Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter Twenty-Five: Fifty Light Cavalry Ride to Suanzao

Liu Heng turned to look at the people behind him.

"Shuzhi, prepare to depart. To Tong Pass."

His voice was resolute: "Once you reach Tong Pass, fill the gate walls with rolling logs, boulders, burning oil, and molten metal! I will give you another hundred crossbows before you set out! Tell the boys: as long as the pass stands, they live! If any of Dong Zhongying’s dogs dare to stretch a claw over, chop it to pieces and throw it from the battlements!"

"Understood!"

Chen Shuzhi cupped his hands. "Rest assured, my Lord! As long as there is breath in my body, those Xiliang rats shall not step half a foot into the Guanzhong region!"

He turned and strode away, leaving a gust of wind in his wake.

"Junming."

"I am here!" Dian Wei replied in a deep voice.

"You shall also depart immediately. Order Zilong that Wu Pass and San Pass are now his responsibility."

Liu Heng’s gaze shifted to this trusted, fierce general: "Follow the Tong Pass protocol: reinforce them! Hold them firmly! You may let refugees through, but they must be strictly screened—ten households per guarantee, and disperse them for settlement. If any are found carrying armor or weapons, or acting suspiciously—especially those with a Xiliang accent..."

Liu Heng’s voice suddenly turned cold, and a flash of killing intent crossed his eyes: "Tell Zilong, no need to ask for instructions; execute them on the spot! Better to kill a hundred innocents than to let a single spy slip through!"

Dian Wei’s gaze hardened. He bowed solemnly: "Understood! I know the gravity of this task!"

Knowing the importance of this mission, which concerned the security of the heart of Zuofengyi, he accepted the order and left.

"Bohou, Jimou, Derong!"

"We are here!"

Du Ji, Fa Yan, and Zhang Ji, the three civil officials, replied in unison, their faces grave.

"Bohou, set off immediately. Jimou and Derong, you two should also get to work."

Liu Heng’s gaze swept over them with undeniable pressure: "The autumn harvest is near; keep a close watch on every county magistrate and military agricultural commandant! If any irrigation canals are silted or damaged, conscript laborers to repair them immediately! Increase the number of medical officers at refugee settlement points to strictly prevent epidemics! Regarding the allocation of grain and fodder,"

He paused, emphasizing his tone: "Prioritize military supplies, agricultural households, and newly settled refugees! Anyone who dares to embezzle or resell, regardless of who they are, shall be executed without pardon!"

"Understood!"

The men looked solemn as they received their orders and departed.

"Wenruo."

Liu Heng fixed his gaze on Xun Yu. His eyes remained calm, yet they seemed to carry a trace of unfathomable depth.

Xun Yu took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and bowed: "My Lord."

"News from Luoyang will not only fly to us."

Liu Heng’s voice lowered: "The noble clans of Guanzhong, the powerful families of the Sanfu, the Wei, Du, and Geng clans... and those fence-sitters watching from the shadows—they must be starting to stir."

Xun Yu felt a chill; he immediately understood Liu Heng’s intent. With Dong Zhuo’s impending deposition of the Emperor, the world would surely be shaken, and various factions would be forced to choose sides. Guanzhong itself was not a monolith.

Those powerful families who had been suppressed by Liu Heng’s iron fist, and those scholars who still held illusions about the Han Dynasty, were likely harboring different agendas.

"Take my seal."

Liu Heng took a small copper seal from his robes and handed it to Xun Yu: "Depart at once. Secretly meet with the leaders of the Fufeng Geng clan, the Jingzhao Wei clan, and the Duling Du clan. Tell them..."

Liu Heng leaned in slightly, his voice dropping so low that only Xun Yu could hear clearly: "Dong Zhuo acts against the grain; with the deposition imminent, the Han Dynasty is on the brink of collapse. However, Guanzhong is a blessed land with four strong barriers, and Zuofengyi has elite troops and abundant grain. Those who submit to me will protect their homes and share in peace; those who defy me will share the fate of Niu Fu! Tell them... to weigh their options carefully!"

Xun Yu took the copper seal, which still retained the warmth of Liu Heng's body; it felt heavy in his hand. He looked at Liu Heng deeply. This was no longer appeasement—this was naked intimidation and assimilation! Using the pretext of Dong Zhuo’s deposition to consolidate the interior of Guanzhong!

He felt a complex mix of emotions, both awe at Liu Heng’s methods and a strange tremor—in this chaotic age to come, perhaps this cold pragmatism was more capable of preserving a region than empty cries of loyalty?

"I suspect the situation in Youfufeng is manageable. Bao Hong is timid, and Zhou Hui and Jia Hao are close friends with Gongming. It would be wise to tell them the truth and have them stabilize General Huangfu, who is garrisoning troops in Youfufeng. As for the Jingzhao Yin..."

Liu Heng took over the conversation: "The Jingzhao Yin is one of the goals of your trip. Tell those three clans that if they assist Gongming in pacifying the Sanfu, once success is achieved, some incompetent and greedy officials will inevitably be replaced; at that time, each of their three clans will have their quotas."

"I... understand."

Xun Yu gripped the copper seal tightly in his palm, replied in a low voice, and turned to leave in a hurry, his green robes disappearing into the gathering dusk.

As command after command was issued, the entire Zuofengyi began to function. Troops were mobilized, grain was transported, passes were reinforced, and officials busied themselves... The air was no longer filled with panic, but with a dense, latent power waiting to be unleashed.

At this moment, only Jing Bo followed behind Liu Heng. Liu Heng stood still, hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.

"Dong Zhongying..."

Liu Heng whispered to himself, the cold arc of his mouth appearing particularly sharp in the twilight: "Depose, kill... stir the waters of Luoyang until they are even muddier..."

"Wait for those who pride themselves on loyalty, and those who harbor ulterior motives... to all jump out and perish completely!"

Jing Bo stood with a hunched back, his clouded eyes fixed on the child he had cared for over twenty years. Ever since that great illness, the young master had completely changed—changing into someone who made him, an old servant, feel both awe and estrangement.

The old man did not understand the world’s grand trends, nor did he understand those convoluted calculations. He only knew that as long as the person before him was safe and sound, that was enough...

An indescribable heartache welled up in his chest; he hurriedly lowered his head, using the back of his hand to secretly wipe away the moisture at the corners of his eyes.

Liu Heng seemed to sense it and turned his head, catching Jing Bo in the act of wiping his tears. The corners of his mouth curled up, and he reached out to pat the old man’s thin shoulder with a force that made Jing Bo stagger.

"Tsk, Jing Bo, what are you crying for? At your age, are you learning to weep like a little girl?"

Liu Heng teased him deliberately, his voice loud: "Are you looking to get married? Fine! Tomorrow I’ll arrange it for you; you can take a few wives! Let this old tree sprout some new buds! Hahaha!"

"Oh, my Lord!"

Jing Bo winced from the pat and turned beet-red from the teasing, waving his hands repeatedly: "Please, spare this old servant! This old servant... this old servant was just... just thinking of the old master..."

His voice was choked with sobs.

"Jing Bo,"

Liu Heng收敛了玩笑 (put aside his joking), his voice softening as he held the old man’s arm: "You are at this age; your tears are precious, so save them. Your constitution can’t handle such weeping. Be happy. Even if you don't care for a wife, you have to wait to see me get married and hold your young master! When that time comes, you old fellow will still have to help raise the grandson!"

"My Lord..."

Jing Bo tried to straighten his hunched back: "This old servant’s constitution is sturdy enough! I guarantee I can serve the young master!"

"Okay, okay, as long as you're sturdy! Only a sturdy man can enjoy his later years!"

Liu Heng replied casually, supporting him as they walked slowly toward the inner courtyard.

"My Lord, you... what did you say just now... 'Oh'... what?"

Jing Bo looked confused; he had never heard such a strange syllable before.

"Oh, that?"

Liu Heng spouted nonsense: "That’s a secret code I just invented. I’ll teach it to you when I have time. Only the two of us will know; you must never let it leak out! Did you remember?"

"A secret code? Only... only the two of us will know?"

Jing Bo’s clouded eyes lit up instantly, as if he had been entrusted with some sacred mission. He nodded repeatedly: "This old servant remembers! I won't say a word even if they beat me to death! Rest assured, my Lord!"

"Hmm, that’s more like it!"

Liu Heng nodded with satisfaction, released Jing Bo, and quickened his pace: "Come, let’s go back for dinner; I’m starving!"

"Hey! My Lord, slow down... walk slowly... this old servant’s legs can’t keep up with you..."

Jing Bo panted, jogging to keep up with the young, upright figure, while the sunset stretched the shadows of the old man and the youth long across the ground...

The news of Dong Zhuo deposing the Emperor was like a ladle of ice water thrown into a pot of boiling oil, instantly exploding and sweeping across the entire territory of the Han Dynasty.

Fear, anger, and ambition grew wildly in countless hearts.

Across the lands east of the passes, the undercurrents surged, finally converging into a monstrous wave.

In the first month of the first year of Chuping (190 AD), Yuan Shao, the Administrator of Bohai—that noble scion of a house that had held high office for four generations—relying on his illustrious lineage and the reputation he had accumulated during the purge of the eunuchs, was the first to raise his voice from on high!

The manifesto flew like snowflakes to all the provinces and commanderies: "The traitorous minister Dong Zhuo, acting with malice and wanton cruelty, has brought disaster upon the Supreme One and tyranny upon the people... Let all our allies unite, heart and soul, to uphold the dignity of the court, even at the cost of our lives! Let there be no wavering! If this oath is broken, may our lives be cut short, leaving no heirs! May the High Heaven and Mother Earth, and the spirits of our ancestors, bear witness to this!"

The manifesto was impassioned and every word dripped with blood, igniting the fires of loyalty or ambition throughout the land.

General of the Rear Yuan Shu, Governor of Jizhou Han Fu, Inspector of Yuzhou Kong Zhou, Inspector of Yanzhou Liu Dai, Administrator of Henei Wang Kuang, Administrator of Chenliu Zhang Miao, Administrator of Dongjun Qiao Mao, Administrator of Shanyang Yuan Yi, Chancellor of Jibei Bao Xin... and even General of Valiant Might Cao Cao, Administrator of Beiping Gongsun Zan, and a dozen other warlords.

Whether for the sake of the Han Dynasty or private gain, they rose in response. Banners obscured the sun, and they claimed to have an army of hundreds of thousands, gathering majestically at Suanzao (southwest of present-day Yanjin, Henan), where they built altars and swore oaths to eradicate the national traitor, Dong Zhuo!

For a time, the Suanzao camp was crowded with dignitaries, armor stood like a forest, and the air was filled with the shouting of men and the neighing of horses. A complex atmosphere, interwoven with pre-battle excitement and ambition, permeated the air. The various warlords, each harboring their own hidden agendas, maintained a fragile alliance under the banner of "Punishing Dong."

Chang'an, Office of the Colonel of the Capital (Sili Xiaowei).

Last year, in order to win over the clans, Dong Zhuo had granted titles liberally. Liu Heng, who had effectively controlled the Sanfu region under the pretext of "suppressing rebels," was also appointed Sili Xiaowei and moved his headquarters to Chang'an.

To this, the Jingzhao Yin, Gai Xun, raised no objection. After Xu Huang’s army entered the Chang'an area last year, Gai Xun, knowing his own forces were weak and largely agreeing with Liu Heng’s actions in Zuofengyi, had secretly met with Liu Heng at the urging of his son Gai Shun and Wei Duan, expressing his approval of Liu Heng’s intention to control the Sanfu.

The two sides reached an agreement: Gai Xun petitioned to retire, while Liu Heng petitioned the imperial court to recommend Gai Shun as the new Jingzhao Yin. Once Gai Shun took office, he largely ceased interfering in the appointments of county officials or the deployment of garrison troops, even voluntarily handing his army over to Xu Huang.

As for Liu Heng moving his headquarters to Chang'an after becoming Sili Xiaowei, the Gai family was overjoyed.

After all, Liu Heng’s troops were strong and his horses sturdy; anyone with eyes could see that wherever Liu Heng was, that was the safest place in the Sanfu. Now that he had come to Chang'an, their family would only live more comfortably. Gai Shun had also gained Liu Heng’s recognition for his talents. Though he was older, after spending time with Xun Yu, the two had become unlikely friends.

Initially, after learning of Niu Fu’s death, Dong Zhuo had angrily launched an army toward Tong Pass. Following Li Jue’s successive defeats at the pass, Dong Zhuo was forced to retreat and, acting on the advice of his son-in-law Li Ru, appointed Liu Heng as Sili Xiaowei. As for the duty of the Sili Xiaowei to supervise the capital, there was no need for Liu Heng to worry; he could comfortably remain in the Sanfu.

As for the total annihilation of Niu Fu’s army, for some reason, Dong Zhuo suppressed the news. Since Dong Zhuo did not speak of it, Liu Heng naturally did not go around spreading it, effectively putting his grievances with Liu Heng aside for the time being and acknowledging Liu Heng’s control over the Sanfu.

Soon after, Liu Heng took the opportunity to petition for Du Ji to be the new Administrator of Zuofengyi, as Zuofengyi was his home base and could not be handed over to outsiders.

After the Xu Huang army pacified the Sanfu, they marched to Tong Pass, and Chen Shuzhi was transferred back to Chang'an to stabilize the rear.

Liu Heng looked at the copy of the magnificently worded "Punish Dong" manifesto presented by Xun Yu, a trace of imperceptible mockery appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Wenruo, are the passes in Guanzhong secure?"

He put down the manifesto and cast his gaze toward the stark winter scenery outside the window.

"Returning to my Lord, General Gongming sits at Tong Pass, and General Zhao is guarding Wu Pass and San Pass strictly. The grain supply lines are clear, the refugees are settled in an orderly manner, and the autumn planting and winter storage of last year are secure. The Guanzhong clans, after the previous intimidation, have shown no irregular movements."

Xun Yu answered meticulously, but deep in his eyes, he still harbored questions about Liu Heng’s next move.

"Very good."

Liu Heng nodded and swept his gaze over Dian Wei and Chen Shuzhi, who were standing on either side: "Shuzhi, Chang'an is now in your hands. Guard the home, watch the granaries. If anyone with no sense tries to fish in troubled waters, whether they are Xiliang thieves or Guandong rats, execute them without exception!"

"I obey the order! As long as I live, the city stands!"

Chen Shuzhi cupped his hands.

"Junming."

"My Lord!"

Dian Wei stepped forward, his voice like a booming bell.

"Pick fifty elite cavalrymen and prepare ten days of dry rations."

Liu Heng’s voice was calm but carried an unquestionable decisiveness: "Follow me to Suanzao to meet the heroes of this world!"

Upon hearing this, a flash of realization crossed Xun Yu’s eyes, but it was accompanied by a trace of anxiety: "My Lord, you are only taking fifty riders? The warlords are gathered at Suanzao, a mix of dragon and fish; I fear..."

"Fifty riders are enough."

Liu Heng interrupted him with a confident smile: "More people would only be an inconvenience. We are going to 'observe the ceremony,' not to fight a war. If I bring too many, Yuan Benchu and Yuan Gonglu might not be able to sleep peacefully."

Xun Yu was silent and said no more. He understood Liu Heng’s intent: enter the scene low-key, show weakness to others, observe the changes, and simultaneously show his fangs to intimidate the small-minded. This was the choice that best served the current interests of Guanzhong.

Several days later.

Outside the gate of the coalition camp at Suanzao.

The cold wind of the first month was still biting, whipping the various banners into a rhythmic snapping sound. The gate was heavily guarded, with armored soldiers scrutinizing the passing carriages.

When Liu Heng’s party appeared, they immediately drew the side-glances of the guards and nearby soldiers.

They were too conspicuous!

Liu Heng, who led them, was only in his twenties. He wore a dark, tight-fitting outfit covered by a fur cloak, without armor. His posture was as upright as a javelin, his face handsome yet hardened by the frost of wind and rain, and his eyes were as calm as deep pools, as if the noisy army before him were nothing but passing smoke.

The warhorse beneath him was extraordinary—pitch black with only four white hooves, the famous steed "Cloud-Treading Black."

Even more eye-catching was what followed him.

Only fifty riders!

But these fifty riders were all clad in dark light armor, the plates gleaming in the bleak sunlight. They were as silent as mountains, their formation perfect.

A murderous aura, honed through countless trials, was held in check, yet it made the noisy air near the gate stagnate. The guards instinctively gripped their long halberds, cold sweat seeping into their palms.

Especially the giant of a man half a horse-length behind Liu Heng! Yes, a giant! A very large one!

It was Dian Wei!

He also wore no armor, only a thin fur jacket that revealed muscles coiled like iron. His figure was massive, and his appearance was somewhat... majestic?

Carrying two short halberds on his back, his eyes flashed with a fierce, predatory light, like a beast ready to devour someone at any moment. His mere existence created a suffocating sense of oppression.

"Who goes there? State your name!"

The guard commander struggled to keep his composure and shouted.