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Han Xian Di struggled to cross the Yellow River, with only a few companions remaining by his side. The riverbank was desolate, and the cold wind blew fiercely, leaving the faces of the ten or so followers marked with exhaustion and despair. Yang Feng searched around and finally found a dilapidated ox cart. He pushed it to the Emperor and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, please get in. There is still a distance to travel ahead."
Han Xian Di nodded silently, helping Consort Fu into the cart before climbing in himself. The ox cart creaked as it slowly moved toward Dayang, passing through a barren landscape filled with withered grass and crumbling walls.
Upon arriving at Dayang, dusk began to fall, and the group found only a run-down tile house to take shelter in. Inside, it was cold, and the ground was covered in dust. Yang Feng spread his cloak on the floor for the Emperor and Empress to rest. Just as everyone wore worried expressions, an elderly farmer with white hair entered, holding a bowl of coarse millet rice. His tone was filled with trepidation as he said, "Your Majesty, there is little left for us wild folks; this is all I can offer. Please share it with the Empress to stave off hunger."
Han Xian Di looked at the bowl of rough rice with a complex expression and took a long moment before accepting it. He shared it with the Empress but found it impossible to swallow, tears welling up in his eyes as he sighed softly, "I have failed the world, leading us to such a state..."
***
The next morning, Yang Feng suggested, "Your Majesty, this place is not suitable for prolonged stay; we should set out immediately."
Han Xian Di nodded and promptly issued an edict appointing Li Le as General of the Northern Expedition and Han Xian as Zheng Dong Jiang Jun as a reward for their loyalty. He ordered both men to lead troops to protect him as they continued onward.
As they traveled, two figures suddenly appeared in the distance, running toward them with dust swirling behind them. They looked anxious and knelt before the cart, calling out loudly, "Your Majesty!"
Han Xian Di focused his gaze and recognized them as Grand Commandant Yang Biao and Tai Fu Han Rong. Both were in tattered clothing and appeared haggard as they knelt on the ground weeping bitterly. "I have arrived too late to protect you; I deserve death a thousand times!" they cried.
Seeing this scene filled Han Xian Di's heart with sorrow. He helped both men to their feet but could not stop his own tears from flowing. Consort Fu also broke down in tears, saying, "The ministers risked their lives to come searching; we truly cannot forget you!"
Han Rong wiped away his tears, clenching his fists tightly. His voice was hoarse yet resolute as he said, "Your Majesty, although Que and Si are cruel bandits, they still somewhat trust my words. I am willing to risk my life to persuade them to cease hostilities; I only ask that you take care of your health and do not put yourself in danger again!"
Han Xian Di grasped Han Rong's hand, nodding through choked sobs, his gaze filled with both gratitude and heavy resignation. He watched Han Rong turn away, speechless for a long time.
After Han Rong departed, Li Le escorted Han Xian Di and Consort Fu to Yang Feng's camp for a brief rest. However, the camp environment was harsh—cold and damp with swarms of mosquitoes—and while the Empress was utterly exhausted, Emperor Xian could only muster strength to comfort the officials accompanying them.
The Grand Commandant Yang Biao, seeing the Emperor and Empress in such a difficult situation, suggested, "Your Majesty, this place is not suitable for a prolonged stay. It would be better to move to Anyi County for a temporary residence; it is relatively stable there, allowing us to rest and recuperate."
Han Xian Di nodded slightly and ordered an immediate departure.
***
As the carriage arrived in Anyi, the scene before them was even more desolate. There were no grand halls or large houses available for habitation; only a cluster of shabby thatched huts surrounded by overgrown weeds. Li Le settled Emperor Xian and the Empress within one of these huts and commanded the soldiers to surround it with thorns as a makeshift barrier. The interior of the hut was dim and damp, with cold winds frequently blowing in. The Empress wrapped herself tightly in her tattered cloak and couldn't help but sigh softly, "I never imagined that we would end up in such a predicament."
Han Xian Di remained silent but clenched his fists tightly. He stood up and walked outside, where several trusted ministers had gathered under the thatched roof. They were similarly dressed in rags, showing signs of fatigue, yet they still sat together discussing matters of state. Outside the fence, Yang Feng and Li Le stood guard with their troops, ready to respond to any potential attacks from the Bandit Army.
However, their dire living conditions were not their only concern. As Li Le and Han Xian gained control over the military, they gradually became tyrannical. Any official who slightly offended them would be subjected to their scornful insults and even physical violence in front of the Emperor. During one morning assembly, Li Le angrily rebuked an Imperial Censor for his lack of military knowledge and pushed him down on the spot, shouting, "What do you know about warfare, you scholar? Speak again, and I'll kick you out of the camp!"
Han Xian Di's face darkened at this sight; he wanted to speak but held back his words. Consort Fu supported him from beside him, whispering, "Your Majesty, it is not wise to offend these military leaders right now; we must endure."
Moreover, Li Le and Han Xian jointly recommended hundreds of tattooed convicts, shamans, and laborers to Emperor Xian for official positions such as Colonel and Imperial Censor. Most of these individuals were ignorant and uneducated; they could not even carve basic official seals properly but instead scratched haphazard designs on wooden boards with iron awls. The resulting inscriptions were crooked and chaotic, leading to widespread complaints throughout the court.
One day, Li Le deliberately sent a jug of foul wine and a bowl of coarse rice to Emperor Xian's table with a mocking tone: "Your Majesty, this is the best food we can provide; I hope you can understand."
Emperor Xian looked up at the bowl of rough rice grains; his lips trembled slightly but he ultimately said nothing. He simply lowered his head and swallowed the rice silently. Consort Fu watched this scene with tears welling in her eyes but fought hard to hold back her sobs.
Outside and inside the thatched hut, cold winds blew through alongside the coarse laughter of the military leaders and the low sighs of officials. The entire Anyi was shrouded in an atmosphere of oppression and helplessness.
Han Rong risked his life to rush to Li Jue and Guo Si's camp multiple times, trying to persuade them to cease hostilities and return to loyalty. Facing the murderous atmosphere within the camp and the cold stares from both bandit leaders, he repeatedly argued: "The world is already in chaos; if we continue to attack each other, won't we become a laughingstock? The urgent matter at hand is to mend relations with the court and protect the carriage so that everyone can preserve their wealth and honor."
In the end, Li Jue and Guo Si were moved by his words; although reluctant, they begrudgingly agreed to send palace attendants and officials back to the Emperor's side.
In that year, the land suffered from a severe drought, the fields cracked, and the people endured unimaginable hardship. Even wild vegetables became scarce, and corpses of the starving were seen everywhere, filling the air with sorrowful cries. Emperor Xian resided in Anyi, worrying day and night, as the little food that remained could not satisfy the needs of his officials.
At this moment, Governor Zhang Yang from He Nei sent a shipment of rice and meat, while Taishou Wang Yi from He Dong offered a large quantity of silk. When the supplies arrived, Emperor Xian personally came out to greet them, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the emissaries: "I will never forget the loyalty of Governor Zhang and Governor Wang!"
The officials were able to eat their fill, and the atmosphere lightened slightly, but the situation in Anyi remained unbearable.
One day, Dong Cheng and Yang Feng discussed matters together in a simple tent. Yang Feng said solemnly, "Anyi is small and sparsely populated; it cannot accommodate the Emperor for long. It would be better to renovate the palaces in Luoyang and return the imperial court to the Eastern Capital; that is a long-term solution."
Dong Cheng nodded in agreement. "Luoyang is the foundation of the Han Dynasty. If we can return to the Eastern Capital, perhaps we can revive morale."
The two then summoned Li Le to discuss this matter. Dong Cheng spoke sincerely but with an undeniable tone: "General Li, Luoyang is where the Emperor established his capital. Now, Anyi is merely a small county that cannot support the Emperor and his officials' lives or governance. We must return to Luoyang; it is an inevitable trend."
However, Li Le remained unmoved, crossing his arms with a cold smile. "If you wish to go to Luoyang, then go. I have no intention of moving; I will stay here in Anyi!"
Hearing this, Dong Cheng felt anger rise within him and was about to retort when he saw Li Le stand up, patting his waist where his weapon was sheathed. With a threatening tone, he said, "I advise you not to speak further; otherwise, everyone will suffer."
The atmosphere in the tent instantly froze. Yang Feng glanced at Dong Cheng and whispered, "Let’s hold off for now; do not provoke him." The two suppressed their anger and quietly left, leaving Li Le alone in the tent, shaking his head with a cold smile as if indifferent to their plans.
Finally, Dong Cheng and Yang Feng set off as planned, escorting Emperor Xian and Consort Fu towards Ji Pass. The night was dark as their carriage moved slowly along the rugged mountain path, the sound of horse hooves and creaking wheels echoing through the silent valley. Yet danger lurked in the darkness.
At this moment, Li Le sat grim-faced in his own tent. He had long been dissatisfied with Dong Cheng and Yang Feng's actions and had secretly sent people to contact Li Jue and Guo Si to plan a joint ambush. However, Dong Cheng had already taken precautions by secretly dispatching scouts to monitor Li Le's movements. Upon learning that Li Le had contacted the two bandits with intentions to intercept midway, Yang Feng coldly smiled: "Since they want to play dirty, let us strike first!"
Dong Cheng immediately gathered troops overnight with Yang Feng and Han Xian, ordering soldiers to protect them as they hastily made their way towards Ji Pass.
At four in the morning, the royal carriage reached the foot of Mount Ji. The sky was pitch black, and the outlines of the mountains were barely visible. The soldiers guarding the carriage were alert, gripping their weapons tightly and scanning the surroundings. Suddenly, distant sounds of horse hooves and battle cries echoed through the air.
"Stop the carriage! Li Jue and Guo Si are lying in ambush here!"
A thunderous shout rang out in the darkness, startling the birds into flight. Immediately, flames erupted in the valley, casting a red glow on the rocks. The shouts grew closer, as if hundreds of soldiers were rushing down from both sides of the mountain paths.
"Quick! Protect the Emperor!" Yang Feng shouted loudly, immediately mobilizing his troops for battle. He drew his spear and galloped toward the left flank, while Dong Cheng led his men to block their rear.
Inside the carriage, Han Xian Di and Consort Fu turned pale upon hearing the shouts. Consort Fu tightly grasped Emperor Xian's hand and whispered, "Your Majesty, are we to fall into the hands of thieves again today?"
Emperor Xian gritted his teeth, striving to calm himself as he replied in a low voice, "No, Dong Cheng and Yang Feng will surely protect us."
Outside the carriage, Li Le sat astride his horse, holding a long knife with a stern expression. He gestured to his troops behind him, "Charge! Cut off that carriage! Dong Cheng and Yang Feng are no match for us!"
The soldiers shouted in response and surged forward. However, a sudden blast of horns sounded from the mountaintop, followed by flames erupting all around. It turned out that Yang Feng had already stationed an elite troop on the mountain. Soldiers rained arrows down from above, halting Li Le's advance as both sides quickly became embroiled in fierce combat.
Dong Cheng fought his way through, turning back to shout, "Quickly escort the carriage through Ji Pass! We cannot delay!"
The soldiers guardedly propelled the carriage forward at high speed. Seeing this, Li Le roared in anger, "All units pursue! We cannot let them escape!" He raised his knife and urged his horse onward, leading his troops in relentless pursuit as the sounds of battle echoed through the mountains, with firelight and thick smoke illuminating the night sky.
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