“We, loyal and good people, are repeatedly framed and massacred, causing widespread panic, leaving us no choice but to resign and return home to live out our days.”
“The Son of Heaven, sitting on that dragon throne, remains indifferent, instead heavily relying on these treacherous officials, even calling them ‘Father’ and ‘Mother’.”
“Even if that were all, it would be fine, but they even forcibly attributed the credit for suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion to these Eunuchs, with several of them being ennobled as Marquises.”
“Don’t you think it’s ridiculous?”
After Tian Feng finished speaking, he let out a long sigh, his eyes red, his entire body trembling uncontrollably, appearing extremely indignant.
In his eyes, there was only anger towards the Han Dynasty, no longer the loyal thoughts of yesteryear.
Inside the hall, Min Chun, Li Li, and others, hearing these words, seemed to be deeply moved and began to sigh.
The current court situation was indeed like this: talented individuals were not given important positions, while those who slaughtered chickens and dogs and flattered others were still entrusted with heavy responsibilities.
Liu Jin, hearing these words, finally understood Tian Feng’s true feelings.
He was likely frustrated, suppressed, and deeply hurt, perhaps even broken, no longer trusting the imperial court, and had indignantly left.
Coming to him, he probably wanted to see if he had ambitions, and if he was worth his full assistance.
If he were someone without ambition, Tian Feng would likely still leave, stay in his hometown to live out his days, waiting for the world to fall into chaos, and then emerge to assist an enlightened lord.
After sorting through his thoughts, the historical Tian Feng was indeed exactly as he had imagined.
After resigning and returning home, he had remained in his hometown and had not emerged until after the world fell into chaos, when he began to assist Yuan Shao, offering him strategies and vying for the Three Auxiliary Regions.
Liu Jin looked at the furious Tian Feng and said in a clear voice!
“Yuan Hao’s words, this Marquis also deeply agrees with.”
Tian Feng, hearing this, his indignant expression instantly vanished, replaced by sharp words!
“The world is in chaos, the imperial court is out of order, Eunuchs are misleading the country, refugees are rising everywhere, rebels are carving out territories, and Grand Protectors are hoarding troops.”
“Within three years, the world will surely fall into chaos, and all of this is due to the current Son of Heaven.”
“Marquis, do not deceive yourself. Since you have thoughts in your heart, you should naturally express them. Hiding them from me, however, makes Feng look down on you a little.”
Liu Jin, hearing this, felt a slight tremor in his heart. He hadn’t expected Tian Feng to be so arrogant as to openly denounce the Son of Heaven in front of everyone.
But it was undeniable that Tian Feng was indeed a top-tier strategist, capable of seeing the turbulent situation of the world.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Although the Yellow Turban Rebellion had been suppressed, local bandits and mountain brigands were countless, still plaguing the commanderies.
In addition, in Western Liang, there were hundreds of thousands of rebels sweeping across the entire Three Auxiliary Regions. Even if the imperial court sent elite soldiers to suppress them, it would probably not be resolved in a short time.
In fact, many strategists in the world had already seen the signs of chaos, but many were still immersed in the nearly four hundred years of the Han Dynasty and were unwilling to believe it.
But there were also many clever ones, like Liu Yan, who probably saw through the world’s situation and was contemplating how to recommend the implementation of the Provincial Governor system to the imperial court.
He wanted to carve out Yi Province, hoard troops, become a local emperor, and even harbored ambitions of replacing the Han Dynasty and establishing his own rule.
Liu Jin looked at Tian Feng in the hall, slowly stood up, came to his side, his eyes filled with fervent anticipation, and said in a clear voice!
“Since Yuan Hao speaks thus, Jin will no longer hide anything. I do indeed have ambitions, but the world has not yet truly fallen into chaos.”
“Jin can only act covertly and cannot be open and forthright. I hope Yuan Hao can understand.”
Tian Feng, hearing this, stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.
Although he had guessed before, these words, spoken aloud, indicated that Liu Jin was of the same mind as him.
Since it met his inner standards, he was naturally worth assisting.
If Liu Jin had no ambitions, he would immediately turn around, return to Ji Province to live out his days, wait for the chaos to arrive, and then seek an enlightened lord to assist.
Liu Jin saw Tian Feng nod, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. It seemed he was very much to his liking.
After pondering for a moment, he slowly said!
“If that is the case, Yuan Hao, would you be willing to serve as my Chief Military Advisor, to strategize for me and participate in military affairs?”
Tian Feng, hearing this, smiled, cupped his hands, and bowed respectfully!
“Feng is willing to accept the position of Chief Military Advisor and strategize for the Marquis.”
Liu Jin heard this, threw his head back and laughed heartily, patted Tian Feng’s shoulder, and said in a clear voice!
“With Yuan Hao’s assistance, it is like adding wings to a tiger!”
He was very excited, finally having a top-tier strategist.
One must know, Tian Feng’s ability, even in history, was that of an individual who could stand alone.
Yuan Shao’s ability to defeat Gongsun Zan and carve out the four northern provinces was due in no small part to Tian Feng’s indelible contributions.
So, everyone continued to clink glasses in the hall.
They chatted idly from time to time, discussing the current situation of the world.
Tian Feng slowly expressed some of his insights, which also made everyone look at him with new respect.
Even Liu Jin nodded repeatedly, expressing his great approval of Tian Feng’s ability.
Zhongping Second Year, the first day of the first lunar month!
The heavy snow that had fallen continuously for a month in Zhuo Commandery finally stopped.
The sun slowly rose into the sky, illuminating the land, and the white snow covering the entire ground began to recede.
Liu Jin, clad in a long robe, stood in the courtyard, looking up at the brilliant sky.
He pondered silently in his heart as the new year arrived.
The weather was warming, and it was almost time for him to go to Yanmen to take charge and prepare for the future.
Looking at Zhao Teng beside him, after a moment of contemplation, his voice slowly emerged!
“De Hu, I’m afraid I’ll have to keep you busy. Take out Zhang Jiao’s treasure from before, contact the Zhen Family, a wealthy merchant in Ji Province, to purchase provisions, and have them transported to Yanmen.”
“As for Aunt Zhao, don’t worry, I will bring her to Yanmen then.”
Zhao Teng, hearing this, quickly patted his chest and nodded, saying!
“Big Brother, with you taking care of my mother, I am absolutely at ease.”
After saying this, he bowed and withdrew, beginning to handle the matter.
After dealing with this matter, Liu Jin began to plan again in his heart.
With over a thousand cavalry, he would still be somewhat stretched thin when he went to Yanmen. He could Just right recruit young men from Zhuo Commandery to serve him.
After all, he was from Zhuo Commandery, and in this small area, he still had great prestige. As long as he rallied, many people would be willing to follow him.
Liu Jin looked at the personal guards beside him and ordered!
“Invite Tian Feng, Min Chun, Li Li, Wu Xing, Guan Yu, and others to discuss matters.”
The personal guards immediately bowed in agreement and went to invite them.
After giving his orders, Liu Jin went alone to the main hall and took his seat.
He glanced at the spacious mansion. This time, he was leaving, and he probably wouldn’t return to his old home in Zhuo Commandery for a while.
Footsteps were heard outside the main hall, and Tian Feng, Min Chun, Zhao Teng, and others quickly walked in.
They all greeted him as Marquis and then took their seats nearby.
Liu Jin, seeing that everyone had arrived, did not waste words and went straight to the point!
“The weather is gradually warming. My affairs in Zhuo Commandery are settled, and it is almost time to go to Yanmen to take charge.”