Faced with Shen Pei's praise, Ju Shou said sheepishly, "I merely went fishing outside the city and happened to encounter His Majesty. Above all, His Majesty's blessings reach the heavens. With Heaven's protection, he arrived safely in our lord's territory."
Tian Feng laughed. "Gongyu, stop being so modest. The credit belongs to you."
Everyone joined in the praise, save Guo Tu and Feng Ji, whose expressions were rather gloomy.
They had never gotten along with Ju Shou.
Last time, when Ju Shou proposed bringing the Son of Heaven to Ji Province, they had vehemently opposed it. Who could have known that this time, Ju Shou would go fishing outside the city and somehow bring the Son of Heaven back with him?
Could anything be more absurd?
"Hmph, it was nothing but good luck. His Majesty came to Ji Province because he trusted our lord. What does that have to do with you, Ju Shou?"
Guo Tu gave a cold snort, his tone resentful.
Beside him, Feng Ji chimed in sarcastically, "It seems I ought to learn from Lord Ju and go fishing outside the city more often, if it means stumbling across such good fortune."
Ju Shou smiled without commenting.
Tian Feng, however, had no intention of indulging them. He shot back, "Even if His Majesty stood right in front of you, would you recognize him?"
"Gongyu served as Ji Province's assistant governor, was recommended as an outstanding talent, held office twice as a county magistrate, and attended court to have an audience with the Son of Heaven. And you? What do you amount to?"
Tian Feng had always been known for his sharp tongue and blunt speech. Those words struck Guo Tu and Feng Ji squarely where it hurt.
Though they were all advisers under Yuan Shao, Ju Shou had held legitimate official posts before joining him-and fairly high-ranking ones at that. He had seen the Son of Heaven before later entering Yuan Shao's service.
The others, to put it bluntly, were merely Yuan Shao's household retainers. When had they ever seen the Son of Heaven?
"You-!"
Humiliated like that, Feng Ji flew into a rage.
At that moment, Yuan Shao, seated at the head of the hall, intervened to stop the argument. "All of you, shut up! I did not summon you here to quarrel!"
With Yuan Shao having spoken, Feng Ji could only swallow his anger.
Shen Pei stepped in to smooth things over. Though he disliked Guo Tu, he was on reasonably good terms with Feng Ji. Changing the subject, he said, "Whatever the case, the Son of Heaven's arrival in Ji Province is wonderful news."
"May I ask what our lord intends to do next?"
Yuan Shao must have had something to announce, given that he had summoned them all.
At those words, everyone turned to Yuan Shao.
Feeling their gazes upon him, Yuan Shao hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "I intend to circulate a proclamation throughout the realm, announcing Cao Cao's treasonous designs and persecution of His Majesty, as well as His Majesty's escape to Ji Province."
"Furthermore, His Majesty now places great trust in me. He wishes to establish the capital anew in Ye City, reorganize the imperial court, and summon the officials of Great Han to attend him."
Yuan Shao laid out what he wished to announce.
First, he would inform the entire realm, spreading word that the Son of Heaven was in Ji Province so everyone would know that the true emperor was with him.
Second, he would reorganize the imperial court and establish the legitimate standing of Great Han's Son of Heaven!
Though taking these steps now carried considerable risk, the arrow was already on the string and had to be loosed. If he did not inform the realm now, it would be too late.
Upon hearing Yuan Shao's words, everyone in the hall brightened.
"Our lord is wise!"
Tian Feng was the first to voice his support, his expression excited. "The treacherous Cao Cao claims to uphold the Han imperial house, yet follows in Dong Zhuo's footsteps. Once this news spreads, it is certain to shake the realm!"
"My lord, leave the proclamation to me. I shall expose Cao Cao's wicked deeds to all!"
Compared with Tian Feng's excitement, however, Shen Pei seemed somewhat worried.
After frowning in thought for a while, he said, "But my lord, that scoundrel Cao Cao will certainly refuse to admit it."
"The Son of Heaven escaped from Cao Cao's camp some time ago, yet Cao Cao still announces that His Majesty is in Xu County. Clearly, he must have something to rely upon."
"I suspect that traitor may have found someone to impersonate the Son of Heaven. Otherwise, he would never dare act so brazenly."
Shen Pei's thinking was keen, and his conjecture well grounded.
At the words "impersonate the Son of Heaven," Yuan Shao's hand trembled slightly. A little cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and guilt stirred within him.
In truth, the Son of Heaven on their side was the impostor...
Guilty though he felt, Yuan Shao naturally let none of it show on his face. He declared firmly, "What does that matter? A fake remains a fake. Cao Cao may conceal the truth for a time, but can he conceal it forever?"
"Yuanhao, finish the proclamation as soon as possible, then circulate it at once. We must let everyone in the realm know what evil that villain Cao has committed!"
"We cannot let the world remain in the dark!"
Yuan Shao's tone brimmed with righteous conviction.
Tian Feng's expression turned solemn. "Rest assured, my lord. I shall not fail you!"
With that, Tian Feng turned and hurried away.
Yuan Shao then instructed his other advisers, "The Son of Heaven will establish the capital in Ye City and reorganize the imperial court. Go and prepare the sacrificial rites."
The great affairs of a state lay in sacrifice and warfare.
Moving or establishing a capital, as well as reorganizing the imperial court, were all matters of great importance. They represented Heaven's approval and could not be handled carelessly.
"Yes, my lord!"
The advisers accepted their orders and withdrew, leaving Yuan Shao alone in the hall.
"I hope nothing goes wrong..."
Yuan Shao rubbed his brow, feeling somewhat weary.
Deceiving people truly was no easy task.
Especially now that he had to deceive the entire realm.
He wondered how Cao Cao would react upon hearing the news.
At that thought, the corners of Yuan Shao's mouth lifted slightly into a mocking smile.
Chapter 9: Since Things Have Come to This, Let's Eat First
While Yuan Shao busied himself circulating a proclamation throughout the realm and using the Son of Heaven's name to reorganize the imperial court and summon Great Han's officials for an audience, Liu Xie knew nothing of it. He was still sleeping soundly in the separate residence.
By the time he woke, it was already dark outside.
"How long was I asleep...?"
Liu Xie rubbed his eyes and sat up, his head feeling muddled. It took him quite a while to gather his wits.
He looked up at the pitch-black night outside, then around the empty room. An indescribable loneliness welled up from the depths of his heart, drawing a bitter smile from him.
How he wished this journey through time had been nothing more than a strange dream, and that waking would return him to the era where he belonged.
Unfortunately, this was no dream. It was all real.
"Forget it. Since I can't go back, I might as well live properly in this era and make this trip count."
Liu Xie took a deep breath, his gaze gradually growing resolute again.
Then he got out of bed and washed his face. A little more clearheaded, he began analyzing his current situation.
"Based on what I know, it's the first year of Jian'an. The Battle of Guandu is still four years away, and Yuan Shao is currently one of the most powerful warlords in the realm."
"If events followed their original historical course, Cao Cao would obtain Emperor Xian of Han and use the Son of Heaven's name to rapidly expand his power. But with me impersonating the emperor, there are now two Sons of Heaven in this world."
"Although I'm a fake, Yuan Shao-a big shot whose family produced Three Excellencies across four generations, and who campaigned against Dong Zhuo-says I'm real. Plenty of people will probably be willing to believe him."
"In that case, Cao Cao won't be able to hold the Son of Heaven hostage to command the lords..."
The more Liu Xie analyzed it, the more alarmed he became.
If things continued this way, the Battle of Guandu might never happen, and Yuan Shao might not suffer defeat. History would change as a result!
And all of this... was because he had appeared.
At that moment, Liu Xie finally understood how terrifying the butterfly effect could be.
Had he merely been an ordinary person in this age of chaos, his life or death would have had no effect on the political situation. But from the moment Ju Shou discovered him and had him impersonate Emperor Xian of Han, the gears of fate had already begun to turn.
His existence was bound to affect the balance of power across the entire realm.
"This won't trigger some history-correction mechanism that sends down divine punishment to erase me, will it?"
Liu Xie swallowed, feeling a little frightened.
The previous suspected transmigrator who had tried to change history was named Wang Mang, and the plane's favored son, Liu Xiu, had killed him with the Great Meteor Technique.
He had no desire to meet the same end.
Yet as things stood, none of this was his choice to make. Refusing to impersonate the Son of Heaven would only get him killed faster. Boss Yuan would never spare him.
"Forget it. I won't think so much about it. I'm not dead yet, anyway. I'll worry about the meteor when it actually comes crashing down on my head."
After wrestling with it for a while, Liu Xie finally chose to stop trying.
He had no better solution, after all.
For now, his goal was simply to stay alive. As for the future, he would deal with it when it arrived.
Knock, knock, knock-
Just then, a sudden knocking interrupted Liu Xie's thoughts.
A voice came from outside the door.
"Your Majesty, your servant Ju Shou requests an audience."
Hearing that familiar voice, Liu Xie immediately gathered himself and assumed the Son of Heaven's dignity and bearing. "Enter."
The door opened, and Ju Shou walked in, followed by several maids carrying food boxes. Their heads were lowered, their expressions respectful.
"Your Majesty."
Upon entering the room, Ju Shou first bowed to Liu Xie, then said, "I have prepared some food for Your Majesty. Please partake of your meal."
As he spoke, Ju Shou waved a hand. The maids behind him filed forward, taking sumptuous, steaming dishes from their food boxes and setting them on the table.
Liu Xie looked pleased at the sight. He nodded and said, "How thoughtful of you, my good minister. Come, take a seat and dine with me."
"Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty!"
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