I was living in the Five Dynasties period, just after crossing the Zhongdu Bridge.

The Battle of Zhongdu Bridge was a deep wound in the heart of the Jin army and a broken backbone for all the Han people.

Lies may be false, but in this kind of world, only falsehoods can mend people's hearts.

Killing is a soldier's duty, but saving lives is the mark of a true general!

What Guo Wei values ​​is precisely this vision.

Shen Lie suppressed his thoughts and looked up along the palace wall.

This city of Daliang was later known as the ancient capital of eight dynasties.

Shen Lie had never had the opportunity to set foot in this place in person before. Instead, he had ridden his horse through the virtual streets of Bianjing in the dream of the fish playing in the Sixteen Sounds of Yanyun.

Now that I'm actually standing on this imperial road, I can truly feel its magnificent grandeur.

This city is not as straight and orderly as Chang'an, nor does it exude the elegance of scenic landscapes like Luoyang and Jinling.

Instead, it has its own unique character.

After all, it was a vital hub of the world, born from the Bian River waterway, and its essence was full of the practicality of the Five Dynasties.

The city walls must be thick, the granaries must be full, and the soldiers and armor must be plentiful.

As for rites, music, and literature, those were pastimes to be discussed only after weapons had been sheathed.

Thinking of this, Shen Lie couldn't help but start making plans in his mind again.

Liu Zhiyuan, who is currently sitting on the dragon throne, and Prince Liu Chengyou, whose whereabouts in the palace are unknown, are walking in front of him, along with Guo Wei and Guo Rong.

If we also include Zhao Kuangyin and his younger brother Zhao Kuangyi, who had just been brought home by their father Zhao Hongyin to be disciplined.

At this very moment, six emperors were simultaneously in power in the city of Daliang!

The rise and fall of several dynasties and the source of decades of bloodshed and fighting are now all crammed into this square city.

"What are you staring at? Stay close."

Shi Hongzhao, who was walking at the front, turned around and shouted in a low voice. Shen Lie quickly followed.

Today is not a court assembly; it is merely Liu Zhiyuan's private meeting with his ministers to discuss matters.

Such informal audiences with the emperor could not be held in the Daqing Hall, which symbolized the highest imperial power.

The emperor was invited to the Grand Hall of Celebration to receive congratulations and to issue imperial pardons.

Those who truly decide the life and death of people in the world are often those side halls.

Shi Hongzhao and Guo Wei were clearly very familiar with the palace routes. Instead of going straight, they turned west and passed through the Right Taihe Gate.

Next is the Chuigong Hall.

The idea of ​​governing by doing nothing sounds peaceful and inactive, but it was precisely what emperors like Liu Zhiyuan, who rose to power through military conquest, valued most.

Those who could enter the Chuigong Hall were either trusted ministers or capable generals who could truly solve problems for the emperor.

Liu Zhiyuan's choice to summon him here implies a certain meaning.

They did not treat Shen Lie as an outsider.

The Fuwei Army was originally the inner guard, and Shi Hongzhao was one of the original members of the army. Meeting him in the Chuigong Hall was also a way of showing favor.

Upon reaching the steps outside the hall, the group stopped in their tracks.

Only after the eunuch on duty went in to report could one step into this center of power.

The hall was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. Liu Zhiyuan sat on the imperial couch, with a middle-aged man standing in front of him, who was none other than the Chancellor Su Fengji.

"Your Majesty, your subjects Shi Hongzhao, Guo Wei, and Shen Lie have come to pay their respects."

Liu Zhiyuan raised his hand to decline the formalities, his gaze falling directly on Shen Lie.

"Shen Lie, the Defense Commissioner of Yaozhou."

When the emperor spoke, his voice was slightly weak, but he enunciated each word with great emphasis.

"Isolated in Guanzhong, you recruited local militia, repaired the city walls, and forced Zhao Kuangzan to surrender. In the memorial presented by Shi Qing, you were praised as a reincarnation of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing. Seeing you today, you are indeed young."

Such praise as Wei Huo's revival, placed on a low-ranking officer commanding several thousand soldiers, is an extremely dangerous act of flattery that could lead to his downfall.

Shen Lie leaned down to reply.

"Your Majesty, I dare not accept such praise. The pacification of Yaozhou was entirely due to the awe-inspiring might of Your Majesty. Zhao Kuangzan was already timid, and upon hearing that Your Majesty's army had entered Luoyang, he knew he was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, and thus surrendered at the mere sight of them. I merely happened to be there, taking advantage of the court's power to serve as a guard at the gate."

This exchange was proper and straightforward.

He made no mention of Shi Hongzhao's patronage, nor did he boast about his own martial prowess, attributing all the credit to Liu Zhiyuan's rise to power in the Central Plains.

Liu Zhiyuan's deep-set eyes lit up.

While Zhao Kuangzan was indeed intimidated by the might of the Han Dynasty, if Shen Lie had not held firm in Yaozhou, Zhao Kuangzan could have easily retreated to Later Shu, and even colluded with Marquis Fengxiang, who was caught in a dilemma.

Shen Lie did not take credit, which made him seem more useful.

"It's good that you can understand the bigger picture and know when to advance and retreat," Liu Zhiyuan said in a deep voice.

Logically speaking, after the emperor and his ministers exchanged these questions, and the emperor offered some gentle words of comfort and bestowed some brocade and gold and silver, Shen Lie, the defense commissioner of Yaozhou, would be considered to have been registered before the emperor and could retire unscathed.

However, Su Fengji, being a civil official, naturally couldn't stand seeing military generals living such a comfortable life.

"Your Majesty," Su Fengji stepped forward from the crowd.

"Commander Shen pacified Yaozhou with a lone army; he truly is a hero among young men. Such a fine general would be wasted if he were sent to a local post or wasted his talents in the army. Coincidentally, the Second Prince has just been appointed as the Left Guard General, and there is a shortage of generals to protect the palace. Why not assign Commander Shen to the Left Guard? This would both protect the imperial family and demonstrate the Emperor's goodwill towards meritorious officials."

This is an extremely insidious and ruthless scheme to wipe out a family's entire lineage.

Nominally, it was to have Shen Lie serve him closely, but in reality, it was a demotion in disguise, a way to strip him of his real power to lead troops in the field.

Although the second prince, Liu Chengyou, was not the crown prince, he was greatly favored by Liu Zhiyuan.

Placing Shen Lie into the Left Guard was a way of pleasing the emperor.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhiyuan, who was seated at the head of the table, looked thoughtful.

As an emperor, it is instinctive to suppress arrogant military generals and bring the elite troops from all directions under the royal family.

If this can help strengthen one's son's wings, it would be a brilliant move.

Shi Hongzhao's face instantly turned ashen, and his eyes blazed with barely concealed anger.

He had just boasted to Guo Wei that he regarded Shen Lie as his prized student whom he had personally promoted, so how could he tolerate Su Fengji taking him away right in front of him?

But with the emperor in front of him, he dared not act recklessly and could only glare angrily at Su Fengji.

Just as Shi Hongzhao was on the verge of exploding and Shen Lie's heart sank, Guo Wei spoke up at the opportune moment.

"Prime Minister Su is mistaken. Now that the country has been newly established and the four directions are not yet at peace, it is precisely the time when we need capable people. Commander Shen, a fine sword that has been tempered with blood, should be used on the battlefield to slay generals and capture flags. To enlist him in the Left Guard to serve in the palace at this time is a pity, like a precious sword being sheathed."

Guo Wei didn't give Su Fengji a chance to refute, and turned around to bow to Liu Zhiyuan, thus directly cutting off the topic.

"Your Majesty, I have requested an audience because of urgent military news. Something has happened in Ye City."

Liu Zhiyuan's expression hardened, and he instantly forgot all about his son's protection.

Ye City was Du Chongwei's territory.

"Du Chongwei has defied the imperial decree," Guo Wei said in a deep voice. "His Majesty recently bestowed upon him the titles of Grand Commandant and Military Governor of Guide Army, but instead of obeying the decree, he secretly wrote a letter to collude with Ma Da, the Liao general of Zhenzhou, intending to seize Ye City to defy the Emperor's will!"

Du Chongwei, the traitor who surrendered to the Khitan without firing a single arrow, now wants to repeat the same trick in the new dynasty.

"Traitor! This spineless traitor!" Liu Zhiyuan gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Du Chongwei surrendered to the Liao Dynasty, which led to the fall of the Central Plains. He deserved to die for his crime.

Now that the new dynasty has just been established, Liu Zhiyuan, in order to appease the regional military governors, reluctantly granted him an official position, yet he dared to be so shameless.

This completely touched Liu Zhiyuan's sore spot.

"Your Majesty, please calm down," Guo Wei said again, but glanced at Shen Lie without making a sound.

"Ye City is well-fortified, and Du Chongwei also commands a large army. This battle will surely be a fierce one. I believe that to defeat Du Chongwei, we must use drastic measures. Fortunately, Commander Shen is here."

"Shen Lie is a former subordinate of General Wang Qing of Zhongdu Bridge!"

Du Chongwei betrayed his country for personal gain, leading to the complete annihilation of the Han soldiers at Zhongdu Bridge.

Now that the army has set out to punish the rebels, if Commander Shen were to accompany the army, it would not only fulfill his loyalty in avenging his comrades, but also inspire the soldiers' morale for revenge.

Such vigor, wasted in the capital, wouldn't it be a pity?