Chapter 287: The Grand Court Assembly I

The next day, the Court Hall.

"All officials, enter the hall…"

Grand Internal Steward Li Liangcheng stood outside the Hall and shouted loudly.

The ministers, ordered by rank, formed two lines of civil and military officials and entered the Hall in an orderly queue.

Above the gilded Dragon Throne on the Hall's platform, Liu Bian, clad in a Purple-Gold Nine-Clawed Dragon Robe and wearing the Imperial Crown, sat majestically, exuding Imperial Aura, awaiting the ministers' audience.

"All officials, bow!" Li Liangcheng's sharp voice rang through the entire Hall.

"We, the ministers, present ourselves before Your Majesty!"

All the ministers bowed respectfully in unison, shouting together.

"Rise, esteemed ministers, and take your seats!"

Liu Bian sat upright on the Dragon Throne, his gaze full of authority as he looked down upon the ministers, waving his hand to signal them to lift their heads.

"Is this the throne that stands above the mundane world? This feeling of looking down upon all beings and controlling them is truly intoxicating; no wonder throughout history, whenever imperial power changes, brothers turn against each other and fight within the same house!"

Liu Bian fully displayed Imperial Majesty for the first time; that sensation of looking down on all living things and mastering everything fascinated him. In this life, he is destined to remain in this position, until his authority subdues the universe, controls All Heavens and Myriad Realms, and becomes the supreme emperor.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After bowing in thanks, the officials rose in order and knelt at their respective seats.

"Those with memorials may present them; those without, may retire!" After the officials were seated, Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng faced them and shouted in a sharp voice.

"Old Minister Yang Biao, I have a memorial to present!"

Hearing this, Yang Biao, the top civil official, rose and bowed, saying.

"Minister Yang, please speak," Liu Bian's imposing gaze turned to Yang Biao.

"Your Majesty, since you executed the treacherous minister Dong Zhuo and his rebel faction five days ago, some officials who had aligned with Dong Zhuo remain at large. They have betrayed you and the Han Empire. I earnestly request that you eradicate these disloyal and unrighteous men, exterminating their nine clans, to restore order to the court," Yang Biao said, his face cold, reporting loudly.

"We, the ministers, earnestly petition Your Majesty to exterminate these disloyal ones, nine clans!" After Yang Biao finished, the ministers rose and bowed in agreement.

Liu Bian, hearing this, furrowed his brow in thought for a moment, then said, "I know that traitors deserve death, but I cannot punish everyone for one man's fault. Moreover, given the special circumstances, those ministers acted to preserve themselves. Therefore, I decide to confiscate their estates and execute three generations of their families."

"Your Majesty's wisdom is sage, we bow and submit!"

"Your Majesty, we have memorials to present!" After Yang Biao finished, the martial generals Lü Bu, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao stepped forward, faces resolute, bowing and reporting.

"Three esteemed ministers, please speak!"

Liu Bian smiled at the three and spoke. He placed great importance on them, as he had few capable subordinates, especially among military generals. He needed their assistance; under Lü Bu were the capable generals Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, and both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao also commanded many talents.

Historically, they were among the strongest warlords during the era of feudal contention. Before Dong Zhuo entered the capital, both were loyal to the Han court; later they were gradually corrupted by power, and Cao Cao never proclaimed himself emperor before death. Now that Dong Zhuo is dead and the Han remains standing, they have no rebellious intent.

"Your Majesty, five days ago you ordered me to take command of the Xiliang Army. I have now fully secured it; the former Xiliang commanders Li Jue and Guo Si attempted rebellion and were slain on the spot by my subordinate," Lü Bu said solemnly, bowing and clasping his fists before Liu Bian.

"Very well, you have done well, Lü Bu, you shall be ennobled!" Hearing Lü Bu's words, Liu Bian understood; it matched his expectations, and he responded with a stern voice.

"My subordinate is here!" Lü Bu shouted.

"I appoint you as Grand General of the Xiliang Army. Only you can keep these troops in check. Continue to command fifty thousand Xiliang soldiers, with the rank of Third Rank, and you are granted a residence in Luoyang Prefecture and a reward of a thousand gold," Liu Bian declared.

"I obey the decree, thank you, Your Majesty!" Even the formidable Lü Bu was delighted by Liu Bian's reward, noting that it came from the legitimate Han emperor and could not be compared to the honors bestowed by Dong Zhuo.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!" Cao Cao, standing nearby, hurried to speak after Lü Bu finished.

"Minister Cao, please speak," Liu Bian said to Cao Cao.

"Your Majesty, you ordered me to consolidate the Xiyuan Eight Captains. Now, of the eight, all except the one under General Yuan Shao have been integrated by me; the Xiliang spies originally placed by Dong Zhuo are now under my control. I respectfully request your decision," Cao Cao said solemnly.

"Very well, Minister Cao, your successful integration of the Xiyuan Eight Captains is invaluable. You shall temporarily assume command of them, retain the rank of Third Rank, and be granted a residence in Luoyang Prefecture," Liu Bian told Cao Cao.

"I obey, thank you, Your Majesty!" Cao Cao, hearing this, showed excitement, bowing and clasping his fists.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!" Yuan Shao, who had been waiting, stepped forward after Cao Cao finished.

"Please speak," Liu Bian said with a slight smile to Yuan Shao.

"Your Majesty, three days ago I completely cleared the Xiliang troops from the palace. The forces now guarding the palace's key points have been replaced with my own soldiers; the remaining Xiliang troops are under my subordinate's control. I request your decision!" Yuan Shao declared proudly.

"Very well, Minister Yuan, your clearing of the palace is invaluable. I decide to base the new Han Huben Army on the one company under your command, recruit twelve thousand civilians, totaling twenty thousand, to reconstitute the Han Huben Army to guard the palace, and augment the Yulin Army defending Luoyang to fifty thousand. You will temporarily assume the command of the Yulin Army, with the rank of Third Rank," Liu Bian said after a moment of thought.

"My subordinate receives the order; I will ensure the Yulin Army is properly formed for Your Majesty," Yuan Shao said excitedly, full of vigor.

There was no alternative; since Dong Zhuo entered the capital, the Yulin Army and the Imperial Guard that defended the palace had been seized. The palace guards were transferred by Dong Zhuo into the Yulin Army defending Luoyang, and the palace itself was guarded by Dong Zhuo's Xiliang troops, which gave him the confidence to wreak havoc in the court.

"Minister Lü, I have heard that among your Bing Province Army there is Zhang Liao, a rare commander of troops and a Bing Province officer. I hereby appoint Zhang Liao as Commander of the Bing Province Army, with the rank of Official Rank Third Grade," Liu Bian said, his imposing gaze fixed on Lü Bu.

"My subordinate, on behalf of Zhang Liao, thanks Your Majesty!" Lü Bu hurriedly bowed to Liu Bian.

"The Huben Army guarding the palace still lacks a commander of troops; do any of you have recommendations?" Regarding the Imperial Guard commander, Liu Bian's ideal candidates are Xu Chu and Dian Wei, but they are currently at their hometowns and can only be recruited later.

The assembled ministers, hearing Liu Bian's words, showed thoughtful expressions, considering whom they could recommend.