The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

Chapter 139 Seizing Power (Part 5) (Fourth update, please subscribe and vote)

Let alone the generals.

Liu Chen himself didn't understand it either.

Zhang Sheng, the lieutenant of the King of Beidi, is now serving as the military advisor to the General of Coffins, assisting Liu Chen in commanding the troops of the princes and the crown prince.

Zhang Sheng's conquest of the Crown Prince and other princes' troops went very smoothly, leaving all the princes overwhelmed and unable to manage such a small force.

But after Zhang Sheng incorporated the troops of the princes and crown princes into his army, even a general as talented as Zhang Sheng couldn't figure it out in a day.

Zhang Sheng also killed two deserters along the way. But when they set up camp, it was in complete chaos, and a headcount revealed that thirty men were missing.

Zhang Sheng's face was dark, and he personally picked up a whip and lashed several officers among his subordinates who had deserted.

Liu Chen had important matters to attend to and couldn't concern himself with these things.

The camp had just been set up, and it was not yet dark.

Liu Chen then took action.

Zhang Sheng, by placing a coffin in General's camp, quelled the army's morale.

Inside the large tent.

Liu Chen, clad in heavy armor, sat in the main seat, with Huang Chong and Chen Xi sitting on either side.

Eunuchs and elite soldiers guarded the gate from the outside.

Huang Chong, clad in armor, sat on a small stool. Chen Xi, however, had nothing, using his large suit of clothing as a battle robe, and knelt on his seat. But at least a day had passed, and he had calmed down considerably.

Liu Chen gripped the sword at his waist and asked Huang Chong, "Have our troops arrived at their destination?"

Chang Heng not only gathered his own 800 elite soldiers, but also took charge of coordinating the troops that Liu Chen had transferred from various Wangzhuang.

These able-bodied men were not only trained under the pretext of guarding against thieves, but the sealed boxes that Liu Chen transported from various places were armors that Liu Chen had risked his life to forge in the fifth and sixth years of Jingyao.

This group of soldiers had never been on the battlefield and were not considered elite troops, but they were much stronger than Zhuge Zhan's army.

According to the plan, this group of soldiers should be nearby. Of course, this is just in case.

He could seize power from Zhuge Zhan with just a few words.

"We've arrived," Huang Chong nodded and said.

"Let's go." Liu Chen nodded, stood up, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, and said, "Huang Qing, do you want to personally behead Huang Hao?"

"I couldn't be happier." Huang Chong's spirits lifted, and a look of joy appeared on his face. He had wanted to do this for many years.

"Hahahaha." Liu Chen laughed loudly, then left the military tent with Huang Chong, mounted his horse, and led more than a hundred elite soldiers to see Zhuge Zhan.

Chen Xi was left alone in the tent, bewildered.

What did I just hear? The King wants to kill Huang Hao? How can the King kill Huang Hao? Huang Hao is in the palace!

After countless questions, Chen Xi suddenly shuddered. He realized what was happening and wanted to blurt it out, but he reached out and covered his mouth tightly.

To kill Huang Hao, one must enter the palace.

Bringing troops into the palace is tantamount to treason.

Liu Chen, riding a fine horse, easily entered Zhuge Zhan's central army camp with over a hundred elite soldiers.

They went directly to the outside of Zhuge Zhan's tent.

Everyone ignored it. It wasn't until Liu Chen dismounted that one of Zhuge Zhan's personal guards stepped forward and asked a question, but even that was ignored.

Liu Chen was Zhuge Zhan's brother-in-law, and also the Prince of Beidi and military supervisor.

They were caught off guard.

Moreover, with the current chaos of war, they themselves were in disarray. Unlike Zhuge Zhan's personal guards, Liu Chen's elite troops were all trained in military hunts; each man was burly and strong, with determined eyes, gripping their weapons tightly, and exuding a murderous aura.

Liu Chen entered the main tent with his horsewhip in hand and saw Zhuge Zhan engrossed in handling military affairs.

Hearing the commotion, Zhuge Zhan looked up in surprise and asked, "Why has Your Majesty come?"

He immediately realized the problem and frowned. His personal guards hadn't come in to report beforehand.

Now is not the time to think about this... His attention returned to Liu Chen.

"General, the army's marching speed is very slow. I request to summon all the generals for discussion. Perhaps we should let the elite troops under Zhao Guang and Mi Zhao set off first tomorrow," Liu Chen said, bowing respectfully.

"Yes, I had the same thought." Zhuge Zhan nodded. Today's events had truly broadened his horizons.

The army was in such disarray, which greatly worried him.

Could he really lead such an army to fight a fierce battle against Deng Ai? What if he were to fail?

Zhuge Zhan shook his head, quickly gathered his thoughts, and sent someone to invite the generals to come and discuss the matter.

Zhuge Zhan then invited Liu Chen and Huang Chong to sit down and had tea brought to them. Upon hearing that his uncle had arrived, Zhuge Shang hurried over to greet him.

After a long while, after nightfall, Zhao Guang, Li Qiu, Mi Zhao, Zhang Zun, and others finally arrived at the main tent.

Including Liu Chen, Zhuge Zhan and his son, and Huang Chong, there were a total of twenty people.

Not only was the army in disarray, but the generals in command were also overqualified.

However, this was normal during the Three Kingdoms period. There wouldn't be so many generals in peacetime. But in the context of the Three Kingdoms, it was a case of indiscriminate bestowal and reward.

For example, the General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Han Dynasty was divided into left and right, and many additional official positions were invented to accommodate more people.

After the generals had all arrived, Zhuge Zhan was about to speak when Liu Chen preemptively turned to Zhuge Shang and said, "Shang'er."

This is a military council; you are not allowed to attend.

Zhuge Shang was baffled; he had been present at previous military council meetings. But he did not disobey his uncle and simply stood up and walked out.

Zhuge Zhan frowned, sensing something amiss. However, he didn't consider the possibility of rebellion; he simply felt that Liu Chen, the supervising officer, seemed to be opposing him, the commander-in-chief.

After Liu Chen dismissed Zhuge Shang, he stood up, gripping his sword hilt with his left hand, and looked at his generals, saying, "Back in Chengdu, our military strategy was to head directly to Mianzhu and then wait for an opportunity to act. But I now have a better suggestion."

Liu Chen gripped the hilt of his sword tightly and said, "I must lead my troops to Chengdu, kill Huang Hao, and behead Qiao Zhou. First, pacify the interior, and then lead my troops to fight Deng Ai."

He paused and looked at the generals, whose expressions changed drastically, and they subconsciously gripped the hilts of their swords at their waists.

Liu Chen continued in a thunderous voice, saying, "You all understand to some extent that the country has come to this state because Huang Hao deceived the emperor and Qiao Zhou undermined the people's morale."

"General Jiang Wei was originally in Chengdu, but was forced to flee to Tazhong to protect himself. If the general had been in Chengdu, Deng Ai would have been nothing more than a puppet in his hands, not worth mentioning. It was all because of Huang Hao that things have come to this."

"Even if we kill Deng Ai and save the country once, instead of killing Huang Hao, there will be a next time. Do you agree with what I'm saying?"

After a pause, Liu Chen, without waiting for the generals to speak, continued, "Of course. My reputation is not good. I am accused of levying exorbitant taxes, killing husbands and abducting wives, associating with Huang Hao, and being greedy for money. But since I have said these words, you should know that this is not my true nature."

"This proves that I have always been paying attention to the affairs of the court and have always known the righteous and the wicked, the loyal and the treacherous."

"I have said my piece. What do you have to say?"

After a pause, Liu Chen chuckled and said, "If you object, then the Han Dynasty will perish prematurely. Because our army is currently cobbled together from various sources. After a fierce battle, regardless of who wins or loses, this country will be destroyed."

Liu Chen glanced at Mi Zhao and Li Qiu, and nodded slightly.

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