Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 86 A Great Upheaval Begins in Luoyang, Liu Bei Secretly Receives an Imperial Edict (Seeking First Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
Ping Le Guan, down to the military camp.

The matter of ministers submitting memorials requesting the establishment of a crown prince has caused a great stir in the city, and even Pingguan, which is ten miles away from the city, has been affected.

Inside the tent.

Liu Bei was gathering the seven battalion commanders or acting commanders, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhang Liao, Zhang Yang, Xia Mou, Zhao Rong, and Feng Fang, to discuss military affairs. His trusted subordinates, including Zhao Yun, Xu You, Chen Dao, Liu Pi, and He Man, were also in the tent.

While they were discussing the matter, a messenger reported that Pan Yin, the military commander of the camp, urgently requested an audience.

Liu Bei frowned: Jian Shuo has not sent anyone to contact me for more than ten days. Why did he suddenly send Pan Yin today?

After signaling everyone to be quiet, Liu Bei summoned Pan Yin inside.

Upon seeing Liu Bei, Pan Yin shouted, "His Majesty urgently summons Commandant Liu to discuss important matters. Commandant Liu, please come to the palace immediately, without delay!"

Urgent summons?

It seems His Majesty's condition is not optimistic!

Liu Bei pondered for a moment and said, "Since His Majesty has summoned me, I shall go. Commander Pan, please wait outside the tent for a moment while I prepare the troops before proceeding."

Reorganizing and deploying troops?

Pan Yin was taken aback, thinking he hadn't explained himself clearly, so he added, "His Majesty only summoned Commandant Liu to tour the palace; there's no need for him to bring troops."

"Is Pan Sima teaching me how to do things?" Liu Bei's gaze fell on Pan Yin, his imposing aura pressing down on Pan Yin like a mountain, making him unable to lift his head.

Pan Yin was terrified and quickly lowered his head, saying, "This humble general misspoke, please forgive me, Commandant Liu."

Liu Bei waved his hand, signaling Pan Yin to retreat outside the tent.

Stealing a glance at the cold, expressionless faces around him, Pan Yin was even more alarmed. He quickly turned and walked out of the tent, not daring to utter a single unnecessary word.

After Pan Yin left, Guan Yu could not contain his worry and advised, "Brother, the situation in Luoyang is unclear right now, and the palace tour may be fraught with danger. You must not go there lightly!"

Zhang Fei also stepped forward and said, "Although Pan Yin is the military commander of the upper army camp, he may not be trustworthy. It is indeed suspicious that he dared to send my elder brother alone just now. It would be better to stay at Pingguanguan for the time being and observe the situation."

Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, and others also stepped forward to persuade him.

When the situation is unclear, remaining calm and waiting for the right moment is the best strategy.

"It's alright," Liu Bei said, stopping Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others from their persuasion. "His Majesty's urgent summons must be for important matters. How could I not go? In the past, when I had no soldiers, I was not afraid; now that I have soldiers and generals, what is there to fear?"

After a moment's thought, Liu Bei finalized the plan for the journey to the palace, saying, "Second brother, third brother, and fourth brother, each of you will lead a thousand soldiers from the Western Garden to accompany me to the palace. Anyone who obstructs us will be killed without mercy. Wen Yuan, you will lead a thousand men from the Right Battalion to the west gate of Luoyang to take over the city's defenses. Anyone who obstructs us will be killed without mercy. The rest of you will remain to guard Ping Le Guan. Without my order, no one may leave the camp without permission. Anyone who disobeys will be executed on the spot!"

Two kills and one slash, the killing intent was chilling. Left Colonel Xia Mou couldn't help but exclaim in surprise: "Colonel Liu led four thousand men into Luoyang and is going to take over the defense of the west gate. This will surely cause panic in the city. If His Majesty investigates afterward, it may be detrimental to Colonel Liu."

"Commander Xia, you are overthinking this. In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken." Liu Bei stood up, sword in hand, and surveyed the crowd: "I will only say this once. If anything happens, I will take full responsibility; if you disobey my orders, don't blame me for turning against you."

Intimidated by Liu Bei's imposing presence, Xia Mou, Zhao Rong, Feng Fang, and Zhang Yang below all felt a chill run down their spines and lowered their heads, daring not to speak again.

"set off!"

As soon as Liu Bei issued his military order, the Xiyuan Army of Pingguan quickly assembled.

Zhang Liao led the right wing in the lead, taking the lead in entering the west gate and taking over the city's defenses. When the city gate captain tried to stop him, he was knocked away by Zhang Liao's halberd.

"I am Zhang Liao, Right Colonel of the Western Garden Army. I have been ordered to take over the defense of the West Gate. Anyone who dares to obstruct me will be executed on the spot!"

Riding the fine horse "Grey Shadow" from the Western Regions, carrying a crescent halberd, wearing fish-scale armor, and with an iron-rimmed bow slung across his shoulder, Zhang Liao, this burly man from Bingzhou, became as imposing as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun after changing his weapons, armor, and mount.

Combined with the halo effect of the setting sun, it looks even more terrifying!

Even the city gate captain was knocked unconscious by a single halberd strike, and the remaining soldiers at the west gate were too terrified to stop him.

A moment later, three thousand soldiers from the Western Garden Army filed in, led by Liu Bei, the military officer of the Western Garden Army!

Seeing this, people near the West Gate started talking about it.

Although the people had different opinions, they all sensed that something big was about to happen in Luoyang.

The news quickly reached the General's Mansion.

He Jin, who had just mobilized a thousand troops to go to the palace, was so shocked that he almost dropped the reins: "Liu Bei sent a thousand men to take over the defense of the west gate? And he brought three thousand men to the palace? Didn't Pan Yin say that His Majesty only summoned Liu Bei? How dare he!"

Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang were also taken aback. They had only mobilized a thousand elite soldiers, thinking it would be a piece of cake, but Liu Bei had a thousand men to take over the defense of the West Gate, and three thousand more to take with him to the palace!
How is this played?
"General"

Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang looked at He Jin one after the other, their faces showing fear.

With numerous fierce generals under his command and now four thousand Western Garden soldiers assisting him, who in Luoyang dares to challenge his might?

He Jin took a deep breath, suppressing his inner shock, and rebuked, "We're not going to fight the Western Garden Army, so what is there to fear? Let's wait for Prince Bian to arrive before we go to the palace together."

Despite this, both Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang saw the fear that He Jin subconsciously revealed, which made them even more uneasy.

And on the other side.

Upon learning that Liu Bei had brought three thousand men to the palace, Jian Shuo was shocked and hurriedly went out of the palace to ask, "Liu Bei, I only asked Pan Yin to secretly summon you to the palace. Why did you bring so many troops? If the General finds out, he will surely come to the palace."

"That's not the point." Liu Bei didn't explain to Jian Shuo, but instead asked, "What is the reason for His Majesty's sudden summons today?"

Knowing Liu Bei's usual unconventional ways, Jian Shuo stopped asking and leaned closer to whisper, "Liu, His Majesty's condition has worsened because of He Jin and others' renewed memorial and the Imperial Academy students' shouts outside the palace that 'Establish Prince Bian as the Crown Prince, for the sake of the nation.'"

"Originally, His Majesty intended to have Commandant Liu arrest all the ministers who submitted memorials, but I feared it would involve too much and dared not agree. So I strongly advised His Majesty to consider the matter further and also persuaded His Majesty to adopt Commandant Liu's plan to secretly order the Western Garden Army to escort the Crown Prince to Chang'an. Now His Majesty has agreed to this matter, and the secret edict has been drafted. We are just waiting for Commandant Liu to meet His Majesty before we can carry out this plan."

After a pause, Jian Shuo added, "His Majesty is seriously ill and not quite lucid. He may be testing Commander Liu's loyalty in his words. Commander Liu must be careful in his replies."

Ok?
Test?

With the situation so dire, you're still trying to test me?
How callous!

How can you expect people to be willing to serve you if there's no basic trust between people?
Although he was unhappy, Liu Bei did not show his dissatisfaction.

There was no need for Liu Bei to hold a grudge against a dying man. "Second brother, third brother, you two lead the troops to guard the palace. Without my order, no one is allowed to approach. Anyone who dares to force their way in will be killed without mercy." Liu Bei was still full of murderous intent, and then led Zhao Yun, Chen Dao, and fifty other armored soldiers inside.

Although Jian Shuo is temporarily one of his own, the current situation is uncertain. It's better to be safe than sorry, and Liu Bei wouldn't be foolish enough to enter the palace alone like He Jin.

No one could be sure whether the seriously ill Liu Hong would suddenly go crazy, first having Jian Shuo ambush axemen, and then saying, "If Xie is capable, assist him; if he is incompetent, you may take the throne yourself," thus forcing Liu Bei to submit.

Jian Shuo glanced at the armored soldiers behind Liu Bei, but said nothing more.

Liu Bei had already brought three thousand soldiers from the Western Garden outside the palace, so it was "normal" for him to bring armored soldiers into the palace as well.

After a while.

Liu Bei and Jian Shuo went together to Liu Hong's bedside.

After more than ten days apart, Liu Hong's condition had deteriorated to the point where he was visibly emaciated, which even surprised Liu Bei.

"Your subject Liu Bei greets Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing Liu Bei's voice, Liu Hong opened his eyes with difficulty. What he saw was the same armored figure and guards as before.

Liu Hong couldn't help but cough twice and said, "Xuande still doesn't trust me? Even in this palace, you need to wear armor and have soldiers protecting you?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me." Liu Bei replied without hesitation, neither humble nor arrogant: "It is not that I do not trust Your Majesty, but I believe that the fact that the news of Your Majesty's serious illness has spread throughout the city indicates that there must be spies within the palace. I am not wary of Your Majesty, but of the spies."

Liu Bei's answer was reasonable and well-founded, leaving Liu Hong with no room for criticism.

Even with Jian Shuo leading troops to guard the palace, news of Liu Bian's serious illness still managed to get out. He Jin and others went even further, submitting another memorial requesting that Liu Bian be made crown prince. To say that there were no spies in the palace would be pure self-deception.

After closing his eyes and pondering for a moment, Liu Hong had Jian Shuo hand the secret edict to Liu Bei, saying, "The reason I didn't appoint Xuande as the governor of Yongzhou in the past was not because I didn't trust him, but because I was worried that I would have no one to use after Xuande left Luoyang. Today is the time to use Xuande."

Liu Bei unfolded the secret edict, which read:
I have been appointed by Heaven and have reigned for many years. I am constantly vigilant and cautious, fearing only that my reign will not last.

Prince Xie is intelligent, kind, and filial, and has long been known for his virtue and talent. He is truly suited to be the Crown Prince and inherit the ancestral temple.

However, treacherous officials have instigated trouble, taking advantage of my serious illness, and have colluded with their own factions and bewitched the palace, coercing the crown prince and attempting to shake the foundation of the nation.

The fate of the nation hangs in the balance.

If I do not object, you shall secretly escort the Crown Prince Xie to Chang'an, prepare armor and weapons, and gather righteous troops.

When the time is right, we will eliminate the chief villains, support the successor, restore my original intention, and secure the Han dynasty!
The survival of the nation rests on my shoulders. You should understand my intentions and act accordingly, as the law commands!

The seventh day of the third month in the sixth year of the Zhongping era.

The gist of it is: I am currently seriously ill, and although I wish to make Liu Xie the crown prince, the treacherous officials are unwilling; if I die, you will escort Liu Xie to Chang'an. When the time is right, we will march back to Luoyang and enthrone Liu Xie as the new emperor.

However, what made Liu Bei frown was that this secret edict was not written specifically for him. Whoever obtained this secret edict could depose Liu Bian and install Liu Xie in his place.

Liu Bei couldn't help but sneer inwardly: Giving me the secret edict doesn't mean they truly trust me, but rather that they have no one else to entrust with it but me. That's perfect, then I don't need to worry about sentimentality anymore.

Putting aside his inner thoughts, Liu Bei carefully put away the secret edict and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly not fail in my mission."

"I am tired. Xuande, you may return to Ping Le Guan first, and do not disappoint me." Liu Hong waved his hand, signaling Liu Bei to leave.

After Liu Bei acknowledged and withdrew, Liu Hong suddenly opened his eyes again: "Jian Shuo, draft another secret edict for me. If I am not afraid, you may execute He Jin on the edict and let A Xie succeed to the throne in front of the spirit tablet. Liu Bei can be trusted but not completely. If you can execute He Jin, immediately transfer Gai Xun, the governor of Yongzhou, to Jingzhou to take charge of the overall situation. At that time, there will be no need for Liu Bei."

Jian Shuo was both shocked and horrified, and secretly lamented: "My lord, can't you trust Liu Bei a little more?"
According to the original plan, Jian Shuo was to accompany Liu Bei to escort Liu Xie to Chang'an, and then return to Luoyang to help Liu Xie ascend the throne.

No matter how powerful Liu Bei was, he could not stay in the palace. Jian Shuo was the person Liu Xie relied on most in the palace, and it was no exaggeration for him to consider himself second only to the emperor.

But if he were to go and kill He Jin alone, he might have a chance to live if he succeeded, but he would die if he failed. It was not as safe as following Liu Bei to escort Liu Xie to Chang'an!
However, Jian Shuo could not disobey Liu Hong's imperial decree. Helpless, Jian Shuo could only accept the secret edict with tears in his eyes and vow never to betray Liu Hong.

After giving Jian Shuo some instructions, Liu Hong could no longer contain his exhaustion and fell into a deep sleep again.

But outside the palace.

The two armies were facing each other with swords drawn.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, acting on Liu Bei's orders, were stationed outside the palace and forbade anyone to approach. He Jin and Liu Bian, however, led a thousand men and insisted on entering the palace to see Liu Hong.

"How dare you obstruct Prince Bian's visit to His Majesty! What are you trying to do?" Zhang Zhang shouted sternly.

Zhang Fei retorted, "I dare not stop Prince Bian from visiting His Majesty, but Prince Bian may only enter the palace alone. No one else may disturb His Majesty."

Zhang Zhang was furious: "The General is here, who are you calling a nobody?"

Zhang Fei chuckled coldly: "You Palace is His Majesty's private palace, not Jiade Hall. Apart from His Majesty and Prince Bian, everyone in You Palace is just a nobody, including the General. If you're not satisfied, you can go and argue with His Majesty yourself."

Zhang Zhang was furious, but he didn't know how to respond.

Zhang Fei pressed his advantage: "I advise you to read more books when you get back, otherwise I'll shut you up in a few words, and I'll feel ashamed. It's boring to always bully children."

"Butcher, you've infuriated me!" Zhang Zhang was so angry that his hair stood on end. If Wu Kuang hadn't held him back, Zhang Zhang would have already spurred his horse out to challenge Zhang Fei to a duel.

He Jin's expression was also extremely unpleasant.

They thought that bringing Liu Bian would make it easy to enter the palace to see Liu Hong, but they were unexpectedly blocked outside the palace. Zhang Zhang, a trusted general, was even rendered speechless by Zhang Fei's few words.

"General, perhaps I should go inside and see His Majesty first." Liu Bian was so frightened by the scene before him that his legs went weak, and he looked at Zhang Fei with fear in his eyes. He cautiously asked He Jin.

Upon hearing Liu Bian's words, He Jin felt agitated: "Why is it that my son and nephew are both cowardly, when I am such a hero?"

Frustrated, He Jin couldn't help but scold, "Prince Bian is destined to be the Crown Prince. How can he be humiliated? Today, the soldiers of the Western Garden must give way. How dare a bunch of scoundrels rely on their military might to defy their superiors?"

Liu Bian dared not meet He Jin's gaze, shrinking back in fear, and felt a little resentful: I was enjoying a romantic time with Tang Ji under the moon and flowers, and he had to drag me here. Sigh, I don't really want to be the crown prince, so why do I have to suffer here?

Just as the two sides were deadlocked, Liu Bei emerged from the palace.

Glancing at the tense scene, Liu Bei couldn't help but step forward and smile: "General, what brings you to personally inspect the defenses today?"

(End of this chapter)