Below the city of Luoyang,
The flames of war raged.
Perhaps it was because Zhang Bao's threat had been effective, or perhaps because Guan Hai had beheaded two more great generals, the Yellow Turban rebels' assault was incredibly fierce.
As soon as the front ranks were smashed by rolling logs and stones, the ones behind them immediately charged forward.
Siege ladders and battering rams, as if they were free, continuously emerged.
It seemed,
The reason the Yellow Turban rebels had delayed for a day was to prepare these siege supplies.
And on the city walls,
Unable to find Yuan Shu, Yuan Wei could only lead the defense, his aged body at the center.
He was also desperate!
The vast imperial court couldn't find a few military officers, and the only one who could be considered a military official, the Grand General, had been requisitioned by His Majesty and was leading his soldiers to guard the imperial palace.
In response to this,
Although Yuan Wei expressed deep dissatisfaction, hoping Emperor Ling would concentrate the already scarce troop strength on the city walls.
But how could Emperor Ling agree?
These imperial guards in their flying fish attire were his last resort for survival!
Once the city fell,
He would abandon everything in the imperial palace and rely on them to break through the blockade and escape.
How could he possibly give the noble families soldiers to defend the city?
Besides,
With the current troop strength within Luoyang, even with the addition of his few thousand imperial guards, would it be useful?
It was useless!
The Yellow Turban rebels were densely packed, stretching as far as the eye could see, and now they seemed to be increasing.
What kind of fight was this?
In any case,
Emperor Ling had already made preparations to flee and was constantly awaiting an opportunity.
What opportunity?
Naturally, it was the eunuch who personally went to seek reinforcements and claimed to have a high chance of success... that eunuch!
Fine!
It was Yu Huatian!
Before setting out, this fellow felt this was an opportunity, so he gathered all the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the imperial palace.
After all,
Among the orders issued by Ye Feng at the time was the command to abduct the emperor amidst the chaos.
Though one was a young emperor and the other an old emperor, they were both emperors, weren't they?
Therefore,
Upon receiving Emperor Ling's plan for seeking aid, Yu Huatian decisively dispatched more Embroidered Uniform Guards to protect him.
He didn't want to return from his mission only to find that both the old emperor and the young emperor had been killed by the Yellow Turban rebels.
That would truly be a joke!
And Ye Feng did not consider Yu Huatian's efforts in vain, directly issuing orders for rescue.
Although Yu Huatian's journey back and forth took considerable time, it was ultimately just enough.
Because those noble families also did not want to die!
Seeing that the Yellow Turban rebels were starting to get serious and launch a frenzied assault, the noble families also began to act.
Whether it was dispatching household guards, recruiting able-bodied men, or bringing out the family's last reserves.
Under the combined efforts of several noble families, they quickly mustered twenty thousand men to defend the city.
Perhaps these newly recruited able-bodied men were not proficient in offense, but they were certainly capable of throwing stones from the city walls.
As for where the stones came from?
Demolishing houses!
When Yu Huatian stealthily entered Luoyang under the cover of darkness, he was startled by the scene before him.
The area near the city walls had basically become ruins.
Even though it was the dead of night, many soldiers were still busy.
Busy collecting the bodies of their fallen comrades!
It was the same outside the city!
Although the cultural standards of the people in the late Han Dynasty were not high, it was still true that bodies should not be left for too long.
Seeing this,
Yu Huatian merely frowned slightly, turned, and headed for the imperial palace.
He couldn't manage it!
Or rather,
Even if his master Ye Feng were here, he couldn't manage such a situation.
Wherever there are people, there is war; this is an experience summarized over thousands of years.
With this thought,
Yu Huatian suppressed the stirring emotions in his heart and hurried towards the imperial palace.
"Who?"
The Embroidered Uniform Guard responsible for guarding the imperial palace gate heard the movement and rushed out from inside.
"It's me!"
Casually tossing his waist token, Yu Huatian didn't wait for them to lower a basket, and with a few strides, he ascended the palace gate.
Seeing this, the few Embroidered Uniform Guards who rushed out quickly knelt on one knee.
"Your subordinate greets the Commander!"
"Rise!"
Yu Huatian calmed his slightly heaving chest and asked in a low voice,
"Has nothing happened in the palace?"
"No!"
The leading Embroidered Uniform Guard raised his head and reported the day's events.
"Young man, you've done well!"
Smiling and praising the man, Yu Huatian waved his hand at them.
"Go and tell the brothers to pack their things and await my command later!"
"Yes!"
As the few Embroidered Uniform Guards departed in response, Yu Huatian did not linger at the imperial palace gate and went directly to the palace where Emperor Ling, Liu Hong, resided.
This area had also been arranged with Embroidered Uniform Guards at Yu Huatian's suggestion.
Therefore,
When Yu Huatian pushed open the gate and walked in, Emperor Ling, Liu Hong, realized he had returned.
However, he was not angry.
On the contrary,
After a day of fear and trepidation, Emperor Ling looked at Yu Huatian with great eagerness.
"Eunuch Yu, what is it? What did Governor Ye say?"
"This..."
Looking at Emperor Ling's expectant face, Yu Huatian feigned helplessness and shook his head.
"What?!"
Seeing Yu Huatian shake his head, Emperor Ling could no longer sit still, and said in panic,
"Even Governor Ye is unwilling? I'll make him a king!"
"If absolutely necessary, go and persuade him again. I can even co-rule the world with him!"
"..."
Listening to Emperor Ling's words, Yu Huatian's lips twitched slightly, thinking that if he made another trip, His Majesty might truly be lost.
However,
Recalling the plan his master had set, he still sighed slightly and said,
"Your Majesty, my master is not unwilling to help you, but he is truly too far away!"
"And..."
"Even if we were to bring you out, have you considered what would happen afterward?"
"Afterward?"
Emperor Ling was slightly taken aback, and his face turned somewhat pale.
This was what he least wanted to think about!
Because he knew very well,
Once he escaped Luoyang with Ye Feng's help, he would likely be controlled by them for the rest of his life.
However,
Compared to the imminent death at the hands of the Yellow Turban rebels, Liu Hong had no other choice.
But what did he mean by asking now?
Was he worried about his cooperation?
Or?
Just as a string of question marks flashed through Emperor Ling's mind, Yu Huatian's voice reached his ears again.
"Your Majesty, my master does have a plan, but I don't know if you are willing to cooperate!"
"Huh?!"
As Yu Huatian's voice fell, Emperor Ling suddenly raised his head.
"Governor Ye, what is Governor Ye's wise suggestion?"
"Go to Chang'an!"
"What?"
"My master suggests you go to Chang'an, rally the forces there, and re-establish a court!"
"This..."
Emperor Ling stared blankly at Yu Huatian, somewhat confused about his true intentions.
He wanted him to go to Chang'an?
If he could safely reach Chang'an, establishing a small court would be no problem at all.
After all,
Chang'an was originally a secondary capital, and before that, it was the capital of the Han Dynasty.
Not only were the palaces and other facilities there ready, but there were also people in all the government departments.
As long as he could safely reach Chang'an, he could rebuild the Han court in minutes.
But,
What would Ye Feng gain from this?
It seemed...
Apart from the promise of a royal title, he would gain nothing?
Then why would he help?
Emperor Ling was not a naive child, nor did he believe Ye Feng was a great philanthropist.
But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't figure out what benefit this would bring to Ye Feng.
One must know,
Ye Feng's influence was in Youzhou and Jizhou, and at most Qingzhou.
And Chang'an?
That was on the other side of Luoyang, almost bordering Liangzhou.
Emperor Ling was certain that it was definitely not within Ye Feng's sphere of influence.
This meant that,
As long as he established a foothold in Chang'an, Ye Feng would no longer be able to control him.
After all,
Although the Yellow Turban rebels were fiercely attacking Luoyang, there was still the Reinforcement Army behind them.
These Reinforcement Army forces were under Lu Zhi's command, and in theory, they could still be utilized by him.
This way,
He could fully regroup and once again form a stance against the Yellow Turban rebels.
Hmm?
With this thought, Emperor Ling's eyes narrowed. He seemed to have guessed Ye Feng's intention.
That fellow wanted to watch the show!
Or rather,
That fellow wanted him to fight the Yellow Turban rebels to the death, so that he could reap the benefits in the end.
How sinister!
However,
Even though he had guessed Ye Feng's intentions, Emperor Ling had no other options at this moment.
After all, he couldn't really go to Youzhou with Ye Feng, could he?
Would he still be an emperor then?
Even if he didn't become Ye Feng's puppet, he would likely become a mere figurehead.
With this thought,
Emperor Ling, Liu Hong, no longer hesitated and directly agreed:
"I will do everything as Governor Ye arranges. Eunuch Yu, you may proceed as you see fit!"
"That's good!"
Seeing Emperor Ling agree, Yu Huatian breathed a sigh of relief and beckoned to the outside.
"Someone!"
"Prepare some clothes for His Majesty. We will depart tonight!"
Saying this, Yu Huatian turned to Emperor Ling and asked with a hint of consultation in his tone,
"Your Majesty, do you find this arrangement acceptable?"
"..."
Emperor Ling, Liu Hong's lips twitched. He thought, what was the point of asking when everything was already arranged?
Despite this, he still nodded cooperatively and said with a smile,
"Eunuch Yu's arrangements are excellent. Then it is decided!"
"Then..."
Saying this, Yu Huatian pointed behind him and reminded with a smile,
"As for the consorts in the harem and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, I will trouble Your Majesty to personally inform them!"
"This..."
Emperor Ling suddenly slapped his head. He had just remembered that his wives and children were still unaware.
However,
Considering that he had to obey someone else's arrangements, Emperor Ling decided to compromise.
"Eunuch Yu, given the urgency of the situation, I hope you will personally go and inform them!"
"This... is it appropriate?"
"Extremely appropriate!"
Seeing Yu Huatian's eagerness, Emperor Ling quickly said with a wry smile,
"If they happen to offend you in any way, I hope Eunuch Yu will show leniency!"
"Rest assured!"
Yu Huatian, who had been waiting for these words, was not polite and waved his hand behind him.
"Go and bring the consorts and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince out!"
"Yes!"
As a response echoed from outside the door, a series of footsteps gradually receded.
Soon,
Faint shouts and arrogant reprimands could be heard from the direction of the harem.
But it was all useless!
With the Emperor's 'golden decree' from this side, those Embroidered Uniform Guards didn't care who you were.
Are you leaving?
Not leaving?
Then we'll take you!
What?
There's this and that, and you want to take it all?
Take it, my foot!
Two Embroidered Uniform Guards directly rushed in, grabbed your arms, and dragged you out.
Don't you know that time is money?