Chapter 2: Opposing Cao Cao?

"Your Majesty, why don't we tell Cao Cao about this matter? After all, if we want to restore the Han dynasty, we must rely on him!"

Fushou, after all, was only a woman in her early twenties. Upon hearing Liu Xie's words, she became flustered, her voice and chest trembling as she spoke.

"Hmph! Since when has restoring the Han dynasty depended solely on the man named Cao?"

"But Your Majesty, you have no troops under your command. Even if you did, you have never fought a battle!"

Fushou was well aware of Liu Xie's limitations. In her eyes, he was merely a clever but somewhat benevolent young man. Though he had weathered some storms, leading troops into battle was certainly not his forte.

"My imperial uncle, in his youth, was nothing more than a mat-weaver and sandal-seller, was he not? Yet now he can lead an army to destroy Yuan Shu. Some things are best kept between you and me. As for what I am capable of, you will understand in time."

Of course, Fushou only understood the surface of Liu Xie's words. As for the future he spoke of, she truly did not grasp it, nor did such matters spark much other interest in her at the moment.

That night, Fushou claimed Liu Xie was suffering from a severe headache and personally stayed to care for him in the sleeping quarters. For the first half of the night, the two dared not indulge in anything else. Liu Xie had Fushou write a letter to her father, Fu Wan. Though the letter was written in Fushou's hand, Liu Xie dictated each line, and by the end, the empress's hand was visibly trembling.

"For a grave illness, one must use strong medicine. Time is running short for us. Send this letter out as early as possible tomorrow."

"Your Majesty, this—"

"From this day forth, I must play my role as emperor in earnest. If they have the gall to kill me in this palace, then the realm is already theirs."

Seeing Fushou gazing at him with stars in her eyes, as if meeting him for the first time, Liu Xie nodded slightly. At last, he thought, he was beginning to look the part of an emperor.

He spoke with such certainty because, at this stage, neither Cao Cao nor Dong Cheng could possibly dare to kill him. If he were gone, what legitimate reason would Cao Cao have to oppose Yuan Shao? As things stood, Cao Cao was not yet the most powerful warlord in the land. Even Liu Biao, should he choose to fight in earnest, was more formidable.

If the emperor wished to regain the initiative, he had to act before Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao. Otherwise, if Yuan Shao were destroyed, he would truly become nothing more than a caged bird in Cao Cao's hands. At that point, his life or death would mean nothing to Cao Cao.

Of course, he still had some time. Before that, he needed to resolve the great lie of the "Edict in the Belt" that Dong Cheng had fabricated.

But before tackling either of those matters, he wanted Fushou to relax, to master a few new postures and techniques in a certain private exercise they had not attempted before.

In the middle of the night, Liu Xie, breathless and panting, whispered in Fushou's ear, "You see, my illness has almost passed. Tomorrow, go and inform the eunuchs outside that it is time for court."

"Attend court?"

"That's right. Affairs of the court are not for the empress to worry about. Go and tell Lady Dong that if she wishes to retain her title, she is not to meet anyone for half a month, including the General of Chariots and Cavalry."

By custom, the empire still belonged to the Han, and the Son of Heaven held court in Xuchang as ever, convening at regular intervals to discuss state affairs. But now, with the realm in chaos, court discussions were little more than debates over whom to attack next. Military power rested with Cao Cao, who, in recent years, had maintained a show of deference, often asking Liu Xie's opinion before deploying troops. Liu Xie typically replied with approval, and this tacit understanding had persisted for years.

The next morning, word of the emperor's recovery reached the Minister of Works' mansion. Sitting at the head of the hall was a man of unremarkable appearance—small eyes, a small nose, but with sharp gaze and a long beard on his chin—none other than Cao Cao, Minister of Works of the Han.

"Fengxiao, it seems His Majesty was truly ill this time. At court today, I shall speak to him about sending troops to Guandu, so the world may see that His Majesty is well, and that this campaign to subdue Yuan the Traitor is personally arranged by the emperor."

Seated beside Cao Cao was a pale, beardless man, slender in build, but with eyes as bright as stars—Guo Jia, Cao Cao's most trusted advisor.

"That is well. However, with you away, Xudu cannot be left undefended. Dong Cheng is arrogant, having made his own daughter a consort, and now she is pregnant. He must be plotting something."

As Guo Jia spoke, his expression did not change.

At the mention of Dong Cheng, Cao Cao shook his head and smiled, clearly not seeing the General of Chariots and Cavalry as a threat.

"Dong Cheng is little more than a bandit. Do not worry, Fengxiao. Even if I lent him ten times the courage, he would not dare act rashly. And if he does, he will be killed."

"He cannot be killed yet. Everything must wait until you have defeated Yuan Shao. If you do not, you will remain nothing more than Minister of Works."

At this, Cao Cao nodded slightly, his gaze already drifting northward to the vast lands beyond. He uttered, "Come, let us attend court."

In the palace hall, the officials had already assembled, their faces expressionless. Only then did Cao Cao, accompanied by Guo Jia and a few others, stroll to his seat.

By rights, Liu Xie should have already been seated at the head, but today the throne remained empty. Cao Cao frowned, thinking to himself that the emperor must truly have been ill.

After a short while, Liu Xie arrived late, taking his seat with a bold and unhurried air.

Guo Jia, standing at Cao Cao's side, observed the emperor's pale complexion and felt that this eighteen-year-old monarch seemed somehow different, though he could not say exactly how.

"If there is business, present it. If not, court is dismissed!" Liu Xie gestured, and the eunuch beside him announced in shrill tones that echoed through the hall.

"Your Majesty, I have urgent business!" Cao Cao immediately stepped forward, performed a brief bow, and spoke loudly.

"Oh? Minister of Works, speak freely."

"Your Majesty, the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu have long been disloyal to the Han. Not only have they privately cast jade seals and proclaimed themselves emperors, but they also scheme to attack Xuchang. I request permission to lead fifty thousand of our finest troops to Guandu and prepare to subdue Yuan Shao, so as to ease Your Majesty’s concerns!"

The speech was much as Liu Xie had anticipated, confirming that Cao Cao, at least for now, remained unaware of Dong Cheng’s plot against him.

When Cao Cao finished, Liu Xie smiled slightly. After all these years of Cao Cao monopolizing the stage at court, it was time for the emperor to showcase a bit of his own acting talent.

"Minister of Works, your devotion to the Han is truly tireless! Each time I think of it, I am moved to tears. For this campaign, I ought to personally see you off at the city gates. However, there is one matter I must ask you to resolve before you depart..."