Yuan Shao immediately unfolded the imperial edict and read it.
This edict calling for the punishment of traitors had been hastily written by Emperor Xian of Han. Its contents differed little from the Belt Edict.
Later on, it added wording about the traitor of the state coercing the emperor and murdering the imperial consort. At the end, it commanded the heroes of the realm to join forces against Cao Cao, with many official titles bestowed.
For instance, Liu Biao was appointed General of the Guards, Liu Zhang General of Chariots and Cavalry, Ma Teng General of Agile Cavalry, Sun Ce General Who Conquers the South, and so on.
Yuan Shao himself was already Grand General, ranked above the Three Excellencies, so there was no higher rank to grant him. However, perhaps out of consideration for Yuan Xi, Emperor Xian of Han additionally named Yuan Shao Grand Marshal.
The title of Grand Marshal had been created by Emperor Wu of Han for Wei Qing, as an exceptional mark of imperial favor. During Emperor Guangwu's Eastern Han, the title had been abolished. Now, in a burst of enthusiasm, Emperor Xian of Han had brought this exalted title back.
Bai Xiaowen could do nothing about it. He had no control over what Emperor Xian of Han wanted to write in the edict—he was still in the stage of winning the emperor's trust. Naturally, he could not act like Cao Cao and casually dictate the contents of imperial edicts, turning Emperor Xian of Han into a seal-stamping machine.
Bai Xiaowen's identity as Yuan Xi was also specifically mentioned by Emperor Xian of Han. The edict stated that Yuan Xi had broken Xudu and rendered great merit, and was specially promoted to General Who Conquers the North, concurrently serving as Governor of Yuzhou.
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