Chapter 76: Is This Emperor Liu Xie or Liu Bang?

At the Yuan Manor.

Today marked a family feast, and Madam Liu had specially instructed her servants to prepare a sumptuous table of dishes. She then called upon her two sons, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, to join for dinner.

However, Yuan Xi claimed illness and stayed home, leaving only Yuan Shang to attend.

“Where’s Xianyi?”

Yuan Shao, already seated at the dining table, noticed his second son, Yuan Xi, was absent and asked Madam Liu.

Madam Liu replied, “Xianyi has been feeling unwell recently; he is resting at home now. Later, I’ll have the steward bring him some food.”

But Yuan Shao snorted coldly, “Just another excuse. He resents me since I reprimanded him that day, thinking I wouldn’t notice? Over these past few days, he hasn’t even attended to his duties, staying indoors without stepping out. Even yesterday, when asked to see off the Zhen family members, he refused to show up. How utterly childish!”

Yuan Shao was deeply dissatisfied with Yuan Xi’s behavior. A mere setback should not warrant such petulance. What would happen if faced with a significant defeat in the future? True strength lies in resilience amidst adversity!

“Father, perhaps Second Brother truly is ill. After we finish eating, I will visit him to check on his condition,” Yuan Shang said, concern etched on his face.

Internally, however, he reveled in Yuan Xi’s misfortune. He well understood why his second brother hadn’t shown himself these past few days—it stemmed from the angering incident earlier.

“Let’s eat!” Yuan Shao cut off further discussion about his second son.

At that moment, Ju Shou hurriedly entered the room.

Yuan Shao greeted him with a smile, “Gongyu, you’ve arrived just in time. Please join us for dinner.”

“My lord!” Ju Shou had no appetite; his expression was grave as he reported, “A messenger from the imperial palace has informed me that Jia Xu, Zhang Xiu’s advisor—Jia Wenhe—has gone to pay respects to His Majesty.”

This news stunned Yuan Shao, and he put down his chopsticks, asking, “Why would he come to Yecheng?”

He was well aware of Jia Xu’s reputation. Initially serving Dong Zhuo, Jia Xu later advised Li Jue and Guo Si during their counterattack on Chang’an. After Li Jue’s defeat, he eventually became Zhang Xiu’s strategist.

During the battle at Wancheng, it was largely due to this man’s schemes that Zhang Xiu dealt a crushing blow to Cao Cao, resulting in the deaths of Cao Cao’s eldest son, Cao Ang, nephew Cao Anmin, and trusted general Dian Wei.

Now, with Zhang Xiu having fled to Yangzhou, why did Jia Xu appear in Yecheng? And why go directly to the imperial palace to meet the Emperor?

“I have only just received this information,” Ju Shou replied, concern evident in his tone. “By now, Jia Xu should already be meeting with Your Majesty.”

Understanding Ju Shou’s worries, Yuan Shao’s face darkened, shifting between various emotions. Finally, he ordered, “Prepare my carriage! We’re going to the imperial palace!”

Inside the imperial palace, a eunuch escorted Jia Xu to the Main Hall.

As they walked, Jia Xu observed his surroundings while contemplating his next move. His decision to come to Yecheng was well thought out.

Having orchestrated the death of Cao Cao’s eldest son at Wancheng, he knew that falling into Cao Cao’s hands could jeopardize his life. Although he suspected Cao Cao might spare him to display magnanimity, it was too much of a gamble; he didn’t want to risk his very existence on luck alone.

Even if Cao Cao spared him, what about his sons? Once Cao Cao passed away, would his successor seek vengeance for their brother?

Moreover, Yuan Shao held the Emperor, granting him legitimacy and moral authority. Thus, Jia Xu had set his sights on Yuan Shao. If assisting the Emperor proved impossible, he would diligently serve Yuan Shao without harboring any other ambitions. However, should the opportunity arise, he would help the Emperor undermine Yuan Shao’s foundations, positioning himself as a key supporter of the rightful ruler.

Unlike Cao Cao’s stable inner circle, Yuan Shao’s faction was rife with internal divisions. This environment suited Jia Xu perfectly, allowing him ample opportunities to navigate between factions and thrive regardless of circumstances.

The only issue now was that he couldn’t determine if the Emperor within this imperial palace was genuine or not.

After all, both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao claimed to have the true Emperor with them.

As Jia Xu pondered these matters, the eunuch leading him stopped before the entrance to the Main Hall.

“Doctor Guanglu, we’ve arrived,” the eunuch said respectfully, bowing.

Jia Xu nodded, then stepped forward into the Great Hall.

However, it was completely empty, devoid of any presence.

“Where is His Majesty?” Jia Xu furrowed his brow. Hadn’t the Emperor already summoned him? Why was there no one here?

Could it be…that Yuan Shao doesn’t actually have the Emperor at all?

Just as this thought crossed his mind, chaotic footsteps sounded behind him, accompanied by a deeply emotional shout that sent chills down his spine:

“My dear minister—!”

Jia Xu turned around to see Liu Xie rushing towards him, disheveled and barely managing to keep his crown on, having even forgotten to put on one shoe—a trailing eunuch hastily followed, carrying the missing footwear.

“Your Maj—”

Before Jia Xu could finish uttering “Your Majesty,” Liu Xie had already rushed over and seized his hand, bursting into tears.

“My dear minister! At last, we meet!”

Liu Xie clung to Jia Xu, sobbing uncontrollably.

Jia Xu was utterly bewildered. Staring at Liu Xie, whose face streamed with tears and sobs, he felt completely lost.

What… exactly is going on here? Is this Emperor truly Liu Xie or Liu Bang?

“B-Your Majesty, please let go of me first…”

As he watched Liu Xie’s snot and tears smearing onto his exquisite brocade robes, Jia Xu’s eye twitched, managing only a strained smile.

“No! We will not!” Liu Xie refused to release him, looking up at Jia Xu through teary eyes. “That treacherous Cao Cao kidnapped us from Luo Yang. With great hardship, we managed to escape from Xu Capital to Yecheng, constantly plotting to execute that vile traitor every single day!”

“Furthermore, Your Excellency not only defeated Cao Cao but also orchestrated the death of his eldest son! Upon hearing this news, we were overjoyed and couldn’t sleep all night!”

“Your Excellency, you truly are the backbone of our Great Han!” Liu Xie’s words, amidst tears and snot, overflowed with genuine emotion, almost idolizing Jia Xu.

Finally comprehending the situation, Jia Xu managed a stiff smile. He gently disentangled himself from Liu Xie’s embrace, took a step back, and said, “Your Majesty is too kind. Condemning traitors is inherently the duty of every minister of Great Han.”

“However, it was a partial victory as we failed to execute Cao Cao alongside his son; this oversight rests on my shoulders. I humbly request Your Majesty’s punishment.” With these words, Jia Xu deeply bowed before Liu Xie.

Liu Xie wiped away his tears, eyes widening at Jia Xu’s plea. “Punishment? Who dares to punish you?! For such extraordinary achievements, Your Excellency deserves our highest rewards!” His voice filled with fervor, he helped Jia Xu rise to his feet.

Then, gazing intently at Jia Xu, he asked earnestly, “Is Your Excellency here in Yecheng to assist us in restoring the glory of Great Han?”

Faced with such a question, Jia Xu could only force a smile.

He never anticipated that this emperor before him would defy all expectations, completely throwing his carefully prepared words into disarray. For a moment, he found himself at a loss for how to respond.