Liang Ji, a loyal subject of the Han family since his grandfather’s generation, heard the news and rushed to mourn. After the mourning, everyone agreed for Liu Yan to succeed in the throne.

At first, Liu Yan refused to accept, saying he could not sit on this throne due to his lack of virtue. Wang Ba, Dong Cheng, Liang Ji, and others knelt and pleaded hard, then Liu Yan had no choice but to accept.

Langya became the temporary capital of the empire. Then, they held the emperor’s ceremony, set up a provincial platform, issued imperial edicts, and announced the news to the world.

The news spread, and the nearby Muping, Donglai, Xiaomi, and other governors have come to join. While Xing Xun had not yet returned, there were more than twenty people within Luoyang’s court, including Dou Wu, the state minister, and Deng Xun, who successively joined Langya and embraced Liu Yan as emperor. The small dynasty, Langya, was considered the rightful Han dynasty, while Luoyang became the rebellious capital.

On this day, the ministers met with Liu Yan to discuss conquering Xing Xun. Wang Ba, Dou Wu, and others strongly advocated that while Xing Xun was fighting Wei Shao, they should send troops as soon as possible to reclaim Luoyang. They were all in tears as they spoke with excitement.

Liu Yan verbally agreed to appease the crowd.

When everyone dispersed, Dong Cheng was left behind and asked Liu Yan, “What is your opinion?”

Dong Cheng had secretly become Liu Yan’s trusted servant two years ago. He said: “Wang Ba and Dou Wu are just showing off their mouths. Although various governors had joined Your Majesty, they were only useless small forces. Your Majesty only has a limited number of troops on hand. Even if you recover Luoyang, how can you resist if Xing Xun returns? Your Majesty must refuse!”Liu Yan looked away and asked, “How do you see the victory in the battle between Xing Xun and Wei Shao?”

After the two losses, Xing Xun received assistance from Le Zheng Gong. At the beginning of the year, when the Yellow River was frozen, their combined forces crossed the river.

At that time, the two sides fought in Gaotang. Wei Shao judged the situation and retreated his defenses to Muye, followed by a counter-attack, using the previously constructed defensive corners to suppress the rampant attack of the allied forces.

Afterward, the weather was harsh. The once-in-a-decade blizzard made the soldiers and horses on both sides freeze and die. They temporarily stopped the frontal battle, and each side built their camp in Muye. Now, they are confronting each other.

Dong Cheng pondered and said: “The old thief’s 500,000 soldiers against 300,000 Wei Shao’s soldiers. His military strength is advantageous, and now he has invited Le Zheng Gong to join him in the battle. His power is strong, and his army has crossed the Yellow River. In my opinion, Wei Shao does not have much chance. I’d worry if Xing Xun wins the war, he will lead a large army to attack Your Majesty. With your current situation, I am afraid you will be difficult to resist.”

Liu Yan was silent. Suddenly he asked, “Is there any news from Yuan Zhe?”

Soon after Liu Yan became the emperor, he sent someone to Qingzhou to meet Yuan Zhe. But, he had not replied so far.

Dong Cheng was about to shake his head when Liu Fan entered the room with a letter, kneeling and saying that Yuan Zhe’s emissary had arrived and was waiting outside the palace for His Majesty to receive him.

Liu Yan took the letter and hurriedly browsed through it. In the letter, Yuan Zhe said that the Yuan family had been deeply indebted to the emperor for generations and had always hated that there was no way to repay them. Now that the Han Dynasty had a new and rising emperor, he was glad and was willing to lead 200,000 troops to join his command to restore the country.After reading the letter, Liu Yan’s eyes moved slightly. Then, he passed it to Dong Cheng.

After reading it, Dong Cheng was overjoyed. But then he felt worried, saying, “Your Majesty, I am afraid Yuan Zhe has other plans.”

Liu Yan walked to the window and looked out into the distance. His back looked tedious and motionless. The two hands gripping the window pane tighten their grip, tighter and tighter. Until his bones are white and veins are showing. A terrifying wave raised in his heart at this moment.

After Yuan Zhe lost to Xing Xun the year before, his reputation was swept away, and hid his light. But even so, the thin camel was bigger than the horse. His current strength was still far beyond comparison, no matter how hard he worked. He accepted his lobbying and was willing to come and join him, so he must have other plans, Liu Yan naturally knows in his heart. But what does it matter? Many people support him as emperor, but which one does not have their own thoughts? Maybe for a thousand years of loyalty and reputation. Or for glory and wealth. He desperately needs Yuan Zhe, just as Yuan Zhe now needs to borrow his identity to regain prestige.

In that case, why did he not use it? As for the end, who will die, depends on the individual’s ability. He has been waiting for a long time for this day.

He definitely will not let go of this opportunity. Perhaps, in this lifetime, this opportunity may not come a second time.

For his kingdom, the humiliation of taking his wife and every sleepless night when that woman’s silhouette emerged from his heart said that they could not recover the past. A blazing fire burns his heart and blood, almost turning his soul to ash at this moment.

“Draw up a decree, appoint Yuan Zhe as the Great General, with the golden seal and purple ribbon, and come to attend the King at once.”

He slowly turned around and calmly said.

……

In the wilderness, the north wind was howling, the snow was flying, and the banner flag tied on top of the military camp tent was blown by the gale as if it was going to break free the next moment.

This place is only 70 miles away from Chaoge, where the legend of the white banner, yellow battle-axe, and red bird flowing once existed. Now the sky is cold while the ground is frozen. As far as the eye can see, snow is everywhere.