Great Han Empire

Chapter 259 The situation changes suddenly
Under the protection of Lv Benling Wei Duan and [-] cavalry from the Southern Army, Li Hong led six subordinates including Li Wei and Zhao Yun, and ten Ti cavalry, out of Zhangyuetai, and galloped slowly all the way to the General's Mansion.

In the past two days, after Li Hong's repeated entreaties, the emperor reluctantly agreed to Li Hong's visit to Taiwei Zhang Wen, Zongzheng Liu Yu, Duxiang Hou Huangfusong, admonishing doctor Tao Qian and a few others.

There is a reason why the emperor disagreed with Li Hong's random activities in the capital.Li Hong was a Zhonglang general with a rank and salary of two thousand shi. In Luoyang, officials with two thousand shi can be found everywhere, which is not unusual at all.If Li Hong wants to walk around in Luoyang at will, he is not eligible to enjoy the protection of the imperial guards, nor is he eligible to bring thirty tyrants to accompany him around (the great general of this dynasty only has [-] tyrants to accompany him when he travels), so The emperor was very worried about his safety.But Li Hong's words were sincere, and the emperor couldn't refuse, so he had to make an exception and issued an edict. Li Hong was allowed to take ten Tiqi with him when he traveled, and another thirty imperial guards were sent to guard him.

After the imperial edict, Luoyang became a sensation. The emperor's favor for Li Hong has reached the point where it can't be increased, and he almost didn't make him a marquis or a general.However, the emperor seemed to be overthinking, and Li Hong has been safe and sound for the past two days.

Huangfu Song and his two sons Huangfu Hong and Huangfu Li received Li Hong and his subordinates warmly in the mansion.Huangfu Song regarded Li Hong very highly, and the two chatted happily.When it came to governing Xiliang, Huangfusong recommended to Li Hong the book "On the Latent Fu" written by Wang Jian from Anding and his father Wang Fu, a great Confucian.This is the second time Li Hong has heard "On the Latent Fu".Huangfusong has lived in Xiliang for a long time, and he has a very clear understanding of Xiliang issues, so his elaboration of "On the Latent Fu" is much more comprehensive, detailed, and thorough than Li Wei's.Li Hong was fascinated by what he heard, and asked many questions. Huangfusong took the trouble to explain them one by one.

Then, Li Hong mentioned the Xianbei and Karasuma people's invasion of the border, and the two immediately discussed various strategies to resist the Hu people.Huangfusong mentioned Zhao Qi and his "On Yukou" to Li Hong.Huang Fusong believed that Zhao Qi's defense strategy in "On Yukou Lun" was quite insightful and worth learning from. He suggested that Li Hong should pay a visit to Zhao Qi at an appropriate time.

The next day, Li Hong invited Tao Qian, an admonishment doctor, to take him to visit Zhao Qi.Zhao Qi was very enthusiastic and entertained Li Hong and his party, but he was very excited when he learned of Li Hong's intention.He took out his own "On the Imperial Bandits" and discussed with Li Hong for a long time about fighting the Hu people and solving the border issue.Li Hong benefited a lot, and at the same time gradually came to a conclusion, whether it was Wang Fu, Zhao Qi, or Huang Fusong, they paid more attention to defense than attack when it came to the Hu people's invasion.

Li Hong couldn't help thinking of the emperor's attitude on this matter.The emperor believed that defense could not solve the problem of Hu people's invasion at all.We must attack, attack resolutely, and fight until the barbarians are completely conquered, otherwise, this disaster will never be settled.Li Hong believed that what the Son of Heaven said made sense. The Han army always defended passively, which not only fueled the arrogance of the Hu people, but also severely damaged the morale of the Han army. With the hope of stability, they migrated south one after another. As a result, the border county was desolate, the defense force was weaker, and the defense became more vulnerable.Although the emperor's idea is almost crazy, it is indeed a good way to solve the problem of Hu people's invasion. The question is, can the emperor's idea get the support of the ministers?

"My lord, Yongping Street is ahead." Li Wei pointed at the bustling crowd ahead and said loudly.

Li Hong, who was thinking wildly, was suddenly awakened by the shout. He raised his head suddenly and said in surprise, "It's such a lively place."

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Li Hong's attitude towards the robbery made Li Wei a little hard to accept.

Li Wei racked his brains and brains to think of a way to sneak into the Sikong Mansion at night and rob Xiao Lan. After hearing this, Li Hong shook his head and said, "It's too complicated to do."

Li Wei's heart suddenly turned cold.

"Brother Zhongyuan, follow your method. We have to rely on Master Yuan Shu and your Taixue friends for help from the beginning to the end. If there is a slight mistake in this process, we will be finished." Zhao Yun thought for a while and whispered, "Luoyang They are very strange to us, so you have concerns and dare not rely on us to do this, but have you ever thought that these people are also strange to us, why should we trust them?"

Li Wei was in despair, he was only thinking about Xiao Lan, completely ignoring his position in Li Hongjun.He had just joined Li Hong's tent, and no one knew him, let alone understood him. Why did Black Panther Yicong believe him?To put it bluntly, Li Hongzheng appointed him as an aide not because he was talented, but because he couldn't kill him heartlessly.It was already a big taboo for me to persuade Li Hong to raise troops to rebel. It is already a miracle that Li Hong didn't kill himself.Zhao Yun is a loyal man and doesn't want to hurt him, so that sentence is very subtle, but the meaning is very obvious.He believed in Yuan Shu, Sun Jian's friend, and also in his Taixue friend, but what about Li Hong?What about Black Panther Yicong?Why would they trust their lives to a group of complete strangers?
"My lord, is there anything you can do?" Jiang Wu asked, "My lord promised Zhong Yuan personally."

Li Hong said with a smile, "What can I do? I'm not familiar with this place, so what else can I do besides taking you to the Ming Dynasty?"

"Ming Qiang?" Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then laughed.

Li Wei shook his head and said with extreme disappointment: "Sir, this is not Xiliang, not Bianjun, this is Luoyang, not a place where you can do whatever you want. Xiao Lan is mine, and of course I will do my best to save her. She. Everyone has kindly helped me, and it is too late for me to be grateful. How could I harm you brothers? My lord, please trust me once..."

Li Hong glanced at him and said solemnly: "Zhong Yuan, it's not that I don't believe you, but that I can't trust you."

Li Wei was almost crying in frustration.

"Zhong Yuan, you don't believe me?" Li Hong couldn't help laughing when he saw Li Wei's pained look, "Why can't you rob him openly? I'm going to rob him on the street."

"Let me ask you, who are the people who sent off their relatives? Could it be the elite of the Northern Army? The whole city knows that Lord Sikong's son is getting married. Have you ever thought about how many people are watching along the way?" Li Hong said with a smile, "We snatch people first, and then run away in the chaos. Such a simple thing, why do you want to be so complicated? Who would have thought that someone would snatch people in the street? Probably the whole Luoyang people are like you, thinking that Luoyang City is the most beautiful city in the world. A safe place, right?"

Li Wei woke up like a dream, suddenly he was very energetic, and said excitedly: "My lord is so courageous, Li Wei is ashamed of himself, ashamed of himself."

"You are very familiar with Luoyang City, so you should know where is the best place to attack." Li Hong said, "You settle down immediately, and then take your brothers to carefully inspect the terrain..."

"Yongping Street." Li Wei said without thinking, "We will do it on Yongping Street."

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Yongping Street is full of buildings, numerous commercial ports, crowded with people, busy with traffic, and very lively.

Li Hongfei got off his horse and, accompanied by Li Wei, walked along the street.

"There are a lot of people in this place and it extends in all directions, so it's very convenient to move in and out." Li Wei said with a smile, "My lord's method is crazy. No one would have thought that someone would dare to rob a newlywed on the streets of Luoyang in broad daylight."

"The more unexpected, the greater the chance of success." Li Hong said, "Don't think this method is simple, but it works. Do you know what I used to do?"

Li Wei shook his head and smiled, "Did your memory come back?"

"When I was in Xianbei, Murong Feng, the commander-in-chief of Xianbei, thought that I was an assassin in the past, a top assassin." Li Hong said with a smile, "Assassins pay attention to simplicity and effectiveness, and they usually appear suddenly where the enemy least expects them. One hit..." Before he finished speaking, Jiang Wu, who was walking in the front to clear the way, suddenly let out a loud roar:
"There are assassins..."

Li Hong didn't even think about it, he instinctively drew his sword out, and at the same time his body flickered, knocking Li Wei flying with all his strength.

A black crossbow arrow screamed.

There was no way for Li Hong to hide, and he watched helplessly as the crossbow arrow shot into his chest.He was taken back three steps by the huge inertial force of the crossbow, and fell face up into Zhao Yun's arms.

The place was in chaos.

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"What do you two Ai Qing mean, is to recruit Dong Zhuo's army to Hedong?" The emperor pondered for a while, and asked Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang who were standing on the left and right.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhang Rang said, "The remnants of ant thieves are becoming more and more serious in Hedong County, directly threatening the safety of the capital. In my opinion, it is better to recruit troops to kill them as soon as possible, so as not to let them form a climate... "

"The emergency document of the Beidi County Mansion said that the Xianbei army might invade at any time. Is it inappropriate to transfer Dong Zhuo's army away from Beidi County at this time?"

"Your Majesty, the Hu people invade every year. They just go deep into the border and rob us. They don't pose any threat to us." Zhao Zhong said, "It's the ant thief who threatens us. Your Majesty, the disaster of the ant thief two years ago, It is so harmful, has Your Majesty forgotten it?"

The emperor hesitated.

"Your Majesty, Li Zhonglang's army is heading to Chang'an. Once Beidi County is invaded by Hu people, they can provide timely support. In addition, there are many Hu people in Li Zhonglang's army, so it is not suitable to be stationed in Hedong, so..."

"Okay then," said the Son of Heaven, "Xu Aiqing and several adults wrote letters one after another to complain for Dong Zhuo's grievances. I specifically consulted Li Aiqing about this matter. Li Aiqing thought that Dong Zhuo had worked hard and deserved to be rewarded. For the minister's opinion, he should not be rewarded, so let him resume his original post and lead his troops to the river east to suppress the bandits."

"Your Majesty is still fair." Zhang Rang said with a smile, "Your Majesty has no intention of bringing the eldest prince with him when he returns to the Hejian Kingdom to worship the ancestors. I heard the ministers talking in private, saying that Your Majesty is unfair?"

The emperor's face suddenly turned ugly.

"Your Majesty dotes on the little prince, there is nothing wrong with it." Zhang Rang pretended not to see him, and continued, "It is a big event for His Majesty to go home to worship the ancestors, and it is highly anticipated, but His Majesty only takes the little prince and not the eldest prince. A hint..." Zhang Rang glanced at the emperor secretly, and then said, "Will someone be resentful because of this, and will be rebellious because of resentment..."

The emperor had a gloomy face, the corners of his mouth twitched a few times, and resentment appeared in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, for the sake of the safety of your Majesty and the little prince, your majesty is reluctant to do so and bring the eldest prince with you." Zhao Zhong persuaded, "In addition, when your majesty leaves next month, Li Zhonglang's Xiliang army has already arrived in Chang'an , Your Majesty can definitely send 2 people from the Luoyang Northern Army to escort them."

The Son of Heaven looked at Zhao Zhong coldly and asked, "Why?"

"Wang Fen, the governor of Jizhou, has written repeatedly saying that the Black Mountain Ant Thief is very powerful. He is now recruiting soldiers to protect His Majesty for His Majesty's safety in Jizhou. But can the mob that hastily formed be able to fight? I think it is very wrong. "

The emperor nodded again and again, quite agreeing.

At this moment, the Son of Heaven saw Jian Shuo of the Little Yellow Gate running over in a panic.

"Your Majesty, Li Zhonglang was assassinated on Yongping Street."

The emperor was furious, glared at Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang viciously, and cursed loudly: "I think you don't want to live anymore."

The two turned pale with fright, knelt down and swore, and firmly denied that it was the work of the middle official.

"Let's go, accompany me to take a look. If he dies, you will never want to live again."

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(End of this chapter)