Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

In the 24th year of Jian'an (219 AD), Xiahou Yuan died in the first month, and Cao Cao led his troops to Hanzhong. In the third month, Cao Cao arrived in Hanzhong. In the fifth month, Cao Cao withdrew his troops from Hanzhong. In the seventh month, Liu Bei declared himself King of Hanzhong, and Guan Yu advanced north. In the eighth month, Guan Yu captured Yu Jin. In the ninth month, the Wei Feng Rebellion broke out in Ye City. In the tenth month, Cao Cao rushed from Chang'an to Luoyang. In the eleventh month, Xu Huang achieved merit. In the twelfth month, Guan Yu died.

The following month, the first month of the twenty-fifth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao died of illness in Luoyang at the age of sixty-six.

It can be said that Cao Cao, despite his old age and illness, still waged wars in the last two years of his life, having to face Liu Bei and Guan Yu, who were both at the peak of their power, at the same time. He exhausted his lifespan due to the constant travel and internal political pressures before finally dying.

Cao Pi wasn't much better off.

After ruling for seven years, he suffered from many illnesses and felt that his days were numbered. He launched three major campaigns against Wu, but all of them ended in failure. He died at the age of forty.

Is this story about to repeat itself?

For the Shu Han state, losing just one prime minister has caused such chaos. Meanwhile, the Wei state lost Cao Cao fifteen years ago, Cao Pi nine years ago, and now Cao Rui is in poor health?

Xin Pi didn't know the exact extent of Cao Rui's health condition, whether it was poor or a chronic illness... but in any case, if the emperor's health was in danger, the political situation would inevitably change!

How can a subject not be worried?

The journey from Chang'an to Luoyang was about 800 li. Xin Pi first supervised Qin Lang's troops stationed at Tongguan, and then marched with Xiahou Xian's troops. By the time they arrived in Luoyang, it was already late November.

The first thing Xinpi did after entering the city was naturally to go to the palace to report back.

Luoyang was the capital of the Later Han Dynasty for two hundred years. The city wall was thirty miles long. It was bordered by the Luo River to the south and Mangshan Mountain to the north. It was surrounded by the Guyang Canal and the Jingu River. There were twelve city gates on the four sides of the city, and twenty-four streets inside. The city was grand, orderly, magnificent and splendid. Even though it suffered from wars several times, it was still recognized as the heartland of the world by the Han, Wei and Wu kingdoms.

There was a pavilion at each of the twelve city gates and twenty-four streets, totaling thirty-six pavilions. Pavilions with auspicious meanings, such as the Wansui Pavilion and the Qianqiu Pavilion, were often used to bestow titles upon meritorious close officials. Xun Yu, Han Hao, Cao Mao, and Xu Chu were once the Marquis of Wansui Pavilion, while Dong Zhao, who devised the strategy for Cao Cao's ascension to the throne of Wei, was once the Marquis of Qianqiu Pavilion.

The palace complex in Luoyang was divided into the North Palace and the South Palace. The North Palace was mainly where the emperor lived, while the South Palace also served administrative functions. At this time, Emperor Cao Rui of Wei was in Fanglin Garden, which was located northeast of the North Palace.

Inside the garden were three high platforms, each topped with a multi-tiered pavilion. Cao Rui sat in the hall, quietly watching a woman dressed in hemp clothing walk around the hall, praying and uttering indistinct words. In front of the woman lay a lacquered and gilded table, on which sat a jade bowl.

Supported by a eunuch, Xin Pi ascended the steps and slowly entered the hall. He caught sight of Cao Rui in the distance and was about to pay his respects when Cao Rui gestured for him to be quiet. Xin Pi had no choice but to stand respectfully.

While waiting, Xin Pi also observed the palace. Apart from the eunuchs and palace maids, Cao Rui was accompanied only by Sun Zi, the Grand Secretary, and Bian Lan, the General of the Vanguard.

Sun Zi was the Grand Secretary, responsible for important documents and secrets since the time of Cao Cao. He held immense power and was highly trusted by Cao Rui.

Bian Lan, on the other hand, came from a noble family and was the nephew of Cao Cao's wife, Lady Bian. Because of his noble lineage, he was appointed as a guerrilla general and often served by Cao Rui's side.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, the "goddess," or rather the "shaman," finally finished her ritual. With an indescribable expression and trembling, she picked up a talisman, drew it a few times on the jade bowl, and the talisman suddenly burst into flames. The ashes were blown around by the wind, and she immediately fainted.

Upon seeing this, two tall eunuchs waiting at the door tiptoed forward and carried the goddess out of the hall. Only then did Cao Rui slowly stand up and walk towards the table.

"Your subject Xin Pi pays his respects to Your Majesty, having come specifically to return the imperial staff and report back to Your Majesty!"

Seeing Xin Pi kneel down, Cao Rui stepped forward and offered a helping hand: "Minister Xin, please get up quickly. Your health is not very good, so don't catch a cold."

"Yes." Xin Pi slowly stood up, his gaze fixed on the jade bowl: "Your Majesty, what is this?"

Cao Rui's face was pale, with only an unnatural flush on his cheeks. Combined with his long, flowing hair, it gave him an unusually handsome appearance. Without offering any explanation, Cao Rui picked up the jade bowl, selected three from the several small bowls placed to the side, and poured some into each, his movements extremely careful.

After drinking his fill from his jade bowl, Cao Rui let out a long breath and turned to look at Sun Zi.

"Sun Zhongshu, I bestow upon you a portion; drink it."

"Your subject obeys!" Sun Zi replied in a deep voice, walked over steadily, picked up a small bowl from the table, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Minister Bian," Cao Rui turned to Bian Lan and said, "I know you often have a dry mouth. I called you here today to share some with you. Come and have a drink."

After being called upon, Bian Lan slowly stood up, then prostrated himself on the ground, bowing respectfully: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. I cannot drink, and I also advise Your Majesty not to drink again in the future."

Cao Rui's gaze was as cold and sharp as a sword, fixed on Bian Lan's exposed neck after she bowed. His voice was icy: "I meant well, do you intend to disobey my decree?"

Bian Lan kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, people in this world need medicine to cure their illnesses, how can they believe in the magic of a witch? I deserve to die!"

"To drink or not to drink?" Cao Rui's voice grew increasingly stern.

"I deserve to die ten thousand times!" Bian Lan kowtowed repeatedly, and then said nothing more.

Cao Rui's face grew increasingly grim, his chest heaving. He closed his eyes, let out a long sigh, and finally spoke, "Bian Lan, I do not wish to see you again. Leave!"

"Your subject obeys the decree." Bian Lan kowtowed three times, then rose and quickly retreated.

Xinpi had already anticipated this; he was next.

Sure enough, Cao Rui pointed to the remaining two bowls of talisman water: "Xin Qing, come and drink them."

Xin Pi looked somewhat somber, staring at the talisman water for a few more moments before exchanging glances with Cao Rui.

"Xin Qing?" Cao Rui asked again.

Xin Pi looked at Cao Rui with a gaze that seemed to suggest a pleading tone, though he wasn't sure if he was mistaken.

Given Xin Pi's experience of navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom, how could he not see clearly at this moment? Sun Zi flattered and violated the duties of a subject, while Bian Lan was foolishly straightforward and inflexible. Clearly, what the emperor needed now was psychological comfort and validation. The emperor's health was obviously not good; further aggravating his mental state would be counterproductive!

Xinpi sighed softly, took small steps forward, bent down and picked up a bowl with each hand, poured the contents together, and then drank it all in one gulp.

Cao Rui nodded, tucking his hands into his sleeves, before asking, "Zhonggong, please return to Luoyang for a few days. I already know everything Xin Qing told him. Is there anything else you wish to say to me?"

Xin Pi paused for a moment before bowing and replying, "I have two matters to report. First, the General asked me to speak on his behalf, saying that the troubles in the west have not been quelled. Although Zhuge Liang is dead, the movements of Shu are unclear. The armies in Guanzhong should not act rashly. The General requests to remain in Guanzhong as a precaution."

Cao Rui shook his head slightly: "And the second thing?"

Xin Pi said, "Guo Boji, the governor of Yongzhou, asked me to convey to Your Majesty that his eldest son, Guo Tong, is currently serving as a colonel in the Guanzhong army. Guo Boji claims that he has been stationed in Longyou for many years, and that his son, Guo Tong, has been in the army for a long time and is loyal and capable. He requests that Guo Tong be allowed to return to Luoyang to protect Your Majesty and serve in the central army."

Cao Rui pondered for a few seconds: "Guo Huai has five sons, right? Where are the other four?"

Xin Pi cupped his hands in greeting: "One is a county magistrate in Bingzhou, two are at the Imperial Academy, and one is still young."

"I am aware of this and grant Guo Huai's request. Select another of his sons from the Imperial Academy and send him to Guanzhong to serve under him," Cao Rui said calmly. "Has Guo Huai rendered any service in this campaign?"

Xin Pi said, "The army mainly engaged in a stalemate and achieved few victories. Guo Huai did contribute in the battle, but it is difficult to say that he achieved any merit."

"I see." Cao Rui nodded: "Secretariat, for his meritorious service in this battle, remove Guo Huai from the post of General Yangwu and promote him to General of the Left. This edict shall be issued together with the edict promoting him to Grand General and then to Grand Commandant after the New Year."

"As you command," Sun Ziying replied.