Chapter 102: Heaven's Mandate Lies with Yuan

Glancing at Yuan Shao and his entourage within the hall, Liu Xie reminded himself not to get carried away too soon.

The previous bearer of Heaven’s Mandate, Yuan Shu, was about to be executed momentarily.

After composing himself briefly, Liu Xie took a moment to gather his emotions before clutching the jade seal tightly and bursting into tears.

“Wahh… We are a most unworthy descendant, having lost the ancestral jade seal entrusted to us outside these walls until now, when it is finally reclaimed!”

“We have failed the twenty-three generations of our esteemed ancestors! We have let down our forefathers! We stand ashamed!”

Liu Xie abandoned all imperial decorum, wailing uncontrollably from the Dragon Throne in front of everyone present. His sobs were heart-wrenching, evoking sorrow and tears from those who heard them.

As loyal subjects of Han, witnessing their once-mighty Emperor reduced to such despair touched the hearts of all within the hall deeply.

Standing behind Yuan Shao, Liu Bei felt profound empathy, unable to hold back tears as he discreetly wept, sleeves covering his eyes. Yet beneath that veil, his gaze towards Yuan Shao brimmed with intense hostility.

Among those present, only Yuan Shao and Ju Shou remained unaffected. They exchanged glances, each detecting a complex mix of emotions in the other’s eyes.

Isn’t this performance going too far?

Has there ever been an Emperor who openly wept before his subjects?

After shedding tears for some time, Liu Xie observed the expressions on everyone’s faces and realized that his display had achieved remarkable effect.

He placed the Imperial Jade Seal back into its wooden box and turned to Lu Bu. “Marquis of Wen, by capturing Yuan Shu and retrieving the Imperial Jade Seal, you have accomplished an extraordinary feat! We shall certainly bestow upon you a substantial reward!”

Here it comes!

Lu Bu’s eyes sparkled, his heart ablaze with anticipation.

Last time, after killing Dong Zhuo, he was bestowed the title Marquis of Wen, which represented the pinnacle of nobility ranks. The next step up would be Duke—an honor only held once in centuries since the founding of Great Han, by Wang Mang as Grand Protectorate of Han.

Despite his lofty ambitions, Lu Bu dared not covet such a high rank. Therefore, the reward he eagerly sought lay not in nobility but in official position.

His sights were set on Yuan Shao’s title of Great General!

Though intensely desiring recognition, Lu Bu refrained from immediately claiming credit for himself. Before arriving at Yecheng, Chen Gong had repeatedly emphasized that Lu Bu should not monopolize all the accolades. He must present commendations to His Majesty for both allies and subordinates alike.

Otherwise, no one would willingly follow him.

“Your Majesty, my subordinates Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, along with Liu Bei’s sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, have also greatly contributed during the battles against Yuan Shu.”

“While besieging Shouchun, Liu Bei risked his life by entering the city alone to persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender. Thanks to his efforts, we captured Shouchun without bloodshed and apprehended Yuan Shu alive.”

Yuan Shao, who considered himself well-acquainted with Lu Bu, nearly popped his eyes out upon hearing this. Was this still the same Lu Bu he knew? The arrogant and conceited Lü Fengxian who had disregarded everyone upon their entry into Yecheng?

Behind Liu Bei, Zhang Fei grinned happily at Lu Bu. He swore never again to call him “the thrice-renamed slave” from that moment on.

From atop the Dragon Throne, Liu Xie declared, “We shall not forget those who have served meritoriously. Marquis of Wen, please present the record of achievements later. However, for now, let us first acknowledge your contributions… Great General.”

Hearing the title “Great General,” Lu Bu instinctively thought the Emperor was about to bestow it upon him, almost thanking His Majesty prematurely.

Fortunately, Yuan Shao promptly stepped forward.

“Your servant is here.” Yuan Shao stepped forward, slightly bowing.

Seeing this, Lu Bu’s eyes flashed with ferocity.

How could such an incompetent fool be worthy of the title Great General? He must have coerced the Emperor into granting it! What rewards should be given, and for what achievements—these decisions aren’t even within Liu Xie’s control.

Following his plan, Liu Xie directly addressed Yuan Shao, “Great General, in your opinion, how should we reward Marquis of Wen?”

As these words echoed, Liu Bei narrowed his eyes, clenching his fists tightly within his sleeves.

Behind him, Zhang Fei nearly lunged at Yuan Shao, only restrained by Guan Yu’s swift intervention.

Lu Bu gritted his teeth, fury burning in his gaze, thinking to himself, “Just as Xuande said, Yuan Shao has the Emperor under his thumb! Even deciding on rewards requires his input—a true treacherous villain!”

Unaware of the brewing tension between Lu Bu and Liu Bei, Yuan Shao responded, “Your Majesty, considering Marquis of Wen’s accomplishments, I believe he should be conferred the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry and elevated to County Duke.”

He had already discussed and planned this reward with Ju Shou and others beforehand, informing Liu Xie ahead of time several days ago.

By voicing this suggestion himself, Yuan Shao aimed to curry favor with Lu Bu. He couldn’t imagine anyone dissatisfied with being granted both the title of Duke and appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry.

Just as Liu Xie was about to respond to Yuan Shao, Tian Feng unexpectedly interjected.

“Your Majesty, Great General, throughout the history of the Great Han, there has never been an instance of conferring the rank of Duke! I believe granting such a title would be inappropriate.”

Since the fall of the Qin Dynasty and subsequent reform of noble titles, the highest attainable nobility for non-members of the Liu clan had been County Marquis.

In over four centuries of the Han Dynasty, only Wang Mang had ever received the Duke rank—a distinction akin to Grand Protectorate of Han held by historical Cao Cao. Although seemingly bestowed by the Emperor, it was effectively self-appointed.

“That old fool, always ruining my plans!” Yuan Shao glared at Tian Feng, his anger boiling within.

Could he and Ju Shou truly be unaware that County Marquis was the highest noble rank one could receive? However, Lu Bu was already a County Marquis, leaving no room for further elevation on the nobility scale.

Thus, they needed to break precedent and confer him the Duke title, allowing them to downplay the actual official position offered. Otherwise, given Lu Bu’s accomplishments, appointing him merely as General of Chariots and Cavalry would hardly suffice; even the role of Great General should have been considered!

In these turbulent times, choosing between the powerful Great General with real authority and a mere Duke entitled only to land revenues, without any political power, was a decision anyone could make instinctively.

Yuan Shao seethed internally but maintained his composure, responding expressionlessly, “The Marquis of Wen has vanquished Dong Zhuo and defeated Yuan Shu, achieving unparalleled merit. Why should he not be granted an exceptional title as Duke?”

“But…” Tian Feng attempted to continue his argument, only to be swiftly interrupted by Yuan Shao.

“Whether to confer the title of Duke upon the Marquis of Wen is not for us ministers to decide. Let it be left to His Majesty’s divine judgment.”

Yuan Shao knew that if he persisted, Tian Feng would relentlessly argue further, so he conveniently passed the issue to Liu Xie.

Having already received instructions from Yuan Shao, Liu Xie naturally followed suit. With feigned seriousness, he nodded and said, “Indeed… We find the Great General’s reasoning sound. Given the Marquis of Wen’s extraordinary achievements, he shall indeed be appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry and elevated to the rank of County Duke. As for his fiefdom and stipend… they shall remain centered around Wen County.”

Tian Feng fell silent, sighed, and refrained from speaking further.

Yuan Shao then turned towards Lu Bu with a friendly smile, expecting to witness an expression of overwhelming gratitude. However, Lu Bu’s reaction was entirely different from what he anticipated.

“Why… is he so calm?” Upon learning of his appointment as General of Chariots and Cavalry and elevation to Duke Wen, Lu Bu displayed no signs of excitement; instead, his demeanor remained unnaturally tranquil.

Yuan Shao bowed to the Emperor, his tone subdued as he said, “Thank you for this honor, Your Majesty.”

His voice lacked enthusiasm; instead, there was a hint of disappointment.

Since Emperor Wu’s time, when Huo Qubing received the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry, it had become every future military commander’s aspiration. However, the position ranked below that of Great General, much like how Huo Qubing stood beneath Wei Qing during their era.

As Lu Bu pondered this, his mood grew increasingly somber.

He didn’t care about being a duke or not; what mattered was feeling overshadowed by Yuan Shao. As a man standing under heaven, how could he accept being inferior to Yuan Shao?

Sensing the tension in the hall, Liu Bei promptly stepped forward and announced, “Your Majesty, the traitor Yuan Shu has been brought outside the palace.”

Liu Xie cast a warm glance at Liu Bei and replied, “Bring him in, then.”

Shortly after, Zhang He entered with two imperial guards, escorting a tightly bound Yuan Shu into the hall.

“Still standing before His Majesty?!” Lu Bu, unable to vent his frustration elsewhere, turned to rebuke Yuan Shu standing in the middle of the hall.

Unfazed, Yuan Shu maintained his pride even in defeat. “I am the Emperor who ascended through sacrificial rites! Though now a prisoner, I still possess the dignity befitting an Emperor. How dare I kneel before a false ruler?”

“Insolent!” Enraged, Lu Bu kicked Yuan Shu’s leg.

A sharp crack echoed through the hall as Yuan Shu’s legs snapped under the force, forcing him to kneel.

Still unsatisfied, Lu Bu grabbed his head forcefully and snarled, “Open your dog eyes wide and behold the true Emperor sitting before you! You, on the other hand, are the usurping false ruler.”

Yuan Shu was compelled to look up at Liu Xie seated on the Dragon Throne.

Initially, disdain filled his face, but upon clearly seeing Liu Xie’s features, his eyes widened in shock.

“Impossible! How can this be?!”

“How is the Emperor truly here in Yecheng?!”

The Emperor had sensed Cao Cao’s disloyal intentions and fled directly to Yecheng. Yuan Shu never believed a word of Yuan Shao’s public lies about the situation. Yet now, confronted with the undeniable truth, who else could it be on the imperial throne if not Liu Xie?

“If we were not here, would we willingly become Caesar Cao’s puppet in Xu County?” Liu Xie looked down coldly at Yuan Shu and said, “The House of Yuan, with its four generations serving three dynasties, has been greatly blessed by Imperial grace. As a descendant of the Yuan clan, usurping the throne makes you worse than beasts! Are you aware that due to your treasonous actions, nearly a century of the Yuan clan’s reputation stands on the brink of ruin?”

“Without the Great General’s unwavering loyalty to the Han Dynasty, your actions alone would have forever tarnished the reputation of the Yuan clan!”

“No! This can’t be true!” Yuan Shu’s face turned pale as he desperately searched Liu Xie for any signs that this Emperor was an imposter, but found none.

The Emperor before him had grown remarkably since their last encounter years ago. Anyone could see at a glance that it was indeed the matured Emperor.

He glared fiercely at Yuan Shao. “Yuan Benchu, why is the Emperor here?”

With a composed expression, Yuan Shao repeated his well-rehearsed explanation. “The Emperor, beset by calamity, was divinely protected and managed to escape to Yecheng.”

A sense of triumph swelled within Yuan Shao. His chosen Emperor looked identical to the one in Xu County; no one could discern any difference.

Destiny favored the House of Yuan over the House of Cao. If not for divine intervention on behalf of Yuan Benchu, how could they have encountered a youth bearing such striking resemblance to the Emperor?