Chapter 14

A group of people were riding horses on the road in Ji Province.

"Lord, the stirrups you made are really useful. I can sit on the horseback steadily without much effort, and during battles, I can even use them for leverage. I didn't expect you to be so capable," Taishi Ci said with a grin.

"Zi Yi, how can you be so disrespectful to the Lord?" Tian Feng frowned and scolded him.

Taishi Ci's face immediately fell.

"Ha ha, Yuan Hao, you know I don't like formalities. Just be casual," Liu Yao interjected.

Hearing this, Taishi Ci nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Lord." Although the stern Tian Feng was still somewhat dissatisfied, he did not pursue the matter further, though he could never act like Taishi Ci.

"Yuan Hao, I heard there is a great talent in Guangping, Ju Shou, Ju Gongyu, and he is an old acquaintance of yours. Is this true?" Liu Yao asked.

Tian Feng was startled; he never expected Liu Yao to know such things. "Lord, it is true. I do have a connection with Ju Gongyu. Do you intend to...?"

"Indeed, such a great talent, I cannot afford to miss. I hope you can help me, Yuan Hao," Liu Yao said.

"It is my duty, Lord," Tian Feng said, bowing.

"Shi A, how far is it to Guangping?" Liu Yao asked.

Shi A thought for a moment and said, "About ten miles."

"Ten miles, that's perfect. We should arrive by noon," Liu Yao muttered. "Alright, let's head to Guangping as fast as we can. The loser buys dinner, ha ha, giddy up." He patted his horse and sped off.

"Ah, Lord, you're cheating!" Taishi Ci shouted and spurred his horse to catch up.

Tian Feng and Huang Zhong looked at each other, unable to help but laugh. Shi A, who had been with Liu Yao for some time, was not surprised.

The group soon arrived in Guangping and found a decent tavern to satisfy their growling stomachs.

As they were chatting and eating, a voice came from nearby, "Innkeeper, bring me a jar of Fire Cloud Wine."

Liu Yao and the others ignored it, but Tian Feng's ears perked up, and he looked in the direction of the voice. There was a man dressed as a scholar.

Tian Feng examined him for a long time before asking, "Gongyu?"

The man turned around in surprise upon hearing Tian Feng's voice, "You are... Yuan Hao."

At this, Tian Feng confirmed it was indeed Ju Shou, Ju Gongyu. "Ha ha, Gongyu, it's been a long time."

"Indeed, it has been about seven or eight years," Ju Shou said with a sigh.

As the two old friends caught up, a cough interrupted them. Tian Feng turned around to see Liu Yao.

"Ahem, Yuan Hao, could you introduce this gentleman to us?" Liu Yao asked calmly.

At this, Tian Feng remembered the reason for their visit to Guangping. "Lord, this is my friend, Ju Shou, Ju Gongyu."

"Lord?" Ju Shou was puzzled, not knowing when Tian Feng had a lord.

"This is Gongyu, I am Liu Yao. Why don't we sit together and have a drink?" Liu Yao said, pretending not to know.

Ju Shou gladly accepted Liu Yao's invitation and sat down, examining Liu Yao for a long time, trying to see through this teenager. He knew his friend's character well; anyone who could earn Tian Feng's respect was no ordinary person. "Yuan Hao, weren't you an official in Luoyang? Why are you here?"

"I couldn't stand the atmosphere in Luoyang, so I resigned and was on my way home when I met Lord," Tian Feng said helplessly.

"What do you think of the current Han Dynasty, Mr. Gongyu?" Liu Yao interjected.

"What do you think, Mr. Liu?" Ju Shou countered.

"Ha ha, in my view, the current Han Dynasty is a worm," Liu Yao said boldly, even surprising Tian Feng and the others.

"Rubbish!!" Two angry voices came at the same time, one from Ju Shou and the other from a muscular man in his twenties at a nearby table.

Everyone's eyes turned to the man. "Sir, would you like to join us?" Liu Yao asked after examining him for a while.

"Hmph, why not?" The man sat down without hesitation. Liu Yao nodded silently, recognizing that this was no ordinary person.

"May I ask your name?" Liu Yao asked.

"I am Gao Shun, Gao Gongxiao."

"It's him!" Liu Yao was startled. This was another significant catch. Although Gao Shun's martial arts were not the best, his ability to train troops was unparalleled, and his elite unit, the Xianfeng Corps, was invincible.

"Mr. Gongyu and Brother Gao Shun, what did you mean just now?" Liu Yao asked.

"Hmph, we are citizens of the Han Dynasty. How can you say such things? That's rubbish," Ju Shou said angrily, and he would have left if not for Tian Feng's sake.

"Indeed, as a citizen of the Han Dynasty, how can you insult it? You are despicable," Gao Shun also said angrily.

"Why isn't it a worm? Look at the current Han Dynasty. The Ten Attendants are causing chaos, and the people are suffering. Cannibalism is not uncommon. If not for the Han Dynasty's corruption, how could it have come to this? Remember, during Emperor Guangwu's reign, the Han Dynasty was prosperous and thriving," Liu Yao countered.

"Even so, as a citizen of the Han Dynasty, one should serve the country and help the people, not just talk big like you," Ju Shou said with disdain.

"Does that mean if there were an opportunity to serve the court and benefit the people, you would be willing to do it?" Liu Yao asked with a sly smile.

"Yes," Ju Shou and Gao Shun nodded simultaneously.

"Let me apologize for my rudeness earlier, gentlemen." Liu Yao stood up and bowed. Ju Shou and Gao Shun looked at him in confusion, not understanding the sudden change in his attitude.

"To be honest, I am Liu Yao, the current Crown Prince, and I am on my way to Youzhou to serve as the governor to defend against the Wuhuan invasion," Liu Yao said.

"You..." The two were shocked. "We pay our respects, Governor."

"Please, gentlemen, rise. I apologize for my earlier deception. I was wrong, and I will punish myself with three cups of wine," Liu Yao said, drinking three cups in quick succession.

"But, Crown Prince, why did you speak so harshly about the Han Dynasty? That's not..." Gao Shun asked, puzzled.

"I had no choice. To be honest, my trip to Youzhou is not just to defend against the Wuhuan. I also want to build my own power base there. The Han Dynasty is in decline and on the verge of collapse. I must leave a path for the Han Dynasty to be restored in the future. Therefore, this is a secret matter, and I had to test you. Please do not be offended."

"Of course, of course."

"Here, I ask for your help, gentlemen. I believe you are willing to serve the court." Liu Yao bowed deeply, but a smile played on his lips.

"This..." The two now realized they had been manipulated by Liu Yao. In ancient times, people valued their promises highly. Moreover, Liu Yao was not only of noble birth but also respectful to scholars. Following such a person would surely lead to great achievements, so they had no reason to refuse.

"Shou (Shun), we pay our respects, Lord." The two bowed.

"Excellent, with your help, I will be even stronger." Liu Yao was visibly excited.

After they sat down again, Liu Yao's group introduced themselves to each other.

"Gao Shun, where are you from?" Liu Yao asked.

"Lord, I am from Bingzhou," Gao Shun replied.

"Oh, then why are you in Ji Province?" Liu Yao was curious.

"Lord, I was a captain under Governor Ding Yuan of Bingzhou, but he recently adopted a son who was too arrogant and overbearing. I couldn't stand it, so I left," Gao Shun said helplessly.

"Was it Lu Bu?" Liu Yao grabbed Gao Shun, fearing Lu Bu's martial prowess.

"How did you know, Lord?" Gao Shun was surprised.

"I've heard of him." Liu Yao quickly calmed down. "Hmph, so what if it's Lu Bu? He's just a warrior. Besides, my generals are not weak, and there will be more in the future. I have no reason to fear a mere Lu Bu."

"Lord, who is Lu Bu, and why are you so nervous?" Taishi Ci asked, puzzled.

"Lu Bu? His martial arts might even surpass Huang Zhong's," Liu Yao muttered.

"Oh, there is such a person in the world. I really want to fight him," Huang Zhong's eyes blazed with battle intent.

"Ha ha, there will be a chance..." Liu Yao said mysteriously.