Mythical Three Kingdoms

”So that’s how it is.” Liu Zhang nodded upon hearing this, with no reason to doubt it, as what Chen Xi said was reasonable and logical. ”Since the Emperor is in distress, why not invite Princess Wannian as well to serve as a witness?”

It wasn’t that Liu Zhang had any particular thoughts about Princess Wannian, rather the customs of the Han Dynasty stipulated that the Grand Princess had certain authority in such matters, though if power ministers held sway, what the Grand Princess said would hold little weight.

However, this is a process that must be followed, and compared to others, Liu Zhang and Liu Bei, as members of the Liu Clan, must pay heed to these customs in such matters.

”If that’s the case, I will head to the Northern Palace to invite Princess Wannian shortly.” Chen Xi nodded and said, it was clear that Liu Zhang and others wished to speak to Liu Bei, while having Chen Xi there, Liu Bei wouldn’t mind, but Liu Zhang and the others might find some words hard to say.

”Is Wannian still residing in the Northern Palace?” Liu Zhang sighed, it’s been over ten years, and he hadn’t expected Wannian to remain in the palace gardens, ”Please extend my regards on my behalf, Minister Chen of Agriculture.”

Liu Yu was leaning on a cane, silently watching Liu Bei and Chen Xi without speaking. Regarding the matter of Princess Wannian, he understood the reason but, in understanding it, found no good solution unless Wannian was willing to marry, marrying into the family of an official below the Nine Ministers’ rank.

It’s important to know that in the era when the Han Dynasty was at its most powerful, even if a Grand Princess married down, the match would be a Marquis. However, such arrangements resulted in many Grand Princesses of the Han Dynasty being arrogant and rude.

Indeed, the notorious indulgent princesses of ancient times mainly came from the Han and Tang Dynasties, and compared to the Tang Dynasty’s restricted princesses, those from the Han Dynasty possessed powers that rivaled, or even exceeded, those of the Feudal Lords.

This resulted in the reputations of the Han Dynasty’s princesses being completely ruined during prosperous times. Saying it was marriage was less accurate than saying they married a Marquis, leading to cases where Marquises were unwilling to marry princesses even during the Han and Tang.

The influence of Han and Tang princesses is evident, and now, with royal authority diminished, Princess Wannian naturally cannot command the same sway as her predecessors, nor does the Emperor forcibly choose a husband for his daughter anymore, leaving Wannian sidelined.

This is why, up to now, with Wannian already seventeen years old, she remains without a suitor. Marquises are unwilling to marry Princess Wannian; previously, even if one married into a distinguished family, at least there was the hope of rising in status. Now, with the decline of imperial authority, why bring another ancestor into the family unnecessarily?

However, some lesser officials, those below the rank of grand officials with two thousand bushels, have some aspirations, but Princess Wannian maintains her dignity and has committed no faults. Why should she bear the sins of her predecessors and degrade herself? In anger, she’s remained unmarried to this day.

Back in Liu Xie’s time, there was intent to arrange a match for Wannian, yet, regrettably, Liu Xie was ineffective in doing so. Wannian once secretly admired some morally and aesthetically perfect young men, but to no avail. Liu Xie’s abilities fell short of managing these people.

Or it could be said that these people were all worldly-wise. Beautiful women are everywhere, and there’s no point risking everything for an unknown princess on Liu Xie’s sinking ship. No princess? Fine, I’ll marry two sets of singers at home without anyone intervening. Marrying a princess and surviving? Not likely!

Therefore, the longer it dragged on, the harder it was for Wannian to find suitors. In the end, the Grand Princess gave up completely, declaring she would return to the Northern Palace for rest, to improve her moral and intellectual standards, leaving her alone in peace.

”Oh, no problem. Let us proceed to the Weiyang Rear Hall first.” Chen Xi said calmly, bringing the topic back.

From Liu Zhang’s words, Chen Xi discerned that although Liu Zhang valued the Han Dynasty’s etiquette and procedures, he honestly didn’t regard Grand Princess Liu Tong with much consideration. Rightly so, for those present, even if the other party was a Grand Princess, she was a junior, especially one to whom the Late Emperor hadn’t left sufficient resources.

Weiyang Palace was vast, but the group moved quickly, soon reaching the Weiyang Rear Hall. Cao Cao and Sun Ce came to greet them, and at this moment, Chen Xi unexpectedly saw Yang Biao and Zhong Yao among those present. Judging by the palace’s atmosphere, it was evident Yang Biao hadn’t spoken anything unusual.

”Greetings, Minister of Education Yang.” Chen Xi slightly bowed. To be honest, his present official position and rank were not much lower than Yang Biao’s, and in terms of power, he far surpassed them. However, out of respect for Yang Biao’s white hair, he bowed first.

”Marquis Chen, there’s no need for such formality. I wonder, given the current situation, how Grand Commandant Liu plans to handle it?” Yang Biao did not inquire of Liu Bei but directly asked Chen Xi, knowing that Chen Xi’s response would reflect Liu Bei’s intentions.

”For now, we shall set it aside until the Feudal Lord Kings, Provincial Governors from all states, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, and the officials ranked at two thousand bushels or above all arrive. Only then shall we discuss the throne succession. Otherwise, it is nothing more than unfounded talk between us.” Chen Xi responded plainly, and Yang Biao nodded silently without further questions.

In truth, Chen Xi’s words clearly conveyed to Yang Biao that this was merely a stalling strategy. Merely gathering the Provincial Governors from various states required a considerable amount of time, let alone the so-called Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, and officials of two thousand bushels. What a joke.

The unrest in Chang’an the previous night remains unresolved with no clear answers, yet from Yang Biao’s collected intelligence, it appears the Royalist Faction dragged all key officials in Chang’an down with them before dying out. As for the so-called two thousand bushels rank, very few remained alive.

However, there was simply no way for Yang Biao to discuss this with Chen Xi. Even if what Chen Xi said was misleading, Yang Biao lacked the power to contest him. Under the current circumstances, temporarily shelving the throne succession discussion indeed made some sense.

”If that’s the case, then I shall say no more and proceed to keep vigil for the Emperor.” Yang Biao bowed to Liu Yu, Liu Zhang, and Liu Bei, who reciprocated his gesture, and with a final word, Yang Biao slowly departed.

”Lord Xuande, I’m afraid it won’t be long before Yuan Gonglu arrives in Chang’an,” Chen Xi sighed and said, ”Minister Yang now needs support.”

Liu Bei initially didn’t understand what it meant, but Chen Xi’s hint made him realize instantly. As for Yuan Shu’s coming, let him come; it’s not really a major event.

When Liu Bei and Chen Xi entered the Weiyang Rear Hall, their expressions were calm, while Zhang Song and Yan Yan clearly showed signs of astonishment. It was their first time seeing such a large gathering of Inner Qi Manifestation generals and civil officials with Spiritual Talent.

”Zichu, and Zizhongg.” Zhang Song looked at the crowd in the rear hall with a shocked expression, especially when he saw Liu Ba and Zheng Du among them, which made him a bit embarrassed.

”Ziqiao, long time no see.” Liu Ba and Zheng Du said to Zhang Song with a calm demeanor. As possessors of Spiritual Talent, their will was hard to shake, and moreover, their choices wouldn’t be swayed by meeting old friends.

Afterwards, Liu Ba and Zheng Du stepped out of the crowd to bow slightly to Liu Zhang, who responded with a slightly unpleasant expression. From that moment, if they met again on the battlefield, the notion of former lord would be no more.

Formerly, Liu Zhang wouldn’t have cared about these civil officials who defected and joined others, but now having come to realize, he understands the importance of their abilities, which is why he looks displeased.

If they were simply looking for a livelihood, characters like Liu Ba and Zheng Du defecting would not have mattered to Liu Zhang, but if they had depth, then these individuals were the essence he pursued.

”Always in Sichuan and Shu, I never saw such a number of civil servants and valiant generals; only today I realized I had always been seeing the sky from the bottom of a well,” Zhang Song remarked with a hint of lament, then looked glowing-eyed at Pang Tong, finding him even uglier than himself.

Pang Tong inexplicably straightened his pure black Confucian robe, somewhat puzzled by why Zhang Song kept staring at him, but he thought the other was quite ugly too.

”Wen He, Ziyang and I will go pick someone up?” Chen Xi greeted Jia Xu and Liu Ye.

”I need to guard the spirit here, Zichuan, you and Wen He go,” Liu Ye shook his head and said. He, after all, was also of the Liu Royal Family; others could pretend and deceive spirits, but he had to maintain some integrity.

”Wen He, come with me to pick someone up,” Chen Xi said to Jia Xu. Jia Xu stood up with a sorrowful expression, slowly withdrew from the Weiyang Rear Hall.

”Alright, now that we’re out, stop pretending,” after they exited the door, Chen Xi patted Jia Xu.

Jia Xu glanced at Chen Xi, ”Have you thought about the late Emperor’s posthumous title?”

”I thought of one; something in the middle or favorable, how about ’Min’?” Chen Xi inquired.

”In the face of national worry, encountering national difficulty, it indeed fits, but considering what he did, you actually gave a favorable title,” Jia Xu said with a hint of curiosity.

”Hmm, I always thought the Emperor’s incompetence was half due to his subordinates. Giving him a bad title implies we’re all incompetent. Honestly, apart from being inherently cold, he was more deceived by others,” Chen Xi sighed and said, ”Moreover, dying young, giving a bad title wouldn’t be good.”

Jia Xu nodded upon hearing this; indeed, Chen Xi’s words were reasonable.

[I’m now deeply suspicious that the Weiyang fire was our doing. Wen Ru most likely didn’t intend to burn the Emperor to death, just used this method to force the royalist faction to move against the Imperial Clan, coincidentally burning the Emperor to death. In such a situation, giving a bad title, I truly can’t do it.] Chen Xi inwardly lamented.

”So, who are you going to pick now?” Jia Xu followed Chen Xi, asking while walking, ”Usually, anyone good enough to have you pick them up isn’t ordinary.”

”Hmm, I found someone suitable for regency and plan to bring her over,” Chen Xi thought and said. I must say, Princess Wannian Liu Tong from every angle is indeed suitable for regency.

”Regency?” Jia Xu raised an eyebrow, ”Such things can’t be spoken lightly.”

”You’ll find out when you go,” Chen Xi said calmly.