Chapter 17: Conquering the Slumbering Ox Mountain

To be clad in the imperial yellow robe, to possess such bearing—who else could command such awe but the Emperor himself? For a moment, everyone stood in stunned disbelief. It was beyond comprehension that the sovereign, who presided over the great hall, had now arrived here.

Amid the gaze of countless eyes, Liu Xie removed his yellow robe and handed it to Fu Shou to be carefully wrapped once more. Rising to his feet, he faced the assembled crowd.

“There is no need for doubt—I am the Emperor of Han,” he declared. “I know well that you are Yellow Turban soldiers, each one of you harboring deep hatred toward me. You believe that the Han has grown weak, and the people of the realm suffer untold miseries. Allow me, then, to ask you: if I had my choice, do you think I would wish for you to rebel?”

His words rang with passionate conviction. The crowd fell silent, including Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang. Indeed, what emperor would not wish for peace in his realm? Who would willingly watch his subjects rise in revolt? Surely, no one would choose such a fate.

“You see only the surface, not the depths,” Liu Xie continued. “It must be admitted, the Han is not what it once was. But tell me, is that my fault? Perhaps the decline is linked to past emperors, but is it the doing of Liu Xie? I, too, wish to usher in an era of prosperity and peace—but do I possess the power?”

“You yourselves have witnessed the state of the world. Even I, the Emperor, am but a prisoner beneath Cao Cao’s heel. No doubt you wonder how the sovereign of the Han has come to be here among you. The truth is, my circumstances are little better than yours.”

“Since the capital was moved to Xuchang, not a single decree or edict has borne my will. All have been issued in my name by Cao Cao. You may say, as Emperor, could I not deal with him? But consider: Xuchang is his domain. Even within the palace, every eunuch and maidservant answers to Cao Cao. Their sole purpose is to watch and control me. This time, it was only with the help of my personal guard that the Empress and I escaped.”

Liu Xie spoke no falsehoods. Indeed, he expressed the true sentiments of the Han Emperor, of Emperor Xian himself—a truth that, perhaps, he had always longed to share with the world, yet never found the chance before his death.

In speaking thus, Liu Xie was not merely venting sorrow; he was deftly seizing the moment to sway those before him. When he finished, nearly all present were lost in silence. None had imagined that their sovereign had suffered such indignities—it was beyond anyone’s imagining.

“So, you mean to say that all of this is Cao Cao’s doing?” Zhou Cang finally asked.

Liu Xie shook his head gently. “Cao Cao bears some blame, it’s true, but he is far from the chief culprit. Before him, there were Li Jue and Guo Si—and before them, Dong Zhuo. But in truth, the fault lies not with Cao Cao, Li Jue, Guo Si, or even Dong Zhuo. It lies with my predecessors, those emperors who ruled in the latter days of Han. They failed to govern this land with wisdom.”

“Yet though they failed, I, Liu Xie, wish to bring forth a new age of peace.”

With these words, Liu Xie raised his voice in a surge of fervor.

With a thud, Zhou Cang dropped to his knees. “Your Majesty, I am no man of great ability. I joined the Yellow Turbans only to seek a better life—just as you spoke of, that era of peace. But we were no match for Dong Zhuo’s forces. Now, I am willing to devote myself to Your Majesty.”

Zhou Cang’s expression was resolute. Next, Pei Yuanshao knelt on one knee, declaring with equal ardor, “Your Majesty, we are willing to follow you.”

Just as Liu Xie had anticipated, his impassioned words had borne fruit. The two leaders of Wo Niu Mountain were deeply moved.

“Your Majesty, we are willing to follow you!” echoed the hundreds of bandits on the mountain, dropping to their knees in unison.

Fu Shou cast Liu Xie an admiring glance. Only moments ago, as they climbed the mountain, her heart had been pounding in fear, convinced that if they failed to resolve this situation, death would surely await them at the hands of these outlaws. And to discover that these were Yellow Turban soldiers—sworn enemies of the Han dynasty—only heightened her dread.

Yet against all expectations, Liu Xie had, with the power of his eloquence alone, won them over. Even Liu Xie could not help admiring himself for such skill—his words had been formidable indeed.

“Everyone, rise,” he said. “For now, I am no longer the Emperor. You need not address me as such. I will not remain here, lest you think I mean to seize your stronghold under the guise of imperial authority. Rest assured, though the Han has faltered, from this day forward, all that has passed will be forgotten. I, Liu Xie, will not use my title to lay claim to your mountain. Tonight, we ask only for shelter. At dawn, we will depart.”

His resolve was unshakable. Zhou Cang, anxious, dropped to his knees again. “Majesty, what are you saying? We are your followers; the mountain is yours as well. We will obey your every command.”

Despite Zhou Cang’s earnestness, Liu Xie shook his head. “My mind is made up, Yuanfu, say no more. Tonight, we mean no offense; I wished only to let you know that Liu Xie is not the tyrant many believe me to be. That is all. Tomorrow, we’ll leave as soon as possible. Yuanfu, please arrange a room for us.”

Zhou Cang still wished to plead, but seeing Liu Xie’s unwavering resolve, he could only lead Liu Xie and Fu Shou himself to a comfortable room. When all was settled, Zhou Cang withdrew, leaving Liu Xie and Fu Shou alone.

“My lord, what do you mean by this?” Fu Shou asked, puzzled. “Did you not say you wished to win Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao to your side? Then why are we leaving tomorrow?”

She could not comprehend Liu Xie’s intentions. To her mind, should they not remain here and build their strength?