Mythical Three Kingdoms

It can be said that the Cao family treated the main family poorly, and the pit of the Nine-Rank System was already dug up when Cao Ang died.

There was no way around it; after Cao Ang's death, the Seven Xiahou Brothers, regardless of the disputes among Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhang, did their tasks well without error. However, when Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhang rose to power, Xiahou family's indifference at the time became a thorn for all of them.

Furthermore, due to Cao Ang's desire for stability back then, the basic disparity in distribution of power was determined, ensuring that the resources controlled by the three brothers were not vastly different.

The deadliest battles are not those where one side is strong and the other is weak, but those where the forces are evenly matched and yet the outcome is undecided. Such battles cause great harm even to the victors. One could say Cao Pi's ultimate use of Chen Qun's Nine-Rank System was not only due to shortsightedness but more of a desperate measure.

Thus, when Cao Pi finally won the position of Princely Heir, he almost ended up losing everything, and the seeds of disunity among the Cao family and the Xiahou imperial clan had already been sown, all fortold.

It can be said that Cao Cao's greatest mistake was not being attuned to the kingly heart beneath his eldest son's gentle features. Unlike his own ambitious heart, Cao Ang might have surpassed him in excellence; unfortunately, with his death, it all became a joke.

"Juan, younger sister." When Cao Ang returned, he saw Xiahou Juan looking after her younger siblings, feeling slightly relieved, knowing it's no simple task to manage these unruly children.

"Brother." Xiahou Juan said somewhat exhaustedly. Unable to control these children herself, she visibly brightened upon seeing Cao Ang.

"Take a rest. Zhang Yide's sworn brother Guan Yunchang has arrived in Chang'an, and you, Juan, should start thinking about it." Cao Ang had seen Guan Yu earlier, knowing that Guan Yu daring to come meant he would inevitably visit the Xiahou family. After all, Zhang Fei had proposed marriage in front of Xiahou Yuan.

Xiahou Juan appeared somewhat embarrassed but soon regained her composure, nodding slightly. Zhang Fei—perhaps not outstanding, but likely one of the most reassuring individuals among those in Chang'an City. Xiahou Juan didn't think pushing him away held much significance.

After entering Chang'an City, Liu Ba started contemplating how he might meet Cao Cao. A staunch supporter of Cao, Liu Ba was determined not to leave without seeing Cao Cao; it was imperative.

However, for Liu Ba, who was currently quite disheveled, meeting Cao Cao wasn't easy. Fortunately, Guan Yu accompanied him inside. The next step was merely to employ some tactics to see Cao Cao.

Liu Ba was an anomaly. Despite better choices in both past and present lives, he opted to support Liu Bei, yet after surviving countless difficulties to reach Chang'an, the brother still chose to adhere to Cao Cao's side, determined to latch onto Cao Cao's influence.

Guan Yu paid little attention to Liu Ba and didn't mind when Liu Ba lodged with him at the station. After Liu Ba washed up and changed into a Confucian robe provided by the station, with his originally bright minister's demeanor and confidence restored, Guan Yu was summoned to the imperial palace.

Though these actions did not align with etiquette, Guan Yu arrived quite late; adhering to tradition would mean waiting until after the year to meet. However, Liu Bei was the most significant member of the current imperial clan, meticulous with his annual tributes, prompting Liu Xie to decide on a special summons.

In this aspect, Liu Xie wasn't always muddle-headed, yet due to Dong Cheng's instigations, his rapport with Guan Yu was less than harmonious.

After all, Guan Yu's nature was somewhat aloof, and due to his temperament and appearance, Dong Cheng viewed him as one arrogant in despising imperial authority.

Fortunately, Guan Yu was innately loyal, and Liu Xie did not express dissatisfaction openly. Though Guan Yu felt discontent from Dong Cheng's veiled sarcasm, it didn't result in disloyalty, as the interests of Liu Xie, Liu Bei, and the Han Dynasty aligned closely.

Officials here for annual tributes still recorded management of their jurisdictions from previous years before receiving rewards from the emperor. Yet, Guan Yu lacked wants for money or grain, nor did he have major achievements warranting higher rank, so Liu Xie promoted Guan Yu from General of Martial Ardor to Guard General.

Although both are Fourth Rank official positions, a Guard General is significantly superior due to responsibilities over the imperial guards; Liu Xie's intentions were clear, after all, Guan Yu was immensely renowned at the time.

Upon Liu Xie's appointment as Guard General, Guan Yu hesitated but ultimately accepted, though he immediately expressed he couldn't linger in Chang'an long, as the kingdom was not yet stable and required him to pacify the realm.

Liu Xie was very dissatisfied hearing this, nearly flaring up on the spot; his originally decent mood turned sour. After asking Guan Yu a few questions, Liu Xie impatiently ordered him to be escorted out.

"Bang!" Liu Xie swept the white porcelain offered by Liu Bei from the tabletop onto the floor, "How dare he refuse my goodwill!"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Guan Yu is but a brute, not worth your wrath," Dong Cheng advised immediately.

"Hmph, if a minister behaves this way, could Liu Xuande really be as rumored?" Liu Xie scoffed, expressing dissatisfaction with Liu Bei as well.

"Your Majesty must not think so; Liu Xuande's loyalty will be tested in time. Our current priority is to endure humiliation and gather strength," Dong Cheng said humbly.

"These Han Imperial Kinsmen caused many troubles in peaceful times and fail to think of the country amidst chaos; as the Father-in-law of the Country said, distant hearts grow apart," Liu Xie said discontentedly. "Ultimately, I still need to rely on the Father-in-law of the Country."

"We won't disappoint Your Majesty's trust; we will assist in the restoration of the Han Dynasty," Dong Cheng and Wang Zifu declared tearfully, in unison.

"You're the ones I can rely on," Liu Xie said wistfully, helping Dong Cheng and Wang Zifu up, considering those sincerely loyal are people like Dong Cheng, while others harbor selfish or ulterior motives.

Elsewhere, Liu Ba reviewed the words he intended for Cao Cao, organizing his observations from the journey and his analysis of the circumstances under Cao Cao and Liu Bei's governance, finally preparing to meet Cao Cao.

"A real hero is sincere; Cao Mengde's adaptability signifies a mighty lord, while Liu Xuande and Chen Zichuan's perfect synergy is almost inhumanly flawless, quite absurd," Liu Ba sighed, gazing eastward towards Mount Tai.

Near perfection leaves only self-destruction; the universe itself has flaws, complete accuracy is impossible, Liu Bei and Chen Xi's overwhelming governance, their flawless policies seem a precursor to demise in Liu Ba's view.

Wearing a Confucian robe, Liu Ba confidently arrived at Cao Cao's residence, handing his greeting note to the gatekeeper of the Cao family.

"Minister of Works, Guan Yunchang has a message seeking audience," a guard presented the note to Cao Cao.

"Let him in," Cao Cao hesitated momentarily before ordering Liu Ba to be invited in. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)