Chapter 1 The Crown Prince

  "This seems a bit off." Liu Feng thought to himself, but Zou Jue naturally didn't understand, and he was now breaking out in cold sweat. Such an absurd thing would be remembered for eternity.

  If he goes to collect taxes, won't it be a lasting shame? What a joke.

  Liu Feng's face immediately turned cold, and he said in a chilly tone, "Is it just that easy to settle the matter?"

  Zhao Yun, who was standing beside him, cooperated very well and stretched his hand to the long sword at his waist, grasping the hilt and slightly drawing it out.

  "Sizzling." It slowly pulled out half of it.

  "The young master's sword is sharper than ever, nothing is out of place. Of course, that taxation is also very reasonable." The resistance in his mind suddenly disappeared from Mo Zhu's heart, he shook his head and said.

  As the saying goes, there is reason to fear when one has a sharp blade. Now Liu Feng is the one who holds his fate in his hands, and if he is slightly careless, he may invite disaster that will cost him his life.

  Resist what's happening, just think about it in your heart. Also, think about how to escape. Miao Zhen's heart has basically given up hope.

  "Good, I'm glad you understand." Liu Feng said with a satisfied nod.

  Then, with a pleased expression, he said: "You are the Crown Prince's charioteer; from now on, you can also follow my Left Guard Zhao Yun to live in the palace and listen for my orders at any time."

  Zhao Yun, as a guard, living in the palace is still acceptable. But for the Crown Prince's charioteer to live in the palace, it's quite forced. However, it's beneficial for preventing Mi Zhu from escaping, so Liu Feng thinks it's necessary to do so.

  Joking aside, once living in the palace and staying with Zhao Yun, he really got stuck. However, after the lesson just now, Mi Zhu dared not to resist excessively again.

  "A foreign minister living in the palace seems a bit improper." Zou Rong said cautiously, planning to make a last resistance.

  "What's wrong?" Liu Feng said, pausing for a moment, and then showed a sudden realization, laughing: "You're talking about the palace maid? No big deal, just pick one you like and tell me directly." As he spoke, Liu Feng leered: "As long as you do well, it doesn't matter if it's a palace maid from the Crown Prince's palace or even the entire harem. Any of them are yours to choose, as long as Father Emperor hasn't favored them yet."

  Miao Zhu was a wealthy merchant with an extremely rich family background. How could he possibly take the risk of having an affair with a palace maid? Liu Feng said this only to cut off Miao Zhu's retreat.

  Liu Feng's intention was simple. However, when heard by Zou Jizhong, it made him change color with rage and hastily wave his hand, saying: "I dare not, I dare not."

  No way, how dare he.

  He couldn't help but sigh in his heart, what kind of person is this, only eight years old and already understands the love between men and women, and still speaks with such an air of superiority, talking about women and even knowing about favors. What a little monster.

  "Is there no objection?" Liu Feng smiled in his heart and calmly said on his face.

  "It's meaningless again." Zou Yun smiled bitterly in his heart and didn't dare to show it, he just nodded and said.

  "Alright. Zi Long, you take Zi Zhong to check out the accommodations first. Make sure everything is arranged properly, don't be negligent." Liu Feng nodded in agreement and then turned his head to say to Zhao Yun.

  "Ah." Zhao Yun responded with a "yes" and then turned his head to invite Zuo Ci with a bow: "Please, sir."

  "Please." Zou's face showed a helpless expression, and he nodded.

  Immediately, under Zhao Yun's leadership, Mi Zhu walked out of the side hall.

  "Rice porridge."

  After Mi Zhu left, Liu Feng's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He was one step closer to taking Xudu and driving away Cao Cao.

  …………..

  In the study of the Prime Minister's mansion, Cao Cao sat in the upper seat, listening to a minor official report on the follow-up between Liu Bei and Liu Feng. When he heard that Liu Feng didn't even give Jian Yong a chance to meet him.

  Mi Zhu slipped away smoothly from Liu Bei's hands and entered Liu Feng's bag.

  Cao Cao's mood was quite pleasant. Although the attempt to send charcoal in snow did not succeed, it successfully exacerbated the rift between Liu Bei and Liu Xie.

  It also increased the possibility of him winning over Liu Bei.

  "Prepare 500 taels of gold, five beautiful women, twenty war horses and ten sets of armor, send them to General Zuo's mansion." After a moment of contemplation, Cao Cao gave the order.

  "Agreed."

  The little official in front nodded and immediately went down to do things.

  "One side is cleverly taking advantage, the other is sending charcoal in snowy weather. You should see clearly and come closer to me, Xuande." After the minor official left, Cao Cao's face showed a hint of a smile as he thought to himself.

  The Left General's Mansion.

  Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Jian Yong and Sun Qian were still gathered in the main hall, extremely silent. Liu Bei's face was still a deep blue.

  Liu Bei was known for not showing his emotions, having a very thick skin. But in the case of Mi Zhu, it clearly dealt him a huge blow, to the point where he couldn't even maintain a facade anymore.

  "My lord, Cao Cao has sent over a cartload of goods."

  Soon after, Chen arrived at the gate to report. It was Cao Cao's timely help in time of need.

  "Lord?" Sun Qian looked at Liu Bei, now the situation was different from before, and he wondered whether to rely on Cao Cao or not.

  "Take it, no need to return a gift." Liu Bei said coldly.

  This time, it's really extremely infuriating, extremely infuriating. I've completely lost hope in Liu Xie too. First ally with Cao Cao, until leaving the capital is all that's left to do.

  Reputation and all that, we'll consider it later.

  "Agreed." Sun Qian also did not object this time, and responded with a very crisp "agreed", enraged, really enraged. Almost the entire Liu Bei's force was enraged.

  These two people were both deceived by Liu Feng's ferocious appearance, and had no idea that the eight-year-old Liu Feng had already opened his bloody big mouth, planning to swallow them all at once.

  ……

  In the early morning, since the emperor's permission, there have been small courts every three days and grand courts every five days. That is, within the five days, they went through two court meetings, big and small.

  It has been so since Xudu was established.

  Before dawn breaks, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers lead all civil and military officials in waiting outside the palace gate.

  That day, the night was still deep. However, a large number of civil and military officials had already arrived, with lower-ranking officials arriving earlier. When Fu Wan, Wang Fu, Cao Cao, Xun Yu, and other high-ranking officials such as the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers arrived, it was almost time for the morning court session.

  The royalist faction led by Fu Wan and the Cao family forces led by Cao Cao, although not entirely incompatible, seemed quite estranged.

  Everyone has their own circle of communication. This is also an opportunity for members on both sides to communicate with each other.

  "Fu Gong, did you know that Liu Bei accepted Cao Cao's gift yesterday?" General Zhaoxin Wang Fu said in a low voice to Fu Wan.

  Wang Fu was over thirty years old, with a handsome appearance. His family had been officials for generations, with moderate power and prestige, neither too high nor too low. He was also one of the famous "Robes and Belts" among the strong men.

  The whole family was beheaded in the end. He can be called a loyal minister.

  "I understand, this person is not trustworthy." Fú Wán nodded and said. Both sides have their own informants, and it's likely that there are no secrets to be spoken of.

  "Hmm." Wang Fu nodded in agreement.

  Just then, "creak", a sound came from the front gate of the palace. Under the leadership of the armored soldier, the gate was slowly opened.

  Cao Cao and Fu Wan immediately straightened up and stood at attention, preparing to enter in formation. But today was extremely unexpected.

  Two people appeared in front of me.

  Zuo Ci, Zhao Yun

  Zhoa Yun wore armor and hung his sword, with a solemn expression. Mi Zhu was dressed in the official attire of the Crown Prince's charioteer, with an expression of helplessness and bitterness.

  Cao Cao, Fu Wan and others were shocked to see Mi Zhu and Zhao Yun. Although Mi Zhu was not well-known, he had been in Xudu for quite some time and often served as a messenger for Liu Bei.

  As a result, he became familiar with the face again, and yesterday Liu Feng forcibly recruited Zou Zhu's news, which also spread out. Zou Zhu's popularity has surged even higher.

  Zhao Yun was also protecting Liu Feng on that day when they went hunting, and he was a very familiar face. These two people are currently both under the command of that absurd crown prince.

  The Crown Prince's palace belongs to us ministers.

  It was not only Cao Cao who had finished, but also other civil and military ministers began to wonder in their hearts, guessing what the fallen crown prince wanted to do.

  Among them, Liu Bei's eyes were the most complex.

  These two people were originally his valued talents. One of them was a fierce and powerful general, with a very stable personality and temperament, and was a loyal and righteous man.

  Another elegant and refined person, who frequently travels on business, managing financial transactions with great ability.

  But now, one is the Crown Prince's Left Guard and the other is the Crown Prince's Washing Horse, both have followed others. Liu Bei looked at these two people and felt heartache.

  "Zuo Wei led Zhao Yun, the Crown Prince's washing horse Zhi Zhu, how dare you block the hundred officials from entering the palace to pay respects to the Emperor?" Cao Cao had not yet spoken, when Xiahou Dun burst out from among the civil and military officials, his manner fierce.

  "On the order of the Crown Prince, I am stationed outside the palace gate. Officials entering the palace must pay the entrance tax: three taels and five mace for the Three Dukes, nine taels and three mace for the Nine Ministers, one tael for officials above 2,000 dan, and two silver coins for those below 2,000 dan. Those who do not pay the entrance tax will not be allowed to enter." Zhao Yun's expression remained unchanged as he bowed his fist in the direction of the Crown Prince's palace and said in a cold tone.

  Meng Zong's face was even more bitter with a wry smile. The farce had begun.

  "What? The Crown Prince wants us to pay money just to enter the palace?"

  "With a loud crash, all the civil and military officials changed color, including Cao Cao, Fu Wan was no exception. Such a thing had never been heard of before, entering the palace to pay homage to the emperor still had to pay taxes."

  What kind of absurd person could come up with such a lame idea?

  Even if it's as greedy as Emperor Xiaoling, that's just openly selling official positions and titles. Never has there been an order saying that entering the palace requires paying money.

  The officials were shocked, extremely shocked.

  Unbelievable, can't believe it.

  But after the shock, some people quickly regained their composure. Liu Bei revealed a hint of cold smile, well, well. Go ahead and continue making a scene.

  The more you make trouble, the more likely Cao Cao is to abolish you.

  My Zhuge Liang, my Zhao Yun.

  Liu Bei's cold smile faded as he turned to look at Zhao Yun, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity.