[The emperor for the ages we will introduce this time lived during the final years of the Eastern Han.]
The moment the voice fell silent, the golden writing on the heavenly screen changed again!
Like flowing water, new content slowly appeared!
[Heroes rose across the land, and the rival states repeatedly waged war and maneuvered diplomatically.]
[The Yellow Turban Army rose in rebellion and was suppressed by the various regional lords.]
As these lines appeared, the lords below grew even more excited!
That was right!
This was their era!
It was them!
Yet before they could celebrate for long, a statement that overturned everyone's understanding appeared on the heavenly screen, bearing an unquestionable majesty!
[And at this time, our emperor for the ages was among these rebels.]
Boom!
At that instant, everyone across the Divine Land watching the heavenly screen felt as though a thunderbolt had struck their brains!
What!?
Among the rebels?
Wasn't the Yellow Turban Army a band of traitors!
This emperor for the ages had actually started out as a rebel?
How was that possible!
This was the greatest joke under heaven!
In Yan Province, Cao Cao's pupils abruptly contracted!
But in just an instant, he regained his composure, and even a knowing smile appeared at the corner of his mouth!
He raised a finger, pointed at the heavenly screen, and said to the utterly bewildered Guo Jia and the others, "What do you think 'among the rebels' means?"
"Well..."
For a moment, even Guo Jia was somewhat dazed!
Cao Cao, however, smiled confidently. "The meaning couldn't be clearer!"
"The heavenly screen refers to someone who distinguished himself during the Yellow Turban Rebellion that swept across the land!"
"It was on the battlefield against the Yellow Turbans that I, Cao Mengde, truly began to make my mark and win renown throughout the land!"
"So the heavenly screen is still talking about me!"
At these words, Guo Jia, Cheng Yu, and the others immediately saw the light!
Of course!
Their lord made sense!
This was a sign that they were following the dragon!
And in Ji Province, Yuan Shao used almost exactly the same logic to convince the advisers under him!
"I, Yuan Benchu, come from a family that held the Three Excellencies for four generations, and I led the campaign against the Yellow Turban traitors. My merits rank first under heaven!"
"This heavenly screen must be recounting my rise!"
In Xu Capital, inside the imperial palace.
As Liu Bei read the words on the heavenly screen, a flicker of excitement crossed his eyes!
He remembered how he, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei had organized local volunteers in Zhuo Commandery and joined the suppression of the Yellow Turban Army, setting out on this very path!
Could it be... could this heavenly screen be talking about me, Liu Xuande!
Only Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, who sat beside Cao Cao as a puppet, had a face ashen as death!
It's over!
Those were the only words left in his mind!
An emperor for the ages!
Born a rebel!
Wasn't this plainly saying that the realm of his Great Han would be seized by a rebel!
And an emperor whose achievements would eclipse all ages, at that!
Then what about him?
Wouldn't he become the ruler who lost his dynasty!
At this thought, Emperor Xian of Han went cold all over, his hands and feet trembling uncontrollably!
He felt as though the sky were falling!
The nation was about to be destroyed in his hands!
Elsewhere, atop the walls of Shouchun.
As Yang Feng looked at the words on the heavenly screen, towering waves likewise surged through his heart!
What the hell?
Among the rebels?
Was this a joke!
The Yellow Turban Army could produce an emperor for the ages?
Zhang Jiao?
Hadn't he died of illness ages ago?
Could it be some unknown pearl lost to history?
This really was beyond the scope of his knowledge!
Just as Yang Feng reeled in shock, he suddenly felt someone patting his shoulder!
He turned around to find Yuan Shu's big face, brimming with anticipation and excitement!
Yang Feng's mind instantly caught up, and he immediately put on an expression of utmost flattery, bowing deeply to Yuan Shu!
"Your Majesty!"
"Your subject understands!"
"Your subject finally understands!"
In an incredibly exaggerated tone, he shouted, "The heavenly screen really is talking about you!"
"Huh?"
Yuan Shu froze for a moment, then exclaimed in wild delight, "Tell me!
What insight do you have!"
Yang Feng pointed at the heavenly screen and spoke, spittle flying everywhere. "Think about it, Your Majesty!"
"The Yellow Turban uprising was precisely when heroes rose across the land!"
"And wasn't it only afterward that you truly began to make your mark?"
"The heavenly screen is clearly saying that this emperor for the ages began his draconic rise during the Yellow Turban Rebellion!"
"Isn't this an introduction tailor-made for you!"
"The emperor for the ages must be you!"
After hearing this, Yuan Shu almost floated off the ground!
He slapped Yang Feng's shoulder hard, grinning so broadly he couldn't close his mouth!
"Well said!"
"Very well said!"
"You!
You're excellent!"
"A reward!
A lavish reward!"
The ministers below, including Yan Xiang and Ji Ling, immediately caught on as well and joined in, their flattery roaring like mountains and seas!
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"The mandate of heaven is yours!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty!"
Yang Feng stood among the crowd, all smiles on the outside, while inwardly he had long since laughed himself into cramps!
My heavens!
These idiots!
They actually believed this nonsense!
One dared to spout it, and a whole bunch dared to believe it!
This was too much fun!
Far too much fun!
Looking at Yuan Shu's smug face, as though he had already ascended the throne ahead of time, Yang Feng's heart practically blossomed with delight!
I wonder how you'll react when the heavenly screen goes on to say that you, Yuan Shu, died less than a year after proclaiming yourself emperor-and died of thirst, at that?
Hahaha!
I really can't wait to see your face!
Just as Yang Feng was immersed in the pleasure of his own wicked amusement, the heavenly screen stirred once again!
Golden light flowed, and new lines of writing slowly unfolded like a history book!
[Emperor Ling of Han passed away. General-in-Chief He Jin prepared to execute the Ten Regular Attendants, only to be killed by the eunuchs instead.]
[He Jin's subordinate generals, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, led troops into the palace and slaughtered all the eunuchs, plunging the capital into chaos.]
[Emperor Shao of Han and the Prince of Chenliu, the future Emperor Xian of Han, fled.]
At this, Yuan Shao in Ji Province and Yuan Shu in Shouchun both couldn't help puffing out their chests!
Look!
These were their accomplishments!
Yet the heavenly screen's account continued!
[And at this moment, a tyrant arrived in Luoyang.]
[The realm, too, was about to descend into great chaos!]
The scene froze there!