Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Very well.” Chen Xi did not say much and directly accepted Liu Bei’s goodwill. Moreover, if Chen Xi’s estimations were accurate, there was turmoil brewing in Guanzhong!

”Li Fan, do you have any other matters to report?” Jia Xu, upon seeing Chen Xi had completed his adjustments and understanding that Chen Xi already knew about the events in Guanzhong, steered the topic back to Liu Fan.

”Master Jia, my family head instructed me to relay that there is indeed turmoil in Guanzhong. The mission to support the Emperor has failed. Our army and Cao’s forces simultaneously welcomed His Majesty, yet His Majesty does not wish to go to Mount Tai. Thus, Cao Cao proposed staying put and guarding Chang’an.” Li Fan answered stiffly.

As Chen Xi had predicted, although Liu Ye and others managed to rescue Liu Xie earlier, and Liu Ye enjoyed the advantages of being an imperial clan member while Hua Xiong had the merit of seeking audiences again, they could not withstand the greed and ambition of various court officials.

The Yang family, seeking to overturn the tables, absolutely could not let Liu Xie go to Mount Tai. Dong Cheng, desiring absolute control, also could not allow it, because Liu Bei’s influence was too strong, his reputation widespread, and his abilities remarkably great.

Under such circumstances, Yang Biao, Dong Cheng, and others discreetly guided Liu Xie against traveling to Mount Tai. As for directly tarnishing Liu Xie’s reputation, even someone as reckless as Dong Cheng dared not resort to such measures at this point.

Through their manipulation, and Liu Xie’s reluctance to swallow his pride after refusing Hua Xiong’s proposal earlier, combined with internal guidance from Yang Biao, Dong Cheng, and others, and constant petitions from Cao Cao outside, alongside Zhong Yao’s nonsensical ramblings, Liu Xie ultimately decided not to relocate.

Liu Xie resolved to remain in Chang’an, allowing Cao Cao to defend Guanzhong. After all, since Cao Cao’s arrival in Chang’an, his every action made Liu Xie understand what it truly meant to be an emperor.

As for Liu Ye’s occasional appearances within the palace to advise Liu Xie, given his imperial lineage, his words lacked reverence. Additionally, Liu Ye’s comments, while unpleasant to Liu Xie’s ears, were undeniably out of concern for him, yet often drew Liu Xie’s displeasure given their critical tone. Liu Ye, understanding the psychology of rebellion, exacerbated this dynamic.

Moreover, whenever Liu Ye observed Liu Xie ignoring his advice, he would retort bluntly about how wise counsel often met resistance, threatening to challenge Cao Cao directly. Consequently, Liu Xie grew increasingly irritable toward Liu Ye.

Finally, Liu Xie chose to stay in Chang’an, publicly declaring that Cao Cao would defend the city. In court, Liu Ye proclaimed, ”Should Your Majesty regret this decision in the days ahead, be reminded that the Liu imperial clan shall always stand by Your Majesty. Cao Mengde, should you dare emulate Dong Zhuo’s actions, I, Liu Ye, will not spare you!”

Following his declaration, Liu Ye stormed out of court with a swish of his sleeves. This act of roaring in court could certainly be considered great disrespect, yet it simply passed without incident. Liu Xie still bestowed the originally allocated title to Liu Ye, adding three hundred households to his fief.

Naturally, Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao also received various rewards, with their titles elevated and positions promoted.

Hua Xiong, initially a general with miscellaneous titles, was promoted to Bandits Pacifying General. Upon receiving his ranked title, he was also ennobled as a Marquis—a reward for his two instances of escorting Liu Xie—rising from a Guandong warrior to a Marquis with a real fief governing three hundred households.

Liu Bei was granted the position of Grand Commandant and elevated to Township Marquis of Fanyang. Yang Biao was promoted to Grand Tutor. As Liu Bei’s chief advisor, Chen Xi advanced one rank, assuming the role of Minister of Finance and earning the title Village Marquess of Zhuxie. Others received lesser promotions, focusing more on position elevation rather than noble titles, as gaining marquis titles was notably challenging.

When Li Fan returned to Guanzhong bearing news of Fa Zheng’s defeat of Yuan Shu’s 100,000-strong army, Liu Ye played a pivotal role in securing Fa Zheng’s ennoblement as a Marquis with a three hundred-household fief. While small, it marked a meteoric rise, bypassing the arduous progression from Marquis within the Pass to Marquis—a leap that normally required a decade’s wait.

As for how the little emperor managed to escape back then, it ultimately came down to Zhong Yao misleading Zhang Ji with a single comment, causing him to make a fatal misjudgment that granted Liu Xie the opportunity to escape. Yang Biao promptly mobilized his private troops to safeguard Liu Xie as they fled Chang’an.

Although Yang Biao reached out to Cao Cao for help, Liu Yu had also informed Liu Ye. Consequently, after Liu Xie’s escape, both Cao Cao and Liu Ye took action. Meanwhile, the gravely ill Zhang Ji, following Zhong Yao’s scheme, launched an attack on Cao Cao.

”This is your only chance. Defeat Cao Cao and surrender to Hua Xiong. Given your ties, there’s still a sliver of hope for survival. But if Cao Cao meets the Emperor, your demise is inevitable!” Zhong Yao advised Zhang Ji.

Clever as Zhang Ji was, he realized the logic in Zhong Yao’s words. Thus, Zhang Xiu launched an assault against Cao Cao, only to be ambushed by the well-prepared Xun You.

No matter how gifted Zhang Xiu was, with unmatched martial prowess, he fell prey to Dian Wei’s sudden leap and a single power-charged strike, which knocked Zhang Xiu’s hastily wielded spear clear from his hands before slamming directly into his head, rendering him helplessly captured. Such a calculated attack by a peerless general would likely have felled even Lyu Bu.

As fires broke out on both flanks and Zhang Xiu’s capture left him leaderless, the Xiliang army he led had no choice but to surrender. Following this surrender, the Xiliang army led by Guo Si, caught between assaults from both sides, descended into chaos, enabling Cao Cao to break through their defenses.

Upon learning of Zhang Xiu’s capture, the defeated Zhang Ji, in helpless resignation, handed over Chang’an to Cao Cao. Thus, Cao Cao successfully completed his mission to support the Emperor. By that time, Liu Ye had orchestrated Fan Chou’s attack on Xun Shen, securing Liu Xie’s protection.

After Zhang Xiu’s fall, Zhang Ji, in his panic, found himself at a loss. For an elderly man near death, nothing mattered more than his niece-like nephew, yet by then, he lacked any means of rescue.

Facing a moment of desperation, Zhang Ji, despite the depths of his illness, devised one final path to save his nephew’s life while preparing to perish alongside Li Jue, Guo Si, and Fan Chou.

”Are you one of Cao Cao’s men?” Zhang Ji asked Zhong Yao.

”What is General Zhang suggesting?” Zhong Yao replied calmly, looking at Zhang Ji.

”Ensure my nephew’s safety for his lifetime, or today will be your last day. I won’t hesitate to drag you down with me if needed,” Zhang Ji said coldly, his gaze fixed sharply on Zhong Yao. ”As a price, I’ll yield Chang’an City to Cao Cao!”

Eyeing Zhang Ji, Zhong Yao was intrigued. Given Zhang Ji’s capabilities, he shouldn’t have been able to see through his scheme.

Ultimately, Zhong Yao relented, promising to ensure Zhang Xiu’s well-being and swearing by his role as the head of the Zhong family that his strategy would indeed safeguard Zhang Xiu’s future.

Later, Zhang Ji surrendered the city without relaying anything to Zhang Xiu, instructing him only to follow Cao Cao and heed Zhong Yao’s advice. Zhang Ji knew that as long as Zhang Xiu retained his Inner Qi Manifestation abilities, Zhong Yao would be compelled, whether by his oath or self-interest, to guarantee Zhang Xiu’s safety in his remaining years. Shortly thereafter, Zhang Ji passed away.

After enduring assaults from both flanks, Guo Si realized the dire situation and fled westward, intending to regroup with Li Jue. Fan Chou fared better—though caught in chaotic conflict with Liu Ye’s machinations and Xun Shen’s forces, he received Hua Xiong’s secret correspondence, ultimately managing to withdraw west before Cao Cao could act further. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)