Chapter 50: The Brave's Fear

  "My imperial edict has not yet been sealed, and the soldiers have not yet assembled, but the Yuan family already knows the news." Liu Bei threw the unsealed edict in front of Lu Zhi, chuckled lightly: "Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu have fled, Lu Gong, what do you think they are going to do, go on a tour or something?"

  Lu Zhi's face turned bright red, speechless.

  Liu Bian did not embarrass him again, Lu Zhi's temper may be straightforward, and he also has a connection with the Yuan family, but he is loyal to the court, which is beyond doubt. He opposed the capture of the Yuan clan, also out of preventing Cao from being too hasty, provoking changes, and not because his heart was towards the Yuan family. Now that Yuan Shao's brothers have fled, things have become clear, and he will no longer be so stubborn.

  "The Southern Army, the Northern Army, and the Eight Schools of the Western Garden must be immediately grasped in my hands." Liu Bian's voice was not very loud, but his attitude was firm and left no room for doubt: "From today on, Yang Qing will serve as the Zhonglang General of the Tiger Guard, in charge of the Southern Army. Lu Qing will serve as the Middle Marquis of the Northern Army, in charge of the Northern Army. The Eight Schools of the Western Garden will be disbanded and reorganized into the Five Schools of the Northern Army, the Liangzhou Army, and the Pingzhou Army, with some personnel selected to enter the Xuanwu Gate. This matter will be led by Lu Qing, assisted by Yang Qing."

  "Only!" Lu Zhi and Yang Bi bowed their heads to accept the order.

  "The task of rectifying the Imperial Guards is entrusted to Lu and Yang. As for the battles around Luoyang, General-in-Chief, you should worry about it more. Liu Bian shifted his gaze towards Dong Zhuo: "General-in-Chief has been through many battles and has rich experience in warfare, so there's no need for me to intervene. However, there is one thing that I want to remind the General-in-Chief."

  Dong Zhuo hastily lowered his head. As he wished, he became the Grand Marshal and was about to preside over the upcoming war, Dong Zhuo's spirit was lifted, and his morale soared.

  "Luoyang is the capital of the Great Han, and the people around Luoyang are all my subjects. The soldiers of Xiliang are used to fighting against foreign tribes on the border, their killing intent is too strong, it can be understood. However, the situation is different now, they cannot be reckless anymore. The Commander-in-Chief must restrain his subordinates and not violate national laws. Otherwise, when the time comes, those who achieve merit will be punished, which will hurt the hearts of the soldiers and damage the reputation of the Commander-in-Chief."

  Dong Zhuo broke out in a cold sweat. He understood Liu Bian's meaning, if the Xiliang soldiers killed innocent civilians, it wouldn't be him Dong Zhuo being scolded, and things might get worse with Liu Bian chopping off his head. Today, Liu Bian said this here, Lu Zhi and Yang Bi are watching him now. If something happens, he is fully responsible, having nothing to do with Liu Bian.

  "The descendants of the Yuan family are all over the world, but I believe that the four hundred years of the Han Dynasty will not be so easily overturned. There must still be many people who are loyal to the Han and willing to fight for it." Liu Bian continued: "Ministers, I hope you can recommend more talents." He paused for a moment, then smiled again: "No matter what their relationship is with the Yuan family, as long as they are willing to serve the court, I will welcome them with open arms. If they really don't want to come and want to follow the Yuan family to establish a new dynasty, haha...then they can be lucky on their own."

  Lu Zhi and others shivered, hearing the thick killing intent, but it was not good to say more. To follow the Yuan family in establishing a new dynasty would naturally be treasonous, and for the emperor to kill their entire family would also be reasonable. However, Jia Xuan heard another layer of meaning. Liu Bian obviously believed that he could quell the Yuan family's rebellion, and those who followed the Yuan family in rebelling were indeed seeking their own doom.

  "Alright, you all go and do your things." Liu Bian waved his sleeve: "I want to think about how to have a heart-to-heart talk with Grand Tutor Yuan, so he can leave feeling at peace, and also in despair."

  Lu Zhi felt a chill run down his spine.

  ……

  Lu Zhi and Dong Zhuo had just left the palace gate when Liu Bian collapsed. He casually pushed aside his guqin, propped up his forehead with his hand, and was drenched in cold sweat.

  He is not afraid of Yuan Shao, but facing history, he feels very powerless.

  Traversing through a thousand years, he originally only wanted to unravel the secrets of the Dragon Civilization. Who would have thought that he would sink deeper and deeper, unable to extricate himself? According to some parallel space theory, it's likely that history has already taken a wrong turn. To return to his original timeline, he must first unlock the secrets of the Dragon Civilization, grasp the power of the dragon, and only then will he have a glimmer of hope. Before that, he must find ways to survive.

  But he now owns dragon eggs and doesn't know if they can be hatched.

  He had the "Huangdi Twelve Forms", the "Taiping Scripture" and the Nine-Section Staff, as well as the divine soldiers collected by generations in the Cangbing Pavilion, but he didn't know how to use them.

  He has the "Guangling San" that can enlighten one's fate, but he doesn't have the time and doesn't even know if he has the talent. Among his family members, he seems to be the most useless person. He doesn't understand music, chess, calligraphy or painting; he doesn't have the majesty of a king; and he doesn't have the noble fate of a true dragon... Haha, it's really humorous.

  Dong Zhuo did not wreak havoc on Luoyang, but Yuan Shao still fled. If nothing unexpected happens, it won't take long for the eighteen vassals of Shandong to rise up in arms. Only this time, they will not be rising against Dong, but against Han, and against Liu Xian.

  What's next? Will I still die, will Lü Bu still join forces with Wang Yun to assassinate Dong Zhuo, and will the world still be divided into four or five factions, with warlords carving up their own territories?

  It seems... unavoidable.

  Cai Yan took over the zither, plucked it lightly a couple of times, and began to play. Compared to Liu Bian's noise, Cai Yan's zither sound was like heavenly music, but when Liu Bian listened, he didn't feel even a hint of elegance, instead feeling suffocated. He waved his hand:

  "Stop playing, I'm suffocating and can't catch my breath."

  After finishing speaking, he stood up with a flourish, hung his head and walked out like a defeated fighting cock.

  Cai Yan was taken aback and slowly withdrew her hand. Tang Ying and Princess Wannian exchanged a glance, both feeling extremely heavy-hearted. Tang Ying stood up, "I'll go take a look." and chased after him.

  The Empress Wan hesitated for a moment, sighed and forced a smile at Cai Yan: "Your Majesty is not in the mood, you can go back and rest first."

  "Yes." Cai Yan responded with a single word and walked away with her zither.

  The princess sat for a while and then stood up, inquired about the emperor's whereabouts, and followed him.

  ……

  Standing in the pavilion of Luoyang Garden, listening to the gurgling water, Liu Bian's mind was a complete blank. He didn't feel like thinking, he just wanted to sit quietly like this until the end of his life arrived.

  No big deal if I die again, I've died before anyway. If I'm lucky, maybe I can even go back. Liu Bian comforted himself with a bored tone.

  There were footsteps approaching, but Liu Bian didn't want to get up. It wasn't until Princess Wan stood behind him that he smiled awkwardly: "Sister, am I... disappointing you?"

  "No, Your Majesty's performance just now was very proper." The Princess of Wan walked over and gently grasped Liu Xian's hand: "Your Majesty, I believe that you will certainly understand the fate, hatch the dragon egg, summon the giant dragon, defeat the Yuan family, and revive the great Han dynasty."

  "Thanks for your comfort, sister." Liu Bian shook his head: "But I don't have any confidence at all. Just now...I was pretending."

  "But Your Majesty is very good at pretending." Tang Ying walked over from a distance, taking over Liu Bian's words. "What is called bravery is not being fearless, but having something to stand for and something to stand against. Things that should be done, no matter how difficult or bitter, must be faced head-on, only then can one be considered a true hero."