But the imperial edict had made it perfectly clear: anyone who did not go would be treated as a rebel.
Who would dare refuse?
Helpless, the Eighteen Lords discussed the matter among themselves and could only obey the edict.
Jiang Siming and the civil and military officials were temporarily staying in a nearby county, inside the county office, where Emperor Xian of Han was also present.
Emperor Xian of Han sat in the county office's main seat, while Jiang Siming sat in a chair beside him.
That had once been Dong Zhuo's seat, but its occupant had now changed.
The officials were all delighted by the change. After all, the new occupant was His Majesty's trusted confidant.
Before long, the eighteen lords arrived.
"Let them in," Jiang Siming said leisurely, taking a sip of tea.
Eighteen men dressed as generals entered. As soon as they came in, they respectfully paid their respects to Emperor Xian of Han.
Jiang Siming looked them over one by one. Apart from Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, he did not recognize a single one of them.
However, they introduced themselves one after another, and Jiang Siming soon learned who they were.
Yuan Shu, General of the Rear and Governor of Nanyang; Han Fu, Governor of Jizhou; Kong Zhou, Inspector of Yuzhou; Gongsun Zan, Governor of Beiping; Sun Jian, Marquis of Wucheng and Governor of Changsha; and so on.
Jiang Siming glanced around and asked, "I heard that Liu, Guan, and Zhang fought Lu Bu at Hulao Pass and slew Hua Xiong. Where are they?"
"Your Excellency, they are waiting outside."
"Have them come in."
"Yes, sir."
Soon, three more men entered. One had large ears and a kindly appearance, another had a leopard's head and ringed eyes, and the last had a red face and