Xu Chang • Imperial Palace • Imperial Garden
In the vast Imperial Garden, Emperor Xian and Cao Cao stood together atop the pavilion, admiring the autumn blossoms in full bloom.
Though autumn had arrived, the Emperor’s garden was like spring all year round, with flowers always blossoming. The garden was specially planted with many varieties of chrysanthemums and osmanthus, so that the Emperor could indulge his refined interests at any time.
Just like today, Emperor Xian had invited Chancellor Cao to appreciate the chrysanthemums and osmanthus together.
Of course, Cao Cao knew this would not be a simple flower-viewing. Lü Bu’s actions had stirred up waves throughout the city of Xu Chang, causing a commotion in court and among the populace. The Emperor only summoned him for a discussion today, so it was difficult to refuse.
“It’s been days since I last saw you, Chancellor. You seem to have lost quite a bit of weight. You are the pillar of the state, so you must take care of your health. The Han dynasty cannot be without its Chancellor even for a day.”
Cao Cao’s spirits were somewhat improved, but his face still bore signs of illness. Emperor Xian spoke to him with great kindness and concern.
“Your Majesty, I am ashamed to trouble you with my health. I am already much better,” Cao Cao earnestly expressed his gratitude.
“It is I who should feel ashamed. Originally, since the Chancellor was unwell, I should not have disturbed you. But recently there has been much uproar in Xu Chang—surely you are already aware. Things seem to be spiraling out of control, and I truly have no choice but to consult you.” The Emperor’s tone grew even more sincere.
Cao Cao replied, “Indeed, there are rumors in the city that Lü Bu is not dead, and that he has entered the city to kill my generals. In fact, at Xiapi that day, due to an accident, Lü Bu disappeared, and his fate remains uncertain.”
“Does the Chancellor believe that Lord Wenhou seeks revenge for his defeat and thus killed your general today to settle the score?” the Emperor pressed.
Caught off-guard by the Emperor’s sudden question, Cao Cao hesitated. “Your Majesty means...?”
“The whole story, Lord Wenhou has already explained to me. I was afraid that you, Chancellor, might have misunderstood him, so I decided to act as an intermediary to clear up any misunderstandings between you two.”
With these words, he glanced toward a corridor by the garden, where a tall, stern man in deep armor approached, bowing deeply to the Emperor and then to Cao Cao.
“Lü Bu pays respects to Your Majesty and to the Chancellor.”
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The Emperor sneaked a glance at Cao Cao, noticing the rapid changes of expression on his face—six or seven in an instant—but Lü Bu, head lowered, missed it, which the Emperor found a pity.
“Come, the two of you, please sit.” The Emperor gestured for everyone to sit at the large stone table beside the pavilion.
A maid served wine and dishes and then withdrew.
Cao Cao’s sickly appearance worsened, but he dared not make trouble with the Emperor present. In fact, if only Lü Bu were here, not only would he not dare to act rashly, he would probably be trembling.
This calm, godlike man before him had made Cao Cao feel the shadow of death more than once.
Originally, Cao Cao had prepared an explanation for Lü Bu’s case, but unexpectedly, Lü Bu had already contacted the Emperor first.
The Emperor and Lü Bu had always been on good terms. Hearing the Emperor refer to Lü Bu as “Lord Wenhou, my dear minister” made it clear—Lü Bu was a recognized Han official in the Emperor’s eyes, not a criminal or a rebel. Moreover, the Emperor’s tone made it plain that he sided with Lü Bu, even luring Cao Cao into this “Feast at Hong Gate.”
At this, Cao Cao gritted his teeth inwardly, but dared not show it.
Because now, he realized, the real pressure was not from the Emperor, but from Lü Bu.
Though Lü Bu appeared humble and respectful, there was a hidden murderous intent.
Cao Cao was not as sharp as Lü Bu, but as a veteran of many battlefields, he could still sense killing intent. It was not intense, but pure.
That was what made it terrifying. It meant that the unarmed Lü Bu could strike without warning, and Cao Cao might not even have the chance to make a sound before he was dead.
Cao Cao glanced sideways at Lü Bu. Back at the Battle of Puyang, he had been utterly defeated by Lü Bu, who had leapt down from the city tower like a heavenly general, landing right in front of him—a distance not much greater than now.
Back then, amidst the smoke and the sounds of slaughter, now replaced by the autumn scenery and the Emperor’s presence, Cao Cao’s fear and shock at this moment far surpassed what he felt back then.
It was as though he were slowly sinking into a deep pool, utterly unable to find a way out.
“Fengxian, if you have any grievances, speak freely. The Chancellor and I are both reasonable men. The Chancellor is a pillar of the court and loyal to me, and understands the greater good. If your words are justified, we will see that justice is done for you,” said the Emperor.
Well! Cao Cao almost wanted to slap the table.
This Emperor—he really knows how to seize the initiative, trying to force me to follow his script?
Just now he was calling Lü Bu “Lord Wenhou,” and now it’s “Fengxian.”
Cao Cao understood: the Emperor was superficially deferential, but harbored resentment. Now, he intentionally used Lü Bu to check Cao Cao’s power.
However, Cao Cao was a shrewd judge of people. Lü Bu now had no power, only his own courage, but for the Emperor to go so far for him, even at the risk of antagonizing Cao Cao, showed the Emperor’s true feelings for Lü Bu.
Everyone has their own nature, and Cao Cao’s nature was to love talent.
In his fear, he could not help but admire Lü Bu anew. He could hardly imagine that this invincible god of war on the battlefield could also be so adept at court intrigue, winning the trust of both the tyrant Dong Zhuo and now the Emperor.
Those who are easily favored are usually mediocrities, and Lü Bu was the opposite to the extreme!
Lü Bu... truly, “not of this world”...
“Chancellor…”
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Cao Cao was lost in thought when Lü Bu spoke.
“First, I wish to sincerely apologize to the Chancellor.” Lü Bu bowed solemnly to Cao Cao.
“Upon entering Xu Chang today, I saw the city in perfect order, the markets prosperous, the people happy—all thanks to the Chancellor’s efforts and achievements. Today, I finally understand that the Chancellor is truly the wise minister who can bring peace and restore the Han dynasty.
As for me, I am a reckless man, blind and easily misled by villains, unable to recognize true virtue, and have foolishly opposed the Chancellor, bringing suffering to the people. I am deeply ashamed before the Emperor and the Chancellor! Knowing my sins are grave, I can only punish myself with this cup of wine, begging Your Majesty’s forgiveness, and ask that the Chancellor not hold the faults of a fool against me!”
With that, he raised his cup and drank it in one gulp.
The Emperor was moved. “Fengxian, don’t say that! When Ding Yuan was governor of Bingzhou, he oppressed the people. When Dong Zhuo entered the capital, he plunged the court into chaos, slaughtered officials and people, threatened me, and even the eighteen warlords could do nothing against him. You killed these two villains—that was a loyal and righteous deed for the country and your ruler!
Everyone makes mistakes—even sages do. You and the Chancellor are both loyal ministers of the Han and a blessing to the state! Come, let me toast both of you!” The Emperor raised his cup, and the three drank together.
How absurd… This Emperor is so emotional, even to the point of tears…
Cao Cao thought, in this world, to call Lü Bu loyal and righteous would seem a joke. Yet what the Emperor said was not without reason.
Lü Bu killed Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo for his own ambition, but the result was beneficial to the Emperor and the people. Compared to Ding Yuan, Dong Zhuo, or even Yuan Shu, Lü Bu’s harm to the people was less than one percent.
He also realized that, though the Emperor was young, he was clear-headed and insightful—no easy person to manipulate.
“Your Majesty’s kindness makes me tremble,” Lü Bu said, bowing again to the Emperor. “I must also thank the Chancellor for defeating me that day, as it made me realize my limitations. Now, I only wish to retire to the mountains and live out my remaining days in peace.
But… only the ‘Poison Scholar’ Jia Xu refuses to let me live!”
“Jia Xu, the ‘Poison Scholar’? When Li Jue and Guo Fan attacked Chang’an, turning it into a bloodbath, wasn’t their advisor this Jia Xu?” The Emperor’s face darkened even more than his voice.
Hearing Jia Xu’s name, Cao Cao frowned.
“I fell for his trick in Chang’an, was lured out, and later defeated by his secret tactics, allowing Li and Guo to invade, causing your suffering, Your Majesty, and harming the people. I cannot shirk my guilt!” Lü Bu said in deep remorse.
“I killed Dong Zhuo for the country, but Jia Xu still seeks revenge for his former master. He has joined the Chancellor, inciting General Xu, the two Xiahou generals, and General Xu to kill me. I am forced to defend myself. I beg Your Majesty’s mercy and the Chancellor’s forgiveness!” Lü Bu bowed again.
“The evidence of the four generals being incited by Jia Xu—Fengxian has just presented it to me,” the Emperor suddenly said, as if responding to Lü Bu, but also to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao’s heart tightened—
What? Evidence of my own generals conspiring with Jia Xu to kill Lü Bu, now in the Emperor’s hands? Is this real?
But he quickly realized, once the Emperor said so, then even if there was no evidence, there soon would be.
Cao Cao thought to himself: Unlike Yuan Shu, Lü Bu is not a real threat to the Han dynasty. With his status and relationship with the Emperor, even if guilty, he would not be executed.
But those generals involved are my trusted men. If this “evidence” is exposed at court and made public, my reputation will suffer a heavy blow—just as Lü Bu is a lesson in lost reputation.
If trouble arose now, and things got out of hand, how could I resist Yuan Shao, whose power is far greater?
Now, Cao Cao deeply regretted it. Only now did he understand Xun Yu’s advice about “releasing the tiger back to the mountain.”
Not only had he driven the tiger into the temple, he had even delivered it to the Emperor to bite back at himself.
He realized that, from beginning to end, he’d never had a solid reason to kill Lü Bu. If not for Liu Bei’s slander, he would have accepted Lü Bu’s surrender and incorporated him.
Although Lü Bu’s wolfish ambition was well-known, with a campaign against Yuan Shao imminent, why not use him as a vanguard?
At this, his hatred of Jia Xu was no less than the Emperor’s.
Thinking further, his head grew dizzy.
Now, all Cao Cao wanted was to settle this pointless storm quickly, regain his health, and plan his next great undertaking.
At times like this, the will is weakest.
Enough, it’s best to resolve matters at the root.
“Lord Wenhou, I understand your meaning. Jia Xu once served Dong Zhuo, then Li Jue and Guo Fan—these three all ruined the state and slaughtered loyal officials and people. Jia Xu is their accomplice, and such villains deserve death. I have not employed him. I did not expect him to incite my generals against you. This was my oversight, and I apologize,” Cao Cao said, calm and measured.
“With the Chancellor’s understanding, I have no regrets!” Lü Bu immediately bowed.
“Very well. I will immediately issue an imperial decree to Fengxian: Jia Xu aided the traitors Li Jue and Guo Fan in attacking Chang’an, threatening the Emperor, and deserves execution. I ask Fengxian to deliver justice personally.”
“Lü Bu thanks Your Majesty for your wisdom and the Chancellor for your discernment!” Lü Bu knelt with one knee before the Emperor and Cao Cao.
“Fengxian, please rise!” The Emperor smiled, helping Lü Bu up. “With such worthy ministers and generals, what more could I wish for? Come, let’s drink another cup! Now that this troublesome matter is settled, we can truly enjoy the flowers together!”
The Emperor raised his cup again, laughing heartily.
As for Hou, Song, and Wei, who betrayed Lü Bu and later died by his hand, no one mentioned them again.
Lü Bu, you always manage to surprise me… Cao Cao forced a smile, watching Lü Bu chatting happily with the Emperor, thinking to himself.
On this day, the golden wind and jade dew brought a slight chill, while the shadows of osmanthus lay slant across the ground, full of melancholy.
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End of Chapter 21
Burning Dreams Chronicle, Chapter 21: “Autumn Scene at Hong Gate”
Original work by Jing Xixian (Vampire L), all rights reserved. Without express written permission from the author, reproduction, printing, adaptation, reposting, translation, or commercial use in any form is prohibited.
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