My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

Western suburbs of Luoyang.

Ji Xuanyuan led his army to escort the emperor's carriage and hundreds of rescued officials and palace servants, slowly returning eastward.

In the center of the procession, inside a slightly dilapidated carriage, Liu Xie sat upright, trying to remain calm, but his eyes still held the shock of surviving a disaster.

Beside the carriage, Ji Xuanyuan, clad in black armor and white robes, rode slowly along.

Behind him, Xiang Yu, Li Cunxiao, Lü Bu and other generals stood solemnly guarding him, while Cao Cao and Liu Bei each led their own troops to stand on the left and right.

Although this team has only a little over 10,000 members, it brings together the world's top generals and elites.

"My lord, the inventory is complete," Xun Yu reported in a low voice as he rode closer.

"One hundred and thirty-seven court officials were rescued, mostly mid- to low-ranking officials such as Gentlemen of the Palace, Clerks, and Consultants. Of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, only a few, including Cai Yong and Zhong Fu, were rescued. The rest either died in the chaos of battle or were captured by Dong Zhuo and taken to Chang'an."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded slightly: "It is already quite an achievement to have been able to save these people. As long as the framework of the court remains, there is a foundation for reconstruction."

He paused, then asked, "Where is Cai Yong?"

"He's in the rear, looking quite anxious," Xun Yu whispered.

"He seems to be... looking for someone."

Before he finished speaking, a commotion arose from behind.

Just then, Cai Yong, the Left General of the Central Army and Marquis of Gaoyang, staggered over. This great Confucian scholar of the time was now dressed in dust, his beard and hair disheveled, and he had lost all his usual composure.

He rushed to Ji Xuanyuan's horse, disregarding etiquette, and bowed deeply: "Lord Ji! I beg you, Lord Ji, to save my daughter!"

Ji Xuanyuan dismounted and helped him up: "Lord Cai, don't worry, what happened to your daughter?"

"My daughter, Zhaoji, was separated from me during the chaos of our westward migration yesterday!" Cai Yong's eyes were filled with tears, and his voice trembled.

"She's only sixteen. If she falls into the hands of the rebel army... I... I..."

Just then, the sound of hooves came from behind.

A rider arrived swiftly, the rider in silver armor and a red robe was none other than Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian.

He was holding a young girl in his arms. Her hair was disheveled and her clothes were dusty, but it couldn't hide her beautiful face and her bright, intelligent eyes.

"Father!" the girl exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Cai Yong.

"Zhao Ji!" Cai Yong rushed forward, tears streaming down his face.

Lu Bu dismounted and awkwardly helped the girl down.

After regaining her footing, Cai Yan gave Lü Bu a graceful curtsy and said, "Thank you, General Lü, for saving my life."

She raised her head, and when her gaze fell upon Lü Bu's heroic face, two blushes inexplicably rose on her cheeks, and she quickly lowered her head again.

Lu Bu seemed a little uncomfortable, looked away, and said stiffly, "It was nothing, no need to thank me."

He paused, then added, "I just happened to be passing by and saw a few soldiers surrounding a carriage, so I simply dealt with them."

The words were spoken lightly, but what kind of person was Cai Yong?

He glanced at his daughter's slightly reddened ears, then at Lü Bu's unusually unnatural expression, and understood seven or eight parts of the situation.

"General Lü's great kindness will never be forgotten by Cai Yong!" He bowed solemnly.

Lu Bu returned the greeting with clasped hands, but his gaze unconsciously drifted towards Cai Yan again.

This scene was witnessed by Xun Yu and Ji Xuanyuan, who were not far away.

Xun Yu stroked his beard and smiled, then said in a low voice, "General Lü, what is this...?"

Ji Xuanyuan looked at Lü Bu's unusually embarrassed state and sighed inwardly.

Lü Bu is already twenty-one years old this year. In an ordinary family, he should have been married and had children long ago.

But his brothers, having followed him in countless battles, had their marriages repeatedly postponed.

Except for Zhao Yun, who took Zhen Tuo as a concubine due to a marriage alliance with the Zhen family, the other brothers have not yet started their own families.

As the eldest brother, I really should think about them.

However, there's no rush.

There are more important things to do right now.

What should we do with this young emperor?

The ruins of Luoyang, in front of the ruins of the Southern Palace.

On the temporarily cleared open space, several tables and desks dug out of the ruins were placed.

Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, sat in the center, wearing an old dragon robe that he had managed to find. Although it did not fit him well, he tried his best to straighten his back.

Below, on the left, are the civil and military officials who were rescued, led by Zhong Fu, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, numbering about a hundred. They are all dressed in rags and look pale.

On the right are Ji Xuanyuan, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Jian, and their generals.

"My lords."

Liu Xie spoke, his voice still young but striving to maintain his dignity: "In this ordeal, I am fortunate to have been saved by the selfless dedication of my loyal ministers. I am deeply grateful."

His gaze fell on Ji Xuanyuan, and tears welled up in his eyes: "Especially Ji Qing, if it weren't for your secret edict from the late emperor, rushing to my aid from afar, I fear I would have already... already fallen victim to the traitor Dong Zhuo's poisonous hand."

Last night, Ji Xuanyuan informed Liu Xie of Emperor Ling's secret edict.

A nine-year-old child held his father's dying handwriting, looked at the familiar characters, and cried all night.

He never expected that in this crumbling Han Dynasty, at this critical juncture when everyone had turned against him, there would still be such a loyal minister who was willing to risk his life to save him, in accordance with his late father's last edict.

Ji Xuanyuan... is the true loyal minister left to me by my father!

Liu Xie wiped away his tears and said solemnly, "Minister Ji's merit in saving my life deserves a great reward! I intend to promote you to..."

"His Majesty."

Ji Xuanyuan suddenly interrupted.

The entire room fell silent.

The ministers looked surprised. How could a subject interrupt the emperor's bestowal of honors?

Liu Xie was taken aback, but he wasn't angry. Instead, he said gently, "What do you have to say, my dear minister?"

Ji Xuanyuan rose, straightened his clothes and hat, walked to the center of the arena, and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, I do have something that I must return to Your Majesty first."

"Oh? What is it?"

Ji Xuanyuan took out a wooden box from his robes and held it high with both hands: "This is the Imperial Seal of the State!"

"What?!"

"The Imperial Seal?!"

"The Imperial Seal of the State is actually in the hands of Marquis Ji?!"

The crowd erupted!

Liu Xie jumped to his feet, his face flushed: "Quick, bring it here!"

The attendant took the wooden box and presented it to the emperor.

With trembling hands, Liu Xie opened the box. The jade seal, inscribed with "By the Mandate of Heaven, May Your Life Be Long and Prosperous," lay quietly on the yellow silk, its surface shimmering with a warm luster in the sunlight.

"It really is the Imperial Seal...it really is the Imperial Seal!" Liu Xie held up the Imperial Seal, tears streaming down his face.

"The ancestral artifacts have not fallen into the hands of treacherous villains... Heaven bless the Han Dynasty! Heaven bless the Han Dynasty!"

He looked up at Ji Xuanyuan, his eyes filled with emotion and trust: "Minister Ji found the national treasure, did not keep it for himself, did not seek credit, and resolutely returned it... truly a peerless national hero!"

Ji Xuanyuan lowered his head: "This is my duty."

His mind was as clear as a mirror.

This Imperial Seal carries a heavy destiny.

Historically, Yuan Shu obtained it, arrogantly declared himself emperor, and ultimately became the Skeleton King.

Sun Jian obtained it, which aroused suspicion, and he died a violent death in Xiangyang.

If I keep this item, it will not only be of no use, but I will also become the target of everyone's criticism.

Besides, the emperor is now in our hands.

Imperial Seal?

Here you go.

But did I really return it to you?

If I ask you for it.

Do you dare not give it to me?

Nine-year-old Liu Xie naturally did not understand this principle.

He found Ji Xuanyuan's loyalty commendable and immediately proclaimed loudly, "Ji Xuanyuan, heed the decree!"

"Your subject is here."

"You have rendered meritorious service in saving the emperor, and the return of the imperial artifacts is a testament to your loyalty! Effective immediately, you are hereby promoted to Grand Marshal, concurrently holding the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and granted the authority to command all the armies of the realm, to quell rebellions and secure peace!"

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses gratitude." Ji Xuanyuan kowtowed.

The Grand Marshal, ranking above the Three Dukes, is the highest honor for a military general. He also holds the position of Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, allowing him to participate in central decision-making.

The one with the authority to impose military force could act on behalf of the emperor and exercise the power of conquest.

This honor is the highest possible bestowal upon a subject.

Liu Xie then looked at Sun Quan, Liu Bei, and Cao Cao: "You gentlemen have rendered meritorious service in saving my life; each of you shall be granted a title and reward!"

"Cao Cao is hereby appointed Governor of Yan Province and General Who Guards the East!"

"Sun Jian is hereby appointed Governor of Yu Province and General Who Destroys the Enemy!"

Finally, Liu Xie's gaze fell on Liu Bei, somewhat puzzled, as he did not recognize the man.

Just as Liu Bei was about to speak and introduce himself, Ji Xuanyuan spoke first: "Your Majesty, this is Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, the magistrate of Pingyuan. He is a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a great-grandson of Emperor Jing of Han, and a member of the Han imperial family. Although he rose from humble beginnings, he is loyal and righteous. Upon hearing of Dong Zhuo's chaos in the government, he led his righteous army a thousand miles to come to your aid. His merit in saving Your Majesty is no less than that of your ministers."

Liu Xie's eyes lit up: "A member of the Han imperial family?"

He urgently ordered his attendants, "Bring the family genealogy!"

The surviving officials of the Imperial Clan Court hurriedly retrieved the family genealogy, which fortunately had not been burned.

The group searched through the documents in the hall and, sure enough, found the name Liu Bei under the lineage of "Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan".

Although they have become estranged, their genealogy is clear, and they are undoubtedly relatives of the Han imperial family.

Liu Xie was overjoyed!

At a time when officials were scattered and the imperial family was dwindling, there was one more loyal and reliable imperial uncle!

"Royal Uncle!" Liu Xie actually stood up to greet him.

"I ascended the throne at a young age, and the affairs of the state were fraught with difficulties. Fortunately, my imperial uncle did not abandon me and traveled a thousand miles to come to my aid! I am deeply gratified!"

He thought for a moment, then announced loudly, "Effective immediately, Liu Bei is hereby granted the title of Grand Master of Ceremonies and appointed Marquis of Yicheng!"

Guanglu Xun, one of the Nine Ministers, was in charge of guarding the palace gates.

Liu Bei's eyes instantly welled up with tears when he was promoted from a county magistrate to one of the Nine Ministers.

He prostrated himself on the ground, his voice choked with emotion: "Your subject... Liu Bei, thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness. I will certainly exert all my strength to serve Your Majesty and restore the Han Dynasty!"

He knew in his heart that if Ji Xuanyuan hadn't spoken up, he would never have received such a generous reward.

He remembered this kindness.

With the bestowal of rewards completed, the next step was to determine the course of action.

Liu Xie, his mood slightly calmed, asked, "Gentlemen, Dong Zhuo has fled west, and Luoyang is in ruins. What should we do now?"

The room fell silent.

Everyone knows that this issue concerns the overall situation of the world and the future of every individual.

Ji Xuanyuan slowly rose, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to discuss."

"Please speak, my dear minister."

"Luoyang has suffered a great calamity, with its palaces destroyed and its people scattered. It is no longer fit to be a capital. Moreover, Dong Zhuo is entrenched in Chang'an, eyeing the city covetously. If Your Majesty remains here, you may face further dangers."

He paused, then spoke clearly: "I suggest that Your Majesty temporarily move the capital to Ji County in Youzhou, making it your temporary residence, to reorganize the court and then plan for restoration."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar!

"No!"

Grand Master of Ceremonies Zhong Fu was the first to step forward. This old minister, with his beard and hair standing on end, glared angrily at Ji Xuanyuan: "Youzhou is a harsh and cold borderland, and Ji County is even closer to the frontier! If foreign tribes invade, they could directly threaten Your Majesty's carriage! How can we allow the Son of Heaven to be put in such danger?!"

The other ministers echoed, "Lord Zhong is absolutely right! Ji County is a border prefecture; how can it be a place to establish a capital?"

"Though Luoyang is destroyed, its foundation remains; it should be rebuilt on the same site!"

"What are the true intentions behind Marquis Ji's proposal?!"

These last words were spoken by Huangfu Li, the Imperial Censor, who stared at Ji Xuanyuan with wary eyes.

Zhong Fu pointed at Ji Xuanyuan and demanded sharply, "Youzhou is now your territory, Ji Xuanyuan! Are you trying to emulate Dong Zhuo by sending the Emperor to Ji County, or are you going to follow Wang Mang's example and usurp the throne?!"

These words were extremely harsh, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became tense.

"Zhong Gong!" Cao Cao suddenly spoke, his voice low.

"If the Grand Marshal truly harbored treacherous intentions, why would he have returned the Imperial Seal? Why would he have traveled a thousand miles to rescue the Emperor? At that time, the Emperor was in Dong Zhuo's hands. If he truly intended to 'hold the Emperor hostage,' watch Dong Zhuo flee west, and then use the Imperial Seal to establish a new emperor, wouldn't that have been much more convenient?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Zhong Fu, leaving him speechless.

Sun Jian also clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that what the Grand Marshal said is reasonable. Luoyang is in ruins and rebuilding it will not be done in a day. Moreover, the warlords in Guandong all have different ambitions. If Your Majesty stays here, there may be further changes. Although Youzhou is far away, the Grand Marshal has managed it well, and Liu Youzhou is known for his benevolence and virtue. It is indeed a good choice for temporary refuge."

Liu Bei also said, "I second that opinion."

The civil officials looked at each other, but were still unwilling to give up.

Just then, Xun Yu slowly stepped forward.

This Chief Clerk of the Grand Marshal had a lean face, three long strands of beard, and a composed demeanor.

He first bowed to Liu Xie, then turned to the assembled officials, his voice gentle yet clear: "I understand your concerns, gentlemen, but in this extraordinary time, we must take extraordinary measures."

He paused for a moment: "In the past, Emperor Guangwu revived the Han Dynasty by first pacifying Hebei and then planning for the rest of the country. Now Your Majesty is in distress and the country is in danger. The most important thing is not the magnificence of palaces, but the four words 'legitimate and legitimate rule'."

Xun Yu looked at Ji Xuanyuan, then at Liu Xie, and slowly said, "The Grand Marshal, acting on the late Emperor's secret edict, rescued the Emperor and returned the Imperial Seal. His loyalty and righteousness are unparalleled. If Your Majesty were to appoint the Grand Marshal as your advisor, station him in Youzhou, train the troops, and stockpile provisions, then..."

His voice turned deep, like metal striking the ground: "To punish those who disobey the people, who dares to disobey?"

To uphold the emperor's authority and punish the disloyal!

The seven words, like a thunderclap, exploded in the hall!

Although Liu Xie was young, he understood the weight of those words.

He looked at Ji Xuanyuan, his eyes filled with even deeper trust: "My dear minister... are you truly willing to help me quell the rebellion and restore the Han Dynasty?"

Ji Xuanyuan knelt on one knee, clasped his hands above his head, and said, "Your subject, Ji Xuanyuan, is willing to follow the example of Emperor Guangwu, assist Your Majesty in pacifying the four seas and reviving the Han Dynasty!"

These words were touching and grand, but no one noticed the slight smiles that appeared on the lips of Ji Xuanyuan and Xun Yu.

"Plan is in place!"