Chapter 100: The Plan Unfolds

Liu Xie’s words were filled with a powerful aura.

Below him, Liu Bei did not dare to utter a single word.

He was extremely cautious in his demeanor.

At the same time, a sense of shock stirred within him.

What kind of man was this Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie?

He knew all too well.

When Dong Zhuo had once held him hostage, he hadn’t dared utter a single boastful word.

Later, when Cao Cao held him captive, he was even more submissive and timid.

But now, Liu Xie carried with him an imposing presence, as if he had become an entirely different person.

Moreover, Liu Bei was very clear that Liu Xie’s words were meant for Zhang Fei’s ears.

Zhang Fei despised Lü Bu above all.

By saying this, Liu Xie was signaling to Liu Bei:

Your third brother Zhang Fei had better behave himself.

If he dares to disrupt internal unity, Liu Xie will deal with him personally.

“Your Majesty, rest assured, Liu Bei will make peace with Fengxian completely,” Liu Bei responded respectfully. “I will loyally assist Your Majesty in restoring the Han dynasty.”

Liu Xie nodded with some satisfaction.

“Good, royal uncle.”

“I will soon begin constructing the imperial palace here in Xiangyang.”

“Minister Jia, issue the orders.”

“Besides building the palace, all the civil and military ministers of our court will have their own residences.”

“Inform the people.”

“I will not plunder the wealth of the common folk.”

“No matter what I do, I will never harm the interests of the people.”

“The reason I want to build this palace is to show outsiders the majesty of our great Han dynasty!”

Liu Xie spoke passionately and grandly once again.

In the days that followed, the entire Jingzhou and Yizhou regions were set into motion.

The construction troops were the first to mobilize.

Vast mineral deposits were discovered throughout Jingzhou and Yizhou, including iron, coal, and even gold mines, along with other materials.

With these resources, large-scale mining began in earnest.

As these materials were extracted, the palace construction gradually progressed.

As for Liu Xie himself, he diverted his attention elsewhere—toward the palace maids.

Before the Xiangyang palace was completed, he intended to bring all of them out.

In the future, he would need these palace maids to serve him in the Xiangyang palace, providing them with a comfortable living environment.

Of course, bringing them all out was no small feat.

“Your Majesty, General Gao Shun has led all 800 Wolf Shadow Guards into Xuchang.”

“They have already concealed themselves within the city,” Zhang Xiu reported.

Liu Xie nodded in satisfaction.

“Excellent. Leave the rest to me.”

“Notify General Lü and the others to be ready to deploy troops to Xuchang at any moment,” Liu Xie instructed.

Afterward, he returned home to find Fu Shou.

“Zitong, how are things progressing with your father, the Imperial Uncle?” Liu Xie inquired.

“Your Majesty,” Fu Shou replied softly, “my father has already gathered all the families of the palace maids in Xuchang.”

“They are ready to be sent to Jingzhou at any time.”

Indeed, the Imperial Uncle Fu Wan was the key figure in this plan to bring out the palace maids and their families.

Back when Liu Xie was still in Xuchang, in order to win over the palace maids, he had Fu Wan dispatch many people to hide within the city.

Even now, these agents remained undercover, frequently assisting the families of the maids.

Additionally, the more than twenty thousand men previously led by Zhou Cang in Woniu Mountain were now scattered across the land.

Though they appeared as ordinary citizens, they were all under Liu Xie’s command.

They had all infiltrated Xuchang disguised as civilians and secretly gathered the families of the palace maids, preparing to escort them to Jingzhou.

“Good. It seems the Imperial Uncle will work for us from the shadows moving forward,” Liu Xie smiled faintly.

A new idea began to take root in his mind.

“Your Majesty, do you mean…”

“You wish for my father to continue leading these people covertly?” Fu Shou quickly understood his meaning.

Liu Xie nodded gently.

“Yes. We must not only fight on the battlefield.”

“The Imperial Uncle will lead some to disguise themselves as civilians, scattered across the land.”

“When necessary, they can provide us with valuable intelligence and support.”

“These people will serve many important roles.”

Indeed, Liu Xie had already conceived such a plan.

The more than twenty thousand men from Woniu Mountain were initially intended to form an army for use when needed.

But now, it seemed best to keep them hidden in the shadows.

In modern terms, he was building his own intelligence network here.

“Your Majesty’s insight humbles me,” Fu Shou said, moved.

“It seems our hope to restore the Han dynasty finally exists.”

Seeing hope for the restoration of the Han deeply stirred Fu Shou’s heart.

After all, she was the Empress.

If the Han dynasty were truly restored, her status as Empress would be greatly elevated.

Therefore, apart from Liu Xie, Fu Shou was the most passionate about restoring the Han.

“I understand. I will write to my father immediately,” she said eagerly.

“I will instruct him to act according to Your Majesty’s wishes.”

Fu Shou was visibly excited by Liu Xie’s transformation and growth.

Only if Liu Xie changed could the chance to restore the Han arise, and only then would she, as Empress, have standing.

In the days that followed, palace construction continued steadily in Jingzhou.

Meanwhile, secret operations were underway in Xuchang.

Together with Fu Wan, Zhou Cang, and Gao Shun, they gathered all the families of the palace maids from the Xuchang palace.

They were secretly assembled and sent out of Xuchang in batches.

In Jingzhou, Liu Xie personally led people to Wancheng to welcome their arrival.

“Your Majesty, the first batch of palace maids’ families will arrive soon.”

“We have dispatched people to receive them.”

“They should arrive within the hour,” Zhang Xiu reported respectfully from the city tower of Wancheng, where Liu Xie stood with his hands behind his back.

Liu Xie nodded gently.

“Have you tallied them? How many families are there?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. General Gao Shun and the Imperial Uncle have counted.”

“There are about six hundred palace maids, with over two thousand family members.”

“To avoid suspicion, these two thousand will be evacuated from Xuchang in ten batches.”

“As for the palace maids, the Imperial Uncle reports that contact has already been made.”

“They will cooperate when the time is right.”

Zhang Xiu reported everything in full.

Liu Xie nodded with approval.

“Good. Remember, everyone’s safety must be guaranteed.”

“Also, notify Lü Bu, Huang Zhong, and the others.”

“Once all the palace maids’ families have been evacuated,”

“immediately mobilize the troops to attack Xuchang.”

“This time, we will deploy two hundred thousand soldiers.”

To ensure the palace maids’ safe arrival, Liu Xie had prepared a massive army of two hundred thousand to provide cover.

Perhaps Cao Cao could never have dreamed that one day Liu Xie would marshal such a force against him for the sake of these palace maids.

Time passed little by little.

Soon, figures appeared in the distance.

Ordinary commoners.

“They are coming, Your Majesty,” Zhang Xiu said excitedly.

“Let us go down to welcome them,” Liu Xie said, not placing himself above the people.

He was determined to greet them personally.

Soon, over two hundred commoners arrived at the city gates.

Seeing Liu Xie come out to meet them, they all knelt in unison.

“The Emperor personally comes out to welcome us—what honor is this?”

“We, your humble subjects, kowtow to Your Majesty.”

The people were deeply moved by Liu Xie’s humility.

“Everyone, I have reached where I am because your daughters helped me.”

“Rest assured, no matter what happens, I will reunite you with your loved ones as soon as possible.”

“Minister Zhang, order the construction teams to build a special area in Xiangyang to accommodate these people.”

“Make sure it is a comfortable and well-built place.”

Liu Xie intended to provide dedicated residences for the families of the palace maids and treat them well.

“As you command, I shall proceed immediately,” Zhang Xiu replied respectfully.

“Your Majesty’s love for the people ensures the prosperity of our great Han.”

“Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long, long live!”

The people knelt again in fervent worship.

For a time, Liu Xie’s image as emperor deeply resonated with the people, earning their widespread admiration.

“No need for such ceremony, my friends.”

“Minister Zhang, arrange for their transport back to Xiangyang immediately.”

“Treat them well.”

“We will remain here to await the others.”

Afterward, Liu Xie sent people to escort all these commoners back to Xiangyang.

He, along with Zhang Xiu, Lü Bu, Wei Yan, Huang Zhong, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, continued waiting for the other batches.

Time passed day by day.

For eight or nine consecutive days, commoners arrived steadily.

They were all the families of the palace maids from the Xuchang palace.

With more than ten batches arriving, all the families had reached the Jingzhou region.

What remained now were the palace maids themselves.

“Your Majesty, basically all the families have arrived.”

“Only the palace maids remain.”

“There are over six hundred of them.”

“Currently, they are all with Cao Cao.”

“To get them out, they must be brought out of the palace.”

“But Your Majesty, this is very difficult.”

Here lay the true challenge.

Bringing out the families had been easy enough, as Cao Cao paid them little attention.

But the palace maids were different.

They were all by Cao Cao’s side.

And with over six hundred of them, the number was not small.

If they all disappeared at once, Cao Cao would surely notice immediately.

If that happened, the maids would have no chance of escape.

Thus, this was the most difficult and dangerous part of the entire plan.

But it did not matter.

Liu Xie had long anticipated this issue.

Moreover, the fact that he was willing to act now showed he was fully prepared.

“Do not worry.”

“It is time to deploy the army.”