Chapter 86

And at this moment, Liu Yao, who was hundreds of miles away in Guangzong City, suddenly heard a familiar voice in his mind.

"Congratulations, host, for completing Task Two, slaying Zhang Bao, and earning five draws. Congratulations, host, for completing Task Three, earning five draws. Congratulations, host, for completing Task Four, capturing a total of 89,926 people, earning eight draws. The host now has a total of twenty-eight draws."

Ting Yao was initially stunned, then overjoyed, "It seems Fengxiao and the others have already slain Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang. I didn't expect this ancient book to even count the number of captives, it's really quite convenient."

Then, Liu Yao thought about the number 89,926 and couldn't help but feel depressed. "Just a few hundred people short of another chance. If I find out who killed the most Yellow Turbans, I won't let them off." Liu Yao couldn't help but curse the person who was the most ruthless in his heart.

A day later, Guo Jia and Huangfu Song's troops all returned to Guangzong. Guo Jia brought back the heads of Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, along with the head of Zhang Jue that Liu Yao had obtained, and sent them to Luoyang by fast horse.

Upon receiving the heads of the three Zhang brothers, Emperor Liu Hong was overjoyed and sent people to reward the troops. He immediately recalled Liu Yao and others to Luoyang for rewards.

Liu Hong then hung the heads of the three Zhang brothers on the city walls as a warning.

With the deaths of the three Zhang brothers, it seemed that the great chaos in the world had been quelled. However, Liu Yao knew very well that this was just the beginning of the true turmoil in the Han Dynasty. The remnants of the Yellow Turbans were numerous, and in the future, there would be even more powerful forces like Zhang Yan's million-strong Black Mountain Bandits. There were also the powerful forces of various warlords.

Since he couldn't eliminate them in advance, Liu Yao could only strive to enhance his own strength. Only by possessing invincible power could he hope to restore the Han Dynasty in the future. Although Liu Yao was still far from this goal, he believed that with so many blueprints in the ancient book, it was only a matter of time.

On the journey back to Luoyang, the troops from all directions returned to Luoyang to prepare for their rewards. Of course, privately recruited armies like those of Sun Jian and Dong Zhuo could never be brought into Luoyang. If someone reported it, it would be considered treason, and they would be in trouble.

However, Liu Yao had no such concerns. This time, he brought his 5,000-strong Charge Camp to Luoyang, while the other 5,000-strong Xianzhen Camp, along with Gao Shun, Huang Zhong, Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao, and Tian Feng, were left behind.

Liu Yao arranged for them to take the captured Yellow Turbans to Youzhou, as the number was large, and if no one watched over them, there might be trouble.

Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang were introduced to Liu Yao by Guo Jia. Liu Yao, who was familiar with history, naturally knew their names and immediately took them in, temporarily placing them under Huang Zhong.

This time, the deaths in Liu Yao's Xianzhen and Charge Camps were negligible, with a total of no more than 200, and only a handful of injuries. However, the number of Yellow Turban soldiers killed by them was certainly no less than 50,000, showing the elite nature of Liu Yao's troops.

"Lord, this is so boring. After this Yellow Turban campaign, I'll be bored. I just feel uncomfortable when I'm idle," Zhang Fei said dejectedly while riding his horse.

Liu Yao glanced at this violent man and said, "If you want to fight, that's easy. There will be plenty of battles in the future. Besides, there are many foreign tribes outside Youzhou. If you have too much energy, I'll give you a crack troop to wreak havoc on the great grasslands."

"That's great. I like that kind of life," Zhang Fei said with a simple smile, then asked curiously, "By the way, Lord, I've never been to Luoyang. I hear it's the most prosperous place in the Han Dynasty. How does it compare to our Jixian County?" In recent years, Liu Yao had developed rapidly, and the population of Youzhou had surged, so he had to expand Jixian County by three or four times. Therefore, Jixian County was the most prosperous place Zhang Fei had seen.

"Right, Lord, I think you're the only one among us who knows what Luoyang looks like. Why don't you tell us about it?" Guo Jia also chimed in. Since he left the Yingchuan Academy, he hadn't had the chance to travel and see the world, and then he encountered the Yellow Turban Rebellion. After that, he was lured over by Liu Yao, so he was also very curious about Luoyang.

"Luoyang." Liu Yao sighed deeply. It had been more than three years since he left Luoyang. The figures of several people appeared in his mind. There was his father, Emperor Liu Yao, who always supported him. There was Empress Dowager Dong, who had cared for him since childhood. There was his teacher, Cai Yong. And there was that graceful figure, Yan'er. And there was the promise Liu Yao had never forgotten.

"Luoyang is not much different from our Jixian County. But I'm not very familiar with Luoyang either. If you want to know what Luoyang is like, you'll have to see it for yourselves," Liu Yao said somewhat helplessly. This wasn't a lie. As a prince of the Han Dynasty, he had lived in the palace for a long time or at Cai Yong's residence. He hadn't really explored Luoyang much.

After several days of travel, the group finally arrived in Luoyang.

In Luoyang, there was a royal inn specifically for guests. Guo Jia, Xizhi, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun went there to stay. Similarly, local officials like Dong Zhuo and Sun Jian were also arranged to stay there, waiting for Emperor Lingdi Liu Hong's summons. Liu Yao's 5,000-strong Charge Camp was settled in the military camp in Luoyang.

As soon as Liu Yao arrived in Luoyang, Liu Hong received the news and immediately sent a eunuch to summon Liu Yao to the palace. Liu Yao naturally knew that Liu Hong had matters to discuss with him. So, after settling his troops, he immediately set off for the palace with Shi A.

In the Southern Palace of Luoyang, Liu Hong had already sent everyone, including Zhang Rang, away. Liu Yao walked into the Southern Palace alone. As Liu Yao's bodyguard, Shi A naturally had the right to enter the palace but was waiting outside.

"Your son, Liu Yao, pays respects to His Majesty." Liu Yao hurriedly walked forward and greeted Liu Hong. He was already very excited, as he hadn't seen Emperor Lingdi for three years and naturally missed him. After all, Liu Hong was one of the few family members he had in this life.

"Good, good, good. My son, please rise. It's been a long time, and you've grown a lot. You've worked hard these past years," Liu Hong said excitedly, helping Liu Yao up and looking him over, feeling a bit emotional.

"It's not hard, Your Majesty. This is what I should do," Liu Yao said firmly.

Liu Hong looked at Liu Yao with satisfaction. He had seen all of Liu Yao's achievements over the years and knew how much effort it had taken to achieve them. "My son, do you have any plans for the future?" Liu Hong had already decided to follow Liu Yao's plan. He believed his son had the ability to restore the entire Han Dynasty.

Liu Yao thought for a moment and said confidently, "Your Majesty, you just need to be yourself. I have my own plans for the rest." Liu Yao didn't want to disrupt the historical process too much to avoid any unexpected events.

"En? It's good that you are so confident," Liu Hong said with a laugh. "My son, since you have slain the three Zhang brothers, what rewards do you want? Speak up so I can prepare them in advance."

"Your Majesty, just promote me to General of the Flying Cavalry. The other merits can be distributed to my subordinates," Liu Yao said after some thought.

"Isn't that a bit too light?" Liu Hong frowned, as it was insignificant compared to Liu Yao's contributions.

"If so, I would also like to request one thing from Your Majesty," Liu Yao said, but his face turned red for the first time.