Battle Royale of the Sinners

November 15th.

Henei City, Government Assembly Hall.

Dong Zhuo and Li Ru had a deep frown on their faces. The news about the Imperial Army defeat at Liyang City reached Dong Zhuo's ears. At the same time, spies in Shangdang City had sent them a piece of news.

"Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun have died in the siege at Liyang! Liu Biao took over the command and retreated to Puyang region! The detached troops have been defeated!"

"Shangdang has been taken control by Julu forces!"

"The Imperial Army has been defeated! Jinyang joined force with Zhang Jiao and destroyed Zhang Yang and Wang Kuang in Shangdang siege battle!"

The intelligence was the result of the battle at Shangdang Northern Gate. They could not only grasp the information about the outcome of the fight, but the spies had seen Lu Bu and his subordinates in the city as well.

As a result, they found out that the Xiongnu Army was actually Jinyang Army of Ding Yuan.

Dong Zhuo and Li Ru listened to the scout reports, astonished and shocked.

Zhang Jiao and Ding Yuan had played them, including the Imperial Court. They were nothing but a small chick waiting in a cell at a slaughterhouse. There was no doubt that Liu Ping might not make it through this campaign as Shangdang had been occupied, and Jinyang was Liu Ping's enemy.

"My Lord, I think we should return to Luo Yang and control the Court before it's too late," Suggested Li Ru.

"I'm also thinking the same. Hah! That snorty brat will kick the bucket soon enough. I can finally get that throne!"

"Before you claim the throne, you should get rid of the Liu Clan first. I believe Liu Biao is retreating back to Xiangyang, and Liu Yu is still lurking in the Capital. Once Liu Yu is dead, nobody will be able to get in your way anymore."

"Good! Tell everyone, we're heading back to Luo Yang! Don't forget to drag all our new slaves with us. We're going to sell them to the western barbarians!"

"Yes, my lord!"

…

…

November 20th.

Luo Yang City, Throne Room.

The recent activities in Henei had been reported to all the ministers in the Hall. Wang Yun, sitting on the secondary seat beside the throne, stared at the messenger with a deep frown.

"That Dong Zhuo has confirmed himself as a traitor. Killing and pillaging Imperial cities is a great crime! Everyone, send out my order. Gather the available troops and get ourselves ready. It is possible that Dong Zhuo will return to Luo Yang to take over this city next!"

Wang Yun gave a series of command to all officials as he had the highest rank in the Court. He had to display his leadership and self-confidence to all old foxes here that he was in charge now.

Thirty percent of the officials were Wang Yun's colleagues during the feint-death incidents. They bowed and accepted the order.

On the other hand, twenty percent of the personnel in the Hall, Liu Yu and his supporters glared at Wang Yun with a displeased look.

As for the other half, they glanced back and forth between Liu Yu's group and Wang Yun's supporters as they were measuring whose side they should be supporting. These men were the neutral party who supported Liu Ping, but they did not want to change side yet.

Liu Yu noticed the stance and managed to grasp the situation. Seeing that both he and the old man were in a stalemate, he decided to probe Wang Yun by obstructing his order.

"Lord Wang, I'm afraid we cannot mobilize troops at the moment. We have just dispatched Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song Legions, so we don't have any force left to protect the city. If we rally our troops now, I'm afraid we will have to conscript soldiers from the citizens, which we are lacking the fund to do that."

Wang Yun squinted his eyes and gazed at Liu Yu.

"Do you mind reporting me the current fund in the treasuries?"

"We have 10,000 golds in the royal treasuries, 10,000 tons of provisions, and 5,000 Imperial soldiers. We don't have enough budget for another war."

"So, are you saying we should stay idly in Luo Yang and let Dong Zhuo invade the Capital in a month?"

"Wrong. Instead of fighting Dong Zhuo, we should negotiate with him and ask him what he wants."

"Are you saying we should surrender to that traitor!? Do you even know what he did to the citizens of Henei!?"

"Of course, I know that full well. Don't you know that I once dealt with the minor tribes on the Northern Province? They have a similar trait to Dong Zhuo, barbaric, greedy, and selfish! I used the peaceful approach and gained their trust to the point that they did not invade You Province anymore. If we can peacefully deal with Dong Zhuo, I'm sure that we can tame in like those tribesmen."

Wang Yun chuckled and snorted, "You are short-sighted, Clan Head Liu. He is a warlord, educated, and cultured, which is obvious that Dong Zhuo is different than those illiterate tribesmen! He is nothing but an intelligent official who abused his power to gain what he desires! Let me ask you this, what do you think he wants the most at the moment?"

Without hesitation, Liu Yu answered, "Women, wealth, and fame!"

Wang Yun roared, "WRONG!! He doesn't care for any of that. The only thing he wants in this city is the throne! The Dynasty itself!"

The officials in the hall murmured as they also concurred with Wang Yun. Thinking back when Dong Zhuo marched his force from the west to the Capital, his goal was evident to everybody.

Unperturbed, Liu Yu closed his eyes and nodded. Unlike a stubborn or a crooked official, Liu Yu was more of a reasonable minister.

…

In modern history, Liu Yu was known to be incorrupt and benevolence to his subordinates. Aside from entitled as the governor of Ganling Commandery and the Minister of the Imperial Clan, he was also ranked as the Inspector of You Province and the Grand Commandant of the Imperial Army in the year 190.

In every region he governed, nobody dared to cause troubles as he was a competent minister who solved every problem peacefully. As a result, he had earned respect from his enemies and allies alike. His charisma and his multiple titles scared away all bandits and corrupted officials.

He was later appointed to appease the Wuhuan Minor Tribes in the northern region and replaced Liu Yan at Ji County, who returned to Cheng Du to govern the Yi Province.

At Ji County, he attempted to tame Wuhuan tribes using a peaceful approach. However, Gongsun Zan, another Grand Commandant who protected the north, wanted to mobilize their forces to eliminate all the threat instead.

This conflict of opinion became a spark to the infighting and rivalry between the two grand generals.

In 193, Liu Yu gathered 100,000 soldiers and planned to eliminate Gongsun Zan, betraying him while they were supposed to protect the northern borders.

Unfortunately, a subordinate with the same surname as Gongsun Zan betrayed Liu Yu and informed his clan mates, which Gongsun Zan replied this betrayal by launching a counter-attack. In the end, he captured Liu Yu after the series of battles.

Liu Yu's career came to an end. Because Gongsun Zan framed him that Liu Yu committed treason with Yuan Shao, Liu Yu was executed by the officials.

Although he died because of the internal conflict, many of his subordinates mourned for him as he was a charismatic leader, and Liu Yu was also famous in the You Province.

…

"I understand. If Dong Zhuo wants the throne, then I shall assist you by contributing all of my personal wealth and troops for the Han Dynasty," Spoke Liu Yu, who cupped his fist at Wang Yun without showing a sign of aggression.

Liu Yu's demeanor and his sacrificed earned respect from all officials in the Throne Hall. Even the neutral ministers, who observed the show from the side, also approved of Liu Yu's actions.

The tip of the scale shifted to Liu Yu's side in an instant as he displayed the eloquent and charisma of a proper leader.

The crowd peered at Wang Yun, wanting to see how this greedy old fox would react.

The person himself, Wang Yun, was taken aback by the compromised opinion of Liu Yu. It took him a few seconds to realize that this Liu Clan Head fought him back with his benevolence and charisma. At this rate, all officials here would favor the Liu Clan.

A drop of sweat rolled down on Wang Yun's face as he also returned his bow to Liu Yu.

"Thank you for your sacrifice and your understanding, Clan Head Liu. Since you're donating your wealth to the greater good, I shall do the same. I have saved 20,000 gold for my retirement fund and 5,000 private troops, but I shall transfer them to the Imperial Court so we can prevent that tyrant from occupying this city!"

Hearing that Wang Yun was donating his retirement saving, a few old officials were moved to tears as they understood how important the saving was. The others also nodded in approval as they glanced back at Liu Yu to see how he would do next.

If there were popcorns in this era, they would have sat back and enjoyed the show in glee.

Seeing the reaction of Wang Yun and the crowd, the eyebrows of Liu Yu twitched.

'Assholes! You should be donating your funds as well instead of watching us destroying ourselves for the sake of the Han Dynasty's safety!'

Liu Yu did not like how these rotten old officials were holding back their movements instead of working together to drive back the traitor Dong Zhuo. At this rate, both Wang Yun and Liu Yu would be bankrupt from the war while these onlookers saved their wealth and soldiers from the conflict, waiting to bootlick the winner of the war.

'This infighting should not happen at the moment. I have to let go of my ego before everything collapse!'

Liu Yu took a deep breath as he decided to concede this useless political fight.

"Unfortunately, I don't have as much as Lord Wang. I have only 5,000 gold in my saving, 2,000 tons of provision, and 4,000 private troops. This is all I can give."

Wang Yun laughed as he felt superior to Liu Yu. Although he lost most of his wealth, the political influence he could get in return would worth it.

The crowd also looked at Liu Yu in disappointment. They had thought that the Imperial Clan Head should have more wealth than this.

Seeing the mocking gaze of everyone, Liu Yu continue speaking.

"Although both of us contribute our wealth and our troops to defend the city, I'm afraid that this amount would not be enough to withstand Dong Zhuo's 100,000 elites! I hope that everyone here could contribute to the army so the Han Dynasty can last for another 1,000 years."

Liu Yu ignored the political infighting and chose to offend all nobles. As he weighed the value of the throne and the Dynasty itself, he decided to give up the throne so the insane tyrant could not ruin the 400 years of the Han Empire Legacy.