Visiting one's teacher as a student was only natural.
In this era, it was also common for teachers to support and promote their disciples.
Searching through the memories in his mind, Liu Hao recalled that his teacher, Cai Yong, was planning to host a gathering of great scholars in Luoyang soon.
After thinking about it, Liu Hao immediately set aside the affairs of the manor and began preparing for the journey to Luoyang.
Ever since the news spread that Liu Hao had slaughtered hundreds of Yellow Turban bandits in a single night, his reputation had shaken the entire Hongnong region.
In addition, the young men among the refugees had been reorganized into household soldiers. With over a hundred guards now stationed in the manor, no one dared to covet Liu Manor anymore.
All matters at home were handled by Cao Zhengchun, which gave Liu Hao complete peace of mind.
Zhan Huan managed the refugees from his hometown with great efficiency. The plan to reclaim and cultivate the abandoned farmland had finally begun progressing smoothly.
As the saying goes: plant in spring and grow in summer.
Spring was the busiest season for farming. Liu Hao had already sent people to purchase a batch of grain seeds, and the refugees were enthusiastically preparing to clear land and begin planting crops.
Under the gentle spring breeze, Liu Hao finally set off for Luoyang.
By his side were only two men—Dian Wei and Zhan Zhao, who had distinguished himself in the night battle.
Originally, Cao Zhengchun had worried Liu Hao might encounter mountain bandits and urged him to bring more guards.
But Liu Hao refused.
With two warriors of such overwhelming strength at his side, what need did he have for more escorts?
After traveling for an entire day, they finally arrived at Luoyang.
Looking up at the towering city walls that rose over twenty meters high, Liu Hao could not help but sigh in admiration.
"So this is Luoyang City."
Dian Wei grinned foolishly.
"I've never been to Luoyang before. It's much livelier than Chenliu."
Below the city walls, many vendors were loudly selling their goods. Zhan Zhao glanced around curiously and suddenly asked,
"My lord once studied in Luoyang. Why are you so amazed?"
Liu Hao chuckled awkwardly.
"Every time I come to Luoyang, it feels refreshing to the eyes."
"That makes sense."
While driving the carriage, Zhan Zhao kept looking around in fascination.
"My lord, seeing how prosperous Luoyang is, who would imagine the misery in the other provinces?"
Luoyang firmly stood as the economic center of the empire.
Merchants and travelers filled the streets, brushing shoulders with one another. Shops lined every road.
Compared with any city in the thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty, Luoyang was far more prosperous.
To be fair, the city did not appear to have suffered much from the Yellow Turban rebellion—at least on the surface.
However, Liu Hao understood the importance of vigilance even in times of peace.
In the counties surrounding Luoyang, he had already seen traces of refugee activity. Even within the city itself, the number of beggars had increased significantly compared to before.
The Yellow Turban rebellion several years earlier had shaken the foundation of the Eastern Han court.
At the same time, the conflict between the Ten Eunuchs and the General-in-Chief He Jin had already reached the point of irreconcilable hostility.
Currently, He Jin's faction held slightly greater power than the eunuchs.
He Jin himself had once been a butcher and possessed little strategic ability. Feeling uncertain about defeating the eunuch faction, he secretly contacted Dong Zhuo of Xiliang to bring troops as reinforcements.
"No matter how prosperous it looks, once Dong Zhuo arrives, destruction will follow. The time left for me is only a few months."
Liu Hao shook his head inwardly.
He knew very well that although the Han court appeared stable on the surface, it was actually hanging by a thread.
In just a few months, the leader of the Ten Eunuchs, Zhang Rang, and General He Jin would clash violently.
That would be the moment when two hundred thousand Xiliang cavalry marched into Luoyang.
Once Dong Zhuo arrived with such a powerful army, he would have no intention of respecting the imperial court.
Liu Hao sat inside the carriage while Dian Wei guarded beside him and Zhan Zhao drove them through the city gates toward Cai Yong's residence.
Hearing Liu Hao's words, Zhan Zhao felt deeply impressed by his lord's foresight.
Since he had already pledged loyalty, he admired Liu Hao wholeheartedly.
After all, what ordinary man would accept so many refugees—people others considered burdens?
His lord clearly had deeper plans.
"Hyah! Hyah!"
At that moment, another luxurious carriage was racing wildly down Luoyang's wide streets.
The driver whipped the horses viciously, pushing the pair of fine steeds to run faster than the wind.
Pedestrians who failed to dodge in time were knocked to the ground.
Zhan Zhao pulled the reins and maneuvered aside to avoid them.
The sudden jolt made Liu Hao frown as he glanced toward the passing carriage.
As it rushed past, an arrogant voice came from inside.
"Wei San, faster! These worthless peasants dare block my path."
"Yes, sir!"
The driver shouted and pushed the horses to their limits.
Liu Hao's gaze shifted forward.
Ahead on the street, a dirty little girl was walking with her head lowered.
She looked thin and fragile, no more than eight or nine years old. Her clothes were ragged and her face smudged with dirt.
Yet with Liu Hao's sharp eyesight, he could faintly see the delicate features beneath the grime.
She seemed to be a child who would grow into a beauty.
Unfortunately, she was standing directly in the path of the speeding carriage, completely unaware.
If struck by that carriage, even an adult might suffer broken bones.
For a child like her, death on the spot was very possible.
Only when the danger was right upon her did the little girl finally react.
She lifted her head and stared blankly at the two galloping horses rushing toward her.
Her bright eyes filled with despair.
"Big brother… am I going to die…?"
The girl's voice sounded like a faint whisper.
Her small body trembled helplessly.
Meanwhile, on the top floor of a nearby restaurant, a pair of beautiful eyes watched everything happening on the street.
Those eyes were cold and distant, yet captivating—like a celestial maiden gazing down from the heavens.
The woman wearing that gaze was dressed in a red robe.
Her snow-white skin looked even more radiant beneath the crimson cloth, and her figure was flawless.
Her face, however, was hidden behind a thin veil.
Though her features could not be clearly seen, the veil only added to her mysterious elegance.