Chapter 14: The Emperor's Self-Cultivation
Yuan Shao’s proclamation sent shockwaves throughout the realm, just as anticipated. Many people readily believed the lies it contained.
Although the sudden news of the Emperor fleeing to Jizhou was perplexing, Yuan Shao’s reputation held significant weight. Despite some doubts, more individuals chose to trust him than question his claims.
Consequently, numerous talents and former ministers of the Great Han abandoned their plans to go to Xu County and redirected their journey towards Jizhou instead.
However, not long after, another announcement emerged from Xu County—a decree issued directly by the Emperor himself.
Its content was straightforward: “We have never been to Jizhou; we are safe and well in Xu County. Yuan Shao is deceiving the world, so do not believe his falsehoods. Moreover, Cao Cao is not a traitor; all such accusations are baseless fabrications by Yuan Shao.”
This decree left even more people utterly bewildered.
“Is the Emperor truly in Xu County or has he fled to Jizhou?”
“How can there be two Emperors…?”
“With four generations of three high-ranking officials, Yuan Benchu is a hero revered across the land. Why would he lie? It must be Cao Cao’s cunning defense!”
“Hmph! Even now, Cao Cao dares to deceive us using the Emperor’s name!”
“But isn’t it strange? If the Emperor wasn’t in Xu County, how could Cao Mengde make such bold statements?”
“I doubt Cao Cao is lying. After welcoming the Emperor to Xu County, for him suddenly to appear in Jizhou seems highly implausible.”
“What if the Emperor was never actually taken to Xu County in the first place? Perhaps Cao Cao fabricated this pretext, unaware that the true Emperor had escaped to Jizhou.”
“Let’s observe further before drawing conclusions.”
“I still believe the real Emperor is in Jizhou.”
Opinions varied widely across the realm, with some believing Yuan Shao and others siding with Cao Cao. Each faction clung firmly to their stance.
No one could definitively determine whether the Emperor was truly in Jizhou or Xu County.
Amidst this confusion, various forces were actively fueling the debate.
For other regional lords, neither scenario—Emperor in Jizhou or Xu County—was desirable. Whether it was Yuan Shao or Cao Cao, whoever controlled the Emperor could command the nation under his name, claiming righteous authority.
With both factions asserting they held the Emperor, truth obscured amidst falsehoods, it provided ample justification for these lords to disregard imperial edicts.
In Jizhou, Yecheng, at the Yuan Manor.
Liu Xie remained oblivious to the turmoil his presence had caused outside. At that moment, he was still confined within the small lodge, studying the imperial chronicles while learning court etiquette from Ju Shou.
“Wrong! The Emperor’s posture must be upright; avoid looking around!”
“Where are your hands placed?”
“Remember! Walk with your head held high and confident strides!”
Within the courtyard, Liu Xie donned dark black imperial robes and wore a crown, practicing the Emperor’s bearing and gait under Ju Shou’s watchful eye, who occasionally offered corrections.
After several rounds of practice, Liu Xie barely met Ju Shou’s satisfaction and was finally allowed to sit down for a break.
“I’m exhausted…” Sweat drenched Liu Xie as he collapsed onto a stone bench in the yard. Feeling parched, he disregarded any etiquette and immediately grabbed the teapot nearby, gulping down its contents.
Imitating the Emperor was no easy task, especially mastering the intricate and numerous court etiquettes.
Over the past month, his first lesson had been mastering the Emperor’s manner of speech. This aspect was relatively simple for Liu Xie, given his excellent memory; rote memorization sufficed.
However, replicating the Emperor’s behavior and etiquette proved to be sheer torture.
Learning protocol was incredibly arduous, encompassing everything from standing posture, sitting position, walking style, even down to how one dines—all governed by strict rules.
Within the imperial court, these norms were instilled from childhood, becoming second nature. But as someone from the 21st century, Liu Xie had never encountered such practices growing up.
Now, having to forcibly alter his every action to match that of the Emperor felt unbearably agonizing.
“Why do you persist with such crude behavior? Don’t you know to use a cup when drinking?” Ju Shou chided, visibly displeased at seeing Liu Xie gulping directly from the teapot.
During their interactions over recent days, Ju Shou completely dismissed any suspicion that Liu Xie might hail from an aristocratic lineage. His conduct and demeanor bore no resemblance; he seemed more like a rustic villager.
He lacked even the most basic understanding of etiquette.
Liu Xie set down the teapot, rolling his eyes before responding, “Why don’t you try wearing this imperial robe and crown, wandering around for two hours straight?”
“I’m sore all over.”
The imperial robes, procured by Yuan Shao’s people, were incredibly heavy, and the crown atop his head weighed around five or six kilograms.
Sitting still was manageable, but walking while maintaining proper etiquette without any missteps drained Liu Xie’s energy significantly.
“Being Emperor isn’t as easy as it seems,” Ju Shou remarked nonchalantly, taking the teapot from Liu Xie’s hands. “Have you rested enough? It’s time to continue practicing.”
“Your walk is still too stiff; you need to make it more natural. Develop this habit so that regardless of whether you’re in public or private, you maintain your composure.”
Hearing this, Liu Xie slumped onto the table, giving up entirely on the spot.
“I can’t go on anymore. I really need a good break. Let’s practice again tomorrow. Even if you tried to kill me now, I wouldn’t budge.”
“You…” Ju Shou frowned deeply, feeling utterly helpless. If Liu Xie refused, there was little he could do to force him.
In the end, he had no choice but to concede. “Very well, rest for now. Have you finished reading the imperial chronicles I gave you last time? Memorized them completely?”
“Yes, memorized.”
Exhausted, Liu Xie barely managed to keep his eyes open as he weakly replied.
Over the past month, Ju Shou had delivered five or six imperial chronicles and insisted that Liu Xie memorize them all.
Perhaps due to his transmigration, Liu Xie found his memory significantly enhanced, bordering on photographic recall.
Memorizing just a few volumes of the imperial chronicle was a trivial task for him.
Hearing this, Ju Shou became even more convinced that this young Emperor was no ordinary individual. Not only could he read and write proficiently, but he also managed to memorize the entire imperial chronicle swiftly within a short span.
“Rest well then, I’ll return tomorrow,” Ju Shou said, preparing to leave without further ado.
Regardless of who this Emperor truly was, at present, he served merely as a sword wielded by his lord Yuan Shao.
Liu Xie lifted his head and asked, “Wait, when can I finally leave this courtyard? I’ve been stuck here for a whole month.”
Being confined day after day was unbearably suffocating. At least allow me to explore around the Yuan Manor, he thought.
“The Imperial residence is currently under construction and will be completed soon. Once it’s ready, you’ll be moved there. For now, please continue staying put here,” Ju Shou responded before promptly departing.
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