Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 255 The feudal lords are old; Your Majesty should now encourage them. [5000]

The secluded palace, the heart of the empire, is named Luo, the imperial city for a thousand years.

The Western Zhou Dynasty established Luoyi, Emperor Guangwu established the Eastern Capital, but the Qin Dynasty suffered chaos at the end of the Qin Dynasty, and Dong Zhuo burned the palace maids.

On this day, Luoyang, a city established by the Duke of Zhou and passed down for thousands of years, a palace city that has been abandoned and burned several times, yet rebuilt time and again, once again teetered on the brink of destruction.

At this very moment, at the gates of the imperial city, Cao Ren led his army to besiege the city. Led by Xun Yu, all the officials of Cao's camp were present, kneeling to welcome the emperor and blocking his path.

The young emperor, clad in a dragon robe with tiger sleeves, strode forward. Behind him stood Grand Tutor Liu Yao, Grand Preceptor Liu Biao, Grand Commandant Yang Biao, General of Chariots and Cavalry Dong Cheng, and Commander of the Imperial Guard Xu Huang.
The emperor's faction and ministers came out in full force, following the emperor and protecting him. Behind them, the emperor's soldiers stood in rows in the imperial city, holding spears and halberds, as if a great battle was about to break out at the emperor's command.

Inside the city were 10,000 imperial guards assembled by Dong Cheng, Xu Huang, and others; outside the city were 30,000 troops of Cao Ren, 10,000 troops of Yu Jin, and 10,000 troops originally stationed in Luoyang by Cao Cao.

The palace gates were wide open, and the emperor stood at the entrance. His small, youthful figure exuded supreme nobility, causing tens of thousands of people on both sides to prostrate themselves on the ground, none daring to look up at him.

One step, two steps.
The emperor walked out slowly until a pair of black dragon boots appeared before Xun Yu.

"Xun Qing, are you going to stop me again?"
The first time was outside the palace gates, and the second time is outside the palace gates. My Minister of the Imperial Secretariat!

Liu Xie smiled, but his gaze was as cold as ice.

"Lord Xun! How many more times are you going to stop me? And how many more times can you stop me?"

Xun Yu bowed deeply, his long sleeves almost touching the ground, showing utmost respect.

"The ruler, who bears the weight of the divine regalia and sits in the heart of the realm, should reside deep within the ninefold palace to secure the foundation of the state."

With the four directions still unsettled and treacherous villains lurking around, and orders failing to reach beyond the palace walls, there is a fear that unforeseen events may occur, alarming His Majesty.

This is neither what a subject desires, nor a blessing for the ancestral temple and the state.

I hope that your majesty will return to the palace and rule with the arch, leading to the rule of Yao and Shun. Then the world will be very happy and all the people will be very happy. "

However, Liu Xie laughed at his words.

"I'm afraid he's not sincere. Lord Xun sits in the Ministry of Personnel, in charge of the most important affairs of the nine provinces. How could he be such a pedantic and stubborn person?"

He sighed and offered words of comfort.

"Minister Xun, you have greatly misunderstood me."

I am not going on a hunting trip outside the palace, so I am not taking any chances to disturb the foundation of the nation.

Upon hearing that Chancellor Cao was about to return, he wished to summon all officials and ministers to go ten miles outside the palace to welcome him.

Lord Cao was a pillar of the state, who had rendered meritorious service in rescuing the king and had the ability to support the state.

Now, to quell the rebellion in Huainan, he personally risked his life to quell the chaos for me. This is the achievement of Liang Ji and Dou Wu!
"Now that the Prime Minister is about to return, if I do not personally go out ten miles to welcome him, to honor his achievements, how can I make his name shine throughout the land?"

Xun Yu: "."

Misunderstand?

Liang Ji, a powerful minister and relative of the empress, controlled the court and the country. He installed three emperors—Chong, Zhi, and Huan—and held power for nearly twenty years, with no one able to restrain him.

Later, Emperor Huan, in alliance with the eunuchs, launched a coup. Liang Ji committed suicide, his family was confiscated, and his entire clan was exterminated.

Dou Wu, a powerful general and relative of the empress, controlled the government and wielded absolute power.

He was later besieged by the eunuch clique under Emperor Ling, defeated and committed suicide. His family was implicated and his entire clan was exterminated.

Your Majesty's murderous intent is so strong, and you still say I misunderstood you?

They even went ten miles outside the city to welcome us?
Once you are allowed to leave the city and join Liu Bei and Wen Ping's army, Cao Cao will have no chance to obey your orders.

This was a critical moment of life and death. Cao Ren was shocked to hear of this and immediately surrounded the palace. If I hadn't led my troops to stop him, the two sides would have almost gone to war.

Xun Yu dared not imagine the consequences. If Cao Cao's army were to fight the emperor, would Cao Cao's army still be considered a Han army? Would Cao Cao still be considered a Han official?

Xun Yu knew that only he could stand up at this moment, and he also knew that this battle absolutely could not be fought.

As the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, how could he bear to watch the Han Dynasty's empire degenerate to this state?
Yuan Gonglu of Jiangnan and Yuan Benchu ​​of Hebei, one controlling the Yangtze River and the other controlling the Yellow River, both with the advantage of location and popular support, their ambitions were obvious.

Your Majesty, if the world were without Cao Cao, the southern troops would march out of the Yangtze River and the northern soldiers would descend the Yellow River, leading to a struggle between the north and south for supremacy. Where would the Han Dynasty be then?

When Cao Cao, the Emperor, and the three Lius gathered, Xun Wenruo, even if it meant patching things up, was determined to rebuild the fragmented Han Dynasty.

So today he came to this place and knelt before the emperor.

"Perhaps I have misjudged Your Majesty, but has Your Majesty not also misjudged Lord Cao?"

If I may be so bold as to ask a question...

"Without a capable prime minister like Cao, does Your Majesty have the confidence to restore the nation and recreate the achievements of Emperor Guangwu?"

As he spoke, he glanced coldly at the group of officials behind Liu Xie.

The gentleman, a man of impeccable manners, let out a sneer.

"Are these the very people His Majesty relied on to sweep away the two Yuan brothers in the North and South and restore order to the world?"

Dong Cheng, General of Chariots and Cavalry, was nominally a relative of the emperor, but in reality, he was a treacherous rat.

He fawned upon Dong Zhuo and lived a life of subservience to Li Zicheng and Guo Si. He lacked both the ability to govern the country and the talent to lead troops into battle.

When he fled Chang'an and was returning east to Luoyang, he was defeated by the Yellow Turban rebels, causing His Majesty to suffer humiliation at their hands.

Such corrupt officials should have committed suicide in front of the palace long ago to preserve their integrity. How dare they use the pretense of protecting the emperor to actually seize power!

Liu Yao? He calls himself Grand Tutor, but he's nothing but a coward!

In the name of a member of the Han imperial family, he took charge of Yangzhou, and the court placed high hopes on him, entrusting him with the emperor's important responsibilities.

What happened? The governor of Yangzhou remained holed up in Jiangdong, and when Yuan Shu launched his attack, he fled to Chang'an in disarray.

Running around frantically, fleeing for their lives; to protect the emperor? Nothing more than going with the flow.

These cowardly rats, jumping around like flies, dare to call themselves Grand Tutor? What do you intend to teach His Majesty? How to escape?
Grand Tutor Liu Biao was the most ridiculous person in the world!
The 200,000 troops of Jingzhou were all defeated when they encountered Yuan Shao's army. Despite controlling nine counties in Jingzhou and Xiangyang, they were wiped out in an instant. Cao Cao's efforts to unite the four warlords were all implicated.

They misjudged Xing Daorong, misjudged Sun Quan, and misheard Cai Mao's words—wrong! Wrong! Wrong!!!

What can Your Majesty rely on him for? Rely on him to help you pass off scoundrels as loyal and virtuous, and to kill all the loyal and virtuous?

As for Xu Huang, he was deceived by Yang Feng and lost his entire army of 130,000. Yang Biao was like a wooden statue of a Grand Commandant, swaying with the wind and unable to move freely.

Every word he uttered was like a knife to the heart. This gentle and polite gentleman, who was usually so refined, suddenly pointed at everyone like Mi Heng, and when he pointed at one person, that person's face turned red and he was speechless.

Although he himself had suffered repeated defeats, he had to choose the best among the worst. In the Han Dynasty today, who else could Xun Yu trust besides Cao Cao?

Can we really believe that Liu Yao, Liu Biao, and others who are close to the emperor can defeat the two Yuan brothers and restore the country?
After speaking, Xun Yu bowed to the emperor and gave another salute.

"Your Majesty, I dare to ask again!"
Can these resources you rely on help you pacify the world, restore the foundation laid by your ancestors, revive the Han dynasty from obscurity, and allow the state to shine again?
The ruler, bearing the weight of divine authority, resides in the heart of the realm.

Your Majesty, I dare to ask three questions!

"The thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty, the legacy of four hundred years and twenty-four emperors, have been passed down to your shoulders. Can you bear the weight of this responsibility?"

Liu Xie remained silent.

Every word is heartbreaking!

Liu Xie, who had arrived with great momentum, was stunned on the spot; he was stumped by the question.

Before coming here today, all he wanted was to regain power and take control of the court.

But things aren't that simple!

Kill the traitor Cao Cao, seize back power, and then what?
When this dynasty was handed to him, the world was in chaos and the state was on the verge of collapse. Could he turn the tide and restore the Han dynasty?
Yuan Gonglu, who controlled Yangzhou, Yuzhou, and Jingzhou, surveyed the lands inside and outside the Yangtze River with 300,000 armored soldiers, like a wicked dragon raising its head, eyeing the imperial throne.

Yuan Shao governed the four provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing, and toured the lands along the Yellow River. He commanded a million troops, like a tiger descending the mountain, vying for control of the Central Plains.

The world was divided into three, and Yuan owned two of them. When the Han Dynasty was passed to Liu Xie, was it the Yuan family's world or his Liu family's world?
He held absolute power and made all the decisions, but could he, as the emperor, bear the weight of the thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty?
Meeting Xun Yu's gaze and hearing his three questions, her own youthful face was reflected in his clear, watery eyes.

At that moment, he understood Xun Yu's meaning:
Your Majesty, don't be naive.

Innocent!

Xun Wenruo, how dare you treat your sovereign and father like a child!
His sneer and accusations were clearly directed at Liu Yao, Liu Biao, and others, but Liu Xie's face turned red with embarrassment.

He longed to meet Xun Yu's gaze and say, "Yes!"
As the Son of Heaven, I have the duty to save the nation from collapse and to support the state from imminent ruin.

He knew even better that as long as he answered Xun Yu's three questions, Xun Yu would no longer stop him, and might even help him to save the country.

But Liu Xie opened his mouth several times, yet he couldn't utter the word.

The fate of the nation is not a child's game, and emperors and rulers cannot be willful and naive.

Liu Biao, Liu Yao, Xu Huang, and others were either defeated by Yuan Shu or personally sent to the central government by Yuan Shu.

They cannot be relied upon; with such a group of people, he could not possibly defeat Yuan Shu and restore the state.

In that instant, although he was very reluctant to admit it, Liu Xie was stunned and also woken up by Xun Yu's sharp rebuke.

When Liu Xie awoke from his illusions of eliminating traitors and ruling unilaterally, he was forced to admit that Cao Cao, who controlled him like a puppet and whom he wished he could eat his flesh and sleep on his skin, was the one to blame.

It turned out that he was the one who truly relied on him. It was because of Cao Mengde that he was able to sit firmly in Luoyang and secure his imperial throne.

Otherwise, the two Yuan brothers, Yuan in the North and South, would have long ago devoured him, the emperor.

Just like when the prince killed the traitor Dong Zhuo for him, how happy he was when the prince and Lü Bu killed the traitor Dong Zhuo and brought the court back on track!

But what happens next?

When Li Jue and Guo Si arrived, they were far more ruthless and cruel than Dong Zhuo. The princes and Lü Bu who had rescued him from Dong Zhuo were no match for him. Therefore, the princes committed suicide and fell into the city walls, while Lü Bu fled overnight. Falling into the hands of Li and Guo, he found himself in a far darker situation than when Dong Zhuo was in power.

How similar are the past and present?
He hated Cao Cao, Liu Yao, Liu Biao and others as much as he hated Dong Zhuo, and was as loyal and righteous as Wang Gong and Lü Bu, wanting them to help him kill the traitor Cao and restore order to the court.

But then?

When Cao Cao was alive, I was at least still the emperor. But when the two Yuan brothers came to kill me, the Han dynasty was cut off.

"Hahaha"

At this moment, Liu Xie really wanted to laugh. He didn't understand what was wrong with the Han Dynasty.
Besides Dong Zhuo, there were also Li Guo and Guo Si. After killing Li Guo and Guo Si, Cao Cao came and was killed. Then, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu came after him.

Loyal and righteous men of the Han Dynasty fought one after another to eliminate the traitors to their country, yet the traitors could not be completely eradicated.

He can't figure it out!

They were clearly eliminating traitors, but why did the more they eliminated the traitors, the more deeply entrenched the problems in the Han Dynasty became?

They were clearly eliminating wicked villains, so why did the Han Dynasty end up dying at their own hands as they fought?
Liu Xie's initial determination vanished in an instant, replaced by a bitter laugh as his body swayed precariously.

Xun Yu quickly got up and helped his small body up.

The little one was in his arms, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment, and he heard him murmuring questions.

"My Minister of the Imperial Secretariat!"
Is this the end of Heaven?

Xun Yu supported him, a fleeting look of heartache in his eyes. Taking advantage of the support, he leaned close to his ear and whispered something silently.

“The princes are old while Your Majesty is still young.”

We should strive harder now.

The words were so brief they were almost inaudible.

Seeing the renewed determination in Liu Xie's eyes, Xun Yu performed the proper rites and announced the news to him.

"When Cao Cao was thirty-four, he assassinated the traitor Dong Zhuo, proclaiming righteousness to the world."

Eight years have passed since then. Although he was forty-two years old and held the highest rank among officials, he still personally braved arrows and stones to rid the country of traitors!

With such unwavering loyalty and righteousness, Your Majesty should not be misled by petty men and doubt the loyal and virtuous.

Your Majesty, I urge you to return to the palace, trust those you employ, and govern with a hands-off approach.

Given the previous whispered remark, how could Liu Xie not understand Xun Yu's meaning?
Cao Cao was forty-two, while I was only sixteen. Why rush things?
Cao Cao only needs to govern by doing nothing, and wait for Xun Yu to assist him in restoring the Han Dynasty and rebuilding the state. Then, the imperial regalia can be returned, and the Han Dynasty can be restored to its former glory.

However, Liu Xie did not return to the palace as instructed. He might trust Xun Yu, but he did not trust Cao Cao.

After pacifying the world, return the divine artifact?
It sounds nice, but would Cao Cao really repay it?
Eight years ago, Cao Cao, at the age of thirty-four, was a Han cavalry commander, a hero who assassinated the traitor Dong Zhuo, and the first ray of light to illuminate himself in the dark imperial city.

A year ago, on the banks of the Yellow River, Cao Cao, at the age of forty-one, was a loyal general of the Han Dynasty who brought him the first bowl of hot porridge to save the emperor, and also the governor of Yanzhou, a regional warlord who held him hostage and commanded the world.

And now?

At the age of forty-two, Cao Cao held the highest position in the court, controlling the government and the country. He confined himself to the capital, revealing himself to be a traitor to the state.

What about in another eight years?
Was Cao Cao at that time a Commandant of the Han Cavalry? A regional warlord? The Chancellor of the Han Dynasty?
Or perhaps...?

Liu Xie dared not believe it, nor could he bear to believe it, so he slowly shook his head at Xun Yu and said:
"Rest assured, sir, I know what is important."

Liu Yao, Liu Biao, and others may not be able to become his reliance in opposing the two Yuan brothers and regaining control of the world, but they can definitely become his reliance in opposing Cao Cao and not becoming a puppet.

The art of emperors is nothing more than the art of balance. Since Cao Cao was his reliance in fighting against the two Yuan brothers, and Liu Yao and others were his reliance in fighting against Cao Cao, then things became much easier.

Times have changed, and at the tender age of sixteen, he no longer wishes to be a plaything in the hands of figures like Dong Zhuo and Li Guo.

Liu Xie, clad in a dragon robe with tiger sleeves, strode forward. As he bypassed Xun Yu and advanced, the assembled officials prostrated themselves in retreat, and the entire army hesitated to advance.

The three armies retreated, and no one could stop his advance.

Until he slowly walked up to Cao Ren, he sneered and said:
"General Cao, are you going to turn against me?"

"I dare not."

Cao Ren cupped his hands in greeting and repeatedly said he dared not accept such praise.

"Since you dare not, why not step back!"

"I dare not."

Cao Ren lowered his head and did not retreat even half a step.

"Is it that you dare not, or that you cannot?"

Liu Xie shook his head and smiled, "Step down."

The Prime Minister has returned from his distant expedition, having accomplished great deeds. I should go out to welcome him, to fulfill the duty between ruler and subject.

"If the general is still worried, he may lead a large army to accompany me to welcome the Prime Minister."

Seeing that Cao Ren was still hesitating, Liu Xie said to him indifferently.

"Rest assured, I will not leave the city."

Cao Ren pondered for a moment, considering that if they were only in Luoyang, the emperor would be under the control of his own army.

If there was any unusual movement, he could take them hostage at any time, so he silently stepped aside.

At that time, the emperor was in front, followed by his officials, and the army was behind, all protecting the imperial star.

The entourage, in a grand procession, left the imperial gates, toured Luoyang, sprinkled clean water on the streets, and paved the roads with yellow earth. The emperor's journey was a display of supreme majesty.

And so, this group of people bumped into Cao Cao and his entourage on the street.

Upon hearing the words, "My prime minister has returned?" Cao Cao, witnessing the scene before him, felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively pulled Liu Bei to his side.

He could hardly believe what he was seeing.
Why is the emperor out?
No, it's no longer a matter of the emperor being the one who comes out.

He actually watched as Xun Yu led a hundred officials to accompany him, while Cao Ren led ten thousand troops to protect the emperor.

Cao Cao: “???”

Is this still my Luoyang?

I went out to fight a war, and my home was gone?

In an instant, Cao Cao almost fled. Even Xun Yu and Cao Ren dared to rebel against me? Life was unbearable; Luoyang was far too dangerous.
Fortunately, he noticed Xun Yu giving him a meaningful look and Cao Ren nodding slightly to him.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief. Although he didn't understand how the emperor had escaped, it seemed that Cao Ren and Xun Yu were not supporting and protecting the emperor, but rather controlling him.

That's fine.

When the emperor asked the question, and Liu Bei and Wen Ping were watching, Cao Cao quickly put on a "tearful" expression, feigned emotion, and stepped forward to pay his respects.

"As a defeated general, I, a sinful subject, have no face to see Your Majesty."

Upon seeing this, the emperor stepped forward to help him up.

"Why should Cao Qing belittle himself?"
Yuan's army was so powerful that no one in the world could rival it.

"Minister Cao has devoted himself wholeheartedly to fighting the enemy on the battlefield for me. How can he be accused of any crime?"

"Your Majesty is too kind to this old minister."

Having suffered heavy losses, how can we accept such kindness?

On the surface, Cao Cao appeared to be in a harmonious relationship with his subject, but in his heart, his suspicions grew stronger.

eccentric!
That's really strange!
Given the young emperor's deep resentment towards him, why didn't he denounce him as a traitor in front of Liu Bei and Wen Ping, but instead put on this act of a harmonious relationship between ruler and subject?

He knew that something terrible had probably happened in Luoyang, but he didn't have a real opportunity to talk to Xun Yu and Cao Ren right now.

Cao Cao had no choice but to feign compliance with the emperor all the way back to the imperial palace.

The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, with civil and military officials standing on either side. Liu Xie glanced at the imperial faction, and Liu Biao immediately understood and spoke up.

"Your Majesty, even though Chancellor Cao has worked hard and made great contributions, it is a fact that he suffered a defeat and lost many soldiers and generals!"
If we simply dismiss this with a word of hardship, I fear it will fail to convince the public.

Hearing himself being reprimanded in court, Cao Cao actually breathed a sigh of relief; it suited him perfectly!
If Liu Xie continued to act as if he were a trusted advisor, he would feel uneasy.

Now, what was bound to happen has finally arrived. The Imperial Party will not miss this opportunity to launch an attack and seize power.

He glanced at Liu Biao, who had stepped forward, and asked him with a light laugh.

"I've never seen this person before. May I ask who you are?"

"you"

Liu Biao's face turned red with anger, and he shouted at him.

"I am none other than Liu Biao, the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty!"

Grand Tutor?

you?
Liu Biao?

Cao Cao almost burst out laughing in court.

(End of this chapter)