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

The day after the new official system was agreed upon, an imperial edict was officially issued in the front hall of the Southern Palace in Luoyang, appointing officials and clarifying ranks and titles.

The civil and military officials stood in their ranks in the hall, listening to the imperial edict being read aloud, each with a solemn expression.

"Li Chang was appointed as the Grand Secretary, in charge of advisory affairs and overseeing the new policies!"

Jia Xu was the chief strategist of the military government, and Xi Zhicai was the deputy chief strategist, both in charge of military deployment and strategic planning.

Cheng Yu served as the Second Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and concurrently as the Minister of War, in charge of the selection of military officers and the training of troops!

Sima Fang was appointed Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, in charge of all general affairs of the Ministry of Personnel and overseeing the execution of the six ministries!

Yang Biao was appointed Minister of Revenue, while concurrently serving as Governor of Jizhou and Qingzhou, in charge of household registration, land ownership, and post-disaster reconstruction in the two prefectures!

Xun Chen was appointed Minister of Rites, in charge of rites and sacrifices, the imperial examinations, and foreign relations; Xiahou Lan was appointed Minister of Justice, in charge of criminal law and judicial decrees, and the review of official documents!

Li Chang concurrently served as Minister of Personnel and Minister of Works, in charge of the selection and appointment of civil officials and the construction of water conservancy projects!

The Secretariat and the Chancellery will temporarily employ basic clerks such as Principals and Clerks, with the positions of principal officials to be filled through future recommendation and appointment.

In addition to the heads of each department, there were also deputy heads of each department and officials at all levels, most of whom were selected and appointed from among those who had passed the imperial examinations or from prominent families.

For a time, official factions emerged, not only based on region and rank, but also on the imperial examination system and the old recommendation system!

The previous system could maintain harmony, but the imperial examination system and the recommendation system were like oil and water!

After the imperial edict was read out, all the officials bowed and accepted the order.

This team, with its mix of old, middle-aged, and young members, including those from humble backgrounds and those from established families, with both military and political positions clearly defined, was impeccable in its composition.

This was immediately followed by the bestowal of titles and rewards upon military officers.

Generals such as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Lü Bu, Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, Gao Shun, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, and Zhang He were also promoted, ennobled, and granted fiefs.

For a time, cries of gratitude rose and fell throughout the hall.

Everyone knew this was just the beginning. After the world was pacified, even higher titles awaited them!

The soldiers yearn for glory!

Several months passed in the blink of an eye.

The post-disaster resettlement in Jizhou and Qingzhou gradually got on track, and Yang Biao, along with the prominent families and officials from Guanzhong, harmoniously identified each family's tax-paying land.

Yang Biao was very satisfied, and while the two powerful families were satisfied, some were also a little uneasy!

The new official system was gradually implemented in the six prefectures, and the grand ceremony for his ascension to the title of Prince of Jin was put on the agenda.

On this day, at the site of the ascension ceremony in Luoyang, the ceremonial guards were in full swing, and bells and drums resounded.

Liu Bei, dressed in a black imperial robe, walked step by step up the high platform.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Li Chang, carrying the crown, robes, and jade tablet, stepped forward to help Liu Bei put them on.

The three of them personally added another layer of clothing for Liu Bei!

Adorned in imperial robes and crowned with pearls, Liu Bei stood facing south, receiving the congratulations of his officials.

The attendant loudly proclaimed: "Liu Bei, the Duke of Jin, has quelled rebellions and brought peace to the country, his achievements surpassing all others. He is now promoted to King of Jin, regent of the realm, and commander-in-chief of all military affairs, both within and outside the capital."

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects to the Prince of Jin!!!"

"May the Han Dynasty live ten thousand years!!"

All the officials bowed in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

People in the distance also knelt down in worship, and their shouts echoed throughout Luoyang.

After the grand ceremony, prominent families from all over the country sent representatives to the capital, presenting their visiting cards and requesting marriage alliances.

The Yuan family, the Yang family, the Xun family, and so on, various prominent families, as well as some poor families and small households.

They all wanted to marry their daughters into the Prince of Jin's mansion or to important officials, thus currying favor with the powerful and influential of the new dynasty.

Liu Bei politely declined all offers, simply stating, "The world is not yet at peace, how can I think of a home?" This effectively thwarted all thoughts of marriage alliances.

The crowd had no choice but to give up, but their respect for him only grew stronger!

The Prince of Jin was not one to be obsessed with beautiful women. He had worked so hard for so many years, why didn't he enjoy himself?

Perhaps this world can truly be at peace!

The four brothers' offspring have long since flourished.

Liu Bei had two daughters and one son. His eldest son, Liu Feng, grew up to be handsome and had already inherited his father's good looks.

The Li family was even more lively. After his wife, Princess Wannian, gave birth to their eldest son, Li Ji, she also had a younger son. His two concubines had given birth to three daughters in total. In total, he had three daughters and two sons, surrounded by his children!

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also had sons, and their sons were all of age to travel around, going to the Jixia Martial Arts Academy every day.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were very pleased; their sons both loved learning so much! Such a young age, yet they loved reading so much!

There was also good news in Zhao Yun's household: his wife gave birth to a big, healthy son, whom they named Zhao Guang.

The Qiang woman who followed him to Han territory successfully became a Han citizen after she was accepted into Han nationality.

She also gave birth to a daughter for Zhao Yun, who was exquisitely beautiful. When Li Chang learned of this, he personally named her Zhao Xiang!

All the brothers were having a great time!

Lu Bu was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred!

That evening, just as darkness was falling.

A gentle knock came at the gate of Hua Tuo's house, and Lü Bu easily evaded the servants and disciples inside.

Upon opening the door, one sees Lü Bu dressed in plain clothes, standing at the entrance with his hands behind his back, looking around like a thief.

"General Lü?" Hua Tuo was taken aback, almost thinking it was a thief!

They were all ready to pounce and kill this thief when they discovered it was Lü Bu!

That's all right now!

"General, what's wrong...?"

"Mr. Hua, keep your voice down." Lu Bu quickly lowered his voice, squeezed through the door, and closed it behind him.

"Um... I need to talk to you about something."

The usually imposing Flying General was now fidgeting, his ears were even a little red, and his eyes were darting around, but he just wouldn't speak directly.

Hua Tuo led him into the inner room, dismissed the attendants, and said with a smile:

"General, please speak freely."

Lu Bu cleared his throat, unsure whether to sit or stand, and after a long pause, finally managed to stammer:

"Look... Prince Jin, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun all have many children. Even the Grand Commander has the most children!"

It's...that...a large and prosperous family, which is great, very good.

That's Brother Hansheng. I heard he's still very healthy and has a daughter. He's really well-preserved!

But, well... well, you know...

His voice grew softer and softer as he spoke, until it was almost inaudible.

Hua Tuo was such a shrewd person; he understood it at a glance.

So this mighty general, the most powerful warrior in the land, sneaked over late at night to ask about having offspring.

He didn't elaborate, but simply nodded: "General, are you asking about the difficulty in having children?"

"Hey! It's not that it's difficult!" Lu Bu immediately retorted, "It's just... it's just that there's been no movement at all!"

"He was perfectly healthy, he was fearless in battle, how could he...?"

As he spoke, he became somewhat anxious, "Mr. Hua, could you take a look and tell me what's wrong?"

Let me make this clear from the start: if anyone says I'm not in good health, I won't stand for it!

Hua Tuo suppressed a laugh and extended his hand, saying, "General, please extend your hand; I will know immediately upon taking your pulse."

Lu Bu quickly offered his hand, looking nervous but trying to appear calm.

Hua Tuo placed three fingers on his wrist, pondered for a moment, then withdrew his hand and nodded:

"The general is in good health, full of energy, and exceptionally brave; there is absolutely no problem with him."

The matter of having offspring is not the general's fault.

"I knew it!"

Lu Bu slammed his hand on the table with a "smack," cracking the fine wooden table.

He suddenly stood up, a smug look on his face, mixed with a sense of relief:

"I knew it! I'm a veteran of countless battles, I have no flaws whatsoever, how could it be my problem!"

After basking in his pride, he scratched his head again, "So... what's the problem?"

Hua Tuo also breathed a sigh of relief!

He is physically strong and usually not afraid of medical disputes, but this is not an ordinary case!

"General, please bring your wife over tomorrow, and I will know the answer after a single examination," Hua Tuo said, stroking his beard.

"Alright!" Lu Bu patted his chest. "I'll bring her tomorrow! In broad daylight!"

Mr. Hua, please take a good look at this. If you do a good job, I will reward you handsomely!

As soon as he finished speaking, he didn't linger. Just like when he came, he hurriedly opened the door, looked around to make sure no one was there, and left in a flash.

Hua Tuo stood in the courtyard, watching his retreating figure, and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.

This Flying General, who kills without blinking an eye on the battlefield, actually has a childlike side in private.

Fortunately, Lü Bu was actually in good health; otherwise, he might have been in serious trouble today!