Every minister's heart trembled.
At the same time, they could not help wondering about the contents of that secret memorial. What news could have made the Son of Heaven so angry?
Curious though they were, Liu Xie was in a rage, and none dared speak up at such a moment and court trouble-except Guo Jia.
"Why is Your Majesty so furious?"
Guo Jia took the initiative to voice the question on every minister's mind.
Liu Xie suppressed his anger and said, "I secretly ordered Xuande to go to Jing Province to help Liu Zhang subdue Zhang Lu, while also preventing Gao Gan from nibbling away at Yi Province."
"Yet who would have thought Liu Zhang would take the initiative to make peace with that rebel Zhang Lu? Not only did he let Gao Gan seize the opportunity to return to Bing Province, he even wanted to drive Xuande out of Yi Province!"
"Xuande reported that Liu Zhang has secretly allied with Liu Biao and intends to send troops against him after spring begins!"
"And besides that-"
Liu Xie's expression darkened further, coldness filling his eyes as he enunciated each word. "Liu Biao has welcomed the Pretender Emperor into Xiangyang City!"
At these words, shock appeared on every minister's face.
Since the battle in Qing Province, the Pretender Emperor had vanished without a trace. Everyone had thought he had died in the fighting. Who could have imagined he was still alive?
They also understood why Liu Xie was furious.
Welcoming the Pretender Emperor into Xiangyang City was tantamount to recognizing his identity, no different from Cao Cao enthroning him!
It was nothing short of high treason!
Liu Xie had already learned through Xu You that Emperor Xian of Han was still alive, but Xu You's letter had only said that Emperor