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

The fourth year of good fortune, February.

Taiyuan, Jinyang Palace.

Although spring has arrived, the chill in Hedong seems heavier than in previous years.

However, unlike the chilly weather, the atmosphere in Jinyang City was now scorching hot.

The reason is simple: the world has been without a ruler for a long time.

On the first day of the second lunar month, the Khitan emperor Yelü Deguang received the congratulations of all his officials in the Chongyuan Hall of Bianliang City and officially ascended the throne.

But this fellow was rather comical. Despite being a barbarian from the Northeast, he had taken off his fur robe and put on a Han dynasty imperial robe that he had dug out of the imperial storehouse. He then imitated the emperor of the Central Plains and received the salute in a very proper manner.

A barbarian who eats raw meat and drinks blood, dressed like a monkey in a crown, wants to be the master of the Central Plains. When this news reached Taiyuan, it finally gave Liu Zhiyuan, who had been keeping a low profile, a reason to take the stage and perform.

When the news reached Taiyuan, Liu Zhiyuan, the military governor of Hedong, was having a meal in the back hall.

Upon hearing that He Chongjian had surrendered the three prefectures of Qin, Cheng, and Jie to Later Shu, this military governor, who held considerable military power, immediately slammed down his chopsticks and, in front of all his officials, beat his chest and stamped his feet in a dramatic display.

"The Rong and Di tribes have invaded, and the Central Plains are without a ruler. As the military governor of Hedong, I have watched helplessly as my colleagues surrendered land to foreign powers, unable to comfort the people. This is my fault! I am ashamed! My heart aches!"

He spoke with such emotion that he was almost in tears. If one didn't know the details, one might really think that this Lord Liu was some kind of loyal minister of the Jin Dynasty.

But in the back hall of the governor's mansion, who among those sitting there isn't a thousand-year-old fox?

Everyone knew perfectly well: if you, Liu Zhiyuan, were truly ashamed, why didn't you send troops when Du Chongwei surrendered? Why didn't you come to the aid of the emperor when Zhang Yanzhe captured Bianliang?

This act is nothing more than a performance for the world to see, and even more so for the people below.

That is to say: You see, it's not that I want to be emperor, it's that the world has forced me to have no choice but to step forward and take charge!

As a result, Taiyuan Prefecture has become quite lively these past few days.

Upon hearing that Shi Chonggui had been taken north by the Khitans, Commander Liu went mad, beating his chest and stamping his feet, crying until he nearly fainted.

Immediately afterwards, he ordered Shi Hongzhao, the commander of the Wujie Army, to muster his troops, saying that he was going to send troops to Jingxing to intercept the Khitans and welcome back the Emperor of Shijin.

It made quite a commotion.

Supplies were prioritized, troops were mobilized, and even the Yajun (military force) at Jingxing Pass received the order.

But it's obvious to anyone with eyes that this is all talk and no action.

Shi Hongzhao's army circled around the city twice, without even stepping out of Niangziguan.

The so-called loyalty to the emperor was nothing more than a staged performance for the world to see.

Of course, the troops only circled the drill ground twice and didn't even leave the city gate.

After that, Zhang Yanwei, the military commander, led a group of civil officials, holding a pre-written petition urging Liu Zhiyuan to assume the throne as soon as possible.

Naturally, Liu Zhiyuan rejected him again.

until today.

Inside the main hall, the fire in the furnace glowed red.

Liu Zhiyuan, the military governor of Hedong, stood with his hands behind his back in front of a hanging map.

"He has been rebuilt."

Looking at the location of Qin Prefecture on the map, Liu Zhiyuan suddenly sighed and slammed his hand heavily on the railing.

"These spineless cowards! They wouldn't surrender to the Khitan, but instead surrendered to that Meng Shu, which was content with its corner of the country. Now the Central Plains are in turmoil, with Rong and Di tribes invading from all sides. These regional warlords who received favors from the Jin Dynasty don't think about repaying their country, but only about protecting themselves... As the bulwark of the north, I feel ashamed whenever I think of this!"

The guards behind him lowered their heads and remained silent.

This has happened again; it's become the norm these past few days.

"My lord."

A voice broke the silence in the hall.

Two figures stepped into the palace gate one after the other.

Leading the way was a burly, rugged-looking military general, Yang Bin, who commanded the six armies of Hedong.

Following behind him was a middle-aged official who looked to be around forty years old, with a faint blue bird tattoo visible on his neck.

It was Guo Wei, the official in charge of both Han and non-Han affairs.

"What are you doing here at this time?" Liu Zhiyuan didn't turn around, but simply wiped his dry eyes with his sleeve.

"But is Shi Hongzhao's preparation complete? Tell him to hurry up. Every day His Majesty suffers on his journey north is a day of excruciating pain for me."

Guo Wei and Yang Bin exchanged a glance.

Yang Bin was a straightforward person; his lips twitched, but he didn't respond.

Guo Wei remained calm. He stepped forward, took out a document from his sleeve, and presented it above his head with both hands.

"My lord, Shi Hongzhao cannot go to Jingxing." Guo Wei's voice was flat, revealing no emotion.

"Why can't we go?" Liu Zhiyuan turned around, his brows furrowed. "Is even he afraid of the Khitans?"

"It's not that I'm afraid."

Guo Wei maintained his bowed posture, "But the reason why His Majesty is going is that his name is not right and his words are not legitimate. The Khitan are powerful, and His Majesty is using a small corner of Hedong to fight against the world. If he wins, he will be doing the work for Shi Jin. If he loses, he will be doomed."

"Then tell me, what should be done?" Liu Zhiyuan squinted at Guo Wei.

"The military commander Zhang Yanwei submitted a memorial the day before yesterday, requesting His Majesty to follow the will of Heaven and the people and ascend the throne as soon as possible. His Majesty said that he was of insufficient virtue and declined."

Guo Wei straightened up and looked directly at the warlord who was about to become the ruler of the world.

"Yesterday, the elders of Taiyuan blocked the emperor's horse to petition, but the emperor said that the ancestral temple of the Shi Jin dynasty still existed and he dared not overstep his bounds, so he declined again."

At this point, Guo Wei paused and gently placed the document in his hand on the desk.

"This is a joint petition from all the civil and military officials of Hedong today, along with the generals of various towns, urging me to ascend the throne."

Guo Wei took a step back and stood shoulder to shoulder with Yang Bin. He then straightened his clothes and bowed solemnly.

"Although Yelü Deguang has occupied Bianliang, he is still a barbarian. Now that he has changed into Han clothing, he is merely a monkey in a crown; the people of the Central Plains only feel hatred, not respect. This world cannot be without a ruler for a single day. The Later Jin dynasty is dead, and the Shi clan has been captured in the north. If our lord does not shoulder the responsibility of ruling the Han land and driving out the barbarians, who will?"

Yang Bin also knelt down, his voice booming:

"Guo Que'er is right! My lord, don't hesitate! Shi Chonggui is already a cripple. If you don't declare yourself emperor soon, the people's hearts will be scattered! At that point, forget about coming to the aid of the emperor, it's questionable whether we can even hold Taiyuan!"

Liu Zhiyuan looked at the two people kneeling on the ground.

The play had reached its climax, and it was time for it to end.

The so-called "three refusals and three concessions" is a process that has been necessary for both usurpers and founders of dynasties since ancient times.

The first two times were to silence public opinion and to show that they had no other choice.

If we push again this time, it would be ungrateful.

a long time.

"Guo Wei," Liu Zhiyuan asked, "Do you also think the time is right?"

"arrive."

Guo Wei answered very decisively.

"He Chongjian's surrender to Shu shows that the regional military governors have begun to seek their own way out. If the emperor does not raise this banner, the 100,000 arrogant and fierce soldiers in Hedong may listen to you today, but tomorrow they may listen to others for wealth and glory. After all, there are many who want to be meritorious officials who follow the emperor."

These words really hit Liu Zhiyuan where it hurt.

In times of chaos, the one with the strongest army and the most powerful horses becomes the emperor.

But if the troops lose all hope, they will riot.

Everyone follows you, Liu Zhiyuan, just hoping for a title and a privilege for their wives and children, right?

If you never declare yourself emperor, how will your brothers get promoted? How will they get rich?

Liu Zhiyuan took a deep breath.

"That's enough."

He stood up, walked to the map, and lingered for a moment on the city of Bianliang, which had lost its master.

"Since it is for the sake of all living beings and the nation, I... will take on this responsibility."

Yang Bin was overjoyed and was about to kneel down and shout "Long live the Emperor!"

"Wait a minute."

Liu Zhiyuan waved his hand, and that fake sorrowful expression on his face resurfaced, the transition was so smooth.

"Although we are going to declare ourselves emperor, we still need to maintain appearances. After all, Shi Chonggui is still on his way, and we can't let people say we are heartless and ungrateful."

Guo Wei lowered his head slightly; he knew that his master was about to start acting again.

"Two days later," Liu Zhiyuan held up two fingers, "I will declare myself emperor in Taiyuan."

"but...."

Liu Zhiyuan then changed the subject.

"Pass down the order that I am declaring myself emperor in order to better mobilize troops to rescue Shi Chonggui! In a few days, I will personally lead my personal guards to Shouyang."

Shouyang is located east of Taiyuan, not far away.

By making a trip there, we could show that we were about to launch a military campaign, without actually having to confront the Khitans head-on, and we could also win over the hearts and minds of the people along the way.

This is a win-win-win situation.

"What about Shi Hongzhao?" Yang Bin asked.

"Let him make a move." Liu Zhiyuan pointed to the direction of Daizhou on the map. "In a few days, have Shi Hongzhao lead the Wujiedu to the vicinity of Jingxing. Make a big fuss and let the Khitans know that our Hedong Army is not to be trifled with."

"Let's also test the waters to see if Yelü Deguang is truly capable."

"If the Khitans are tough, we'll back down; if they're weak..."

Liu Zhiyuan sneered, "Then it's time for us to get a share of the pie in the Central Plains."

"Yes, sir!"

"Guo Wei," Liu Zhiyuan suddenly called out again.

"exist."

"How is the training of the Fuwei Capital going?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty," Guo Wei bowed slightly, "Li Congxi is knowledgeable in military affairs. Although Fuwei Capital only has a few hundred men, it already shows signs of being an elite force."

"Hmm." Liu Zhiyuan nodded in satisfaction. "When Shi Hongzhao came to Jingxing this time, he also brought Fuwei with him. I want to see if this new army can really hold this crisis back."

"Yes."