The officials who had attached themselves to the Cao Clan had their objections, but none dared speak.
Bai Xiaowen then said, "When His Majesty moves the court, all officials should accompany him."
Fu Wan and the other senior ministers who had been briefed voiced their willingness to follow the imperial procession north to the new capital, Ye City.
Many others, however, were unwilling.
An elderly minister knelt. "Your Majesty, I am old and fear I could not endure Ye City's climate. I beg Your Majesty to let me retire to my hometown."
Once one person led the way, others followed. Officials dropped to their knees across the hall, and those aligned with the Cao Clan seized the chance to join them.
Fu Wan looked at Bai Xiaowen. "Yuan Zhengbei, how should we deal with those seeking retirement?"
Bai Xiaowen waved a hand. "You should not ask me that, Father-in-law of His Majesty. His Majesty sits before us. How could we, his subjects, presume to decide for him? Please do not put me in a position where I appear disloyal, no different from the traitors Cao Cao and Dong Zhuo."
Fu Wan hurried to explain. "I was not asking you to decide, General. I was merely asking your advice on His Majesty's behalf. The final decision naturally rests with His Majesty."
Bai Xiaowen smiled. "You are a loyal and upright minister. I misjudged you. As for my advice, I am too ignorant to know whether these ministers asking to retire en masse would have dared do the same before Cao Cao."
Geng Ji, the Minister of the Privy Treasury, said angrily, "They are plainly using their numbers to pressure His Majesty. They still pin their hopes on the traitor Cao!"
Emperor Xian of Han looked at the officials kneeling across the