Chapter 26: The Final Act

Liu Xie’s reaction was not seen as improper by the officials in court, nor by Xun Yu. Regardless of how Cao Cao treated Liu Xie, once Cao Cao was defeated, Liu Xie would not only lose his throne to Yuan Shao, but his very life would be in jeopardy. Therefore, whatever the case, if Cao Cao were to defeat Yuan Shao, Liu Xie would owe him thanks.

“Your Majesty, though we have won this battle, the Minister of Works must not grow complacent. The siege of Baima being lifted is merely a blow to Yuan Shao’s army’s morale. The coming campaigns will require the Minister of Works to command at the front lines. When the Minister of Works truly triumphs over Yuan Shao, I shall bring Your Majesty to welcome him at the city gates!”

“In that case, I will personally write a letter to encourage the Minister of Works!”

Seeing Liu Xie’s earnest concern for the outcome of the battle, Xun Yu felt deeply gratified. Originally a trusted strategist under Cao Cao, respected among his peers, Xun Yu’s attitude shifted after escorting Liu Xie back to Xuchang. He knew full well that Cao Cao harbored ambitions of usurping the throne, yet Xun Yu still wished to remain a loyal servant of the Han.

He never imagined that Liu Xie’s joy was genuine, but not because of Cao Cao’s victory—it was because the opportunity he had long awaited had finally arrived.

That day, upon returning to his palace, Liu Xie’s first act was to compose a letter to Cao Cao. Within the letter, he lavished praise upon Cao Cao, calling him a hero of the Han, a figure who had nearly rescued the entire dynasty from calamity, whose achievements none could surpass.

After handing this letter to Xun Yu, Liu Xie knew his true opportunity had come.

From Xun Yu, Liu Xie easily learned that after lifting the siege of Baima, Cao Cao would concentrate his forces at Guandu for a protracted war with Yuan Shao.

This matched Liu Xie’s own expectations exactly. He understood that Cao Cao, at this moment, would not be watching him closely—he simply lacked the energy.

That night, Liu Xie made no rash moves, but spent half the night pondering quietly in his own chambers.

This was not a short journey, and as emperor, his departure would eventually be discovered. Although Cao Cao was absent from Xuchang, once his escape was found out, Xun Yu and the others would certainly pursue him with all their strength. If he were caught on the road, the outcome needed no explanation.

Zhang Hong had long promised to arrange a safe route, complete with carriage and guides—everything ready. At a critical moment, Zhang Hong would even act as a decoy to distract Cao Cao’s men in the city, striving to buy time for Liu Xie and his party.

But Liu Xie was not one to rely on others. No matter how carefully Zhang Hong planned, what if something went wrong en route?

He gazed at the map of the Han hanging on the wall. Though the realm was now shattered, the distance from Xuchang to Wu was still vast, with more than one possible path.

Besides the fact that Cao Cao was not in Xuchang and his attention was fixed on the battlefield with Yuan Shao, Liu Xie understood he had another small advantage: even if Cao Cao discovered his secret escape, he would not announce it or make a public pursuit. Once the other warlords learned of it, each would want to become the next Cao Cao.

If Yuan Shao found out, it would affect the morale of Cao Cao’s troops at Guandu.

Liu Xie had considered interfering in the outcome of the battle at Guandu, but quickly dismissed the thought. While he might exert a slight influence, Yuan Shao’s victory would not benefit him; Yuan Shao had long intended to enthrone a new emperor. If he destroyed Cao Cao, killing Liu Xie and establishing a new emperor would be his first act. Cao Cao had publicly proclaimed his loyalty to Liu Xie’s Han, so after victory, the chance of a new emperor was minimal.

That night, the palace remained tranquil, as always.

Neither Zhang Hong nor Fu Wan made any moves, for they both knew when the right moment would be.

They were all waiting for the next court assembly.

Everyone knew that the time difference was crucial: Liu Xie had just appeared at court, and leaving immediately afterward would maximize the delay before his absence was noticed. If luck favored them, they might have at least a day before discovery; by the time Cao Cao heard and acted, Liu Xie could be anywhere.

With the recent good news from the front, more officials stood in the court than before. After all, with Cao Cao holding the advantage, none wished to risk demotion from Han official to commoner should he return victorious.

Once again, Xun Yu spoke of the many achievements of Cao Cao’s army in the struggle with Yuan Shao. But Liu Xie knew the situation was not yet clear; the hardest trial would come when Cao Cao faced Yuan Shao head-on at Guandu. For Cao Cao, only when he fought to the brink of exhaustion would there be a sliver of hope. Xun Yu’s words served only to steady the restive atmosphere of Xuchang.

Liu Xie, as always, spoke highly of Cao Cao in the court, predicting victory within a month, working hard to maintain the persona of an ignorant ruler within the palace at Xuchang.

After this session ended, Liu Xie and Zhang Hong exchanged a glance—everything understood without words.

The city of Xuchang was under curfew, especially during the great battle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Before leaving, Cao Cao had repeatedly instructed the city’s defenders, though his concern was not Liu Xie, but rather his own officials fleeing to Yuan Shao’s camp.

Returning to his chambers, Fu Wan visited Lady Fu as usual, while Liu Xie swiftly donned plain clothes beneath his court robes and, appearing relaxed, walked toward the quarters of Liu Bei’s two wives.

The palace did have several maids and eunuchs assigned by Cao Cao to watch Liu Xie, but after breakfast that morning, they inexplicably lost consciousness. When Liu Xie returned, only he, his own wives, and Liu Bei’s two wives remained awake.

“Your Majesty, are you certain about this? Zhang Hong did not originally plan it this way!”

No sooner had Fu Wan met Liu Xie than he was told of the emperor’s plan. Upon hearing it, sweat instantly broke out on Fu Wan’s forehead.