Reincarnation in the Three Kingdoms Era with a System

Chapter 663: 663 Tearing Off the Mask

Preventing Lu Ming from bringing a single soldier into Luoyang was a blatant trap, a trap designed to assassinate him. Lu Ming wasn't stupid; he would never agree to it.

Even facing Ding Yuan's 50,000 men, he wouldn't care.

Upon receiving news of Lu Ming's defiance, Liu Xie's eyes flickered. He looked at Yuan Kui, "Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, what good plan do you have?"

It was Yuan Kui who originally devised the plan to deal with Lu Ming; Liu Xie had no choice but to agree.

Because he wanted the Yuan family's help, he had to cut off all contact with Lu Ming.

It was precisely for this reason that after Liu Xie told Emperor Ling his idea, Emperor Ling was so enraged by his rebellious son that he died of anger!

He truly died of anger at Liu Xie!

In Emperor Ling's eyes, he had left Liu Xie a valuable legacy: by winning over Lu Ming, the Han Dynasty could be revitalized.

Even if the Yuan family disagreed, Lu Ming could be used as a spearhead to sweep away the rest of the land. Once the power and influence were achieved, he could be discarded just as easily!

Don't think that your brother-in-law can't be killed. Be ruthless; nothing in the royal power struggle can compare to the supreme authority of the emperor.

But Liu Xie chose the opposite path, distancing himself from Lu Ming and siding with the Yuan family.

This meant that everything Emperor Ling had done was in vain.

The empire was still controlled by the Yuan family, even more so than during his reign.

The Han dynasty was already teetering on the brink. If the Yuan family truly wanted to usurp the throne, with their extensive network of protégés and former officials, it would be no difficult task!

After Lu Ming made his intentions clear, Emperor Ling had been preparing, appointing relatives of the imperial clan as governors of strategically important regions—all for this day.

But his foolish son, Liu Xie, didn't even grasp this point, which infuriated him to death! "It seems the only option now is to strike first and eliminate Lu Ming!

He's entrenched in the east of the city; it's perfect for Lord Ding, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, to send troops to wipe him out. Then, the Three Auxiliary Regions and Xiliang will be easily within our grasp.

Our relative Liu Yan is in Chang'an; we can conveniently take control of Chang'an!"

Yuan Wei knew exactly how to persuade Liu Xie: simply offer key positions to Liu Xie's men.

Liu Xie was somewhat tempted; this situation was tantamount to openly breaking ties.

He was only the Crown Prince, not the Emperor, so even if Lu Ming killed him, it wouldn't cause any problems.

"With Ding Yuan's forces, surely they're insufficient to deal with Lu Ming?"

"Your Majesty, do not worry. First, send someone to win over Lu Ming under the guise of rewarding the troops, then send someone to Bingzhou to request reinforcements and summon Dong Zhuo to bring his troops to the capital. The Wuhuan and Xianbei beyond the Great Wall have already been defeated and pose no threat.

As long as Dong Zhuo and Ding Yuan join forces, Lu Ming will be no problem.

Besides, Dong Zhuo and Ding Yuan are at odds, so there's no need to worry about the guest being stronger than the host."

Yuan Kui smiled sinisterly, his sallow face and withered skin making him look like a demon.

He had a feeling that Lu Ming had defiled his wife!

Although there was no proof, his feeling was correct; Lu Ming would definitely use the defilement of his wife to humiliate him!

In fact, Yuan Kui underestimated Lu Ming. He not only slept with Ma Lun, but also got Ma Lun pregnant.

Yuan Kui was not only cuckolded, but thoroughly cuckolded!

Liu Xie hesitated slightly, somewhat disapproving. "Isn't Dong Zhuo Lu Ming's uncle? Bringing Dong Zhuo here will only make things more difficult to deal with, won't it?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Wei revealed a shrewd smile: "Your Highness, do not worry. Dong Zhuo has been corresponding with me for years, hoping for my support. Moreover, Lu Ming occupies Xiliang and even killed Dong Zhuo's nephew. Dong Zhuo has no successor and has long harbored resentment towards Lu Ming. A simple letter outlining the advantages and disadvantages, along with bestowing official titles and ranks upon Dong Zhuo, will be enough to win him over."

Having explained his thoughts and the situation in detail, Liu Xie was no longer concerned about the deal between Dong Zhuo and Yuan Wei.

He now only wanted to acquire Liangzhou and the Three Auxiliary Regions.

Although he disagreed with his father's approach, he knew that Guanzhong was now a treasure trove.

Lu Ming was indeed capable, having pacified Xiliang and established agricultural settlements to allow the region to recover and thrive. He was a talented individual.

It was a pity, though, that he had to use his own people, not someone as audacious as Lu Ming.

Just for Lu Ming defiling his mother, he wouldn't let him off!

What emperor could tolerate a man other than his father defiling his mother? That was a desecration of imperial authority!

No one knew how Liu Xie knew Consort Wang was still alive, nor did he have any evidence that Lu Ming had defiled her.

But Consort Wang was still alive, and given Lu Ming's character, he wouldn't let such a mature woman go.

Therefore, Lu Ming had to die, even if he had the ability, he had to die!

"In that case, I'll leave that to the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, please return. Zhang Rang, see the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat off for me."

Liu Xie felt a wave of weariness. Although he was the Crown Prince…

and would soon ascend the throne, for a young man to have done this much was already quite remarkable.

Young people are bound to be hot-tempered and unable to tolerate it, so he turned against Lu Ming.

Two days later. Lu Ming sat lazily in the main tent, receiving the envoy Zhong Shao.

"Governor Lu, His Majesty has passed away. He requests your presence in the capital to observe the mourning period."

Zhong Shao brought news and some provisions.

"His Majesty, before his death, instructed me to go to Hejian to pray for his safety. The prayers are not yet complete, and I cannot enter the city."

Lu Ming waved his hand dismissively, showing no intention of complying.

"Insolence! His Majesty has passed away. As the imperial son-in-law, you should be in the city to observe the mourning period. Such behavior is treasonous!"

Zhong Shao was a scholar, a man of integrity, the kind who did not rely on any powerful force for his official position.

He was a rare breed, and precisely because of this rarity, his official rank was not high.

He was sent here only because of his status.

Even if he were made difficult, it would only damage Lu Ming's reputation.

"Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You just want me to enter the city, then kill me and seize my military power, right? I know. So, there's no need for this nonsense. Keeping vigil for His Majesty is the business of the concubines in the harem, what does it have to do with me! Zhong Shao, I see you're a man of integrity, so I advise you not to get involved in this vortex."

Lu Ming waved his hand, his tone quite disdainful.

"Insolence! You disloyal, unjust, unfilial, and treacherous usurper deserve to die a thousand deaths!"

Zhong Shao was furious. As a bookish scholar, he naturally couldn't stand Lu Ming's rebellious behavior.

He immediately launched into a tirade, regardless of the consequences.