Free Web NovelChapter 677: 677 The Consequences of Tearing Off the Mask
Dong Zhuo, standing to the side, subtly turned to look at Lu Ming, seemingly wanting to see how he would handle the situation.
This was an act that had enraged the masses—forcibly seizing someone’s family, abusing his military power to act recklessly; wasn’t he afraid of causing trouble?
Now trouble has arisen; let’s see how he handles it.
Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, frowned deeply. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Although he was intelligent, he was still somewhat at a loss when faced with this situation.
He could only look at Lu Ming and ask, "Minister Lu, what’s going on? Is there some misunderstanding?"
Lu Ming slowly stepped forward, a cold smile playing on his lips, releasing his concealed aura.
Instantly, an aura of overwhelming bloodshed swept over them, causing Liu Xie to tremble, his face pale, and he swayed precariously.
"Your Majesty, these people deserve their fate; their deaths are not a pity. They used rumors to slander the Empress Dowager, attempting to tarnish the dignity of the Han Dynasty so they could seize control of the court and bully Your Majesty’s youth. They wanted to turn this great Han Dynasty into their own, using Your Majesty as a puppet. The late Emperor entrusted me with the task of not serving in the court, but instead guarding the borders and remaining loyal to Your Majesty. Your Majesty, these are my heartfelt words."
"Nonsense!"
"A colossal joke! You are the traitor!" freewёbnoνel.com
"Lu Ming, you plotted rebellion; you deserve to die!"
They spoke one after another, determined to kill Lu Ming immediately.
They wished they could devour his flesh.
Anyway, Lu Ming’s death was better than theirs.
Daring to challenge the entire bureaucratic class, Lu Ming’s death was deserved and not unjust.
But this was all wishful thinking on their part. If Lu Ming were truly so easy to deal with, they wouldn’t have needed to risk their lives to plead for him.
They never seem to grasp one thing: true strength is the foundation of confidence.
Without strength, all words are pale and powerless. Can mere words kill?
Lu Ming sneered and stepped forward, standing disdainfully on the steps looking down: "You are all a bunch of trash, a bunch of parasites. You eat the emperor’s food, so how many of your duties have you fulfilled? You’ve either embezzled or accepted bribes, using the power His Majesty bestowed upon you as a tool for enriching yourselves. The reason the world is in chaos, with constant uprisings and rebellions, is because you have corrupted the court! You deceive your superiors and subordinates, only knowing how to pursue your own interests. Today you dare to slander the Empress Dowager with rumors, tomorrow you dare to depose His Majesty and install a new emperor. How many scholars in this world are your protégés and former subordinates? Whatever they say, it’s up to you. In my opinion, you are the culprits who have shaken the foundations of the Han Dynasty, and your crimes deserve death, your entire families should be executed!"
The ministers below were sweating profusely, their legs trembling.
The surrounding soldiers had already placed their spears horizontally in front of their chests, assuming an attack stance.
They suddenly realized that today’s coup might not be about Lu Ming, but about them!
Liu Xie was terrified, breaking out in a cold sweat. These battle-hardened soldiers weren’t his men, but Lu Ming’s.
If Lu Ming were to massacre these ministers, he feared he too would become a puppet!
In this critical moment, he could only turn to Dong Zhuo, forcing a smile. "Prime Minister, what should we do now?"
Dong Zhuo was also startled. He genuinely wished those people dead. But if Lu Ming killed so many, wouldn’t it be his turn next?
Besides, if all the officials were wiped out, how could he maintain control of the court?
So he stepped forward and said to Liu Xie, "Your Majesty, please entrust this matter to this old minister for investigation. I will certainly clear Governor Lu’s name! Governor Lu, today is the auspicious day of Your Majesty’s ascension to the throne; it is best to avoid bloodshed."
"Of course, I dare not disobey the Prime Minister’s words."
Lu Ming cupped his hands to Dong Zhuo, then to Liu Xie, saying, "Your Majesty, I feel unwell and wish to rest."
"Good! Minister Lu, please take care of yourself." Liu Xie breathed a sigh of relief, finally managing to persuade this killing machine to stop.
The ministers below, including Yuan Kui, all breathed a sigh of relief.
Their backs were damp with sweat; just now, they truly felt death was at hand. This savage-looking fellow from the borderlands might have really wanted to massacre them!
Lu Ming, escorted by soldiers, left the palace, also taking Empress Dowager Dong with him.
After leaving the palace, he went straight to the Yuan family’s residence.
Soldiers broke down the gates, killed Yuan’s servants, and carried out all the valuables inside... especially the collected books, which were loaded onto carts and began to be moved.
By the time Yuan Wei emerged, Lu Ming had already emptied Yuan’s collection of books and valuables, even dismantling the military camp outside the city, and had already moved thirty li away.
Seeing the emptied mansion and the servants lying dead on the spot, Yuan Wei was dumbfounded.
After being reported by his servants, he rushed back, only to find this scene so devastating that he nearly fainted.
Not only was Yuan’s mansion completely looted, but their shops had also been plundered—all done by Lu Ming’s troops.
Upon regaining consciousness, Yuan Wei gritted his teeth and said, "Send someone to tell Dong Zhuo to send troops to intercept Lu Ming. As long as the books are retrieved, I’ll agree to all his conditions."
Yuan Wei’s son hurriedly went to find Dong Zhuo.
After promising a host of conditions, including allowing Dong Zhuo to control the entire city of Luoyang, Dong Zhuo also transferred 5,000 troops to Cao Cao and sent Guo Si to assist in the pursuit. He didn’t seek battle; he only wanted the books back.
To this end, he personally wrote a letter outlining the advantages and disadvantages, urging Lu Ming to bring back the books and not to play with fire.
Cao Cao’s wives, concubines, and family had all been abducted by Lu Ming, and he hated Lu Ming to the core. Upon receiving the news, he immediately gathered his cousins and set off with his private army. After joining forces with Guo Si, they immediately launched an attack.
Besides the Yangbian River, a force of 5,000 infantrymen was already lying in ambush along the only route.
Xu Rong sat with his eyes closed, calming his breathing.
This was the opportunity Lu Ming had given him to lead an army independently.
He was to ambush the pursuing troops. Whoever led them, his task was simply to rout them! Of these five thousand men, two thousand were second-stage soldiers, and three thousand were ordinary soldiers.
Being able to command five thousand soldiers at once, without any obstacles, with weapons, provisions, and supplies all readily available, made Xu Rong very grateful to Lu Ming for giving him this opportunity to prove himself.
Even with the newly joined Gan Ning and Huang Zhong already leading independently, he remained calm and composed, though he was actually quite anxious.
His rank was higher than everyone else’s, granting him veteran status, but he wanted more than just a title; he wanted to lead troops into battle and prove his abilities!
