Han family achievements

Chapter 529 Assassination
"Then what can I do!?"

The middle-aged man took a big gulp of wine, and a sound of dissatisfaction and resentment came out from his stomach.

The man in black poured himself a glass of wine and said, "The Censorate has arrested a few of your lieutenants, right? Aren't you afraid that they will betray you at any time?"

The middle-aged man snorted coldly, took the food with his hands, and said, "I have already paid enough money, and he is my good brother for many years, he will not betray me."

The man in black took a sip of wine and said leisurely, "In all these years, I have never seen a group of people who remained silent under torture. There will always be one or two who will speak."

The middle-aged man ignored him and continued drinking.

The man in black was not in a hurry and accompanied him leisurely.

After an unknown amount of time, the middle-aged man finally couldn't help himself and shouted angrily: "What on earth do you want to do!?"

Qiao Mao's eyes were filled with coldness, and he said calmly: "Do you think that the Grand Marshal's Mansion is really going to transfer your Yulin Army to guard the Eight Passes? The Eight Passes are very stable! As long as enough troops are transferred away, the court will not be afraid of you making trouble and can capture you at any time!"

The middle-aged man's face suddenly turned grim, and he said, "Is it necessary for you to risk telling me about this kind of thing?!"

Qiao Mao stared at him and said, "You are doomed now. As an old friend, I am here to see you off. Why are you so angry, Brother Zhang?"

Zhang Yang sneered and said, "You have so many handles on me, will you be willing to let me die like this?"

Qiao Mao suddenly retracted his gaze and said with a strong smile: "Brother Zhang is right, you are still of some use."

"What on earth do you want to do!?" Zhang Yang growled impatiently, reeking of alcohol.

Qiao Mao's smile faded, his expression was crazy, and he said in a low voice: "Brother Zhang, have you ever thought about Duke Zhou Yi Yin, the emperor in hand, commanding the world, who dares not obey?"

Zhang Yang laughed angrily and said, "Just me? Hostage the emperor? Aren't you afraid that I will be torn to pieces? "

Qiao Mao was not in a hurry and said, "Not only the emperor, but also the prime minister and the Grand Marshal, all obey your orders."

Zhang Yang was stunned and asked in disbelief: "You, you controlled Xun Yu and Cao Cao?"

Qiao Mao stared at Zhang Yang in his heart and said, "As long as they are in your hands, even if you don't consider yourself, you have to consider your family. What's more, even if they don't obey, the seal is still in your hands. By then, as long as you control the 100,000 soldiers in the Imperial Guards Camp, who dares to say no?"

Qiao Mao leisurely arranged his clothes, picked up the black veil again, and said, "Then Brother Zhang, just sit here and wait for death, and wait to be sent to the prison."

Seeing Qiao Mao about to leave, Zhang Yang became anxious and said, "Brother Qiao, is there really no other way?"

Qiao Mao stood up, looked down at him, and said, "Now, even if Brother Zhang wants to escape in disguise, it won't be easy, right?"

Zhang Yang stood up and said in a deep voice, "Brother Qiao, please show me a way to survive!"

The words were as sharp as a knife, like a request, but also a compulsion!
Qiao Mao looked at Zhang Yang coldly, and after a long silence, he said, "I have prepared a good show for Liu Bian. It is up to you, Brother Zhang, to decide what to do next."

"What's the show?" Zhang Yang asked immediately.

Qiao Mao put on his hat and turned to leave.

Zhang Yang knew that he couldn't get the answer, so his face darkened.

The court's "rectification of official administration" not only arrested most of the middle and lower-level officials in the six ministries and nine temples, but also the imperial guards and the imperial guards.

He knew Qiao Mao wouldn't say it, and his expression became even uglier.

He picked up the wine jug on the table, drank it in big gulps, and then smashed it to the ground with a bang, cursing: "Damn it, the worst that can happen is that both of us will die!"

……

The city of Luoyang was like a branding iron dropped into cold water, boiling and raging, with countless sounds rising and falling.

More and more memorials were sent in from Luoyang City. Most officials blamed Tian Feng, Xun Yu and Zhong Yao for a series of recent events, believing that they were traitors of the dynasty and that they were the ones who caused the rebellion.

We should follow the example of Emperor Jing and execute Chao Cuo, leaving the rebels with no excuse, and then the heavenly army will arrive suddenly and pacify the world.

The first day of June, the second year of Jian’an.

Liu Bian, wearing casual clothes, walked out of Chongde Hall, with Xun Yu and Cao Cao on his side, Dian Wei behind him, and Pan Yin and others beside him.

Liu Bian looked irritated. He strode quickly, flipping through the memorials in his hand one by one, and then throwing them out one by one, saying, "This day after day is endless. Some want to kill Tian Feng, some want to kill the prime minister, some want to kill the Grand Marshal, some want to dismiss the Yingchuan Party, some want to advise me to reflect on myself and issue an edict of repentance... Well, well, since you all don't want to live a good life, then let's not live any more!"

Liu Bian threw away all the memorials in his hands and turned around to go back.

Caught off guard, he hit Dian Wei directly in the stomach.

Dian Wei was stunned for a moment, not knowing whether to help or not.

Liu Bian staggered, looking at Dian Wei's big face, he became even more irritated for some reason, and said: "Okay, don't go, stay in the palace and continue to reorganize the imperial guards."

After saying this, Liu Bian stood where he was, forgetting what he was going to do when he turned back.

He could only suppress his annoyance and walk out of the outer palace.

Dian Wei stood there in a daze, blinking repeatedly with an innocent look on his face.

Xun Yu and Cao Cao looked at each other and followed silently.

They could all feel that our Emperor had lost his former calmness and composure, and his temper had been getting worse and worse recently. Now even Dian Wei had lost his temper.

Liu Bian walked out of the Suzaku Gate and went along the Imperial Street straight towards the South Gate of Luoyang.

Recently, Luoyang City has been filled with patrolling Yulin Army, which feels a bit like martial law. There are not many people on the streets and few shops are open.

The Imperial Guards cleared the way, so naturally no one could get close. However, there were many people looking at each other, whispering, and discussing in low voices on the roadside.

Perhaps Liu Bian was angry and no one dared to speak along the way.

"Your Majesty, I am Zhang Yang, your servant. I am here to pay my respects to His Majesty!" Zhang Yang, the General of the Imperial Guards, rushed over and knelt on one knee to pay his respects.

Liu Bian glanced at him and was about to speak when he suddenly saw a snack stand not far away and strode over.

Cao Cao, Xun Yu and Zhang Yang were all slightly stunned when they saw this scene, but they said nothing.

Their Emperor always does what he wants.

Liu Bian came to the stall and queued up seriously.

Perhaps it was because Dian Wei, Pan Yin, Zhao Yun and others were not there, or perhaps it was because Liu Bian had just gotten angry, no one dared to step forward and could only watch from afar, with only a few plainclothes officers following not far away.

I don’t know how long it was, but it was finally Liu Bian’s turn. He took two boxes of snacks and left.

When the stall owner saw that he hadn't paid, he got anxious and walked around the stall and shouted, "Sir, sir, you still…"

Before he could finish, a plainclothes guard stepped forward and stuffed a few copper coins into his hand.

The stall owner took the money and looked at Liu Bian's back with a little curiosity.

The nobleman, who was dressed quite exquisitely, carried two boxes of snacks and headed straight to the south of the city.

On the other side, the imperial guards and a group of dignitaries surrounding them sped up and also rushed towards the south.

Zhang Yang followed beside Cao Cao with a serious face, but his eyes kept glancing at Liu Bian's back from time to time. He was panicking but forced himself to remain calm.

Not long after, Liu Bian climbed up to the top of the city wall and began to inspect.

Xun Yu and Cao Cao followed closely behind, and Zhang Yang and others could only fall further behind. The flags on the city walls were rustling, and the garrisoning Yulin Army was lined up in neat rows, without looking around.

Liu Bian walked in front, carrying two boxes of cakes, and said nothing from beginning to end.

Everyone knew that His Majesty the Emperor was angry, and then there was silence except for the sound of footsteps.

Walking from the south to the east of the city, there was not a single word from Liu Bian.

Xun Yu tried to speak several times, but was interrupted by Liu Bian raising his hand.

Today's atmosphere has been very strange since leaving the palace, making Xun Yu, Cao Cao, and especially Zhang Yang nervous and uneasy. Standing in the east of the city, Liu Bian looked towards Yanzhou, with his hands behind his back. The hot wind blew, making his hair fly in disorder, just like his mood.

Xun Yu really began to worry about Liu Bian, and said comfortingly: "Your Majesty, everything is still under control, don't worry."

Liu Bian's chest swelled up, then quickly recovered, and he whispered, "Qingjia, tell me, am I wrong?"

Xun Yu immediately said, "Your Majesty, the situation is complicated and people's hearts are unpredictable. It is not your Majesty's fault."

Liu Bian did not comment on Xun Yu's words, and said calmly: "Grand Sima."

Cao Cao looked at Liu Bian's back and said, "Your Majesty, these few rebellions can be put down with a wave of my hand. Your Majesty, don't be discouraged!"

Liu Bian chuckled and said, "If the rebels invade Luoyang and kill me, what posthumous title and temple name will the new dynasty give me?"

Xun Yu's expression suddenly changed, and just as he was about to speak, a team of patrolling Yulin soldiers strode over with heavy footsteps.

Xun Yu, Cao Cao, Zhang Yang and others turned to look with a hint of confusion in their eyes.

This team of Yulin soldiers consisted of about ten people, wearing heavy armor, carrying bows and arrows, and holding spears.

Zhang Yang took a closer look, stepped forward and shouted, "Which group are you from? How come I have never seen you before?!"

The Yulin Army did not stop at Zhang Yang's call, but instead accelerated and approached with weapons in hand.

Zhang Yang's expression changed immediately, and he shouted, "Protect the emperor! Protect the emperor!"

This scene instantly shocked the surrounding Yulin soldiers, who rushed over quickly.

Cao Cao, Xun Yu and others subconsciously protected Liu Bian.

Liu Bian, holding some snacks, turned around casually and looked at the Yulin Army that was charging towards him.

"Death to the tyrant king!"

The ten men shouted together, some threw spears, some drew bows and shot arrows, and some directly rushed forward with swords.

Zhang Yang, Cao Cao, and Xun You were caught off guard and were injured one after another, exposing Liu Bian's upper body.

Liu Bian had a blank expression on his face, squinted his eyes, and stood there motionless.

"Kill the tyrant!"

The ten men roared and continued their attack in an orderly manner.

These ten people were obviously trained assassins. Even though the Yulin Army had surrounded them, they showed no fear and cooperated very well.

Zhang Yang stood at the front and swung his sword hard to block.

But he had been pampered for many years and had lost the bravery he had many years ago. He was forced aside with a few sword strikes, and several assassins went straight for Liu Bian.

Cao Cao, Xun Yu looked back at Liu Bian, who was as still as a mountain and showed no fear at all, gritted his teeth, raised his sword, and went to meet him.

Although Xun Yu was a weak scholar, he had learned swordsmanship and was able to block a few moves.

Cao Cao was a knight-errant and was skilled in martial arts, but he was almost fifty years old after all and could not resist at all.

They watched helplessly as this group of assassins approached and attacked Liu Bian.

"Your Majesty, let's go!" Xun Yu and Cao Cao shouted almost at the same time.

咻

Suddenly, an arrow came flying and hit Liu Bian's neck.

Liu Bian's body swayed, his eyes widened, the snacks in his hand fell to the ground, and his whole body was shaking.

"His Majesty!"

Xun Yu's eyes were ferocious and he stepped forward to support Liu Bian.

嘭

Liu Bian fell to the ground, his eyes still wide open and his face full of fear.

"His Majesty!"

Cao Cao, Zhang Yang and others were terrified and roared in anger.

The surrounding Yulin troops had rushed over and surrounded the ten death warriors, protecting Zhang Yang, Cao Cao, Xun Yu and others in the corner.

"The tyrant is dead!"

The four assassins roared to the sky, their voices like thunder. No one knew how far their roar spread and how many people heard it.

"Kill them!" Zhang Yang covered his injured arm and shouted sternly.

The Yulin Army was fighting hard, while Cao Cao and Xun Yu watched Liu Bian's face gradually turn pale and his eyes dull, and they hurriedly escorted him back to the palace.

Xun Yu was panicking, more panic than ever before, and said to Cao Cao: "Grand Marshal, you must block the news, especially the Yulin Army!"

Cao Cao said solemnly: "Leave it to me, you escort His Majesty back to the palace. No, you can't go back to the palace!"

Xun Yu said: "Go to Luoyang Prefecture, it's not far away!"

Cao Cao turned around and looked at Zhang Yang who had followed him, and said, "I'll go deal with Zhang Yang, and I'll leave the rest to Xun Gong!"

Xun Yu looked at Liu Bian, whose face had turned even paler and whose body was very weak, and nodded heavily, saying, "Grand Marshal, please be cautious."

Cao Cao said nothing more and turned to meet Zhang Yang.

What happened today is too weird, Zhang Yang is the biggest suspect!
But Zhang Yang is also extremely important!

He was the General of the Imperial Guards, commanding 20,000 soldiers, the largest number of troops in Luoyang City.

The news that the current emperor has been assassinated cannot leak out. Zhang Yang's cooperation is required to block the news!

No matter what, the first step is to stabilize Zhang Yang!

Zhang Yang looked at Cao Cao approaching, feeling terrified and with countless thoughts surging in his mind.

He recalled the obscure words that Qiao Mao said to him many days ago when he came to see him late at night!

"Is this Qiao Mao's plan?" Zhang Yang covered his arm, his heart cold.

This Qiao Mao is really brave!
And he did it!
With an arrow shot into his throat, Liu Bian is most likely to die!
Once Liu Bian dies, Luoyang City will definitely be in chaos!
At the same time, the local area will become even more chaotic, rebellions will occur one after another, and those rebels who are still on the sidelines will rise up in droves!

The Han Dynasty will end!

"Zhang Yang!" Cao Cao stood in front of Zhang Yang and shouted.

Zhang Yang suddenly woke up and said subconsciously: "I am here!"

Cao Cao's narrow eyes were as cold as knives, and he said, "Immediately block the news, and don't let any of it leak out! The Yulin Army patrols as usual, and without my order, don't make any unusual moves! If you can't do these two things, you will be executed immediately!"

Zhang Yang felt his scalp tingling, and said hurriedly: "I obey your orders!"

He also knew that the assassination attempt took place at the East City Gate which was guarded by his Yulin Army. Even if he was not pursued now, he would definitely not be able to escape later!

Cao Cao saw through Zhang Yang's thoughts and said calmly, "Your Majesty was assassinated this time. It happened suddenly and it happened in your Yulin Army. Although you are responsible, it just shows that it has nothing to do with you. There is no need to worry."

Zhang Yang felt relieved and said quickly, "Thank you, Sima."

(End of this chapter)