Chapter 5 It’s him!

Night fell and the rain had stopped.

Outside the south gate of Luoyang Palace, soldiers and horses gathered and the atmosphere was grim.

Yuan Shao stood in the middle of the crowd with a frown on his face.

They had been gathering outside the palace for some time.

But the palace gates were tightly closed, and his soldiers tried many times but failed to break in.

The people inside the palace standing on the palace wall confronted them from a distance.

Given the defensive capabilities of the imperial palace, if the two sides were to engage in battle, it would be impossible to enter the palace in a short period of time.

Things had come to this point, and were somewhat beyond the control of Yuan Shao and even Yuan Wei behind him, and were counter to the plans of the Yuan family.

At this moment, amid the sound of horse hooves like war drums, a group of soldiers came riding towards them from afar.

The leader had a broad back, broad shoulders and a broad body, and was as tall and mighty as a mountain.

He had a handsome face and thick eyebrows like swords. When he came closer, he jumped off his horse with a big spear in his hand and walked towards Yuan Shao with the demeanor of a great general.

There were many generals around Yuan Shao, all of whom were outstanding at the time, but they were all outshined by this man.

"Fengxian."

Yuan Shao smiled politely.

This man is the 'Flying General' Lu Bu.

He followed Wumeng Duwei Ding Yuan and was summoned to Luoyang by He Jin.

The troops led by him were also those under Ding Yuan.

"These eunuchs dared to harm General He. My adoptive father received news from Sili and sent me to lead the troops to help."

Lu Bu came closer, exerting a strong pressure on him.

He looked towards the palace gate, a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth: "A few eunuchs want to control the palace, what a joke. Wait for me to open this palace gate for Si Li!"

The giant spear in Lu Bu's hand was as thick as a child's arm.

The spear shaft is carved with intricate patterns and glows with a faint light.

He lightly waved the spear in his hand, releasing his aura. Suddenly, the surrounding area was filled with the sound of low swirling air like a tsunami, as if a storm was about to rush towards the tightly closed palace gates.

Everyone around Yuan Shao showed surprise.

They were just discussing a solution to the problem of the palace gate being difficult to open, and someone suggested burning it.

The gate of the palace cannot be opened by individual strength.

But the invisible fluctuations of power seemed to have become a tangible weapon for Lu Bu, an extension of his limbs.

Before Lu Bu released his power, the onlookers had a terrifying feeling that he was invincible and could destroy anything.

Yuan Shao was amazed and said, "I have heard that Fengxian has unparalleled courage. It turns out he is right."

"But Fengxian, please wait, I have other plans."

"Oh?"

Lu Bu's momentum subsided slightly.

Yuan Shu, who was standing beside Yuan Shao, waved his hand and said, "Fire the rockets!"

The soldiers behind him immediately fired their bows and crossbows.

Arrows dipped in kerosene flew through the air toward the south gate in dense numbers.

Yuan Shu said: "Light the fire and burn the palace gate."

In the light of the fire, Zhen Xin, who was standing on the other side of Yuan Shao, had a flushed face with some excitement.

Eunuchs formed cliques and pursued personal interests inside and outside the palace.

But when the real fighting starts, whoever controls the troops will take the initiative.

As long as we break into the palace, we can kill Zhang Rang and other treacherous people and leave our names in history.

Outside the palace, war broke out suddenly.

The garrison troops and the troops of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu engaged in battle.

At this moment, the tightly closed palace door suddenly opened a gap.

It turned out that Yuan Shao had an insider planted in the palace, who took advantage of Yuan Shu's order to set fire to attract the attention of the defenders and took the opportunity to open the door in the chaos.

The soldiers around Yuan Shao shouted in unison, rushed forward, and broke open the palace gate completely.

"Yuan Sili, my family is in Zhang Rang's hands, so I have no choice but to close the palace gates and not allow you to enter. Please spare my life, Sili..."

When Yuan Shao walked into the palace, the general guarding the palace gate had given up resistance and shouted.

On the other side, there were several eunuchs who came to the South Gate to supervise the battle, and they had been controlled.

Immediately, several eunuchs were hacked to death.

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu both smiled. In this brief coup, they had gained the absolute upper hand.

It went better than expected.

At this time, drizzle fell again, and Yuan Shao walked forward gracefully without getting his clothes wet.

There were two people beside him helping him hold up an umbrella made of animal skin, and generals such as Yuan Shu and Lu Bu followed him.

Everyone walked quickly towards the Shangshu Terrace.

"The power controlled by these eunuchs is not as strong as expected."

Zhen Xin looked relaxed as she followed Yuan Shao and asked, "Where did my sister go after entering the palace first?"

Yuan Shao ordered his men: "Don't let any of Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, the eunuchs including the attendants Duan Gui and Bi Lan go free. Spread out and search everywhere. Kill anyone who resists!"

"Send someone to greet the Queen Mother and His Majesty, and tell them that we are eliminating the trouble. I will explain it to His Majesty and the Queen Mother in person later."

Yuan Shao quickened his pace and soon approached the Secretariat.

All the eunuchs seen along the way were hacked to death and fell in a pool of blood.

The Shangshutai had been taken over by the army that had arrived earlier. Zhen Yan was also here, wearing a long indigo dress and with beautiful eyebrows and eyes.

"Sister."

Zhen Xin quickly walked towards Zhen Yan.

Yuan Shao and others walked into the Secretariat together, and saw blood all over the ground, chopped off heads, and many eunuchs being forced to their knees by the imperial guards.

Zhao Zhong, He Jin... Yuan Shao glanced at the heads.

Who killed them?
Zhen Xin was stunned and very surprised.

Zhao Zhong, Zhang Rang is dead!
Yuan Shao did not hesitate to stage a palace coup and mobilized troops as soon as possible, but he was still one step too late.

"Sister, it was you... who killed them?" Zhen Xin said in astonishment.

Yuan Shao, Lu Bu and others also looked at Zhen Yan.

Zhen Yan's face flickered under the light, revealing an indescribable brightness in the halo.

"The eunuch in this room...may have been killed by Cao Cao."

Zhen Yan said: "I walked with him when I entered the palace, and I saw him going deep into the palace towards the Shangshutai.

Two quarters of an hour before you came here, there was commotion in the Shangshutai, and eunuchs rushed out in panic. I tried to get closer, and the Shangshutai was already in chaos, just like what you saw. "

"Cao Cao killed Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong?"

Zhen Xin opened her mouth slightly, "How many people did he bring into the palace?"

"Just one close follower." Zhen Yan said.

"Where is Meng De now?" Yuan Shao asked.

"I found that there was something wrong with the dead Zhang Rang. His face was disguised and he was a scapegoat. Cao Cao might have gone after the real Zhang Rang."

Yuan Shao, Lu Bu, Yuan Shu, and Zhen Xin all glanced at the head on the ground.

Lu Bu stared at the fake Zhang Rang's head from a distance and studied it for a moment: "It's fake, that's for sure."

"Come here, do your best to track down Zhang Rang's whereabouts."

Yuan Shao sat in the Secretariat and issued orders.

About half an hour later, the moon passed the zenith.

There were footsteps outside the hall.

Cao Cao was led in from outside by a guard. Behind him, Xiao Xiang was holding two heads, which were Zhang Rang and Duan Gui.

Yuan Shao stood up in delight and said, "Meng De, you got the upper hand again this time.

Killing Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong and other eunuchs and eradicating the evil is a righteous act. I will definitely commend Meng De for this later."

Cao Cao did not take it as an offense: "It is nothing to do what should be done."

Zhen Yan looked at Cao Cao.

She never understood why Cao Cao was able to enter the Secretariat and kill all the eunuchs with just one close associate.

Zhen Xin was also looking at Cao Cao with a look of surprise and doubt.

"Benchu, the eunuchs have been removed, but you still plan to let Dong Zhuo come to Luoyang?"

Cao Cao glanced around. Lu Bu and others were out to participate in the elimination of the remaining eunuchs. Only a few of Yuan Shao's confidants and the Zhen sisters were there.

Yuan Shao: "I summoned Dong Zhuo for another purpose. Then Meng De will understand my painstaking efforts."

Painstaking efforts... Cao Cao said calmly: "In that case, I will go back first. You will handle the rest, Benchu?"

The campaign to eliminate the remaining eunuchs had not yet been completed, but Cao Cao decided to withdraw his troops.

But he secretly had other plans.

If he withdraws at this time and openly does not participate in the remaining activities to eliminate the Ten Attendants, it will give the high-profile Yuan Shao room to make use of his abilities, and the timing is just right.

Cao Cao continued, "Your Majesty and the Prince of Chenliu were held hostage by Zhang Rang and returned with me. I have sent them back to the palace. I told Your Majesty that you and I had split up our forces, and we two joined forces to bring Your Majesty back."

This is to give some of the credit to Yuan Shao, otherwise he would have been held guilty of leading his troops to break into the palace.

Yuan Shao smiled and agreed happily.

The palace was noisy and chaotic all night long.

After Cao Cao left, he immediately began to plan what to do next and prepare to deal with the incoming Dong Zhuo.

On the way out of the palace, there were shouts of killing everywhere.

This incident will not end so easily.

"Sir, a group of people tried to attack your mansion before. They were Zhang Rang's men. Fortunately, you arranged some people at home. We ambushed the attackers and captured and killed several of them."

At dawn, Cao Cao returned to his mansion in Luoyang and received a report from his servants.

This mansion was purchased by my father Cao Song when he was the Grand Marshal.

There are exotic flowers and beautiful grasses in the courtyard, and the fragrance wafts in the wind.

The rockery and flowing water are ancient and charming.

Cao Cao came to the inner house and his servants lit the lights in the study.

After he was assassinated a few days ago, the security of his home became extremely tight.

In the corridor of the inner house, there is a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps.

Even before entering the study, his personal soldiers came in and checked it carefully.

When Cao Cao sat down in the study and recalled what happened tonight, he soon had new doubts:

"Concubine Yu and Your Majesty were held hostage by Zhang Rang, but were rescued and sent back to the palace. This matter is a bit strange. Have someone check Concubine Yu's background, and be more thorough."

Xiao Xiang was waiting for orders at the door. He agreed and passed the order on.

Cao Cao is preparing to study plug-ins.

Killing Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong unlocks the reputation value. What is its purpose?
At this time, an attendant came in and put down a bronze square box: "Sir, there is a secret compartment in the carriage that Zhang Rang used to escape. It contains something. This is the box. We have checked it and found no mechanism."

　I saw many book friends show up, happy reading.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)