"Milord, these days, Provincial Governor Ding was killed by Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu in Luoyang. There have been rumors in Bingzhou that Milord did not avenge Provincial Governor Ding. Now that the Young Emperor is in trouble, if Milord can be loyal to His Majesty, you will definitely be able to regain your former prestige. With His Majesty in Bingzhou, you will definitely be able to obtain the support of the people of Bingzhou.”Most of the officials encouraged Zhang Yang to pledge his loyalty to Liu Bian, and Zhang Yang himself was also tempted.
To be able to become a loyal official, no one wanted to become a treacherous official. No matter how daring Dong Zhuo was, he still needed an Emperor as a shield. Otherwise, why would he make Prince Chen Liu Emperor? If the Young Emperor Liu Bian really had such a strategic bearing, he might be able to succeed if he assisted him with all his might. At that time, not only would he have a reputation, but he would also have wealth and glory. This was the best choice, but he was still a little afraid of Dong Zhuo.
"So, all of you want me to serve the Young Empress?”Zhang Yang looked at the officials around him and asked. This was indeed a huge gamble. An official stood up when he heard this. "Milord, that Dong Zhuo is merely a wolf with wild ambitions. If he had not forced him with force, I believe that no one in the court would have agreed to make Prince Chen Liu Emperor. The Great Han only has one Emperor, and that is the Young Emperor.”
"Reporting to my lord, there is an army of 10,000 people stationed outside the city. They claim to be the Young Emperor's army!”A scout reported from outside the door. His tone was filled with fear. Zhang Yang stood up and tidied his clothes.。"His Majesty has really come. Since everyone has no objections to this matter, we will quickly leave the city to welcome His Majesty. Quickly inform the kitchen to prepare a banquet. Everyone, follow me out of the city to welcome him!”
"Your Majesty, Zhang Yang is here to welcome you!”The army stationed outside the city, and the city gate opened. Zhang Yang led the Shangdang officials to meet the soldiers. Although it was only temporary, the lineup was not to be underestimated. Gao Su also spoke up. "It seems that it is as you have expected. Zhang Yang has chosen to follow Your Majesty as the Emperor.”
"Zunzhen! But you might not be loyal to me!" Liu Bian said in a deep voice. Zhang Yang could take the risk to join him, but he would not give up his authority so easily. Liu Ji nodded in agreement. "That's right. Although Zhang Yang won't be like Dong Zhuo, he won't be willing to hand over his military power. If he wants to take control of Shangdang, he will need to spend some effort.”
"Then what should we do now? Since Zhang Yang was disloyal, why did he come out of the city to welcome him? Could it be that you want to harm His Majesty?" Gui Ying also asked. In that case, Zhang Yang might not be loyal to them, but since they had come out of the city to welcome them, it would be inappropriate to attack them. Liu Ji waved his sleeves and smiled. "Not necessarily. It's just that Zhang Yang is smart.”
"If he obeys Your Majesty, then he is a loyal subject. If he doesn't obey Your Majesty, then Dong Zhuo will definitely support Prince Chen Liu as Emperor. If he rebels, then he will still be a Han subject. If I'm not wrong, since he came out of the city to welcome you, he must have already predicted that the Imperial Jade Seal is in Your Majesty's hands. I'm afraid that he already has a plan in mind. If Your Majesty wants to take his power, he can rebel against Your Majesty. If he obtains the Imperial Jade Seal and sends it to Luoyang, he can still please Thief Dong. Prince Chen Liu is the rightful Emperor!”Liu Ji understood the situation very well.
"Your Majesty, if you want this person to be completely obedient, you have to let him see your methods clearly!”Liu Ji looked at Liu Bian and said. If he wanted to subdue Zhang Yang, he had to let Zhang Yang know who was the emperor. Even if he did not want to hand over his military power, he had to do so. "I, Shangdang Prefect Zhang Yang, pay my respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!”
"You are the Shangdang prefect?" Liu Bian sat on his horse, but he did not let them sit up. He did it on purpose. Although Zhang Yang was not loyal, he had shown respect. Liu Bian had no reason to touch him, but it would be hard to say if he forced him too hard. When Zhang Yang saw that he and the others had come out of the city to welcome the emperor, he was not happy that the emperor was still so arrogant. "That's right!"
"You're very good. I thought that since I'm already an emperor in trouble, it's already good enough that you didn't capture me. You even brought people out of the city to welcome me! Governor Zhang is indeed a loyal official!" Liu Bian said. Zhang Yang's tone did not sound like a compliment at all. Instead, it sounded like a warning. Zhang Yang's forehead was covered in cold sweat. "Dong Zhuo has committed such a heinous crime, this subject will not be associated with him.”
"Good, very good! Rise!" Liu Bian said indifferently. The Shangdang officials stood up and Zhang Yang led Liu Bian and the others into the city. The Shangdang was much better than the outside world. Along the way, Liu Bian was used to seeing the poor refugees. They ate only tree roots and bark. However, the situation in the city was not much better. Liu Bian frowned. The officials were all dressed well, but the people in the city were suffering.
"Mayor Zhang, your Shangdang County is well governed!”Liu Bian glanced at Zhang Yang and said. Looking at the situation around him, Zhang Yang couldn't help but break out in cold sweat. This was not good at all. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the situation of the people around them was extremely difficult. Liu Bian's words were not a compliment, but a mockery or even a condemnation. At this time, Liu Ji stepped out to play the good cop. "Your Majesty, after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Great Han Empire had such a scene everywhere.”
"Yes! I have wrongly blamed Mayor Zhang. Mayor Zhang has suffered!”Liu Bian nodded his head in agreement. Zhang Yang cursed in his heart," You're just an emperor in distress. Why are you still putting on airs? Do you still have the mood to care about the lives of the people?" However, he naturally did not dare to say so. "Your Majesty, you're too serious! This is my duty, I dare not claim credit!”
Soon, they arrived at the prefect's mansion. Zhang Yang set up a banquet in the mansion, and a table of food was prepared. After Liu Bian and the others sat down, the maid opened the lid of the pot. The aroma of meat was so delicious that it made people drool. Dian Wei's eyes almost fell to the table when he saw this. He was about to reach out his hand, but Liu Ji, who was sitting beside him, slapped him down. Zhang Yang cupped his hands. "Your Majesty! In a hurry, I only prepared some simple food and tea. I hope Your Majesty can atone for my sins!”
"A simple meal! Humph! Does Mayor Zhang eat this every day?" Liu Bian's face was not looking too good. He looked at the sumptuous meat on the table. He was supposed to have a big meal, but he did not do anything at the moment. He turned to Zhang Yang and said. Zhang Yang said in fear. "Qi... Yes, Your Majesty! The emperor thinks it's too rough, so I'll immediately get people to prepare more!”
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