Chapter 1347: Peace Talks? [4]

The morning breeze in mid-August already carried a hint of chill, blowing the sleeves of the black official robes of the ministers standing outside Sima Gate waiting to enter the palace.

But no matter how cold the wind was, it was not as cold as the battle report of the Liangzhou army's blades cutting down before Hangu Pass.

Over two hundred thousand troops, overturned in an instant.

Although one hundred thousand of them were the Baibo Army, the remaining one hundred and twenty thousand were also the elite of the Han army.

Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, who each led fifty thousand troops, had never known defeat in their campaigns in Yuzhou and Yangzhou.

Who would have known that a single crushing defeat would lead to their total annihilation.

Zhu Jun was captured, and his head was still hanging on Hangu Pass, blowing in the autumn wind.

Huangfu Song and Zhang Wen, who had fled in defeat, were directly thrown into prison after returning to Luoyang.

The backstabbing by the Hongnong Yang Clan added even more chill to this report of defeat.

Hongnong Commandery and Hedong Commandery were both lost, and the Liangzhou army's military might was pointed directly at the Hangu Pass in Xinan County.

When this battle report was delivered to Luoyangcheng last night, the entire city of Luoyang was shaken to its core.

On days when court was held, the many officials in front of Sima Gate would usually be in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing.

But today, the entire area in front of Sima Gate was deathly silent.

Apart from the sound of heavy breathing, no one spoke a word.

Grand Tutor Yuan Kui.

Minister of Works Cui Lie.

Minister of Works Ma Ridi.

Commandant of Justice Guo Hong, as well as Xun Shuang, who had just been recruited by the imperial court not long ago to replace Yang Biao's position as Guard General, and others were all standing in front of Sima Gate.

As the time arrived, Sima Gate opened.

Hundreds of officials, holding white tablets and wearing black official robes, walked slowly into Sima Gate according to their rank.

When all the court ministers arrived near Jiade Hall, the hall was clearly more filled with a murderous atmosphere than usual.

Imperial guards stood on the imperial path leading to both sides of Jiade Hall.

Commander of the Imperial Guards Jian Shuo also stood before the hall door holding a sword.

Inside the cold Jiade Hall, Empress Dowager Dong sat beside the Son of Heaven, Liu Xie, who had not ascended the throne long ago.

The beaded curtain hanging from her phoenix crown swayed slightly. ===== CHAPTER 1349 =====