Guangzong, inside the county office.
God Huang Tian focused his mind and entered a meditative state. Wisps of spiritual energy, invisible to the naked eye, gradually flowed into his Yellow Court, then circulated through the apertures in his body for one full cycle before gathering once more in his Yellow Court.
His chest rose and fell slightly. Faint white vapor curled from his nostrils, and a dim golden radiance seemed to shimmer around him.
After a long while, God Huang Tian opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a stream of white vapor. It took the shape of a sword and flew three feet through the air before bursting into mist with a soft puff.
"I broke through the fourth layer of Qi Refining long ago, and I'm not far from the fifth..." A hint of delight stirred in God Huang Tian's heart.
More than half a month had passed since the second Battle of Guangzong. His cultivation had advanced another step, and the situation in Ji Province had completely stabilized.
The Yellow Turban Army had fanned out from Julu Commandery, which it had occupied, and taken all of Ji Province with ease. Almost none of the officials defending the cities had resisted. The Yellow Turban Army marched as fast as it captured cities.
In fact, not only had no one resisted, many powerful local families had voluntarily joined the Yellow Turban Army. They believed the Great Han court was nearing its end, and hurried to attach themselves to the Yellow Turbans and cultivate ties, hoping to secure higher positions in the new dynasty.
But once land surveys and land seizures began, many of them would undoubtedly come to hate the Yellow Turban Army with a vengeance. When that happened...
A smile touched God Huang Tian's lips, its warmth laced with the taste of iron and blood.
His thoughts drifted for a while before he habitually "turned on" his voice channel.
Yes, he could hear all kinds of voices in the Late Han Dynasty World, too. Especially after the divine names "God Huang Tian" and "Sovereign Yellow Absolute" spread across the land, more and more voices began calling out to him.
But God Huang Tian didn't pay them much mind, nor did he intend to glean any information from them.
In this world, no one could stop him from doing anything he wanted. Intelligence obtained through the voices was of little use to him.
Even so, God Huang Tian habitually "listened and watched."
With a shift of his will, the voices connected, and countless sounds poured into his ears.
"Sovereign Yellow Absolute, please bless my husband with good health. Let him be spared from sickness and pain."
"God Huang Tian is the only god in this world. The ones you worship are all false gods. Tear down their temples!"
"Foolish! Foolish! What God Huang Tian? There's no such thing as a god in this world. I've lived for more than sixty years, and I've never heard of this deity..."
"We are the people of God Huang Tian. The god will surely bless our fields with a bountiful harvest next year!"
"Sir, the Master says we should respect the spirits but keep our distance from them. Yet now there seems to be a true god in Ji Province. How should we scholars regard him?"
"Brother Ji, I heard that Ji Province has been taken by the Great Peace Sect of Huang Tian. Its soldiers are numerous and powerful; they've repeatedly defeated tens of thousands of Han troops. They've even established a Political Academy and a Science Institute. Why don't we go to Ji Province and see for ourselves? If it truly has the makings of a new dynasty, we could enter its service and seek official posts..."
"The Moth Bandits worship a false god called Huang Tian. They can't last..."
"..."
Images appeared before God Huang Tian. He gave each one only a cursory glance, or didn't look at them at all, until a deep black voice channel entered his sight.
By now, God Huang Tian had figured out the differences between the various voice channels.
Ordinary voice channels were colorless. Those that crossed worlds were golden. When someone close to him and familiar with him spoke of him, they were green. When someone who hated him and wanted him dead spoke of him, they were black.
"I've seen a few black voice channels before, but never one this dark..."
God Huang Tian's mind stirred, and his gaze crossed the interwoven fabric of space and time.
Luoyang Palace, inside an exquisite chamber.
Emperor Liu Hong of the Han sat on a mat, with the most powerful men in the Han Court kneeling on either side of him.
Situ Zhang Wen, Grand General He Jin, Grand Tutor Yuan Wei, Minister of Justice Yang Ci, Clan Chief Liu Yan, Grand Commandant Deng Sheng...
"My lords, the Moth Bandits are now at the height of their power. They've swiftly taken Ji Province, and the people of Luoyang are in a panic. What should I do?" Liu Hong asked, his heart uneasy.
The men exchanged glances, and Yang Ci stroked his white beard before speaking. "Your Majesty, our most urgent task is to summon troops from every province and commandery to defend Luoyang. The Five Schools of the Northern Army have all been assigned to Huangfu, Lu, and Zhu. The first two have been defeated, and their fates are unknown. Zhu Gongwei is still attacking Wan City. Luoyang has no elite troops left."
He Jin spoke up. "Luoyang is close to Ji Province. We need to reinforce the defenses at several passes."
When Zhang Jiao first rose in revolt, Liu Hong had strengthened the defenses at each pass, "appointing commandants at Hangu, Dagu, Guangcheng, Yique, Huanyuan, Xuanmen, Mengjin, and Xiaopingjin."
But now, facing the Yellow Turban Army, which had unified Ji Province, and Sovereign Yellow Absolute, whose powers were said to be beyond belief, He Jin still felt uneasy. He proposed sending more troops to reinforce the passes.
Liu Yan furrowed his brow. "Everywhere needs reinforcements. Where is the court supposed to find so many troops? With the Yellow Turban uprising, the land is in turmoil, and the Moth Bandits in the various provinces have yet to be completely eradicated. If we move troops rashly, we may stir up trouble in places that have already been pacified."
He Jin was slightly displeased. "Which matters more, Your Majesty and Luoyang, or a few mere provinces and commanderies?"
At that, Liu Yan fell silent.
Yuan Wei coughed, easing the awkward atmosphere. "If we're to move troops, Grand Commandant, where can we draw them from?"
Deng Sheng was very old, his body frail with age. At the question, he forced himself to focus. "We can draw some from every province except Jing, Ji, and Liang."
The Yellow Turbans in Wan City, Jing Province, had yet to be put down, and Zhu Jun was tied up there. There was no need to mention Ji Province, which the Yellow Turbans had taken in its entirety.
"Why not Liang Province?" He Jin asked, puzzled.
Deng Sheng explained, "The Qiang People in Liang Province have never been docile. They often defy the court. Even with the Commandery Soldiers suppressing them, they're still like this. If the troops leave, the Qiang People will rebel in an instant..."
He Jin said skeptically, "That's just your guess, Grand Commandant. Besides, so what if they rebel? Liang Province is poor. We might as well abandon it."
Enraged by those outrageous words, Deng Sheng rose to his feet and glared at He Jin. "Only by executing you can peace return to the land!"
He Jin's expression changed dramatically. Liu Hong hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Grand Commandant, please sit. Please sit! Don't be angry!"
At Liu Hong's signal, Zhang Wen, seated to one side, stepped forward to calm Deng Sheng. "Grand Commandant, please sit. There's no need to get worked up."
Deng Sheng restrained his anger and sat back down. Turning to Liu Hong, he spoke with heartfelt sincerity. "If the Qiang People take Liang Province, they will plague us for generations. Without Liang Province, Sanfu will be in danger; if Sanfu is in danger, the capital will be exposed! Your Majesty, you must never abandon Liang Province!"
Liu Hong hurriedly nodded. "Grand Commandant Deng, you worry too much. I won't abandon Liang Province."
As he spoke, he shot He Jin a reproachful look. Deng Sheng was old and frail. If he got so angry that he suddenly dropped dead in the palace, the emperor would be held responsible.
He Jin pressed his lips together and said nothing.
"Grand Commandant Deng, aside from Liang, Ji, and Jing, how many troops can the court muster in all to protect Luoyang?" Liu Hong swiftly changed the subject, asking the question that mattered most to him.
Deng Sheng thought for a moment. "We can gather the Commandery Soldiers from the various provinces, along with some miscellaneous barbarian cavalry. We should be able to muster seventy or eighty thousand within three months, but..."
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