Chapter 31: Emperor Xian of Han's Departure

  Outside the city of Luoyang in the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Xian of Han was already exhausted and unable to walk any further. At this time, Emperor Xian's face was covered with mud, two small eunuchs were supporting him, while civil and military officials followed beside him.

  Emperor Xian of Han looked at himself, thin as a stick, had not eaten for several days. Sometimes officials gave him some game to fill his stomach, but it was just a drop in the bucket. He had become emperor, yet his life was not even comparable to that of the King of Chenliu!

  A small eunuch stumbled over and ran up, bowing his hands and saying: "Your Majesty, two more officials have starved to death!"

  Emperor Xian of Han heard this and stumbled, fainting and falling over.

  "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, wake up quickly, wake up quickly, someone come! Your Majesty is no more!"

  "Hurry up and give His Majesty some water, be careful!"

  Under the command of an old eunuch, Emperor Xian of Han took a sip of water and slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the sky above, with a lifeless look in his eyes. Is this my life as Liu Xie? My father emperor left me, my mother empress also left me. Originally carefree Prince of Chenliu, now reduced to a fallen Emperor of Great Han?

  The old eunuch saw the spiritless Emperor Xian of Han and hastily shook Liu Xie, saying: "Your Majesty? Your Majesty? What's wrong with you?"

  Emperor Xian of Han was pulled back from his reverie by the eunuchs, Emperor Xian looked at the eunuchs and officials around him, and a group of civil and military officials, his heart shook, no, I Liu Xie still have these loyal ministers to the great Han, just in Luoyang and Chang'an, there are so many ministers following me, the great Han still has hope, I must revive the great Han again, and restore the prestige of Guangwu!

  Emperor Xian smiled and said: "I'm fine, let's go. The large army of Guo Si and Li Jue may have arrived soon. Yang Feng won't be able to hold on for much longer!"

  The old eunuch nodded and ordered the little eunuchs to support Liu Xie on both sides, continuing to head east.

  In Hebei's Yuan Shao's headquarters, the imperial envoy was having an audience with Yuan Shao. The imperial envoy said: "General Yuan, His Majesty is in a precarious situation, please dispatch troops to rescue the emperor!"

  Yuan Shao looked at the imperial envoy and said, "Your Majesty? Who is Your Majesty? I only know that the previous emperor passed on the throne to Emperor Liu Bian, I don't know if the 'Your Majesty' you mentioned is referring to Emperor Liu Bian?"

  The imperial envoy heard this and said, "What about the young emperor?" He was killed by Dong Zhuo long ago. The current one is Liu Xie! The envoy bowed his hands and said: "The former emperor was harmed by Dong Ze, and today's emperor is the younger brother of the former emperor, it is reasonable to inherit the throne, please ask General Yuan to send troops to save the emperor!"

  Yuan Shao stroked the tiger tally in his hand and said, "This tiger tally was bestowed upon our family by Emperor Ling of Han. At that time, Emperor Ling had personally stated that he would pass on the throne to Emperor Shao. According to the ancestral laws of our clan, it should be the son of Emperor Shao who succeeds him. Unfortunately, Emperor Shao has no heir. My family is loyal to the great Han dynasty, but we will not be loyal to a person set up by a usurper!"

  The imperial envoy pointed at Yuan Benchu and rebuked him: "Yuan Benchu, how dare you rebel? Do you not obey the emperor's orders?"

  Yuan Shao bowed in the direction of Luoyang and said, "Ben Chou is loyal to the great Han, but with the current emperor's name not being correct and his words not being in order, how can he make the world believe?"

  The imperial envoy looked at Yuan Shao with indignation and said, "Since that's the case, Lord Yuan, I bid you farewell!" With a flick of his sleeve, he left the Yuan manor.

  Soon, Tian Feng walked out and said: "Your Majesty? Isn't this a bit...? Is Your Majesty still...?"

  Yuan Shao stopped Tian Feng and said: "Yuan Hua, you are my military strategist, your responsibility is to make plans for me, as for the affairs of the Emperor, it's better not to interfere!"

  Tian Feng nodded and said: "Yes sir, Your Excellency!"

  In the Chenliu governor's mansion, the lights were shining brightly. Cao was discussing with his officials whether to pay respects and welcome Emperor Xian of Han. The imperial envoy was waiting at the relay station for a response, which would be given tomorrow.

  Lü Rui was sitting beside Cao at this time, still thinking about Jia Xu's affairs in his heart. What did Jia Wen and want to do? How could he himself be targeted? What was the intention of Jia Xu appearing in Chenliu? Without figuring it out, there would always be a thorn in his heart!

  Cao wore a long gown, sat in the main seat, relatively casual. Cao looked at everyone and asked: "Now that His Majesty is in trouble, the imperial edict has arrived here, asking me to lead troops to rescue the emperor, what do you all think?"

  Lü Bu heard Cao Cao's words and snickered, ignoring Jia Xu. He looked at Cao Cao to see how he would decide on welcoming Emperor Xian of Han.

  Xun Yu stepped forward, clasped his hands and said: "Your Excellency, the Emperor is the great Han Son of Heaven, the bloodline of the previous emperor. If Your Excellency follows the edict to diligently protect the kingdom, then you will be a meritorious subject of the great Han, gathering the hearts of all under heaven, awaiting your command!"

  Lv Rui looked at Xun Yu and said, "As expected, you were the first one to run out!"

  Xun Yu continued Xun You's words, saying: "My lord, although the Emperor is the Son of Heaven of Great Han, but there is a bit of illegitimacy, will it have an impact on our army?"

  Xun Yu and Xun You are on good terms? This is something that never happened in history. In history, Xun You only joined Cao Cao after Emperor Xian returned to Xu, and was recommended by Xun Yu. I guess it's the butterfly effect of the protagonist, Xun You joined Cao Cao ahead of time. The uncle and nephew are getting along? How interesting!

  Cao thought Xun Yu's suggestion was good and assumed everyone would agree, but as soon as Xun You spoke out, there were differing opinions. Cao stroked his beard and said: "Gongda, our army is acting in accordance with the great righteousness of the imperial court, what is wrong with that?"

  "Your Majesty, the great righteousness of the world lies in the imperial court, the great righteousness of the imperial court lies in the officials, and the righteousness of the officials lies in the people. Is Your Majesty really the master of the people? Where does your name come from? How did you obtain the emperor's position?"

  Lü Rui couldn't help but admire, no wonder Cao Pi respected Xun Yu so much in history, personally feeding him medicine, and after Xun Yu's death, he cried uncontrollably. The wisdom of Master Xun is boundless, one word can awaken a sleeping person! Welcoming Emperor Xian of Han has its consequences.

  Guo Jia was skilled in military strategy, but after listening to Xun Yu's words, he suddenly understood and nodded his head, saying: "My lord, Gong Da's words make sense. Emperor Shao is the son of Emperor Ling, and it is reasonable for him to inherit the throne. However, Your Majesty is the brother of Emperor Shao and was also appointed by Dong Zhuo. I fear that there will be many complaints throughout the land. Moreover, how can Your Majesty ascend to the throne?"

  Lv Rui said: "People eat people, dogs eat people!" This is indeed the true portrayal of the great Han Dynasty. Dong Zhuo's chaotic governance was more severe than the Yellow Turban Rebellion. The Central Plains had already become a place where people ate each other, and some civilians starved to death, only to become food for wild dogs. Emperor Xian of Han? He has no achievements at all, far inferior to Emperor Ling of Han!

  Cao fell into deep thought at this time. Xun Yu was right, Cao looked at Cheng Yu and said: "What does Zhongde think?"

  Cheng Yu bowed his head and said, "Please make a clear decision, my lord. If we are to welcome Your Majesty with respect, how should you, as the chief minister assisting the emperor, conduct yourself? What about the examples of Huo Guang and Wang Mang?"

  Cao was stunned, everyone was stunned, this is the aftermath. Emperor Xian of Han's name is not correct and his words are not smooth, he is the emperor established by Dong Zhuo. Generally, when the previous emperor has no son, the Grand General selects a person from the imperial family to be the new emperor, there is no problem with that. But who is Dong Zhuo? He killed Emperor Shao of Han and established Emperor Xian of Han, worse than Huo Guang? Dong Zhuo was far inferior to Wang Mang. Wang Mang did not dare to kill the emperor, but Dong Zhuo dared to do so. An emperor established by such a person would be trusted by the world? Emperor Xian's succession also did not bring peace to the world, but disaster!

  Welcomed Emperor Xian, the relationship between Cao and Emperor Xian is also a problem. Should he be like Huo Guang? If Emperor Xian were as wise as Emperor Wu of Han, old Cao would be finished, and the entire Cao family would be in trouble. But if Emperor Xian was not capable, Cao's position would be very awkward. Should he be like Wang Mang? Cao thought that he did not have enough power to do so yet, it's difficult, really very difficult!

  Cao picked up the dried meat on the table, chewed for a moment, thought for a while, and slowly said: "My relationship with His Majesty is not what we should discuss today. Gentlemen, let's discuss whether we should pay respects to His Majesty today. If we do, how should we treat him? What would be most beneficial to our army?"

  Everyone heard Cao's words and began to discuss, whispering among themselves. Lü Rui saw this and became annoyed, really annoyed. Lü Rui blinked his eyes and said: "Uncle Zhong, isn't this an easy problem to solve?"

  Everyone was stunned. Lü Rui said it's easy to solve? Cao smiled and said, "Rui'er, do you have a good solution?"

  Lü Rui nodded and said, "Father Zhong recently told me to read more history books. I think Your Majesty represents the court and should be welcomed. If Your Majesty doesn't listen, then let's make you listen!"

  Speechless, everyone is speechless. Is this a solution, Lü Rui? Cao was stunned for a moment, patted Lü Rui's head and said: "So, Rui'er, what method do you have to make the Emperor listen?"

  Lü Yi looked at Cao and said: "Using the Son of Heaven to order the vassals!"

  Guo Jia heard that the gourd had fallen to the ground, Cheng Yu was stunned, Xun You was thinking deeply, and Xun Yu quickly stood up and said: "Your Excellency's words are not suitable, holding the emperor hostage is not what our army does? Your Excellency is young and doesn't know the depth, please think thrice, my lord!"

  Cao was stunned, Rui's words were too clever! However, it seemed indeed not suitable.

  "My lord, the words of the Marquis are improper, our army should obey the Emperor's orders and not be swayed by personal opinions!"

  Grandma's, ghost! When did Old Cao have an extra person by his side? He doesn't even know himself? Who is this person? It's that mysterious military advisor again!

  Cao listened and a smile appeared on his face, saying: "This statement is reasonable! What do you all think?"

  Xun Yu immediately stood up and said: "My lord is wise! I concur!"

  Guo Jia, Xun Yu, and Cheng Yu thought for a moment and also agreed with Cao. However, when the three of them looked at Cao's side again, the person was gone? Was it a ghost or god? Guo Jia thought to himself: No, could I have been mistaken?

  Lü Rui was covered in cold sweat, Nai Nai's, what a monster, what kind of military strategist is this, little beast, how could you not have recorded it, this is a demon, coming and going without a trace?

  Cao nodded and said: "Tomorrow, we will send troops to welcome Your Majesty!"

  At night, in Cao's room, Cao looked at the shadows beside him and said: "Which do you think is better, to control the Emperor and thereby control the vassals, or to serve the Emperor and thereby not be controlled by his ministers?"

  "My lord, by following the Heaven's will and issuing orders, you will inevitably win over the hearts of all under heaven. If not, it will become a case of holding the Heaven's Son hostage to order the vassals, and the world will turn against you!"

  Cao just smiled and remained silent. The next day, Cao led the army to Luoyang to support the emperor! (Many readers say that the mysterious strategist is Zhiyi Cai, but they only got one-third of it right. The mysterious strategist is not a single person, keep guessing!)