Chapter 553

“It’s here! Surround this place! Don’t let anyone escape!” The King of Shu’s residence, where people liked to gather at was now the place they all avoided. The most popular person in Jingzhou was now someone to be arrested.

“By the order of Milord Liu Biao, we came here to capture the false king Liu Mang and his henchmen! Any who disobey will be executed!” Someone from outside the residence shouted towards the surrounding people.

“What’s going on?” The common citizens were naturally interested to know what Liu Biao intended on doing. As the soldiers were being mobilized in broad daylight the citizens did not have the time to get away.

“Isn’t that the King of Shu’s residence?” Another person asked. This was like a sacred place in the past few days. The only people that visited were all influential Jingzhou officials such as the Cai Family and the Kuai Family. Even Liu Biao paid this place a visit before. So why were they attacking it now?

“I don’t know. Isn’t the King of Shu the Lord of Yangzhou? Isn’t Yangzhou and Jingzhou supposed to be allies? Why did this happen? Could there have been some misunderstanding?” A scholar asked.

“Get lost! These orders were given by the Lord! There is no mistake!” The soldiers impatiently shoved the scholar away. When the scholar glared back, the soldier took out his sword. He quickly swallowed any objections that he might have had.

“The King of Shu helped us take back Nanyang! Why did this happen?” There were those that felt aggrieved. When the alliance was formed, it was a huge news as both sides profited. The citizens even knew how powerful Yangzhou was as an ally. It was because there is such an ally that Jingzhou could have peace. When Liu Bei captured Fancheng, the whole of Jingzhou was alarmed. The poor were worried while the rich have already started preparations to migrate. It was Yangzhou that dispatched their troops to chase away the enemies at Fancheng. They even returned Nanyang. It was so favorable towards Jingzhou that the citizens spoke up for Liu Mang.

“Open the door.” Liu Mang got onto his horse. His weapon was clean and his armor was properly worn.

“Yes!” A few of the remaining female servants replied and opened the large door together. They were locals so Jia Xu could not take them away. When these servants heard that the place was being attacked, they were scared witless. Liu Mang placated them saying that they could take as much money as they could carry with them from the residence. At the same time, Liu Mang hoped that Liu Biao would not be ruthless enough to kill all of them.

“Fall back!” Xiangyang’s soldiers withdrew when they saw Liu Mang, Zhou Cang and Guan hai step to the front.

“Bullshit! Go and capture that false king!” One person shouted angrily. Liu Mang could recognize this person as Huang She. Huang She had come to Liu Mang’s residence after dealing with Cai Mao. He wanted to see his enemy get thrown into prison personally.

“Official Huang. What has this King done wrong that the Lord of Jingzhou, Liu Biao wants to imprison me?” Liu Mang asked as he looked at Huang She.

Huang She sneered in reply. “I am sure you yourself know what you have done! Liu Mang Liu Hanyang! Do you still think you are the highly esteemed Lord of Yangzhou?”

“Oh? Then what am I if not the Lord of Yangzhou?” Liu Mang asked indifferently.

“Right now, you are just a fish on a chopping block! Do not forget that this is Jingzhou! You are soon going to be a prisoner and maybe even be sentenced to death! After that, you and that lowly woman can meet each other in hell!” Huang She said hatefully. Liu Mang was his sworn enemy as he had already suffered a lot thanks to Liu Mang. It started from being defeated at Jiangxia and his plans backfiring on him in Jingzhou.

“A prisoner? Haha! This King has never become a prisoner before! Unlike some people who have become Yangzhou’s prisoner before!” Liu Mang mocked back.

“You!” Huang She became speechless from anger. He did not want to be reminded of the days he became a captive.

“Men! Capture this false king!” Huang She ordered. He no longer tried to bicker with Liu Mang as he knew that he could not beat Liu Mang with words. It was better to go straight to capturing Liu Mang.

“I want to see who dares!” Liu Mang roared. As Liu Mang was now a powerful warrior himself, his voice was also naturally more powerful. This was one of the reasons why all the ones that shout below the walls were generals. Only they had the strength to shout like this. It was also because of this that Zhang Fei was able to hold the bridge at Changban.

Liu Mang’s shout froze his opponents. None of them dared to step forward.

“Huang She! When I ask what my crime was, you refuse to say. In that case, let me tell you! Even if I am guilty of something, you have no right to apprehend me! Even Liu Biao cannot interrogate me!” Liu Mang’s words were accurate. As the King of Shu and General Who Suppresses the South, everyone in Jingzhou was his subordinate. Liu Biao who is only the Lord of Jingzhou did not have the qualifications to condemn Liu Mang.

Liu Mang’s words made the soldiers withdraw even further in hesitation. They all turned to look at Huang She. These soldiers all did not want to be enemies with the King of Shu. As they had fought alongside Yangzhou, they knew how powerful the Yangzhou Army was. During the battle, the Yangzhou Army did all the fighting while they only did minor tasks. Even then, they were able to obtain merits. This caused them to feel grateful to Liu Mang. Besides that, most of them were nobles. They all knew that Liu Mang was close with the Kuai Family and the Cai Family so they also had good relationship with each other. Only the Huang Family remained opposed to Liu Mang.

“The King of Shu? No one here acknowledges you as the King of Shu! The Lord already said that you are a false king! Your other crimes aside, the crime of impersonating a king of the great Han Dynasty is a mortal crime! Men! Arrest him! Or are you going to disobey orders?” Huang She ordered again as he justified himself by classifying Liu Mang as a fake king. He spoke with such confidence that the soldiers stepped forward again.

The Xiangyang soldiers then apologized to Liu Mang as they prepared to capture him. “Your Highness, we apologize. We are just following orders!”

“No other choice then?” Liu Mang shook his head. He initially thought of procrastinating and have Huang She bring him to Liu Biao. However, Huang She wholeheartedly wanted to arrest him so Liu Mang could only fight his way out.

Just as Liu Mang grabbed onto his sword, someone suddenly shouted. “Wait!”

The nervous Xiangyang troops quickly put down their weapons the moment they heard those words.

“Who?” Huang She angrily turned around to see who ordered for the soldiers to stop. “Who told you guys to put down your weapons? Advance!” He shouted.

“It is me!” An old man slowly stepped out from the crowd. He was supported by a youngster.

“Huh? Isn’t that Pang Degong?” Someone cried out in surprise.

“Lord Pang. Why are you here?” The people asked as they took turns greeting him politely. Rather than one of the influential families or even Liu Biao himself, Pang Degong was the one that was most popular amongst the common people.

“Pang Degong.” Huang She muttered the man’s name. He could not look down on Pang Degong. Although the man was not in any official position, the graduates of the Lumen Academy filled up more than half of Jingzhou’s officials. There were also many of them working as officials at Yangzhou.

It can be said that the South of the Central Plains was filled with Lumen Academy graduates that constantly compete against each other.

Nobody dared to disrespect the headmaster Pang Degong. Even Liu Biao had to be respectful towards this man. Even if Pang Degong were to rebel, Liu Biao would not dare to kill him. If he did so, half officials would resign and Jingzhou would be paralyzed. The other half would raise armies to take revenge. Unlike other nobles, Pang Degong conducted himself well. The Pang Family even donated to the poor and the needy. That was why their popularity is high.

Pang Degong was not the kind of person Huang She could get along with. Even though he hated it, he got off his horse and greeted Pang Degong respectfully.

“You must be the Huang Family’s eldest boy.” Pang Degong replied without saying Huang She’s name. Huang She felt embarrassed and angry at being called this in public.

“This old bastard!” Huang She thought to himself. He could not do anything to Pang Degong but the man was old. Huang She believed that the golden age of the Huang Family was coming. On top of that, he was still young. When Pang Degong is dead and gone, Huang She planned to make life difficult for Pang Shanmin.

“Huang Family’s eldest boy. Why have you brought so many soldiers to this district?” Pang Degong asked.

“Replying to Lord Pang, I am following Milord’s orders to arrest a traitor!” Huang She cupped his fist and replied respectfully despite his resentment.

“Arrest a traitor? Then why did you come all the way to the King of Shu’s residence?” Pang Degong was worthy to be called a wise old man. Although it sounded like ridicule, his words was a compliment. His words immediately determined Liu Mang’s identity as the King of Shu instead of a false king. Huang She can no longer call Liu Mang a false king and thus, he could no longer arrest Liu Mang.

“Lord Pang!” Liu Mang cupped his fist towards Pang Degong gratefully. He did not know why Pang Degong helped him but it was better to have additional assistance.

“Your Highness!” Pang Degong smiled and nodded. He did not have any title but he was as precise as Liu Mang with his vision.

“Brother Shanmin.” Liu Mang also cupped his fist at Pang Shanmin who was beside Pang Degong.

“Hmph!” Pang Shanmin harrumphed.

Pang Degong came here this time because of Pang Shanmin. Although Pang Shanmin was cold on the surface, he actually felt guilty towards Liu Mang. This is because he accused Liu Mang wrongly over the death of Tang Yun and caused Liu Mang a lot of problem. However, Liu Mang returned his evil intentions with good. Pang Shanmin was of noble character so he wanted to repay Liu Mang. Unfortunately, he was unable to find the chance. When he heard that Huang She was going to attack the King of Shu’s residence, he asked Pang Degong to come and help.

“Lord Pang. This is Milord’s orders. However, I have no comment as to who the traitor is.” Huang She’s expression became even uglier when he saw that Pang Degong came to help Liu Mang. Huang She was also unable to explain that Liu Mang had sex with Lady Cai and caused her to become pregnant. Although saying this would make sure that Pang Degong would not help Liu Mang, it would also cause Huang She to be killed by Liu Biao for making this fact public.

“Is that so? Since you do not know the reason, let’s find the Lord and ask him!” Pang Degong who did not know the specifics thought of asking Liu Biao.

The soldiers breathed a sigh of relief hearing Pang Degong’s words. They really did not want to fight against Liu Mang. To do so would mean starting a war with Yangzhou. They did not dare to fight against Yangzhou’s terrifying army.

“Even then, they have to be escorted.” Huang She replied angrily. His condition remained unchanged. He wanted Liu Mang to be thrown into prison to thank him for all the times Liu Mang had humiliated him.

“Hm? The King of Shu is a monarch of the Han Dynasty!” Pang Degong frowned. He wanted Huang She to give him face.

“So what? The soldiers of Jingzhou only listen to the Lord’s orders!” Huang She said loudly, refusing to give Pang Degong face.

“This…! Lord Huang She!” The soldiers were confused. They did not know whether to listen to Pang Degong or Huang She.

“What? Are you not going to listen to my orders? Are you going to disobey the Lord as well?” Huang She asked as he took out Liu Biao’s command plate.

Hearing this, the soldiers could only step forward to try and arrest Liu Mang.

“Lord Pang, thank you for the help.” Liu Mang thanked Pang Degong for the help but Huang She still insisted on arresting Liu Mang. In that case, there really is no choice but to fight.

“His Highness the King of Shu is not a traitor! By what right do you want to arrest His Highness?” Pang Shanmin suddenly shouted.

“That’s right! His Highness is not a traitor!” The common citizens joined in after hearing Pang Shanmin shout. Pang Degong had popular sentiment while Liu Mang thought of the citizens during his time at Jingzhou. When Huang She wanted to arrest Liu Mang, the people felt angry but did not dare to speak up. Pang Shanmin’s words lit the fire in their hearts.

“These wicked citizens! I want to see who dares to create disturbance! Arrest those who dare to speak!” Huang She could not control Pang Degong but he could control the citizens. He took out his sword and ordered his men to arrest the rowdy citizens.

“The Huang Family was never a good thing! We cannot let him arrest His Highness!” The common people could no longer endure it anymore especially after Huang She took out his sword. Initially, they were just jeering rowdily but now they were going to crowd Huang She. The Huang Family’s reputation in Xiangyang was terrible. This was never related to Huang She as he was usually at Jiangxia. He could not harm the people of Xiangyang. However, he has a wonderful sibling called Huang Chen who had constantly harmed the people of Xiangyang in many different ways. Huang Chen’s thugs were also undisciplined enough to make the situation worse.

“Men! Kill these mob of people!” Huang She was flushed with anger. Pang Degong was one thing but how dare the common people act like this as well?

“Kill? I want to see who dares to kill these innocent people!” Pang Degong also started to speak up.

“Huang She. Have you asked my blade as to whether you are allowed to kill the innocent?” Liu Mang smiled at Huang She. Liu Mang himself did not dare to harm the innocent. His friendship to the people was enough.

“Kill! Kill these people!” Huang She ordered his men but they did not act. On the other hand, they all started to step back.1 The soldiers also did not dare to harm the citizens. In the first place, they did not want to fight against Liu Mang.

“Useless! You are all useless! Since you won’t kill them, I will kill you!” Huang She angrily slashed at a captain of the Xiangyang troops.

“Stop!” Liu Mang shouted. He wanted to step forward to block the attack but his assistance was not required. The captain of the troops was not dumb enough to willingly get himself killed. He also took out his sword to block Huang She’s attack.

“You think I will let you kill me?” The captain was strong. Or rather, he became strong after the battle of Fancheng. Although he was initially an idler who was looked down on, he started to get praised highly after Fancheng. The captain was very pleased about this and his benefactor was Yangzhou and the King of Shu.

The captain himself was a noble. Although his family wasn’t as influential as the Huang Family, he would not simply allow himself to be killed or follow orders blindly. To begin with, Huang She wasn’t even really his superior officer. Besides that, this captain’s allegiance was towards the Cai Family.

“Good! All of you! I will definitely report this to the Lord and have him judge you all!” Huang She shouted angrily as his own guards moved to protect Huang She. “If the King of Shu escapes, none of you will get to live!” Huang She declared fiercely.

____