Chapter 13

It had not even been half a month. On this day, a fast horse was galloping wildly on the streets of Luoyang, shouting, "Urgent news from the border!" All the passersby moved out of the way, clearing a path for him.

"What!!! You mean the Wuhuan are about to invade Youzhou?" Liu Hong roared, losing all composure. He knew the strength of those barbarians; if the border were to fall, the Han Dynasty would be in grave danger.

"Yes, Your Majesty, this is the urgent report from the border," the messenger said.

"Let Father, order all the officials to convene for a meeting."

"Understood." Zhang Rang was about to leave.

"Hold on." Liu Hong suddenly remembered something. "Let Father, bring the Crown Prince to the meeting as well."

"Understood."

Upon receiving the message from the eunuch, Liu Yao hurried to the palace without stopping. When he arrived at the hall, he found that all the officials were already there, waiting for him. Amidst the strange looks from everyone, Liu Yao silently took his place.

Seeing that Liu Yao had arrived, Liu Hong said, "Everyone, we have received an urgent report from the border. The Wuhuan are about to invade, and the border has sent a request for aid. Who among you is willing to go to Youzhou to quell the rebellion?"

There was a moment of silence, and no one was willing to take the lead.

"Rubbish!!!" Liu Hong shouted angrily. "You all claim to be loyal and patriotic, but now that there's a crisis, you all become cowards. What good are you if I keep you as a bunch of good-for-nothings?"

No one dared to raise their heads. Seeing that the situation was about to get out of hand, Liu Yao stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to Youzhou to quell the rebellion and serve the Han Dynasty."

Everyone looked up in surprise at the Crown Prince, who was usually not well-known.

"Good! Good! Good! You are indeed worthy of being my son. You have the same courage as I do. I approve." Liu Hong looked very satisfied.

"No, no, Your Majesty," a figure stepped forward. Liu Yao turned around and saw it was Yuan Feng, the current Grand Commandant and father of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. Liu Yao looked at the old man with disdain.

"Hmph, what's the problem?" Liu Hong snorted.

"This, the Crown Prince is a precious life, how can he undertake such a dangerous mission?" Yuan Feng said.

"This is none of your business, Yuan Feng. I want to be like Huo Qubing and protect the Han Dynasty," Liu Yao said coldly.

"But the Crown Prince is still young and may not be capable of handling such a heavy responsibility," Yuan Feng continued to try to dissuade Liu Yao.

"Bang. Rubbish!" Liu Hong slammed his hand on the table, furious. "In ancient times, Gan Luo became a chancellor at twelve. My son is also twelve. Why can't he take on this responsibility? Do you think my son is inferior to others?"

"I dare not, Your Majesty. I did not mean that," Yuan Feng broke out in a cold sweat and immediately knelt down to beg for mercy.

"Hmph, I don't believe you would dare." Liu Hong snorted, but he felt very satisfied. Making Yuan Feng eat humble pie was a great pleasure for him.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Liu Hong knew that Cai Yong was about to speak in favor of Liu Yao. "Speak."

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has extraordinary talent. His martial arts and military strategy are top-notch, and he is capable of handling this responsibility," Cai Yong praised.

"Hmm." Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction.

Liu Hong then looked around the hall. "Does anyone have any objections?" Seeing no one speak up, he smiled. "Very well. Since no one opposes, Crown Prince, listen to my command."

"Your subject is here."

"I hereby appoint you as the Governor of Youzhou, with full authority over all matters in Youzhou. I also grant you the Red Dawn Sword, the sword that cut the snake, which gives you the right to act first and report later. You will depart in three days. I hope you will defeat the Wuhuan and uphold the dignity of the Han Dynasty." Liu Hong announced loudly.

"Your subject accepts the command."

Everyone in the hall was stunned by Emperor Ling's order. The position of Governor of Youzhou was no small matter, and the Red Dawn Sword was a symbol of the High Ancestor. However, no one dared to challenge Emperor Ling's decision.

"If there's nothing else, let's adjourn the meeting. Hmph, a bunch of good-for-nothings." Liu Hong swept his gaze over the officials and left, his sleeves flapping. The officials looked at each other with wry smiles and then dispersed.

Liu Yao watched all of this and couldn't help but laugh. He didn't expect his father to act so well. After all, Emperor Ling had deceived the whole world for over a decade, so it was no surprise that he was a good actor.

At Cai Yong's residence.

"Zhang Fang, leave some reliable people to watch over the Huoyun Trading Company in Luoyang and shift the focus of the company to Youzhou. Also, have people secretly transport the supplies we've collected over the years to Youzhou. That will be our true base of operations."

"Understood."

"Shi A, I hereby appoint you as my personal guard commander. Also, inform your teacher Wang Yue to expand the Dark Group. I want us to have informants in every province."

"Understood."

"Huang Zhong, Taishi Ci, I hereby appoint you both as temporary military commanders, each leading 1,400 of my 3,000 crossbowmen."

"Understood."

"Tian Feng, you will temporarily serve as my advisor."

"Understood."

"You may all go and prepare."

"Understood." They all left to make their preparations.

Liu Yao walked out of the study and saw Cai Yong and Cai Yan coming towards him.

"Brother Yao, can you not go to Youzhou?" Cai Yan said weakly.

"Yan, don't be silly," Cai Yong scolded.

"I... sniff... sniff..." Cai Yan burst into tears, covering her face and running away without looking back.

"Yan." Liu Yao called out urgently, but Cai Yan was already far away. Liu Yao felt a pang of reluctance and a desire not to leave Cai Yan.

Liu Yao suppressed these feelings. He still had important matters to attend to and couldn't let personal emotions get in the way. He bit his lip and made a decision. He bowed deeply to Cai Yong and said, "Teacher, when I return to Luoyang, I will propose to Yan. I will treat her as my primary wife. I hope you will grant me your blessing."

"Ha ha, you want to propose without even bringing a dowry?" Cai Yong teased.

"Then, you agree?" Liu Yao's face lit up with joy.

"Given your status, it is actually Yan who is marrying up," Cai Yong said with satisfaction.

"Not at all, not at all. Yan is well-read and skilled in music. If anyone is marrying up, it's me." Liu Yao was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He didn't even remember how he got back to his room.

Over the next two days, whenever Cai Yan saw Liu Yao, she would blush and run away. It was clear she knew about the matter. Liu Yao was delighted by this.

The two days passed quickly. For this mission, Liu Yao did not bring anyone else, only his subordinates Zhang Fang, Tian Feng, Huang Zhong, Taishi Ci, and the 3,000 elite soldiers.

With Liu Hong's help, these 3,000 men were given the status of the Imperial Guard, equipped with the best armor and weapons of the Han Dynasty, and 3,000 crossbows. Such a force could easily defeat a fully equipped army of ten thousand men.

Liu Yao divided the 3,000 men into three groups. Huang Zhong and Taishi Ci each led 1,400 men, while the remaining 200 men, led by Shi A, formed the personal guard to protect Liu Yao's safety.

The journey from Luoyang to Youzhou was long, requiring them to cross the entire Ji Province. With the transportation of supplies, it would take at least a month. Therefore, Liu Yao decided to go ahead with Shi A, Taishi Ci, Huang Zhong, Tian Feng, and Zhang Fang, who would follow with the rest of the troops.

Liu Yao's purpose in going ahead was to visit Guangping, where there was a great talent. With Tian Feng's help, he was confident he could recruit this person.