Mythical Three Kingdoms

Xun Yu’s insight remained exceptionally sharp, immediately identifying the core aspect, causing Chen Qun and others to show expressions of contemplation upon hearing him.

”We should also make some preparations in advance on this matter. Compared to being pressed for time later, for now, Yongliang and part of Bingzhou are still in our hands. We have quite a bit we can manipulate,” Xun Yu slowly began to speak, ”We also need to verify the population.”

Xun Yu’s words made Chen Qun’s heart tense; he understood what Xun Yu meant. It’s less about verifying the population and more about choosing the populace who truly follow them. Well, whether they truly follow or not isn’t important. What’s important is that when the time comes to step out and fight for the country, they must have supporters. Clearly, this time Xun Yu is genuinely thinking from Cao Cao’s perspective.

”We can fail, but we must not let down our own people. Even if we know we will surely lose, we need to give them a response, a way out. We can fight for the country, but we also must consider others’ feelings,” Chen Qun slowly spoke.

”The Han Dynasty is still the Han Dynasty, but we must also consider ourselves. It’s not good when our lifeline is controlled by others. Even if Liu Xuande and Chen Zichuan harbor no malice, we still need to guard against others. If our speculation is correct, it means we’ve blocked many of Liu Bei’s subordinates’ paths to advancement,” Cheng Yu said with a hint of sarcasm. The malice of human nature!

Chen Qun glanced at Cheng Yu and laughed, ”Zhongde, don’t be like this. The truth is the truth, but the truth isn’t so pleasant when spoken aloud. What do you mean we’ve blocked their path to advancement? Clearly, it’s the defeated perish.”

Cheng Yu nodded slowly. He and Chen Qun’s back-and-forth already made everyone present understand the current situation. Liu Xuande and Chen Zichuan have thought things through well, and their higher-ups might have even unified their goals, but one’s future still needs to be fought for by oneself.

In matters of national warfare, once the lifeline is in someone else’s hands, no matter how much you give, you may find it hard to fulfill your wishes. Even if your heart is with the country, someone will inevitably force you to part ways against your will. When one’s lifeline is controlled by others, even an unintended mistake by them could cost you your life. Furthermore, Cheng Yu was clear: their survival means blocking many people’s paths.

”In this regard, leave it to me to handle,” Xun Youi’s somewhat vacant face revealed some smiles, ”Liu Xuande is merging villages and fortifying settlements over there; we can do the same. Plus, with us compiling the household registers now, there’s a lot we can manipulate.”

”Alright then, leave this matter to Gong Da. Wen Ruo, you provide cover from the side; it’s always good to be cautious,” Cao Cao took a deep breath and calmed down. He himself was quite suspicious, and Cheng Yu had speculated on the situation, so precautionary measures were still necessary.

While Cao Cao and others began preparing for the future, deep inside the palace, Liu Tong was checking the Han Dynasty’s classic books. What she had to do each day was actually very casual; she didn’t need to intervene in governmental affairs, didn’t understand the military, and truly had few tasks to accomplish daily.

If Liu Xie were around, she’d have to feign understanding, even if she didn’t know how; but now, Liu Tong had no such thoughts. Since Dong Zhuo’s political chaos, she had come to understand the fickle nature of human affections—she just did what she should do, ignoring anything beyond her control.

”Your Highness, what are you looking through?” asked the immortal protecting Liu Tong, as she idly stayed behind Liu Tong, unlike other immortals who tend to hide when nothing is happening. She simply stayed beside Liu Tong as protection.

”Grand Herald said a great nation from Yizhou of Sichuan and Shu is bringing tribute. I’m checking the documentation to avoid saying something wrong at the time,” Liu Tong remarked while flipping through the materials. ”This sort of thing will definitely be handed to me to handle. I don’t understand political or military matters, but meeting foreign guests and messing it up wouldn’t be a problem.”

Because Cao Cao had discussed with Liu Tong from the start that he wouldn’t interfere in matters Liu Tong could handle herself, but if Liu Tong couldn’t deal with it, and it involved matters of the nation, she would have to consult with other ministers.

However, Liu Tong directly handed over all matters she couldn’t do, or those that could become troublesome if failed, to Cao Cao. After all, Cao Cao had done these things well before; now he could continue doing them. Liu Tong herself only needed to handle simpler tasks.

Such as meeting foreign envoys bringing tribute; Liu Tong enjoyed seeing the astonished expressions of these envoys, figuring that if things got messed up, there wouldn’t be much of a problem, as Great Han’s military power ensured they generally wouldn’t mess up diplomatically.

”Speaking of which, are you involved with the imperial edict the Grand Commandant is seeking?” asked Silk Lady lazily, as Liu Tong’s lifestyle made Silk Lady idle despite being an immortal.

”Uh, haven’t I already approved it and sent it back? It’s just for a marriage arrangement,” Liu Tong said casually; it’s just a trivial matter.

”Here comes another, also requesting a marriage arrangement,” Silk Lady said nonchalantly.

”Oh, who is it this time?” Liu Tong asked casually while flipping through the books, as the maid quickly added tea for the two.

”Lub Zijing,” Silk Lady said, yawning lazily.

”Oh oh oh, it’s him again. Hey, is this bullying me?” Liu Tong suddenly remarked unhappily, ”Wasn’t it agreed that Feudal Lords wouldn’t have a second legitimate son? How come one person gets granted marriage twice?”

”Chen Zichuan opened that loophole,” said Silk Lady, sitting up, ”Why, don’t want to approve it?”

”For two, definitely unwilling to approve!” Liu Tong exclaimed proudly.

”Approve it. Along with it came a sealed letter, and since Grand Commandant Liu can present it, I guess he has no choice but to do so. He also doesn’t want to offend you,” Silk Lady said with a smile, knowing clearly that Liu Tong doesn’t have to offend Liu Bei over such trivial matters. Since, from some perspective, Liu Bei is Liu Tong’s greatest supporter.

”But this way, the ancient rites are spoiled; Chen Zichuan back then also took advantage of the country’s turmoil to acquire documents from the Minister of the Imperial Stables, which is entirely different from me granting marriage. Although I’m merely a figurehead, I represent this country; with the Imperial Jade Seal in hand, issuing an imperial edict amounts to approving this matter, providing a precedent for future generations,” Liu Tong said rather reluctantly.

”But didn’t you also supplement Chen Zichuan’s arrangement back then?” Silk Lady consoled.

”It’s different; that was a historical legacy issue,” Liu Tong shook her head, saying solemnly, ”We need a way to ensure this loophole doesn’t open; this would cause women’s status to decline, um, can only choose special decree, following a procedure.”

After Liu Tong thought it through, she sent the matter to the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. During this period, certainly, no one would agree. After stabilization, wanting a second legitimate son according to the current procedure would require agreement from the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, as well as the emperor. But achieving such a thing wouldn’t be easy then.

”Send Zhao Zilong’s together,” Liu Tong contemplated and said. Although Zhao Yun’s wasn’t at hand, treat it as special decree altogether, selling Liu Bei a favor.

During this period, there are many private reasons why the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers would agree; however, once the procedure becomes fixed, following ancient law and ancestral system, it’d basically be stuck—everything requires multiple approvals making it more difficult.

After sending it out and notifying the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, Liu Tong began examining the classic books again, taking out many books concerning the Great Yuezhi.

”Hmm, Kushan is just the Great Yuezhi, the country that used to serve as a midway point on the Silk Road. Let me see if I can find any state documents,” Liu Tong habitually looked for herself, as this was the Imperial Family’s inner storage, and ordinary people weren’t allowed entry.

”Hmm, Former Han’s state documents,” Liu Tong remarked as she flipped through, finding them from the Martial Emperor period of the Former Han. It’s fortunate that state documents from this era were made from silk manuscripts and bamboo carving, otherwise preserving them for a hundred years wouldn’t be possible. Certainly, had the Former Han and Later Han not been one lineage, the state documents of the Former Han wouldn’t have been placed here.

”The most recent one seems to be a hundred years ago, then lost contact; was it because they were destroyed? Recently restored?” Liu Tong thought whimsically, ”Hmm, seems our two countries have had quite a good relationship since establishing ties.”

”Your Highness, how’s the research going?” Silk Lady asked while half-reclining in a chair.

”Quite alright; Yuezhi and us have a good relationship. I’ll look at their gifts later then reciprocate with some items and re-establish logical diplomatic relations,” Liu Tong smiled and said. The records in the Imperial Family’s inner storage mostly described the Yuezhi doing things for the Han Dynasty, offering tribute, helping us pacify the Western Regions. Overall, Yuezhi and the Han Dynasty seem to have had a good relationship.

”Oh,” Silk Lady replied indifferently, having no interest in these matters.

”It’s decided; three days later, the Yuezhi envoy will be received at the Imperial Court. Since they were once allies, leaving it solely to the Grand Herald feels too dismissive,” Liu Tong quickly decided, not knowing how embarrassed the Great Yuezhi would make her this time.

With Liu Tong’s order, the subordinate officials at the Grand Herald’s office informed the Yuezhi to prepare for an audience in three days, while the Grand Herald taught the Yuezhi envoy the etiquette required.

The Yuezhi never thought that they hadn’t engaged with Han envoys for nearly a hundred years; when they came, they were prepared for Han officials not understanding their language, then using telepathy beads for communication, not expecting Han officials to actually find translators who understood Yuezhi language.

The main problem with telepathy beads is that they don’t recognize characters. To comprehend Yuezhi’s characters, one would have to self-study telepathy—a large-faced issue for Gan Ning, not something normal people could declare externally. Hence, the Yuezhi were prepared for both parties not understanding each other’s state documents.

However, on the first day, neither side overcame language barriers without telepathy—akin to chicken speaking with a duck. By the second day, Han officials found an interpreter proficient in Yuezhi language and writing from Grand Herald’s staff of interpreters.