Chapter 129: A Change of Dynasty

Cao Cao’s words stunned the entire court, throwing the civil and military officials into chaos.

Some stared in wide-eyed disbelief. Others pointed fingers at Cao Cao, their faces contorted with rage. Some even prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling uncontrollably and at a total loss.

Beside the Han Emperor’s coffin, Cao Cao remained calm and composed; Sun Quan’s expression was serene, while only Liu Bei frowned slightly.

"Oh?" Cao Cao, seemingly noticing Liu Bei’s dissent, smiled and gestured toward him. "Does Xuande have other thoughts?"

Liu Bei nodded. "I believe that since His Majesty reigned for many years and suffered under Dong Zhuo’s tyranny, he fits the definition of one who met calamity in the state. I believe the posthumous title 'Emperor Xiao Min of Han' would be more appropriate."

"Hehehe? Hahahaha!" Cao Cao chuckled softly at first, then burst into hearty laughter.

He laughed, and Liu Bei laughed along, though he could not make a sound; the gaze he fixed upon Cao Cao grew increasingly icy.

The Han Emperor was dead. Dong Zhuo was dead. Within the current Han Dynasty, there no longer existed any force capable of threatening the three of them. Consequently, the relationship between the three had become far more delicate.

Cao Cao’s intentions were clear to Liu Bei. *Emperor Xian?* The throne of the Son of Heaven was a divine artifact; to "offer up" (Xian) that artifact meant the official end of the Han Dynasty, making the establishment of a new dynasty a logical conclusion.

Liu Bei’s intentions were equally clear to Cao Cao. Proposing the title "Min"? To meet calamity in the state was merely the plight of Liu Xie’s generation. As long as someone inherited the throne, the Han lineage could continue.

"I disagree with Xuande," Cao Cao said, appearing to ask Sun Quan casually. "What does Zhongmou think?"

Sun Quan pondered for a long moment before saying, "I also believe that 'Emperor Xiao Xian of Han' seems more appropriate."

"Oh? It is rare for you to share my view, Zhongmou. What do you think, Xuande?"

Liu Bei gave a bitter smile. Although he had married Sun Quan’s sister, whenever a critical moment arose, Sun Quan always sided with Cao Cao.

*Forget it!* Liu Bei thought, almost giving up. *Even if it lacks a proper name or justification, I am, at the very least, a kinsman of the Han clan. That is still better than the other two.*

Just then, a warrior clad in golden armor strode into the Weiyang Palace. Judging by the style of his armor, he did not belong to any army of the Han; it was the regalia of the Chu army, specifically that of the imperial palace guards.

"Who are you?" Cao Cao asked.

The golden-armored warrior rendered a military salute and replied, "This humble general is a commander of the Chu Imperial Guard. By order of the Duke of Jin, I have come to deliver a personal letter from him."

Hearing it was a letter from Fan Li, Cao Cao stepped forward to receive it, with Liu Bei and Sun Quan following closely behind. As the letter was unfolded, elegant, sweeping calligraphy met their eyes.

"Fan Li is well aware that the three of you have always harbored great ambitions."

"After the passing of the Han Emperor, the sky is high and the seas are vast; the three of you are no longer bound by cages or nets."

"Fan Li first offers his congratulations to you three, for you will finally be able to realize your lifelong aspirations. There is, however, a small matter I wish to bring to your attention."

"Emperor Liu Xie of Han was benevolent and virtuous, diligent in governance and loving toward his people. He quelled chaos and was a wise monarch of his time, deserving of a place in history."

"As for the posthumous title, even those who wish to defame him cannot obscure his virtues; why waste such effort?"

"Fan Li humbly believes that the posthumous title of the Han Emperor is a reflection of the successor's own magnanimity."

"Though the Great Chu occupies but a corner of the world, we wish to be friends with those of broad minds and refuse to walk the same path as those of narrow ones. I hope the three of you will consider this carefully."

...

On the border between Chu and Han, Fan Li sat alone in his carriage, looking sullen and lost in thought.

Princess Changle was gone. She had left Chang'an, and she had left him.

To be lovers for a night only to have the woman hitch up her skirts and run away—it was a first for Fan Li, both in this life and the last.

*She is truly something!* Fan Li gritted his teeth, not knowing whom to be angry at. Finally, he vented his frustration into the letter, using both explicit and implicit warnings for Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan.

*At least let me win a posthumous reputation for my father-in-law,* Fan Li muttered to himself. *Emperor Xian? What a wretched title.*

Fan Li was now the de facto son-in-law of the Han Emperor. Did the Emperor’s dignity, Princess Changle’s dignity, and his own dignity not matter? *To hell with the Han Emperor!* At a time like this, Fan Li did not care if he offended Cao, Liu, or Sun. Since the three of them were about to found their own kingdoms, they would never dare to turn against him.

The Chu delegation traveled slowly from Chang'an to the border. This was Fan Li’s order. Throughout the journey, he observed the changes in the lives of the Han people. Refugees were returning to their homes, fields were being replanted, and granaries were being opened in every prefecture. While it could not be called prosperous, it was at least a recovery. After years of being ravaged by Dong Zhuo, the Han Dynasty had been injected with new vitality by the Emperor in just one hundred days.

Fan Li suddenly recalled something and shouted to the outside of the carriage, "Lu Bu, did the Han Dynasty really have a Yellow Turban Rebellion?"

Lu Bu, riding on the back of his Red Hare horse, looked embarrassed at the question. "Perhaps... perhaps there was?"

Fan Li smiled. He believed Lu Bu was not lying. The Han might have seen a Yellow Turban Rebellion, but how could a peasant uprising last long? Especially when faced with well-equipped armies and powerful cultivators. The remnants of the Yellow Turbans had lingered for years, but those who followed were likely fakes.

The delegation traveled for another half-day, and the commander Fan Li had sent to deliver the letter returned.

"Reporting to the Duke of Jin, the posthumous title for His Majesty the Han Emperor has been decided. It is 'Emperor Xiao Ren of Han'."

Fan Li remained silent for a long time before saying, "Bring wine. I wish to offer a sacrifice."

The delegation stopped beside a ridge, and the guards busily set up an incense table and offerings. They cut a section of willow wood from the roadside and carved it into a spirit tablet. Fan Li stood with a somber face, waiting for the guards to finish before lifting a cup of imperial wine.

"Heh, Duke of Jin, do you need this general to join you in the memorial?" Lu Bu asked, trying to curry favor.

Fan Li offered a cold, mirthless smile. "That will not be necessary, General."

Lu Bu shrugged and stepped back, looking indifferent. In his eyes, Fan Li, a treacherous minister with terrifying power in Chu, performing a memorial for the Han Emperor was an utterly bizarre act. *Why not memorialize Dong Zhuo instead?*

Fan Li held the wine cup, spilling one portion to the sky, one to the earth, and drinking the third himself. He lowered his voice and whispered, "You were my father-in-law. Although you forced Changle upon me, I promise to take responsibility for her. Please, rest in peace."

After a brief pause, he added in his heart, "Provided that I can find her."

When he woke up that morning, Princess Changle had only said she was going to bathe and purify herself. In the end, she never returned. She had only left a message with a maid telling Fan Li that the Han was at peace and he should return to Chu.

The princess had taken the *Records of the First Emperor*, the Qin Emperor’s Sword, the Twelve Metal Colossi... and the guardian beast of the Han, that infant Black Tortoise. Fan Li knew she had a plan. There was no need to search for her immediately; perhaps she would return on her own one day.

*It would be best if she doesn't come back with a bulging belly,* Fan Li muttered to himself, unwilling to become a clueless father.

Just as he was lost in his wild thoughts, he heard a grand and majestic voice coming from the distance behind him. Fan Li turned his head and saw three enormous spectral figures!

"I am Cao Cao, founding the Kingdom of Wei. The Great Wei wishes to be brothers with the Great Chu, never to betray one another!"

"I am Sun Quan, founding the Kingdom of Wu. The Great Wu wishes to be brothers with the Great Chu, never to betray one another!"

"I am Liu Bei, succeeding to the throne as Emperor of the Han. The Han and the Great Chu shall be brothers forever, never to betray one another!"

Fan Li’s eyelids twitched violently! He understood all too well what those three giant shadows signified!

Lu Bu exclaimed in shock, "My god! How did they all break through to the Mahayana Realm?!"