Chapter 844: The Incident in Guanzhong

"Alright then," Chen Xi accepted Liu Bei's goodwill without further words. If Chen Xi’s predictions were correct, there were significant changes happening in Guanzhong.

"Li Fan, do you have any other matters to report?" Jia Xu, noticing that Chen Xi had already adjusted and completed the handover, understood that Chen Xi was aware of what was happening in Guanzhong. Thus, he shifted the conversation back to Li Fan.

"Returning to Lord Jia, my master instructed me to inform you that there has been a change in Guanzhong. The plan to restore the emperor has failed. Both our forces and those of Cao Cao have welcomed the emperor, yet the emperor is unwilling to go to Mount Tai. As a result, Cao Cao has suggested that the emperor stay in Chang’an," Li Fan reported in a mechanical tone.

Just as Chen Xi had predicted earlier, although Liu Ye and his group had managed to rescue Emperor Liu Xie first, Liu Ye’s royal lineage and Hua Xiong’s ability to meet the emperor again were not enough to counter the greedy ambitions of many court officials.

The Yang family wanted to reverse their fortune, and to do so, they absolutely could not let Liu Xie go to Mount Tai. Dong Cheng, who wanted to seize power, also opposed going to Mount Tai, because Liu Bei’s influence was simply too strong. His reputation for virtue and capability spread far and wide, and his abilities were formidable.

Under these circumstances, both Yang Biao and Dong Cheng subtly influenced Liu Xie, guiding him away from Mount Tai. As for directly slandering Liu Bei, not even someone as reckless as Dong Cheng dared to do that at this point.

With their guidance, and Liu Xie still embarrassed about refusing Hua Xiong’s previous proposal, he found it difficult to reverse his stance. Internally, he was swayed by Yang Biao and Dong Cheng, while externally, Cao Cao persistently petitioned him, with Zhong Yao adding nonsense in between.

In the end, the plan to relocate the capital fizzled out, and Liu Xie decided not to go to Mount Tai. He remained in Chang’an, with Cao Cao protecting Guanzhong. After all, since Cao Cao had entered Chang’an, everything he did made Liu Xie feel like a true emperor.

As for Liu Ye, who occasionally appeared in the palace to advise Liu Xie, his royal lineage allowed him to speak without much reverence. Moreover, Liu Ye never thought highly of Liu Xie, often speaking bluntly about what was in Liu Xie’s best interest. Naturally, Liu Ye understood what a rebellious attitude looked like.

Whenever Liu Xie ignored his advice, Liu Ye would respond with phrases like, "Loyal words are harsh to the ear," or challenge Cao Cao to a duel, further irritating Liu Xie.

In the end, Liu Xie chose to stay in Chang’an. When he publicly announced that Cao Cao would protect the city, Liu Ye shouted in court, "If Your Majesty regrets this decision in the future, remember that the Liu family will always stand behind you. Cao Mengde, if you dare act like Dong Zhuo, I, Liu Ye, will not forgive you!"

After saying that, Liu Ye left the court with a flick of his sleeve. Normally, such an outburst in court would be considered extremely disrespectful. However, nothing came of it. Liu Xie still granted Liu Ye his previously promised title, adding three hundred households to his fief.

Naturally, Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao also received their own rewards. Their titles were elevated, and their official positions were promoted as well.

Hua Xiong, who had previously held a miscellaneous general’s title, was promoted to General Who Quells the Rebellion and was granted a fief of three hundred households, a reward for protecting the emperor twice. He rose from a mere soldier from the eastern regions to a lord with land.

Liu Bei was appointed as Grand Commandant and ennobled as the Marquis of Fanyang. Yang Biao was promoted to Grand Tutor. As Liu Bei’s chief advisor, Chen Xi rose one rank, becoming Grand Minister of Agriculture and Marquis of Zhuye. Others also received promotions, though most were official rank advancements. Only a few were elevated to marquis, as it was difficult to gain noble titles.

After Li Fan went to Guanzhong and brought back the news of Fazheng's defeat of Yuan Shu’s one hundred thousand troops, thanks to Liu Ye’s intervention, Fazheng was also granted a marquis title. Although his fief was only three hundred households, it was still a monumental leap, as he bypassed the difficult step from inner marquis to outer marquis, saving him ten years of waiting.

As for how the young emperor managed to escape, it was all due to a single phrase from Zhong Yao that deceived Zhang Ji, leading him to make a critical error in judgment, which gave Liu Xie the opportunity to flee. Yang Biao immediately took his private soldiers and escorted Liu Xie out of Chang’an.

Although Yang Biao had contacted Cao Cao, Liu Yu had also informed Liu Ye. As a result, when Liu Xie escaped, both Cao Cao and Liu Ye acted simultaneously. However, Zhang Ji, already gravely ill, listened to Zhong Yao’s plan and attacked Cao Cao.

"This is your only chance—defeat Cao Cao, then surrender to Hua Xiong. With your relationship, there’s still hope for survival. But if Cao Cao reaches the emperor first, you’re dead for sure!" Zhong Yao told Zhang Ji.

Zhang Ji, being no fool, realized the truth in Zhong Yao’s words, so Zhang Xiu launched an attack on Cao Cao, only to fall into Xun You’s well-prepared ambush.

Despite Zhang Xiu’s extraordinary talents and martial prowess, he couldn’t withstand the ferocious attack from Dian Wei. Leaping from above, Dian Wei struck down Zhang Xiu’s hurried spear thrust, then headbutted him, knocking him out cold. Such was the fate of this extraordinary general—captured in a humiliating manner. Even someone like Lü Bu might have met the same end under these circumstances.

With Zhang Xiu captured and fires rising from all sides, the Xiliang army, leaderless and ambushed, had no choice but to surrender. At that moment, Guo Si, who had been defending against Cao Cao, was attacked from both front and rear, leading to the collapse of the Xiliang forces.

Upon learning that Zhang Xiu had been captured, Zhang Ji had no choice but to surrender Chang’an, allowing Cao Cao to successfully secure the emperor. However, by then, Liu Ye had already coordinated with Fan Chou to protect Liu Xie.

Zhang Ji, panicking after Zhang Xiu’s capture, was at a loss. For a dying old man, nothing mattered more than his beloved nephew. Unfortunately, he had no means left to save him.

In a last desperate act of brilliance, Zhang Ji devised a way to ensure his nephew’s survival, while preparing himself to die alongside Li Jue, Guo Si, and Fan Chou.

"Are you working for Cao Cao?" Zhang Ji asked Zhong Yao, staring intently at him.

"What are you talking about, General Zhang?" Zhong Yao replied calmly.

"Swear to protect my nephew’s life. If you don’t, today will be your last day. I don’t mind taking you down with me before I die," Zhang Ji warned coldly. "In exchange, I will give Chang’an to Cao Cao."

Zhong Yao looked at Zhang Ji, surprised. He hadn’t expected Zhang Ji to see through his scheme.

Zhong Yao, in the end, relented, swearing on the name of the Zhong family patriarch that he would ensure Zhang Xiu’s safety.

Zhang Ji then surrendered the city, without telling Zhang Xiu anything. He only instructed Zhang Xiu to follow Cao Cao and listen to Zhong Yao’s advice. Zhang Ji knew that as long as Zhang Xiu remained in the Qi Condensation Realm, Zhong Yao, whether bound by oath or motivated by self-interest, would guarantee his safety. Not long after, Zhang Ji passed away.

When Guo Si realized they were being attacked from both sides, he fled westward, hoping to regroup with Li Jue. Fan Chou, faring better, managed to retreat westward during the confusion, thanks to a secret letter from Hua Xiong.

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