Chapter 26: Liu Xie’s Frustration

Lu Chunqiu listened to these words, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead. He even felt the impulse to kneel before Emperor Jiajing and beg for forgiveness!

His hereditary title as Marquis Wenxin originated from the previous dynasty, but had been recognized since the founding ancestors of Chu, Han, and Ming. Thus, though the successive Marquis Wenxin may not have been true vassals of the three kingdoms, they possessed the privilege of not having to kneel before their emperors.

The imperial entourage of Emperor Jiajing was the first to arrive at Lücheng, and today he formally sought to annex Lücheng into the Ming dynasty. Lu Chunqiu had long heard that Emperor Jiajing was a formidable ruler, with a real possibility of unifying the realm. He had indeed considered formally integrating Lücheng into Ming.

However, upon facing Emperor Jiajing in person, Lu Chunqiu felt an inexplicable sense of danger!

His cultivation had reached the ninth grade of the Harmonious Dao, just one step short of the Grand Completion stage. Yet the danger he sensed from Emperor Jiajing did not stem from the disparity in their strengths.

This intuition was buried deep within the bloodline of the Lü family, a business acumen known as “commercial opportunity.” Lü Chunqiu’s ancestor had relied on this very intuition to follow a prince of the previous dynasty. When that prince ascended to the throne, the Lü family rose to become the most prestigious clan in the land.

“To choose a master is so very difficult,” Lu Chunqiu silently lamented.

The tides of the world, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. When the Lü family’s ancestors founded Lücheng, they already foresaw that neutrality could not last forever. Yet Lu Chunqiu hadn’t expected that after millennia of peaceful neutrality, it would likely end with his generation.

Fortunately, Emperor Jiajing did not continue to press him.

“I am weary. I shall return to rest. I hope that before the Alliance of Three Emperors concludes, Marquis Wenxin can give me a clear answer.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your magnanimity!”

Emperor Jiajing’s willingness to extend the deadline was a concession. Lu Chunqiu naturally seized the opportunity, bowing in gratitude and personally escorting the emperor out of the Marquis Wenxin residence.

“Father!”

A clear, melodious voice rang out, graceful as a nightingale.

“Fubao?” Seeing his beloved daughter, Lu Chunqiu’s anxious expression eased, replaced by a comforting smile.

Lu Fubao wore her hair in twin buns, about fifteen or sixteen years old, charming and lively.

“Father, news has come from the East Gate—the retinues of the Emperors of Chu and Han are about to enter the city.”

“They are less than three li from the city, but why don’t you greet them as you did Emperor Jiajing, going out ten li to welcome him?”

A few days prior, when Emperor Jiajing arrived, Lu Chunqiu had ventured far out of the city to greet him.

Now, with the two emperors only three li away, Lu Chunqiu remained in the marquis’ residence.

He sighed, “Emperor Liu Xie of Han has been powerless for years; the Grand Tutor Dong Zhuo holds all authority in Han now. As for Chu…”

He shook his head repeatedly, as if unwilling to elaborate.

“Oh!”

Lu Fubao seemed to recall something and spoke on her father’s behalf.

“The Emperor of Chu is even weaker than the Emperor of Han. He’s only been on the throne for several months, and Chancellor Fan Li has already usurped his power. I also heard that the Emperor of Chu is forced to address him as ‘Father Chancellor’ in court!”

Lu Chunqiu chuckled bitterly, “Such feeble rulers—whose days are numbered—why should I greet them?”

But remembering that the two emperors were arriving together, he changed his mind.

“Well, they are nonetheless two sovereigns; I should go out to receive them.”

“Let me accompany you, Father!” Lu Fubao smiled.

When they reached the city gate, the imperial retinues of Chu and Han were less than a hundred paces away.

Two imperial carriages stood nearly side by side.

Emperor Liu Xie of Han appeared even more aged than depicted in the portraits Xiang Ning had seen, his hair and beard graying.

“Emperor of Han seems even more unhappy than I am,” Xiang Ning thought quietly.

Both were weak rulers, and upon meeting, found themselves surprisingly congenial. There was a certain empathy born of shared weakness. Liu Xie, upon seeing Xiang Ning, felt a strong urge to confide.

“Emperor of Chu, how arduous it must be, to bring that person along.”

Liu Xie spoke quietly to Xiang Ning, separated by their carriages.

At that moment, Fan Li was no longer riding with them, to avoid gossip. He rode a royal steed, observing the scenery from a distance of more than ten meters.

Fan Li did not expect that at their first meeting, Emperor Liu Xie would cast him such a look of disdain.

Liu Xie withdrew his gaze and, attempting some humor amid his misery, said, “This time, Grand Tutor Dong did not accompany me on my journey. He recently took a favored concubine named Diao Chan…”

“Those who travel with me are the three loyal ministers of Han: Minister Cao Cao, Left General Liu Bei, and Chariot General Sun Quan. They are accomplished in both civil and military affairs and utterly loyal to me—only their foundations are too shallow to challenge Dong Zhuo.”

Lowering his voice, Liu Xie continued, “I hear Your Majesty only cultivates in seclusion, without nurturing new talent at court. If you do not prepare soon, do you intend to wait for divine thunder to strike down the traitor?”

“Ah…”

Xiang Ning felt awkward.

They had only just met, yet Liu Xie already treated her as an old confidant.

Along the way, Xiang Ning could barely get a word in, let alone discuss the important matter of a Chu-Han marital alliance.

“The Emperor of Han is eager to rid his court of traitors, but as for me and Fan Li…”

Xiang Ning’s thoughts grew muddled.

To be honest, she did not harbor the urge to kill Fan Li.

Listening to Liu Xie’s lament, Xiang Ning realized that the situations in Chu and Han were not quite the same.

Though both Fan Li and Dong Zhuo were branded as treacherous ministers, their villainy was of a different kind.

Dong Zhuo defiled the imperial harem, slaughtered ministers at will, oppressed the people of the capital—his crimes were beyond forgiveness.

The Han dynasty had just completed a capital relocation, but both the old and new capitals had been ravaged by Dong Zhuo.

As for Fan Li…

“Fan Li does often bully me, but our Chu state is thriving.”

“The Black Stallion has returned, our national strength is growing.”

“Fan Family’s merchant guild is bustling, the people live in peace.”

“Chu’s military is well-equipped, the soldiers are well-trained. Especially the hundred-thousand garrison troops—truly a mighty force.”

After venting his woes, Liu Xie seemed much relieved.

He drew a long breath, then remembered something and frowned, “I heard that Lu Chunqiu went out ten li to greet the Ming Emperor Jiajing. Now, with both myself and Your Majesty barely a hundred paces from the city gate, Lu Chunqiu has not yet come out to receive us?”

He muttered quietly, in the dialect of Han, and it was clearly a curse.

Fan Li could only smile wryly, thinking that with today’s atmosphere, it was hardly appropriate to bring up a marriage proposal.

Just as she was about to offer some consolation, she saw the eastern gate of Lücheng swing open.

“Marquis Wenxin, Lu Chunqiu, respectfully welcomes Your Majesties.”

Lu Chunqiu’s voice was as ethereal and distant as reciting the Book of Songs.

As his words fell, music echoed from within Lücheng: strings and flutes, bells and drums, dancers in harmony.

Xiang Ning, experiencing Lücheng’s literary air for the first time, was not yet able to appreciate it fully, but found the performance more professional than that of the Chu palace.

Liu Xie praised, “These must be dances of the former dynasty, preserved through millennia. Only the Lü family could maintain them so perfectly. Marquis Wenxin is truly dedicated.”

The sorrow on his face vanished, replaced by a satisfied smile.

Xiang Ning felt a bit disheartened, thinking the Emperor of Han had little backbone. He was clearly snubbed, yet a single performance was enough to cheer him up.