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

The residence of the General of the Cavalry.

Ji Xuanyuan was discussing matters with his brothers Xiang Yu and Ran Min in the study when he suddenly heard the sound of galloping hooves outside the mansion. Immediately, a personal guard rushed in to report:

"General, the Palace Attendant Jian Shuo has personally arrived to convey His Majesty's oral decree, summoning you to the palace for an audience immediately."

The study fell silent instantly.

Xiang Yu's double pupils narrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Brother, at this hour..."

It was nearly dusk, and the palace gates were about to close. Unless it was an urgent matter, officials from outside the palace would never be summoned to the palace at this time.

Ran Min's right hand was already on the hilt of his sword, a fierce glint in his eyes: "Could this be a trap?"

Lü Bu, Li Cunxiao, and Yang Zaixing also stood up together, their faces solemn.

Ji Xuanyuan raised his hand to stop the crowd, his eyes flashing with light, countless thoughts already passing through his mind in an instant.

Liu Hong was seriously ill and bedridden, and had been absent from court for many days; this was common knowledge in Luoyang.

He was suddenly summoned at this moment...

"At this point in time..." Ji Xuanyuan murmured to himself, his mind rapidly replaying everything that had happened since he entered Luoyang.

The complex and unfathomable look in Liu Hong's eyes when the imperial court bestowed rewards.

The heart-wrenching question posed in the Qingliang Hall: "What you are loyal to is this 'world'."

And there are also the rumors circulating in the palace these past few days: the Crown Prince was reprimanded, and His Majesty is increasingly valuing his second son, Liu Xie...

"Brother?" Xiang Yu called out softly when he saw him lost in thought.

Ji Xuanyuan regained his senses, his expression returning to calm: "It's alright. His Majesty's summons at this moment must be... to give instructions for his final affairs."

He stood up and straightened his clothes: "Brother Yu, you all stay in the manor. No one is allowed to move before I return."

"Brother, I'll go with you!" Xiang Yu said urgently.

Ji Xuanyuan shook his head: "Since His Majesty summoned only me, it must be a private conversation between the monarch and his ministers. If you follow me, it will only make me appear guilty. Rest assured, His Majesty will not harm me at this time."

He looked out the window at the darkening sky: "At least, not before I've arranged my affairs after I'm gone."

After saying that, he strode out of the study.

Outside the mansion gate, Jian Shuo, annoyed that the eunuch was running too slowly, ran over himself.

This military commander, who now wields immense power and is the de facto ruler of the Western Garden Army, was pale and had red eyes, clearly having just cried.

Upon seeing Ji Xuanyuan, Jian Shuo hurried forward and lowered his voice, "General Ji, please come to the palace quickly! His Majesty... His Majesty is probably in serious trouble!"

The anxiety and fear in his tone seemed genuine.

Ji Xuanyuan gave him a deep look and nodded: "I'll trouble Captain Jian to lead the way."

The two boarded a carriage prepared by the palace and, escorted by dozens of Imperial Guards, sped toward the South Palace.

Inside the carriage, Jian Shuo hesitated several times before finally letting out a long sigh: "General... His Majesty's kindness to you is as heavy as a mountain..."

Ji Xuanyuan did not answer, but simply closed his eyes to rest.

A debt of gratitude as heavy as a mountain?

maybe.

But he knew all too well that the heart of an emperor was always unfathomable.

Especially for an emperor who is nearing the end of his life.

The carriage entered the palace gates, passed through heavily guarded palace walls, and finally stopped in front of the Jiade Hall.

Outside the hall, armored soldiers stood in rows, creating a somber atmosphere.

Suppressed coughing could be faintly heard from inside the hall, along with a strong smell of herbs.

Jian Shuo led Ji Xuanyuan to the palace gate and whispered, "General, please. His Majesty is waiting."

Ji Xuanyuan took a deep breath and pushed open the door to enter.

The hall was brightly lit by candles, but it couldn't dispel the heavy, deathly atmosphere.

On the dragon bed, Liu Hong leaned against the pillows, his face ashen like gold paper, his eyes sunken, and his breathing as faint as a whisper. Only his eyes, when they saw Ji Xuanyuan, suddenly lit up with a final glimmer of light.

"General Ji Xuanyuan greets Your Majesty." Ji Xuanyuan stepped forward and knelt before the bed to pay his respects.

"My dear minister... rise." Liu Hong's voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible as he raised his hand with difficulty.

"Come closer... I... have something to tell you..."

Ji Xuanyuan's heart stirred slightly. He got up as instructed, walked to the bedside, and knelt down again.

Now that he was closer, he could see Liu Hong's condition more clearly.

This emperor, only thirty-four years old, was like a candle flickering in the wind, his life's flame likely to be extinguished at any moment.

"My dear minister..." Liu Hong gasped for breath, his gaze fixed on Ji Xuanyuan.

"I... want you to return to Youzhou..."

Upon hearing this, even with Ji Xuanyuan's resolute will, he couldn't help but shudder, and his pupils suddenly contracted!

Return to Youzhou?

Liu Hong actually wants to let him return to Youzhou?!

Is it a test?

Is this the final test?

still......

"This is not a test..." Liu Hong seemed to see through his thoughts, and a faint smile appeared on his gaunt face, a smile full of self-mockery and exhaustion.

"I... have no time for testing."

He coughed, and Jian Shuo hurriedly stepped forward and wiped his mouth with a silk handkerchief.

On the silk handkerchief, there was another striking splash of red.

Liu Hong waved his hand, signaling Jian Shuo to step aside, and continued looking at Ji Xuanyuan: "My dear minister... if I were to pass the throne to Xie'er... what would you do?"

This question was sudden and utterly disrespectful.

But there were only three people inside the hall.

A dying emperor, an absolutely loyal eunuch, and a border general who commands a large army.

Ji Xuanyuan was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Majesty's decision to establish an heir is fundamental to the nation. As a general in the field, I only know how to act according to imperial orders. Regardless of which prince succeeds to the throne, I will be loyal to my duty, guard the northern border, and protect the people."

This statement is watertight, but it is the truth.

Liu Hong stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed, his laughter tinged with a cough: "Good...good 'acting on imperial orders'...my dear minister, you don't need to hide anything from me..."

He was panting, but the light in his eyes grew even sharper: "I know... you are no ordinary person. What you are plotting is far more than just becoming a general or a marquis... what you want is peace and stability for the world."

Ji Xuanyuan lowered his head: "Your subject dares not."

"I wouldn't dare?" Liu Hong shook his head.

"What wouldn't you dare to do? You even dared to force the Xianbei chieftain to surrender, and you even dared to become my General of the Cavalry... What else wouldn't you dare to do?"

He paused, his tone suddenly turning deep: "But today... I insist on entrusting this great Han dynasty to you."

Ji Xuanyuan suddenly looked up.

Liu Hong spoke each word with difficulty but clarity: "Crown Prince Bian... is weak and powerless. His mother, Empress He, is very powerful, and his uncle, He Jin, holds absolute power. If Bian succeeds to the throne, he will surely become He Jin's puppet. At that time, the maternal relatives will be in power, and the Han Dynasty will be in danger..."

"Xie'er is young, but intelligent and kind, like me. His mother died early, so there is no threat from maternal relatives after his death. I have already appointed Jian Shuo to take charge of the Western Garden Army. If I pass away, Jian Shuo should unite with loyal people to kill He Jin and help Xie'er ascend the throne..."

He stared at Ji Xuanyuan: "However, Jian Shuo is ultimately a eunuch. He has plenty of loyalty but lacks ability. He Jin controls the imperial guards, his cronies are everywhere in the court, and he is also connected with powerful families such as Yuan Shao... Jian Shuo alone will not be able to accomplish anything great."

"So..." Liu Hong struggled to pull a roll of bright yellow silk from under his pillow and handed it to Ji Xuanyuan.

"I want you... to take this secret edict and return to Youzhou."

Ji Xuanyuan accepted the silk with both hands; the silk still carried the warmth of the emperor's body.

"In the secret edict, I have already written that if Jian Shuo succeeds and Xie'er ascends the throne smoothly, you will be permanently stationed in the northern frontier and will not be allowed to enter the capital without an edict... I will grant you the right to establish your own government and allow you to govern Youzhou, and even... the northern part of Bingzhou."

Liu Hong's breathing became more rapid, but he forced himself to continue: "If...if Jian Shuo fails, He Jin takes control of the court, and Bian'er ascends the throne...then..."

A final glint appeared in his eyes: "You may then take this secret edict and claim to be acting on my dying wish to lead the Jingnan Army into the capital..."

"In accordance with Heaven's will, we quell the rebellion, purge the court of corrupt officials, and punish the treacherous ministers!"

"Of course..." Liu Hong smiled wryly.

"At that time, I was no longer alive, and what you were carrying out... was the decree of me, the 'Emperor Emeritus'."

The hall was deathly silent.

The three words "purge the emperor's inner circle" resounded like a thunderclap.

Ji Xuanyuan finally understood Liu Hong's entire plan.

This seemingly muddle-headed emperor, in the final moments of his life, laid out a perilous plan.

With Jian Shuo as his son, he launched a coup in Luoyang, executed He Jin, and installed Liu Xie as emperor.

Ji Xuanyuan was placed as a spy, far away in Youzhou, to observe the situation.

If Jian Shuo succeeds, Ji Xuanyuan will become an outer vassal, guarding the northern frontier and keeping in check any other ambitious figures who may emerge.

If Jian Shuo fails, then Ji Xuanyuan will use the "secret edict of the late emperor" as a weapon, lead his army into the capital under the pretext of "purging the court of corrupt officials," and seize power by force!

At that time, Ji Xuanyuan will not be acting on the decree of the current emperor, but on the "last edict of the late emperor"!

It was the decree of Liu Hong, the "retired emperor"!

The flickering candlelight illuminated the solemn faces of the three people.

Jian Shuo knelt to one side, tears streaming down his face.

Ji Xuanyuan held the scroll of secret edict, feeling as if it weighed a ton.

How could this be a secret edict?

This is the key to unlocking the chaos in the world!

It was Liu Hong who paved the way to heaven for him with his last breath!

"My dear minister..." Liu Hong's voice was already as weak as a mosquito's buzz.

"Do not disappoint my expectations..."

"And do not betray the 'world' in your heart..."

He spoke the last two words very softly, yet they resounded like thunder in Ji Xuanyuan's ears.

It turns out that Liu Hong had already seen through everything.

He knew what Ji Xuanyuan wanted.

He knew that the Han dynasty was on the verge of collapse.

He chose to place his bet on Ji Xuanyuan at the last moment.

It wasn't because he trusted Ji Xuanyuan's loyalty.

It was because he believed in Ji Xuanyuan's... ambition!

Only ambition can counter ambition.

Only the strong can preserve the Liu family bloodline in this chaotic world, even if it's just a sliver of hope.

Ji Xuanyuan slowly stood up, took three steps back, and then bowed deeply!

"Your subject, Ji Xuanyuan—"

He raised his head, his gaze sharp and his voice resounding:

"As you command!"

The two words fell as if carrying the weight of a thousand pounds.

Liu Hong looked at him, the last glimmer of light in his eyes gradually fading, turning into a sense of relief and calm.

He slowly closed his eyes, and a smile appeared on his lips.

In that smile, there was weariness, relief, helplessness, and... hope.

"Go down..." Liu Hong's voice was barely audible.

Ji Xuanyuan bowed again, turned around, and strode out of the Jiade Hall.

The palace doors closed behind them, shutting out the oppressive deathly atmosphere inside.

Jian Shuo followed him out and called out to Ji Xuanyuan in front of the palace gate.

"General of the Cavalry..." Jian Shuo's eyes were filled with tears.

Ji Xuanyuan looked at him, this eunuch on whom Liu Hong had placed high hopes, who now appeared so lonely and tragic.

"Commander Jian," Ji Xuanyuan said in a deep voice.

"Since His Majesty has entrusted this important matter to you, Xuanyuan will certainly live up to your expectations. However, Luoyang is a dangerous place, so Commandant Jian... please be careful."

Jian Shuo nodded emphatically: "This humble official understands. General, you should return to your residence and prepare. Once His Majesty passes away, He Jin will surely take action. General, you should leave Luoyang immediately!"

Ji Xuanyuan said no more, bowed respectfully, and turned to disappear into the night.

The carriage sped back to the mansion.

Inside the carriage, Ji Xuanyuan unfolded the scroll of the secret edict.

On the bright yellow silk was Liu Hong's own handwriting in red ink. Although the characters trembled due to his weakness, they still carried the majesty of an emperor.

"I, in my humble state, have inherited this great undertaking for thirty-four years. Now, I am mortally ill and fear I may never see you again..."

"Crown Prince Bian is frivolous and lacks authority; he is unfit to rule the country. Prince Xie is intelligent, benevolent, and filial; he is suitable to inherit the throne..."

"If, after my death, treacherous officials and villains seize power, disrupt the government, and endanger the state, all loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty may obey this edict, raise an army to quell the rebellion, remove the corrupt officials from the emperor's court, and uphold the righteous path..."

"General Ji Xuanyuan, renowned for his loyalty and bravery, a pillar of the nation, is hereby granted this edict, authorizing him to act as he sees fit..."

Finally, there was the bright red imperial jade seal, and... Liu Hong's personal seal.

The authenticity of this secret edict is beyond doubt.

Ji Xuanyuan slowly rolled up the silk and put it into his bosom.

He gazed out the car window at the deep night of Luoyang, his eyes gleaming.

Liu Hong took the gamble.

I'm betting he'll keep his promise.

They bet he would become a force to check He Jin and even save the Han Dynasty at a crucial moment.

But what Liu Hong didn't know was...

What Ji Xuanyuan wanted was never just a balance of power.

What he wants is to reshape things.

To reshape this world, to reshape this chaotic era, to reshape... an era that belongs to him, Ji Xuanyuan!

The carriage stopped in front of the General of the Cavalry's residence.

Xiang Yu and the others were already waiting at the door. When they saw Ji Xuanyuan get off the carriage, they all surrounded him.

"Brother, how is it?" Xiang Yu asked anxiously.

Ji Xuanyuan glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice, "Send the order to pack your belongings immediately. We will leave the city and return to Youzhou in one hour."

Everyone was taken aback.

"Back to Youzhou?" Ran Min asked in surprise.

"Is His Majesty willing to let us go?"

"Your Majesty..." Ji Xuanyuan looked towards the palace, his voice low.

"He has passed away."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's expression changed.

"Go and prepare immediately." Ji Xuanyuan said no more and strode into the mansion.

An hour later, the eight hundred guards of the Jingnan Army were ready to go.

Ji Xuanyuan mounted his horse and took one last look back at the majestic palace.

Inside the Jiade Hall, there must be a chorus of weeping right now.

The emperor who gave him the opportunity, the power, and finally entrusted him with such a heavy responsibility has now passed away.

"Your Majesty..." Ji Xuanyuan murmured to himself.

"I will remember your last wish."

"But which way should we go..."

"It's my decision."

Nangong, Jiade Hall.

Liu Hong slowly opened his eyes and looked at the concubines, princes, and ministers kneeling all over the ground.

His gaze finally settled on young Liu Xie, his lips moving slightly as if he wanted to say something.

But in the end, she didn't say it.

That withered hand slowly drooped down.

On the eleventh day of the fourth month of the sixth year of Zhongping, at the third quarter of Hai hour.

Emperor Liu Hong of the Han Dynasty died in the Jiade Palace.

He was only thirty-four years old.

His posthumous title was Emperor Xiaoling.

He was buried in Wenling.

An era has come to an end.

And a more chaotic, more bloody era—

About to start.

A light rain began to fall in the night sky over Luoyang.

It was as if even the heavens were shedding their final tears for this last emperor of a fallen dynasty.

(The Uprising Chapter - End)