Chapter 383

Chapter 383

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Final Volume: The Rise and Fall of Kingdoms, Unification of the World Chapter 383: The Emperor’s Choice

Book: Can a Strategist Not Ascend the Throne?

Chapter 383: The Emperor’s…

Retreat from Huayin?

Huayin is already in front of Tong Pass. Taking another step back would mean retreating from Tong Pass and leaving the Guanzhong region.

This is truly not a normal move.

Liu Yu also hurriedly asked, “Why is this?”

But as soon as he asked this question, he suddenly realized that Qiao Yan’s move was not made arbitrarily.

Retreating from Huayin and handing over the cleanup of Chang’an to Liu Yu was undoubtedly a sign of respect for him. It could also be considered a concession to the Han imperial authority by her, the person involved, or even the victim!

Huangfu Song’s response also confirmed Liu Yu’s judgment: “She said that in the recent turmoil in the Chang’an palace, both the Emperor’s son and the Chief of the Imperial Clan Affairs were involved. If she remained in Chang’an, she might preemptively punish these two according to the law, which would make it difficult to explain to the Emperor. If she stayed in Chang’an and the Emperor issued the order, it might be seen as coercion. Therefore…”

Therefore, she withdrew from Chang’an first, leaving the final decision to the Emperor.

Liu Yu had not known that Liu Bei was also involved in this matter. Now, hearing the title “Chief of the Imperial Clan Affairs,” he felt his breath, which had just calmed down, choke up again.

How could he also be involved in this!

The pleas of the people of Xuzhou had spared him from execution after being brought to Chang’an, but this move of mobilizing troops within the palace clearly pushed him back into a life-threatening situation.

He was so foolish!

No wonder Qiao Yan left the handling of these two individuals to him.

Liu Yang was a prince. If the punishment was too severe, even executing him for treason, it might be seen as overstepping authority. If the punishment was too light, it would damage the dignity of the Han Dynasty. It was better for Liu Yu to make the decision himself, whether to uphold justice or protect his son.

Liu Bei was a member of the Han imperial family, someone Qiao Yan had previously spared out of pity. Punishing him too severely or too lightly was not appropriate, so it was indeed better to let someone else make the judgment.

Even if he were to be executed as a warning, it should be an order from the Emperor, not a rash act of killing in anger.

With the Emperor’s official decree based on facts, even if the people of northern Xuzhou still had any fondness for Liu Bei and hoped he could live peacefully in Chang’an, there would be no room for pleading or defending him in the face of such ironclad evidence.

But even if it was left to Liu Yu to handle, he could not help but feel some hesitation.

After all, Liu Yang was his son. He had previously tried to prevent the child from opposing Qiao Yan, all to save his life.

Liu Bei was also a capable official. In the current situation where the country was not yet unified, such a talented individual could greatly benefit the people if appointed to a key position.

Liu Yu subconsciously pressed his temples, trying to clear his still-dazed mind, when he heard Huangfu Song say, “There is one more thing to inform Your Majesty. Wang Yun, Xianyu Yin, and Chunyu Jia have all been executed by the Grand Marshal and her subordinates for either assisting Prince Yang in controlling the palace or leading troops to attack Chang’an. Their accomplices have also been imprisoned.”

“Although Wang Yun held the position of one of the Three Excellencies, he knew Prince Yang’s actions were improper but never restrained or advised him. Instead, he facilitated this turmoil. After being cornered, he even ignited the explosives hidden in the palace gates, causing them to collapse and drawing public attention. He deserved death a hundred times over!”

Liu Yu remained silent for a long time, his expression finally settling into a dazed confusion. He softly said, “I understand.”

Earlier, when Zhang Zhongjing appeared before him, he had already learned from him how he had been summoned here.

Hearing that Zhang Zhongjing had seen Wang Yun before entering the palace, Liu Yu had guessed Wang Yun’s assistance to Liu Yang.

But guessing was one thing; hearing Wang Yun’s actions described so bluntly by Huangfu Song was another!

With Liu Yang’s abilities, he could not have seized control of the Chang’an palace without Wang Yun’s help. This directly answered Liu Yu’s earlier confusion about how Liu Yang had the audacity to do so.

But Liu Yu never expected that Wang Yun would dare to use explosives to blow up the palace gates!

His current numb expression was not due to indifference to this shocking news but because he knew his body could not withstand intense emotional fluctuations.

Yet the shock he felt at this moment was no less than that of the onlookers who witnessed the scene.

The earth-shattering sound he had heard while confined in the palace was not a hallucination due to his poor mental state but a real event.

Even without seeing it firsthand, based on Qiao Yan’s earlier demonstration of the power of explosives, Liu Yu could easily imagine what that scene must have been like!

Wang Yun!

Is this the behavior expected of someone in the position of the Three Excellencies?

If Huangfu Song had not already said that Wang Yun was no longer alive, Liu Yu would have called him to his face to ask what had driven him to make such a choice.

Liu Yu was ill, but he was not dead!

“Your Majesty, please do not get so agitated,” Zhang Zhongjing’s voice interrupted Liu Yu’s scattered thoughts.

Liu Yu then realized that he had unconsciously gripped the edge of the bed, his knuckles turning white from the force.

While he said he should not let his emotions fluctuate too much, it was hard to remain calm after hearing such news.

He now understood why Qiao Yan chose to retreat to Huayin.

This was not her trying to pressure Liu Yu into punishing Liu Yang and Liu Bei severely out of guilt or public opinion. Rather, in the face of this sudden and shocking event, even Qiao Yan, who had experienced far more than most in her twenties, could not help but feel betrayed by the court.

Without Qiao Yan leading troops from Liangzhou into Chang’an, relying solely on Wang Yun and Dong Zhuo’s faction, they would not have gained any advantage and might have lost their lives, naturally unable to preserve Wang Yun’s position as one of the Three Excellencies after Liu Yu took control of Chang’an.

Without Qiao Yan sending Zhang Liao to Youzhou to intercept Gongsun Zan, Liu Yang would have been captured along with Liu Yu and possibly beheaded.

Without Qiao Yan’s efforts to efficiently mine coal and iron, the miraculous substance of gunpowder would never have been developed, nor would it have become a powerful weapon against the Ye court.

Yet Liu Yang and Wang Yun allied to threaten Qiao Yan’s life with an assassination attempt. The gunpowder that should have been used against Yuan Shao inexplicably ended up in Wang Yun’s hands, used to attack Qiao Yan. It was a case of repaying kindness with enmity!

She had revealed the existence of gunpowder during last year’s plea for forgiveness in Chang’an to boost the court’s confidence against enemies, not for others to use it as their weapon!

Liu Yu’s gaze darkened.

At this moment, as long as he had any conscience and gratitude, he should not dwell on Qiao Yan’s gradual usurpation of power and the Emperor’s marginalization. Nor should he consider that Liu Yang was his son and might have been incited, seeking leniency. The only thing he could do was to handle the matter impartially.

Otherwise, the last vestiges of the Han Dynasty’s dignity would be lost.

He slowly clenched his stiff fingers and asked Huangfu Song, “What is the situation in Chang’an now?”

Seeing Huangfu Song glance at Zhang Zhongjing, seemingly hesitant to tell the truth for fear of worsening Liu Yu’s illness, Liu Yu added, “Do not hold back, speak freely.”

Huangfu Song replied, “The people of Chang’an do not know the situation within the palace walls. They thought Wang Yun and Prince Yang’s actions were under Your Majesty’s orders and have been quite resentful.”

How could the people of Chang’an not be resentful?

The Emperor, high on his throne, only issued tax reduction decrees, while Qiao Yan taught them survival skills in these disaster years, increased their wealth through land productivity, commerce, and industry, and provided them with education.

The difference was clear.

An Emperor like Liu Yu, perhaps rare among the Han imperial family for his early reputation, could be replaced by anyone in his position.

But a Grand Marshal like Qiao Yan was truly one of a kind!

Now, the Emperor wanted to kill the goose that laid the golden eggs, sending one of the Three Excellencies and his own son. How could the people not be furious!

Huangfu Song was still trying to soften the blow.

If he had told the whole truth, it would have been:

The people of Chang’an, enraged, ransacked Liu Yang’s prince’s residence and the official residences of Wang Yun and others. If Qiao Yan had not personally intervened in time, they might have stormed the palace walls.

Even though Qiao Yan explicitly stated that Liu Yu was seriously ill and that Prince Liu Yang and Minister Wang Yun had acted without the Emperor’s knowledge, promising a reasonable explanation after Liu Yu recovered, the people’s voices still echoed through Chang’an’s streets.

If Liu Yu could not provide a convincing answer, the temporarily suppressed storm would eventually return with even greater fury.

And before Liu Yu regained consciousness, this news had already spread beyond Chang’an.

With nine provinces under control, even with two Emperors in opposition, Chang’an remained the capital in the hearts of many. The number of merchants traveling to and from Chang’an was several times that of Ye. Naturally, some of these were Yuan Shao’s people.

Previously, they could not send any useful information back to Ye, as they could not constantly boast about Chang’an’s prosperity and upset the Ye court. Now, they could send this news back as quickly as possible.

In fact, those eager to spread the news were not just Yuan Shao’s people but also those who genuinely supported Qiao Yan.

They urgently wanted to bring this news back to their hometowns and gather more people to come to Chang’an.

If Liu Yu intended to protect Liu Yang or even break with the Grand Marshal to save his son, they could protect Qiao Yan!

Such thoughts were not uncommon on Chang’an’s streets yesterday.

If Qiao Yan had not quickly sealed off the passes after retreating from the Chang’an palace, the news would have spread even faster.

Even so, sealing the passes could only stop military movements, not those determined to leave the Guanzhong region by crossing mountains.

Some of them, influenced by Qiao Yan’s stance, temporarily held back, but a significant number had already spread the news of the Grand Marshal’s assassination.

Perhaps within five days, the news of Chang’an’s turmoil would reach Yuan Shao’s ears.

For the Chang’an court, which had just begun the fifth year of Jian’an, this was a disaster more troublesome than a drought!

Liu Yu stared at Huangfu Song’s face, seeing the unspoken concerns in his worried expression.

“More than just resentment?”

The crisis they faced was not just internal political instability and infighting among officials and princes but also external threats due to this conflict.

Even if Qiao Yan had not retreated to Huayin to allow both sides to cool down, he would have had to make an objective and fair judgment.

A flash of pain crossed Liu Yu’s eyes, but he knew that any hesitation or favoritism at this moment could lead to more fatal trouble. It was better to cut off the rotten flesh quickly, allowing for a chance of rebirth.

He waved to a nearby attendant, saying, “Fetch paper and brush, and bring the imperial seal from that rebellious son!”

He was going to issue an edict!

No matter the subsequent crisis or the arrangements they had to make, he could not hesitate in dealing with Liu Yang. Only then could the people’s hearts in the Guanzhong region be temporarily stabilized.

If the Emperor first shielded his son who had committed a grave mistake, how could the people of Han believe that their grievances would be addressed under his rule?

The attendant had rarely seen such determination in Liu Yu’s eyes.

At some point, the Emperor had become a vague image of a kind old man rather than a威严的天子 in the minds of those who served him.

But now, though still ill, he displayed a sharp and resolute demeanor, reminding people that in the past, when surrounded by strong enemies in Youzhou, he was not just仁慈.

Liu Yu coughed heavily twice. Seeing that the attendant had prepared the paper and brush, and remembering that the improved paper was also Qiao Yan’s invention, along with the printing technique, which was bringing about a thrilling transformation to the world, he cast aside his last bit of hesitation.

“Write! Prince Liu Yang, raised in indulgence, self-indulgent in pleasure, ignorant of classics, not guided by good teachings, though bearing the title of prince, lacks the qualities of a superior person. Holding power, he does not think of serving the country but instead commits beastly acts, attempting to seize the throne and harm loyal officials. Even death cannot lessen his crimes. He is to be executed seven days from now.”

“Your Majesty!” The attendant was shocked by the harshness of the words as he wrote the first few lines. He had thought that since Liu Yang was Liu Yu’s son and had not actually harmed Qiao Yan, exile might suffice. He never expected Liu Yu to give Liu Yang no chance for redemption, directly sentencing him to death.

“Write as I say!” Liu Yu’s voice choked for a moment, but his moral standards were unquestionable, given his years of struggle for the Han’s future and personal righteousness.

If Liu Yang were not his son, his crimes would undoubtedly warrant death. Therefore, this order from his own hand should have the same result.

He must not reduce the punishment due to their father-son relationship.

“Chief of the Imperial Clan Affairs Liu Bei, though having the heart to protect the borders and the people, has committed acts of aiding the enemy. The law is strict, and the imperial family is no exception. He is to be executed seven days from now!”

“Right Protector Shi Sunrui, recklessly mobilized troops, disrupted government orders… to be executed!”

“…”

One by one, Liu Yu pronounced these resolute judgments, with only slight deliberation in wording but no hesitation in outcome. Only when the last “to be executed” left his lips did his tone soften slightly.

But this slightly less severe statement was not to change the previous punishments but to add, “Turn to a new page.”

“Write a self-criticism edict.”

Years of natural disasters and earthquakes had not prompted Liu Yu to write any self-criticism edicts, as Qiao Yan had said that celestial phenomena were unrelated to human affairs. Thus, when he suddenly spoke in this calm yet heavy tone about writing a self-criticism edict, even Huangfu Song was stunned. “Your Majesty, why?”

Liu Yu’s willingness to disregard his father-son relationship with Liu Yang and execute him to give Qiao Yan an explanation was, in Huangfu Song’s view, the best answer the Emperor could give. There was no need to issue a self-criticism edict, giving the Ye court more to talk about.

But as soon as Huangfu Song finished speaking, he heard Liu Yu ask, “Yizhen, if judged impartially, do you think I am still suitable to be the Emperor under these conditions?”

The earlier forceful words seemed to have drained the last of his energy, leaving his face pale and lifeless.

If Liu Yu had not gestured for Zhang Zhongjing to stay back, the renowned physician might have rushed to administer acupuncture or medicine.

Just the physical illness alone made Liu Yu’s question seem not frivolous.

Was he still suitable to be the Emperor?

Ignoring Liu Yang’s foolish actions, Liu Yu’s reputation was not in question. Since the first year of Jian’an, his cooperation with Qiao Yan had been praised even by those in Ye as a model of ruler-subject harmony.

But in times of peace and prosperity, a sickly Emperor might be acceptable. In these turbulent times, he absolutely could not be!

Even a young and healthy Emperor would be more suitable than the current Liu Yu.

Moreover, having just sentenced his only son Liu Yang to death, it meant that in his weakened state…





At the same time, he is also an emperor without heirs! If he were to pass away suddenly, the city of Chang’an would immediately plunge into even greater chaos. It would be better for him to hand over the position of the Son of Heaven to someone else beforehand. In Huangfu Song’s view, this move isn’t entirely unreasonable. The Han imperial family has thousands of descendants, and among them, there are certainly those with real talent. However, he couldn’t help but advise, “Your Majesty, simply choose a new crown prince as your successor. Why must you tarnish your reputation in this way?” Since it’s a self-reproach edict, there’s no way to boast about achievements in a roundabout manner. What will be recorded in history is only this self-written confession of guilt. Liu Yu may not have been a qualified Son of Heaven, but he certainly didn’t deserve to fall to this level! Yet, Huangfu Song only saw Liu Yu shake his head: “When I ascended to the throne, during the coronation ceremony, there were these two lines of expectation—’When Chang’an is in chaos, there must be someone of virtue and wisdom to govern; when the world changes, there must be someone of great virtue to shine across the land.’ Yizhen, do you think I am the one of virtue and wisdom, or the one of great virtue?” In Liu Yu’s pained gaze, Huangfu Song already saw his answer. He couldn’t even teach his own son properly, so how could he educate others? He couldn’t even control his closest ministers, so how could he inspire the world with his virtue? Therefore, he was unworthy of being the Son of Heaven! Rather than waiting for the day when public resentment boils over or chaos erupts due to his sudden death, it would be better to issue a self-reproach edict now, paving the way for a new emperor. “A self-reproach edict?” Yuan Shao was shocked upon hearing this and quickly took the paper recording the news from the messenger. Seeing the edict clearly documented, he confirmed that this wasn’t a mistake in his subordinate’s report but an actual event. In this edict, Liu Yu admitted his failure to discipline his ministers and son, leading to the farce in Chang’an. He also expressed remorse for his years of inaction, only enjoying the luxuries of being the Son of Heaven. In just a few words, the situation was made clear. When the first news from Chang’an arrived, Yuan Shao was secretly pleased. Qiao Yan’s position as Grand Marshal and her authority, in his view, should have been restricted long ago. Although there were those who envied her position and helped spread rumors about her, they had never been able to cause her any real harm. But this time was different! Wang Yun and others had actually taken action. Yuan Shao cursed them for not being fully prepared, allowing Qiao Yan to escape from the palace walls and kill several of her opponents. Yet, he couldn’t help but praise their courage. Failing to succeed also had its benefits. This assassination attempt, almost defying the odds, shattered the trust between Qiao Yan and Liu Yu overnight, forcing the confused populace to choose between the Grand Marshal and the Son of Heaven. This would inevitably exacerbate the internal conflicts in Chang’an, giving Yuan Shao, who had been worried about Qiao Yan launching an attack on Ye City in the fifth year of Jian’an, a chance to catch his breath—or even counterattack! If Liu Yu wanted to protect Liu Yang, and Qiao Yan, due to her youthful pride, refused to swallow this insult, that would be even better. But what Yuan Shao never expected was that even Liu Bian, the puppet emperor, had developed his own ideas as he grew older. Despite his empress being from the Yuan family, he still wanted to impose restrictions on Yuan Shao. Meanwhile, Liu Yu, after Qiao Yan retreated to Huayin, decisively issued an edict to execute Liu Yang and Liu Bei, taking the blame for the incident upon himself. “By doing this, he no longer looks like an emperor at all!” Yuan Shao was furious by the time he reached the last line, throwing the paper with the edict aside. Liu Yu’s weak concession was tantamount to an apology to Qiao Yan, diffusing much of the tension that should have escalated. Even if there were lingering effects, they likely wouldn’t significantly impact their cooperation. To be an emperor to such a卑微 extent, Liu Yu was truly one of a kind! But Yuan Shao had to admit that if it weren’t for Qiao Yan being the powerful minister under Liu Yu, such an outcome might not have been possible. However, there was no point in discussing this now. It would be better to think about whether they could still take advantage of the chaos in Chang’an to achieve something. He thought this and asked it aloud. “Why not?” Xu You replied as he picked up the paper Yuan Shao had thrown aside, carefully examining its contents. “My lord, do you really think Liu Bo’an is only reproaching himself?” Yuan Shao was taken aback. According to Xu You, Liu Yu clearly had more than just this one line of thought. Taking the edict back from Xu You, Yuan Shao scrutinized it again and suddenly realized that between the lines, there was not only self-reproach but also another emotion—a sense of衰老 and暮气. But considering Liu Yu’s age and the territory under his rule, he shouldn’t be showing such signs! Frowning, Yuan Shao, relying on his intuition, made a tentative guess, “Does he intend to abdicate?” Yuan Shao, of course, couldn’t associate this abdication with Qiao Yan. He only thought that there were still a few Liu clan members in Chang’an. If Liu Yu, due to illness and lack of heirs, had such thoughts, it wouldn’t be surprising at all. Xu You nodded, “Indeed, it seems so.” “Then…” Yuan Shao immediately realized that Liu Yu’s excessive negativity wasn’t entirely bad news for them. After all, the most vulnerable time is always during a power transition! He wasn’t optimistic enough to think that since Liu Yu had the intention to abdicate, they might as well directly recruit Qiao Yan and unify the realm. Years of confrontation and the inevitable power struggle between him and Qiao Yan made such a merger utterly impossible. Yuan Shao wasn’t foolish enough to give Qiao Yan a legitimate reason to invade Ji Province and settle scores with him. He simply continued to ask Xu You, “If Liu Bo’an’s intention is indeed true, what strategy do you suggest, Ziyuan?” Xu You stroked his beard and replied, “My lord, do you think Qiao Yeshu can’t see the meaning behind this edict? If the palace assassination had already given her the moral high ground, Liu Yu’s current intention will undoubtedly make her feel guilty. But the fact that Liu Bo’an is unfit to bear the responsibilities of the Son of Heaven is undeniable. This means—” “At least for the short term, Qiao Yeshu must remain in Chang’an to deal with the aftermath of Wang Zishi’s rebellion and the transition of the throne.” “Since the messenger reported that Qiao Yeshu, upon returning to Chang’an to meet the emperor, brought Zhao Zilong along to ensure her safety, she won’t have the time to focus on the Luoyang region anytime soon. Moreover, the number of generals available for defense here is limited.” “My lord, don’t you think our opportunity has arrived?” Yes! How could this not be an opportunity? Even if Qiao Yan’s two years of governance in Luoyang had won the hearts of the people, Yuan Shao’s goal wasn’t to seize Luoyang but to launch a raid on Qiao Yan’s stronghold, boosting the confidence of his alliance to continue opposing the west. The series of defeats had made this confidence as precarious as the Han dynasty’s dignity, causing Yuan Shao endless headaches. But Bingzhou, Qiao Yan’s base, was difficult to attack; Xuzhou was tightly guarded, with strategists everywhere, making it hard to scheme against; and Youzhou, where even the Wuhuan people had submitted to Qiao Yan’s subordinates, had natural geographical barriers, making any attack challenging. But now he saw a breakthrough. This breakthrough was called Luoyang! Yuan Shao’s eyes lit up with determination. He immediately ordered, “Command Zhang Junyi to lead troops from Henei County, cross the river, and attack Luoyang. Send word to Cao Mengde to advance towards Hulao Pass, capture it as quickly as possible, and march towards Luoyang!” “This battle isn’t about capturing the city but about plundering Luoyang’s granaries and retreating!” With the population around Luoyang growing over the years, Yuan Shao’s swift mobilization was destined not to be a surprise attack. But the fact that Luoyang had no main general, no Qiao Yan to command, and only soldiers guarding the eight passes was undeniable. The Mengjin and Xiaopingjin fords north of Luoyang were immediately attacked by Zhang He’s forces. Even with the defending troops and reinforcements from Hedong County led by Prefect Zhuge Xuan intercepting, the initial clash nearly allowed Zhang He to break through. On the other hand, Xu Huang, stationed at Hulao Pass, used the steep terrain of Chenggao and his well-equipped troops to hold off Cao Cao outside Luoyang without much difficulty. However, the continuous advance of troops from Yanzhou made the situation far from easy to handle. Xun Yu, in charge of Luoyang’s overall situation, immediately ordered all Luoyang residents to halt movements towards Hedong, Henei, Yanzhou, and Yu Province. Recruitment centers were set up in the city to replenish the reserve forces for both fronts. The conscription order caused a wave of discussions and debates in Luoyang. Just two days before Yuan Shao’s mobilization, news of the Grand Marshal’s return to Chang’an and the subsequent events, along with Liu Yu’s response, had reached Luoyang. The former was even more infuriating than the rumors from last October. As a young man from the household next to Liu Xie’s said, “If the Grand Marshal truly had any rebellious intentions, she could have declared herself emperor in Luoyang while the emperor was ill, or during this audience, she could have stormed the palace without hesitation. How could she have given them the opportunity to nearly succeed in assassinating her?” If it weren’t for the emperor punishing even his own son, Liu Xie felt that, given the Grand Marshal’s contributions to Luoyang, they might have even considered marching to Chang’an through the Xiaohan Pass. But now, instead of heading to Chang’an, there was another way to show their support for the Grand Marshal—by answering Luoyang’s call to arms and delivering a blow to Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, who were attempting to invade Luoyang! This sentiment wasn’t limited to the household next to Liu Xie’s. During last year’s plague in Luoyang, thanks to Qiao Yan’s arrangements, hundreds, if not thousands, of lives were saved. These survivors, who also made it through the winter with the help of cotton clothing, had long wanted to give back in some way. As Liu Xie walked through the streets, he saw countless young men, filled with determination, hurrying towards the recruitment centers. Of course, war meant death, but everyone knew that Qiao Yan was fair in rewarding her soldiers. Those who killed enemies in battle could either receive ample supplies or rise through the ranks under her command, offering a path to advancement. Moreover, many of these people were originally refugees who had fled to Luoyang to escape famine. Now, they considered Luoyang their home and were unwilling to see it return to a state of chaos. Therefore, these invaders had to be repelled! Watching this genuine scene, Liu Xie couldn’t help but feel moved. But when he returned home, he heard his foster father say, “We should leave Luoyang as soon as possible. We haven’t truly settled here yet, and with war approaching, if any of us were to die here, your mother in Hanzhong would be permanently separated from us. It would be better to take advantage of the southern gates not being closed yet and return to Hanzhong. What do you think?” Leave Luoyang? Hearing such a choice, so different from the atmosphere outside, Liu Xie was momentarily stunned. But upon reflection, he couldn’t fault his foster father’s decision. Indeed, they weren’t permanent residents of Luoyang, only temporary visitors. In the face of impending war, his foster father’s choice to leave was the most sensible decision for someone of his status. People have an instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm—how could this be called an unjust act? But for Liu Xie, the current situation made it impossible for him to leave with peace of mind. Xu You could see the negative and消极 emotions in Liu Yu’s self-reproach edict, and the sensitive and intelligent Liu Xie could too! Liu Yu… might not want to be the Son of Heaven anymore. He no longer had the ability to be the Son of Heaven. This was completely different from when Chang’an lost him, Liu Xie, after Dong Zhuo’s rebellion. In his absence, Qiao Yan could go to Youzhou to bring back Liu Yu, placing a more mature and stable emperor on the throne to create a stable environment for development, benefiting everyone. But now? If Liu Yu, due to illness and the execution of his son, could no longer bear the burden of the Han dynasty, who could replace him? This wasn’t a simple change of personnel! With Liu Yang’s attempt on Qiao Yan’s life, Liu Xie couldn’t help but wonder if this powerful minister, who had served the Han since her youth, still had the heart to support another emperor on the throne! If it were him, he probably wouldn’t. And in the face of rumors and palace assassinations, even if she did make such a choice, Liu Xie felt he couldn’t blame her in the slightest. People get tired, and Qiao Yan, despite her undefeated record in battles north and south, was only human, not a god. But for the already divided Han dynasty, this was an utterly terrifying prospect! If the situation truly evolved into this worst-case scenario, it wouldn’t be a matter of simply merging the forces of the Chang’an court with the Ye court or having Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province, take over Liu Yu’s responsibilities to improve the situation. During his years living among the people, Liu Xie hadn’t been completely isolated from the world. In the months since arriving in Luoyang, he had already seen the answer from what he had witnessed— Neither Liu Bian nor Liu Biao had the capability to bear such a heavy responsibility! What should be done? Liu Xie admitted that he wasn’t the savior emperor either. Even if he could prove his identity and have people overlook the scars on his face, knowing the unattainable desires of the people made him realize something even more clearly than when he sat on the throne. This position was too heavy. Too heavy for him to bear, and perhaps too heavy for any living member of the Liu clan to bear! Even Liu Bei, who had once saved the people of northern Xuzhou and earned their support, had played such a糊涂 role in the assassination attempt on the Grand Marshal. What could others do? “What are you standing there for? Go pack your things.” While Liu Xie was deep in thought, his foster father patted him on the shoulder, interrupting his train of thought. “Fortunately, we’ve been observing the situation in Luoyang and saving money, so we haven’t brought your mother here yet. That saves us some trouble now.” “If we hurry, we can set off tomorrow. Although Hanzhong isn’t as prosperous as Luoyang, with the Qinling Mountains as a barrier, it’s at least harder for enemies to invade.” This was indeed true. If war broke out in Hanzhong or Shu, as in Qiao Yan’s attacks on those regions, it would mostly involve occupying the county cities. Places like Zhuxi, where Liu Xie had lived before, would only be informed after a change of ownership. Such places were much easier to survive in than Luoyang. But as Liu Xie vaguely agreed and walked towards his room, he felt no joy at the thought of returning to Hanzhong. Even though… when he first arrived in Luoyang, he had wanted to leave. Back then, he was afraid someone might recognize him and drag him back into the mire. Back then, he was also afraid his identity might bring great trouble to his foster parents. But as he listened to the debates on governance, as he read the interpretations of the “Changyan” in the January issue of the Leping Monthly Report, as he immersed himself in this Luoyang where the voices of the people converged, the signs of the world’s transformation became clear to him. Now, avoiding this responsibility felt like an unbearable guilt. He was a Liu, once the Son of Heaven, the heir appointed by his father. Even if the Han lineage couldn’t continue, it was his duty to ensure it ended with dignity in his hands. Liu Xie gritted his teeth, flipped open his blanket, and grasped the Imperial Seal hidden within. No! He couldn’t leave yet. He had to go to Chang’an! With this symbol of the dynasty, retrieved from a dry well!