Volume 1: I Want to Be an Emperor Chapter 85: Another Dragon Qi

  As Li Jue was dragged out with a stunned expression, the people in the tent finally came to their senses. Taifu Yang Bi turned around and spoke up, "Your Majesty, since Li Jue has already surrendered, why not spare his life? Perhaps this can persuade Guo Si to surrender voluntarily." As for the issue of executing his entire clan, it could be set aside for now; even if Emperor Xian wanted to kill off Li Jue's whole family, it would have to wait until after the war was over.

  As for Yang Biao's thoughts, it can't be said to be wrong. If Li Jue were killed at this time, Guo Si would inevitably have the idea that surrendering would also lead to death, so it's better to fight to the death! This doesn't seem like a good choice for the imperial court.

  Yang Biao thought that even if he wanted to kill, he should wait until Guo Si's troops were also settled before making a move. For now, it was entirely possible to calm things down first. If Li Jue's crimes were pardoned, the surrendered soldiers could be stabilized more quickly.

  Li Jue's army had tens of thousands of soldiers, and these soldiers were also very concerned about how the imperial court would deal with them. If the imperial court spared Li Jue's life, these soldiers would be reassured that they would not be punished; but the emperor had Li Jue beheaded without hesitation, and it was inevitable that these soldiers would wonder: 'The Son of Heaven is enraged, can we still survive?'

  If it is to be exploited by those with ulterior motives and stirred up again, it will inevitably lead to some twists and turns, which would be extremely unfavorable for the imperial court's military. Therefore, Yang Biao felt that killing Li Jue was not an urgent matter at all, and could be delayed until the northwest region was completely under control before deciding how to deal with him.

  Liu Xuan turned his head and took a look, Yang Biao's words were indeed for the sake of the imperial court, so Liu Xuan didn't put on any airs and explained in a polite tone: "Today's great chaos has caused the imperial court to lose all its prestige, if we don't take severe measures, I'm afraid the vassals will look down on us, and when the imperial edict is issued, it's likely that..."

  "Now, executing Li Jue's nine clans is to let the world know that the Han court has not yet thoroughly declined and still has the power to maintain its authority. If anyone wants to challenge it, they should carefully weigh their options."

  Yang Biao understood the emperor's intention as soon as he heard it, and immediately called out to inform all the vassals who controlled their own troops throughout the country through Li Jue's affair: although the court is weak, if you really go too far, the court can also dispatch a large army to conquer, and then it will not be certain.

  However, Yang Biao did not think that those vassals would therefore restore their allegiance to the imperial court. He had already seen through the current situation: the imperial court was holding onto Yong and Liang, while the vassals in Guandong were governing themselves, and Yi Province and Jing Province were also doing their own thing. The imperial court's edicts had little effect when they reached the local areas.

  This situation is similar to that of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, where the world has already formed a de facto division of warlords, and the imperial court wants to restore its rule over the world...

  "Is the world really going to be in chaos?"

  Yang Biao did not want this to happen, because once the chaos erupts, it is uncertain whether the Han Dynasty can continue. Just like the Zhou Dynasty, didn't it completely perish in the end? Perhaps the current court is luckier than the Zhou Dynasty, with Liu Xuan, the young emperor, having some ability, and the court also has its own power, if it develops steadily, it can rely on military force to recover the world.

  He turned his head and glanced at Liu Xuan, this young emperor seemed to have expected all of this. He had voluntarily abandoned Luoyang, led the civil and military officials to flee to Chang'an, blocked Tongguan to watch Dong Zhuo and the Guandong heroes fight, while sending people to appease Li Jue and Guo Si, and took the opportunity to develop his military equipment.

  Wait until the time is ripe, and immediately eliminate Li Jue, re-control the northwest. If you give the emperor a few more decades, it's not guaranteed that the Han dynasty can really recover its rule.

  "It's just a pity I won't be able to see that day."

  What's more important, Yang Biao saw that the emperor was not willing to be manipulated by others, but wanted to rely on himself to restore the country, rather than relying on powerful ministers to accomplish everything.

  So if you want to work under this emperor, you have to put away your ambitions and not cross that bottom line.

  Yang Biao had been an official for a long time, and whenever he looked at the Son of Heaven, he couldn't help but think of him as a young child. Unconsciously, he would speak to him in a superior tone, which was difficult to change even after a while. Although he had the protection of being a Taishi, it was not a long-term solution. Now that the Son of Heaven did not move against him, who could guarantee that when the Son of Heaven's power grew greater in the future, he would still tolerate Yang Biao?

  "Perhaps it's better to resign and retire this time when I go back."

  He had originally wanted to communicate with Wang Yun, but remembering that the old man's desire for power was quite heavy, his good intentions might be misunderstood, so it's better not to say anything. In any case, if Wang Yun really fell out with the Emperor in the future, he would rather lose face and beg the Emperor to spare Wang Yun's life.

  He was lost in thought for a while and didn't even hear Liu Xuan's subsequent arrangements, until Xun Yu poked him secretly from the side that he came back to his senses.

  As soon as he turned his head, the Emperor smiled and asked himself: "Hou Cheng has already sent a letter, and together with Yang Ding, they have controlled the remaining Li Jue soldiers. The general wants to take over, can the Grand Marshal go in person?"

  This is a gift, Liu Xuan told him about this matter, and it's also giving the Taishi a bit of face. However, Yang Biao had thought for a moment earlier and already understood - he was already the Taishi, and with the emperor wanting to reform, occupying this position would inevitably annoy the emperor. If he gained even more merit, it would probably be even more annoying.

  Yang Biao hardly hesitated and directly said: "I, your minister, am indeed a bit old in years. Recently, after rushing about for some days, I feel that my body is not suitable, so please have Your Majesty send someone else to go instead."

  Everyone heard this and turned their heads to look at him, puzzled as to why Yang Taizhen was pushing away the credit that had been handed to him on a silver platter. Even Liu Xuan was taken aback for a moment, but after looking at Yang Biao, he found that he was calm and collected, seemingly having come to some realization, and probably had his own speculations in mind, so he didn't dwell on the matter any further. He turned to Liu Bei and said: "In that case, Yunchang will make this trip, and together with Hou Cheng, they will take over those surrendered soldiers."

  The commander sent a team to select the surrendered soldiers, among whom there were many choices, and even at some times, it was a benefit for the commander to let his subordinates choose their preferred troops.

  Liu Xuan surprisingly let Guan Yu go, which was equivalent to actively giving benefits to Guan Yu. Not only was Guan Yu himself surprised, but even Liu Bei was a bit surprised.

  "Is Your Majesty going to reuse my brother?"

  He was thinking, when Liu Xuan made another arrangement, leaving Guan Yu, Xiahou Dun, Cao Xing and Gao Shun with Hou Cheng and Yang Ding to reorganize the surrendered soldiers on the spot, selecting those who met the standard of the Imperial Guard to form a separate army, while the rest formed another army, which would be arranged after the war.

  Besides, the merits of all in yesterday's battle have been recorded one by one. After returning to the capital, they will be rewarded accordingly. Liu Xuan was very straightforward and directly promised them the title of general to stimulate this group of people.

  Just as he finished speaking, he suddenly turned to Liu Bei and said: "Uncle Emperor fought hard all night yesterday, now it's time for him to rest?"

  Although Liu Bei did not know why the Emperor asked this, he could not say that he wanted to rest. He could only say: "This is a matter within my duty, it's not tiring to talk about, Your Majesty, do you have any instructions?"

  Liu Xuan waved his hand, indicating that everyone should disperse and attend to their own matters. Then he said to Liu Bei: "Since the imperial uncle is not yet willing to rest, let's take a walk around first. I can also chat with the imperial uncle and get closer to him."

  The emperor wants to get close to the imperial uncle, which is not a rare thing after all. As members of the royal family, it's inevitable that they would have some private matters to discuss. Seeing the emperor speak like this, no one dared to interrupt and immediately bowed their heads to take their leave, retreating as far as possible - those imperial secrets are not to be trifled with, and listening in is a crime, so it's better not to listen at all.

  Liu Xuan and Liu Bei came out of the big tent one after another, at this time everyone had already hidden far away, doing their own things, Zhang Liao was guarding not far away, but also kept a distance, so as not to hear anything.

  Liu Bei did not know what the emperor wanted to say to him, but seeing this situation, he became a bit tense. Liu Xuan turned his head and found that there was a faint sweat on Liu Bei's forehead, and he didn't know if it was because of last night's fatigue or something else.

  With a wave of his hand to Cao Jie, the little eunuch took out a clean silk handkerchief and handed it to Liu Bei. Liu Bei thanked him first, then gently wiped away the sweat, but the sweat continued to flow out, and soon his face was like a small waterfall.

  Liu Xuan pretended not to see, and continued to walk with Liu Bei around the camp, inspecting each place before returning to his own large tent. He then said to Liu Bei: "There is something on your body that I want."

  Hearing Liu Xuan use the imperial self-reference, Liu Bei's slightly relaxed heart was raised again: "I don't know what Your Majesty is referring to."

  Liu Xuan did not say anything explicitly, but continued: "This thing is of no great use to the Emperor, but for me... for this Han dynasty's rivers and mountains, it is extremely important. I won't hide it from the Emperor, if this thing remains with the Emperor, I will be unable to eat or sleep..."

  Liu Bei's whole body was dizzy with one sentence, and he secretly thought: "Is the emperor going to take my life?" But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't figure it out, because he hadn't done anything that would make the emperor pay attention to him. Was it possible that the Son of Heaven couldn't tolerate any outstanding individuals among the Han royal relatives, fearing they would threaten his position? But if so, why did he let Liu Bei acknowledge his ancestors and return to his roots?

  Overwhelmed with anxiety, this fear had somewhat dissipated. Just then, Liu Xuan said: "Your Majesty need not worry, after I take this thing, it will not harm your life, but only make you weak for a while, just like being seriously ill."

  As soon as this was said, Liu Bei became even more confused and suspected that the Emperor had been possessed by an evil spirit today. How could he say such nonsense that no one could understand?

  He waited until the emperor remembered some mysterious skills, and then he thought of some supernatural legends. So even if Liu Xuan said it wouldn't hurt his life, Liu Bei still became worried.

  It's just that at present, there is no other choice, Liu Xuan has already made it clear: If this thing is not taken away, the emperor will have trouble sleeping and eating!

  As a subject, he makes the emperor unable to rest or eat well. Does he still want to have good days? So no matter how you look at it, this thing that even he himself doesn't know what it is, he really must hand it over.

  "Your Majesty has only to command, I will not disobey! Since the humble subject here has what Your Majesty needs, you can just take it and go."

  Just as he finished speaking, Liu Xuan leaned forward, one hand on his shoulder, and smiled: "This is the best, Uncle Emperor can rest assured, I will take this thing and must have something to repay." As soon as he finished speaking, his palm lightly lifted, and Liu Bei saw that with the emperor's palm raised, there was a golden object twisting between his palm and his shoulder. At a glance, it was a golden dragon body.

  Maybe because I'm writing towards the end of the first volume, I've been writing very slowly lately. However, I will try my best to pay back the debt as soon as possible and strive to finish it before the end of this month.