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

March of the sixth year of Jian'an (201 AD), Luoyang, the imperial palace.

Liu Xie's coffin was placed in the Taiji Hall.

The entire city was draped in white mourning clothes, and the sound of weeping shook the heavens.

But in those cries, how much was genuine sorrow, how much was forced compliance, and how much was the trepidation of welcoming a new dynasty—no one knew.

Ji Xuanyuan knelt before the spirit tablet, touched his head to the ground, and wept bitterly.

His eyes were red and swollen from crying, and his voice was so hoarse that it was almost inaudible.

Behind him, civil and military officials knelt on the ground, none daring to utter a sound.

No one knew whether he was truly heartbroken for Liu Xie. And no one dared to ask.

Three days later, at the Taiji Hall.

Court meeting.

It is a fact that everyone knows that Emperor Xie had no heir.

He reigned for many years but never had an heir.

Now that he is gone, who will inherit the Han dynasty's empire?

"His Majesty has no heir."

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices stepped forward and cautiously said, "A virtuous person should be selected from the imperial clan to succeed to the throne. Liu Yan, the governor of Yizhou, and Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou, are both relatives of the Han imperial family and are highly respected for their virtue..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Fei sneered, "Liu Yan? Liu Yu? How old are they? How many more years can they be emperors?"

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices' expression changed, and he dared not speak again.

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said slowly, "Fifth Brother is right. Liu Yan and Liu Yu are old and I'm afraid they are not up to the task."

Zhao Yun also said, "Moreover, Yizhou and Youzhou are located in remote areas. If we welcome them to the throne, I'm afraid it will cause trouble again."

There was much discussion, but no conclusion was reached.

In truth, everyone knows this is all just a formality. Only one person truly deserves to be emperor. But that person, of all people, pretends not to want to be emperor.

Guo Jia stepped forward and declared loudly, "A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. Your subject beseeches His Highness the Prince of Yan to ascend the throne and bring peace to the realm!"

These words caused an uproar throughout the hall. The loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty exchanged bewildered glances, but none dared to stand up and object. Ji Xuanyuan's confidants, however, knelt down in unison, shouting, "Please, Your Highness, ascend the throne!"

Ji Xuanyuan's face darkened, and he said sternly, "Nonsense! The late emperor's body is barely cold, and you all want to force me to ascend the throne? Are you trying to place me in a position of disloyalty and injustice?!"

He turned and left.

The first time, I refused.

Several days later, at the Taiji Hall.

Guo Jia stepped forward again and declared loudly, "After much deliberation, we believe there is truly no suitable candidate among the Liu clan. Liu Yan and Liu Yu are both old, and their sons are mediocre and incapable of shouldering great responsibilities. If we were to force them into the throne, we fear the empire would descend into chaos once more. His Highness the Prince of Yan has rendered unparalleled service and enjoyed the blessings of the people; his ascension to the throne is ordained by Heaven! We implore Your Highness to follow the will of Heaven and the people and ascend the throne!"

All the civil and military officials in the hall knelt down. The ranks of generals, including Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Li Cunxiao, Yang Zaixing, and Ran Min, shouted in unison, "Please, Your Highness, ascend the throne!"

Ji Xuanyuan's face turned ashen, and he said sternly, "I have said it before, the late emperor has just passed away, I cannot! I am of limited talent and learning, and am not qualified to shoulder this great responsibility! You should select another virtuous and capable person from among the Liu clan. I will surely return power to the emperor!"

He turned and left again.

The second time, they refused again.

Several days later, at the Taiji Hall.

The atmosphere was unusually different on this day.

Guo Jia did not leave the class. Because it was no longer needed.

Zhang Fei and Li Cunxiao, carrying a dragon robe, strode up the imperial steps.

The dragon robe was golden, embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon, and shone brightly in the candlelight.

Ji Xuanyuan's expression changed drastically: "What are you going to do?!"

Zhang Fei grinned: "Brother, I'm sorry!"

He and Li Cunxiao, one on each side, forcefully draped the dragon robe over Ji Xuanyuan's body. Ji Xuanyuan struggled, trying to tear it off, but the two held him down firmly.

"How dare you!"

Ji Xuanyuan shouted sternly, "This is a coup!"

Guo Jia knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "Your Highness! The world cannot be without a ruler for a single day! We had no other choice! Please forgive us, Your Highness!"

Pang Tong also knelt down: "Your Highness, it is the will of Heaven, and cannot be defied!"

Xun You, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and others all knelt down. The military generals were even more so, kneeling all over the ground.

Ji Xuanyuan looked at the kneeling civil and military officials in the hall and remained silent for a long time.

In his eyes, there was anger, helplessness, and also a hint of... indescribable relief.

"You...you're trying to force me to be a disloyal and unjust person." His voice was hoarse and tinged with weariness.

Guo Jia kowtowed: "Your Highness! If the late Emperor were alive, he would certainly not wish to see the world without a ruler! Your Highness's ascension to the throne is in accordance with Heaven and the people, not out of disloyalty or injustice!"

Ji Xuanyuan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When I opened my eyes again, they were completely calm.

"That's enough."

He whispered, "I... ascend the throne."

The entire hall erupted in cheers, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

In May of the sixth year of Jian'an, at the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Luoyang.

On this day, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle.

Ji Xuanyuan offered sacrifices to Heaven and Earth at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and officially ascended the throne as Emperor.

The state was named Yan, and the reign title was changed to the first year of Qianwu. Zhen Ji was made empress.

He wore a dragon robe, a twelve-tassel crown, and an imperial sword at his waist, and slowly ascended the high platform. Behind him, civil and military officials knelt down in unison, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The deafening roar echoed over Luoyang.

Ji Xuanyuan stood on the high platform, looking down at the ministers below, at the distant city, and at the world he had conquered over sixteen years.

There was no sense of pride in my heart, only an indescribable weariness.

Sixteen years have passed.

From the seventh year of Guanghe to the sixth year of Jian'an, from the age of seventeen to thirty-three.

He walked a path that others could not complete in a lifetime.

But he knew this was just the beginning.

"Rise, my lords." His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

The officials rose and stood respectfully with their heads bowed.

Ji Xuanyuan's gaze swept across everyone's face—Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Li Cunxiao, Yang Zaixing, Ran Min... These brothers who had followed him through thick and thin were now standing here, witnessing his ascension to the throne.

"Issue the decree," he said, his voice steady.

Guo Jia stepped forward, unfolded the imperial edict, and read it aloud:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, having received the Mandate of Heaven, have ascended the throne. The reign title is changed to Qianwu, and a general amnesty is granted. Taxes are reduced or waived, allowing the people to rest and recuperate. All civil and military officials are to remain in their posts. So be it!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" the ministers exclaimed in unison.

Grand Ceremony of Conferment and Rewards.

"Xiang Yu's achievements were unparalleled. He was enfeoffed as the Duke of Wu, with a fief of ten thousand households, and continued to serve as the Grand General, commanding all the armies in the land."

Xiang Yu stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said, "Your subject receives the imperial decree and expresses gratitude!"

"Guan Yu, with his outstanding achievements, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xiapi, General Who Guards the Army, and his position was changed from Governor of Xuzhou to Inspector of Xuzhou, in charge of all government affairs in Xuzhou."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Zhang Fei was the bravest in the army and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Zhuo and General Who Guards the East, guarding Xuzhou."

Zhang Fei grinned and knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Zhao Yun was unparalleled in loyalty and bravery. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Changshan and General Who Guards the South, and was stationed to guard Yizhou."

Zhao Yun clasped his hands in thanks and knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Li Cunxiao was brave and skilled in battle. He was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Dai, and appointed as General of the Cavalry, in charge of the Imperial Guards."

Li Cunxiao smiled憨厚ly and knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Ran Min, having made outstanding contributions, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Liaoxi and continued to serve as the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Ran Min, with a stern expression, knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Lü Bu, whose might shook the northern frontier, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Wuyuan and General Who Guards the North, and was stationed to guard Bingzhou."

Lu Bu clasped his hands in thanks and knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Yang Zaixing was a promising young man, and was appointed as General of the Guards to guard Liangzhou."

Yang Zaixing knelt on one knee: "Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses gratitude!"

"Yuwen Chengdu has rendered meritorious service to the state and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Guannei and General Who Guards the West, to guard Chang'an."

Yuwen Chengdu knelt down to express his gratitude, his expression calm, but a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

"Zhou Yu was rewarded for his meritorious service in the southern expedition against Jiaozhou and the recovery of Yangzhou and Yuzhou. He was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Lujiang and appointed as the Grand Marshal, in charge of the military and political affairs of the south."

Zhou Yu stepped forward, knelt down, and expressed his gratitude.

"Taishi Ci, having made outstanding contributions, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Huang and stationed to guard Qingzhou."

Taishi Ci clasped his hands in gratitude and knelt down to express his thanks.

Guo Jia continued to announce the rewards and honors bestowed upon the civil officials:

"Situ Pang Tong, who has rendered great service to the state, is hereby enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xiangyang, with a fief of three thousand households."

Pang Tong smiled slightly and knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Sikong Xun You, who made outstanding contributions, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yingyin, with a fief of three thousand households."

Xun You stepped forward, knelt down, and expressed his gratitude.

"Grand Commandant Tian Feng, for his outstanding achievements, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Julu, with a fief of three thousand households."

Tian Feng stroked his beard and knelt down to express his gratitude.

"The Grand Censor Ju Shou was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Guangping, with a fief of three thousand households."

Ju Shou knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Guo Jia, the military advisor and chief strategist, has made outstanding contributions and is hereby enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yangdi with a fief of three thousand households. He will continue to serve as the military advisor and chief strategist."

Guo Jia's peach blossom eyes curved into a smile as he knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Zhuge Liang was a man of extraordinary talent, and was appointed Military Advisor General."

Zhuge Liang stepped forward, his face calm, and knelt to express his gratitude.

After the bestowal of titles and rewards was completed, the officials expressed their gratitude.

Ji Xuanyuan stood on the high platform, gazing at all of this, yet felt a profound emptiness in his heart.

After the court session ended, at Xun Yu's residence.

Xun Yu sat alone in his study, a scroll of bamboo slips spread out before him. It was his written resignation letter.

"Father," Xun Yun said softly as he entered, "Are you really leaving?"

Xun Yu put down the bamboo slips and sighed, "Your Majesty and I no longer share the same ideals. Staying here will only put His Majesty in a difficult position, and also put myself in a difficult position."

Xun Yun remained silent.

Xun Yu stood up, walked to the window, looked in the direction of the palace, and murmured, "His Majesty is a good emperor. He will treat the world and the people well. But in my heart, I can never let go of the Han Dynasty."

He turned to look at his son, his gaze complex: "Yun'er, you stay in court and serve His Majesty well. The future of the Xun family depends on you."

Xun Yun knelt down, tears streaming down his face: "Father..."

Xun Yu helped him up, patted him on the shoulder, and turned to leave.

The next day, at the North Gate of Luoyang.

Xun Yu, dressed in a blue robe, rode a lean horse slowly out of the city. Behind him, there were no attendants, no carriages, only a scroll of bamboo slips and a pot of turbid wine.

"Wenruo!"

A voice sounded behind him. Xun Yu reined in his horse and turned to look.

Ji Xuanyuan stood at the city gate, dressed in plain clothes and without any attendants. He strode over, walked to Xun Yu's horse, and looked up at him.

"Wenruo, are you really leaving?"

Xun Yu dismounted and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, my mind is made up."

Ji Xuanyuan looked at him, his gaze complex: "I know I can't keep you, but I still want to ask you one question: Do you hate me?"

Xun Yu shook his head: "I do not hate Your Majesty, I only hate myself for being born at the wrong time."

Ji Xuanyuan was silent for a moment, then took out a scroll of silk from his bosom and handed it to him: "This is what I wrote for you, keep it."

Xun Yu took it, unfolded it, and saw that it was written by Ji Xuanyuan himself, with only four characters: "Han minister Xun Yu".

Xun Yu's hands trembled slightly, and his eyes reddened.

"Your Majesty..." His voice was hoarse.

Ji Xuanyuan patted his shoulder and said gently, "Wenruo, you will always be a subject of Han. I will never forget you, and neither will the people of the world."

Xun Yu bowed deeply, turned around, mounted his horse, and rode away in a cloud of dust.

Ji Xuanyuan stood at the city gate, watching the figure gradually disappear into the distance, remaining silent for a long time.

Behind him, Guo Jia said softly, "Your Majesty, it's time to go back."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded and turned to return to the city.

His silhouette stretched long in the setting sun.

In May of the first year of the Qianwu reign, in Luoyang, at the imperial palace.

Ji Xuanyuan sat in the imperial study, a long list spread out in front of him.

That was his plan to reduce taxes.

He wanted to enable all people in the world to live a good life.

Guo Jia walked in and said softly, "Your Majesty, Xun Yu has returned to Yingchuan."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded: "Understood."

Guo Jia then said, "Your Majesty, Cao Cao has sent an envoy with a congratulatory message, saying that he is willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty."

Ji Xuanyuan smiled slightly: "Cao Cao is a smart man. He knows that resistance is useless, so it's better to submit."

Guo Jia nodded.

Ji Xuanyuan put down his pen, walked to the window, gazed at the bright moon in the night sky, and murmured, "Fengxiao, tell me, was my life worthwhile?"

Guo Jia was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Your Majesty has pacified the world and unified the four seas, your achievements will be remembered for generations. How could it not be worth it?"

Ji Xuanyuan shook his head, his gaze deep: "I am not talking about achievements, I am talking about... those who died, Liu Xie, Sun Jian, Sun Ce, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Han Sui, Ma Teng... and those unsung soldiers, those displaced people, they all died because of me."

Guo Jia remained silent.

Ji Xuanyuan turned around, looked at him, and said with a firm gaze: "Therefore, I want the living to live a good life. This is what I owe them."

Guo Jia bowed deeply: "Your Majesty is wise!"