Coronation in the First Month (1)
As the army of Liu Chong, who had declared the Raising of an Army, expanded its power, the shape of the chaos shifted rapidly. The local gentry and bandit gangs that had committed reckless acts with scraps of troops and violence quickly dwindled.
The foundations of public order were laid.
The hearts of the people, which had fallen into repeated turmoil, also began to regain stability.
In Langya Kingdom in Xu Province, originally the territory of Tao Qian's army, numerous nobles who had fled Luoyang in fear of Dong Zhuo's army's oppression were living. Fearing that Liu Chong's army, having destroyed Tao Qian's forces, might confiscate their wealth, they nervously watched the situation unfold.
"My lord, it seems that Liu Chong, King of Chen, is preparing for an enthronement! The whole world is already abuzz!"
In less than half a year, he had conquered the Five Prefectures of Jiangdong.
The middle-aged man, having received the news from an old family servant, let out a heavy sigh.
"To sweep through Yang Province after Xu Province... Then a new emperor will be born before long. Two emperors in a Han Dynasty already split into many branches."
The hope that an era of peace would return once all corrupt, inept rulers and eunuchs were eliminated was nothing more than a vague illusion. Reminding himself that he had now reached old age, nearing sixty, he recalled his own turbulent past.
Hair half-turned white.
Wrinkles clearly etched with the traces of time.
He had grown old and frail.
He could feel his stamina fading.
Yet, having experienced countless storms over the years, he had accumulated seasoned experience and insight. That was why, even though he had quietly withdrawn from secular affairs, he was still clearly observing the flow of the chaotic times through his old servants.
"The Era of Warlords, when more numerous than grains of sand the lords and local gentry ran wild, is over. Now they will decide their policies by calculating profit and utility... They will either join the eternal traitor who installed a young emperor as a Puppet Emperor, or participate in the uprising of the Vassal King who has declared a Defying Heaven."
There was no third camp.
They would either join.
Or they would stand as enemies.
The warlords, divided into this extreme dichotomy, would point their blades at each other's camps.
'I heard that they campaigned through Sili Province and expanded their territory all the way to Hedong Prefecture and Hongnong Prefecture... Whether she will accept the legitimacy of the Puppet Emperor, or the legitimacy of the Vassal King who is about to enthrone himself as a new emperor. I'll have to find out what decision my Aman will make.'
Cao Song.
Head of the Pei Cao Clan.
Father of Cao Cao, Governor of Yan Province.
He was also a former high-ranking minister who had served in both the Three Dukes and the Nine Ministers.
Currently, Cao Cao's army had decisively defeated Yuan Shu's army, which had lost Nanyang Prefecture and fled to Runan Prefecture. Having thus conquered most of the counties belonging to Runan Prefecture, Cao Cao's army was now bordering the sphere of Liu Chong's forces, which commanded the south.
The situation was explosive.
What decision would his one and only daughter make?
Cao Song swallowed a heavy groan and sank into deep contemplation.
"My lord."
His thoughts continued until the voice of the servant could be heard from outside.
How much time had passed?
The honored guest from Guangling Prefecture, to whom he had sent word two days ago, had arrived.
"The Governor of Guangling has come to visit."
"Escort him inside with due courtesy."
Chen Deng, Governor of Guangling.
The figure managing the Luoyang nobles living in a group in Langya Kingdom was none other than Chen Deng. Chen Deng sent government troops to protect the nobles and provide other conveniences.
Among the many Scholar-Officials, Chen Deng treated the Pei Cao Clan especially well. This was because if any misfortune befell Cao Song and his household, the risk of it leading to war with Cao Cao's army was high.
"I have been waiting for the Governor of Guangling since morning. Have a seat, I already gave orders to set a table with drinks in advance."
"I trust you have been in good health, my lord?"
After a brief exchange of greetings,
Chen Deng shared a cup of wine with Cao Song and stated his business.
"His Highness the King of Chen... no, the Great King of the South, has offered you the rank of Three Dukes. Please, my lord, become the leader of the new court."
"Hm."
The rank of Three Dukes.
To be precise, it was the office of Minister of the Masses.
He also added the lavish proposal of making him Marquis of a Chief District.
It was undoubtedly meant to recruit nobles from high official backgrounds to secure justification and legitimacy. And to keep his daughter, who was dominating the Central Plains, in check, he would hold Cao Song and his family as hostages.
It was a transparent scheme.
Liu Chong's army's proposal was truly blatant.
"What do you say, my lord?"
"Cao Teng the eunuch's adopted son once paid a hundred million in riches to the Han Imperial House and rose to the rank of Three Dukes. All the people of the realm know that he enjoyed glory and power through despicable, low-level sale of offices. And now you intend to appoint such a figure as the leader of a new court... You mean to hold me as a hostage."
"The Great King has given orders to treat you and your household with generous hospitality, my lord. How could he commit the atrocious violence of holding a descendant of a founding meritorious family hostage?"
"I am a man who withdrew from the secular world long ago. If you truly wish for our family's well-being..., then let me remain here out of office."
Indeed, he was a giant of the Pei Cao Clan.
Chen Deng broke out in a cold sweat as he watched Cao Song reply in a calm voice.
"I have not the slightest intention of detaining you or your household, my lord. If you wish it..., I will make every preparation for you to depart safely for the Yan Province stronghold where your daughter resides."
"I am grateful, but I must decline. I shall remain here in Langya Kingdom."
Langya Kingdom was a peaceful resort combining beautiful mountains and rivers with abundant local products. Cao Song, who had fled Luoyang leading his household, had grown sick of the secular world full of schemes and intended to spend the rest of his life here in Langya Kingdom.
Chen Deng accepted this with courtesy.
* * *
The cold wave that had swept the north blanketed the south as the twelfth month arrived.
Snow began to fall.
A season steeped entirely in cold white had arrived.
In the meantime, Liu Chong's army had halted its campaigns and concentrated on internal affairs. Before they could proclaim to the entire realm that a new emperor had ascended, the loyalty and support of the people were more important than anything else.
"Until the First Lunar Month, when the ceremony proclaiming the new emperor's ascension will be held..., about half a month remains. See that there is not the slightest disruption in the preparations for the Enthronement Ceremony. I will not let even a minor problem slide."
"Th, there will be none, Sir..."
The First Lunar Month.
As soon as the new year dawned, the emperor's ascension would be proclaimed.
They had chosen the First Lunar Month, the start of the new year, to symbolize Heavenly Fortune and heavenly blessings. It was also because, for the Han Dynasty, which valued agriculture, the first month was an important holiday for simultaneously praying for a bountiful harvest and wishing for long life and health.
"It's coming down tiresomely."
After sending off the ministers who had discussed the schedule for the Enthronement Ceremony,
I opened the window and looked outside.
Snow.
Fierce snowflakes were swirling.
Watching the blizzard carrying the cold wave, I muttered, "I wonder if the people have stocked up enough firewood."
"Brother! Your sister has rushed over!"
Just when I had been lost in sentiment for a while.
A beautiful woman with long, pure-white hair like thick snowflakes appeared.
Her brightly shining red eyes.
Her long ears, proving she was a Cadet Imperial Clan Member of the Former Han.
She was sniffling with her shapely nose, having perhaps caught a cold from the cold wave.
"Elder Sister, you've come earlier than expected."
"Of course! I wanted to see my little brother as soon as possible!"
Praise me.
Come on, praise me.
The beauty, as adorable as a rabbit, kept tilting her head.
When I stroked her snow-white cheek, a bone-chilling cold, as icy as a block of ice, burrowed into my hand. She had apparently dashed through the cold, because her cheeks and the nape of her neck were frozen stiff.
"Hrrm!"
"Elder Brother Crown Prince, have you been well?"
The older woman threw herself into my arms and acted adorably spoiled. The Sworn Sisters who watched their eldest sister, such a spoiled child, each showed their own reactions.
A beautiful woman whose charm was her lustrous black hair.
And a bold girl with light purple hair flowing down her back.
I exchanged glances with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Liu Bei's Sworn Sisters, and greeted them.
"Your Highness!"
Koong-.
The door that had opened and closed swung open once more.
The moment the maid keeping watch outside announced, "The Governor of Yang Province has arrived," a gallant lady with long red hair pushed the doors open with both hands and strode in.
"Quickly, let me embrace Your Highness's warmth and..."
Sun Ce.
It seemed she had raced over with the single-minded desire to see me as quickly as possible.
As if to prove it, Sun Ce's red hair was damp. Having hurried through the snowstorm, she apparently had no time to dry the hair clinging to her neck.
"Oh my, it seems my brother has taken a local wife in Jiangdong."
"A woman... with Your Highness?"
Had they never met each other?
Or was it not a situation to mull over and recall?
Sun Ce stood there stiffly, her fingers twitching. She had intended to burrow into my arms under the pretext of the cold enveloping her whole body... but her resting place had been utterly stolen by a rabbit of vicious disposition.
"Ugh!"
Next, a girl with a bold impression entered.
It was Sun Quan, Sun Ce's younger sister.
The instant Sun Quan saw Liu Bei snuggled in my arms and Guan Yu standing there awkwardly, her brow furrowed.