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On this day, besides Cao Cao reconsidering his opinion of Lü Bu, there was someone else whose view changed completely—a maid secretly hiding in a corner of the Imperial Garden, watching the three men admire the flowers. Of course, that was Xiao Meng.
He saw how Lü Bu achieved his aims amidst the clinking of wine cups.
Lü Bu’s cunning is truly no less than that of the two young masters… Xiao Meng thought.
Before this, he had always believed Sima Yi to be the most cunning man he had ever met. But when Sima Yi needed to use force, he had to rely on his remnant soldiers; Lü Bu, however, could act on his own. Just now, if Cao Cao hadn’t sensed the shadow of death in time, he might not have yielded so easily.
Xu Chang • Imperial Palace
Imperial Study Room
As dusk fell, the Imperial Study was brightly lit. The Emperor and Lü Bu sat across from each other at the chess table, quietly playing a game of Go.
After Cao Cao left, Emperor Xian invited Lü Bu for a game, which Lü Bu naturally accepted. Monarch and minister playing Go, just like in the old days in Chang’an.
“Your Majesty’s chess skills have improved greatly; I’m really no match for you anymore.”
The Emperor’s style was always aggressive, while Lü Bu preferred defense. But prolonged defense would eventually fail, so he could only admit defeat.
The Emperor rolled his eyes, annoyed. “Lü Bu, I am no longer the ignorant child I once was, so you can spare me your flattery!”
When Emperor Xian was still a child, he would call Lü Bu by name, and Lü Bu would refer to himself as “your servant” or by his own name.
Lü Bu shook his head with a smile. “Your Majesty is no longer a child. The way you handled Cao Cao just now was truly impressive! In just a few years, you’ve grown into a true ruler of a nation. Honestly, I am sincerely happy for you!”
Lü Bu placed another piece, saying lightly, “But I am getting old.”
“Nonsense! You’re in your prime, how are you old? Just because you’ve had a few setbacks, you say such discouraging things—are you really Lü Bu?” The Emperor frowned, slapping down a piece with obvious displeasure.
Looking at the young man before him, calling the setbacks he had suffered “minor,” Lü Bu could only smile wryly and say nothing.
“Sigh… Your Majesty is too kind to me…”
“Lü Bu, do you truly not intend to accept Cao Cao’s offer?” The Emperor’s tone changed, and he looked at Lü Bu seriously.
Earlier, in the Imperial Garden—
“Today, I am finally relieved to see you safe, Fengxian. At Xiapi, I truly had no intention to kill you. When I descended the White Gate Tower, it was to formally accept your surrender.”
Cao Cao spoke earnestly, “Since you are well now, why not serve the court again? If you allow me to petition His Majesty, I could have you appointed as General Who Conquers the East and Governor of Xu Province. Surely…”
Before Cao Cao could finish saying “His Majesty,” Lü Bu interrupted, “Chancellor, your kindness overwhelms me. But what I said just now was from the heart—I only want to be an ordinary subject of the Han, with no wish to meddle in politics. Please don’t think I said that just to fool you.”
Seeing Lü Bu’s determination, Cao Cao could only give up.
But then Lü Bu requested, since Sima Yi—the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on Cao Cao—had already been executed, that the order to hunt down Xiao Meng and the remnants be rescinded. Cao Cao readily agreed.
Both men knew that what they said wasn’t the whole truth; but both understood that the truth, in the end, didn’t matter to either of them.
And so, Xiao Meng was free…
Thinking of this, Lü Bu felt a great weight lifted from his heart.
“If you don’t wish to serve as an official, I can grant you land, so you have a place to live. That I can do…” The young Emperor was not ready to give up, earnestly offering Lü Bu advice. “Or is it that you’re unwilling to serve under Cao Cao? That can be arranged too—I could grant you a princess as your wife, making you a royal son-in-law. Your status wouldn’t be much lower than Cao Cao’s.”
As Emperor Xian spoke more enthusiastically, Lü Bu felt overwhelmed and quickly waved his hands. “Your Majesty, please don’t make fun of me! I was born humble, and at this age I am still just a penniless warrior—how could I deserve a royal bride? That would never do!”
Lü Bu’s exaggerated gestures were matched by his sincere, resolute tone.
The Emperor was stunned for a moment, then finally sighed in resignation, “Fine, I get it! I know you just want to leave with Xiao Meng and enjoy a peaceful life together. Hmph, with beauty in your arms, who cares about the empire, right?”
The Emperor knew his persuasion had failed, and turned away in disappointment.
Lü Bu immediately bowed formally and said, “Your Majesty, the empire will always belong to you.”
The Emperor fell silent for a while, then sighed deeply, as if pouring out all the worries and fears he had harbored over the years. Even someone as cold and resolute as Lü Bu was moved.
For he understood that this young man, not yet twenty, bore pressures and anxieties far beyond his years. Back when he entered the capital with Dong Zhuo, Lü Bu had deliberately befriended the young Emperor to turn him against Dong Zhuo—so that when the time came to act, royal support would be easy to secure.
Back then, forging a relationship with Emperor Xian was just a means to an end. The child was no different from Ding Yuan, Dong Zhuo, or any other stepping stone.
Now, with all ambitions gone, Lü Bu finally saw the fate and tragedy on the boy’s shoulders.
He is even less able to escape than I am.
While Lü Bu pitied the Emperor, he also felt fortunate that he had truly escaped with his life at Xiapi. And all because of Xiao Meng.
“Let’s not beat around the bush—you know the Han’s situation and mine; you and I both know what kind of man Cao Cao is,” the Emperor said, unusually somber, breaking Lü Bu’s train of thought.
“To be honest, if I could choose, I’d rather have you in his position than him. That would make me feel more at ease!”
The Emperor found it odd. Everyone said Lü Bu was ambitious and not to be trusted.
But for someone like himself, who had always walked on thin ice, facing this man seemed to bring out words he never thought he’d say. Maybe… that’s what makes Lü Bu so frightening, the Emperor thought.
But Lü Bu’s thoughts were the opposite; he could only smile bitterly to himself: Sigh… Even you, Your Majesty, think this way. Clearly, I am not fit to vie for supremacy with the warlords…
“Your Majesty, I truly do not have the ability to take his place. Having been on the outside for a while, I see things more clearly than before—Cao Cao is a rare statesman. What I told him earlier came from the heart. In matters of governance, I am far inferior.”
Lü Bu spoke earnestly, “Your Majesty, you need not worry. Though Cao Cao has spent little time in court, as the descendant of eunuchs, he is still an outsider among the great clans. To secure his position, he must support the Emperor to keep the nobles and warlords in check. To have power, he needs you more than anyone. Besides, with your wit and today’s display, you are more than a match for him.”
Emperor Xian was no fool. Lü Bu’s analysis made perfect sense, and he agreed.
Moreover, not long ago, another insightful madman had said similar words to him.
But… what about after him?
Even if he could hold the Han dynasty together, what about his son? The bloodshed of the palace was worse than that of the battlefield—could he even live to have an heir?
“Well, fate is unpredictable. I will do my best to defend the empire for my generation.” The Emperor spoke calmly, glanced at the board, and placed another piece.
“Lü Bu, to be honest, I really envy you now.” In front of Lü Bu, the Emperor even forgot to refer to himself as “I” (the imperial “Zhen”). Perhaps because he truly felt that Lü Bu was no longer the same Lord Wenhou who once dominated Chang’an.
He had truly let go of ambition and power.
The Emperor suddenly understood why, from the very beginning—even as a child—he had felt a special connection to Lü Bu. Lü Bu was a lowborn man who would do anything to climb up, while the Emperor was born noble, eventually becoming the Son of Heaven.
Their statuses were worlds apart, yet both resented being controlled by others.
Different backgrounds, yet equally difficult fates.
Thinking this, the Emperor looked down, turning the white chess piece in his hand over and over, unable to play, suppressing a surge of emotion in his chest.
After a long moment, Lü Bu suddenly rose, walked over to the Emperor, knelt, and bowed his head: “Your Majesty has shown me great kindness—I will never forget it. I swear before Heaven, if Cao Cao ever harbors treachery and is disloyal to the Han or harmful to Your Majesty, I will return and take his life!”
The Emperor was startled, then quickly stood up to help Lü Bu, bursting into hearty laughter.
“Haha! Isn’t this exactly the promise I’ve been waiting for from Lord Wenhou? Hmph! At least my kindness wasn’t in vain!” The Emperor returned to calling himself “Zhen,” but his tone was laced with rare childishness, masking tears.
“I have always known Your Majesty to be kind and benevolent. To serve Your Majesty is Lü Bu’s good fortune!” Lü Bu said sincerely.
This was true. Back in Chang’an, Lü Bu had observed the boy closely and found him clever and decisive, with a certain spirit and boldness. Had he been a cowardly, selfish prince, Lü Bu would never have dared act as he did.
This time, his gamble had paid off.
The Emperor then took out two white jade pendants from his sleeve. The milky jade glowed warmly, each carved with a pair of lifelike phoenixes—clearly extraordinary pieces.
“This is a small token from me to you and Xiao Meng. May you have a long and happy union. I meant to give them to Xiao Meng, but since I missed him, I’ll give them to you now.” The Emperor spoke with a maturity beyond his years, yet all the more revealing his lingering youthfulness.
Lü Bu had not expected this gesture from the young Emperor, and was both touched and at a loss for words about the “eternal union” blessing.
But he keenly caught the key point. “Where is Xiao Meng now?”
“He’s gone. He said he’d wait for you at the usual place,” said the Emperor.
“What!”
Lü Bu was shocked—hadn’t he told Xiao Meng to wait in the palace? The Emperor was startled as well.
Suddenly, Lü Bu remembered what Xiahou Dun had said that day. His expression changed, and he bowed to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, I am forever grateful. I must take my leave now—please take care!” With a few swift leaps, he was over the palace walls, leaving the young Emperor alone in the study.
…Will we meet again?
The Emperor wondered.
Then, remembering Lü Bu’s promise, he thought—it’s probably better if we don’t.
Lü Bu, take care as well.
The young Emperor knew he would always remember this man.
End of Chapter Twenty-Two
Burning Dreams Chronicle, Chapter 22: “Kindred Spirits”
Original work by Jing Xixian (Vampire L). All rights reserved.
Without my written permission, please do not reproduce, reprint, adapt, repost, translate, or use this work for commercial purposes in any form.
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