lcionline Chapter 270 Union
Chapter 270 Union
After all, he was there to deliver the Emperor's decree, representing Liu Hong. Although they were of much higher rank than him, they still had to show him respect. Naturally, they had to be solemn in receiving the decree.
Soon, the soldiers on both sides set up an incense table, and they all knelt down to listen to Wu Ban announce the decree. Only then did they learn that Liu Hong knew they had fought their way back through great hardships, but had suffered heavy losses at the last moment.
However, he had not been feeling well all day, which was why he had not summoned them. Now that he felt better, he asked Chen Er and Ma Chao to come to his palace so that they could report back to him on the situation.
After receiving the imperial decree, the father winked at Chen Er. Chen Er understood what he meant; he wanted Chen Er to pay attention to the content of the speech. Chen Er naturally understood and winked back to indicate that he understood. Chen Er and Ma Chao re-bandaged their wounds, changed their clothes, and then, accompanied by a dozen or so guards, followed Wu Ban straight to Liu Hong's temporary palace.
Liu Hong lived in Baidi City on Baidi Mountain, which was not far away. Baidi Mountain was only a few miles away from the western end of Qutang Gorge and belonged to Yufu County of Kuizhou. It was Fengjie, the previous life of Chen Er. Baidi City also had a history. Historically, Baidi City was built by Gongsun Shu when he occupied Shu at the end of the Western Han Dynasty.
From then on, relying on the natural terrain of Shu, and adhering to the principle of "if there is profit, send troops to seize the land; if there is no profit, hold the position and focus on agriculture," he established himself as emperor in Shu.
Because Gongsun Shu favored white, he naturally thought this was the best omen.
Seeing it as a symbol of his becoming the Son of Heaven, he decided to declare himself emperor here. Thus, in 25 AD, shortly after Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, ascended the throne in Luoyang, the eastern capital, he built Baidi City. Gongsun Shu followed the legend that "a white dragon emerged from the well in front of the palace."
In order to spread the message that "the white dragon brings good fortune," he dressed in a white robe, rode a white horse, circled the city three times, and called himself "White Emperor." He also called himself "Chengjia," changed the era name to "Longxing" (the first year), and renamed Yufu County to "White Emperor City."
When they arrived at the foot of Baidi Mountain, Chen Er found that Baidi City was situated by the river, with a solitary mountain towering above it. Surrounded by water on three sides, it controlled the western entrance of the Three Gorges. However, Chen Er always felt that it should not be considered a city, but rather a military fortress. The city walls were high, the gates were thick, and from a distance, apart from the grass and trees covering the slopes, there were not many buildings.
The sky was a bit overcast when we started climbing the mountain. Wu Ban led them up the steep steps on the north side.
In the dampness, they could only raise their heads and silently file upwards. Starting from the foot of the mountain, Chen Er counted that it would take nearly a thousand stone steps to reach a slightly flatter area halfway up the mountain, where a memorial archway-style building stood. Beyond this was the main gate of Baidi City.
While waiting for the guards at the gate to deliver the message, Chen Er sat down on a large rock on the platform in front of the city and looked down. Just as Chen Er had described in his previous life, the mountains and peaks were towering, surrounded by greenery and clear water. The majestic mountains and clear blue water made the entire Baidi City seem even more secluded, and the mountains on the opposite side of the river were layered with peaks.
This is also the best place to view the majestic Qutang Gorge. The towering cliffs of Qutang Gorge stand majestically, and the raging river, locked in place, swirls and surges, crowding into the gorge.
The riverbanks rise and fall, casting eerie shadows on the gorges. A boat on the mighty river is like a leaf, navigating the turbulent currents, winding its way through gorges and traversing towering, craggy cliffs. No wonder the great Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi lamented in his poem:
"Above are towering mountains, below are deep rivers; between the two cliffs, a wide gorge can accommodate a single reed."
The town reveals the majestic power of Baidi Mountain, which serves as a moat around the Qutang Gorge and controls its strategic importance.
Soon, Liu Hong's guards came out and said that Liu Hong summoned them to come in and see the emperor.
They left their guards outside the city and followed the messenger into Baidi City. Once inside, they discovered that there were only six or seven palaces; the rest were bamboo groves.
After walking a short distance and climbing a dozen or so steps, the scenery suddenly changed after entering the gate, and I came to a garden with lush bamboo forests everywhere. After entering the gate, there was a pair of bronze cranes with outstretched wings, as if the immortals had already ridden the cranes to travel to the clouds. I wanted to ride the cranes away, but alas, my earthly ties are hard to break.
The red pillars were deep red, the purple curtains were dark purple, and the air was filled with a misty haze. Above the door were three large characters: "Xinghan Hall".
It looked like it had just been hung up recently. Chen Er initially thought Liu Hong would meet them here, but unexpectedly, he didn't go in. Instead, he turned a few corners and continued walking through the bamboo forest, descending the steps. After turning a bend, his eyes were suddenly drawn to a bright and open space. A platform appeared before him, and the Three Gorges suddenly came into view—the Qutang Gorge, the majestic Qutang Gorge.
The mountains on both sides, like two closed doors, tightly squeeze the Yangtze River in the middle. Mist swirls around it, and the muddy yellow water rushes down, relentlessly pushing through the obstacles. Waves of damp air wash over you, exceptionally refreshing and cool, making you want to let out a long howl to open your heart. But thoughts are just thoughts.
Chen Er didn't dare. Right there on the platform, with his back to them and facing the Three Gorges, stood an old man in a yellow robe, his figure desolate, motionless despite the river wind. Beside him stood a woman in palace attire, also silent, keeping him company as they gazed at the scenery on the river. Chen Er and Ma Chao quickly knelt down and kowtowed:
"Your humble servant (Ma Chao) pays homage to my lord. Long live the Lord! Long live the Lord! Long live the Lord!"
Liu Hong slowly turned around, stared at Chen Er, and said, word by word:
"Chen Er, do you know your crime?"
Liu Hong suddenly coughed a few times.
"Your Majesty, you are unwell, you should rest first."
Liu Hong snorted, suppressing a cough, and then asked Chen Er:
"Chen Er, tell me, what crimes have you committed?"
Chen Er then kowtowed again, bowing his head and saying:
"Your Majesty, I failed in my planning. Not only did I let Lu Xun go, but I also caused the Wuxi Army to be almost completely wiped out. This is a grave crime, and I am willing to accept punishment."
"Hahaha, Chen Er, Cao Pi has now sent three armies south. If Lu Xun does not return to defend, wouldn't that be giving Cao Pi an advantage?"
Ma Chao knelt beside him and spoke:
"Long live the Emperor! Then my master has done a good deed. It's a pity about my 40,000 soldiers."
Liu Hong couldn't help but cough a few more times and said:
“Ma Chao, this matter has nothing to do with you. Step aside.”
Ma Chao stood up and stepped aside. Liu Hong then said:
"Chen Er, with your intelligence, you probably knew that Cao Cao's army was about to march south, right? Perhaps you deliberately let Lu Xun go?"
Chen Er immediately kowtowed, gritting his teeth and denying it:
"Your Majesty, I trusted Lu Xun too much and fell for his feigned surrender. Lu Xun is Your Majesty's enemy; how could I dare to let him go on purpose!"
Recently, Lu Xun offended the emperor, but Chen Er was his friend and Lu Xun hadn't done anything outrageous, so Chen Er let him go. Now the emperor has come to punish him.