Emperor Zhaolie of the late Han Dynasty: Rising to power in Liaoxi

Apart from Liu Bei, no one paid much attention to Gongsun Zan's departure, since he wasn't originally one of their allies.

They had no idea how much Gongsun Zan would achieve.

Three days later, an imperial envoy arrived in Yangle City, Liaoxi, carrying an imperial edict.

All the civil and military officials of the city gathered in the front courtyard of the prefect's mansion to receive the imperial decree. Incense tables were set up and the ceremonial guards were solemn.

The imperial edict was unfurled by the eunuch, who read it aloud, exactly as Qiao Xuan had promised, without the slightest error.

Yan Gang was promoted to Prefect of Liaodong and given the authority to guard the border.

Zou Dan was transferred to the position of Commandant of Shanggu Commandery, where he was responsible for guarding the northern frontier.

Tian Yu took over as magistrate of Yangle County, in charge of the county's civil administration.

Xu Rong was appointed as the Commandant of Yangle County, in charge of troops to defend the city.

Han was appointed magistrate of Linyu County, and Cheng Pu was appointed magistrate of Lingzhi County, each responsible for key areas.

Gongsun Zan was transferred to Youbeiping Commandery.

Liu Bei himself was promoted to Commandant of Liaoxi Commandery, taking over the military and political power of the entire commandery, and officially becoming the head of the military officials in Liaoxi, with power far exceeding that of the former county magistrate.

Upon hearing the imperial decree, all the generals kowtowed in gratitude, their hearts filled with excitement.

Although there were no rewards of being enfeoffed as marquises, they were all real official positions with real power. Cheng Pu, Han Dang, and others even entered officialdom from clerks, and their future prospects suddenly became bright.

After the official titles and rewards were read out, the imperial eunuch changed the subject, holding a brocade box, and said loudly.

The Emperor decreed:

The border regions of western Liaoning were frequently invaded by the nomadic tribes. Liu Bei, the magistrate of Yangle, was loyal and brave. He quelled a major plague within the region and defeated the Xianbei outside. He killed the two chieftains Queji and Kezui in battle and thwarted the advance of Tanshihuai. He protected the border and ensured the safety of the people. His achievements were remarkable.

I commend his loyalty and bravery, and hereby bestow upon him a personal sword of the Zhongxing era to recognize his outstanding achievements and to encourage his loyalty.

The sword is named Zhongxing, and I entrust it to you to sweep away the northern barbarians and restore the Han Dynasty. Strive for it! Do not fail my expectations.

So be it!

"Your subject Liu Bei receives the imperial decree! Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"

Liu Bei prostrated himself and bowed twice, his voice and expression solemn, with a hint of barely perceptible excitement.

The young eunuch stepped forward slowly, picked up a long sword with gilded and jade-inlaid scabbard, its sheath exquisite and its aura chilling, and solemnly handed it to Liu Bei.

The sword gleamed coldly, and the two characters "Zhongxing" were engraved on the hilt.

All the generals in the hall held their breath and looked up in awe.

Cheng Pu, Han Dang, and the others exchanged glances, a hint of disappointment flashing in their eyes.

Despite his outstanding military achievements—slaying Que Ji, frightening Tan Shihuai, and relieving the crisis of the three-pronged northern expedition—the court only rewarded him with a sword.

Without even gold, silver, cloth, fiefs, or titles, the emperor's actions were undeniably stingy and meager.

Only Liu Bei, his body stiffened slightly as he kowtowed to the ground. His usually calm and composed face, which never showed his emotions, was unable to suppress a slight upward tilt, and his eyes surged with an unbridled joy and excitement that no one else could understand.

ZTE Sword!

It turned out to be one of the four swords forged during the Jianning era when Emperor Ling was determined to revive the Han Dynasty and ordered the best craftsmen in the country to forge it!

At this moment, Emperor Ling is still alive, and this sword is merely an auspicious imperial gift, not a precious treasure.

But he knew perfectly well that when Emperor Ling died a few years later and the world was in chaos, the significance of this sword would be completely overturned.

A sword bestowed by the late emperor, a symbol of the revival of the Han dynasty!

Later, when he raised an army in the name of a member of the Han imperial family, wielding this sword, he would be acting on the mandate of Heaven and upholding the righteous cause of the Han dynasty.

In this chaotic world where etiquette and morality have collapsed, this title is more valuable than a thousand troops and horses, and more valuable than a noble title for ten thousand households!

Liu Bei bowed deeply to the ground, his voice steady, but his tightly clenched fists betrayed the turbulent emotions churning within him.

After the angel finished proclaiming the decree and was entertained by Hou Chong, he immediately returned to Luoyang.

After the crowd in the front courtyard dispersed, Han Dang was still indignant, but Liu Bei gently stroked the sword box, smiling calmly, and said only: "The emperor's favor is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold, so there is no need for you all to say more."

Seeing how much he cherished it, the others, though not understanding its meaning, said nothing more.

Unbeknownst to anyone, this seemingly ordinary sword had already laid the most orthodox foundation for his future hegemony.

-----------------

Luoyang, Jiade Hall of the Southern Palace.

Emperor Liu Hong of Han stood by the railing, feeling inexplicably restless and unable to sit still. Even his favorite songs, dances, and precious objects lost their appeal.

Zhang Rang was then serving as the Imperial Attendant, a close confidant of the emperor. He was adept at reading people's expressions and moods. When he saw the emperor was troubled, he would immediately bow and stand by, gently comforting him.

Liu Hong turned around, frowned, and asked, "Sir, have the three Zhongxing swords in the treasury been properly secured?"

Zhang Rang bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, all three swords have been locked deep within the inner palace, and there is absolutely no chance of failure."

"The sword appraiser once said that three swords are an auspicious number, while four will surely bring misfortune. Now, Your Majesty has kept three swords for yourself, which is in accordance with the will of Heaven. The revival of the Han Dynasty is just around the corner!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong's tense expression eased slightly, but his thoughts drifted back to the grand court assembly a few days ago.

That day, he received a report from Xia Yu, delivered by express courier, of a great victory in the northern expedition against the Xianbei, in which the Mija and Queji were defeated and the northern frontier was pacified.

Overjoyed, the emperor convened a grand court assembly and read the victory report aloud, demonstrating to the court officials his brilliant decision to launch the Northern Expedition.

He was in high spirits and felt triumphant.

But some ignorant nobles poured cold water on him in court.

Shi Xin, an official of the Ministry of Personnel, reported: Tian Yan's army in Yunzhong County suffered a crushing defeat, losing more than half of its elite troops, with corpses blocking the roads.

Immediately afterwards, Zang Min's report was also submitted to the court, stating that the Yanmen army was able to defeat Tan Shihuai only because of the surprise attack from Liu Bei's troops in Liaoxi.

However, the main force of the Xianbei army was unharmed and showed no signs of being severely affected by the epidemic. The Han army was forced to retreat to Yanmen.

The two reports were like two resounding slaps to Liu Hong's face.

The entire court was in uproar. The remonstrating officials kowtowed one after another, denouncing the Northern Expedition for ruining the country and the emperor for believing slander. Some even questioned the reasons why Liu Bei led his army out of the pass alone. The court was filled with condemnation.

Liu Hong lost face and was furious. He stormed out of court, leaving all the criticism behind.

Back in the inner palace, Liu Hong became increasingly alarmed and suspicious.

It is absolutely impossible that the eunuch Wang Fu had not learned of such a shocking event as the defeat at Yunzhong and the true situation at Yanmen!

The only explanation is that Wang Fu deliberately concealed the truth, watched from the sidelines as the two sides fought, and used the political turmoil to elevate his own status and test the extent of his influence.

Thinking of this, Liu Hong's murderous intent arose, and he immediately summoned Zhang Rang, ordering him to bypass Wang Fu and thoroughly investigate the entire situation in the northern frontier.

Zhang Rang acted swiftly and decisively, uncovering the truth of the matter in just one day.

Xia Yu deceived the emperor, embezzled Liu Bei's entire credit, and falsely reported a great plague among the Xianbei people to lure the emperor into a northern expedition.

Of the three armies, only the one led by Youbeiping was victorious by chance due to Liu Bei's accidental success; the other two armies suffered one defeat and the other retreated.

Upon learning the truth, Liu Hong was filled with rage and wished he could immediately issue an edict to have Xia Yu executed by being cut in half at the waist and his body displayed in the marketplace.

If it weren't for Liu Bei's extraordinary force, a single misstep on his part would have resulted in the loss of the elite troops of three provinces of the Han Dynasty, making him a laughingstock and even shaking the foundations of the nation!

But after his initial rage, the emperor's cunning was instantly triggered, and he suddenly realized that Xia Yu could not be killed. In fact, he had to be rewarded handsomely.

Suppressing his anger, Liu Hong asked Zhang Rang in a deep voice, "What's your opinion on the situation in the Northern Frontier?"

Zhang Rang kowtowed, his words perfectly matching the emperor's wishes: "Your Majesty, this is a great victory unseen in decades, a sign of Your Majesty's revival of the Han Dynasty!"

"Xia Yu's achievements should be proclaimed throughout the land, and he should be granted the title of Marquis of a County, bestowed with an axe and halberd, and permitted to establish his own government, so as to demonstrate the might of Heaven and inspire soldiers from all directions!"