Volume One: Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter Twenty-Two: Not Only No Bird, But Also No Egg?

Not long after arriving in Liangzhou, Ma Teng died in bitter resentment.

Before he breathed his last, he summoned his eldest son, the eleven-year-old Ma Chao, and his younger sons to his bedside. Knowing well that in these chaotic times, a widow and orphans would struggle to survive, he felt compelled to entrust them to his sworn brother, Han Sui, who held the greatest power in the region.

"Wen Yue... I entrust Mengqi and my other sons to your care..."

Ma Teng’s voice was fading, his eyes filled with lingering regret and anxiety.

Han Sui looked at Ma Chao, who appeared young but possessed a spirited air, and then glanced at the other young sons. His mind raced. Taking in Ma Teng’s troops and heirs would not only bolster his own strength but also earn him a reputation for loyalty and righteousness.

He immediately squeezed out a few tears and gripped Ma Teng’s hand. "Brother Shoucheng, rest assured! From this day on, Mengqi shall be as my own son! I will treat him with the same care as my own flesh and blood, and I will do everything in my power to protect all my young nephews!"

Hearing this, Ma Teng finally drew his last breath. Thus, the heroic Ma Teng died unexpectedly in his prime, full of bitterness.

Han Sui subsequently adopted Ma Chao as his foster son and absorbed the entirety of Ma Teng’s forces. Later, internal strife within Xiliang caused Han Sui’s power to gradually wane, leaving him unable to advance into the Guanzhong region.

When news of the great victory at Chencang reached Gaoling, the Zuo Fengyi commandery erupted in celebration. This battle had not only successfully blocked the rebel forces from reaching Youfufeng but had also dealt a devastating blow to their main strength, ensuring that Han Sui and his allies could no longer threaten the east.

The prestige of Liu Heng’s generals—particularly the wisdom of Xu Huang, the valor of Zhao Yun, and the steadiness of Chen Shuzhi—spread throughout Guanzhong.

Upon learning of Ma Teng’s death, Liu Heng felt a momentary shock. His own presence had ultimately altered the course of history. He did not blame Xu Huang for failing to follow his deployment orders to hold Chencang; on the contrary, he grew to rely on Xu Huang and the others even more. It was no wonder Cao Cao had valued him so highly. Liu Heng had ordered them to hold the city based on his knowledge of historical events, but Xu Huang had been able to adapt, making decisive deployments in the face of a shifting battlefield. The result far exceeded his expectations; he could only be pleased.

As for Ma Teng dying at the hands of Zhao Yun, it was hard to say whether it was a blessing or a curse. With Ma Teng dead, Ma Chao would surely hate him to the core. He had lost Ma Teng, but in return, he had cultivated a far more formidable enemy.

Liu Heng immediately sent an 800-li urgent dispatch to Luoyang reporting the victory. The capital was shaken. The names of the Marquis of Yangwu, Liu Heng, and his generals—Xu Huang, Zhao Yun, and Chen Shuzhi—echoed through the center of the empire with unprecedented resonance.

In the Weiyang Palace, Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, wore a rare smile as he reclined on his couch, listening to Zhang Rang read the report in his distinct, high-pitched voice.

"...Marquis of Yangwu, Liu Heng, and his generals Xu Huang, Zhao Yun, and Chen Shuzhi, acted with decisive judgment and fought with great courage. Before the walls of Chencang, they crushed the Liangzhou rebel chieftains Wang Guo, Han Sui, and Ma Teng, along with over a hundred thousand of their followers. They beheaded enemy generals Cheng Yi, Cheng Yin, and Ma Wan, and captured or killed nearly twenty thousand. The rebel leader Ma Teng died from his wounds, and Han Sui fled back to Xiliang in defeat. The Sanfu region is secured, and the imperial mausoleums are unharmed..."

"Hahahaha! Good! A fine Liu Boyu! A true young hero! He is my Huo Qubing!" Liu Hong clapped and laughed. "To have such a figure within the imperial clan is truly a blessing from Heaven upon the Great Han! Reward him! Reward him handsomely!"

Once the Emperor spoke, the edicts were quickly drafted. To show his favor, Liu Hong dispatched a mission led by Jian Shuo, carrying vast amounts of gold, silver, silk, and imperial wine to reward the heroes in Zuo Fengyi.

On the surface, Jian Shuo was the chief envoy because he shared a past connection with Liu Heng—when Liu Heng was nearly beaten to death for striking the Petitioning Drum, it was Jian Shuo who supported Chen Shuzhi in getting Liu Heng to the Imperial Medical Bureau. The first unit of troops Liu Heng had brought with him had also been selected by Jian Shuo from the Northern and Southern Armies.

However, the actual person responsible for announcing the edict and distributing the rewards was another eunuch named Xia Yun. He was a member of Zhang Rang’s faction, one of the Ten Attendants, and notoriously arrogant.

The mission traveled from Luoyang toward the west. The closer they got to Zuo Fengyi, the more the eunuchs, accustomed to deep palace life, were struck with astonishment. Unlike other commanderies, which were desolate, ruined, and infested with bandits, the roads in Zuo Fengyi were smooth, the fields were well-tended, and the villages were peaceful. The commoners, though dressed simply, looked healthy and lacked the usual look of numbness or terror. They even saw local soldiers helping farmers repair houses and clear irrigation ditches.

"Hmph, nothing more than posturing to buy hearts," Xia Yun sneered from his ornate carriage, lifting the curtain to look outside with disdain. "This Liu Heng, so young, yet he knows how to put on a show."

Jian Shuo, sitting opposite him with his eyes closed, saw things more clearly. "Eunuch Xia, watch your tongue! The spirit of the soldiers and people here is indeed different from elsewhere. This Liu Heng was already known for his plague-control efforts back in Luoyang; he is no simple man. Do you really believe the *Compendium of Plague Control* came from that old fool Liu Tao?"

Xia Yun was dismissive. "Eunuch Jian, you worry too much. A compendium? Hmph, mere parlor tricks! A Zuo Fengyi that happened to win a battle, relying on his status as the Emperor's nephew to climb the ranks. When we meet him, let's see how he fawns over us. In the palace, who doesn't know that the size of these rewards is decided by Eunuch Zhang and us?" He rubbed his fingers together, the implication clear.

Jian Shuo shook his head and said no more. When Liu Heng was a nobody, he dared to strike Zhang Rang’s underlings; would he turn coward now that he was a commandery governor?

The mission reached Gaoling with great ceremony. Although Liu Heng despised these eunuchs, he led his civil and military officials ten miles outside the city to greet them, with drums, music, and grand processions. The formalities were impeccable.

The ceremony was held in the main hall of the Zuo Fengyi government office. Xia Yun, holding the imperial edict, announced the rewards with a haughty air: three hundred additional households of tax revenue, one hundred jin of gold, and five hundred bolts of silk. Xu Huang was promoted to General of the Left, Zhao Yun to General of the Right, and Chen Shuzhi was granted the rank of General of the Left in addition to his post as Commandant of Zuo Fengyi.

Finally, the most important appointment was announced: "...Liu Heng, Governor of Zuo Fengyi, is loyal to the state and brave in battle. He is hereby granted a golden seal with a purple ribbon and promoted to Governor of Jingzhao, to take office immediately..."

Governor of Jingzhao! This was the head of the Sanfu region; its status was far above Zuo Fengyi. Many officials in the hall beamed, seeing this as a great promotion. However, Liu Heng and his core advisors, such as Xun Yu and Du Ji, felt their hearts sink. The position of Governor of Jingzhao sounded prestigious, but it was restrictive. How could it compare to the freedom of having managed Zuo Fengyi for years, controlling both military and civil affairs?

After the ceremony, Xia Yun handed the edict to Liu Heng and whispered with a sinister smirk, "Governor Liu—oh, no, I should call you Governor Jingzhao. Such a young talent, so dear to the Emperor's heart. These rewards are the result of Eunuch Zhang’s many kind words before His Majesty. Regarding the effort it took to arrange this..."

He didn't finish, but his greedy eyes revealed his intent to solicit a bribe. He spoke with such arrogance, as if Liu Heng’s achievements were entirely owed to them.

Liu Heng cursed inwardly. *That old quail Zhang Rang probably hates my guts; "kind words," my foot...*

But his face remained calm. He took the edict and said lightly, "Thank you for your long journey, honorable envoys. I shall have my men inventory the rewards for the soldiers immediately. Please, take your seats; a modest banquet has been prepared to refresh you."

At the banquet, Xia Yun and his cohorts grew reckless. They picked at the food and drink, repeatedly hinting that Liu Heng should "show gratitude" by offering bribes to Zhang Rang and themselves. They even openly complained that the "service fee" they had received was too small compared to his promotion.

Du Ji signaled Liu Heng several times to be patient and play along. Eunuchs were powerful and not to be trifled with, especially right after the imperial rewards had been issued.

However, seeing Liu Heng remain unresponsive, Xia Yun became even more insolent. Emboldened by wine, he pointed his chopsticks at Zhao Yun and laughed, "Is this the pretty boy Zhao Yun? He killed a few Xiliang savages and got the rank of General of the Right? Luck must be on his side—or perhaps he caught the eye of our Governor Jingzhao with that handsome face? Hahaha..."

The remark was lewd and deeply insulting. Zhao Yun’s face went cold, his hand moving to his sword hilt, only to be held firmly by Xu Huang.

"Bang!"

A loud thud echoed through the hall. Liu Heng slammed his wine cup onto the table, splashing liquid everywhere. He stood up slowly, all traces of a smile gone, his gaze icy as he looked at Xia Yun.

"Dian Wei."

"Here!" Dian Wei stepped forward, his voice like rolling thunder.

Xia Yun, sobered by the sudden shift, stammered, "Liu... Liu Heng! What are you doing? We are the Emperor’s envoys!"

"The Emperor's envoys represent the dignity of the Emperor," Liu Heng said, his voice quiet but sharp as a blade. "You have solicited bribes, spoken with utter disrespect, insulted a meritorious official, and tarnished the Emperor’s virtue! Today, I shall act on the Emperor’s behalf to correct the conduct of these envoys!"

He waved his hand. "Take this wretch! Drag him to the courtyard and give him fifty lashes! Let him sober up and remember his duty!"

Liu Heng glanced at Jian Shuo, who was about to rise. "Eunuch Jian, please remain seated. This does not concern you." He then stared at Xia Yun. "Do you not remember the incident in Guiren Lane back in Luoyang?"

"Liu Heng, you dare!" Xia Yun’s heart skipped a beat.

Dian Wei cared little for his protests. Like an eagle grabbing a chick, he seized Xia Yun by the collar and dragged him out, despite his kicking and screaming.

"Everyone, please stay. I shall return shortly. Zilong, come with me." Liu Heng called to Zhao Yun and strode out.

Moments later, the sounds of Xia Yun’s pig-like screams and the whistling of whips filled the courtyard, punctuated by Dian Wei’s boisterous laughter. The other eunuchs were pale with terror, trembling like chaff in the wind. Jian Shuo’s expression was grim. Liu Heng’s boldness was truly shocking; Xia Yun was not some minor eunuch who had faked an imperial decree!

As the courtyard grew quiet, Liu Heng and Zhao Yun returned to the hall.

Liu Heng looked refreshed and said with a smile, "I believe Eunuch Xia understands the gravity of his actions now. Let him cool off in the courtyard for a while; let us continue our drink."

Jian Shuo rose. "Governor Jingzhao, is this not a bit too..."

Liu Heng laughed. "Eunuch Jian, I have not forgotten our past friendship. I have prepared a generous gift for you, so please, do not refuse." Then, his smile hardened. "If you feel my handling of this was inappropriate, you may report it truthfully to His Majesty upon your return to the capital. As for Xia Yun, I am not a martial artist and my strength is limited; he will not die. You may take him back to Luoyang tomorrow morning."

"I am feeling a bit tipsy, so I will take my leave. Please, make yourselves at home." Liu Heng left, and his officials followed.

Jian Shuo and the remaining eunuchs looked at each other in silence.

"What are you waiting for? Go and check on Eunuch Xia!" Jian Shuo barked, rising and hurrying toward the courtyard.

They found Xia Yun stripped and hung upside down from a tree, his fair skin covered in bloody welts. Only his face remained unmarred, and he had already lapsed into unconsciousness...

The next day, Jian Shuo left Gaoling in a panic, taking the battered and dying Xia Yun with him. Throughout the journey, Xia Yun’s moans and curses never ceased.

Back in Luoyang, Xia Yun was carried straight to Zhang Rang’s residence, where he tearfully embellished his story, omitting his own solicitation of bribes and insults. He claimed he had been performing his duties according to protocol when Liu Heng, arrogant due to his achievements, had defied the Emperor’s envoys, slandered Zhang Rang, and brutally whipped them.

Finally, as if remembering a final indignity, he sobbed, "He not only whipped me, but stared at me and mocked, 'So, not only do you lack a bird, you don't even have the eggs!'"

Zhang Rang was incensed. He already bore a grudge against Liu Heng and feared this rising member of the imperial clan. To be openly struck, and then subjected to such humiliation, was an unbearable affront!

"The nerve of that Marquis of Yangwu!" Zhang Rang shrieked. "Follow me to the palace immediately! We must have His Majesty strip this lawless wretch of his position!"

Zhang Rang and his faction slandered Liu Heng before Emperor Ling, painting him as arrogant, rebellious, and a threat to the throne.

Emperor Ling was shocked to hear his envoys had been whipped, then furious: "Preposterous! How dare he!"

However, the next day at court, officials led by Liu Tao spoke up. Liu Tao argued, "Your Majesty! The Marquis of Yangwu is young and perhaps impetuous. But he has defended Zuo Fengyi, defeated strong enemies, and protected the people—his service to the state is immense! How can we punish a hero based on the words of eunuchs? If we do, our border generals will be disheartened, and who will be left to die for Your Majesty?"

He Jin, the General-in-Chief, also murmured, "Though Liu Heng has erred, his talent is needed. Xiliang is not yet pacified, and now is not the time to dismiss him. It would be better to administer a small punishment as a warning and let him redeem himself."

The Emperor, tired of the arguing, waved his hand wearily. "Enough... Whipping the envoys is indeed insolent, but his achievements are great. Let the merits and demerits cancel each other out... As for the position of Governor of Jingzhao... he need not go. Let him remain as Governor of Zuo Fengyi. I hope he reflects on his behavior and serves the court well in the future..."

Zhang Rang and his faction were deeply frustrated, but they could not force the Emperor’s hand. Liu Tao and the others breathed a sigh of relief, having at least preserved Liu Heng’s position in Zuo Fengyi.

When the news reached Zuo Fengyi, Du Ji and the others were relieved but worried. "Marquis, though we have weathered the storm, we have completely offended Zhang Rang’s faction. There will be many obstacles in the future."

Liu Heng only smiled, unconcerned. He did not fear these eunuchs who had few years left to live, and he had never wanted the restrictive position of Governor of Jingzhao anyway.

Xun Yu said calmly, "Do not worry, Marquis. A blessing in disguise. While the governorship is prestigious, it is like being in a whirlpool, where every move is scrutinized. Zuo Fengyi has been managed by you for years; the people are loyal, the military is strong, and the grain supply is growing. It is a solid foundation. Staying here allows us to bide our time and accumulate strength. The court’s decision has actually played into our hands."

Liu Heng nodded. "Well said, Wenruo. Let them play their games in Luoyang. Our foundation is here in Zuo Fengyi, north of the Wei River! After this, the court will not dare to interfere with us for some time, which gives us the perfect opportunity to act."