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

February of the sixth year of Jian'an (201 AD), Luoyang.

The spring chill lingered, and the remnants of snow had not yet melted.

Ji Xuanyuan stood atop the city wall of Luoyang, gazing silently at this ancient capital that had witnessed so much history.

Ten years ago, Dong Zhuo set fire to the capital, which had been prosperous for hundreds of years, turning it into ruins.

Ten years later, it was finally rebuilt.

The palaces are magnificent and the streets are orderly. Although it has not yet fully recovered its former glory, it has already taken shape.

Behind him, civil officials such as Guo Jia, Pang Tong, and Xun You stood solemnly. Military generals such as Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Li Cunxiao, Yang Zaixing, and Ran Min stood with their hands on their swords.

Both civil and military officials gathered, creating an imposing atmosphere.

"Your Highness," Guo Jia stepped forward and said softly, "the Luoyang palaces have been repaired, and officials have arrived one after another. They are all performing their duties and are waiting for the Emperor to return to the capital."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, his gaze deep and far-reaching: "Very well. Issue the order: three days from now, welcome the Emperor back to Luoyang."

Guo Jia clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Ji Xuanyuan turned around, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the crowd before finally settling on a burly figure.

Hu Che'er.

He stood at the end of the ranks of military officers, dressed in full armor, with a dark complexion and piercing, fierce eyes. Ever since he joined Lü Bu in Zhuojun, he had followed him in battles across the north and south, achieving great military exploits.

He fought against the Wuhuan and the Xianbei, guarded the frontier, and repeatedly made military achievements. Now, he is a general who quells rebellions.

"General Hu," Ji Xuanyuan said.

Hu Che'er stepped forward and knelt on one knee: "Your subordinate is here!"

Ji Xuanyuan looked at him, his gaze gentle: "Welcoming the Emperor back to the capital is a matter of great importance. I hereby order you to lead three thousand elite troops to Shuntian to escort the Emperor's carriage back to Luoyang. Are you willing?"

Hu Che'er clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This humble general is willing to go! I will do my utmost to escort His Majesty safely to Luoyang!"

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, stepped forward, personally helped him up, and patted his shoulder: "Alright. Go and prepare. After court, come to my study; I have something to say to you."

Hu Che'er was taken aback, then clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

That night, in the study of the Prince of Yan's temporary palace.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating the shelves full of books. Ji Xuanyuan sat alone at his desk, a sumptuous feast laid out before him. Four cold dishes and four hot dishes, a pot of warm wine, and two sets of bowls and chopsticks. He was waiting for someone.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and a guard announced, "Your Highness, General Hu has arrived."

"Come in."

Hu Che'er strode in and was slightly taken aback when he saw the table laden with food and wine. He immediately knelt on one knee: "This humble general greets Your Highness!"

Ji Xuanyuan stood up, personally helped him up, and said with a smile, "General Hu, there's no need for such formalities. Come, sit down and have a few drinks with me."

Hu Che'er was flattered and quickly declined, saying, "Your Highness, this humble general dares not..."

Ji Xuanyuan waved his hand, interrupting him: "What is there to be afraid of? You have followed me for so many years, risking your life for me, and I have always remembered it. Today there are no outsiders, only you and me. Come, sit down."

Hu Che'er no longer declined and sat down opposite Ji Xuanyuan. Ji Xuanyuan personally poured him wine, which Hu Che'er accepted with both hands and drank in one gulp.

"General Hu," Ji Xuanyuan put down his wine jug, his gaze deep and distant, "how many years have you followed me?"

Hu Che'er thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, I joined you in the eighth year of Guanghe (185 AD). In March of that year, my uncle, Steward Hu, recommended me to Zhuojun, and Your Highness took me in. It has been sixteen years since then."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded and said with emotion, "Sixteen years... Back then in Zhuojun, you were just a greenhorn. Now, you are a general who quells rebellions."

Hu Che'er clasped his hands in a fist and said, "It's all thanks to Your Highness's guidance!"

Ji Xuanyuan waved his hand, picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and slowly said, "General Hu, I have something to entrust to you."

Hu Che'er said solemnly, "Your Highness, please give your orders! This humble general will not hesitate to die for your cause!"

Ji Xuanyuan looked at him with a complicated expression: "Welcoming the Emperor back to Luoyang may bring unexpected events along the way."

Hu Che'er rose and knelt on one knee: "Your Highness, please give your orders! This humble general will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Ji Xuanyuan looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and slowly said, "I want you to return to Shuntian and escort the Emperor back to Luoyang."

Hu Che'er was taken aback, then clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, Your Majesty! This humble general will certainly escort the Emperor safely to Luoyang!"

Ji Xuanyuan shook his head: "It's not Ping An."

Hu Che'er was stunned.

Ji Xuanyuan stood up, walked to the window, his back to him, and spoke in a low voice, as if squeezed from his throat: "General Hu, you have followed me for seventeen years, and I trust you. I only ask you one question: are you willing to do this for me?"

Hu Che'er knelt on the ground, his whole body trembling slightly.

He wasn't stupid; he understood the meaning behind Ji Xuanyuan's words.

If it's not peace, then what is it?

He dared not think about it, nor dared he ask.

Ji Xuanyuan turned around, looked at him, his gaze calm as still water: "General Hu, are you afraid?"

Hu Che'er took a deep breath, raised his head, and looked directly into Ji Xuanyuan's eyes: "This humble general is not afraid. This humble general only asks Your Highness one question: Is this matter truly indispensable?"

Ji Xuanyuan did not answer.

He simply walked back to the table, picked up the wine cup, and drank it all in one gulp.

"General Hu."

He put down his wine cup, his voice hoarse: "I didn't want to come to this, but I had no other choice."

He walked up to Hu Che'er, bent down, lowered his voice, and explained the plan in detail.

Upon hearing this, Hu Che'er turned pale, his hands clenched tightly, and his knuckles turned white.

But he did not back down, he simply kowtowed deeply: "This humble general... obeys."

Ji Xuanyuan looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly smiled. In that smile, there was relief, helplessness, and a hint of something indescribable...bitterness.

"General Hu, you are a loyal subject," he said softly.

Ji Xuanyuan stood up, walked to the window, looked at the bright moon in the night sky, and murmured, "But sometimes, being a loyal minister is the hardest thing."

Ji Xuanyuan turned around, walked back to the table, took out a scroll of silk from the table, and handed it to Hu Che'er: "This is the imperial edict I requested for you to be granted the title of Marquis of Guzang, which is hereditary and perpetual."

Hu Che'er took it, her hand trembling slightly.

The title of Marquis of Guzang is hereditary and perpetual—what an honor!

He knelt down with a thud, kowtowing and saying, "Your Highness's great kindness will never be forgotten!"

Ji Xuanyuan helped him up and said gently, "Get up, this is what you deserve."

He paused, then said, "I only hope you take care on your journey."

Hu Che'er nodded emphatically: "I will certainly not fail Your Highness's trust!"

Ji Xuanyuan didn't say anything more, but just patted him on the shoulder.

Outside the window, the night wind howled. The candlelight in the study burned all night long.

No one knows what Ji Xuanyuan and Hu Che'er said that night.

All that is known is that when Hu Che'er left, her eyes were slightly red and her steps were heavy.

March 15th, Jian'an 6th year, Luoyang.

On this day, spring was in full bloom, and all things were coming back to life.

Banners fluttered atop Luoyang city walls.

The streets and alleys of the city were swept and cleaned.

All the officials gathered, awaiting the emperor's return to the capital.

Ji Xuanyuan stood atop the city wall, gazing northwards in silence. Behind him, civil and military officials stood solemnly, none daring to utter a sound.

"Your Highness," Guo Jia said softly, "General Hu's carriage has reached the Yellow River ferry. It will arrive in Luoyang tomorrow."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, his gaze deep and thoughtful: "Alright."

He didn't speak again, but just stared northwards, motionless for a long time.

The Yellow River ferry crossing at dusk that day.

The sunset glow on the horizon was like blood, dyeing the Yellow River a dark red. At the ferry crossing, the emperor's carriage had arrived. Three thousand elite soldiers stood in formation, their armor gleaming. Liu Xie sat calmly in the carriage.

"Your Majesty," Hu Che'er rode forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "It is getting late. We will camp at the ferry tonight and cross the river early tomorrow morning. We should arrive in Luoyang by the afternoon."

Liu Xie lifted the carriage curtain, looked at him, and smiled slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, General Hu."

Hu Che'er quickly replied, "Your Majesty is too kind. This humble general is simply fulfilling his duty."

Liu Xie lowered the carriage curtain but did not speak.

That night, at the ferry camp.

Liu Xie sat alone in his tent, a scroll of bamboo slips spread out in front of him.

That was the Book of Songs, which he had read countless times. But at this moment, he couldn't concentrate on a single word.

"Your Majesty," the eunuch said softly, "it's time to rest."

Liu Xie put down the bamboo slips and sighed, "Tell me, how do you think the Prince of Yan will treat me?"

The eunuch was taken aback and didn't know how to answer.

Liu Xie smiled bitterly: "I granted his request to be made a king. I also granted his request to move the capital. I gave him whatever he wanted. But I know that what he wants is more than that."

The eunuch knelt down, not daring to utter a sound.

Liu Xie gazed out of the tent and murmured, "Tomorrow, I will arrive in Luoyang. Luoyang... my hometown. I was born there, I grew up there. But after I return, will I still be my emperor?"

No one answered.

The next morning, at the Yellow River ferry crossing.

The fleet was already waiting at the ferry crossing. There were dozens of ships of various sizes, with the largest, the imperial ship, at the head, lavishly decorated and with its banners fluttering.

Under Hu Che'er's protection, Liu Xie boarded the imperial boat. The fleet slowly sailed away from the ferry and headed towards the opposite bank.

The Yellow River flowed swiftly, its waves churning. Liu Xie stood at the bow of the boat, gazing at the surging river, silent. Hu Che'er stood beside him, his hand on his sword, his face grave.

"General Hu," Liu Xie suddenly spoke, "tell me, haven't I been a failure in my life?"

Hu Che'er was taken aback and quickly said, "Why does Your Majesty say such a thing?"

Liu Xie smiled bitterly: "I ascended the throne at the age of nine, was held hostage by Dong Zhuo, and was then protected by the Prince of Yan... In my entire life, I have never truly been the emperor for a single day."

Hu Che'er remained silent.

Liu Xie continued, "I thought that my uncle Liu Bei could restore the Han Dynasty for me. But he was defeated and fled overseas. I thought that Cao Cao could hold off the Prince of Yan for me. But he surrendered and became the Prince of Yan's subject. There is no one left by my side."

He turned around, looked at Hu Che'er, his gaze calm as still water: "General Hu, do you think the Prince of Yan will kill me?"

Hu Che'er's expression changed drastically, and he knelt down: "Your Majesty! Your Highness would never..."

Liu Xie waved his hand, interrupting him: "You don't need to speak up for him. I don't blame him. I only blame myself for being born into an imperial family."

He raised his head, looked at the sky, and murmured, "I'm tired."

Before he could finish speaking, the ship suddenly began to shake violently!

"It's leaking! The boat is leaking!" the boatman exclaimed.

Hu Che'er's expression changed drastically. He rushed to the bow of the boat and saw that a large crack had appeared in the bottom of the boat, and the river water was rushing in!

"Protect His Majesty!" he shouted hoarsely, grabbing Liu Xie to support him.

Liu Xie pushed his hand away, his face calm as still water.

"General Hu, there's no need to pretend," he said softly.

Hu Che'er was startled and froze on the spot.

Liu Xie looked at him, his gaze calm yet tinged with pity: "I don't blame you, nor do I blame the Prince of Yan. I know this is my fate."

He walked to the side of the boat, gazed at the surging Yellow River, and murmured, "I only ask that the Prince of Yan treat this land and its people well in the future. I... have no regrets."

He turned around, looked at Hu Che'er, and smiled slightly: "General Hu, sit down and drink this last meal with me."

Hu Che'er knelt on the boat, tears streaming down his face.

He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

Liu Xie took out a flask of wine and a packet of dried meat from his bosom, placed them on the deck, and sat down cross-legged. He poured two cups of wine, handing one to Hu Che'er and keeping the other for himself.

"Come, have a drink with me."

Hu Che'er took the wine with trembling hands and drank it all in one gulp.

Liu Xie drank it too, then poured himself another cup and drank that as well.

Wine, when it enters a sorrowful heart, turns into bitterness.

"General Hu," he put down his wine cup and said softly, "tell me, when I reach the afterlife and meet Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu, will they blame me?"

Hu Che'er was in tears and speechless.

Liu Xie smiled. In that smile, there was relief, sorrow, and a hint of liberation.

"I think they won't blame me. Because I did my best."

He stood up, opened his arms, looked up at the sky, and murmured, "I'm tired. I need to rest."

The boat tilted suddenly, and river water surged onto the deck. Liu Xie did not struggle, letting the river swallow him up.

"Your Majesty—!" Hu Che'er rushed forward, trying to grab him, but only managed to catch a corner of his clothes.

He was also swept away by the river and disappeared into the rolling waves.

March 16th, the sixth year of Jian'an (200 AD), at the Yellow River ferry.

Emperor Liu Xie died in the Yellow River.

He was twenty-one years old at the time.

General Hu Che'er, who was protecting the emperor, died in service to his lord.

When the news reached Luoyang, the entire city was draped in mourning.

Ji Xuanyuan stood on the city wall, gazing northwards, remaining silent.

In his hand, he held a scroll of silk—Liu Xie's last edict, which he had entrusted to someone to deliver before his death.

The imperial edict contained only a few words: "The King of Yan treats the people well."

Ji Xuanyuan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Pass down the order," he said, his voice hoarse, "to give His Majesty a grand funeral with the rites due to an emperor. Posthumously grant him the title... Emperor Xiaoxian."

Guo Jia clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Ji Xuanyuan turned around and walked down the city wall. His shadow stretched long in the setting sun.

Behind him, civil and military officials knelt down in unison, their cries shaking the heavens.

(The Battle for Supremacy - End)