Chapter 68: Having One's Own Claims (Seeking Three Rivers Ticket!)

  Third watch, asking for recommendation votes, key is asking for Sanjiang votes.

  Currently ranked first in the Sanjiang list, it is the first time Laozhuang has topped the list since he started writing, and also the first time he has a chance to enter the Hanlin Academy. However, the people behind are getting closer and closer, and Laozhuang may be surpassed at any time.

  Lao Zhuang needs votes for Sanjiang, please vote if you are a convenient book friend, to fulfill Lao Zhuang's dream.

  If we can keep the first place in Sanjiang today and pull away by 50 votes, Lao Zhuang will present the fourth update as a thank you to everyone.

  Please.

  ——————

  After the wine party, Huangfu Jianxu arrived at Li Ru's big tent. Li Ru, who had been silent and taciturn all along, furrowed his brow: "What does the Grand Tutor mean by this?"

  Huangfu Jian Shou shook his head: "This is not what Father meant, it's what Your Majesty means."

  "Your Majesty?" Li Ru was startled, and then smiled disdainfully: "In front of Dong Gong, you can say so, but in front of me, why bother to disguise it? Do you think I, Li Ru, am foolish and easy to deceive?"

  Huangfu Jian Shou smiled slightly: "From Your Majesty to my father, no one has ever dared to underestimate you, Li Wenyu (Li Ru)."

  Li Ru was really angry. He sank his face, coldly staring at Huangfu Jian: "Jia Yu used to enter the palace as a Lang, Zhang Xiang is a famous brave warrior in Liangzhou Army, Your Majesty knows they have excuses, I Li Ru am just a scholar from Huayang, among 30,000 students of Taixue, I'm just a fish passing by the river, how can I get into your eyes?"

  Huang Fu Jianxu smiled and looked at Li Ru, who was furious, and said slowly: "To be honest with you, we also find it strange that the Emperor knows about you. However, the Emperor often has unexpected moves, and we can't figure it out either." As he spoke, he took out a secret edict from his sleeve, held it in his hand, and looked at Li Ru's changing expression: "This is the imperial edict given to you by the Emperor. Will you accept it or not?"

  When Li Ru saw Huangfu Jianxu take out the secret edict, he became excited. As a scholar who had studied hard for many years but couldn't find a way to become an official due to his humble family background, his greatest wish was only to have the opportunity to see the emperor up close, and he never dared to hope that the emperor would give him an edict, let alone a handwritten one. In an instant, Li Ru was knocked down by the sudden happiness. He involuntarily knelt down.

  "The Grand Commandant's clerk, Ju, received the imperial edict."

  Huang Fu Jian Shou handed the imperial edict to Li Ru: "You see for yourself. His Majesty said that this handwritten edict is known only to you and him, heaven and earth."

  Li Ru's hands trembled as he took over the imperial edict and unfolded it to take a look, stunned for a moment. There were only nine words on the imperial edict.

  "You will not betray me, I will not betray you. Swear."

  "What... what does this mean?" Li Ru's face was filled with confusion, as if he had fallen into a thick fog.

  "I don't know." Huangfu Jianxu shook his head and handed over a scroll of silk book: "This is the introductory Daoyin diagram of the Twelve Shapes of the Yellow Emperor, specially bestowed upon you by His Majesty."

  Li Ru took over the diagram, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. With the formation of the Emperor's personal army, the appearance of Huangdi's Twelve Forms had already become the hottest topic in the military. When Huangfu Song first ordered each department to select brave warriors, Dong Zhuo, due to his own selfishness, refused to send those elite troops to the Emperor, so only a few people were sent from Liangzhou Army. Later, when they learned that those who were selected could practice Huangdi's Twelve Forms, they all regretted it.

  The Twelve Postures of the Yellow Emperor are not specific martial arts moves, but rather a set of exercises for strengthening and toning the body. Practicing these exercises can improve one's physical constitution from the inside out, making it an excellent way to temper the body. Traditionally, this has been a treasured secret of various schools, not something that ordinary students would have access to, let alone be able to practice.

  Now, the Son of Heaven uses the Yellow Emperor's Twelve Forms to train his troops. Even if it is just an introductory chart, it is enough to make many people envious. For a Confucian scholar like Li Ru, obtaining the chart of the Yellow Emperor's Twelve Forms and their extraordinary techniques not only allows him to practice and strengthen his body but also represents the Son of Heaven's sincere hope for him.

  There is a long time ahead, take good care of yourself. You won't disappoint me, and I won't disappoint you either.

  This is what the manual and Daoyin Tu diagram express together. Having understood this meaning, Li Ru was extremely excited.

  "I am willing to go through boiling water and walk on fire for Your Majesty, and I will not turn back even in death."

  ……

  Taishi Dong Zhuo led two thousand elite troops from Xiliang to Guanzhong, and when he arrived in Luoyang, he met with the Governor of Henan, Wang Yun, who had already received the imperial edict. Dong Zhuo was somewhat afraid of Wang Yun. This man was a famous stubborn scholar, not only born into a noble family but also having a great reputation since his youth. He had fought fiercely against the powerful eunuch Zhang Rang in the past and refused to yield even an inch. Dong Zhuo felt uneasy about the Emperor's arrangement to have such a person guard Guanzhong together with him.

  However, Wang Yun was somewhat arrogant but knew his place. As soon as he met Dong Zhuo, he said: "Yun has been ordered by the imperial court to guard Guanzhong with the Grand Marshal. Leading troops and fighting wars is not something I can do, so I wish to follow behind the Grand Marshal, providing enough soldiers and food."

  Dong Zhuo listened and let out a long sigh of relief. Wang Yun did not interfere with the military power, for him, this was to remove a major worry from his heart. Whatever conspiracy or trickery he had, as long as he had soldiers and power, everything would be fine.

  "It is an honor to have Master Zeng's assistance."

  ……

  Dong Zhuo marched west, defending Guanzhong and Hedong. The battles that were originally his responsibility all fell on Liu Bian's own shoulders. The war god Huangfu Song was by Liu Bian's side, but he refused to make decisions or issue direct military orders.

  He does what he says, and only assumes one responsibility, which is to teach the Son of Heaven and fulfill his duty as a Taifu.

  Liu Bian was under immense pressure, but at the same time, he also felt a sense of relief. To be honest, if Huangfu Song refused to relinquish power, Liu would have been even more worried. Although he verbally disapproved of Huangfu's appointment as commander-in-chief, in his heart, he still had some reservations about Huangfu's abilities. Historically, Huangfu was a loyal minister, but who knows whether history will change? With military power in hand and the loyalty of his soldiers, sometimes it is impossible for him to make decisions on his own. As soon as he shows any sign of weakness, someone may persuade him to take action, and then, like Zhao Kuangyin, he would be forced to accept the throne.

  Liu Bian was extremely grateful for Huangfu Song's loyalty, and he would discuss everything with him. On the one hand, he sought his advice; on the other hand, it was also a sign of respect for him.

  As to whether to rescue Xuchang or Guangzong first, the generals had differing opinions, with most inclining towards rescuing Xuchang. There were two reasons for this: Firstly, Xuchang was facing Yuan Shao's main force, with a total of over 100,000 troops, undoubtedly the main battlefield. Secondly, Xuchang had Ao Granary. Now that all of Shandong had rebelled, it would be difficult to get grain supplies in the short term, and the grain stored in Ao Granary was crucial for the Luoyang imperial court, and could not be lost.

  Even Huangfu Song himself tended to rescue Gong Yang first, solidify the defense line of Gong Yang and then ask for Guang Cheng's help. Sun Jian came with a strong momentum, but he had just killed Wang Rui, the governor of Jingzhou, and Zhang Zi, the governor of Nanyang, which caused a considerable backlash among the local aristocratic families, making it difficult to get their support, and the military food supply would inevitably become a problem. With Lu Zhi's ability, defending until Sun Jian's food was exhausted and his army retreated should not be a problem.

  Liu Bian hesitated for a long time and rejected Huangfu Song's suggestion for the first time, deciding to rescue Guangcheng first.

  "Yuan Shao has many soldiers and generals, but precisely because of this, his ambition is not to attack the city. Liu Bian said carefully: "At this moment, if he enters Luoyang, will he establish a new king or self-proclaim himself? If he establishes a new king, why would he need to escape from Luoyang and start a rebellion? If he proclaims himself emperor, his current foundation is not enough, insufficient to control the overall situation. Therefore, he won't rush to enter Luoyang, for him, taking this opportunity to eliminate dissidents and cultivate his own loyal power is more important than entering Luoyang."

  "But Yuan Shu is different." Liu Bian smiled: "He wants to compete with Yuan Shao, he must have a battle achievement that can be brought out. Only by rushing into Luoyang before Yuan Shao, will he have the strength to contend with Yuan Shao. So, he will urge Sun Jian to launch the most fierce attack."

  "First, defeat Sun Jian, that is to break one of the Yuan family's sharp claws. We can take the initiative." Liu Bian smiled with confidence: "After resolving the dangers on both wings, we will return to Huayin and engage in a decisive battle against Yuan Shao."