Chapter 86

Before Heohyeon, newly designated as the capital, became Heodo, Cao Cao housed the emperor in her residence in Jinryu. "How could we let the emperor stay in a place like this?" the civil and military officials muttered among themselves, but none dared say it to her face.

What had those proud officials been doing while the emperor survived in Luoyang by begging lunches from travelers? Far from escaping Chang'an, they'd trembled under Li Jue and Guo Si, promised to procure grain for the emperor, then fled—only slinking back later. Those who'd stuck with him to the bitter end were now bedridden, hovering between life and death, unable to stand by his side. No one could raise their voice against Cao Cao.

She'd given up her own home for the emperor and turned Jinryu's government offices into something ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠resembling the imperial palace. In this situation, her prestige soaring to the heavens was only natural. With the immense authority granted to the emperor's protector, she claimed titles like Rear Admiral and Colonel Who Models Righteousness. It was an outrageous reward for her merits, yet no one dared speak out against her.

"Lord Cao, we can't pay salaries to the officials. What should we do?"

"I'll cover it from my personal funds."

"Ugh...!"

Who had donated taxes to the court? The emperor and officials who'd fled Chang'an couldn't even feed themselves—how could they pay those working for the court? Court business wasn't some selfless national duty done for nothing. Absolutely not. Because it was the court's business, they deserved compensation. And Cao Cao was providing it.

The rice and meat for the emperor, his clothes, his lodging, even the servants attending him—all came from the wealth and provisions she'd amassed as Governor of Yeonju. Who in the court could possibly defy her now?

"My lord, this won't do."

"Indeed. If I may speak boldly, please reconsider."

"I agree."

Xun You, Jeong Uk, Guo Jia. All the advisors Cao Cao trusted most in her army voiced their opposition.

"Hmph."

Cao Cao grimaced like she'd bitten into raw silk as every single one opposed her. Her gaze turned to the woman standing silently with eyes closed.

"Sun Uk. What do you think?"

"......"

"You said it yourself. Lü Bu and Liu Bei would clash, those mongrel dogs tearing into each other soon enough. But nothing's happened yet?"

"My apologies."

Sun Uk bowed deeply.

"Intelligence says Liu Bei respects and follows Lü Bu more than expected. Even when Lü Bu, drunk, ordered his own wife to pour him wine, Liu Bei obediently filled the cup."

"......Is that hunting dog Lü Bu that indispensable?"

"They'll fear facing our army in many ways. But."

Sun Uk straightened.

"Liu Bei is clashing big with Yuan Shu in Shouchun. Yuan Shu sent his top general Ji Ling to conquer Seoju, and Liu Bei led troops out for a major battle."

"I heard. Lü Bu mediated by shooting an arrow into the blade of his Sky Piercer from afar."

"Birds of a feather. Lü Bu seems to have a secret alliance with Yuan Shu. They're wary of their positions, so no open feud, but he'll betray at any moment."

Lü Bu would betray them. The consensus was it was near impossible he wouldn't.

"My lord, word is Liu Bei is truly loyal to the Han imperial house. And now we have the emperor."

"......Ho. Use the emperor to command Liu Bei?"

"Yes. If he's truly loyal to the Han house, he'll obey the emperor's orders."

"Won't it be us speaking through the emperor?"

"That's why you should approach the emperor and make the request."

"Hm...."

Request. Not a word Cao Cao relished, but she nodded gravely.

"Will that truly help conquer Seoju?"

"Of course. The conquest of Seoju you've longed for—it's time."

Cao Cao's lips curled up.

"And if Liu Bei defies the emperor's command?"

"He'd be thieves who seized Seoju without returning the Provincial Governor's seal, defying the emperor."

"Haha! That clears the air. Yes, that big-eared thief who grabbed Seoju on his own. Let's brand 'rebel' on his ears and make it his earring. Haha."

Cao Cao laughed brightly, drumming the chair in delight just thinking about it.

"So what request? Hm?"

"How about ordering him to attack Yuan Shu?"

All eyes turned to Xun You at her words.

"Last autumn, strange rumors spread from Yuan Shu's forces. He was obsessed with some prophecy book, relying on divinations, and let slip something terrifying."

"Terrifying?"

Everyone tensed at words uncharacteristic of Xun You.

"What did Yuan Shu say?"

"Usurping the throne."

"......What?"

Cao Cao and the advisors all shivered.

"Has he lost his mind?"

"Chang'an's influence doesn't reach Shouchun, so he's showing his true colors."

"He boasts Yuan clan blood, but can he outmatch Yuan Shao? He's expanding east to Jiangdong, but still feels short."

"Honestly, Yuan Shu's power could justify declaring himself king, if not emperor."

"Still."

Cao Cao snorted, chewing over Yuan Shu repeatedly.

"Fine. Since Liu Bei and Yuan Shu are fighting, send Liu Bei a secret order via the emperor: strike Yuan Shu to restore Han imperial authority."

Play them against each other. Pit thorn-in-her-side Liu Bei against Yuan Shu's army, keep Yuan Shu's eyes on Seoju. Meanwhile, Cao Cao could solidify Heohyeon as the true capital, stabilize internal affairs, and vastly expand her power.

"Heh, fun. Sitting back and commanding the warlords. One word to make them dance to my tune—what joy!"

Cao Cao clapped, her face serious.

"Your Majesty. Do as I say."

"Could you phrase it sincerely, politely, and formally? He is the emperor of a nation."

"Ah, isn't that just for the emperor's presence?"

Sun Uk looked uneasy at Cao Cao's arrogance, but like the other advisors, schooled her expression. A true advisor corrected their lord's errors.

"Issuing a unilateral order to Liu Bei risks backlash. He'll claim mismatched forces or need more time to care for Seoju's people. We need to dangle a carrot."

"How about formally recognizing him as Seoju Governor? Validate the Provincial Governor's seal he holds."

"Sounds right. He can't take the post and wipe his mouth clean. My lord?"

"Hmph.... Do we have to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠give him Seoju Governor?"

"My lord."

"Fine, fine. We can take it back later. Alright, appoint Liu Bei as Seoju Governor."

"......."

"......Can't we ham it up a bit when it's just us?"

Cao Cao reports to the emperor.

The emperor, truly pleased, issued an edict formally recognizing Liu Bei of Seoju as Seoju Governor and swearing loyalty to the imperial house.

"We'll formally recognize you as Seoju Governor, so fight Yuan Shu. Told him that."

Cao Cao smacked her lips with relish.

"What'll Liu Bei do?"

"Obey, of course. As a servant of the Han house."

Cao Cao had commanded Liu Bei through the emperor's mouth. Though the target was lowly Liu Bei, the fact she could move provincial governors or inspectors at her whim was hugely encouraging.

"Who next?"

"My lord, overdo it and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it's worse than nothing."

"Hm, like a child with a knife? Sorry. I just can't help it—wielding the puppet emperor's power."

Now the advisors grasped why Cao Cao craved wielding authority: commanding true warlords like a lord of lords.

"My lord, surely...."

"Yes. Can't I ask the emperor a favor? Repay my friend's grace. Didn't Yuan Shao grant me Yeonju Governorship? Now I'll 'grant' him an office. Grand Commandant, maybe?"

Cao Cao smirked.

"What's a friend for? Haha!"

"Has this bitch lost her mind?"

Yuan Shao sneered at the edict before him.

"Granting me office in a fake emperor's name? Grand Commandant, no less?"

"My lord, that...!"

"Guess I'll cross the Yellow River. My bestie's head seems off—better bash it straight."

Yuan Shao rejects the emperor's edict.