"Ahem~!"
Realizing he had let something slip, Liu Hong coughed lightly and then looked at Cao Song and the others with a serious expression.
"You are all important officials in the court, holding important political positions, yet you have left Luoyang without authorization. What is the reason for this?"
When the emperor suddenly changed his expression and questioned them about their crimes, Cao Song, Xun Shuang, and the others were taken aback.
Cao Song hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, we were only worried about Your Majesty's safety, that's why we did this!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, we have not neglected our duties. Please see the truth!" The other officials echoed.
Liu Hong's face darkened: "I don't care about those things. I know that you officials who left your posts without receiving orders are guilty of dereliction of duty. Do you know your crime?"
"this……"
Seeing that the emperor was fixated on this matter, Cao Song, Xun Shuang, and the others looked at each other in bewilderment, not knowing what to do.
"We, your subjects, confess our crimes!!"
In the end, Cao Song and the others chose to submit. There was nothing they could do; the emperor was unreasonable, and they had no choice but to accept it.
"It's good that you admit your guilt!"
Liu Hong raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a smug smile, and then said, "Although you gentlemen have made mistakes, your loyalty is still good, so I will not pursue the matter!"
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!!"
The officials bowed and thanked him with bitter expressions, all of them sighing inwardly.
They knew that their trip had probably been in vain.
Fortunately, the Imperial Guards have already arrived and are stationed south of Juyan City, and tens of thousands of enthusiastic young men are about to enter the city, so the emperor's safety should not be in too much danger.
Liu Hong smiled and waved his hand: "Alright, everyone has come a long way and must be tired from your journey. You should go and rest first!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!!"
The officials respectfully agreed, and then left the government office under Tao Qian's guidance.
Shortly after Cao Song and his group settled in the inn, more young people who came spontaneously arrived in Juyan one after another.
The officials of Juyan also organized the people of the city to clean up houses and prepare food for these passionate young people.
The passionate young people were deeply moved by the warm hospitality of the local people of Juyan.
When a person's actions are met with kindness in return, then it is all worthwhile.
Originally, they were just full of enthusiasm and came to follow the emperor, but now they have discovered that while following the emperor, they also have an added responsibility to protect him.
The young people who stayed in the homes of the people, just like the soldiers of the Han army, took the initiative to help the people with what they could.
For a time, the entire city of Juyan was filled with joy and laughter, just like during the New Year.
...
June 15th.
North of Juyan City, on the vast grassland, He Lian led 10,000 elite Gaoliu troops and 15,000 young men toward Juyan.
After a continuous forced march, Helian was now only about fifty li away from Juyan.
Helian, on horseback, looked at the distant horizon, his tired face showing a hint of excitement and exhilaration.
"Report!!"
Just then, a scout rode from south to north, galloping towards Helian.
"Reporting to the eldest prince, a cavalry encampment with approximately five thousand men has been discovered outside Juyan City!"
"Five thousand men? Could it be the same force that harassed our troops?"
Upon hearing the scout's report, He Lian frowned.
"In reply to your question, young master, it is indeed them!"
"Heh, good, so they've come here. Let's kill them first, then capture the Emperor of Han!"
Upon hearing his subordinate's report, He Lian sneered and then led his army to continue their rapid advance.
About an hour later, He Lian's army arrived ten miles north of Juyan City.
The sudden appearance of Xianbei cavalry caused Moqiuliju and his Wuhuan soldiers, who were stationed outside the city, to feel a sense of fear.
However, their fear quickly dissipated as they received orders to abandon camp and retreat.
"Hmph, a bunch of cowards!"
Looking at the retreating Wuhuan cavalry, He Lian snorted coldly, then looked up at the top of Juyan City.
On the top of Juyan City, a large black banner with the character "Han" on a gold border was fluttering in the wind. On both sides of the banner, there were nine flags embroidered with golden dragon totems, guarding the banner in the middle.
Through Li Ru's instruction, He Lian also learned that within the territory of the Han Dynasty, only the emperor could use a banner of this caliber.
"The Emperor of the Han Dynasty is indeed still in the city!!"
He Lian's face lit up with an excited smile, then he turned to his personal guards and shouted:
"Pass on my order: have 15,000 able-bodied men immediately proceed to the south of Juyan City, and also dispatch 4,000 elite troops from Gaoliu to patrol the east and west sides of Juyan. We must not allow the Han emperor to escape!"
"yes!"
The guards loudly acknowledged the order and then rode away.
Before long, He Lian's team split into four and headed toward the four gates of Juyan.
The people inside the city were not afraid at all when the Xianbei cavalry suddenly appeared outside the city. Instead, they excitedly picked up any weapons they could find at home and climbed onto the city wall to help the Han soldiers defend it.
The young people who came spontaneously also wanted to go up, but because they were a step too late, the city wall was already crowded and they couldn't squeeze up.
"My God, are we here to fight or to watch?"
"Yes, we're clearly here to protect Juyan, so why do we feel like we're the ones being protected?"
Looking at the crowded city walls, the group of young people who arrived later also complained awkwardly.
They never imagined that some ordinary people would be so proactive and combative in the face of an enemy attack.
Are these still the same hardworking and kind-hearted Han people?
At the same time, He Lian also led 6,000 cavalrymen to the north of Juyan City.
"It seems that the emperor of the Han Kingdom is truly terrified, as he has actually sent a group of commoners out to defend the city!"
Looking at the chaotic scene on the city wall, He Lian couldn't help but sneer, his words carrying a hint of contempt.
Although he looked down on the defenders on the city walls, He Lian did not impulsively attack the city. He knew that with his small force, it was unlikely that he could take down Juyan.
Upon learning that his soldiers had successfully surrounded the four gates of Juyan, He Lian immediately ordered the entire army to set up camp and await the arrival of Tan Shihuai and Li Ru.
...
"Well, the unexpected still happened!!"
Inside the city, Cao Song and his companions, who were resting at the inn, couldn't help but smile bitterly upon learning that the Xianbei had surrounded Juyan.
"Sigh, well then. There are five thousand Imperial Guards, forty thousand able-bodied civilians, and forty thousand young guards in the city. It won't be so easy for the Xianbei to harm His Majesty!"
Cao Song sighed, and the worry in his heart dissipated considerably with the arrival of the Xianbei army.
"Since things have come to this, let's go eat first!"
After saying this, Cao Song got up and walked out, leaving Xun Shuang standing there with a dark face.
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