The Three Kingdoms: The Oath of the Peach Garden, the Rise of the Han Dynasty

Five days later, the awarding ceremony was held as scheduled.

Liu Bei, accompanied by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Li Chang, dressed in court attire, followed Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun to the palace to meet the emperor.

In the Deyang Palace, Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, sat high on the dragon throne, his face sallow, his eyes cloudy, and he looked sickly.

The Ten Attendants stood on both sides, each with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face, their arrogant eyes scanning the civil and military officials below.

The awarding ceremony begins.

First were Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun.

Emperor Ling of Han issued an edict appointing Huangfu Song as General of the Left Chariots and Cavalry, concurrently serving as Governor of Ji Province, and enfeoffing him as Marquis of Huaili; and appointing Zhu Jun as General of the Right Chariots and Cavalry, concurrently serving as Governor of Henan Province, and enfeoffing him as Marquis of Qiantang.

The two knelt down to express their gratitude.

Next was Liu Yan, who was formally appointed as the Zongzheng (宗正), in charge of the affairs of the imperial clan.

Then it was Liu Bei's turn.

"Summon Liu Bei, Cavalry Commandant, to the palace!"

Liu Bei straightened his robes, slowly walked up to the main hall, and bowed.

"Your subject Liu Bei pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Emperor Ling of Han glanced at Liu Bei and said weakly:

"Liu Bei, you are a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan. You quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Youzhou and Jizhou, led your army to recapture Quyang, and defeated Zhang Bao. Your merits are outstanding. I hereby appoint you as General of the Southern Army, Marquis of Duting, and grant you a fief of five hundred households."

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

Liu Bei kowtowed again, shocked to find that he was now close to his teacher's official rank!

Immediately afterwards, Emperor Ling of Han issued another decree:

"Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were appointed as Colonels of the Vanquishing Army and granted the title of Marquis within the Passes."

Li Chang was appointed Military Commander and granted the title of Marquis of Guannei.

Zhao Yun was appointed as a military commander.

Feng Jianyong and Xiahou Lan were appointed as military officers.

This award shocked everyone present!

Not only did the emperor read it aloud himself, but he also invited Liu Bei's subordinates to be rewarded as well!

That's outrageous! It's completely unlike an emperor's character!

Some people even exchanged glances, wondering if Liu Bei had bribed the emperor, and how much he had bribed to receive such preferential treatment!

After exchanging glances several times, they also caught a glimpse out of the corner of their eyes that Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong seemed to be smiling!

To be honest, Liu Bei, you look so handsome and you even helped us save Lu Zhi before, but it turns out you're actually a member of the eunuch faction!

Bah! We are ashamed to be associated with you!

Some people have started to quietly distance themselves from each other!

However, Liu Bei and his companions were completely unaware of this and were still immersed in their joy.

At Lu Zhi's prompting, everyone expressed their gratitude.

However, even after the bestowal of titles and rewards was completed, Emperor Ling of Han did not mention once that Liu Bei would be given a specific local official position.

After the court session, everyone left the palace gates and went to the temporary military camp outside the city.

Eight thousand elite troops were already lined up in the military camp outside the city, waiting. Upon hearing that their lord and the generals were being granted titles, they all raised their arms and shouted in unison:

"Congratulations, my lord! Congratulations, all generals!"

The sound was deafening, drawing the attention of passersby.

Zhang Fei touched the captain's seal at his waist, grinning from ear to ear: "Haha! I, Old Zhang, have become a captain too! And a Marquis within the Pass!"

Guan Yu stroked his long beard, his phoenix eyes narrowing, equally pleased.

Even though Zhang Fei seemed so happy, he still had to maintain his second brother's composure!

Zhao Yun gripped his bright silver spear tightly, his eyes growing increasingly determined. He finally had a stage to realize his ambitions!

Xiahou Lan and Jian Yong exchanged a glance, both of them filled with excitement. They had never imagined that one day they would be able to enter the palace and meet the emperor!

Looking at the cheering soldiers before him, Liu Bei recalled the days when he wove mats and sold shoes in Zhuo County, and his eyes reddened slightly.

But then, his brows furrowed again:

"It's strange. His Majesty only granted us military ranks and titles, but didn't mention any local official positions. We've been asking for the position of prefect of a certain prefecture in Bingzhou, but we haven't heard anything about it."

The joy on everyone's faces gradually faded, and they all looked puzzled.

"Could it be that His Majesty forgot?" Zhang Fei asked, scratching his head.

"Impossible." Li Chang shook his head, his expression solemn. "The ceremony of bestowing titles and rewards is of utmost importance; there will be no omissions."

His Majesty is deliberately withholding substantive positions from us.

Oh no, something terrible has happened!

"Why is that?" Liu Bei asked, puzzled. "We have rendered meritorious service in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and we are also members of the Han imperial family. Why won't His Majesty grant us local official positions?"

"Only Lord Lu can probably give us the answer to this matter," Li Changdao said. "Lord Lu has served in the court for many years and should understand His Majesty's thoughts best."

He guessed that it was because he hadn't paid, and hadn't gone to Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong's residence in Luoyang in front of everyone.

It was one thing if no one knew about it in Youzhou, but if they continue doing this here, they don't need to consider the future. Even if Emperor Ling of Han doesn't die, they might all be gone!

Unless there's a chance to give it to them secretly! They desperately need both fame and a real official position!

The group immediately rushed to Lu Zhi's residence.

After listening to Liu Bei's question, Lu Zhi thought for a moment and explained:

"In my opinion, His Majesty doesn't not want to make arrangements for you, but rather he doesn't know where to place you."

"Oh?" Liu Bei was taken aback.

"Think about it," Lu Zhi said slowly.

He's thought things through these past few days, mainly because he's heard a lot of rumors, and he's decided to teach Liu Bei a lesson!

"You are a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a member of the Han imperial family, and you have made outstanding contributions in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion. You also have eight thousand elite troops under your command."

If you were placed in the prosperous Central Plains, powerful families would be wary of you; if you were placed in a remote southern region, it would be a waste of your achievements.

"More importantly," Lu Zhi paused, lowering his voice, "the court is now divided into three factions: eunuchs, imperial relatives, and powerful families, who are fighting to the death."

His Majesty trusts no one; he wants to cultivate his own power base. And you, with no noble family background and utterly loyal to the court, are exactly the kind of person His Majesty desires.

"His Majesty wants to keep you in Luoyang to counterbalance the powerful families and relatives of the empress. That's why he hasn't assigned you a local official position yet."

"Moreover, in order to save me, you got too close to some of our people and powerful families! His Majesty is beginning to feel betrayed!"

That's why people are spreading rumors today that you're a member of the eunuch faction!

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's heart sank.

So that's how it is! He thought it was his fourth brother who had been exposed!

Since nothing has been exposed, that's good, that's good!

However, the brothers had agreed that they had no intention of staying in Luoyang.

This murky water is too deep; if you stay here, you'll drown sooner or later.

But now, it seems they have no choice!

Li Chang also frowned.

Just as he expected.

Although Liu Hong may seem incompetent, he is not stupid.

He had long recognized the threat posed by the powerful clans and wanted to support commoners and members of the imperial family to counter them. Liu Bei was the pawn he had chosen.

Should we really venture into the stagnant waters of Luoyang? Are we going to replace Dong Zhuo? But Liu Bei can't be Dong Zhuo!

Li Changxin hardened his heart. Should he try to find a way to send Liu Hong away ahead of time?

……

Meanwhile, inside the Jiade Hall of the Luoyang Imperial Palace.

Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, leaned back on his dragon bed, playing with the concubine beside him with one hand.

The beauty blushed and couldn't help but moan softly.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong stood respectfully below.

Liu Hong suddenly asked, "What's the situation with the rumors?"

Zhang Rang replied, "Scholars and some aristocratic families have already begun to doubt the General of the Southern Army!"

"Hmm." Liu Hong nodded, then asked:

"What do you think of Liu Bei as a person?"