Chapter 304 Stealing Nanpi (1/2)
Chapter 304 – Stealing Nanpi
May 18th, 185 AD.
A messenger from Kong Rong arrived in Ye. It was Wang Xiu, the strategist of Kong Rong himself.
”The traitor Yuan Shao enthroned his son as the Emperor and abused his power as he sees fit, which is unacceptable to us, the Han loyalists. I will be frank. We hope to establish a coalition against the rampaging Yuan Shao, and we want you to be our leader of this coalition.”
Tong, as usual, sat on the throne within the main government hall. Jia Xu and Xun Yu stood bellowed him by his sides while the rest of the officers stood in rows, facing the center walkway where Wang Xiu stood.
It was as if this was a throne room of a royalty.
Wang Xiu was nervous from the stare of all officers and Tong. He thought that he was seeking an audience with the Emperor.
Tong stared down at Wang Xiu, but the corner of his eyes glanced at his clan chat. Jia Xu and Xun Yu were updating the current movements of all neighbors.
.
Currently, Yuan Shao Army had expanded to the abandoned city of Ganling, and soon they will strike Jibei and Henei.
The spies from Xuchang also told them that Cao Cao was busy preparing to defend against Xiongnu at Luo Yang as they transported all military personal westward.
Gongsun Zan was friendly toward Tong's affiliate cities as they opened borders and established the free-trade agreement. It was the work of Lu Zhi, whom Tong had planted inside Ji City.
.
Tong grinned. He typed in the clan chat.
Tong: ”Lady He, can I borrow your presence in the government hall for a minute?”
He Xing: ”I'm resting in the guest house beside the hall. I'll be there soon.”
Tong pretended to pause and ponder. In reality, he and his strategists already had a plan to deal with Yuan Shao, but they were waiting for Yuan Shao to take the bait.
Jia Xu: ”Yuan Shao ignored our legions. Just as planned, it's time to move.”
Xun Yu: ”It's earlier than we had visualized. Lord, please give us permission.”
Tong gave a meaningful glance at Jia Xu and Xun Yu. After which, he nodded to Wang Xiu.
”We understand the urgency of getting rid of Yuan Shao. Tell your lord, we shall mobilize our forces to Nanpi at once! You should go back and prepare your forces as well.”
Wang Xiu was elated. He thought that he had convinced Tong with his skill.
”Thank you for your understanding, great sir! You are truly the Han loyalist!”
At this moment, He Xing walked into the hall, and all officials knelt down and kowtowed.
Wang Xiu noticed the sudden change. He turned around to see what caused them to kneel, only to be shocked.
”Y-Y-Your Majesty He!?”
He Xing smiled at Wang Xiu, ”Greetings, Sir Wang. It has been a while.”
Wang Xiu slammed his forehead on the ground in kowtow, ”I didn't know that you reside here. Please forgive me that we've never come to visit!”
”It's alright. It was my intention to go into seclusion. Besides, my prince consort lives here.”
”P-Prince consort!?”
He Xing smiled. She walked to Tong's side and sat next to him.
”Let me introduce you, Sir Wang. This is Zhang Tong, my prince consort. He's also the REAL foster father of Liu Xie, my son.”
As if the lightning struck down on Wang Xiu, his body trembled, and his face sweated bullets. It was not hard for him to realize what had happened to Tong's forces.
Looking at the eyes of all officials here, they glared at Wang Xiu as if they were the true royalists of Han Dynasty while he and Kong Rong were a part of opportunist rebels.
”T-Then, Yuan Shao's Liu Xie …”
”Well, you said it yourself that the current Emperor is Yuan Shao's son, right? My real son is still in this city.”
The smile of He Xing contained her killing intent, which was enough for Wang Xiu to realize the truth.
”I shall return and inform my lord at once!”
”Make sure to inform Sir Kong to cooperate with my consort's expansion plan when you return to your city.”
”Y-Yes, Your Majesty!!”
Wang Xiu scrambled away in a hurry. He stumbled and fell from the ladders in front of the government hall, but he ignored the pain and rushed home.
In the government hall, Tong slightly bowed to He Xing.
”My deepest apologies, Lady He. I've used you again.”
Instead of getting angry, He Xing smiled back.
”It's nothing, young master Zhang. If you want to repay this favor, visit Xie'er and me sometimes.”
Tong did not reply. He simply nodded.
His nod did not escape the eyes of all officers in the room. They warmly smiled at them until He Xing left.
Finished with her assistance, He Xing left the government hall to her resident.
After the former Empress left, Jia Xu and Xun Yu walked next to Tong and whispered, ”Should it be the time for you to take the throne?”
Tong shook his head, ”Not yet. We have to get our hands on Yuan Shao's family first. Go and proceed as planned.”
”Understood, Your Majesty.”
Tong glared at Jia Xu and Xun Yu. The address of his title just now was not something they should say it loudly, or they might cause a misunderstanding.
”We're just teasing you, young master Zhang. Let's say we're practicing.”
Seeing the grin of Xun Yu and Jia Xu's face. Tong sighed.
…