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

When Liu Bei came out of the palace, his steps were so unsteady that he could hardly stand.

He clutched the blood-stained edict in his arms, so hot it felt like it was burning through his chest.

Those blood-red words, like a branding iron, were deeply imprinted in his heart.

He didn't know how he got back to the mansion.

Along the way, the night wind howled, making the bare branches on both sides of the street rustle.

When the soldiers on night patrol occasionally passed by and saw him, they all saluted.

Liu Bei nodded numbly in response and mechanically continued walking forward.

My mind, however, was in turmoil.

He recalled the scene when he first met Ji Xuanyuan in Zhuojun.

At that time, he was just a down-on-his-luck member of the royal family who wove mats and sold shoes, and Ji Xuanyuan was just a sickly young man.

He recalled the scene in Luoyang where the four of them swore an oath facing the Luo River.

Ji Xuanyuan, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, and him.

At that time, they were all passionate young generals who, facing the surging Luo River, swore never to attack and to jointly support the Han Dynasty.

He recalled how Ji Xuanyuan had treated him over the years.

He was appointed as the Grand Master of Ceremonies, put in charge of the Tiger Guards and Feathered Forest Guards, kept by the Emperor's side, and even appointed as the Southern Garrison Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, an important institution.

Liu Bei's success today owes much to Ji Xuanyuan.

But now...

Liu Bei stopped and looked up at the dark night sky.

The blood-stained imperial edict in his arms felt like a mountain, pressing down on him and making it hard for him to breathe.

He originally thought that this was how his life would be.

He followed Ji Xuanyuan, guarded the emperor, and lived a peaceful and stable life.

Although he may not achieve great things, at least he can ensure wealth and prosperity for himself and his brothers' descendants.

Xu Chu and Xu Sheng should have a bright future if they follow him.

But Liu Xie gave him this blood-written edict.

This opportunity to compete for supremacy in the Central Plains was given to him.

Liu Bei knew that this journey was fraught with peril.

Ji Xuanyuan ruled over six states, commanded an army of 600,000, and had numerous fierce generals and strategists.

What about Liu Bei?

With only three thousand soldiers, a blood-written imperial edict, and a vague title of "relative of the Han imperial family," he was truly powerful.

This journey could very well be a one-way trip from which there is no return.

But can he not go?

No.

That was the emperor, that was the Han dynasty, that was Liu Bei's root.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When she opened her eyes again, there was a look of resolute determination in them.

Liu Bei's residence, study.

Xu Chu, Xu Sheng, and Jian Yong were summoned overnight.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating four solemn faces.

Liu Bei handed the blood-written edict to the three men.

Xu Chu took it, glanced at it, and his eyes widened: "Brother! This...this is..."

Xu Sheng also came over to look, and his expression changed drastically.

After reading it, Jian Yong remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "My lord, this matter is of utmost importance."

Liu Bei nodded, his voice hoarse: "I know."

He recounted his experiences in the palace to the three of them in detail.

"His Majesty has ordered me to lead troops out of the city tomorrow night, flee far away, secretly unite with the feudal lords, and jointly attack Ji Xuanyuan."

Xu Chu exclaimed anxiously, "Brother! This... isn't this sending us to our deaths? That bastard Ji Xuanyuan is powerful now; our small force isn't even enough to fill his teeth!"

Xu Sheng also said, "Brother, we need to think this through carefully! Although the blood edict is real, once it's revealed, His Majesty, who remains in Shuntian, will surely be killed! At that time, we will become the sinners who killed the emperor!"

Jian Yong replied, "My lord, I believe this matter may not necessarily be a dead end."

The three of them looked at him at the same time.

Jian Yong slowly said, "Although Ji Xuanyuan is powerful, the world is not entirely in his hands. Cao Cao is in Yanzhou, Sun Jian is in Yuzhou, Liu Biao is in Jingzhou, Yuan Shu is in Yangzhou, and there are also Liu Zhang in Yizhou and Zhang Lu in Hanzhong... These people all have their own thoughts and may not all be willing to submit to Ji Xuanyuan."

"My lord possesses the Emperor's blood edict, which is a great righteousness. As long as my lord can escape Shuntian, he can use this blood edict to secretly contact the feudal lords and jointly resist Ji Xuanyuan. At that time, the world will respond, and we may not be without the power to fight."

Xu Chu said urgently, "But His Majesty is still in Shuntian! What if Ji Xuanyuan finds out..."

Jian Yong shook his head: "Ji Xuanyuan doesn't know, at least not now. As long as our lord leaves secretly and quickly, by the time Ji Xuanyuan reacts, our lord will already be far away. As for His Majesty..."

He paused, then sighed softly: "His Majesty dared to give the lord this blood-written edict, which means he has already disregarded life and death."

Liu Bei remained silent for a long time before slowly standing up.

He walked to the window, looked at the dark night outside, and said, word by word, "Second brother, third brother, Xianhe."

The three of them looked at him.

Liu Bei turned around, his eyes blazing: "At midnight tomorrow, gather all troops and prepare to leave the city."

"Take all the grain, supplies, gold, silver and valuables that you can carry. Burn everything that you can't take. Do not leave anything to the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"After leaving the city, we headed south, straight to Yuzhou. Sun Wentai and I have a history, and we once made an oath with Ji Xuanyuan, Cao Cao and I. He might take us in."

Xu Chu, Xu Sheng, and Jian Yong clasped their hands in unison and said, "Yes, sir!"

The next day, there was a court meeting in Xuanzheng Hall.

The atmosphere at today's court assembly was unusually different.

Liu Xie sat upright on his throne, his face rosy and his spirits high, a stark contrast to his exhaustion the night before.

He wore a black imperial robe and a jade belt, exuding the majesty of an emperor.

The courtiers stood in two rows, each filled with trepidation, wondering what would happen today.

Ji Xuanyuan stood at the head of the group, dressed in the court robes of a Grand Tutor, his face calm as still water.

Liu Xie spoke, his voice clear and resonant: "My beloved ministers, I have something to announce today."

The ministers all looked up.

Liu Xie looked at Ji Xuanyuan, his eyes filled with gratitude and respect: "Since the Grand Tutor raised his army, he has saved me from danger, established the capital in Shuntian, attacked Dong Zhuo, pacified Wuhuan, conquered Ji Province, and pacified Liang Province. His achievements are unparalleled and have benefited all people. I have thought about it and really do not know how to reward him."

He paused, then raised his voice: "The Grand Tutor's contributions are too great! No reward I bestow upon him would reflect his merits!"

He suddenly stood up and declared loudly, "Therefore, I hereby bestow upon the Grand Tutor three coin-minting furnaces! He may mint as many coins as he desires!"

These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.

A coin-minting furnace!

That was the imperial court's purse, the economic lifeline of the nation.

What does it mean to bestow something upon an individual?

This means that this person could mint his own coins and become incredibly wealthy.

The courtiers looked at each other in disbelief.

Even Ji Xuanyuan slightly raised his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

But he quickly regained his composure and simply bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Liu Xie nodded and continued, "You are rich now, but I still want to bestow upon you a noble title. However, you are already the Marquis of Zhuo. Emperor Gaozu decreed that no one but a member of the Liu family can be a king. After much consideration, I have specially created this title for you."

He took a deep breath and said, word by word, "I hereby bestow upon you the title of General of Heavenly Strategy! Your rank will be above that of princes and dukes, and your fief will be increased to thirty thousand households!"

Another commotion erupted in the hall.

General Tian Ce!

Ranked above princes and dukes!

What an honor!

Ji Xuanyuan bowed deeply again: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

As if that wasn't enough, Liu Xie continued, "I will also bestow upon you power! You will be granted the title of General of Heavenly Strategy, and you may establish your own Heavenly Strategy Office, appointing your own civil and military officials as you see fit!"

He paused, then his voice rose even higher: "Furthermore, I am re-establishing the position of Chancellor! I hereby appoint you as the Chancellor of the Great Han Dynasty, to oversee all government affairs and command all officials!"

boom!

This caused an uproar throughout the hall.

Prime Minister!

How many years has it been since the Han Dynasty appointed a prime minister?

Since the restoration of the Ming Dynasty under Emperor Guangwu, the position of Chancellor has been abolished and replaced by the Three Dukes.

Now, the emperor has actually reassigned the position of prime minister and appointed Ji Xuanyuan as prime minister.

What does this mean?

This means that Ji Xuanyuan can rightfully take charge of the government and command all officials.

This means that even if he were to establish his own small court, it would be perfectly legitimate.

This power was personally granted to him by the current Emperor of the Han Dynasty.

The assembled officials were dumbfounded and speechless.

Xun Yu stood among the civil officials, his face ashen.

When he reported the suggestion of "General of Heavenly Strategy" to Liu Xie last night, he thought that the emperor would take this opportunity to give Ji Xuanyuan a title that was neither too high nor too low, so as to save face for Ji Xuanyuan and not embarrass the Han Dynasty too much.

But he never expected that Liu Xie would give so much.

Minting furnace, General of the Heavenly Strategy, Prime Minister...

This is no longer a reward; it's dividing the empire in half for Ji Xuanyuan.

Except for not receiving the Nine Bestowments, he received almost all the honors that were due.

Xun Yu closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He suddenly understood.

Liu Xie is gambling.

The gambling princess Xuanyuan will be grateful, the gambling princess Xuanyuan will continue to be loyal to the Han Dynasty, gambling... gambling that he won't go that far.

But such a bet is far too big.

Xun Yu opened his eyes and looked at the black-clad figure of the class leader.

Ji Xuanyuan remained calm, as if none of this concerned him.

He simply bowed deeply and uttered those three words for the third time: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The hall was completely silent.

No one speaks.

No one dared to speak.

Those ministers who had once opposed the granting of dukedoms were now all silent with fear.

They knew that things had come to this point and there was no point in saying anything.

Who would dare to oppose the power granted by the emperor himself?

Liu Xie looked at the stunned officials in the hall, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

He sat back on his throne and waved his hand: "Court adjourned."

After the court session ended, the officials filed out.

No one spoke, and no one dared to whisper.

Everyone left with their heads down.

Xun Yu walked last.

He glanced back at the empty hall, then at the departing figure in black, his heart filled with endless complex emotions.

My lord, you have won.

But do you know that the more thoroughly you win, the more dangerous it is for the Han Dynasty?

He shook his head and turned to leave.

The Grand Tutor's Mansion, Study.

Ji Xuanyuan sat alone at his desk, with today's imperial edict spread out before him.

Guo Jia, Pang Tong, and Xun You sat at the lower end, all with joyful expressions on their faces.

"Congratulations, my lord!" Guo Jia's peach blossom eyes curved into a smile.

Pang Tong nodded: "The Emperor's move was truly unexpected, but for our lord, it is a great blessing. From now on, our lord can rightfully establish his own government and command the court, even if in the future..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

Ji Xuanyuan waved his hand, interrupting them.

He didn't speak, he just looked out the window.

Outside the window, the setting sun bathed the entire city of Shuntian in a golden hue.

Today's reward was indeed beyond his expectations.

Liu Xie... that sixteen-year-old boy actually has such courage.

The more you give, the harder it will be to take it back in the future.

But Liu Xie still gave it to him.

Why?