Chapter 224 Liu Yu (1/2)
Chapter 224 – Liu Yu
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?”