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

Chapter 299 A humble subject from a lower state humbly beseeches the countenance of the superior emperor!
As they approached the city gate, Fu De still appeared timid, so Cao Anmin patted his chest confidently.

Brother Fu, there is no need to worry.

To be honest, I, Cao, am not very talented, but I have some reputation under the command of the King of Han.

At the ceremony of his coronation as king, he was personally bestowed the title of King of Han, ranking 365th on the Zhou Tian Star List.

"Once you enter this city, everyone will have to call me Star Lord. Just you wait and see; with me here, you'll be safe."

"Oh~?"

Upon hearing this, Fu De was shocked. Although he was not a member of Yuan Shu's camp, the recent news of Yuan Shu declaring himself king had caused quite a stir.

He had heard some information about the creation of the Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiends and the Zhou Tian Star Ranking from intelligence reports.

"I never imagined that Brother Cao had this identity in Yuan's camp."

It seems that I will have to rely on you a lot on this trip.”

Fu De paused mid-sentence, pondering for a moment.

The 108 Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Fiends, plus the 365 Heavenly Stars, make a total of 473 people.

In other words, Cao Anmin, who is standing before us, currently ranks nearly five hundredth in Yuan's camp.
Hiss~ No, Brother Cao, with your status and position, can you really protect me in Shouchun City, the center of the Han Kingdom?
I am very worried about this!

Before Fu De could think much about it, Cao Anmin, who had boasted about his star position, casually led him into the city.

When he was stopped for inspection at the city gate, he even gave his name.

Fu De then vaguely heard the surrounding soldiers and common people discussing it.

"It's Cao Xingjun who's back!"

I heard that it was he who disregarded his own life and went deep into Luoyang, using his identity as a member of the Cao family to feign surrender and endure hardship for the sake of the country.

Finally, having gained Cao Cao's trust, he took the opportunity to evade the guards and approach the palace walls, thus enabling him to contact the Emperor and deliver the imperial edict of investiture to the Prince of Han.

"Indeed, indeed, Cao Xingjun's deeds and achievements are all written on the Lingyan List."

This is a righteous man who went deep behind enemy lines, schemed against the traitor Cao Cao, sacrificed his own family for the greater good, and endured hardship to achieve his goal!

Voldemort: "???"

Upon hearing this, Fu De's expression toward Cao Anmin beside him grew increasingly strange.

When you were with Cao Cao, you feigned surrender to the state; when you were with the King of Han, you again feigned surrender and flattered him.

Very well, very well, I, Fu De, have never seen such a reputation as yours, which is popular both inside and out.

But no matter what, seeing that Cao Anmin was indeed so famous, he felt somewhat at ease.

Unfortunately, his good fortune didn't last long. The discussions he heard next finally put an end to his anxiety.

But everyone said:

"What do you know? This Cao Xingjun's abilities go far beyond this."

You all know General Zhang Xiu, the adopted son of the King of Han, right?
General Zhang Xiu possessed a renowned skill called the "Hundred-Pace Flying Spear," which never missed its mark within a hundred paces, taking a man's head as easily as taking something out of a bag.

In the battle of Wancheng that day, even Cao Cao's eldest son was killed by General Zhang with a single spear thrust. Cao Cao was so frightened that he turned pale and fled overnight, never daring to fight again.

And this Cao Xingjun was the only survivor of General Zhang's Hundred-Pace Flying Spear technique; his ability to escape from the spear speaks volumes about his skill.

"That's right!
I have personally witnessed Cao Xingjun's abilities!

You all know General Zhang Xun, right? He was the second-best general under the King of Han, whose martial arts skills were no less than those of General Ji Ling.

On the day Jiangxia was besieged, General Zhang Xun fought bravely against Cao Cao's army, and no one dared to suppress his prowess.

It was Cao Xingjun who rode out into battle and fought against General Zhang.

You must understand, if an ordinary person encountered General Zhang Xun, how could they possibly survive?

Cao Xingjun, on the other hand, retreated unscathed after only one exchange.

This demonstrates his capabilities.

"That's exactly right. It's rumored that Cao Xingjun is the most outstanding young person in the Cao family in terms of both literary and military talent."

Therefore, although he was not his biological son, Cao Cao loved him as his own son and often had him serve him.

Now even the most outstanding member of Cao Cao's clan has come to Han Kingdom as a star deity, revering King Han as his father.

Isn't this just like our young master Yuan Ce going to Cao Cao's camp to defect to the enemy?
Therefore, it is clear that Cao Cao is nothing to fear; we are invincible!

"Long live the King of Han! May the Han Kingdom prosper!"

"Long live the King of Han! May the Han Kingdom prosper!"

Seeing that the soldiers and civilians around him were excited and their emotions were stirred up because of Cao Anmin's return, he realized that the soldiers and civilians around him were excited and their emotions were stirred up.

Voldemort: "."

No, Brother Cao, do you really have a reputation?
Why are the glorious deeds of Yuan Ying that you are touted to be either about narrowly escaping death from gunfire or being defeated in a single exchange but barely surviving?

Or perhaps, as the most outstanding descendant of the Cao family, he betrayed his principles and defected to the enemy?

Seeing that Fu De was looking at him with an increasingly strange gaze, Cao Anmin answered frankly.

“Zhang Xiu and Zhang Xun are both Heavenly Star Lords. I, Cao, am at the very end of my cycle of Heavenly Stars. To be able to survive their spears is something to be proud of.”

He tilted his head back, looking down at Fude with disdain.

"Brother Fu, you still don't understand the power of the Heavenly Gang experts under the Han King's command."

If we were to meet on the battlefield, you would already be dead without a burial place.

Fu De remained silent and simply followed Cao Anmin into the city.

To Fu De's surprise, Cao Anmin, for some reason, arranged for the large carts they had brought to remain outside the city. He then inquired about this:

"What do you mean by this, Brother Cao?"
"Weren't you sent by the Prime Minister to establish trade relations?"

"this."

At this point, Cao Anmin, who always acted as if he held a high position in Shouchun, actually showed a hint of embarrassment on his face.

"Brother Fu, you may not know this, but Shouchun city is divided into five ring roads, and vehicles are not allowed within the fifth ring road."

"how is this possible?"

As he spoke, Fu De pointed to a brightly lit carriage that was driving right in front of him, seemingly heading out of the city, and stared at Cao Anmin in disbelief.

Anmin smiled wryly, "That's the Wude brand, Brother Fu, please move aside."

The grand ceremony for the Han King had just been held, and at that time, those who could obtain the Five Virtues plaque and travel in the city were either rich or noble.

"They might be from one of the ten most prominent families that founded the dynasty. If you offend them, even I, their underling, can't protect you."

Voldemort: "???"

Brother Cao, why are you two different people before and after entering the city?
"I am an angel, coming with a staff; why should I give way to him?"

Just as Cao Anmin was about to persuade him, the people in the carriage saw that someone dared to block the city gate and stop his carriage, so they immediately got off the carriage.

The carriage curtain was pulled back, and a noble young man in fine clothes walked in arrogantly, his eyes gleaming with eagerness, as if he had been wandering around the city for a long time and finally caught someone blocking his way.

"My name is Liu Cong, and my maternal uncle is Cai Mao, the Heavenly Fierce Star Lord."

"Cao Xingjun, now that you see the Cai family's carriage, why don't you bow?"

Cao Anmin quickly performed a deep bow and paid his respects, saying, "Cao Anmin greets Lady Cai."

As he spoke, he quickly tugged at Fu De's sleeve and whispered:
"Brother Fu, please pay your respects quickly."

In this Han state, ordinary people are not subject to such restrictions.

However, anyone from a prominent family must avoid the carriages of the Ten Great Families and pay their respects.

Otherwise, forget about getting an audience with the Prince of Han; you'll be arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and thrown into the imperial prison in no time."

Voldemort: "???"

Do you have any words?
"My mother is Princess Yang'an, and my younger sister is the Empress of the Emperor!"

What I hold is the imperial edict!

Why should I bow to a mere child like you, Cai?

How dare the wealthy and powerful of the countryside bully the nobility of the Emperor?

Liu Cong?

Your father, Liu Biao, was a model of loyalty among the Han officials of the time. He died upholding his integrity for the emperor and perished while eliminating the traitors.

"You worthless dog, unfilial son, forgetful of your ancestors, yet you dare to bark and howl before me?"

"Bold!
Liu Biao was a traitor to the country!

"Now that the King of Han is my stepfather, how dare you mention this man again, lest you insult the King of Han?"

As Liu Cong spoke, he hurriedly ordered, "Where are the Embroidered Uniform Guards? Someone has come to see Cai but does not bow, intending to break the oath made by the King of Han at the Huai River!"
"Quickly capture this thief!"

Seeing this, Cao Anmin hurriedly came to persuade him, but seeing that the Imperial Guards had already arrived, he almost pressed Fu De's head down to bow and pay homage to Liu Cong before he stopped.

Seeing the angels bow and make way for Liu Cong, a mere child, Fu De looked up at the sky, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Where is justice? Where is the law?

The dignified descendants of the emperor, fawning over others, displaying the majestic majesty of the Son of Heaven to fawn upon young children.

Is there still any law in this city of Shouchun?

Seeing Fu De spouting nonsense, and the Imperial Guards who hadn't gone far showing signs of turning back, Cao Anmin quickly covered his mouth.

"Brother Fu, please say less."

In Huainan, the laws of the King of Han are the only laws; the laws of the Emperor are worthless.

At his coronation ceremony, the King of Han pointed to the Huai River and swore an oath: "I will share the empire with all those who have rendered meritorious service!"

What constitutes a meritorious official?
One of the Ten Great Families!

These young men from the ten great families have recently obtained the special privileges of the ten great families, and they are now acting arrogantly because of this.

"Right now, the sons of noble families are afraid to even avoid ten such families, while ordinary people are not bound by such restrictions. Brother Fu, you are an outsider, do you really want to test the law with your own body?"

How dare you do this?

These ten families are so oppressive to the other noble families; how can the other noble families tolerate such humiliation? Why don't they unite and force the King of Han to abolish this law?

Cancel what?
Now all the major families are putting in their best efforts, planning to endure for a year and wait until next year to seize the title of one of the top ten families.

"These ten families who bullied us this year will get their revenge next year, doubling the amount."

"This"

If we just endure it for a year, we might be able to seize the driving privileges and get our revenge next year.

If this is canceled, won't we have been taken advantage of for nothing this year?
Thinking about it, it made a lot of sense, and Fu De was speechless.

But as an outsider from a powerful family, I have no chance to compete for the title of one of the top ten families. Wouldn't I just be bullied for nothing?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. In a fit of anger, Fu De followed Cao Anmin and continued into the city.

This time, he followed Cao Anmin's advice and tried to avoid the ostentatious displays of the ten most prominent families.

If there was no way to avoid it, in order not to be caught and imprisoned by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and delay important matters, Fu De had no choice but to swallow his anger and perform the rites and worship all the way.

However, what Fu De found unbearable was that, after bowing and kowtowing ten times and finally arriving at the Shouchun Palace, he finally reached the palace.

Suddenly, a peasant dressed in plain clothes walked by the roadside. He seemed to be going to Shouchun Palace as well. He happened to see this outsider and actually came to humiliate him as well.

"You, a member of the imperial court, now that you have seen me, why do you not bow?"

Voldemort: "???"

Is this ever going to end? You're just a commoner, and you expect me to worship you? What gives you the right?
Are we, people outside the Han Kingdom, inherently inferior to you?
Just as he was about to rebuke the man, he saw the commoner take out a token inscribed with the words "Adopted Son of the King of Han (One Day)" and speak arrogantly.

"My family has produced three dukes for four generations!"

Voldemort: "."

Along the way, under Cao Anmin's tutelage, he had come to understand some of the rules and laws of the Han Kingdom.

Left with no other choice, he had to bow down in reverence.

"Your humble servant Fude greets Your Highness."

Once again swallowing his anger, Fu De was about to breathe a sigh of relief as the commoner left satisfied when he saw the commoner go straight into Shouchun Palace, head towards a place where a large number of people were gathered, and shout loudly.

"Brothers, come out and see!"

A corrupt official from the imperial court has arrived; now it's our turn to take charge.

So a crowd of people, making a ruckus, flocked to him, watching him as if he were a monkey show.

Then, something happened that drove Voldemort to despair.

"My father is the King of Han, how dare you not pay homage?"

"My family has produced three dukes for four generations!"

"Half of the world's most talented people have come from my school!"

"How dare you, a lowly subject from a humble state, look down on me?"

It took him half an hour to walk just a few steps from outside Shouchun Palace to inside!

He, a descendant of the Han emperor, son of Princess Yang'an, the eldest daughter of Emperor Huan, brother of Empress Fu, and an envoy sent on a mission, was actually bowing and paying homage to a group of lowly peasants here.

Is this the Han Kingdom?

"The sun is shining brightly!
The sun is shining brightly! ! ! "

Compared to this mission, Fu De felt that he was not as fortunate as last time when he saw the King of Han cooking "meat" in a large cauldron.

Anyway, I think it's too tough for me, and probably wouldn't suit Han Wang's taste.

With a deep sigh, after almost overcoming countless hardships, Fu De finally managed to shake off the entanglement of the group of "adopted sons" and reach the front of the Han King's Palace.

With the sound of bells and chimes, he ascended the nine steps with Cao Anmin's support.

Without needing any prompting, after being repeatedly instructed by the adopted sons of the King of Han, Fu De, holding the imperial edict and carrying the imperial staff, bowed to the King of Han with great skill.

"Your humble servant, Fude, humbly pays homage to the Emperor of the Supreme Kingdom!"

Yuan Shu: "???"

Yuan Shu, who was sitting leisurely amidst the swirling clouds and mist at the head of the table, was delighted to hear Fu De's words.

No, is the backbone of the imperial court so weak now?

You are, after all, the emperor's brother-in-law and an angel with a staff; do you have to be so humble?

If your court maintains this attitude, I won't even have the nerve to send troops north to attack you after the spring planting season.

He chuckled softly, then sighed and said:

"Why has the emperor's brother-in-law gone to such lengths?"
How can there be a court that considers itself a lower state, while a fiefdom that respects a higher state?
"Fu Qing, are you trying to flatter me to the point of ruin?"

"How dare I, your humble servant?"

The King of Han was a man of great virtue and high reputation, a capable minister who could govern the world and benefit all the people.

"Now that Your Majesty has been honored, I beg for a peaceful night's sleep."

As Fu De spoke, he hurriedly handed over the imperial edict.

The edict said:

I inherited the Han dynasty, but I encountered a chaotic world. The country was in disarray, heroes rose up everywhere, the people suffered, and ancestral temples were reduced to ruins.

Whenever I think of this, I cannot sleep at night. Fortunately, I heard that Minister Yuan raised an army in a righteous manner, led the King of Han to restore order and morality, and supported the crumbling edifice to revive the Han Dynasty.

This is the capable minister who can govern the world and benefit all people!

Now we should take the nation's well-being as our own responsibility, conquer the feudal lords, eliminate tyranny, pacify Lü Bu, destroy Yuan Shao, execute Ma Teng, and pacify Liu Zhang, so that the whole world will be united and the nation will be at peace again.

I await your triumphant return from Luoyang, when you will have achieved your goal and brought the entire land under one rule. I will then surely restore your reputation as a loyal and virtuous ruler of the Han Dynasty.

Yuan Shu: "."

He pacified Lü Bu, destroyed Yuan Shao, executed Ma Teng, and quelled Liu Zhang's rebellion.
So, you're just saying don't hit me, right?
(End of this chapter)