After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 867 - 853: Inciting Rebellion

Ming Yu naturally wouldn’t point this out to Huyan You directly. Instead, he said, "Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and now is a crucial time to establish your prestige. If you don’t gather the army now, there won’t be another chance later."

He continued, "Once the Great General concludes the war with Jin, regardless of how much territory is gained, he would have taken Yun City and captured Emperor Jin alive. Plus, with his previous achievement of breaking Luoyang, I’m afraid his prestige among the Xiongnu will be even higher. By then, Your Majesty will truly have to rely on him."

"But if you can join forces now, Your Majesty can not only subdue those 200,000 elite troops with both kindness and might, but also logically take in Emperor Jin and the Jin ministers. In this way, your share in the achievement of capturing Emperor Jin is assured," Ming Yu said. "Your Majesty holds the rightful place, and the Great General has recognized you as the emperor. If he doesn’t follow, it would be rebellion, and the entire nation can be mobilized against him."

Huyan You strongly agreed, looking at Ming Yu with bright eyes and said, "Sir, you are truly talented. How should I address you?"

He also wanted to ask why Ming Yu was helping him.

Ming Yu’s reasons were naturally simple and convincing—he sought to carve out a future in the Xiongnu Khanate.

Ming Yu said, "I consider myself a scholar with lofty ambitions. Yet, due to my humble background, I had no opportunity to serve in the Jin State, which left me discontent."

Huyan You believed he was seeking a future by approaching him, and asked, "Zhao Hanzhang hires without regard to background. Why don’t you attempt the recruitment exams?"

Ming Yu then said angrily and resentfully, "During my time in Ru Nan County, I offended a member of the Zhao Family. The Zhao Family is domineering and forbade me from participating in the recruitment exams. Hmph, they claim not to consider family background, but I see them as merely seeking fame and fortune."

Huyan You immediately said, "Indeed, Han people are hypocritical, all saying Zhao Hanzhang loves her people like her own children. To my mind, she is merely acting merciful to win the people’s hearts."

Ming Yu nodded repeatedly, looking at Huyan You with admiration.

Huyan You’s self-esteem was greatly satisfied. After their conversation, he considered Ming Yu a confidant and admired his talent.

Thus, Ming Yu leaped from being a manager of a commercial caravan to becoming an advisor to Huyan You, a relative of the Xiongnu Kingdom.

Under Ming Yu’s persuasion, Huyan You changed his mind and agreed to join Liu Cong. However, to ensure safety and intimidate Liu Cong, he decided to persuade the emperor to summon the generals fighting elsewhere to escort them to Yun City in Anping Country to meet Liu Cong.

Liu He was quickly persuaded by his uncle and agreed to go to Anping Country, but summoned the troops abroad, including Ma Jing and Liu Sheng, to Zhongyang County.

The generals didn’t hesitate much, as they had also received news of the capital’s fall and the new emperor’s ascension. Thus, upon being summoned, they immediately hurried to Zhongyang County.

Liu He promptly commanded them to escort him to Boping County.

The Great Generals didn’t object, though some suggested first recovering the lost territory and reclaiming the capital, but Liu He was unwilling, and they didn’t press him.

Because they themselves lacked confidence in defeating the Zhao Family Army and reclaiming Pingyang.

But what they didn’t expect was for Liu He to order them to withdraw the entire army, capture Liu Cong upon arriving at Boping County, and force Liu Cong to resign from the position of Minister of Care.

Liu He said, "If he willingly steps down as Minister of Care, then I will trust he harbors no disloyalty. Otherwise, I must eliminate the threat early."

Liu Sheng couldn’t help but advise, "Your Majesty, the former emperor’s coffin is still in Pingyang City. Zhao Hanzhang is our greatest enemy, not the King of Chu. If internal strife breaks out, what will the world say of Your Majesty?"

He continued, "Moreover, the grand cause is incomplete, the capital is lost, and the urgent matter is to reclaim the capital, recover the former emperor’s coffin, and bury him properly. Don’t be swayed by the slanderous words of vile individuals to doubt your brothers."

Liu He, hearing this, was enraged and asked, "Do you think I’m unjustly suspecting the King of Chu? If he has no intention of rebellion, why has he lingered in Boping County for so long instead of returning after Pingyang City’s fall?"

Liu Sheng earnestly advised, "Your Majesty, if you can’t even trust your brothers, who else in the world can you trust?"

At this, Huyan You became furious and said, "Today, the generals have been summoned to receive orders, not to debate. How dare you question the emperor’s decision? Are you Liu Cong’s spy?"

With that, he turned to Liu He and said, "Your Majesty, this person must be executed."

Liu He, upon hearing this, immediately ordered Liu Sheng to be dragged out and executed.

He was executed just outside the door, and Ma Jing and the others nearby felt a chill down their spines, swallowing their objections, and they all silently complied with Liu He’s orders.

Liu He was pleased, believing his commanding presence had subdued them, and so the army grandly marched towards Boping County.

Zhao Hanzhang naturally wouldn’t let him reach Boping County undisturbed, so she made arrangements before leaving. She not only dispatched Chen Wu to pursue and occasionally harass the Xiongnu Army, striking and then retreating, but also instructed Beigong Chun to intercept Liu He ahead.

Her orders to them were to blunt the spirit of the Xiongnu Army, engage briefly, and not get caught up in prolonged battles. She wasn’t after trophies or territorial gains, just to leave the Xiongnu Army in constant fear, so they would reach Boping County in panic.

Sure enough, Liu He was thrown into a mental breakdown by the harassment from the Zhao Family Army. He wasn’t a particularly intelligent person, nor very stable-minded; otherwise, he wouldn’t have decided to break with Liu Cong so early.

Thus, he entered Boping County filled with resentment and disgrace.

Naturally, his resentment wasn’t towards Zhao Hanzhang, who hunted him like a stray dog, but towards Liu Cong, who hadn’t come to his aid.

He was near Boping County when Beigong Chun’s forces struck his team. Liu Cong, being so close, dared not to come to the rescue!

When Liu Cong saw Liu He safe and sound, he was, truthfully, a bit disappointed inside.

But he quickly masked his emotions, greeting him with a sincerely joyful and respectful demeanor.

Liu He was about to confront him, but saw behind Liu Cong a row of court generals and ministers, and not far behind them a force of elite troops.

Liu He suppressed his words of resentment, having planned to seize Liu Cong at the first meeting. However, circumstances were different now; due to Beigong Chun, he hadn’t met Liu Cong leisurely at the Ten-mile Pavilion and couldn’t seize the opportunity to capture him.

Instead, he had awkwardly rushed into Boping County.

Given the opposing side’s slight advantage in strength, Liu He truly dared not attack.

Indeed, he bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Thus, Liu He refrained from commanding an attack, quietly following Liu Cong to the city’s main camp.

He had resolved to first use his position as emperor to reclaim power, then eliminate Liu Cong.

Secretly following Huyan You, Ming Yu frowned slightly at this, lowering his eyes as he followed.

In the ensuing days, Ming Yu concocted strategies for Huyan You, effectively advising Liu He, and helped their faction seize several forces from Liu Cong.

Ming Yu then began to incite Huyan You to take action once more.