Chapter 56: The Assassin Incident

Early the next morning, Luo Ang instructed Zhang He, Song Xian, and the others to prepare their belongings so they could return to Luoyang in two days.

The Grand Governor's Mansion, located in the northern district of Yecheng, had been expanded from the former Provincial Governor's residence. Its scale was magnificent, featuring endless pavilions, terraces, and towers, along with lakes and palace gardens of majestic grandeur that easily rivaled the imperial palace in Luoyang.

At this moment, the fierce general Yan Liang strode up to Yuan Shao, cupped his fists, and reported, "My lord, the various armies searched throughout the night, but not the slightest trace of the assassin could be found!"

Hearing this, Yuan Shao's face darkened, and he looked thoroughly displeased.

Before him knelt a terrified middle-aged man dressed in the luxurious attire of a servant.

Yuan Shao gazed down at the middle-aged man and said coldly, "I have already made inquiries. It was you who brought this assassin into the estate to serve as a maid. I have treated you well, yet you dared to collude with an assassin and plot against me!"

The middle-aged man kowtowed frantically and pleaded, "I beg the lord to listen. This—this humble servant truly knew nothing of this matter! I—I merely saw this woman on the street, selling herself to bury her father. Seeing how exquisite her beauty was and feeling pity for her, I—I purchased her and brought her into the estate so she could—so she could serve the lord. Everything I did was out of pure loyalty, how could I have known she harbored such malicious intent? I beg the lord to see the truth!"

Upon hearing these words, Yuan Shao found the explanation somewhat plausible.

Another middle-aged servant standing nearby chuckled and said to Yuan Shao, "Steward Li's words simply cannot withstand scrutiny. According to the rules of the estate, individuals of unknown background are strictly forbidden from being taken in. How could Steward Li possibly fail to investigate her origins? Since her origins were investigated, how could any suspicious signs have gone unnoticed? The reason behind all this is truly thought-provoking!"

The middle-aged man, both alarmed and infuriated, pointed at the other servant and shouted, "You—you are trying to frame me!"

Yuan Shao roared, "Enough!"

Startled, the middle-aged man gave a violent shudder and instantly fell silent.

Yuan Shao raised his voice and commanded, "Guards!"

Two personal guards immediately entered.

Pointing at the kneeling middle-aged man, Yuan Shao ordered, "Drag him out, subject him to severe torture, and interrogate him thoroughly!"

Hearing this, the middle-aged man was frightened out of his wits and frantically kowtowed for mercy.

However, the two guards had already stepped forward, seized the middle-aged man, and dragged him away.

Yuan Shao cursed angrily, "Damn ungrateful wretch! I truly wish I could hack him to pieces!"

With that, he turned to the two strategists standing beside him and asked, "Zhenan, Ziyuan, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Zhenan was the style name of Shen Pei, while Ziyuan was the style name of Xu You. Both men were renowned strategists of this era.

Shen Pei had an imposing and dignified appearance that commanded respect without anger, whereas Xu You looked lean and gaunt, sporting a thin goatee and darting eyes that gave him an intensely cunning aura.

Shen Pei cupped his fists and said, "My lord, this subordinate believes the matter should simply be dropped. After all, your lordship has only recently taken control of Jizhou, and your foundation is not yet secure. If we relentlessly pursue this issue, I fear it will only cause panic among the populace of Yecheng."

Feeling that Shen Pei made sense, Yuan Shao nodded and said, "Zhenan speaks wisely!"

Just as his voice trailed off, Xu You burst into laughter, his tone carrying a distinct note of mockery.

Deeply displeased, Shen Pei glared at Xu You and demanded tartly, "Could it be that Xu You thinks my view is wrong?"

Xu You cupped his fists toward Yuan Shao and said, "My lord, what Shen Pei has said is merely the perspective of an ordinary person. Precisely because your lordship has just taken control of Jizhou, if we do not use thunderous methods to establish our authority, how can we deter those treacherous elements hiding in the shadows, and how can we pacify the hearts of the people?"

Hearing Xu You's words, Yuan Shao felt they made a great deal of sense and nodded, "True, true! Exactly so!"

Seeing that Shen Pei was about to speak again, Yuan Shao interrupted, "My mind is made up. This matter must be thoroughly investigated; we must never let others think we are weak and easily bullied!"

Having no other choice, Shen Pei clamped his mouth shut, casting a resentful glance at Xu You, who wore a smug expression.

Xu You cupped his fists toward Yuan Shao and said, "My lord, this assassination attempt is likely not as simple as it seems. There may well be accomplices both inside and outside the mansion. Therefore, the assassin might not still be within the city walls. We should dispatch a major general to lead troops in a search outside the city, and then close the four gates to continue a rigorous search within. I am confident the assassin will have no way to fly away!"

Upon hearing Xu You's suggestion, Yuan Shao immediately ordered Yan Liang to close the four gates and continue the search, while simultaneously dispatching a messenger to command Ju Yi to lead troops outside the city for a thorough sweep.

At that moment, Feng Ji walked in from outside, cupped his fists toward Yuan Shao, and reported, "My lord, news has just arrived from Guannei. Over a month ago, Luo Ang led a force of several thousand men at Huqiu Pavilion and utterly defeated a combined army of two hundred thousand Xiongnu, Xianbei, and Wuhuan!"

Everyone present was deeply astonished upon hearing this.

Soon after, a look of jealousy crept across Yuan Shao's face.

Shen Pei sighed, "This Luo Ke is truly formidable. First he shattered our eighteen-lord alliance, and now he has heavily defeated the barbarian coalition. His overwhelming might is completely unmatched in this era!"

Yuan Shao let out a cold snort, his expression turning sour.

Seizing the opportunity, Xu You remarked, "He simply had a bit of luck, that's all. Shen Pei, why must you elevate him like this? To speak of heroes in this world, who could possibly compare with our lord?"

Hearing Xu You's words, Yuan Shao's face broke into a smile, as Xu You had struck right at the chord of his deepest desires. Although he said nothing aloud, the expression on his face clearly showed how thoroughly he enjoyed this flattery.

At the inn, within the Chrysanthemum Garden, Luo Ang was chatting leisurely with Zhang Ji, completely unaware that the city gates had been sealed shut.

At that moment, Song Xian hurried in and announced, "Young master, trouble has arisen."

Frowning slightly, Luo Ang asked, "What is going on?"

Song Xian continued, "A short while ago, this subordinate discovered that all four gates of Yecheng have remained shut since this morning, and Yuan Shao's soldiers are searching for an assassin house by house."

Recalling the events of the previous night, Luo Ang instantly understood what had happened.

Zhang Ji asked anxiously, "Young master, what should we do now?"

Luo Ang smiled and replied, "Rest assured, esteemed doctor. As long as we simply sit here chatting, the soldiers of Yecheng will certainly do nothing to us. After all, we are not harboring any criminals!"

Hearing Luo Ang's words, Zhang Ji realized he had been worrying needlessly and finally set his anxieties aside.

Shortly thereafter, a band of soldiers arrived to conduct a search, but Luo Ang had made preparations long in advance, ensuring they would find nothing suspicious.

After a brief inspection, the soldiers departed.

Seeing that the guards had uncovered nothing, Zhang Ji relaxed completely, filled with admiration for Luo Ang's composure.

Luo Ang instructed, "Pass down the order for the brothers to get ready. We will return to Luoyang tomorrow."

"Understood," Song Xian acknowledged and went to carry out the command.

Zhang Ji asked, "Young master, are we leaving tomorrow?"

Luo Ang nodded and replied, "Indeed. My father's condition grows heavier by the day, so I must return swiftly to allow you to save his life, sir."