Chapter 98: Yuan Huai's plan to praise and kill? He Jin's plan to win over?

The grand welcome ceremony lasted for two hours.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ye Feng came before Liu Hong and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Long live my emperor!"

Inside the dragon chariot, Liu Hong forced a smile: "The Northern Expedition to suppress the rebellion, this battle demonstrates the power of the imperial court and the majesty of the Han Dynasty."

"I have discussed this with you, my dear ministers, and have decided to promote you to the rank of General of the Imperial Guard."

"My safety is in your hands."

Ye Feng nodded solemnly: "I am willing to go through fire and water for your majesty, no matter what it takes."

Liu Hong stroked his beard and laughed: "Good, good!"

"Follow me to review the three armies!"

A eunuch came forward and invited Ye Feng to the dragon sedan chair.

After a personal show of loving his soldiers like his own sons and being a wise and holy ruler, Liu Hong entered Luoyang City with all the civil and military officials in the court.

Night falls.

In the imperial palace, the lights in the Linde Hall were bright, and the sounds of music and dancing could be heard everywhere.

Ministers came to Ye Feng from time to time, toasting each other. Ye Feng almost became the focus of the entire celebration party. Even important ministers such as Zhang Rang, Jian Shuo, and He Jin felt a little jealous.

After a wave of toasts, Ye Feng finally found the opportunity to come up to Cai Yong.

"Hello, uncle. I was busy with socializing just now and was unable to come right away. Please forgive me, uncle."

Cai Yong waved his hand and said with a smile: "How does it feel to be admired and respected by everyone?"

Ye Feng said: "What's the point of false feelings?"

"If I wasn't afraid of upsetting the emperor, I wouldn't have come to this kind of celebration banquet."

Cai Yong glanced at Ye Feng approvingly: "You are not surprised by praise or criticism. I was right about you."

"In fact, you should be the most ignored tonight. After all, your great achievements today are based on Yuan Shao's shoulders."

"Before you returned to Beijing, there were many discussions like this in Beijing."

"It stands to reason that if Yuan Huai is displeased, even if you are favored by the emperor, the ministers in the court will not take the initiative to make friends with you."

"But you also saw what happened today."

“There’s something fishy going on here!”

Ye Feng subconsciously glanced at where Yuan Huai and Yuan Shao, the uncle and nephew, were sitting.

"What are they planning?"

Cai Yong smiled faintly and shook his head: "I don't quite understand it either."

"If you show your kindness for no reason, you are either a traitor or a thief."

"You are new to the court, so you must be careful in everything you do."

Ye Feng nodded slightly and changed the subject: "How is Sister Yan'er these days?"

Speaking of his beloved daughter, Cai Yong's eyes were filled with resentment: "There are so many talented people in the capital, many of whom are pursuing Yan'er, but she doesn't like any of them."

"I don't know what's so good about you. You haven't written to her for almost a year. There's no news at all, but she's still so devoted to you."

Ye Feng also felt a little ashamed: "This is not busy."

"Now that I have nothing important to do in Luoyang City, I will naturally spend more time with Sister Yan'er."

Cai Yong stroked his beard and said, "You still have some conscience."

Just as he finished speaking, he saw He Jin striding towards him not far away. He winked at Ye Feng and subconsciously avoided him.

Ye Feng turned around and He Jin's cheerful voice was heard: "General Ye is really a young and promising man."

"He conquered Youzhou, suppressed the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and killed three traitors of Zhang Jiao. This is not much less than the champion marquis of that year!"

As soon as He Jin came over, many people looked at Ye Feng with amusement.

Except for Emperor Liu Hong, most people are clear about the ins and outs of Jizhou's affairs.

Dong Zhuo was obviously He Jin's confidant, but He Jin put in a lot of effort, but in the end the fruit was picked by Ye Feng. How could He Jin bear this?
Ye Feng clasped his fists and saluted without being servile or arrogant: "General, thank you for your praise."

"It was General Dong who laid the foundation and attacked Xindu City for several days. Otherwise, how could I break the city so easily?"

"After all, the credit goes to the general as well."

He Jin's smiling face was slightly angry, but when he thought of Ye Feng's position, he suppressed his anger. "General Ye is too modest."

"After the celebration banquet tonight, I intend to gather the young talents of the Han Dynasty to discuss strategies for defeating the bandits."

"I wonder if General Ye is free?"

The naked solicitation made Ye Feng shake his head secretly.

A reckless man is a reckless man, and he acts straightforwardly.

It is no wonder that in history he was killed by the Ten Eunuchs who were at the end of their rope.

Ye Feng clasped his fists and gave He Jin enough face, but still shook his head: "I am not able to drink tonight, I am afraid I can't attend the banquet."

"After I settle down in Kyoto, I will come to apologize in person."

He Jin's face darkened, and he said in a cold voice: "General Ye is very generous, but the water in Luoyang City is deep, don't fall into a place of no return."

After saying this, he turned away.

The unpleasant parting with He Jin made the civil and military officials in the court look at Ye Feng with a hint of mockery.

After all, the current court situation has long been determined. He Jin, Yuan Huai and Crown Prince Liu Bian can be said to represent the future of the Han Dynasty.

As for the dying Liu Hong, what advantages does he have other than the throne?
The short life span means that everything now is just a mirage.

After one night of banquet, Ye Feng deeply realized the fierce open and secret struggles in the court.

The celebration banquet is over.

Before Ye Feng left, a young eunuch called him to the emperor's residence.

After entering the emperor's bedroom, Liu Hong did not rest, but forced himself to stay awake and dismiss the people around him.

"I've heard of your reputation for a long time. Today I see that you are indeed a young hero."

"Do you know why I summoned you here at this moment?"

After just a few words, Liu Hong started coughing violently.

Ye Feng knew everything, but he didn't say much.

He is even more aware of the fact that trouble comes from the mouth.

He shook his head decisively: "Please speak clearly, Your Majesty."

Liu Hong said: "Faced with the goodwill shown by the ministers tonight, and the solicitation of the general, the Grand Tutor and others, how do you feel?"

Ye Feng pretended to be hesitant, and then said seriously: "Your Majesty promoted me. Your Majesty's grace is so great that I can only repay you with my death. How could I have any other thoughts?"

"After tonight, I won't even see you. Since we have no intersection, we will naturally not be involved. If a conflict occurs, I will naturally not show mercy."

Liu Hong smiled and stroked his beard: "Okay!"

"it is good!!"

"If the Han Dynasty had more loyal and upright generals like you, why would we worry about the Han Dynasty's prosperity and the world's instability?"

"Starting tomorrow, all 20,000 imperial guards will be in your hands. I will not be responsible for how you train them."

"But there is one thing. Anyone who is not on the same page with me must be kicked out."

"You decide everything. I will block the pressure for you."

Ye Feng bowed and said, "I understand that the Royal Guards will become a sharp blade in your Majesty's hands in the future."

"Wherever the sword points, it is invincible!!"

"Hahaha!!"

Liu Hong laughed a few times, then coughed violently: "If that day really comes, your contribution will be indispensable."

"The reward will naturally not be small."

"You will live in the palace during this period. Wait until I build a mansion for you before you leave the palace."

"Here!!"

After leaving the emperor's bedroom, Ye Feng's mind was turning, thinking about the affairs in Luoyang.

But before he had taken two steps, a sharp shout was heard from behind.

"General Ye Feng, please stay!"

(End of this chapter)