The Three Kingdoms: Rise to Power Starting with Intercepting Liu Bei

As midnight approached, the moon hung in the sky, its silvery light casting a veil over the ruins of Luoyang.

Since tens of thousands of troops had nowhere to rest after entering Luoyang, the four feudal lords set up their camps at the four corners of the city, while the emperor and the surviving princes and ministers all set up camps at the site of the former imperial palace, forming a defensive posture.

Inside the largest tent, the young Emperor Liu Xie and his ministers gathered to discuss their next steps.

Now that the Yuan brothers have arrived, it's time to make a decision.

If only one person had sent troops to defend the emperor, there would have been nothing to discuss. But now, four of them have arrived, and they are the four most powerful ones at that, which greatly increases the room for maneuver.

"Your Majesty, I think we can go to Ji Province. After all, Yuan Shao in Ji Province is very powerful, and the Yuan family are loyal officials of the court!" An old man in worn-out official robes bowed respectfully to Liu Xie, who was seated in the main seat, and said, "Going to Ji Province can also enhance Your Majesty's power by leveraging the influence of the Yuan family."

"Your Majesty, if we follow Lord Wang's advice, we should go to Yuzhou. It is the most prosperous place in our Han Dynasty, where we can rise rapidly. Moreover, the eldest son of the Yuan family is there."

As soon as Lord Wang put forward his proposal, someone immediately stood up to oppose it.

"In my opinion, Ji Province is the most suitable place!"

"Let's go to Yuzhou!"

"Jizhou!"

~~~~~~

The atmosphere inside the tent grew increasingly tense. The ministers were basically divided into two factions: one advocating going to Ji Province, and the other advocating going to Yu Province. Only a few people did not have a clear opinion.

The young emperor Liu Xie didn't know what to do, so he could only look to Dong Cheng, who hadn't made a statement.

After all, Dong Cheng played a crucial role in his escape from the Xiliang army.

"Ahem~~~!" Receiving a signal from the emperor, Dong Cheng coughed heavily a few times, drawing everyone's attention to himself before stating his thoughts:

"In my opinion, it is most appropriate for us to go to Ji Province. Firstly, Yuan Shao is the most powerful of all the warlords in the world, and secondly, Yuan Shao has seized a lot of resources from the Yuan clan. Going to Ji Province is the best outcome for us."

"As for going to Yuzhou, it is in danger."

"Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, is a member of the imperial family. If we go to Yuzhou, wouldn't we be like lambs to the slaughter? If Yuan Shu and Liu Biao clash, Yuan Shu might use His Majesty as a pretext!"

Upon hearing this, the tent fell silent. Dong Cheng's reason was irrefutable; it was not impossible.

As for joining Liu Biao in Jingzhou, that's absolutely impossible. These four people will not allow them to even have such an idea; they must choose one of the four.

"Then... let's head to Jizhou. Perhaps that will be the best outcome!"

After a long time, the official who had proposed going to Yu Province changed his mind and advocated going to Ji Province to join Yuan Shao.

Once someone started, the other officials who advocated going to Yuzhou also changed their minds. No one wanted to stick to their guns and stand against the majority.

"Very well, let's head to Ji Province!" Emperor Xian of Han breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that everyone agreed to go to Ji Province, and then instructed Dong Cheng:

"My dear minister, inform Yuan Shao and his men of our decision, but they must be ordered to annihilate the Xiliang army in Chang'an. The first army to breach the city will be appointed Protector-General and granted the title of Marquis!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When Dong Cheng and the other ministers heard that the emperor had actually granted the title of Marquis to the first princes to enter Chang'an, they were all astonished.

It seems that the emperor truly hates the Xiliang army to the core. Back then, Lü Bu made a great contribution by assassinating Dong Zhuo, and the emperor directly enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Wen, with his fief in Wen County. All the tax revenue of Wen County belonged to Lü Bu.

This is at the county marquis level, two ranks higher than the pavilion marquis that Guan Yu obtained.

Unfortunately, Lü Bu didn't enjoy it for long before he died, so it was all for nothing.

···············

Just as Emperor Xian of Han and his ministers were discussing which side to join, Qin Xuan finally received the important intelligence delivered by Qin Qiong on horseback.

The messenger set off without stopping in the morning, and it took him so long that a horse died before he finally arrived in Luoyang. He delivered the letter to Qin Xuan as quickly as possible.

Looking at the letters written by Qin Qiong and Jia Xu in his hand, Qin Xuan was overjoyed.

In his letter, Jia Xu wrote that he was willing to surrender to Duan Wei, the garrison commander of Huayin, and urged Qin Xuan to quickly send troops to capture Chang'an. He also inquired about Qin Xuan's handling of Emperor Xian of Han, subtly probing whether Qin Xuan had any intention of using the emperor to command the feudal lords.

"Heh, using the emperor to command the feudal lords is easy to break: only by becoming strong yourself can you render imperial power meaningless!"

Qin Xuan thought to himself.

Historically, Cao Cao held the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords because he was not strong enough and wanted to achieve his political goals through imperial power. After Cao Cao became the King of Wei, imperial power became a great constraint on him.

With the system at his disposal, Qin Xuan had no need to create big trouble for himself.

Qin Xuan then wrote two lengthy letters and instructed the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry to deliver them to Huayin as soon as possible.

The next morning, after breakfast, Qin Xuan and the other three gathered together again to discuss the issues that had not yet been resolved the day before.

The Yuan brothers continued their heated debate, each wanting to control the emperor and disregarding the other two.

After an unknown amount of time, the guard's voice outside the door broke the heated argument inside the tent: "Reporting to my lords, Lord Dong Cheng requests an audience, saying he wishes to convey His Majesty the Emperor's opinion."

The four people inside the tent were all somewhat confused by this sudden turn of events, wondering what the young emperor would think.

"Let Lord Dong in!"

Qin Xuan immediately said that he had sent people to keep an eye on the Emperor's movements last night, but he didn't know what they were discussing.

A moment later, Dong Cheng strode in. He first greeted the four men respectfully, then got straight to the point and stated his purpose:

"My lords, His Majesty the Emperor has decreed that the four of you must attack Chang'an and eliminate Li and Guo. Whoever enters Chang'an first will be granted the title of Protector General of the Nation and awarded the rank of County Marquis."

"Furthermore, His Majesty also wishes to move the capital to Ji Province as soon as possible to rule the entire country!"

"I have delivered His Majesty's decree. Farewell!"

After conveying the emperor's decree, Dong Cheng left the tent without a moment's hesitation, completely disregarding the expressions of those inside.

"What...what did he just say?"

Yuan Shu looked incredulous. He had just been vying with Yuan Shao for control of the emperor, and now the emperor's intention was to go to Yuan Shao.

"I agree with His Majesty's decision and approve of His Majesty's decision to move the capital to Ji Province!"

Qin Xuan explained his decision, citing the following three reasons:

"Firstly, Yuan Shao is much less capable than Cao Cao, and secondly, Yuan Shao will therefore become the most feared figure among all the warlords in the land, allowing him to buy as much time as possible for his rapid development."

"Finally, we will ally with Yuan Shao to fight against Cao Cao!"

Cao Cao was much more difficult to deal with than Yuan Shao.

"Good, good, good, Yichen, you have excellent taste!"

Upon hearing Qin Xuan's support for his taking control of the throne, Yuan Shao's old face beamed with joy, and he gave Qin Xuan a thumbs-up.

Now that His Majesty the Emperor has spoken, and with Qin Xuan's support, Yuan Shao has ultimately won this final victory.