Chương 181: The Feast at Hongmen

"A group of people, about a hundred or so, are approaching. Judging from their attire, they seem to be Wuhuan cavalry!" a soldier reported.

Zhang Chun's expression changed instantly.

Wuhuan cavalry? What are they doing here at this time? Could it be that Qiuliju sent someone to meet him? But that doesn't make sense; the agreed time was after the autumn harvest, and it's only April now!

His hand trembled, and the wine glass almost fell to the ground.

Liu Ce glanced at him, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Wuhuan cavalry? Perfect timing. Prefect Zhang, shall we go take a look?"

"This... this..." Zhang Chun stammered, "This humble official... this humble official is not a good drinker, I'm dizzy..."

"Feeling dizzy?" Liu Ce stood up.

"Then rest here."

Zhang Chun was restless and broke out in a cold sweat.

Outside the tent, Liu Ce asked Lu Bing in a low voice, "What's going on? Are there really Wuhuan cavalry?"

Lu Bing suppressed a laugh and said, "My lord, it was one of our men in disguise. As you instructed, we added a little 'spice' to Zhang Chun's act to make him even more panicked."

Liu Ce laughed and said, "Well done. Let them circle around outside the camp once and then leave."

"promise!"

A short while later, the sound of horses' hooves and shouts came from outside the camp, sounding like two armies facing off. Then the sounds gradually faded away, and peace returned.

Liu Ce re-entered the tent, his face grave: "Prefect Zhang, that troop of Wuhuan cavalry was scared off by my men. However—" He stared at Zhang Chun and said, "They said they're here to see you. Prefect Zhang, are you... very familiar with the Wuhuan people?"

Zhang Chun broke out in a cold sweat: "No... I'm not familiar with them! How could I, a Han official, collude with the barbarians? It must be... it must be those Wuhuan traitors framing me!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Liu Ce asked with a smile.

"But I heard that Zhongshan County has been purchasing large quantities of grain and recruiting many able-bodied men recently... Is Prefect Zhang planning to expand his army?"

Zhang Chun's heart tightened, and he quickly explained, "This... is to guard against the Wuhuan. The Wuhuan people have been quite restless lately, and this is just a precaution."

"Preparedness for a rainy day?" Liu Ce nodded.

"Prefect Zhang's considerations are thorough. However... I heard that some of the grain you purchased is to be transported to the Wuhuan tribe? What is the meaning of this?"

Zhang Chun's expression changed instantly, and she almost dropped the wine glass in her hand.

Seeing Zhang Chun's panicked state, Liu Ce knew that the time was almost right.

He "accidentally" raised his hand, and with a "smash," the wine glass crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces, with wine splashing everywhere.

Zhang Chun was so startled that he trembled, and the wine cup in his hand fell to the table with a "clatter," spilling wine all over himself. His face instantly changed from flushed to deathly pale, like a face-changing act in Sichuan opera.

He reacted quickly, grabbing his sword and standing up abruptly, ready to rush out.

Only one thought crossed my mind: Damn it, this is a trap! It really is a trap!

He had barely stood up and taken two steps when he saw Dian Wei and Xu Chu leading a dozen or so Longxiang Camp soldiers into the tent, blocking the entrance. Each of them looked fierce and menacing, their swords gleaming brightly.

Dian Wei grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth: "Prefect Zhang, where are you headed? We haven't finished our wine yet!"

Xu Chu was even more direct, slamming his broadsword into the ground: "Sit down!"

Zhang Chun's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down on the spot. The sword in his hand clattered to the ground.

He took a few steps back, plopped back into his seat, and his face was ashen.

It wasn't that he wanted to sit; his legs were too weak to stand.

Liu Ce sat in the main seat, slowly swirling his wine glass, a half-smile on his face: "Prefect Zhang, why did you suddenly stand up? We haven't finished our drinks yet."

Zhang Chunqiang tried to remain calm, but his tongue was trembling: "Lord Liu... I... I just needed to go to the toilet, I... I couldn't hold it in anymore!"

"Going to the toilet?" Liu Ce raised an eyebrow, suppressing a laugh.

"Why would you take your sword to the toilet? Do you think there are assassins hiding in the camp's outhouses, and you need to practice swordsmanship for self-defense?"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers in the tent couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Zhang Chun's face flushed bright red instantly, then turned deathly pale, and she began to tremble all over.

Oh no, oh no, we've been found out!

He tried to argue, stubbornly saying, "Lord Liu, this... this must be some misunderstanding! I am utterly loyal to the court and hold you, Lord Liu, in the highest esteem. How could I possibly do anything to betray the court?"

"Loyal?" Liu Ce's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a cold laugh.

"You're so loyal that you've colluded with the Wuhuan chief Qiuliju, preparing to rebel after this year's autumn harvest? So loyal that you want to attack Jicheng, seize my grain, and occupy my territory?"

With each word Liu Ce spoke, Zhang Chun's face paled a little more.

"Zhang Chun, Zhang Chun," Liu Ce stood up, walked up to Zhang Chun, and looked down at him, "Do you really think I, Liu Bolue, am a brainless idiot who knows nothing?"

Zhang Chun wanted to argue, but Liu Ce was too lazy to listen.

"Take it down!"

Dian Wei couldn't wait any longer. He stepped forward, stretched out his hand, and lifted Zhang Chun off the chair as if he were catching a chick.

Zhang Chun opened his mouth to shout, but Xu Chu reacted quickly, pulling out a tattered cloth from who-knows-where and stuffing it into his mouth.

"Waaah..." Zhang Chun could only make muffled sounds, her eyes wide open, filled with terror and resentment.

At the same time, a commotion was heard outside the camp.

The sounds of clashing swords, shouts, and screams mingled together.

A short while later, Lu Bing came in and reported: "My lord, we have captured all five hundred county soldiers and a dozen or so trusted men that Zhang Chun brought. More than thirty of the county soldiers have died, and the rest have surrendered. Eight of the trusted men have died, and six have been captured alive."

Liu Ce nodded in satisfaction, looking at Zhang Chun who was pinned to the ground and could only whimper, and laughed, "Prefect Zhang, you see, your subordinates are quite sensible."

He stood up, walked over to Zhang Chun, squatted down, patted his face, and said with a smile, "Zhang Chun, don't worry, my prison provides food and lodging. And soon, you'll be able to reunite with your accomplice Zhang Ju—it'll be a bit crowded, so please bear with it."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chun's eyes widened even more, and she struggled even more fiercely.

But Dian Wei's hands were like iron clamps, how could he break free?

Liu Ce said to Dian Wei, "Lock him up and keep a close watch on him. Don't let him die, and don't let him escape either."

"Yes, sir!" Dian Wei carried Zhang Chun out like a sack of potatoes.

Liu Ce sat back down in the main seat, picked up his wine glass and took a sip, feeling incredibly satisfied.

"This Feast at Hongmen was quite well organized."

Simple, direct, and effective.

...

After Zhang Chun was taken away, Liu Ce summoned Lu Bing.

"Wenfu, go to Lu Nu in Zhongshan Commandery yourself. Tell the Prefect of Zhongshan Commandery that Prefect Zhang is here discussing important matters with me and cannot return for the time being. Ask him to temporarily assume the position of Prefect and maintain stability in the commandery."

Lu Bing nodded and said, "Understood."

"Then," Liu Ce added, "you take a squad of Imperial Guards and 'invite' Zhang Ju and several of Zhang Chun's core confidants over. Remember to be 'polite' and don't cause too much of a commotion."

A cold glint flashed in Lu Bing's eyes: "Rest assured, my lord, I know what to do."