Chapter 620: Pressing step by step, Liu Hong, who was forced into a corner!【2】

Southern Palace.

Jiade Hall, sunlight spilled through the carved window lattices, casting mottled light and shadows, reflecting a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

On the dozen or so vermilion-lacquered pillars that required several people to embrace, coiled golden dragons were carved.

I don't know if it was because of anger or fear.

Liu Hong, sitting behind a massive dragon desk, had already lost all color in his face.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong stood on the left and right sides of the steps below Liu Hong.

Outside the hall, Yang Ci and Yuan Kui rushed over from their respective mansions.

After entering the hall, the two of them, dressed in official robes, stood on the hall without saying a word, listening to Liu Hong's loud roar.

"You speak!"

Liu Hong pointed his finger at Yang Ci and Yuan Kui, who were standing below the hall, and said: "I have distributed money and grain, sent troops, and used the people you recommended."

"And now?"

Liu Hong reached out and grabbed the defeat reports on the dragon desk and threw them directly at Yang Ci and Yuan Kui, who were standing below the hall.

"Is this how you repay me?"

"Yuan Kui, didn't you say that Zhu Jun was capable of fighting and brave beyond compare?"

"Twenty thousand troops, and they were defeated in one battle, and they even fled!"

Yuan Kui lowered his eyelids, his expression unchanged, and holding his tablet, he cupped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, the rebel army is powerful, ten times our army; the two armies met suddenly, perhaps... perhaps there was some negligence."

Liu Hong, his face pale with anger, looked at Yang Ci: "Yang Ci, what about you!"

"Didn't you say that Huangfu Song was from a family of generals and was well-versed in military strategy?"

"How did he get surrounded at Changshe!"

Yang Ci, like Yuan Kui, said helplessly: "Your Majesty, it is truly not the fault of the battle, it is just that the rebel army is powerful!"

"You... you!" Liu Hong pointed his trembling finger at Yang Ci and Yuan Kui: "The rebel army is powerful?"

"The rebel army is powerful!"

"You only know how to say the rebel army is powerful; is it because the rebel army is powerful that I should wait here in Luoyang for the rebel army to attack Luoyang and kill me?"

"Your subjects... dare not."

Yang Ci and Yuan Kui lowered their heads to plead guilty.

"Your Majesty... the rebel army's momentum is fierce, and they have been planning for many years; having this momentum today is the result of years of accumulation, not a disaster of one morning or one evening."

Yang Ci, holding his tablet with both hands, lowered his head and said in a deep voice: "This old subject discovered it long ago, Zhang Jiao is a person with ulterior motives, it's just that..."

Liu Hong's eyebrows furrowed: "It's just what?"

"Are you blaming me for not listening to your words at the beginning, capturing Zhang Jiao, and restricting the Way of Peace?" Liu Hong glared at Yang Ci and said.

Three years ago, Yang Ci did indeed submit a memorial to capture Zhang Jiao and restrict the Way of Peace.

But there were memorials from all over the place saying that the Way of Peace was teaching the commoners to be good.

And that there was no intention of rebellion. ===== CHAPTER 622 =====