Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

After occupying Yellow Armor City, Huangfu Hao quickly regained his composure and stopped pursuing.

Instead, he focused on interrogating the captured Defender General.

This Defender General wasn’t tight-lipped at all; once his armor was removed and he was lashed a few times, he confessed.

First, he revealed their purpose, which was directed at Chen Hong.

Secondly, the leader this time was Han Zhong, one of the leaders of the 36 factions of the Yellow Turban Army.

As for his strength, it was known only that he was an Innate Martial Artist, but his exact grade was unclear.

Lastly, he revealed the direction of their escape, which was to Western Shu.

Beyond this, the Defender General knew nothing more.

For instance, when Huangfu Hao asked what the 36 factions were,

the Defender General wasn’t very clear.

He only said that he had heard it from others.

...

”36 factions?”

When the infantry reached Yellow Armor City,

all levels of commanders gathered in the government office, and Huangfu Hao repeated the information obtained from the interrogation, asking everyone to analyze what the 36 factions were.

”It couldn’t be the 36 armies of the Yellow Turban rebels, could it?” Xiao Teng frowned and said with a slightly serious expression.

This startled all the generals.

The rebellion in Nanyang had already turned Nanyang County into a mess; if there were 36 armies, wouldn’t the entire Great Song Dynasty be turned upside down?

After all, if each could cause an impact similar to that in Nanyang, it could indeed lead to the collapse of the Great Song Dynasty.

”It shouldn’t be. If there were 36 armies, they wouldn’t hide so well, and there were no reports from other places to the government.” A general said, after all, hiding that many rebels and ensuring they didn’t cause trouble would be very difficult.

”Perhaps there are, but each army doesn’t have hundreds of thousands. The reason the Nanyang rebels are so many is due to the drought, which they seized as an opportunity to grow.” Another general said.

”Didn’t he confess that Han Zhong is one of the 36 faction leaders? Doesn’t that imply there are still 35 faction leaders, and since they are leaders, they must command armies.”

”...”

The generals started discussing fervently.

Huangfu Hao nodded, thinking what everyone said made sense, then he turned his gaze to Chen Mo: ”Chen Hong, what do you think about this matter?”

All the generals also looked at him.

After all, Chen Mo’s influence in the army was already quite significant.

Chen Mo cleared his throat and said seriously, ”I think so too.”

Huangfu Hao: ”...”

All the generals: ”...”

Huangfu Hao coughed and then said: ”Although we are not entirely sure about the 36 factions, we can confirm that the Yellow Turban bandits have not been completely eradicated. They mentioned heading to Western Shu, and I speculate that Western Shu is probably the stronghold of the Yellow Turban bandits, so...”

Huangfu Hao suddenly focused on Wei Xian, who was like a transparent person, and clasped his hands towards him, saying:

”I ask Eunuch Wei to draft a letter with me, to present to His Majesty, explaining the pros and cons and requesting reinforcements. I am willing to lead Nanyang’s main troops as the vanguard to move to Western Shu immediately and annihilate the Western Shu rebels, bringing peace to the Great Song once more.”

These words came from Huangfu Hao’s heart, and each word was as resounding as a sledgehammer.

”I am willing to accompany the generals!” After Huangfu Hao finished speaking, several deputy generals stood up and expressed their support immediately.

Xiao Teng also nodded.

Chen Mo also responded affirmatively.

All this was observed by Wei Xian, whose eyes flickered. Then he put on a friendly face and smiled, saying: ”General Huangfu, rest assured, our family will surely report the occurrences here to His Majesty truthfully.”

”Thank you, Eunuch Wei.” Huangfu Hao clasped his hands towards Wei Xian.

”Why does General Huangfu say this? The Nanyang rebellion was quickly suppressed, it’s all thanks to you,” Wei Xian smiled.

Huangfu Hao did not answer but shifted the conversation to requesting merits for everyone.

Next, it was just waiting for the Emperor’s decree.

After all, before coming, Zhao Ji only allowed Huangfu Hao to command the military affairs in Nanyang, without involving other places.

Chen Mo would not foolishly wait in Yellow Armor City.

After informing Huangfu Hao,

he led his men back to Celestial River City.

Not too many people were taken. If the decree allowed them to go to Western Shu, going from Yellow Armor City wouldn’t require a detour.

But if they were in Celestial River City, they would have to detour to Qingwan Town, which time wouldn’t allow.

With fewer people, the marching speed would be faster, which would also aid in maneuverability.

By the time they reached Celestial River City, it was already the afternoon of the 22nd day of the great turmoil.

...

At the same time,

Huangfu Hao’s battle report reached the Capital.

The Yellow Turban rebels’ attempt to retaliate against Nanyang, Gao Fen’s solo deep advance into the trap, Chen Hong’s exposing the trap, Gao Fen’s death, rebels retreating to Western Shu, request for reinforcements, and so on.

Learning the Yellow Turban rebels have not been wiped out, and Nanyang may not even be their main force, Bianliang City was shrouded in gloom, and anxiety thickened the air.

It must be understood that war requires not only people but also money.

The National Treasury was long empty.

They were using money from the Inner Treasury,

The Emperor’s personal funds.

The daily expenditure of hundreds of thousands of silver taels worsened the Emperor’s complexion day by day. If it were a happy report, he’d just suppress his anger, but faced with the bad news that the rebel main force had not been eliminated, everyone knew something was about to happen.

The entrance to the Imperial City leads eastward to the Central Secretariat, then to the Capital Hall, where the Prime Minister conducts affairs.

In the hall, officials from the Central Secretariat and the Capital Hall met, those with ranks high enough to wear purple-gold official robes were almost all present.

Cai Si was visibly strained, remaining silent.

Gao Qiu, who had just fainted, was filled with grief and indignation; although Gao Fen was only his third son, he was the legitimate heir.

Xiao Yunqi spoke, ”You are all significant ministers of the state. How should we report this to His Majesty? Speak up.”

Who is willing to speak, who dares to speak?

Whoever speaks may be demoted or even jeopardize their life due to His Majesty’s wrath; it’s not worth the risk. Better to avoid it altogether.

Sure enough.

Soon after, an official they pushed forward to report was jailed by the Emperor, his family property confiscated, all males exiled to the southwest, and females sent to the government brothels.

As for the charges, embezzlement.

Who in the court hasn’t been corrupt at some point?

The Emperor was aware; previously, he simply didn’t act on it.

Once determined to act, it’s always a certainty.

...

The news naturally reached Zhao Jiangning’s ears.

Since Gao Fen went to Nanyang, she needn’t return home to avoid gossip; she directly lived in Zhao Fujin’s palace.

Therefore, she received the news quickly after it spread.

She became a widow.

She didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

Zhao Fujin didn’t know what to say either, finally squeezing out, ”Sister, you are finally free.”

Gao Fen’s death was indeed a release for Zhao Jiangning.

But with freedom, Zhao Jiangning also lost her support.