A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

"Choosing the second method has another advantage: given your status within the royal family, if anything unexpected happens in the future, you can always return to the path of establishing fiefdoms."

"After years of development, with the general's prestige and charisma, we will surely be able to gather another group of talents, and even if we open up new vassal states, there will be more people to manage them."

Feng Yi's words were a consolation; the most important thing for someone who wanted to go out and establish a new state was military power.

If Liu Xiu stayed in Chang'an, neither Wang Mang nor Emperor Ping of Han would have given him the opportunity to command troops.

His military power will only decrease, and without sufficient troops, he will not be able to conquer a large enough territory.

"Feng Yi, you go to Chang'an first and visit the Prime Minister at his residence."

Liu Xiu made a decision to seek refuge with Wang Mang.

In history, Liu Xiu, with his ability to summon a giant meteorite, eliminated the last military strength of Wang Mang's regime, which was the greatest enemy in history.

Now, in order to resist the threat of Emperor Ping of Han, Liu Xiu voluntarily joined Wang Mang's forces.

With a time traveler and a chosen one of destiny, it's easy to imagine that China's strength will rapidly increase significantly.

Inside Chang'an City.

Prime Minister's House.

Wang Mang looked at the man before him, one of the 28 generals of Emperor Guangwu of Han, ranked seventh among the 28 generals, and was Emperor Guangwu's true right-hand man.

He was highly regarded in history and was listed in the same biography as Cen Peng and Jia Fu in historical records.

Liu Xiu praised him, saying: "The general's relationship with the country is one of loyalty between ruler and subject, and affection between father and son."

Even Li Shimin personally praised him: "Feng Yi was modest and accommodating, and his achievements were like those of a farmer who knew when to stop. He was also like a wise man who was at peace with the world. His noble character was praised by the ancients and was considered a beautiful story by the sages of the past."

Although he was not admitted to the Temple of Martial Arts, he was included in the Biographies of 100 Generals in the Seventeen Histories.

"You mean Liu Xiu wants to ask for my protection?"

Even though Wang Mang had traveled through time for many years and held a high position, he had met more than one emperor.

Even the current emperor was personally installed by him.

However, he still found it somewhat unbelievable that Liu Xiu had defected to him.

That was Emperor Guangwu of Han.

The chosen one of the planes, a great magician, considered by Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) to be the most perfect emperor.

Even his teachers called him the most learned, best at employing people, and best at fighting war emperors in history.

Although his historical status may seem inferior to that of Emperor Wu of Han, the saying "a skilled warrior may not have a splendid record, and a skilled physician may not have a glorious name" does not mean that Emperor Guangwu of Han was weaker than Emperor Wu of Han.

Emperor Guangwu of Han was a true emperor who rose up on horseback, starting his rebellion in the third year of his reign.

The following year, he was appointed as a Lieutenant General of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. In the Battle of Kunyang, he defeated Wang Mang's main force, eliminated the vital forces of Wang Mang's regime, and single-handedly promoted the downfall of Wang Mang's regime.

In the fourth year, he broke with Emperor Gengshi and proclaimed himself emperor in Luoyang.

After that, he spent another 12 years fighting in the south and north, pacifying all the separatist forces in the country.

He declared himself emperor in four years and unified the country in sixteen.

This demonstrates his formidable martial prowess.

Emperor Guangwu of Han was always able to prevent national crises from arising in their infancy.

This resulted in a peaceful and prosperous reign during his reign, with the people living in peace and contentment, and no major incidents occurring.

The whole world is at peace, and with peace, there are no more moving stories, no more legends to inspire people's imaginations and to be sung by future generations.

"That's right."

"The Prime Minister should already know what happened on the battlefield; that so-called meteorite was just a coincidence."

"Many people in the court are jealous of my lord's good fortune, which allows him to achieve great merit at such a young age, so they try to flatter him to death."

"Looking at the court, my lord's status prevents him from receiving the Wei family's protection."

"Only the Prime Minister can protect my lord!"

Feng Yi said sincerely.

Looking towards Kunyang, Wang Mang seemed to see that spirited young man from a thousand miles away.

Would Liu Xiu be someone who would willingly submit to others?

impossible.

Would Wang Mang refuse?

That's impossible too.

He's already over 60 years old. Even if Liu Xiu is incredibly capable, with the current emperor holding him back, he has no chance of succeeding for at least 20 years.

By then, he would be gone, and his descendants would have all gone to their fiefdoms to enjoy a life of leisure, no longer residing in the Han Dynasty.

There was no conflict of interest between them and Liu Xiu, and they could even maintain a familial bond.

Moreover, if Liu Xiu could support him, with Liu Xiu's abilities and knowledge, the Han Dynasty might very well reach a new peak.

"Please inform General Liu that he will come to the Prime Minister's residence for a chat after he returns to the capital."

"promise."

Feng Yi's face lit up with joy; he knew that Wang Mang had agreed.

Moreover, the result was unexpectedly good; Wang Mang seemed to value Liu Xiu highly.

Even addressing him as "sir" out of respect for Liu Xiu made him blush with excitement.

"General Liu probably doesn't have a place to stay in Chang'an yet. I have a residence in Chang'an that was bestowed upon me by the late Emperor, where General Liu can reside."

"Thank you, Prime Minister."

Feng Yi did not refuse. You've only just joined their faction, and you're already refusing their gift?

How brainless must someone be to do something so stupid?

On the day Liu Xiu returned to the capital, Emperor Ping of Han received them at Weiyang Palace, as was customary.

This was also the first time Wang Mang had met the famous Emperor Guangwu of Han.

He was over seven feet tall, with beautiful beard and eyebrows, a large mouth, a prominent nose, and sun-shaped eyebrows.

His refined and heroic demeanor blends seamlessly, leaving a lasting impression at first glance.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries in the court, Wang Mang reported the verified military achievements to Emperor Ping of Han.

Emperor Ping of Han reviewed them one by one and approved all the bestowals, except for Liu Xiu's.

According to Wang Mang's memorial, Liu Xiu's merits were sufficient to grant him a marquisate and the official position of Commander of the Imperial Guards.

If you're going to marry, marry Yin Lihua; if you're going to be an official, be the Commander of the Imperial Guards.

This famous saying, which has been passed down through the ages, came from Liu Xiu.

"I have heard that Minister Liu is very learned, and today I have met him. He is exceptionally refined and cultured."

"The position of Taichang is in charge of ancestral temple rituals and sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, so as to rectify rites and music and educate the people."

"Your battle with Kunyang was aided by a meteor from heaven and earth, so this official position in charge of the sacrifices to heaven and earth is most suitable for you."

"Moreover, with your 30,000 troops, you accepted the surrender of 400,000 enemy troops. As the Grand Master of Ceremonies, you are the head of the Nine Ministers. Only then can your merit be rewarded."

In terms of official rank, the Grand Master of Ceremonies was indeed the head of the Nine Ministers, and his position was above that of the Commander of the Imperial Guards.

From this perspective, no one can find fault with Emperor Ping of Han.

However, the Commander of the Imperial Guards held military power, while the Grand Master of Ceremonies was merely a civil official who focused on etiquette and moral education, and had no real political power.

Anyone with discerning eyes could see that Emperor Ping of Han was wary of Liu Xiu, even going so far as to appoint this military general to the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies, a post usually reserved for learned scholars.

This puts Liu Xiu on the opposite side from those old scholars of various schools of thought, especially the old Confucian scholars who emphasize etiquette.

Emperor Ping of Han's move was indeed brilliant; even Wang Mang couldn't say anything, since it was a promotion for him.

After the court assembly, Liu Xiu was invited to the Prime Minister's residence.