In Luoyang, within the Northern Palace—
Emperor Liu Hong sat upright upon the dragon throne, his face hidden beneath the imperial crown, yet his expression dark and weary.
The Han Dynasty… was beset by misfortune.
Last year, the Yellow Turban Rebellion had erupted. Zhang Jiao raised his banner, and rebellion swept across eight provinces.
No sooner had that been suppressed than unrest broke out again in Liangzhou.
Beigong Boyu, together with Bian Zhang and Han Sui, led tens of thousands in revolt, raiding the Three Auxiliary Regions. Officials were killed, defenses shattered.
At the same time, new Yellow Turban remnants rose in Youzhou, seizing Yuyang, while the Wuhuan also rebelled.
Edicts were issued. Troops were dispatched.
Yet everything seemed to go wrong.
Zong Yuan was sent to pacify Youzhou—only to fall gravely ill.
Huangfu Song was transferred to guard Chang'an—but before he even arrived, the Black Mountain Army led by Chu Yan rose in rebellion across Jizhou.
Before these crises could be resolved, famine and plague spread through Ji, Yan, and Yu provinces.
And just last night—
A great fire had broken out in the Southern Palace.
Even now, it still burned.
"Could it be… that I have failed in virtue, and Heaven is warning me?"
Liu Hong's voice was low, heavy with exhaustion.
Disasters within, enemies without—even the palace itself in flames.
He felt utterly besieged.
"Let us discuss the situation in Youzhou and Jizhou," he said at last.
His voice carried fatigue.
Zhang Wen, the Sikong, stepped forward—
—but before he could speak, an attendant rushed in, announcing that a memorial had arrived from the imperial clan.
Zhang Wen's heart skipped.
At this moment?
"Present it," Liu Hong ordered.
Moments later, an official entered, knelt heavily, and burst into tears.
"Your Majesty! General Zong… has passed away!"
Silence fell across the hall.
"What?" Liu Hong's voice trembled. "Last winter, he was still campaigning in Jizhou. How could he die so suddenly?"
The official bowed low.
"After the snowfall, he fell ill. At first, it seemed minor… but after two months, he did not recover. Six days ago, his condition worsened—and he passed soon after."
Liu Hong was stunned.
Another pillar of the state—gone.
Zhang Rang stepped forward, took the memorial, and presented it.
After reading it, Liu Hong set it aside and sighed deeply.
"I grieve for Minister Zong. Let the proper rites be observed."
Then he looked at his ministers.
"With his sudden passing… who shall govern Youzhou?"
Zhang Wen bowed.
"I recommend Liu Yu, Chancellor of Ganling, to serve as Governor of Youzhou."
Liu Hong nodded slowly.
Liu Yu was capable, virtuous, and a member of the imperial clan.
In the past, when he governed Youzhou, the frontier tribes had submitted peacefully.
Only after his departure had chaos returned.
"He is indeed suitable," Liu Hong said. "But I had intended to appoint him as Minister of the Imperial Clan. If he goes to Youzhou, who will replace him?"
Zhang Wen replied, "Liu Yan is a suitable candidate."
Liu Hong turned to He Jin.
"What does the General think?"
He Jin nodded. "I agree."
A faint shadow crossed Liu Hong's eyes—but he said nothing.
"So be it. Appoint Liu Yu as Governor of Youzhou, and Liu Yan as Minister of the Imperial Clan."
After further discussions, Liu Hong spoke again before dismissing court:
"Minister Yuan Kui has long been ill and unable to serve. In light of recent disasters, he is to be dismissed. Those interested in the position may present gifts at the West Garden."
The meaning was clear.
In the Han system, disasters were seen as Heaven's judgment.
Since the emperor could not be replaced, blame fell upon the Three Excellencies.
Thus, they were dismissed—often repeatedly.
And Liu Hong…
had turned even this into an opportunity.
Positions could be bought.
Expensive—but short-lived.
Even Cao Song had once paid a fortune for high office, only to lose it within months.
Justice had no place here.
Among the officials, Cui Lie's eyes gleamed.
"Court dismissed."
Imperial edicts were swiftly sent across the realm.
Relief measures were ordered. Taxes adjusted.
Appointments made.
On the tenth day of the second month, the decree reached Ganling.
After receiving it, Liu Yu wasted no time.
He set out immediately for Youzhou.
The journey to Ji County was over seven hundred li, and the roads were dangerous, plagued by bandits of the Black Mountain Army.
With the imperial order urgent, Liu Yu traveled light and fast, leaving his family to follow slowly under guard.
After more than ten days of hard travel, he arrived at Ji County.
Officials had already gathered thirty li outside the city to welcome him.
Among them was Wei You.
"Zishan!" Liu Yu laughed warmly as he approached. "To serve alongside you again is my greatest fortune!"
Wei You bowed deeply.
"The people of Youzhou long for you as children long for their parents—as drought-stricken land longs for rain."
Liu Yu helped him up, smiling at the assembled officials.
"Gentlemen—I have returned."
Laughter and relief spread among them.
Many had once served under him.
They had watched Youzhou decline after his departure.
Now, hope had returned.
Once inside the government offices, Liu Yu asked:
"What is the current situation in Youzhou?"
Wei You stroked his beard.
"Surprisingly… stable."
"Stable?" Liu Yu was taken aback. "I heard that the Yellow Turbans seized Yuyang, and the Wuhuan rose again."
Wei You smiled faintly.
"The stability… is because of that very Yellow Turban force."
Liu Yu frowned slightly.
Wei You continued:
"They occupied Yuyang—but instead of looting, they attacked the Wuhuan everywhere, driving them into retreat."
"Before the New Year, they killed Nanlou. During the Lantern Festival, they destroyed Wuyan."
"As a result, Yuyang, Youbeiping, and even Guangyang have enjoyed rare peace."
After recounting everything, Wei You cupped his hands.
"My lord, I believe this Yellow Turban force does not truly oppose the court."
"We might consider winning them over."
Liu Yu fell into thought.
After a moment, he asked:
"Where are they now?"
Wei You shook his head.
"No one knows."
Liu Yu blinked in surprise.
"After defeating Wuyan… they vanished without a trace."