Volume One: The Hidden Dragon Beneath the Surface Chapter Eleven: Xu Huang, Lord Xu Gongming

In the second year of Zhongping, in April, along the official road from Luoyang to Guanzhong, wild grass on both sides of the path was growing wildly with restrained vigor. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth. Several strong horses trotted through the soft, muddy ground, escorting a horse-drawn carriage with a green canopy. Behind it followed dozens of cavalrymen and over four hundred infantrymen, a grand procession orderly in formation.

The carriage jolted slightly. Liu Heng leaned back inside, closing his eyes to rest. The filth and grime of Luoyang were momentarily left behind with each turn of the wheels.

Zuo Fengyi, a strategic stronghold in the Three Auxiliary Regions, guarded the western gate of the capital. The words of Emperor Ling Liu Hong—"Assume office immediately"—still echoed in his ears, but after that "immediate" moment, the road ahead was far from smooth.

The plague was a natural disaster, but the mess that was Zuo Fengyi was bound to be even more complicated.

Though he longed to be a carefree marquis, living in peace and comfort, spending idle days with Jing Bo in brothels listening to music and enjoying life, fate had cursed him to be born in this wretched late Eastern Han period.

But no matter. Since he was here, he would, like all other time-travelers, fight in this broken, passionate era of the Han’s decline and the Three Kingdoms, vying for the Mandate of Heaven! After all, he was the nephew of Emperor Ling himself. Even Emperor Xian or Emperor Shao would have to call him "Imperial Brother," right? Surely that was more dignified and convincing than being a descendant of the Middle Mountain Prince Jing of Shu.

Liu Heng exhaled a breath of stale air, suppressing the faint hopes and fantasies about the future in his heart.

“Marquis,” came Jing Bo’s voice from outside the carriage curtain, “we’re approaching Shan County’s border. The sky looks grim. Should we press on to the city or find a place to rest ahead?”

Liu Heng lifted a corner of the side curtain. “No need to enter the city. Let’s find a—”

Before he could finish, a sudden uproar rudely interrupted him.

At a bend in the road ahead, dust billowed fiercely.

“Stop! You damn traitors, where do you think you’re running!”

“Block them! Don’t let those deserters escape!”

Shouts of anger mingled with the frantic pounding of feet splashing through mud, breaking the wilderness’s silence.

Seven or eight ragged men, faces etched with terror and despair, were sprinting desperately toward Liu Heng’s convoy.

Behind them, about ten men clad in official militia uniforms gave chase. At their head was a burly figure, powerful strides heavy and purposeful, wielding a standard-issue long blade.

This man was clearly faster than the others, quickly closing in on a lagging deserter. With a fierce roar, he shouted, “You wretch, don’t run!”

Before the words had faded, his blade flashed downward in a diagonal slash.

A sharp, wet sound followed.

A burst of blood sprayed forth.

The deserter’s terrified scream abruptly ended.

The scene froze instantly. The remaining fugitives, petrified with fear, collapsed in the mud trembling like chaff, unable to move a muscle.

The pursuers were also momentarily stunned by their leader’s ruthless strike, instinctively halting their advance.

The blade had sliced from the right side of the neck, plunging diagonally through to the chest. The big man’s face was expressionless as he withdrew the weapon, thick drops of blood dripping onto the muddy ground with soft, distinct plops.

His chest heaved slightly. His square, rugged face bore defined angles, and beneath thick brows, his fierce gaze swept over the collapsed deserters with a chilling intensity.

“Bind them!” The man's voice boomed like a bell, leaving no room for argument.

Only then did the pursuers snap out of their stupor, rushing forward to tie up the terrified fugitives tightly.

“Such a man!” A heavily armored officer beside Liu Heng’s carriage couldn’t help but whisper in admiration, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword, eyes full of respect.

Jing Bo frowned, warily surveying the bloody scene ahead. Without showing it, he urged his horse to draw nearer, guarding Liu Heng’s carriage more closely.

Liu Heng’s gaze locked firmly on the burly man. Such courage, such imposing presence—this was no ordinary militia soldier. Damn, this man was a rare talent!

Though the killing scene was brutal and bloody, it didn’t matter. After all, he had seen all kinds of gruesome sights when digging graves back in the day.

What he needed now was to recruit such a talent. Unfortunately, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were already close comrades of Liu Bei, and he didn’t know where Zhao Yun was—perhaps still under Gongsun Zan? As for Lü Bu, even if he were recruited, he might turn and strike him at any moment. And Dian Wei? Who knew where he was now?

Sigh... It stung in his heart. He had no fierce generals or renowned ministers under him. If he finally found someone talented, he must take him in!

Just then, dust stirred on the other side of the road. Several tall horses galloped swiftly, riders dressed finely, exuding arrogance—clearly retainers of local gentry.

The leader was a middle-aged man with narrow, slanted eyes. He reined in his horse, looking down disdainfully at the bound deserters and the long-blade wielder in the mud, a sneer curling his lips.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Xu the Big Axe from the county armory?” The narrow-eyed man dragged out his tone mockingly. “Not content to stay quietly in the warehouse counting rats, now you come swaggering on the official road? What, you think chopping a few peasants makes you someone?”

The big man’s thick brows twitched sharply, the still-wet blood on his blade seeming to tremble in response.

Suppressing his anger, he said in a low voice, “Li Manager, I’m under urgent orders from the county to capture those who have deserted in battle and harmed comrades. This is military business. Please step aside!”

“Military business?” Li Manager laughed scornfully, as if hearing the biggest joke. He flicked his horsewhip toward the tied deserters. “These few worthless scoundrels? You call that military business? My master is just returning from the south, riding this road and coming soon. You bring death and blood, scaring my master’s horses. You, a mere armory clerk, can you afford to lose ten lowly lives? Be sensible and drag this filthy mess away. Don’t block my master’s path!”

His men shouted obscenities, cracking whips in the air, driving away the ragged militia. Their arrogance was boundless.

Several young militia soldiers under the big man flushed with anger, hands on their sword hilts, but the big man’s stern gaze held them back.

His chest heaved violently, veins bulging on his forehead.

The local Li family was a powerful clan, deeply rooted, with the county governor even giving way to them. He was but a lowly official with strength alone. What could he do? Fight back and endanger his elderly mother? This bitter humiliation had to be swallowed.

A deep sense of shame and powerlessness almost suffocated him.

Just as he prepared to endure and withdraw, a quiet yet unusually steady voice cut clearly through the uproar: “Such grand airs!”

Though not loud, the voice carried a strange penetrating power, instantly silencing the crowd.

All eyes swiveled sharply toward the approaching green-canopied carriage, then to the cavalry and armored soldiers behind it.

A young man dressed in a deep blue robe and a thick black cloak leaned out of the carriage. His features were refined, brows marked with a faint weariness, but his eyes shone brightly. He steadied himself on the carriage pole, slight and slender, standing against the biting spring wind with a unique bearing.

It was Liu Heng.

His gaze swept over the bodies on the ground, the bound deserters with ashen faces, and finally rested on the man with the darkened face, tightly restraining his anger. Then, his eyes shifted to Li Manager and his aggressive retainers on horseback.

“Military law stands above all. Pursuing deserters and purging local disorder is the militia’s duty.”

Liu Heng’s voice was calm but each word struck like iron in everyone’s hearts: “Who are you to obstruct military affairs for personal gain, to roar on the official road? Do you hold the court’s laws in contempt?”

Li Manager was momentarily stunned by the sudden challenge, his narrow eyes darting. This young man looked youthful but clearly held a special status.

The armored riders behind him were no joke; their uniform armor spoke volumes. Could they be descendants of a military family from the capital?

“This young master is mistaken,” Li Manager said politely, bowing his fist. He flicked his whip toward the big man. “This fellow is but a minor official in the county. Killing on the official road not only insults the young master’s eyes but also blocks his carriage—a serious offense. I am from the Hedong Li family; my master is…”

“Li family?” Liu Heng interrupted softly, as if confirming an insignificant name.

Then his tone abruptly turned cold: “What’s the Li family? Obstructing military affairs, roaring on the road, a minor official? Add one more charge—insulting court officials. According to Han law, what should the punishment be? You’re nothing but a servant, how dare you bark so wildly?”

“Young master, my Li family has connections with Eunuch Zhao. Please don’t bear a grudge over a lowly official,” the narrow-eyed man pleaded.

Li Manager’s face darkened. Having served the Third Master for years, even county officials treated him with respect. This unknown brat showed no respect whatsoever!

“Li family? Eunuch Zhao? Zhao Zhong, was it? What are you to borrow the power of eunuchs to insult the court’s laws? As Chen Shu Zhi, I ask again—obstructing military affairs and defying court laws—what is the penalty?”

The mention of eunuchs enraged Liu Heng. Damn it, why drag those worthless wretches into this? He hated eunuchs the most!

Jing Bo’s eyes sharpened; he slightly raised his hand. His young marquis hated eunuchs most of all. If they hadn’t mentioned that Zhao, it would have been fine, but now to use eunuchs to threaten his young master? That was courting death.

The entourage tensed, waiting for Liu Heng’s order. The big man’s heart sank as he watched the seemingly frail young master stand firm. The Li family was powerful. This young master was likely about to bring trouble. Even a mighty dragon seldom overcame a local snake.

Liu Heng calmly looked at the narrow-eyed man who had arrogantly mentioned Zhao Zhong. He even raised his hand slightly, signaling Jing Bo and others to stay calm.

The last few words were directed at his aide Chen Shu Zhi. Before leaving Luoyang, Liu Tao had worried that Liu Heng had no one reliable around him and had specially recommended two men, one of whom was Chen Shu Zhi.

This man had earned merits suppressing the Yellow Turban rebels but was “bad at dealing with people,” so he was only a military officer in the Changshui Camp. During their acquaintance, Liu Heng found Chen Shu Zhi to be straightforward, and with Liu Tao’s recommendation, he twice petitioned Emperor Ling to appoint him as the military commander of Zuo Fengyi, responsible for the militia there. The emperor, weary of his nagging nephew after his illness, granted the request.

Chen Shu Zhi declared resolutely, “According to law, this conduct is tantamount to treason! The ringleader shall be executed immediately! The accomplices shall be beaten to death!”

“Mm.”

Liu Heng nodded slightly and remained motionless.

While Li Manager and his retainers still wore their arrogant expressions, the big man’s heart just uttered “not good”—and then—

Chen Shu Zhi moved!

He spurred his horse forward, passing close to the narrow-eyed man, suddenly drawing his sword and sweeping it across Li Manager’s neck.

The arrogance on Li Manager’s face instantly turned to boundless terror and horror. He couldn’t even utter a scream!

A sharp sound pierced the air.

Li Manager’s expression froze forever in shock and disbelief. His body stiffened as if all his bones had been removed. The world spun in a blood-red haze…

Warm blood sprayed like a fountain, soaking the magnificent horse beneath him and splattering onto the cold, muddy ground.

Li Manager’s body wavered, then collapsed from the horse with a heavy thud, twitching a few times before falling silent. His narrow eyes remained wide open, staring blankly at the gray sky, filled with confusion and death.

Everyone was stunned by the sudden killing. How could they resort to murder before the conversation was even over?

The big man’s pupils contracted sharply. He had been to battlefields before and was no stranger to life and death, but he had never seen such calm, such ruthless decisiveness in killing! This young master had just ordered his aide to kill Li Manager on the spot? So ruthless and resolute!

The once arrogant retainers turned deathly pale, trembling as if they had seen ghosts. Some were so terrified they lost control, an unbearable stench spreading from beneath them.

Chen Shu Zhi slowly sheathed his bloodied sword. Without looking at the corpse, he turned his horse and saluted Liu Heng: “Marquis, the ringleader has been executed!”

“This villain has been punished according to law.”

Liu Heng glanced at Li Manager’s body and said, “The rest shall not be beaten to death. Get lost!”

He paused, then fixed his gaze on the trembling retainers. “Tell your Master Li San, who scorns the court’s laws: Liu Heng, Marquis of Yangwu in Hedong and military commander of Zuo Fengyi, shall personally punish him. Tonight this marquis will rest in Shan County. If anyone disrespects the court’s laws, let your master come to Shan County and argue with me. A new official needs fuel!”

The last four words rang proudly along the official road.

Terrified beyond measure, the retainers fled like dogs without a home, not daring to linger a moment. They fled wildly in the direction they came, tripping over startled horses, cursing their parents for giving them two legs.

Dust settled. All that remained on the road were the stench of blood, corpses, and a chilling silence.

The big man remained standing, his broad frame trembling slightly. He fixed his gaze on the calm youth in blue. Marquis of Yangwu? Commander of Zuo Fengyi? Liu Heng? A member of the imperial clan? He looked no older than seventeen or eighteen, yet he was already commander of Zuo Fengyi? Liu Heng’s words had scorched deep into his heart.

What court intrigue, what local power struggles, what patient endurance—all seemed laughable before this young marquis! Such power and dignity as he had never seen or dared imagine! A true man should be so!

A surge of long-lost passion suddenly overwhelmed the man, breaking down all his fears and chains! He threw down his bloodied blade with a heavy clang.

To everyone’s astonishment, the once-feared fierce warrior of Hedong fell to the ground before Liu Heng’s carriage, prostrating himself as if toppling mountains and pillars, his broad body pressed into the earth, forehead striking hard.

“I am Xu Huang, Xu Gongming of Hedong! I am willing to abandon this humble post and follow the marquis’s side! To face fire and water, no sacrifice too great! I beg the marquis to accept me!”

His voice was as clear and sonorous as a bell, filled with unwavering resolve, echoing thunderously along the empty official road.

Liu Heng stared at the prostrate, massive figure in the mud, his mind blank. Xu Huang? Xu Gongming?

Damn—Xu Huang!