However, the truth will always come out, and deception cannot last.
Cen Peng was one of the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai in history, and one of the most capable fighters. He followed Liu Xiu because of Liu Yan's kindness.
After Liu Yan was killed, Liu Xiu was sent to pacify Hebei. Coincidentally, Cen Peng also arrived in Hebei by chance. After meeting Liu Xiu, he said something that showed Liu Yan's position in his heart.
"I, Cen Peng, was fortunate to have received the life-saving grace and the patronage of Grand Minister Liu Yan. Before I could repay him, he met with misfortune and death. For this, I, Cen Peng, will forever harbor resentment. Today, I have encountered a relative of Grand Minister Liu Yan again, and I am willing to submit and serve him to the death!"
Liu Xiu was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately made Cen Peng his confidant, essentially gaining a great general for free.
It can be said that Liu Xiu's ability to gain power was largely due to the help he received from his elder brother, Liu Yan.
Of course, how this plane will develop is uncertain. If Liu Xiu were a host who knew the course of history, could he just watch Liu Yan be killed by Liu Xuan and do nothing?
They might even chop Liu Xuan into pieces!
Liu Xuan then said, "Lord Liu, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, I hereby order you to inspect Wancheng on my behalf, supervise the distribution of grain, and severely punish the soldiers who disturb the people!"
"Yes, sir." Liu Cixin readily agreed.
When Liu Xuan was alone, he had already thought of many techniques for being an emperor, the most crucial of which was winning the hearts of the people, especially the people in the capital.
If someone like Wang Mang didn't even feel safe in the capital, what was the point of being an emperor?
Chang'an, Weiyang Palace.
Wang Mang, who was taking a nap on his bed, suddenly opened his eyes wide, his mouth gaped open, and his body struggled violently, looking extremely painful.
However, the attendant beside Wang Mang remained indifferent, seemingly unfazed by such occurrences.
"Uh..." Wang Mang tried to shout but couldn't make a sound. The immense pain caused him to flail his hands wildly, sometimes tearing off his own hair, sometimes leaving bloody marks on his face, and even tearing most of his clothes open, revealing two strange black moles on his neck.
A moment later, a thick beam of dark light shot out from Wang Mang's mouth and disappeared into the room in the blink of an eye...
Chapter 256 Proposal
Nanyang, Wancheng.
After the court session, Liu Yan summoned Yin Shi, who had recently been promoted from colonel to lieutenant general in his army, and loaded a cart with grain and gifts, heading towards a large mansion deep in Wancheng.
The Yin family was a very prominent family. Their ancestor was Guan Zhong, a famous prime minister of the Spring and Autumn Period who assisted Duke Huan of Qi in achieving a great hegemony.
Although by the time of Yin Lihua's father, Yin Lu, no one in the Yin family held official positions, they were simply wealthy and influential, but they still maintained a certain status in Nanyang.
Most of the family's businesses are concentrated in Xinye, but there is also a large mansion in Wancheng where the Yin family currently resides. Yin Shi was the one Liu Yan sent to guide them.
Yin Shi was Yin Lihua's half-brother. He was studying in Chang'an when he heard that Liu Yan had raised an army against Wang Mang. He immediately abandoned his studies and returned home, leading more than a thousand members of his clan and guests to meet Liu Yan and join the righteous army. He was appointed as a colonel by Liu Yan.
A true hot-blooded youth, he doesn't think about anything, he just does it!
Not long after, Yin Shi met a tragic end.
Liu Yan and Liu Xiu's rebel army was defeated by Wang Mang's army. Yin Shi's father, Yin Lu, then announced that he would expel his rebellious son from the family and then the whole family went to Wancheng to take refuge.
At that time, Nanyang County was in great chaos. The Chunling Army of Liu Yan and Liu Xiu, Wang Mang's government army, and three other Green Forest Army forces were fighting each other. Even the Chunling Army and the Green Forest Army, which were both rebel armies, had frequent clashes.
After the Chunling Army was defeated by Wang Mang's army, the situation was extremely critical. Under such circumstances, it was a pipe dream for the Yin family to rely on the Chunling Army for protection. Even if Wang Mang's government troops did not come to cause trouble for the Yin family because of Yin Shi, it was hard to guarantee that the other Green Forest armies would not covet the Yin family's wealth.
In order to protect himself, Yin Lu had no choice but to sever ties with Yin Shi, secretly support the Chunling Army, and openly support Wang Mang's army, while seeking refuge in the relatively safe county seat of Wancheng.
As a result, misfortune never comes singly; Wancheng was besieged by the rebel army, and the whole family almost starved to death!
It would be a lie to say that the Yin family wasn't panicked when the rebel army besieged Wancheng.
If the garrison commander of Wancheng were to bring up old grievances and remember that brat Yin Shi, the Yin family would be walking right into a trap.
Of course, neither the former governor of Nanyang nor the current garrison commander Cen Peng remembered Yin Shi, because he was doing really badly, and the clan soldiers who initially invested in him had long since squandered their money.
However, apart from the patriarch Yin Lu, the Yin family members were somewhat secretly pleased. After the Chunling Army and the Green Forest Army formed an alliance, the rebel army had truly become their own people, because Liu Yan, whom Yin Shi followed, had risen up and was capable of protecting the Yin family.
Moreover, Liu Yan and the Yin family are somewhat related.
Soon, Liu Yan and Yin Shi arrived at the Yin family and met the family head, Yin Lu.
After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Yan got straight to the point and said he wanted to propose marriage!
"Is the Grand Minister here to propose marriage for Uncle Wen?" Yin Lu had naturally met Liu Xiu before and had a deep impression of him. He was a handsome man, but a bit too old.
"That's right. Miss Yin is not yet married, is she?" Liu Yan asked.
“That’s right. That girl has very high standards, and my wife dotes on her immensely, so she has never married. Uh, may I ask what official position Uncle Wen holds now?” Yin Lu did not refuse outright. After all, Wancheng and even the entire Nanyang were in the hands of the rebel army, and the Yin family still wanted to rely on Liu Yan as a powerful figure.
"Uncle Wen is currently only a Lieutenant General of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, but he has made great contributions in blocking the reinforcements of the new army this time, and his promotion is inevitable. Don't worry, Lord Yin, my brother is an honest man, and he has long admired Miss Yin. He will definitely treat your daughter well," Liu Yan replied.
"Grand Minister, could you give me the real answer? Can the rebel army repel the million reinforcements of the new army?" As the head of the family, Yin Lu had to consider the entire family. If Liu Yan and Liu Xiu could achieve great things, the Yin family could rise with them. But if they ultimately failed, this marriage alliance could destroy the entire Yin family.
"Haha, Lord Yin, there's no need to worry. The new army only has 400,000 troops, and my brother has already cut off their supply lines in the north. Not only can we repel them, but we might even annihilate them. To be honest, I'm already preparing to lead the army to Kunyang, and we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning. After this battle, the new dynasty will have no military strength to contend with our Han dynasty!" Liu Yan said confidently.
Yin Lu nodded repeatedly. He didn't understand military affairs, but he had just experienced the predicament of running out of food. If the 400,000-strong army couldn't get food, they would probably have no choice but to surrender like Cen Peng.
"Why don't we ask Madam and Miss Yin for their opinions first?" Liu Yan felt that his sincerity was enough. If that didn't work, then he would have no choice but to let that kid take action himself.
"Please wait a moment, Grand Minister, I'll be right back." Yin Lu was tempted, but he really needed to ask his daughter's opinion. If she was willing, then everything would be perfect. If she disagreed, then he'd have to try and persuade her; she wasn't getting any younger...
Soon, Yin Lu returned to the hall with a happy expression and finalized the marriage with Liu Yan. Yin Shi was left in Wancheng by Liu Yan to reunite with his family and take care of them.
After all, Wancheng had just changed hands, so some instability was inevitable.
At this moment, in front of a private residence in Wancheng, several soldiers who had committed crimes were caught red-handed by Liu Ci, who was patrolling the city.
"His Majesty and the Grand Minister of Works have both ordered that the people not be disturbed. How dare you violate this order again!" Liu Ci shouted, pointing at several soldiers.
“Reporting to the Grand Master of Ceremonies, we are innocent! The Grand Minister of Works has ordered that the people not be disturbed, but this man is not a commoner, but an official of the new dynasty! We forced him to take off his clothes because we saw that his official robes were magnificent.” The soldier said, clasping his hands in a fist.
Liu Ci was slightly taken aback. "Don't you know that the entire city of Wancheng has surrendered? Where are the officials of the new dynasty? Furthermore, the garrison commander of Wancheng, Cen Peng, has been pardoned by His Majesty and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Guide. This is a clear indication of his efforts to appease the surrendered officials. Your actions may bring you death! Considering your merits on the battlefield, this matter will not be pursued for the time being. Leave immediately!"
"Yes, sir. Thank you very much!" The soldiers quickly took their leave.
"You must be frightened. May I ask your name, brave warrior?" Liu Ci had just passed by this place on patrol and immediately noticed this man with the demeanor of an elder confronting several soldiers. He was quite courageous.
"Thank you for saving me, sir. I am Ren Guang, a minor official from Wan County." Ren Guang bowed deeply, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.
Liu Ci felt that this man was extraordinary, so he said, "No need for thanks. I have been ordered to inspect Wancheng and am short of people to assist me. How about you come with me as a security officer?"
“How dare I disobey?” Ren Guang said, raising his head.
Phew...
A cry came from the sky, and the eagle flapped its wings and flew north.
...
As night fell, deep in a mountain valley in the Ziyun Mountains, lay the Gengshi Army camp.
The twinkling lights flickered on and off as the soldiers on guard kept their eyes glued to the dense forest outside, not daring to slacken their vigilance for even a moment.
Inside the central command tent, Xiang Yu's clone, Xiang Ji, slowly wiped a long halberd. The scouts sent towards Xiangcheng had not yet returned, and it was uncertain whether the new army's grain transport team would arrive tomorrow, but tonight was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Suddenly, a wolf's howl shattered the silence of the night.
Awooo...
The wolf is coming.
Chapter 257 Unexpected Changes
Ziyun Mountain is not particularly large, but with the two mountain ranges extending in the north-south and east-west directions, it covers a considerable area, making it difficult to find a hidden army within it.
This is also the reason why Liu Xiu dared to leave his army on Ziyun Mountain; otherwise, if the two thousand soldiers were surrounded, they would have been completely wiped out.
The location of the Gengshi Army's camp on Ziyun Mountain was also carefully chosen. This mountain valley has two entrances, one large and one small, one open and one hidden, which is more conducive to defense.
The main exit is like the front door, while the hidden small exit is a secret door. If things go wrong, you can escape from this side. However, the mountain road is rugged and steep, making it difficult for vehicles and horses to travel. It can only be crossed on foot.
Of course, if you're skilled enough, you can just climb over the mountain, it doesn't matter if there's a path or not.
From another perspective, if the enemy is skilled enough, they also don't need to use the main entrance.
Therefore, Xiang Yu only set up some sentry posts at the entrances and exits of the mountain pass, and focused his defense on the main camp. He also had the palisade reinforced. After all, the mountains were full of trees, and it was easy to find materials on the spot. Why not build a sturdy one? It would be better to build a fortress.
Whether it was due to the animal instincts of Ju Wuba that his beasts only revealed their true terror at night, or whether he deliberately concealed his strength during the day, Xiang Yu was still unsure.
However, Xiang Yu had been spending time with Ju Wuba these past few days and had already subtly inquired about some things related to the ferocious beasts.
However, the answer he got from Ju Wuba was that one day he suddenly discovered that he was good at communicating with animals, starting with poultry and livestock, and gradually extending to wild beasts in the mountains and forests. He himself couldn't explain why.
What surprised Xiang Yu the most was that Ju Wuba said his ability to control animals wasn't always effective, which was why he needed a whip and elephants to assist him.
The world is full of wonders, and some people in modern society have special abilities. Judging that Ju Wuba has a system based solely on his half-baked beast control ability is obviously not very reliable.
Similarly, Liu Xiu's display of superb swordsmanship is not necessarily supported by a systematic basis.
After this mission, Hao Jiu and Xiang Yu felt even more that there was still a lot they needed to learn.
If the entire universe is a dark forest, every civilization carefully hides itself within the forest, sniping at other civilizations.
The system's world is a dark kingdom, filled with all sorts of people, some ordinary, some extraordinary, and countless combinations of systems and hosts mixed in.
Each group does its best to disguise and hide itself, making itself more like one of the unsystematic beings, and eliminating other exposed systems and hosts. Only in this way can they survive, thrive, and gain greater strength.
Those systems that don't know how to conceal themselves will eventually run out of good luck, encounter enemies they can't handle, and pay the price for their ignorance.
Now, although Hao Jiu and Xiang Yu have understood these principles, they have become pawns with no control over their own destiny. The endless tasks force them to actively approach and fight against other systems.
No matter how well you hide, you will eventually have to face the challenge head-on. It's impossible to be lucky enough to instantly kill the host every time. Where can you find a weakling after leaving the beginner village?
Hao Jiu now thinks back to the fact that so many systems betrayed the God of Systems, perhaps because they encountered tasks that were too difficult to complete. So-called erasure cannot ignore the laws of the system; if you want to kill a system, you must first eliminate the host.
Even if the God of the System left some tricks up his sleeve and did some tampering with Hao Jiu, as his strength increases, he will eventually discover the tricks and find a solution.
Or, as long as a powerful enough host is cultivated, what is there to fear if gods come to kill gods and immortals come to slay immortals?
Of course, that's all for later; right now, we need to complete the first time-limited task.
The system god gave Hao Jiu many benefits along with the tasks assigned to him. If he could complete the tasks on time each time, there would be no possibility of being eliminated or betrayed.
However, more than half of the one-month deadline has passed, and the Battle of Kunyang is about to come to an end. The God of the System will not set a deadline randomly; the target system will inevitably show itself during the Battle of Kunyang.
If we fail to seize the opportunity to eliminate the target, there will be no chance of completing the mission after the Battle of Kunyang.
The survival strategy of a system is not just about hiding in the wild or living in the city; it is also necessary to move from place to place after each mission.