the ground.

He was rubbing his shoulder, his face showing pain and anger.

It was clear that the carriage had not noticed the soldier patrolling the street when it turned the corner, and bumped into him.

The coachman realized he had disturbed his master, and that the other party was just a lowly soldier.

In an attempt to shirk responsibility, he immediately jumped out of the car.

He pointed at the soldier's nose and began to curse:

"Are you blind?! Can't you see this is the carriage of Lord Liu, the Grand Master of Ceremonies?"

"How dare you charge like that! You startled the adults' carriage; can you take responsibility for that?"

"Get out of here right now!!"

The soldier was already annoyed because he had been hit for no reason.

Seeing that the driver not only did not apologize, but also hurled insults and bullied people by taking advantage of his power.

He was instantly enraged and leaped to his feet.

He grabbed the driver's collar and angrily said:

"It was clearly your reckless driving that caused the accident, and you still dare to verbally abuse me?!"

"What kind of imperial carriage is this? Just because someone gets hit, does that mean we can ignore the truth?!"

Having said that, he swung his fist and struck the driver.

Every punch landed squarely, making the coachman scream in pain.

Liu Yan saw it all clearly from inside the carriage, witnessing his own driver being beaten.

Hearing the soldier's words, which seemed to show little respect for the "Guanglu Xun," he became even more furious.

He snorted coldly and shouted at his burly servants:

"What are you all standing there for? Seize this madman for me!"

"Let him know what a crime it is to ram the carriage of an official of the imperial court!"

Several strong servants, upon receiving the order, pounced forward like wolves and tigers.

He separated the soldier from the coachman and then began punching and kicking the soldier.

The soldier fought back fiercely, but he was no match for four hands.

He was immediately at a disadvantage and was beaten black and blue.

Seeing that his side had the upper hand, Liu Yan straightened his clothes and slowly stepped out of the carriage.

Looking down at the soldier who had been beaten and was now cowering on the ground, he said arrogantly:
"Hmph, what an arrogant fool!"

"I am Liu Yan, the Grand Master of Ceremonies!"

"Today, on behalf of your general, I will teach you a lesson for being such a disrespectful soldier!"

He thought that once he revealed his identity, the other party would be terrified and beg for mercy.

Unexpectedly, the soldier, though badly beaten, suddenly raised his head.

He spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, showing no fear whatsoever.

Instead, his voice was filled with sarcasm and defiance as he hissed:

"Who do we have here? It's Lord Liu Yan!"

"Ha, what a display of official power!"

"Unfortunately... I'm afraid your official airs won't last much longer, will they?"

The soldier's words were like poisoned needles, piercing Liu Yan's deepest pain.

His face instantly turned ashen.

The soldier, ignoring his expression, continued to mock him:

"Who doesn't know that the new emperor has ascended the throne and bestowed titles upon his officials?"

"The Guan family, the Zhang family, the Zhuge family—which one wasn't prestigious and influential, with their members spread throughout the court and the country?"

"But what about you, Lord Liu?"

"Ten years ago, when the late emperor was alive, you were the Grand Master of Ceremonies."

"The emperor has changed now, how come you... are still the Grand Master of Ceremonies?"

"Tsk tsk, a founding hero who was listed in the Lingyan Pavilion, has fallen to this state."

"That's really... rare!"

"Is the last bit of goodwill left by the late emperor about to burn out?"

These words were truly piercing!

This highlights Liu Yan's awkward situation of relying on his status as a member of the imperial clan, despite his mediocre abilities, and being largely ignored by the new dynasty.

Expose it all so bluntly!

And in front of everyone!
A large crowd of onlookers had already gathered around.

Pointing and pointing, there was a lot of discussion.

Liu Yan felt a surge of heat rush to his head, overwhelmed with shame and indignation, and almost fainted.

He pointed at the soldier, his finger trembling, so angry he could barely speak:
"You...you...you madman!"

"How dare you...how dare you humiliate me like this?!"

"Beat him! Beat him to death! Tear his mouth apart!"

In his rage, he lost his composure and ordered his servants:

"Spit in his face for me!!"

"Let him know the consequences of insulting a high-ranking official of the imperial court!"

Although the servants felt this was a bit excessive, they dared not disobey their master.

They had no choice but to resort to punches and kicks, and someone actually spat in the soldier's face.

The soldier, having suffered such a humiliating disgrace, was practically spitting fire from his eyes.

He struggled violently, letting out a roar like that of a wounded beast:
"Liu Yan, you old bastard! You've gone too far!"

"Brothers! Liu Yan has allowed his servants to commit violence and insult the soldiers!"

"Come here, everyone!!"

His shout immediately attracted the attention of more than a dozen soldiers who were patrolling nearby.

These people were shocked to see their companion beaten so badly and spit on their face.

They were all filled with righteous indignation and rushed over immediately.

They surrounded Liu Yan's carriage and Liu Yan himself.

They glared at it angrily, preventing it from leaving.

"Get out of the way! You bunch of soldiers, are you trying to rebel?!"

Liu Yan was furious that these low-ranking soldiers dared to obstruct him.

It feels like authority is being challenged like never before.

"A few watchdogs dare to block my way?"

"Could it be that you really think I, Liu Yan..."

"Have we fallen from grace, now we're at your mercy?!"

Just as tensions were running high and a conflict was about to erupt.

A rapid and rhythmic sound of horses' hooves approached from afar.

A troop of cavalry in bright armor galloped in, led by a general.

He was tall and strong, with a ruddy complexion.

His gaze was as sharp as an eagle's.

It was none other than Wei Yan, the newly appointed General Who Pacifies the South and concurrently Commander of the Imperial Guard, in charge of the security of the capital!

Wei Yan reined in his horse, glanced around, and quickly understood what had happened.

The beaten soldier, as if seeing a savior, scrambled to Wei Yan's horse.

Pointing at Liu Yan, he tearfully accused her:

General Wei! You must do justice for me!

"Liu Yan, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, allowed his servants to beat soldiers."

"They even...they had someone spit in my face! That's humiliating!"

"I beg the general to see the truth!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Yan's sharp eyes narrowed instantly, gleaming with a cold light.

He spurred his horse forward slowly until he was only a few steps away from Liu Yan.

He stopped and looked Liu Yan up and down.

A sneer, undisguised and mocking, curled at the corner of his lips; his voice was like the clash of metal.
"Who dares to so brazenly beat up one of my patrolling soldiers on the streets of Luoyang..."

"So it's Lord Liu, one of the Nine Ministers, Liu Guanglu!"

"It's so...disrespectful, disrespectful!"

Liu Yan sensed the strong sarcasm in Wei Yan's words, and his anger burned even brighter.

But facing this general who was known for his bravery, arrogance, and real power.

He dared not be too presumptuous, so he could only suppress his anger and retort:
"General Wei is not stationed in the southern border, but is either handling military affairs in the government office."

"How can you have such leisure to meddle in these trivial street matters?"

"Could it be that the security in Luoyang has improved so much that the Commander of the Imperial Guards has nothing to do?"

Wei Yan snorted coldly, his voice echoing across the surrounding area:

"It's not that I wanted to meddle, but Lord Liu, you hit my men!"

"As the Commander of the Imperial Guards, how can I stand idly by when my soldiers are humiliated?"

"Today, I have come specifically to... demand an explanation from you, Lord Liu!"

"Demanding an explanation?"

Liu Yan forced himself to remain calm, "General Wei, you should take care of your own men first!"

"Disrespectful to elders, ramming into vehicles, and spouting wild words."

"What's wrong with me teaching you a lesson?"

"If they hadn't been rude first, would they have brought this humiliation upon themselves?"

"presumptuous!!"

Wei Yan flew into a rage, his voice booming like thunder.

"Liu Yan! The evidence against you for letting your servant commit murder is irrefutable."

"Still dare to argue your point?"

"Guards! Get this old man off the carriage!"

These words stunned not only Liu Yan and his servants.

Even the onlookers and the soldiers surrounding the carriage were startled!
The Grand Master of Ceremonies was a high-ranking official among the Nine Ministers, holding a prestigious position.

Although Wei Yan was a Grand General and concurrently the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

But to openly order the dragging of a high-ranking official from his carriage is simply too shocking!

A lieutenant quickly approached Wei Yan and whispered a reminder:
"General, please reconsider!"

"Liu Yan was, after all, a member of the imperial clan and held the official position of one of the Nine Ministers."

"Is this... going too far...?"

Wei Yan ignored him completely, his gaze sharp as a knife.

His gaze swept over Liu Yan's magnificent carriage and his face, contorted with shock and rage.

His voice, filled with extreme disdain and contempt, boomed:

"Imperial family? Nine ministers? Hmph!"

"If Liu Yan truly possesses genuine talent and learning, and has made great contributions to the country."

"How could it be that after more than a decade, one has remained stagnant, stuck at the level of a mere Grand Master of Ceremonies?"

"Are you all unaware that he is merely relying on his insignificant distant kinship with the late emperor?"

"To be included among the meritorious officials is nothing but a pretense!"

"Those who only know how to rely on their status, but are actually good-for-nothings, are like clothes hangers and wooden buckets, all show and no substance."

"He should have been removed from the court and kicked out of the capital long ago."

"So as not to tarnish the honors we earned through real battles and bloodshed!"

His words were extremely harsh.

This completely ripped away the last shred of decency Liu Yan had left!
Upon hearing this, Liu Yan's face turned from red to white, and then from white to green.

He was trembling all over, and almost vomited blood.

Wei Yan's personal guards didn't care about any of that and obeyed the general's orders.

He immediately pounced forward like a wolf, pushing aside Liu Yan's servants who tried to stop him.

They roughly dragged Liu Yan off the carriage!

Caught off guard, Liu Yan stumbled and fell heavily onto the cold ground.

His official hat had fallen off, his hair was disheveled, and his official robe was covered in dust.

They were utterly humiliated and lost all face!
"Wei Yan! You...you are incredibly audacious!"

"How dare you humiliate an official of the imperial court like this!"

"I...I will definitely submit a memorial to His Majesty and impeach you!"

"You'll regret this!"

Liu Yan lay on the ground, filled with shame and indignation.

He pointed at Wei Yan and roared in a shrill voice.

Wei Yan sat upright on his horse, looking down at Liu Yan, who looked like a stray dog, without any fear on his face.

Instead, it carried a hint of mockery.
"Infiltrate me? Fine!"

"This general was just about to ask His Majesty, since the court has repeatedly issued orders to strengthen the rule of law."

"Extravagance is strictly prohibited, and all officials should set an example by doing so."

"You, Liu Yan, as one of the Nine Ministers, still ride in such an extravagant carriage that exceeds the prescribed limits."

"To parade around in the city, that's one example!"

"Secondly, you allowed your servants to beat and insult the soldiers on patrol."

"Damaging the relationship between the military and the people, that's the second point!"

"Once we're before His Majesty, we'll have a proper discussion."

"Let's find out who it is and who deserves to be punished!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yan felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of ice water, instantly sobering up considerably!

He then remembered that he had been feeling depressed lately.

He deliberately traveled in this more luxurious carriage to show his dissatisfaction.

But they forgot that the imperial court is currently cracking down on extravagance!

Moreover, in today's matter, I was indeed in the wrong first...

If the matter were to escalate to the emperor's presence, given the new emperor's current reliance on military generals like Wei Yan and his intention to suppress these veteran nobles, it would be a serious problem.

You'll definitely not get away with this!
Thinking of this, his anger instantly turned into fear and timidity.

He struggled to his feet and dusted himself off.

Picking up his official hat, he said in a fierce but inwardly weak voice:
"Hmph! I... I won't stoop to the level of a mere warrior like you!"

Having said that, he tried to get into the carriage and leave this troublesome place as soon as possible.

"stop!"

Wei Yan gave a cold shout, ordering his soldiers to block their path once again.

"Lord Liu, are you thinking of leaving already?"

"You insulted my soldiers, don't you even offer an apology?"

Liu Yan turned around abruptly, looking at Wei Yan in disbelief:

"You...you want me, an official, to apologize to a mere soldier?!"

For him, this was an even greater humiliation than death!
"That's right!"

Wei Yan's attitude was firm: "If you don't apologize to my brother in front of everyone today, don't even think about leaving!"

Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate again, the sound of horses' hooves rang out once more.

It turned out that General Wang Ping, who was in charge of the defense of part of the capital, and General Zhang Yi, who led the army, had rushed over upon hearing the news.

When they saw that it was Wei Yan and Liu Yan who were in conflict, they were all alarmed.

They knew Wei Yan's temper, and Liu Yan was, after all, a member of the imperial clan and one of the Nine Ministers.

If things escalate too much, it will damage the reputation of the imperial court.

The two men quickly dismounted and went forward to persuade him.

Wang Ping cupped his hands to Wei Yan and said:

"General Wenchang, please calm down, please calm down!"

"Lord Liu is, after all, an important official of the court. Today's matter must be a misunderstanding."

"For the sake of serving in the same court, how about we each take a step back?"

Zhang Yi also advised Liu Yan:

"Liu Guanglu, you know that General Wei is upright and honest."

“If today’s matter escalates, it will not look good for you.”

"How about... we back down a bit and make this a smaller issue?"

They knew that Wei Yan was more responsive to gentle persuasion than force, so they had to persuade him.

After much persuasion, Wei Yan finally saw that Wang Ping and Zhang Yi had given him a way out.

Seeing Liu Yan's disheveled appearance again, he felt much of his anger dissipate.

He then let out a cold snort, his tone softening slightly:

"Since General Wang and General Zhang have stepped forward to mediate..."

"Very well! Let Liu Yan apologize to this general."

"Let's call it quits for today!"

"Otherwise, we will not rest until we have done so!"

Wang Ping and Zhang Yi then hurriedly went to persuade Liu Yan:

“Lord Liu, you see… General Wei has already taken a step back.”

"It's just an apology. If you'd just back down, we could let this matter drop, wouldn't that be fine?"

"If this really gets to His Majesty, it won't be good for anyone."

Liu Yan's expression shifted constantly, his heart filled with humiliation.

But looking at Wei Yan, who was eyeing them menacingly, and considering the current situation...

I know that if this stalemate continues, I will only embarrass myself further.

He gritted his teeth, almost clenching his back teeth with great difficulty.

He bowed vaguely and insincerely in Wei Yan's direction.

"Today... it was Liu who... acted impulsively..."

"General Wei... please forgive me!"

Having said that, he didn't wait for Wei Yan's response, as if avoiding a plague.

He quickly climbed back into the carriage and ordered the driver to drive away immediately.

They didn't even care about the beaten driver or the scattered belongings.

Watching Liu Yan's carriage hastily disappear into the distance, Wang Ping sighed and said to Wei Yan:
"Wenchang, you enjoyed yourself today."

"However, Liu Yan is a narrow-minded and vindictive man."

"You have humiliated him so much, I'm afraid..."

"He already harbors a grudge, and he will inevitably seek revenge on you in the future."

Zhang Yi nodded in agreement:

Yes, General Wei, we must be cautious.

Wei Yan, however, looked disdainfully at the direction Liu Yan had disappeared in and sneered:
"You two are overthinking it!"

"Liu Yan is such a mediocre person that he only managed to occupy a high position by currying favor with the late emperor."

"Like a rotten piece of wood standing in the imperial court, what can it possibly accomplish?"

"If he knows what's good for him and keeps a low profile, he might be able to survive."

"If they dare to launch a sneak attack and plot revenge..."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and his tone was chilling:

"The blade in my hand has been longing to drink the blood of such filthy creatures!"

"I'll make him know what the wrath of thunder is, and ensure he never returns!"

Having said that, he said no more.

He turned his horse around and led his soldiers to continue patrolling the city.

Only Wang Ping and Zhang Yi remained, exchanging bitter smiles.

They all felt that Luoyang, at the beginning of this new dynasty, was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Meanwhile, the onlookers were also amused by the general's imposing presence and the lowly minister's disheveled state.

They felt the most direct impact of the changing power structure.

(End of this chapter)