Tian Feng had observed things meticulously, and his analysis was well-founded.
By this point, how could any of them fail to understand?
The attendant's bundle must have contained Kong Rong's official seal!
Ju Shou's face was full of lingering fear. He sighed. "Kong Rong of Beihai is cautious indeed. Had he failed to return, that attendant would likely have taken his seal to Xu County and announced to the world that our lord had falsely enthroned a False Son of Heaven."
"Well played, Kong Wenju! He actually had such a contingency prepared. No wonder he was in such a hurry to return to the post station!" Yuan Shao, too, felt a surge of lingering fear, along with admiration for Kong Rong.
The man was truly loyal to the Han Dynasty to the core. He would die rather than submit to coercion.
Fortunately, nothing had actually happened to Kong Rong today. Otherwise, that attendant would have fled Ye City at once and spread word of Kong Rong's murder.
Tian Feng added, "Why do you look so frightened, my lord? Kong Rong of Beihai's haste to return shows that he, too, feared his attendant might spread a false report."
Delight and surprise filled Yuan Shao's face. "Could he already have acknowledged His Majesty as the True Dragon Son of Heaven?"
If he did not recognize Liu Xie as the Son of Heaven, why would he have rushed back to the post station?
Even Yuan Shao's hand on the reins trembled with excitement. He wished he could throw back his head and roar.
Hegemony is within reach. Hegemony is within reach!
But Tian Feng doused him with cold water. "Do not rejoice too soon, my lord. Nothing will be settled until Kong Rong of Beihai says it himself. Perhaps he simply cannot distinguish