Chapter 909: Replacing the Flags and Preparing for Mediation

Shortly after receiving the message, Fa Zheng ordered Liu Bei’s army to lift the blockade on both the Cao army and the Yuan family. A day later, Xiahou Yuan received an urgent report from Yuan Tan’s side, sent to Guo Yuan, instructing him to retreat to Zhao County. This message was written by Cui Yan, who was retreating. It was the only communication that managed to reach them at this time, as most other messages had been intercepted by Liu Bei’s army.

Naturally, Xiahou Yuan received this information as well. Upon learning that Yuan Shao had died, Xiahou Yuan was unsure of how to proceed. According to Cao Cao's orders, upon receiving news of Liu Bei’s great victory, Xiahou Yuan was to change into the armor of the Emperor's Imperial Guard and act as a mediation force to mediate with Liu Bei’s army.

Cao Cao had anticipated that in the aftermath of such a victory, the effectiveness of the mediation order would be minimal. However, Cao Cao only needed Liu Bei to be delayed, giving Yuan Shao time to catch his breath. From Cao Cao's perspective, Yuan Shao's deep foundation meant that even a few devastating defeats wouldn’t be fatal. In fact, such defeats might help Yuan Shao become more aware of the situation.

It could be said that no one understood Yuan Shao better than Cao Cao. He needed Yuan Shao to buy some time, so he wanted Yuan Shao and Liu Bei to be deadlocked. This deadlock would ideally last long enough for Cao Cao to make all the necessary preparations.

In Cao Cao's estimation, Yuan Shao needed to lose once before he could truly confront Liu Bei. If Yuan Shao continued to underestimate Liu Bei’s strength, he would never be able to fight at his peak.

The Yuan Shao who became a paragon of defiance under pressure was no joke. As long as Liu Bei didn’t decisively crush Yuan Shao in the first encounter, Yuan Shao’s combat prowess would increase by half in their second battle.

Thus, Xiahou Yuan was in no rush and waited patiently in Puyang, hoping for Yuan Shao to suffer a severe defeat. Only then would they swoop in with the mediation order, winning Yuan Shao's favor and stalling Liu Bei’s momentum. This would not only bolster Yuan Shao's standing but also diminish Liu Bei’s reputation and morale.

To be honest, Cao Cao wasn’t counting on the mediation order completely stopping Liu Bei. Any astute lord would know that even Liu Bei, a relative of the imperial family, wouldn’t cease his advance in such a situation. Excuses like soldiers disobeying orders or the Emperor being coerced by traitors would always be available.

However, Cao Cao was certain of one thing: no matter how many reasons Liu Bei had to continue, he would have to think carefully. And any delay of just a few days would be enough for Yuan Shao to resolve many of his problems.

Whether Liu Bei would resume fighting after that, or suppress his anger and refrain from further conflict, was of little consequence. By then, Yuan Shao would have recalibrated his approach, and in Cao Cao's judgment, even if Yuan Shao was still weaker than him, the gap wouldn’t be large.

In essence, this mediation order was a remedy for Yuan Shao, ensuring that he wouldn’t lose in a single decisive battle. With this, Cao Cao would have a powerful ally. By continually supporting Yuan Shao, he could stall long enough for Xun Yu to fully establish the foundation they needed.

But as Xiahou Yuan leisurely awaited news, the report he received was shocking. This situation was completely unexpected. The entire world, whether they supported Liu Bei or Yuan Shao, had not anticipated that the battle between them would end after just one fight. Most believed that it wouldn’t conclude in less than three years.

It could be said that, except for a few like Chen Xi and Jia Xu, who had planned for a swift end to Yuan Shao, no one else— even the most talented within Liu Bei's camp—had foreseen such a rapid outcome.

Upon receiving the letter from Cui Yan, Guo Yuan was stunned. With his limited intelligence, his first reaction was to request mediation.

Considering that Xiahou Yuan’s identity wasn’t hidden from Guo Yuan, and Guo Yuan now felt as if he were drowning, it was no surprise that he would plead with Xiahou Yuan for help, hoping that mediation could save Hebei.

Xiahou Yuan was unsure whether it was the right time to present the Emperor's mediation order, but Guo Yuan’s words struck him. If they didn’t reveal the mediation order now, and Liu Bei ended up taking over Hebei, what would the Emperor’s authority mean to a royal relative with the power to devour the entire realm?

Xiahou Yuan was jolted awake by this thought. Liu Bei, having been recognized by the imperial clan, would not be seen as a traitor, even if he gained enough power to challenge the throne. It would merely be seen as an internal conflict within the royal family. The biggest flaw of the Han Dynasty was that the imperial clan had rights to succession!

Thus, in a single day, the previously indifferent forces of Cao Cao and Ma Teng raised the imperial banners and changed into the attire of the Emperor’s guards, presenting themselves as the Emperor’s personal forces sent to mediate between Liu Bei and Yuan Shao’s armies.

As Xiahou Yuan's ceremonial guards changed, Liu Bei’s army, which had been facing them with hostility, also began to withdraw their aggressive stance. While the other side had been pretending to be unaware, Fa Zheng had been happy to play along, knowing that if a conflict arose, they could always claim ignorance.

However, once the pretense was dropped and everything was laid out openly, Fa Zheng could no longer pretend he hadn’t seen it. Some things can be ignored if no one acknowledges them, but once they are exposed, they can’t be overlooked.

"Greetings to the imperial envoy," Fa Zheng and Zhang Fei said, offering slight bows. As marquises, their status didn’t require them to show too much deference, even to the Emperor’s envoys.

"The Emperor decrees that the Grand Marshal and the General-in-Chief are both vital pillars of the nation, and their conflict over trivial matters damages the state’s dignity. The Emperor orders both sides to retreat and uphold the honor of the Han Dynasty!" The eunuch's sharp voice grated on Zhang Fei’s ears.

"Envoy, please understand that my lord is not present at this location. The decree should be delivered directly to him," Fa Zheng said after glancing briefly at Ma Chao and Cai Yang, who stood behind the eunuch.

"Then, Marquis of Taiping, please lead us to Xuande Gong. The Emperor’s decree must be delivered," the pale-faced eunuch said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Could you wait for a few days?" Fa Zheng asked casually.

"A delay of even one day in delivering the Emperor’s decree would be a burden even for someone of your rank," the eunuch, who had clearly been bribed by Cao Cao, replied bluntly.

"In that case, I won’t argue further," Fa Zheng said, casting a quick glance at the eunuch. "But may I ask if you will follow me to my lord, or go with the mediation army?" His tone was full of mockery.

"Hmph!" The eunuch snapped his sleeves and rode off without a word, leaving Fa Zheng shrugging indifferently as he called Ma Chao over.

While summoning a guard for the imperial envoy might have been a breach of protocol, Fa Zheng's status afforded him certain liberties. If Ma Chao chose to ignore him, nothing would come of it, but the fact that Ma Chao stopped indicated there was much to discuss.

"What do you want?" Ma Chao asked coldly. He was aware that the peaceful duels he had enjoyed with Zhang Fei in recent days were largely thanks to Fa Zheng’s leniency in not pressing the issue.

"There’s no need to be so defensive. If I wanted to deal with you, I wouldn’t need to do it this way," Fa Zheng said, glancing at the slightly wary Ma Chao.

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