Mythical Three Kingdoms

Liu Zhang should have arrived together with Liu Bei and the others, but unfortunately, the incident last night caused Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and the others to hasten their journey. Liu Zhang remained unhurried, and his carriage trailed Ji Xiang along the way.

Although Liu Zhang did not have any covetous intentions towards Ji Xiang on this journey, his curiosity was piqued. After all, Ji Xiang’s protective status was just slightly lower than his own, and her troops were even more elite than his, which was intolerable.

If it were during the time in Yizhou of Sichuan and Shu, where Liu Zhang lived indolently, he would have mainly admired Ji Xiang’s face. But now, he had emerged from Yizhou, carrying a certain confidence and personally leading his men.

Having vanquished several small countries and seized the power to submit petitions from dozens of kingdoms, Liu Zhang indeed acquired a degree of ruler’s demeanor.

Simply put, if the previous leisure was a low-level pastime, now he had departed from such interests and begun advancing towards manipulating influence as a Feudal Lord King.

This transformation caused Liu Zhang’s perspective to change as well. In the past, the focus was on admiring beauties, even if they belonged to someone else; assess his own capabilities and if interested, he would take action.

Now the core focus became combat power. Maintaining influence is fundamentally about combat power, and having such a basis to maneuver, Liu Zhang expressed a strong interest in the type of escort safeguarding Ji Xiang; he would very much like to have a hundred thousand of them.

Liu Zhang and Ji Xiang proceeded unhurriedly towards Chang’an, and as they approached twenty miles from Chang’an, a solitary carriage brushed past them.

This time, Liu Zhang showed no interest in it; the coachman was ordinary, the carriage was ordinary, without any intriguing aspects, except for the lack of escort.

Conversely, Ji Xiang inadvertently noticed the dried and darkened blood stains on the side of the carriage, though it did not warrant concern.

Soon, Liu Zhang and Ji Xiang simultaneously reached Chang’an, but before they entered, they detected a faint scent of blood.

"Lord!" Yan Yan, experienced on the battlefield, immediately sensed a change in Chang’an and halted his horse at Chang’an Bridge, inquiring Liu Zhang.

"Prepare the carriage, switch to an open-top version. I want to see who dares to be impudent; make the ceremonial guard and the momentum grand." Liu Zhang said coldly, with an extremely solemn face. He wasn’t a fool; this intense bloody scent suggested that Chang’an might have lost thousands yesterday?

Liu Zhang arranged the ceremonial guard and entered Chang’an with the demeanor of a Feudal Lord King. However, before reaching Anmen, news arrived to those supporting the coffin carrying Liu Xie to the Weiyang Palace Rear Hall for spirit offering. Fortunately, despite the large fire last night, Chang’an was originally designed with fire separation, and people inside the palace fought the fire, ensuring the palace wasn’t entirely burned.

"Did Liu Jiyu arrive in Chang’an?" Cao Cao turned his head to Liu Bei; at this moment, his eyes filled with vigilance; it was clear that Xun Yu and others had conveyed their speculations to Cao Cao without any evaluation.

However, on Liu Bei’s side, Chen Xi hadn’t informed Liu Bei of any speculations. At this time, it was essential for someone to feign ignorance or actually be ignorant to practically maintain stability among the three parties.

As for Sun Ce, he was not overly saddened and remained as muscular as before. Zhou Yu probably hadn’t dared to share their speculations with Sun Ce, as Sun Ce was very straightforward; Zhou Yu might have told Sun Ce one moment, and the next Sun Ce would stir trouble in Chang’an.

Jia Xu’s eyes lit up when he heard, "Zichuan, it must either be Liu Jiyu, this move is at least better than a last-ditch effort."

"Let’s first assess the situation; I still don’t know why Liu Jiyu suddenly came to Chang’an. If there’s no reason, then the Emperor has just died, and he appears immediately; he’s worth suspecting." Chen Xi replied coldly. He was barely maintaining the surface harmony, and undoubtedly, his integrity was indeed high.

At least Xun Yu and Zhou Yu had already heeded Chen Xi’s advice to hold the current situation steady and refrain from collapse until the outcome is clear.

Although Cao Cao was cautious, faced with Liu Bei and Sun Ce’s oblivious expressions, he had no comment, perhaps feeling better not knowing anything.

"Why did he come?" Liu Bei frowned and asked.

"Just leave why he came aside and first hold the emperor’s funeral, inviting the senior officials and ministers still alive in Chang’an to preside over state affairs and guard the emperor’s spirit." Cao Cao shook his head and said.

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu and others sighed inwardly; indeed, Cao Cao overlooked one thing. For now, only they were indifferent, but when others come, the first matter would certainly be that the heavens can’t be without a sun for a day, and the earth can’t be without a master for a day, then initiate electing an emperor.

Now, the statistic is available; the Liu Clan of the Imperial family now numbered in single digits, and of those capable of ascending the throne, just four or five people remained, with the largest figure standing beside you. Do you believe ten people would recommend eight surrounding you?

With the support of Liu Yu and Liu Ye, the likelihood of the Liu Family proposing Liu Bei as emperor was as high as ninety percent. Even with Liu Zhang’s arrival, nothing would change, ultimately forcing Liu Bei to ascend whether he truly wished to or not.

"Leave the emperor’s position empty for now, and discuss it later." Liu Bei suddenly said quietly, causing Chen Xi and Jia Xu to stir.

"Do you suppose it was our lord’s doing?" Jia Xu transmitted his voice to Chen Xi.

Chen Xi was deeply shocked but had to agree that Jia Xu’s speculation was sound; previously, Liu Xie’s actions nearly drove Liu Bei to rage. Was it not entirely possible for Liu Bei, in a fit of anger, to eliminate Liu Xie?

"It sounds plausible, but upon closer thought, it’s completely absurd." Chen Xi sighed, "This wasn’t Lord Xuande’s doing. But his attention to the emperor’s position is indeed intriguing; how about capturing Liu Min for the emperor’s throne? As a son of the Young Emperor, by blood relation and inheritance rights, he’s closest and easy to control."

"Trying like this is pointless; Lady Tang is not foolish." Jia Xu said with a somewhat melancholic mood.

"How about I say something disrespectful?" Chen Xi sighed. Seeing others pause upon hearing Liu Bei’s words, he stepped forward.

"Zichuan’s words indeed often make sense." Liu Bei’s stiff face slightly lifted, and others nodded in agreement.

"For the emperor’s matter, everyone has their apprehensions now; given this, let’s set it aside. As for governance, everyone, let’s maintain as before." Chen Xi spoke slowly, then calmly looked at Liu Bei. As long as Liu Bei nodded in agreement, others would certainly conform.