Chapter 18

Long live the Emperor! All officials in unison loudly performed the salute.

Liu Bian walked with light steps back to the Imperial Study, having received his own transmitted cultivation method. He estimated that within a month, many warriors would appear, and many generals would enter the Postnatal Realm. As for the army corps soldiers, it's hard to say, but as long as one cultivates the method to the entry level, they would also possess the strength of a first-rate martial general. By then, generals would be Postnatal, soldiers first-rate; who in the world could stand against them?

In Luoyang, in the residence of Grand Tutor Yuan Kui, after court, Yuan Kui and Yuan Shao were seated in the Main Hall: "Yuan Shao, later you will immediately go to the army and pass on the cultivation method to the soldiers; also, your own cultivation must not lag behind. The court is full of talented people; you must not fall too far behind. The present Emperor is extraordinarily capable, his methods mysterious and unfathomable, far beyond what other emperors could compare. In the past, the First Emperor pursued the dream of immortality his whole life but never achieved it; yet the Emperor has actually mastered the cultivation method of longevity. I estimate that the Han Empire will soon usher in great unification; by then, whether the Yuan family can enter the upper echelons of the empire depends on you." Yuan Kui said with a solemn face to Yuan Shao seated below.

Yes, Uncle, Yuan Shao understands. I will now go to the army; during this time I will be stationed there and will not return home first. Yuan Shao, with a solemn expression toward Yuan Kui above, wore a look of determination. Yuan Kui, hearing Yuan Shao's words, waved his hand, signaling him to hurry.

After Yuan Shao bade farewell to Yuan Kui, he immediately headed toward the Yulin Army's main camp.

In a short time, the common people of Luoyang City discovered that the court officials they used to see when going out had all disappeared; even the city guards' soldiers had become fewer.

Come here. Liu Bian called out from the Imperial Study of the Imperial Palace toward the outside.

Your Majesty! Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng, who was waiting outside the hall, hurried into the main hall and bowed to Emperor Liu Bian.

Go summon Lü Bu, Cao Cao, and Xun Yu to me, Emperor.

Yes! Afterwards, Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng turned and left.

Watching Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng depart, Liu Bian immediately began processing memorials; currently, his territory is limited and there isn't much to do.

After about an hour, Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng brought Lü Bu and others: Your Majesty, Lu General and the others are waiting outside the hall.

Let them in.

We, your subjects, pay our respects to Your Majesty. After the three entered the hall, they hastily performed the salute to Emperor Liu Bian.

Please rise, Your Ministers, and take a seat. Emperor Liu Bian waved his hand at the three.

Your Majesty, I have found a great talent for you. After Lü Bu knelt and sat, he suddenly said with a proud look to Emperor Liu Bian.

Oh, I don't know which great talent Fengxian has found for me, Emperor? Emperor Liu Bian looked at Lü Bu's proud face and asked curiously.

Please wait a moment, Your Majesty; Wenhe, why haven't you come in to see Your Majesty? Lü Bu shouted toward the outside of the hall.

Furthermore, he turned to Emperor Liu Bian and said: Your Majesty, the person I found for you is the former strategist under Dong Zhuo, Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe. This person absolutely possesses great talent. Moreover, back when Dong Zhuo's subordinates had his son-in-law Li Ru, so Wenhe held a low position in the Xiliang Army; when I, a humble official, went to take over the Xiliang Army, I still owed much to Wenhe's help; otherwise, I, as a junior commander, would not have so smoothly taken over the Xiliang Army. Lü Bu explained to Emperor Liu Bian.

Jia Xu, excellent! Your Ministers truly have found a great talent for me!!! Upon hearing Lü Bu say it was Jia Xu, Emperor Liu Bian was overjoyed.

Cunning strategist Jia Xu, ah, few people nowadays are unaware of him; back then, when he advised Dong Zhuo to burn Luoyang, he participated; his schemes were dark, vicious, and ruthless, chilling to the bone; as a person, he was even more versed in the art of self-preservation, living until the time of Cao Pi, dying at the age of seventy-seven, and even dying a natural death—you tell me, isn't that impressive?

Immediately, a middle-aged man in plain long robes, slender build, and gentle expression stepped into the hall from outside.

Your subject, Jia Xu, pays respects to Your Majesty. After Jia Xu entered the hall, he immediately knelt before Emperor Liu Bian and performed the salute.

Your Ministers, no need for excessive courtesy; rise, take a seat. Emperor Liu Bian looked at Jia Xu with a gentle expression.

Thank you, Your Majesty. After expressing thanks, Jia Xu rose and sat in the seat below Xun Yu.

Alright, now that everyone present is our own, I summoned you here simply to ask: what are your views on the current state of the Han Empire? Emperor Liu Bian said, glanced at everyone's expressions, then continued speaking to himself.

Our Han Empire, since its founding by the High Ancestor, has endured four hundred years of wind and frost; since the Yellow Turban Rebellion began, the late emperor instituted the provincial governor system, and there was also the struggle of He Jin and the Ten Attendants; adding to that the previous disaster of Dong Zhuo, our Han Empire is already riddled with wounds; if it weren't for me still having some means, at this point we would likely have been harmed by Dong Zhuo.

We are incompetent; please punish us, Your Majesty. After hearing Emperor Liu Bian's words, several people immediately knelt on the ground, their faces full of fear. They lowered their heads, not daring to look directly into Emperor Liu Bian's eyes, like children who have done wrong.

This matter has nothing to do with you; it is not your fault. Speaking bluntly, if it weren't for the late emperor favoring his relatives, trusting eunuchs, selling offices and titles, causing officials to be nothing but idle occupants, resulting in the Han people unable to make a living, leading to the current hardship of the common folk across the Han realm, with officials in the thirteen states of the Han Empire few being loyal to the Han house, while many marquises reveal their ambitions, eyeing the Han realm like tigers watching prey. Do you think being this emperor is easy? Emperor Liu Bian stood in the palace with his hands clasped behind his back, head raised toward the sky, his voice tinged with helplessness and sorrow. His eyes revealed deep anxiety and a sense of mission, as if contemplating how to face the present predicament.

After finishing, Emperor Liu Bian slowly turned, his gaze piercing as he looked at everyone. His eyes were filled with determination and resolve, as if telling everyone that no matter how great the difficulty, he would not easily give up.

After hearing Emperor Liu Bian's words, several people were greatly shaken; they had not expected that the young Emperor Liu Bian could see the current situation so clearly. They had originally thought Emperor Liu Bian was merely a hot-headed, impulsive youth, but now they realized they were mistaken. This young emperor far surpassed their imagination in insight and wisdom.

Your Majesty, I, as a junior commander, will surely charge forward and break through the ranks, sweeping away all who are not loyal under heaven! Lü Bu said with an excited expression. His eyes flashed with determined light, as if he had already resolved to serve Emperor Liu Bian to the end. Several others also expressed their willingness to pledge loyalty to Emperor Liu Bian.

Especially Cao Cao, Jia Xu, and Xun Yu; unlike Lü Bu, if Emperor Liu Bian had not risen at that time, given their nature of avoiding political intrigue and fawning upon power, they would likely have struggled to survive, possessing only fervent passion but no opportunity to display it.

Now that Emperor Liu Bian has given them this opportunity, they must strive to serve well in order not to disappoint his expectations.

Good! As long as you, Your Ministers, remain steadfast, I will surely not disappoint the expectations of all! Emperor Liu Bian nodded in satisfaction, secretly rejoicing that he had encountered these loyal subjects. He knew that to revive the Han Empire's might, he must rely on their strength. Next, he will strive to cultivate these ministers, making them capable aides.